By Jack Kelly

As you may or may not be aware, some Congressman in Missouri who know one ever heard of, who is also running for Senate and up until this weekend, was probably going to win, said one of the more stupider things known to man. Congressman Todd Akin demonstrated quite clearly that stupidity and nastiness can be an all encompassing world.  Common wisdom usually deems that when a public official says an outrageously dumb statement, he is either ignorant or a jackass; Congressman Akin has been able to prove you can be both.

Congressman Akin made his crazy comments on some random local TV show related to abortion.  The Congressman and the host were discussing abortion and specifically, his opposition to abortion even in cases such as incest and rape.  Here is what he said:

“First of all, from what I understand from doctors, (pregnancy from rape) is really rare.  If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” He then eloquently continues his idiotic, non-scientific rant by saying “But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.”

Ok, So congressman Akin is saying that if a girl is being raped and the rapist (sick) releases his fluids inside her, the female body will just “shut that whole process down.”  Utter madness and more importantly, horrific insensitivity to all woman, but especially those who have been raped.

Let us be clear, this was not a mistake or gaffe, which is a political term for an out of context quote.  This is a deeply held belief among radical Christians.  His only mistake was his articulation of his actual thoughts.  For further proof Congressman Akin words are viewed as mainstream in some Christian conservative circles, look no further to former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and prominent Christian conservative, who said this last night:

“‘extraordinary’ people can be born out of ‘forcible rape’.  He then cites some examples “‘Ethel Waters, for example, was the result of a forcible rape,’ Huckabee said of the late singer. 

‘I used to work for James Robison back in the 1970s. He leads a large Christian organization. He was the result of a forcible rape.’I know it happens, and yet even from those horrible, horrible tragedies of rape, which are inexcusable and indefensible, life has come and sometimes, those people are able to do extraordinary things.”

One person Huckabee failed to mention as someone who was most likely born of ‘forciblee’ rape and incest was none other than Ted Bundy, the infamous serial killer.  As time has passed, researches and authors looking into Bundy’s past have speculated on some intriguing information that Bundy was most likely the product of an incestuouss rape by Bundy’s grandfather, who up until around his 12th birthday, he thought was his biological father and that his mother was actually his sister.  In fact, his mother simply said that Bundy’s father was some random guy that she refused to speak about.

I am not here to say that some wonderful people have not been born out of a horrific act such as rape, but if Mr. Huckabee wants to cite some of these people as a some sort of twisted defense of Congressman Akin’s crazy comments, I felt it was appropriate to mention some others born of possible ‘forcible’ rape.  In addition, what is up with this distinction of rape?

According to Mr. Huckabee and Congressman Akin rape philosophies, some level of rape is different.  Apparently, if you use a gun to rape a girl or boy, it is ‘forcible’.  But if you slip someone a roofie or continue to proceed as they scream no, it is not forcible?  WTF is wrong with these people?

Understandably, this issue arose because of a conversation about abortion, which in itself is an emotional and highly charged issue.  I understand and respect people who are against abortion.  It is a difficult issue and I do not believe many people, even those who are pro-choice consider it an issue that creates exciting dialogue.  I am pro-choice, but not enthusiastically.  Meaning, I am for a woman’s right to choose, but understand the emotional and moral complexities involved with such a decision.

But forcing a woman who was the victim of rape or incest to continue a pregnancy is beyond cruel and especially when the person trying to enact such a law is an old man who has zero understanding of the female body or physiology.

The sad part is people in Missouri will still vote for this guy, as almost half the population consider themselves Christian conservatives, which apparently means being against abortion and gay people.  I very rarely hear them speak about helping the poor or trying to enrich the lives of the less fortunate of their communities, something I consider Jesus’s mission to mostly mean.

O well, it is what it is.  I just hope people pay attention to what is happening in our country.  That guy could end up being a U.S. Senator by next year,

unless people ‘forcibly’ vote against him for ‘legitimate’ reasons of stupidity and insanity.