Michael Savage Issues Inane Clarification To His Inane Autism Commentary

As many of you likely already know, right-wing radio freakazoid Michael Savage recently garnered a helping of the bad sort of attention when he referred to autistic children as "brats" who, "in 99 percent of the cases... [haven't] been told to cut the act out." Well, since then he issued a "clarification" on those remarks, claiming that he spoke out only because he wanted to - get this - raise "awareness."

His statement, in part, reads:

My comments about autism were meant to boldly awaken parents and children to the medical community's attempt to label too many children or adults as "autistic."

Just as some drug companies have overdiagnosed "ADD" and "ADHD" to peddle dangerous speed-like drugs to children as young as 4 years of age, this cartel of doctors and drug companies is now creating a national panic by overdiagnosing "autism, for which there is no definitive medical diagnosis!

Many children are being victimized by being diagnosed with an "illness" which may not exist, in all cases. Just a few weeks ago doctors recommended dangerous anti-cholesterol drugs for children as young as 2 years of age! Without any scientific studies on the possible dangers of such drugs on children, corrupt doctors made this controversial, unscientific recommendation.

Well, if there's one thing I know about the HuffPo community is that they don't take kindly to the malefactions of people like Savage. And if there's a second thing I know about the HuffPo community, it's that they like the refreshing commentary of my wife, Caroline, a special education professional who has years of experience working with the autistic. [This is an inside joke from the Sunday Morning Liveblog, which - ha, ha - I guess you'll all have to start reading now! --Ed.]

Anyway, she read Savage's statement, and later clarification, and offers the following professional insights.

1. "How anyone can observe autistic children and conclude that they are "brats" completely eludes me. A great many autistic children are actually perfectly sweet, compliant children."

2. "'Drug companies' do not 'diagnose' people, let alone 'overdiagnose' people. I'm a little shocked that I actually need to explain this."

3. "Autism does not have a 'definitive medical diagnosis?' Really? Really. I'm going to have to bet Michael Savage a smack across the face with the DSM IV that there totally, totally is."

4. "In my professional opinion, I feel it's likely that this Michael Savage fellow has failed to arrive at, or at the very least, complete the formal operational stage of Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development."

Anyway, there you have it. Tune in next week, when Michael Savage raises awareness of fire safety by burning down a Berkeley, California bathhouse.

Comments

[BADEN]

Contact:
Michael Savage
paulreveresociety.comeresociety.com

CALL AND ORDER
"THE FIRING OF MICHAEL SAVAGE"

800 496-3266

(I made it up - she freaked out - go ahead -)

[JimR]

In 99 percent of the cases, right-wing radio jocks are ignorant @ssclowns.

[Bettysdad]

I find it truly offensive that just about no one, including HufPo, is discussing the 2nd part of Savage's rant.

He said that the reason for the sharp increase in asthma diagnoses in recent years is because "minority" mothers have discovered they can get more welfare money if their kids have asthma, so they tell the kids to go to the nurse and cough a little.

Autism is usually found in white, middle and upper class families. So there's outrage about this.

But where's the outrage at the absolutely despicable lies Savage told about "minority" families?

Savage is so stupid he doesn't even know that coughing is not a symptom of asthma.

[MzTexas]

I expressed my outrage, Bettysdad. I've written to numerous radio stations and the syndicator asking them why they continue to allow this ill-informed, hate-filled, bigoted, vile racist to continue to spew his venom across the air-ways. His premise about phony asthma cases was just as vile and uninformed as his premise regarding autism. Poor children of ALL races who live in housing where the landlords and/or government agencies fail to exercise adequate pest control [or any pest control at all] are ALL subject to increased incidences of asthma. Insect (particularly cockroaches) droppings and rodent droppings are highly allergenic and cause asthma.

Wiener needs to go.

[Seven7s]

How long have you been living in America my friend? Those are the rules:

It's OK to say anything about blacks and if the media needs a story they may find Al Sharpton for a little sideshow.

BUt all serious grienvances will always be ignored.

THis is America. America is run by rich whites. We have no right to complain. Afterall: It's reverse racism

[JohnIII]

He may not come across the right way, but I do believe that in "some" cases, children are misdiagnosed.
And in "some" cases, a parent can project their own anxiety and fears onto the child. They are convinced something is wrong, when in reality, there is nothing wrong. I have witnessed it. And when they don't get the validation they want, they'll keep going to different doctors until one tells them what they want to hear.

[MzTexas]

JohnIII, do you REALLY believe that one brings attention to over diagnosis of children with autism by calling those same children "brats," "morons," "idiots," and "putzes"? Give me a break. There was NOTHING about anything Wiener said which could have been seen by ANYONE to be correct.

[JohnIII]

I'm not defending his rant. If he was trying to make the point that he said he was, there are better ways to say it.

But that doesn't change my opinion that "some" children are misdiagnosed.

[gh0st]

*Some* children are tall.
*Some* children suffer abuse.
*Some* children are brats...

"opinion" is the word one uses when they have no point. You have no point. So what if some kids are misdiagnosed? Seriously, so what? No...serio­usly. What are you proposing? Or not? What in the world could your point...er­, 'opinion'.­..possibly be??

Really not trying to be abrasive, but noise for the sake of noise gets my goat. Please, explain your point. How does the fact, and I freely admit it is a fact, that some kids get misdiagnos­ed...have to do with *anything*? No one, at any point that I have heard, has made any claim other wise.

This is just like when some racist asstard gets going and some redneck chimes in...."Yah know, personally I ain't no racists, but *some* black folk are ni..." No point than to delude yourself that you are in complete agreement. Not saying you are, just prompting you to explain that you are not.

[JohnIII]

If we agree that "some" are, then the question is why? Is it a mistake or is it something a little more diabolical? For pushing product possibly? It's done in every other business.

[Wild West]

Extremist agent of intolerance and hate is loaded with listeners who are your neighbors.­..shocking­!

[Candyx]

looking at this dude...why would anyone give him the time of day!!

I see another old a$$ Don Imus!!! get real people.

[eniobob]

Stole my thought.

[midtown]

Whoa! Parents of autistic kids NATIONWIDE went bezerk when Imus went off the air a year ago because Imus was the only one screaming about the dangers of vaccines possibly causing autism in kids and generally railing over and over again over the years that autism needed public awareness.

He and Deirdre (spelling?) railroaded congressmen and senators in their campaign to have autism studied and acknowledged.

You are so out of line with this comment, you have no idea. But if you dont believe me call any association that deals with autism and ask them about Don Imus.

[spiderbucket]

Our local station refuses to give him the boot cause 'his ratings are too high.'

So much for ethics. What if they guy said something about our troops ? Would that be ok ? It's apparently ok to say anything you want about poor people, homosexuals, liberals, and now children. Bullies like this only respond to one thing and if I ever see him - I'll make sure he responds by bleeding profusely.

[4gloria]

He has said things about our troops. In his "Savage Manifesto", his sanctimonious rant on what this country really needs, he declares "Fire any unmarried military person becoming pregnant while on active duty.” Then again, he openly hates all unmarried women.

I listen to a snippet of his show every once in a while as a reminder of what many conservatives are hearing. 99% of what he says is revolting.

[novowel4me]

I listen in on his show periodically, 15 minutes about does it. This guy is about two things, personal recognition and his pocket book he adopted a formula to address both. Read his bio in wikipedia and you get the drift.

[theconsigliere1]

Goodbye "Dr. Savage." Every time I listen to you, you tell the audience how you have two masters degrees, a PhD, and have authored 25 books. With all this education, why do you come across as a whiny, shrill, complainer who constantly fills the airwaves with inane, bigoted, homophobic, self-centered, narcissistic drivel? The only thing you are interested in is the sound of your own voice.
When caught in this latest imbroglio over autism, your answer was to devote two days of your show to "justify" what you said. A gentleman would have apologized, educated himself (which of course would require you to listen to someone other than yourself), and brought light to a serious disorder that could use the publicity your show might offer. Hopefully you are not too old and set in your ways to do some soul searching, change and do some good for society.

[waiguoren]

I grew up with this type and know it well. Little bullies, always demanding attention, and never quite as good at most things as all the other kids.

Luckily for Weiner, he began to age at a time when these traits became translatable into big bucks by attracting ears to the radio station.

Otherwise, he would have no doubt leaped from the Golden Gate Bridge years ago.

Still might.

[LABC]

What drool cup carriers actually listen to this toad in a mustache?

[SameOldSameOld]

drool cup carrier. classic.

[protagonia]

Savage Weiner is a pebble of a man with dirt for a soul.

[Crake]

Haha, beautiful.