GOP congressman: Rate of pregnancies from rape is ‘very low’

[Redfairen]

Source: Washington Post

Another Republican congressman ventured into the realm of rape and pregnancy Wednesday, saying at a committee hearing that incidences of pregnancy from rape are “very low.”

Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), whose measure banning abortions after 20 weeks was being considered in the House Judiciary Committee, argued against a Democratic amendment to make exceptions for rape and incest by suggesting that pregnancy from rape is rare.

“Before, when my friends on the left side of the aisle here tried to make rape and incest the subject — because, you know, the incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low,” Franks said.

Franks continued: “But when you make that exception, there’s usually a requirement to report the rape within 48 hours. And in this case that’s impossible because this is in the sixth month of gestation. And that’s what completely negates and vitiates the purpose for such an amendment.”

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/06/12/gop-congressman-rate-of-pregnancies-from-rape-is-very-low/

[hobbit709]

1. Stupidity really should be immediately and excruciatingly painful to the stupid.

[asjr]

5. Yes, I would love to see someone beat the hell out

of that man!

[warrant46]

38. Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) = Idiocy

This man just crawled out of a cesspool of ignorance.

[kardonb]

42. low

even if pregnancy rates as a result of rape are (supposedly) low , these women have the RIGHT to end those pregnancies !!!!

[JustAnotherGen]

2. Oh FFS

I am so sick and tired of this shit from those people.

[DirkGently]

3. A lie repeated often enough, becomes the truth.

That's apparently what they're going for. We all need to keep in mind that "sanctity of life" has nothing to do with Republican measures to ban access to abortion. They are explicitly providing for forcing a woman to carry a dead fetus to term, and continue to push for bans with no health or even life exceptions for the mother.

This is about shaming, harming, and debilitating women. And they are trying to build a mythology to support it.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

52. Like dinosaurs lived with humans

[sikofit3]

63. What you said

Scary and disgusting that these psychopaths are in a place to publicly influence people on such personal issues and like you pointed out, they are repeating it often so it becomes truth and I think also so people stop paying attention, you know American minds are groomed to be short term interested and then move on, plus there are so many other outrageous things going on that we are multi tasking issues and they keep sliding in laws that are going to one day paralyze the ability for anyone to get an abortion even with it still being legal. We can not take our eye off of them or let them psychologically beat us down like they have done with the others...keep vigilante people.

[LeftinOH]

4. The RAPEpublican Party, folks. n/t

[srican69]

6. what is wrong with these assholes?

I think I answered my own question. They are assholes. That is all there is to it.

[Swede Atlanta]

7. Whether or not the rate is low or not

I lack statistics to support or refute this claim......

The bottom line is SHOULD a pregnancy arise from a rape, the woman who has already been violated, be forced to carry the rapist's baby to term. I also expect these legislators with the tiny dicks would never support any taxpayer funding to support pre-natal care for the mother and child nor for any of the care, expenses, etc. for raising the child to maturity. Oh no...they just want to force women to have babies and since the woman was really responsible for inviting the rape, she gets to pay for and care for the baby.

[Demeter]

60. These Statistics Were Revealed in the '70's, when Roe was Argued

The incidence of pregnancy is the same, whether rape, incest, or not.

Pregnancy is the result of intercourse. It doesn't care about the circumstances, other than the immediate fertility of the male and the female.

There isn't any magic, no superhuman barrier, no intervention by any god of any kind or persuasion.

The only difference is that consent is not given by the female, and force is employed by the male.


IMO, this idiot and anyone who agrees with him should be castrated, to improve the general population. That's one form of eugenics I support. Also, the punishment that fits the crime (gross and irresponsible stupidity).

[Kelvin Mace]

8. Cite your goddamned sources or shut the hell up Franks

or as the say on Wikipedia:

Citation needed.

[Myrina]

9. Um, ONE is too many.

n/t

[thesquanderer]

48. Exactly. So what if the rate of pregnancy from rape IS low?

It changes nothing. Whoever is unfortunate enough to find themselves in that position needs the proper support. What does it matter what the number is?

[Just Saying]

10. This guy has no understanding of rape or its victims.

You would think after all the stupid remarks from people who subsequently lost their campaigns they would at least shut up with their ignorance.

We need to start using language against these idiots. The Forced Pregnancy party? The Women Are Merely Vessals Party? The We Don't Have Uteruses So We Must Control Yours Party?

[bunnies]

11. 20 weeks is the 6th month of gestation?

Oh rly?

[adieu]

35. For the preemies with small brains

that turn into republicans, yes. Yes it is.

[JoePhilly]

12. And some say lower primates can't talk. Looks like we found the missing link.

[Botany]

47. please don't bring in the primates ..... they don't like him either

BTW do they get up and take a stupid pill in the AM? I hope next election all women and people
who care about women vote this idiot out of congress.

[Solly Mack]

13. Damn

[Journeyman]

14. I suspect it is, but what does that have to do with the conversation? . . .

If raped, the woman will need an effective support network and strong legal protections; if pregnant, she'll need as many options available as are medically sound. What does it matter, what the "rate" of a specific need may be?

[Skittles]

27. it's another "real rape" - type of comment

it's just plain misogyny - conservatives think women should "pay the price" for having sex

[olddad56]

40. I would venture to say that if this political was brutally raped,...

the chances of him getting pregnant are nil, but the trauma would give him a new perspective on rape.

[truth2power]

15. Not this sh*t, again...

It's like cockroaches. You think you've gotten them all, and then another one shows up.

[The CCC]

16. GOP congressman: Rate of pregnancies from rape is ‘very low’

The rate of pregnancies from rape is actually very low. However it would not matter if it were 0.00000001% or 100%. If the rights of one individual are diminished. The rights of us all are diminished.

[WovenGems]

17. Marketing

The attempt by Republicans to woo the female vote seems to be going well.

[onehandle]

18. 'Rape just ain't that bad, folks.'

[struggle4progress]

19. Well, let's see his statistics

Oh, he doesn't have any real statistics?

[Arkana]

20. Days Without A GOP Rape Mention: 0.

They just can't help themselves.

[stevenleser]

21. Hall of shame inductee for this week. nt

[SamKnause]

22. Rape

32,000 women per year in the U.S. will become pregnant as a result of being raped. SOURCE; CDC.gov (Centers for Disease Control)

[Prophet 451]

58. THANK YOU

bEEN LOOKING FOR STATS ON THIS. nOT THAT IT SHOULD ACTUALLY MATTER BUT IT'S NICE TO HAVE SOMETHING TO THROW IN THEIR FACES WHEN THIS CRAP COMES UP.

[The CCC]

23. GOP congressman: Rate of pregnancies from rape is ‘very low’

Number of births: 3,999,386
Source CDC

[Hekate]

24. I bet he learned about sex from the boys in his high school locker room

Useful tidbits like: A girl can't get preggers the first time she has sex. She won't get knocked up if you're standing up when you have sex with her. Heard the one about the Coca-Cola douche after sex? She won't get pregnant.

And best of all: She got herself pregnant. Slut.

Then he went to Congress and learned big words like "gestation" and "vitiates."

[mbperrin]

67. Not Coca Cola!

Dr. Pepper! And only if you put an aspirin in it!

(Well, that's the wisdom around in west Texas in 1966).

[Hekate]

68. Well, there you have it!

If only the boys and girls knew THAT tidbit, we wouldn't have any need for Plan B!

[mbperrin]

70. PLUS if the girl is on top,

she can't get pregnant, either!


(God, I would NOT be 15 again for any reason!)

[olddots]

25. Did anyone see him on MSNBC last night ?

sad

[alp227]

57. Which show?

I remember vividly Lawrence O'Donnell YELLING at Franks back on January 18, 2011 shortly after the Tucson shootings about the law letting the shooter buy high capacity clip.

Full length video: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/#41146169
transcript: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/41156953/ns/msnbc/t/last-word-lawrence-odonnell-tuesday-january-th/

Cenk Uygur's take on it:

[Marie Marie]

26. Oh for F**k's Sake.

“Before, when my friends on the left side of the aisle here tried to make rape and incest the subject — because, you know, the incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low,” Franks said. Wow, why not just finish that oft repeated lie with what we all know they are really thinking: "so, they may as well just lie back and enjoy it!"

[wandy]

28. As we find sudden and renewed intrest in the NSA, republicans return to their true passion..........

Making life a little more miserable every day.

[AndyA]

29. Oh, so then most rapes are no big deal?

A rape that doesn't produce a pregnancy is OK? We just have to worry about the rapes that do produce a pregnancy?

Rape is a violent CRIME. Whether or not someone becomes pregnant because of it is beside the point, and any woman faced with such a situation should be able to make up her OWN MIND on what to do. NO ONE--especially a bunch of men--should tell her what she must or must not do.

This is insanity. Did the GOP learn nothing after the 2012 elections? Government needs to get out of America's bedrooms, emails, phone conversations, and women's right to choose.

On behalf of the men in this country who are sane and believe women are equals and should be allowed to make their own decisions when it comes to their lives and their health, I apologize for the men who think they have the right to make those decisions for you.

[blkmusclmachine]

30. AKIN! AKIN! AKIN!

[LittleGirl]

31. didn't realize he was from AZ but

that explains everything. sigh.

[Half-Century Man]

32. By that logic..

Lets say the right questionable Rep. Trent Franks was violently raped in his mouth, So he shouldn't be allowed to brush his teeth?

[tclambert]

33. Rate of Republican politicians saying something stupid about rape is "very high."

[Zoeisright]

34. Just shut the fuck up, repukes.

You are complete ignorant assholes who wouldn't know the truth or facts if you were bitten in your pasty white asses. I fucking hate Franks and idiots like him.

[adieu]

36. In To Kill A Mockingbird

Mayella Ewell, the promiscuous daughter of the primary antagonist of the story, Bob Ewell, tries to have sex with a black man, Tom Robinson. When caught, she uses the rape claim to maintain her "honor".

What the Right fears is its womenfolk gettin' all hot and bothered by dem cullered people, and using the excuse of rape to maintain honor.

What the Right fears is women enjoying sex, especially if the sex is with someone who isn't white and heterosexual.

All these "anti-abortion" laws are really anti-women-enjoying-sex laws. They're not against abortion, they're against sex for fun.

If their white daughter gets pregnant with a black or hispanic father, you bet your ass the family will find a way to have that fetus aborted.

[47of74]

37. Fuck you Trent Franks

[SemperEadem]

39. tell that to this 13 yr old girl

who was raped by a 17 yr old, got pregnant and is currently enduring slut shaming by the people of Elwood, Indiana:

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/06/12/raped-pregnant-and-13-even-after-choosing-life-townsfolk-scrawl-whore-and-slut-on-her-door-video/

[tanyev]

41. Calling Karen Hughes......

In an Op-Ed for Politico, former George W. Bush adviser Karen Hughes writes that Republicans need to learn from their 2012 losses and “set a tone that is more respectful, positive and inclusive.”

“And,” Hughes continues, “if another Republican man says anything about rape other than it is a horrific, violent crime, I want to personally cut out his tongue. The college-age daughters of many of my friends voted for Obama because they were completely turned off by Neanderthal comments like the suggestion of ‘legitimate rape.’”

http://www.salon.com/2012/11/12/karen_hughes_ill_cut_out_the_tongue_of_any_goper_making_rape_comments/

[BlueToTheBone]

43. Maybe his sperm count is just low and that's why

there have been so few pregnancies as a result of his personal rapes. He sounds as though he has first hand experience and knowledge.

[noiretextatique]

44. republicons believe in the myth of vagina dentata

Vagina dentata (Latin for toothed vagina) describes a folk tale in which a woman's vagina is said to contain teeth, with the associated implication that sexual intercourse might result in injury or castration for the man.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagina_dentata

they believe women have some special power to protect them against rape, such as magical, but deadly, and apparently retractable teeth

[Ash_F]

45. Irrelevant. /nt

[City Lights]

46. I've really had it with these mouth-breathing republicans.

It's time for them to shut the fuck up.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

49. Oh, no, not this shit again

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[DCKit]

50. Is more rape the answer?

You never know where the GOP is going with this shit.

[applegrove]

51. Link to background on the low rate of fertility during rape meme:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023003823

[liindy]

53. This is the ONE

thing that male Republicans just can't not talk about that they shouldn't talk about. They just can't help themselves. Too bad this dumba** didn't make this comment a few weeks before his reelection. We'll give it time though. They seem to find a way to put a foot in their mouths right before election time.

[trublu992]

54. Since most rapes aren't even reported we don't even know if pregnancies resulting from rape are low

or not. And since Republicans love to create an atmosphere where victims are the villains we'll never know.

[kestrel91316]

55. Aw jeez. Not THIS shit again......

[area51]

56. GOP is pro-rape.

Even one pregnancy from rape is one too many.

[Rain Mcloud]

59. Bottom Line: Cut social programs

So that they can cut taxes on the rich.
That is all.

[davidpdx]

61. The Ds need to get a good candidate and run and rerun that quote every hour on the hour

If not more often then that. I don't see how people would reelect this dipshit.

[Ter]

62. Is there an official rate?

I don't think it's low, I'd like to see the number.

[Sunlei]

64. I hate when GOP makes medical statements like they are some kind of Doctor or womans health expert.

GOP doesn't even do the jobs they are paid and elected to do, serve ALL the American people.

I feel like GOP does so much damage to America, serves us a load of propaganda crap and wastes so much time and taxpayer money to pay them, their positions should be cut, left vacant.

America would be better off with NO ONE elected to fill those positions.

[blackspade]

65. And Franks knows this how?

This is more of the rethug nonsense about women's health.

[displacedtexan]

66. I hope they keep spewing this crap.

Maybe women in his district will stop voting against their own self interests and get rid of this moron.

[Turbineguy]

69. Rate of

intelligence of republicans is very low.

[progree]

71. Is the rate of incest resulting in pregnancy not very low amongst Arizona Republicans??

Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) ... "Before, when my friends on the left side of the aisle here tried to make rape and incest the subject — because, you know, the incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low,” Franks said.

I find it interesting that the amendment is about exceptions for rape and incest, but he only talks about the rate of pregnancy resulting from rape being low. I wonder why he didn't make a similar statement about pregnancies resulting from incest? And why he didn't say anything about incest at all? Could it be that the rate of such pregnancies is high in Arizona? Or amongst Arizona Republicans?

[Rozlee]

72. You know it is.

Conservatives of all stripes are like modern day Hapsburgs, especially the teabaggers. They use their family reunions like most people use matchmaker.com. They're even all starting to look alike with that constipated expression on their faces.

[progree]

73. "They're even all starting to look alike with that constipated expression on their faces." - LOL nm