Radio Talk Show Host says: Autism is A Fraud, A Racket" He then says: "Minority Children with Asthma are Frauds, Too Much Welfare!"

Lisset - posted on 02/13/2009 ( 1 mom has responded )

This is completely Horrible and despicable!!!

I'm trying to post this as much as I can to get this out there to bring an awareness, if people don't already know!

The 3rd ranked radio talk show host in America refers to Children with Autistim as "Idiots" and "Morons." He rants for a few more minutes on it, he then goes on to say that Minority Children with Asthma are "Frauds" and it's because they're on Too Much Welfare!! I think this is disgusting and vile. I can't believe someone with such authority on the air would make horrific comments like these.

I have attached the issue below of the remarks that were made, plus the link to the audio of him making the comments on the radio! Read or listen, I'm wondering what everyone thinks about this.

Audio Clip:
http://mediamatters.org/items/2008071700... - Just push Play on the streaming audio on this page.

Transcript:
Washington, DC - Media Matters for America today condemned nationally syndicated conservative radio host Michael Savage for incendiary comments directed at those who live with autism and their families. During the same broadcast, Savage, the No. 3 talk radio host in America, also attacked those in "the minority community" who suffer from asthma.

"What Michael Savage said was foolish, mean-spirited, and hurtful," said J. Jioni Palmer, spokesman for Media Matters. "It's unfortunate he would use his radio program to make fun of and belittle these kids. Instead of ridicule and cheap shots, the children suffering from autism and asthma and their families need support and compassion."

During the July 16 edition of his show, Savage claimed that autism is "[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.' "

Savage also stated: "[W]hy 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."

Talk Radio Network, which syndicates The Savage Nation, claims that Savage is heard on more than 350 radio stations. The Savage Nation reaches at least 8.25 million listeners each week, according to Talkers Magazine, making it one of the most listened-to talk radio shows in the nation, behind only The Rush Limbaugh Show and The Sean Hannity Show.

If you would like to discuss this topic, others, or have any further questions or concerns, you are welcome to join my group Multi-Cultural Mama's. I believe situations like this exist because racism and prejudice are still very prevalent in our society. Hopefully raising our children to be aware of others, whether it be color, language, handicap, illness, diagnosis, or culture, will help them not only embrace their own identity and self, but be respectful towards others'!