Writer who told family to 'euthanize' autistic son may face charges

[VictorSempra]

Alright, this HAS to be brought up. Being on the lesser side of the autistic spectrum myself, I think they SHOULD charge the writer with a hate crime. This is just horribly obscene, especially if the person is a mother.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/21/world/americas/canada-autistic-letter/index.html

[hexcalibrate]

I feel your pain Maxxion, I too am technically autistic and don't think we should just be killed off, but at the same time I do feel that it would be better for other people if they didn't have to deal with a problem like me.

[VictorSempra]

It's a Nazi mentality. "They're not perfect so they should be killed." And even the other part of her statement that they should move, why should they have to leave? People with autism have just as much rights as everyone else. And honestly? I don't care if I'm a public nuisance, at least I'm not shooting up a school or threatening people >-> Tolerance people, tolerance.

[evilfusion]

While becoming annoyed by or irritated by an autistic child is understandable, writing a letter like that is simply inappropriate and nasty.

 

Clearly, the writer had heard it was therapeutic to write letters addressed to their sources of anger and conflict, but didn't finish listening to the advice emphasizing that you're not supposed to actually SEND them.

 

At best, the person is ignorant and felt it was a legitimate means of addressing something they've endured for some time, and at worst, they are utterly devoid of compassion, understanding, and logic, and they are an example of why such horrible things like racism and sexism continue to exist worldwide.

[VictorSempra]

While becoming annoyed by or irritated by an autistic child is understandable, writing a letter like that is simply inappropriate and nasty.

 

Clearly, the writer had heard it was therapeutic to write letters addressed to their sources of anger and conflict, but didn't finish listening to the advice emphasizing that you're not supposed to actually SEND them.

 

At best, the person is ignorant and felt it was a legitimate means of addressing something they've endured for some time, and at worst, they are utterly devoid of compassion, understanding, and logic, and they are an example of why such horrible things like racism and sexism continue to exist worldwide.

Agreed. I had neighbors complain about me when I was young, but it was always "Hey, can you tell your kid not to do this or that?" It was never this level of BS.

[hexcalibrate]

in all honesty people have never actually complained about my disability, probably because they are not aloud to say anything negative or they seem like Nazi assholes, but by not allowing them to express their views is also Nazi-ish and will only make their opinions stronger about the issue.

[Miror B]

I read this as "enthusi-ize" and thought "What is this bull shit Maxx is spouting?"

 

Now I see "Euthanize" and think "Shitstorm approaching"

 

If this is legitimate, fuck this writer guy.

[VictorSempra]

I read this as "enthusi-ize" and thought "What is this bull shit Maxx is spouting?"

 

Now I see "Euthanize" and think "Shitstorm approaching"

 

If this is legitimate, fuck this writer guy.

It was signed "A concerned mother" or something like that. And I wish it was enthusi-size, sounds like a fun way to exercise.

[Miror B]

It was signed "A concerned mother" or something like that. And I wish it was enthusi-size, sounds like a fun way to exercise.

I was thinking more of "Enthusiastic" when I read it, then as I wrote it I realized there wasn't a way to actually spell it >>

[evilfusion]

in all honesty people have never actually complained about my disability, probably because they are not aloud to say anything negative or they seem like Nazi assholes, but by not allowing them to express their views is also Nazi-ish and will only make their opinions stronger about the issue.

 

They're not allowed to express their views LIKE THIS. Just like most people aren't allowed to walk up to someone of X race, belittle them nastily, and punch them in the face. In fact, those actions tend to get more severe punishments on the grounds of a hate crime. You are entitled to an opinion, and by all means, despise people for whatever reasons you have. But don't attack them, physically or emotionally, or urge for other people to kill them or move away because you find them annoying.

 

There are better ways to handle conflicts. If you can't express your views in a reasonable, non-hostile manner, then you should not express them to the people at all.

[hexcalibrate]

They're not allowed to express their views LIKE THIS. Just like most people aren't allowed to walk up to someone of X race, belittle them nastily, and punch them in the face. In fact, those actions tend to get more severe punishments on the grounds of a hate crime. You are entitled to an opinion, and by all means, despise people for whatever reasons you have. But don't attack them, physically or emotionally, or urge for other people to kill them or move away because you find them annoying.

 

There are better ways to handle conflicts. If you can't express your views in a reasonable, non-hostile manner, then you should not express them to the people at all.

I think part of the problem is that people can't express their view's making them fester, if we let people like racists be a little racist then they can get it out of their system and we can then label them as "racists", it would be a much easier system

[Miror B]

I think part of the problem is that people can't express their view's making them fester, if we let people like racists be a little racist then they can get it out of their system and we can then label them as "racists", it would be a much easier system

"I hate chinese people"

This is, while mean-spirited and might get some hate, probably won't earn you very big punishment.

 

Now mailing a letter telling chinese people to go kill themselves and that the world would be better without them is going to get you a bit of a punishment :/

[Cin]

This sort of thing makes me believe that the curriculum should make people aware of learning difficulties, mental, physical disabilities, etc and teach equality. Although any human with any sense of compassion shouldn't need that.

[Astolfo]

Dear author,
Fuck you.

[Miror B]

This sort of thing makes me believe that the curriculum should make people aware of learning difficulties, mental, physical disabilities, etc and teach equality. Although any human with any sense of compassion shouldn't need that.

Well it's hard to think of people as equals when nobody's the same.

[~ P O L A R I S ~]

Nobody can know with absolute certainty how great the differences between different people are. However, the quantity of different forces and mechanisms that can be reasonably inferred to be shared through the human condition justifies faith in our differences being negligible enough to overcome through courage, compassion, and compromise.

[Miror B]

Nobody can know with absolute certainty how great the differences between different people are. However, the quantity of different forces and mechanisms that can be reasonably inferred to be shared through the human condition justifies faith in our differences being negligible enough to overcome through courage, compassion, and compromise.

Good logic. Too bad people aren't always moved by logic.

[Lonk]

...can I honestly put a hit out for whoever wrote this letter?

 

The contents directed to that boy are inhumane and largely offensive for those on the autistic spectrum (something I am a part of).  I just hope that Begley doesn't find out about the letter and just focuses on what he is doing now.  That is what is important.

[VictorSempra]

...can I honestly put a hit out for whoever wrote this letter?

 

The contents directed to that boy are inhumane and largely offensive for those on the autistic spectrum (something I am a part of).  I just hope that Begley doesn't find out about the letter and just focuses on what he is doing now.  That is what is important.

The worst part is they aren't even going to charge it as a hate crime, which in my opinion it is, seeing as this mother chose to target the boy simply because he's autistic.

[Miror B]

The worst part is they aren't even going to charge it as a hate crime, which in my opinion it is, seeing as this mother chose to target the boy simply because he's autistic.

They're still charging him with being an asshole don't worry.

[Sander]

The worst part is they aren't even going to charge it as a hate crime, which in my opinion it is, seeing as this mother chose to target the boy simply because he's autistic.

 

The letter falls under hate speech, not hate crime. If the boy / parents were assaulted or their property was attacked on the grounds that the parents are raising a disabled son, then yes, it would be considered as a hate crime. None of that happened though, so it cannot be classified as hate crime.

[:^)]

Autistic people are some of the nicest people you can get to know, if the child wasn't autistic and was being a nuisance in the street making noise or what ever, the "annoyed mother" probably wouldn't have complained at all because they'd think, "Oh, it's just a kid being a nuisance." But since the child is autistic they think that they have a divine goal to try and help "their neighborhood"

[Admiral Tim]

This is disgusting.  Honestly I could care less if they wrote a polite letter of complaint, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  But this is way too far.  To even suggest killing another human being for a mental disability...this just makes me doubt society even more.  

[Astolfo]

This is disgusting.  Honestly I could care less if they wrote a polite letter of complaint, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  But this is way too far.  To even suggest killing another human being for a mental disability...this just makes me doubt society even more.  

You still had faith in society?

[Admiral Tim]

You still had faith in society?

 

If I didn't why I wouldn't be on a social forum now, would I?