Obama vs McCain debate: VP choice: Has Palin's child autism?

[ifyasmelllll]

sarah palin's response to autism, down sysndrome, and scientific research: get rid of unnecessary spending such as "fruit fly research"

hey biaaaaaaaach, did u know that much of our understanding of mendelian inheritance is a direct result of researching drosophila fruit flies? but of course, she wouldn't have the slightest clue as to what either a drosophila melanogaster is nor what is mendelian inheritance!

[RileySkye100]

Republicans don't care about children with autism or children with other mental disabilities. They use them to get attention to themselves. It is my belief that Republicans don't care about children with mental disabilities and I know many people can agree with me on that.

[thekino]

Nobody talks about how Palin had her autistic child when she was 43 YEARS OLD! That's irresponsible and she has never once publicly addressed it.

[Gudiiiii]

Well, I dont see Sarah Palin as a rolemodel to women.

[itskelvinkkc]

Ew ... Sarah Palin being the role model of women ? I would kick Mccain's ass if Im a woman...

[DefeatADDnow]

They both know that vaccines are the main cause of Autism and ADD/ADHD.

[Gudiiiii]

Nope, recent investigations has shown that the vaccine is NOT the reason why autism is.

Sorry my bad english -.-

[DefeatADDnow]

You're an idiot. Don't quote fake studies from bigpharma.All the evidence is in and only a fool or a liar would deny the link.

[Gudiiiii]

well, im about to write a schoolprojekt about autism, and a investigation from 2009 4. april has shown tat the MFR vaccination that almost everyone got, dont cause autism.

Your a fool if u believe that a vaccination is the reason why u got autism.

[DefeatADDnow]

Why don't you pay attention to the patients and all the doctors helping us. Their's atleast a thousand doctors out their recovering patients like me. Their is plenty of real scientific evidence at GenerationRescue.

[Gudiiiii]

Its good that your trying to help yourself.

[aspie101]

Big Pharma is some conspiracy theory spread by snake oil salespersons to defend their actions. There is no link. Einstien displayed autistic traits and he was born long before thimerosal was added to vaccines. You people over react to a tiny amount of mercury and yet you endorse treatments such as Lupron (chemical castration) as cures for autistics.

[web9254]

John McCain deserves a TREMENDOUS amount of credit for raising awareness of Autism on National television. He knows the difference between Autism and Down's Syndrome!! He mentioned Autism becaues it's on the rise. It sounds as if Obama would cut funding for Autism research and education programs. Therefore a vote for Obama is a vote AGAINST my daughter and other individuals with Autism. Of course,Obama doesn't even want to protect the rights of unborn children?!!!

[BlueCerinthe]

That's not what it sounds like to me: Obama said that Autism "will require some additional funding if we're going to get serious in terms of research...and if we have an across the board spending freeze," as advocated by McCain, "we're not going to be able to do it." That's an example of how using a "scalpel" approach to the budget can "MAKE SURE that we're funding some of those programs." It sounds to me, if anything, like Obama wants to INCREASE funding and make sure it doesn't get cut.

[aware4autism]

You must not be familiar with how each candidate has voted regarding the Community Choice Act, and the Expanding the Promise to Individuals with Autism Act of 2007.

You really should look those up before throwing your daughter's future away when voting for McCain.

He used your pain, your daughter's struggles, and LIED to you for your vote.

Don't be fooled, actions speak louder than words, and Obama has done a hell of alot more than McCain for the autistic.

[maxomai]

You're nuts. Obama's support for people on the spectrum (if you really have autistic children, you know what I'm talking about) has been unparalleled, not just recognizing that autistic individuals need accomodations, but recognizing autistic individuals as human beings, including supporting legislation defending the rights of autistic individuals to vote. McCain's record on disabilities in general and autism in particular is D R E A D F U L.

[CarolAnnMclean]

I have autism, I can tell you Mcain and Palin do not understand it, they are using it as a heartwrenching PLOY to get elected. Autism isn't "on the rise" we're just reporting more and more cases. What Obama needs is testimony from a High-Functioning Autistic person. I can tell you the cure is conditioning.

[diast8r]

I have to disagree with you. It sounds to me like McCain is suggesting that Palin is the mother of an Autistic child. At least he keeps claiming that she will work to find a cure for Autism. Wow to you! An autistic girl is really rare: I wish you the best.

[aware4autism]

Obama has sponsored both the Community Choice Act, and the Expanding the Promise for Individuals With Autism Act of 2007. McCain has stated that these two programs are too costly!

Actions speak louder than words!

[aware4autism]

It was disgusting how McCain has preyed on parents of children involved in one of the worst epidemics in US history. No better than people who sell costly fake "autism cures" on the internet.

McCain has done little for children with autism, and Palin has done nothing for the children with special needs in Alaska, although she has a 12 yr old autistic nephew. In fact, she cut special Olympics funding by 50% before her son was born.

Don't let the lies fool ya...

[aware4autism]

The reason McCain chose to use autism as a platform, is simple. He's not that confused, he is just sneaky. Since prenatal testing for Down's Syndrome has become available, the amount of children born with Down's Syndrome has decreased 90%. Considering 1 in every 150 children in the US are now autistic, autism commands a larger population of voters.

It had absolutely nothing to do with the issue, only a ploy to gain more votes with empty promises.

[douglumb]

Palin and McCain have no idea about autism, Palin has a 4 month old Down Syndrome child and if she really cared she would stay home with him and raise him. Whos going to do that, her nanny? We have a 20 year old non verbal autistic daughter and its a 24/7 responsibility you can't hand over to a someone else. Palin is using all her children as cheap props and its shameful.

[shipwreck52]

He mentioned autism so many times and Palin being sensitive to that issue (I think it was at least three times), was he that confused and meant to be talking about Downs, or does one of Palin's kids have autism, too?

Biden actually proposed dividing Iraq into three semiautonomous regions, not separate countries. Sorry, John.

[renethel]

I think that he mentioned it so many times is b/c the chances of having an Autistic child is greater than ever. When my brother (who is Autistic) was born, only 1 out of every 2,000 children were be born with that disorder. Now it's about 1 out of every 150 children.

Are you not for Biden? I couldn't tell if you liked what he did with dividing Iraq in your comment or not.

[shipwreck52]

Hi renethel, They're such different conditions - autism and Downs - which is why I found it confusing he kept talking about autism and Palin's empathy toward families dealing with autism. (Aware4autism below makes a strong case!)

I am a huge supporter of Obama and Biden, but I'm not nearly well versed enough on Iraqi government to have an opinion on Biden's earlier plans for the country. I just wanted to make it clear McCain's quote was inaccurate.