Should Todd Akin Step Down?

In a word, no. If you haven't seen the full statement he made which started this fire-storm, you can do so here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdisTOKom5I. What he said was not politically correct and definitely could have been worded differently, but what he said wasn't wrong. The word "rape" is one that gets thrown around and has become a piece of meaningless rhetoric on the pro-abortion side. By using the phrase, "legitimate rape," I do believe Rep. Akin sought to restore the full weight of the word "rape." In truth, rape only actually occurs in less than 2% of the US population. It is something which is seldom reported and difficult to prove. Rape is also not a major reason cited by women who have an abortion.

The other thing that seems to be making a fuss is when he speaks of punishment. He is specifically speaking of punishing the rapist and rightfully so. Now, there are some on the pro-abortion side who believe that keep punishing the woman and there are serious issues with this line of reasoning. Firstly, you're talking about tearing apart an innocent child. Why are you so insistent on making the child suffer for the actions of the rapist? What the hell is wrong with you? Secondly, you are advocating additional trauma on the woman. Again, what the hell is wrong with you? Have you never heard of Post-Abortion Syndrome? Did you not know that women who have an abortion are 5 times more likely to commit suicide? Did you know that it's not uncommon for women who have an abortion to suffer from PTSD and depression?

It sounds to me like the pro-abortion side would like the woman to be punished for being raped. How dare you look down your nose at her and shame her into thinking she will never be fully human unless she kills the innocent baby in her womb. How dare you! Are you not aware of the many studies that have been done that illustrate that when rape victims carry the child to term they actually recover from being raped faster? That they aren't in fact reminded of the incident when they hold the precious bundle of joy in their arms? Tell me, is the ignorance of these facts really worth being anti-woman over?

And this might surprise people, but it's very uncommon for women to become pregnant our of rape. It only occurs in less than 5% of instances. Yes, contrary to popular opinion, you don't get pregnant every time you have sex. It actually doesn't work that way.

I believe that each individual has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of meaning. As such people are free to do as they please to their own bodies granted they do not violate the right to life, liberty or pursuit of another person. So, if life begins at conception (as I believe it does and is supported with science) then it would follow that abortion is murder and thus one is not just to override the rights of that individual on the basis that he/she is smaller than one.

As for people calling for Akin to step down, it's not so surprising with Democrats. As for so called Republicans and conservatives it really shows who the wolves in sheepskin are.

Still not convinced? Here is a most wonderful response by a young black man who was actually born out of rape.

Pussy Riot Justly Found Guilty

There is a lot of bias surrounding reactions to Pussy Riot being found guilty. Believe it or not, they were not put on trial solely because of their beliefs. They are free to believe whatever they wish and even share their views with others, but this is not why they are on trial. They are on trial because they went onto private property - and yes churches, temples, shrines, et cetera are considered private property- and essentially interrupted the peace.

Now, due to the fact that they were in a religious place and decided to sing a song that slanders that said religion, of course this song will be used against them as it goes towards motive. This is no different than if I came over to your house uninvited and threatened you - what I say can and will be used against me in the court of law. However, if I was invited over and we were having a good time and in a teasing manner I half-heartily threatened you, this is a completely different situation and as such what I say is not perceived to have criminal implications.

I imagine the outcry would be completely different if this was about a band that stormed and LGBT centre in the United States and sang a song decrying the Obama regime whilst having lyrics that are offensive to the LGBT community. Tell me, are you really willing to just chop it up to "Freedom of Expression?" If one got out of that centre alive, you would likewise be charged with hooliganism, trespassing, and hate speech.

I get it, knocking religion is what all the kids are doing these days so surely there is nothing wrong with it, right? Well, the thing is there is such a thing as religious bigotry. A religious bigot is someone who is intolerant or hateful towards religion. Now, this does mean one cannot disagree with religion. It actually works the same as disagreeing with homosexuality. Disagreeing with something and voicing those disagreements does not constitute hate speech. However, if one speaks against either with vitriol than you're likely committing hate speech.

For those interested, below is an English translation of the song Pussy Riot decided they were going to sing so you can judge for yourself. Remember, the song itself is fine but when combined with going into a holy place and singing it, that changes every thing. The following is courtesy of  Freepussyriot.org.

Punk-Prayer "Virgin Mary, Put Putin Away"

(choir)

Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away
Рut Putin away, put Putin away

(end chorus) ...
Black robe, golden epaulettes
All parishioners crawl to bow
The phantom of liberty is in heaven
Gay-pride sent to Siberia in chains

The head of the KGB, their chief saint,
Leads protesters to prison under escort
In order not to offend His Holiness
Women must give birth and love

Shit, shit, the Lord's shit!
Shit, shit, the Lord's shit!

(Chorus)

Virgin Mary, Mother of God, become a feminist
Become a feminist, become a feminist

(end chorus)

The Church’s praise of rotten dictators
The cross-bearer procession of black limousines
A teacher-preacher will meet you at school
Go to class - bring him money!

Patriarch Gundyaev believes in Putin
Bitch, better believe in God instead
The belt of the Virgin can’t replace mass-meetings
Mary, Mother of God, is with us in protest!

(Chorus)

Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away
Рut Putin away, put Putin away

(end chorus)

And here is amateur video footage of the event in question: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NWgZYB_ZZw. Additionally, you may want to watch the verdict in full: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuqGws1fCnc.

I Am Alone

"Ugh, am I the only one here?" she hollered down the hall as she picked up the dishes strewn about the kitchen. It annoyed her to no end how unkempt her room-mate was, but she didn't have time to look for a better place and the rent was too high to make on her own. "Coo-coo-la-choo!" went the alarm clock as it dawned on her that she was now late for work. The girl tossed the dishes into the sink, grabbed her bike and made a mad dash for the door.

The puddles of water spread like the Red Sea as the wheels of the bike cruised through them. It was a cold, overcast day and it had just begun to drizzle as the girl rushed parallel the sea wall on her way to her next enslavement - a sandwich making shop that seemed to always have the dullest customers. Suddenly, a huge wave crashed over the side and in trying to avoid it she threw herself from the bike and over the side. A thousand daggers rushed at her from all angles and the dark grey sea dragged her deeper and deeper. Finally, she could fight it no longer and passively allowed the darkness to consume her.

"Wake up, Girl!"
As she opened her eyes she was overwhelmed by whiteness, then slowly she began to see shapes and figures. "That's it, there you are. Welcome back!" said the voice. She rubbed her eyes and then she could see clearly the very handsome man that had saved her. "You've already got some colour coming back into your cheeks," he gleefully announced. She struggled to get to her feet, but with his warm and gentle assistance she was able. "Would have been a shame to lose such a good looking specimen." "I'm sorry, what did you just say?" she asked dumbfounded. Confused, he looked at her, "I said nothing, but I think you may have a concussion given that nasty gash on your head there." She automatically reached to her head and when she brought her hand back to inspect it there was a generous amount of blood. She fainted then.

"The poor girl, she has had such a rough day." "I have definitely seen better days," she said groggily awaking to find herself in a hospital bed. The handsome stranger got up to greet her, "We meet again!" She smiled, "Yes, it certainly seems so," as she beamed at him. "A smile to melt any man's heart." This bewildered her for though she clearly hear him his lips did not make a sound. "Still a bit confused eh?" he said in return. "The doc says you have a minor concussion, but that you should be fine in a few days." "How did you get that information? Doesn't hospital policy say that..." "Shush," he interrupted," I work here so they made an exception. I'm a therapist." "Oh, you help injured people recover?" "That's a good way to put it, only for me the injury is in the mind." She tried to hide her horrified expression, "So you're a psych?" "Oh, no no I don't give out drugs, I just listen." "I wonder why she jumped." "I didn't jump in case you were wondering. It all happened so quickly. I guess I thought I threw myself away from the water when I didn't." "Hmmm, that's possible." "Take it easy there. Why don't you get dressed and I'll take you home?" He got up and walked out.

The car ride home was calm and quiet. "I wish she had jumped, that way I could find out what she did so that I could succeed." She looked out the window startled, unsure of what was going on. She decided to get him talking. "So, this listening thing you do?" He chuckled, "Yes?" "How is it? Is it hard." "Not really, no." "It's not too hard listening to people whine about their lives who would never do the same for you. No one ever cares about me, they just want me to listen." "So why don't you tell me things? Anything on your mind?" she prodded. "What, you want to play therapist or something?" he smirked. "If you want me to, sure," she replied. He gave in and indulged her.

They'd gotten some food to eat and were enjoying it under the lighthouse. She'd learned a lot about him, and about herself. The two of them may have been strangers, but shared many of the same triumphs and difficulties. Life had it's hard moments and one could feel so alone in them. Sometimes it really does seem like everyone is taking it with ease and you are the lost duckling just trying to get it together belong. She'd realised though from listening to him talk, that perhaps everyone feels the same way - like we're all wayward ducklings trying to be something and make sense of the world.

"I've been thinking about killing myself lately," he confided in her. She tenderly placed her hand on his arm to comfort him. "I thought you had jumped and I wanted to ask you how it went so I saved you, though now it dawns on me that, that was counter-productive. I'm glad saved you though." He smiled sweetly at her and she returned him a huge heart warming smile. "I've been having a hard time too," she opened up to him. A room-mate that doesn't exist, but for the mess she leaves in the apartment and a job with customers that can't seem to make up their minds. It just gets hard when you go it alone." He spoke, "I care about you." "I care about you too." "You're not alone any longer" "And you're not without someone who won't listen to you." They tenderly embraced, sealing their new found friendship.

It was late, and he returned her to her apartment as promised. He opened the car door for her as she got out, the hugged and said goodnight. "Hey?" She turned around to him at once. He smiled up at her. "Let's do this again sometime. You know where to find me." She smiled back at him, "I definitely intend to." "Goodnight," said he. "Goodnight, said she."

Romney Picks Paul Ryan for VP

[UPDATE: Congressman Paul Ryan's voting record has been brought to my attention which you can view here:  http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/26344/. Some of the most notable things Mr. Ryan voted for are as follows: NDAA (unlimited detention of Americans merely suspected of associating with terrorism, no trial either, 2012), $192B stimulus spending (Jul 2009), TARP (2008), $15B bailout for GM and Chrysler (Dec 2008), Head Start Act (2007), $70 million Housing vouchers (Jun 2006), making PATRIOT Act permanent (Dec 2005), Medicare Part D expansion (2003), authorizing military force in Iraq (Oct 2002), and No Child Left Behind (2001). During his speech he made upon being named as a candidate for Vice President (it's officially decided by the delegates at the GOP Convention in Tampa) he said that he and the Romney camp weren't going to blame, but be responsible (all they've done is point out how wrong Obama is thus far), and that Obama is part of the problem. That's true except that it seems from his voting record Congressman Paul Ryan is also part of the problem. What was that about not laying blame and being responsible?]

In a word, we're all doomed. Big government loving RINO and potential presidential nominee Mitt Romney is teaming up with Congressman Paul Ryan whose only call to glory is a bipartisan budget bill that wasn't even genuinely serious about fixing the US deficit and the debt.

Seriously, it's like the Republicans actually want Obama to win another term in office. It's a joke! Mr. Ryan's bill wasn't even going to deal with America going bankrupt for another 30 years when in reality America went bankrupt last year. Yes, that's right Americans. You're out of money and you're attempting to elect a guy and his sidekick both of whom don't give a damn about you.

It seems the Revolutionary War was all for naught. Now a days it's all about pledging allegiance to a party and, not a country. True fiscal and social conservatives are about as rare and endangered as the Bald Eagle.

Forget about Obama by the way. Have you read Romney's tax plan? Have you listened to what comes out of Romney's mouth? Were you watching when Romney commented on the Supreme Court upholding Obamacare? I know it's not politically correct to say so, but in reality the only real difference between Romney and Obama is that one is white and the other is black.

I invite you to read Mr. Ryan's bill yourself here: http://www.nationaljournal.com/budget/text-of-the-ryan-budget-plan-20120320. I'm sure when you are through that you will see the only thing that bill does is provide Congress cover to keep doing business as usual.

America, you're under siege. Fortunately, the real solution to 2012 is 1776. God be with you all.