Many autism awareness groups protested Michael Savage's show today, upset over comments he made last week, calling many children diagnosed with autism "a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out." Savage, whose show is heard locally on WSYR, says he will not apologize for the remarks, explaining that his comments were taken out of context.
In a message posted on his website today, Savage explains that his remarks were focused at his belief that most autism patients were simply misdiagnosed by a "cartel of doctors and drug companies" looking to "peddle dangerous speed-like drugs to children as young as 4 years of age."
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The "Savage Nation" airs live from 6-9pm ET weeknights, but WSYR carries the show on delay, airing from 10pm-1am.
(UPDATE 7/22/08 - 12:45am) During Monday night's broadcast, Savage continually reiterated that he has "always helped the helpless," and he believes children who are "truly autistic" do deserve special treatment and funding. He also stressed that his comments were directed chiefly at "quack doctors" who wrongly misdiagnose or overdiagnose autism, and at parents who teach their children to fake autism to fradulently claim benefits. Savage started the third hour of the program by replaying his original remarks from last week, to further illustrate his contention that his comments were taken out of their original context.
Complete clips of the audio in question are available on Savage's own website, http://www.michaelsavage.com -