Bryan Fischer Says Todd Akin's Comments About 'Legitimate Rape' Were 'Absolutely Right'

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Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association, a conservative Christian group, said that Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) was "absolutely right" to claim that women cannot become pregnant from "legitimate rape."

The host of the talk radio show Focal Point said that the trauma from a “real, genuine rape, a case of forcible rape” would make it "difficult" for a woman to conceive a child, Right Wing Watch notes.

"There's a very delicate and complex mix of hormones that take place -- that are released -- in a woman's body, and if that gets interfered with, it may make it impossible for her or difficult in that particular circumstance to conceive a child," Fischer said during his show Monday.

"That's all Todd Akin is saying...and he's absolutely right about that," he continued.

...

This is not the first time that this line of reasoning has been used by anti-abortion advocates.

However, leading experts on reproductive health have dismissed this logic as unfounded.

“There are no words for this -- it is just nuts,” said Dr. Michael Greene, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. David Grimes, a clinical professor in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina, told the New York Times that “to suggest that there’s some biological reason why women couldn’t get pregnant during a rape is absurd.”

According to a 1996 report in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, there are about 32,000 unwanted pregnancies caused by rape every year in the United States.

...

Fischer, of course, is no stranger to controversy. He recently blamed the "liberals' way" for the Aurora mass shooting, citing a breakdown in Judeo-Christian values and the teaching of evolution in schools as reasons behind the mass murder.

The conservative political activist has also been a vocal proponent of the AIDS denial movement, according to Think Progress. He believes that AIDS is not caused by HIV, but by recreational drug use.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/bryan-fischer-todd-akin-legitimate-rape-absolutely-right_n_1818285.html

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ETA: BTW, Bryan Fischer played a very prominent role in ginning up support for Chick Fil A in that recent controversy over their CEO's remarks.

[Teddy B 17,252]

You lie and I'll swear to it!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Idiots will never let an opportunity go by to make it known how stupid they are, it seems.

Awkward sentence is awkward.

Edited August 21, 2012 by Evylin

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It's really amazing that anyone would be going out of their way to defend those comments. They aren't true, at best they are insensitive and distasteful. Is it really necessary for these politicians to associate themselves with this just to protect a candidate who has put his foot in it?

Surely, all it does is prolong the controversy. This Akins character should offer a retraction/clarification of his remarks and make some sort of public gesture to say that rape isn't a trivial issue.

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This Akins character should offer a retraction/clarification of his remarks and make some sort of public gesture to say that rape isn't a trivial issue.

He has.

"Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize ... As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault. I pray for them ... The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy. The truth is, rape has many victims ... The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness."

[Penny Lane 8,159]

In these situations, I always wonder if the politician is genuinely sorry for what he's said ... or if he's apologizing in a desperate attempt to save face. We'll never know, I guess.

Fischer, of course, is no stranger to controversy. He recently blamed the "liberals' way" for the Aurora mass shooting, citing a breakdown in Judeo-Christian values and the teaching of evolution in schools as reasons behind the mass murder.

This alone means nobody should pay attention to what this fool says or thinks.

Edited August 21, 2012 by Evylin

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This alone means nobody should pay attention to what this fool says or thinks.

The AFA is a major player in American conservative politics. They can't just be ignored.

Edited August 21, 2012 by Habitual Offender

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association, a conservative Christian group, said that Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) was "absolutely right" to claim that women cannot become pregnant from "legitimate rape."

The host of the talk radio show Focal Point said that the trauma from a "real, genuine rape, a case of forcible rape" would make it "difficult" for a woman to conceive a child, Right Wing Watch notes.

"There's a very delicate and complex mix of hormones that take place -- that are released -- in a woman's body, and if that gets interfered with, it may make it impossible for her or difficult in that particular circumstance to conceive a child," Fischer said during his show Monday.

"That's all Todd Akin is saying...and he's absolutely right about that," he continued.

...

This is not the first time that this line of reasoning has been used by anti-abortion advocates.

However, leading experts on reproductive health have dismissed this logic as unfounded.

"There are no words for this -- it is just nuts," said Dr. Michael Greene, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. David Grimes, a clinical professor in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina, told the New York Times that "to suggest that there's some biological reason why women couldn't get pregnant during a rape is absurd."

According to a 1996 report in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, there are about 32,000 unwanted pregnancies caused by rape every year in the United States.

...

Fischer, of course, is no stranger to controversy. He recently blamed the "liberals' way" for the Aurora mass shooting, citing a breakdown in Judeo-Christian values and the teaching of evolution in schools as reasons behind the mass murder.

The conservative political activist has also been a vocal proponent of the AIDS denial movement, according to Think Progress. He believes that AIDS is not caused by HIV, but by recreational drug use.

http://www.huffingto..._n_1818285.html

The one and only thing I can say is that the Dems have the fringe in their party also. I will also point out that the Republican party is asking Akin to bow out. Did you ever meet a Dem that asked Clinton or Kennedy bow out.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

He has.

"Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize ... As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault. I pray for them ... The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy. The truth is, rape has many victims ... The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness."

Great! I have no problem with this.

In that case it's his colleagues and certain of his supporters who are doing him no favours.

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The one and only thing I can say is that the Dems have the fringe in their party also.

The Bible thumpers are hardly "fringe", Herschel.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The Bible thumpers are hardly "fringe", Herschel.

That is the problem. It's an extremist mainstream. And it's not restricted to Bible Belt states.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Akin has merely stated the GOP position on the issue - in unfortunate verbiage perhaps but he has done nothing but state the party's position. They just took into their platform provisions that insult must be added to the injury for women who get pregnant from a rape. that is the official GOP position on the issue. Akin just happened to say it out loud - that's his crime. They don't want to say it out loud because 3/4 of Americans disagree with this sick stuff.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Akin has merely stated the GOP position on the issue - in unfortunate verbiage perhaps but he has done nothing but state the party's position. They just took into their platform provisions that insult must be added to the injury for women who get pregnant from a rape. that is the official GOP position on the issue. Akin just happened to say it out loud - that's his crime. They don't want to say it out loud because 3/4 of Americans disagree with this sick stuff.

.. .awesome lets apply that logic all around.. He is white so all whites must be that way, he is male so all males feel that way, he is from the northeast so they must all think that way. Feel free to add whatever attributes you want or remove any that might include you or your "side" as needed to make you feel superior

In all honesty if someone does not approve of abortion because they maintain the unborn child is a life then how can it be OK to abort in the case of rape? Always OK or Never OK I understand but this conditional "it is ok if..." makes zero sense. Show some spine.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association,...[blah, blah, blah]

You are getting as bad as the hippy!

Any chance one of the mods not Charles! could collect all these threads into a single topic?

Edited August 21, 2012 by The Patriot