Ryan comment not basis for losing bid

Two weeks ago, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s running mate Paul Ryan defended his pro-life stance, saying that rape was another “method of conception.” Though Ryan later pointed out that his views would not be representative of the Romney-Ryan ticket, his careless remarks have been the center of controversy in recent weeks.

Although Romney’s platform for abortion legality is defined as “in the case of rape and incest, and the health and life of the mother,” Paul Slansky of the Huffington Post went so far as to suggest that Ryan be removed from the GOP ticket — an ironic coincidence, as Ryan is trying to do just that for Republican senatorial candidate Todd Akin for his idiotic statements on “legitimate rape.”

Though Ryan lacked both empathy and courtesy when referencing his pro-life views, his remarks do not represent the severity associated with removal from the GOP ticket.

Akin’s remarks on the so-called “legitimate rape,” an oxymoron in and of itself, certainly don’t help matters for Ryan in his callous approach within his pro-life statement. Rather than add fuel to this growing anti-choice fire, people should separate Akin and Ryan’s remarks for what they are.

It must be noted that Ryan was raised to believe a certain way, which happens to include his views against abortion in order to preserve life, whether or not rape led to pregnancy. Ryan’s Catholic upbringing needs to be represented in this instance; pro-life is ultimately a matter of opinion, one I do not personally agree with, but it is one nonetheless. It’s one thing to declare that somebody is wrong based on facts, as was the case with Akin, and it’s another to declare something wrong based on someone’s religious affiliation.

This isn’t to say that politics and religion should be mixed, as Central Florida Future guest columnist Brook Bennett mentioned in an earlier article. As Bennett said, no one “should be denied their religious rights or the freedom to practice them … [but] other people’s religious doctrine should not be forced upon those who choose not to believe.”

Ryan’s comments on sexual violence were, however, careless. First and foremost, Ryan did not approach the subject of rape within the right context, and simply noting it as a “method of conception” makes him appear standoffish and, in the end, rather foolish. Foolishness, unfortunately, has never been enough of a reason to have someone removed from the presidential race.

As a woman, I am a pro-choice supporter. I would want that option if worse was to come to worst, and furthermore, thanks to Roe v. Wade, I should be legally guaranteed that option. Many might not agree with this position, as many do not agree with Ryan’s pro-life platform, however, it must again be stressed that this is a matter of personal view, a choice in and of itself, and one that should not be the basis for removal from the race.