Otherwise, I don't understand what your question refers to.
Yep. Part of it. And they don't need the extremist fringe for their attacks. On the FP of the blog you link to, there is
I think we can come to a synthesis if you read nomad's piece mainly as media criticism. Some of the same tendencies in the news media that exaggerate scepticism will also bring out exaggerated claims.* The upshot it a reduced trust of the public in science, whereas the proper target would be the science desks of various news operations.
* Some, because of course certain elements of the media also have their fair share of cranks and corporate hacks
I have a tendency to only comment on what I disagree with or miss :-) *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.