Akin/Ryan legislative teamwork.

"No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act" was a piece of legislation co-sponsored by Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) and Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wis). The original language of the bill defined rape as "forcible rape". Rape would no longer be considered rape if Physical violence were not a factor in the crime. Example-slip a date rape drug into a drink and rape a college girl while she is unconscious? - no physical bruising observed, so it's technically not a rape, so the young woman should not expect access to abortion for the egg cell fertilized by her rapist.

statutory rape goes into the same category. 15 year old girl impregnated by uncle Ned, not a problem, she can carry the fetus to term and give it up,for adoption. no need to talk about abortion.

Public outcry did result in this language being dropped. But hey, Akin and Ryan were on the same page. just saying, it happened.

Source: www.thinkprogress.org

Comments: 12

Dennis Gilman Aug 20, 2012, 4:28pm UTC

It is getting scary.

Chris Wiegard Aug 20, 2012, 4:35pm UTC

Many conservative Americans agree with Akin and Ryan on this one. The majority of Americans do not however.
overall, Americans dislike abortion but do not agree with the tea party solution: zero abortions, no matter rape or incest or health of the mother.

Dennis Gilman Aug 20, 2012, 5:10pm UTC

Whereas I strongly disagree with abortions in the case of rape or incest because it is an injustice to the innocent party, I would not oppose it. I have seen the relationship between a child of rape and his mother. It took tons of counseling, encouragement, displays of unconditional love from the entire body of elders and deacons along with the support of relatives (from shortly after birth to adulthood) for it to not turn out bad.

Regarding the cases where the mother's health is in great danger, the mother alone should decide.

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Gerald_Waving my Freak-flag High Brewster Aug 20, 2012, 6:24pm UTC

Why am I not surprised? I had a bad feeling about this Ryan guy, but this seems a pretty good indication of his character. God help us!

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Larry M. Aug 20, 2012, 7:06pm UTC

That's a disgusting attitude toward women.

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David K. Aug 20, 2012, 8:57pm UTC

It's interesting to see the Republican party trying to get Akin to drop out of the race. This is entirely to avoid damaging the "brand" of Romney and company who desperately want to capture control of the Senate.

But Akin's basic view on abortion and women's rights is exactly the same as Romney and Ryan. He just had the misfortune of actually verbalizing his belief that old white guys get to decide what happens to women.

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Matthew M. Aug 20, 2012, 11:09pm UTC

I have no comment on the legislation for now (don’t have time to research), but perhaps someone can tell me why, if abortion is murder, there should be an exception for rape. How does the crime of one person make it acceptable to commit another crime? Why would the father’s crime change the unborn child’s right to live?

Chris Wiegard Aug 20, 2012, 11:33pm UTC

Because a fertilized egg cell is a potential future human, not an actual human. Ryan and Akin oppose the morning after pill.

Matthew M. Aug 21, 2012, 10:37pm UTC

I know that's what you think Chris. But the question was, "why, if abortion is murder, there should be an exception for rape."

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Jim G. Aug 21, 2012, 7:46pm UTC

Where are the GOP women? Sitting in their "Stepford Wife" kitchens waiting for hubby to come home for dinner?

Chris Wiegard Aug 21, 2012, 8:16pm UTC

I encountered several here on gather who think that Akin is just wonderful. They think what he said was dumb, but they still love him because he hates abortion.

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Akin/Ryan legislative teamwork.

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