I often say if we had “mommies” running our country we all would be in a much better situation. Instead we have “macho men” peeing to mark their territories making our laws and then living their own lives by their own set of standards. Oy vey!

Right with you on this one!

Well said!!!!!!

I need to get you a copy of Tough Cookies… that book I’ve blogged about at least twice, by the former CEO of the Girl Scouts USA. There are some empowering stats in there about why we need women in power – politics, business, non-profits, religion…

We are ALL stronger when we have a diverse leadership pool.

Todd Akins got on the House Science Committee how? Ah, I know, it’s “my mind is made up don’t confuse me with the facts.” I could go on. I won’t. Thanks for ranting for me! (Some rants are good!)

Carol in MA

As 50% of the human race, we need to assert our humanity in all these issues and VOTE against these stupid and inhumane beings.

And a thanks for donating copy to Pearl-McPhee’s cause.

Alison, Mitt, your third cousin one removed, does not go along with that stupid congressman from Missouri. And he is not endorsing the entire Republican platform. Someday you need to have a television–so watch Romney on the NBC interview tomorrow night. I admit when the political ads come on, I mute the TV. The Obama people are perpetuating half truths and simplifications as fast as some on the other side. Anyone who knows what Mormon bishops and stake presidents do–on a voluntary basis–cannot say that Mitt has no feeling for and knowledge of what most of us do and face. Maybe tomorrow’s interview will shed a little light on this. I do admit that the guy from Missouri is stupid, bigoted, and should withdraw.
Love you, Dad

Amen.

This one isn’t even political. This one goes to the soul of how a huge chunk of Americans view women. The most frightening part, to me: that chunk includes some women.

Again, Alison, Amen.

I saw Aikins’ comment in the paper, and read it in total disbelief! Does this guy REALLY believe this, or is the idiot just pandering to the extreme right? Does he belong to the Flat Earth Society?
Ugh!

If this doesn’t upset every woman in American, I don’t know what would. And of course, there are many Republicans jumping on the bandwagon to back Akin up–King, Palin, etc. It’s just frightening.

Paul Ryan asked Aikin to stand down and remove his name from the ballot.Like everything in politics, it only takes one person to touch off something to make one party seem bad, vote for the man not the party. It takes some work , but look into what the candiates say and do is more important than the party.

Todd Akin’s comments make me embarrassed to be from Missouri. Not only were his remarks stupid, he’s being stubborn and refusing to withdraw from the Senate race even when some leaders in his party are telling him to. And to think he’s running against a woman. I hope all the Missouri women do their best to defeat him at the polls in November.

I agree 100%, Alison.

Well Said. (unlike what Mr. Akin said…) It blows my mind that people still believe this rubbish in this day and age. Makes me glad to be a Canadian.

Thank you, Alison, for a reasoned and factual critique of Akin’s outlandish comments and beliefs. If I am to understand him, he believes we women have the mental power to prevent a pregnancy, but we don’t have the brains to make the anguished decision if we should ever need to terminate a pregnancy. It is not a flip decision and I wish no woman ever had to make that choice. But life isn’t simple and perfect. Sometimes things go wrong. And women must have the right to choose what happens to her body.

Thank you so much Alison for saying publicly what so many of us are thinking privately. If these cretins gain power women (as well as men if truth be known) will suffer. I, for one, am strongly opposed to being subjugated, demeaned, ridiculed, and basically treated as sub-human. We stand to lose ground we have fought so hard to gain for ourselves, our daughters, and granddaughters.

with respect, but to your dad — Mitt may not believe this, but he is in this case sinning by silence if he doesn’t

I had a very dear friend that had to decide at about 14 weeks if she was going to have the baby or if she was going to have the cancer surgery and have a chance to live to raise the three other little children she already had — she chose the latter, but it was wrenching

I think anyone that is not physically equipped to carry a child should just stay out of the question entirely! Let these decisions stay between the woman, her doctor and her God

and the very phrase “legitimate rape” just makes my hair catch fire!!

Interesting op-ed today in the Los Angeles Times on the evolution of these kind of beliefs about rape.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-foster-akin-sex-20120822,0,5241846.story

Amazing how life imitates reality, huh?

Like my husband says, it takes all kinds to make the world go round, but sometimes, some kinds could just spin off and it wouldn’t be a bad thing…

You teach me so much. I really appreciate you sharing your perspective.

GREAT comments. Your dad still has a couple months to become enlightened. One commenter wrote:

“Can you picture a rapist suing for custody?”

It’s already happened, and it turns my stomach. Rapists rape because they want power, control, dominance, not sex. Just the qualities you want having an influence on a child. NOT.

Someone else commented that women are 50% of the human race. I’m not sure of that statistic, but women ARE the majority voters. We have the power to get these ignorant men OUT of government.

Thanks so much for your post, Alison. Wishing you well. ALWAYS.

I can understand people having different perspectives and value systems, even though sometimes it is hard for me to imagine how they got there. What I can’t understand is the willing disregard of scientific fact*. And ignoring same at one’s convenience severely limits good decision making, hence suitability to office.

*And this is certainly not the only example of ignoring science.