Conservative radio host denegrates Justice John Roberts

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, Michael Savage, a conservative radio host set the media world on fire by claiming Justice Roberts’ decision was due in large part to cognitive dissociation from his epilepsy.

Initially, I was furious. But as I listened to the bit, I began to see the media buzz. It didn’t take long to realize that this may have been the best thing to happen to epilepsy in a long time.

The epilepsy community needed something to galvanize the fight.

This may be it.

Hear the bit:

Reactions on Twitter:
ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress)
6/29/12 9:42 AM
Conservatives claim Roberts upheld Obamacare because of “cognitive problems” due to epilepsy medication thkpr.gs/LVtG9L

glenn fenster (@destinymaker4u)
6/30/12 5:11 AM
Conservative Radio Host Blames John Roberts’ Epilepsy For Affecting His Judgment On The Obamacare Ru fb.me/1NRiDeUZ0
Bryan Fischer ‏@BryanJFischer

NYT, ’07: Roberts’ epilepsy meds “troubling side effects,” include “mental slowing and forgetfulness.” http://nyti.ms/LU0dgv

Reactions in the media:

http://jezebel.com/5922446/chief-justice-john-roberts-must-have-had-an-epileptic-episode-reason-increasingly-deluded-conservatives

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/06/29/508761/conservatives-claim-roberts-upheld-obamacare-because-of-cognitive-problems-due-to-his-epilepsy-medicine/

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/06/roberts-supreme-court-right-wing.php

http://gawker.com/5922416/john-roberts-medication-made-him-stupid-and-other-right+wing-explanations-for-the-obamacare-ruling

What do you think:
I expect there is more to come. So, let us know what you think.

Jessica K. Smith Founder and CEO; Executive Director

Jessica Keenan Smith is a patient advocate and epilepsy community leader with more than 15 years of experience. As Founder and CEO of Living Well With Epilepsy and Executive Director of ASENT she bridges the gap between the scientific and patient communities, with a particular focus on the needs of the epilepsies. Jessica Keenan Smith is Founder and CEO of Living Well With Epilepsy, an award winning online resource for people affected by epilepsy to share stories and access in-depth information on the disease. Since 2009, Living Well With Epilepsy (https://livingwellwithepilepsy.com) has been featured in Forbes, Wired, NBC, NPR and the cover story of Epilepsy Advocate Magazine and has partnered with companies such as UCB, Lundbeck, Sunovion, Eisai, and more. Ms. Smith is also the Executive Director of the American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics (ASENT) (https://asent.org), an organization that brings together leaders from industry, academia, government and advocacy who are engaged in bringing drugs and devices to market across all neurologic disease states. In this role she is responsible for leading a successful scientific journal and annual scientific conference with speakers from all over the world.

See Full Bio