With Akin going on, I had to think of Polanski and Whoopy Goldberg.

[redgreenandblue]

I guess "illegitimate rape" is the same as when it isn't "rape-rape".

The issue of trivializing rape is not confined to conservative extremists.

[Chorophyll]

1. That's true.

There is a tendency on all sides to excuse rape when one admires the rapist. But the fact is that you can make great movies or leak government secrets and still be a goddamn rapist.

[deminwi]

2. Valid point

Goldberg should have been shunned like Akin, yet she's still a liberal fan-favorite. Has never made sense to me that she could defend a rapist like Polanski. I mean, come on, he effning drugged and raped a 13 year old!!! How can anyone even defend a grown man having consensual sex with a 13 year old girl......much less raping her. The progressive leadership should have vocalized their disgust with her attitude on "rape rape" and made it known that she does not represent the progressive mindset.

[redgreenandblue]

3. To be fair, Whoopy Goldberg is not a politician.

Her opinions are her own. They don't represent a political party, so I don't see a general necessity of "progressive leaders" commenting on them.

[deminwi]

5. But who do you think has more face time to the public?

Many regular Americans know who Goldberg is and are more apt to watch/react to something she says than most of the nameless, faceless politicians around the country. Heck, most Americans couldn't name who our Sec of State is, so how can we trust that they would know who some clown in Missouri is. Akin is rolling the dice that most of the voters in Missouri will be concentrating on football, etc. come the fall and that his comments will fade from view...except in the hearts of the devoted pro-choice and pro-life voters. Joe and Jane six-pack will probably vote for whichever politician has the most effective ads come October.

[Chorophyll]

6. Well, you're free to write letters to Whoopie Goldberg and to her employers about this

if it really bothers you. I don't think she has a whole lot of influence on anyone, and she doesn't make policy, but go ahead. I agree that what she said was inexcusable.

[SidDithers]

4. Absolutely true...

look at almost any Julian Assange thread for confirmation of your last line.

Sid