I am having trouble figuring out who is worse, Akin, Ryan or Smith

[Robyn66]

Akin "Legitimate Rape" and a womans body "shuts down to prevent pregnancy"
Ryan "Rape is another form of conception"
Smith "Having children out of wedlock is like getting pregnant from rape"

You know, I am really starting to think what Aiken said was the least offensive of the three. What he said was ignorant and wrong, but what Ryan and Smith stand for is infinitely more cruel and heartless.

I was raped when I was 14 by a boy I went to highschool with and I lived in a very Republican family. I decided that if I became pregnant my only option was suicide. I was already living in an abusive home, so I knew that if I told my parents I would be told it was my fault because I was a whore (even though I never left the house except to go to and from school)

That month following the rape was terrifying. Not only dealing with the rape but trying to figure out how to kill myself if I turned out to be pregnant. Fortunately, that was not the case, but something else resulted that I haven't heard anyone else talk about and I wonder if this is just me or if it was a result of the abusive home.

When I had boyfriends, I never had the courage to say no. They weren't horrible people and they weren't rapists but I ended up allowing them to do things I didn't want to do because I was afraid to say no. These boys asked and I would say ok so we are not talking about date rape or anything I just never felt I had the right to say no to anything. I lived with the guilt for years that I really was a whore.

Now I am very lucky because when I was 18 I met my husband who was sent from God. We are both 46 now. He helped me through my issues with kindness and gentleness and love. I have survived a lot as many of you who know me know.

Anyway, I doubt it would probably make much of a difference, but I would love to see these members of congress be put in a room with 20 or 30 rape survivors and have to listen to their stories and listen to what their lives have been like. I can remember what happened like it was yesterday even though I have been in a loving relationship and through years of therapy.

Rape never goes away. My heart breaks for the women who have had to deal with pregnancy on top of it.

[hollysmom]

1. it is Akin, not Aiken

[southernyankeebelle]

2. When your a dog like the republicans are they always attract fleas.

[dawg]

3. I'm glad you found the man that you did.

It sounds like he was more of a man at 18 years old than any of these Republicans will ever be.

You are correct that Akin is the least bad of the three. He was willing to believe that ridiculous notion about women's bodies shutting down because he wanted it to be true. In other words, he felt a pang of guilt about forcing women to carry rape pregnancies to term, so he let himself believe a fairy tale that told him they wouldn't have to.

The others feel no such pang of guilt.

Sex can be such a beautiful thing, but it can also be the source of such intense and enduring pain. I'm thankful you found someone to help you with your pain.

[ArnoldLayne]

4. I am happy everything turned out right for you.