[Mpls] Rape/Minneapolis

[Michael Atherton]

Just for the sake of completeness.  I'd like to add
an opinion on this topic.  I think that it is clear
that power is an important, and possibly the primary
factor in rape, but it is exceedingly misleading to
claim that rape is not sexual.  Sexual arousal is
an extremely powerful motivator (and of evolutionary
primacy) and even if perpetuators don't always
compete the act (some research shows that a significant
percentage don't), it doesn't mean that they don't 
experience arousal.  Down playing rape as a sexual 
act is an important part of Feminist philosophy and 
lobbying for legislative reform.

As for theories of evolutionary basis for rape, I think
that the case is overstated.  If given the opportunity, 
some men will participate in forced intercourse, but many, 
if not most, will not.  Very few men are predatory rapists.  
I also think that the rape statistics are artificially inflated 
by miscatorization, giving the impression that rape is
more prevalent than it is.  Statistical misrepresentation
has been a part of the Feminist campaign to force changes 
in rules of evidence and rape statues.  I think that
this is especially true in Minneapolis.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park