'There is no legitimate rape, there is no illegitimate rape'
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EUGENE, Ore. - Sexual assault counselors and pro-life activists both find cause for alarm in Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri's recent comments.
"If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to shut the whole thing down," Akin said in an interview.
His comments sparked presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and other Republicans to ask Akin to bow out of the Missouri Senate race.
He has stood firm.
"That I mispoke one word in one sentence in one day and all of a sudden, overnight, everybody decides well, Akin can't possibly win. I don't agree with that," Akin said.
The comment has resonated across the country.
"A rape is a rape," said BB Beltran, co-director of Sexual Assault Support Services in Eugene. "There is no legitimate rape, there is no illegitimate rape. It's just all sexual assault, it's taking something away from somebody and there's no way to defend that."
The comments also dismayed pro-life activists. Lynda Teutsch pf 4 Days for Life said whether a child is conceived from rape or not, there is still a child in the picture.
"The important part is the person who's committed the crime needs to be in jail, prosecuted, and the woman who is pregnant needs to be taken care of, and the baby who has been conceived needs to be taken care of and given options that would best suit them," she said.
Beltran said rape victims have a hard enough time coping with the dramatic consequences of rape. Akin's comment can actually be a setback.
"It's just not true, so it's alarming that somebody in this day and age would say something like that," she said.
I think what he meant was legitimate rape is like rape fantasy role playing in the bedroom between two consenting adults. Â
I couldn't believe it when I heard him say this yesterday. How uneducated is he. No one should have to ask him to step down. He should be done for such a stupid statement.
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I don't agree with what this guy said, but he did apologize. You know it used to be when someone apologized that was pretty much the end of the matter, but not in this day and age. They will have him drawn and quartered before this all shakes out. Just hope they can find it within themselves to treat all politicians the same irregardless of their affiliation.
 @souptonuts It probably would be the end of it if it came off with remorse... it really just seemed like some serious damage control though. He obviously didn't just "use the wrong words." I'm fairly certain the only thing he feels sorry about is that he voiced his opinions.
@PleaseBeSmart I can't disagree with what you are saying, but what I see as just as bad is the continual and constant onslaught by the news media to completely destroy this man. He was wrong, but he did not kill anyone, he apologized, he isn't very smart, and it is likely he will be defeated in the election. So let's make it so that he never has another peaceful day in his life. Oh, and the other thing is the double standard, had this been a Progressive Democrat they would not have drawn and quartered him like that. Example lately, Anthony Weiner, he was dumb and I did not hear the media go after him with such vitriol. There are numerous examples on both sides of the aisle and I condone none of it, I just wish they would treat everyone the same. Just another reason I detest politicians all together, lack of honor.
 @souptonuts  @PleaseBeSmart Infidelity doesn't inspire nearly as much public rage as the comments Mr. Akin made. Not even close.Â
Living proof that men have no business making laws to govern a woman's body.
 @Blahblahblah Or  a mans body for that matter.
So Giveupongod...can you give me an instance when a man has ever been told what he can or can not do with his body, by man or woman?
 @UsaidWHAT Can't smoke pot. Can't take opium,cocaine,meth, in the 20's he could not drink alcohol.
 @UsaidWHAT Let's not act like the two are on a completely level playing field because they're not... Woman can do more with their bodies, so there's more to prohibit, and yes, some is gender specific for that exact reason. The fact remains that their are lots of instances where government tells you what you can and cannot do with your own body... sex, drugs, personal safety. They stick their nose where it most definitely does not belong.Â
his comments make me feel like I am back in the Persian gulf amongst the religious zealot idiots