Was Komen’s decision ‘political’? Only because Planned Parenthood can’t have it any other way (Updated)
UPDATE at 11:25 a.m.: Well, the pro-abortion rights folks’ politicization of this decision had its intended effect: The Komen organization is, at least in part, backing off its earlier decision. Congratulations, Planned Parenthood: You’ve officially turned a leader in breast cancer research into another of your subordinates.
Let this be a warning to any group thinking of teaming up with Planned Parenthood in the future: You can check in any time you like, but you can never leave.
ORIGINAL POST:
The founder and head of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure did an interview with the Washington Post that casts the cancer-fighting organization’s highly charged decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood in a different light. For starters, Komen isn’t really stopping its funding of Planned Parenthood, just sharply curtailing it: Komen will give grants to just three Planned Parenthood clinics rather than the previous 19. CEO Nancy Brinker explained the change this way: “We have decided not to fund, wherever possible, pass-through grants. We were giving [some of] them money, they were sending women out for mammograms. What we would like to have are clinics where we can directly fund mammograms.”
Whether that dampens the excitement of anti-abortion activists who’d cheered the decision remains to be seen. Judging by the comments below the Post’s story, however, pro-abortion rights activists aren’t going to accept this rationale any more than the initial explanation that Komen wouldn’t support organizations that are under investigation. This decision has already become as hyper-politicized as anything relating to abortion.
That’s the real story here. I can think of no organization, beyond political parties themselves, that is more politicized than Planned Parenthood. That’s because no issue is more politicized than abortion, and Planned Parenthood provides one in four abortions in this country. Nor are we talking about a shy political operator: During the past two decades, it has spent almost $31 million on campaign contributions and another $6.5 million on lobbying to push its cause (and, one assumes, keep government funding flowing).
Anything done in regard to Planned Parenthood, then, is bound to be deemed “political” by someone. It’s “political” for governments, or organizations like Komen, to give money to Planned Parenthood. It therefore becomes “political” for any entity to stop giving money to Planned Parenthood.
To act as if stopping the funding is any more “political” than the original decision to begin the funding is absurd.
If you disagree, tell me this: How exactly could Komen have decided to part ways with Planned Parenthood what wouldn’t have been decried as “political”? Having giving to Planned Parenthood once, was Komen bound either to continue giving forever or to suffer a smear campaign by Planned Parenthood and its supporters once it stopped?
If so, that’s not advising Komen to “stay out of politics.” It’s mob-style blackmail. Nice little charity you’ve got there. Shame if anything happened to it.
Planned Parenthood and its supporters are right about one thing: Fighting breast cancer shouldn’t be “political.” There are plenty of truly apolitical organizations and public agencies through which Komen can effectively work. But now that Komen has decided that working with Planned Parenthood isn’t the best way to achieve its goals, the supposedly anti-”political” types seem determined to make sure Komen is considered “political” from now on. And that’s a far worse sin than anything Komen committed by stopping funding to 16 clinics.
At its heart, this episode is about the broader movement to make everything “political”: the personal, the private, everything. This movement is primarily a cause of those on the progressive left, including a great many supporters of Planned Parenthood, who see no limits on what ought to be the sphere of government and, thus, politics. So, spare me the tears about a “political” action against little ol’ Planned Parenthood.
(Note: Normally, my first post on a Friday is a Poll Position question, and I was originally going to make the Komen decision the subject of today’s post. Then I decided I wanted to make a stronger statement of my own opinion on this story. A Poll Position post about a different topic will be posted later today.)
– By Kyle Wingfield
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430 comments Add your comment
Independent
February 3rd, 2012
12:28 pm
You can tell the tone of the article by the first sentence:
“Well, the pro-abortion folks’ politicization of this decision had its intended effect”
Kyle Wingnut – I have never met a PRO-ABORTION person in my life. ONe that feels we need more abortions, that women should get pregnant just so they could have an abortion, that abortions are good and we should strive for as many as possible. Lots of people are PRO-CHOICE, and lots ar ANTI-ABORTION, but NO ONE is pro-abortion. That is an inflammatory way of referring to people, right up there with BABY-KILLERS and MASS MURDERERS! I realize that for abortion opponents, their OPINION is that it is murder, but the opinion of many PRO-CHOICE people ( and the law of the U.S. is that it is NOT murder). It is a LEGAL and SAFE operation (up through the second trimester). I could have the OPINION that soldiers killing people in Iraq and Afganistan are MURDERERS and should be put to death when they return home, but that is just my opinion, since the LAW says they are not.
catlady
February 3rd, 2012
12:28 pm
I am glad Komen is listening, but I am still wary of it. The blatant way the decision was made (yes, Kyle, it WAS political) and the reversal in the face of so many expressions of strong feeling, makes me think that Komen is led by those who will bend in the wind. In other words, given a GOP President, they would flip flop again. Komen has lost me for good as a contributor (and I had a mother who had breast cancer.)
What??
February 3rd, 2012
12:29 pm
Kyle, I really don’t understand your question about finding an apolitical way to defund. If your reason legitimately had to do with investigations, then stick to it! But also, make good and sure Penn St does not have a single dime while they are being investigated for the abuse of children there! I don’t have a problem if someone believes what they believe, but don’t pee on me and tell me its raining!
They BOTH suck
February 3rd, 2012
12:29 pm
Kyle
Decision was reversed…. That is a good thing even if some on the right are upset.
In the end it will not matter where the pressure came from. all we have his a few statements and our speculation where the pressure came from or if it was just a change of heart………..
steve
February 3rd, 2012
12:30 pm
Thank goodness women were not denied their right to murder unborn children.
stands for decibels
February 3rd, 2012
12:30 pm
the pro-abortion folks
Kyle, I know of nobody who is “pro-abortion.”
Southern Gentleman
February 3rd, 2012
12:31 pm
Ha ha ha ha ha. Take that, you anti-choice wackos.
They BOTH suck
February 3rd, 2012
12:31 pm
Kyle
So in your own words…….. “spare me the tears”…………
Have a great Friday
Joe Mama
February 3rd, 2012
12:31 pm
Kyle — “the pro-abortion folks”
The who, now?
Fair Play
February 3rd, 2012
12:32 pm
9/10 kids are disgusting little monsters.
I’d say I fall into the pro-abortion category.
stands for decibels
February 3rd, 2012
12:32 pm
And I didn’t bother to scan the comments before posting @ 12.30, but I think it’s worth repeating. I don’t call those who are trying to re-criminalize abortion “pro-slavery folks”, even though I personally believe that forcing women to carry every pregnancy to term against their will is just another form of involuntary servitude.
Dirty Harry
February 3rd, 2012
12:33 pm
“It is a LEGAL and SAFE operation (up through the second trimester”
Independent, why don’t you ask the precious, innocent being that is massacred how SAFE it is……..by the way, aren’t you glad your mother didn’t have an abortion?………but as long as it’s somebody else it’s okay, right?………Coward!
th
February 3rd, 2012
12:33 pm
Hey Kyle, I’m not pro-abortion, Its called pro- CHOICE for a reason.
Logic Does Not Exist
February 3rd, 2012
12:33 pm
I think it’s great that Koman cut funds for Planned Parenthood to provide mammograms! I mean it makes a lot of sense!
Koman’s contribution does not fund abortions. PP will continue to provide abortions. All Koman does by cutting funds is provide fewer mammograms to poor women who use PP as a health care provider for woman’s services. (Like Mammograms)
Makes perfect sense! Let poor women die to make your point!
And you right wingers want to run the country? Geez!
Kathy
February 3rd, 2012
12:33 pm
My $100 donation to Planned Parenthood and my letter to the executive director of Komen Atlanta requesting her to remove my name from all Komen mailing lists and informing her that I will no longer donate to SGK nor participate in the Race for the cure this morning is apolitical as well.
Dirty Harry
February 3rd, 2012
12:35 pm
th, what choice does the baby have?
Kyle Wingfield
February 3rd, 2012
12:37 pm
Note: After a few complaints about my use of “pro-abortion” in two instances, I re-checked the Associated Press stylebook. I knew that AP style excludes “life” and “choice” from pro- and anti- labels, but I had overlooked the word “rights” after “pro-abortion.”
The people complaining about that usage have a legitimate point; I’m obligated to use AP style; and in any case it’s a distraction to the substance of this debate. So, I’ve changed those two phrases.
stands for decibels
February 3rd, 2012
12:37 pm
I’ll also point out that the majority of Americans support Roe v. Wade,
http://pollingreport.com/abortion2.htm
and this will continue to be a net loser issue, nationally, for Republicans (and those supine Democrats who support criminalization of abortion), no matter how hard they try to put lipstick on that pig, and call themselves “pro-life,” and pass idiotic, restrictive legislation in some of the more backward states.
They BOTH suck
February 3rd, 2012
12:37 pm
Dirty Harry
“but as long as it’s somebody else it’s okay, right?………Coward!”
Based on that comment, I guess it is safe to say that you have personally adopted numerous children. You should be commended
stands for decibels
February 3rd, 2012
12:38 pm
Kyle, thanks for that correction. I’ll happily own up to being pro-abortion rights.
Tall
February 3rd, 2012
12:38 pm
…” They are apparently happy to see poor women, who can’t afford access to breast examinations, die from neglect of the condition…..
Didn’t you post earlier about the right wing over reacting? Poor women have access to care through Medicaid. It’s one of the reasons we run large deficits in this country.
BillS
February 3rd, 2012
12:39 pm
Kyle, you are a miserable right-wing idealogue. This was a good decision by Komen; its action had only further polarized a community that should be united in fighting cancer. The change of heart by Komen is a good, worthy decision in the best interests of all women, and i applaud it. Your discussion of it is one-sided, half-witted and wildly off-base.
They BOTH suck
February 3rd, 2012
12:39 pm
Kyle
Thanks for the change and willingness to do so
mini mi-mi
February 3rd, 2012
12:39 pm
It’s kind of hard to justify pulling funds from Planned Parenthood because they are under a trumped-up political, vendetta investigation when you’ve just given $7.5 million to Penn State which is rightfully being investigated up the wazoo.
And I like Penn State
scrappy
February 3rd, 2012
12:39 pm
Dirty Harry & all the rest – some cells that may one day grow into a baby, does not equal a baby.
I’ll stay out of your doctor’s visits, you stay out of mine.
edward irvin
February 3rd, 2012
12:42 pm
Whether it’s government or large non profit institutions, this is what happens when you have mission creep. The focus becomes lost opening the door for unintended consequences. The larger and more broad the mission becomes (prime example Center for Disease Control) the more likely internecine agendas will guide the policy making.
getalife
February 3rd, 2012
12:42 pm
Looks like the left are energized this cycle.
The gop attacked every voting group like they are trying to lose.
The gop deserve to lose.
Tall
February 3rd, 2012
12:43 pm
“…I’ll also point out that the majority of Americans support Roe v. Wade,..
I’m sure they’re proud of the 50 million dead babies that go along with it and the resulting anti-social behavior as well. Have a baby you don’t want? Abort it. It’s the easy way out.
CJ
February 3rd, 2012
12:43 pm
It’s not ‘political’ unless it’s the right wing doing it? Obviously the double-standard was applied when the pro-abortionists ‘leaned on’ the right people to reverse this decision. Well, now there needs to be a boycott by the social conservatives: no more pink attire, slogans, promotions or financial support. They did it to themselves.
MY money, MY choice! No more supporting by this WOMAN of organizations who support murder of babies PERIOD.
AT
February 3rd, 2012
12:44 pm
“How exactly could Komen have decided to part ways with Planned Parenthood what wouldn’t have been decried as “political”?”
They could have started offering abortions themselves. Libs would applaud that with equal fervor.
Dirty Harry
February 3rd, 2012
12:44 pm
TBS, Not numerous, only one so far…….but, hey, keep calling it “choice” to keep your mind off of the pain that’s being inflicted on an innocent, unborn child.
Do what??????
February 3rd, 2012
12:45 pm
“9/10 kids are disgusting little monsters.”
I’d say they’re raised by people like you.
Do what??????
February 3rd, 2012
12:46 pm
Well, Kyle sure has brought out all the hate driven left wingers that reside in the public libraries of Atlanta.
Do what??????
February 3rd, 2012
12:46 pm
“some cells that may one day grow into a baby, does not equal a baby.”
I certain from that asinine comment that you do not hold a medical degree.
They BOTH suck
February 3rd, 2012
12:47 pm
DH
I do applaud you for adopting a child. Hope it has worked out for the child and your family.
With that said, all you condescending nastiness isn’t going to change anyone’s mind……….”but hey keeping calling” people names if you think it makes you a better person or somehow superior
Dirty Harry
February 3rd, 2012
12:47 pm
scrappy, Aren’t you glad your mom didn’t destroy your “cells”?
ragnar danneskjold
February 3rd, 2012
12:48 pm
Good essay, and even better update. Komen is caught in the toxic tar baby that is Planned Parenthood.
Do what??????
February 3rd, 2012
12:48 pm
“Kyle, I know of nobody who is “pro-abortion.”
Instead, you move the goal posts and give it a different name. Lib = progressive, pro-abortion = pro-choice.
yep.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 3rd, 2012
12:49 pm
The extremists on BOTH sides of this issue have made it political, but I suggest the truth lies somewhere in between.
Komen has a policy to not fund organizations under investigation – true. Therefore they had a legitimate reason to back away support for PP until such investigations have been completed. The source of the investigations – Congress – is irrelevant, even if their motive is political.
Could it have been a convenient excuse for the decision to suspend funding to PP? Of course. But that would have meant that everybody in the decision-making process at Komen (or at least a solid majority) were in the tank for the anti-abortion crowd. I have seen no such evidence that has happened.
Now, to reverse their decision? THAT is definitely a political decision (as well as a monetary one), because the extreme forces on both sides of the abortion issue made it one. It is a sad case of the tail wagging the dog, especially considering the nature of this useless battle.
Bfan
February 3rd, 2012
12:50 pm
Noone is ever “pro-abortion”.
What a stupid statement!
Real American
February 3rd, 2012
12:50 pm
Kyle, you really dont research at all huh? Just repeat talking points from FauxNews? Why didn’t you have the forethought to look up the list of current Komen grantees and check to see if Planned Parenthood was the only one that fell under that so-called “new” policy? Why not check to see if they were consistent in this policy?
stands for decibels
February 3rd, 2012
12:50 pm
Have a baby you don’t want? Abort it.
First trimester terminations involve embryos. Not fetuses. Not babies.
And a majority of Americans quite sensibly support legal abortion during the first trimester.
Basic facts. Sorry if they hurt.
Dirty Harry
February 3rd, 2012
12:51 pm
TBS, sorry about the name-calling, but it makes me angry when people hide behind the word “choice” to dispose of innocent human beings who had no choice in the matter whatsoever.
Junior Samples
February 3rd, 2012
12:52 pm
Kyle,
I must give you credit where credit is due. As I wondered how even you could spin this out of control, you have certainly surpised me.
Here’s the situation in a nutshell.
Komen backed out of sponsoring PP due to new ‘under investigation’ policy. That, in and of itself, was political. Several key people within Komen left because of this decision.
Public outrage ensued.
And you’re stance is to claim it’s due to PP’s political views, and not Komen’s? Well played sir.
Not buying though.
Vinny
February 3rd, 2012
12:52 pm
So much for freedom of association in this country. The liberal bedwetters are so full of vitriolic hatred for individual freedom that they will tar and feather anyone that disagrees with them.
CJ
February 3rd, 2012
12:54 pm
Dirty–you see how ‘pro-CHOICE’ they are when the ad for Tim Tebow’s Mom ran, and everyone on the far-left got offended. That was her CHOICE, and it was not the ‘right one’ according to the liberals.
Independent
February 3rd, 2012
12:54 pm
To see the truth of my earlier post, just note how many times these words have been used in this blog in association with abortion:
killing
murder
massacre
unborn child
baby killer
killing babies
They BOTH suck
February 3rd, 2012
12:54 pm
DH
Thanks for the reply. We sit on different sides of this issue. I would not personally advocate a woman having one; however I do think it should be legal. I understand you are totally against it and I can respect that as well as applauding your family for adopting a child.
Have a great Friday and even better weekend
Real American
February 3rd, 2012
12:54 pm
Well Dirty Harry, that’s really too bad for you. I’m Pro-Choice – and you can turn all red, beat your keyboards, hurl profanities, cry, growl, curl up in a corner, fall all out on the floor in a tantrum…whatever floats your boat…i’m still pro-choice.
stands for decibels
February 3rd, 2012
12:56 pm
The liberal bedwetters are so full of vitriolic hatred
…that they go around calling the other side “bedwetters?”
By the way, one last word and I probably gotta run.
Those of you who, like me ‘n my better half, have actually fostered and adopted an American kid, who want to sit in some sort of personal judgement of me based on my views on abortion as a public policy issues? Ok, bring it. Let me know how you feel.
Those who haven’t? Y’all can mostly FOAD.