Savage reportedly likened Media Matters to HIV

A July 22 WorldNetDaily article reporting on the controversy over nationally syndicated radio host Michael Savage's July 16 remarks about autism -- documented by Media Matters for America -- stated that Savage "told WND that Media Matters itself is as much a part of the story as autism," adding: "Acting like the HIV virus, he said, 'they invade the body politic and mimic the defense cells until they poison the entire organism.' "

The article also noted that "a coalition of groups that advocate for children with autism responded, staging a protest outside the studios of [New York] radio station WOR, which carries Savage's program." The article continued: "Savage commented that 'some in New York found it odd that the protesters were almost all men, they had neatly printed signs and there were no children. They suspect it was a staged protest by the Stalinist Savage-haters.' "

The article quoted Savage asserting, "I attack falsely diagnosed cases, the misdiagnosed and the outright fraud artists through a bold parody, and Media Matters rips the parody out of context." In fact, as Media Matters noted, Savage began his July 16 remarks by saying, "Now, you want me to tell you my opinion on autism, since I'm not talking about autism? A fraud, a racket. ... You know what autism is? I'll tell you what autism is. 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."

During his July 21 show, Savage falsely recast his July 16 comments and characterized Media Matters as a group that is "filled with anti-family individuals who do not marry; they're men who like men."

From the July 22 WorldNetDaily article:

Standing by his criticism of the autism "racket," nationally syndicated radio host Michael Savage devoted his entire three-hour show yesterday to the topic, allowing experts and callers to weigh in on the controversy sparked by a left-leaning media watchdog's campaign against him.

The Web-based Media Matters -- which describes its task as "correcting conservative misinformation" -- urged people to call their local radio stations to hold Savage "accountable" for his comments during a July 16 broadcast of the Savage Nation, the country's third most popular talk show, with more than 8 million weekly listeners on 350 stations.

Savage explained in a statement on his website that his assertion autism is a "fraud" and "a racket" was "meant to boldly awaken parents and children to the medical community's attempt to label too many children or adults as 'autistic.'"

[...]

He told WND that Media Matters itself is as much a part of the story as autism. Acting like the HIV virus, he said, "they invade the body politic and mimic the defense cells until they poison the entire organism."

Summing up the controversy, he said: "I spend my entire life championing helpless children, because of the tragedy of my brother Jerome. I attack falsely diagnosed cases, the misdiagnosed and the outright fraud artists through a bold parody, and Media Matters rips the parody out of context, stirs up the autism community against me, and here we are!"

[...]

In New York City yesterday, a coalition of groups that advocate for children with autism responded, staging a protest outside the studios of radio station WOR, which carries Savage's program

Savage commented that "some in New York found it odd that the protesters were almost all men, they had neatly printed signs and there were no children. They suspect it was a staged protest by the Stalinist Savage-haters."