“Let’s be clear: rape is a crime and Texas will work tirelessly that we eliminate all rapists from the streets of Texas by aggressively going out and arresting them and prosecuting them and getting them off the streets.”
—Texas Governor Greg Abbott (right after fixing the state’s electrical grid and ensuring every Texan’s constitutional right to vote, of course. Question, Guv: Why weren’t the rapists eliminated before passing your restrictive abortion law? Looks to me like you got the cart before the hoss.)
“None of this is about supporting life. What this is about is controlling women’s bodies and controlling people who are not cisgender men. He speaks from such a place of deep ignorance, and it’s not just ignorance. It’s ignorance that is hurting people across this country.”
–Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (even those gawd-awful leftist socialist-commie anarchists can speak undeniable truths that make idiots appear as the blathering, radical, misogynistic frothing-at-the-mouth bigots they are).
Louisiana Voice 
The cartoon is priceless. I doubt that even if Texas catches ‘every rapist on the street’ that they will do anything about the women who raped by their spouses. I don’t need statistics to tell you this practice is more common that one might imagine. It is as much a violation of a woman as is rape by a total stranger.
I’ve often suspected that Greg Abbott’s disability extends far beyond the wheelchair, but his claim to eradicate rape seems to place him squarely at the doors to the mental health ward. This clown thinks he knows something that will stop a crime that mankind hasn’t been able to prevent for thousands of years. Don’t hold your breath for some kind of miracle…
Nancy, I believe a woman can file a rape charge whenever crime occurs, whether the rapist is her husband, friend or stranger,
What is the issue with the abortion law in Texas ? Women have birth control available at all times. There is a “morning after” pill which is available. Men have options as well. Tom, you claim to follow the science (like most democrats claim), yet, you imply a heartbeat does not indicate life. So, tell me, when one human stifles a heartbeat, has one killed or not ? If this is justifiable, what exactly is your definition of murder ? (I will save you some time “VERB
kill (someone) unlawfully and with premeditation. NOUN
the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another. Yes, one should have a right to control THEIR body, but who speaks for the fetus ?
And what is issue with Abbot saying rapists will be punished ? What does rape have to do with “restrictive abortion law” ? How do you figure the cart is before the horse ? Are you intimating that rape is a common cause of pregnancy ?
And please tell me you do not really think AOC has ever uttered an intelligent comment on anything that she even remotely understands. And if I disagree with her, am I a “blathering, radical, misogynistic frothing-at-the-mouth bigots they are” ?. Are you resorting to name calling, like so many Democrats who have no logic available to make a point, so simply lash out at those who disagree with them with slander. I expect better from you.
How about some real “notable quotables “:As we carry out this departure, we have made it clear to the Taliban: If they attack our personnel or disrupt our operation, the U.S. presence will be swift and the response will be swift and forceful”. Well, they did and what exactly was Sleepy Joe’s response ? “President Joe Biden says he bears “zero responsibility” if the Taliban end up retaking the country after 20 years”. “President Joe Biden once dismissed America’s obligations to Afghan women and girls when he was vice president, telling officials “F–k that” when it was brought to his attention”.
Zoe, there are doctors who say that the “heartbeat” at 6 weeks is not a heartbeat at all, but merely a “flutter.” I won’t get into the semantics, but I will correct you on the Abbott quote. He did not say rapists should be punished; he said they will be eradicated – which is pure fantasy.
And yes, a woman can file a rape charge – and then be turned into a defendant at trial when the defense attorney attacks her from every angle. Plus, if it’s a relative who rapes her, there is the ever-present threat of reprisals that keep many from reporting rapes. You know that, for God’s sake. Please stop being so condescending.
Rape has quite a lot to do with restrictive abortion laws. Pregnancy by rape is quite common. As a nurse, you should know that.
As for AOC uttering intelligent comments, hers are more intelligent than a certain nurse who keeps popping up in my comments section. (Sorry to be so blunt, but your air of superiority is becoming tiresome.)
Note to Abbott: Many, many rapists are “out on the streets”. They are in the homes, churches and places of work where their victims are. And, as for Zoe….same old same old….yawn…I have been reading her rabid responses for a long time now and it never ceases to amaze me at how really, really upset she gets when a nerve is tapped. Boy, you really tapped a few of Zoe’s nerves this time! She literally turned herself into a pretzel to defend whatever her position is. Not sure if she is for abortion; for rape: for vigilante law; against Biden: against AOC, against Tom: or just loves to argue?
The very last clause of your post probably accounts for a large percent of her motivation for posting here.
https://www.epm.org/resources/2010/Feb/20/what-about-woman-who-pregnant-due-rape-or-incest/ And this is from Planned Parenthood.
Reading quote posted above from Abbott – the word eradicate does not appear. Only where “Kam” restates what was quoted. Do you think cracking down on rapists is a bad thing ? Of course it will not be eradicated – no crime will. But severe consequence has a way of curbing criminal acts.
https://www.bing.com/search?pc=CBHS&ptag=N3109D081719A9DFA1A1FF2&form=CONBDF&conlogo=CT3210127&q=fetal+heartbeat+at+6+weeks There is a distinct heartbeat at 6 weeks. Which doctors are you getting info from ? Fauci ? Are you stating that a fetus does not have a heart at 6 weeks ?
Of course if you file a rape charge one has to go to court. It is a cornerstone of American Justice that the accused has a right to face accuser. I am certain that rape within a family circle is especially trying. Rape is an embarrassment to all women, including prostitutes (who are raped almost routinely).
Rape is an excuse for abortion justification. See above article….pregnancy via rape is NOT that common per Planned Parenthood, an abortion enterprise. As a nurse, I do know that. Where on earth do you get your information ?
I would love to waste time listing all of the idiotic comments and nonsensical observations made by AOC, and frankly am appalled that you, a lifelong journalist would quote her on anything. She knows how to get attention. That is all.
ADJECTIVE CONDESCENDING
“having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority”
What is more patronizing than, oh I don’t know, Nancy Pelosi for example ?
Where was I condescending ? By criticism of AOC ? By not being pro-abortion ? Do you only want posts from people with the same opinion as yours ? Air of superiority ? Because I might disagree with your constant attack on Republicans while ignoring the same or worse behavior of Democrat politicians ? My tone is no different than yours and I do not comment on intelligence of comments made by people who post to this site – That is condescending. If I disagree, I say why. So do you.
Is that not what a conversation or forum should do ?
Okay, Zoe, now you’re parsing words. I was paraphrasing but just to satisfy you, here’s the actual quote:
“Rape is a crime, and Texas will work tirelessly to make sure that we eliminate all rapists from the streets of Texas by aggressively going out and arresting them and prosecuting them and getting them off the streets,” Abbott said on Tuesday. (emphasis mine) https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/09/08/greg-abbott-abortion-ban-rapists/
So, Zoe, what’s the difference between “eradicate” and “eliminate”?
And just so you know, AOC is every bit as credible as Donnie or Eric Trump or Jared Kushner or Ivanka, your opinion notwithstanding and I can damned well quote her if I so desire. Just because you disagree with her is no legitimate cause to prevent me or anyone else from quoting her. Looks to me like you are in favor of censorship – something I very much oppose (Otherwise, your comments would never see the light of day).
Perhaps you have a point Mr. Winham., I do enjoy a robust discussion on many different topics. Why is that a bad thing ? That is what made this country great. Reason.
And Edith, I would hardly describe my comments as “rabid”, but to clear up some things for you, I am totally opposed to abortion with exception of rape or incest. Vigilante law ? No idea where that comes from. Against Biden – yes, he is not mentally fit for the job, ( I believe your phrase was “old white man”) I am not “against” AOC, her district elected her. But she is not one I would emulate or hold up in any esteem. Would you ? Am I against Tom ? Why do you say that ? Because I do not accept all of his points of view ? Are you in lockstep with every point Tom makes ? I admire Tom for some of his positions against political power and corruption. In Louisiana, one must have courage to openly expose corruption.
I like a lot of people who have different opinions than I. The problem I see is that many Democrats today have zero tolerance of opposing views. When that happens, there is no common ground that can ever be reached.
Tom, i was not intent on “parsing words” but referring to a misquote. Eradicate is often used in medical terminology, generally in reference to disease. If I were to paraphrase you, it is entirely possible my words may have a different context, but my point was, a quote is a quote. But again to the point; how is elimination of rape a bad goal ?
As for AOC, not many people would agree with you, at least outside of your column. Just yesterday she wore a dress emblazoned with “Tax the Rich” whilst attending a $30,000 dollar a plate art function (no guess what dress cost). The two tickets were donated to her by some unnamed sponsor. That is a gift as I understand and taxable per U S Tax code. A sit down table at same function was a mere $300K extra. Amazing how a girl that a year ago could not pay her rent (per her) making $175K can attend such an event. Nothing wrong nor hypocritical here.
I have NEVER said you cannot quote her in your column nor anywhere else. Why you would choose to do so is your business. Have I ever quoted anyone from the Trump family, because I do not recall doing so.
And if you refused to print my comments, which I fully agree is within your power, it would merely reinforce my comments on Democrats in general; with no logic to support their beliefs, they turn to censorship or verbal personal attacks .I have NEVER endorsed censorship of a persons expression of thought, no matter how I feel about it, although I will defend myself against those attacks. I have posted here for some time and I know you know that. Many of your posters have not granted the same courtesy to me (including you, as you have implied stupidity for example).
I have been condescended to and criticized by many posters on this site and assumed they lacked ability to articulate a matter with facts (Ex. note comment above by Edith) rather than emotion. Evidently, Democrats hate Republicans. I cannot speak for others, but I certainly do not hate people with different beliefs than mine.
Poor, poor little Zoe. Why is everyone always picking on you? Of course, all I can offer is my opinion, but what the hell… I’ll take a swipe at it.
Maybe… it’s because you are wrong in so many of your passive aggressive, snarky, snobbish posts. For example: in your “English lesson” above, while lecturing Tom on the difference between the words eradicate and eliminate, you disputed him, saying “Eradicate is often used in medical terminology, generally in reference to disease”. But, when I look at my handy, dandy dictionary and thesaurus it lists the words as synonyms of one another, so you were wrong. I was the person who used the word in a clear STATEMENT (not a quote) that questions governor Abbotts mental fitness. You were wrong (again) when you took issue with my use of the word in that statement and claimed it was a misquote when you compared the two.
You are wrong every time you turn to whataboutism or false equivalencies to attack some democratic politician that apparently lives comfortably inside your head, while defending similar or worse behaviors by trump or his political accomplices. If that all fails, then you routinely mount your grandstand and demand that someone… ANYONE… defend the democratic platform. As if everyone here is a democrat. Those red-herrings fallacies don’t work with all of us.
You were wrong in all those grand predictions you made about trump for years before the election that he lost. And after he lost, you hid for months, presumably in shame, because you know damned good and well that we would have called you out for that garbage. And don’t even get me started about all those times that you say “not many people would agree with you” as a response to someone else, or “everyone knows….” to support your own statement. Those are your own opinions that you are peddling as popular consensus.
And I know that if history is any indicator, you will likely respond to this by demanding proof of your wrongs by citing each one specifically. Then (if anyone takes the bait) you’ll attempt to “trump-splain” each one away, while seating yourself comfortably back on your throne of superiority… in error. Baiting others into researching all your “wrongs” is your modus operandi, but it’s tedious and not worth the time for an intransigent.
Look… I agree that we all have opinions and I definitely respect that. But, you’re no victim. You just want to argue.
For God’s sake, Zoe, please stop trying to put words in my mouth. I never implied that eliminating rape was not a good thing. Obviously it is, but any realistic person would see that boast by Abbot for what it is: moronic pie-in-the-sky optimism. We all would love to see all crime eliminated but at the same time, anyone with an ounce of perception knows it’s simply impossible because there are too many bad people out there.
So, please, don’t put words in my mouth when you know damn well I never said that.
So Tom, basically… she misquoted you too…