Alright, so if you follow national autism news, opinions and blogs – you heard by now that Congressman Issa might hold another autism hearing in Oversight & Government Reform Committee sometime this year.
As you can imagine – anything autism is always controversial whereby there will always be groups for it and others against it. However, what is good about this at least nationally is that these folks can walk and chew gum at the same-time. In other words, they can belong to the same committee, etc – yet they are able to have different opinions and views outside and be able make it.
They can do it without someone wanting to change any committee rules or laws. Without someone wanting to take out parents or members. Without someone demanding members to show up or be terminated. Without someone giving themselves or the chair unparalleled power. In other words, many autism parents and advocates around the country can walk and chew gum at the same-time. They can wear many different hats in various context. So, my question is when will MN Autism Task force learn this very simple concept? Some examples of this chair’s power similar to maybe Assad’s power are; the chair can cancel meetings at anytime without notice, but if a member some of whom have small children or more than one on the spectrum cancels or does not come – then they are terminated from the task force. Really – are you kidding me. Setting term limits so those with opposing views and different ideas are terminated, rather than abide by the actual bill that created this task force. Oh, and meetings are just set by the chair rather than pick a date when most are available like the rest of the world does. The drama continues by power hungry and bias members – ain’t that always the case.
At any rate, according to many autism advocates see their sites below – there might be another autism hearing scheduled by Rep. Issa. I hope this time they get some diverse members including moms and minorities. Last year, they only had fathers and zero person of color . I really hope that Rep Cummings (D-MD), Rep Davis (D-ILL) and Rep Kelly (R-PA) do what they said in that committee and represent their constituents not just in words, but in action and in policy.
My take is whether you agree with either side or not, these parents and advocates can chew gum and walk at the same time. They can separate committees and outside blogs or opinions, they can fight for their cause and be able to join in a committee and just do their committee charge. How amazing and refreshing is that! Sometimes, I wonder if the color of my skin is what makes MNATF so mad they must change the rules and silence different opinions. I mean what else can it be since so many other autism parents and advocates who are mostly non-minorities have many various opinions and views and they are not picked on for having opinions. Interesting – ain’t it.
Above post is my opinion and views and do not represent MN Autism Task force or any committee.
Here are some of the news/opinions about this potential congressional autism hearing?
Thanks!
Idil – Somali Autism Mom and Minority Advocate