I can't stand PETA. They're sensationalistic and uncaring (for humans, anyway).
I don't believe there is just one thing you can pinpoint as a cause for autism. Why it's becoming so prevalent now is beyond me. I also don't think it will be cured.
Billboards and news stories that focus on just one link are misleading at best and make me tear out my hair.
Shell, I so hear you! I started a rant last week about one-size-fits-all autism cures but it got too long and unfocused. I might revisit it. This thing just pisses me off because PETA doesn't give a damn about autism.
I wish they'd concentrate on less sensationalism and providing real facts about the foods we eat. We need to stop adulterating our food supply with genetic modification and feeding our animals crap they don't naturally eat.
Then maybe we can talk about a "cure" for autism. Or maybe...putting more resources into developing solutions for education, helping them cope with us WEIRD neuro-typicals, and helping them be the best kids, young adults and grown-ups they can be.
Sounds like a great "cure" to me. Actually helping them reach their potential. Controversial!
And then there's this lovely statement from their own website, regarding the billboard:
Thankfully, there is hope. Testimonials suggest that some people with this devastating disease may be able to find relief by simply removing milk from their diet.
Really, that's all it takes? /snark
Having different brain wiring doesn't automatically consign you to a life of misery and despair!!!
If removing casien/gluten from the diet works for their children, more power to them. (looks at Jenny McCarthy)
Most of my friends who have tried it say "All it did was make my kids whine more/be more hungry/all they liked were the pretzels from that company that makes gluten free ones!"
It definitely doesn't work for everyone and there's more types of autism than there are colors in the rainbow.
Don't get me started on Jenny McCarthy. I'm glad things worked out for her son, but seriously I think her "being Jenny" view of celebrity does more harm than good. To read her book (which I just finally gave in and did) you'd think the cure to autism was a) say F*CK at every opportunity b) make sure to tell other people they are morons c) try a special diet and supplements and d) have big boobs. That started the rant I was trying to write last week - I was trying to manage a review of her book.
As the Smart Bitches said over on their blog today about another subject, that sucks wookie butt. PETA drives me crazy anyway because they don't seem to care about getting anything fixed, just about being "right" from their point of view. This billboard is just another example.
Any chance you can use your Awesome Co powers to turn this into something good? A local news story or something, so that the people who see the billboard won't just have the Ad of Stupidness to go by?
Awesome Co powers, hee. Well, most of the NY TV stations covered it briefly on Monday night, I think, just saying that the billboard was up but the CDC didn't have studies linking milk to autism. What I probably could do is send my little rant to the existing autism outlets in the state, or a newspaper or two, and let them use it if they want to. *starts looking up public health officials in Newark* Darn you, Kit!
Argh. I've never understood PETA's actions. I can sympathize with where they're basically coming from (you know, be nice to animals and such) but as you mentioned, they strive for the WHY's of shock media instead of showing people HOW to change things realistically.
I'm sorry. I would love to eat organically every day, but I can barely afford a working grocery budget as it is. . . and that's without all the pre-packaged, processed crap most people consider essential. Show me how to do this on a budget and you'll sell me. Until then, stop putting sensationalist statistics up which probably do more harm to growing children than not.
I agree with Kit. I think you should send this in a letter to PETA, and maybe contact a local news station with some facts about Autism.
My former roommate is a grad student with a focus on rhetoric and advertising. She usually does stuff with gender but I would like to send this to her. Your commentary gives good context. Can I send it to her? If not that's okay too I'll just send her the billboard.
Comments 35
I can't stand PETA. They're sensationalistic and uncaring (for humans, anyway).
I don't believe there is just one thing you can pinpoint as a cause for autism. Why it's becoming so prevalent now is beyond me. I also don't think it will be cured.
Billboards and news stories that focus on just one link are misleading at best and make me tear out my hair.
Reply
Reply
I wish they'd concentrate on less sensationalism and providing real facts about the foods we eat. We need to stop adulterating our food supply with genetic modification and feeding our animals crap they don't naturally eat.
Then maybe we can talk about a "cure" for autism. Or maybe...putting more resources into developing solutions for education, helping them cope with us WEIRD neuro-typicals, and helping them be the best kids, young adults and grown-ups they can be.
Sounds like a great "cure" to me. Actually helping them reach their potential. Controversial!
(Can you tell I get hot about this issue?)
Reply
Reply
And then there's this lovely statement from their own website, regarding the billboard:
Thankfully, there is hope. Testimonials suggest that some people with this devastating disease may be able to find relief by simply removing milk from their diet.
Really, that's all it takes? /snark
Having different brain wiring doesn't automatically consign you to a life of misery and despair!!!
Reply
Most of my friends who have tried it say "All it did was make my kids whine more/be more hungry/all they liked were the pretzels from that company that makes gluten free ones!"
It definitely doesn't work for everyone and there's more types of autism than there are colors in the rainbow.
Reply
Reply
I'd like to read that review. I think that more people need to know what autism IS on a day to day level. And what it is NOT.
Reply
Any chance you can use your Awesome Co powers to turn this into something good? A local news story or something, so that the people who see the billboard won't just have the Ad of Stupidness to go by?
Reply
Well, most of the NY TV stations covered it briefly on Monday night, I think, just saying that the billboard was up but the CDC didn't have studies linking milk to autism. What I probably could do is send my little rant to the existing autism outlets in the state, or a newspaper or two, and let them use it if they want to.
*starts looking up public health officials in Newark* Darn you, Kit!
Reply
Let us know when you get put in the newspaper!
Reply
I'm sorry. I would love to eat organically every day, but I can barely afford a working grocery budget as it is. . . and that's without all the pre-packaged, processed crap most people consider essential. Show me how to do this on a budget and you'll sell me. Until then, stop putting sensationalist statistics up which probably do more harm to growing children than not.
I agree with Kit. I think you should send this in a letter to PETA, and maybe contact a local news station with some facts about Autism.
Reply
We'll see where this little rant ends up.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment