Representing the Republican’s stance

If you found what Congressman Todd Akin said about “legitimate” rape objectionable, you should know that he is by no means alone in the Republican party [“Akin goes it alone with rape comment,” page one, Aug. 21].

If you believe that abortion should be prohibited even in cases of rape and incest, you better darn well believe that pregnancy doesn’t usually happen in cases of rape and that there are as many or more cases of “illegitimate rape” as “legitimate.” Without those ludicrous beliefs, your prohibition would seem entirely too cruel!

Paul Ryan has long believed that abortion should not be allowed except to save the life of the mother. The chair of the platform committee of the Republican National Committee, Bob McDonnell, expressed relief that the party platform espoused made no exceptions in its prohibition of abortion.

In spite of the flurry of reactions from the Republicans about Akin’s comments being reprehensible, they actually represent the beliefs of the powerful people in the Republican Party. How would Akin resigning from his Senate race help, other than merely to take this unpopular position away from the public eye? Don’t be fooled!

— Linda Brewster, Port Townsend