I made it back, to my favorite forums, Tnet!
Gosh Blurr, don't slay the messenger!
If I may ask, let's NOT bog this down with all the semantics and just try and get the information out to as many people as we can. If you would review it, I'm almost sure you'll find it valid, for the most part.
I fully realize a vehicle is equipped with more control features than the accelerator, horn, steering wheel, and brake. The gear selector is indeed a useful tool for both acceleration, and deceleration.
I think, more than anything, these folks advocating 'hyper-miling' are advising against the incessant racing from stoplight, to stoplight that we commonly see in everyday traffic where the lights are not properly synchronized.
Many automatic transmission don't even employ a rear pump that allows engine braking, and they DO allow runaway speeds, such as when coming down out of Wolfcrick Pass in the Colorado Rockies.
You can heat up your brakes severely, motoring on down out of there!
Best,
rmptr