Senator Doug Henry on Rape and Abortion: Non-Virgins, Wives Don’t Count
Posted by Rachel on February 7, 2008
Oh, good grief. Via the Nashville Scene’s aptly named “Confederacy of Dunces” column this week, we learn of Tennessee state Senator Doug Henry’s comments on (presumably against) amendments that would exempt rape and incest in a bill that would say that nothing in the state’s Constitution protects the right to abortion (emphasis mine):
“Rape, ladies and gentlemen, is not today what rape was. Rape, when I was learning these things, was the violation of a chaste woman, against her will, by some party not her spouse. Today it’s simply, ‘Let’s don’t go forward with this act.’ ”
Should I take this to mean that Senator Henry (despite what state law says) does not believe non-virgins and men can be raped, or that wives cannot be raped by their husbands?
Update: Kleinheider at Volunteer Voters is following up on this, and hears from Senate Democratic Caucus Spokesman Mark Brown that, “Senator Henry’s remarks are not meant to be a dissertation on what acts should or should not be defined as rape. They were a commentary on the importance of having clear and precise language in our constitution.”
Aunt B. said
I don’t even know what to say to this, except that it really makes me wish Bob Krumm had beat him.
Volunteer Voters » Again With The Rhetorical Questions said
[...] Rachel Walden asks what exactly State Senator Douglas Henry meant to say when he gave the legislature his definition of rape: Should I take this to mean that Senator Henry (despite what state law says) does not believe non-virgins and men can be raped, or that wives cannot be raped by their husbands? Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
Music City Bloggers » Blog Archive » Two topics I barely connected for one post said
[...] other news regarding people who are too uptight, out of touch, and just plain ignorant, Rachel and Southern Beale comment today on this week’s piece in the Scene about [...]
Hilary said
Yuck. I bet of he got raped, he would change his mind about that definition.
Hilary said
IF he got raped…whoops!
ThresherK said
I’ve been trying to Google some context for this bizarre statement and can’t find anything. Henry’s own website is no help, and there are only a few mentions under the quote itself. Anyone find any better?
Way to Miss the Point « Tiny Cat Pants said
[...] to Miss the Point Posted on February 14, 2008 by Aunt B. Rachel alerted us to Senator Henry’s idiotic definition of rape, which she heard about from the Scene, last week. It seems now that the big kids have discovered [...]
Music City Bloggers » Blog Archive » The problem with the internets said
[...] be the most wonderful, nost inciteful thing you’ve ever said” and really mean “WHAT!!!! Are you insane, Senator Henry? This is going to come back and bite you in the [...]
On Missing the Point, and Tennessee Women « Women’s Health News said
[...] Top Posts RepHresh? ReNo.How to Do a Pelvic ExamHere an O, There an O, Everywhere an Oh, OhBloody Baby Pictures Banned by MySpaceSenator Doug Henry on Rape and Abortion: Non-Virgins, Wives Don’t Count [...]
Julie said
Wow. Ignorance at it’s best. Or worst.