Americans are really fickle beings, aren't they? I mean, when we want something that seems to be good for us (i.e., "Abstinence Only Education") we expect the government to pay for it - and they do. But expect to take the good with the bad? We can't do that - can we?
I remember hearing about Planned Parenthood in high school. Good Old "Abstinence Only" education had worked its wonders - leaving nearly 12 members of my graduating class pregnant or already with children before entering their senior year. Finally, one teacher (a male history teacher - my idol, and my Cross Country and Track coach) took it upon himself to bring several pamphlets from Planned Parenthood into homeroom one day and passed them out to everyone.
This might not seem like such a huge deal to some, but I went to high school in a small town in rural Connecticut - the closest Planned Parenthood for him to have gotten these pamphlets was nearly an hour's drive away. So trust me when I say we appreciated his efforts immensely.
Now - in these pamphlets, 15 years ago, was very little - if any - mention of abortion. There was a lot of talk about condoms, sponges, diaphragms...myths about other methods of birth control (such as the "pulling out" method) and facts that we simply didn't know. The largest mention of abortion was in a small square at the back of the pamphlet that read "Whatever choice you make - it'll be the right one."
Now, of course, we all knew what that meant. That meant that if people got pregnant and chose to keep the baby, Planned Parenthood would be there to help...and if they chose not to have the baby...Planned Parenthood would be there to help. This help would be in addition to (or in place of) any other support or help offered to future parents.
And it would come at no cost to the young mother-to-be...which can be a major factor when you're still in high school (or younger) and battling such a decision. I mean, it's one thing to choose to have the baby because of religious beliefs, moral values, or even just cultural lifestyles. But to have it because your choice was taken away from you?
Gee...how very American of us.
Mike Pence (R-Ind.) is proposing an ammendment to the bill that funds the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services to prohibit federal funding for Planned Parenthood, claiming:
"I just think it's wrong that the largest abortion provider in America is the largest recipient of non-abortion funding under Title X,"
Of course, if you read the article...there are no citations or sources offered by Pence to back up his assertion that Planned Parenthood is in fact the largest abortion provider in America; nor is there any proof offered that they are using non-abortion funding to cover the costs of abortion:
Any federal money flowing into Planned Parenthoods coffers might as well go to pay for the abortions Planned Parenthood performs. According to its annual report, Planned Parenthood received almost a third of its annual $1 billion budget from federal grants and contracts. In 2005, it performed more than 260,000 abortions in the United States.
"I'm willing to take at face value (Planned Parenthood's) assertion that they are not using non-abortion Title X funding to actually perform or promote abortions," Pence said. "But I also want to recognize that money that they generate that would have to go to support non-abortion family planning can now be moved, because of the federal dollars, into providing and promoting abortion."
In other words, because Planned Parenthood does receive federal funding, and also generates funding from other sources, Pence is assuming that they will simply begin reallocating funds from the non-abortion funding to promote and perform abortions.
Why assume something like that? If I based all of my decisions on what people (or businesses) might do simply because they could do it - I would never leave my fucking house! Because the cashier at Wal-mart could have a bad day and decide to pull a gun and shoot me...a plane could be flown by a suicidal pilot and crash on top of my car...my husband could go out and cheat on me.
"It's time the American people know that the largest recipient of Title X funding in America is the largest abortion provider as well," Pence said. "It's time to pass the Pence Amendment to keep taxpayer money out of the hands of Planned Parenthood."
Has he even considered that if Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of abortions, that maybe it's because more people trust them and go to them for their services? Percentages, such as how many of its clients actually have abortions, were never cited or given - but I'm willing to bet that they are relatively proportional with their client base. Nor has he ever even mentioned how many clients use Planned Parenthood for other reasons than abortions. How many young girls go there and seek prenatal care? How many go there simply for education on how not to get pregnant?
How many boys go there to grab a handful of free condoms because it's the only place they can be remotely discreet about it, and not have to answer questions?
There are plenty of other ways to make sure that the funding is used appropriately without resorting to simply taking it away - which is a rather childish option anyway. With the government misappropriating funds left and right to suit their own needs...perhaps they should first start scrutinizing themselves before they start picking (for lack of a better word) on the organizations that are actually there to help people.
Personally, I don't care what Planned Parenthood uses my tax money for - as long as they aren't out bombing clinics. If one girl who was raped has an abortion and was able to move on with her life - then it's worth it. If one girl failed to avoid pregnancy and gave her new baby up for adoption through the help of Planned Parenthood, then it's worth it. And if one girl was able to avoid pregnancy all together because her horny boyfriend stopped off for a handful of condoms before she would finally say yes - then it's worth it.
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This is a pretty amazing blog. You should print out the whole thing and mail it to some representatives. Or email if you can; it's quicker.
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The most effective way to get your representatives to read and respond to your communications is to hand-write a neat, professional-looking letter and send it to their physical in-district office through snail mail from the address of a registered voter that is likewise located in their home district.
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You say these pamphlets were from 15 years ago...Planned Parenthood could have, and likely has, changed in those 15 years.
Excellent point - which is exactly why I clarified that it was 15 years ago.
But - even with all the advances in technology and communications, advertising and marketing today - their "abortion promoting" is still significantly smaller than other services they promote.
Even for those people who would claim that emergency contraception is another form of abortion - adding the two sections together is still much smaller than the other articles talking about adoption, prenatal care, health issues (such as Colposcopy in women and testicular cancer in men), information on STDs, and even educational resources for educators and parents.
There's no doubt that Planned Parenthood has changed, progressed, or grown in 15 years...but the fact remains that abortion is still rather low on their list.
And to anyone else - before you read the page and spout off "well, abortion is the first article listed - so they must be pushing it" I'd also like to point out that the articles are in Alphabetical Order.
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"when you have nothing else to say, "Fwonk" is always the perfect thing."
"yeah well, fwonk"
--Devon
Fanaile Essence
Just to clarify to everyone, emergency contraception is not abortion, not even by strict moralist standards that consider that life starts at fertilization. Emergency contraception (emphasis on contraception) prevents fertilization and hence, from actually conceiving.
Common sense is as rare as genius. ~Emerson
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Yea I was thinking that. I am totally against abortion, but emergency contraceptives is definitely not abortion. Fertilization has yet to take place. It's just like taking birth control pills.
"In a world where we all can't make up our minds, we are definitely too sure of ourselves."
J for the juicy truth
I actually argued that with a teacher. I flat-out told her that EC prevents conception and is NOT a method of abortion, but she refuses to believe me, and told me I was wrong and "immoral" for knowing the truth.
To which I pointed out that I'm as "immoral" as they come - yay atheist! The discussion stopped there.
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(Latest blog. )
You say you are totally against abortion, but then why do you support contraceptives? They can be taken up to five days after, maybe even more for some, five days is definitely enough time for fertilization to take place and that is another life lost then. So I am just curious, what about abortion are you against? (Just to clarify, I am completely against abortion as well, so congratulations, I am just curious about your reasons to allow contraceptives.)
Contraceptives are not abortive in any way.
The morning after pill only works to prevent the sperm from reaching the egg. If you take it after the sperm has already made it's way to the egg, it has no effect whatsoever.
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You are the Voice of the Childwen of the Revowution! [Toulouse, Moulin Rouge]
are you talking about the "morning after" pill (Plan B, emergency contraception)? Because if fertilization has already taken place, it doesn't work to prevent a pregnancy. That's why you're supposed to take it within 5 days, although you really should take it within 72 hours
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Abortion is not something that planned parenthood is trying to push on people. It is an option that they have available. I know for a fact that most of the funds going to planned parenthood go mostly to the other services that are offered and rendered. They have in-house nurses (and even some with doctors) that are probably not the highest paid of the profession but PROFESSIONALS still cost alot of money. They are one the countries leading suppliers of contraceptives to young people. They do not get those for free... sure they have contracts with companies and will always accept legitimate donations but they give out alot more condoms than abortions. Abortion is available from planned parenthood MAINLY for THESE reasons A) People get raped and become pregnant. Most people do not want that child because it reminds them of the rapist. and B) Some people REALLY REALLY REALLY should not be having children and they know it. Bravo! I applaud these people because they are not bringing their children into a world where they dont know if they will be treated correctly or dont know if they will be able to feed them or can even do it at all. And the final is C) Some people DONT WANT children. They WILL NOT give the child attention no matter how able they are and they understand this. Maybe this is a little selfish but Id rather them not have kids personally to see those kids grow up without parents that are ever there.. Thats why it is a choice. The main reason why people should not try to shut down planned parenthood is because SOME PEOPLE WILL GET ABORTIONS ANYWAYS, EVEN IF IT IS ILLEGAL. We need to keep public health safety in mind here.
-5mil
A) How many women on a yearly basis get raped and impregneted?
B) If a person knows that they cannot support the child, why not adoption.
C) If a person knows they will not be a good parent, again, why not adoption.
"my first name must be, "He aint sh@t", cause everytime I come through, yall be like "He aint sh@t"!....I'll be dat" --Redman
"Anything that can go wrong, Will go wrong"----Murphy's Law
A) How many women on a yearly basis get raped and impregneted?
From what I've heard, the actual chances of being raped - especially violently, and getting impregnated is relatively low. It happens in (I think) something like 6% of rape cases. Maybe even fewer, I'll estimate on the low end and even say it's 3%.
Now, according to a report released by the Department of Justice There were 94,635 forcible rapes reported in the United States in the year 2004. That number does not include statutory rapes or general date rapes - just forcible, violent rapes. It is also only the number of rapes reported.
So, at 3%, approximately 2,840 women in the United States became pregnant via a violent rape. Sure, it's not a lot in the whole scheme of things, less than 10,000 people... But that's the beauty of a Constitutional Republic... Minority wins - their rights are protected.
B) If a person knows that they cannot support the child, why not adoption.
C) If a person knows they will not be a good parent, again, why not adoption.
Adoption doesn't always work - and it's not for everyone. Just as I would not tell every soon to be mother out there that wasn't ready to have a baby that they should go through the pain of abortion - I also would not tell every soon to be mother that they have to put their bodies through a 9 month period of gestation, labor and delivery (not to mention the recovery).
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"when you have nothing else to say, "Fwonk" is always the perfect thing."
"yeah well, fwonk"
--Devon
Fanaile Essence
A) I didnt know that many women are forcably raped, and impregnated. 3000 is enough.
B & C) When it comes to most things in society, people will say that you reap what you sow. However, when it comes to pregnancy, which is the reason for our existance, people have seemingly given the OK to hit the reset button. I think that the reliance on abortions are accually causing more teen/young pregnancies.
Also I find it startling that the same people who condone abortions, would also convict a person of double murder, if that person killed a pregnant woman. Not that I am in support of murderers, but I think that we need not set double standards.
"my first name must be, "He aint sh@t", cause everytime I come through, yall be like "He aint sh@t"!....I'll be dat" --Redman
"Anything that can go wrong, Will go wrong"----Murphy's Law
1) The laws I've seen for double murder of a pregnant woman are only applicable if the fetus could live outside the womb, which is usually third trimester, when very, very few abortions happen. If someone kills a woman that's only 3 weeks pregnant, the person is not going to be charged with double homocide. I'm against abortions in the third trimester... if you wait that long to have an abortion, then you might as well go through it all.
2) People seem to forget that pregnancy carries some huge risks to a woman. She could very well die from the pregnancy, or the delivery of the baby, or suffer huge post-partum depression during recovery. She can get gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and eclampsia, and a host of other problems just because she's pregnant. Why make a woman who does not want that risk go through it? That's like exposing a woman to malaria and expecting her to just deal with the consequences.
Also, some women just can't afford prenatal care... it is extremely expensive to get prenatal care, and not all women have access to great organizations like Planned Parenthood. Poor prenatal care means poor baby health, along with poor mommy health.
And people are being stupid, so I can't remember what else I wanted to say...
~C
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First of all, if people don't want children they shouldn't be having sex in the first place. That's not what it is for. Sex is for reproduction. You don't see animals out there just having sex all the time because they feel like it. No, they do it to pass on their genes to the future generations. Humans are above all the other animals in the sense that we have a soul and can make conscious decisions rather than continuously acting on instinct. Having sex and then killing the offspring is definitely not something that puts us above the rest! So if someone doesn't want children or really shouldn't have them, then they shouldn't be having sex. I do realize, though, that this is idealistic, and that those who want to have sex still will no matter what - hence all of the abortions. And I also realized that there is the horrible issue of rape. But there is help other than ridding oneself of the child. There are so many people out there who care and would love to help, there are many companies such as Life Care Centers that will truly help you. You have all been talking about how great Planned Parenthood is, but they do still perform about 182,850 surgical abortions per year, whereas the Life Care Centers do not perform any. That definitely makes the Life Care Centers more trustworthy if one is going looking for the true facts. You say Planned Parenthood is not trying to push abortions, which they may not be, but I definitely have never heard of someone putting a baby up for adoption because Planned Parenthood suggested it!
First of all, if people don't want children they shouldn't be having sex in the first place.
Please, read Kiota's blog regarding this old argument.
Sex is for reproduction
among other things. I'm pretty sure infertile couples don't abstain because there's just no point.
You don't see animals out there just having sex all the time because they feel like it.
bonobos and dolphins do. So do other animals. Some animals display homosexual behavior--I'm not too sure that's gonna produce some babies any time soon. Animals display as many sexual actions as humans, and more. Oral sex, masturbation, cross-species sex, older animals having sex with young animals, there are even animals who display fetishes.
You have all been talking about how great Planned Parenthood is, but they do still perform about 182,850 surgical abortions per year, whereas the Life Care Centers do not perform any. That definitely makes the Life Care Centers more trustworthy if one is going looking for the true facts.
as opposed to the false information promoted by planned parenthood? I'd like to see some. Life Care isn't more trustworthy, it's just another option available.
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I love the idea of Planned Parenthood. Alot of my friends have chosen to use this rather than abortion. Im a guy, so I don't completely understand the girls point of view. But still I believe that things like PP are much better than abortion.
Only one problem. Don't systems like PP and birth control encourage us to have sex more? We feel safer because of the free money and ways to decrease the chance of pregnancy. Nothing wrong with sex of course, but more sex=more babies, birth control or not!
I agree with you that anything Planned Parenthood is doing to support life, as in not having abortions is fantastic. But yes, I also agree that, even if unintentionally, they encourage teens especially to have more sex because "there is always something you can do about it." And just to clarify to everyone, I am not some "anti-sex enthusiast or something. I truly believe that it is a wonderful thing. It just has to be used appropriately - a. within marriage, and b. for reproduction. By this I mean that the couple must be open to having children and therefore will not use contraceptives and abort the child. They don't have to be having sex just because they want children, for pleasure is fine - as long as it is within marriage and is used appropriately.
what about homosexuals?
Since you believe that sex act should happen in a marriage only than it is logically to conclude that you support gay marriage because that would allow homosexuals to had sex.
Your blog is wonderful. It has a lot of good information. I had never even heard about the talk of defunding Plan Parenthood. I amnot sure what side I am on yet, I think I need to find out more information, but you have sparked my interest and I am going to continue to do research on it. THank you.
I absolutely KNOW that if another republican gets into the oval office, you could be seeing Planned Parenthoods money vanish in a cloud of Kuwaitti oil smoke. Another reason for all you young liberals to get out there and vote. To lose Planned Parenthood would be a TERRIBLE thing. Taking away choices is the first step to Fascism.
Oh and welcome back to blogging!
:-h
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"One of the things that draws writers to writing, is that they can get things right that they got wrong in real life, by writing about them"
~ Tobias Wolffe
I think your blog was great and I am a supporter of Planned Parenthood as well. It's amazing that their are people out there who are willing to make a life changing desicion for a woman they do not know. The services they provide have allowed many women to avoid and/or abort unwanted pregnancies. Your blog is amazing.
~Kristine
"Lets strive to be our best self, for we do that better than anyone else."
Awesome post! I, too, don't care where Planned Parenthood applies their funding. Planned Parenthood has always been active in the community and a wonderful source of safe sex education. Their organization has always been sure to provide as much fact based information as they can find when they work with high school and college kids.
Perhaps I am biased because I have always been such a strong supported of Planned Parenthood. Regardless, I think there organization is an asset to the community who definitely needs and deserves government funding. When I went to college the first time (a LONG time ago) I volunteered for Planned Parenthood and had a blast dressing up in a captain condom costume and handing out free condoms and informational literature to the students on campus. These activities rarely included the topic of abortion, but rather, stressed safe sex practices, statistical facts, and figures.
Rep. Pence is just using this as a tactic to stop abortions from happeing in the United States. He voted against embryonic stem cell research and for the Partial Birth Abortion Ban. He doesn't care about young women, only about promoting his Christian "values".
As an aside, there is no such thing as a "partial birth" abortion, there is only a prodecure called dilation and extraction that is used in cases where a fetus going to be stillborn and to prevent birth complications the fetus is removed through this procedure.
Common sense is as rare as genius. ~Emerson
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There is definitely such a thing as partial birth abortion. I would describe the process on here, but it is very graphic and I don't want to get in any trouble with this site. Just Google it and you will find descriptions of the procedure. And it is not just for babies who will be stillborn. Until laws were passed against it, it was for anyone who was further along in their pregnancy and could not get the "normal" abortion process that is done during the first trimester because the baby's head is too big to pass through. This type of abortion is unarguably murder. It happens long after the baby's heart is beating, and can even occur after the date of viability (which means that the baby could be born at the time and is developed enough that it could survive on its own).
Also, BECAUSE he cares about women he is doing these things. Abortions do horrible things to the woman's body as well. Women are created with the innate desire for motherhood and for caring for other humans. Just look at all of the women who had abortions and regret it because they went into severe depression. And who pulled them through? Well, it definitely wasn't Planned Parenthood! They are practically done with the woman after the abortion. Also, look at all the woman who have died from legal abortions! If you think supporting abortions is the way to care for women you are severely wrong. Yes it gives them a "choice," but it doesn't CARE for them or have their best interest in mind. And really, it is not cornering them and giving them no choices, they did, after all, have the choice to have sex in the first place. (rape victims are an exception from the specific choice discussed in the last comment)
"Partial birth abortion" is a political term created by conservatives and isn't a recognized medical term. Type it into Wikipedia and you get an explanation of D&E abortions and the history of the term "partial birth abortion".
As an FYI, there is also no such thing as "post-abortion syndrome" as you indicate in your reply.
Abortions are a medical procedure that carries risk like any medical procedure. You can die from a apendectomy or tonsilectomy, but that doesn't mean they are immoral or shouldn't be performed.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers perpetuate myths like "post-abortion sydrome" and the idea that abortions will wreck your ability to have more kids or that they'll give you breast cancer. It's all wrong. CPC's try their hardest to get young women to not have abortions by using misinformation and scare tactics. It's really quite sickening. Planned Parenthood provides correct information and give young women all their options.
There is nothing unnatural about a women who doesn't want to have kids or who wants to postpone having kids until later on.
Common sense is as rare as genius. ~Emerson
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This is a great blog. I have to admit that when I was high school I organized a little rally in front of my neighborhood Planned Parenthood. The first word that came to mind when hearing Planned Parenthood is "abortion". But I didn't realize all the other things they do for men and women. I shouldve held the rally somewhere else.
eh
By the way people who protested against us weren't the nicest people at all, we got spat at, and cussed out. But we were ok. lol
"In a world where we all can't make up our minds, we are definitely too sure of ourselves."
J for the juicy truth
They're right about Planned Parenthood being the "biggest abortion provider," but that's only because Planned Parenthood is the only nationwide family planning charity in the US. Still, 260,000 abortions = about 20-25% of all abortions. Most abortions are done in independent abortion clinics, not Planned Parenthood clinics.
And the implication that Planned Parenthood can do more abortions because they have Title X to pay for everything else is COMPLETE BULLSHIT. Title X money can not go to abortions, period. Title X and abortion has to be completely separate. They aren't even allowed to use Title X funds at the same clinics that do abortions!
If Planned Parenthood is stripped of its Title X money, they will be forced to close many of their birth-control-only clinics (most of their clinics don't perform abortions), which means fewer women will have access to birth control, and more will need abortions.
I completely agree with Esuffern, this is just Pence's attempt to remove the largest national provider of abortions from the scene...
However...this move will do nothing but discredit Pence himself...by attempting to defund Planned Parenthood he clearly violates his own stance on the issue.
Regrettably, as the tittle of this comment insinuated...most people will be simply to lazy to notice this...
Planned Parenthood in many areas also provides low-cost gynecological and std screening and prevention services for men and women. If you are a single mother without health insurance Planned Parenthood is literally a lifesaver in some situations.
Jeez, please get this to your representative. Reducing funds to Planned Parenthood is just a ball of mistakes waiting to happen. Does anyone remember FREEDOM OF CHOICE? They're there for those who NEED them. It's not PRO-ABORTION, it's called PRO-CHOICE.
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Dream is destiny [Waking Life]
Valid argument and I completely agree with your stance. However, out of curiousity, and because I personally cannot decide on the issue. What is the best way to teach our youth about sex education? Should it be the job of the school system? I feel it is not, but I see no alternative besides the ideal situation, parental guidance, which sadly isn't an option for too many of our American youth.
but I see no alternative besides the ideal situation, parental guidance, which sadly isn't an option for too many of our American youth.
Absolutely true...
It would be idyllic if more parents were able to (or willing to) educate their children about sexual matters. Some are just incapable of such education, either because they aren't sure themselves or they just don't know all there is to know. Others are so uncomfortable with the thought that they just put it off - sometimes until it's too late.
But this is also why it's so important that Planned Parenthood stay open. They offer assistance and guidance to parents in regard to teaching their children about sex and all that it entails. Planned Parenthood is just as important for parents as it is for soon-to-be parents, no matter their age.
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"when you have nothing else to say, "Fwonk" is always the perfect thing."
"yeah well, fwonk"
--Devon
Fanaile Essence
we really do need to be concerned about what funding is given to these kinds of organizations. Without funding they cannot provide the services that our government already neglects to do. For example the planned parenthood by me no longer gives out free condoms or birth control.
I'm growing up in a highly conservative little suburb in Michigan. I understand what you went through, lol. However, I'm not fortunate enough to have a teacher tell me about Planned Parenthood. I'm mature enough now to know about protection and all that good stuff, but I don't agree with Abstinence Only sex ed. I think both should be taught. We should be taught how to protect ourselves. Since the Abstinence Only sex ed system the teen pregnacy percentage has gone up. I think it's because most just don't understand.
[Krst]
This Planned Parenthood organization sounds like a great idea. Abstinence only just isn't cutting it anymore. I mean heck, the teenagers of any generation are rebellious as anything. Maybe there should be Negative Reinforcement Eduction. "2 + 2 does not equal four..."
Okay, I'm getting off track here. It's probably time to hit that "submit comment" button now.
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Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
The only way to get teenagers to listen to you is to be open and honest with them. I know: i am one. At my high school our sex ed. was all beating around the bush and euphemisms. I do not support abortion, but I don't think we can eliminate it either. Or eliminate people's right of free agency. There are cases where even religious organizations will sanction abortion, and it's different in every case.
It is a shame that Planned Parenthood has become synonymous only with abortions, as they provide so many other important services, most of which are targeted at actually preventing pregnancy, STI's and simply providing a safe place for youth and adults alike. As an HIV/AIDS Educator I have definitely encountered people who are against condoms, believing that there is something morally wrong with protecting oneself from not only becoming pregnant but also possibly becoming infected with an STI. While abstinence is definitely right for some people, especially young teenagers, for some this type of education can only go so far. Therefore, the ABC's are essential for sex education (Abstinence, Be Faithful and Condoms). I just wish the Bush administration would be less naive.
Can i start off by saying that this is a well written ,informative, thought provoking blog? I can? Thanks... This is a well written, informative, thought provoking blog! :)
I can't agree more!
Planned Parenthood does so much more than abortions and does not promote the use of abortions as a form of contraceptive in any way.
I feel that this is just another politician writing up an ignorant , uninformed bill to show that he is committed to his (i assume) pro-life cause.
Thanks for the post!
-Antonea
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. -George Bernard Shaw
Loved every word. :] Five stars, definitely!
I think this was a very well-written, well thought-out post, and I agree with you completely, on all accounts.
Well done!
"Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it, and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light." ~ Joseph Pulitzer
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A lot of these blogs are really amazing, and it's great to see the progressive attitudes concerning women and their right not only to choose and to privacy but to essential health care services. Regardless of where you stand on the morality of abortion, to lose the services provided by Planned Parenthood would be an irreversible detriment to the health and well-being of our society as a whole. I once read an article in a magazine written by a woman who performed abortions. When some of her friends and family members asked her how she could ever have chosen such an 'immoral' occupation, she confidently answered, "because I remember what it was like before the option for legal abortion existed." Desperation- a common sentiment among young pregnant women- can lead to some very scary, dangerous outcomes. Not to mention the way a ban on these free services would disproportionately punish the poor ( those who have enough money seem to be able to find their way out of these types of difficult situations).This particular woman was proud to be in a position to ease the immense fear and helplessness she saw in so many of her young patients. The most important part of the article was understanding that she not only performed abortions in a healthy, safe way, but she comforted and advised these women on all of their options enabling them to make the choice the truly felt would be best for them. Planned Parenthood is an essential aspect of general women's health. They are an educational organization that helps thousands of people every day. For what better reason does government-sponsored funding exist than to help those who don't have the means to help themselves? To cut their funding would be a gross concession of governmental responsibility to promote the well-being of society. This issue obviously transcends partisan debate over the issue of abortion (although the congressman mentioned in the article is obviously unaware of this fact/ doesn't care). This is about educating young people on how to protect themselves and there is absolutely no excuse for turning it into something it's not- a debate on the legality/morality of abortion. Something that is unquestionably immoral, however, is to deny underprivileged or scared adolescents the option of safe contraceptives and applicable, nonjudgmental education and help in a very frightening, life-altering situation.
It always make me mad that people would accuse Planned Parenthood as abortion enterprise who goals is to make million of money off of innocent women.
Planned parenthood is 75% privately funded and the 25% money that they receive is used for women who can't afford contraceptive.
Also, Emergency Contraceptive or EC is not an abortion pill. It causes the uterus to go into an emergency menstruation or a period no matter what cycle they are in their period thus preventing fertilization.
Some people said it is an abortion because the uterus that went into an emergency period had prevented a fertilize egg from implanting into the uterus.
It is ironic about this is that these people are anti abortion but support the death penalty, the occupation in Iraq, and health care for women, be they pregnant or not.
That's a big assumption for you to make - that those who are anti abortion are all for the death penalty, and whatever else. I am pro-life, including against the death penalty.
The occupation in Iraq is a very different topic from abortion and the death penalty because we did not go there TO kill people. We are doing what we needed to do to protect our country, and to help the other country. The majority of the people in Iraq appreciate the US stepping in, they just don't show that on the news because the news is almost all about bad stuff that happens.
And I don't really know what you are talking about with the health care because it seems like that would be a good thing - but again, I don't quite know what you are referring to.
I'm going to go off topic here and comment on your mention of the Iraq war.
"We are doing what we needed to do to protect our country"? I fail to see how going to Iraq was necessary to protect our country, which is a half a world away.
"...and to help the other country." So it's our job to babysit other people/countries? What about all the problems here?
"Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it, and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light." ~ Joseph Pulitzer
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/k-mal
The blog raises many good points that are obviously filled with good intentions. As child-bearers, we women have a great responsibility. And hence, we ought to make responsible choices.
Planned Parenthood, if it will be true to it's name, has to first educate young people on how to be good and responsible parents. They have to be able to convey a sense of awe for the sex act, which at its best is an expression of love. They should be able to communicate a respect for the life that is a fruit of that loving act. They have to instill in the minds of young men and women the ramifications of parenting a child. Too many people are having sex without thinking of having babies. And when these innocent babies are conceived, they are perceived as burdens...as hindrances to complete sexual pleasure. They become merely choices to be avoided.
Planned Parenthood has been very successful not just in curbing unwanted pregnancies but also in fermenting a culture that is addicted to sex and hostile to babies. Pregnancy is something good and beautiful. It is sad to see it treated as a disease--as some sort of plague that must be avoided. In one of the paragraphs posted in the blog, it says:
"...If one girl who was raped has an abortion and was able to move on with her life - then it's worth it. If one girl failed to avoid pregnancy and gave her new baby up for adoption through the help of Planned Parenthood, then it's worth it. And if one girl was able to avoid pregnancy all together because her horny boyfriend stopped off for a handful of condoms before she would finally say yes - then it's worth it."
I am pretty sure that these lines are filled with concern for the persons mentioned. I just wish that people will truly see that parenthood means being disposed to choose the best thing for one's child...and it's never death.
Well, actually if an unborn child is afflicted with a genetic disease or disorder that would prevent them from achieving even a moderate quality of life it could be argued that an abortion would be the best choice for the child.
Common sense is as rare as genius. ~Emerson
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Sen. Pence is clearly being misleading. I think we are looking too much into Pence's motivations (which is probably from a religious or moral foundation).
I don't think Planned Parenthood will be going by the wayside anytime soon because the Democrats are in control of Congress and though weak as they are, they aren't weak enough to allow cuts to such programs as these. Its really disappointing to see politicians continually introduce and advocate bad policies like Abstinence Only education, in which a recent Congressional Study concluded Abstinence only education does not work) and yet still advocate such bad ideas.
By the way his bill is really bad economics. When in a recession you want to cut government spending? *tsk *tsk
Whatever happened to good, intelligent, governance?
Its all very well in practice but it will never work in theory."
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/daimler
suggest abstinence when I took the sex ed classes. They just taught about the act and what came with it. My school district is not supposed to suggest you do or don't have sex. It's quite surprising actually. They showed a video of a lady giving birth, which was horrifying for several of us, a thermo type dealy of a man ejaculating inside of a woman (this was even more horrifying. All I could do was think about the people who did this for educational use, why they did it, and why we were seeing it.) It was retarded. I learned how a baby was made. I learned that you got a baby if you practiced "un-safe" sex.
My mother was the one who told me to "wait till marriage" to have sex, that since then has changed to "your responsible for your decisions after you turn 18"
Society has changed it's view on sex and adolescence. Sex = natural. Abortion= bad.
How we figure it out is up to church.
...and it was a fantastic experience. I don't have health insurance and need to be on birth control, but my current doctor wouldn't prescribe it to me unless I had a new Pap Smear. Well, to go into all that without insurance is like cutting my head off and saying, "Here you go, feast!!"
So I went to PP and they were cool, understanding, compassionate, and figured out a low costing plan for me and my little income. Sure, there were funny posters about condoms hanging up, but there were also posters about abstinence. I actually never once saw a poster about abortion.
Also, I found a pink journal in the waiting room for patients to read. The entries were written by all the people who were seen at the office, and you wouldn't believe how grateful some of these girls were. Some were just there for a check-up, and some were there because their friends had miscarriages and had no where else to go.
I bet if a lot of people who oppose government funding for PP read that journal, they might change their mind.....especially if they have a daughter or son.
Times flies like the wind; fruit flies like a banana.
There is the little issue of planned parenhood being willing to accept money specifically for the purpsoe of aborting black babies
Abortionists defend agreeing to target blacks
I think that incident alone should be enough to justify defunding Planned Parenthood.
I am pro-choice but I don't think the almost 50% of our populations should be taxed to pay for what they consider to be murder. If somebody wants an abortion the taxpayers should not be on the hook for it.
So the question that comes to my mind immediately, is whether or not this was an isolated incident, or if it represents something that is intrinsic to the organization. I wonder, because (and though your article doesn't mention this, I found a reference to it, here) it appears that the pro-life organization that recorded this call actually contacted multiple Planned Parenthood offices across seven states, but only managed to get one operator on one occasion to "agree" to the requests of their actor who was impersonating a racist donor. And, having read a transcript of that conversation, I have to say that the tactics they used to obtain this "agreement" are more than a little questionable. The conversation is leading, and all of the actually "racist" comments were made solely by the caller.
I think the worker responded badly, and I think that Planned Parenthood did the right thing by suspending her, but I also think that this kind of entrapment does not lead to an honest picture of Planned Parenthood as an organization. This kind of spin, where an isolated error that clearly violated the organization's policies is presented as if it were representative of a systematic agenda is just the kind of disingenuous bullshit that makes it difficult to afford any serious credibility to the accusations of "pro-life" groups like The Advocate.
TTFN,
Blackout
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Yes, I've changed my username from "percivale" to "Blackout." Go here if you want to know why.
Re-read the article you posted. There were two incidents: one in Idaho for which I posted the transcript and one in Ohio that is more questionable.
I agree that the journalistic techniques is questionable but that is the age we live in. This is similar to the techniques used by "To Catch a Predator" on TV and those folks are frequently prosecuted.
They have used similar techniques to investigate whether Planned Parenthood complies with other laws.
From the article I posted above:
Should an organization that pervasively (almost without exception) counsels people on how to break the law and is willing to participate in that lawbreaking be receiving public funding? My feeling is that someone should be being prosecuted for conspiracy.
...and so I did a good bit of research about this story before responding. So far, I have only been able to find a credible copy of the transcript of the one incident. That leads me to believe that the other "incident" that was reported probably isn't all that The Advocate implies. If it were, I suspect they would be plastering it all over the net, just as they have with the call in Idaho. But, let's suppose that they do have two legitimate "incidents" to complain about. The articles and interviews with The Advocate do not mention, for example, how many calls they placed, nor do they enlighten us as to how many times their calls were terminated or how many times their requests were denied. Why is that? I would suggest it is because the goal of The Advocate in this case is not to provide an accurate, reason-based criticism of Planned Parenthood, at all. Rather, their goal is simply to smear the organization, and inflammatory news articles based on questionable journalism are better for that than hard, honest facts.
They are frequently prosecuted, true...but they are also very often acquited due to the inadmissibility of evidence gained through entrapment. There is a reason that people give more credibility to the stories that they read in The New York Times than they do stories they read in The National Enquirer. A reporter with an axe to grind is simply more likely to create the story that they want to find out of the available facts, rather than presenting the story in an honest an objective fashion. It seems to me that's what we have here.
There's just a couple of problems with your second accusation...in fact, quite a few States have laws that render it perfectly legal for a minor to obtain an abortion without the notification or consent of the parents. And a number of others still have notification and consent laws on the books, but have had those laws enjoined from enforcement by a ruling in the courts. The exact number is somewhat volatile (as new laws are passed and struck down on almost a yearly basis in some states). Now...in general, I am opposed to non-notification and non-consent laws for minors (meaning, I think that a parent has the right to know and to make medical decisions for their minor charges), but the simple fact is that the laws of many States disagree. And, without something specific to back up these charges (which if they were based in fact could and probably would have resulted in criminal charges), I am prone to consider the accusations to be less than credible, taken in light of the general tone of dishonesty which seems to pervade the pro-life groups that make them.
Also, I am aware of NO States that require a victim of a rape (statutory or otherwise) to report or file charges against her attacker. In fact, it is common practice in rape response to empower the victim to get treatment, even if it means that the predator goes free. Many victims will refuse treatment if they fear the consequences of reporting the incident. Medical personnel are not police officers, and their goal is to provide treatment to the injured, not catch criminals.
Basically, all I am saying is that accusations like this simply aren't compelling to many people who are not already firmly "pro-life." Most reasonable people see quite easily through the kind of muckraking in which these groups specialize, which is why these accusations are so popular with hard-core "pro-lifers," but essentially meaningless to everyone else. And, even if the accusations were true, it wouldn't change the basic Constitutional justification that keeps abortion legal in this country. The whole tactic just seems dishonest and desperate.
TTFN,
Blackout
P.S. Please use the reply button when responding to comments.
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Yes, I've changed my username from "percivale" to "Blackout." Go here if you want to know why.