Missouri GOP Rep. Todd Akin: ‘Female Body Has Ways to Shut Down’ Pregnancy in Case of ‘Legitimate Rape’

WTF!
Wingnuts • Views: 44,056

Our mind-blowingly ignorant Republican comment of the day comes from Missouri Rep. Todd Akin, currently running for the US Senate, who seems to believe that women have a magical ability to prevent conception in cases of “legitimate rape.”

“First of all, from what I understand from doctors [pregnancy from rape] is really rare,” Akin told KTVI-TV in an interview posted Sunday. “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”

Akin said that even in the worst-case scenario — when the supposed natural protections against unwanted pregnancy fail — abortion should still not be a legal option for the rape victim.

“Let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work, or something,” Akin said. “I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.”

I’d write more, but I’m actually a little stunned that a human being has managed to reach adulthood with a completely non-functioning brain.

Youtube Video

(h/t: Gus.)

UPDATE at 8/19/12 11:40:38 am

The full interview, in all its impenetrable stupidity, is here: The Jaco Report: August 19, 2012.

UPDATE at 8/19/12 12:11:16 pm

Of course, the real point Akin is attempting to make is that women don’t get pregnant if they’re “legitimately raped” — therefore there’s no need to allow abortions in case of rape.

I don’t know how else to say it: this is an evil, misogynistic, inhuman point of view. But unfortunately, not unusual in the Republican Party of 2012.

UPDATE at 8/19/12 12:48:54 pm

Todd Akin, by the way, is a member of the House Science and Technology committee. Weep for America.

Jump to bottom

326 comments
1 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:31:43am

Yikes! This is serious caveman witch-doctor stuff.

2 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:32:01am

It's terrifying that someone so frighteningly ignorant is in a position to make laws controlling women's bodies.

3 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:32:33am

It's amazing that he can even speak!

4 aagcobb  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:33:04am

Depressingly, it looks from the polls like this troglodyte is going to win election to the US Senate easily.

5 makeitstop  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:33:22am

I sincerely hope that Todd Akin is given a prominent role at the GOP convention. I suggest a prime-time speaking slot. Make it so, Dull Anagram!

6 Kronocide  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:33:30am
...who seems to believe that women have a magical ability to prevent conception if they’re raped.

You mean if women pray hard enough they can murder the zygote?

Er... hm.

7 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:33:53am

"Legitimate rape" again. Just demand that we stone the impure woman, Todd, and get it over with.

8 DREd  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:35:03am

The scary thing is that this guy is legitimately running for the Senate.

9 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:35:49am

If it’s a conservative fanatic, the human body has ways to try to shut that whole brain thing down.

10 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:36:03am

Todd know womans,
Mongo know womans,
Mongo like Todd,
Mongo vote for Todd.

11 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:36:58am

I just can't stop laughing. I know it's not a laughing matter but I'm just laughing my head off at Akin's outright, knuckle dragging, caveman ignorance.

12 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:37:52am

TPM has a new euphemism for insane:

Akin is perhaps the boldest among a crop of conservative 2012 nominees who could hamper GOP efforts to take back the Senate in the fall. Akin has called for an end to the school-lunch program and a total ban on the morning-after pill.
[Link: 2012.talkingpointsmemo.com...]

Bold!

13 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:38:08am

re: #10 Shiplord Kirel

Todd know womans,
Mongo know womans,
Mongo like Todd,
Mongo vote for Todd.

Missouri GOP Rep. Todd Akin: ‘Female Body Has Ways of Shutting Down’ Pregnancy in Case of Rape

Mostly true: WingnutCheck™

14 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:38:47am

Ignorant asshole says what?

15 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:38:52am

re: #13 Gus

We need to wait for the Doocy ruling.

16 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:39:47am

re: #12 jaunte

TPM has a new euphemism for insane:

Bold!

Apparently "bold" means being shockingly ignorant and stupid out loud and in public.

17 AK-47%  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:40:12am

The Democrats ahve to make it clear that the GOP is out to turn back the clock on all the progress we have made in women's, minority and LGBT rights over the past five decades.

And this guy wants to go back to the fucking Middle Ages.

18 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:40:34am
19 allegro  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:40:39am

So if a woman is unsuccessful in fighting off a rapist, this guy contends her little egg will instead successfully fight off the brigades of sperm. Mmm-hmm.

Fight on little egg!

20 Reverend Mother Ramallo  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:41:11am

Women are witches. The VJ has magical powers that must be controlled.

21 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:43:28am

Akin must be of the same generation as Foster 'hold an aspirin between your knees' Friess.

22 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:43:48am

Boom! If Missouri elects this idiot... Well. I won't hold my breath.

23 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:44:35am

This is what happens when you gut the science curricula.

24 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:44:41am

re: #1 Shiplord Kirel

Yikes! This is serious caveman witch-doctor stuff.

Not quite that far back, but very old-fashioned. There are long-standing beliefs in European cultures that female orgasm is necessary to conception. This has benefits--Renaissance men were encouraged to make sure their wives enjoyed themselves, because otherwise you'd never have sons, and everyone would KNOW. The malign flip side of this folk belief is, of course, that a woman can't conceive from 'rape-rape', as Whoopi so charmingly put it.

25 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:45:01am

Maybe the Missouri GOP will include this in their platform.

26 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:45:29am

re: #6 Kronocide

You mean if women pray hard enough they can murder the zygote?

Er... hm.

There is a tale that one of St. Brigid's nuns got pregnant, and came to the abbess for help. Brigid prayed with her, and the woman was no longer pregnant.

You can read that any damn way you want to.

27 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:46:05am

re: #20 OhNoZombies!

Women are witches. The VJ has magical powers that must be controlled.

It's the republican form of witch-hunting. If you get pregnant, you weren't really raped. And if you don't get pregnant, you also weren't really raped.

28 Kronocide  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:46:47am

re: #11 Gus

I just can't stop laughing. I know it's not a laughing matter but I'm just laughing my head off at Akin's outright, knuckle dragging, caveman ignorance.

My wife doesn't swear much but she walked in and saw it then said 'WTF!'

29 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:47:14am

re: #17 Expand Your Ground

The Democrats ahve to make it clear that the GOP is out to turn back the clock on all the progress we have made in women's, minority and LGBT rights over the past five decades.

And this guy wants to go back to the fucking Middle Ages.

No, the Democrats have to get non-voters and irregular voters who agree with them on most issues to vote in every election. The GOP tribe has dug in their heels and their minds and voting habits won't be changed by anything. This guy is still ahead of Claire McCasKill because apparently most MO voters think the way Brad Pitt's mom does. Akin and others of his ilk are telling the truth about the anti-choice movement which is that there is no circumstance under which a woman should be allowed and abortion. They want all abortions banned and for women to be slut shamed, criminalized and have to carry every pregnancy to term no matter what the circumstances. Those of us who are pro-choice have always known this, we just weren't believed when we said so. This is who they are and this is what they believe.

30 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:48:00am

Nuts!

We should ask Mitt Romney to comment on this.

//

31 b_sharp  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:48:20am

"CONCLUSIONS: Rape-related pregnancy occurs with significant frequency. It is a cause of many unwanted pregnancies and is closely linked with family and domestic violence. As we address the epidemic of unintended pregnancies in the United States, greater attention and effort should be aimed at preventing and identifying unwanted pregnancies that result from sexual victimization. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:320-5.)"

'Rape-related pregnancy: Estimates and descriptive characteristics from a national sample of women'

32 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:48:47am
33 bratwurst  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:48:53am

re: #11 Gus

I just can't stop laughing. I know it's not a laughing matter but I'm just laughing my head off at Akin's outright, knuckle dragging, caveman ignorance.

The fact this cretin has an EXCELLENT chance of becoming a United States Senator is no laughing matter at all.

Keep in mind, he is far from an isolated extremist within his own party:

[Link: tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com...]

34 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:49:02am

re: #29 moderatelyradicalliberal

Akin and others of his ilk are telling the truth about the anti-choice movement which is that there is no circumstance under which a woman should be allowed and abortion. They want all abortions banned and for women to be slut shamed, criminalized and have to carry every pregnancy to term no matter what the circumstances. Those of us who are pro-choice have always known this, we just weren't believed when we said so. This is who they are and this is what they believe.

QFT.

35 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:49:25am

re: #27 Millicent Islam

It's the republican form of witch-hunting. If you get pregnant, you weren't really raped. And if you don't get pregnant, you also weren't really raped.

The Taliban agrees. Remember when pointing out how much these people have in common with the Taliban was "uncivil" and hyperbolic?

36 Reverend Mother Ramallo  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:49:53am

I was reading comments on Huff Po or some place...
A woman said that it is still wrong to get an abortion after a rape, because a woman knows her cycle, and so she should stay home when she knows she's ovulating...
I guess guys get randy and rapey if they can smell a fertile woman, so it's the woman's fault for being a tease.

What about break-ins?
Can they smell you through your house ?

37 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:49:58am

re: #33 bratwurst

The fact this cretin has an EXCELLENT chance of becoming a United States Senator is no laughing matter at all.

Keep in mind, he is far from an isolated extremist within his own party:

[Link: tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com...]

Oh I know. Missouri recently overwhelmingly passed that crazy creationist amendment.

38 Charles Johnson  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:50:41am

This may be the flat-out craziest Republican comment of the year.

39 Kronocide  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:52:05am

The Scent of a Poll...

40 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:52:17am

This one...

Missouri prayer amendment passes by wide margin

Amendment 2, which supporters said would protect the freedom of religious expression in public schools and other public spaces, received nearly 80 percent of the vote.

41 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:52:56am

re: #38 Charles Johnson

This may be the flat-out craziest Republican comment of the year.

The competition is fierce, but I'm inclined to agree. We have over 4 months to go though. No telling what kind of gibberish and superstition we're liable to hear around election day.

42 Amory Blaine  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:53:12am

This is exactly the same as the chains gaffe.

//swoon

43 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:55:06am

re: #36 OhNoZombies!

I was reading comments on Huff Po or some place...
A woman said that it is still wrong to get an abortion after a rape, because a woman knows her cycle, and so she should stay home when she knows she's ovulating...
I guess guys get randy and rapey if they can smell a fertile woman, so it's the woman's fault for being a tease.

What about break-ins?
Can they smell you through your house ?

I was going to say this as a parody of what an anti-choicer would say, but a real anti-choicer beat me to it. If you are a rape victim, the rape is your fault anyway so just like pregnancy from consensual sex, you must live with the result of being a dirty slut.

American Taliban.

44 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:55:18am
45 Charles Johnson  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:55:33am

In addition to being astoundingly ignorant, what he's saying is also extremely evil.

His point is that women who are "legitimately raped" don't get pregnant.

This is evil.

46 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:55:57am

re: #38 Charles Johnson

This may be the flat-out craziest Republican comment of the year.

And that's quite and achievement.

47 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:56:49am
48 b_sharp  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:58:33am

re: #36 OhNoZombies!

I was reading comments on Huff Po or some place...
A woman said that it is still wrong to get an abortion after a rape, because a woman knows her cycle, and so she should stay home when she knows she's ovulating...
I guess guys get randy and rapey if they can smell a fertile woman, so it's the woman's fault for being a tease.

What about break-ins?
Can they smell you through your house ?

So, does that explain the rapey, stabby OWS?

49 SmithCommaJohn  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:58:36am

What is this I don't even

50 Amory Blaine  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:58:38am

His execution is a little early. This talking point won't work until the current crop of lies is adopted as gospel.

51 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 11:58:39am

re: #47 jaunte

[Embedded content]

You could replace him with any random Republican Congressperson and they would be just as ignorant and anti-science. They GOP is the ignorant anti-science party. These types of beliefs are a feature not a bug.

52 andres  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:00:59pm

My thoughts on this... being... shall remain with me. They are quite unpublishable material.

re: #38 Charles Johnson

This may be the flat-out craziest Republican comment of the year.

They still got til November to get that coveted award.

And I'm sadly sure someone will try to challenge him for the award.

53 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:01:24pm

Aug. 9: Dustin Siggins posts at Hot Air on Todd Akin:

On to Think Progress. They say Rep. Akin has a long history of “extremist, inflammatory” positions, mostly on issues related to homosexual marriage and related issues. However, they also bash him for thinking the 17th Amendment should be repealed and for opposing Medicare; for wanting to leave the United Nations; and for saying the student loan debate is part of America’s decline to “stage three cancer of socialism.”

Only one problem with these criticisms: Akin’s views pretty much line up with conservative philosophies and principles. Which means Akin isn’t extreme. Rather, Think Progress is either so liberal or so intellectually dishonest its writers refuse to admit what conservative philosophies actually are. It would be like me saying liberals who want to raise taxes are extreme — their position is flat-out wrong, but it’s well within the principles of their movement.
[Link: hotair.com...]

54 Reverend Mother Ramallo  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:01:25pm

re: #48 b_sharp

Probably.
I just have to turn my brain off for a little while to figure out how it does.

55 Charles Johnson  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:01:49pm

Yes, he's on the Science and Technology Committee. Guh.

And he's on Twitter: [Link: twitter.com...]

56 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:02:02pm

re: #47 jaunte

[Embedded content]

Akin has a degree in science. What kind of science? Christian Science?

57 Charles Johnson  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:03:06pm

re: #56 Gus

Akin has a degree in science. What kind of science? Christian Science?

Todd Akin - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia

Akin was born in New York City, the son of Nancy Perry (née Bigelow) and Rev. Paul Bigelow Akin.[1] He moved to St. Louis and attended John Burroughs School. After graduating, he attended the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts where he earned a degree in management engineering, and in 1984 he earned a Master of Divinity degree at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis.

58 b_sharp  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:04:34pm

re: #45 Charles Johnson

In addition to being astoundingly ignorant, what he's saying is also extremely evil.

His point is that women who are "legitimately raped" don't get pregnant.

This is evil.

The implication being some women want to be raped and are turned on by it.

59 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:05:03pm
in 1984 he earned a Master of Divinity degree at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis

That's where they teach you to let the little children go hungry.

60 bratwurst  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:05:09pm

Here are the facts: a wingnut of this caliber (Cruz) is almost certainly going to win in Texas. There are several more of these idiots (like Akin) with at least a chance of being defeated. I know times are tough and money is tight, but anyone who wants to keep this nonsense out of the United States Senate really needs to give whatever they can:

[Link: wfc2.wiredforchange.com...]
[Link: services.myngp.com...]
[Link: secure.bobkerrey.com...]

61 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:06:30pm

re: #57 Charles Johnson

Todd Akin - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia

Ah. No science. But seeing the latter it probably is more akin to Christian Science. With a twist.

62 abolitionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:07:01pm

A theory: When he was reaching puberty, his mom offered up this bushell of bs, so he wouldn't get any weird ideas that rape might be considered a rational strategy for reproduction.

That's as charitable as I can be on this. What a maroon.

63 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:08:10pm
64 CriticalDragon1177  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:08:29pm

Charles Johnson & Gus,

Where's he getting his information? This guy really should talk to a few biologists. Ask them if a women's body can simply stop an unwanted pregnancy when some man forces his will upon her. If only, than she wouldn't have to go through even more trauma.

65 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:09:26pm

re: #58 b_sharp

The implication being some women want to be raped and are turned on by it.

Or lie, or exaggerate, or get all worked by those feminists. You know.

This is nothing new. Akin's just the latest in a long line of these guys. Including Ron Paul just a few months ago.

66 allegro  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:10:08pm

re: #64 CriticalDragon1177

Charles Johnson & Gus,

Where's he getting his information? This guy really should talk to a few biologists. Ask them if a women's body can simply stop an unwanted pregnancy when some man forces his will upon her. If only, than she wouldn't have to go through even more trauma.

Biologists are minions of satan, indoctrinating children with evil evolution.

no/

67 DREd  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:11:42pm

It's a way of justifying making it illegal for a woman to get an abortion when her pregnancy was caused by a rape. If she's pregnant, then she obviously wasn't really raped! It's a perfect tautology.

68 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:12:28pm

re: #64 CriticalDragon1177

Charles Johnson & Gus,

Where's he getting his information? This guy really should talk to a few biologists. Ask them if a women's body can simply stop an unwanted pregnancy when some man forces his will upon her. If only, than she wouldn't have to go through even more trauma.

Information source: Traditional Bullshit (Anonymous)

Or he may be thinking of ducks. Female ducks apparently very rarely have eggs fertilized through rape, only allowing partners they have chosen to knock them up. But ducks have a rather different reproductive set-up than humans.

69 HappyWarrior  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:12:52pm

There's no legitimate reason why this guy should hold any elective office with reactionary views like ths ones he has.

70 allegro  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:13:34pm

re: #67 DREd

It's a way of justifying making it illegal for a woman to get an abortion when her pregnancy was caused by a rape. If she's pregnant, then she obviously wasn't really raped! It's a perfect tautology.

Yep, this way they can eliminate the rape and incest exceptions their weaker cohorts say they will support when Roe v Wade is overturned.

71 b_sharp  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:13:37pm

re: #55 Charles Johnson

Yes, he's on the Science and Technology Committee. Guh.

And he's on Twitter: [Link: twitter.com...]

Hey, Harper installed one of his religious anti-evolution buddies, Gary Goodyear, as our Minister of Industry, Science and Technology

72 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:13:52pm

re: #67 DREd

It's a way of justifying making it illegal for a woman to get an abortion when her pregnancy was caused by a rape. If she's pregnant, then she obviously wasn't really raped! It's a perfect tautology.

Of course, if she was legitimately raped, she can ask Ron Paul to give her a dose of estrogen down at his office, which is apparently neither an evil abortion, or an evil morning-after pill.

(I was always fascinated by the idea that Paul appeared to imagine himself as the physician of every woman in the country, and apparently intended to go on standing by with his estrogen shots even after elected.)

73 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:13:56pm

I have been paying pretty close attention to US politics for more than 50 years. I cannot remember a time before 2008 when it was even close to this crazy. The last time would probably have been the McCarthy business, which happened when I was too little to notice. We had stupid, evil, and corrupt candidates in abundance, but none of them ventured as far into pure fantasy and superstition as the current GOP.

74 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:14:34pm

TPM reports:

...

Akin is perhaps the boldest among a crop of conservative 2012 nominees who could hamper GOP efforts to take back the Senate in the fall. Akin has called for an end to the school-lunch program and a total ban on the morning-after pill.

...

The PollTracker Average shows Akin leading McCaskill by a margin of 49.7 percent to 41.3 percent.

...

75 b_sharp  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:15:22pm

re: #57 Charles Johnson

Todd Akin - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia

Master of Divinity? That can't be a real degree.

76 Amory Blaine  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:15:54pm

re: #75 b_sharp

Master of Divinity? That can't be a real degree.

Sure it is. Jesus hands them out.

77 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:16:09pm

re: #75 b_sharp

Master of Divinity? That can't be a real degree.

MDiv? Yeah, I know a woman who's got one. Is now working on her doctorate.

78 Achilles Tang  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:16:31pm

The internet, TV and radio has resulted in a dumbing down of leadership. Not long ago it took effort to be heard and less effort to ignore the fools. Now it is easier to be elected by appealing to ignorance rather than intelligence and complex solutions which only a minority can appreciate. This was recognized by all fascists, communists, Islamists and other lowest common denominator populists.

Now technology allows the same message to reach the same groups even within an established democracy like the USA. The question is whether the system is robust enough to reverse the trend.

79 Charles Johnson  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:17:13pm

re: #74 Gus

TPM reports:

Yeah, he has a really good chance of getting into the Senate. But he's probably hurting himself with his recent honest statements about his caveman beliefs. This kind of crazy shit may motivate people to vote against him.

80 AK-47%  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:17:33pm

Seriously, folks, I just do not see how people like this can be accomodated in any functioning modern democracy. Especially as they are no longer a fringe group.

81 Reverend Mother Ramallo  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:19:56pm

Well, if he's a Christian Science adherent, he believes what he's saying.

God, through prayer, will protect you from getting pregnant from a rape.
If your being raped, legitimately, you're praying, and therefore, through the power of jesus, you will not get pregnant.

So, will it work if I pray for these wankers to go away?

82 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:19:59pm

re: #79 Charles Johnson

Yeah, he has a really good chance of getting into the Senate. But he's probably hurting himself with his recent honest statements about his caveman beliefs. This kind of crazy shit may motivate people to vote against him.

Hopefully McCaskill will get a boost out of this. But after that 80 percent approval for that prayer amendment I'm not optimistic. Ironic, the "show me" state. I'd be willing to put down some good money that at least 50 percent of Missourians agree with Akin here.

83 Hoodathunk  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:20:13pm

Akin is proof there is a god. God made the autonomic nervous system that keeps a body functioning even if there is no conscious thought. Ironic it is often referred to as the lizard brain.

84 dragonfire1981  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:20:36pm

re: #38 Charles Johnson

This may be the flat-out craziest Republican comment of the year.

And that's saying something. Seriously. Who are these doctors Akin claims he's spoken to?

85 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:21:23pm

re: #81 OhNoZombies!

Well, if he's a Christian Science adherent, he believes what he's saying.

God, through prayer, will protect you from getting pregnant from a rape.
If your being raped, legitimately, you're praying, and therefore, through the power of jesus, you will not get pregnant.

So, will it work if I pray for these wankers to go away?

He belongs to Presbyterian Church in America

The PCA formed as part of a major realignment among U.S. Presbyterians, who had been divided on regional grounds since the Civil War between the southern PCUS and the northern-based (though it had grown to have congregations in all 50 states) UPCUSA. Yet the two regional denominations were also internally divided between theological liberals and conservatives. As momentum slowly built towards unification of the two regional denominations, conservative pastors and lay leaders became alarmed by the PCUS's drift from orthodoxy and historic confessional and biblical standards of the church. By the 1970s, conservative pastors in the PCUS began to plan an exit from the denomination.[2] They sought to reaffirm the Westminster Confession of Faith as the fullest and clearest exposition of biblical faith and to call all pastors and leaders to affirm the inerrancy of Scripture. As a result they also felt the church should disavow the ordination of women.[3]...

86 AK-47%  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:21:43pm

re: #84 dragonfire1981

And that's saying something. Seriously. Who are these doctors Akin claims he's spoken to?

Doctors of the Church, I guess...

87 b_sharp  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:22:30pm

re: #65 SanFranciscoZionist

Or lie, or exaggerate, or get all worked by those feminists. You know.

This is nothing new. Akin's just the latest in a long line of these guys. Including Ron Paul just a few months ago.

Those don't match up with the way he put it in the interview. The idea he put forward is not that the rape was fake, or a lie, or a result of second thought but that the female body can tell the difference between a forced rape and a non-forced rape.

88 Sophia77  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:22:52pm

From Expand Your Ground,

Seriously, folks, I just do not see how people like this can be accomodated in any functioning modern democracy. Especially as they are no longer a fringe group.
***

OK so what do we do about it? The US, like other democracies, has Free Speech laws. We can't purge people for being racist, misogynist, religious bigots, homophobes etc.

Not to mention, some of these fools are our relatives, they're citizens too.

I honestly don't know what to think. Or do.

89 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:23:09pm

re: #84 dragonfire1981

And that's saying something. Seriously. Who are these doctors Akin claims he's spoken to?

re: #84 dragonfire1981

And that's saying something. Seriously. Who are these doctors Akin claims he's spoken to?

I would like some clarity there. Are they medical doctors, and did they earn their degrees sometime in the past two hundred years?

90 dragonfire1981  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:24:21pm

I wonder what the Romney campaign has to say about this?

91 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:24:46pm

re: #90 dragonfire1981

I wonder what the Romney campaign has to say about this?

"I would have put it differently."

92 dragonfire1981  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:24:48pm

re: #86 Expand Your Ground

Doctors of the Church, I guess...

I was thinking Pepper, Love and Feelgood.

93 elizajane  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:26:22pm

re: #57 Charles Johnson

Akin was born in New York City, the son of Nancy Perry (née Bigelow) and Rev. Paul Bigelow Akin.[1]

Mother's maiden name was father's middle name?
Severe inbreeding. This explains the lack of functional mental development.
Good to have that cleared up.

94 Varek Raith  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:26:24pm

What the fuck is this fucking shit?!?!

95 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:26:29pm
96 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:26:36pm

re: #87 b_sharp

Those don't match up with the way he put it in the interview. The idea he put forward is not that the rape was fake, or a lie, or a result of second thought but that the female body can tell the difference between a forced rape and a non-forced rape.

So you can't get pregnant from forcible rape? How forcible are we talking? Does the rapist have to actually hit his victim, or is just holding a gun on her sufficient for the body to identify this as...oh dear, this is just getting worse, isn't it?

Actually, there's some evidence that extreme physical trauma may up your chances of conceiving--which is presumably an unintentional quirk of evolution, since being mauled by a sabertooth is probably not the best way to start a healthy pregnancy.

97 HappyWarrior  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:26:44pm

re: #90 dragonfire1981

I wonder what the Romney campaign has to say about this?

I'm sure he's fine with it given his silence on Akin's fellow Missourian, Rush.

98 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:27:19pm
99 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:27:53pm

re: #84 dragonfire1981

And that's saying something. Seriously. Who are these doctors Akin claims he's spoken to?

I think he made that up.

100 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:28:56pm
101 Sheila Broflovski  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:29:40pm

We interrupt your Wingnut of the Week thread with this announcement:

Today, Zedushka and I celebrate our wedding anniversary, We have been together 41 years.

We will celebrate with our traditional anniversary dinner of grilled steak, corn on the cob, salad and a bottle of red wine.

Then, open our gifts and then some old-folks cuddle time.

102 Cap'n Magic  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:29:50pm

re: #82 Gus

And if he does win, what does that say about the Missouri electorate?

103 Hoodathunk  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:30:14pm

If you look closely at the man anything he knows about sex, he has made up.

104 Reverend Mother Ramallo  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:31:35pm

re: #85 Gus

Ok.
I'll change that to Bible literalist who believes in magic.

105 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:32:04pm

re: #102 Cap'n Magic

And if he does win, what does that say about the Missouri electorate?

That there's plenty of derp in their water.

106 Amory Blaine  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:32:33pm

re: #95 Gus

Better start letting out all those innocent rapist right away.

107 b_sharp  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:32:46pm

re: #77 SanFranciscoZionist

MDiv? Yeah, I know a woman who's got one. Is now working on her doctorate.

That must be less useful than a Master of Phil.

108 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:34:01pm
109 Mocking Jay  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:34:09pm

So if they get pregnant the dirty little sluts wanted it.

Wow.

110 b_sharp  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:34:21pm

re: #79 Charles Johnson

Yeah, he has a really good chance of getting into the Senate. But he's probably hurting himself with his recent honest statements about his caveman beliefs. This kind of crazy shit may motivate people to vote against him.

Don't hold your breath.

Many turned off by his comments may be turned off to voting.

111 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:34:37pm

re: #107 b_sharp

That must be less useful than a Master of Phil.

Oh, maybe about the same. Her doctoral thesis is on the death penalty, and the seamless garment of Christ. I think. Deep thoughts and hermeneutics.

112 Charles Johnson  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:35:03pm

I guarantee it won't be long before right wing bloggers start loudly supporting Akin, and trying to dig up some weird science to support his claim. I'll bet Akin got that "rape antibody" idiocy from a right wing religious site somewhere.

113 Reverend Mother Ramallo  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:38:13pm

Dang. Gotta go to the grocery store.
Apparently, kids have to eat...or somethin...
BBIAB

114 Varek Raith  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:38:31pm

I don't use this word often, but this is the most retarded thing I've heard a politician say.

115 bratwurst  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:43:05pm

re: #88 Sophia77

I honestly don't know what to think. Or do.

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

116 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:43:19pm

re: #114 Varek Raith

I don't use this word often, but this is the most retarded thing I've heard a politician say.

117 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:47:25pm

Alternate...

118 nines09  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:48:10pm

What is the over/under on any Republican actually calling him out on this brain dead bullshit? I'd bet the house that not one single GOP at any level says anything against him.

119 labman57  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:48:20pm

Once again, a socially-regressive conservative politician demonstrates his unwillingness to do his homework before taking a stand on important policy positions affecting the American people. Lord knows we don’t want to be informed about the fundamentals of human biology and medical treatments when creating legislation that would impact the health of girls and women throughout America.

And we certainly don’t want our national leaders to be eloquent, scientifically literate, and generally well-informed about the world in which we live. Much better to derive scientific theories based on the teachings of the Bible, and to form national public policy based on the rumors, gossip, and unverified anecdotal accounts taken from online blogs.

120 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:49:46pm

For those of you who have genuinely never heard this line of chat before, here are some examples, several going back well before our current world of tea-stained lunacy.

[Link: www.buzzfeed.com...]

121 MittDoesNotCompute  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:51:26pm

re: #118 nines09

What is the over/under on any Republican actually calling him out on this brain dead bullshit? I'd bet the house that not one single GOP at any level says anything against him.

Of course not...the TPGOPers will circle the wagons around him in the media or they'll all attempt to ignore any inquiries about what he said in the hopes that it will all go away quickly.

122 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:51:48pm

re: #118 nines09

What is the over/under on any Republican actually calling him out on this brain dead bullshit? I'd bet the house that not one single GOP at any level says anything against him.

I wouldn't take that bet.

123 uncah91  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:53:17pm

Reminds me of this from years ago...

If a woman is raped, the juices don't flow

Ignorant jerks...

124 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:53:53pm
125 makeitstop  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:54:21pm

re: #101 Learned Mother of Zion

We interrupt your Wingnut of the Week thread with this announcement:

Today, Zedushka and I celebrate our wedding anniversary, We have been together 41 years.

We will celebrate with our traditional anniversary dinner of grilled steak, corn on the cob, salad and a bottle of red wine.

Then, open our gifts and then some old-folks cuddle time.

What a blessing. My wife and I have been married for only ten years, but I hope to reach your level of longevity.

Congratulations, and many more to you.

126 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:54:25pm

I have personally known a woman who got pregnant from rape.

Obviously, twitface heard something he didn't quite understand, and misconstrued it. Not sure what, though, because women have been getting pregnant from rapes for millenia.

127 Hoodathunk  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:54:32pm

re: #119 labman57

That's because all spiritual and moral development ended 2,000 years ago in such a perfect manner that we have been living in utopia ever since. Now we get our spiritual enlightenment from well trained people who regretfully have to take our money so they can build big churches and TV networks, just as god told them to do.

128 Varek Raith  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:55:35pm

Todd Akin at home.

129 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:56:13pm

re: #101 Learned Mother of Zion

We interrupt your Wingnut of the Week thread with this announcement:

Today, Zedushka and I celebrate our wedding anniversary, We have been together 41 years.

We will celebrate with our traditional anniversary dinner of grilled steak, corn on the cob, salad and a bottle of red wine.

Then, open our gifts and then some old-folks cuddle time.

Mazel tov.

My parents were at my house on their 45th, which just happened to be Father's Day (which was the reason they were there--I make ribs for my dad and my husband).

At one point, I said (knowing my parents well) "You do realize today is your 45th wedding anniversary?"

They had forgotten.

And then my mother wonders why I don't get worked up about her forgetting my birthday.

130 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:56:30pm

Aha---

In 2011, the House GOP was forced to drop language from a bill that would have limited federal help to pay for an abortion to only victims of “forcible rape.” Akin was a co-sponsor on the bill.

Nor is this Akin’s first time suggesting some types of rape are more worthy of protections than others. As a state legislator, Akin voted in 1991 for an anti-marital-rape law, but only after questioning whether it might be misused “in a real messy divorce as a tool and a legal weapon to beat up on the husband,” according to a May 1 article that year in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

[Link: 2012.talkingpointsmemo.com...]

131 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:56:54pm

re: #109 Mocking Jay

So if they get pregnant the dirty little sluts wanted it were ovulating.

I passed biology.

132 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:57:11pm

re: #122 Millicent Islam

I wouldn't take that bet.

Hey! Got a good one I just though of...

Missouri GOP Rep. Todd Akin: ‘Female Body Has Ways to Shut Down’ Pregnancy in Case of ‘Legitimate Rape’... Buzzsawmonkey agrees!

Burn!

133 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:58:03pm

re: #132 Gus

Hey! Got a good one I just though of...

Missouri GOP Rep. Todd Akin: ‘Female Body Has Ways to Shut Down’ Pregnancy in Case of ‘Legitimate Rape’... Buzzsawmonkey agrees!

Burn!

He probably does agree!

134 Varek Raith  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:58:24pm

re: #132 Gus

Hey! Got a good one I just though of...

Missouri GOP Rep. Todd Akin: ‘Female Body Has Ways to Shut Down’ Pregnancy in Case of ‘Legitimate Rape’... Buzzsawmonkey agrees!

Burn!

Memories♫

135 bratwurst  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 12:59:38pm

From the spin department:

136 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:01:00pm

re: #134 Varek Raith

Memories♫

Thongs!!11ty

137 makeitstop  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:01:24pm

re: #135 bratwurst

From the spin department:

[Embedded content]

Poor Dana's gonna pull a hamstring stretching like that.

138 MittDoesNotCompute  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:01:33pm

re: #135 bratwurst

From the spin department:

[Embedded content]

No, Dana, what Akin said has no factual medical basis and is misogynistic as hell, you troll.

I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul....

139 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:02:37pm

re: #134 Varek Raith

Memories♫

Diana Ross!

140 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:03:14pm

Missouri GOP Rep. Todd Akin: ‘Female Body Has Ways to Shut Down’ Pregnancy in Case of ‘Legitimate Rape’

Partly True: Wingnut

141 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:03:16pm

re: #135 bratwurst

From the spin department:

[Embedded content]

Hoo boy.

Dana, there's no medical explanation to be had here. What he said is biologically untrue.

142 bratwurst  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:04:10pm

re: #141 SanFranciscoZionist

Hoo boy.

Dana, there's no medical explanation to be had here. What he said is biologically untrue.

There you go again...bringing SCIENCE into this...typical coastal elitist. /

143 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:05:01pm
144 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:05:17pm

re: #135 bratwurst

Derp. Only if "trying to fit medical explanation into a soundbite" now equals "spreading dangerous ignorance."

145 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:05:40pm

re: #143 Gus

Zygotes are people, my friend!

146 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:05:56pm

re: #145 Millicent Islam

Zygotes are people, my friend!

Can I borrow that?

147 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:06:24pm

re: #146 Gus

Can I borrow that?

Of course! Set it free. :)

148 Interesting Times  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:06:42pm
149 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:07:10pm

re: #147 Millicent Islam

Of course! Set it free. :)

150 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:07:44pm

re: #149 Gus

Aw, you didn't have to credit me! How sweet.

151 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:08:10pm

re: #150 Millicent Islam

Aw, you didn't have to credit me! How sweet.

Yeah. ;)

152 Sheila Broflovski  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:09:19pm

Different kinds of rape:
"Legitimate rape" -- Todd Akin
"Honest rape" -- Ron Paul
"Rape rape" -- Whoopie Goldberg
"Surprise sex with a sleeping person" -- Julian Assange

153 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:09:57pm

Rep. Todd Akin, the Republican nominee for Senate in Missouri, wants to ban the morning-after pill, considering it to be a form of abortion, he told a Kansas City radio station Wednesday.

“As far as I’m concerned, the morning-after pill is a form of abortion, and I think we just shouldn’t have abortion in this country,” Akin said Wednesday, the day after his victory in the Republican primary, in an interview with Kansas City radio host Greg Knapp.

154 Interesting Times  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:10:45pm
155 Pythagoras  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:12:50pm

re: #38 Charles Johnson

This may be the flat-out craziest Republican comment of the year.

And then some. I know you can't win a Darwin award without killing yourself, but Akin deserves some kind of lifetime achievement award.

I've heard some dumb, crazy stuff before but this has a special style that eclipses them all.

156 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:13:08pm

re: #152 Learned Mother of Zion

Different kinds of rape:
"Legitimate rape" -- Todd Akin
"Honest rape" -- Ron Paul
"Rape rape" -- Whoopie Goldberg
"Surprise sex with a sleeping person" -- Julian Assange

Please leave Michael Jackson Julian Assange ALONE!

//

157 Interesting Times  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:14:59pm

So are any of those "OMG Biden said chainzzz" pearl-clutchers in the Corporate Media™ going to say a word about this? 9_9

158 Varek Raith  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:15:00pm

re: #156 Gus

Please leave Michael Jackson Julian Assange ALONE!

//

Bad Gus!

159 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:15:05pm

Niagara Falls!

//

160 Charles Johnson  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:15:06pm

Wow, Dana Loesch is ranting like a loon about this. Pretty funny stuff.

[Link: twitter.com...]

161 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:15:42pm

re: #154 Interesting Times

Pregnancy is Nature's way of preserving the human race. Period. End of discussion.

It is not a comment by God on your fitness to be a mother. It is not a sign of your worthiness. Inability to become pregnancy is not a judgment. Loss of a baby is not a sign that you would not make a good mother. Some happy women consider it to be a gift. Some weirdos consider it to be a punishment.*

It is, simply, a biological process that indicates that you were ovulating at the right time.

*How they square with with "precious gifts from God" I do not know.

162 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:15:44pm
163 engineer cat  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:19:13pm

the new function is given a prototype property whose value is an object containing a constructor property whose value is the new function object

right

164 Kragar  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:19:21pm

How the fuck did an ignorant fuck like this make it so far?

165 Targetpractice  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:19:42pm

re: #164 Kragar

How the fuck did an ignorant fuck like this make it so far?

You're new to politics, aren't you?

/

166 makeitstop  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:19:43pm

re: #160 Charles Johnson

Wow, Dana Loesch is ranting like a loon about this. Pretty funny stuff.

[Link: twitter.com...]

Nerve, struck.

167 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:20:10pm

re: #163 engineer cat

the new function is given a prototype property whose value is an object containing a constructor property whose value is the new function object

right

???

Are you trying to help us take a nap?

168 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:20:53pm

There are some truly awful, evil assumptions in this claim of Akin's. First is the idea that women who get pregnant from a rape must have enjoyed it-- it wasn't "legitimate rape". Really horrific when you realise he'd apply this to ten year olds and victims of incest as well.

Second, buried in there is also the notion that rape itself just isn't possible-- if a woman is penetrated, she must have consented somehow. Possibly by leaving her house, or wearing a skirt, or wearing too tight jeans.

These ideas form part of the rape culture, and as disgusting as Akin is I welcome that discussion. Let's drag all this crap out into the light where it can be dealt with.

169 Interesting Times  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:21:53pm

THIS:

170 Kragar  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:23:54pm

re: #165 Targetpractice

You're new to politics, aren't you?

/

I just woke up and forgot what world I was in.

171 Pythagoras  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:24:23pm

re: #168 Millicent Islam

There are some truly awful, evil assumptions in this claim of Akin's. First is the idea that women who get pregnant from a rape must have enjoyed it-- it wasn't "legitimate rape". Really horrific when you realise he'd apply this to ten year olds and victims of incest as well.

Second, buried in there is also the notion that rape itself just isn't possible-- if a woman is penetrated, she must have consented somehow. Possibly by leaving her house, or wearing a skirt, or wearing too tight jeans.

These ideas form part of the rape culture, and as disgusting as Akin is I welcome that discussion. Let's drag all this crap out into the light where it can be dealt with.

Brilliant! This is why it's so uniquely offensive.

172 Varek Raith  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:24:26pm

re: #170 Kragar

I just woke up and forgot what world I was in.

*Whistles innocently*

173 Targetpractice  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:24:27pm

re: #170 Kragar

I just woke up and forgot what world I was in.

Earth. Welcome.

/

174 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:25:42pm

re: #171 Pythagoras

Brilliant! This is why it's so uniquely offensive.

Not just offensive either-- evil.

175 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:28:53pm

re: #174 Millicent Islam

Not just offensive either-- evil.

The War on Women seems less metaphorical every day.

176 Interesting Times  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:29:01pm

Too bad prairiefire isn't here, so we can console her on having so many brain-dead, knuckle-dragging idiots in her state willing to vote for this Talibangelical turdworm :(

177 Destro  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:30:39pm

What's happening here is that the right wingnuts after years of putting up with moderate Republicans saying they were only for abortion in case of the holy trinity of rape, incest and life of the mother came up with a way to deny those things ever happen or are fake excuses sluts will use to get around the bans if they ever get put in place.

178 Achilles Tang  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:30:40pm

re: #176 Interesting Times

Talibangelical turdworm

That's a good one. Can I quote you or just pretend I thought of it?

179 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:30:46pm

re: #175 wrenchwench

The War on Women seems less metaphorical every day.

I never meant it as a metaphor. :)

Someone upthread said it well. This is what prochoicers were warning about, this is who they are (the American Taliban) and what they want (to take away female autonomy).

180 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:31:56pm

re: #177 Destro

What's happening here is that the right wingnuts after years of putting up with moderate Republicans saying they were only for abortion in case of the holy trinity of rape, incest and life of the mother came up with a way to deny those things ever happen or are fake excuses sluts will use to get around the bans if they ever get put in place.

That's exactly right. Their end goal has ALWAYS been a world where all women are forced to carry all pregnancies to term.

181 calochortus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:31:59pm

Might I point out that sperm can apparently survive for 4 or 5 days and still be able to fertilize an egg. So this woman has to be so traumatized that her system pretty much shuts down for several days in order to avoid pregnancy. Naturally, every other bodily system has to be up and running so she doesn't die in the meanwhile. Women are amazing...//

And yeah, this stupid theory has been around for decades, with the wiggle room that oh maybe 1 in 10,000 women who are "truly raped" will get pregnant. That way if your rapist beat you up and broke your arm and two ribs, then you're just one of the tiny minority that did get pregnant, but it wasn't the baby's fault now was it?

182 engineer cat  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:32:12pm

the national polls since ryan are crazy. if you look at gallup daily, it's put mitt ahead by 2 steadily all week. if you look at rassmussassassin, it's put obama ahead steadily all week, and not only that, but as they note for the first time. if you look at other national polls, you see nothing, as nobody else has seen fit to issue a poll in more than a week since the biggest thing to shake up the race for months

183 Targetpractice  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:33:28pm

re: #177 Destro

What's happening here is that the right wingnuts after years of putting up with moderate Republicans saying they were only for abortion in case of the holy trinity of rape, incest and life of the mother came up with a way to deny those things ever happen or are fake excuses sluts will use to get around the bans if they ever get put in place.

Agreed, the "incase of rape/incest" was always a half-measure, something that they adopted just to avoid seeming like the uncaring assholes they are. Meanwhile, plenty of those in their party's base kept screaming "They'll cry rape whenever they get pregnant!" and demanding that there be a strict ban on all abortions.

184 Interesting Times  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:34:27pm

re: #178 Achilles Tang

That's a good one. Can I quote you or just pretend I thought of it?

Quote away, attribution or not :) I tweeted it a little earlier as well:

185 celticdragon  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:34:34pm

re: #57 Charles Johnson

Todd Akin - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia

And that makes him qualified to deal with geology, biology, chemistry and engineering...how??!

Look guys. We had a good run as a country...but electing reactionary cretins and poltroons will ruin any politic entity...and we are well on the way to absolutely ruining ours. I give us less then 20 years remaining as a world power. Maybe much less. Sorry, but the evidence is pouring in to the effect that we are literally committing civic suicide.

186 Hoodathunk  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:36:28pm

re: #171 Pythagoras

It comes down to the idea that sex is purely about procreation. If one can bend their mind around that idea then it becomes divine duty and therefore there is no such thing as rape. It is a case of a man realizing a divine urge and the woman (regardless of age or consent) has to participate.

In the rest of the animal kingdom it is called breeding.

187 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:38:53pm

re: #181 calochortus

Might I point out that sperm can apparently survive for 4 or 5 days and still be able to fertilize an egg. So this woman has to be so traumatized that her system pretty much shuts down for several days in order to avoid pregnancy. Naturally, every other bodily system has to be up and running so she doesn't die in the meanwhile. Women are amazing...//

And yeah, this stupid theory has been around for decades, with the wiggle room that oh maybe 1 in 10,000 women who are "truly raped" will get pregnant. That way if your rapist beat you up and broke your arm and two ribs, then you're just one of the tiny minority that did get pregnant, but it wasn't the baby's fault now was it?

When Akin said “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down”, he didn't really specify what he meant by "that whole thing". I'm sure he's incapable of being specific in that area.

188 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:39:20pm

re: #153 Millicent Islam

Rep. Todd Akin, the Republican nominee for Senate in Missouri, wants to ban the morning-after pill, considering it to be a form of abortion, he told a Kansas City radio station Wednesday.

“As far as I’m concerned, the morning-after pill is a form of abortion, and I think we just shouldn’t have abortion in this country,” Akin said Wednesday, the day after his victory in the Republican primary, in an interview with Kansas City radio host Greg Knapp.

I would like to see someone ask him what he thinks about Ron Paul's estrogen-shot solution.

189 engineer cat  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:40:48pm

i keep on hoping that the super right morons like this guy will eventually drive the gop so far off course that it will no longer function as a national party, but instead i'm afraid we're all going to get as stupid as turkeys and drown with our beaks pointed in the air trying to drink the rain

190 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:40:48pm

re: #161 Mostly sane, most of the time.

It is, simply, a biological process that indicates that you were ovulating at the right time.

Akin's ilk would add--"When you had SEX!!!"

Because that is the important bit to them.

191 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:42:28pm

re: #177 Destro

What's happening here is that the right wingnuts after years of putting up with moderate Republicans saying they were only for abortion in case of the holy trinity of rape, incest and life of the mother came up with a way to deny those things ever happen or are fake excuses sluts will use to get around the bans if they ever get put in place.

This is not new in any way, shape, or form.

People in politics have been saying this for decades.

192 allegro  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:42:49pm

re: #186 Hoodathunk

It comes down to the idea that sex is purely about procreation. If one can bend their mind around that idea then it becomes divine duty and therefore there is no such thing as rape. It is a case of a man realizing a divine urge and the woman (regardless of age or consent) has to participate.

In the rest of the animal kingdom it is called breeding.

Not quite. In most species, females choose the males they wish to procreate with. I should think human females would be granted that same right. Clearly, this isn't a universal opinion. (see Republican party)

193 calochortus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:42:59pm

re: #187 wrenchwench

When Akin said “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down”, he didn't really specify what he meant by "that whole thing". I'm sure he's incapable of being specific in that area.

Second amendment solutions? //

194 The Ghost of a Flea  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:44:11pm

The corollary of Akin's arguments is that men who rape can claim parental rights (social and legally) via the same "legimate rape" concept.

195 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:45:19pm

re: #192 allegro

Not quite. In most species, females choose the males they wish to procreate with. I should think human females would be granted that same right. Clearly, this isn't a universal opinion. (see Republican party)

I once saw a nature show where a wolf tried to mount a bitch who wasn't in heat yet.

She snarled and bit him on the nose.

He went somewhere else for a while.

196 Hoodathunk  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:45:29pm

re: #192 allegro

Obviously that is the difference between humans and the beasts of the field. Bo knows baseball, men know sex. It's in the Bible.

197 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:45:57pm
198 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:47:16pm
199 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:48:03pm

Iceweasel mentioned it above, this goes hand in hand with the Republicans' effort to redefine 'rape' for the purposes of cutting off federal help for women who have been raped.

Rape is only really rape if it involves force. So says the new House Republican majority as it now moves to change abortion law.

For years, federal laws restricting the use of government funds to pay for abortions have included exemptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. (Another exemption covers pregnancies that could endanger the life of the woman.) But the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act," a bill with 173 mostly Republican co-sponsors that House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has dubbed a top priority in the new Congress, contains a provision that would rewrite the rules to limit drastically the definition of rape and incest in these cases.

With this legislation, which was introduced last week by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Republicans propose that the rape exemption be limited to "forcible rape." This would rule out federal assistance for abortions in many rape cases, including instances of statutory rape, many of which are non-forcible. For example: If a 13-year-old girl is impregnated by a 24-year-old adult, she would no longer qualify to have Medicaid pay for an abortion. (Smith's spokesman did not respond to a call and an email requesting comment.)

[...]

Akin and Paul Ryan were two of the co-sponsors.

200 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:48:12pm

August 02, 2012:
GOP launches 'fight-to-death rebellion' against birth control

On Wednesday, Rep. Mike Kelly’s compared women receiving expanded heath care coverage, which includes a mandate that requires insurance plans to cover birth control options, to the attacks of Pearl Harbor and the September 11, 2001 attacks.

201 Targetpractice  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:48:36pm

re: #194 The Ghost of a Flea

The corollary of Akin's arguments is that men who rape can claim parental rights (social and legally) via the same "legimate rape" concept.

Which they do, but that's a cultural holdover from their religious beliefs, which were written centuries ago, when ensuring the bloodline of a family was important to determining issues like land inheritance and clan integrity.

202 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:49:16pm

re: #198 jaunte

Akin was a co-sponser on that bill.

203 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:49:44pm

re: #198 jaunte

[Embedded content]

There you go making me redundant again. :)

204 labman57  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:50:37pm

The mouths and minds of your tea party-backed politicians -- the gift that keeps on giving.

205 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:51:32pm

re: #204 labman57

The mouths and minds of your tea party-backed politicians -- the gift that keeps on giving.

With gifts like that, I'm cancelling my birthday.

206 Interesting Times  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:52:36pm

re: #192 allegro

Not quite. In most species, females choose the males they wish to procreate with. I should think human females would be granted that same right. Clearly, this isn't a universal opinion. (see Republican party)

I can think of one species which sort of procreates through rape:

The Scorpion Flies (Mecoptera)

In the genus Panorpa choose one of three different mating strategies. 1) A male offers a female who has been attracted a food gift which she feeds on during copulation. 2) This is really a variant of 1 except that the male either finds a dead arthropod, feeds on it a bit then stands beside it while emitting his pheromone attractant, or he secretes a salivary mass onto a leaf or other suitable substrate then stands beside this and emits his pheromone. In both these cases as above copulation takes place while the female is feeding, either on the arthropod or on the salivary secretion. 3) This option is called forced copulation, a male using this stategy does not emit any pheromones or supply any food he simply rushes at her and attempts to mate often succeeding. After mating females become unreceptive to the male pheromone and begin laying eggs. Males compete for the arthropods both for their own use, or to use as gifts. It has been shown that only males which lose out in these competitions resort to forced copulation, further it has been shown that females prefer males with food gifts and that females mating with males that supply gifts lay more eggs than those mating in forced copulations.

Maybe Todd Atkin confused human biology with that of these flies? / (though even in this case, the females still lay eggs after forced copulation, just not as many as with their version of consensual sex)

207 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:54:22pm

Not in GOPWorld, because Rwanda is in Africa.

208 engineer cat  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:55:23pm

as a matter of fact, my new name for the gop is the National Association for the Advancement of Stupid People

209 calochortus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:56:03pm

Even the folks over at Free Republic (where there's a lot of anti-abortion sentiment) don't think much of Akin's remark, which is encouraging.

210 austin_blue  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:56:26pm

re: #101 Learned Mother of Zion

We interrupt your Wingnut of the Week thread with this announcement:

Today, Zedushka and I celebrate our wedding anniversary, We have been together 41 years.

We will celebrate with our traditional anniversary dinner of grilled steak, corn on the cob, salad and a bottle of red wine.

Then, open our gifts and then some old-folks cuddle time.

Mazel Tov!

211 Sionainn  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:56:35pm

re: #19 allegro

So if a woman is unsuccessful in fighting off a rapist, this guy contends her little egg will instead successfully fight off the brigades of sperm. Mmm-hmm.

Fight on little egg!

I think it's even more magical than that...God wouldn't allow a pregnancy to occur or some such stupid shit...

212 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:58:25pm

re: #211 Sionainn

I think it's even more magical than that...God wouldn't allow a pregnancy to occur or some such stupid shit...

Somebody said something like that recently-- that victims of rape should consider any pregnancy as a "gift from God" and that they should recognise that their rape was "part of God's plan". Can't remember who, but it was a woman.

213 Interesting Times  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:59:13pm

re: #209 calochortus

Even the folks over at Free Republic (where there's a lot of anti-abortion sentiment) don't think much of Akin's remark, which is encouraging.

...which might mean he'll issue one of those bullshit "sorry if I offended anyone" non-apologies, after which the Corporate Media™ shills will once again clutch their pearls and their smelling salts and cry "leave Todd Akin alooooone!"

214 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:59:19pm

re: #212 Millicent Islam

Somebody said something like that recently-- that victims of rape should consider any pregnancy as a "gift from God" and that they should recognise that their rape was "part of God's plan". Can't remember who, but it was a woman.

Sharron Angle

215 austin_blue  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:59:42pm

re: #96 SanFranciscoZionist

So you can't get pregnant from forcible rape? How forcible are we talking? Does the rapist have to actually hit his victim, or is just holding a gun on her sufficient for the body to identify this as...oh dear, this is just getting worse, isn't it?

Actually, there's some evidence that extreme physical trauma may up your chances of conceiving--which is presumably an unintentional quirk of evolution, since being mauled by a sabertooth is probably not the best way to start a healthy pregnancy.

Of *course* women have these abilities. They are, after all, witches!

216 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 1:59:48pm

re: #214 Gus

Sharron Angle

That's it! Thanks, Gus. :)

217 calochortus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:01:00pm

re: #213 Interesting Times

...which might mean he'll issue one of those bullshit "sorry if I offended anyone" non-apologies, after which the Corporate Media™ shills will once again clutch their pearls and their smelling salts and cry "leave Todd Akin alooooone!"

It might, but that's going to be pretty hard to "un-say".

218 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:01:46pm

Sharron Angle: No Woman’s Right to Choose, Even in Cases of Rape or Incest | Press | Nevada State Democratic Party

But while those stances are shockingly anti-woman, Angle’s hard line on abortion in cases of rape and incest is even more terrifying. When asked by conservative radio talk host Bill Manders whether she would support banning abortion even in cases of rape or incest Angle said there was no acceptable reason for an abortion because "God has a plan."

Manders: Is there any reason at all for an abortion?

Angle: Not in my book.

Manders: So, in other words, rape and incest would not be something?

Angle: You know, I’m a Christian and I believe that God has a plan and a purpose for each one of our lives and that he can intercede in all kinds of situations and we need to have a little faith in many things.

219 Sionainn  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:03:14pm

re: #55 Charles Johnson

Yes, he's on the Science and Technology Committee. Guh.

And he's on Twitter: [Link: twitter.com...]

Is there an option on Twitter where people can't send him a tweet? I'm shocked that there aren't any messages to him.

220 Interesting Times  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:03:24pm

re: #218 Gus

Are you following this person? Sounds like she read your mind ;)

221 Hoodathunk  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:03:31pm

Remember, this is from people who worship a god who fathered a bastard child on an betrothed woman.

222 Targetpractice  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:05:06pm

re: #221 Hoodathunk

Remember, this is from people who worship a god who fathered a bastard child on an betrothed woman.

Well, he had a plan. He always has a plan. Apparently one that's cruel and uncaring, but we're supposed to have faith that there's a good end to it all.

///

223 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:05:47pm

re: #220 Interesting Times

Are you following this person? Sounds like she read your mind ;)

[Embedded content]

I was going to make a joke before. "Finally something Akin and Assange can agree on." //

224 Hoodathunk  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:06:35pm

re: #222 Targetpractice

Well, he had a plan. He always has a plan. Apparently one that's cruel and uncaring, but we're supposed to have faith that there's a good end to it all.

///

Obviously, it was an illegitimate rape.

225 Cap'n Magic  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:07:47pm

From his wikipedia entry:

Home of record
In May 2011, questions were raised about Akin's official address for voting. According to the Associated Press and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Akin has lived in Wildwood, in far western St. Louis County, since at least 2009, and perhaps as early as 2007, when he and his wife purchased a home there. However, he has continued to list his official residence as Town and Country, and signed a polling place logbook attesting to his living there in April 2011. According to the Missouri Secretary of State's office, anyone knowingly giving false information to election workers is guilty of a felony violation of state election laws

Wonder whatever happened to this case of alleged voter fraud?

226 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:08:58pm

Parody account. ;)

227 Interesting Times  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:10:00pm

Bwahaha:

228 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:13:28pm

re: #112 Charles Johnson

I guarantee it won't be long before right wing bloggers start loudly supporting Akin, and trying to dig up some weird science to support his claim. I'll bet Akin got that "rape antibody" idiocy from a right wing religious site somewhere.

No antibody here, but a statistical effort that makes it nearly impossible to be pregnant from a 'forcible' rape.

Complete with three footnotes that are probably being scrutinized right now for more ammo.

229 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:16:09pm
230 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:17:25pm

re: #229 Gus

Misterspoke.

231 allegro  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:18:06pm

re: #229 Gus

That just means he's get blowback for what he really thinks.

232 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:18:22pm

re: #229 Gus

[Embedded content]

His link for the 'full text' doesn't work.

233 Hoodathunk  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:20:36pm

re: #229 Gus

As in he opened his mouth?

234 allegro  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:20:56pm

re: #228 wrenchwench

No antibody here, but a statistical effort that makes it nearly impossible to be pregnant from a 'forcible' rape.

[Embedded content]

Complete with three footnotes that are probably being scrutinized right now for more ammo.

All that means is that the percentage incidences of pregnancy occurring as the result of rape are about the same as the percentage incidences of pregnancy from consensual intercourse. It not only doesn't prove Akins point, it demolishes it.

235 calochortus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:22:14pm

re: #232 wrenchwench

Try this:
Your text to link...

236 sagehen  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:24:53pm

re: #212 Millicent Islam

Somebody said something like that recently-- that victims of rape should consider any pregnancy as a "gift from God" and that they should recognise that their rape was "part of God's plan". Can't remember who, but it was a woman.

I think that was Sharon Angle.

237 calochortus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:24:58pm

Well, I now have enough steam coming out of my ears. I think I'll go do something constructive for a while, being steam powered and all.

238 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:25:32pm

re: #234 allegro

All that means is that the percentage incidences of pregnancy occurring as the result of rape are about the same as the percentage incidences of pregnancy from consensual intercourse. It not only doesn't prove Akins point, it demolishes it.

While grossly underestimating the total numbers:

RESULTS: The national rape-related pregnancy rate is 5.0% per rape among victims of reproductive age (aged 12 to 45); among adult women an estimated 32,101 pregnancies result from rape each year.

Link care of b_sharp.

239 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:27:22pm

Physicians for Life: Assault Rape Pregnancies Are Rare

Somehow the "rare" argument logic doesn't cross over into passing a bunch of laws to prevent the .0001% chance of in-person voter fraud.

240 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:27:34pm

Assange's Balcony Speech

This afternoon Julian Assange delivered a long-awaited speech from the balcony of the Embassy of Ecuador in front of an assembled crowd of world media and supporters.  I'm intrigued to see what the press makes of it.  You can watch the speech in full here.

I personally found the speech quite astounding. There were various suggestions as to what he might say about the resolution of his situation, that he might submit voluntarily to the Swedish authorities etc. He is of course under an obligation, as part of the his being granted political asylum by the Republic of Ecuador, to refrain from making political statements. Instead he used the opportunity, from the premises of the Embassy, to drive home a very political message and to describe his personal position in some of the dramatic terms that I have commented on in my last blog entry.

Specifically, the language he used would not be out of place in a political thriller. He spoke in Hollywood terms of police "descending" on the building, "swarming" up an internal fire escape, "after dark". He spoke in the language of the underdog: a courageous small nation standing up bravely to "threats" and taking a "stand for justice", a country defending its Constitution, of shining a light on the secret crimes of the powerful, of unity in oppression and determination.

Continues.

241 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:28:00pm

re: #235 calochortus

Try this:
Your text to link...

Thanks, that works.

So he's for 'the justice they deserve' for women who have been raped. Again, not very specific. And abortion is not part of that 'justice'. And this is just a trivial distraction from his laser-like focus on JOBS!!!

242 freetoken  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:28:01pm

re: #235 calochortus

Akin:

[...] 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.

That, however, does not mean he would permit said raped women a way to prevent said pregnancy.

Just as Akin no doubt would say malnutrition is unfortunate, yet would still eliminate school lunches.

We labeled Akin's approach the other day as the Double Speak Mambo.

243 Pythagoras  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:29:50pm

re: #241 wrenchwench

Thanks, that works.

So he's for 'the justice they deserve' for women who have been raped. Again, not very specific. And abortion is not part of that 'justice'. And this is just a trivial distraction from his laser-like focus on JOBS!!!

I'm starting to wonder if he's not going to be the nominee much longer.

244 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:31:20pm

re: #239 jaunte

Physicians for Life: Assault Rape Pregnancies Are Rare

Somehow the "rare" argument logic doesn't cross over into passing a bunch of laws to prevent the .0001% chance of in-person voter fraud.

Also from that link:

While each assault rape pregnancy is a tragedy for the mother (not for the baby, though)

I think finding out you exist because your mother was raped would have an element of tragedy to it, to say the least.

245 freetoken  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:32:44pm

By selecting Akin, the GOP might very well have cost themselves the coming Senate race in Missouri. He's being exposed as the right wing lunatic that he is, and that might turn off just enough independent voters in MO to get the Democratic party candidate elected.

246 Sionainn  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:32:52pm

re: #212 Millicent Islam

Somebody said something like that recently-- that victims of rape should consider any pregnancy as a "gift from God" and that they should recognise that their rape was "part of God's plan". Can't remember who, but it was a woman.

Yeah, that whole "God's plan" crap. It's one of the reasons why I'm an atheist.

247 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:34:35pm

re: #240 Gus

Assange's Balcony Speech

...

Julian Assange did not come across to me as a frightened man. He came across today, in my subjective view, as an arrogant, egotistical, manipulative coward. The last few days have really changed my view on him, and not for the better. His speech took us no further. It gave no detail of anything that would happen next, of any remorse, or of any recognition of the two women who have alleged serious sexual assault. I joked before he came on that his appearance would remind me of a scene from Evita. For the drama he plied on, and for his astounding egomania, I fear I was far from wrong.

248 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:37:49pm

re: #243 Pythagoras

I'm starting to wonder if he's not going to be the nominee much longer.

re: #245 freetoken

By selecting Akin, the GOP might very well have cost themselves the coming Senate race in Missouri. He's being exposed as the right wing lunatic that he is, and that might turn off just enough independent voters in MO to get the Democratic party candidate elected.

Hard to say. I don't see any polls from after the primary two weeks ago, but he's been in the House as an openly right wing lunatic, so I don't think this will hurt him much.

249 Pythagoras  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:38:30pm

re: #245 freetoken

By selecting Akin, the GOP might very well have cost themselves the coming Senate race in Missouri. He's being exposed as the right wing lunatic that he is, and that might turn off just enough independent voters in MO to get the Democratic party candidate elected.

Bank on it. He doesn't have a chance in hell now. His attempt to walk back his comment isn't fooling ANYONE. This was no verbal slip.

The Repubs only hope is to replace him.

250 goddamnedfrank  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:39:48pm

re: #228 wrenchwench

No antibody here, but a statistical effort that makes it nearly impossible to be pregnant from a 'forcible' rape.

[Embedded content]

Complete with three footnotes that are probably being scrutinized right now for more ammo.

That "study" looked almost entirely to be unsupported supposition to me, the vast majority of the claims have no citation whatsoever. These guys are utter hacks.

They also conveniently ignored addressing the high likelihood for women to take emergency contraception (Plan B) after being raped to prevent implantation, which any legitimate scientist would immediately disclose under "limitations of the research." They do this because they're life begin at conception fanatics who's goal is to outlaw Plan B.

251 Targetpractice  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:39:50pm

re: #245 freetoken

By selecting Akin, the GOP might very well have cost themselves the coming Senate race in Missouri. He's being exposed as the right wing lunatic that he is, and that might turn off just enough independent voters in MO to get the Democratic party candidate elected.

Thing is, I'm sure there's enough voters in Missouri who'd look at his statement and go "So what? I'm not voting for his social policies, I'm voting for his fiscal ones. If he wants to ban abortion, oh well, lower taxes are what I'm after."

252 Sionainn  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:40:25pm

re: #235 calochortus

Try this:
Your text to link...

Absolutely nothing about his lack of basic biology knowledge.

253 gwangung  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:40:54pm

re: #248 wrenchwench

re: #245 freetoken

Hard to say. I don't see any polls from after the primary two weeks ago, but he's been in the House as an openly right wing lunatic, so I don't think this will hurt him much.

So...do all those folks angry about McCasKill's antics as a Blue Dog still want her out?

254 freetoken  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:42:15pm

re: #248 wrenchwench

Hard to say. I don't see any polls from after the primary two weeks ago, but he's been in the House as an openly right wing lunatic, so I don't think this will hurt him much.

Congressional districts are gerrymandered to ensure like-minded people are lumped together, at least much of the time. Missouri is a diverse state, which is why it is sometimes "purple" colored on maps.

Heck, this was even true back in the middle of the century. Truman was from MO, which may have played a key part in why FDR picked him, so as to pull the swing state.

255 goddamnedfrank  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:42:28pm

re: #249 Pythagoras

Bank on it. He doesn't have a chance in hell now. His attempt to walk back his comment isn't fooling ANYONE. This was no verbal slip.

The Repubs only hope is to replace him.

I wouldn't be so certain, he's still beating McCaskill by something like six points.

256 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:43:14pm

re: #253 gwangung

So...do all those folks angry about McCasKill's antics as a Blue Dog still want her out?

Not all of them.

257 jaunte  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:43:22pm
258 bratwurst  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:43:33pm

re: #249 Pythagoras

Bank on it. He doesn't have a chance in hell now. His attempt to walk back his comment isn't fooling ANYONE. This was no verbal slip.

The Repubs only hope is to replace him.

I wish you were right, but you are not. Even if this guy starts sacrificing puppies to Satan, Claire McCaskill has a BIG uphill fight on her hands. Getting complacent would be a good way to make sure there are a lot of wingnuts in the Senate.

259 Pythagoras  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:43:49pm

re: #248 wrenchwench

re: #245 freetoken

Hard to say. I don't see any polls from after the primary two weeks ago, but he's been in the House as an openly right wing lunatic, so I don't think this will hurt him much.

Hmmm. The Jeffery Goldberg tweet (see comment 207) is telling. I rarely like watching people suffer but I want to see Akin twist in the wind a while before tossing in the towel. This should be a career ending "verbal slip."

If it isn't that will speak volumes.

260 allegro  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:44:44pm

re: #253 gwangung

So...do all those folks angry about McCasKill's antics as a Blue Dog still want her out?

It would be great to replace her with a progressive Dem, but if she's the only Dem we've got she still beats the hell outa this assclown.

261 Aye Pod  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:45:06pm

re: #240 Gus

Assange's Balcony Speech

He's just hiding out in the Ecuadorian Embassy like any innocent person would in these circumstances///

262 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:46:03pm

Assange Cultism

...

Then there are the personal attacks. I wrote what I hoped was a balanced, neutral, informative piece. I was accused of lying about being a lawyer. I was told it was an incredibly biased piece and complete rubbish. I'm a "moron to the highest degree", "I am a gullible idiot" etc.

...


I have nothing against Bieber, but I do find the hero worship unbalanced and at times frightening. Similarly, I really am not in position to say whether Assange is a knob or a saint. I've never met him and don't know him personally. What I can judge is the way many of his supporters appear unwilling to engage in any form of rational thought and spout every piece of utter nonsense they can in his defence. The world, the state, the CIA, the USA are all conspiring against him and them. Their behaviour changes nothing about what I think of Assange, but it has definitely opened my eyes about them.

...

263 freetoken  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:46:29pm

A window into America of 75 years ago:

Eyewitness 1937: Evolution played a role in local teacher's firing
www.post-gazette.com...]>

Some things have not changed too much.

264 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:46:37pm

re: #261 Aye Pod

He's just hiding out in the Ecuadorian Embassy like any innocent person would in these circumstances///

You'll love the one on Assange cultism. This guy hits the spot.

265 prairiefire  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:46:54pm

re: #255 goddamnedfrank

I wouldn't be so certain, he's still beating McCaskill by something like six points.

Yep, it's going to be a tough race here in MO.

266 Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:47:09pm

What's sad is this has been around for a long time. Every once in a while a Republican trots it out. and people are shocked that they said it.

[Link: www.buzzfeed.com...]

We had a Georgia legislature who was an Ob Gyn make the same claim on the floor some years ago.

I'd like to say I can't believe that people would be such moralizing and holier than thou, But when about half of the population of the country thinks the world was formed 6000 years ago, It won't take much for that majority to force their beliefs on everyone else. Particularly when they feel like they're some sort of persecuted minority.

267 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:49:00pm

re: #265 prairiefire

Yep, it's going to be a tough race here in MO.

You got sympathy above.

268 bratwurst  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:49:17pm

re: #259 Pythagoras

This should be a career ending "verbal slip."

Yes, it SHOULD be...but it won't be. The reason is that he is not at all far from the mainstream of the party on this issue!

269 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:50:08pm

re: #266 Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All

What's sad is this has been around for a long time. Every once in a while a Republican trots it out. and people are shocked that they said it.

[Link: www.buzzfeed.com...]

We had a Georgia legislature who was an Ob Gyn make the same claim on the floor some years ago.

I'd like to say I can't believe that people would be such moralizing and holier than thou, But when about half of the population of the country thinks the world was formed 6000 years ago, It won't take much for that majority to force their beliefs on everyone else. Particularly when they feel like they're some sort of persecuted minority.

That Ob Gyn should have his or her license revoked. (Probably 'his'.)

Also, that's a good link!

270 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:50:23pm

This was my encounter with one of the Assange cult members.

271 Aye Pod  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:52:42pm

re: #264 Gus

You'll love the one on Assange cultism. This guy hits the spot.

Yep. It's like trying to argue with 9/11 truthers - no doubt there's a lot of overlap with those nuts.

272 Pythagoras  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:53:36pm

re: #255 goddamnedfrank

I wouldn't be so certain, he's still beating McCaskill by something like six points.

Let's see how much that moves in the first poll taken after this sinks in. Most folks won't even hear about this for a few days, but I'd guess he'll fall behind by early September.

I am NOT predicting he'll be replaced as the nominee; that's a tricky business. It wouldn't surprise me though. I AM predicting he will not be elected to the Senate.

273 freetoken  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:54:00pm

re: #269 wrenchwench

Remember, the Pauls (Ron and Rand) belong to the quackier association of "doctors", yet main stream outlets never ask them a question about the dodgy claims of said organization.

That's because there is little to no money in investigative reporting, unless it has something to do with sex (or maybe food), by which rape doesn't count (unless it's a well know person.)

If one wants to reach the populace about sex (and food)... well, this is how it's done:

Kim Kardashian Loves Sex-ercise

The reality star is currently holidaying in the Aloha state with boyfriend, Kanye West, and has reportedly been keeping trim by having lots of sex.

Kim Kardashian And Kanye West Enjoy Frozen Yogurt In Hawaii

274 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:54:44pm

re: #271 Aye Pod

Yep. It's like trying to argue with 9/11 truthers - no doubt there's a lot of overlap with those nuts.

They're cousins in the evolutionary tree. That one satsangi @mehbp Tweets a lot of Ron Paul crap. Russia Today which is another joke.

275 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:55:34pm

re: #273 freetoken

Don't depress me, bro!

I gotta go do some work...

276 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:55:37pm
277 wrenchwench  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:56:39pm

re: #273 freetoken

re: #274 Gus

Speaking of Ron Paul crap, Akin brags on his Twit feed about voting to AUDIT THE FED!!!1

278 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 2:59:31pm
279 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:04:36pm

Robert Fisk! LOL

280 Sionainn  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:06:47pm

re: #270 Gus

This was my encounter with one of the Assange cult members.

[Embedded content]

What's an "ignorant yep"? That's a new one.
//

281 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:07:44pm

re: #280 Sionainn

What's an "ignorant yep"? That's a new one.

I don't know. I think that perhaps English is not his/her language.

282 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:08:13pm

re: #10 Shiplord Kirel

Todd know womans,
Mongo know womans,
Mongo like Todd,
Mongo vote for Todd.

Candygram for Mongo!

283 Sionainn  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:08:35pm

re: #281 Gus

I don't know. I think that perhaps English is not his/her language.

I should have put a sarc tag.

284 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:09:32pm

re: #283 Sionainn

I should have put a sarc tag.

Oh that's OK. I thought the same thing at first.

285 Lidane  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:10:05pm

re: #38 Charles Johnson

This may be the flat-out craziest Republican comment of the year.

So far. I'm sure the Republican National Convention will give us a lot more crazy to facepalm.

286 Targetpractice  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:10:32pm

re: #278 Gus

[Embedded content]

Thing is, Assange benefits if he keeps the focus on Wikileaks, because then he can portray himself as a "courageous" journalist fighting for the free exchange of information against governments with dangerous secrets to hide. It's the pablum that he's fed his groupies, who want to believe he's a victim of a grand conspiracy rather than a self-important prick whose "fight" is putting people's lives at risk.

287 Tiny Alien Kitties are Watching You  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:11:27pm

re: #228 wrenchwench

No antibody here, but a statistical effort that makes it nearly impossible to be pregnant from a 'forcible' rape.

[Embedded content]

Complete with three footnotes that are probably being scrutinized right now for more ammo.

Hmm...

So, assault rape pregnancy is extremely rare. If we use the figure of 200, it is 4 per state per year. Even if we use a figure of 500, we're talking about 10 rape pregnancies per state, per year.

In the U.S. in one year, there are more than 6 million pregnancies. Roughly 3 million eventuate in live birth, 1.5 million are aborted and 500,000 miscarry. While each assault rape pregnancy is a tragedy for the mother (not for the baby, though), such pregnancies amount to a small fraction of the total annual U.S. pregnancies. Further, less than half of assault rape pregnancies are aborted, even though that course of action tends to be vigorously pushed by those around the woman.2, 3

Wait, what happened to the other million? (3 + 1.5 + 0.5 = 5 not 6) Besides which that 1.5 million number is inflated by around 300,000 or so according to the best current estimates of total annual abortions.

OMG! What happened to these 1.3 million babies who are simply missing annually? You guys should stop worrying about abortion and concentrate on finding all these suddenly missing babies instead!

/// :p

288 William of Orange  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:12:24pm

Feel free to email them.

[Link: science.house.gov...]

For some reason I can't. I'm not a US citizen.

289 Charles Johnson  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:12:44pm

How is babby formed?

290 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:13:00pm

re: #273 freetoken

Here's one more for you, since you've played the Hawaii Five-O theme a few times:

Kendall Jenner shows off visible tan lines in strapless dress... as it's revealed she'll soon make her acting debut on Hawaii Five-0

291 darthstar  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:14:33pm

re: #289 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Oh, babby.

292 lawhawk  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:14:53pm

This goes beyond WTF. He claims doctors said that this is the case. What doctors? Who is spreading this nonsense? And Akin's complete and total lack of functioning neurons to try and legitimize rape? That it's okay to rape because it doesn't end in pregnancy? Even if that were somehow true - and it isn't - this misogynistic pig thinks that it's okay to treat women as second class property.

And yet he's got a seat in Congress because his constituents think he's the cat's meow.

That's the saddest bit of all.

The GOP is thinking that this kind of logic and reasoning is the future of the party. I can't wait to see the GOP's attempts at defending this kind of nonsense (which seems to be coming on a daily basis from Akin btw).

293 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:15:19pm

re: #289 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Charles, that vid lacks controls to pause or stop it. You have to use the controls on the browser to do that. Not your fault, but I felt your should know.

294 freetoken  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:15:23pm

re: #290 Dark_Falcon

Yeah, I saw that. The only correction I will off is that her "acting" on H5-0 will be approximate to that of the nearest conch shell.

295 Achilles Tang  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:15:31pm

re: #290 Dark_Falcon

Here's one more for you, since you've played the Hawaii Five-O theme a few times:

Kendall Jenner shows off visible tan lines in strapless dress... as it's revealed she'll soon make her acting debut on Hawaii Five-0

You know who this is and I don't?

296 freetoken  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:16:08pm

re: #293 Dark_Falcon

I just use the pop-up menu (middle click on most OSX setups).

297 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:16:55pm
298 William of Orange  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:17:00pm
299 Lidane  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:19:13pm

re: #292 lawhawk

The GOP is thinking that this kind of logic and reasoning is the future of the party.

Because for the GOP it IS the future of the party. People like Todd Akin are the ones that the party base fall in love with and they're the ones that candidates like Mitt Romney have to pander to in order to win.

Anyone who values things like simple human compassion, reason, logic, and any sort of social, political and scientific progress since the Enlightenment should just give up on the GOP now. They're hopeless.

300 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:20:36pm

re: #292 lawhawk

This goes beyond WTF. He claims doctors said that this is the case. What doctors? Who is spreading this nonsense? And Akin's complete and total lack of functioning neurons to try and legitimize rape? That it's okay to rape because it doesn't end in pregnancy? Even if that were somehow true - and it isn't - this misogynistic pig thinks that it's okay to treat women as second class property.

And yet he's got a seat in Congress because his constituents think he's the cat's meow.

That's the saddest bit of all.

The GOP is thinking that this kind of logic and reasoning is the future of the party. I can't wait to see the GOP's attempts at defending this kind of nonsense (which seems to be coming on a daily basis from Akin btw).

Maybe he's thinking of Duck Rape.

301 The Left  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:21:46pm

Wonkette has a handy guide to determining legitimate/illegitimate rape:

Scenario 1: A white virgin female wearing modest clothing is returning to her home after her Wednesday Bible study class. She is accosted at knifepoint by a large, unkempt black man wearing an “Obama 2012” hat, who drags her into an alley and rapes her.
Determination: Legitimate rape. Her uterus shuts down immediately, expelling the rapist’s semen as she prays to God for forgiveness.

Scenario 2: At a party where alcoholic beverages are being consumed, a young woman passes out in a private bedroom. A man of the same age and race finds her and proceeds to have sexual relations as she sleeps peacefully.
Determination: Illegitimate rape. Because the woman’s own moral turpitude is entirely to blame for the situation she was placed in, her uterus is unable to resist her beau’s sperm. It is quite likely that God will bless her with a pregnancy.

Scenario 3: A woman arranges to meet a date she met online at an art gallery. He is boorish and three inches shorter than his profile suggested. She agrees to go back to his apartment only to tell him that she does not want to see him again. But at soon as they get inside he assaults her brutally, keeping her prisoner for three days.
Determination: Illegitimate rape. Because she did not use a Todd Akin-approved dating service (Christian Mingle or eHarmony), the woman in this scenario is responsible both for her own predicament and the child God will now bestow upon her.

302 The Ghost of a Flea  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:22:03pm

re: #285 Lidane

So far. I'm sure the Republican National Convention will give us a lot more crazy to facepalm.

Special Appearance By Donald Trump (that may feature an Obama impersonator).

303 Lidane  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:22:42pm

re: #300 Dark_Falcon

Maybe he's thinking of Duck Rape.

I don't care what he's thinking about. He's an evil, sexist, misogynist asshole that stands a real chance of winning a seat in the Senate.

He's a dick, and the environment on the right that has allowed his ignorance to be rewarded with him leading in the polls is evil.

304 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:24:18pm

re: #295 Achilles Tang

You know who this is and I don't?

It's just me having fun with Freetoken. I don't take celebrity gossip very seriously, but often read it for amusement value. Reality is often depressing and the fantasy aspect of it lightens my mood for a time. Amusement is all it is to me.

305 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:24:50pm

Fuck cancer.

306 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:26:06pm

re: #305 Gus

Fuck cancer.

Figure out a way to fuck cancer over and you'll have people like Mitt Romney beating a path to your door.

309 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:27:49pm

re: #308 Gus

See Krugman vs. 'Newsweek' Cover--And Ferguson's Love Affair With Ryan

That links to an Assange fan. I know, I know. People aren't perfect. ;)

310 Targetpractice  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:29:44pm

re: #307 Gus

WTF?

Image: niall-ferguson-newsweek-magazine-cover-hit-the-road-barack.jpg

I keep wondering when I'm gonna see this "liberal media" in action.

311 Tiny Alien Kitties are Watching You  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:30:28pm

re: #290 Dark_Falcon

Here's one more for you, since you've played the Hawaii Five-O theme a few times:

Kendall Jenner shows off visible tan lines in strapless dress... as it's revealed she'll soon make her acting debut on Hawaii Five-0

Too skinny legs, knobby knees, and god awfully ugly shoes, not attractive at all in those shots, at least not to me.

312 Gus  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:33:32pm

re: #310 Targetpractice

I keep wondering when I'm gonna see this "liberal media" in action.

I think they're gearing up for the Republican blowjob in case Romney wins.

313 The Ghost of a Flea  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:34:02pm

Here's the (brief) Krugman critique:

Readers are no doubt meant to interpret this as saying that CBO found that the Act will increase the deficit. But anyone who actually read, or even skimmed, the CBO report (pdf) knows that it found that the ACA would reduce, not increase, the deficit — because the insurance subsidies were fully paid for...

...We’re not talking about ideology or even economic analysis here — just a plain misrepresentation of the facts, with an august publication letting itself be used to misinform readers. The Times would require an abject correction if something like that slipped through. Will Newsweek?

314 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:35:06pm

re: #310 Targetpractice

I keep wondering when I'm gonna see this "liberal media" in action.

Newsweek is trying to stir things up in order to boost its circulation. It's like how William Randolph Hearst's newspapers would use lurid, misleading headlines back 90-100 years ago.

315 Aye Pod  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:35:06pm

re: #308 Gus

"I know, like, and admire Paul Ryan. For me, the point about him is simple. He is one of only a handful of politicians in Washington who is truly sincere about addressing this country’s fiscal crisis."

This from someone who wishes we were STILL in Iraq and apparantly wants us to stay in Afghanistan forever? What a joke.

316 The Ghost of a Flea  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:36:38pm

re: #315 Aye Pod

This from someone who wishes we were STILL in Iraq and apparantly wants us to stay in Afghanistan forever? What a joke.

Niall Ferguson is one of those people who's supposedly a serious thinker, but his argumentation involves a lot of clap-if-you-believe.

317 darthstar  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:37:17pm

Words matter.

318 Targetpractice  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:38:20pm

re: #314 Dark_Falcon

Newsweek is trying to stir things up in order to boost its circulation. It's like how William Randolph Hearst's newspapers would use lurid, misleading headlines back 90-100 years ago.

Indeed, hence my point. When the media's writing one favorable story, we get accusations that the media is in the tank for Republicans, when it writes another we get told they're "a bunch of liberals."

Let's be honest about, in an election year, the media is favoring the media, nothing more. It exists for the purpose of selling a product, in this case its viewers/readers, to a consumer, namely advertisers. And a close race, where it might come down to the final votes, sells more ad time than a run-away election.

319 prairiefire  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:39:29pm

re: #176 Interesting Times

Too bad prairiefire isn't here, so we can console her on having so many brain-dead, knuckle-dragging idiots in her state willing to vote for this Talibangelical turdworm :(

Thanks, I appreciate that greatly. Tis a challenge, around here.

320 Tigger2005  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:43:23pm

re: #80 Expand Your Ground

Seriously, folks, I just do not see how people like this can be accomodated in any functioning modern democracy. Especially as they are no longer a fringe group.

Which is why we have a non-functioning modern democracy.

321 Lidane  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 3:49:17pm

re: #176 Interesting Times

Too bad prairiefire isn't here, so we can console her on having so many brain-dead, knuckle-dragging idiots in her state willing to vote for this Talibangelical turdworm :(

I'd offer my condolences, but Texas is filled with our share of brain-dead, knuckle-dragging idiots and they're going to send our own homegrown troglodyte imbecile, Ted Cruz, to D.C.

It's depressing.

322 CuriousLurker  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 4:05:16pm

re: #101 Learned Mother of Zion

We interrupt your Wingnut of the Week thread with this announcement:

Today, Zedushka and I celebrate our wedding anniversary, We have been together 41 years.

We will celebrate with our traditional anniversary dinner of grilled steak, corn on the cob, salad and a bottle of red wine.

Then, open our gifts and then some old-folks cuddle time.

Mazel tov! May you enjoy 41 more.

323 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 4:06:46pm

re: #314 Dark_Falcon

Newsweek is trying to stir things up in order to boost its circulation. It's like how William Randolph Hearst's newspapers would use lurid, misleading headlines back 90-100 years ago.

Newsbleat is desperately trying to avoid it's well deserved death.

God, I really wish there was even one real mainstream liberal media source. The Times isn't even one any more :(

324 Cap'n Magic  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 5:00:57pm

re: #316 The Ghost of a Flea
I listened to his Reith lecture series on the BBC on Capitalism and the Rule of Law. While he does make some valid points, his insistence on those who want change should join the Tea Party make me go WTF!?! And his constant application of Darwinism and Bagheot, and his bleatings of "we have to deal with the world as it is" and using his Ph.D as a cudgel (i.e., his pronouncements cannot be questioned) makes me want to throw up my hands and hope the end of the US comes quick.

325 Destro  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 5:25:12pm

re: #271 Aye Pod

Yep. It's like trying to argue with 9/11 truthers - no doubt there's a lot of overlap with those nuts.

If Assange is getting support it is because the world kind of is tired of America's hegemony and the 8 years of havoc the Bush admin set loose on the world. The ones that seem to be out to get Assange are those that are sort of committed to the geo-political hegemony of the USA and all that it entails. Like caring for America's spies or overseas assets.

That maybe a big deal for Americans, etc but people overseas don't feel that way about it. They want to know what is being done to them by the USA and the USA is the one doing stuff to the world.

Of course the USA claims it is doing stuff to the world to make it a better place, and that maybe the truth but it is understandable if non-Americans don't feel that way.

Also, I was intrigued that Assange was attacked by American spokesmen as being a 'traitor'. I found that fascinating since Assange is not an American citizen but an Australian. The only way such thinking makes sense is that to these people, Australia is part of America's hegemonic empire and Assange is a subject of it.

326 William of Orange  Sun, Aug 19, 2012 6:30:38pm

Don't forget to save a mirror of that clip before it's pulled from youtube.


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