We would probably be remiss if we didn’t post something about the absolutely horrific stupidity of Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri, the Republican candidate for the Missouri Senate race. As you all probably know by now, Akin told a news station on Sunday that “legitimate rape” rarely causes pregnancy: “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”
Now, for the most part, here at Kveller we tend to avoid politics. But comments like these that are so deeply offensive to women, are hard to ignore. Nor should they be ignored. For many of us, the day we become parents our life contracts. The world becomes smaller as we spend more time at home, more time focused on the day to day routines of managing life with little people. Bedtimes. Sleep deprivation. Force feeding toddlers. Preschool. These are thing things that take up our brain power and psychic energy.
But, I would also argue that we are responsible for making sure that society and culture around us–both inside and outside the home–is one that we feel good about. And that also means making sure that we are thoughtful about the people we elect to office.
There are 78 days until the presidential election (which also happens to coincide with my due date, more on that another time). We’re not here to take sides, but I do think we have a responsibility here at Kveller to hash out the important issues. That means, finding respectful and productive ways to talk about what issues matter to us.
We have an incredibly smart and thoughtful community here. Let’s take advantage of it and talk about how we’re all voting and why.
Who’s with me?
