"Legitimate Rape" according to US Senate candidate Rep.Todd Akin
THE STATEMENT, Sunday 19 August 2012
"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."
source: Republican Senate Nominee: Victims Of 'Legitimate Rape' Don't Get Pregnant
THE FACTS
32,101 pregnancies per year in the United States result from rape.
source: Rape-related pregnancy: estimates and descriptive characteristics from a national sample of women
THE SPIN
@davecatenese: So maybe. Just maybe, @ToddAkin didn't really mean 'legitimate.' Perhaps he meant if 'someone IS really raped' or 'a rape really occurs'
source: Politico Reporter Defends Akin
THE BACKLASH
Twitter, Facebook & other social media were abuzz with people's irate denouncements of Akin's statement.
source: The Danger of Laughing At Todd Akin
THE DAMAGE
"Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin's statement," the Romney campaign said in statement. "A Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape."
source: Romney rebukes Akin rape remark
THE REGRET
@toddakin: "To be clear, all of us understand that rape can result in pregnancy & I have great empathy for all victims. I regret misspeaking."- Todd
THE FAUX-POLOGY
UPDATE Tuesday 21 August 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R57E3S8RO7A
"Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way, and for that I apologize," Mr. Akin said in the spot.
"The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy. The truth is, rape has many victims. The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness," he added. Mr. Akin, noting that he is the father of two daughters, also said he wanted "tough justice" for rapists and expressed compassion for victims.
source: Akin releases new ad apologizing for ‘legitimate rape’ comments
THE DENOUNCEMENT OF WILLFUL IGNORANCE USED TO PROMOTE A POLITICAL AGENDA
*crickets chirping* (Because retracting WORDS is much easier than reversing a life-long misogynistic attitude.)
Click to view"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."
source: Republican Senate Nominee: Victims Of 'Legitimate Rape' Don't Get Pregnant
THE FACTS
32,101 pregnancies per year in the United States result from rape.
source: Rape-related pregnancy: estimates and descriptive characteristics from a national sample of women
THE SPIN
@davecatenese: So maybe. Just maybe, @ToddAkin didn't really mean 'legitimate.' Perhaps he meant if 'someone IS really raped' or 'a rape really occurs'
source: Politico Reporter Defends Akin
THE BACKLASH
Twitter, Facebook & other social media were abuzz with people's irate denouncements of Akin's statement.
source: The Danger of Laughing At Todd Akin
THE DAMAGE
"Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin's statement," the Romney campaign said in statement. "A Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape."
source: Romney rebukes Akin rape remark
THE REGRET
@toddakin: "To be clear, all of us understand that rape can result in pregnancy & I have great empathy for all victims. I regret misspeaking."- Todd
THE FAUX-POLOGY
UPDATE Tuesday 21 August 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R57E3S8RO7A
"Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way, and for that I apologize," Mr. Akin said in the spot.
"The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy. The truth is, rape has many victims. The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness," he added. Mr. Akin, noting that he is the father of two daughters, also said he wanted "tough justice" for rapists and expressed compassion for victims.
source: Akin releases new ad apologizing for ‘legitimate rape’ comments
THE DENOUNCEMENT OF WILLFUL IGNORANCE USED TO PROMOTE A POLITICAL AGENDA
*crickets chirping* (Because retracting WORDS is much easier than reversing a life-long misogynistic attitude.)