While driving to work yesterday morning, I overheard a snippet on the radio about someone who said that raped women could somehow prevent themselves becoming pregnant. I was appalled, so I researched it last night.
I’m blogging about it now because, sadly, this kind of unmitigated nonsense has a nasty way of being spun until it disappears from existence over time. The following is my personal opinion, as is every other post I write.
The fool who alleged this nonsense turned out to be Missouri Congressman Todd Akin. Since I like knowing the facts, I took the time to listen to precisely what he said, and the tone and context in which he said it. (Mr. Akin is already trying to put spin on this, my comments on that later).
I transcribed exactly what I heard, becoming more and more appalled with each pass through the audio (I’m a terrible typist and had to listen to his bile at least twenty times.) For those of you interested it is on the “Jaco Report”, starting at about the 4:00 minute mark in the second clip on http://fox2now.com/2012/08/19/the-jaco-report-august-19-2012/
They are talking about the circumstances in which abortion should be legal.
Interviewer: What about in the case of rape, should it be legal or not?
Congressman Todd Akin: “Well, you know, uhh uhh people always want to try and make that as how do ya, how do ya slice this particularly tough sort of ethical question. 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 a way of shutting that whole thing down.”
My comments: I’m disgusted about everything Mr. Akin said.
Firstly, the question is a simple one. Should abortion be legal in the case of rape? This is NOT a “particularly tough sort of ethical question”. It is an extremely simple question, that a simple Yes, or No serves perfectly well to answer. You are being asked for your opinion, Mr Akin. Yes, or No?
Next. “It seems to me, first of all from what I understand from doctors that’s really rare,…” Mr. Akin allegedly got this “information” from doctors, plural? OK, bring out these doctors and let them turn into pariahs, just as you are rapidly and most deservedly becoming.
Next. “if it’s a legitimate rape” Rape is NEVER legitimate.
Next. “the female body has a way of shutting that whole thing down.” No. Just NO! The bodies of female mammals do not have natural, inherent mechanisms to prevent pregnancy, other than abstinence. If both parties are fertile at the time of intercourse, the female is likely to become pregnant. Yes, she may spontaneously abort if the fetus is not viable, but she has no control over that either. She cannot shut down “that whole thing”. What grade level are you Mr. Akin? Does using stupid euphemisms like “that whole thing” do the question of rape and its long-term effects justice?
Mr. Akin later prepared and released a statement about the interview. This was not an apology, but more political spin. My comments appear in italics after each paragraph.
Akin, “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.”
If you believe protecting the vulnerable is important, then get off your high horse and do it – by starting with the women who are raped.
Your remarks were not “off-the-cuff”, I listened to what you said over twenty times and there is no doubt in my mind that you had prepared and rehearsed every word.
“the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year” WOW!!!! What universe do you live in Mr. Akin, because is not the one the Earth occupies. Thousands of women? Millions would be much closer to the mark.
“Those who perpetrate these crimes are the lowest of the low” – I agree. Precisely what do you intend to do about these “thousands” of criminals, Mr. Akin? Oh – you are more interested in punishing their victims than the rapists?
“their victims will have no stronger advocate in the Senate” – than whom? Certainly not Mr. Akin, who truly believes the punishment for being the victim of rape should last said victim her entire life.
Akin, “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.”
“I do not believe that harming another innocent victim is the right course of action” – sounds laudable… unfortunately the REAL victim, namely the woman who was raped, has to carry the reminder of that crime for the rest of her life. Compelling her to do so is far beyond cruel, it is abhorrent and despicable.
“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.” – what an OFFENSIVE statement. I absolutely do not support abortion and your inference that I do offends me deeply. Nobody I know supports abortion. Nobody! What many of us support is a woman’s right to choose. As for my personal belief, it is that a pregnancy resulting from consensual sex between to committed loving adults is a wonderful thing to be cherished. A pregnancy resulting from rape does not fall within those confines.
Furthermore, Mr. Akin, I would never dream of forcing my beliefs on any woman – she and her physician must live with their consciences in regard to any decision they make regarding abortion.
The rest of Mr. Akin’s statement had nothing to do with the issue of rape, and I will not include it here.
In summary, here is the Tweet I posted this morning:-
Legitimate rape? Unless sex is consensual, conscious, un-coerced and between adults, it is rape. Rape is never “legitimate”, Mr. Todd Akin.
