Rant
A Rape Resulting in a Pregnancy Is Not a Blessing
As if Rep. Todd Akin's "legitimate rape" comment wasn't horrifying enough: Today, Missouri GOP Committeewoman Sharon Barnes added insult to injury by not only agreeing with Akin's unfounded belief that "very few" rapes result in pregnancy, but by further elaborating: "At that point, if God has chosen to bless this person with a life, you don't kill it. That's more what I believe he [Rep. Akin] was trying to state. He just phrased it badly."
Oh, is that all he was trying to state? That rape is a blessing? Oh, well. Pffft. What a silly misunderstanding. Now if you'll please excuse me, I need to go bang my head against the wall repeatedly. Akin's mind-boggling ignorance is scary, but Barnes' recklessness is almost scarier. Did she stop to consider what sort of message she might be sending? To equate a sick and violent crime with an act of god?
The stigma surrounding rape is already outrageous -- incomprehensibly so. It's 2012, and our society is still making excuses?! And I thought it couldn't get any worse than that whole GOP "re-defining rape" fiasco from last year. (Brilliantly blasted by Kristin Schaal on The Daily Show: "You'd be surprised how many drugged, underaged, and/or mentally handicapped women have been gaming the system!")
But I'm afraid it is getting worse. Way to justify the actions of sex offenders everywhere, Ms. Barnes! Will they be allowed to use the "mission from god" defense in court, I wonder?
I would say that Barnes should make a public apology, but if Akin's pathetic mea culpa is any indication, I think the GOP might be re-defining "apology" too.
What do you think Sharon Barnes was trying to say?
Image via Women's eNews/Flickr
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fleurdelys3110
Both of these people make me disgusted to identify with the Republican party. Oh, how I wish this country had more characteristics of the multi party system, so more people's views could be more accurately represented in government. It's a shame that there isn't a mainstream party combining the fiscal ideals of the Republicans and the social ideals of a Democrat.
fleurdelys3110
Btw, excellent and straightforward title.
Smart mom
LizzieBorden
Guest
EvalynCarnate
I absolutely agree with the first comment.
Adam
EmmaFromEire
That attitude...i just don't understand it. A child is a blessing if you want to have a child to raise, to nurture, to care for. But if you do not want to have a child, and the last thing a rape victim wants is to have her rapist's baby, then it is not a blessing.
EmmaFromEire
And i thoroughly agree with the first commenter, there doesn't seem to be and sort of compromise there, and both parties could contribute some really great ideas!
tnyangel
The good Rep is trying to say that she is voting what her CHURCH tells her to, and her church tells her abortion is wrong under any circumstance.
Absolutely agree with first comment. I've said so many times, as a Republican, a fiscal conservative, I'm ashamed of the social ideals of my party.