fayfreethinkers.com

DAR
Michael Savage (real name Weiner) is the No. 3 syndicated radio talk show host in the country, (behind Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity).

His radio show reaches more than 10 million listeners on 410 stations throughout the United States.

On July 16, Savage/Weiner made the following statement on autism:

"Now, you want me to tell you my opinion on autism? ... A fraud, a racket."

Savage went on to say:

"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."

In response, the Autism Society of America issued a statement addressing Savage's remarks: "We are dismayed that these grossly inaccurate remarks would be aired in any platform, much less on a nationally syndicated show. We will continue to work with families, people with autism and the broader public to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders." Link

During the same broadcast, Savage also attacked those in "the minority community" who suffer from asthma. He 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."

Savage's recent books are published by WND Books, a partnership between the conservative website WorldNetDaily and Thomas Nelson, a publisher of Christian books.

He is the author of many books, including:

The Complete Book of Homeopathy, Garden City Park, N.Y.: Avery Pub., 1989

DAR
What the hell is the matter with this country? It takes the most vile and ignorant people and because they have the gift of gab, that is, they can run their mouth endlessly, they are given a microphone to speak bile and lies to tens of millions of people, daily.

You can find your local Savage Station, log into the calling tool and tell your Savage station manager what you think of Savage's tirade.



Amazon link

I've never even heard of this guy. Now he's going to become famous because of his ignorance.

He's obviously never been around autistic children. I have, and they are NOT acting. How could even be so ignorant?

This is depressing. Maybe we could make a list of intelligent radio talk shows that actually educate society and have worthwhile discussions. And I don't mean necessarily "liberal" shows. I don't listen to radio shows so I don't know of any.

Betsy wrote: Maybe we could make a list of intelligent radio talk shows that actually educate society and have worthwhile discussions.

DAR
It would be a short list.

And I don't mean necessarily "liberal" shows.

DAR
A lot of times, in politics, liberals act just like the other side of the same coin. They play the same games to get elected etc. But this is different. Free expression of ideas and consideration of opposing opinions is liberal home turf and in fact anathema to conservative "values." There is no need to apologize for the liberals being better at this. It's sad, but true.

Consider this 8th definition of liberal:

"open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc."

That in a nutshell explains why a liberal is more likely to conduct a talk show so it will "educate society and have worthwhile discussions" and why a conservative won't. They are bound by tradition and convention and not interested in hearing those traditional ideas challenged.

Consider the difference between this forum and NWA politics.

And guess what. Largely because of rightwing media ownership, 95% of talk radio is rightwing conservative and the vast majority of that is extreme rightwing. And the extremists have the most listeners on the most stations.

I think another reason the extremists get picked for shows is partly because people want to hear shocking salacious things. Real life, and fixing real world problems can seem a little boring. More fun to hear some one like Rush come along, slam the liberals and give simple answers to a complex universe.

Alan Colmes used to have an excellent radio talk show for two hours in the afternoon. Everything else on that station was rightwing all the time. I used to plan my day so I could catch more of his show.

My satellite radio has one liberal channel, to about four rightwing channels. And some of the "liberals" are hardly liberal and have nutty rightwing ideas (Lynn Samuels, believer of all conspiracy ideas). Most of the liberal shows are lousy actually. A few standout. Thom Hartmann for one.

I don't listen to radio shows so I don't know of any.

DAR
I drive over 20,000 miles a year and have listened to a lot of talk radio for the last 18 years. It's really pathetic out there. It really makes you appreciate NPR. But many conservatives, sorry to say, are not quite intelligent enough to grasp NPR. Or they have just been dumbed down. I grew up listening to a whole lot of CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) radio. It's very much like NPR except perhaps a tad better in some ways, but not quite as broad based as the much larger/global bigger budget NPR. CBC had excellent, intelligent talk shows with the brightest minds, best authors, most interesting people and none of the childish baby talk aimed at fourth graders which AM talk radio is almost exclusively. Now that I think about it, the difference is breathtaking. AM talk radio is insultingly stupid. It appeals to the lowest and traffics exclusively in misinformation and spin.

Take the best of NPR talk shows and that is what the CBC is like most of the time. Our local NPR station has excellent news in the morning, classical music (yawn) from 9:00am to 3:00pm and then news, then some first class interviews with Terry Gross. I get satellite radio now so there are NPR stations that have talk all day. CBC is similar but without 6 hours of classical filler.

Anyway. AM talk radio is making your fellow citizens more and more STUPID. If you know someone who listens to a lot of AM talk radio, it means they are probably listening to a lot of Rush (3 hours a day), Hannity, O'Reilly, Michael Weiner, Glen Beck, Michael Reagan etc. They are probably also buying their books. It means they are almost certainly a very opinionated, very ignorant and very misinformed person.

D.
-------------------------
I grew up listening to this guy a lot:

"Peter Gzowski CC (July 13, 1934 – January 24, 2002) was a popular Canadian broadcaster, writer and reporter, most famous for his work on the CBC radio show Morningside. His biographer has argued that Gzowski's contribution to Canadian media must be considered in the context of efforts by a generation of Canadian nationalists to understand and express Canada's cultural identity.[1] Gzowski wrote books, hosted television shows, and worked at a number of newspapers and at Maclean's Magazine. It is estimated that he conducted 27,000 interviews as host of Morningside."

1997 - International Peabody Award for broadcasting

wiki

DAR
See above where I say that people who listen to rightwing radio are, lets be blunt, stupid.

I sent a copy of this info about Weiner's comments on autism to a rightwing acquaintance. Here is his response:

"I didn't know that you paid any attention to Savage! I don't agree with everything he says, but he is often on the mark on many issues; especially when he talks about borders, language, and culture.

I don't know if he is right about autism; are you claiming to KNOW that there is NO truth in what he says? And how do YOU know?

And if he is so wrong about what he says, why is he one of the most listened to talk show hosts? Because many agree with him!

As for autism, I will leave it up to the medical community to figure out."

Darrel wrote:

As for autism, I will leave it up to the medical community to figure out."

Here's how you respond:

The medical community already has figured it out. Savage doesn't care what they've concluded, and you don't even know what they've concluded. Lying and ignorance are the hallmarks of modern conservatives. No wonder you love his show.

Okay, so maybe you shouldn't say that to him. I might, though.

The Roast:

****

I didn't know that you paid any attention to Savage!

DAR
I have never had the opportunity to hear his show. I have read about him and his background.

I don't agree with everything he says, but he is often on the mark on many issues; especially when he talks about borders, language, and culture.

I don't know if he is right about autism; are you claiming to KNOW that there is NO truth in what he says?

DAR
He said:

"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."

Do you want to defend that statement? No, I didn't think so.

And how do YOU know?

DAR
Because I'm knowledgeable and informed about a lot of issues. Why don't you take this opportunity to educate yourself a little bit about this subject:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism

Excerpt:

"Autism is a brain development disorder that impairs social interaction and communication, and causes restricted and repetitive behavior, all starting before a child is three years old. This set of signs distinguishes autism from milder autism spectrum disorders (ASD) such as Asperger syndrome.[2] Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations.[3] In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects."

And if he is so wrong about what he says, why is he one of the most listened to talk show hosts? Because many agree with him!

DAR
The idea that something is true because a lot of people believe it or agree with it, is a fallacy. Do you know what a fallacy is Bill? Let me help:

fal·la·cy /ˈfæləsi/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[fal-uh-see]

1. a deceptive, misleading, or false notion, belief, etc.: That the world is flat was at one time a popular fallacy.
2. a misleading or unsound argument.
3. deceptive, misleading, or false nature; erroneousness.
4. Logic. any of various types of erroneous reasoning that render arguments logically unsound.
5. Obsolete. deception.

About seventy years ago, many if not most people in Japan believed their emperor was a god. The idea that a claim or a belief is more true because a lot of people believe it is very poor logic.

Like Mr. Limbaugh, who consistently uses such bad logic that a book was written about it, see:

Logic and Mr. Limbaugh: A Dittohead's Guide To Fallacious Reading

Mr Wiener ("Savage") is also notorious fabricator. See:

Savage Lies: The Half-Truths, Distortions and Outright Lies of a Right-Wing Blowhard

If you are up to having your beliefs challenged a little bit just let me know and I will order this book for you and have it shipped to your door.

As for autism, I will leave it up to the medical community to figure out.

DAR
Probably for the best. You don't hire a plumber to fix a piano. But do read the wiki blurb on autism. It's pretty clear Wiener is not correct at all and it is very insulting to those who suffer with this condition.

I am reminded of Limbaugh's comment that Michael J. Fox's symptoms from Parkinson's disease were "purely an act." Conservatives are really into insulting sick people it seems.

One of Wiener's books is:

The Complete Book of Homeopathy, Garden City Park, N.Y.: Avery Pub., 1989

My wife will be giving a presentation completely debunking homeopathy at our freethinker meeting next Saturday. Believing in the efficacy of homeopathy is sort of a litmus test for me. If you believe in homeopathy (never mind write a book about it), you are not a very critical thinker.

D.

Free expression of ideas and consideration of opposing opinions is liberal home turf and in fact anathema to conservative

PResident Raygun took care of the "balanced" issue when he voided or destroyed the Fairness Doctrine, a long established practice by the FCC.

Stations must no longer give oppositional views time to those with different opinion in order to hold a license from the FCC. In other words, Raygun set up this 24 hour stupidity radio.

I have an autistic brother. I grew up with him and spend time with him as an adult. Until you have been there you have no qualification to judge the disorder. It can be the most frustrating thing to handle that ever comes your way. Some of them have times when when they are lucid. Other times it takes months just to teach them how to cross a street. Sometimes the feat requires a few years.
I hesitate to say anything about this radio host except he is a stupid, ignorant, malinformed, piece of shit.

As for autism, I will leave it up to the medical community to figure out."

P.S. They have. It's called research. You can go to any local pulmonary specialist and see life sized diagrams, photos and drawings of bronchial tubes with and without asthma. Children deaths are not uncommon due to asthma.

There is no naturopathic remedy for it. However they will try to sell you one.

Ask local police about asthma. They realize that when they arrest someone with asthma the person must be watched closely.

Anyway. AM talk radio is making your fellow citizens more and more STUPID.

I'm thinking truck drivers and traveling sales people. They listen to these fakes several
hours each day. I once walked into an insurance office where they had Lush's show playing
on the radio. Several Lush books were conspicously placed around the office. I wanted
an entire insurance package, dwellings, two cars, and personal liability. I looked at
the ego maniac who owned the place, he was smoking a cigar and wearing a Lush
necktie, I glanced slowly at him, then at the Lush books and shook my head and walked
out.

Above post is mine. Thought I was logged in.

On the subject of local talk radio; I recently had to upgrade my car stereo. From the ads on NPR I knew that they broadcast in HD. Since I had to get a new receiver anyway, I went ahead and got an HD one. Besides getting the normal station in "HD" (not really a big deal), you can pick up two other digital only stations. One is 24 hours of classical (as Darrel said, "yawn") but the other is mostly talk shows which aren't carried on the main station such as "Talk of the Nation" and the "Diane Rehm" show. After 5pm is BBC international radio.

A couple of drawbacks I've noticed with the digital signal; it doesn't carry as far as the regular signal and it if it's raining out you can forget getting it at all.

I don't drive very long to get to work so I don't get to listen to it as much as I'd like.

Savonarola wrote:Okay, so maybe you shouldn't say that to him. I might, though.

DOUG
Everyone should say that to him. And say it often, until he wises up.

Darrel wrote: He said:

"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."

Do you want to defend that statement? No, I didn't think so.

DOUG
Now, The Savage Weiner is saying that if you listen to his statement in context, he was talking about cases in which autism was misdiagnosed. But that is definitely not what he was saying, as the above quotation shows. I hope he is fired over this. I've seen outrageous, racist, and other disgusting statements from this guy for years and it's about time he got canned.

Doug wrote: DOUG
I've seen outrageous, racist, and other disgusting statements from this guy for years and it's about time he got canned.

DAR
Saying outrageous, racist, and a constant stream of other disgusting things is Job One when you are a conservative radio show talk show host. It's actually a requirement.

D.

Right, and remember that Rush Limbaugh did not get fired for making his ignorant accusations at Michael J. Fox for faking his Parkinson's disease -- in fact, Rush just resigned for a multi-million contract! Apparently, you only get fired if you insult a racial group.

Regarding the comment that only truckdrivers and traveling salesmen are subjected to this brainwashing, unfortunately that is not the case. I know educated people -- other lawyers, to be exact, and you can make whatever joke you want but these people have been through many years of higher learning -- who still buy into this nonsense. It would be nice if we could just say, oh, only stupid people listen to this crap, but unfortunately some (otherwise) intelligent people do, too. Some even still defend George W. Bush!! ....I KNOW!

Betsy wrote:Right, and remember that Rush Limbaugh did not get fired for making his ignorant accusations at Michael J. Fox for faking his Parkinson's disease --

DAR
Even better, his ignorant comment and Michael J's excellent response, cost the republicans the very close stem cell issue in MO. It was a powerful moment watching Michael J's humble response on ABC. And the timing of Limbaugh's blunder was perfect for the election.

Apparently, you only get fired if you insult a racial group.

DAR
But only temporarily. See Don Imus.

Regarding the comment that only truckdrivers and traveling salesmen are subjected to this brainwashing, unfortunately that is not the case.

DAR
That's certainly true. But they do get a higher dose of the brainwashing because they listen to a lot of AM talk.

D.

DAR
UPDATE from Media Matters:

"...the pressure on Michael Savage has intensified as media coverage has grown, along with protests by concerned parents of autistic children, statements from members of Congress, and calls from concerned citizens to stations around the country that carry his radio show, The Savage Nation. As a result, Savage's show has been dropped from the seven-station SuperTalk Mississippi radio network, and the insurance company AFLAC announced it will no longer sponsor Savage's program.

How has Savage responded? By stating, "I stand by my words."

And he lies about it of course (as Limbaugh did when he said Michael J Fox's actions were "purely an act"):

"Savage didn't stop there; instead of apologizing to the millions of children and their families living with autism, he falsely recast his controversial comments to claim that they had been taken out of context and by lashing out at Media Matters for America."

Take action Here.

This guy sounds like a real weiner. From the Associated Press, Sat. July 26:

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by conservative radio talk show host Michael Savage against an Islamic civil rights group over its use of a portion of his show in which he called the Quran a "book of hate."

Savage sued the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, for copyright infringement and racketeering lawsuit late last year, claiming the group violated his rights by using a segment of his "Savage Nation" show in a letter-writing campaign to get advertisers to boycott the program. In the broadcast used by CAIR, Savage also called the Muslim holy book "a throwback document."

In her ruling Friday, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said people who listen to a public broadcast are entitled to use excerpts for purposes of comment and criticism. She also said no evidence was presented to show that advertising on the show's broadcast was affected by CAIR's actions.

The racketeering element of the lawsuit alleged that CAIR was not a civil rights group, but a political organization with ties to terrorist groups. CAIR denies those claims, saying it opposes terrorism and religious extremism.

In an interview with The Associated Press after he filed the lawsuit in December, Savage said he was referring to Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his violent brand of Islamic extremism in the broadcast, not about the religion in general.

Savage's attorney, Daniel Horowitz, told the San Francisco Chronicle he plans to file a new racketeering suit.