As for the bolded statement, this is true of any alt chain, sidechain or not. I don't see how sidechains would effectively assist and benefit pump & dump opportunities. A fool and his money are soon parted, no matter the way.
it could even accelerate the sidescams since it will now be so easy to slide BTC over to that SC. plus, this concept has the blessing of core devs, whom you so trust, right?