Personal Rant ~ Michael Savage on Autism

Ok, I've been following the controversy on the blogs all day and I just can't keep my mouth shut (or my fingers still) any longer. This man (questionable term) is an idiot, a moron, and a screaming fool! Ironic that those are the words he uses to describe children with autism.

Now, I don't personally listen to this guy because I find him offensive in so many ways, but boy ~ have I hear about this broadcast. Even for someone who has made a reputation for himself as "shock jock" and even a hate-monger, this jerk has gone WAAAAY to far this time. You just don't mess with defenseless children, in my book.

Here's a quote from his rant:

"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.' " Savage concluded, "[I]f 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."

Say what? 99% of autism cases are nothing more than brats who would be cured if we just verbally abused them? Gee, I wish someone had told me that sooner ~ I could've saved myself all the time, energy and money I've poured into my son having the best shot he can have at a happy life. There are just not enough words in the English language to describe what I'm feeling right now. Outraged, definitely. And probably a little heart-broken that there are people in this world who are so hateful to children who are struggling and doing the best they can to fit in and be happy. And how DARE he imply that it's our fault, as parents, that our children suffer from this disorder. Those comments were cruel and hateful... there's no other way to describe it, IMO.

What really worries me is that I know that there are so many parents out there that struggle with the feelings that they are to blame and deal with insensitive people passing judgment on them when they try to take their children out in public and give them a 'normal life.' What if these parents, in their desperation, latch onto that idea? I know that, early on, I did deal with these feelings. I even had family members pressuring me to "just spank him when he does that... he'll stop." (insert obsurd fake laugh) Or, "There's nothing wrong with him! You just coddle him and make him into nothing but a sissy boy." (said right in front my son) And I'm ashamed to admit that I was so over-whelmed and exhausted and heart-sick at that point, that I couldn't think straight. Those types of comments had me second-guessing myself and what I thought I knew about my son.

As long as jerks like Savage can not only get away with saying things like this, but also get paid to say them, we will never live in a just and compassionate world. His hateful comments give others the excuse to continue to think this way. I know that many other bloggers and autism activist groups are doing this, so I'll lend my small little voice to the cause ~ we need to shut this guy down!! I would like to call on everyone to not only boycott his show, but also boycott his sponsors.

Memoirs of a Chaotic Mommy has the most up-date list I've been able to find of the sponsors of his show. Please check it out and speak out against this type of ignorant hatred with the only language these goons will understand ~ your dollars.

Let us know what your thoughts on this matter are by commenting. Let us know!