Monday, August 20, 2012

Todd Akin and Paul Ryan essentially see eye to eye on issue of access to abortion in cases of rape. And don't let the Romney campaign tell you otherwise!

By now I am sure that most of you have heard about Missouri Republican Senate nominee, Todd Akin's idiotic and  shameful statement on rape:

“It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare,” Mr. Akin said of pregnancies from rape. “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something: I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child.”

What you may not yet know, because the Romney/Ryan campaign is working their asses off to keep you from knowing it, is that  Paul Akin and Paul Ryan once co-authored a piece of controversial legislation that will forever tie their ideologies on this topic together:  

Akin and Ryan were the original co-sponsors of the controversial bill H.R. 3, “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” which initially included language which changed the definition of “rape” to “forcible rape,” until public pressure forced the bill’s supporters to remove that unacceptable and narrow definition. As I wrote previously, Paul Ryan is not just anti-choice, his anti-choice views are extreme and just plain bad for all women. 

 Linking Ryan to Akin and the idea that there is such a thing as “legitimate rape” based on pseudo-science and folklore is something that needs to be done before the upcoming election. While Team Romney attempted to create distance with Akin, saying that both Romney and Ryan “disagree” with his statements, there was nothing in their statement that said they condemn his remarks as hurtful to victims. There was also nothing in Team Romney’s statement that pointed out that what Akin said about pregnancies resulting from rape being rare is just flat-out wrong. 

Ryan was against abortion in all cases including rape until Team Romney’s statement. Romney has said he would get rid of Planned Parenthood and has been moving further right on women’s issues since he was a pro-choice governor of Massachusetts. This could be a huge problem for the Republican ticket in November.

Despite the damage control that the Romney/Ryan campaign will  obviously create to handle this mess, do not be  fooled, THIS is exactly what Paul Ryan believes to be true. Based on his support for this legislation we can legitimately conclude that he ALSO believes that many women who request an abortion on the grounds of rape, will be lying about the circumstances in order to bypass the law (If such a stringent one is in place where they live) or to protect themselves from the judgment of others, and that most "legitimate" rapes do not result in pregnancy.

Just to be clear, for those who may have been subjected to a sanitized version of history, rape is a time honored practice among conquering forces, once referred to as "the spoils of war," and it was NOT done simply for recreational purposes, but instead to wipe out any traces of their enemies gene pool and replace it with their own. Often even going so far as to murder already pregnant women in order to expedite that process.

Already many fellow Republicans are calling for Todd Akin to drop out of his Senate race, though currently there are no calls for Paul Ryan to do the same.

As you can imagine Akin's Democratic opponent Claire McCaskill has already tweeted her dismay at his remarks, and is using this to her political advantage.
And clearly if Romney keeps Ryan on the ticket, it will be perfectly reasonable for the Obama campaign to do the same. Forget calls for Obama to drop Biden, the REAL question is how can Romney keep Ryan?

 Is it too early to send Mitt Romney a thank you card for choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate?

83 comments:

  1. Uh oh Gryphen....I think this paragraph needs to be changed...I think you meant to say "Todd Akin's idiotic..." NOT "Paul Ryan's idiotic..."

    "By now I am sure that most of you have heard about Sourish Republican Senate nominee, Paul Ryan's idiotic and shameful statement on rape"

    Other than that...great post! Has anyone else been checking out what the patients at the Asylum have been babbling about on this?

    Those nutjobs are also saying Akin's should step down...but they HAD to take it one more crazy step further and say that Sarah Steelman should take his place! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    That way...Baldy has one more WIN in her column! LOL! Just when you think it's safe to read over there again...then BOOM...the nutty mcnut nuts come up with more insanity!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yeah I kept mixing up Todd Akin and Paul Ryan's names while I was typing this.

      Because essentially what's the difference?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:43 AM

      Why do they thing Silverman should take his place when she came in third place. What about the second place winner, what he doesn't count? I've seen them write this garage before and no one seems to want to acknowledge that little obstacle. Fantasy thoughts are strong at Sea4Pee.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:06 PM

      Difference?

      Hardly any since they're both a couple of American Talibansters. Eddie Munster supposedly has tighter abs than Akin, per Candy Crowley. Since Candy has been working so hard to get on my shit-list of late, I refuse to take my shirt off to let her swoon over the effects of hundreds of thousands (if not millions or even billions) of crunches on my absolutely ripped ab region. 6-packs are for sissies. 12-packs are for kids, 18-packs are for lesser Olympic athletes, and even 24-packs are like my younger and much less ripped brother. But a pony keg? Now you're getting close.

      But keep sucking up to the Regressive Duo, CC. The odds of you seeing me naked are slim but not impossible. But just as with your network's ratings, you're not doing much to help yourself.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous9:46 AM

    Paul Ryan and Todd Akin co-sponsored 8 anti-abortion bills in 112th Congress

    story at DKos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:58 AM

      I wonder how many jobs bills they sponsored in the 112th Congress.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:38 AM

      Zero.

      Delete
    3. Todd Akin is a member of the House science committee, as is Rep. Randy Neugebauer of Texas, famous for shouting "Baby killer!" at Bart Stupak on the House floor. Shouldn't members of the House (or Senate) committee on science have to pass a science test of some sort? Clearly Akins never even took basic sex ed.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:41 AM

      Magnus, my brain stutters at what you are telling us. Not that I doubt you in any way.

      This is so far beyond "rhyme-or-reason" that I just cannot wrap my mind around the ignorance of these elected officials who then have been promoted to their presumably highest levels of incompetency by the congressional system of seniority.

      WhereinHell are mandatory internal Checks and Balances as to competency of those nominated to these committees? This is not the only committee that requires at least SOME specialized education!

      Dumbfounded fromthediagonal

      Delete
    5. Anonymous1:48 PM

      Question found on next year's A.P. test.

      Todd Akin on the House Science Committee is to Michele Bachmann on the House Intelligence Committee as:

      a. Sarah Palin is qualified to be POTUS on day one is to Sarah Palin having a radio teleconference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

      b. Todd Palin is on Dancing With the Stars partnered with Perez Hilton is to Bristol Palin is on Dancing With the Stars. partnered with Chaz Bono.

      c. Bristol Palin is starring on a tv show with some random guy named Gino is to Mary Kate Olsen starring with former French President Sarkozy's 42 year old brother (who has a pissed off ex wife and an 11 year old daughter!)

      d. George W. Bush is a real Texas cowboy as Sarah Palin pays someone to write Bristol's blog.

      e. None of the above.

      f. All of the above.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous9:51 AM

    This is something that should not be addressed publicly. I for one am a "rape baby". It's hurtful to hear people denounce people like as such a derogatory term and I can imagine what all the feelings a woman might experience if a rapists impregnated her. I was in fact also raped, though not knocked up.

    All I can continue to say is, things happen for a reason. Life is far from perfect. Things put us through our paces DAILY. We cannot maintain the mentality that a human life should be aborted because it was conceived through force. It's still a human, unlike any other. It's times like these when we have to tap into our deep strength and see any blessings that comes from those nasty actions committed by other people.

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    1. Anonymous10:01 AM

      I don't think anyone is saying that a woman should be forced to abort a child conceived as a result of rape. What people are saying is that the woman should have a CHOICE; she certainly did not choose having sex if she was raped. The real issue is what is the woman's choice. Republicans do not want women to have the right to choose.

      Delete
    2. Virginia Voter10:10 AM

      Ah, Kristy, your sentence structure, syntax, and overuse of words like "daily", things happen for a reason, life is far from perfect, give you away every. single. time. DOLT.

      Things do happen for a reason..this Neanderthal Todd Akin said exactly what he and VP candidate Paul Ryan believe, and we can thank him for making that connection to Ryan for you low information voters.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:10 AM

      'We cannot maintain the mentality that a human life should be aborted because it was conceived through force.'

      That's why it's called a choice. Your mother made a choice. She felt strong enough that she could have you though you were the result of non-consensual sex.

      Not every woman who's been impregnated after being raped feels that she's carrying a 'blessing' and would treat it as such. Just like no one would force a woman to have an abortion in that situation, no one should stand in her way wagging a 'shame on you' finger if she chooses to do so.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:26 AM

      "...when we have to tap into our deep strength ..."

      Gosh, wouldn't it be nice if all raped women had the deep strength, physical health, emotional and financial power, and leisure time to carry a rapist's baby to term and birth it.

      I think it's very short-sighted to assume all raped women are able/willing to do all that's necessary to produce a healthy child.

      I have been raped (as have many, many women). It did not result in pregnancy. Over time, I have realized that I would have carried the baby to term because I do feel it's not the baby's fault. However, I would not only NOT choose for another woman, I would NOT even counsel another woman to make either choice. Pressuring a woman that's already under incredible stress is cruel and senseless. Let the rape victims DECIDE, don't yammer at them!

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:41 AM

      I am the result of an unwanted pregnancy. My mother often told me that if abortion had been available she would have very gratefully aborted me.

      But I STILL think it's the pregnant women that should CHOOSE what to do about a pregnancy. It seems to me to be a fundamental right. AND, woman deserve access to family planning, pregnancy termination or prenatal care.

      REMEMBER!!!!! All legislation in the USA to control women's reproductive status is limited to poor and near-poor women. There is available in Canada, Sweden etc. services for wealthy women. And you can be damn sure, wealthy Republicans get their situations taken care of, safely out of the public eye in countries where the quality and privacy of the service suits their self image of what the 1% are entitled to.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:42 AM

      So if rape happens for a reason,what about armed robbery?By conservative logic,or should I say anti-logic,if someone robbed a convenience store and shot the proprietor,then there must be a reason for that as well,right?Maybe the store owner was a Muslim or Hindu and Gawd wanted them to see the error of their ways an'repent an' stuff.Right?Or(*gasp*)maybe the store owner was an Atheist or Agnostic.If rape happens for a reason(and I know what kind of "reason" you're getting at,"it's all part of Gawd's plan etc etc",then surely you believe all other forms of violence against a living human are justified too.Murder/attempted murder,armed robbery,assault,throwing acid on someone,cutting off someone's hand,everything happens for a reason,right?

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:43 AM

      ...by the way,FUCK YOU BRISTOL.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous10:51 AM

      GOP motto: Today's rape baby is tomorrow's republican voter.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous10:52 AM

      LOL is there anything the sick deranged troll will NOT lie about?? Today she's a "rape baby". The other day she worked with Angelina Jolie. I can hardly wait to see what lie she comes up with tomorrow to support the demented republican position.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous10:54 AM

      What is it the "Get government out of my life but into womens bodies" crowd does not understand about the word "choice"? Just the fact that their is one may help a victim to choose not abort,the idea that they will be forced to carry the baby of a rapist who forced them to have sex could cause extreme mental anguish.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous10:55 AM

      Anon 9:51 a.k.a resident troll- your mother chose poorly. Too bad for us, now we have to hear your lunatic rants.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous10:56 AM

      Being a "rape baby" is no excuse for poor grammar. Please learn how to write proper English. It will help make your lie more believable. Good luck getting educated "rape baby"

      Delete
    13. Anonymous11:25 AM

      Your complete argument is based on your religious view, and the fact that you and others are trying to force your religious view on others is disgraceful. The fertilized egg is a zygote and can hardly be seen as "life," no more than a chicken egg is considered "life". After the egg has implanted itself into the womb and starts to divid, it still can't think for itself, develop ideas, or make decisions. And you believe think that is life? Legal abortion has been determined by the Supreme Court to be legal until the beginning of the second trimester, and who other than the woman has the authority to say a women's right to chose during this period is wrong or immoral? Since you're expressing a religious viewpoint and are probably a "strict Constitutionalist", whatever that means, you should know that religious beliefs are separate from our government, and thus our laws.

      Delete
    14. LoveAndKnishesFromBrooklyn11:44 AM

      Anon @ 9:51 sounds suspiciously similar to one of the commenters at the Kiddie Pool this morning: if a woman became pregnant due to a rape, it's the Lawd's will for her to carry that child to term--because the LAWD ALWAYS KNOWS BEST what's GOOD FOR HER. Frightened and under the church's thumb is always a great place to be, right? Oh, and there was a lot of babble about rape vs. consensual sex vs. "drunken consensual sex" (kind of like their heroine, Saint Bristol). Most of the loudly witnessing, unbearable, pseudo-Xtians I know could ask their 13 or 14-year-old kids about the third option and get an answer that would curl their hair.

      Delete
    15. Anonymous11:51 AM

      If this is really Kristy Patullo, she is even more sick and twisted than imagined, because this lie is beyond the pail. Is it true that your mother was raped and you are the product? Does that mean the father who recently died was not your biological father or that the father who recently died raped your mother? Or perhaps you're lying out your ass.

      If you are actually a "rape baby," then aren't we all lucky that we are neither forced to abort or forced to carry a child to birth? We have

      Delete
    16. Anonymous11:53 AM

      I remember watching a piece on 60 minutes many years ago about a young catholic woman who was brutally raped by a very large AA man. She chose to carry the baby and gave it up for adoption. The child as an adult searched for the birth mom and they met. The child was a very smart woman who became a lawyer, but physically looked just like the rapist DNA donor. Large boned, african American, same face as the rapist. The mother had a mental breakdown after agreeing to meet the child....the brutality of seeing the physical likeness was so great. This story has haunted me for years . The raped woman did what she thought was right but still suffered more in the end. She was so brave, and I thought, in her shoes, I'd definitely have aborted. The daughter also was haunted by finding out the circumstances of her conception distraught and confused over the mother's reaction to her physical appearance.
      What a horrid situation fro any woman to be in.
      Shouldn't all raped women be offered the morning after pill now so that conception isn't even possible?

      Delete
    17. Anonymous12:26 PM

      Krusty, you're so full of the same fecal matter that keeps Sarah and Bristool from completely imploding. I'm not even going to debate the matter with you because you're trolling and I won't waste intelligent thought by addressing all of the weaknesses in your argument.

      Suffice to say, at this point you need the attention of a mental health professional more than you need the ridicule that you are begging for with your comments. Please print a copy of your fantasy and give it to your mother and sisters so they can help you get you the treatment that you need. No kidding, they want to help you.

      What was the center of your life before Sarah and Bristol became your obsession? Or can you even remember? This is too creepy, and you're retreating further and further away from reality. These are facts.

      Delete
    18. Anonymous12:49 PM

      I am also posting anonymously for what I am about to say:

      Listen up, you stupid fuck! I went through eight (8!) years of sexual abuse as a child. I am lucky that it never resulted in a pregnancy. If it had, I would be dead as I would have blown my brains out.

      There is NO "reason" for rape. There is NO "reason" a woman or girl should be forced to carry the vile semen of a foul rapist inside her body. So fuck you and your sick, twisted "reasons."

      Delete
    19. Anonymous6:35 PM

      sometimes i think people really don't understand what happens during a rape in the mind of the person raped -- there is an amazing amount of survival crap that happens that i can't explain.

      there is no way i would keep a pregnancy from rape. no way in hell.

      i am not sure i understand why any one would - but it is their choice and i hope that they have the strength to carry it off.

      Delete
    20. Anita Winecooler9:27 PM

      Who carries and bears a rapist's child by choice, then turns around and tells the child?
      Do two wrongs make a right? Why mess up another person's life because of your choice?

      This isn't a mother's love because love isn't supposed to hurt. (If it's true). Either way, if it's true or if you made it up, you need some serious counseling and or help. And so does your mother.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous9:51 AM

    The publicly demonstrated ignorance, hatred and outright lies continuing to flow from the T and old REthuglican party makes it difficult to understand how anyone, especially women, can vote for the right wing tickets!

    Yet, supposedly intelligent old guard right wingers, women included, do so, including the "genius" I live with.

    However, Faux News is their guide to news, and of course Rush Limpdick, the drugger. It seems NOTHING changes their mindset and there is no interest in fact seeking.

    Our only hope is to get the dems to the polls in the largest possible numbers, in spite of the voter suppression ongoing.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous10:31 AM

      @anon 9:51... how can you live with that "genius"? Very carefully, I am sure. I am also sure you cannot change much in your situation.
      Be strong, and know that there are many who follow your line of thought.

      fromthediagonal

      Delete
  5. Anonymous10:06 AM

    Excellent post, Gryphen!

    Two things:
    1) Akin is no more dangerous to women's freedom than those who would allow an exception for rape and incest but still legislate government control over reproduction.

    2) The current versions of anti-choice legislation make things far worse than the 1950's and pre-Roe v. Wade. Criminalizing abortion puts women in prison. (One seldom talked about example: Ryan is on record supporting a federal law that would criminalize crossing state lines to obtain an abortion.)

    and one more:
    Why wasn't there outrage in 2008 over Palin's 'no exception for rape/incest' position? Her bottom line is no different from Akin. Is media and DNC outrage reserved only for the most egregious expressions of stupidity?

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    1. Anonymous10:22 AM

      You're right. There should have been outrage over Palin's remark in 2008.

      Unfortunately, I think you're also right that only the most egregious expressions of stupidity are covered and provoke outrage. We've become desensitized to the less outrageous expressions of stupidity and it takes the latest really, really stupid thing to get people up in arms.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6:37 PM

      the problem with the exemptions for rape and incest is how do you prove this in time to still qualify for an abortion? we are talking only a month or so. what courts would have the conviction done in time? it is a promise with no substance. it is a lie.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous10:14 AM

    The statistics about rape and pregnancy are skewed by non-reports. Many rape women don't/can't report it from fear, shame, etc. And many pregnancies from rape are terminated without a rape being reported. But it's a good bet that there are far more rapes/pregnancies than the statistics indicate.

    Todd Akin not only represents deliberate ignorance of science, he represents a huge part of the pressure to not report rape. For example, if anyone in your close family or church holds views on rape similar to Akin's, it's even more difficult to find the courage to report a rape.

    Nothing Akin can say in the "misspoke" spin can absolve him. He hates women, pure and simple. No question. Clearly Akin is not the only government official with INSANELY wrong and cruel views about rape victims (little hint, it's the women not the baby or the rapist).

    What we need in legislation:

    -the right for any woman to claim rape whether or not she declines to name the rapist
    -the right to terminate a pregnancy whether a woman even wants to claim rape
    -the right to PRIVATELY make the decision to go public with a rape claim and PRIVATELY make the decision to terminate a pregnancy
    -the right to reasonably inexpensive, convenient ACCESS to morning-after pill, abortion, etc.
    -the right to reasonably inexpensive, convenient prenatal care if the woman decides to carry the baby to term
    -your favorite here.

    Oh, and then we need reasonable legislation on pregnancies from incest. Then work on reasonable sex ed in the schools, reasonable family planning help, reasonable prenatal help, etc.

    Republicans just won't ever be able to do the job. Vote 'em out.

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    1. Anonymous10:18 AM

      What if we had legislation that prohibited any government control over or interference with woman's reproductive freedom? Period.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:23 AM

      Then birth control would not be available to many women. It is a two edged sword.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:26 AM

      Here ya go:

      Freedom of Choice Acts
      http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/what-is-choice/fast-facts/foca.html

      I've never heard of this before. Time to pressure Democrats to get this through Congress.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:26 AM

      Let's stop blaming the victim. Most women including the victims of rape, do not GET PREGNANT they are MADE pregnant.

      I only add the "most women" to take into account women that go out of their way to BECOME pregnant.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:52 AM

      That, of course, is as it should be. Period!
      Out of the Bedroom, into the Boardroom should be a worldwide meme.
      Why?
      Because decisions made in the boardrooms of the International Corporations will, if unopposed, destroy this Big Blue Marble.
      Period!

      Think about it fromthediagonal

      Delete
    6. Anonymous6:38 PM

      using Akin logic - couples that try to get pregnant but don't must be triggering that same lady parts that can determine if a rape has occurred?

      it is all ludicrous and stark-raving nutso talk.

      Delete
  7. AKinPA10:34 AM

    I thought that Romney being "severely conservative" was against abortion under all circumstances. Is this another etch-a-sketch moment? Of course, it's possible that I just keep mis-remembering his principled positions (other than of course his refusal to show his income tax returns).

    And poor Ryan. His bishops are already against him for his budget that screws the poor, but at least he was on their side about abortion. Now what? How will Ryan spin this? After all, didn't he try to introduce a personhood amendment? Will he have to resign because he can't support Romney's left-wing, librul, socialist stand?

    And without Planned Parenthood (isn't Romney getting rid of it on Day 1?)how will rape victims be able to choose to terminate their pregnancies if they feel compelled to?

    Like Palin, these two(R&R)are weakening their case every time they or some other lunatic republican open their mouths. Last week's topic was Medicare, what shiny topic will they pick this week to make us forget about legitimate and forcible rape?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anita Winecooler9:40 PM

      Great Comment! R and R both have flip flop records on most issues. Aiken's comments need to be repeated and repeated often by the Democrats so R and R keep twisting in knots.

      They had a huge crowd going, spouting lies about our President's record, and Aikens took the wind out of their sails. The President's brilliant press conference and how he handled the issue was perfect!
      Abortion, birth control, and women's rights to make decisions about our bodies and our health will be decided in this election.

      The Republican party needs to feel the backlash for allowing the teathugs to take over the asylum.

      Silence is consent, we need to have our voices heard.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:53 AM

      I have yet to research this but many posters @ Maddow blog stated the origins of legitimate rape dating to medieval time. It was deemed that orgasm enabled pregnancy therefore resulting pregnancy could not be rape.

      This is far worse than blaming the victim in rape. If the female becomes pregnant she will be condemned for sexual pleasure, orgasms therefore wanting the rape legally declared not a rape. The female will be ostracized and yet society demand she have a child she had no choice about, the child born in shame of the mother while a rapist goes free.

      I am increasingly perceiving these men seeking to dominate women, control them, condone even sexual abuse of women seeking the men get away with it. I no longer believe their real agenda is the sanctity of life but defending power over and abuse of women.

      I respect Ryan's position on abortion from his religious beliefs but this legitimate rape BS is a nail in his coffin. I have no respect for the politicians brandishing their christianity when they lie about themselves and lie about others to win.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous10:46 AM

    "The female body has ways to try to of shut that whole thing down"

    Um...am I the only one whose skin just absofuckinglutely crawls at such a phase spoken by a man?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. LisaB259511:24 AM

      No. It's gobsmackingly stupid. I wish I could say I am surprised by the stupidity, but when it comes to reproduction, stupidity seems to be the rule rather than the exception.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1:24 PM

      such a phrase spoken by a lawmaker is also horrifyingly sickening.

      Delete
    3. Anita Winecooler9:43 PM

      A resounding no. And it's not just women. My husband was livid. As a husband and father of two young women and a son, it hit home, and I'm sure he isn't the only one.

      This is an assault on families.

      Delete
  9. Legitimate Rape = Illegitimate children who should be carried to full term regardless of the circumstances of their inception, according to the Right Wing Hypocrites. After these children are born, their futures are left to the whims of fate. The Repubs want to cut all social programs that might help these children and any children who are born into poverty - or the sinking middle class.

    Biden was right about the chains; they will be on everyone but the 1% if the ring wing has its way.

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    1. Anonymous6:04 AM

      According to them "legitimate rape" = no fetus, no child. Their claim is if it is rape no pregnancy will result. That is their belief dating back to medieval times.

      Even Rush Limbaugh with Republicans silence said crazy garbage about birth control pills making up lies he fed to ignorant or nut cases who will believe
      anything.

      Rush is not stupid or misinformed. He gets sick kicks deceiving people to manipulate them control them to turn on people like rabid dogs.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous11:17 AM

    Romney and Mitt were so determined to keep America´s focus on the economy. Now the political discourse is back on the GOP´s war on women.

    All that work for nothing.

    lol

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous11:20 AM

    Akin pulled out of the US Senate race. It was a tough way Primary with Sarah Palin's pick still coming in last. Will Sarah Steelman capitalize on this? Will Mama Grizzly weigh in now even though she wasn't a part of the Republican cacophony calling for him to step aside?

    Steelman, or as Sarah calls her, Stillman, is still pro-life in a way that tramples women's access to health care. State Sen. Jane Cunningham endorsed fellow Republican Sarah Steelman for the U.S. Senate and says the abortion issue is the chief reason. “Sending Sarah to Washington would double this number and make clear that Missouri does not buy the line that so-called women's issues all require liberal, big government answers.”

    Remain vigilant IM'ers.

    https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/26160/steelman_cunningham_endorse_072012

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous11:32 AM

    Akin and Ryan prolly believe a women should lie back and enjoy the rape to take her mind off the fact she is getting beaten to within an inch of her life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But if you don't fight back, it's not really rape.
      And if you don't have bruises all over you, it's not really rape.
      And if the guy isn't a stranger who jumped out of the bushes, it's not really rape.
      And if you were showing some leg or cleavage or weren't on you way to and from church (with a male chaperone, it's not really rape.

      That's the way these guys think.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6:44 PM

      not all rapes have physical violence - some are accomplished by scaring the crap out of you by implied violence, the rapist acting abnormal, words/threats/psychobabble --- it puts you in another world an unreal and inescapble world. it is sick.

      Delete
    3. Anita Winecooler9:50 PM

      Rape is Rape. If the woman says "no", anything sexual/physical is done without consent is rape, violence or not. What part of "No" don't they understand?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous6:22 AM

      There is misunderstanding by too many people that put the blame on the victim as if rapists, abusers/batters/domestic violence only do so because the victim "let them". Reality is a rapist is a rapist because a real rapist will not take no for an answer. In domestic violence the abuser escalates when told No, when given consequences or the victim leaves. Abusive people will not take no for an answer.
      Abusers escalate to physical violence and most murders and worse physical battering occurs when the victim leaves which is an ultimate No to the Abuser intolerable to them.

      Delete
  13. Just a 'rogue' republican? NO...
    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/20/1122030/-Akin-wasn-t-out-of-line-he-was-toeing-the-Republican-Party-line

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous11:56 AM

    Did you know that if you are raped, get pregnant, and carry the baby to term, your rapist has paternity rights?

    He can sue for visitation rights and even custody. If he's not convicted of rape (or you are too scared to bring charges against him), he may actually win custody. Even if he's convicted, even if he spends time in prison, he can be awarded visitation.

    It happens more than you think.

    Horrible but true.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:27 PM

      That is yet another reason why rapes are under-reported.

      And it gets even yuckier. The rapist can have you jailed if he can prove you are not taking adequate care to protect the fetus.

      Delete
  15. angela11:59 AM

    Really . . .Romney and his pet boy Ryan are a mess. An utter mess. How any woman can vote for these two regressives is a wonder.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fuck both these troglodytes.

    If me or either of my daughters were raped, you'd better believe the "morning after pill" would be one of the first things I"d demand. Monsters like Ryan and Akin would further sacrifice the physical and emotional state of a woman already traumatized in the worst way. This is proof positive that they consider the woman only a vessel in their fetus fetish. Women are third class citizens, behind men and the "pre born."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:30 PM

      Morning after pill is a wonderful thing. But many raped women do nothing about the situation for a while. Shock, fear, shame, etc. can contribute to just suppressing the incident(s) for days, weeks, years. Particularly when the victim is relatively young and the rapist is a trusted person like a priest, minister, favorite teacher, coach etc.

      Delete
    2. Agree, anon. And Ryan and Akin only add to the fear and shame of rape victims.

      I'm sorry for my horrible grammar in my OP. This issue has made me so pissed off, I was rage-typing.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous12:04 PM

    I believe the GOP platform is to be finalized today or tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if the Akin controversy causes them to exclude the personhood amendment they were ready to adopt and choose to go stealth with their anti-women agenda.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous12:06 PM

    Sex trade.Biden was right about chains. The 1% and Corps know where the money is. They are probably already involved with it all over the world. This is why they are trying to do away with minumin wage, child labor laws, making rape a lessor offence. Women now are not fit, in their eyes to have rights, or have a say so in anything. So here comes the war on women, making them have babies from 10 to 50, if able. Taking women out of the labor force, only have to make jobs for men. They don't care one ounce about the child once it gets here!Them bells need to be rung and rung and sound the alert - they are coming for our children. They are counting on, that like in other 3rd world countries parents are so desparete that they sell their child so they can eat.Here they will find a way like for minor offences in MS throwing children in jail, or just taking them., saying ppl are too poor to take care of them.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous12:25 PM

    O/T- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/20/wayne-brady-apologizes-trig-palin-joke_n_1811284.html

    LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:24 PM

      What's funny is kids like Trig don't even know they are retarded! It's everyone else that gets their panties in a twist about the word....silly world we live in.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous12:29 PM

    Breaking News: HuffPost is closing down

    There is not one story on Sarah, Bristol or Todd on the front page or political page.

    Is there an incoming asteroid I missed reading about? Is there hope the Palins are yesterdays news?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish HPwould close down. I used to comment there quite regularly (four or five years ago), but the comment section is full of racists and assholes (republicans, natch). I can't stomach it anymore.

      Delete
    2. Anita Winecooler9:54 PM

      HP closing would be no loss, as far as I'm concerned. Zsa Zsa Huffington sold her soul to the highest bidder. and it shows.

      Delete
  21. The real concern now is that Ryan is such damaged goods, and has given Romney no real bump, that somehow the campaign will find a way to dump him and put someone relatively sane in his place. It would be very, very awkward, and wpi;d put Romney's judgement in question (since he was the one who insisted on Ryan, despite all advice to the contrary), but if they really want a chance at winning, it seems they may have to bite the bullet and try with someone new. Romney with the tax thing, the Bain thing, and then the Ryan thing would also be damaged goods. Obama looks better and better to crucial Independents in comparison to the lunacy, ineptitude and flip -flopping of team Romney!

    The next few weeks should be very interesting indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  22. WakeUpAmerica12:39 PM

    Your last sentence was great, Gryphen! Cracked me up.

    ReplyDelete
  23. "Misspeaking" is what Bob Beckel does on The Five on FBC when he accidentally says "Fuck" about every other week or so. What Akin did was reveal a level of ignorance, misogyny, and bigotry that was unfortunate only because of his candor.

    It's helpful to hear the Dominionists speak the truth occasionally, even if they try to walk it back later. Akin wouldn't have told the story with his "sources" to support his ideasf he didn't believe what he was saying. Plus it fits with all of the other garbage science he purports as supporting his narrow-minded interests.

    If such stupidity doesn't disqualify Akin from being on the Science, Space & Technology Committee in Congress, then I should also drop my argument that Michele Bachmann should be dropped from the Intelligence Comittee. s/

    While we're at it, let's go ahead and give the keys to the White House to Sarah Palin, but only if Donald Trump is Secretary of State, and Herman (Herb) Cain is Defense Secretary, and...s/ I could go on, but this is starting to sound like a skull session for strategy at C4P, and I don't want to go there.

    I hope that rational minds of both major parties will realize the damage these extremists are causing to our political process and boot these idiots out onto the sidewalk. I've heard enough stupidity in the past 4 yeas to last me for a long time. Like forever.

    ReplyDelete
  24. cuppajava1:17 PM

    Hey, don't forget, like I did, that Dr. Ron Paul admitted that he would help one of his female relatives if she suffered an "honest rape"... Check it out at

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVRbvIYAP54

    That's right--AN HONEST RAPE.... as opposed to maybe a "dishonest" rape???

    What a frickin' bunch of women-hating dipshits...

    ReplyDelete
  25. O/T, but perhaps we could use some levity after this weekend's asshole shit parade.

    Check out the digs of this put-upon, unfortunate, struggling single mom. Oh, the humanity!

    (warning -- links to Brancy's blog of bigoted bullshit)

    http://www.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/2012/08/sunday-school-stud/comment-page-1/#comments

    ReplyDelete
  26. C'mon, Gryphen, cut this doofus some slack!! At least he has a sense of humor: On Huckabee's WingFest radio show today he admitted that his speculation that (and I paraphrase here) "there's some secret organ all up inside those mystery lady parts what shuts down the impregnatory impulses when she's having a real rape' was (and here I quote verbatim) 'ill-conceived'.

    'ill-conceived....'

    Where I come from we affectionately call someone like that 'an affable fuckhead'.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous5:43 PM

    Dear Mr. Akin, I Want You to Imagine...

    Dear Todd Akin,

    I am writing to you tonight about rape. It is 2 AM and I am unable to sleep here in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I am in Bukavu at the City of Joy to serve and support and work with hundreds, thousands of women who have been raped and violated and tortured from this ceaseless war for minerals fought on their bodies.

    I am in Congo but I could be writing this from anywhere in the United States, South Africa, Britain, Egypt, India, Philippines, most college campuses in America. I could be writing from any city or town or village where over half a billion women on the planet are raped in their lifetime.

    Mr. Akin, your words have kept me awake.

    As a rape survivor, I am reeling from your recent statement where you said you misspoke when you said that women do not get pregnant from legitimate rape, and that you were speaking "off the cuff."

    Clarification. You didn't make some glib throw away remark. You made a very specific ignorant statement clearly indicating you have no awareness of what it means to be raped. And not a casual statement, but one made with the intention of legislating the experience of women who have been raped. Perhaps more terrifying: it was a window into the psyche of the GOP.

    You used the expression "legitimate" rape as if to imply there were such a thing as "illegitimate" rape. Let me try to explain to you what that does to the minds, hearts and souls of the millions of women on this planet who experience rape. It is a form of re-rape. The underlying assumption of your statement is that women and their experiences are not to be trusted. That their understanding of rape must be qualified by some higher, wiser authority. It delegitimizes and undermines and belittles the horror, invasion, desecration they experienced. It makes them feel as alone and powerless as they did at the moment of rape.

    When you, Paul Ryan and 225 of your fellow co-sponsors play with words around rape suggesting only "forcible" rape be treated seriously as if all rapes weren't forcible, it brings back a flood of memories of the way the rapists played with us in the act of being raped -- intimidating us, threatening us,muting us. Your playing with words like "forcible" and "legitimate" is playing with our souls which have been shattered by unwanted penises shoving into us, ripping our flesh, our vaginas, our consciousness, our confidence, our pride, our futures.

    Now you want to say that you misspoke when you said that a legitimate rape couldn't get us pregnant. Did you honestly believe that rape sperm is different than love sperm, that some mysterious religious process occurs and rape sperm self-destructs due to its evilcontent? Or, were you implying that women and their bodies are somehow responsible for rejecting legitimate rape sperm, once again putting the onus on us? It would seem you were saying that getting pregnant after a rape would indicate it was not a "legitimate" rape.

    Here's what I want you to do. I want you to close your eyes and imagine that you are on your bed or up against a wall or locked in a small suffocating space. Imagine being tied up there and imagine some aggressive, indifferent, insane stranger friend or relative ripping off your clothes and entering your body -- the most personal, sacred, private part of your body -- and violently, hatefully forcing themself into you so that you are ripped apart. Then imagine that stranger's sperm shooting into you and filling you and you can't get it out. It is growing something in you. Imagine you have no idea what that life will even consist of, spiritually made in hate, not knowing the mental or health background of the rapist.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous5:43 PM


    Then imagine a person comes along, a person who has never had that experience of rape, and that person tells you, you have no choice but to keep that product of rape growing in you against your will and when it is born it has the face of your rapist, the face of the person who has essentially destroyed your being and you will have to look at the face every day of your life and you will be judged harshly if you cannot love that face.

    I don't know if you can imagine any of this (leadership actually requires this kind of compassion), but if you are willing to go to the depth of this darkness, you will quickly understand that there is NO ONE WHO CAN MAKE THAT CHOICE to have or not have the baby, but the person carrying that baby herself.

    I have spent much time with mothers who have given birth to children who are the product of rape. I have watched how tortured they are wrestling with their hate and anger, trying not to project that onto their child.

    I am asking you and the GOP to get out of my body, out of my vagina, my womb, to get out of all of our bodies. These are not your decisions to make. These are not your words to define.

    Why don't you spend your time ending rape rather than redefining it? Spend your energy going after those perpetrators who so easily destroy women rather than parsing out manipulative language that minimizes their destruction.

    And by the way you've just given millions of women a very good reason to make sure you never get elected again, and an insanely good reason to rise.

    #ReasonToRise

    Eve Ensler
    Bukavu, Congo


    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eve-ensler/todd-akin-rape_b_1812930.html

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous6:21 PM

    Republicans design $2.5 million stage in effort to make Mitt Romney look likable

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/20/1122277/-Republicans-design-2-5-million-stage-in-effort-to-make-Mitt-Romney-look-nbsp-likable

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous6:50 PM

    this is the weirdest thing to protect rape sperm yet -- that somehow the pregnancy will produce a nice person?

    so why are bad people produced from sperm in non-rape sex?

    ReplyDelete

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