Hollywood Reacts To Radio Host's Autism Comments
By Access HollywoodJuly 22, 2008, 2:16 pm PDTNEW YORK, N.Y. -- Conservative radio talk show
host Michael Savage's outrageous claims on autism have unleashed a
fury of attacks from Hollywood.
"Now you want me to tell you my opinion on autism since I'm not
talking about autism€a fraud, a racket,"
Michael Savage said last week on his radio show, "The Savage
Nation."
The shock jock went on to say, "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."
[ Access Inspiration: Holly Robinson Peete - Play it Now ]
Following the remarks, autism activists and parents are now
calling for Savage's job. The radio talk show host was once fired
from his MSNBC show for comments on homosexuality.
However, everyday parents and activists aren't the only ones
speaking out against Savage's comments. Stars who are affected by
autism, which affects one in 150 kids in America, are responding as
well.
Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete, whose 10-year-old son
Rodney Jr. suffers from autism, are not keeping quiet.
[ All Access: Celebrities - TV ]
"We find it shocking that the individuals who name call and pass
judgment on families like ours have had zero experience with the
disorder," the couple said in a statement.
Savage, whose radio audience ranks in size only behind Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, defended himself on his blog, writing, "My comments about autism were meant to boldly awaken parents and children to the medical community's attempt to label too many children or adults as 'autistic.'"
He also responded to the criticism on his radio show Monday
show, saying, " Do you want to live in a world where one statement
that offends somebody could cost you your career? There is no
definitive medical diagnosis for autism. None."
But autism expert Laurie Stephens refuted Savage's
analysis.
"That's absolutely not accurate. There are several medical ways to look at autism. It's absolutely possible to test children even before the age of two," Stephens told Access Hollywood.
Jenny McCarthy is also outspoken when it comes to the disability. An activist since her 6-year-old son's diagnosis, she and boyfriend Jim Carrey led a march on Washington to call for safe vaccines, that they believe could lead to less cases of autism.
Despite the hurdles of autism, the Peete family continues to
remain positive and hopes others will do the same.
"We see how brilliant he is in different ways", Holly said of her son. "I would love to encourage the world to embrace these children."
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