Those wondering just what was behind the Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s initial decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood and their decision to continue the funding can learn something from Karen Handel, the charity’s vice president for public policy. Handel resigned today from the organization saying that she’s “deeply disappointed by the gross mischaracterizations of the strategy, its rationale,” and her involvement in it. “I openly acknowledge my role in the matter and continue to believe our decision was the best one for Komen’s future and the women we serve,” she wrote in a letter obtained by The Associated Press.
Handel said that the discussion to discontinue funding Planned Parenthood was made prior to her arrival at the charity and was approved by those at the highest levels. She said that the board did not raise any objections to the proposed policy last November.
In her letter, Handel said that the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood was long a concern to Komen officials.
“Neither the decision nor the changes themselves were based on anyone’s political beliefs or ideology,” she wrote, adding that the decision was based on Komen’s mission, how to better serve women, and a realization of the need to distance Komen from controversy. Komen notified its affiliates of its decision in December.
Handel had supported the decision, which was announced by Komen last week, to exclude Planned Parenthood from future grants for breast-cancer screenings because it was under government investigation. After only three days, Komen caved into pressure from pro-abortion groups, and reversed its decision.
If Komen was trying to distance itself from controversy, they’ve done just the opposite. The reversal of their original decision has done nothing but bring additional scrutiny and controversy to the organization.
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There goes Komen’s tie to the pro-life movement, AFAIK. Karen Handel is professedly pro-life and pledged to defund Planned Parenthood during her unsuccessful Georgia gubernatorial bid. If there’s any reason going forward to think that Komen has any commitment to the pro-life movement or any intention of not funding Planned Parenthood in the future, I’d like to know it.
About the only other place where you’ll see this kind of bumbling at the executive level is the obama administration.
The mistake Komen made was getting into bed with people who make their living killing children to begin with.
The decision to sever the ties was correct but the tip off that their convictions were weak was in the reasons they cited, which sounded more procedural in an attempt to avoid the real issue, the slaughter of children (not to mention the link between abortions and breast cancer).
Komen had a stink on them before for meddling with abortionists but now it’s even worse. Great job, ladies.
For those interested in finding a cure for breast cancer, there has to be an organization out there dedicated to that worthy cause who doesn’t have blood on their hands like Komen.
Komen needs to tell the world WHY they defunded Planned Parenthood. The mainstream media is repeating Planned Parenthood propaganda, to make this situation worse. They are telling the public that PP offers breast cancer screenings. They do not. Call any PP clinic and ask if they offer mammograms or any kind of breast cancer screening. They will tell you “NO, we do not.” Komen should NOT be giving PP a dime.
I was busy with my work and when I am back, it’s quite exciting to find such a nice write up as I used to enjoy earlier. Thank you, for helping us to improve our knowledge and to bring out new topics that are interesting and worth reading. How frequently you update your website?
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