Republican vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan sat down this morning with Jon Delano of KDKA in Pittsburgh, offering his first detailed remarks since Todd Akin's odious comments over the weekend on rape. What was striking about Ryan's comments was the extent to which they were at odds with his own record.
For those who can't watch clips online, Ryan said Akin's comments were "outrageous" and "over the pail." Though I'm not familiar with this "pail" idiom, in context, it seems safe to say Ryan was expressing disagreement with Akin. So far, so good. [Update: In comments, Katami Detroit suggests he was probably trying to say, "Beyond the pale," which would make sense.]
But note how the right-wing congressman struggles to defend his own record. Ryan said in the interview, "Rape is rape. Period. End of story." And while that may sound heartening, Ryan, just a year ago, co-sponsored legislation -- with Todd Akin -- that would have redefined "rape" for the purposes of Medicaid funding. In Ryan's proposal, victims of "forcible rape" would receive protections, but victims of other, undefined kinds of rape would not.
Asked to defend his own legislation, Ryan refused. "Rape is rape. Rape is rape, period. End of story," he said. When the reporters pressed further, asking, "So that forcible rape language meant nothing to you at the time?" The vice presidential hopeful again added, "Rape is rape and there's no splitting hairs over rape."
But therein lies the point: for Paul Ryan, Todd Akin, and their far-right colleagues, there is splitting hairs over rape, and it's not the end of the story. Under the legislation Ryan pushed, if a 13-year-old girl who was impregnated by a 24-year-old man would not be able to use Medicaid funds to terminate the pregnancy, unless she could prove she'd been "forcibly" raped.
If "there's no splitting hairs over rape," why did Paul Ryan help champion legislation that would have split hairs over rape?
As for Ryan's stated position that the government should force women to take their pregnancy to term if they are impregnated by a rapist, the Republican congressman seemed to concede that his position has been superseded. "Well, look, I'm proud of my pro-life record. And I stand by my pro-life record in Congress. It's something I'm proud of," Ryan said. "But Mitt Romney is the top of the ticket and Mitt Romney will be president and he will set the policy of the Romney administration."
The reporter also asked about contraception, prompting Ryan to say, "Nobody is proposing to deny birth control to anybody."
While that's an encouraging sentiment, Ryan supports destroying the Affordable Care Act, which will necessarily mean less access to affordable contraception for many Americans, and he co-sponsored (with Akin) a federal "Personhood" measure that would ban abortion, in-vitro fertilization, and some contraceptives.
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Ryan probably meant to say "beyond the pale," although "over the pail" approximates my reaction to his comments fairly well. I.e., I'm over the pail waiting to throw up.
Interesting that he's agreeing 100% with President Obama on this. LOL.
I sense that MittRyan perceives, in a small crevice in its gut, the monstrosity of "Personhood" and "No-Exceptions" and how those doctrines are perceived by so many people. Mitt, for his part, may not really believe in it. He just cornered himself because he'll say anything (and then its opposite) at any time if he thinks he'll gain an advantage.
Akin's naive revelation of who and what they really are has hurt them and can hurt them more (deservedly so) if we refuse to let this go away.
Ryan is all macho in conducting the war on women and pulling the safety net away from seniors when he is in his safe little district or under the cover of the Beltway media, but put him out in the light of a national campaign, and he runs away from his policies like a sniveling coward.
If your policies are so good, then take ownership of them and defend them.
From a line of strong, stubborn mountain women in the hills of Lookout Mountain. Don't care who you are. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VPpAZ9_qAw Don't tell us what to do cause we know what to do when the time comes.
good piece, right on target.
I'm pretty sure he meant "beyond the pale". It basically means beyond the standards of decency.
Since I am a word nerd, here's a link to the background of this idiom: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/beyond-the-pale.html
He probably did mean that (and thanks for the link), but Steve's incomprehension was subtle snark. Steve's so polite!
Hooray for word nerds! Looks like he scrambled "over the top" and "beyond the pale."
so, when was he lying? Then or now? And how would he lie if he did get into office?
Now that he's become one-half the R&R bookends, I'm following the rule of thumb that if his mouth is open, he's lying.
Of course he would lie. He's Willard's Mini-Me. Say anything, pretend to anything, do anything for power.
If I read this article correctly, once again "lean forward", it is saying Ryan supports making abortion illegal under any circumstances because he has introduced and supports legislation that defunds abortion.
In my opinion, there is a big difference between passing laws that make abortion illegal and not using taxpayer money to pay for it. I'm not saying he wouldn't support making abortion illegal, because I don't know his position on that subject, but that's not what this article is saying. Even though I support the right to choose I do not support the use of taxpayer money to pay for those that make bad choices. Does that make me an abortion hater?
Also interesting is the comment about the 14 year old girl and the 24 year old man. My mother had my older sister at age 14 and my wife's mother had her older sister at the age of 15. A generation ago (about 40 years ago) this was accepted and really quite common. I don't support underage sex but does that mean our parents were felons and are there people in parts of the country that have not advanced past that mindset yet?
Nobody is proposing to deny birth control to anybody other than IUDs and hormonal contraceptives including the oral contraceptive pill and the "morning after" pill. If, however, your diaphragm or condom slips or breaks, tough.
Dr. Wilke was Romney's SURROGATE in 2008 spouting the same 'rape' theories!
Akin is no OUTLIER ...ryan co sponsored those bills with akin!
Since Ryan only have 3 children, I'm assuming he used some form of "family planning." What could it be? Abstinence? Rhythm? Luck? It seems that he condones no form of contraception paid for by the "government." Did he pay for his own? We know that abortion was never an option, so what is a "mother" to do?
I thought the same thing when this topic came up, st. john. Who paid for it? Why, his platinum care health insurance, courtesy of the US taxpayer, paid for it!
It can't be forgotten that Romney has stated that he supports the personhood amendment, which declares that life begins at fertilization and considers a fertilized human egg to be a legal person. This would effectively ban all abortion, including in the case of rape or incest. The personhood amendment would also ban some forms of contraception as well as in vitro fertilization and arguably stem cell research.
It also bans miscarriages and I think you would have to buy 2 tix to get into the movies; not sure how you show 2 I.D.s to vote though. Maybe the ultrasound pic would be accepted, even if the fetus can't drive? . . . Yeah, it's that stupid!
Does that mean I can drive in the HOV lane even before I know I'm pregnant?
No one is talking about denying women birth control.
They're just WRITING about it, in legislation, to be voted upon by Congress.
Big difference.
Well, as Reagan once noted: "Well, there you go again". Ryan's lying AGAIN. Soon he'll catch up with Mitt.
Yep, Paulie like Mittens was for it before he became against it! Especially after seeing the reaction from the public...LOL
Not if they get control of all three branches of our Government, it will not longer be "just talk".
their just "writing"about it? maybe you dont know this but ryan is in congress. the house of reps. the republican party controls the house. Any legislation that is written by a republican in the house WILL pass. So the "writing" about it, Becomes REALITY! please!!!PLEASE!!! use common sense.
Note that Ryan just repeats as his own President Obama's response on this topic at the press briefing the other day -- "Rape is rape."
Ryan is such a pretender, weasel, twerp, liar - I could go on and on.
Ryan was voted "the biggest brown noser" in his High School.
Go ahead, google it.
Thing about brown nosers is they get their direction from which ever way the ass their kissing at that moment is going.
Since Romney in particular and the Republican in general have no real direction (but for down) it can't be expected for any of them to have consistency, and Ryan pleasing whoever is there at the moment and the 'big dog' of the moment.
The Republicans, extremists of hatred, and the extreme wealthy are too dang stupid to realize, if this hurricane barreling down on their butts would be the wrath of God against them. Even though, it was called out that they were power cravers, corrupt, hypocrites, greedy, arrogant, and deceivers.
Why do they always say the opposite of what is already on record? It would be amusing if not so pathetic.
Why? Because by the time they get to the point where anyone is actually checking, they've developed a habit that's harder to kick than cigarettes.
Maybe every GOP congressman should have to pass the gauntlet of running for VP. Maybe while in Congress, they'd tame some of their blind chauvinism when doing "what the people ask them to do". At least as far as their rhetoric goes, running for national office does tend to have a moderating influence. But it also tends to make liars out of them, or more practiced liars anyway.
Beyond the pale has to do with what I assume are Ryan's Irish roots: beyond the pale was the zone out of Anglo-Norman control and dates from the 14th century.
Just what does Ryan's 'genius' consist of? He isn't even good at math, if his budget is any example. And he knows nothing about language and history -- or given his partnership with Todd Akin, medical science either.
Great choice, Mitt.
In Crawfish Ryan's world there is no need for contraception because women have a mystical ability to decide if they get pregnant or not. Just close your eyes and think of something traumatic.
Equally sound is the argument that there is no need for invitro fertilization if she just puts her mind to it.
Perhaps she doesn't even need the participation of a man? No input from her man, or any other. Immaculate conception is the order of the day.
Wait, a reporter actually pressed Ryan on his record? I must admit, I'm impressed.
If Republicans were not so interested in everyone else's sex life, they might have time for real work.
Notice how on every topic where he's asked to defend his congressional voting record, he responds with "Mitt Romney's the top of the ticket..." or something of the sort. What he apparently just doesn't seem to understand, and neither does anyone who interviews him, is if Romoney wins and croaks on January 22, 2013 or anywhere thereafter during his presidency, it's Ryan's record that will IMMEDIATELY matter. How people don't understand why Ryan's record is equally critical as Romney's is beyond me. And, given how craven, mendacious and devoid of character Romney is, there's no telling how influential Ryan would be as VP. All you need to understand his how influential Cheney was for 8 God awful years. And hey, Biden is just as influential. So Ryan needs to stop playing the "my record isn't important" type of schtick. It's a guarantee he will go right back to his comfort zone and govern from far right field regardless of how the election turns out.
Totally agree: Ryan is a SCARY choice for VP!
http://www.tonymarkey.info/scary-vp.html
The doctor, I think it was in Mass.who's house was broken into, he was hit on the head with a pipe.His wife was raped and strangled and children were burned alive.What if his wife had somehow survived (it could have happened)?What if it were found that she was pregnant.Under the republican platform which include's Romney/Ryan,she would have had to carry that baby to term.If she tried to abort the child she could have possibly ended up in prison on a murder charge.This is the republican's idea of pro life and justice?
I am not hopeful for America right now. The fact that these two cretins and indeed any politician supporting this kind of lunacy poll anywhere near the Democrats is simply stupid. I guess we survived Reagan and Bush (albeit barely), this too shall pass, but still...
You have to hit bottom before you can go back up. The problem is just when you think we have hit the bottom, Republicans prove otherwise.
You may have heard about Rep. Todd Akin, and his profound understanding of reproductive biology (in case of legitimate rape, a woman can shut her body up and not get pregnant….).
A little known fact is that Todd Akin is a legitimate member of the Committee on Science in the US House of Representatives (see attached).
The leadership of this Congress has no problem legitimating incompetency. Not if it satisfies the political agenda of the far right. In the meantime, we have people with an –at best- medioeval understanding of medicine, creating science policy for our country.
Todd Akin makes no secret of his religious fanaticism. The fact is, therefore, that we have a religious fanatic directing the course of federally-funded science. We have a party in control of Congress that has actually placed this –admittedly ignorant- congressman, in such a position of power. Worse part: the appointment is, likely, not a naïve mistake by incompetent Republican leaders. Interfering with the progress of science is a well-known component of far-right activism that dates back to the middle ages (the time of publication of Akin's medical books). And far-right activism is the current direction of the Republican party.
Romney has chosen a member of that same far right to be his running mate. Todd Akin and Paul Ryan have consistently voted in the same direction during their tenures in Congress. Their position on abortion and other social issues are highly compatible (Ryan's current image-maker-directed posturing aside). I can only conclude that the growth of the scientific acumen of this country is in danger, being swept by politicians that need to place their Theo-political agenda ahead of progress in science and in medicine.
Whether Akin will resign or not, is almost irrelevant. What is most important is whether the next election will validate the current strategy of undermining the scientific infrastructure that, once, placed this country at the lead of science and technology in the world.
The thing to understand is that the Committee on Science is like the Committee on Taxation: ideally they can keep it from happening.
Ryan has taken lessons from his running mate. If pressed by the media,
1. NO DETAILS. Stick to generalities.
2. NEVER DISCUSS controversial positions you've held your entire political life.
3. If pressed further, LIE, LIE, LIE.
4. Go back to 1.
1. a) attack Obama
Great Add! LOL, I'm mad I didn't think of it!
Rapists should be subject to the death penalty. If it is ok to defend yourself against rape with deadly force, it is ok to use death as an option for punishment. When you destroy a person's life (by rape), your life should be subject to destruction.
This is the high ground and it would "man up" the Democrats..
It is hard to prove murder if you shoot below the belt.
Angela Wehman · Top Commenter
I have designed a t-shirt with a monster, alien uterus that says: You don't want to mess with this. On the back it says: Women will remember in November. Wear it with pride. http://www.cafepress.com/mf/66886393/women-will-remember-in-november_tshirt?shop=Suicide_Dove
I suppose a slavering vagina dentata would have been a bit much.
You've heard of the old saying, for someone to be "Hoist on his own petard."
Looks like Todd Akin cause Romney/Ryan to be "Hoist on their own teatard."
OK let me get this straight..Ryan does not want Medicare to pay for Abortions, so now a woman is forced to have a baby, then she goes on welfare and medicare and we support the mother and child . Someone from the GOP please explain this to me..
Then explain how you are going to fix unemployment..
Not quite. If a woman gets pregnant and does not want the baby, she would be required by the GOP to have the baby anyway. The GOP wants no abortions, for any reason; it's not simply about having Medicaid pay for them. If the woman wants the baby, she would, by their plans, not be eligible for Medicaid (if she doesn't have any health care) and therefore be denied prenatal care. Once the baby is born, they would deny the baby and mother health coverage, food stamps, school lunch programs once the kid is in school...and don't forget they want to decrease funding for that school, too. And, while she might be eligible for some welfare for a short while, they expect her to get back to work ASAP. Under their plans, the unwanted fetus is only important as a tool to control the woman. It has no value in itself, and deserves no continuing support. The prospective human life they are so anxious to preserve is, in fact, not one they care to help out in any other way.
Of additional note is the fact that there are no provisions for forcing the man who made her pregnant--and there always is one-- to take any serious responsibility or face any similar life-changing consequences.
Then, when the child turns 18 and becomes a criminal...the state will house him/her through the justice system, an excellent use of our tax dollars.