Amen. I mostly wanted to exonerate 2,4-D. It's not as safe as Cherry Kool-Aide, but neither is it as dangerous as plutonium.
I think it is horror stories like this, plus the domestic excesses of the 40s and 50s before the risks were well and widely understood that has given agricultural chemicals such a "bad rep".
Like all technology starting with fire: a good servant but a bad master.
Useful and potentially safe, but easily abused.
Like any power tool, restraint and understanding are needed.
When haste, greed or war lust overcomes common sense and decency, they can easily cause great harm.
