Akin's apology should be publicly and stridently rejected.

[Skidmore]

R/R are recoiling because his words are politically toxic. Those words are more than that--they are part of a lore which ensures women inferior treatment socially, sexually, medically, and denies them control over their own bodies. Any acknowledgement of the apology as being acceptable gives permission for these mysogynists to pursue policies detrimental to women. So many times these public figures mouth apologies which are hollow knots of words. This is one of those cases. There is no way that this man has changed his beliefs or his intent when it comes to women's issues. Akin needs to suffer some very real political consequences and they should begin with a loud denunciation of his words followed by a rejection of his apology. By extension, Ryan needs to be soundly denounced by women and men for his involvement with the legislative initiative everywhere he goes. The apology, including Ryan's statement following Akin's remarks, have the same value of the apologies of an abusive spouse. Why should women be mollified by either to suffer more abuse in the future?

[CoffeeCat]

1. ...and Akin should be tied to Paul Ryan...

...because Akin and Ryan co-sponsored HR 3. They actually sat down together and wrote legislation that narrowed the definition of rape!

They came up with a new term "forcible rape." Why did they do this? Paul Ryan and Mr. Akin didn't like it that Medicaid funds abortions for women who are raped. So, they decided to sponsor legislation that stipulated that the woman must have been "forcibly raped" to receive Medicaid funds to pay for the abortion.

In effect, if a woman was raped, but there was no overt violence--or she lacked bruises or broken bones--then she would have a difficult time proving that she was "forcibly raped", denied Medicaid benefits to pay for the abortion and she'd be sent on her way to carry this pregnancy to full term.

So, women who were raped with a date rape drug--so sorry. Your rape wasn't "forcible" enough. Women who were drunk and taken advantage of? Ooops, you must have asked for it. A thirteen year old girl who is repeatedly raped by her father and traumatized into submission? Too bad, you were too traumatized to fight back, and you lose.

People, THIS IS SICK!!

Paul Ryan was NEVER held to account for attempting to redefine what rape is. He was never forced to explain the difference between rape and his new term "forcible rape."

This bastard has a lot of explaining to do--and because the scientifically illiterate Akin stepped in it--we may just get that explanation that we deserve.

[66 dmhlt]

11. Link to how Ryan & Akin are tied at the hip on their bill redefining what constitutes rape

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/08/todd-akin-paul-ryan-redefining-rape

[Bernardo de La Paz]

26. Ryan and Akin together (picture hides Akin's knife in Ryan's back)

[DirkGently]

27. Yes. But it's critical to remind everyone that this IS where

Republican / conservative POLICY on women's issues is coming from. In the Bible, a woman who doesn't scream loud enough when raped is to be executed for adultery.

None of this has ever been about conservatives' love of zygotes or the "sanctity of life" or any of that.

They want women punished and shamed for sex not authorized by a husband. They're concerned that claims of rape are too easy an excuse for a woman to escape punishment. Rape itself is really, in their minds, an insult to a woman's husband more than to her -- after all, it's his property being violated, the legitimacy of his heirs being brought in to question. This is why any interference with pregnancy cannot be tolerated.

This is the entire, insane abortion / contraception "controversy" in a nutshell. It's not that this one person is especially extreme. He's simply following the rationale that's been released from its Paleolithic dungeon, and which conservative leaders are again making the law of the land.

[coalition_unwilling]

48. Please stop giving us Paleoliths a bad name! This message

courtesy of the PDL (Paleolithic Defense League).



On a serious note, I wish you would consider expanding on these remarks and fashioning an OP out of them. It's very spot-on analysis, imo, some of the best I've seen on DU so far.

[DirkGently]

52. Ugg! Dirk alunga bobo!

(thanks)

I think this whole thing is so repellant that no one knows where to begin. Anti-abortion sentiment has passed as religion or moral objection for so long and has grown and become so much more poisonous and violent and insane without that it is finally coming to its full, grotesque bloom.

It's so bad it's difficult to even talk about it. The whole conservative movement is hateful game of Whack-a-Mole. We elect a black President, and they attack gay marriage. We end DADT and we get forced ultrasounds and increasingly vile language about aspirin between the knees and "legitimate rape." It's as though we have a fixed mass of brutality than we can only shift from one group to another.

I get so angry about this that I don't know where to begin. It should not be possible for us to be anywhere near this kind of bad

[hlthe2b]

2. Entire campaign should be buld around this RETHUG US Senate candidaate and the RETHUG war on Women

Absolutely tie him, his rhetoric and attitudes to anti-women RETHUG efforts nationwide. Hang it around their friggin necks.

[reformist2]

5. I'm not sure how interested voters are in Akin nationwide, but Dems should use this to win Missouri.

[hlthe2b]

15. You miss the point-the fact is this is the RNC's SENATE candidate AND Paul Ryan & others in Congress

have tried to redefine rape in a manner not all that dissimilar to this Akins guy ties the entire National ticket to it. Akins is only the tool (and he surely IS a tool)

[byeya]

20. I think you are on the money here. Print ads that just say AkinRyan over and over will

help the message sink in. Maybe it'll help the MO Senator trying to retain her seat.
The above worked for Jesse Helms in the 1970s.

[RC]

25. Oh it definitely will help.

Chain these two together and anyone else who tries to defend them. Make them poison within their own party.

[CoffeeCat]

38. Yes, and we must do our part--ONLINE

Please everyone--post the articles (that link Ryan/Akin and their co-sponsored "forcible rape" legislation). Post to
Twitter, and pull up articles (CNN and other national outlets) and post this information in the comments sections.

Also, write media outlets and ask them why they are not covering the fact that Paul Ryan and Akin co-authored legislation that redefined rape and narrowed the definition to a new term "forcible rape."

Damn the media! They're not covering this!

We must do the groundwork, I guess.

[panader0]

43. "Chain these two together"

Speaking of chains, Akins idiotic comment has completely overshadowed Biden's misunderstood "gaffe".
I put "gaffe' in parentheses because it was true.

[uponit7771]

31. +1, if a vid can be made with them using the same language then you're right ...

[coalition_unwilling]

49. Akin's remarks, my friend, are what is known as a potential "Party Killer". Could

spell the death of the Republican Party as you and I know it.

In my short lifetime, I've seen man walk on the moon and the fall of the Iron Curtain. I would love to see the death of the Republican Party in that same lifetime. That would truly be a thing of beauty.

[DCKit]

3. DID he apologize, or did he say he "misspoke" or "was misunderstood" or "chose the wrong words"?

AFAIC, he said exactly what he meant to say and he believes it to his rotten core.

And he's all tied up with Paul Ryan.

[lastlib]

8. He said he "misspoke", and was "sorry if anyone was offended."...

...meaning he wasn't a bit sorry to anyone he didn't offend.

We need to make this clown the third guy on the R ticket. Romney/Ryan/Akin...

[Ms. Toad]

4. And he should be removed from the House Science and Technology Committee

http://www.leftaction.com/action/tell-boehner-remove-akin-science-committee

[TBF]

21. He ought to be removed from Congress, period. nt

[Ms. Toad]

50. I don't disagree - but that is a much longer process

Much easier - and ample information - to establish he is scientifically illiterate and should have nothing to do with creating this country's science and technology policy.

[Philosoraptor]

6. -oops...I 'misspoke'.

what he MEANT to say is that women should just relax and enjoy the rape and quit having non republican children.

[Kalidurga]

7. He didn't apologize.

He said he misspoke. Two entirely different things.

[Skidmore]

10. He gave what has passed for an apology in the media. A cookie cutter

nonapology apology. Either way, it should be rejected. That means vocal pushback--loud and long. Thinking such as this should not go unanswered.

[uponit7771]

32. +1...and they repeat it ad nauseum as an apology which is stupid.

[treestar]

46. And he has no explanation

It's not like what he said was possible to interpret two different ways.

[lunatica]

9. It's hard to believe someone has the gall to speak publicly like that

What in the world makes them think women will just take this?

[Heather MC]

12. Believe it or not that bull crap he spewed was taught

in some religious leaning schools in the south. this man has believed this shit for decades I bet!

[Skidmore]

14. And will believe it for decades more. Ignorance is godliness.

[Daemonaquila]

34. That's the scary part.

Half our elected officials are outrageously stupid, ignorant, and proud, and NOBODY is publicly calling them out on it. We're in deep trouble and getting deeper, and will only start turning it around when this kind of lunacy invites unending public scorn and means the end of a political career.

[Heather MC]

44. The weird thing is at his age he has never ever accidently stumbled upon a fact that dispproved that

"theory" I mean I was raised in a batshit crazy religion but once I was able to think for my self at 9! I realized 99.9% of what I was being taught was utter bullshit. I guess self teaching is bad thing to some people

[Warren Stupidity]

16. More than 40% of women voters will vote republican.

[dynasaw]

35. Unfortunately, there are women who will

. . .and do among the republican and fundamentalist groups.

[RC]

42. And how many women will vote for him, even now, because he is against abortion?

When I was still working, there were two women (late 30's) in the office that voted for bu$h twice, because, of 1, Sarah Palin (needed a woman in there), and 2, both bu$h and Palin were "pro-life". Nothing else seem to matter in this decision.

Yeah, sure, ya betcha there Charley.

[DonCoquixote]

13. Exactly

This needs to be played on blast whenever the GOP denies they have made any "war on women."

[no_hypocrisy]

17. Certain actions don't deserve the acceptance of an apology.

If you were raped, would you accept an apology from your rapist?

Akin's words were explicit and unapologetic. He can't just claim poor word choice later when he's criticized.

[marew]

18. Just minutes ago on Bill Press...

It was pointed out that Akin and Paul Ryan co-sponsored a bill that basically there would be no federal money for abortion if the victim showed no signs of violence from the rape. So if a woman had a gun to her head or a knife to her throat that left no significant marks and she is not covered with defensive wounds or bruises. she's on her own!
Words fail me!!!!

[Philosoraptor]

19. Rape is fine as long as it's a legitimate republican rapist

[TahitiNut]

22. Most appalling is that such a person can rise to such a level in our political system.

This knuckle-dragger didn't just suddenly appear on the political scene and just happen to get the nomination of the GOP. He's been around long enough and has gained prestige in "GOP circles" over the years while holding such views. He's habituated in regarding such views as not only acceptable, but laudable among the audiences to such verbal diarrhea. The STUPID runs deep in our political system.

[barbtries]

23. i rec'd your post

but i seem to be out of the loop. i haven't seen an apology, nor ryan's reaction to the original (unbelievable!) statement.

[Vinca]

24. Did he apologize for being ignorant or for reigniting the "war on women?"

[KharmaTrain]

28. He'll Double Down...

Remember, we have a right wing echo machine that can and does turn black into white and up into down. They'll rally around Akin and use the usual screaming tactic that his words were "taken out of context". They'll also go after my friend Charles Jaco...yes, a lifelong and proud liberal...who did the interview (on a Faux-owned teevee station) as being some "plant" for the Obama campaign. I also expect that the corporate media will go along with these diversions and distortions in their never-ending "all sides do it" game.

Akin will not apologize...and I even expect him to double down in saying that his words were scrambled and how he's such a good xtian and how dare the evil "librul media" and democrats for questioning his morality...

[Arkansas Granny]

29. What apology? All I've seen is Akin saying he "misspoke". That is not an apology, it's an excuse.

[Daemonaquila]

30. Nah, apology accepted...

... as long as it's accompanied by a resignation and a pledge to never again run for public office. Otherwise, it ain't a serious apology.

[SmittynMo]

33. This idiot truly represents the GOP!!!

There was no apology. I misspoke? Give me a break. Unfortunately, this is the way the GOP views life these days, across the board. And its not just Akin, its the entire party. War on Women, the middle class,,,,. I can go on and on about the far right. It's like they live in a bubble, and no cares about anyone, but themselves. I live in Missouri and I can tell you this idiot will NEVER get a vote from me and many others I know. Where's the humanity and common sense? There is none from the right. Screw them all.

[yardwork]

36. K&R. The Democrats need to be make Akin's words a centerpiece of this election.

[LeftinOH]

37. I don't think he should apologize at all.. he stated his belief,

which is obviously a ridiculous belief he has had for a loooooooong time. Yes, he's an idiot, but let the voters decide.

[lightcameron]

39. Yeah, I never understand what people get out of a forced apology.

There are so many demands for apologies these days. I have no idea why people do that.

If someone is truly sorry, they'll apologize on their own.

If I ever said something and someone demanded an apology (and I wasn't sorry), hell, I'd just say the words. Big deal.

It's like when a parent or teacher scolds a child: "Say you're sorry, and say it like you mean it." In other words, just make it sound good (i.e. "Lie!&quot

Another odd aspect of the Forced Apology Society is that when the person apologies, the demands for firing/resignation follow shortly thereafter.

We're too fucking sensitive in this country. Let the voters/consumers decide who they're going to support/buy from, after something allegedly offensive is said/done.

[SmittynMo]

40. I just got off an email thread

with some of my far right "so called" friends/co-workers. They will not change their vote based on this. Of course they blame the MSM for blowing this out of proportion. Then they went directly to the 716M that Obama blew on medicare. Some things never change. I have such a hard time with stupid people.

[genxlib]

41. Is Akin really the worst?

Akin has the distinction of being both vile and ignorant but I find the others to be just as bad if not worse.

Say what you want about Akin but at least his twisted little mind has led him to believe that he is not further abusing rape victims because of this magical birth control feature that he made up.

Other pro-lifers don't even care. they know the incidence of pregnancy is the same and yet they still take the opinion that no abortions are allowed. In their mind, the victim is just supposed to suck-it-up and incubate the demon child just because it is part of "God's plan". To me that is a sick and disgusting position to take.

Akin's comments have catapulted this to the headlines but in my opinion, they are all just as vile.

[seabeyond]

45. rape rape, forceful, honest rape, legitimate rape. especially cause we hear it so many ways

he is not the first. it is not a distant belief of some. it is a problem.

[coalition_unwilling]

47. Akin is not 'sorry' in any meaningful sense of the term. To quote a long-lost

songwriter friend of mine, Akin is only 'sorry he got caught'. (From my friend Burpo's great song "That Apology Thing." Burpo, hope you read this wherever you are now

[Gregorian]

51. Even semi-conscious can get this. That mean even Republicans are going to scratch their heads.

We're nowhere near as evolved as I thought we were. We're on the lower rung.

[DirkGently]

53. You can't apologize for this by saying you "misspoke."

Misspeaking is saying "Tuesday" when you meant "TOday." Mispronouncing something. Mixing up some small detail.

Saying you have spoken with "doctors" who have told you "legitimate rape" does not cause pregnancy is a vicious, deliberate lie meant to destroy lives.

He could say he grew up with distorted views about women and sex and morality that he is vigorously rethinking. He could say the public reaction has opened his eyes to a grotesque and perverse description of the world that does not exist.

He could beg forgiveness and make a huge contribution to Planned Parenthood.

But he did not "misspeak." This was not "foot in mouth disease." An unfortunate turn of phrase. A verbal "flub" as I think CNN tried to characterize it.

He could acknowledge that he owes women, and then humanity, an apology for a hideous attack on reason and an appeal to the worst of ancient lies.

He could start there. Not with "I misspoke."