The person I confused Stephen Barret for is James R. Raidler. He edits Autism Watch which is affiliated to Quackwatch. Autism Watch refers people to a book about "curing" Autism and this same site describes Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) as "well settled". ABA has been known to use aversives such as hitting, spanking, hair pulling and even electric shocks.
Recommended Sites on Autism and ABA:
http://www.autismcrisis.blogspot.com/ Autism Crisis
http://www.sentex.net/~nexus23/naa_02.html No Autistics Allowed
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/ Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
On the ICL's Social Darwinist Rump
Comrades,
I am writing because I am deeply disturbed by your worsening pattern of ablest bigotry. Lately the ICL has embraced Social Darwinist and ablest views towards autistics. In your recent article Capitalist Reaction and Anti-Vaccine Hysteria in your December 4, 2009 issue of "Workers Vanguard" you describes Autism as a "disorder", Autistics as "brain damaged" and talks about people "suffering" from Autism. I would like to point out that most Autistics, including myself, find such remarks deeply offensive. Autism rights groups such as the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/) would have a bone to pick with you about spewing such ablest venom. Have you even bothered to hear the perspectives of actual Autistics or Autism rights groups?
Currently there are people in your cult who champion Robert Latimer an ablest and fascistic bigot who sits back while outright fascists champion him. The drones in your cult that I have spoken to still champion him despite this and haven't even bothered to hear perspectives from the disabled community. Taken into account the fact that your organization does not permit independent thoughts or opinions I am assuming this is the party line (please feel free to let me know if this is not the party line). If this is the party line then your organization is in a de facto Red-Brown coalition.
In terms of your newfound bigotry towards Autistics it seriously cuts against some of your more commendable statements and citations such as:
"There are broader social implications, as Gould notes: "Antiessentialist thinking forces us to view the world differently.... We lose criteria for judgment by comparison to some ideal: short people, retarded people, people of other beliefs, colors, and religions are people of full status." To put it another way, to hate and fear change and variation is a hallmark of reaction and religious superstition."
- "In Defense of Sex and Science: Kinsey", Workers Vanguard No. 839, 7 January 2005
as well as:
"Living things—wasps, flowers, people—do not have an "immutable essence," or "ideal form" around which variations cluster. In real life, each one is individual, and that individuality itself is one of their most valuable aspects. - ibid.
These statements which were part of a truly stellar review of the equally good Kinsey movie/documentary (There was a movie and documentary that came out around the same time) consistent with the views of Autism and disability rights groups and the neurodiversity movement. In fact when I made these statements in the times of yore (Winter 2005 if my memory serves me correctly) people in the organization actually agreed with me and was disturbed that there are groups that wished to "cure" autism.
Alas, as the whims of your peerless leader James Robertson (who disgustingly ordered a "steak a la Auschwitz" in a german restaurant) change so must the party line. Any cadre who doesn't follow the latest whim of the peerless leader is subject to "criticism/self-criticism" which I myself have been subjected to (although I was a supporter and not a member).
I will state again that your total disregard for the grievances of the disabled completely discredit you and undercut any of your claims to be a tribune of all the oppressed. If you are unable to muster the humility and integrity to regcognize and repudiate your revolting ablest bigotry, you can at least refrain from continuing to spew bigotry towards autistics and others people with "disabilities".
Bolshevik Greetings,
Michael G.
P.S. That is not to say that I am in any way opposed to vaccinations (I myself recently got the H1N1) and you are right to denounce people who oppose vaccinations. And I do appreciate criticisms of Jenny McCarthy, Jim Carrey, Generation Rescue, Age of Autism, National Vaccine and Information Centre, PutChildrenFirst.org etc. All of whom are extremely bigoted towards autistics along with being irrationally hostile towards science.
I am writing because I am deeply disturbed by your worsening pattern of ablest bigotry. Lately the ICL has embraced Social Darwinist and ablest views towards autistics. In your recent article Capitalist Reaction and Anti-Vaccine Hysteria in your December 4, 2009 issue of "Workers Vanguard" you describes Autism as a "disorder", Autistics as "brain damaged" and talks about people "suffering" from Autism. I would like to point out that most Autistics, including myself, find such remarks deeply offensive. Autism rights groups such as the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/) would have a bone to pick with you about spewing such ablest venom. Have you even bothered to hear the perspectives of actual Autistics or Autism rights groups?
Currently there are people in your cult who champion Robert Latimer an ablest and fascistic bigot who sits back while outright fascists champion him. The drones in your cult that I have spoken to still champion him despite this and haven't even bothered to hear perspectives from the disabled community. Taken into account the fact that your organization does not permit independent thoughts or opinions I am assuming this is the party line (please feel free to let me know if this is not the party line). If this is the party line then your organization is in a de facto Red-Brown coalition.
In terms of your newfound bigotry towards Autistics it seriously cuts against some of your more commendable statements and citations such as:
"There are broader social implications, as Gould notes: "Antiessentialist thinking forces us to view the world differently.... We lose criteria for judgment by comparison to some ideal: short people, retarded people, people of other beliefs, colors, and religions are people of full status." To put it another way, to hate and fear change and variation is a hallmark of reaction and religious superstition."
- "In Defense of Sex and Science: Kinsey", Workers Vanguard No. 839, 7 January 2005
as well as:
"Living things—wasps, flowers, people—do not have an "immutable essence," or "ideal form" around which variations cluster. In real life, each one is individual, and that individuality itself is one of their most valuable aspects. - ibid.
These statements which were part of a truly stellar review of the equally good Kinsey movie/documentary (There was a movie and documentary that came out around the same time) consistent with the views of Autism and disability rights groups and the neurodiversity movement. In fact when I made these statements in the times of yore (Winter 2005 if my memory serves me correctly) people in the organization actually agreed with me and was disturbed that there are groups that wished to "cure" autism.
Alas, as the whims of your peerless leader James Robertson (who disgustingly ordered a "steak a la Auschwitz" in a german restaurant) change so must the party line. Any cadre who doesn't follow the latest whim of the peerless leader is subject to "criticism/self-criticism" which I myself have been subjected to (although I was a supporter and not a member).
I will state again that your total disregard for the grievances of the disabled completely discredit you and undercut any of your claims to be a tribune of all the oppressed. If you are unable to muster the humility and integrity to regcognize and repudiate your revolting ablest bigotry, you can at least refrain from continuing to spew bigotry towards autistics and others people with "disabilities".
Bolshevik Greetings,
Michael G.
P.S. That is not to say that I am in any way opposed to vaccinations (I myself recently got the H1N1) and you are right to denounce people who oppose vaccinations. And I do appreciate criticisms of Jenny McCarthy, Jim Carrey, Generation Rescue, Age of Autism, National Vaccine and Information Centre, PutChildrenFirst.org etc. All of whom are extremely bigoted towards autistics along with being irrationally hostile towards science.
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