[feminist] #LegitimateRape and Todd Akin

when asked about allowing abortion in cases of rape, Todd Akin replied:

" First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let's assume that maybe that didn't work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child."

from our own cranky feminist Jessica Anders (thanks!)

articles:

• Mike Huckabee's defense: "some great people are born from rape"
• Rape Stats: 1 in 5 women sexually assaulted

videos:

• watch Akin's interview
• Todd Akin's failed "apology"
• video from Planned Parenthood

why this is even scarier: 

• Paul Ryan and Todd Akin are friends
• Redefining Rape with his friend Paul Ryan (from Mother Jones)
• Rep. Steve King-- an Akin supporter
• Idaho... "silly ladies don't know what rape is"
• Rachel Maddow: the larger significance of Todd Atkin's ridiculousness

"science" of women's bodies behind Akin and the Teabaggers

• make sure you're sitting down, and only read if your blood pressure is under control. also might want to have a barf bucket nearby. "so where did Akin get that legitimate rape idea?" 

responses:

• from a rape victim who had an abortion: Rep. Akin my body did not shut down the pregnancy
• Washington Post blogs: Legitimate Rape and Todd Akins myths
• letter from our friend Renee at UniteWomen
• letter from Eve Ensler 
• raped, pregnant, and ordeal still not over: rapists' parental rights 

actions:

• Planned Parenthood Action: letter to Todd Akin 
• share this with your friends: The Official Guide to Legitimate Rape
• write Todd Akin a letter: 

Mailing Address:
PO Box 519
St. Charles, MO 63302
Physical address:
820 S. Main St., Ste 206
St. Charles, MO 63301

• leave Todd Akin a voicemail:

Voice: (636) 949-6826
Fax: (636) 949-3832
District office in St. Louis: Voice: (314) 590-0029
Capitol Office in Washington DC: Voice: (202) 225-2561

• email Todd Akin:

https://forms.house.gov/akin/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

if you find more articles, videos, blogs/opinions/letters, please share them in the comments!

avocado garden dip

I rolled up my sleeves and tested out my kitchen skills this afternoon, and threw together a "not-hummus" veggie dip. Here's what its got in it--

• 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt for 2 avocados (try to make the avocado as creamy as possible)
• 2 minced and crushed cloves of garlic
• fresh from the garden basil leaves, chopped fine
• fresh from the garden grape tomatoes, diced (handful)
• 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of fresh salsa
• dash of thyme, crushed red pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper

I'd also have added cilantro if there was any in the house, and may add a squirt of lemon tomorrow to keep it fresh and green-tinted. It goes great with carrots, cucumbers, and broccoli so far!

[fat] simple summer vanilla fruit pops

I pulled out my old popsicle molds that I used to put apple juice in, and my father filled them full of fruit, and then topped it off with vanilla frozen yogurt. He let the fro-yo melt a little to fill in the "cracks" between the fruit.Usually they didn't pop too easily out of the molds, but they tasted just as good with a spoon as on the stick!

The fruit in these includes kiwi, blackberry, blueberry, and pineapple. The fro-yo had also absorbed some of the flavor of the fruits, making it extra yummy!

As simple as it gets, and it doesn't even need chocolate! :)