The new 'legitimate' rape controversy

[Rum]

What an arse of a man. And he wants to represent people in the Senate? The Beeb's version: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19319240

US row over Congressman Todd Akin's rape remark

A row has erupted in the US after a congressman said women's bodies were naturally able to prevent pregnancy in the case of "legitimate rape".

Todd Akin, who is also running as Republican candidate for the Senate, made the comments in a TV interview to explain his strict views on abortion.

He later said he had "misspoken" but his Democratic rival said the comments were "beyond comprehension".

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said he disagreed with the view.

During the interview for KTVI-TV, Mr Akin was asked about his no-exceptions view on abortion, a highly charged issue in the US, and on whether he would like abortion to be banned even if the pregnancy was the result of rape.

He replied: "It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that is 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 of the rapist, and not attacking the child."
'Flat-out astonishing'

The interview has sparked a furious reaction in the US, with critics attacking both Mr Akin's scientific view and his reference to "legitimate rape".
Sen Claire McCaskill in Clay County, MO (7 Aug 2012) Mr Akin's rival, Claire McCaskill, condemned his comments as offensive

Democrat Senator Claire McCaskill said it was "beyond comprehension that someone can be so ignorant about the emotional and physical trauma brought on by rape".

"The ideas that Todd Akin has expressed about the serious crime of rape and the impact on its victims are offensive."

Ms McCaskill, who is trailing Mr Akin in opinion polls for the Missouri seat, said on Twitter that as a former prosecutor she had personally handled hundreds of rape cases.

On blogs and Twitter, users have also poured scorn on his biological view, and expressed concern that he is a member of the House Committee on Science.

Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women, told AP radio that the comments were "flat-out astonishing" and that such language was "intended to shame women".

A spokesman for Mr Romney said that both the candidate and his running mate, Paul Ryan, disagreed with Mr Akin, and stressed that "a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape".

Mr Akin later issued a statement saying he had "misspoken" in his "off the cuff" remarks, though did not specify on which points.

He said the interview "does not reflect the deep empathy I hold for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year".

Mr Akin also reconfirmed that he "believes deeply in the protection of all life and I do not believe that harming another innocent victim is the right course of action".

The six-term congressman for Missouri is a long-time vocal opponent of relaxing abortion laws.

In 2011, he co-sponsored a controversial bill that would have limited the government help available to women seeking abortions in the case of rape to cases of "forcible rape".

After a public outcry, the House Republican party was made to change this language.

[klr]

"Legitimate rape?" What was he actually trying to say?

[Rum]

"Legitimate rape?" What was he actually trying to say?

That women misreport it.

Then of course it is their own fault they are pregnant, REAL rape doesn't get you pregnant. What a fucktard.

[Bella Fortuna]

What would happen if Akin wrote newspaper headlines:

[Animavore]

I'm telling Skepchicks on you.

[Rum]

If ever there was a case of someone warping facts to suit misguided religious based dogma this is it - just to support his ridiculous views on abortion.. The ignoramus of a man deserves to be banished to his own narrow minded tiny island. The twat.

[Bella Fortuna]

I'm telling Skepchicks on you.

I've already been excommunicated by one of their supporters, so I can't imagine it could be worse than that.

[Sean Hayden]

I remember this from my Texas high school health class, I believe it was covered right after Pissing after sex to reduce the risk of STDs -"I just flush it all out".

[Animavore]

I'm telling Skepchicks on you.

I've already been excommunicated by one of their supporters, so I can't imagine it could be worse than that.

They'll force fashion tips from Rebecca Watson on you, you mark my words.

[Clinton Huxley]

A bible-bashing Republican with odious views on rape? Who'd have thought it......

[Gawdzilla Sama]

It is with some glee that I note that Ayaan and I live in the 2nd Congressional District of Missouri, Rep. Adkin's turf.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

A bible-bashing Republican with odious views on rape? Who'd have thought it......

In the interests of political fairness, I must point out George Galloway's recent comments on the Assange case... "It wasn't rape - just bad sexual etiquette!"

Rape apologetics is a cross-platform sport.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19323783

[Sælir]

This is so fucking stupid that I am at a loss for words.
So if I get pregnant after rape I probably wanted it all along?

Stupid cunt

[Ian]

It's to be expected. For Republicans to prevail in their primary campaigns they've need to go further and further to the right, for more than thirty years now, and some extreme-right people have clinched their party's nomination lately. It follows that many highly conservative people have turned out to also be highly stupid. It's an axiom. This guy is another one of the same story we've seen for a few years now.

And in Missouri, he still stands a fair chance of winning his election to the Senate.

[tattuchu]

Well you can't get pregnant from taking it up the pooper. Maybe he's just assuming...?