Douche of the Day: Another Republican candidate criticized for rape comments

[Devils_Advocate]

Republican Richard Mourdock, candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in Indiana, was quickly rebuked by Mitt Romney's camp for saying that pregnancy in cases of rape is something God "intended." (Michael Conroy/Associated Press)

U.S. Senate candidate apologizes for 'legitimate rape' comments

Another Republican running for U.S. Senate has angered voters after telling a live television audience that when a woman becomes pregnant during a rape, "that's something God intended." Women voters are key to this year's presidential race, and Republican challenger Mitt Romney has been drawn into this latest issue.

Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock, who's been locked in one of the country's most expensive and closely watched races, was asked during a debate Tuesday whether abortion should be allowed in cases of rape or incest.

"I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize that life is that gift from God. And, I think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen," Mourdock said.

Mourdock became the second Republican Senate candidate to find himself on the defensive over comments about rape and pregnancy. Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin said in August that women's bodies have ways of preventing pregnancy in cases of what he called "legitimate rape." Akin has repeatedly apologized but has refused to leave his race despite calls to do so by leaders of his own party, including Romney.

Romney distanced himself from Mourdock on Tuesday night, a day after a television ad featuring him supporting Mourdock began airing in Indiana.

But his campaign on Wednesday said Romney still supports Mourdock, and the campaign has not asked Mourdock to take down the ad. Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul said Romney disagrees with Mourdock's opposition to abortion in cases of rape and incest, but she said Romney still supports Mourdock's bid.

Mourdock's comments shake Republicans as they try to gain a majority in the Senate. Republicans need to gain three seats, or four if President Barack Obama wins re-election, and seats that were predicted to remain or turn Republican have grown uncertain.

Obama campaign spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said Obama finds Richard Mourdock's comments "outrageous and demeaning to women."

Mourdock tries to clarify remarks
Mourdock explained after the debate that he did not believe God intended the rape but that God is the only one who can create life.

"Are you trying to suggest somehow that God preordained rape, no I don't think that," Mourdock said. "Anyone who would suggest that is just sick and twisted. No, that's not even close to what I said."

Mourdock has consistently opposed abortion, with the exception of cases where the mother's life is in danger.

Mourdock on Wednesday stood by his statement and said some people have twisted his comment.

He told a news conference he firmly believes that all life is precious and that abhors violence of any kind.

"If they came away with any impression other than that, I truly regret it. I apologize if they came away. I've certainly been humbled by the fact that so many people think that somehow was an interpretation," Mourdock said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/10/24/republican-rape-pregnancy.html

Thoughts?

 

[Devils_Advocate]

Colbert summed it up pretty well (and the Trump fiasco) Go to Clip 2.

http://www.thecomedynetwork.ca/shows/TheColbertReport?videoPackage=125703

 

[Tugela]

Well, if you are a christian and believe that god has a purpose in everything that happens, and that god is omnipotent, then you have to believe that god intended the pregnancy. To say anything else would be hypocritical.

Personally, I'm an atheist, so I'm absolutely certain that a pregancy from rape is the total responsibility of the rapist. A christian on the other hand has to believe that it was god's work (no wiggle room here at all on this subject), or they are not really a christian, just pretending to be one.

 

[Elmore]

Well, if you are a christian and believe that god has a purpose in everything that happens, and that god is omnipotent, then you have to believe that god intended the pregnancy. To say anything else would be hypocritical.

Personally, I'm an atheist, so I'm absolutely certain that a pregancy from rape is the total responsibility of the rapist. A christian on the other hand has to believe that it was god's work (no wiggle room here at all on this subject), or they are not really a christian, just pretending to be one.

I am miles from being an expert on Christianity but a person would have to be really naive to defer to the "expertise" of an atheist on the subject.

 

[canuck33660]

Religion is the root of all evil ..... period.

 

[HankQuinlan]

Well, if you are a christian and believe that god has a purpose in everything that happens, and that god is omnipotent, then you have to believe that god intended the pregnancy. To say anything else would be hypocritical.

Personally, I'm an atheist, so I'm absolutely certain that a pregancy from rape is the total responsibility of the rapist. A christian on the other hand has to believe that it was god's work (no wiggle room here at all on this subject), or they are not really a christian, just pretending to be one.

Your theology is lacking. Christianity has come up with that whole "free will" concept to explain evil acts that people do. Goes along the line that the the evil get their punishment on judgement day, and God is not responsible. Also, there's that whole "He works in mysterious ways" thing. I know, I know, it seems full of obvious holes, but theologians have written many tomes on this subject to excuse God from responsibilities for such. Logic can by twisted in all kinds of ways when there is a sacred concept to preserve.

So no, "Christians" do not necessarily have to accept such things.

 

[badbadboy]

Religion is the root of all evil ..... period.

Religious Wars are about people killing other people over who has the better imaginary friend.

 

[chilli]

Well, if you are a christian and believe that god has a purpose in everything that happens, and that god is omnipotent, then you have to believe that god intended the pregnancy. To say anything else would be hypocritical.

Personally, I'm an atheist, so I'm absolutely certain that a pregancy from rape is the total responsibility of the rapist. A christian on the other hand has to believe that it was god's work (no wiggle room here at all on this subject), or they are not really a christian, just pretending to be one.

You never heard about Adam and Eve story? (the apple and free will stuff)

Anyways, the Republicans need to lose this election - they need to go back to underneath the rock they crawled out from. Bunch of silly old rich racist sexist men, buying this election with fear tactics about a black socialist who is going to ruin America.

I have news for you righties - when it comes to ruining America; Bush and Cheney beat Obama to it.

 

[kso_wiz]

I am miles from being an expert on Christianity but a person would have to be really naive to defer to the "expertise" of an atheist on the subject.

-10. Stupid comment. An atheist can be just as much an expert, and is probably more so, on religious matters then those that blindly follow.

 

[HankQuinlan]

-10. Stupid comment. An atheist can be just as much an expert, and is probably more so, on religious matters then those that blindly follow.

I agree with you, but to be fair, the comment he was referring to was very ignorant on the subject of Christian belief systems. Many atheists, however, are very well informed on religious dogma -- including myself, who was brought up in a fundamentalist culture.

 

[wilde]

I wouldn't wish being raped on anyone but if someone were to rape this idiot's daughter or granddaughter and gotten her pregnant, then I'll believe there is a god somewhere...

 

[kso_wiz]

I agree with you, but to be fair, the comment he was referring to was very ignorant on the subject of Christian belief systems. Many atheists, however, are very well informed on religious dogma -- including myself, who was brought up in a fundamentalist culture.

I took the original comment to be part dogma (up to omnipotent), then took a turn to show the ridiculousness of the logical extension of the dogma and the hypo-crazy of work-around.

Well, if you are a christian and believe that god has a purpose in everything that happens, and that god is omnipotent, then you have to believe that god intended the pregnancy. To say anything else would be hypocritical.

Was raised Catholic, church 6 days a week till high-school. Pedophile priests shattered whatever remnants were of left of respect for organized religion.

 

[Jazzfanatic]

Most of the hottest babes are on the right. Just compare the babes on the Five on Fox to the women on the View, except for Liz. Sorry Chili, big GOP sweep coming, you will have 8 years to rant and rave and throw out silly, racist, sexist, old white guy comments and build up the hatred for Romney/Ryan like the MSM did for Bush/Cheney.

 

[blazejowski]

Do these fucking twat politicians ever THINK before they speak?
If my job was on the line due to public opinion, you damn well better bet I'd make sure my answers were well thought out....

 

[Tugela]

I am miles from being an expert on Christianity but a person would have to be really naive to defer to the "expertise" of an atheist on the subject.

Flaw with your theory.....I wasn't born an atheist. It is a conclusion I came to after observing all the hypocrisy practiced by christians. They say one thing, but do another, and allmost none of them actually follow what Christ taught. If Christ were alive today, in most of America he would be condemned as a communist hippie and run out of town.

The simple fact is that christians are taught that God has a purpose in everything and that he/she/it (whatever your kick is) is omnipotent. That being so, the logical conclusion is that the rape and consequent pregnancy must be God's intent. Theology gets around that by convienently saying that as mere mortals we cannot understand the intent.

This Mourdock is a cretin, I'll give you that, but at least he is following the logical progression of christian thought, unlike most christians, who will pick and choose the omnipotent question when it suits them.

 

[Jazzfanatic]

If you actually listened to what he said, it was not out of line with what many pro-lifers believe in. You should not kill an innocent life regardless of circumstances. He said the rape was horrible but if a baby was created, that should be considered an act of god, and doesn't deserve to be killed. Most staunch pro-lifers agree exceptions should be made in the case of rape, incest, or the mother's health is in danger. But he is entitled to his opinion even if most of us disagree. I actually appreciate him being honest about his opinion, unlike many politicians. Maybe stupid but at least the voting public knows now. Anyone remember Obama believing marriage was only between a man and a woman when he was running for Prez and now he thinks its ok for gays to be married?

The rest of his comments about Obama Care was that it forced Catholic institutions (hospitals and unversities, etc) to pay for abortions and contraceptives even if it was against their morals and beliefs. And it is a reasonable argument. Actually many pro-lifers feel the same way about abortions. They don't want to criminalize it, or throw the women in jail, but the idea of funding what they consider is murder thru their tax dollars is especially abhorrent.

 

[canuck33660]

Religious Wars are about people killing other people over who has the better imaginary friend.

Well put.

IMHO anyone who is stupid enough to believe in ANY religion is a ...... MORON.

 

[badbadboy]

Lol. You must've gotten a 'D" in social studies.

You come up with an lol in retort?

Come on, let's see a single sentence retort that is both humorous and concise as mine.

 

[kso_wiz]

I fixed that for you. You shouldn't associate one denomication of one religion to represent all religion, m'kay?

So I infer that you've found a religion worthy of respect and belief? Great! Let me know what it is and I'll join.

However, it will be instantly disqualified if there are...any rules about human sexuality, any rules about what kind of food and when I may and may not eat it, any gender discrimination, any past participation in a war, any holding of grudges for past "wrongs", any rules about who gets into heaven.

There is no god, but if there was, it wouldn't give a fuck about which army represents it.

 

[violetblake]

I fixed that for you. You shouldn't associate one denomication of one religion to represent all religion, m'kay?

There's been plenty of instances of pedophiles in all Christian denominations, not to mention in other faiths such as Judaism and Islam. It's so more well known and wide spread in Catholicism simply because it's the most common religion and denomination in the world. It's simple math that there's going to be more instances of it and it's going to gain more attention if it's the most practiced religion. But no religion is free from pedophiles. Atheism either. I believe religion and pedophilia CAN be connected, but they aren't inherently.