While APS News seemingly encourages young physicists to look beyond pure physics for their professional growth, Abrahams' column clearly shows that some physicists will be laughing at them behind their backs. The Back Page of the March 1995 APS News was devoted to the Ig Nobel prizes, which are great fun. However, Daryl Gates and Edward Teller are issues of political opinion, about which views differ, and it is plain dishonest to lump them with scientific frauds. It is, in fact, fraudulent to try to discredit their political views by lumping them with flakes. First, it is not disparaging to say of a particular piece of research that it is improbable.
Some research is important AND amusing.
Second, I am often asked if it's true that scientists have no sense of humor. My answer is that it's not true. Most scientists have a very good sense of humor, and they are enormously amused at the few who don't.