# Can Dr. Oz sink any lower? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 14, 2014, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433 "2014-05-14T12:33:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/41 "2014-05-14T22:44:05Z")
Uh, her network has Dr Oz and Dr Phil shows, and she’d featured both of them on her own show. I think that’s evidence enough that she’s promoting pseudoscientific bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/42 "2014-05-14T22:45:51Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > So the answer is "I got nuthin’ " > > And yes, if you make specific assertions of harm > You should be able to offer examples, and your inability to do so undermines the validity of your assertions. It’s a wacky point of view, but it works for me. So in your point of view Fred Phelps, and more recently Donald Sterling, are great guys because I can’t point to a specific individual they directly harmed? ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/43 "2014-05-14T22:51:34Z")
Oprah [has repeatedly given anti-vax](http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2007/09/22/jenny-mccarthy-and-oprah-winfrey-two-cra/)asshole Jenny McCarthy a platform to spread her woo. Is that bad enough for you, Stoid? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/44 "2014-05-14T23:36:07Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Uh, her network has Dr Oz and Dr Phil shows, she’d featured both of them on her own show. I think that’s evidence enough that she’s promoting pseudoscientific bullshit. Except that wasn’t the assertion. (What has Dr. Phil done that you lump him with Oz as a promoter of pseudoscientific bullshit? I haven’t been keeping up…) > [@zoid](#): > > So in your point of view Fred Phelps, and more recently Donald Sterling, are great guys because I can’t point to a specific individual they directly harmed? You haven’t accused them of harming anyone, but you did accuse Oprah. As far as whether they are great guys, the only thing that I know about either one of them is overwhelmingly negative, particularly in the case of Phelps. Whereas what I know about Oprah, especially about Oprah as a force in the world, vs. as a private person, is overwhelmingly positive. > [@LavenderBlue](#): > > Oprah [has repeatedly given anti-vax](http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2007/09/22/jenny-mccarthy-and-oprah-winfrey-two-cra/)asshole Jenny McCarthy a platform to spread her woo. Is that bad enough for you, Stoid? > > :dubious: Bad enough to agree that she is a cunt who deserves to die miserable and alone? Hardly. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/45 "2014-05-14T23:45:57Z")
Here’s what I don’t understand: Oz repeatedly says he doesn’t endorse anything, ever, under any circumstances, so if you see a picture of him or his name associated with any business using his name or likeness to sell their products, to know it’s absolutely not true. So how does he benefit by putting these supplement and woo woo hucksters on his show? ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/46 "2014-05-14T23:47:18Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Whereas what I know about Oprah, especially about Oprah as a force in the world, vs. as a private person, is overwhelmingly positive. Please share what you know as a force in the world that is overwhelmingly positive. Let’s hold you to your own standards - cite specifics. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/47 "2014-05-14T23:50:11Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Bad enough to agree that she is a cunt who deserves to die miserable and alone? Hardly. Yes, bad enough. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/48 "2014-05-14T23:50:31Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > So the answer is "I got nuthin’ " > > And yes, if you make specific assertions of harm > You should be able to offer examples, and your inability to do so undermines the validity of your assertions. It’s a wacky point of view, but it works for me. How about [this one?](http://digitaljournal.com/article/301197) > [@](#): > > Oprah asked Kim to read part of a letter she sent her: > I watched The Secret for the first time back in 2006. **Shortly after The Secret aired on Oprah** , I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was shocked, but most of all, I became mad. Not because I had cancer, but because most of the doctors that I’ve spoken to -three so far- have all said that surgery was absolutely necessary within the next month. I would have to undergo a partial radical mastectomy of the right breast, followed by treatment. After much thought, I’ve decided to heal myself. Oprah tried to backpedal from taking any responsibility for airing The [del]Secret[/del] Bullshit. > [@](#): > > Oprah made some sort attempt to dissuade her from doing that and suggested she combine genuine medical treatment with her application of The Secret. Oprah on the subject of medicine: > I think it is irresponsible on your part, not to take advantage of that. > Kim then explains that she is “not just doing The Secret”. She is making her own choices\*\*, just like Oprah said.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/49 "2014-05-14T23:58:48Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Here’s what I don’t understand: Oz repeatedly says he doesn’t endorse anything, ever, under any circumstances, so if you see a picture of him or his name associated with any business using his name or likeness to sell their products, to know it’s absolutely not true. > > So how does he benefit by putting these supplement and woo woo hucksters on his show? ratings = advertising dollars ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/50 "2014-05-14T23:59:53Z")
Well, YMMV and all, but yeah, being the primary conduit of McCarthy’s bullshit makes Oprah partially responsible for the suffering and death McCarthy’s claims have resulted in _does_ mean Oprah is a cunt who deserves–at minimum–to die miserable and alone. There should be consequences for her actions and, without Oprah, McCarthy would have been just another bimbo starlet nobody who showed up in Playboy to get attention the only other way she knows how to get it. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/51 "2014-05-15T00:00:57Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > How about [this one?](http://digitaljournal.com/article/301197) > > Oprah tried to backpedal from taking any responsibility for airing The [del]Secret[/del] Bullshit. I strongly urge you to prefer direct information over paraphrased information. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7uf-5yuRiPs/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGDogWChyMA8=&rs=AOn4CLBCG-QgETQcv5w-NZyxV6zpkYbrAA "Cancer Angel On The Couch 03/07") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uf-5yuRiPs) It’s clear that Oprah does NOT support this woman’s decision and does not encourage her. Blaming Oprah for this woman’s decision is bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/52 "2014-05-15T00:12:13Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > I strongly urge you to prefer direct information over paraphrased information. > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uf-5yuRiPs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uf-5yuRiPs) > > It’s clear that Oprah does NOT support this woman’s decision and does not encourage her. > Blaming Oprah for this woman’s decision is bullshit. Bull shit! If That stupid bitch hadn’t given those fucking insane wackos a pedestal and then fucking applauded them the damage would never have been done. She’s a complicit fucking cunt and you personally suck as a person for defending her. Stoid, you are a piece of shit. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/53 "2014-05-15T00:16:01Z")
When you have a huge audience you have a huge responsibility to your audience. Using that to help promote all sorts of terrible woo is utterly irresponsible. Oprah sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/54 "2014-05-15T00:19:01Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Except that wasn’t the assertion. (What has Dr. Phil done that you lump him with Oz as a promoter of pseudoscientific bullshit? I haven’t been keeping up…) It’s what **I** think Oprah is just awful for doing. (And giving Jenny McCarthy a supportive platform for her odious views, as well.) Granted, Dr Phil probably shouldn’t have been lumped in there, but IMO he showed poor judgement in his weight-loss product peddling that the feds launched an investigation over the unsubstantiated claims he made about them, and the hiring-a-former-patient scandal that got him a reprimand from his state board. He comes off like a calmer, platitude-spewing Jerry Springer, and I have serious doubts that his “interventions” bring much good to the intended targets. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/55 "2014-05-15T00:19:41Z")
Now I know how to tell zoid and Stoid apart. I’ll just ask them about Oprah if I’m confused. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/56 "2014-05-15T00:24:30Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Well, YMMV and all, but yeah, being the primary conduit of McCarthy’s bullshit makes Oprah partially responsible for the suffering and death McCarthy’s claims have resulted in _does_ mean Oprah is a cunt who deserves–at minimum–to die miserable and alone. There should be consequences for her actions and, without Oprah, McCarthy would have been just another bimbo starlet nobody who showed up in Playboy to get attention the only other way she knows how to get it. You are entitled to your opinion, of course, regarding to what degree Oprah should be condemned for giving McCarthy a platform, but my opinion is that it’s ridiculous. It isn’t as though Oprah stood up and screamed at her audience “Stop Vaccinating your children!” Not even close. I have little sympathy for anyone who would make life and death health decisions based on watching Oprah or Oz or Andrew Weil or the guy on CNN or Jenny McCarthy or anyone else they only know from watching on TV, and I’m not going to condemn the people on TV for what individuals choose to do, because it infantilizes them. Oprah has the power to influence, no question (as we discussed in these pages some years back, there’s a very strong case to be made that we can thank Oprah for Obama…which I’m ok with.) but she’s not Jim Jones. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/57 "2014-05-15T00:28:45Z")
Oh, Jim Jones deserved WORSE than he got, which disappoints me about the lack of an afterlife. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/58 "2014-05-15T00:30:30Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Y Oprah has the power to influence, no question (as we discussed in these pages some years back, there’s a very strong case to be made that we can thank Oprah for Obama…which I’m ok with.) but she’s not Jim Jones. If she has enough influence to swing a Presidential election, then she needs to be _damned_ sure about what she allows on her show and the possible harm it could do. She either has no idea what is legitimate science/medicine/whatever or she doesn’t care what she does as long as her ego is fed. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/59 "2014-05-15T00:32:20Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Now I know how to tell zoid and Stoid apart. I’ll just ask them about Oprah if I’m confused. I’m the one who isn’t bat shit crazy, defends horrible human being because they make me feel fuzzy, convinced I can win fucked up legal cases when every lawyer on the whole fucking board tells me I’m delusional, and is psychotically over confident despite repeatedly being given the ever-loving-fuck of all beat downs. Oh, and I have a dick. I really need to think about a new handle ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433/60 "2014-05-15T00:43:11Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Oh, Jim Jones deserved WORSE than he got, which disappoints me about the lack of an afterlife. Again, you are entitled. I don’t hold with the idea of punishment, suffering, revenge and all similar notions to begin with, so we’ll never find common ground on that part of it no matter what. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dr-oz-sink-any-lower/688433.md?page=4)