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Arts and Culture

Outcry on Savage’s Savage Comment About Autism

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Posted on Jul 23, 2008
Savage
portland.indymedia.org

Shock jock Michael Savage clearly has an overblown sense of the extent of his “expertise” on a wide range of topics, but he overstepped his bounds by attempting armchair psychology about a sensitive subject last week—autism—and drew fire from angry parents and supporters.


The New York Daily News:

On July 16, Savage infuriated parents by declaring, “I’ll tell you what autism is. In 99% of the cases, it’s a brat who hasn’t been told to cut the act out.”

On his show Tuesday night, Savage continued to argue that very few children suffer from “real autism” and that most kids diagnosed with autism are misdiagnosed troublemakers or faking.

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By FlamingLib, August 17, 2008 at 3:42 pm #

Michael Savage is the avatar of Roy Cohn, the Jew-hating, homophobic Jewish homosexual.  Don’t you feel sorry for Savage that he played hookie when his psychology professor was lecturing on the theory of projection?

Report this

By Fellowdigger, July 31, 2008 at 1:12 pm #

Hey Dude - I was being “over sensitive” regarding the gay comments - I guess M.S. would have a field day with that comment.

The Jesus thing though - Jesus (or a collaboration of voices) said a lot of crazy things - as much as he talked about peace, love and understanding he also spoke about eternal punshiment, elitism of his small sect and the need for slaves to behave themselves. it is a fact that there was an incredible amount of political upheaval for a bunch of jewish hippies (running around with the wealthy boheimian types) to try to pull together an agenda - the jews in Jerusalem were about to be devasted by war - whatever was happening and whatever was said - these neo-con facist media whores sure have enough in the new testament to carry out, like those before them, their christian crusade against those like myself - the most ironic thing about it is that if ‘Jesus’ was present today he (or they) would be at the top of their list

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By Pat Henry, July 31, 2008 at 5:43 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

to Fellowdigger ...

Hey, Dude!  No intention whatsoever to suggest gays are “unfortunate”. 

My sentence, “They’ll pile onto folks less fortunate” stands without reference to anyone who’s not Cleaver-family in sexual orientation. 

However, if I could write it again I’d say “They’ll pile onto the vulnerable or less fortunate”.  No doubt in my own mind that there are places in this Country where members of the GLBT community are vulnerable ... e.g. Wyoming ... as in Matthew Shephard.

People like Savage feed the fires of homophobia and hatred.  Their destructive, self-serving pronouncements are the equivalent of crying “Fire!” in a crowded theater.  That is not the message Christ preached.

I am an agnostic myself, but believe that Jesus’ message should be practiced by those who preach it.

Report this

By Fellowdigger, July 30, 2008 at 10:51 am #

to Pat Henry:

I’m gay and I’m not an “unfortunate”  Also, I think Coulture, Savage and others are acting exactly how they think their “Saviour” wants them to - go figure.

And yes, I find his comments on autism horrendously bad (my nephew has been suffering for years)  I just find it amusing that now the sponsors have decided to pull the ads after the facist things he has said about other human beings.  If he has free speech about those things than let him have free speech about everything.

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By Fellowdigger, July 30, 2008 at 9:40 am #

and he is - I do listen to him at night - 1) for entertainment because he is such a baffoon and 2)know thine enemy.  Of course, Savage is obsessed with gay people and the “pink mafia”  I think he talks more about homosexuals than me (a homosexual) and all my gay friends put together. Savage talks more about gay things than is heard on Rosie’s cruise (talk about another myopic celebrity)  At least his homophoiba is transparent - actually more rabid, his racist attitude are more dressed up in sub-text.  I guess he is being fired from his radio show - I’m worried about a further decline in his mental health now but maybe he will be able to spend more time to open that door and come out of the closet and go enjoy the world of gay decadence that he can only pine over in the public forum.  Don’t worry Michael, not everyone gets caught like Larry Craig

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By Gmonst, July 28, 2008 at 8:55 pm #

This characterization of autism seems so off that I am left wondering if he really wasn’t thinking of ADD (attention deficit disorder) instead.  That argument could be leveled at ADD and would be fairly valid in my opinion.  I didn’t listen to the show, so I don’t know the context, but it seems strange that anyone could think autism is just an act.  Autism is even called ASD (Autism spectrum disorders) which could easily be confused with ADD.  Mistakes like that are not uncommon.  It is also not uncommon that people will over look the possibility of a mistake in order to have the drama of a controversial comment.  Just like McCains Iraq-Pakistan border thing.  He was asked about Afghanistan and then mentions the Iraq Pakistan border, clear to me he meant Afghanistan-Pakistan border, but a simple misspeak is not enough drama.  We love that drama.

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By Pat Henry, July 28, 2008 at 5:42 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

“Savage”?  What’s in a name?

We should boycott anyone who fails to show the generosity of Spirit exemplified by our Savior.

Hannity, Coulter, Savage and their ilk savage Christ’s example. 

They do violence to our better nature when they savage the rights of the underdog, of women, of homosexuals, or the economically disadvantaged.  They’ll pile onto folks less fortunate.  They are schoolyard bullies.

Ignore them.  They are irrelevant.

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By Rosepetal, July 27, 2008 at 11:17 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

I’m guessing Savage was aiming his comment at Asperger’s diagnosed children - aren’t they at the most highly functioning end of the autism spectrum?

I’ve known kids with obvious Asperger Syndrome characteristics, and have subsequently been diagnosed and mainstreamed into the school environment with much success. But, at least one child I know whose parents insist has Asperger’s, had him labeled at school and partake in the social services provided by their state - yet virtually everyone around this family would align with savage on this one situation. The child behaves poorly but never showed the classic Asperger’s Syndrome characteristics. I fear this child (who is in my family) will suffer from the fact that his parents are responsible for labeling this child wrongly - and have found the doctors who will back up their claims. There IS a problem with faulty diagnosis for syndromes such as this one that is amorphous in nature, and which the child ultimately suffers as a result of parents unable to say no and create proper boundaries.

While Savage is a moron, there is a need to keep these kinds of diagnosis from becoming crutches for poor parenting.

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By Louise, July 27, 2008 at 1:41 pm #

Lets face it, real men don’t have to open their mouths to prove they need a jock strap!

But lets take that one step further. What kind of men have to fortify their “manliness” by sucking up the stuff that spills out of the mouths of talk jocks? I suspect there’s a lot missing on those bodies too.

As for the “ladies” [and I use the term loosely] perhaps the closest they can get to sexual satisfaction is imagining the jock behind the mouth has something to offer them.

A New World Disorder requiring serious pathology.

Trying to figure out why people have so little satisfaction, and so little meaning in their personal lives. And why they prefer addiction to a fantasy behind a mouth, to actual self-involvement with real people in a real world scenario.

Of course such pathology would be discouraged by anyone who uses stupid people for personal gain.

Could lead to a diagnosis, which could lead to a treatment, which could lead to a cure, which could lead to conservatives and republicans everywhere ... finding themselves out of work! wink

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By hippy pam, July 27, 2008 at 9:44 am #

My son [as a child]suffered from ADD-I would tell him once-THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR-I would tell him a second time-THAT BEHAVIOR IS NOT ALLOWED-The third time I would REMOVE HIM FROM THE AREA-After all-WHY SHOULD EVERYONE ELSE HAVE TO PUT UP WITH A CHILD THAT IS ACTING OUT[even if the child can’t control itself?]As in THE CHURCH CASE-The other parisioners SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECTED TO those actions…NOR SHOULD I,WHEN I PAY MY GOOD HARD EARNED MONEY FOR A PLANE TRIP,HAVE TO BE SUBJECTED TO A CHILD WHOSE PARENTS FEEL THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO INFRINGE ON MY SPACE/PEACE/QUIET/VACATION WITH THEIR PROBLEM….!!!!There are alternatives-rent a car[no one else has to be bothered then]

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By cyrena, July 26, 2008 at 6:21 am #

Outraged..

”..Many feel that SIDS is linked to the second immunization of infants, since the prevalence of SIDS is highest in the four-month old infant.  I am among those who believe there is a correlation.  Of course, this is not investigated…hmmmm.”

~~~~

This is very interesting, since I’ve never, ever heard of this correlation before. And, I guess that proves your point…it’s not investigated. In fact, overwhelmingly, the consensus is that there is no explanation for SIDS.

That bugs me alot. It just seems like we ought to have been able to come up with more information on so many illnesses, as well as some cures.

On the other hand, there’s a case to be made for those who can make the claim that their loved ones managed to LIVE with cancer, but DIED from the chemotherapy. It’s a valid point, since I don’t know - honestly, how many cancer patients who have actually had their lives extended by any substantial measure, as a result of chemotherapy.

(I also have ZERO statistical information to base that on).

Report this

By cyrena, July 26, 2008 at 6:07 am #

By Inherit The Wind, July 25 at 6:45 pm #

Cyrena,

It’s a hypothesis that vaccinations CAUSE Autism, not that there’s one to prevent it.

This kind of idea comes up from time to time, but parents don’t realize the down-side risk.

~~~~~~

Thanks for this very important illumination ITW. I guess you could tell I was really confused. wink

But yes, I HAVE heard of this idea that vaccinations ‘cause’ various diseases, and I’ve heard it frequently. I’ve even known several people within the past few years who have insisted on home births ONLY to avoid the possibility of their newborns receiving ANY unwanted ANYTHING, in terms of whatever newborns are given.

I have a former inlaw who goes berserk every year when the elderly line up for their flu shots. Claims they’re all just stupid for allowing themselves to be injected with a virus. She probably would have objected to the polio vaccination as well. And, she’s a medical social worker. So, any patients that she sees that might be suffering from some seriously painful disorder are doomed, since she doesn’t believe in pain medications either.

So, while an argument can be made against nearly any form of pharma/chemical enhancement, for whatever the reasons, we always get extremes. Like these extremes considering Jennie. (yeah, what ABOUT those silicone implants?) And we’ve got outrageous people like Savage claiming that autistic children are just brats. A good ass whoppin’ will fix ‘em right up. That just annoys me to no end.

On the other end, I agree with MackTN that children, (and adults) are often overmedicated, or even unnecessarily medicated. Still, there’s a balance, and more and more, people seem to be getting away from that, based on what I have come to believe is a lack of common sense.

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By Outraged, July 26, 2008 at 5:31 am #

Re: ITW

Your comment: “Parents in Europe started refusing the Pertusis Vaccine (Whooping Cough) because it can have rather dangerous allergic reactions and make a kid quite sick.  So their kids started getting Whooping Cough and they found that the disease STILL was worse than the cure.”

That is not accurate.  Of course, it depends upon whom you ask, doesn’t it?  One would have to contemplate, how many children DIE from whooping cough according to parents, and contrast that with how many children according to parents, HAVE DIED from the pertussis vaccine?

It is common knowledge that the FIRST time one is exposed to an allergen that one is SEVERELY allergic to they will have a reaction, but the second time one is exposed it could be fatal.

We know this. That is why if one has ANY ADVERSE reaction to antibiotics, the second exposure could kill them unless anti-allergy meds are administered immediately upon any confirmed second reaction.  This is also true for those allergic to bee stings.  The first sting will not kill you, but given an intense reaction the second sting could.

All to often, what is dubbed “common reactions” to immunizations are considered just that.  But this is inaccurate.  Many feel that SIDS is linked to the second immunization of infants, since the prevalence of SIDS is highest in the four-month old infant.  I am among those who believe there is a correlation.  Of course, this is not investigated…hmmmm.

Report this

By Outraged, July 26, 2008 at 5:06 am #

I think Savage ought to continue denigrating sick children since then it will be clear to EVERYONE exactly where this man’s mind is.

What a loser.  Seriously, how big of a loser does one have to be to attempt to raise ratings or a appear “the tough guy” to sick children.  Some tough guy.  I’ll take Savage on, the miscreant.  I feel secure in the fact that if he’s confident beating up on innocent sick children, he should consider a woman a fair fight…right?

Does anyone remember a loser in high school who actually HAD to resort to attacking sick children to get attention..?  I don’t.  Do you?  Even the skankiest of the skanky didn’t NEED to resort to that.  My god, he really epitomizes the depravity of our corporate “heroes” doesn’t he.

Keep it up Savage.  You’re doing a “bang up” job.  I couldn’t have done to you what you have done to yourself.  Thanks.

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By Inherit The Wind, July 25, 2008 at 10:45 pm #

Cyrena,

It’s a hypothesis that vaccinations CAUSE Autism, not that there’s one to prevent it.

This kind of idea comes up from time to time, but parents don’t realize the down-side risk.  Parents in Europe started refusing the Pertusis Vaccine (Whooping Cough) because it can have rather dangerous allergic reactions and make a kid quite sick.  So their kids started getting Whooping Cough and they found that the disease STILL was worse than the cure.

I wonder if Jennie McCarthy questioned whether the silicone in her implants could have caused autism rather than the vaccines?

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By cyrena, July 25, 2008 at 9:36 pm #

By BobZ, July 25 at 12:22 pm

•  “…They have an amazing ability to make the most outrageous unsubstantiated comments and get away with it.

This says it all BobZ. This is a keeper, and I’m asking your permission to repeat this every time it is appropriate on this site. (and that’s all the time, 24/7)

I’m not entirely convinced that it’s an ‘amazing’ ability, since it doesn’t really take much to construct outrageous and unsubstantiated claims/comments. That they ‘get away with it’ might be our fault as much as anything. I like calling out fakes and liars, since they’re usually arrogant ignorants as well. They just assume that they can say the most ridiculous shit, or voice the most outrageous accusations, because nobody else knows any better. In short, “WE’RE” all stupid, so we’ll just believe anything.

WRONG.

Someone mentioned Autism as something that could extend well into adult years. I don’t take any particular offense to that, but the reality is that autism DOES extend for as long as the person is alive. At least that’s been my personal experience. I have a cousin who is autistic. He’s in his mid-40’s by now. He’s ALWAYS been autistic. It doesn’t ‘go away’. His challenges are made more manageable by the adjustments his family has made, but autism isn’t some childhood disorder. It’s true that here at my own educational institution, (which operates a special center for the study and treatment) most of the patients are children and their families. But, that’s because it would be in childhood that the disorder is initially discovered.

What with the vaccinations? I never heard of vaccinations for autism. That doesn’t make sense to me. That’s like trying to vaccinate somebody for bipolar or any similar disorder.

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By Harris D. Foster, July 25, 2008 at 6:44 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

I am a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, who works with children across the Autistic Spectrum. Micheal is an ass, he probably never got much attention as a child and learned as a radio host that the only way to get attention is to say something stupid. The media of course gives him all the attention he needs. In 36 hours we will be on to the next dysfunctional topic. The world we have created is truly sick. It’s clear you need no brain to be on talk radio.

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By xyzaffair, July 25, 2008 at 5:02 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

His mind’s made up.  Don’t confuse him with the facts.

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By BobZ, July 25, 2008 at 4:22 pm #

What is it with Republicans? They accuse all of us except their country club set of being a bunch of whiners; now one of them accuses autistic children of faking it. They have an amazing ability to make the most outrageous unsubstantiated comments and get away with it. They manage to bring down America every time they open their mouths. They are the personification of the Joe McCarthy style of Republicanism. Abe, Teddy, and Ike would be embarrassed by this brand of the party. Of course those three giants of the GOP would be labeled “Rhino’s” by the likes of Michael Savage.

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By JohnT, July 25, 2008 at 3:38 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Considering Michael Savage’s disregard for social norms, I propose that Savage suffers from Asperger Syndrome.

AS is marked by an incapacity to understand non-verbal social communications. See
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/asperger_syndro me.cfm

for a description of Savage’s neurological disorder. Usually, one thinks of children, but this disorder wasn’t recognized in the US until 1994 so that there are many adults suffering from it, but were never so diagnosed.

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By southparker, July 25, 2008 at 11:35 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

He should have kept his original name…Weiner Nation just about sums it up.

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By JohnD, July 25, 2008 at 8:26 am #

You can’t listen to this guy with kids in the room.  People listen to Wiener-savage in the privacy of their cars…
Its like porn! (only harmful) Please reset your pre-set if you are addicted to this puts.

Report this

By JohnD, July 25, 2008 at 8:25 am #

You can’t listen to this guy with kids in the room.  People listen to Wiener-savage in the privacy of their cars…
Its like porn! (only harmful) Please reset your pre-set if you are addicted to this putz.

Report this

By ApprxAm, July 24, 2008 at 9:00 pm #

The learned anthopologist, M. Savage loves to turn the wheel of PR.  That said, Ms. McCarthy concern, I feel, is a legitimate one.  Mercury laced vaccines haven’t been clear as of yet, and until then, isn’t caution a logical course?  I’m not sure her issue or past matters much to her detractors, it’s the fact that she has a stage at all.

Someone said earlier that inside this rant is a real issue,  Let’s search that out and cancel out the white noise.

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By John, July 24, 2008 at 8:35 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

The more idiots like Savage and Limbaugh come out with this sort of outrageous tripe the more it hurts the Republicans because they sound crazy. It’s like the reactions you’re hearing to Obama’s speech in Berlin today. What exactly is WRONG with having a American presidential candidate who is enormously popular with some of our oldest allies. There used to be a time when Americans were proud of foreign forays by our leaders now it’s become a subject for petty carping. Loss of self confidence?

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By Lvogt, July 24, 2008 at 6:06 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Did you just notice who this guy is?

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By dick bohanon, July 24, 2008 at 3:51 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

when someone frames opinion as fact
(as ms did) you must back up the declarations
he cant and wont admit he may be wrong factually.
his opinions are his to own.
just dont claim them to be self-evident.
my freedom of choice is to not do business with
advertisers who may support such arrogance.
say what you want mike,just dont cry about the consequences.

Report this

By cg, July 24, 2008 at 3:23 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Michael Weiner is no savage.  But he didn’t want anyone to realize what a wiener he really is so he changed his name to Savage. Sounds like he has issues.  Maybe be he is mildly autistic and can’t control his inane rantings.

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By JimM, July 24, 2008 at 1:58 pm #

My brother in law down in Fl. likes Savage. He also hates blacks and especially Mexicans. So Michael does have an audience, although not a partiularly intelligent one. He has made millions off of his ridiculous hateful rantings.

boycott his advertisers and tell them why.

Notice there is no place for feedback on his facist website


What an asshole

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By KMarx, July 24, 2008 at 12:25 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Who cares what Savage says. The only time he makes headlines is when he really goes overboard. He goes overboard when he needs to boost his sagging rating. So why not ignore him?

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By Matthew, July 24, 2008 at 12:18 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

While the stupidity of Savage’s comments speak for themselves what is perhaps more disturbing is that people listen to him at all.

The fact that millions of people listen to this man on a regular basis illustrates that in this great nation there are masses capable of the kind of thought that is necessary to facilitate a holocaust, genocide or a variety of grotesque behaviors we naively think we have grown to civilized to commit.

Savage is an angry, nationalistic, self righteous voice regularly advocated brutality and millions of like minded Americans tune in to listen every night.

God help us.

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By VietnamVet, July 24, 2008 at 12:01 pm #

Well, apparently Mr. Savage did not bother to read any literature on this issue prior to making his asinine statement. Autism has been a recognized, medical condition affecting thousands of young folks, and even going into adulthood, for at least the last 30 years. Of course, what should you expect from someone in the Limbaugh, Hannity, O’Reilly box!

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By Jim Yell, July 24, 2008 at 10:16 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

It is nice that people this stupid and mean are out there to remind us that they really aren’t superior to anyone. Thoughtless and careless, arrogant and mean. Turn off the radio, and do your best to forget that these things exist.

Report this

By TK, July 24, 2008 at 7:55 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

The Autism community on the whole essentially tunes out Jenny McCarthy. At least she’s on our team. I can’t wait to see what she has to say about this. As for whether or not there is any efficacy to the vaccination argument (and on a certain level I believe there may be), Jenny McCarthy DOES have a point about scheduling. Most parents I deal with think she’s shrill and has all the answers. Of course most of us realize there is no silver bullet, just fighting the state for education, fighting people who victimize your child and fighting to have a “normal” life. We need to continue to fight for awareness, and when idiots like Mike Savage say nonsense like that to legions of fools then we have real cause for concern. Free speech crosses that hazy line and becomes hate speech.

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By DarthMiffy, July 24, 2008 at 5:54 am #

I lived in SF when M.S first appeared. At first I thought he was quite refreshing. Then I realized he was constantly going off on the deep end and really wasn’t saying things that made sense. I turned him off.

I also was once engaged to a man who proved to be a functional autistic. I learned all about that behavior later, after considerable life and financial sacrifices. MS is a true nincompoop…unable to deal with the immense inconsistency of the human race. I don’t think autism is good or bad, but it IS different from the norm (me). The more good facts are out there, the better others can recognize the signs and deal with it. For MS, I don’t have such hopes. It’s a shame so many listen to this level of ignorance. Perhaps it is the appeal to making the agreeable listener RIGHT. So nice to be RIGHT, isn’t it? Kindly set brain and heart to the OFF position.

Report this

By webbedouin, July 23, 2008 at 11:28 pm #

Why is the mendacious ultra right winged radio commentator elevated to the status of a “shock jock”?  Way too good for him.

Report this

By Inherit The Wind, July 23, 2008 at 11:19 pm #

Knowing several autistic children, and the trials and tribulations of their parents, this sadistic idiot ranks up there with Rush Limbaugh making fun of Michael J. Fox, and Jesse Helms saying you didn’t need abortion in cases of rape because “iss a med’cul fack that a woman cain’t get pregnant from rape”.

Why do these f***tards get power and influence?

Autistic children are nothing like spoiled out-of-control children.  Nothing.

As for Jennie McCarthy—are you going to get your child-rearing advice from a woman who became famous for being an MTV silicone-enhanced bimbo? (at least she’s probably a better parent than Savage)

Report this

By Mick Russom, July 23, 2008 at 10:51 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

“how is savage still even allowed out in public”

Its a free country. He has a right to make himself look like an idiot.

What is with this Stalinist crap? The biggest supporter of people with autism is Don Imus, but he says knappy headed hos and you want him fired.

You people are just so stupid you are erecting an Orwellian totalitarian authoritarian state.

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By niloroth, July 23, 2008 at 9:41 pm #

while i am glad there is a large group of people pissed off about what this a**hole said, i have to hope this coalition of parents and supporters goes after idiots like jenny mcarthy and her anti vaccination friends for using autism as an scare tactic.

Seriously, after telling a gay person that he hoped he died from aids, how is savage still even allowed out in public?

Report this

By msgmi, July 23, 2008 at 9:22 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

This Savage individual is a clueless bigot and his remarks about autism shows his arrogance and stupidity about a handicap which deserves sensitivity. Kudos to all the media which have delisted him and kudos to the advertisers who have blacklisted this moron. Savage needs to spend a few days with autistic kids and he’ll still be clueless. So goes Savage’s family values spin.

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By mackTN, July 23, 2008 at 8:42 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Savage actually introduces some legitimate points but buried them in a distasteful rant.  Most disturbing was his racism, accusing black children of faking asthma for the disability funds.  His analysis of the growing prevalence of autism could have been soberly discussed if he wasn’t so interested in getting attention.  He needs to listen to his dad and stop acting a fool.

I do think children are overdiagnosed and overmedicated.  Failure in school can be explained away by medical conditions.  People, most children have trouble sitting still and concentrating, that doesn’t mean that they need ritalin for ADD.

I, too, wonder about the great emergence of autism in children.  I knew one autistic kid when I was young—he couldn’t converse and indulged in repetitive finger and hand movements.  Now it seems that 1 in 5 kids show signs of autism in some degree.  And medical practices get a new crop of eternally afflicted patients from cradle to grave. 

There’s a topic to debate within the savage rant, but throw him overboard and talk to saner people.

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