Marc Sirkin, Apologist for Hate
Over the past few days, the clumsy attempts at damage control by Autism Speaks' chief community officer Marc Sirkin have reminded me of a certain former Iraqi Information Minister who acquired the colorful nickname Baghdad Bob as a result of his absurd propaganda during the US invasion in 2003, stubbornly insisting that American forces were surrendering even as the tanks rumbled through the city.
In honor of Sirkin's bumbling, I've created a parody skit in which Clueless Marc, the host of the We Hate Autistics Community Radio Show, has a conversation with a caller:
CLUELESS MARC: Hello and welcome to We Hate Autistics Community Radio. I suppose that, like the many parents I've just been discussing, you want to talk about the excellent I Am Autism video and how accurately it reflects your life.
CALLER: You know, Marc, not everyone who has an interest in autism issues is a parent.
CLUELESS MARC: Well, of course not. Grandparents, siblings, and other relatives all have to deal with autism's awful burden and embarrassment too…
[angry crowd chanting]
CALLER: Gee, Marc, it sounds like you might have some protesters outside your studio.
CLUELESS MARC: No, that's just Suzanne Wright watching her soap operas in her cushy office. She likes melodramatic storylines and often turns the volume up too loud.
CALLER: Yeah, I've noticed that.
CLUELESS MARC: Let me tell you about how much support Autism Speaks has gained from people all across the world recently! Our walks and our public relations efforts have been going wonderfully well.
[squeaky wood noises]
CALLER: That wouldn't happen to be the sound of your nose growing, would it?
CLUELESS MARC: Of course not. I had my nose perfectly sculpted by one of the finest plastic surgeons in New York.
CALLER: Word has it, Marc, that you admitted in an interview with New Scientist about the controversy that there's no factual basis whatsoever for the video's claim that having an autistic child is sure to make a marriage fail. What's up with that?
CLUELESS MARC: The video was just a personal poem from a father's perspective and was not intended to reflect Autism Speaks' views.
[tires screeching, two icky-sounding splats]
CALLER: That's Billy Mann and Alfonso Cuarón getting thrown under the bus as Autism Speaks frantically backpedals on the video, disclaiming all responsibility for its extensive involvement, from Suzanne Wright's personal solicitation of video footage to Autism Speaks' much-publicized showing of the video at a United Nations conference. Aren't you starting to worry about your job, Marc? After all, being a new hire and a very visible face in the community, you're the next logical sacrifice when the furor gets stronger.
CLUELESS MARC: Gah, I'll have to go back to working from my basement as a consultant, barely able to pay my greens fees! Um, I mean, of course there's no reason for me to be worried about my job, Autism Speaks is a tremendously strong organization and always has shown great loyalty to its people.
[printer starts churning out resumes]
CALLER: Well, good luck finding another gig, Marc.
CLUELESS MARC: La, la, la, I can't hear you! This call must have accidentally gotten disconnected by some strange fluke! And now, I'm excited to introduce the next guest on the We Hate Autistics Community Radio Show, a clever fellow by the name of Bernie Madoff who has several insightful things to say about Autism Speaks' business model…
In honor of Sirkin's bumbling, I've created a parody skit in which Clueless Marc, the host of the We Hate Autistics Community Radio Show, has a conversation with a caller:
CLUELESS MARC: Hello and welcome to We Hate Autistics Community Radio. I suppose that, like the many parents I've just been discussing, you want to talk about the excellent I Am Autism video and how accurately it reflects your life.
CALLER: You know, Marc, not everyone who has an interest in autism issues is a parent.
CLUELESS MARC: Well, of course not. Grandparents, siblings, and other relatives all have to deal with autism's awful burden and embarrassment too…
[angry crowd chanting]
CALLER: Gee, Marc, it sounds like you might have some protesters outside your studio.
CLUELESS MARC: No, that's just Suzanne Wright watching her soap operas in her cushy office. She likes melodramatic storylines and often turns the volume up too loud.
CALLER: Yeah, I've noticed that.
CLUELESS MARC: Let me tell you about how much support Autism Speaks has gained from people all across the world recently! Our walks and our public relations efforts have been going wonderfully well.
[squeaky wood noises]
CALLER: That wouldn't happen to be the sound of your nose growing, would it?
CLUELESS MARC: Of course not. I had my nose perfectly sculpted by one of the finest plastic surgeons in New York.
CALLER: Word has it, Marc, that you admitted in an interview with New Scientist about the controversy that there's no factual basis whatsoever for the video's claim that having an autistic child is sure to make a marriage fail. What's up with that?
CLUELESS MARC: The video was just a personal poem from a father's perspective and was not intended to reflect Autism Speaks' views.
[tires screeching, two icky-sounding splats]
CALLER: That's Billy Mann and Alfonso Cuarón getting thrown under the bus as Autism Speaks frantically backpedals on the video, disclaiming all responsibility for its extensive involvement, from Suzanne Wright's personal solicitation of video footage to Autism Speaks' much-publicized showing of the video at a United Nations conference. Aren't you starting to worry about your job, Marc? After all, being a new hire and a very visible face in the community, you're the next logical sacrifice when the furor gets stronger.
CLUELESS MARC: Gah, I'll have to go back to working from my basement as a consultant, barely able to pay my greens fees! Um, I mean, of course there's no reason for me to be worried about my job, Autism Speaks is a tremendously strong organization and always has shown great loyalty to its people.
[printer starts churning out resumes]
CALLER: Well, good luck finding another gig, Marc.
CLUELESS MARC: La, la, la, I can't hear you! This call must have accidentally gotten disconnected by some strange fluke! And now, I'm excited to introduce the next guest on the We Hate Autistics Community Radio Show, a clever fellow by the name of Bernie Madoff who has several insightful things to say about Autism Speaks' business model…
Labels: Autism Speaks, I Am Autism
posted by abfh at
2:05 PM
18 Comments:
ROTFL! This is funny to say the least! I've got tears running down my face right now, that's how hard I'm laughing.
By
TheWiredOne, at 4:48 PM
Ah that's the guy who moderates the Social Network! No wonder he won't react correctly to the bullies over there!
By
Anonymous, at 7:18 PM
...She likes melodramatic storylines and often turns the volume up too loud.
My favorite line from the piece.
Well done.
Joe
By
Club 166, at 11:03 PM
Hahahahahaha!!!
I was wondering how one can summarize the utter assholery of Autism Speaks, thanks for doing it so well, it's perfect.
By
Kowalski, at 7:15 AM
"La, la, la, I can't hear you! This call must have accidentally gotten disconnected by some strange fluke!"
This must explain why Autism Speaks is ignoring us concerning the video. They're doing exactly that, except they're not acting so sophomoric about it.
By
TheWiredOne, at 5:29 PM
ASAN is apparently starting to target Autism Speaks through their walks. I would add that maybe it's about time that their sponsors were targetted.
By
Anonymous, at 8:31 PM
@Timelord: I wrote a blog post linking to this letter that is addressed to Autism Speaks' sponsors, donors, and supporters. So they aren't just trying to deal with Autism Speaks. They're also doing something about the supporters, donors, and sponsors. I think they did the right thing in writing a letter because a lot of them mean well and don't mean to cause autistic people any harm. Autism Speaks, especially its leaders, however, is the genocidal enemy that deserves to be nuked.
By
TheWiredOne, at 9:25 PM
The root problem is that for all the stupid things they've done and the way they've done it - Autism Speaks did raise awareness of the condition. Yes, they've painted it wrong, but it's awareness nevertheless. We wouldn't have Autism Awareness Day without them.
That's why a lot of supporters mean well (if that's what you meant).
I want to see the day that Autism Speaks is overtaken by ASAN.
By
Anonymous, at 7:30 AM
A lot of the supporters mean well in that they care about autistic people and want the autistic population to have adequate lives, but it is misguided by the leaders of Autism Speaks and their message of hate. They are painting autism and, in extension, autistic people, as a tragedy and illustrates what a difficult time family members have. With family members already having a tough time with their autistic children, this is a message that they can relate to and so they support Autism Speaks for lending a sympathetic ear to their struggles.
By
TheWiredOne, at 2:23 PM
LOL good job, ABFH, I've added you to my blog reel on Prism*Song if you are interested
http://prismsong.blogspot.com/
By
Bard, at 11:03 PM
@SBWG - Yes, but that's actually a problem. And it needs to be resolved and that's what ASAN are trying to do. Paint the Spectrum realistically and showing that it's not 100 percent negative, and things can be done to help.
That also takes the parents away from other harmful groups (Generation Rescue springs to mind).
By
Anonymous, at 6:59 AM
@Timelord: I do recognize that Autism Speaks doing this is a bad thing. That's why I specifically mentioned that Autism Speaks is spreading a message of hate.
By
TheWiredOne, at 9:37 AM
Thanks NightStorm! :)
By
abfh, at 2:58 PM
Okay, be prepared for a war now!
Looks like Sirkin has booted me from the Network. I've made a demand to know why, and if his answer is not satisfactory - they have officially declared war on me.
And that's a bad thing.
Unless Sirkin is consistent and bans certain other people as well. They know who they are.
By
Anonymous, at 7:52 AM
Does Marc Sirkin have an autistic child? Does he have any medical training? Has he worked in pediatrics? How many other non-profits has he worked for?
I recommend that Marc seek an education and or license and experience working with Autistic children.
By
Anonymous, at 12:51 PM
Marc Sirkin is a Super Douche (look it up). He is clueless and has an extreme narcissistic personality disorder.
For being placed as the organizations highest level of communication, he is a very poor communicator and attention span is that of a 140 character tweet. Don't believe me, watch this video of him on a panel being utterly disrespectful by chatting on his cell phone the entire time and constantly fidgeting like an ADHD kid. Video link http://blip.tv/file/2790517/
He does not have an autistic child or any personal stake in the organization. I'm guessing the organization will find out in the next 6 months how much of a fraud he is and by then it will be too late for the organization. Seriously, who makes themselves the Chief Strategist at their own fictitiously self title sole proprietorship.
Autism Speaks will not be operating in its same capacity by 2010 year end. When looking at their yearly public filings they will no longer be able to afford more than half of their employee salaries.
If you wish to support an autism research organization, do it somewhere else as your money will simply disappear in a black hole while the organization pummels to the ground.
By
Anonymous, at 12:35 PM
You hit the nail on the head about Sirkin. He is no marketer or social network guru, he takes credit for the work done by his co-workers. If you look at his profile, you will not find any marketing firms or companies. How did he become a marketer if he has never marketed anything?
He has never created a social network! And has never been P&L responsible for any business. He is a total fraud.
By
Anonymous, at 10:37 PM
Marc Sirkin is a Super Douche (look it up). He is clueless and has an extreme narcissistic personality disorder.
For being placed as the organizations highest level of communication, he is a very poor communicator and attention span is that of a 140 character tweet. Don't believe me, watch this video of him on a panel being utterly disrespectful by chatting on his cell phone the entire time and constantly fidgeting like an ADHD kid. Video link http://blip.tv/file/2790517/
He does not have an autistic child or any personal stake in the organization. I'm guessing the organization will find out in the next 6 months how much of a fraud he is and by then it will be too late for the organization. Seriously, who makes themselves the Chief Strategist at their own fictitiously self title sole proprietorship.
Autism Speaks will not be operating in its same capacity by 2010 year end. When looking at their yearly public filings they will no longer be able to afford more than half of their employee salaries.
If you wish to support an autism research organization, do it somewhere else as your money will simply disappear in a black hole while the organization pummels to the ground.
By
Anonymous, at 3:54 PM
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