SciQuest.org

The news buzz of the day concerns the conservative radio talk show jock, Michael Savage, and the outraged parents who are petitioning for his firing. This "shock jock" personality used his show to rant about something he has zero knowledge.

Michael Savage said autism is a "fraud and a racket" and that "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.'" In defending his comments he went on to say, "It's an over diagnosed medical condition. In my readings, there is no definitive medical diagnosis for autism."

When challenged further, he defended his comments by lashing out at the medical community and lambasted "greedy doctors who use children as profit centers by a greedy, corrupt medical/pharmaceutical establishment...."

Sorry, Michael Savage. You've really gone too far this time with your hateful "Savage Nation". You may know nothing about autism, but as a physician I know far too much. It is a spectrum of brain dysfunction that can be truly heartbreaking for parents and families. It has nothing to do with spoiled children or neglectful parents and your ignorance would be laughable if millions of people didn't hear you on the radio.

Michael Savage is first a showman. He is so proud of his comments that he is keeping the debate going by continuing the accusations against the medical establishment. And why not? His name is in the news and controversy is like money in the bank for him.

Michael Savage, you owe millions of parents, children and doctors an apology and if I were your boss, I WOULD fire you for just being plain stupid.