Amy Acton is running against Vivek Ramaswamy for governor of Ohio. Years ago her stepfather was indicted for sexually abusing her, but fled the state first. In an ad for Ramaswamy, Acton’s mother says she’s lying. Even the right-wing National Review, however, says Acton’s telling the truth. Which makes Ramaswamy’s ad singularly contemptible.
That, however, didn’t stop right-wing propagandist Laura Loomer from declaring Acton’s the liar, don’t vote for her! Which would be horrifying if Loomer hadn’t shown repeatedly she has no more interest in the truth than Axis Sally or Tokyo Rose. And as a devoted, fawning Trumper, I can understand her lying to (she hopes) land the governorship for a Toddler ally. Ditto shitbag Dan Bongino who fantasizes Ramaswamy’s ad deals Acton’s campaign a death blow. Or Ramaswamy himself, who stands by his ad. And sneers Acton “is”has no vision other than to complain about what someone else did to her“”
Politics is no excuse for accusing Acton of lying (as you probably know, “all rape victims lie” is a classic Undead Sexist Cliche). In any area, if you’re only principle is winning, you’re a shitty person. Of course, ad-endorsing J.D. Vance has never had any principles to compromise. No More Mr. Nice Blog argues that attacking Acton is a logical extension of Republican smear tactics going back to the last century.
It’s a little more surprising and annoying when people lie about the Cornell 7 case. Politics does not hinge on the outcome of this case. Unlike Brett Kavanaugh or Jeffrey Epstein we have no Republican candidates who could be dragged down by this. There’s no risk to conservatives in keeping their mouth shut or saying the minimum — don’t want to comment before a court verdict, looks pretty horrible, if it’s true the rapists need to pay. Yet I keep seeing people who can’t resist weighing in on the rapists’ side.
Earlier this month, right-wing slime Megyn Kelly recycled a classic Undead Sexist Cliche by claiming Cornell rape victim Jane Doe was so ugly she was glad for the attention. Also this month, Rep. Nancy Mace (a rape survivors herself) dismissed Jane Doe’s claims and said it was a consensual gangbang. Kelly at least has the excuse of having an online “news” show and needing stuff to talk about. Mace just went on X and offered her deep thoughts. She’s an SC legislator, she has no authority or tie to the investigation so why open her mouth?
Partly, I suppose, because right-wing women are committed to aligning with patriarchy. And it’s a staple belief in the patriarchy that opposing rape means hating men. If “they” can accuse people as prominent and respectable as the Toddler and Kavanaugh, rape accusations can strike any man, any time! Which is actually unlikely unless the men are, you know, rapists. The issue isn’t false accusations, it’s a fear of true accusations. And so Kelly and Mace speak up on the wrong side. And hopefully draw more attention from patriarchy supporters.
In related links:
“Hazing rituals weed out those with enough self-esteem and independence to stand up to the hierarchy. They ensure conformity and obedience. It is a filter. Fraternity “brothers” are self-selected. Those who have the strength to oppose public humiliation and that perpetuated on each new cycle of recruits, leave.” — Chris Hedges on fraternities and sexual violence.
Robert Reich: “The man now occupying the White House has contributed to a lower and more dangerous standard for what men can do to women with impunity.” As witness yet more allegations he raped Jeffrey Epstein’s victims.
“If consent as a talking point feels like grim deja vu, that’s because it returns with each cycle of outrage over alleged campus sexual assault.” —Inae Oh on consent education
