http://michiganmessenger.disqus.com/enTue, 13 Jan 2009 22:00:48 -0000http://michiganmessenger.com/11447/conyers-takes-issue-with-gupta-as-surgeon-general-blogs-about-it#comment-5104518Conyers is right! While Gupta is perhaps okay as a TV personality, major concerns exist about Gupta should he be offered the role of Surgeon General of the US. <br><br>1. As a media figure, Gupta has been disturbingly cozy with Big Pharma. He co-hosts Turner Private Networks' monthly show "Accent Health," which airs in doctors' offices around the country and which serves as a major conduit for targeted ads from the drug companies. <br><br>2. He has openly opposed progressive health reform, and cited false information in an effort to discredit Michael Moore's film "Sicko". Ultimately, it was found that Gupta distorted the facts.<br><br>3. In 2003, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, he publicly downplayed concerns about the dangers of Vioxx. It was removed from the market a year later by its manufacturer, Merck.<br><br>4. Media watchdog groups have also expressed concern about lack of objectivity in his reporting: <a href="http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3135" rel="nofollow">http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3135</a><br><a href="http://mediamatters.org/items/200707120001" rel="nofollow">http://mediamatters.org/items/200707120001</a>SteveLRTue, 13 Jan 2009 22:00:48 -0000