New GOP conspiracy theory: Babies are getting abortions!

[marmar]

New GOP conspiracy theory: Babies are getting abortions!
State senator Bill Eigel claims a "1-year-old could get an abortion" if Missouri allows a rape exception to its ban

By AMANDA MARCOTTE
Senior Writer
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 15, 2024 6:00AM (EST)


(Salon) There are many questions that immediately crop to mind upon hearing state Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Mo., claim that a "1-year-old could get an abortion under" a Democratic proposal for rape and incest exceptions in the state's near-total abortion ban.

The first, of course, is whether Eigel is ignorant enough of human biology to believe babies can get pregnant. It's a possibility, putting his claims in the echelon of idiotic beliefs Republicans have about reproduction, from claiming a woman can't get pregnant from "legitimate rape" to arguing it's "abortion" to avoid getting pregnant in the first place. Then there's the second question: Assuming that babies could get pregnant, is Eigel arguing that it would be a good thing to force a baby to deliver another, barely smaller baby?

On the latter question, we do have an answer, though it is stomach-churning: Yes. Eigel's stance is that forced childbirth in very small children (and, though impossible, babies) is a good thing. Nor is he alone in this view. Earlier this month, Republicans in the Missouri state Senate voted down the proposal to allow rape and incest victims access to abortion. In the process, Republicans repeatedly argued that being forced to give birth to a rapist's child is good for a rape victim, regardless of how young they are.

....(snip)....

I'm far from the first person to note that conservative rhetoric is replete with psychological projection. Put more simply, with Republicans, every accusation is a confession. Certainly, this enthusiasm for forced childbirth on rape victims is a proof point. The MAGA right has become fond of lobbing the word "groomer" at every liberal who advocates for LGBTQ equality, free speech, or reproductive rights. The implication is that these things are all cover for the supposed liberal desire to inflict sexual violence on children. But, of course, when the subject shifts from imaginary pedophilia to real instances of child rape, it's Republicans who resist all efforts to relieve the suffering of the victims. Instead, they treat the victims like they're the real perpetrators. ................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2024/02/15/new-conspiracy-theory-babies-are-getting-abortions/

[Chainfire]

1. Baby boys too is what I heard.

[Lovie777]

2. Ya know shithole's cult would believe it...................................

that's how ------------------------------- they are.

[tanyev]

3. Dang, and they're driving themselves to the aborshun clinics!

[getagrip_already]

4. Worse yet - they are pregnant in utero

Meaning you could be aborting a pregnant mother!

[Irish_Dem]

5. The GOP is full of ignorant buffoons.

Who humiliate themselves every time they open their mouths.

They make the US look foolish and weak.

[Voltaire2]

6. Next GOP conspiracy theory: Barbies are getting abortions!!!

[CanonRay]

7. This level of stupidity has got to be the result of homeschooling.

[Midnight Writer]

8. I actually agree with the GOP on this one. Babies should not be getting abortions.

[Voltaire2]

9. If by some odd quirk a 'baby' got pregnant

why would you deny that person an abortion?

[Voltaire2]

10. fascist mass psychology is about performance

We get wrapped up in the stupidity of the content, but that most certainly does not matter to the people generating the propaganda.
The emotional strings are pulled by the performative utterance of the imagery of 'a baby getting an abortion'. The mob reacts to the performance by being outraged. Mission accomplished.