BEYOND IGNORANCE; BEYOND OFFENSIVE
Until recently I was blissfully unaware that there was an infestation of the airwaves known as Michael Savage. Apparently his radio show is widely syndicated, and he recently addressed the autism epidemic:
Mr. Savage apparently didn’t take his father’s advice. He’s behaving like a fool. Mr. Savage is an idiot. No, that gives idiots everywhere a bad name. There really is not a good adjective to describe him. Does he really think that families all over the world are going through this for all the perks that come with having an autistic child? Does he really think that the stimming, the sensory problems, the communication problems, the gut issues, and the rest of the laundry list of symptoms you can add in here are voluntary?
Mr. Savage, stop acting like a putz!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find out if one of my local radio stations carries this A-Hole’s show. If so, I’ve got to make sure the buttons in my car radio don’t include that station.
SAVAGE: Now, you want me to tell you my opinion on autism, since I’m not talking about autism? A fraud, a racket. For a long while, we were hearing that every minority child had asthma. Why did they sudden ⎯ why was there an asthma epidemic amongst minority children? Because I’ll tell you why: The children got extra welfare if they were disabled, and they got extra help in school. It was a money racket. Everyone went in and was told [fake cough], “When the nurse looks at you, you go [fake cough], ‘I don’t know, the dust got me.’ ” See, everyone had asthma from the minority community. That was number one.
Now, the illness du jour is autism. You know what autism is? I’ll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That’s what autism is.
What do you mean they scream and they’re silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, “Don’t act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don’t sit there crying and screaming, idiot.”
Autism ⎯ everybody has an illness. If I behaved like a fool, my father called me a fool. And he said to me, “Don’t behave like a fool.” The worst thing he said ⎯ “Don't behave like a fool. Don’t be anybody’s dummy. Don’t sound like an idiot. Don’t act like a girl. Don’t cry.” That’s what I was raised with. That's what you should raise your children with. Stop with the sensitivity training. You’re turning your son into a girl, and you’re turning your nation into a nation of losers and beaten men. That’s why we have the politicians we have.
Mr. Savage apparently didn’t take his father’s advice. He’s behaving like a fool. Mr. Savage is an idiot. No, that gives idiots everywhere a bad name. There really is not a good adjective to describe him. Does he really think that families all over the world are going through this for all the perks that come with having an autistic child? Does he really think that the stimming, the sensory problems, the communication problems, the gut issues, and the rest of the laundry list of symptoms you can add in here are voluntary?
Mr. Savage, stop acting like a putz!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find out if one of my local radio stations carries this A-Hole’s show. If so, I’ve got to make sure the buttons in my car radio don’t include that station.
UPDATE:
NAA has asked for an apology and retraction from Savage, as well as time on his show to educate this buffoon. It's a nice thought, but I won't hold my breath.
SECOND UPDATE:
The response to this post has been overwhelming, albeit not surprising. Thanks to all. For my open letter to Savage's advertisers, see the next post.
posted by Wade Rankin at 7/17/2008 07:42:00 PM
58 Comments:
Why do I get the feeling that Michael Savage would not be able to comprehend children's lab test results, peer-reviewed medical studies, toxicology articles, Congressional reports, or journalistic investigations?
Why are my hands tingling, as if longing to grip a baseball bat?
I suppose he would tell a kid with downs to "get that retarded look off your face and quit playing dumb".
Wow, a "brat" who hasn't been told to stop acting like a "moron". I would invite Mr. Savage to spend one day in my house and watch my son work three times as hard as anyone his age while he endures behavior therapy, a rigid diet, MB12 shots, high doses of vitamins, and constant teaching from me and his father. who knew all I had to do was to tell him to stop acting like a moron.
Michael Weiner is bought and paid for. I know this because I know I heard him, a few years back, on his radio show, talking about thimerosal. It was only a very brief mention. But you know what, my ears perk up instantly when I hear that word. And so I sat up in bed and I listened carefully. And I don’t remember what exactly his words were, about thimerosal, but I know that he said something damning about the pharmaceutical companies, and I know that, at that point in time, he knew the story and at least at that point in time was sympathetic. He was presenting, however briefly, our side of this. And I wondered “now why on earth has he left it at that? It was only a sentence or two. Just about ten seconds worth of air time. I remember thinking to myself “Wait a minute. How can he say that, how can he know, and then say nothing else??” I listened closely for a few nights after that, hoping he would say something further about the issue, but nothing…
Ok now it’s time for me to take a deep breath, and ready myself to put my foot in my mouth. Cause I do tend to know when it’s about to happen, these days. I just seem unable to stop myself from saying things that I know will get misunderstood. I think, if I’m gonna do this, I’m gonna start with Autism Speaks.
For years they’ve been doing a fantastic job of raising awareness about the number. Yes, it’s over 1 in 150, now. But unless I’m mistaken, that number does include children on the spectrum who are verbal, who are rather high functioning but socially awkward. The lovely people of AS (who, btw and please don’t forget, tried to have me arrested simply for standing on a public sidewalk politely asking people if they’d like information about vaccine safety) haven’t really gone out of their way to explain this. This left the whole topic wide open, a void for people like Michael Weiner to step into. And after all we’ve seen in the last five years, you don’t really expect that anyone in the main stream media circus is going to fill that void with anything much but BS, do you?
One would think, listening to AS propaganda, that one in one hundred and fifty children are severely autistic. Non-verbal, banging their head on the walls, spinning in circles when they should be focused on that telly, smearing their feces autistic. Which, I don’t believe, is actually the case. But it serves the goals of AS to let people believe this—their goals being merely the collection of lots and lots of money. Once they’ve got the money, then they’ll let somebody else deal with the questions of “yeah, but what about those kids who are really rather higher functioning?”
It’s why so many parents of children with full blown autism don’t really want to hear about aspergers. They could see this coming. They could see the day coming when every child with autism would get the fingers pointed at them, and the accusations of ‘whiner, faker, just-wants-to-collect-SSDI-when-they-don’t-really-need-it’ directed their way. You think people aren’t so ignorant that they’d confuse full blown autism with social awkwardness? Lol. Maybe I’m too negative, but I think you overestimate people, if that’s what you think.
I’m not saying that the people diagnosed with aspergers or the parents of children diagnosed with aspergers shouldn’t be working toward public recognition that they, too, need things—
even if it’s only a bit more public enlightenment about their condition. (Maybe they need more, but I think they at least need this much…) I remember, fifteen years ago, getting so angry when people would tell me “oh, you could talk to people. you just won’t!” I remember thinking ‘oh why don’t you tell that guy in the wheelchair “you can get up out of that wheelchair, you just won’t! Why don’t you just get up out of that wheelchair, you lazy ass?!”’ Nobody would ever think to do that.
But my problem with AS, (beyond the fact that they tried to have me arrested—which, btw, I won’t be getting over prior to an apology), has been that they’ve never tried at all to distinguish that these are really two very different groups of people. They’ve done this on purpose. They’ve done this so that they could use that number. And now, it’s come back to bite people in the arse. In the form of Michael Weiner spinning that number into “oh look at all of the fakers!”, without making it clear that almost all of these children are seriously ill.
My daughter, who btw isn’t even diagnosed as on the spectrum, used to go ten days between bowel movements. OOooooh how I would love to hear Michael Weiner try to do a radio show, try to sound coherent, after ten days without a bm. Ooh how I’d love to call in and make fun of him, then.
Robin Nemeth
http://www.wideopenwest.com/~r_nemeth/3M.htm
Wade,
I'm totally with you on this -- Amanda Peet's comments seem like a whimpy *swat* compared to these remarks!
I rarely let this kind of stuff *get to me* (want to stay focused on productive, forward movement) but when I saw the link on AoA and read it, I was on the phone to their corporate headquarters within 10 minutes!
This is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE -- to put it mildly!
Kelli
this kind of sums it up nicely:
My response to Michael Savage's remarks on autism
As many viewers of the CW11 News at Ten know, my oldest son, Liam, has autism. When I was reading the news headlines this morning and saw what radio host Michael Savage had said about autism, that it’s a “fraud, a racket..” and that “In 99 percent of the cases, it’s a brat who hasn’t been told to cut the act out”… my first reaction was to simply consider the source. Michael Savage is a professional jerk, who puts his extreme ignorance on display for fun and profit; substantial profits, apparently, since he’s purported to be the third most popular radio host in America. What he said about autism is so patently ridiculous, I didn’t think it needed to be dignified with a response.
But as the day went on, and responses WERE coming in from autism organizations and parents of autistic children, I knew I couldn’t sit this one out. So, Mr. Savage, here are some of my thoughts about your foolish and cruel diatribe.
You said: “They (autistic children) don’t have a father around to tell them, ‘Don’t act like a moron… Straighten up. Act like a man.”
My son, Liam, DOES have a father, Mr. Savage. That would be me. Liam is ten years old, and, boy, would I love to say things to him about his condition. One problem: Liam has no vocabulary. He can’t talk, Mr. Savage. He has a brain condition that has no known cause, and no known cure, and one of the ways the condition manifests itself in Liam is that he has no speech, and very little receptive language. That means he can barely understand anything that’s said to him.
“You’ll get nowhere in life,” you said we should tell our autistic children. Well, in some regards, for severely autistic children like mine, that’s partially true. Liam has no skills. It’s doubtful he’ll ever be able to have even a simple, repetitive job, and all signs indicate he’ll need 24/7 care for the rest of his life. But I suppose it comes down to what you mean by “nowhere.” Liam will never measure up to what you apparently see as the hidden potential of these “brats.” But he is a kind and gentle soul, who loves his family and caretakers in whatever way he’s capable of loving. He always does his best, and when he smiles, it’s enough to make the sun come out from behind the clouds. Liam is definitely “somewhere” in life, Mr. Savage, but it’s a place I’m afraid you don’t have the capacity to understand or relate to.
Every autistic child is different. Many, like my son, can’t speak or brush their teeth, and need years to learn to go to the bathroom by themselves. Others can go to college, but are burdened with compulsions and social difficulties and the need for repetitive behaviors that makes it difficult for them to fit in. But even with these higher functioning autistics, your “method” of dealing with them is absurdly harsh and wrong-headed. Do you think people with autism WANT to be that way? Do you think their parents haven’t broken their bank accounts, their hearts, and usually their marriages because they haven’t tried everything under the sun to have their child live as normal a life as possible? You think calling them putzes, morons, idiots, is the way to “snap them out of it?” Your ignorance is breathtaking, Mr. Savage. Read more after the jump.
There’s no other way to put it: you are advocating the abuse of handicapped children. If your millions of listeners endorse that thinking, well, you can have them. But all the people I know who have experienced the pain, the difficulty, and, yes, Mr. Savage, the joy, of raising these beautiful children, would never think of treating them the way you apparently would.
You know, the funny thing is, if Liam COULD talk, and if he could understand what you said today, he wouldn’t be angry at you. He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body, and if he could feel anything toward you, it would only be pity, pity that you speak out of such ignorance, and hate. He’s not a moron, Mr. Savage, and neither are you. You’re just a sad and angry man, who would destroy hope rather than nurture it, in the thousands of families who live with autism.
A final note, if you’re reading this: My wife, Lauren Thierry, made a film called “Autism Every Day,” for the organization Autism Speaks. It shows, very simply and plainly, what life is like for families with children on the same place on the autism spectrum as my son.
Folks, WAKE UP!!!this "Amanda Peet" "Savage" "Bash the Autism Parnets & Kids" is very likely no coincidence! This is part of a strategy that lawyers use when defending a criminal. If they make the victim of a crime less sympathetic, people will grant them less money. Right now there are going to be battles in schools, battles in the courts, battles with Pharma. They want to make us look bad so that people in the jury pool or on the school board, or legislators trying to get insurance companies to pay, are more persuadable to do less for us. People would much RATHER believe that our kids are just brats than what is actually goin on. I can only hope it will backfire but we need to call this for what it is. I doubt that Savage actually believes what he's saying. Someone is paying him to. Let's see if we can do some investigations and prove it.
As my son with autism would say about hurtful people..........THAT MAN ISN'T GOING TO HEAVEN MOM!!!!!!It sickens me that ignorant people like this man are allowed to speak publicly of things they know NOTHING ABOUT!!!!
I chalk this one up to Satan. Who else would purposely hurt so many people's feelings all at once? When I first heard the comments, I said to myself, "Don't let this get to you." But, then I cried, because I already knew that I was going to have to protect my beautiful 4 yr. old autistic daughter from some people in this world, but this? This is so beyond ignorance. It's just plain and simple hatefulness. I pray for you Michael Savage.
July 19, 2008
Mr. Savage ( and I use the term "Mr." very loosely),
As President of Families for Effective Autism Treatments of Alberta (Canada... I thought I'd fill in the blanks because you likely don't know where that is),
You need to get a clue... and I mean in more than a few ways. You are so far off the mark, your level of ignorance is an afront to mental midgets like Hitler and the like.
If your upbringing was as intolerant and debasing as it sounds (don't act like a moron!... stop acting like that, you'll grow up to be a girl...) I can't help but feel sorry for you. Perhaps your father also had some major malfunction in his upbringing.
If you could only realize how lucky you are that your erudite and captivating language skills were so easily acquired compared to some kiddoes on the Autism spectrum, you would not be so quick to judge.
By the by, this is not about Canada vs. the U.S.A. In any country you would be regarded as a mental midget.
I realize I am falling into your trap of getting folks to react to your rhetoric, but I have no choice. I have two children on the Autism Spectrum and I have always been there for them. I am no absentee father. You are just an ignorant, loud-mouth jerk, who needs to experience life beyond to comfy confinds of your cheeseburger, beer and scratch-ticket existance.
JGG Emond
FEAT/AB
Calgary, AB. Canada
I think that your an idiot and you need to get your facts straight before you going running your mouth. I dont have a child with Autism but my best friends son has it and hes the best child I have ever met. He loves everyone. He has the best personality and he woulnd not harm even a fly. Hes by far not stupid. He is very smart and I believe that we will do great in life. You should not be allowed to speak anymore. You should be banned.
Ya know, it wasn't PLEASANT to listen to Mr. Savage's opinion. I have an Autistic daughter. But, I will not protest and boycot and all that crap because this is America and he has the right of free speech, just like I do. It is obvious this man is ignorant to the true world of Autism. But he does make some good points! If YOU are really a bigger, more enlightened person than he, then show it. Listen to him. Swallow the meat, spit out the bones. You will NOT educate or influence anyone by shouting back, or punishing him. Let him be. After the "OOOO ouch!" factor, I really just had to laugh. Come on - what's a little ignorance among idiots!?
Surprising I know alot of talk radio people, but i've never heard of this Clown! For someone who is supposed to be #3 in talk radio land, are you not good enough to show your idiot face on TV. I guess nobody wants to see his face, jus ttoo bad we have to hear his voice on radio. I'll just charge his comments to his ignorance & forget about it! If he's married, i'm surprised his wife kisses him with a "Mouth" like that. He needs a contract with Charmin to wipe his "Dirty lil mouth" every time he opens his a-hole of a mouth for such "stinky" remarks as this. Now, who is this guy again? It's bad enough we have to deal with terrorists all over the world, but the real "terror" is right in our own back yard! I feel sorry for your mother, to have raised such an ass! I wouldn't accept an apology from this guy.
Wade,
Can we get a list of Savage's (appropriate name, btw) sponsors?
I don't feel like this host deserves the benefit of PR, good or bad, but I would love to send a few letters to his sponsors. They need to know how offensive he is.
K. Langston:
I got this in an e-mail earlier today:
Send a message to Savage's broadcasters, syndicators and commercial sponsors:
(Use our messaging system to contact them but also fax and call them directly � where a web address email is indicated go to their web site):
Buckley Broadcasting/WOR Radio
General Phone Number: 212 642 4500
111 Broadway 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10006
Home Depot
public_relations@homedepot.com
(770) 384-4646
Sears
Sears Public Relations And Communications
(847) 286-8371
contact through their website:
http://www.searsmedia.com/tools/inquires/feedback.htm
Radioshack
Media Relations_
Riverfront Campus _Mail Stop #CF7-130_300 RadioShack Circle _Fort Worth, TX 76102-1964_
Phone: (817) 415-3300_
Fax: (817) 415-2585_
E-mail: media.relations@RadioShack.com
AFLAC
1-800-99-AFLAC (1-800-992-3522)
Laura Kane, 2nd Vice President External Relations Aflac Incorporated_1-706-596-3493
Mechell Clark_
Media Relations Manager_
1-706-243-8004
news@aflac.com
Budweiser
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
One Busch Place
St. Louis, MO 63118
Email through their site:�
http://contactus.anheuser-busch.com/contactus/email.asp
1 800 DIAL BUD
(1 800 342 5283)
Michael Savage
michaelsavage@paulreveresociety.com
Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network
P.O. Box 3755
Central Point, Oregon 97502
Phone: 541-664-8827
Fax: 541-664-6250
The Savage Nation
The Savage Nation
The Paul Revere Society
150 Shoreline Hwy, Bldg E
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Fax: 415-339-9383
Kelli
Mr. Savage should really speak about subjects with which he is familiar. Since he is not familiar with this one, he should just listen for a change.
You're F**g dumb, Savage. You act like you have a disibility. Are you RETARDED? Or have you been diagnosed, yet? You F**G MORON. Tell your Daddy his parenting skills were far more than laxed to raise a punk like you. I should beat your ass, b**ch!
I think Kelli's on the right track with the sponsors. And since we're on vacation I thought I should mention that Anheuser-Busch owns not only Budweiser but also Sea World and Busch Gardens. Maybe a threatened boycott of their theme parks would get their attention.
As a mother of a 6 year old boy with Asperger's I am highly offended by these commments. Some people suggest that because my son is high functioning that he is not autistic. I will tell you that he is not undisciplined child and I have three other children that are perfectly fine. His meltdowns usually result from exposure to something that gets him overstimulated, in particular he is sensitive to sounds. I have watched him run and hide gripping his head in pain from sounds that as he calls it "makes his brain hurt". My son has therapy 6 times a week (OT and speech twice a week, group therapy and behavioral therapy once a week).
Please come spend a week in my house and deal with our crazy schedule and ongoing battle to help our son get our better. Until you know what it is like to have to be the only advocate for your child in a never ending battle please do not comment on a subject you obviously know nothing about. I think that it is sad that a grown man is so highly uneducated and has made himself in fact look like the moron.
My Mother told me when you donot know a subject keep your mouth shut otherwise you will be look at as a fool.
Hey Michael Savage, you are a FOOL!1
Why do the people with the least brain cells get the microphone? Should I just yell at my son to "stop being autistic, just snap out of it". He is doing his job and that is to draw more attention to himself. I've no time to tune into his show. I'm too busy having a life taking care of my boys. Thanks for posting this.
I agree with all the posts and comments thus far. Savage needs to be stopped!
Mr. Savage, I think you are a pompass jerk. I know that there is the amendment of freedom of speech but you just abused that amendment in every way possible. Albert Einstein was a very brilliant man that suffered from austism.Would you call him a brat or an idiot.I have several friends that their chile and or children suffer from this and they dont go unpunished if they act the wrong way. Ithink your and idiot and a moron and you were the one with the inept parents.They took people off air for a lot less and i hope they do the same to you
Autism is a real issue. It's not fake. My child suffers from Autism and our life is a daily struggle. The expense of the treatment is horrible. We families who have children of Autism, live daily with nothing but stress. We also have joys and triumphs too. Like when our kids learn something new for the first time. I'm so sorry that you were raised by such a horrible Father who showed you no compassion. Maybe that's why you're like you are today. All us decent people can do, is pray for you, that God will heal you and put more love amd compassion in your heart. If you could only look into the face of my child and spend a day with him, you would certainly have a different opinion I feel. He's not a brat, not a moron. He's a sweet little boy who needs community support, not ridicule. This disorder is growing every day. I only pray that you don't have a grandchild or a loved one with Autism someday. You'll be eating your words!
I am a Mother to a beautiful, loving, happy 7 yr old who has been diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2 1/2 yrs. Mr. Savage's remarks on his radio show made me sick and angry! I think he needs to spend 24/7 with a child with Autism but only (supervised) and see how he could cope and come up with some solutions to handle our children with autism. I bet he would shit his pants! Mr. Savage why don't you shut your mouth and do something for Autism research instead of voice your negative lashing comments!
His whole tirade makes me laugh. But then again, that's what jokes usually do to me, and his comments HAVE to be a joke, since no self-respecting individual would be so ignorant as to make the comments he did on national radio.
As the parent of two children with Autism, I'm very aware of the challenges and difficulties they face daily, and that they will continue to face for the rest of their lives. I'm also very aware of what wonderful kids they are, and of how sweet and incredible and smart they are, and what special people they are. Mr. Savage should be so lucky as to know people like them!
Let him continue to spew his nonsense. Ignorant people like to stay ignorant, but there are many more who will take the time to learn more about Autism. So, in a sense, he's helping us out by bringing more attention to this epidemic. Rant on, Mr. Savage, rant on!
These are a partial list of companies that advertise on Talk Radio Network, his syndicate.
ABC
Acura
American Express
Ancestry.com
Boca Java
Bochringer
Bosch
Campbells
Citrix
Consolidated Resources
Direct Buy
Dish Network
Ebay Motors
Efax
General Motors
Gallo Wines
Hoover
Legal Zoom
Marshalls
Nautilus
Nivea
Outback Steakhouse
Prudential
Purina One
Simon & Schuster
Staples
Subway
Texaco Chevron
United First Financial
Volkswagon
Culled from this website
http://talkradionetwork.com/pg/jsp/adinfo/clientlist.jsp
HMMMM... WHY ARE YOU ALL WASTING YOUR TIME EXPLAINING ANYTHING TO THIS "MORON"? EASY TO SEE, HOW THIS IDIOT WAS "RAISED" BY "IT'S" "FATHER", BY THE MORONIC COMMENTS, THERE WAS A MAJOR LACK OF PARENTING SKILLS THAT TRANSFERRED OVER TO THE "MORON". EXTINGUISH THE BEHAVIOR. AN ACUTE SENSE OF URGENCY IS CURRENTLY IN PLACE TO ADDRESS THE IGNORANT COMMENTS OF THIS IDIOT, WHO HE WORKS AND THIER SPONSERS.
Here is my letter:
Dear Mr. Savage,
My name is Shannon Johnson and I am the proud parent of a 13 year old son with autism.
If you met my son, you would probably think that he was very funny, as he would not hesitate to smile and call you weird, which is his best attempt at a compliment. He would find you intriguing because you have facial hair and he would want to touch it with his sticky fingers that usually smell like his last meal. He seems taller than he actually is because he walks on his toes. It makes it hard for him to wear shoes, but he will tolerate flip-flops in the summer and slip on shoes in the winter, as long as he can take them off as soon as he gets in the car or enters the house. Although he eats like a horse and I literally have to keep a lock on my refrigerator door, he is skinny and underweight, probably in part because of his severe digestive issues. Without a special diet of gluten-free and dairy-free foods, and a multitude of supplements, enzymes and medications, he wouldn’t even digest a fraction of the food that passes his lips. For the majority of his life, he has experienced more restrictions, seen more physicians, been poked more with needles and been tested more by psychologists than most adults can ever imagine. Through it all, he has been braver and more courageous than anyone I have ever met.
Naturally, it disappoints me to hear someone of your intelligence and of your influence describe children with autism as “brats”. I can only assume that you are referring to the fact that some children with autism are known to have behavioral meltdowns or tantrums.
Honestly, my son is one of those kids. If you saw him in public having a meltdown, you would probably deduct that he was screaming because he couldn’t have a new toy or another ice cream cone; that he was using his lungs to manipulate his parents into giving into his selfish requests. However, you would be completely wrong. Instead, he might
simply be reacting to the fact that the sights and smells, the sounds and colors in the mall, or at the grocery store, have overwhelmed his already over-stimulated sensory system and he needs to retreat to the safety of the car right away. In this heightened moment, his anxiety would be revved up and he would lose his ability to verbally communicate his needs. He would then rely on his tears to inform me or his father that his system had had all that it could take, no matter what goodie we might offer, no matter what reward lay in our cart….And then, once he was safe away from the sensory assault, he might ask, as he has in the past, “What can we do next time so that it’s not so loud in the store?”……Certainly, we have even sat in the rain to eat a meal outside when the restaurant lights were too bright or the music inside too loud for our very sensitive boy.
If you stood outside my son’s door sometime, Mr. Savage, as I invite you to do if you are ever in my neighborhood, you might hear my son ask God in heaven to “please make me get better soon.” Not really the words of a “brat”, Mr. Savage…Only a very affected child who doesn’t feel good most of the time, and would do just about anything to just be like everyone else.
Sincerely-
Shannon Johnson
Co-founder, www.foggyrock.com
Wow, we've lost several 100K jobs because of our son's autism and spent about $150,000 on medical therapies etc not covered by insurance. Where do we sign up for the govt money to compensate us for training our boy to act autistic? (Man he's GOOD at it! One of my friends even trained her son to have SEIZURES! but she can't figure out where to get this money EITHER!)
I have an autistic nephew, who I love an adore, and whom I would do just about anything for. He is a good child, he listens to his mom and dad and he works very hard to learn even the simplist of things,he is not an idiot, or a brat. My sister spends thousands of dollars a year for his education, thearpists, medicines, and his care. Up until today I had not even heard of this Jerk, Michael Savage and for good reason, I don't listen to "idiots" or people who talk threw their "anal canal". People like this guy will never truly understand and unfortunately the only thing voicing our opinion does is help us deal with the anger this "moron" provocoted in each of us. I am appalled at his behavior. I would have to say that I would rather listen to my little nephew try and put a sentence together than waste my time on this piece of feces, at least my nephew is saying something intelligent. I agree with the individual who referenced a baseball bat, unfortunately I don't think beating him to a bloody pulp will solve this problem. Ignorance is bliss! God says that his people parish because of ignorance, now I totally understand what that statement means...
My daughter was born and diagnosed as autustic... we went through extreme therapy together, I spent 24/7 with her stimulating her with nature and its surroundings. Turns out she loved frogs and little animals, relating to their beauty as non other. Her love grew to other kids and she ended up graduating on the Presidents list with honors from high school. Now she is married and has two lovely kids of her own. Michael Savage's ignorance, if he was raising her, would have ended in tragedy! Think before you speak out!
I strongly believe money is behind Mr Savage's remarks. It is hard to believe someone could be this supid or ignorant to make this sort of comments about children with a proven disability and their parents. And who allowes someone to offend so many well respected, highly educated and hard working fimilies on the national radio and call them liers.
Tell us Mr. Savage, who and how much did they pay you to say all of this? You must have been paid very well to accept to bring yourself down to this level. If you and the radio channel that broadcasts you were not paid to do this, you would have been shut by now. I feel the comments from Carolyn Kylesmom could be true. This is not coincidence. I see insurance companies or someone benefiting from this sort of comments behind this.
I am also mother of a child with autism and an NT child. BTW my children have a father and we both decipline our children very well. I believe children with autism get highest degree of decipline with the behavioral interventions they are exposed to.
Wow, I just listened to this over the internet, as an Autism group message was sent to me. I didnt even know who this Mr. Savage guy was until today, maybe that is it, if you want to get attention to yourself lets make a no-sense comment that will obviously touch the heart of 1 in 150 or less families all across our nation dealing with the #1 developmental crisis of our time. With that said I think America and all these families will know better than to listen to crap like this. Autism Families are very educated persons trying to help their children and future children from what is causing this epidemic!! Raising a child with Autism is not the "refridgerator mother/father" concept or poor parenting, we have enough clinical data to support that our children, different in severity, have many different medical health issues and are sick kids. Ok America This too Shall Pass. Keep Fighting for the children and the children of tomorrow.
Dear Mr. Savage,
I happen to have a niece with Autism and I can assure you that it is no act. She is not a brat who is pretending to be Autistic. What absolutely caustic, inconsiderate,uneducated comments from a grown man. I guess it's easy for you to say such things from behind your microphone in a studio. I am always amazed at the patience and understanding that other people can have for miscreants like you.I really don't care if this was some sort of act on your part or you were paid to say such things. They are inexcusable and I for one am calling you out on it.It must be easy for you to pick on unfortunate children, but I have a really great idea. Let's see how well you you fare against a grown man. After all , that's what your Dad raised you to become . Right ? Go ahead now BIGMOUTH , chooose a street corner anywhere in America and I'll meet you there and we can discuss your remarks man to man.You can even bring your microphone. Let's see you use it on me. No....I didn't think so...You are just a mean little tiny almost man.
Mike U.
Mr. Savage (befitting name, sorry but you do deserve it) I could not believe what I was hearing and it brought me to tears! In fact the tears trickle down my cheek as I type this to you.
My husband and I have Twin boys both diagnosed with Autism. They are 3 and they are 2 of the most lovable and socially desiring kids you will ever meet. My husband and I have tried everything we can possibly try to help our sons cope with the challenges of their disorder; which at times of neurological overload can cause them to become little monsters. We are extremely strict with our parenting, in fact that is imperative to the success of our kids. I can assure you most parents of kids with Autism are too. However we are also wise to know what is not in our control as well. Many kids with Autism describe physical and environmental challenges like noise that can pierce their eardrums, clothing that can burn like fire on their skin, touches that feel like a punch even though it was a tickle, inability to see certain colours, or uncertainty of where their body parts are and how to move them appropriately. So if our children do something deemed inappropriate to the norm; like covering their ears, rocking back and forth, screaming, perseverating, or throwing things, we are strong enough as parents to block out "what is expected of us by society" and strong enough to "do what is right by our kids". A feat that I can assure you is not easy when you are up against individuals that are ignorant about Autism such like yourself. Thankfully in my days so far, there have only been a few of you and many more empathetic and understanding people who may not know much about Autism but know that I am doing everything I can for my child at the time.
Since April of 2007 (our diagnosis date) our family has enrolled in every workshop, course and group on anything Autism, and have become quite knowledgeable about it. We have enrolled them in Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, day camp, nursery school and IBI/ABA Therapy, all accounting for thousands and thousands of dollars. (The IBI/ABA alone can cost $50,000 to $80,000 per year per child privately as waitlists in Canada where I am are at the present time over 3 years long!!!!!!!!!!!)
Mr. Savage, if I thought that our sons' Autism was just a matter of parenting style, I would check in at the nearest psychiatric program to change the way I parent. Sadly, if this were the case, with the latest Stats at 1 in 150 kids with Autism, most of our adult population would be in the same program with me.
I emplore you to consider the words and comments by your listeners seriously, and consider living in the world of Autim even for just one day. I assure you that even after that short of a time, you would change your opinion.
There is an old saying that used to be on the wall of my family home growing up that states "You should not judge a man unless you have walked in his mocassins". Mr. Savage, please try on our "mocassins" and take a walk.......
Please go to:
www.milestonevideo.tv/autism-every-day.php
to get a glimpse into "every day".
Joanne.
It amazes me that we fire Imus for comments made about a persons race but this man offends sucha large population of parents that face this illness daily with the innocent children and he keeps his job!! this jerk should be gone and his apology, if it is one, is weak! and I don't accept it as a parent of a sweet, kind autistic boy, who can't control what he has. He should be a shamed of himself. Obviously, this has never hit his family and if it does...lookout becuase his kids I guess would just be idiots for believe the, so called medical professionals for wrongly diagnosing "Michael Savage's" grandchild!
God bless you and I sure hope finds forgiveness on your soul for those awful comments.
There is so much to be said about the horror of allowing Michael Savage (and others like him) to pick up a microphone and reach the ears of so many people, but that's the burden of freedom of speech that we must bear. So let's try to look at the positives here.
1. Any thinking person will NOT want to raise a child to be like Michael Savage. So, hopefully, his tirade could result in less parenting of the nature he described.
2. Those of you who pay dearly for your loving care of your autistic children can look at the outpouring of outrage and see how many people are ready to support and understand not just your burdens, but the incredible love you share with your children.
3. Michael has clearly aligned ignorance regarding autism with the ignorance that spawns the clearly rascist, sexist and elitist intentions of his remarks.
Okay, he's a jerk, but he is at least so clearly hateful that he clarifies for us what a good human being is not. As a teacher I have worked with autistic children and adults ranging from severely disabled nonverbal to fairly functional and verbal. I have never met a cruel, hateful, demeaning human being among them. Although I understand the desire for an apology from him, considering the source of such an apology, it would have little value except to negate any sense of veracity of his comments to his listeners. But listeners who believe his hate-filled drivel are likely beyond the reach of reason. He is a hate jock... enough said. I would prefer that his words have no value whatsoever.
savage,
your are an ignorant a**hole. I hope your get fired for your comments and people spit on you everyday for the rest of your life. I have never heard of you, but now I will never forget your name. I hope you sleep well, knowing how hated you are.
The world would truly be better off without some people in it. And congratulations, Michael Savage, you have clearly established yourself as one of those people! May he suffer the effects of a thousand debilitating illnesses and die a long, slow, and incredibly painful death. As well as his children.
AS PREVIOUSLY STATED....WHO GIVES A RAT'S A_ _ WHAT THIS IDIOT HAS TO SAY. THANKS TO ALL MAJOR NEWS STATIONS FOR REPORTING THIS MORONS COMMENTS AS WELL AS THE ACTIONS OF MANY PARENTS, PROFESSIONALS ETC. I (WE) HAVE CONTACTED EACH AND EVERY SPONSER NOTIFING THEM WE WILL NOT LONGER PURCHASE ANY/ALL OF THIER PRODUCTS. I'VE CONTACTED THE PLAN ADMISTRATOR FOR MY EACH AND EVERY ONE OF MY ANNUITY,INVESTMENT, RETIREMENT FUNDS ETC TO ENSURE NONE OF MY MONEY IS INVESTED IN THESE COMPANIES. OH WELL.... SUCKS FOR THEM. WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT AS WELL AS AN IMPACT? DO THE SAME. IF NOT FOR YOU, FOR YOUR CHILD, ONE YOU MAY KNOW, EDUCATE OR JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE PISSED OFF.
For what it worth all of the email addresses except for this one I found appear to have been discontinued.
michaelsavage@savage-productions.com
I doubt he will ever recieve the email I sent him but felt better after writing out exactly what I was thinking
Hey Savage, I wonder if you would have the balls to say those things that you said about autistic children to my face. I don't think you would, because the next thing out of your mouth would be a tooth. My 4 year old son has autism and I wish it was as easy as you say but unfortunately my family has to deal with the reality. This is a neurological disorder or let me put it in moron terms for you to understand. He can't help the way he behaves because his brain doesn't function properly. To put it in the simpilest of terms, "No, A**Hole he can't help the way he acts and if I was to punish him for that I'd be a bigger A**Hole then you are. So please take me up on my offer because I'd be glad to have you eating from a straw and please don't shave the beard because I'll be holding it with one hand and punching your mouth with the other. So, name the time and the place and I'll be there. Rory
Mr. Savage - sounds like you had an awful childhood and are taking your anger out on our innocent and yes DISABLED children. You should be ashamed of yourself for saying such terrible things. This is what is wrong with the world today. People like you are why other children are non accepting and bully kids who cannot speak let alone defend themselves. I read your profile on the talk show web and you mentioned that people have compared you to Moses, Jesus - that gave me a good laugh - MORE LIKE SATAN. GET a life, a real college degree and start working on your apology. You have angered alot of families who are going to retaliate. You are disgrace to humanity and so is your dad for raising such a jerk and passing on a cold heart to his offspring. Remember, Mr. Savage, what goes around comes around.....do you have kids, grandkids??
Mike the Savage is well named, Reminds me of another savage I used to hear about, his name was Adolf. Mike why don't you retire?
and leave it to one of your sons to carry on. Ron Moss
Brings back the "other" radio talk show host comment about "Nappy headed ho", ignorance has no definable depth. For Savage....you won't hit the bottom until you stop digging...moron.
I am a mother of child with Autism and Intellectual Disability (Mental Retardation). I was shocked and saddened to hear of Michael (The Ignorant Idiot) Savage’s comments on Children with Autism. I must say “savage” is the word to explain his ignorance. Try talking to any of the families of children with this horrible disease, the frustration and pain that we all go through is unimaginable. The sleepless nights when they get up at 1:30 am every morning only to go back to sleep at 7:00 am and still make it to work the next day! Try to talking to the mother of a child who pinches and scratches himself to death to the point of open sores and wounds because of the frustration of not being able to communicate. How about screaming at the top of his lungs because of the overwhelming amount of sensory overload when a noise is too loud or the light is just too bright. Try sitting with ME in the middle of the night when I am crawled up in the corner CRYING uncontrollably---asking why my son!
I am kindly asking that coporations do not sponsor this individual who apparently knows nothing about autism and called my autistic son an idiot and moron! He stated that “In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out”. Has yet to meet the 99%?? It is so obvious that he’d judge one case and compared it to thousands. What idiot!!! Poor Savage…LET US PRAY FOR THE IGNORANT IDIOT!!!
He also stated “If I behaved like a fool, my father called me a fool”. From the way he was raised it is no wonder why trash is coming out his mouth. He’d lived with it (trash) his whole life so we have to feel sorry for him. His father who obviously treated him like crap and probably physically and mental abused him is the real true MORON.
We are demanding respect and will not tolerate this offensive and ignorant behavior and I respectfully request that your company use its influence to make sure that Michael (THE IGNORANT IDIOT) Savage respects individuals with autism and their families.
This dork needs to spend about a week at the school I used to work in. 30% or more of the kids are Autistic. Let's see him spend a week in a classroom for autistic children and then see what he thinks. During my time there,I worked with a wide range of autistic children and well as other children with behavior and developmental disabilities. Some the the non-austistic kids with behavior problems did act like brats, and many were from broken homes. The austistic kids were mostly from good homes and loved by their families. Some of them were extremely sweet kids, just hard to reach, others were harder to deal with. I have a nephew who is autistic, he is a sweet boy from a good home. He is even in the gifted class, however social skills are so hard for him.
This radio person is a real dingbat!
My 8 year old autistic boy has more common sense and manners than this Michael Savage character. I don't understand how he can speak on radio with a foot in his mouth.
I just listened to Savage trying to show a human face to what he had said on the Glenn Beck Program. He does not apologize. Just wants to put things in "context"!
It did not work Mr. Savage.
He says that doctors should not try to screen for autism at the age of 18 months or two years because it might be misdiagnosis.
I believe that ealy diagnosis could change the child's future drastically. In my son's case, he was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. We as parents had no clue about autism at the time. But when we got the diagnosis, we could see it clrealy that he indeed was autistic. Since then we thank God every day we were told about his autism at that young age when his only apparent problem was speech. If it was not for the early diagnosis and the non stop therapies and hard work we did since then, he may have not started speaking yet. If he had not learned how to speak, he would have developed many other symptoms like baging head or tantrums which relate to inability to communicate. I wish I even knew earlier than that...
The earlier the diagnosis the better.
dude get a brain juss because your parents didnt love you enough dont mean you can mock the disabled grow up be mayure about it you dick
Dear Michael Savage Sponsor or Supporter: We have learned that your company sponsors or supports Michael Savage's radio program.
On a recent program, he attacked children with autism, claiming that autism was a fraud and a scam. He went on to say: "I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is."
Savage also used offensive terms to describe autistic children, such as "idiots", "morons" and more.
We parents and family members of an individual with autism will not tolerate Savage's offensive and unacceptable conduct. We respectfully request that your company withdraws their advertising dollars from his programs and, if you broadcast or syndicate his radio show, that you dismiss him immediately.
Autism affects 1 in 150 children in the USA. Each of those children has a circle of family, friends and supporters who share the concerns of the child. We would say that there are likely 10 people for every child with autism who shares that child's concerns.
When you consider this request, please consider that as many as 1 in 15 Americans will be watching your decision and how you react will have a powerful impact on their opinion of your company.
We hope and trust that you will do the right thing.
Respectfully,
i think you have ADD mixed up with autism. Big mistake, enormous difference .
Mr. Savage
I have just been made aware that you are an expert in the field of autism. What
a wonderful thing for the autistic community. I invite you to my home to meet my
autistic son Daniel and maybe you can teach him not to be a brat or a moron. Any
help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Lets see if you are up to the challenge.
Lori Ljutic
My family is a little different, my wife works, and I am the home maker, we have two children, one has autism, the other does not!
I have listened to the savage nation and agree with Michael Savage on lots of issues, but when I heard about his rant on autism, then heard it, I was shocked!
I think that Michael Savage should have done some research rather then give his opinion of what he thinks autism is, and I would not wish this on any child or the parents raising them, as I know first hand, being the father of an autistic child who stays home!
I think that calling your children names, belittle them is wrong, it stays with them all there lives, and makes them resentful towards you! I myself never hit my kids, but yell at them to get there attention, put them on time out, then sit down with them and talk about why I got mad, we then come up with a solution, I call it tuff love! I dont believe in beating my children, wont put them on drugs from the doctor, and would never ever call them names!I would not even call Michael Savage a name, and believe he should get his facts straight, and do what he thinks is right, and make amends for his rant on autism, and start to look at our views thru the eyes of a child, and be amazed at what we have been givin!
expertkiteflyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT1zCUlvkhk&feature=related
Where do you get off judging children? GOD is the only one who can judge anyone or anything. You are an idiot yourself, you have no idea what this condition is. You need to look it up or go to someones house and see how their child really is. I see you were invited to spend a day with a child with autism. Go do it maybe you will shut up!!! You idiot, they are not brats, they are GODS gift and idiots like you dont deserve a child like that. Only special people are picked by GOD himself to raise a wonderful child with autism. For your information, Myself as well as other parents have tried really hard to get our children to speak and it is hard for them. I am glad you dont have an autistic child you would put them in a home because you are an idiot. YOU NEED HELP MY FRIEND!!!!!! These children are just as special as a child without autism. GET SOME HELP!!!! You need to be off the radio!!!! Someone needs to put you in your place. One day GOD will punish you. It takes in immature idiot like yourself to say those things about children and it doesnt matter if they have autism or not I hope and pray you dont have any children of your own. I would never want to be your daughter I would disown you in a heartbeat!!!!!!! Get the facts or just shut up!!!!
Savage is a savage, an ignorant and dangerous fool, and deserves much worse than to lose his job. May God punish him the way the lies of fraudulent medicine and gov have punished those suffering from toxic induced disorder. I'm doing what I can. My own site is http://mercuryxxpoisoned - Alan Foos
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