Karen Handel: Komen gave Planned Parenthood time to organize ‘shakedown’
I’m now transcribing a pair of interviews that Karen Handel gave this afternoon on her resignation from Susan G. Komen for the Cure – one week after the breast cancer charity reversed itself on a decision to sever financial ties with Planned Parenthood.
Karen Handel, after resigning as senior vice president of public policy for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is interviewed by members of the news media in Atlanta on Tuesday. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
Handel said nothing bad about her former employer – far from it. But in essence, she said that, by giving Planned Parenthood notice in mid-December, Komen allowed the group time to organize a national “pre-meditated” operation “that was nothing short of a shakedown to coerce a private entity to give them grants.”
Last week, Komen had said that Handel, hired as senior vice president in April, had nothing to do with the adoption of the charity’s policy. Clearly that’s not true, given her statements below. But Handel said Komen would have to explain the contradiction, not her.
Handel has quickly become the focus of pro-choice forces in the country – two years after her GOP run for governor, during which some pro-life forces in Georgia declared she wasn’t sufficiently sincere about the abortion issue.
“The irony of the this does not escape me,” Handel said. She was first asked about the reason for her resignation, which she described as voluntary:
Handel:”Clearly, I had become an incredible focal point around all this, and it wasn’t good for Komen. And what was in the best interest of the organization was for me to step aside, do this with you and let the organization move forward and re-focus on its mission.”
What was the motivation for the Komen attempt to cut Planned Parenthood grants?
Handel:”A couple things. First, back in 2010, Komen began a – long before my time – an attempted review of its grants, looking to improve the quality of its grants. In looking at that, they determined a couple of things that they really wanted to improve that would give higher impacts in the community.
“…It’s no secret that for a long time, well before my time coming to Komen, Komen was really facing a backlash out there, specific to the controversies surrounding the Planned Parenthood grants.
“That controversy started to intensify over the summer, with over a dozen – if not two dozen – Catholic dioceses around the country telling parishioners, don’t support Komen, leaving race teams, donor questions, et cetera. And I was tasked with identifying options that would allow us to move to neutral ground around this. So that we weren’t on either side of an issue that – pro-life or pro-choice, we all know there are differing positions on that.
“…Options were presented, and it was vetted at every level of the organization. The board reviewed it, and it was determined to move forward.”
How much of this had to do with your personal opposition to abortion?
Handel: “Absolutely none. I’m a professional, and when I come to Komen, my No. 1 priority is the fight against breast cancer, our mission, and the women that we serve. The only place for politics in all of this came from Planned Parenthood, when they launched this vicious, vicious attack on a great organization and perpetrated what was nothing short of a shakedown to coerce a private entity to give them grants.
“I think that all of us need to consider – this is a private, non-profit. And the last time I checked, they had every right, and indeed the responsibility, to set not only the highest criteria for quality grants, but the highest standards they can for their grantees.
“…For an outside organization to come in, in the way that Planned Parenthood did, and conduct a shakedown to force them to reverse, is absolutely outrageous.”
Did this surprise you?
Handel:“Everybody was taken aback by the fact that this was premeditated, orchestrated…. There were conversations between our organization and Planned Parenthood, letting them know about the change in the criteria and how it would affect Planned Parenthood. And Komen was under the specific understanding that, while it was disappointing, that it was not going to be a media firestorm.
“Unfortunately, Planned Parenthood chose to go another direction. Komen is a breast cancer organization. It’s not an organization that knows guerrilla campaigning and guerrilla tactics like Planned Parenthood unleashed on Komen…”
“Keep in mind that the grants for Planned Parenthood were $680,000 out of Planned Parenthood’s $1 billion. For an organization to try to purport itself as a breast services organization is simply not true. It’s abundantly clear that this was never about the fight against breast cancer for Planned Parenthood. What it was about, remains about, is the fight to advance Planned Parenthood’s agenda. And they sucked Komen into the middle of it, and they used them in all of this. It’s a disgrace.”
Like I said, more to come. Check back here in a few.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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167 comments Add your comment
Truthsayer
February 7th, 2012
4:18 pm
Leave it to a Right Winger… A Conspiracy… Ya.. That is what it is…
Nah, it could never be that the Vast MAJORITY of the National Public DOES NOT AGREE WITH YOU.. That could NEVER be it.. The Arrogance, Paranoia, and Outright Narcissism is Unreal!
Good Riddance to Bad Right Wing Rubbish. My Gosh, it’s always some Conspiracy, or Left Wing Bias with these people. They never can seem to get it through their Thick Right Wing Heads that it is not.. We the People simply do not agree with or Like them or their Beliefs.
Bob
February 7th, 2012
4:24 pm
Who cares. Only in America do we continue to recycle our political trash.
James Dobson
February 7th, 2012
4:26 pm
That’s some real twisted logic poor Karen is throwing out there.
Dirk
February 7th, 2012
4:31 pm
The abortion issue is a great divider during election season when only the news can talk about it and just show the nutjobs. When you pull real people into it, and the means to telegraph their voices (via Internet), we quickly see that we were right to call that silly minority exactly what they are… Nutjobs!
clyde
February 7th, 2012
4:39 pm
This one is a real duck.
hnbc
February 7th, 2012
4:41 pm
How does Handel know that Planned Parenthood had a, to use her own words, “… pre-meditated … shakedown … ” to get monies to support them?
Where’s the evidence?
I saw where someone wanted evidence that Handel was behind this Komen scheme and that person has gotten it with Handel’s resignation? Wonder if that same person wants to know about the Planned Parenthood evidence that Handel is whining about.
Handel, like Palin and Bachman, need to get back in their corners and stay there.
jane
February 7th, 2012
4:41 pm
Grants are given based on the organization meeting certain criteria. If PP didn’t meet the requried criteria, they should lose all funding. Why would any organization grant funds to PP if when you chose to not renew the grant, they take to negative press? If I was a member of a board looking at grants to PP, I would vote no based on this story. Period.
Joe Mama
February 7th, 2012
4:44 pm
Why on EARTH would SGK put themselves in the position of being beaten up in the media for their change in policy, and in the position of losing donations when people chose to cut SGK out entirely and instead donate directly to PP?
Karen Handel’s story might sound convincing, but her claim just doesn’t wash. Besides, correspondence has leaked out of SGK that makes it quite clear that Handel was largely responsible for pushing the ‘cut PP’ argument at SGK. It looks to me like Handel’s up to her old tricks of blaming everyone else in sight and leaving a job only partly done.
And she thought she would have made a good Governor.
Aquagirl
February 7th, 2012
4:45 pm
Nice to see the Catholic hierarchy took time off from fondling little boys to complain about adult women getting healthcare.
SBinF
February 7th, 2012
4:50 pm
You don’t understand….the ‘leak’ is all a part of the liberal conspiracy to undermine Handel and her God-given conservative values.
Don’t be such a sheep!!!11!1
Terry
February 7th, 2012
4:51 pm
I don’t make much money & I don’t want my tax dollars going to places like Corporate Cronies, NPR and certainly not to places that perform abortions & I’m pro-choice.
clyde
February 7th, 2012
4:53 pm
Aquagirl—Multitasking is the word;not time off.
GoodJobKaren
February 7th, 2012
4:55 pm
Absolutely disgusting to see liberals try to attack another conservative woman for standing by her morals, beliefs, and faith.
Just remember, there is only one judge that we all answer to, and He’s watching . . . continue down the road YOU choose, at your own eternal peril.
I choose to follow what is good and right, and stay in the light of truth, and I choose life. Everyone’s life, right, left, liberal, conservative. I will pray for your poor misguided souls to change your ways and live in the light and change this country, one at a time, to help the least of those, the poor, the abused, and the especially the unborn who can’t fight back when attacked by Planned Parenthood’s tools of death in their mother’s womb.
red herring
February 7th, 2012
4:55 pm
IMHO a woman should have the right to choose on her own—-the taxpayer shouldn’t be required to fund her choice.
Voice of Reason
February 7th, 2012
5:02 pm
SGK screwed it big time here. They made a great decision to disassociate themselves with the abortion machine called Planned Parenhood. But then, they didn’t have the courage to stand by that (correct) decision in the face of progressive liberal pressure, all while exposing themselves to many who did not know they were funding abortions to begin with. End result…lose lose.
James Dobson
February 7th, 2012
5:03 pm
So apparently Komen was just about to inform Penn State they were going to rescind that grant, eh Karen?
Somewhere, Nancy Brinker is calling Karen Handel all kinds of curse words.
GaBlue
February 7th, 2012
5:04 pm
Aquagirl: Hahaha! GOOD one!
GoodJobKaren: By your works we will know you. Your words don’t mean diddly. Why are you praying for our souls when you could be out there feeding hungry children whose daddies left their mommies with no money or help, or cleaning out your guest room to move in a pregnant drug addict facing felony charges, so she’ll have a safe, warm place to gestate, or down at the Capitol fighting education cuts and cuts to health services for poor women? If prayers are the best you can do, you’re not trying.
James Dobson
February 7th, 2012
5:06 pm
Its really funny to read the wingnuts whine about every dollar to Planned Parenthood going towards the forced abortion of some young innocent girl (that’s what they think).
Just a Flirt
February 7th, 2012
5:06 pm
“She said the charity was concerned that some Roman Catholic Dioceses had encouraged believers not to give to Komen because it supported Planned Parenthood.”
This quote is from the main article. It is the word “believers” that drives me nuts. The word that should be used is “members”. Another misappropriated word is “faith”, as in “faith organizations”. It should be “religious organizations”, with the adjective “conservative” or “liberal” or “Pentacostal”, etc., to denote which religious affliation the religion has. I wish journalists would stop using unfactual euphemisms to createand support the illusion (and delusion) that conservative religious organizations and their members are the only faith-believing people on this planet.
Joe Mama
February 7th, 2012
5:07 pm
SBinF — “You don’t understand….the ‘leak’ is all a part of the liberal conspiracy to undermine Handel and her God-given conservative values. Don’t be such a sheep!!!11!1″
I see what you did there.
JAWJA
February 7th, 2012
5:07 pm
A professional WHAT? What did Handel do before she became a political hack? With a GED on her resume,what sort of business would hire her as a VP of anything. She’s much ado over nothing. A puppet for the right wing conspiracy.
mrw
February 7th, 2012
5:08 pm
The irony is an organization (PP) that pushes choice makes such a big deal out of an organization being free to make its own choices about grant recipients.
Chris
February 7th, 2012
5:09 pm
Pre meditated? As if anyone could have orchestrated this response. People who supported Komen care about women’s health and many had very positive experiences themselves with PP. SJK has given about three different versions, now, of what happened and why they decided to cut out PP. At no time did they announce how they would deliver health screening services to low income women, who are served by PP. Did they plan to build a whole new network of clinics? The fact is, they simply decided to stop offering screening to low income women, and that is what made everyone really mad.
BillS
February 7th, 2012
5:14 pm
Kaen was a loser and still is. Worse, by her half-wittish actions, she has endangered a women’s health organization she worked for. She deserves only shame.
CobbGOPer
February 7th, 2012
5:14 pm
Politicians just love the abortion issue. While we all fight and call each other names over an issue that should be at the absolute bottom of our priority list, they quietly spend up our money as quickly as they can confiscate it. Brilliant.
GoodJobKaren
February 7th, 2012
5:16 pm
GaBlue, part for the course from the misguided liberals. I volunteer at 4 different charities, one of which specifically feeds the poor (although it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find someone in need of food, it seems everyone is on food stamps these days). 5 years ago, every home I visited would need the bags of food we bring to their homes, now they ask me not to bother and “save it for someone who really needs it”. No, GaBlue, I do the work and walk the walk, quietly, not to impress you, but because it’s the right thing to do and the decent thing to do (and what our Lord expects me to do, to help the least of those, and to treat others as I’d want to be treated).
My entire family, including my kids, volunteer at a charity that helps those women who can’t afford the child, or are scared to bear the child, to help pay her bills and support her and find a family to adopt that child.
My Archbishop was at the Capitol just today fighting for what you asked for, I had to work and would have been there as well, but was there in spirit.
Prayers are the best I can do, because God is just a little bit more powerful than I, but I do get in the boat and row with Him so I can be His hands and feet here on earth.
Please consider that yes, I do walk the walk. And those that volunteer with me for that past 14 years I’ve done these works (since I woke up and figured out I’m part of the problem if I’m not part of the solution) are in the vast majority conservative. We do have liberals also, and we work well together, but by and large most of us are conservative. Just like most of our financial donors are conservative.
I’d also like to consider the fact that God expect us to treat others as we’d like to be treated and to help the least of those in our society when you choose to think that an unborn child would want to be treated the way PP’s abortion doctors treat them as they literally rip them limb from limb. Is that how you’d want to be treated. Is that what God wants? Of course not.
So yes, I’ll keep praying because that is the best I can do, but I’ll also keep working my tail off in any free time I have to help those in need, because it’s the right and decent thing to do. And yes, most homes I go into are full of Obama voters. That’s ok. I still love them and will do anything I can do to help them. Hopefully God works through me to lift them up and help them to see the light and the truth.
Old Hippie
February 7th, 2012
5:18 pm
Does this mean that awful woman is coming back to Georgia?
zeke
February 7th, 2012
5:19 pm
for folks like goodjobkaren, i wonder how they will be judged on their compassion of the living….
JAWJA
February 7th, 2012
5:21 pm
Clearly…..isn’t that one of Newtie’s buzz words?
santhony
February 7th, 2012
5:22 pm
I wrote my letter to Komen Foundation criticizing the PP decision immediately after reading the news item. If PP organized a “shakedown” I wasn’t aware of it when I stamped my letter and put it in the mail. Furthermore, Handel has publicly stated that she wanted to defund Planned Parenthood. She’s a true believer and won’t stop until she manages to force her beliefs on everyone.
Use your power 99%
February 7th, 2012
5:24 pm
Ladies and gentlemen … the reigning queen of republican spin (until Sarah Palin comments, that is) …
KAREN HANDLE (applause, boo, hiss)
Use your power 99%
February 7th, 2012
5:25 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, the reigning queen of the republican spin machine (until Sarah Palin comments, that is) …
KAREN HANDLE! (applause; boo; hissssss)
Better Medicine
February 7th, 2012
5:26 pm
I don’t care what Karen Handel says, those stupid babies had it coming to them. Every last one of them.
GoodJobKaren
February 7th, 2012
5:26 pm
“i wonder how they will be judged on their compassion of the living”
I’m very hopeful it goes something like this “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Just looked in my casebook, I’ve visited and hopefully helped 53 families consisting of 163 men, women and children since February of last year. But again did not do this trying to impress you, but since you asked, I do truly hope He judges me on that (and not on my many other faults), or at least it helps even out my ledger . . .
Mahopinion
February 7th, 2012
5:27 pm
Here we go, the pride of Georgia. Over weight. Over made up. And under brained.
Joe Mama
February 7th, 2012
5:29 pm
GoodJobKaren — “And yes, most homes I go into are full of Obama voters. That’s ok. I still love them and will do anything I can do to help them. Hopefully God works through me to lift them up and help them to see the light and the truth.”
Did you ever consider the possibility that your God is working through *them* to lift *you* up and to help *you* see the light and the truth?
Perhaps you should consider whether or not you’re guilty of the sin of pride when you imagine yourself as the paragon for others to follow. Maybe your God is showing you how he wants you to be, not showing others how you suppose they should be.
Mahopinion
February 7th, 2012
5:30 pm
Red herring- this isnwhere knowledge is power. The tax payer doesn’t fund abortions. Google the Hyde Ammendment.
Oshakawanaca
February 7th, 2012
5:30 pm
I am disappointed in Karen. Why she feels it’s necessary to inject the poison of partisan politics into the awarding of breast cancer research and treatment grants is beyond me.
And I am really sick of both ends of the ideology spectrum trying to inflict their warped beliefs on the rest of us.
Mahopinion
February 7th, 2012
5:33 pm
Holy cow…how long is goodjobkaren’s arm? She must get tired patting herself on the back. Net those lips are pretty swollen from all her horn blowing, too.
zeke
February 7th, 2012
5:34 pm
goodjobkaren, your moniker reveals more than your good works…..
GoodJobKaren
February 7th, 2012
5:36 pm
“Did you ever consider the possibility that your God is working through *them* to lift *you* up and to help *you* see the light and the truth?”
“Perhaps you should consider whether or not you’re guilty of the sin of pride when you imagine yourself as the paragon for others to follow. Maybe your God is showing you how he wants you to be, not showing others how you suppose they should be.”
Actually you are 100% correct. It took me about 5 years of “look at me, don’t I feel good” after doing the work to realize the fact that God uses the poor to sanctify us (me) by working through someone in a tough spot to show me compassion, and how fragile life is, and how to truly care about one another. The whole point of the work isn’t for me to help those in a tough spot, but it’s for God to help me through the work. It’s a very beautiful thing. When Jesus walked the earth, he began, as a baby, in a manger. Not even the poorest of the poor were born in mangers at that time. And he continuously went to the poor, he didn’t go to the rich man’s house, he went and preached to the poor and the sick and the downtrodden.
That’s my point of God working through me, to try to show people one at a time the biggest lie your liberal leaders shove down the poors throat, that only they care about the poor. Not true. If you truly care about someone, you want the best for them and you want them to achieve and be able to support themselves. No one feels good sitting in poverty day after day relying on food stamps and welfare. Everyone deserves a chance to truly live the American dream and be able to work and support themselves.
Joe Mama
February 7th, 2012
5:38 pm
GoodJobKaren — “That’s my point of God working through me”
Never mind, ma’am. The question went right over your head.
Have a good evening.
honested
February 7th, 2012
5:38 pm
handel is gone,
check
Relationship with Planned Parenthood back to normal,
check
Planned Parenthood donations up 440% for the year,
check
Still a mystery what SGK does with the majority of the money collected.
check
World is back to normal.
Aquagirl
February 7th, 2012
5:45 pm
Never mind, ma’am. The question went right over your head.
Maybe someone can raise her cross a little.
Mike
February 7th, 2012
5:46 pm
I am not sure which party I am with but I am all for free abortions for the poor. If they can’t afford a $400 abortion then they surely can’t afford a child that will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. My tax dollars will end up paying for that kid’s entire life. Maybe I am cynical but it’s better than being a religious nut job!
Mahopinion
February 7th, 2012
5:56 pm
But Mike, you silly boy. You know that once that child is born these right wingers couldn’t care less what happens to them. Cut aid to Medicaid. Cut public education. Cut any chance that parent has to raise them in a safe neighborhood.
After all, it’s no longer a fetus. Now it’s just a tax drain on society.
This is Mrs. Norman Maine
February 7th, 2012
5:58 pm
tsk, tsk. Karen, Karen, KAREN!! You have no one to blame for this fiasco but yourself. Using words like “premeditated” and “shakedown” just makes you appear bitter and unhinged. You tried to use Komen to advance your political agenda. It didn’t work. Do the right thing; accept defeat, look inward and use this time to reflect on the way you are living your life. More importantly, do your reflecting somewhere else other than Georgia. Good luck…..
duke
February 7th, 2012
6:01 pm
Today I got a newsletter from Scott Lively, a missionary whom I support. In 1986 he was delivered from a 16-year bondage to drugs and alcohol. He was one of those whom the Lord turns completely around, and puts to work immediately. At an early stage in his Christian walk, when most of us still have at least one foot in our former sins, he found himself selected to be the spokesperson for a statewide series of pro-family ballot measures. He writes, “I watched the gates of Hell open, and all the demons came out to attack us. It was an experience few in this world have ever shared. Death threats, bomb threats, vandalism, mail tampering, phone tampering, character assassination (at the highest levels of the news media), dirty tricks of every sort, and lawsuits (I was sued four times, for $11 million).” The worst of it was from the homosexuals, and he has made that the main focus of his world-wide ministry. After he gave a sermon against homosexuality at a church in Chicago, a large concrete block was thrown through the window, with a threatening note from homosexuals posted on it. The police did not consider it a hate crime, a raw example of the double-standard. The local news media refused to cover it. The essence of this is anti-family. The state will become god, and the state will become the head of every family. He says there is a global campaign to suppress the Christian anti-homosexual argument; and in America it has been so successful that except for the issue of homosexual marriage, the Christian argument against homosexuality is not even heard in this country. Until recently, the one exception was the internet. But recently when a sermon he gave at a church in Sacramento, California, was posted on the church’s website, the internet hosting company blocked it as hate speech.
He says that for many years he thought it was best to couch the argument against homosexuality in secular terms. The evidence of history indicates that when a nation becomes so morally degenerate that it openly embraces homosexuality, it will soon be conquered by barbarians. Now he says, “Only God’s Word has the power to overcome the lies of the adversary, so today I disregard all the common ‘wisdom’ about marketing strategies and such like. Instead I boldly state the truth of God, without apology or hesitation.”
Bobby
February 7th, 2012
6:01 pm
Gotta agree with you Mike; as for Karen Handel, I have grave doubts about her self grandizing statements. She knew exactly what would happen when the announcement came that one women’s group would no longer fund another over a political issue. Maybe she’ll to join the board of Focus on the Family.
Bobby
February 7th, 2012
6:03 pm
Duke, you need to simply reread your history books. Homosexuality has always existed even in Biblical times. You are stating only your own truth, not that of God.
Miss Priss!
February 7th, 2012
6:08 pm
Dear Goodjobkaren,
Sweetheart, step away from the day room computer and shuffle back to your room to get strapped in for the evening. Know what I mean? Plus, I’m pretty sure Jesus dislikes all that self promotion.
Blessings,
Miss Priss!
Emily
February 7th, 2012
6:09 pm
Simple minds flock to paranoid conspiracy theories like peanut butter sticks to jelly, bees to honey, flies to feces, sperm to eggs.
keldorama
February 7th, 2012
6:09 pm
For all you people complaining that SGK caved to the pressure of the liberal media…WAKE UP! This was about money, pure and simple. PP took in over $3mil in donations in the three days after this announcement was made. People on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc. were condemning the decision to no longer fund grants to PP. The money was pouring in from other sources to protect the health of a largely underserved population. But along with it came the promise to never support Komen (or any of its affiliates again). And SGK saw their precious cash cow circling the drain.
Attack Dog
February 7th, 2012
6:13 pm
Why hasn’t Focus on the Family developed orphanages, women’s health services, and pediatric health clinics? Oh, I know. It’s because it would interfere with the free market. No?
Ant
February 7th, 2012
6:14 pm
@Mike -completely agree. People care about the sanctity of life as it relates to abortion,but when it requires paying to support that life after birth,everyone goes silent and hypocritical.
Right-wingers are stupid
February 7th, 2012
6:16 pm
http://pss.sagepub.com/content/23/2/187
If Handel had graduated from college, perhaps she would think differently. Then again, asking a Southern Redneck to think is like putting lipstick on a pig…
midtownguy
February 7th, 2012
6:16 pm
Karen failed to realize, or acknowledge, that the majority of this country is not anywhere near as far-right as Georgia. The majority of the citizens in this country are pro-choice, that percentage much higher among women. To think that a charity devoted to women’s health could cut off funding to another charity devoted to women’s health without political consequences was just plain dumb.
Atl30309
February 7th, 2012
6:17 pm
I realize all politicians lie, but it’s actually entertaining to read about Handel spewing such unadulterated BS. Trying to make Planned Parenthood the big, bad meanie in this is laughable. This all shows how totally ignorant Handle and her compatriots at Komen were in terms of understanding the power of the internet.
The Man
February 7th, 2012
6:18 pm
I commend Handel for resigning, which was clearly in the best interests Komen. But she remains a dangerous mix of ignorance and arrogance. Komen is not a “private entity”–it is a huge public charitable organization with international reach that solicits and receives funds from across the wide spectrum of Americans. It also is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt entity, which means that it needs to steer clear of all politics. It failed to do so, and it has been seriously wounded. Brinker needs to resign as well to give Komen a full opportunity to turn the page.
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:19 pm
Why would you give privately donated money to Planned Parenthood a federally sponsered organization in the first place? Isn’t this frauld? This donated money was given to help find the cure for breast cancer in the first place. By giving it away to help Planned Parenthood the US leading abortion clinics is a injustice to the people who donated our money to help women with breast cancer. For shame on you. I will stop my annual giving to you Komen. And Planned Parenthood shame on you as well for the frauld and murder you committ. And shame on you the corrupt liberal media and the perverted democrat leches.
catlady
February 7th, 2012
6:20 pm
I continue to lose respect for Handel and Komen.
Ol' Timer
February 7th, 2012
6:24 pm
Sometimes I think the right wingers couldn’t organize a three car funeral procession.
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:24 pm
Shame on you Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards. Ms. Richards is a democratic party activist. There’s the problem. She should resign as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecile_Richards
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:26 pm
catlady, and OL’Timer, How about losing respect for the murderers at planned parenthood and their corrupt liberal democrat activist Cecile Richards.
Bemused
February 7th, 2012
6:27 pm
Komen is still run by Ms. Brinker, who hired this unaccomplished, uneducated, two-faced (literally and figuratively) voter suppressionist hack. Their brand is forever tainted. There is no shortage of charities fighting cancer that deserve support more than SGK.
American
February 7th, 2012
6:32 pm
Karen Handel was as bad at her job at Komen as she was at running for Governor…She is simply out of touch and out of step with the women’s movement and the concept of social justice in our country…She simply needs to go away and quit trying to force her political and social agenda on the rest of us.
GoodJobKaren
February 7th, 2012
6:37 pm
I really pity you poor libs. You’re so caught up in your hate and stereotypes that you don’t even realize that I’m a man, haven’t made less than $400k in 10 years, yet still take the time to do the right (pun fully intended) things in life.
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:38 pm
Planned Parenthood President Ceclie Richards worked for the crazy corrupt Nancy(inside trader) Pelosi and for the union(obama) thugs at SEIU and is the daughter of the late Democrat Governor of TX Ann Richards. Seems like once you’re in the liberal corrupt democrat family their always find a way to put you in one of these government jobs paid for by the taxpayers for life. She always has been an inside the beltway corrupt democrat activist her entire life. Do any of these people EVER earn a real living outside the taxpayers wallet / government? Now it makes sense that the government controlled ledt wing media has been on this using their force.
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:42 pm
Bemused and American, Where is your outrage towards Planned Parenthood and it’s President Cecile Richards aswell for their corruption, waste of taxpayers money and donations, and most of all the murder of millions of unborn babies. Do you people on the left have any morals? Do you??????????????????
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:45 pm
Speechless are we bloggers from the left wing democrats?????????
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:47 pm
Democrats = Planned Parenthood = MURDERERS of Unborn Babies.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will crush the heads of the perverted New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions
February 7th, 2012
6:49 pm
Evil companions corrupt good morals. Awake to righteousness and sin not…for some have not the knowledge of God Almighty. This is downright shameful.
Good white people like Karen Handel and those on the staff at Komen know that Integration and Planned Parenthood are like two peas in a pod… Both provide assistance to the ignorant, especially to integrationist African Americans which provides the cover to simultaneously kill them.
On the right hand, Integration and Planned Parenthood assist integrationist African Americans with an assortment of lethal artificial i.e. man made problems at a speed of 20 mph. And on the left hand, at the opportune time, integration and Planned Parenthood unleashes upon a reign of terror and death on the innocent with little or no mercy.
When the staff at Komen and Karen Handel attempted to expose the genocidal scheme, they found integrationists African Americans and women in general hopelessly conflicted.
Evil companions corrupt good morals.
Amen?
Centrist
February 7th, 2012
6:49 pm
Handel is talking out of both sided of her mouth. Komen was CUTTING OFF existing donations to PP, and it was pre-meditated. That backlash from that was far greater than the previous Catholic backlash, and why the policy change was reversed.
The Obama administration started this crap – read here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/07/opinion/brooks-flood-the-zone.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
WAW
February 7th, 2012
6:59 pm
Right wing social engineering ain’t doing too good
Lifelong Georgian
February 7th, 2012
6:59 pm
I’m sure that Handel was a real asset to SGK when she first began, but clearly this is a case of someone simply staying in a position for far too long. I mean, the woman was with the organization for almost 10 months….ANYONE should have seen this disaster brewing with her being entrenched for such a long period.
Georgia Peach
February 7th, 2012
7:00 pm
Karen’s comments are nothing but BS. Bottom line- This is what happens when things get “MIss-Handeled”!
Bernie
February 7th, 2012
7:00 pm
Premeditated! Shakedown! If there was anything pre-planned, it was to come from the office of the V.P. of Public Policy. The problem is that the policy she helped create and implement became a media firestorm of epic proportions. The arrogorance of her misjudgement of public support for Planned Parenthood is what brought us all to this intersection. As a direct result of this same policy, Komen will never be the organization it once was. The name will never be viewed in the same light again no matter, what action is taken at this time. shut it down, turn off the lights..start over.
clsjey
February 7th, 2012
7:04 pm
What bothers me the most is that SGK did not go to Planned Parenthood and just simply explain that by granting PP money, they were negatively impacting SGK’s ability to fundraise. They could have been honest from the start and ask to quietly sever ties in a way that was mutually beneficial. Instead, they came up with an underhanded lie to cut off funds, and didn’t even let the local chapters in on the decision. The local chapters were left to inform PP after the decision was made. When SGK was called out on their decision by the general public, they lied again. I no longer have respect for SGK and I will send my donations to another worthy cancer charity.
Dam Buford
February 7th, 2012
7:06 pm
If you don’t believe in abortion, don’t get a damned abortion.
For a group of folks who profess their disgust with government intrusions, you certainly like to pick and choose when intrusion should be obligatory on the rest of us.
Lifelong Georgian
February 7th, 2012
7:08 pm
Handel was in over her head, but that’s nothing new. I know several staff members in the Georgia SOS office that said the woman was a terror to work for during her tenure there. They used the terms “tyrant” and “clueless.” Based on what we’re hearing from SGK, at least give her credit for remaining consistent….
captguitarman
February 7th, 2012
7:10 pm
The Dem/Libs have done a great job capturing this issue and spinning it their way, but unlike Komen, they have had lots and lots of practice in the political trenches – where they are obviously very comfortable. Komen’s folks are obvously amateurs. If you look at this very carefully, and without the rhetoric, you will find Planned Parenthood doing what it always does, promoting and pushing its agenda, i.e.abortion on demand and contraception services and counseling for any and all women who want it, and for young girls, even without the knowledge and consent of their parents — and as much of it as possible paid for by the taxpayers. The premeditation charge is actually superfluous because everything they do as an organziation 24/7 is poltically premeditated.
Someone asked how could this not have all blown up with one women’s group denying funding to another over a “political issue?” Planned Parenthood is not an organization that has to deal with poltical issues, it is a political organization, which provides abortion and contracption services to women.
Yes, I know you think you know exactly where this is going, but you don’t. PP can be that type of organization, or be whatever it wants to be to promote its cause, its politics, its supporters, and to help women any way it sees fit, andGod bless. Abortion is legal in America, and I doubt that will ever change now.
The thing that just aggravates those who think abortion is a moral issue and a moral (and for some a religious) outrage is that PP’s agenda is not only to promote its cause, and to do its work, but to force those with moral and religious objections to fund their activities. Moreover, if you fund them, that is not being poltical in their eyes – you have just been blessed with their special enlightenment -but, God forbid you turn them down or ever withdraw your support, and then you are the worst kind of political, a right wing nut job who is against helping women and especially poor women. Unfortunately, this spin is working. They collect beaucoup tax dollars and demonize anyone who says it is not their God given right to collect it, or any one who withdraws support, regardless of the moral objections of those taxpayers sending it in – or for any other reason. Komen is an organization that fights breast cancer. They decided that they want their money to be more focused on their cause and not just swallowed up in to the enormous PP black hole of public and private funding that they can direct anywhere they want to direct it — with much of it for PR and lobbying to make sure the public money — including the tax dollars of those who they despise and belittle because of their moral and religious objections — never stops rolling in.
honested
February 7th, 2012
7:15 pm
Handel and the anti-choice thumpers.
Oily Taint and the birther nutcases.
Can GA get a break and develop a news story that does not make us look like Hooterville?
Karen
February 7th, 2012
7:18 pm
Poor Komen, done in by PP. Seems like the catholics wanted their way about women’s health. That church might do better at putting some effort nto stopping the abuse of children by Priests.
sheepdawg
February 7th, 2012
7:22 pm
just another gop idiot
Hillbilly D
February 7th, 2012
7:27 pm
Good object lesson here. When you give your money to a charity, make sure you know where the money is going. That’s a lot easier to do if you keep your charity dollars, local.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will crush the heads of the perverted New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions
February 7th, 2012
7:27 pm
http://www.ajc.com/news/newton-police-investigate-double-1336975.html
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/atlanta-video-beating-765912
This perverted New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions put authentic men and women of God Almighty in difficult positions. How can we condemn the personal choices of the integrationist African Americans who committed the violence above when their victims are the very integrationist African Americans that supports a woman’s right to choose to murder them in the womb via abortion?
Under those circumstances, authentic men of God Almighty always remain silent and leave it to the establishment men of God Almighty and the establishment community activist. God Almighty told authentic men and women of God Almighty to do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, or weight, or quantity.
But just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall we have said the Lord who brought us out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Amen?
RGB
February 7th, 2012
7:33 pm
Congratulations to Karen Handel for standing up for her convictions and for the truth.
That an organization that purports that “Everyone Deserves a Lifetime” to align itself with an organization that effectively says: “Well, Not EVERYONE Deserves a Lifetime” really says it all.
Planned Parenthood is not the only organization capable of delivering mammograms and breast exams to women. Komen put a stick in the eye to all those who believe that indeed EVERYONE deserves a lifetime.
Congratulations again, Ms. Handel.
duke,
What a powerful post! Indeed, anti-Christian bigotry, fueled by the secular Left and the media, is at an all-time high. And the Lord is clear as to the consequences of disobedience to His will. Our pastor covered this topic last Sunday in Romans 1.
v. 27b could not be clearer: “Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
Sadly, some folks will find out too late what “the due penalty” constitutes.
Lifelong Georgian
February 7th, 2012
7:34 pm
Geez, Lord/Savior, getting a head start on Sunday’s sermon, aren’t you? Give it a rest, dude.
And, yes, amen…!
JWetz
February 7th, 2012
7:41 pm
Right on GaBlue!!! Love it Aquagirl!!! GoodJobKaren, I have too many words to say to you but none of them will penetrate your dense skull. One thing I will say (and you should know this if you’re a “good” Christian) IT’S NOT YOUR PLACE TO JUDGE!!!! So don’t throw around words indicating certain people are going to hell because in doing so, you’re earning your own first class ticket there!!!
Rebar
February 7th, 2012
7:45 pm
Sounds to me like the Catholic church was the one that was premeditated on this; I wonder if that occurred to Ms. Handel.
Look before I leap...
February 7th, 2012
7:47 pm
Well if we can get the MN 6th’s average IQ up over 75, then SGK may have a job for Moonbat Bachmann.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will crush the heads of the perverted New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions
February 7th, 2012
7:54 pm
In the good Ole USA, Planned Parenthood and their devilish black minions are complicit in the murder of a baby via abortion every thirty seconds.
As we speak, those babies in the womb, especially the black ones, are praying that the authentic soldiers of God Almighty will make it their personal choice to stand up for truth, stand up for justice, stand up for righteousness, and stand up for their natural right to life.
Amen?
Real News
February 7th, 2012
7:56 pm
Democrats = Planned Parenthood = MURDERERS of Unborn Babies
JWetz
February 7th, 2012
8:06 pm
Right wing nutjobs = war = death, destruction and murder….. Hmmmm, I think I’ll stay where I am.
janet
February 7th, 2012
8:08 pm
Where were all you pro life, anti abortionists when Bush declared war on a country. Then we(that’s right he went to war in our name) killed over 100,000 Iraqi civilians. Since it is a Muslim country where Birth Control is prohibited, I would assume that many of those Iraqis killed were pregnant women Oh, and don’t forget the children who were also killed.. And yet not one word from any of you…..or don’t they count because they are not Christian or don’t advance your agenda?
GreatATLGuy
February 7th, 2012
8:19 pm
See you next Tuesday, Mrs. Handel, buh-bye…. and don’t let the door hit you on the way out
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will crush the heads of the perverted New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions
February 7th, 2012
8:21 pm
Yes, innocent men, women, children, and babies are killed in scourge of war. Authentic men and women of God Almighty condemned those actions on Constitutional as well as ethics and morals grounds…
But innocent integrationist African American babies and others are murdered in our country via abortion for convenience, selfishness if you will. As we speak, over 50 million American babies have been murdered via abortion since 1973 Roe vs. Wade.
Not to mention integrationist African American women have murdered via abortion over half the black babies they should have birthed since 1973 Roe vs. Wade.
Amen?
PMom_GA
February 7th, 2012
8:24 pm
Handel said…… ““I think that all of us need to consider – this is a private, non-profit. And the last time I checked, they had every right, and indeed the responsibility, to set not only the highest criteria for quality grants, but the highest standards they can for their grantees.”
Hey there, Karen? Ummm, pssst! Guess what???!!!???
I believe that I, like any other donator, has the right and the responsibility to set criteria and highest standards for how and to whom I give donations.
SKG – you fail my criteria & standards.
Shirley Phelps Roper
February 7th, 2012
8:24 pm
Karen, come and join our church in Topeka!! You would fit right in…..
td
February 7th, 2012
8:33 pm
janet
February 7th, 2012
8:08 pm
I thought a bi partisan Congress gave Bush the authorization to enforce the United Nations resolution against Iraq?
Silent Jay
February 7th, 2012
8:35 pm
Welcome to the real world, little Miss Red Clay.
Dirty Dawg
February 7th, 2012
8:46 pm
Good old Karen, just like all those right-wing Guvs that actually did get elected, she followed her warped belief structure and ‘over-reached’ on this issue. And also just like those others, she’ll deny the hell out of the truth of her stupidity and blame Liberal-whatevers.
Whataya bet the bitch will resurface again doing something vile and reprehensible…can you say Ralph Reed?
GreatATLGuy
February 7th, 2012
8:55 pm
Dirty Dawg – right on baby! I’m not gay but I would date you for those comments!
Attack Dog
February 7th, 2012
9:01 pm
Too bad that SGK actually thought that Handel could add value. Why do I have the feeling that Dixiecrats will not fill the financial void to help women.
WTH??
February 7th, 2012
9:05 pm
Why is it so difficult for you tards to understand that the woman is just upholding her belief’s no matter how illogical they are? The Planned Parenthood organization is far from “great”. Komen is just as bad, especially after their flip flopping.
Stand behind your convictions!
Mahopinion
February 7th, 2012
9:07 pm
@ good job…
Don’t know who you are and , quite frankly, don’t care. What I do know is you are a quite boring braggart.
InAtl
February 7th, 2012
9:22 pm
Reading these posts it’s quite clear where civility lies and where it doesn’t. Sort of like the difference between a Tea Party rally and the Occupiers. Way to stay on the high road, GoodjobKaren. Don’t let these people get you down.
Don
February 7th, 2012
9:27 pm
Ok, and I know that conservatives will ignore this and continue to lie. Abortions make up only 3% of what Planned Parenthood does. No tax money goes to pay for abortions. But what do conservatives care? Facts have a liberal bias, so conservatives have abandoned them.
Edward
February 7th, 2012
9:31 pm
Why is it people who profess to have the highest morals are the biggest liars on the planet? Handel has always been a self-promoting b*tch.
WTH??
February 7th, 2012
9:33 pm
Ed, you’re doing alot of ASSuming but I do give you kudos for your first sentence.
Bobby
February 7th, 2012
9:52 pm
Abortion is a woman’s right upon demand and without apology.
B. Thenet
February 7th, 2012
9:55 pm
Don’t worry, once Handel gets a no show job from some scam conservative charity/think tank she will claim credit for the whole thing.
janet
February 7th, 2012
9:56 pm
Td @830 Yes, the bipartisan congress approved an invasion of Iraq based on completely falsified evidence that the country had WMD’s. So does that mean that 100,000 innocent civilians including the unborn babies in the wombs of the mothers who were killed don’t count as an abortion? So if the war was legal and abortion is legal in this country, why so much fuss for one and not the other?
ylojkt
February 7th, 2012
10:04 pm
I would rather my money go to women’s healthcare. Not all ladies using Planned Parenthood are black, but most are either poor or young and poor, some of them are your daughters going to college and getting necessary healthcare and advice.
There are also other great cancer fighting organizations, my favorite for local kids is http://www.curingkidscancer.org
If you are a coach or team mom, this is a great way to give every season and I highly recommend you look up what you can do for this organization. Anyone else can give as well.
cyril
February 7th, 2012
10:08 pm
So any chance that there was some collusion between Komen & Rep. Stearns to initiate a Congressional investigation into Planned Parenthood?
Jane Cuningham
February 7th, 2012
10:21 pm
Karen’s mouth is going to get her in even more trouble. only sociopaths blame others for their errors. She needs to take responsibility for her own actions. I don;t know why Komen hired a bigoted religious zealot like her in the first place. I’d think most of Komen supporters and contributors are educated people and that a lunatic fringer like Karen would have been a bad fit for them. I hope she doesn’t come back to Georgia
James
February 7th, 2012
10:29 pm
Komen gets not one red cent more from me – ever
NotMe
February 7th, 2012
10:38 pm
Karen Handel is a hater.
Sarah
February 7th, 2012
10:45 pm
Wow — there is some pretty funny stuff in these comments: a bunch of right-wingers who have no clue of the facts involved in what they are saying. Can any of you guys provide cites to the “information” you are passing on? And no, the bible doesn’t count. Who here can tell me where they read that PP is a federal organization and that the majority of its work is abortions? Do you know what a 501 c 3 organization is? I’m willing to bet your sweet little virgin daughters are visiting PP regularly, because they sure as hell can’t talk about sex with you.
And the self-congratulating woman who states that no one needs food anymore because they all have food stamps — please come visit me. I have a master’s degree and more than 30 years experience. Yet I’m unemployed, and since I own a modest condo, I’m not eligible for food stamps or any other benefits. Where exactly are you spreading your charity; it’s obviously not the same neighborhood where most of us live.
Claire
February 7th, 2012
10:45 pm
So it’s PPs fault that a firestorm was created by Komen? How stupid does she and the board think we are? They are incredibly inept. It turns out they are mostly a group of Texas women in the 1% who created a huge money maker where only about 25% goes to breast cancer. Why does Nancy Brinker CEO, awidow millionairess need a 400 k salary for charity work? Good riddance Karen. Please leave Georgia. You are an embarrassment.
GET REAL
February 7th, 2012
10:50 pm
I would like to see Komen open its books and give a full accounting for the millions of dollars they collect. (Talk about a shakedown.) I wonder what percentage of “the take” actually goes to breast cancer research. Look what money Komen must have paid to Ari Fliescher, George Bush’s former mouth piece,to do damage control caused by Handel and that idiot Brinker. Yeah, let’s ask them to open the books. How much do you want to bet actually goes to research rather than into the pockets of a handful of consevative thieves?
Claire
February 7th, 2012
10:51 pm
Also..if she’s such a family value advocate, where are her husband and children? She’s not practicing what she preaches. She should be adopting some of these babies she’s protecting in the womb. Except that once they are out in the world they become entitlement leeches to right wing nut jobs.
schrutebeets
February 7th, 2012
11:05 pm
You benighted reprobates viciously assail a woman who has convictions because you have no convictions.
And, because you have none, you are easily incited to screech like demons in support of the country’s number one killer of pre-birth human beings.
You are a sorry lot.
vuduchld
February 7th, 2012
11:05 pm
Don’t worry, you stupid Jawjians will find some slob job for this dimwitted GED bimbo. You sheep love electing and putting trash like this in office. So, do your duty folks, continue to keep your state near the bottom of irrelevency by supporting this twit.
truthpaste
February 7th, 2012
11:11 pm
Shakedown, my butt. People cut out the middle man and SGK missed out on their cut. Their annual grant they usually give to PP was matched, in 48 hours, and they didn’t see a dime. That must make them sick.
yuzeyurbrane
February 7th, 2012
11:11 pm
Karen has a good future in Ga. politics. She could not lose from being the provocateur here.
Bored to tears...
February 7th, 2012
11:16 pm
Same arguments and posts as the previous article related to this topic. Time for a new subject to bicker over….
GaBlue
February 7th, 2012
11:17 pm
“GoodJobKaren” @ 5:16,
If you’re still reading, and you do actually “walk the walk,” I have no beef with you. I personally do not think anyone is listening to our prayers, but people who get off their behinds to help others get no argument from me just because we have a difference of opinion. If you stand behind your conviction with acts of kindness and mercy, then you’re not a hypocrite in my book, and I’ll agree to disagree while wishing you all the best!
Wrex
February 7th, 2012
11:29 pm
How can anyone want a conservative to be in charge of anything? This woman seems to be devoid of any ability to think rationally, believes everyone thinks the way she does and believes that everyone is dumb enough to believe what she says. She’s been in the echo chamber too long.
Serious Robuck
February 7th, 2012
11:43 pm
GaBlue, your sentiments are laudable, but anyone who toots his/her horn as much as GoodJobKaren is most likely either a liar or self-delusional. I’m particularly unimpressed by his/her use of the “nobody’s hungry because they’re on food stamps” argument. GoodJobKaren, I wish I could believe you. But I DON’T, Sweetie.
WTH??
February 7th, 2012
11:44 pm
Wrecks, insert your name into the above diatribe and we’ve got a deal!
George W. Bush
February 8th, 2012
12:56 am
Perhaps Karen Handel missed her calling as an actress, her performance on Fox News as the lady scorned sounded like Marianne Gingrich on Nightline. Republicans like to whine and talk about how everybody is unfair to them. BOO HOO!! BOO HOO!!
Teri
February 8th, 2012
12:56 am
LMAO… quite obviously this is a LIBERAL/PROGRESSIVE column! Wonder how many of you actually read the entire article before breaking your fingers typing out your insulting, derogatory, putrid verbal vomit! Why don’t you all just start typing “ditto” to save time because most of you don’t have an original thought, you piggy back off the first guy! Jim Galloway, you sir, have placed your own spin on this article! You have twisted words and meanings to incite your liberal compadres. Allow me to quote you, “Handel said nothing bad about her former employer – far from it. But in essence, she said that, by giving Planned Parenthood notice in mid-December, Komen allowed the group time to organize a national “pre-meditated” operation “that was nothing short of a shakedown to coerce a private entity to give them grants.” IN ESSENCE?? Or, shall we say, “IN OTHER WORDS”?? Which is exactly what it is! Handel actually said, “By giving pp NOTICE in mid-Dec, Komen ALLOWED the group time to organize…” Your title has caused some understandable confusion amongst your cronies, since it’s doubtful that many read past it… “Karen Handel: Komen gave Planned Parenthood time to organize ‘shakedown’” Many cannot seem to discern the difference between “gave” and “allowed.” Since Koman GAVE pp notice in mid-Dec, and it didn’t become public until Feb, would you not agree, that GAVE pp time to orchestrate/arrange an obviously PUBLIC retaliation against Koman?! Would you not agree that anything planned/orchestrated/arranged is also known as “pre-meditated”? But it is SO much more exciting to find some POLITICAL reason behind everything so you can BASH conservatives. I would rather be RIGHT any day than morally, ethically and spiritually DEAD.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
February 8th, 2012
1:32 am
Cut to the chase: The age-old conflict between whig (Viz. “anti-Roman Catholic”) and tory.
double
February 8th, 2012
1:45 am
The only way to cut down on abortions is to stop conception.You can’t have it both ways.If we stop abortion,guess who gets to take care of the baby.We complain about the free loaders,we complain about abortions.Stop conception with any and all means contraceptives.And yes churches should furnish contraceptives to employees.Make a law against illegitimacy. Make it a felony against mother and father.As is there is no reason not to get pg.Prenatal through school paid by tp.Put some responsibility,lawful responsibility on both,then you will see pg’s decline.
Buckhead Boy
February 8th, 2012
1:57 am
Ms. Handel also “allowed” that she was hired by Komen to shepherd the organization to “neutral ground” with respect to the abortion issue. Would you not agree that was an odd mission for an avowedly pro-life, former politician within an organization that is supposedly all about breast cancer? Frankly, I’d rather be morally, ethically and spiritually dead than completely naive.
Elliot Best
February 8th, 2012
2:28 am
SGK is to blame here and poor ole Karen is just the tool like so many GOP’ers for the Right Wing Elites. (those with all the money) How did Karen get that job anyway. What has she done to merit being VP of Governmental Affairs. She got the job for a purpose and executed the plan. Too bad they forgot that instead of the GOP they were dealing with women and advocates for women. These are not the followers of Megachurch preachers. Breast Cancer has nothing to do with abortion. SGK just learned that lesson.
“A DISGRACE” | Former Komen executive Karen Handel describes Planned Parenthood’s vicious shakedown of the breast cancer charity | Foundation Life
February 8th, 2012
5:42 am
[...] reporter Jim Galloway, who now has an excellent Political Insider blog for the newspaper, transcribed some of Handel’s comments at her press interviews Tuesday in Atlanta. (Thanks, Jim.) Handel, who joined Komen last April, [...]
East Repeat
February 8th, 2012
6:35 am
If a woman has an elective abortion, she has murdered her baby. Now, if I murdered my baby I would not want anyone telling me I did wrong. Cannot stand the guilt of knowing I killed an innocent child. Conservatives are not perfect, but at least they have souls. Abortion loving (and non-working, no standard, societies takers) are a repulsive group. Guess what, Obama gets creamed in November, society moves back to the right\, and you lazy dummycrats and liberals will have to go back to work.
Jerome Horwitz
February 8th, 2012
7:17 am
While disappointed in Komen’s decsision I respect their right to fund grants as they see fit. I hope they respect my right to never steer another dime their way. Rather than a health matter this appears more a political battle. Face it, Planned Parenthood does far, far more than provide abortions. They’re a multifaceted provider of health services including breast exams.
pete
February 8th, 2012
7:28 am
oh my what a web we weave ,when we practice to deceive.Hope georgia dont have to look at her anymore.
Howard
February 8th, 2012
7:59 am
If everyone would put aside all of the opinion based upon politics and particularly pro-choice vs pro-life and analyze this situation and see what we can learn from this. I really never knew that much about Komen or Planned Parenthood except that they were non profit organizations and generally what their mission is. Now I know a lot more about them. Who would not support an organization that seeks to end breast cancer? I think no one. who would not support an organization that does what PP does? I think people who are against birth control and abortion. That is their right and should be respected. What concerns me is that I believe the facts are that regardless of what Handel says, she was instrumental in cutting off funds for PP. Whether that was right or wrong appears in these comments to depend more on what one thinks about abortion. Nevertheless, it appears to me that Komen, for a billion dollar organization made a huge miscalculation on the outcome of their decision. They should have seen how the public would react. If they did and decided to go ahead with the decision then the decision was based upon principle and should be respected. But then why reverse that decision when faced with the onslaught of publicity and more so I think the potential loss of funds. This indicates at the very least that their principles are not as strongly held as they might have tried to convey. In any event, they miscalculated and Handel, in her position, is at least partly responsible for that. Another thing I learned is that the head of Komen is making a half million a year. Assuming that is correct, I find that contrary to the goal of the organization and for any charity, I think it goes against the idea of “non-profit”. Surely, the CEO of such an organization can live nicely off $200,000 per year and consider what ever is lost in his or her worth in the market as their contribution to the charity. In summary, what I have learned is that Komen is not an organization that I will financially support in the future. It clearly has a board and officers who, for a billion dollar organization, are not very bright and perhaps their mission is compromised by the salaries they pay. Surely, there is another organization out there that has a mission to fight breast cancer that is more deserving of our money. This has little to do with PP and much more to do with Komen.
honested
February 8th, 2012
8:02 am
The story about this dishonest loser is still here?
Isn’t it time to forget her and move on to successful, honest people?
luci
February 8th, 2012
8:20 am
What an awful person she has turned out to be! It’s a tragedy when a woman wants to deny life saving health care to other women. Come on, Karen. Nobody believes your conspiracy theory.
MiltonMan
February 8th, 2012
8:22 am
Mrs. Handel is going to have to learn “that you cannot make all the people happy all the time.” I did not vote for her becasue she is a quitter. She quit as Sec of State to run for gov.
She also voted in 2005 to “give” $400,000 to Planned Parenthood while Fulton COunty Commish.
MiltonMan
February 8th, 2012
8:25 am
Another thing how can someone not have a college degree yet be “Senior VP”. I know there are always exceptions – Bill Gates.
Also, the abortion arguement is one that is not neutral.
Ga Values...Ron Paul for Peace & Prosperity
February 8th, 2012
8:40 am
Follow the money, here is the link to Koman’s financials: http://ww5.komen.org/AboutUs/FinancialInformation.html
They spent $40,624,000 on administration last year & $75,407,000 on research last year.
4 years ago my wife & her bridge club adopted Koman as their cause. They do the fall “race to the cure” & raise about $40,000 last year in contributions. I do not think they will continue to support Komen, that is why Koman revised their no pp policy not because of a left wing conspiracy. Koman’s officer’s salaries & “Big Life” were at risk.
Ga Values...Ron Paul for Peace & Prosperity
February 8th, 2012
8:41 am
By the way my wife & most of her friends worked & voted for Karen Handel because she was a woman.
jconservative
February 8th, 2012
9:05 am
Komen made itself subject to political pressure when they hired a politician as a front line VP.
Politics follows politicians. If an organization wants to remain apolitical it must resist the urge to hire politicians. Having Handel on board made for an easy target.
Becky
February 8th, 2012
9:11 am
Can someone explain to little ole me how Komen can continue to be classified as a 501C3?
What
February 8th, 2012
9:22 am
I don’t make much money & I don’t want my tax dollars going to Corporate Entitlements and war.
UGA 1999
February 8th, 2012
9:27 am
Handel….GREAT JOB….Proud that you stuck to your guns.
Pamela
February 8th, 2012
9:37 am
Handel is missing the point. While she may have been a lighting rod for many opposed to Komen’s decision, most opponents had never heard of her and had no clue who she was. My response was not part of any Planned Parenthood organization, but rather part of a ground swelling of others not associated at all with Planned Parenthood.
Thank you Handel for removing the halo from Susan G Komen.
James Dobson
February 8th, 2012
9:38 am
Nancy Brinker is hating the day she ever agreed to let his wingnut through the doors.
UGA 1999
February 8th, 2012
9:38 am
Pamela…..agreed.
red herring
February 8th, 2012
9:39 am
handel was correct. it was a shake down by planned parenthood. komen should be able to direct their money as they see fit and if they see or think it is being directed away from breast cancer they have the right to stop that. much more light should be shone on planned parenthood and their finances/donations/procedures/etc.
Pressure
February 8th, 2012
9:48 am
SGK did feel pressure but not from PP but from all the sensible people who saw through all this and decided not to financially support them anymore. The main reason SGK reversed their decision was primarily to prevent loosing more financial supporters. Maybe too little too late. And before you bash, let me say that I believe that SGK has every right to fund whichever organizations they want but my point is just be truthful about it and deal with the ramifications that come with.
Hide-n-seek
February 8th, 2012
9:57 am
Did The Susan G. Komen Foundation find a cure for cancer???? If not, why were they giving any money to any other charity?? I will no longer donate to either.
The Deal
February 8th, 2012
10:26 am
The premeditated argument is nothing short of stupid. Komen is the one that had all of the information in advance. They knew they were going to cut off PP before PP knew it (duh), and they had the same time (and more) PP did to formulate a plan on how to deal with any backlash. Obviously they thought they were immune from scrutiny. Note to Komen: We can all google your financials and associated relationships.
Good Riddance To Bad Rubbish
February 8th, 2012
12:36 pm
Handel:”Clearly, I had become an incredible focal point around all this, and it wasn’t good for Komen. And what was in the best interest of the organization was for me to step aside, do this with you and let the organization move forward and re-focus on its mission.”
Karen, it’s always a rude awakening when you realize it’s not all about you, isn’t it?
Listen here folks!
February 8th, 2012
12:51 pm
Susan Komen is rolling over in her grave.
GoodJobKaren
February 8th, 2012
1:04 pm
“GoodJobKaren” @ 5:16,
“If you’re still reading, and you do actually “walk the walk,” I have no beef with you. I personally do not think anyone is listening to our prayers, but people who get off their behinds to help others get no argument from me just because we have a difference of opinion. If you stand behind your conviction with acts of kindness and mercy, then you’re not a hypocrite in my book, and I’ll agree to disagree while wishing you all the best!”
GaBlue, virtual handshake, we will agree to disagree. But please keep an open mind on who may be listening to those prayers and give it a try. And consider that as you and I don’t judge each other, none of us should be judging, but there is one that will judge us when our day comes.
Our society has so many problems, mabye one at a time we can close these gaps and concentrate on what’s important–our relationships one on one with each other, our families, loved ones, co-workers. And lift each other up, one at a time.
To whoever does not believe that most people don’t need food donations anymore, it’s true. Years ago, every single family we went to see needed food as they were scrimping together every dollar to keep the rent paid, keep the lights on, make the car payment. But now most tell us, don’t worry, my food stamps are covering me, save it for someone who really needs it. We still help them with rent, car payment, a medical bill, utility payment, or just helpful advice and a caring ear if that’s what they need.
To the person living in the modest condo, 30 years experience and a Masters, I completely believe you as I’ve seen it too many times over the past few years. While we used to only go into apartments and the average client was a single mom, 3 kids, struggling to make ends meet, now we’re seeing more and more middle aged professionals who have been laid off and can’t get hired (too experienced, company wants someone younger). I completely believe you. Please call the local Catholic Church in your area, and ask for assistance. It is there for you, not just handouts, but people that will care about you and help you out of the hole you’re in.
Listen, I’m a conservative, always will be. I am frustrated at the political mess on both sides, but these days liberals and conservatives are at each other’s throats, and that is simply wrong. Slow down, realize we’re all souls, and we’re this together. Then we can start to fix it, or we can keep tearing each other apart, and then will end badly. I will say a prayer for each of you, and willl continue to pray for our country, but please stop and help those in need, even the folks with masters and 30 years experience, they’re in some of the toughest spots as a lot of mid-management jobs have been wiped out and aren’t coming back.
Good Grief
February 8th, 2012
2:50 pm
GJKaren,
“I choose to follow what is good and right, and stay in the light of truth, and I choose life. Everyone’s life, right, left, liberal, conservative.”
So is it safe to assume that you are opposed to the death penalty? To me it is the only intellectually honest position for you to take in light of the above comment.
“I will pray for your poor misguided souls to change your ways and live in the light and change this country.”
What criteria have you used in determining that others are “poor misguided souls”? Your personal interpretation of the Good Book? I don’t know but to me, that seems kind of arrogant and subjective.
Good Grief
February 8th, 2012
2:52 pm
In your most recent post you state that, and I’m paraphrasing here, you don’t judge others. But I am a misguided soul because I don’t believe in a being in a heaven far far away guiding my path?
I hope you can see that you have clearly judged me.
Karen Handel and the upside of unemployment in a down economy | Political Insider
February 8th, 2012
5:46 pm
[...] Broadcasting Network — Pat Robertson’s outfit — was on the line. They’d read Handel’s comments on ajc.com, and wanted to put a camera in front of [...]
Karen Handel and the upside of unemployment in a down economy
February 8th, 2012
7:14 pm
[...] The Christian Broadcasting Network — Pat Robertson’s outfit — was on the line. They’d read Handel’s comments on ajc.com, and wanted to put a camera in front of [...]
InAtl
February 8th, 2012
7:16 pm
@Good Grief: In your most recent post you state that, and I’m paraphrasing here, you don’t judge others. But I am a misguided soul because I don’t believe in a being in a heaven far far away guiding my path?
I hope you can see that you have clearly judged me.”
Wow, what tortured logic!!