Sunday Reads: Honestly, and I am being honest here…

Ron Paul is an ass.

Perhaps I should word that a bit differently…Ron Paul is a jackass…if you prefer.

Hell, ass is used in the bible so the fundies shouldn’t have a problem with it.

And honestly, I don’t care if they do have a problem with it.

I am not sure Ron Paul, and the rest of the PLUBs for that matter, are fully aware of just how ridiculous their argument about “abortion lovin’…full term, nine pound baby killers” sounds to a rational person. I’ve written my reaction to this below…but first, here are some thoughts on his “honest rape” statement from those around the blogosphere.

Late Night FDL: If It’s an Honest Rape… | Firedoglake

Just what is a dishonest rape?

I don’t understand this notion that women who support reproductive freedom, choice (and it is my body dammit), translates into “liking abortion,” as if needing an abortion is a desirable, even enjoyable situation.

And also as well, from GottaLaff:

Is this what you call “small government”? Because, call me crazy, but your government intrusion into women’s reproductive rights isn’t exactly hands-off.

Misogyny is never pretty.

First, what exactly is the definition of an “honest rape.” Ron Paul, What Exactly Is An “Honest Rape” | Care2 Causes

Just in case there was any question, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) is no friend to women. The latest evidence came during an interview on CNN where he told Piers Morgan that only in cases of “honest rape” would he consider abortion acceptable, and even then in he would just advise the woman to go to the emergency room for “a shot of estrogen.”

“Honest rape”. So, where do we begin?

I guess I would start by asking Paul to follow-up on just what exactly constitutes an “honest” rape. What kind of evidence would we need to show a lack of consent? Does a woman need to have signs she resisted? How much resistance counts before a rape goes from being “fraudulent” to being “honest”? Can spousal rape ever be “honest”? What about other forms of familial rape? What exactly is the bright line here?

Let’s be honest, Paul and his cohorts of misogynistic hate don’t have an exact definition of honest rape, because in their mind…women have to be submissive, men must control them.  To them women are not deserving of respect, period. They see women as second class citizens.  Women do not warrant the distinction of enjoying the same “rights” and “privileges” as men, therefore, women have no real cause to cry rape.

So with that kind of mindset, the phrase “honest rape” is nothing more than a condescending jab to put women in their place.

As I was looking up news items on Paul’s honest rape statement I ran across this, Belief in sex consent studied as rape definition.  It is an article dated June 5th 1980, and it regards a case where a man is accused of raping a woman. The defense in this case asked,

…whether a man should be convicted of rape if he honestly believes his victim consented to intercourse.

Citing a recent Canadian Supreme Court decision which said:

..honest belief is a legitimate defense.

The Canadian Supreme Court ruling, which “drew the women’s wrath…” is described in detail here.

I use this archaic decision from Canada to make a point about the status of women according to Ron Paul, and his attitude that men draw the line when it comes to any issue regarding women.

Listen to his story about some woman, I guess I should preface that with “abortion liking” woman, who attempted to have a discussion about Paul’s pro-life stance on a woman’s right to choose whether or not to have an abortion.  Paul uttered phrases like “abortion liking” and aborting 7 month fetuses and killing a nine pound baby a day before it emerges from the womb…

He says the women tell him he is not defining abortion the same way they are defining abortion, in other words, that he is taking it out of context…but his response is to disregard the woman’s point entirely…in his mind he is right, the women who try to argue with him are not worthy enough for his consideration.

The entire episode is something we see repeatedly. Obviously, it is ridiculous for me to even try to explain the anti-woman message he is delivering in these interviews. I guess I should just go back into the kitchen and make him some pie…because servitude is the bottom line when it comes to the opinion of women from people like Ron Paul.

Nope, there is no such thing as rape, or a woman’s right to say no, or a woman’s right to make their own decisions as an individual identity. In Paul’s world, men have that “right” to honestly believe women are not equal to men.

Read the rest of this entry »