Republicans and women's issues, especially rape and abortion

[funjumper101 15]

This is very well written. If you have a mother, sisters, neices, grand neices, or anyone female that you care about, it should be 100% impossible for you to vote republican in this day and age.

Freedom from government inference in one's personal decisions is supposed to be a conservative value. Why is it that this value only applies to men?

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Dear GOP candidates and party members,

I'm going to give you some free campaign advice: stop talking about rape.

The latest Republican rape commentary comes from Romney-endorsed Indiana senatorial candidate Richard Mourdock, who tells us:


"I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen."

Cue outrage, then cue "apology" from Mourdock – not for his comments, but for "any interpretation other than what I intended". National Republican senatorial committee chairman John Cornyn voiced his support for Mourdock and added that he also believes "life is a gift from God."

I would hate for Mr Mourdock to think I'm misinterpreting him here, so let's be clear about what he said: he did not say that rape is a gift from God. He did say that an unwanted pregnancy is a post-rape goodie bag from the Lord. And that the Lord intended it to happen that way.

Perhaps God should rethink his delivery system. And perhaps Mourdock should rethink his interpretation of divine will.

What this umpteenth rape comment tells us isn't that the Republican party has a handful of unhinged members who sometimes flub their talking points. It reveals the real agendas and beliefs of the GOP as a whole.

These incidents aren't isolated, and they aren't rare. Sharron Angle, who ran for a US Senate seat out of Nevada, said she would tell a young girl wanting an abortion after being raped and impregnated by her father that "two wrongs don't make a right" and that she should make a "lemon situation into lemonade". Todd Akin said victims of "legitimate rape" don't get pregnant – an especially confusing talking point, if God is giving rape victims the gift of pregnancy. Maybe God only gives that gift to victims of illegitimate rape?

Wisconsin state representative Roger Rivard asserted:


"Some girls rape easy."

Douglas Henry, a Tennessee state senator, told his colleagues:


"Rape, ladies and gentlemen, is not today what rape was. Rape, when I was learning these things, was the violation of a chaste woman, against her will, by some party not her spouse."

Republican activist Phyllis Schlafly declared that marital rape doesn't exist, because when you get married you sign up to be sexually available to your husband at all times. And when asked a few years back about what kind of rape victim should be allowed to have an abortion, South Dakota Republican Bill Napoli answered:


"A real-life description to me would be a rape victim, brutally raped, savaged. The girl was a virgin. She was religious. She planned on saving her virginity until she was married. She was brutalized and raped, sodomized as bad as you can possibly make it, and is impregnated. I mean, that girl could be so messed up, physically and psychologically, that carrying that child could very well threaten her life."

Rape lemonade. Legitimate rape. The sodomized virgin exception. A rape gift from God.

Some Republicans, like Mitt Romney, have tried to distance themselves from their party's rhetorical obsession with sexual violation. What they're hoping we won't notice is the fact that their party is politically committed to sexual violation.

Opposition to abortion in all cases – rape, incest, even to save the pregnant woman's life or health – is written into the Republican party platform. Realizing they can't make abortion illegal overnight, conservatives instead rally around smaller initiatives like mandatory waiting periods, transvaginal ultrasounds and mandated lectures about "life" to make abortion as expensive, difficult and humiliating as possible.

Republicans bow to the demands of "pro-life" organizations, not a single one of which supports even birth control, and the GOP now routinely opposes any effort to make birth control or sexual education available and accessible. They propose laws that would require women to tell their employers what they're using birth control for, so that employers could determine which women don't deserve coverage (the slutty ones who use birth control to avoid unwanted pregnancy) and which women do (the OK ones who use it for other medical reasons).

Mainstream GOP leaders, including Mitt Romney, campaign with conservative activists who lament the fact that women today no longer fully submit to the authority of their husbands and fathers, mourn a better time when you could legally beat your wife, and celebrate the laws of places like Saudi Arabia where men are properly in charge. Senate Republicans, including Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan and "legitimate rape" Todd Akin, blocked the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. And Ryan and Akin joined forces again to propose "personhood" legislation in Washington, DC that would define a fertilized egg as a person from the moment sperm meets egg, outlawing abortion in all cases and many forms of contraception, and raising some serious questions about how, exactly, such a law would be enforced.

Underlying the Republican rape comments and actual Republican political goals are a few fundamental convictions: first, women are vessels for childbearing and care-taking; second, women cannot be trusted; and third, women are the property of men.

Mourdock's statement that conceiving from rape is a gift positions women as receptacles, not as autonomous human beings. This view of women as vessels – vessels for sex with their husbands, vessels for carrying a pregnancy, vessels for God's plan – is a necessary component of the kind of extreme anti-abortion legislation most Republican politicians support.

So is the idea that women are both fundamentally unintelligent and dishonest. Akin's "legitimate rape" comment and Rivard's contention that "some girls rape easy" rely on the idea that women routinely lie about rape and shouldn't be believed; blocking VAWA relied partly on similar logic put forward by men's rights activists, that women lie about being abused in order to secure citizenship and other benefits. Hostility to abortion rights similarly positions rightwing lawmakers as the best people to determine whether or not any particular woman should be legally compelled to carry a pregnancy to term.

Women, they seem to think, don't know their own bodies or their own lives, and cannot be trusted to determine for themselves whether continuing a pregnancy is a good idea.

Rape treats women as vessels, disregarding our autonomy and our right to control what happens to us physically and sexually. The Republican position is that women are not entitled to make fundamental decisions about our own bodies and our own sexual and reproductive health. When that position is written into the GOP platform and is a legislative priority, can we really be surprised when it's further reflected in Republican legislators' comments on rape?

These aren't a few errant remarks from insensitive politicians. They're at the heart of the Republican party's agenda.

[airdvr 197]

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These aren't a few errant remarks from insensitive politicians. They're at the heart of the Republican party's agenda.

Was it difficult for you to keep a straight face when you typed this?

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[Andrewwhyte 1]

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"I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen."

The thing with this one is that it is true. You either accept the omnipotent God or you don't.

[funjumper101 15]

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These aren't a few errant remarks from insensitive politicians. They're at the heart of the Republican party's agenda.

Was it difficult for you to keep a straight face when you typed this?

You appear to be blissfully unaware of the Republican Party Platform, as voted on during the convention.

Feel free to clear up the ignorance issue that caused you to write what you did.

[airdvr 197]

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These aren't a few errant remarks from insensitive politicians. They're at the heart of the Republican party's agenda.

Was it difficult for you to keep a straight face when you typed this?

You appear to be blissfully unaware of the Republican Party Platform, as voted on during the convention.

Feel free to clear up the ignorance issue that caused you to write what you did.

I'm thinking you're going to have to point that part out to me.

http://www.gop.com/2012-republican-platform_home/

Oh, and BTW...smile...your mom chose life.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[Southern_Man 0]

Freedom from government inference in one's personal decisions is supposed to be a conservative value.

It is a conservative value. It just isn't a republican one.

"What if there were no hypothetical questions?"

[kallend 1,623]

Maybe this will help you understand.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[jgoose71 0]

Look, it's obvious that these guys are just trying to make the women who attended the "Occupy Wall Street" protest feel better about what happened to them....

What? To soon?

"There is an art, it says, or, rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."
Life, the Universe, and Everything

[pirana 0]

I think they are just pandering to the Fundies - don't want to lose that vote.

Truly despicable nonetheless.

" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

[kallend 1,623]

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These aren't a few errant remarks from insensitive politicians. They're at the heart of the Republican party's agenda.

Was it difficult for you to keep a straight face when you typed this?

You appear to be blissfully unaware of the Republican Party Platform, as voted on during the convention.

Feel free to clear up the ignorance issue that caused you to write what you did.

I'm thinking you're going to have to point that part out to me.

http://www.gop.com/2012-republican-platform_home/

Oh, and BTW...smile...your mom chose life.

Well, perhaps you need to look at the FINE PRINT on the complete version

www.gop.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2012GOPPlatform.pdf

Check out page 14.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[tkhayes 125]

Bingo - well done Mr. Kallend. Says it all right there.

So you are either for women's rights to their bodies or you are not. It is clear that the Republican Party is standing against decades of women's rights gains.

And for that reason alone - until they get out of the homes and bedrooms of Americans, I cannot vote for any Republican candidate, not ever, regardless of perceived economic policies, war policies, or whatever.

This social issue is far too important.

[kallend 1,623]

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Bingo - well done Mr. Kallend. Says it all right there.

So you are either for women's rights to their bodies or you are not. It is clear that the Republican Party is standing against decades of women's rights gains.

And for that reason alone - until they get out of the homes and bedrooms of Americans, I cannot vote for any Republican candidate, not ever, regardless of perceived economic policies, war policies, or whatever.

This social issue is far too important.

And they buried it on page 14. Maybe Republicans think women can't read that far.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M_hcioeOyk

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[JerryBaumchen 1,048]

Hi tk,

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And for that reason alone - until they get out of the homes and bedrooms of Americans, I cannot vote for any Republican candidate, not ever, regardless of perceived economic policies, war policies, or whatever.

Absolutely!!!!

This is the very reason that I will not vote for any Republican.

When I joined the Republican party in the late 60's they stood for staying out of your private life.

The Republican Party left me, I did not leave them.

JerryBaumchen

[Shotgun 1]

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And they buried it on page 14. Maybe Republicans think women can't read that far.

There are plenty of pro-life women who would agree with everything written there.

[headoverheels 291]

I see that they are also pushing the Terri Schiavo agenda on that page.

[loumeinhart 0]

I'm a woman and without rights from congress there is no hope. Please! The republican pary platform makes it impossible to have a voice...

[dmcoco84 4]

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without rights from congress there is no hope.

Rights do not come from government.

After God, who owns your body (Man AND Woman)... You, or the government?


Roe vs. Wade is a perfect example of right result, wrong reason.

With the Constitution, this issue is easily solved, and there will never be a Constitutional Amendment outlawing abortion. If you get pregnant, it is not the taxpayers responsibility to pay for it. THAT is the issue, not the ability to GET one or the definition of rape.

Wake up and learn your Founding Principles.

Anyone voting for Obama to "protect the ability to choose", is a idiot.

Note: If I were a woman and got pregnant today, I would go get an abortion tomorrow.

[dmcoco84 4]

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Bingo - well done Mr. Kallend. Says it all right there.

So you are either for women's rights to their bodies or you are not. It is clear that the Republican Party is standing against decades of women's rights gains.

And for that reason alone - until they get out of the homes and bedrooms of Americans, I cannot vote for any Republican candidate, not ever, regardless of perceived economic policies, war policies, or whatever.

This social issue is far too important.

Case and Point.

[dmcoco84 4]

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Well, perhaps you need to look at the FINE PRINT on the complete version

www.gop.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2012GOPPlatform.pdf

Check out page 14.

("Cliff Notes") on the (parties):

Spirit of Party.

A) Parties are "potent engines" that men will use to take over the "reins of government."

B) Washington warns against parties' "baneful effects":

1) leads to the absolute power of an individual
2) "discourage and restrain" the spirit of party
3) leads to "jealousies and false alarms"
4) "animosity of one part against another"
5) can lead to "riot and insurrection"
6) opens "door to foreign influence and corruption"
7) "it is a spirit not to be encouraged."

George Washington's Farewell Address.

[Shotgun 1]

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Note: If I were a woman and got pregnant today, I would go get an abortion tomorrow.

If you got pregnant today, how exactly would you determine that you were pregnant by tomorrow?

Or do you mean that you would go get emergency contraception if you did something that could have made you pregnant?

[twatterpilot 0]

Question...

Roe V Wade was enacted in 1973.

There has been 5 Republican Presidents since then. Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43.

Give me an example of when ANY of these Presidents attempted to overturn Roe V Wade.

In fact, go one better...Give me ANY example of ANY time a Republican took ANY rights away from women?

My wife is 48 years old, she has more freedoms, rights and opportunities now than ever before. That is, until Obama took office, where her opportunities are at the lowest she can ever remember.

So...STOP ALL THE BULLSHIT and pay for your own damn contraception. And if you can't stay sober enough to remember to take your pill or keep your knees together, don't expect the rest of us to pay for your abortion. I don't give a rats ass if you get one, in fact more people probably should, just don't expect ME or any other taxpayer or insurance company to pay for YOUR piss poor decision making skills.

Airline Transport Pilot, Multi-Engine Land, DHC-8
Commercial Multi-Engine Sea, Single Engine Land
Private Glider

[Gravitymaster 0]

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Question...

Roe V Wade was enacted in 1973.

There has been 5 Republican Presidents since then. Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43.

Give me an example of when ANY of these Presidents attempted to overturn Roe V Wade.

In fact, go one better...Give me ANY example of ANY time a Republican took ANY rights away from women?

My wife is 48 years old, she has more freedoms, rights and opportunities now than ever before. That is, until Obama took office, where her opportunities are at the lowest she can ever remember.

So...STOP ALL THE BULLSHIT and pay for your own damn contraception. And if you can't stay sober enough to remember to take your pill or keep your knees together, don't expect the rest of us to pay for your abortion. I don't give a rats ass if you get one, in fact more people probably should, just don't expect ME or any other taxpayer or insurance company to pay for YOUR piss poor decision making skills.

If any women out there cannot afford condoms, please email me and I will send you one free of charge. Or if you would rather you can buy your own. They are very cheap.

http://www.undercovercondoms.com/Condoms/Trojan/29/16/Extended-Pleasure-Lubricated.html?zmam=90272621&zmas=9&zmac=101&zmap=PK282&gclid=CIymvMuEpbMCFQJx4AoduSMAOg

So stop whining and pay for your own contraception.

[sundevil777 93]

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Question...

Roe V Wade was enacted in 1973.

There has been 5 Republican Presidents since then. Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43.

Give me an example of when ANY of these Presidents attempted to overturn Roe V Wade.

In fact, go one better...Give me ANY example of ANY time a Republican took ANY rights away from women?

My wife is 48 years old, she has more freedoms, rights and opportunities now than ever before. That is, until Obama took office, where her opportunities are at the lowest she can ever remember.

So...STOP ALL THE BULLSHIT and pay for your own damn contraception. And if you can't stay sober enough to remember to take your pill or keep your knees together, don't expect the rest of us to pay for your abortion. I don't give a rats ass if you get one, in fact more people probably should, just don't expect ME or any other taxpayer or insurance company to pay for YOUR piss poor decision making skills.

Quite right!

If libs are so afraid of the SCOTUS supposedly changing their "rights", then a constitutional amendment should be what they advodate.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[Shotgun 1]

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Question...

Roe V Wade was enacted in 1973.

There has been 5 Republican Presidents since then. Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43.

Give me an example of when ANY of these Presidents attempted to overturn Roe V Wade.

In fact, go one better...Give me ANY example of ANY time a Republican took ANY rights away from women?

My wife is 48 years old, she has more freedoms, rights and opportunities now than ever before. That is, until Obama took office, where her opportunities are at the lowest she can ever remember.

So...STOP ALL THE BULLSHIT and pay for your own damn contraception. And if you can't stay sober enough to remember to take your pill or keep your knees together, don't expect the rest of us to pay for your abortion. I don't give a rats ass if you get one, in fact more people probably should, just don't expect ME or any other taxpayer or insurance company to pay for YOUR piss poor decision making skills.

Is there some reason why this was a reply to me?

I've certainly never asked for anyone to pay for my contraception.

Though I am now curious which opportunities Obama took away from your wife?

[jclalor 12]

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My wife is 48 years old, she has more freedoms, rights and opportunities now than ever before. That is, until Obama took office, where her opportunities are at the lowest she can ever remember.

She has more opportunities now then ever before, but less opportunities under Obama, she can't remember past 4 years ago? And who says the GOP is not the party of logic?

I think your tri corner hat is on too tight.