“…we shouldn’t have a bunch of politicians, a majority of whom are men, making health care decisions on behalf of women. …or qualifying forcible rape versus non-forcible rape, I think those are broader issues…” – President Obama
PRESIDENT OBAMA stated the issue succinctly today. And then he complicated everything he’d just said with that last section emphasized in bold above which is outrageous *[See Note Below].
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, let me first of all say the views expressed were offensive.
Rape is rape.
And the idea that we should be parsing, and qualifying, and slicing what types of rape we’re talking about, doesn’t make sense to the American people. And certainly doesn’t make sense to me.
So, what I think these comments do underscore is why we shouldn’t have a bunch of politicians, a majority of whom are men, making health care decisions on behalf of women.
And although these particular comments have led Governor Romney and other Republicans to distance themselves, I think the underlying notion that we should be making decisions on behalf of women for their healthcare decisions, or qualifying forcible rape versus non-forcible rape, I think those are broader issues, and that is a significant difference in approach between me and the other party.
But I don’t think that they would agree with the Senator from Missouri in terms of his statement, which was way out there.
What the hell does “…or qualifying forcible rape versus non-forcible rape, I think those are broader issues…” even mean?
UPDATE: The question has been answered, which I’ve offered in a postscript to this piece. The cross-over in the first sentence is due to the fact that Pres. Obama’s awkward phrasing does nothing except distance himself from Republicans, however disjointedly.
Apparently knowing the meaning of “rape” is a challenge for some.
Stunning.
So when are you all going to address Obama’s language as opposed to unskillfully changing the subject?
I’m really surprised that you people don’t know what ” non forcible ” rape is. It’s so simple, you walk up to a woman and ask, ” May I rape you ” , and she says, ” Sure, I was hoping you would ask. ” Women are great that way.
Oh Jesus… This is just too much.
What the hell is wrong with these guy????!!!!
Who? casualobserver?
“What the hell does “…or qualifying forcible rape versus non-forcible rape, I think those are broader issues…” even mean?”- Taylor
Maybe we should ask Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan to help us all understand what that means. Since they are the one’s supporting a party that are making laws to take away our reproductive rights. I am sure those two will give us a clear answer to this question…lol
Oh, too much, Marie205.
Taking away women’s reproductive rights is the first step in denying them access to education, employment and other rights enjoyed by males. Once you start taking away a woman’s right to self-determination and sovereignty over her own body it becomes a domino effect. It emboldens those who would make women second class citizens to take away and deny women other rights. This also has implications for our gay/lesbian and other minority communities. I spent more than 30 years in reproductive health care for women which included counseling rape victims. I cannot, and I repeat cannot, emphasize, how traumatizing rape is to the victim. Rape is rape and is as horrible as murder because it murders the soul and spirit, the very essence of who a woman is.
I don’t think it would impact education ever.
But with Republicans voting against Ledbetter Act in favor of corporate “rights,” I think it could impact paycheck fairness, which the Republican Party has stood against every time.
“And then he complicated everything he’d just said with that last section emphasized in bold above, which is outrageous.”-Taylor
I think Obama was referring to the fringe right redefining of rape…in that last quote. Anyway, he is correct is saying rape is rape (that I find is the more important statement or soundbite)… and does not need to be defined by the fringed right.
Peter Daou posted this today about rape as a reminder of what women across the globe endure : http://tinyurl.com/cnxt76s
newdealdem1…I have had friends and family endure rape…many never recover emotionally or mentally. So, to hear and see Republicans try and redefine the definition of rape I find sickening. The republicans should be focusing on the economy to defeat Obama…instead they are passing bills to hurt/punish women.
These attacks against the female gender is indeed globe. I think women who vote or support these freaks into office…have serious mental issues. The hate of women, gays, minorities seem to be never ending.
spot on, Marie205
Indeed. I for the life of me can not understand how ANY woman would vote for a repugnantklan/teabagger mob member.
That’s a piece he posted earlier this year that’s always worth re-reading. Glad you shared it.
My pleasure, Taylor. Daou is one righteous person as are you.
“What is all this fuss I hear about legitimate grapes? I mean grapes come in all sizes and colors and shapes and they are all legitimate. You can eat them or crush them and ferment them until they make wine, not to be confused with whine. They go good with cheese and crackers and……
….what’s that you say? RAPE not GRAPE????
Oh well then, that is verrrry different…..Rape is Rape, not Grapes….NEVERMIND!!!!”
Great post, ladywalker. Emily Litella would have seen the forest from the trees even if she was hard of hearing.
This is the full quote. Obama is saying that rape is rape. And although Romney and Ryan – to their credit – have disavowed Akin’s statement, Ryan (and by extension Romney) supports a bill distinguishing “forcible rape” from “nonforcible rape.” Which is outrageous. So don’t give Romney and Ryan a pass on this – people who care about the rights of women should recognize the clear difference between him and his opponents.
Can’t believe I had to do that.
Not for everyone ogenec, not for everyone.
When will he have a press conference about some thing like so many of our soldiers being killed in Afghanistan, by those who are supposedly our allies, or maybe, what are his plans for having the Senate come up with a budget, or something other than the definition of rape.