Sex sells!

It would appear that the junk science industry has added a little spice to their repetoire. According to a terrific article by Steven Milloy, the American Public Health Association is using Erin Brockovich...or, to be more accurate, Erin Brockovich's ample cleavage, to be the keynote speaker at their annual convention next week.

Now, I'm all for filling seats at a conference. But besides a revealing wardrobe, what could Erin Brockovich reveal to a room full of scholars and bureaucrats from the public health community?

Clearly, it is all about sensationalizing the entire industry. Scare tactics, wild charges and ludicrous, unprovable claims are all part of the junk science universe. Now it would appear that they are adding a touch of Hollywood, a dash of cleavage and a dollop of a trollop to make their message known.

The saddest part of all is that those who watched Julia Roberts' portrayal of Erin Brockovich in the movie of the same name and believed her questionable claims will undoubtedly latch on to the real live Erin Brockovich as she launches into another crusade to save us from some unseen evil.

Don't look for the truth in any of her pronouncements. Brockovich's little speech to this group should be given all the serious consideration of a lunchtime visit to Hooters.