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Loading...Dispatches From The War On Women: Conservatives Debate Legitimate Rape
Welcome to Dispatches, your round-up of the latest news from the frontlines of the War on Women. Have a story from your state or an idea on how to push back? Share them here and fight back against the War on Women.
Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) did the unthinkable in conservative politics: he said publicly what should only be said in private. For Akin this happened during an interview when he claimed that science backed up his assertion that it is very difficult for a woman to get pregnant via a “legitimate” rape because her body can magically shut it down. Of course, this is not true. But that hasn’t stopped conservatives like Akin and Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan from using it to justify banning abortion in all contexts. There’s been an uproar over Akin’s comments, but so far Akin insists he staying in the race. And the real story with Akin isn’t what he said, but the fact that it represents the truth among conservative circles.
Ilyse Hogue has one of the best takes on the Akin controversy and the dangers of laughing off his comments. Irin Carmon’s is good too.
Is Akin dropping out really the best outcome for supporters of women’s rights though?
Oh, and just to drive home the point, Akin’s spiritual mentor believes women who are raped totally had it coming to them.
More progress on the male birth control front, maybe.
Texas conservatives are doing their best to make the state contraceptive-free and, sadly, they seem to be succeeding.
The Moms Clean Air Force has this piece on the price Oklahomans are paying because their Senator doesn’t believe in climate change.
That post underscores just how important elections are, a fact conservatives know very well and explains their aggressive efforts to suppress the vote in key swing states like Ohio and Florida.
This high school valedictorian was denied a diploma because she said “hell” in her commencement address. Really.
Can you afford kindergarten?
Finally, the latest installment of Teaching Feminism brings a success story.
Thanks for checking back and don’t forget to send in your stories, suggestions and comments. We’ll be back each weekday with the latest in the best and the worst from the War on Women. So long as the battle rages, we’ll cover the latest, so please check back!
Read more: dispatches, Dispatches from the War on Women, war on women, war_on_women
Photo from gabriele fontana via flickr.
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+ add your ownDarryl I look to leaders you listen to nay sayers with no vision for the people and a lot money that fights against our best interest.
Darryl the very fact that you blame both parties and whine about the government and others not using their own judgement to agree with your way of thinking shows who the real follower is in this conversation.
Just saw on CNN where Sarah Palin tweeted a empty booster seat strapped to an empty chair; she's preparing herself for the next illegitimate child born to one of her own spawn!
The dominant sub-society is comprised of white males whose values can be labeled as androcentric, misogynistic, patriarchal and christian. Over the past decades since Nixon and Reagan acknowledged them, the silent majority associated with christian beliefs has been laboring to recraft this nation as a christian nation by their rules and definitions.
They are the white wealthy, and they are largely in power (just look at the congressional breakup according to race, class and gender). Dominant groups act in ways to maintain their dominance.
They are christian in name only and only demonstrate christian values when it suits their purposes and serve their ends towards maintaining the dominance. They are very incensed over movements and legislation within the past several decades that sought to balance the playing field by enacting laws regarding civil rights, equal rights and women’s rights.
These laws have put them off balance and has angered them over the past 50 years. They are trying to reclaim their dominance based on religious and political views. They craft and establish social institutions that serve their interests. And this current phase is their backlash for the movements in the past 50 years to make American better and more equal for all.
Any woman who votes Republican hates other women. Sadly, there are plenty women like that.
Oh really Darryl being a man you have conveinently left out that the Republican Party is trying to change the definiton of rape. Being a man I guess one should not expect much else from you than to listen to fake truths. But maybe you should educate yourself because I think the women in your life would appreciate it.
If she said no and he did her anyway she was raped. If she was raped she has been through enough trauma that no one has any right detailing that offence calling it legitimate or not.See rape is a crime. It is wrong and there is punishment for whoever is guilty of it. So those wanting to go over and over trying to make like it is ok are asking for some really bad karma coming their way. Wait till something happens to them! Remember that what comes around goes around!
If she didn't consent to the sex, it's rape. Period.
Darryl your the pot calling the kettle black. quit blaming the democrates for all the problems in this country. That's like deny that the corporations own your party lock, stock, annd barrel. At least the deomocrates look after the interest of the people while being bought. The Republican's throw us under the bus and run us over while their doing it without conscience.
Chillin you are making the rounds posting this same sexist misogynistic message word for word claiming status as a webmaster. Is there a reason you would want to post things like this and eliminate any credibility you might have had?
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