Autism column costs local paper its credibility

Last week,  I canceled my subscription to the News and Messenger, the local Prince William County newspaper because of a column written by Michael Shannon, a part time columnist, on the pending insurance bill.  I encourage every parent to read the pro-insurance industry, anti-autism mandate lines espoused by this writer.  They are done so with some of the meanest spirit that I have seen in print.

"And all for only an additional premium of $59 per year! How’s that for a return on your investment? Plus, persuading the General Assembly to pass the hat for you avoids those awkward encounters in the break room when you ask coworkers to contribute to your family’s therapy fund. Instead the state is forcing everyone in the company to pay for autism coverage they may not want or need.

Socialized medicine — meet socialized compassion."

There is more, but you really have to read the article for full effect.  I wrote him to let him know that I had made the personal decision to cancel my subscription based on his tone, a tone before in people who had accuse people with disabilities like my son's to be a drain on society and that this coverage would reduce cost across the board.  His response:

"Ms. Kirkland,

 I am completely unfamiliar with your son's problem. But based on your email
I can say you have a comprehension problem."

Stellar company notwithstanding, that is not where the N&M lost its credibility.  No, it came in the comments sections.  One of those "lobbyists" - really autism lobbyists are parents of children with autism - named Lee Talley posted the following comment.  

"Mr. Shannon

Your attacks and the lies on the Autism Bill passed by both houses of the Virginia legislature show the weakness of your position and perhaps who is paying you. This bill has NOTHING to do with a federal mandate based upon the commerce clause but about the business practices of a regulated business in the state of Virginia. The insurance industry is not a free market industry. If you've had a loved one that needed reconstructive surgery from a mastectomy to having caught cancer in the early stages via a pap smear then you have BENEFITED from mandates.

I as a Republican applaud the courage of the House and Senate Republican leadership for tackling this issue head on! Being a Republican is about solutions, not just saying no all the time. Our leaders realize the true cost to the commonwealth that if 1 in 100 kids end up being wards of the state. That cost is approximately 3 million dollars a year. You think we have budget problems now just wait till these kids grow up, the Autism just doesn't go away.

Where do you even get off saying parents will get a windfall of free care up to $36,000! Last time I checked I pay $400 dollars a month in insurance premiums. FREE I don;t think so. These companies condemn our children to welfare and government hand outs by nothing more than a diagnosis. Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapy is no different for my child than it is for Congresswoman Giffords! My son has a brain injury too its call, AUTISM! When insurance companies start paying for treatments not based on diagnosis then we can reconvene this issue until the mean time if it takes a "mandate" to fix it then so be it.

Ironically you compare this mandate to Obamacare yet funny thing if you go download a copy of the healthcare bill, the word Autism is not to be found anywhere in the entire 1,100 page document. So again I applaud Republican leaders, like Speaker Howell, Del Hugo, Del Cox, and esp Delegate Tag Greason for bringing this bill to the legislator and I will applaud Governor McDonnell when he signs the bill into law.

Your article really needs a "paid for by" at the end of it because it reeks of someone who diluted their good sense and conscience with cold hard cash."

This thoughtful, albeit angry response, no worse than any of the other stuff that has gone on this week in light of the Manassas area tragedies on their comment boards (actually much better) and it was removed by their editor without public explanation.  I'm sorry, I thought they were a legitimate news source.  I guess I was wrong.  


I would encourage parents of autistic children to call the editors of the News and Messenger to call the editors and  demand that they do not engage in this sort of censorship in the future.  Mr. Talley brought the other side to Shannon's piece in a tone no worse than his and immediately blocked it from view.  What is their agenda?  


If you are concerned, please call the editors now:

Executive Editor	Susan Svihlik	703-530-3920
Editorial Page Editor	Jonathan Hunley	703-369-5738