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
Rick
February 3rd, 2012
12:56 pm
“Instead, you move the goal posts and give it a different name. Lib = progressive, pro-abortion = pro-choice.”
I am morally against abortion, but I still support the right to choose. Pro-choice is not all synonymous with pro-abortion.
CJ
February 3rd, 2012
12:57 pm
or the left-wing VITROL aimed at ‘19-kids and counting’ Mrs. Duggar’s family, because of her CHOICE to have a large family that she and her husband are self-supporting with no government help.
There’s only ONE choice acceptable to the far-left, and it is ABORTION when they think it is right. THEY are your conscience, your GOD…you must bow or be hated.
Independent
February 3rd, 2012
12:57 pm
Oh, I missed one:
Innocent human beings
Ols Scratch
February 3rd, 2012
12:57 pm
Too bad PP wasn’t around as an option for your mother, getalife.
Aquagirl
February 3rd, 2012
12:58 pm
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.
Yeah, that’s why they cut their funding to Penn State. Oh, wait, they didn’t. What was that legitimate reason again?
They BOTH suck
February 3rd, 2012
12:58 pm
Vinny
“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.”
Guess you never watch the Fox pundits, listen to any right leaning talk shows or read conservative blogs of any sort.
IamWoman
February 3rd, 2012
12:58 pm
I for one am tired of hearing the term “Pro-Abortion”. We are Pro-Choice. It is my body. It is my decision on whether an abortion is the right answer. It’s none of your d*mn business.
yesssir
February 3rd, 2012
12:59 pm
Not a good day for the CONs….Great Job Growth and PP has their funding back.
Liberals: 2
CONs: 0
stands for decibels
February 3rd, 2012
1:00 pm
We are Pro-Choice.
I think anti-Criminalization is better, myself, since that’s what is at stake here (much as the “pro-lifers” don’t like to own up to it.)
Independant woman
February 3rd, 2012
1:00 pm
Kyle,
Stop calling it PRO ABORTION. No one celebrates it—It’s about a choice, not a procedure. Why is it anyone’s business what women care with their own lives? Don’t republicans want government to stay out of things?? If men got pregnant they’d be having them in drive thrus and abortion wouldn’t even be an issue.
yesssir
February 3rd, 2012
1:01 pm
Ols Scratch
February 3rd, 2012
12:57 pm
You sound salty….lol.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
February 3rd, 2012
1:02 pm
I’ll side with folks trying to save lives against those trying to kill unborns every time.
stands for decibels
February 3rd, 2012
1:03 pm
I’ll side with folks trying to save lives
then you’ll support PP, since it probably does more to prevent unwanted pregnancies than any other organization in this country.
yesssir
February 3rd, 2012
1:04 pm
When you hear the term, Pro-Abortion you know they are CONs conning. Its Pro-Choice…YOUR CHOICE.
breasonable
February 3rd, 2012
1:04 pm
Seems I’m surrounded by IDIOTS! Who in the world thinks that Planned Parenthood, started by a woman who wanted to rid the world of “undesireables,” is the ONLY organization that does breast screenings? And where is they’re real focus, killing more of us black females… Shame on you Komen Foundation, you insult the great woman you were named for.
John
February 3rd, 2012
1:04 pm
Abortion is not murder. Murder, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is the crime of unlawfully killing a person especially with malice aforethought. Abortion is not a crime; therefore, it cannot be murder. People need to educate themselves and not use words they don’t know the meaning of.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
February 3rd, 2012
1:05 pm
No one celebrates it [abortion]
——–
Why is that?
Why are abortions so emotional for those who have them?
Prolly because it’s murder, albeit a small, private one.
Churchill's MOM.....Ron Paul for President
February 3rd, 2012
1:05 pm
For the last 4 years along with a dozen or so friends, we have done the 60 miles. We all jointly & seperately sent emails to Komen stating if they didn’t change their position we had made our last walk. The money that Komen sends is money that women like us raise and we want it wisely sepen on women issues. I am happy that they listened to the women who actually do the work of raising money & changed their position.
I worked for & supported Karen Handel in the last election because she was the only honest person in the race, I still think the same but this 1 issue she is deaad wrong on.
Becky
February 3rd, 2012
1:05 pm
Kyle-you lost me on this one. The pro-abortion people made Komen change their tune????? This wasn’t about abortion rights it was about women’s reproductive rights. Big difference.
Artie
February 3rd, 2012
1:06 pm
I think it was a genius ploy by SGK to get “free” PR!!!!! LOL
Lynn
February 3rd, 2012
1:06 pm
Karen Handel was behind this mess. Planned Parenthood follows federal guidelines. Karen campaigned here in GA on that very platform. So it wasnt suprising. I think most of us forget one important fact. ROE V WADE was decided a long time ago. This is what gives women a right to choice. IF you want to fight then bring it to the Supreme Court! Planned Parenthood has worked for Men and Women who DIDNT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE!!
Furthermore, Cancer is an equal opportunity killer. It doesn’t choose you based on federal funding, deficits, debt, the president, party affliation, race or gender.
I am pro-choice- The repubs. always preach less goverernment in peoples lives but are alwasy at the forefront of who we choose to love, sleep with and our basic rights! Go figure. I have yet to have one Repub. explain to me why they only choose those issues?
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 3rd, 2012
1:06 pm
Sorry, Aquagirl, but “Penn State” isn’t under investigation.
People within the Penn State football community are, but the organization known as “Penn State” is not.
Nice try.
chuck
February 3rd, 2012
1:07 pm
The Susan G. Komen fund caved to the liberal garbage out there. They can expect no more support from my family. When will someone stand up and be counted?
Bernie
February 3rd, 2012
1:07 pm
Just reflect on the PR and financial blowback caused to this one organization by the contribution of the leadership one Karen Handel.
In one, fell swoop, she has managed to destroy many years of hard won fund raising and participatiton from many in the U.S. around the World. No matter how sincere the apology…this is one Bell that cannot be unrung.
Fund raising now will forever be a refererendum on her Leadership participation.
Absoultely………..PRICELESS!
Artie
February 3rd, 2012
1:07 pm
The GOP just needs to get out of the business of “being in people’s PERSONAL business”!!!!!
Dirty Harry
February 3rd, 2012
1:08 pm
“Real” American, it’s not worth my energy to do any of those things you suggested…..just be glad it was worth your mom’s energy to carry YOU full term.
Casual Observer
February 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm
yay for PP. Booooo to SGK. The last time I checked Abortion is NOT illegal. The moral compass of some of these idiots because of long held talking points/heads is laughable at best. The same Health care options as well as the preventive care that PP offers to the less than 1% is greatly needed. Get your head out of your a$$es and see the big picture for what its worth. PP is a huge need for folks outside of your Country Club atmosphere.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
February 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm
Artie: The GOP just needs to get out of the business of “being in people’s PERSONAL business”!!!!!
———
Hey Artie, don’t forget to purchase your government-approved health insurance plan.
Hypocrite.
Question Man
February 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm
KW: Didn’t you see the NYT article which said that Komen CEO Brinker’s “comments directly contradicted those of John D. Raffaelli, a Komen board member and Washington lobbyist, who told The New York Times on Wednesday that Komen made the changes to its grant-making process specifically to end its relationship with Planned Parenthood. Mr. Raffaelli said that Komen had become increasingly worried that an investigation of Planned Parenthood by Representative Cliff Stearns, Republican of Florida, would damage Komen’s credibility with donors.”
Why do you suggest it was people other than Komen who politicized the decision? Was Komen’s biggest error hiring Karen Handel into a position for which she is stunningly unqualified? This entire episode is truly unfortunate, but isn’t it ridiculous for you to blame Planned Parenthood and pro-choice advocates?
UGA 1999
February 3rd, 2012
1:10 pm
BO should have been aborted!
John
February 3rd, 2012
1:10 pm
Conservatives want to use the term Pro-Abortion. Does that mean Pro-Choice advocates can label the other side as Pro-Rape, Pro-Incest or Pro-Death since they believe abortion should have no exceptions, including these cases?
The Anti-Wooten
February 3rd, 2012
1:10 pm
Kyle,
The use of “Pro-abortion” to describe those of us that are only in favor of a woman’s right to privacy and choice just shows what many of us already knew. You, like a great many other rightwing nutbars, are simply a hateful, unChristian troll. The display of how much you and your kind hate women and believe them to be incapable of making major life decisions. But don’t worry we all know that you’d be pleased as punch to make sure that every zygote is born and glibly, gladly kill them once they turn 18, allow them to starve or defund education so they have limited opportunities.
yesssir
February 3rd, 2012
1:11 pm
You CONs are F’n sore losers today…..lol.
Casual Observer
February 3rd, 2012
1:12 pm
UGA 1999 – must be lunch time. Shouldn’t you be making your rounds on all the other AJC blogs.
Dirty Harry
February 3rd, 2012
1:12 pm
TBS, thanks, you have a great weekend, too!
Dusty
February 3rd, 2012
1:12 pm
Well, all you gentlemen posting here pack your political bags and go home. Pregnant ones can stay.
All you liberal women who want some organization or the government to pay for your health services, get a doctor and pay for your own services. NOBODY is obligated to pay for your health services.
When you pay for your own expenses, you make the decisions. When you decide on being a dependent on government or anybody but yourself, you have given up your freedom for all decisions. Being free does not mean that you get everything free.
So, shut up and go home. Komen is a non-profit and they can decide where their money goes. NOT YOU.
ByteMe
February 3rd, 2012
1:12 pm
Wonder if the NFL will wear pink shoes next season.
Kyle Wingfield
February 3rd, 2012
1:12 pm
Anti-Wooten: Did you really have the page up for 45 minutes before commenting? Or are you responding to other comments without noticing my 12:37 comment — and the fact that I changed that phrasing?
Kyle Wingfield
February 3rd, 2012
1:12 pm
Excuse me, 35 minutes.
yesssir
February 3rd, 2012
1:13 pm
UGA 1999
February 3rd, 2012
1:10 pm
“BO should have been aborted!”
I guess you should have been swallowed…..since you know ya’ll complain bout everything being “forced down our throats”.
Kathy
February 3rd, 2012
1:14 pm
Abortion is a tragedy. No one is pro-abortion. But until we force men to donate their extra kidney, blood and bone marrow to save the life of another living human being, then abortion needs to be safe, legal and hopefully rare. It is and always will be a privacy issue.
Planned Parenthood strives to prevent unplanned pregnancies that might otherwise be aborted and save the lives of women who have no where else to go. The World Health Organization has just come out stating that countries that have legal abortions in fact have fewer abortions. This is what it really means to be Pro-life.
Churchill's MOM.....Ron Paul for President
February 3rd, 2012
1:16 pm
Dusty
February 3rd, 2012
1:12 pm
The WOMEN who work to raise the money revolted, that’s why Kpmen changed. A non profit without donations can’t stay in business.
What are you drinking this afternoon?
Kyle Wingfield
February 3rd, 2012
1:17 pm
Folks, that’s quite enough about who should or shouldn’t have been aborted. If you can’t refrain from that kind of talk, we’ll see you back here next week.
The Anti-Wooten
February 3rd, 2012
1:17 pm
Yes, Kyle I had the page up for some time before commenting. I’m sure it surprises you that I have a job, work, pay taxes and so on.
Thank you for changing that. As you can probably guess, I found that offensive. For the record I am anti-abortion but strongly in favor of that being a decision that every woman should have a right to both choice and privacy.
Churchill's MOM.....Ron Paul for President
February 3rd, 2012
1:18 pm
Dusty
February 3rd, 2012
1:12 pm
The WOMEN who work to raise the money revolted, that’s why Komen changed. A non profit without donations can’t stay in business.
What are you drinking this afternoon?
UGA 1999
February 3rd, 2012
1:18 pm
Kyle is right…..
Pierce Randall
February 3rd, 2012
1:18 pm
SGKFC wasn’t wrong for deciding that they might not want to help Planned Parenthood. It was wrong because abortion is an important option for women’s reproductive health, and SGKFC wrongly believed otherwise. Karen Handel cynically attempted to direct money away from a good service (against many if not most SGKFC donors’ wishes) by arbitrarily excluding an organization that provides abortion, and we know this thanks to Goldberg’s reporting in the Atlantic.
Kyle Wingfield
February 3rd, 2012
1:18 pm
Anti-Wooten: Thanks. I was just curious.
Joe Mama
February 3rd, 2012
1:18 pm
LBB — “Why are abortions so emotional for those who have them? Prolly because it’s murder, albeit a small, private one.”
Many surgical procedures are emotional for the individuals who undergo them. Doesn’t make them into murder.
Logic Does Not Exist
February 3rd, 2012
1:20 pm
This is just like everything else the right wingers are doing these days. If they touch it…. it turns to do do in their hands.
Koman cuts funding and in 24 hours PP gets over $650,000 in donations to make up for Koman’s cuts! But wait! Koman re-establishes funding and now PP is up by an ADDITIONAL $650, 000!
Right Wingers, as usual, over reach. Give them an ounce of agreement and they run with it like you gave them the keys to your house! The FAR RIGHT has just served to make PP stronger today than they were a week ago! lol