There’s a war going on and no, I’m talking about the one in Afghanistan. I mean the one that’s being waged against a woman’s right to make her own reproductive choices. The latest battle pits the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research vs. Planned Parenthood. Earlier this week, the Foundation board of directors led by an unsuccessful pro-life gubernatorial candidate voted to pull their funding of Planned Parenthood. Now, they claim they yanked the funds because Planned Parenthood is under federal investigation. Mind you, the investigation is being led by a pro-life Republican Senator. It was NOT POLITICAL claimed the paid puppet on MSNBC today to Andrea Mitchell. Ok. Then why haven’t they pulled the plug on the funding for Penn State, which also happens to be under federal investigation?
Good thing is, the response has been swift and direct. The Komen Facebook page has been filled with posts from people opposed to the decision. Two high-ranking officials have resigned and several state chapters of the Foundation have spoken out against the National Board. The best result is that Planned Parenthood has raised more than enough to cover the loss of the funds. Even New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg donated $250,000. That’s more than awesome, but like I said this is one battle in a wide ranging war.
Unfortunately, there has been a State by State campaign to defund Planned Parenthood. The Anti-Choice front has moved to attack on as many fronts as possible. Even though federal money can’t be used to fund abortions, Anti-abortionists have attempted to dismantle Planned Parenthood at every level possible. Forget the fact that Planned Parenthood provides cancer screenings (including mammograms), the idea that it also dispenses affordable birth control and performs abortions means that has to be destroyed.
It’s sickening to think that a charitable organization can be bullied by political pressure into not helping women who deserve these services the most. I personally didn’t know anything about breast cancer until I went to Planned Parenthood and received information about it. Since my first visit nearly fifteen years ago, I still do a monthly check of my tatas in the shower as directed. Just think of the women who have been saved because of the very same information. Then think of the alternative: Countless women being denied a chance to save themselves.
Feel any way you want to about abortion. I really don’t care. If you don’t believe in abortion, don’t ever have one. But stop trying to prevent women from making their own choices. One person’s ideology shouldn’t cause another to possibly lose their life. Planned Parenthood has helped so many women lead healthier lives. If the Komen Foundation no longer wants to be a part of that, then so be it. I just need for the Powers That Be behind this decision to be honest with themselves and the rest of America. It was more important for them to appear good, than to actually do good.
