If Only His Mother Had Swallowed...

I know, I know - gross title, but one that comes to mind more and more each time I hear Rick Santorum open his sanctimonious mouth.

His latest contribution to Things-That-Make-My-Head-Throb?

Rape victims should be forced to have the babies should they become pregnant - you know,  "make the best out of a bad situation."

I am quoting.

MAKE THE BEST OUT OF A BAD SITUATION.

First of all, Rick - "bad" does not begin to touch the "situation" of a woman being raped.  Rape is an act of violence.  Rape is not misguided love, or an overzealous suitor who is overcome with lust.

IT. IS. AN. ACT. OF. VIOLENCE.

Making the best of that situation involves counseling, resolve, unlimited tears, time, justice.

And even with all those things on board, the rape doesn't go away.  It remains a part of the person's psyche forever.  It is a violation so deep and profound, it becomes a part of the person - a "situation" that is - even if unconsciously - used as a filter through which all of the person's life now passes.

Your, and your cohorts', goal of wanting to legislate a woman's body has crossed over from personal viewpoint into intrusive obsession.

We get it, you don't like abortion - although you sure grabbed at the CHOICE when a pregnancy threatened the life of your wife, huh, Ricky?  Seems to me that CHOICE component was pretty damned important to you then.

My uterus, my vagina, my sex life, my sex positions - are none of your goddamned business.  I don't care what you get up to in the bedroom, Rick.  Quite frankly, the mere thought of you naked and engorged makes my breakfast threaten to reappear.  But I also could not care less if you wear your wife's bra and thong, paint each other in latex, and hang from the f**king chandelier.  Whatever makes you two happy.  Go for it.

Santorum says he would counsel a pregnant rape victim to "accept this horribly created" baby, because it was still a gift from God, even if given in a "broken" way.

A gift from God.

I see, so let's follow that "logic," shall we?

If the "horribly created" baby is a gift from God, then I guess God sent and sanctioned the rapist, right?  Cause we all know that God doesn't make mistakes, right?  That he is in charge of everything, right?

Mr. Santorum, here's the reality - you will never be President of the United States because you are not capable of even remotely understanding that you would be representing all the people of the United States.  Your views, all religion based, are fine - as long as they are kept in your church where they belong.

They do not, however, despite what you and your GOP brethren believe, belong in our governance.

You people who shout about smaller government only want it smaller so it can fit in my vagina.

How about we come up with some penis legislation?  Like, once you have cheated on 2 spouses, the law of the land dicktates that you are immediately castrated so you may not destroy family values and the sanctity of marriage any further?

I like that one.

Or, how about if a man impregnates a woman and she doesn't want the baby, he is required, by law, to take and raise the child to adulthood?

Ooo!  How about this one?  Since every sperm is precious and life giving, masturbation is immediately illegal, and a crime prosecutable as murder!  I like that one a lot!

What?  You don't like the idea of YOUR sex life being legislated, Rick?  I don't care.  I would still be allowed to masturbate because my eggs would not be in harm's way.  So the law wouldn't affect me at all, so why should I care how it affects you?

What's that?  Because it's not right for me to be able to legislate what goes on between you, your nudie magazine, and your choices?

Oh, I get it.  Double standard.

But back to the rape victims.  Let's say you get your way and all rape victims who become pregnant must carry and have those babies.  What happens when their rapist shows up demanding parental rights?  Which has happened.

Should the woman then be forced to marry the man because according to you a two parent hetero household is better?

Two words for you, Rick:  FUCK and YOU.

I have three daughters, and their bodies are not YOUR possessions.  I may have never chosen abortion for myself, but it is not up to me to make bodily choices for them or anyone else. 

But if I could?  I would start by rewinding the hands the time, holding a gun to your mother's head, and making sure she swallowed.

Comments

[Kathy (Chicky)]

Thank you Linda - I am bawling my head off at the ignorance and stupidity of this "man". I have never in my life wished someone to be brutally and viciously raped. Until now.

Dammit - how I wish Rick Santorum could live ONE MOMENT in the shoes I wore for so long. ONE MOMENT in my head, blaming myself - even tho I was just a child, ONE MOMENT in my hurting body feeling the physical pain I felt. ONE MOMENT in time that I wished I could do over, ONE MOMENT in my head wondering how my life would have turned out if I was ABLE to have children after my rapist blew my insides apart.

Even better than Rick Santorum being raped (and I hate myself for saying this), maybe someone he loves should go through it - let him stand by helplessly while his child, his wife, his son, someone - anyone he loves experiences this.

I cannot remember the last time something so ignorant made me so angry.

[Linda Sharp to Chicky]

Kathy - what you went through is unforgiveable and most certainly UNFORGETTABLE. And you are right, he has ZERO frame of reference to even utter the word rape in this way. Like you, I do not wish rape on anyone, but maybe if he saw the results first hand...

[audreyf]

How about all those screaming about this, sign up to adopt the babies of said rape victims...no? Well shut the fuck up.

[lizzieb]

Way to go Linda. I just read that excerpt from the Santorum interview and was appalled.

I agree with everything you've written so I don't really have a comment other than, yes, it appears conservatives want a smaller government EXCEPT when it comes to telling women what to do. I don't get it. I don't understand how anyone could even vote for him.

What if that news reporter who was raped in, was it Egypt, what if she ended up pregnant, should she be forced to have the baby?

Well as far as I can tell, Obama is a shoe-in what with the idiots on the republican side.

[lizzieb]

Also, I was wondering if I was the only one who saw the hypocrisy of his statements given they induced labor to abort the baby his wife was carrying because she might have died.

You'd think he would just shut up. Even more frightening is he brought the baby home to show the other kids. What a way to traumatize your kids.

[Kathy (Chicky)]

If you want your voice to be heard, let Santorum know how represensible he is...

http://www.ricksantorum.com/contact-us

I did.

[lizzieb]

yee ha Audreyf. Couldn't agree more.

[Lori in Texas]

This man is absolutely unelectable. His extremism is a massive turn-off to independents and moderates nationwide. He is a disgusting, sanctimonious slimeball, yes, but he will never be President. Regardless, he does NOT need to be in ANY governmental position. His utter lack of compassion and his intolerance for any belief system other than his own make me wonder who would vote for him in the first place. Unless, of course, he's a Rick Perry type... a lot of Texas Republicans had no idea how incredibly stupid the man was until his run for the Republican nomination. I can't see him being re-elected to the Governorship. I don't know a single Republican who wants him in Austin now. Maybe this will have the same effect on Santorum's political career? We can only hope.

[lizzieb]

to lori in texas. Could we be so lucky as to see Rick Perry run out of Austin on a rail? By attempting to run for President, he surely let on how stupid he actually is......oops.

[Katy]

That this was even suggested by a MALE candidate, who would never have to bear a child from this sort of brutal attack, is beyond comprehension to me. But sadly, to answer Lori's wondering as to "who would actually vote for this man," I've received e-mails from family members encouraging me to vote for him.

[Lori in Texas]

Katy - That makes me sad. Really, it does.

The one GOOD thing that's come out of Rick Perry's failed run is that a lot of eyes were opened here in Texas. People I know who have been staunch Perry supporters for years - even after the Gardasil debacle - have now completely changed direction. That gives me so much hope for the next Gubernatorial election.

[l.a.h.]

I was a victim – and a survivor – of a brutal rape when I was eighteen. I can recall, in the midst of the act itself, wondering if I could get pregnant. As a not-yet-sexually-active teen, I did not keep close track of my cycle, but the thought that it could happen filled me with something beyond dread.

As part of the “aftercare” provided by the crisis center, I was given DES, or the “morning after pill.” My best friend at the time (I use that term loosely), who had had three pregnancy scares in the last year, actually joked around with me, suggesting I give the pills to her and “take my chances.” Having just survived the most terrifying and life-altering experience in my 18 years, I could think of only two things that would make it worse: to contract HIV, or to become pregnant.

HAD I gotten pregnant, there would not have been a moments hesitation in my mind that I WOULD have an abortion. On top of all of the other reasons why it would have been devastating for me to be pregnant at that age and time in my life, the thought of going through FORTY WEEKS of constant physical reminders of what had been done to me would have been, quite frankly, too much to bear. I have heard people defend Santorum’s comments today, saying that he never said the rape victim would have to RAISE the baby – and touting adoption as a reasonable option.

The “gift from God” stuff that is being used to defend this truly boggles my mind and makes my head want to pop off my shoulders. Look, I GET recognizing the truly miraculous gift of a child. I have tried to have a baby – for years – unsuccessfully. I have wanted a child of my own with heartbreaking intensity. But even now, knowing that that particular ship has sailed for me, if I could go back to 18 year old me and say “look, this might be your only crack at motherhood,” my decision would be unchanged. I would still take the DES, and I would still opt for an abortion if I were to get pregnant. Because a pregnancy – a baby – in those circumstances – is no gift I would ever want, regardless of the giver.

(And as I write this with such an intensity borne from my own experience and feelings, I am fully aware that there ARE women that would make the decision to go through with a pregnancy – even to raise a child that is the result of a rape. I do not in any way judge that decision. BUT LET IT BE A DECISION.)

[Kathy (Chicky) To I.A.H.]

L.A.H. I don't know who you are, but you said it with all the grace that I seem to lack when talking about this subject. My rape happened roughly 39 years ago, but it still feels like yesterday - I remember every miserable moment of it, and still relive it in my nightmares from time to time (less frequently than when I was younger.)

You and I seem to have a lot of unpleasant parallels in our lives, so I want to take this opportunity to say I am sorry for what I know you went through, and continue to live with.

[Katy]

l.a.h. - thank you for your very moving and well written post. I may copy it and send it to the relatives of mine that think I should vote for this man. I am very sorry that you weren't able to have a child when you wanted one, that makes me truly sad for you.

[Chrissy]

What amazes me, I.a.h, is that after all the awfulness you lived through you can calmly accept the fact that some people would make a different decision. You have the grace to see both sides of the problem and would allow women to choose to do what is right for their particular circumstance, with no judgment involved. If only the Republican candidates, especially Santorum, had one-tenth the character you possess. I am truly sorry for what you and Kathy had to go through.

[l.a.h.]

Thank you, Kathy and Katy. All these years later, the reality of that experience and all it did to me - mentally, emotionally, and physically - has become woven into the matrix of who I am. Not something separate, but part of the whole that makes me ME. Like Linda said, it is the filter through which I experience the world, but yet as much a part of me as it is, it does not define me. Sadly, however, to some it DOES define me: "it" can be used as a handy excuse to explain everything from my sex life to my choice of what car I drive (!!), to - yep - WHY I don't have kids. I am much happier just being me - not victim, not survivor - just ME.

And Chrissy...thank you. As with all decisions surrounding abortion, there are as many "sides" to these situations as there are women's stories. And because nobody can EVER know another's reality, nobody should have the ability to legislate these choices for them.

MY body, MY choice. For victims of rape, the rapist has already violated that once. That the courts would try to do it yet again - that Santorum and his supporters somehow sees this as a viable option - leaves me filled with anger and disbelief.

[Kathy (Chicky)]

L.A.H. - you are my hero :O)

[Theresa from Virginia]

I'm sure if Rick Santorum's wife, mother, sister, daughter were raped and became pregnant, he would feel decidedly different on the topic. What an ignorant asshole!

My heart goes out to all of you who have been affected by such an act of violence, and by the idiots who make you relive that nightmare!

[Nikki]

This idiot does nothing but make a further laughingstock of the GOP. As if they needed the help.

LAH and Kathy, I am terribly sorry for your pain and suffering and admire you both for pushing through and onward.