Rep. Todd Akin had no sooner won Missouri’s GOP Senate primary this month than he seemed eager to hand over the election to incumbent Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. Akin instantly became a national sensation with a shocking statement about how “legitimate rape” rarely results in pregnancy.
When confronted on his view regarding exceptions to a ban on abortions, Akin proceeded to show how to abort a Senate campaign in record time: “First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare. 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. You know I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.”
First there is the distinction between “legitimate” and “illegitimate” rape that is too twisted to contemplate. Then there is Akin’s rather bizarre view of the female body and the existence of some type of kill switch in cases of rape within every woman.
Akin is a six-term U.S. congressman who probably could have drifted to a win in Missouri. Polls showed him a heavy favorite against McCaskill who is unpopular with many in Missouri as well as Washington. Akin, 65, was backed by former GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and supported by many in the Tea Party. Akin was able to secure 36 percent of the vote against businessman John G. Brunner with 30 percent and former state treasurer Sarah Steelman with 29 percent. Steelman was the favorite of Sarah Palin and many in the Tea Party. Despite the tough primary, Akin was leading McCaskill in the polls.
That changed in a flash and he succeeded in moving a state from an expected win for the GOP into the doubtful column — assuming he does not withdraw from the race. Both Romney and Ryan have publicly criticized the comment. McCaskill appears to relish the thought of becoming the second most unpopular candidate in a two-person race. She has refused to call for Akin to step down and said that it would be a radical step to replace a candidate who just won the primary. Republicans however have lined up to condemn the statements and call for Akin to withdraw from the race.
Akin’s attempt to walk back from the comments was almost as awkward — claiming that he “misspoke” about rape. Here is the statement:
“As a member of Congress, I believe that working to protect the most vulnerable in our society is one of my most important responsibilities, and that includes protecting both the unborn and victims of sexual assault. In reviewing my off-the-cuff remarks, it’s clear that I misspoke in this interview and it does not reflect the deep empathy I hold for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year. Those who perpetrate these crimes are the lowest of the low in our society and their victims will have no stronger advocate in the Senate to help ensure they have the justice they deserve.
“I recognize that abortion, and particularly in the case of rape, is a very emotionally charged issue. But I believe deeply in the protection of all life and I do not believe that harming another innocent victim is the right course of action. I also recognize that there are those who, like my opponent, support abortion and I understand I may not have their support in this election.”
Akin does not address the medical side of the comment or even explain what he meant about legitimate rape.
“Misspoke” is a remarkably flexible term to cover any statement where, according to Merriam-Webster, you can claim that you “expressed (oneself) imperfectly or incorrectly.” Of course, there remains the cause for such misspeak. It is one thing to get a date wrong or a country wrong or even a description of some past event. Here however Akin drew a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate rape and then proceeded to offer a medical claim that is almost medieval in character.
Here is the clip showing the “misspeech”:
Given the polarized situation in Missouri, this does not necessarily mean that McCaskill will win. However, with the GOP already struggling with the female vote, this is comment is likely to be played back in an endless loop. The question is the degree of pressure from the Romney campaign to get Akin to step aside given the possible drag on the ticket in November.
Source: CNN
Todd Akin: It’s Not a War on Women, It’s a War on Critical Thinking and Democracy
Soraya Chemaly
8/20/12
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/soraya-chemaly/todd-akin-rape_b_1810928.html
Excerpt:
In case you’ve been deep-sea diving in the Mariana Trench, yet another Republican Congressman unwittingly revealed his party’s contempt for and distrust of women. And he did it by illustrating how the “war on women” is part of a larger issue. What Todd Akin said and believes doesn’t just play into a media-catchy, election year “war on women” narrative. It’s part of a reactionary, fundamentalist backlash to modernity. It’s a war on science. It’s a war on facts. It’s a war on critical thinking. But, really, consider it a war on democracy. Statements like Akin’s reflect the degree to which some men, steeped in all sorts of dangerous denialism, will go to protect their power and how they undermine equality and democracy to do it. Mitt Romney’s smart, he gets how Akin made this obvious, which is why he’s distancing himself so fast and furiously from this incident. But, Romney deep down inside agrees with the ideas that reside under the surface of such an obvious mistake. That’s why he will not renounce his rights-stripping-for-women-personhood-for-fetuses happy running mate Paul Ryan, who shares the ideas expressed by Akin, even if he expresses himself less offensively.
When asked about exceptions for abortions of pregnancies resulting from rape Missouri Representative Todd Akin of the Primacy of the Father Cult (formerly known as the GOP) had this to say:
” First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare. 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 on the rapist and not attacking the child.”
The amount that this man doesn’t understand is staggering. He shouldn’t even try putting the words “doctors” and “understand” in the same sentence. It just confuses him. But, the problem is, he’s not an exception.
Although the six term Congressman, who is running against Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill in the November 6 election, won’t apologize, he has graciously come forward to join a long line of rape apologists who “misspoke.” He did not “misspeak.” Misspeaking is defined as “Express oneself imperfectly or inaccurately.” He was very clear: “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”
He wittingly regurgitated common misogynistic lies about women, their bodies, rape, pregnancy and abortion. Like Chloe Angel, at Feministing who wrote a thank you note to Akin earlier today, I am loathe to engage in uncivil discourse. I, too, believe that people who disagree should be able to do so with respect and without resorting to personal assault. However, these lies are so blatant and result in so much harm that they have to be named for what they are and challenged loudly and repeatedly and persistently.
His statements reveal several ideas about women, who bear the immediate and obvious brunt of this type of assault on reason:
1.That women lie about their rapes — those would be, I assume, “illegitimate rapes.” Either that, or he implied like other conservative Republican legislators, that women don’t actually understand when they have been raped. Or better yet, that they are sluts and somehow “want it.” OR, not to be ignored, that women who are raped by their husbands aren’t “really” raped. OR… yes… there is another one… that women will claim they’ve been raped to gain the upper hand in divorce. These ideas are really important to Akin and others, like Paul Ryan, both of whom co-sponsored a bill to change the word “rape” to “forcible rape” in legislation about federal funding to abortion.
2.That even if women do get raped their bodies somehow “take care of it.” Akin’s comments reveal the shocking level of scientific illiteracy and denialism embraced by Republican legislators when they deal with “women’s issues.” Even if some benighted predatory rapist repeated “I have legitimately raped you” three times while waving their weaponized dicks in the air, women do not emit some mystical, magical hormone “to shut that whole thing down.” Is it too much to ask that people suggesting, making and enforcing our laws know how to spell “biology”?
3.That women who are raped don’t get pregnant much so we shouldn’t worry our pretty heads about maybe getting pregnant and needing an abortion. It turns out that some women’s bodies don’t take care of it. The Washington Post cited a study that revealed that at least 5 percent of rape victims end up pregnant. Mr. Akin, who has explained that he is empathetic to their plights, might want to personally explain to one of the 32,000 women forced to be pregnant against their will that it is “rare.”
Akin’s “gaff” is not harmless. It is not just “out of touch.” It’s DANGEROUS AND CAUSES PAIN and OPPRESSION. And, it’s not a “November” issue. It’s a “just world” issue. It’s a “think for yourself” issue. These people aren’t pro-life. They’re pro-pain. Pain central to redemption.
Hello Toooodddd. You are still ahead in the polls in Mizzoura today. Dumb and Dumber just doesnt offend in Mizzoura.
Todd Akin’s comment brings ‘war on women’ back to prominence
By Eugene Robinson
8/20/12
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/eugene-robinson-todd-akin-comment-brings-war-on-women-back-to-prominence/2012/08/20/c4570fae-eafd-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_story.html
Excerpt:
At least until Election Day, Republicans were supposed to pretend that their party’s alleged “war on women” was nothing but a paranoid fantasy stoked by desperate Democrats. Obviously, Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) didn’t get the memo.
Akin, campaigning to unseat Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) in November, was trying to explain his stance against abortion Sunday when he committed what cannot be dismissed as a mere gaffe. It was an abomination that could only stem from benighted ignorance — and it brings the whole “war on women” thing back into scary focus.
If you think I’m exaggerating, let me quote Akin in full. He was explaining why he opposes abortion even in cases of rape — and how pregnancy as a result of rape, in any event, isn’t something that should overly concern us:
“It seems to me, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare. 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. You know, I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child.”
Whoa.
Let’s begin with the ignorant and offensive distinction Akin tries to draw between “legitimate rape” and some other kind of rape. He did not elaborate, but I’m pretty sure I know what he means.
He’s obviously talking about what Republicans call “forcible rape.” Last year, Akin co-sponsored a bill in the House that would have narrowed the exception that allows Medicaid funds to pay for abortions for women who are raped. The proposed measure would have permitted the use of funds only to end pregnancies resulting from “forcible rape.” Paul Ryan, now Mitt Romney’s running mate, was another co-sponsor of the measure, which ultimately failed.
The statutory rape of a child by an adult would not fit the definition the House Republicans tried to impose; nor would the rape of a woman who was drugged, say, or who had limited mental capacity. Never mind the fact that, as far as criminal law is concerned, rape is rape. Never mind the fact that all rape, by its very nature, is “forcible.”
Akin’s assertion about “legitimate” rape is really nothing but an attempt to blame the victim. It stems from the view that the only true victim is a woman who is raped while violently resisting a ski-masked assailant who came in through the bedroom window. Anything short of that, she must have been asking for it.
Gene,
OOOPS! Akin is only sorry for the words he used–not for what he holds in his heart.
I hope this story calls attention to Paul Ryan’s far-right positions on abortion, contraception, the sanctity of a pregnant woman’s life. He did, after all, cosponsor a number of pieces of anti-woman legislation with Todd Akin–including the “Let Women Die” bill.
Oh please PLEASE forgive me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R57E3S8RO7A
For what? Showing your innate stupidity or your innate misogyny or revealing just how theocratic, intellectually retrograde and scientifically ignorant the GOP and their candidates have become? Or forgive you getting called on it?
It’s a funny thing about about what one says “accidentally”. It usually is simply indicative of how they really feel without a filter. It’s also a funny thing about first impressions. You don’t get to make them twice. Too little, too late. Welcome to the national spotlight!
Pathological Hypocrisy: Todd Akin, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan
Wake up: It’s not just Akin
By LZ Granderson, CNN Contributor
August 21, 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/21/opinion/granderson-gop-rape-abortion/index.html
Excerpt:
(CNN) — They will say this is about one person.
It is not.
They will attempt to distance themselves from the controversy.
But they can’t.
They will even try to claim the whole conversation is a distraction from the “real issues.”
And yet they never shy away from using this same conversation to fire up their base, or hurl attack ads or raise funds.
The truth is the “legitimate rape” comment made by U.S. Rep. Todd Akin — as in pregnancy from “legitimate rape” is rare — is not a GOP anomaly, but rather another disturbing glimpse into the viewpoint too many social conservatives have about women’s health and reproductive rights. And if abortion is not among the “real issues,” why is the GOP platform committee considering adding a ban, with no mention of exceptions, to this year’s to-do list?
Last March, in a discussion in the Kansas House about whether women purchase separate abortion-only policies, Republican state Rep. Pete DeGraaf suggested women should plan ahead for rape the way he keeps a spare tire. A few weeks later, Indiana state Rep. Eric Turner, a Republican, said some women might fake being raped in order to get free abortions.
Former presidential hopeful Rick Santorum suggested doctors who perform an abortion on a woman who becomes pregnant from an attack should be thrown in jail and this year suggested rape victims who become pregnant from an attack should be forced to keep the baby and “make the best out of a bad situation.”
More than 200 Republican members of Congress joined him in co-sponsoring House Resolution 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, when it contained language restricting the exception for federally funded abortions to “an act of forcible rape or, if a minor, an act of incest.”
Forcible rape.
That’s not too far from “legitimate rape”
So vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan can try to backpedal away from Akin as fast as he can, but his name is still on the record in support of that bill, with that language. He can say he’s in line with Mitt Romney and would not ban abortions in the case of rape, but it’s his name attached to House Resolution 212: Sanctity of Human Life Act, which would have done just that.
No wonder Romney chose Ryan as his running mate; he admires the speed with which the congressman from Wisconsin flip-flops.
LottaKatz:
I still believe we (meaning reagular people) would be much better off if we did not elevate any politicians to the role of being the saviors of the world. Whether it be in response to what we individually consider to be the opposition or those who politically profess to support our beliefs.
Often times when one faction is in power that we disagree with, we believe that the answer is in another politician. While this might work in the short term or to remove some real despots, it has the effect of perpetuating the political class of any nation.
For what it’s worth, I believe in a more organic approach to issues. that is an approach where we strive to make the world better despite, or inspite of the politicians. Waiting for them to act in the best interests of society is rather passive and leaves us to be dependant and in some respects vulnerable.
We will be much better served to collectively aspire to provide ourselves with the best outcome based upon our own initiatives and advancements. We can do this be being better in our occupations, supporting social progress, and advancing medical and technoligical advancements. To me a stellar example of this is wikipedia. A shining realm of ordinary folks contributing to the general knowledge of everyone, without waiting for the gov’t to supply the information to us. Not perfect but surely better than a state run affair.
Why do I use the term organic? It is because I believe it is folly to assume the 500 or so politicians elected or appointed to our government can arrive at a better solution than collectively the 300 million who are the people of the United States. This sets itself up for single point of failure situations.
Imagine an organism where the brain dictates everything. I know this is an analogy but for time saving purposes I must use it. If the consciousness of the brain had to control every metabolic function the organism would probably fail. If the imune system controlled immunity, the heart circulation, and the liver filtration of blood, the brain does not have to manage everything, leaving it for higher order functions required of consciousness and would be more successful. Assuming that gov’t has the answer assumes the gov’t is omnipotent and omnipresent and is capable running the entire body. But it doesn’t work that way. But collectively each organ with the brain (for lack of better words) guides the organs that are responsible for their own area, it seems to work.
What my convoluted analogy tries to bring to light is if we individually worked hard to better that with which we are involved, perhaps with some guidance, and common goals for the improvement of the whole of humanity we would be much stronger as a people if we work for the common good, and not expect the so called brain or government to handle everything.
Just a fleeting thought.
🙂
Mespo, that’s the danger you run when you aim for the lowest common denominator and draw your candidates from the same class. Still, Akin had a very, very good chance of winning before he opened his mouth. That’s why McCaskill doesn’t want him to drop out. She may not be able to win even with a second-choice Republican on the ticket against her.
The problem is, with the dissatisfaction on the left, a rabidly energized right, huge numbers of voters being disenfranchised, stay at homes/protest votes and machines that seem to make errors generally in the favor of Republicans, they could win nationally too. The number of votes cast in 2008 was extraordinary, It’s not the baseline number to expect in 2010. Even without the factors I listed the number of votes cast in general would have been smaller this year IMO. I hope I’m wrong but its a worry for me.
Where’s Jim?
Had he not heard of Calvin and is now scouring the web educating himself post hoc? The mysteries of faith leave me befuddled.
I love multiple choice, it takes all the pressure off of having to actually think.
Here are my answers:
Question 1: the answer is d, obviously.
Question 2: given my answer to (1) I have no choice but to answer d again.
Question 3: Jeez, like I didn’t read the book. The answer is b.
Hilarious “test” Elaine!
Republicans: Test Your Knowledge of Women!
Jessica Valenti on August 20, 2012
http://www.thenation.com/blog/169461/republicans-test-your-knowledge-women
Excerpt:
Republicans: Do your friends make fun of you for your shameful lack of awareness on women’s issues? Have to vote on a bill that will legislate uteruses but not quite sure you know what that word means? Well, look no further—this quiz will help hone your lady-legislating skills with expert knowledge from your peers. Remember to use a number-two pencil, and no looking at your neighbor’s paper.
1. What is rape?
a. A “forcible” assault. Minors, incest victims and date-rape victims need not apply.
b. A figment of women’s imagination.
c. “The violation of a chaste woman, against her will, by some party not her spouse.”
d. Something that happens to drunk sluts.
2. What do we know about pregnancy that occurs after a rape?
a. It’s a God-given gift. Enjoy!
b. No such thing. The vagina employs bio-bouncers that will “shut that whole thing down.”
c. Impossible, because “the juices don’t flow.”
d. Trick question. There’s no such thing as rape. Duh.
3. How does emergency contraception work?
a. Melts snowflake babies.
b. Turns women into wanton harlots. Proceed with caution.
c. As an abortifacient.
d. The cause of teen sex cults—distribute widely!
LK:
“Its masters hardly even bother to conceal themselves. 0% taxes for wealthy people living off investment income (Ryan’s 2010 plan, the real Ryan Plan) is pretty blatant. They believe this is their time. It’s a war.”
***********************
Then I deem them the “Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight.”
That there is SOME evidence that SOME women’s reproductive systems MAY reject sperm or even a embryo conceived under periods of high stress (like being forcibly raped), it is NOT definitive at all as it is impossible to obtain data under controlled circumstances.
What kind of sauce do you like on your SHOE, Rep. Akin? I suggest a heavy dose of tenderizer first.
Uh, exactly what is a “legitimate” rape? Is this some odd lawyerese use of the term? Did you perhaps mean a “real” rape rather than a “rape” that isn’t really a rape? Where she really didn’t want to have sex with the varmint instead of just pretending that she didn’t wanna?
Akin bailed on an interview with notorious softball player Piers Morgan tonight. Morgan’s reaction? Surprisingly hardball: “Congressman, you have an open invitation to join me in that chair whenever you feel up to it, because if you don’t keep your promise to be on the show, then you are what we would call in Britain a gutless little twerp.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/20/todd-akin-piers-morgan-interview_n_1814683.html
Bron,
“do you know the difference between an actual human and a potential human?”
You clarify this distinction with every one of your posts.
OS, early senility on my part, I’ve reached the point that an old bit of data gets kicked out to make space for a new bit of info- I need an upgrade 🙂
_______
Woosty at 9:35, excellent observation.
This is the political environment the Republican party chose to build 40 years ago (the southern strategy) and have worked diligently to bring to fruition. It is racist at its core and fundamentalist in execution, classist in benefits. Its a wavefront of hatred, and ignorance that tsunami-like may just completely swamp America’s politics. Its masters hardly even bother to conceal themselves. 0% taxes for wealthy people living off investment income (Ryan’s 2010 plan, the real Ryan Plan) is pretty blatant. They believe this is their time. It’s a war.
Bron,
Yeah, I do.
This thread exactly points to the need of arbitration in complex cultures.
This subject encompasses the tension between sexes and the propensity of zealotry in wanting to control cultural perspective to their advantage.
I thought you were, “quite cosmopolitan in [your] views,” and were a, “live and let live individual except when I am forced to do something which is against my personal belief.”
From: http://jonathanturley.org/2012/08/03/all-demand-no-supply-adam-smith-spotted-at-chick-fil-a-and-promptly-fired/#comment-400899
Should the free market determine whether a woman has a right to an abortion? How do you think a woman might feel when she is forced to do something which is against her personal beliefs?
You don’t subordinate an actual to a fictional either.