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?
Nonsense
First, it is already easy as it is to convert BTC into any other coin. Altcoin exchanges are readily available and require know KYC/AML hurdle to jump through to register.
Second, these devs are not responsible for the possibility that someone create "sidescams" and fool naive people into moving their BTC to this chain.
What you are saying is akin to suggesting Satoshi is to be held accountable for creating the concept allowing for scamcoins to thrive.