| | GOP watering down rapeJanuary 28, 2011 - Terry EstepI was worried the GOP wouldn't do something to drive me crazy this week, although Michelle Bachmann's bizarre Tea Party response to Obama's State of the Union address nearly qualified. Mercifully, House Republicans took a break from doing nothing about the economy to focus on their usual laundry list of culture war issues. This time, they're attacking women by watering down the definition of rape. I wish I was mistaken. Thanks to the Hyde Amendment, federal dollars only pay for abortion in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. It seems the GOP believe that's allowing too many women to avoid having to carry a rapist's unwanted progeny to term, so included in their "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act" is a provision that limits the rape exemption to "forcible rape." Remember that, ladies. If a guy pulls a knife on you and rapes you, you can get help if you need it to terminate a resulting pregnancy. If he puts Rohypnol in your drink and rapes you while you're incapacitated, the GOP thinks you should have pay an abortion out of your own pocket. This bill has more than 170 sponsors in the House, and is part of a legislative effort to keep even private insurance plans from paying for a legal medical procedure that many women will choose over the course of their lives for many different reasons. And this is the sort of thing conservatives believe should be a legislative priority. Not growing the economy and getting people back to work, but punishing women who have already been victimized. Maybe they should skip a few steps and go straight to making sure women can't leave the house without a male relative to protect their honor. That's where the alliance between the GOP and the religious right seems to be heading most of the time. Thanks, GOP. Just when I think I have nothing to be outraged about, you renew my faith with your heartless misogyny. I can't imagine what kind of person could look a woman in the eye and say "Yeah, you were raped... but it wasn't rape rape." Here's hoping this bill fails. Article Comments(10)pknoppFeb-02-11 6:24 PM If you can not give your consent such as the example gave (drugged), it's forcible rape. It's unfortunate the lengths some will go to mischaracterize the actions of others. We can look to Philadelphia to see where that gets us. EstherJan-31-11 4:58 PM To the nay-sayers on here who seem to think the left is full of liars, I would say this. Why is it I never get any lying e-mails from the left? Why am I bombareded with lying e-mails from the right? ReneeGoldJan-31-11 11:20 AM "Ahh typical conservitive responses" - Yes...so typical for them to expect the truth to be printed. manydemocratsJan-31-11 8:54 AM I repeat Dixie's comments below. "Thank you for publishing information people need. Though many of your commenters appear to be members of the mentally challenged cult of Fox News watchers, there are those of us who are appreciative of your efforts to keep the news relevant." Dixie1Jan-31-11 6:40 AM Thank you for publishing information people need. Though many of your commenters appear to be members of the mentally challenged cult of Fox News watchers, there are those of us who are appreciative of your efforts to keep the news relevant. columbiablueJan-31-11 6:29 AM Nice Journalism, bowl cut. Did someone assign this to you 3 minutes before your deadline, or is this your normal output of factless drivel? PJonesJan-30-11 1:38 AM I've read some of your bs and I truly cannot understand why anyone would give a shite what you think! Haha Its hilarious I haven't been more bored by someone pretending to be outraged since I saw anyone on MSNBC pretend to criticize the President for being nothing more than a cheap copy of Jimmy Carter. Do you seriously get paid for this garbage? Or more likely is your Daddy's last name Sentinel or something. I've had bowel movements that provide more interest than your very poor attempt at rhetoric. Good luck with your education... ReneeGoldJan-29-11 11:36 PM This article is full of misinformation. One would hope that you would research your information a little farther than the Huffington Post. But, that would take effort to research the truth. Check your facts. neocurmudgeon74Jan-29-11 8:28 AM I agree that the qualifications for payment should not be changed. But you print a mistake when you say "the GOP thinks you should have pay an abortion out of your own pocket." The sponsors of this bill think you shouldn't have an abortion at all. You know that, Terry. The whole column is exaggerated. That's an easier way to write an interesting column. Writing an engaging column while sticking to the facts takes more time and effort, but it can be done. VwllssWndrJan-28-11 11:23 PM As if any of these clowns seriously wants to overturn Roe V. Wade anyway. They never make a sincere effort to do anything about it when they get elected, because they know*****well the "Pro-Life" platform is worth more votes as long as it's still legal. AND NO ONE NOTICES. Post a Comment | in: News, Blogs & Events Web  |
