Monday, August 20, 2012

Is Rep. Todd Akin a Rapist? [updated III]

A member of the U.S. Congress, explaining why he believes abortion should be outlawed even in the case of rape, said these words today:
“If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”
If a rape results in pregnancy, in other words, it's not "legitimate rape."

If a man with a large knife grabs a women from a sidewalk, forces her into some bushes and to the ground, beats her, half-strangles her, forces her legs apart, and forces his penis into her vagina - it's not rape if it results in her becoming pregnant. (In other words, again.)

If he hates women this much, you cannot help but wonder: Does Representative Todd Akin have children that most people know nothing about? Not through "legitimate rape," you understand - because that would be impossible.

Update:

Update II: Very important piece on the underbelly of Akin's comments, and their relation to VP candidate Paul Ryan:
Akin was Paul Ryan's co-sponsor on a House bill just last year banning the use of federal funds for abortion except in cases of “forcible rape.” This term seemed laughably redundant since all rape, by definition, is forced. But this redefinition of rape was deceptively sinister. Statutory rapists often use coercion but not physical force. If the measure had passed, a 13-year old emotionally manipulated into having sex with an older friend or relative would no longer be able to use Medicaid to terminate a resulting pregnancy. Nor would her parents be able to use their tax-exempt health savings fund.
Update III - Harry Schearer:

2 comments:

  1. You're welcome for the Harry Shearer bit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I hoped by "Favorite" of the post acknowledged my thanks, Kevin!

    ReplyDelete