I keep thinking about the “legitimate rape” comment. What does it really mean?? Obviously it doesn’t make any sense. But I think the meaning of saying it calls into question, first of all, that rape even happens. Or if it does, many are not “legitimate”. What would they be, then? Ones in which women cooperated, brought it on themselves, or simply accused someone dishonestly. It appears that his belief is that many rapes are not really rapes– so that’s the beginning of the meaning.
Then, as you have heard, I’m sure, his next comments brought out some AMAZINGLY STUPID belief that women’s bodies somehow recognize rape semen from a lover’s semen, and this amazing woman’s body rejects the rape semen so she doesn’t get pregnant. WOW! I wonder how much he even knows about his own wife’s body.
Anyway, the MEANING of this second comment, to me, means ignorance, plus some sort of weird “set her on a pedastal” belief about the woman’s body. It’s not just a body, it is a spiritually intuned magically gifted body that can cause itself not to accept a man’s semen. What this represents is still not clear in my mind, but it almost sounds like basis for some sort of weird mysogyny. Some sort of disdain for women as a magical being of some sort. We’re not. We’re just humans, like he is. So don’t put us on a pedestal or treat us in any other way but human. That’s what we are.
THIRD, he then tries to EXPLAIN his comments by saying, what he meant was “forcible rape” instead of legitimate rape. Instead of sincerely apologizing, he stoops to a new stupid low. Now it’s forcible rape. Really? Again, read paragraph one.
Lastly, though I think he should now resign, I also think that the superior outcome would be actual education, sincere consultation, and learning on his part. He could sponsor an open forum on the subject of rape. What is it exactly? How often does it occur in society? And how often does it result in pregnancy? There are many theories about why it happens. It is definitely an act of violence. On the other hand, it is also somehow tied up with sexual excitement, because, not many older women get raped. There is some sort of preference being shown. And then a lot of it is education about alcohol, responsibility even when you or someone else is drinking, on both men’s & women’s parts. But it is NEVER okay. And it is ALWAYS rape. Don’t qualify it into divisions you made up yourself to excuse yourself, make yourself feel better, OR more easily blame those that it HAPPENS TO.
I personally find it dumbfounding that we are having THESE discussions this election. But it shows how gender bias or mysogyny is still rampant, and people spew it forth without thinking.
Doctor Grandma 
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