Add would be Arizona Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Flake to the chorus line of Republicans appalled by Rep. Todd Akin’s claim that women have a magical defense preventing them from getting pregnant from a rape Rep. Akin hurting their chances of gaining control of the Senate and he should withdraw from the race. He went even further in a speech to Pima County Republicans, claiming:

“I have always, throughout my career, said that there should be exceptions for rape, for incest and for life of the mother, “ Flake said. “I’ve received a lot of criticism from groups on the right because my position wasn’t as they wanted it to be, but that’s been my position and I’m sticking with it”.

Oh really? Always, throughout his career? Jeff Flake seems to have a short memory. Just last year Congressman Flake was a cosponsor – along with Congressmen Todd Akin and Paul Ryan -  of House Resolution 3, the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act”. Taxpayer funding for any abortions has already been prevented since 1976 through the Hyde Amendment, which prevents taxpayer monies from paying for abortions – with the exception of pregnancies that would endanger the life of the mother or those that result from rape or incest. What the so called “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act” does is attempt to narrow the definition of rape. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology publication The Tech calls it an A frightening affront to rape survivors:

However, H.R. 3 would not only codify the Hyde Amendment, but also redefine what rape is in the eyes of the law. According to the bill, no federal funds can be used for an abortion as a result of rape or incest unless “the pregnancy occurred because the pregnant female was the subject of an act of forcible rape or, if a minor, an act of incest”.

“Forcible rape – aka Todd Akin’s “legitimate rape”. No bruises, no broken bones? Not a “legitimate rape”, no abortion for you. Statutory rape – an adult having sex with a child? Not a “legitimate rape”, no abortion for you. And note the wording “if minor, an act of incest”. Over 18 and a victim of incest – not a “legitimate rape”, no abortion for you. The Tech notes the  case of Commonwealth v. Berkowitz, in which a college sophomore went to her boyfriend’s room only to find his roommate. The defendant locked the door to keep others out, made repeated sexual advances toward her, removed her shirt and bra and fondled her while she repeatedly said, “No, no.” The defendant proceeded to undress her, move her to the bed, spread her legs apart — while the girl continued to voice her objections — and penetrate her until he ejaculated. Following the ordeal, the girl immediately rushed downstairs, found her boyfriend and called the police. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court found the rapist not guilty, because “the degree of force required to constitute rape is relative and depends on the facts and particular circumstance of the case”. In other words, the court didn’t think she fought off her rapist hard enough. Courts could interpret H.R. 3 as requiring a rapists to be convicted of “forcible rape” in order for the victim to qualify for H.R. 3′s exception for forcible rape. By the time that happened it would be far too late for an abortion.

Oh really, Jeff Flake? Always, throughout your career, you’ve said there should be exceptions for rape? Short term memory loss? Or another case of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oInSiayyV-E#t=6s

This entry was posted on Friday, August 24th, 2012 at 9:19 am and is filed under Pol. & Govt.. Tags for this post: Jeff Flake, Todd AKin. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.