I have since briefly talked with Rick Rollens. He had this to say:

"Savage . . . was responding to media coverage of the [California] Report I had sent to numerous media outlets that reported on the Report."

So it seems as though Savage had earlier mentioned said Report on his show, though as yet I have been unable to find mention of it on the internet (but then that was before Savage's untoward comments of July 16th). So... Savage was the first to mention the Report, Rollens sent more info to him on the Report following this mention, Savage went off on the Report even more, Rollens sent the email requesting people to call-in as well as sending an email to Savage himself, Savage stews for about a month and a half, then finally blows up with his July 16th comments. Chaos ensues, titty boom.

I don't know... I've lost count of the number of reports having reportedly been reported about this Report.

***eyes going crossed***

Statement by Autism Speaks Regarding Radio Host Michael Savage's Remarks About Autism

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 plagrounds to ballparks and supermarkets. Unfortunately, there are those who are apparently incapable of feeling compassion. They deserve our pity, not our scorn.

For the record, I don't disagree with Autism Speaks' official statement. Having now both listened to and read some of Michael Savage's philosophies on life, I can only imagine the childhood he had which would produce such a man. I do pity him; and for all his bravado and masculine verbal posturing, I can't imagine he's a particularly happy man.

However, whatever pity I may feel for him personally does not change the fact that his behavior was entirely inappropriate. It doesn't change the fact that his words have the potential for harm, and since he is in the public eye and therefore an authority figure, it is the responsibility of the people, of his sponsors, of the network, and of all relevant organizations-- such as Autism Speaks-- to try to put a stop to this abuse.

The fact that I pity such a sad and pathetic man does not give him carte blanche to continue his abusive tirades and to be allowed a national forum in which to do so. Therefore, while I appreciate the statement Autism Speaks has posted, I hope that this statement is not the only action they plan on taking.

Pity, while less obtrusive than hate, is just as harmful if it places one in a state of complete inactivity.

It doesn't come as a surprise to anyone who has been living on planet Earth since the time humans could walk upright on two feet that Ignorance has always been alive and well, feeding off the gullible and even more ignorant as it winds its way from ear to ear. So why should any new amazing feats of outstanding ignorance be worthy of mention? Well, that's an excellent question, one I haven't got an answer to. But since this latest bout of cruel stupidity involves autism, it's mention has made its way onto my blog.

On Wednesday, July 16th, Michael Alan Weiner-- better known on his various shows as "Michael Savage"-- made comments during his radio talk show on Talk Radio Network,The Savage Hour, which have outraged advocates for autism. Here is the brief transcript of his comments:

"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."

And now, not only have Michael Savage and TRN refused to retract the statement, but according to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) he has gone even further and said that "the autism spectrum is an overdiagnosed medical condition" and is "unsupported by science of any kind".

And what is more amazing, these comments fall fast on the heels no less of MSNBC having fired Savage for defamatory comments he made earlier on his July 5th television show to a homosexual caller. Here is the brief transcript according to USA Today online:

Savage: So you're one of those sodomists. Are you a sodomite?

Caller: Yes I am.

Savage: Oh, you're one of the sodomites. You should only get AIDS and die, you pig. How's that? Why don't you see if you can sue me, you pig. You got nothing better than to put me down, you piece of garbage. You have noting to do today, go eat a sausage and choke on it.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered community has been battling Savage for some time, since as I understand it this minority group is a continual punching bag of his. This community had attempted to warn MSNBC that putting Michael Savage on air was a grave mistake; one I'm sure they now regret in hindsight.

According to Jeremy Gaines, spokesperson for MSNBC, "His comments were extremely inappropriate and the decision was an easy one." His television show has lasted only a little more than four months.

However, this isn't the first occasion that Savage has given his opinion on autism-- there was an earlier occurrence just this last May in fact. On the blog Onibasu.com, the author reposts a forwarded email from Rick Rollens, a parent activist and father of an autistic child:

"Well, it seems that national talk show host Michael Savage, who describes himself as a 'compassionate conservative' and host of the nationally syndicated Michael Savage Show, has taken on the autism community. He stated in a program yesterday that the new California Report was 'a way to drum up business' now that the Iraq war is over and that there is no proof that autism is increasing. He also mocked our community by reading a list of some of the symptoms of autism and said 'I have that, I have that, I have that' mocking the seriousness of the autistic condition."

Rollens goes on, asking people to join him in calling their local radio affiliates and getting on the air with Savage. Rollens himself emailed Savage as well:

"Hey Michael: I understand you recently spoke about the autism epidemic on your show. I also understand you used my name on your show. Since I was the person who sent you the information on the State of California Department of Developmental Services Autism Report, I would appreciate it if you would allow me to educate you about this terrible condition that my son and thousands of others like him suffer with everyday of his life. I would also invite you to spend a day with my family here in Sacramento to see what life with autism is all about.

I hope you will allow me a chance to educate you and your audience about autism and the autism epidemic, if, for no other reason then to explain the costs to taxpayers now and in the future if we dont find the causes and develop effective treatments and a cure for this horrible disorder."

Now, I'm not exactly certain why Mr. Rollens thought it was a good idea to send said report to Michael Savage; surely there are other media personalities with a better more compassionate grasp on reality. But it's possible (though unconfirmed) that Mr. Rollens, having brought the "autism epidemic" to Savage's attention, has triggered Savage's more recent tirade. Your guess is as good as mine. But prior to May, so far I can find no mention on the internet of Savage having broached the subject of autism before. (If anyone has any more detailed information of this topic, please contact me and I'll gladly write an update and/or correction. I will also attempt to email Mr. Rollens for clarification on this matter.)

However, for a little background information on Rick Rollens: he calls himself an autism advocate, he supports the hypothesis that vaccinations trigger autism (or at least have done so for his son), and he was instrumental in founding both Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT) and the University of California, Davis M.I.N.D. Institute. He also has a 23-year long career working in the California State Legislature. And as far as autism is concerned, he says that his advocacy and research are for those with the full syndrome of autism (i.e., no HFAs or Aspergers included).

Currently, organizations like the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) are now working hard, fighting to get Savage's comments retracted and (hopefully) get him fired for having proffered them in the first place. --The irony that autistic-adult-run advocacy groups (HFAs, Aspergers) and other disability organizations are now spear-heading the battle against Savage's latest comment is an irony in contrast to Rollen's "full syndrome" stance which will be discussed later on in detail I'm sure. For now, Savage.

Under the guise of "entertainment", many outrageous claims go unanswered. Under the mistaken guise of Free Speech, Savage clings to his rickety soap box proclaiming his cruelty and ignorance a God-given right. For one, entertainment is entertainment; it's supposed to be fun, it's supposed to while away the time and lighten the load: it is NOT supposed to potentially harm people. And while it's impossible to prevent all unforeseeable harm (life is life and mistakes happen), it is not acceptable to knowingly injure any given person or group of people. Short of being declared legally incompetent, Savage knows exactly what are the ramifications of his claims. As does the Talk Radio Network. And as do his sponsors. Doing willful harm to any given person or group of people does NOT fall under 1st Amendment Rights, any more than it falls under my rights to make human sacrifices for religious reasons. Free Speech is not a cover-all blanket which, provided you assault someone's ears rather than their body, it is perfectly lawful.

Savage calls himself a "compassionate conservative" according to his critiques (SavageStupidity.com, Savage Lies, StopHateRadio.org), and while I am a newbie when it comes to the savagery of Michael Savage, I can't honestly imagine a single compassionate word having ever left his lips-- especially on air. So I am fascinated from what dictionary Mr. Savage has pulled this definition. In any case, whatever poison-filled words continue to spill from his lips, I can only hope soon that it won't be coming from any television or radio that I am privy to.

Therefore, if you wish to show your support in not only advocating for a compassionate view of the Autism Spectrum, but also wish to just help stop the hate, please follow the link below and sign the petition, urging TRN's sponsors to pull the rug out from under Michael Savage.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/DisabilityCommunitySavage/index.html

In addition, if you wish to go one step further, here towards the bottom of the page you will also find a letter template for writing or emailing TRN sponsors; their contact information is also provided. According to ASAN, Aflac and Telesouth Communication have already taken an active step and pulled their ads in response to Savage's comments. I applaud these companies, either for their compassion and/or for their good business sense-- as Mr. Savage is undoubtedly a public relations nightmare.

And for any overly-determined and passionate individuals, it is recommended that you boycott all TRN sponsors (minus those who have pulled their support of course) until this matter is satisfactorily resolved.