zlacker

Of course they can, I don't see anyone debating that point. Dr. Makary actually spent part of his career working _against_ profit-seeking doctors and predatory hospitals. I'm not sure why you're bringing that up in the first place, unless you have some specific bone to pick with him, and if you do I'm curious what it is. What you're saying is just as misdirected as if we were talking about engineers and I pointed out that they can be literally paid to write bad code, they are neither infallible nor perfect, and can just as easily be paid to say untrue things as anyone else.

>It would be, but from the other side (e.g. Dr Fauci anyone?)

You've actually illustrated my point very well here. What I'm saying is that it's great that places like HN are largely able to discuss public health at face value, rather than through the Red v. Blue lens that most Americans insist on reducing things to. Unfortunately, as soon as you accuse "the other side" of doing just about anything, your intentions are revealed, the water is muddied, and the discussion becomes useless.

>>honkda+(OP)
Someone simply mentioned his affiliation. I don't see a problem. This doctor is dabbling in policy, not whether or not my prescription is still good. Policy means politics. His background therefore matters.

> What I'm saying is that it's great that places like HN are largely able to discuss public health at face value, rather than through the Red v. Blue lens that most Americans insist on reducing things to.

Not really true anymore, sadly.