10:38 - Ahhh. Autism correction.
Palin's nephew has been diagnosed with autism.
Strange, still, that it would be brought up so often in this debate. Is this disorder now a "hot topic" for the electorate?
Strange, still, that it would be brought up so often in this debate. Is this disorder now a "hot topic" for the electorate?
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really this is what that is all about her nephew. That is why John McCain thinks she understands this issues better than almost anyone? Moreso than those whose actual children have autism. Really? That can't be.
Surely she understands about having an infant with Down Syndrome, but then again I would think parents with grown children with the same condition would understand this issue much better than Palin.
So the question remains, does McCain know what he is talking about? Is he confused about Palin's own child? Why does he keep saying Palin knows more about (energy/special needs children) than anyone else in America??
October 15, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is this disorder now a "hot topic" for the electorate
Yes, it is, as I basically inferred in your first post on it.
You don't have to believe me, google autism + epidemic.
Meanwhile, I must say I'm wondering why someone with "scientist" in his user name doesn't know more about the situation.
Here you go, an example of the political clout of it:
Easter Seals and Autism have an exciting day on Capitol Hill, Oct. 17, 2007:
http://autismblog.easterseals.com/mr-simon-goes-to-washington/#more-137
October 15, 2008 11:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're aware of the steady increase in diagnoses along the autism spectrum (although at least one of us insists it's due to the spectrum itself widening to include, for example ADHD). The politics of the situation... we've all overlooked.
October 15, 2008 11:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why would parents of children with autism associate Mrs. Palin with that cause. They know about her own child who has Down Syndrome , not autism. Do they know about her nephew? Really?
Is Sen. McCain in danger of excessive pandering, or is any mention of efforts to "cure" autism enough?
October 16, 2008 12:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
As I implied on MadSceintist's earlier thread, I don't think it's about Palin's nephew at all, because McCain has been on this since way before Sarah Palin was a gleam in his eye:
One example from March 4, 2008
I think a politician can both pander and sincerely care about the problem, the two are not naturally exclusive. McCain's strong anti-abortion stance suggests to me that his interest here is sincere, simply because anti-abortion people also tend to be very supportive about the severely handicapped, to even use their stories as examples for their reverence for all human life, but I can't read the man's mind.
I know that Orrin Hatch is sincere on it, he's been on it for a long time, hearings and such, has a grandchild with it or some relation that instigated the interest.
October 16, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink