#30in30: Republicans & the Ridiculous Idea of 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.

This is a real statement from a Republican nominee in Missouri. Every time I think that the Republicans cannot come up with anything more ridiculous, they surprise me and do just that. This man opposes the Plan B because he says it is abortion. I guess he doesn't really know what the Plan B pill actually does. It prevents pregnancy. If a woman is pregnant already, the Plan B pill does not get rid of that pregnancy. So, we can all see that Akin is misinformed and happy to be so. The second ridiculous thing he said was that rape victims don't ever get pregnant. He claims that a woman's body shuts down when raped and resists pregnancy. What?? Are you for real? I wonder how outraged rape victims are at this statement. 

Women get raped every day. Some of them end up pregnant. I am more than sure that these victims don't want to be carrying the child of their rapist. And, to imply that is beyond sick. To me, it seems as though the Republicans war on women is in high gear. Akin tried to backtrack on his statements. He hasn't said exactly what he misspoke about though. He should pull out of the race. He should clearly learn more before he speaks. Our President said "The views expressed were offensive. Rape is rape. So what I think these comments do underscore is why we shouldn’t have a bunch of politicians — a majority whom are men — making health care decisions on behalf of women.” I think that sums it up nicely. Republicans take note.