Advertisers in the United States have pulled their advertising from Mike Savage’s syndicated radio show: ‘Savage Nation with Michael Savage’ after his savage insult on his radio show when according to media reports he allegedly verbally assaulted children with autism.
Mike Savage called a child with autism a “brat,” an “idiot” and a “moron,” and said that autism is a racket designed to get public assistance. He adds that greedy doctors and drug companies created a panic by overdiagnosing autism.
Recently in a radio broadcast this is what Mike Savage had to say about autism:
“[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.'”
His remarks have caused a storm in the United States and around the world. Mike Savage obviously hasn’t got a clue as to what autism is all about. According to the CDC 1 in 150 children in the United States of America is on the autism spectrum. US parents groups and charities have protested at his remarks and advertising companies have pulled their advertisements from his syndicated radio show.
Far from apologising to parents, carers and people with autism, Savage has accused drug companies and greedy doctors of creating a national panic on comments on his website says the San Francisco Chronicle.
Parents are now calling for the talk show host to be fired. There is a growing call for action on Mike Savage. He had allegedly said that most autistic children need to be told to ‘stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man.’
Savage’s host Talk Radio Network, issued a statement: “The network is satisfied that he did not mean any disrespect to autistic children or their families, but was, instead, reiterating his longstanding concerns on public health issues.”
Advertisers are now pulling adverts from his radio show.Sponsors of Mike Savage’s radio show, such as AFLAC Insurance and Home Depot, have pulled their advertisements.According to recent reports advertisers that have already stopped advertising or refuse to place their ads on Michael Savage’s program include AutoZone, TrustedID, Citrix, OfficeMax, and JCPenney. Home Depot, Sears and Budweiser all withdrew their support, along with Direct Buy, Cisco and Radio Shack, according to Autism United a key group in the USA. Several networks have also withdrawn Savage’s syndicated radio show.
Lisa Borges, executive director of the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, has issued a statement calling Mike Savage’s remarks “inappropriate and lacking of respect for all families affected by autism.â€
“He obviously lacks the necessary education to understand the disorder and likely has not spent quality time around children and families who are struggling to cope,†Borges said.
“Everyone has a right to their own opinion,†Borges said, “but Mr. Savage should have done a better job of educating himself before expressing his views.â€
6 users commented in " Autism Remarks: Advertisers Desert Mike Savage "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackPublicity…publicity…publicity.
It’s the goal of talk jocks.
And this is just another example of a radio personality ruffling feathers for PR.
And it won’t be the last.
But as those of us who have worked in the media know, when it effects ad dollars, THAT’S when it backfires.
I have a grandson who has Autism. He is being raised by our son and his wonderful wife. He is not a brat, he is not a putz, my son is not a moron and our daughter-in-law is not an idiot. They are doing the best they can in very trying circumstances and don’t need a moron,putz and uninformed idiot like Michael Savage pontificating on something he knows nothing about. He is disgusting.
Thank you for your blog. I certainly hope thousands of people see it.
Sorry, but Savage has a point here, even if you don’t want to believe it. As a father of a late-talker, I know firsthand what he is talking about. I’ve fought against that label for my son because I’ve done the research. Most of the diagnoses are made by people unqualified to do so and are based on bad science, bad medicine, and the pursuit of money.
I suggest that you go listen to the subsequent interview Savage did with Dr. Cammarata of Vanderbilt University. Dr. Cammarata is *the* world’s leading expert on late-talking children and ASDs. That includes autism, Arsperger’s, Einstein Syndrome, late-talkers, Indigo and crystal Children, and ADD/ADHD.
I suggest you also go research “Einstein Symdrome” and late-talking children. Syndicated columnist Thomas Sowell is an excellent resource.
Then go research the effects of toxic metal poisoning in the brain, cross-reference the symptoms with autism and Alzheimers, and prepare to be shocked.
ASDs have become the next big money-grab for medicine. Never mind that most ASDs are not really autism. Never mind that the ASD has been recently expanded based on junk science. Never mind that the “symptoms” of autism now have nothing to do with real autism, where a child doesn’t communicate or do much of anything, as if they were stuck in theri own shell. Repetitve actions, lining things up in rows or shapes, and not speaking much while doing so are not autistic behaviors–they are signs of a highly organized and intelligent mind with a large focus on spatial relationships. Remember, Einstein himself was considered autistic when he wasn’t.
Savage’s point is that misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis does occur, and paretns should be aware of how that is done and why. And he’s right.
As the father of an autistic child I can tell you that Savage is an ignorant idiot whom I would physically assault if he were to ever cross my path. I have dealt with these A-holes for years now and am sick of it. Once while going to McDonalds I had another parent try to get my son kicked out, they were asked to leave. A neighbor threatened to call the police once, we get constant dirty looks from people when we go out shopping etc. etc… it is exhasting and heartbreaking. I will be writing his remaining advertisers, joining boycotts and urging everyone I know to do the same. Just because my son is not in a wheelchair doesn’t mean he’s not disabled
My heart goes out to everyone that has a child with any mental issues: (autism, ADD/ADHD, learning dificulties, ect) because it is a challange working with teacher, school personels, phycologist, therapist,and your child,ect. and about the $$$$$$ I get a big fat 0. To my knowllege only those single parents that qualify for assistance get also for child care services if the parent works. As of the dicipline, therapy, and extra activities to help a child be “normal” you are on you own. Ho yes not to forget those IEP’s meeting, I am becoming an expert fighting for my child rights.
I really don’t know what the big fuss is all about. If you would read what Dr. Savage said you would maybe lighten up a bit. It is not the inflicted with Autism that he has a problem with it is the ones out there that are being misdiagnosed with this problem and being fed with a bunch of drugs to handle a disciplinary problem. I, as a Father of a handicap child know the heartbreak that goes along with a true disability. I for one will quit supporting the establishments that have pulled the advertisements from Michaels great show. I hope and pray people will get the facts of Micheals statements before getting so hot and bothered. Wake up and quit being led around like a bunch of sheep.
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