Indiana Republican Says Women Will Pretend to be Raped to get Abortions

Indiana Republicans are the latest to introduce legislation that would heavily restrict abortion. I've been so busy looking at the 18 anti-choice bills offered up by Republicans here in Florida that I haven't had much time to pay attention to the anti-women legislation in other states. So imagine my shock and rage when I saw this title at Think Progress, VIDEO: Indiana GOP Rep Says Women Will Pretend To Be Raped To Get Free Abortions.

Here's the basic story - Republicans introduce a bill banning abortion after 20 weeks. In response, Democratic State Rep. Gail Riecken introduces an amendment that will exempt rape and incest victims, as well as women whose lives would be threatened by pregnancy or who would be caused "serious and irreversible harm" by pregnancy. This seems logical, right? A logical attempt to mitigate the damage of legislation that is SURE to pass. An amendment that will help women retain some rights.

And of course, this amendment is in line with the views of more than 80% of Americans - 81% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in cases of rape/incest.

Of course, allowing women to just make their own decisions with the help of their doctor is the most logical legislation, but the Indiana GOP has no respect for women, doesn't believe they are equal, and in fact believes that the government should insert itself (forcefully) into their vaginas. So much for liberty and freedom!

Here's the video of Republican Rep. Eric Turner responding to this amendment - and the response from Rep. Linda Lawson (D) - who put Turner soundly in his place.



The House voted down the amendment - putting women's lives at risk through forced dangerous pregnancies (regardless of medical opinion or advice), forcing them to carry rapist's fetuses to term, and very likely sending women to the back alley for abortions. Maybe they'll even just commit suicide and then the GOP won't have to worry about paying for their medical care in the ER after they've half bled to death in a bathroom in some hotel.

This is YET ANOTHER example of the decades long history of Republicans supporting rape.

It's rare that anyone offends me. It really takes a lot to push that button, but Republican Rep. Eric Turner hit it today with a huge mallet. Here's my completely uncensored response:

Fuck you, Eric Turner, you pathetic piece of shit. I hope every woman in your life disowns your stupid, sexist ass.

And for every Republican who wants to restrict abortion, ban birth control, and put the government between a woman and her doctor in any way - you are enemies of equality, advocators of medical rape, and supporters of rapists. I've written before about the consequences of anti-choice legislation - dead women. And again, to put illusions to bed, according to Guttmacher,

Prior to the 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, illegal abortion in the United States was common; some 700,000 to 800,000 abortions were estimated to have taken place annually in the 1950s and 1960s.

It doesn't matter how many restrictions you place on abortion - women will have them anyway. One in three American women will have an abortion in their lifetime and this kind of legislation forces those women into desperate situations and those who vote for it have blood on their hands - the blood of your grandmothers, mothers, sisters, wives, cousins, and daughters is on your hands. You can't wash it off and we will never let you forget that you are responsible for it.