Monday, July 21, 2008

Pablum

Autism Speaks' Mealy Mouthed Response to Michael Savage.

Sigh.... Short version since many of you aren't in the autism trenches: Talk Show host Michael Savage last week called children with autism, "idiots" and claimed autism is a fraud. Yup, all our kids are frauds. And Autism Speaks put a letter on their website where they say we should, "pity" Savage for his thoughts. Pity him? I think not. Anne Dachel wrote the piece below. She's our media editor at Age of Autism. I won't link you to the AS site. I'm not driving up their traffic.

Note: At 2:00pm this afternoon there will be a press conference at 111 Broadway, NYC, outside the offices of WOR 710, held by Autism United.

By Anne Dachel *

On his nationally syndicated radio show, Michael Savage claimed that autism is "[a] fraud, a racket. ... 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.' " Click HERE.

I can't express my anger at these words. The outrage is shared by many groups like NAA and others who truly advocate for our kids ... except Autism Speaks. This is what they had to say about Savage's comments:

"One important goal of increasing awareness about autism is to foster a greater level of acceptance and understanding of the very real and significant challenges it poses to individuals with the disorder and their families. The good news is that we see more and more expressions of this compassion every day and everywhere, from classrooms and playgrounds to ballparks and supermarkets. Unfortunately, there are those who are apparently incapable of feeling compassion. They deserve our pity, not our scorn."


No Autism Speaks, you are wrong. Michael Savage doesn't deserve our pity. He's dangerous. The world has to learn what has happened to a generation of children. News stories tell about affected kids being kicked off planes, banned from churches, voted out of kindergarten classes, and asked to leave restaurants.

Where is the outrage over such inhumane treatment of the disabled?

In a few short years, all the children with autism will be adults dependent on the taxpayers for their support and care. The bill will be tremendous and many will be unwilling to pay it.
Will our kids be seen as burdens or as victims?

Autism Speaks, you do not speak for our children. If you really cared about about affected kids, you'd express the same outrage felt by parents struggling each day with their disabled sons and daughters.
--
Anne Dachel is Media Editor for Age of Autism.

* Pab·lum

1. Trademark. a brand of soft, bland cereal for infants.

2. (lowercase) trite, naive, or simplistic ideas or writings; intellectual pap.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Could Autism Speaks sink any lower? Why anyone supports this organization is beyond my comprehension.

Anonymous said...

It's easy to support them. You get to go to lavish parties and concerts, assuming you can afford the tickets. You get to participate in fancy charity walks and feel all useful and charitable. You get to put a blue puzzle piece on your car that is different from all the other autism magnets. And in 50 years, your great grand kids will get to abort their unborn children after testing positive for the autism gene.

Anonymous said...

And if you're a hypocrite like Toni Braxton and most every person associated with Autism Speaks, you can cry on TV how badly kids need services and money for those services and then watch Autism Speaks spend $57,000 to transport her on a private plane to a fund raising event. What a completely sickening organization.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Anon #1, probably not, but let's not tempt them! Anon #2, Yowza! I gather you're an AofA reader? Anon #3 - that was great! $57,000 on the Autism Speaks' tax return for Teary Toni's jet. Love it. AS has become a shimmering lake for the narcissistic Wrights. "Look! I'm Time's Person of the Year!" It's so disappointing. I held great hopes when they were launched. I sure did.

Anonymous said...

From Suzanne Wright on down they have to be the fakest bunch of people in the universe.

And this one:
Judith Ursitti
Massachusetts Chapter Advocacy Chair
Autism Speaks

is e-mailing people begging for mercy for programs being cut by Gov. Deval Patrick for low income children in Massachusetts. Hey Autismville, why don't you go ask the Wright's for the money or better yet maybe Toni will give back her private jet allowance!

Excuse me while I go throw up from this continued farce by Autism Speaks.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Oh! She's autismville? She comes into A of A sometimes. Who knew?

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, that's Autismville. And notice that she and Autism Speaks are soooo concerned yet once again what is Autism Speaks contributing to the kids?? All talk/ no money....the main theme at Autism Speaks.

Lets also add that Ms. Judy U./Autismville lives in Dover, MA...one of the wealthiest towns in Mass. I'm really sure she can relate to the "low income" kids.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

I know Dover. I'm from Mass. NOt sure you can take toooo much from an address though. But you're right, Dover is quite wealthy.

Amanda said...

quietly seething

that's all I'm saying because anything else will be an unstoppable rant