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While I do believe what many of the quoted republican candidates said was distasteful, I also think it is wrong to generalize the whole republican party to hold these extreme positions. I also think it is a bit disingenuous to link these comments to Romney's presidential bid. If you are going to criticize Romney, please address his actual words and policy positions.
I'm saying their comments can tip the scales for undecided voters. Though, I would hate to have one of them on the jury of a rape trial.
Anna Scott
Why don't they put out a memo warning Republicans not to bring up the topic of rape until after the election. Big foot in mouth problem with that issue. .
Why don't they put out a memo warning Republicans not to bring up the topic of rape until after the election. Big foot in mouth problem with that issue.
Many politicians suffer from a serious case of foot-in-mouth disease. This year the foot-in-mouth award goes to Republicans and their comments on rape.
. . . .So, that brings me to the thread topic: Republicans' appalling comments can tip the scale for undecided voters. I realize that can also be said of appalling statements made by Democrats, though that is not the topic here. However, as I noted above, the Republican comments really hit a nerve for me personally. . .
From an intellectual standpoint; I realize publication of scandalous comments and actions are timed for release at the most opportune moment---meant to inflict the most damage possible to one's opponent. I get that. The thing is, sometimes this strategy works.
There's plenty of material to work with on the Democrat side. A thread could be started to discuss offensive comments made by Democrats that tip the scales in favor of Republicans. . . .
"Jeffwhosoever" conveniently fails to mention that:
1. Mitt Romney's choice for Vice President, Paul Ryan, has ultraconservative views on rape and abortion are not that much different from
Todd "legitimate rape" Akin and Richard "God's will" Mourdock.
2. Ironically, it was Richard Mourdock who was the only GOP Senatorial candidate for whom Mitt Romney saw fit to put his endorsement on video.
3. One would have expected that after experiencing the embarrassment of Todd Akin's "legitimate rape" comments, Romney would at least have had the good sense to insist that Richard Mourdock be properly "vetted" concerning his "prolife" views - before releasing the endorsement video.
Mitt Romney " Extremely Conservative and Endorsing Richard Mourdock " - YouTube
How the GOP's Real Agenda Is Revealed in Their Nasty Rape Comments
Republican activist Phyllis Schlafly declared that marital rape doesn't exist, because when you get married you sign up to be sexually available to your husband at all times.
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Rep. Todd Akin
"If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let's assume maybe that didn't work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist."
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Boston Globe: US Senate candidate Richard Mourdock stands by comment that pregnancy from rape something God intended
Richard Mourdock: 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.
_________________________
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Sen. John Cornyn of Texas actually supported Mourdock, saying that the Republican's view on abortion is the same as that of Mourdock's rival, Rep. Joe Donnelly.
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Global Post: Some Girls Rape Easy: Republican candidate Roger Rivard sparks outrage
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Sharron Angle's Advice For Rape Victims Considering Abortion: Turn Lemons Into Lemonade
In the case of a young girl raped by her father , Sharron Angle insisted that "two wrongs don't make a right," and Lemons can be made into lemonade.
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Who talks like this? Who says, lemons can be made into lemonade when a young girl has been raped by her father. Regardless of what one believes about the abortion issue; such a statement is offensively and outrageously insensitive. The trauma of such a rape can take a lifetime to overcome, and some never heal.
What kind of person says, some girls rape easy or marital rape doesn't exist or in a "legitimate" rape a girl will not become pregnant?
. . . .Romney's obvious disdain for the less fortunate, combined with the inexcusable comments Republicans have made about women and rape, provided the tipping point for me in this election.
I am a registered Republican. I voted for Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
In November, I will vote for President Obama. In fact, I will vote a straight Democrat ticket.
One thing Republicans have managed to accomplished is turning this Republican into a Democrat.
There is no way to ignore this trend among Republicans. This is appalling on so many levels.
. . .I want people to understand that when these demeaning things are said about women and rape; it affects all of us who are rape survivors. It's like being victimized all over again---only with words from the good old boys in the Republican Party.
What I can't understand is why more people aren't outraged by these comments--whether they are Republican or Democrat.
. . . .The point is these appalling statements about women and rape, and Romney's comments about the 47%, can tip the scales for undecided voters.
It happened in my case. That doesn't mean I haven't considered the issues our country is facing, and the position and plans presented by both candidates.
This thread is not about the issues. It's not even about pro-life vs. pro-choice.
It's about the effect of these particular comments on the undecided voter. . . .
. . .The point is these appalling statements about women and rape, and Romney's comments about the 47%, can tip the scales for undecided voters.
It happened in my case. That doesn't mean I haven't considered the issues our country is facing, and the position and plans presented by both candidates.
This thread is not about the issues. It's not even about pro-life vs. pro-choice.
It's about the effect of these particular comments on the undecided voter. . .
I'm saying their comments can tip the scales for undecided voters. Though, I would hate to have one of them on the jury of a rape trial.
. . .Of course the Democrats are using the comments, but these statements about rape are real. They can be read in context on numerous news sites.
Yes, they are both bringing out the mudslinging in full force. No argument.
. . . .I've remained undecided for so long, because I see two bad choices for President. It's been a matter of trying to determine which is the "best bad choice"----terrible predicament. I've talked to a number of people in the same situation.
The whole point of this thread is to consider how these comments, quoted in my OP, can tip the scales for the undecided voter.
If I don't like either candidate, but feel I must choose one---comments have more of an effect than usual.
The reality is when the intellectual aspect of weighing the issues is exhausted, and neither candidate is acceptable; emotions enter the equation and often break the tie.
The rape comments hit a nerve with me, because I am a rape survivor.
. . . .So, that brings me to the thread topic: Republicans' appalling comments can tip the scale for undecided voters. I realize that can also be said of appalling statements made by Democrats, though that is not the topic here. However, as I noted above, the Republican comments really hit a nerve for me personally.
From an intellectual standpoint; I realize publication of scandalous comments and actions are timed for release at the most opportune moment---meant to inflict the most damage possible to one's opponent. I get that. The thing is, sometimes this strategy works.
. . . . .
The problem I think you are touching on here, and it is a valid one, is that many voters decide based almost entirely on emotion, without a serious consideration of all the issues, positions, and plans of each candidate. The candidates' passionate speeches, which often lack any serious content, stir up crowds and people get carried away. There are voters who will vote for their candidate no matter what he/she does or says.
I think it is important to understand what drives our decision making; and I explained mine. I appreciate your acknowledging my "cold hard look at this election." . . . . .
I think all of us are tired of the mudslinging. Even in the Presidential debates, both candidates spent too much time criticizing each other rather than clearly laying out their plans for this country and the "hows" behind accomplishing their plans.
. . .As I said in my last post: The reality is when the intellectual aspect of weighing the issues is exhausted, and neither candidate is acceptable; emotions enter the equation and often break the tie. So, both parties need to think before they speak.
Many politicians suffer from a serious case of foot-in-mouth disease. This year the foot-in-mouth award goes to Republicans and their comments on rape.
SolomonVII,
The title of this thread is: Republicans' appalling comments can tip the scale for undecided voters-IMHO.
If you go back and read my OP; you will see that Republicans' rape comments and Romney's 47% "gaffe," are the topic of this thread, along with discussing how these comments can tip the scales for an undecided voter.
There's plenty of material to work with on the Democrat side. A thread could be started to discuss offensive comments made by Democrats that tip the scales in favor of Republicans. . . .
SolomonVII,
I agree that in the larger picture of this election, statements and "gaffes" from both sides should be considered.
However, I think there are times when there is great value in separating the discussions. I'm asking for that separation in this thread.
In my OP, most of the quotes were about rape. I've tried to let people know what these kinds of comments do and how they affect rape survivors.
If you look back through this thread, very few people even addressed the rape comments. Instead, most people have ignored the issue entirely, or they have thrown out the short comings of Democrats (and there are many.) One poster even said it's all propaganda.
Posters are more comfortable discussing Romney's 47% gaffe. That's understandable.
As a rape survivor, I want to let people know how appalling these rape comments really are, how they affect and demean women, and how they can tip the scales for undecided voters.
Look at what Mourdock said:
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.
Boston Globe: US Senate candidate Richard Mourdock stands by comment that pregnancy from rape something God intended
If God intended the rape victim to become pregnant, God would also have to intend for the rape to happen. You can't separate the two. Without the rape, there would be no pregnancy. The pregnancy could not happen with out the rape.
Speaking for God is a serious issue. Would God specifically guide the rapist's sperm to make sure the egg of the rape victim was fertilized, because God "intended" for the victim to become pregnant?
Romney/Ryan still support Mourdock, but not his comment.
God is the author and creator of all life. God created us in such a way that pregnancy occurs through intercourse. However, I think it is a serious theological stretch to say God "intends" for a rape victim to become pregnant. You can't separate the rape from the pregnancy. .
jpcedotal,
I really can't believe you actually called responses to these inexcusable comments about rape "whining."
Are you a Republican who believes a women becomes pregnant through rape, because God intended it; some girls rape easy; marital rape doesn't exist; or in "legitimate rape" a women will not become pregnant?
Are women meant to be silent, just "suck it up," and make "lemonade" out of "lemons"?
All you have done is make one more demeaning comment about women, and it is inexcusable.
jpcedotal & Jeffwhosoever,
Speaking out about these appalling comments about women and rape, according to the two of you, is "whining" and "quite pathetic."
Your statements are demeaning to women, and you are both doing serious damage to the Republican reputation.
Adam,
It's good to hear a voice of reason and compassion from a Republican. You represent yourself and your party well. .
jgarden,
Indeed, Mourdock should have been "properly vetted." Now, Romney has tied himself to Mourdock's views whether he agrees with them or not.
One can be "prolife" without demeaning women in the process.
Glad you clarified that--since you said my response to statements that do demean women was "quite pathetic."
I am a member of the Republican Party. Rturner76 posted this large rape chart with a GOP symbol at the top and the title "Republican Party Rape Advisory chart" which flamed me and every other member of the GOP. I let it slide at first, since this is an election. But then you added the footnote "There is no way to ignore this trend among Republicans. This is appalling on so many levels." which certainly implied you were talking about not just the people in that chart but the entire GOP. Several of us tried to tell you to stop with this constant barrage against us, and you just keep pounding and pounding it over and over again.
I am very sorry for what happened to you. But, you crossed a line very early in this thread and used it to attack every member of the GOP, and you just kept going no matter what we said. Chris81 told you point blank what you were doing, and yet you just kept on going, fanning the flame and digging deeper into the wound. I do not condone what happened to you, and neither do 99.99999% of Republicans you keep throwing under the bus.
I have a wife. I have 2 sisters and 3 sisters in law. I have a mother who is alive, I have nieces, I have female cousins. Do you not think I would die defending any of them from rape? I would go to the end of the world pursuing anyone who attacked them.
Please stop with your attacks on me and the members of the GOP who fully agree that rape is a crime and none of us would say anything other than it is an evil straight from Hell.
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