Con Artists and Knowing the Source of Claims

[_truth dancer]

Last night while walking on my treadmill, I found an infomercial selling books on natural cures for all sorts of illnesses.

Kevin Trudeau, author of these books was making some pretty amazing claims. He was giving away two books, only charging shipping and handling costs. It was quite a sell to say the least.

I got curious and wondered what was going on, who would believe him, and if any of his claims were true.

As it turns out, this "expert" on natural health has quite a past... He has been in all sorts of trouble, preying on the vulnerable.

A huge con artist to say the least.

I visited a message board with Trudeau as the topic. Many of the posts sound like what one would find on a religious MB. Feelings of anger, frustration, guilt, stupidity... right along with devotion, admiration, and praise. Many people are huge fans of this guy. He has sold millions and millions of books. And, there are many who have been ripped off and seriously hurt.

It got me thinking....

Isn't it important to know the background of someone who is making some serious claims? Wouldn't it be advisable to study up about a person prior to investing one's time or money in their claims? Shouldn't a person's track record play a part in trust?

Why do some people follow Trudeau and believe all his claims and others can see right through him? This guy uses his run-ins with the law as proof that he is on to the truth. He twists and contorts and justifies and denies reality and yet some still believe him.

How is it that people can overlook all sorts of problematic information so easily? How is it that people will believe the most ridiculous things even from a not-so-great man?

Belief is an amazing phenomenon to say the least. 8)

If you want to see Trudeau at work, check out this video clip from 20/20. The guy is slick... He can rationalize and justify ANYTHING 8) Even when he is caught flat out lying he finds a way to excuse it. Amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN5ihrECJms

~dancer~

[_Scottie]

Not if you have a spiritual witness testifying that this person is telling the Gods honest truth.

Then nothing else matters.

[_Moniker]

TD, I woke up the other night to witness some sort of infomercial on my tube -- it was something snake oilish and I watched a few minutes of it before realizing what it was. I wish I could recall precisely what was being peddled -- but it was in the wee mornings and I'm sorry my attention was so sketchy.

Anyway, what struck me immediately was the "real people" and their testimonies being the predominant sales pitch. THIS is what sold the product. It was saddening and infuriating, for me, all at the same time.

I remember having to deal with these two adults when I was a teenager (parents of a friend) that believed that silver nitrate (I think that's what it was?) was the CURE FOR CANCER!!?? Now, as they're telling me this my mouth gapes and I just don't know what to make of them. I don't want to be rude, yet, I couldn't resist in asking them why they believe this. Well, for one, the medical community makes money from people being sick and it's a conspiracy to not cure people (AHHH --- rightio! THAT makes sense!!??) and the real deal for them was the PERSONAL testimonies that it did indeed cure cancer.

It was bizarre. I don't know why there are some among us that gobble up this ridiculousness --- but I do fear there are not a shortage of them.

[_Bond...James Bond]

I remember having to deal with these two adults when I was a teenager (parents of a friend) that believed that silver nitrate (I think that's what it was?) was the CURE FOR CANCER!!??

It came in at #3 (or something) on this list of awful cures. Check out Number 1.

http://www.somethingawful.com/d/most-aw ... -cures.php

[_Ray A]

I'm kind of wondering if the motive here is that Mormonism should also be "exposed" as a "scam"?

I know many already think it is. But that's stale news to me.

[_Moniker]

I remember having to deal with these two adults when I was a teenager (parents of a friend) that believed that silver nitrate (I think that's what it was?) was the CURE FOR CANCER!!??

It came in at #3 (or something) on this list of awful cures. Check out Number 1.

http://www.somethingawful.com/d/most-aw ... -cures.php

Apparently it was Colloidal silver! It came it at #5! It cures AIDS too!

Yah, number one -- what's there to say?!

[_charity]

So transparent. So. . . . . . sorry, I dozed off, there.

[_Pokatator]

I remember having to deal with these two adults when I was a teenager (parents of a friend) that believed that silver nitrate (I think that's what it was?) was the CURE FOR CANCER!!??

It came in at #3 (or something) on this list of awful cures. Check out Number 1.

http://www.somethingawful.com/d/most-aw ... -cures.php

Apparently it was Colloidal silver! It came it at #5! It cures AIDS too!

Yah, number one -- what's there to say?!

Check out this article on the use of colloidal silver- very interesting, I heard of this but never saw a picture of it before.

http://www.kval.com/news/local/12648491.html

[_Gadianton]

If you're on the ground floor of the MLM and getting a good cut of Trudeau's profits, then the truths about his past are truths that aren't very useful, are they (Charity)? LOL!

[_Moniker]

I remember having to deal with these two adults when I was a teenager (parents of a friend) that believed that silver nitrate (I think that's what it was?) was the CURE FOR CANCER!!??

It came in at #3 (or something) on this list of awful cures. Check out Number 1.

http://www.somethingawful.com/d/most-aw ... -cures.php

Apparently it was Colloidal silver! It came it at #5! It cures AIDS too!

Yah, number one -- what's there to say?!

Check out this article on the use of colloidal silver- very interesting, I heard of this but never saw a picture of it before.

http://www.kval.com/news/local/12648491.html

Ah! It all makes sense now! Smurfs are disease free... of course they had to share Smurfette. You gotta weigh the pros and cons, apparently.