My Facebook feed this afternoon is covered with messages both in support of and opposed to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation's recently announced decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood. The organization states the decision was made in light of the ongoing government investigation which seeks to determine whether Planned Parenthood unlawfully uses taxpayer dollars to fund abortions. Critics of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure's decision insist that the justification provided is disingenuous, and that the Foundation is merely caving in to political pressure from "anti-choice groups." This, for example, is a very typical status update among the outraged:
Did you hear that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation stopped funding breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood health centers because of pressure from anti-choice groups? It's completely outrageous, and I've had enough. I'm not going to stop supporting Planned Parenthood, I'm not going to stop fighting for women's health and rights, and I want the world to know it.
But wait a minute. Planned Parenthood doesn't even provide mammograms — at least according to its own website, which advises you to "ask...staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center where you can get a mammogram in your area." And of course, who could forget Live Action's brilliant "mammosham" Planned Parenthood exposé?
No matter. To progressives, the idea of a philanthropic foundation concerned with fighting breast cancer ceasing funding to an organization that doesn't even provide mammograms (but does provide abortions!) is outrageous and unfair.
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Mar '11
Re: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation Halts Funding to Planned Parenthood
Anon: As a man it's impossible for me to feel and understand what sensibilities a woman who has undergone an abortion might feel. I like to believe that most, at least, do it reluctantly with sorrow and not capriciously, but there are so many each year.
What troubles me is the "choice" thing. Does that relate only to after the conception event, or does it include the choice to not become pregnant? So many millions. Were they all the result of "accidents," or were some the result of a gamble lost? If the latter, it's horrible to think that some women are gambling with human lives. The ante to play is so small, but the stakes are so high. · 1 hour ago
"Choice" is licence, not liberty. It sanctions irresponsible behavior, more so for men than for women. "Hey, I offered to pay for an abortion. What more could I do?"
Dec '10
Re: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation Halts Funding to Planned Parenthood
Diane,
Nancy Brinker who founded Susan Koman is just a steller person. I wish she would run for something. Anything!
Jim
Re: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation Halts Funding to Planned Parenthood
Mammograms aren't the same procedure as breast screening exams and other breast-health services for low-income, uninsured, and under-insured women, which is what this money was being used for.
Ending the screening exams and education programs won't save a single unborn life, but it may contribute to thousands of adult ones. Someone explain the logic of that decision to me, because I don't get it.
Edited on Feb 2 at 8:39amSep '11
Re: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation Halts Funding to Planned Parenthood
Maybe the doctors out there can answer this. I remember hearing about studies that indicate a link between abortion and breast cancer. But then I've read that Planned Parenthood (of course) and the American Cancer Society insist that there is no link. DocJay? Dr. Savage? Anyone?
Re: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation Halts Funding to Planned Parenthood
They are in the same way that squares are rectangles. All mammograms are a type of breast screening exam (see here and here). The other type, of course, is where the doc manually checks for lumps.
Blue Yeti:
Ending the screening exams and education programs won't save a single unborn life, but it may contribute to thousands of adult ones. Someone explain the logic of that decision to me, because I don't get it. · 32 minutes ago
Let's please not pretend like Planned Parenthood is the only place where low income women can get breast screening exams. It isn't. And there are many, many charities, clinics, and mobile vans that offer free breast screening procedures. So if the Komen Foundation—which, remember, is a private organization—wants to give to these alternative groups which do not perform abortions and are not under government investigation, I say good on them. What's there not to get?
Dec '10
Re: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation Halts Funding to Planned Parenthood
As Josh Trevino tweets: Planned Parenthood's primary means of fighting cancer is unaffected by the loss of Komen funds. They'll stop cancer at the source: people.
Mar '11
Re: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation Halts Funding to Planned Parenthood
Blue Yeti: Mammograms aren't the same procedure as breast screening exams and other breast-health services for low-income, uninsured, and under-insured women, which is what this money was being used for.
Ending the screening exams and education programs won't save a single unborn life, but it may contribute to thousands of adult ones. Someone explain the logic of that decision to me, because I don't get it. · 6 hours ago
Edited 6 hours ago
fun·gi·ble
/ˈfʌndʒəbəl/ Show Spelled[fuhn-juh-buhl] Show IPA adjective Law . (especially of goods) being of such nature or kind as to be freely exchangeable or replaceable, in whole or in part, for another of like nature or kind.
Mar '11
Re: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation Halts Funding to Planned Parenthood
Blue Yeti: Mammograms aren't the same procedure as breast screening exams and other breast-health services for low-income, uninsured, and under-insured women, which is what this money was being used for.
Ending the screening exams and education programs won't save a single unborn life, but it may contribute to thousands of adult ones. Someone explain the logic of that decision to me, because I don't get it. · 6 hours ago
Edited 6 hours ago
If the American Nazi Party or the Black Panthers or La Raza or World Can't Wait started offering exams,should Komen fund them? The Riason d'Etre of PP is abortion. The screenings are just a sideshow in their ongoing effort to get infanticide classified as "health care". Not one thin dime to those horrible people. None.