Part I: Should Government Force Rape Victims to Give Birth?

photo credit: Rachel Maddow show/MSNBC

 

 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#49562399
What do these Republican Senate candidates all have in common?

By Anna Manzo

Can this Republican "war on women" get any more outrageous?

Earlier this year, many women's groups recalled how beyond the pale it seemed there were presidential candidates such as Rick Santorum, who believes states should have the right to outlaw birth control and sodomy without the interference of the Supreme Court, according to the Huffington Post.

But then came Virginia's pending state law mandating transvaginal ultrasounds prior to abortions, which women would have to pay out of pocket. (However,  it turns out Virginia was not the only one.)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#49562399

As Rachel Maddow pointed out in her blog, there could be a whole collection of these commemorative probes, "This Violation Courtesy of the GOP..."

And even Doonesbury noted the "rape by transvaginal probe" scenario, in a series of cartoon strips, which many newspapers banned from their comic pages.

Then came Missouri's Senate candidate Todd Akin, who said a woman's body can "shut down" pregnancy in a "legitimate rape."  Mainstream Republicans sought to distance themselves from Akin's comments.

Connecticut's Linda McMahon, a former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, was one example of a Senate candidate who sought to distance herself from Akin, insisting she is pro-choice and a "job creator." However, not long afterwards, she sought to prevent, on YouTube, a documentary which showed the abuse and sexual humiliation of female wrestlers.

And now, with less than two weeks to go before the presidential election, more of these absurd attitudes toward women are still popping out of the GOP woodwork.

Just a few days ago:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I90ACVoWrg&feature=player_embedded 

"I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize that life is that gift from God. And, I think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen."  – tea party-sponsored Senate candidate Richard Mourdock, Indiana

"I'm 100 percent pro-life," in contrast with some of other opponents who are "pro-life with exceptions." – tea party endorsed Senate candidate Wendy Long, New York

"I am profoundly pro-life."  – Senate candidate John MacGovern, Vermont

According to Rachel Maddow last night, those are the likely viewpoints of 12 GOP Senate candidates who would criminalize abortion.

And while some mainstream GOP candidates will say they are pro-choice, let's not discount the fact  that vice-presidential running mate, Paul Ryan, who when asked about rape and abortion, replied:  the "method of conception doesn't change the definition of life."

So rape is a form of conception?

What do all these statements have in common?  
In essence, these candidates believe government should force rape victims to give birth against their will.

See it for yourself:


 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#49562399

The above cartoon first surfaced after Todd Akin refused to step down from his Senate candidacy in Missouri.

How many mainstream Republicans today are achin' to drop this grave violation to their party, and now find they must carry it to term?
 
Maybe these folks should take a few campaign tips from Stephen Colbert:

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