Earlier this month, about a dozen comedians rallied at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles to express their outrage over Lewis' treatment. Among them was Norm Crosby, the master of the malaprop who co-hosted the telethon with Lewis for more than a quarter-century. "If this is the way we're going," cracked Larry Miller, "we should also tell Grandpa we don't need him for Thanksgiving." 

I will be fascinated to see how donations run for this year's Labor Day Telethon and what the tote board will finally read. All things must end, I'm certain an icon like Lewis can be a bit churlish, and there's much to this saga that has yet to be told. But in the absence of an explanation, the MDA seems like a prime suspect for elder abuse. 

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