I'm no idiot. No, really...I'm not. I understand the role of a "radio shock jock" and how they make stupid statements just for publicity. How they rant for ratings. I get it. But it's one thing to attack someone like the Kennedys or Paris Hilton or even a minority group that can speak out and defend themselves and quite another to attack a group of people who cannot speak up for themselves.

Last week Michael Savage did just that. His attack on autistic children was nothing less than the most ignorant type of hate speech I've ever heard. If Don Imus can get fired for calling a group of basketball players, "Nappy-headed hos" then it's time for Michael to pick up his last paycheck and go home.

Let's listen in, shall we?

As many of you know, autism is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. My son Connor is rated as severe on the autism spectrum. He's five years old, cannot speak, cannot follow any but the simplest instructions, has to be constantly watched so he doesn't hurt himself. Our house is constantly locked, cabinets are locked. The majority of our time at home revolves around keeping Connor safe. 

Apparently I should have just smacked him and told him not to act like a moron.

Anyway, Savage is backpedaling a bit now. He recently said, "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.'"

There's a fine line between "bold" and "stupid."

No wait...there isn't. It's a pretty thick line. Thicker than Michael Savage's head. 

He also said, "greedy doctors and drug companies were creating a "national panic" by overdiagnosing autism, a mental disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate."

Wow. That's really strange considering there is no drug treatment for autism and since a large portion of the blame for this epidemic probably lies with the drug companies.

But that's for another blog.

If you're interested, I left a nice message for Christy who is in PR at Talk Radio Network (the people who apparently bought Savage from the traveling circus). She can be reached at 541-664-8827.  I also sent an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it saying:

Time to go home. If Don Imus can get fired for what he said about a group of people who have the intellect and ability to defend themselves then Savage needs to go for what he said about a group of people who cannot.

Give him his last check. Send him home. We don't need to hear him any more.

Bret Hammond
(father of an autistic child who won't stop being autistic no matter how much I tell him to cut out the act)