Autism was back in the headlines when the two Presidential candidates met in the third and final debate recently. Barack Obama and John McCain both spoke out on autism. A few months ago we urged both candidates to speak out on autism and the need for greater support for parents, cares, children and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome via the Blogger News Network.
The next President of the United States must come up with concrete proposals to help and support the vulnerable. We have also urged the next incumbent of the White House (via the Blogger News Network) to hold an event - inviting parents, carers, children and adults with autism to the White House in Washington DC. This has never happened before - it will be an ideal opportunity for the next President of the United States to reach out to people with autism.
In a reference to his running mate Governor Sarah Palin, John McCain said: ‘She’ll be my partner. She understands reform. And, by the way, she also understands special-needs families. She understands that autism is on the rise, that we’ve got to find out what’s causing it, and we’ve got to reach out to these families, and help them, and give them the help they need as they raise these very special needs children.’
Replying to McCain, Barack Obama said: ‘I think it’s very commendable the work she’s done on behalf of special needs. I agree with that, John. I do want to just point out that autism, for example, or other special needs will require some additional funding, if we’re going to get serious in terms of research. That is something that every family that advocates on behalf of disabled children talk about. And if we have an across-the-board spending freeze, we’re not going to be able to do it.’
This is the first time in the history of a Presidential Election that autism has received such high profile coverage and specifically mentioned by the Democratic Party candidate and the Republican Pary candidate for the U.S.Presidency. This was a historic moment. We now need to move away from mere words and for the next President to take firm action on autism - funding is the key. Both candidates are absolutely right - extra funding is need for public services.
To watch the clip on the references to autism in the final debate between Barack Obama and John McCain please access the link on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cESXEIAJkJY
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4 users commented in " US Presidential Debate: Obama and McCain talk about Autism "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackMy fellow citizens:
Consider the simple question on Abe Lincoln: Why was he taken seriously when speaking at Copper Union ? - My take is that ‘he had an audience when having something to say ‘ - This is why in my opinion that debates should be open to other candidates.
I, like other US citizens, found the Democratic candidate Obama, and the Republican one, McCain, to be woefully inadequate in providing real answers to the important questions posed by example, Tom Brokaw.
In other words, to provide answers with workable solutions that have strategic vision for our nation.
Given the opportunity, any 2008 Presidential Candidate, that is worth their salt, should be able to address these questions forth rightly; and not by pointing fingers at others.
As a Presidential Candidate I did answer Brokaw’s questions. In fact, he even has a copy of them. This is also in public domain:
http://unity2008.org/Debates/Brokaw_SecondDebateQuestions.html
My answers are based on the book called the New Deal. As a Presidential Candidate, it is my platform and commitment to our nation. It was published in June 2007.
Like the book, the answers are written with the heart of a statesman, and the head of an engineer. Combined, this enabled addressing the debate questions competently with the compassion and focus necessary for our nation.
Although a write in candidate for 2008 for those who feel empowered in at least five states, I believe what is written will meet or exceed the expectations of most U.S. citizens. This is for earning the trust necessary to lead our nation. Decide for your self !
Respectfully yours,
Orion Karl Daley
Presidential Candidate for 2008
for the Strategic Future of our nation
Author - The New Deal ISBN: 1419670948
Balanced Party http://unity2008.org
New York, NY, USA
I congratulate McCain Palin for talking about this disorder. I think autism and Downs are connected, scientifically speaking, I won’t go into why other than the buzz word Oxidative Stress in parents and children, aka through vaccines, toxins, mercury, too much iron etc. On a more personal note, Sarahs’ sister has a child with autism, so all in the family. The point being, I am sure she talked openly with McCain of the need to hold talks and summits on this crisis in the White House. Bush never wanted that, because he has a conflict of interest in his stock holdings with Eli Lilly, the vaccine pushers. The very thing that is driving this connection by triggering autism-gee thanks for your concern not. Many linkages exist between Downs and Autism, including problems with immune function, infections, iron overload, mercury toxicity, methylation disorders, celiac disease and seizures, etc. This is universal issue of what we are doing to our children to cause the rise of autism. Many Downs children have traits of autism, and visa versa. There is not any confusion here. I didn’t hear Obama talking about this issue, and I know he is not interested in parents who’s plights are deepening with insurance issues, medical issues, going broke on treatments etc. Education for early interventions are key to this as well as medical treatments that cure autism, including vitamina and minerals, antivirals and antibiotics, gut cleaning diets, etc, most of which are not covered by insurance, yet cure children. Some Downs kids also lose their facial features if they follow DAN protocols, I have seen it firsthand. The point being, we have to reverse the “gentic epidemic”, to EPIGENETIC, or ENVIRONMENTAL GENE INTERACTIONS. This means going to clean sources of fuel, and doing less coal plants that emit mercury and lead. This means restricting access to MSG laiden foods, that poison our kids, and fluorides in our water which damages the IQ of children. This means thinking outside the box, and brining our kids home to natural whole nutritional foods, no vaccinating and actually getting measles with flying colors, and the like strategies to stop this 1-98 children with autism, or 1-6 children with developmental problems. No wonder our educational system is failing, we are doing it by our own modern day practices.
Stupid Barack Obama he is looks like evil eared monkey. That’s disgusting his hair, gross
I can’t, don’t see his monkey shaped face, vomitable topside of head! CNN! less see his head especially back topside!. GROSS!!!
If america elected that monkey then america no hope no future. America will be kicked out.
America no more influence to the world. America can’t lead any more
I personally never emigarte to america and also remove CNN channel from my TV. African monkey become american president that is american great shame, great tragedy.
Politicians dont’ know nothing about autism. Not even the experts seem to know what they’re doing. Oy vey…See “Self-injurious behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder” Self injury behavior is something DSM-5 has yet to acknowledge is common among autistics of all functioning levels. Failing to research self injurious behaviors in the spectrum is not helping autism community.
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