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Archive through February 22, 2008

The TVClubHouse: Big Brother IX- 2008 ARCHIVES: Big Brother 9 - Part 2: Autism Group Demands Apology From CBS : Archive through February 22, 2008 users admin

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Nyheat
Member

08-09-2006

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 2:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nyheat a private message Print Post    
Wow--so basically, Adam's thoughtless comments led to the complete unraveling of his whole back story! That is awesome.

Danzdol
Member

04-21-2001

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 2:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Danzdol a private message Print Post    
sorry cheeky...:-( and yes they do! lol

BTW everyone, I created an autism thread to share stories, questions, etc... over here:

../1187977/5222192.html>

It seemed like there was an interest. Considering Autism affects 1 in 150 children there are great odds that most of us know or have someone with autism in our families. Come on over! :-)

At least Adam started something positive over here at TVCH!

Jcsmom
Member

08-25-2006

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 3:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jcsmom a private message Print Post    
I'd like to jump in with my 2 cents, if I may...I have a 7 year old on the spectrum, and found the statement in poor taste (and not to mention EXTREMELY inaccurate), but I found the fact that CBS and the producers put it in, even more upsetting and tasteless....In additon to Sheila's outrage and disgust the guy he was standing next to (either Matt or Alex)looked like he took two steps to the left away from him to distance himself from what he was saying...I think CBS could have edited that out, they have HOURS of footage of the houseguests being idiotic, and I think they could've found something, anything else to prove the point that Adam is "shady" or whatever they were trying to accompish. I think CBS knew exactly the backlash they would get from it, and work under the motto, ALL publicity is good publicity. Sad, but true, I am afraid, just my humble opinion.

Geri
Member

07-08-2003

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 3:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Geri a private message Print Post    
Our local CBS station (Miami) just read the network statement in response to Adam's comment.

It was the usual disclaimer that they are not responsible for comments made by the people on their shows.

But they are responsible for what is edited on their shows so that is a pretty disingenuous statement.

Seems AG is running a little fast and loose this season. Is BB renewed beyond this summer's show?

Dokatola
Member

06-20-2007

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 3:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dokatola a private message Print Post    
wow, ...all this just from a house guests thoughtless statement. makes me wonder if he might need a body guard when he gets out of there?

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 8:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
FYI, someone did some site cleanup at Adam's "fan" UNIAF site. There are no longer items being sold that "Adam used to use." Now it's just stickers and tokens and the like, plus the "donate now" link.

Antkaki
Member

07-20-2005

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 8:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Antkaki a private message Print Post    
i sent an email to the email adam from his site saying i thought the comment that he made was inappropriat...my daughter who is 17 and autistic said "that man isn't nice to say that about me."

i got this email response this afternoon from the UAF president:


Subject: UNIAF Official Apology - Big Brother Adam
Date: 2/19/2008 4:46:55 PM Central Standard Time
From: uniaf@unichaf.org
Reply To:
To: Antkaki....@aol.com


Good afternoon,

This email is an Official Apology for any and all irresponsible, misleading and unprofessional comments made by Adam Jasinski on Big Brother 9, a CBS Reality TV Show, about children and adults who have been diagnosed with Autism.

In the name of the United Autism Foundation, I would like to apologize for all disrespectful comments made by Adam Jasinski on Big Brother 9 to the entire Autism Community as well as all children, adults and families who are affected by Autism.

I am aware that Adam Jasinski hurt many people in our country, but please understand that Adam does not represent the United Autism Foundation with his personal point of views or his personal believes.

Please accept my apologies and please keep in mind that the United Autism Foundation is committed to help special needs children in order to improve our society today. UNIAF is committed to support our community, and we need your support to make a difference.

The United Autism foundation is not about Adam Jasinski - UNIAF is trying to create awareness in order to help and support all those who have been diagnosed with autism.

AGAIN, I AM SORRY AND I DEEPLY APOLOGIZE FOR THOSE COMMENTS MADE BY ADAM JASINSKI ON BIG BROTHER 9.

Respectfully,


Olaf Hampel
President
United Autism Foundation

just something i wanted to pass on...evidently his site and/or the autismspeaks site got alot of negative response.

Danzdol
Member

04-21-2001

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 10:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Danzdol a private message Print Post    
I found this on one of the Yahoo Group Boards I visit:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/chelatingkids2/


(similar response to the one posted above)

Good afternoon,

This email is an Official Apology for any and all irresponsible,
misleading and unprofessional comments made by Adam Jasinski on Big
Brother 9, a CBS Reality TV Show, about children and adults who have
been diagnosed with Autism.

In the name of the United Autism Foundation, I would like to
apologize
for all disrespectful comments made by Adam Jasinski on Big Brother 9
to the entire Autism Community as well as all children, adults and
families who are affected by Autism.

I am aware that Adam Jasinski hurt many people in our country, but
please understand that Adam does not represent the United Autism
Foundation with his personal point of views or his personal believes.

Please accept my apologies and please keep in mind that the United
Autism Foundation is committed to help special needs children in
order
to improve our society today. UNIAF is committed to support our
community, and we need your support to make a difference.

The United Autism foundation is not all about Adam Jasinski - UNIAF
is
trying to create awareness in order to help and support all those who
have been diagnosed with autism.

At the time when Big Brother started, Adam Jasinski was no longer
employed by UNIAF since we had to downsize the foundation because of
the lack of financial support in early January 2008. Adam wanted to
volunteer and mentioned that if he is going to Big Brother he would
like to get attention in order to get funds for the foundation.

Unfortunately I was not aware what he was planning to say on the
show.
Obviously he cannot represent or even work for the United Autism
Foundation after his Big Brother time. The foundation suffered
tremendous because of his remarks - Adam caused more damage to the
foundation than doing anything positive.

AGAIN, I AM SORRY AND I DEEPLY APOLOGIZE FOR THOSE COMMENTS MADE BY
ADAM JASINSKI ON BIG BROTHER 9.

Respectfully,

Olaf Hampel

President

United Autism Foundation

Allietex
Member

08-16-2002

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 10:20 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Allietex a private message Print Post    
Who in this day and age and especially on TV would use the term 'retard' even if they were talking about the mentally retarded. It was not only disrespectful, it was stupid.

Gurliegirl
Member

06-20-2006

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 11:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gurliegirl a private message Print Post    
Poor Olaf. I feel so bad for the guy. His foundation, that is trying to do some good in the world, has been obviously innundated with negative hate mail. All because one <el> who doesn't even work for his foundation opened his big ol' pie hole. That's sad.

Kimsue
Member

07-08-2005

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 3:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kimsue a private message Print Post    
What I don't get is why everyone does not see that this man Adam is obviously ignorant on the subject and just consider the source.

When people make comments about diabetes only affecting "fat people", neither my son nor I take offence to it......we know the people saying this are just ignorant on the subject. We often laugh at these people as they are
truly "dorks."

If you are not one of those laughing types, then with all sincerity and kindness one should make it a "teaching moment". Gently discuss with the person in question that this is not accurate or appropriate. It isn't necessary for an entire network to become involved. Who knows maybe with some education (instead of being yelled at) he might have apologized himself. He may not be the brightest bulb in the shed but, I don't thinks he ment to harm anyone.

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 3:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
I'm inclined to agree. The statement was ignorant but there was no malicious intent.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 4:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
This is a link to Autism United. You will find a letter to CBS there.
http://www.autismunited.org/

The United Autism Foundation (nice way to steal a name, just turn it around)...and Olaf Hampel do not appear legit to me at all. Take a quick gander at their excuse for a website. Click here to donate...click here to buy something. There is nothing of substance, nor information that would help families or anyone looking for help.

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 4:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
From the same site:

We call up Mr. Moonves and Mr. Redstone to issue an apology to people with autism and other developmental disabilities, fire Adam Jasinski, and cancel Big Brother.

It's a reality game show. It's not a talk show with commentary. Adam isn't the host, he isn't a commentator and he doesn't represent CBS.

And then that site goes on to make comparisons with this and relate it to the Holocaust?

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 6:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Puleeze!!! I have a child with Asbergers (under the autism umbrella) and I could care less what ignorant remark Adam said. How could anyone dare compare that remark to the Holocaust? Ridiculous!!!

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 8:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Maybe because ignorance is ignorance? The cleansing of the Jews during WWII likely started with a single ignorant comment.

Sunshyne4u
Member

06-17-2003

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 11:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sunshyne4u a private message Print Post    
it didnt start with the Cleansing of Jews, it started with the Handicapped, mentally ill and Homosexual. Later they decided that financially it made sense to go after jewish people as well.

The Holocaust was multi-cultural and not about race directly.

((sorry for the semi Lecture but my point was it was a single ignorant comment, it was about stealing lands, buildings and other things such as money/ art etc))

Kalekona
Member

06-12-2005

Friday, February 22, 2008 - 1:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kalekona a private message Print Post    
Again I'll as how many of you use the term "Deaf and Dumb"
It is an inaccurate and ignorant phrase but i have no doubt that even those screaming the loudest about Adam's remark have used the term.

<sg>



Danzdol
Member

04-21-2001

Friday, February 22, 2008 - 5:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Danzdol a private message Print Post    
ETA link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EOHarm/

Autism United has received a statement from the Lowe's Companies that they will be no longer advertise with the CBS program Big Brother in response to a broadcast last week that referred to people with autism as "retards."

Karen Cobb, a spokeperson for Lowe's, said in a statement:

"Lowe’s has strict guidelines that govern the placement of our advertising. Our company advertises primarily in national, network prime-time television programs and on a variety of cable outlets.

Lowe’s constantly reviews advertising buys to make certain they are consistent with its policy guidelines. Lowe’s doesn’t routinely advertise on the show “Big Brother” and has taken steps to ensure that our advertising isn’t appearing on future shows."

Lowe's is the second largest home improvement retailer in the US.

CBS has not apologized for the incident nor have they taken responsibility for the content of their own broadcast. Autism United and a nationwide coalition of autism and developmental disability groups will be mobilizing families affected by autism to call upon advertisers with Big Brother, including Taco Bell, Saturn, Geico, and others to follow the leadership shown by Lowe's Companies and withdraw their support for Big Brother. Details of the campaign will be released later today.

John Gilmore
Executive Director
Autism United
www.autismunited. org
(516) 933-4050

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Friday, February 22, 2008 - 6:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
Well I'll think twice about buying from anyone who boycotts CBS for this reason because I think this sort of boycott is an unjustified and unnecessary over reaction. On top of that it distracts from helping people who actually have to deal with autism.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, February 22, 2008 - 6:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Kalekona, I am confused, about "deaf and dumb"... what is wrong about saying that?? (If the person is both deaf and dumb??) You do know that dumb means unable to speak, don't you. You don't think when that term is used that dumb means stupid, I hope.

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Friday, February 22, 2008 - 6:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
Well retarded was once a politically correct term as well (in fact, in some places it still is).

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Friday, February 22, 2008 - 6:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
I think saying 'deaf and dumb' is highly offensive.

Naja
Member

06-28-2003

Friday, February 22, 2008 - 6:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Naja a private message Print Post    
This page at the National Association of the Deaf explains which terms are currently deemed offensive.

http://www.nad.org/deafanddumb

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Friday, February 22, 2008 - 6:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
From that site...

Deaf and Dumb -- A relic from the medieval English era, this is the granddaddy of all negative labels pinned on deaf and hard of hearing people. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, pronounced us "deaf and dumb", because he felt that deaf people were incapable of being taught, of learning, and of reasoned thinking. To his way of thinking, if a person could not use his/her voice in the same way as hearing people, then there was no way that this person could develop cognitive abilities. (Source: Deaf Heritage, by Jack Gannon, 1980)

In later years, "dumb" came to mean "silent". This definition still persists, because that is how people see deaf people. The term is offensive to deaf and hard of hearing people for a number of reasons. One, deaf and hard of hearing people are by no means "silent" at all. They use sign language, lip-reading, vocalizations, and so on to communicate. Communication is not reserved for hearing people alone, and using one's voice is not the only way to communicate. Two, "dumb" also has a second meaning: stupid. Deaf and hard of hearing people have encountered plenty of people who subscribe to the philosophy that if you cannot use your voice well, you don't have much else "upstairs", and have nothing going for you. Obviously, this is incorrect, ill-informed, and false. Deaf and hard of hearing people have repeatedly proved that they have much to contribute to the society at large.