Susan G Komen Defunds Planned Parenthood.

[MsDemeanor]

SGK hired an anti-choice, anti-stem cell, pro-christian fake pregnancy assistance clinic, pro-voter suppression republican as VP. Now, they've killed Planned Parenthood funding. SGK just got added to my permanent "not one penny from me" list.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/31/komen-planned-parenthood-cuts-karen-handel_n_1245568.html

Here's the wikipedia entry on this woman. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Handel

[Scuba]

Wow...me too!

[Okiebug61]

I wonder if we can find a list of Corporate Donors and set up boycotts of their products so pressure them to re-consider?

http://ww5.komen.org/corporatepartners.aspx

Found it!

[SoNotHer]

Thank you for this post and thread.

SGK hired an anti-choice, anti-stem cell, pro-christian fake pregnancy assistance clinic, pro-voter suppression republican as VP. Now, they've killed Planned Parenthood funding. SGK just got added to my permanent "not one penny from me" list.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/31/komen-planned-parenthood-cuts-karen-handel_n_1245568.html

Here's the wikipedia entry on this woman. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Handel

[Heart]

Nothing has sickened me as much recently as this. How DARE they? De-funding PP means that some women will DIE because Koman is caving to right-wing pressure and dollars. Cowardly and disgusting. Please SPEAK OUT!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/31/1060414/-Susan-G-Komen-for-the-Cure-caves-to-anti-choicers,-stops-funding-PlannedParenthood

[Novelafemme]

I wonder if we can find a list of Corporate Donors and set up boycotts of their products so pressure them to re-consider?

http://ww5.komen.org/corporatepartners.aspx

Found it!

YES!

I was heartsick to read this on CNN this morning.

[Heart]

DON'T give your money to Komen, give it to SisterSong for Reproductive Justice:

http://www.sistersong.net/

[UofMfan]

Interesting and eye opening information on an organization I used to support.

Please take the time to get informed.



What started all this.
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ap-exclusive-amid-abortion-debate-komen-cancer-charity-halting-grants-to-planned-parenthood/2012/01/31/gIQA5LbffQ_story.html)
HuffPo (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/susan-g-komen_n_1247262.html)

NBC piece. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/41241675#41241675)

Right-wing Senator takes credit (http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/01/10292058-vitter-boasts-about-komen-move)

Komen Watch (http://komenwatch.org/about/)

[MsDemeanor]

Thanks for all of the great links.

[JustJo]

This is beyond disappointing.

I wish that people would see Planned Parenthood for what it really is and the important work that they really do every day....providing important health care for women who need it. Planned Parenthood is so much more than an abortion provider.

Before I left central NY I experienced driving past our local Planned Parenthood office for several days in a row as they were being picketed by protestors. By the third day I couldn't take it any more....parked my car, walked past the protestors, went inside....and wrote them a check for as much as I could afford.

I encourage all of you to support your local Planned Parenthood, with whatever you can manage. :rrose:

[Estella]

The upside, if there is an upside, is that PP has raised upwards of $400k in the last 24 hours since the announcement.

I've always donated to PP, but jeez louise it's like they're under siege. The last time I spoke with one of their representatives I asked why they don't make more of an effort to combat the right-wing conventional wisdom that they're nothing but an abortion factory. Ironically, I think this recent issue with SGK has increased general awareness of the scope of their mission far more so than any advertising they could have done themselves.

[SmoothButch]

https://secure.ppaction.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=pp_ppol_I_Stand_with_PP_2012&s_src=IStand_0212_c3_fb


"This is for all the anti-choice, anti-women people out there.

Listen up.

You can spend every minute of every day trying to force the rest of us to live by your ideology. You can go after federal funds for health care and pressure private organizations like the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to stop funding breast cancer screenings for poor women. You can try to make it impossible to get birth control.

But you know what you can't do? You can't win. You can't break us. Planned Parenthood isn't just a family of organizations. It's a movement. It's women and men of all ages who believe that health care — including reproductive health care — is a basic human right. We are millions strong. We are everywhere. We act, we give, and we do whatever it takes to make sure that Planned Parenthood is there for the women, men, and teens who rely on them.

Know this: When you go after Planned Parenthood and the people they serve, you go after ME. I stand with Planned Parenthood. I stand with them against anyone who wants to stop women from receiving the health care they need. I stand with them today, tomorrow, and for as long as I need to."

[Soon]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNfaDu1INqU/TymSVKdYnrI/AAAAAAABP3E/Oj0Nx67CRpw/s400/KomenCard.jpg

[Soon]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQLzMfp4bfo/Tyl8JEmdsiI/AAAAAAABP2s/xFEC26_e_LY/s400/PPtruth.jpg

[UofMfan]

Top Susan G. Komen Official Resigned Over Planned Parenthood Cave-In (http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/02/top-susan-g-komen-official-resigned-over-planned-parenthood-cave-in/252405/#.TyqgcQrOIc0.twitter) ~ The Atlantic

[UofMfan]

The story behind Komen's cut-off (http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/02/10299999-the-story-behind-komens-cut-off) ~ The Maddow Blog

[Cin]

Breasts Yes, Vaginas No? How to Fight Back Against Komen "Race for the Cure" Foundation's Bizarre Capitulation to Right-Wingers
How the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation put their corporation-friendly image before women’s actual health concerns.

It’s probably the fastest-spreading story in Internet history about the relationship between two non-profits. Late Tuesday afternoon, Planned Parenthood and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure announced that Komen would be withdrawing grants given to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings. Despite Komen’s lame attempts to claim otherwise, it was widely understood that this was about Komen aligning itself with the anti-choice movement, despite the anti-choice movement’s long history of opposing not just safe and legal abortion, but also access to contraception and even the prevention of cervical cancer through the use of the HPV vaccine.

So what gives? Why would Komen, which purports to be a women’s health organization, choose to align itself with an anti-health, anti-science movement instead of with another prominent women’s health organization that actually helps prevent and detect cancer? What role does Komen’s hearty corporate fundraising efforts play in all of this? Is there anything that people who care about women’s health concerns can do?

In the past couple of decades, one of the biggest accomplishments in women’s healthcare advocacy is destigmatizing breast cancer, and Komen certainly played a major role in this. In the past, women didn’t talk much about breast cancer, because like all things related to women’s sexuality, breasts were considered naughty and unspeakable and therefore so was breast cancer. Through cutesy methods, such as draping everything imaginable in pink ribbons, advocates were able to get breast cancer out of the closet and into the public discourse.

Unfortunately, in doing so, they weren’t quite able to lift the taboo on all of women’s healthcare. In place of the old taboo against all of women’s reproductive healthcare, there was now an above-the-belt/below-the-belt divide. When it comes to healthcare that allows women to keep their breasts, everyone from baseball players to every corporation looking to shore up its image was happy to talk about it. But anything below the belt, especially with regard to women managing their actual sex lives, remained taboo. STDs, pregnancy prevention, cervical cancer, abortion? All still considered dirty, and all still available for conservatives to demagogue about sin and sexuality. We are a country where everyone was clawing all over each other to talk about how important it is for women to get their boobs squeezed in a vise to look for cancer, but we’re also a country where a vaccine that’s been proven to prevent cancer below the belt is excoriated by prominent Republican politicians who want you to believe it gives “license” to female sexuality.

Anti-choice activists have been trying to exploit this divide for years now, demanding that when it comes to women’s healthcare, our bodies should be divided against themselves. Boobies are apple pie and baseball, but vaginas are subversive pits of hell, and all funding aimed at their upkeep is suspect. While the anti-choice movement has been pressuring Congress to cut federal subsidies for below-the-belt care such as contraception and STD treatment, they’ve been also pressuring Komen to distance itself from Planned Parenthood. With this decision, Komen reinforces this illogical divide between above-the-belt and below-the-belt healthcare for women.

In a sense, it shouldn’t be surprising. As illogical as it is to offer only piecemeal support for women’s healthcare, it also fits into a larger pattern of Komen putting its corporation-friendly image before women’s actual health concerns. For instance, Komen allowed KFC to sell “pink ribbon” buckets of fried chicken, even though it was obvious that KFC was trying to distract from scientific evidence showing that a diet high in saturated fat is linked to breast cancer.

Of course, relying so heavily on corporate partnerships can cut both ways. Many brands that want to cultivate a pro-woman image partner with Komen for that purpose. This year’s national sponsors of Race for the Cure could double as a list of brands that very much want female customers to like them: Yoplait, Ford, Bank of America, Caltrate, New Balance, and Self magazine, among others. The massive media hit demonstrating how little Komen actually prioritizes women’s health could really ding the impact of these partnerships.

Take, for instance, Yoplait. Most yogurt companies target female consumers with glowing images of health and good digestion, mixed with suggestions that yogurt be substituted for more fattening desserts for weight control, but Yoplait maximizes that marketing strategy. Draping its product in pink ribbons helps tie the product to the concept of “health” in women’s minds. For this same reason, Caltrate, a supplement designed specifically for women, has also become a sponsor of Race for the Cure.

New Balance gets a double whammy for supporting Komen. Not only does it get its sneakers associated with general health, but because Komen fundraises through 5K races, New Balance gets a chance to advertise directly to women who have an undeniable need for running shoes. Komen’s “soccer mom” image dovetails nicely with New Balance’s own image as being the sensible shoe of the moderate exerciser, in opposition with a brand like Nike, which prefers to associate itself with high-level athletes.

Self magazine is a relatively new sponsor of Komen, but like Yoplait and New Balance, it very much benefits from Komen’s base of support in women who are eager to take a personalized approach to good health and cancer prevention. Self tries to distinguish itself from other women’s magazines that are more fashion- and man obsessed, instead staking itself out on the rack as the sensible health-oriented magazine that just happens to have similar diet and exercise advice as those other magazines. Komen’s branding can certainly help Self distinguish itself from its competition on the magazine rack.

Ford Motor Company may not need the health glow these other companies get from the association, but it definitely needs the audience of women. Sixty percent of new cars sold in a year are sold to women, meaning that if you want to sell a car, you should appeal directly to female consumers. The Komen brand helps Ford seem like the sensible, safe brand, the sort of thing ordinary women racing for the cure might find attractive, especially if they’re mothers.

For the same reason, Bank of America has a strong need to appeal not just to women, but specifically to the stable, often married women that make up the majority of organizers and runners for Komen’s Race for the Cure. Women tend to handle more of the household finances than men, meaning that anyone trying to get families to switch banks needs to address themselves directly to wives and mothers. Enter the pink ribbons.

This all means that American women have the power to vote with their dollars. The pink ribbon on a product used to symbolize health, safety, and a general pro-woman attitude. Now, for increasing numbers of women, it symbolizes capitulation to the belief that women don’t deserve healthcare that addresses all their needs, not just those above the belt. We need to let corporations know that if they want to market to women, they have to market to the whole woman, the one who has a vagina as well as a more PG-friendly pair of breasts.

[Estella]

So Michael Bloomberg has announced he will match every new dollar donated to Planned Parenthood up to $250k. If the goal of SGK was to drive up support for Planned Parenthood, their success has been dramatic.

[JustJo]

I got an email today from the director of the Susan G. Komen affiliate in AZ, where I donated and sponsored participants in runs and walks due to my professional connections there.

The director worked very hard to make the point that they are still supporting the health and healthcare needs of local women through grants to other organizations, and that their particular affiliate has never funded Planned Parenthood...and therefore hadn't withdrawn any funding.

After I finished laughing, I sent my response:

"While I appreciate your effort to distance yourself from the reprehensible actions of your national affiliate, I will no longer be donating to Susan G. Komen or any of its affiliates. My donations will go directly to Planned Parenthood instead.

I find the actions of your national organization to be a slap in the face to all women who need healthcare. I stand with Planned Parenthood."

It's not enough to stop donating to SGK....we need to tell them WHY also.

[UofMfan]

I got an email today from the director of the Susan G. Komen affiliate in AZ, where I donated and sponsored participants in runs and walks due to my professional connections there.

The director worked very hard to make the point that they are still supporting the health and healthcare needs of local women through grants to other organizations, and that their particular affiliate has never funded Planned Parenthood...and therefore hadn't withdrawn any funding.

After I finished laughing, I sent my response:

"While I appreciate your effort to distance yourself from the reprehensible actions of your national affiliate, I will no longer be donating to Susan G. Komen or any of its affiliates. My donations will go directly to Planned Parenthood instead.

I find the actions of your national organization to be a slap in the face to all women who need healthcare. I stand with Planned Parenthood."

It's not enough to stop donating to SGK....we need to tell them WHY also.


This is great Jo!

Everyone is doing their part, one by one we all make a difference.

Here is more:

The Decemberists Pull Support From Komen, Raise Funds for Planned Parenthood (http://www.pitchfork.com/news/45314-the-decemberists-pull-support-from-komen-raising-funds-for-planned-parenthood/) ~ Pitchfork

[Ryobi]

When I read about this yesterday, I about puked. The laughable part is the claim it has nothing to do with politics.

1.) Hire a Republican Pro-Lifer as one of your top dogs in the SGK.

2.) Allow new top dog (cant remember her name) to write new rules for SGK funding. One of the new rules, can't fund any organization under federal, state, or local investigation. Rep. congressman launches state investigation against PP, funding is cut.

Out of hundreds of organizations that get funding from SGK, Planned Parenthood is the ONLY one cut off the list. I'm pretty sure Penn State is under investigation, yet they were funded 7.5 million bucks from SGK.

NOPE! Doesn't sound like politics at all. Where's my barf bucket?

[Okiebug61]

http://news.yahoo.com/cancer-charity-confronts-backlash-over-grant-cuts-212059884.html

[SmoothButch]

I just donated to show my support for Planned Parenthood.

My donation today was matched thanks to New York's Mayor, Michael Bloomberg. The Bloomberg Foundation is matching gifts up to $250k.

[Corkey]

On MSNBC- Hardball, PP chairwoman said people have donated over 1 million today. Way to go people!

[Okiebug61]

I don't curse a lot but I feel the need. Screw that crazy ass woman who influenced this organization to stop supporting Planned Parent Hood.

[Toughy]

I have never been a big fan of Komen....ever. They rank up there with AmFAR in my book.

UofMan..........thanks for the link to Komen Watch. Everyone should read and understand what Komen actually does with all that money and all those cute pink ribbons and pink sports uniforms.....NCAA Women's Basketball is going to get an earful from me.

[MsDemeanor]

The head of Komen has been doing the talking head circuit today. Seems that they finally drummed up some lame-ass excuse and are trying to sell it. Andrea Mitchell (MSNBC), who has supported Komen in the past and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, wasn't buying it. She looked kinda pissed during the interview.

[UofMfan]

The head of Komen has been doing the talking head circuit today. Seems that they finally drummed up some lame-ass excuse and are trying to sell it. Andrea Mitchell (MSNBC), who has supported Komen in the past and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, wasn't buying it. She looked kinda pissed during the interview.

Yes, here (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/andrea-mitchell-komen-anger_n_1250962.html) it is.

[Ryobi]

After much backlash, people quitting, and Planned Parenthood receiving record donations, SGK has reversed the decision to not fund PP.


NICE job people!!!!! (like Corkey said!)

[Scuba]

Looks like someone's had a change of heart **shakes head** SGK has decided to restore funding under pressure from the general public AND politicians.

Kudos to the president of Planned Parenthood for holding her ground with dignity and professionalism. In all of this, PPH was able to recoup that lost funding in a matter of days. Never insult the intelligence of the masses...

I'd say this backfired on SGK and I have no doubt THEY will be losing funding from folks who just won't tolerate right-winged, christian-based rhetoric anymore especially when it comes to someone's life.

I could go on and on....

[OS Butch]

Just heard about the reversal....I am finding it hard to continued support to SGK..... When will decide to quit funding again!

[JustJo]

Just heard about the reversal....I am finding it hard to continued support to SGK..... When will decide to quit funding again!

I've never been impressed by people, companies or organizations that only do the right thing under pressure...or when they've gotten backlash for behaving badly.

I'll keep sending my donations to Planned Parenthood instead.

[LaneyDoll]

I agree with JustJo; I am not impressed that they decided to do the right thing b/c of pressure to do so.

In the past, I have supported the Joy to Life Foundation and I will continue to do just as I have always done :) And, yes, I even have the pink car tag.

http://joytolife.org/
:sparklyheart:

[Ryobi]

Just heard about the reversal....I am finding it hard to continued support to SGK..... When will decide to quit funding again!

Ya know, I feel this same way. But, SGK funds a lot of good things. I'm angry though that they allowed themselves to be "tainted" by bringing political bullshit into what they do. From now on, I'll be doing direct donations to organizations that I believe in. I was donating to SGK because I trusted that they would be descent in allocating peoples donations.

Also, it pisses me off that it's woman (in this instance) that seem to be leading the attack against PP and womens health. I say, bad form.

[UofMfan]

This is exactly what Komen wanted to accomplish, to appease the masses with a red herring.

Beware people!

We need to read and be informed, not just take the dog treat given and wag our tails.


Friday, February 03, 2012
Komen caves, kinda, but still refusing to approve Planned Parenthood’s funding next year America Blog (http://www.americablog.com/2012/02/komen-caves-kinda-but-still-refuses-to.html)


Komen caves, kinda, but still refusing to approve Planned Parenthood’s funding next year

By John Aravosis on 2/03/2012 12:02:00 PM

The Susan G. Komen foundation caved today. Kinda. They issued a statement apologizing for the mess they created this week when they cut funding for Planned Parenthood breast exams for poor women, seemingly under pressure from far right politicos and anti-choice groups. But Komen's apology is slightly lacking. And according to their own CEO last night, they still can't approve future grants from Planned Parenthood. Unless she was lying.

In the apology Komen says that they'll continue Planned Parenthood's current funding, and they're changing their "no investigations" rule to say that it must be a criminal investigation, and conclusive. Okay, but the current funding wasn't at issue. Komen had always said they'd continue the current funding, so that's a red herring. The issue is next year's funding, which Komen just turned down. And on that account, Komen now says this:


We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities.

Preserve their ability to apply? What, Komen won't go to Planned Parenthood and steal all the pens so PPFA can't apply again in the future? They could always try to apply again. That's not the point.

If Komen is serious, they can simply approve the application Planned Parenthood has already submitted. Yes, they turned it down once, supposedly because of the now-old rule about investigations. Fine. If the rule is gone, then approve the grant.

Of course, it's even more complicated because of a video statement Komen CEO, Republican donor, and former Bush appointee, Nancy Brinker issued last night claiming that the right-wing congressional investigation had nothing to do with the decision to turn down Planned Parenthood's grant. Rather, Brinker now says Komen turned PPFA down because Komen no longer funds pass-through grants. So if that's the case, then changing Komen's investigations-rule won't change a thing. They'll still turn down Planned Parenthood again next time because of the supposed pass-through grant. Unless of course, Nancy Brinker was lying last night. So which is it?

The only way that Komen can get out of this mess is by approving Planned Parenthood's grant now. Komen has the application, they killed it for political reasons, and they got caught. And then to add insult to injury, Brinker concocted a new story last night.

If Komen really wants to do penance, they'll approve PPFA's grant now.

UPDATE: This statement from a right-wing Catholic group pretty much sums things up correctly:

“This represents nothing new. We have known and have reported that they are continuing five grants through 2012. This is a reference to that. The second clause about eligibility is certainly true. Any group can apply for anything. It does not mean they are going to get anything,” Ruse told LifeNews.

“What this is is an effort to get the mafia off of their backs. As James Taranto said in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, this is a classic shakedown operation. Give us money or we will destroy you. This is Komen’s attempt to save their organization, which we should know is in peril. Our side should know that nothing has changed.”

Bottom line: Komen cut funding for Planned Parenthood, it is facing massive revolt from its chapters and temendous opposition from Planned Parenthood and the media, and it appears to be leaving the door open for potential grants — not that they will necessarily happen beyond the ones previously approved prior to the decision — to please both sides.
Now that Planned Parenthood has issued a statement embracing Komen, and apparently accepting the "apology," the battle is over. I'm just not entirely sure that Planned Parenthood won. Komen should approve next year's grant now.

As for the Race for the Cure, we now know what Komen really is. And I don't know about you, but I don't give money to organizations that do David Vitter's bidding.

[Parker]

A friend of a friend on Facebook posted this as a comment to the SGK blog about their reversal of their decision to de-fund PP.
I thought it was spot on and it made me chuckle, so I thought I'd share it.


KOMEN PRESS RELEASE TRANSLATION:

Paragraph 1: We're sorry you got mad.

Paragraph 2: We're sad you think we did anything wrong. We didn't.

Paragraph 3: We were justified in what we did but will slightly alter our rules to stop your whining.

Paragraph 4: We'll fund the existing grants to PP until they expire. PP is welcome to apply for future grants but our
local affiliates have discretion to reject PP applications if birth control makes the local communities feel icky.

Paragraph 5: Shut up. If you keep talking about this then you're the one hurting women.

Paragraph 6: We're going to get our story straight and punish any local affiliate that strays from the official truth.

Paragraph 7: Thanks to the anti-stem cell research, anti-birth control people who like our decision.

[CherylNYC]

Many of us in the women's motorcycling community have been raising funds for breast cancer research through the Pony Express Tour, as well as other initiatives of the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation. Those funds have always gone to Komen. I'm the artist that made the multi-part commemorative medallion that was an integral part of the fundraising tour every year. I'm planning to agitate for the WMF to find a better recipient for our future largesse.

[Quintease]

This is a great group to follow, they've even got a list for alternative organisations to donate to:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/De-fund-the-Komen-Foundation/171880872914883

[Toughy]

Actually Komen did not change anything about PP funding. They did not defund grants that PP currently holds. They however have NOT restored any of the funding they denied PP. They also changed the new rules to say 'criminal investigation' which means Penn State should not get any Komen money. They also, decided on a Board level, will no longer fund stem cell research.

Read between the lines folks. Quit looking at the Komen hand in front of your face and look at the one behind Komen's back.

Not One Single Thing Has Changed.

Komen is a waste of time and money and resources. I want them to lose every single penny of support given to them. I hope there are loud and not pink protests at all the Run for the Cure events from now on.

[MsDemeanor]

Many of us in the women's motorcycling community have been raising funds for breast cancer research through the Pony Express Tour, as well as other initiatives of the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation. Those funds have always gone to Komen. I'm the artist that made the multi-part commemorative medallion that was an integral part of the fundraising tour every year. I'm planning to agitate for the WMF to find a better recipient for our future largesse.

Your response is what i am hoping to see on a wide scale. SGK has defined themselves as anti-choice, and the faux apology does not change that. As long as they keep their anti-choice VP and board members, they will continue to be an anti-choice organization.

[AtLast]

Your response is what i am hoping to see on a wide scale. SGK has defined themselves as anti-choice, and the faux apology does not change that. As long as they keep their anti-choice VP and board members, they will continue to be an anti-choice organization.

I agree. There are other breast cancer organizations to support, which I will do. Mainly, any donations I can give in terms of cash will be directly to Planned Parenthood. No way will I ever walk for Lomen again, either.

This also isn't an isolated incident of how the right-wingers have, are and will continue to errode women's healthcare on every level. There has been even a stronger, more far-reaching assault since the 2010 mid-term elections. Sadly, it took this to wake most people up to what is going on in a larger and nation wide way. But women are losing healthcare options everyday in this country. Waking up has to happen and lead to action.

[Licious]

SGK hired an anti-choice, anti-stem cell, pro-christian fake pregnancy assistance clinic, pro-voter suppression republican as VP. Now, they've killed Planned Parenthood funding. SGK just got added to my permanent "not one penny from me" list.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/31/komen-planned-parenthood-cuts-karen-handel_n_1245568.html

Here's the wikipedia entry on this woman. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Handel




Thank you for this post. I got a notice from a friend and have been spreading the word on my social networks. SJK is out of all consideration for support in my book. And my friends' as well.

[Hollylane]

Breaking news: Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced that it is reversing its decision to ban grants to organizations under politically motivated investigation. The bad news is that it's not clear that it will continue funding Planned Parenthood.1 We'll keep up the pressure until it does.

1. "Komen caved. Or did it?" The Washington Post, February 3, 2012 (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/komen-caved-or-did-it/2012/02/03/gIQA9tS9mQ_blog.html)
__________________

[Parker]

1. "Komen caved. Or did it?" The Washington Post, February 3, 2012 (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/komen-caved-or-did-it/2012/02/03/gIQA9tS9mQ_blog.html)

Nothing's changed. They are just trying to cover their asses and appease the upset masses.





lol, that kinda rhymed. :|

[UofMfan]

Komen: The Extreme Anti-Gay Views Of Their VP Who Dumped Planned Parenthood ~ The New Civil Rights Movement (http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/komen-the-extreme-anti-gay-views-of-their-vp-who-dumped-planned-parenthood/politics/2012/02/03/34109) by David Badash on February 3, 2012

[Corkey]

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/planned-parenthood-raises-3m-in-three-days

Planned Parenthood raises 3 million in 3 days. Yesserie bub, way to go peoples!

[UofMfan]

EXCLUSIVE: Ari Fleischer Secretly Helped Guide Komen Strategy On Planned Parenthood ~ Think Progress (http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/02/03/418797/exclusive-ari-fleischer-komen-planned-parenthood/?mobile=nc)

[Sparkle]

I don't think Komen is going to be able to recover from this. Especially as more and more ugly truths about their policies, practices and politics come to light. And they are not the only game in town when it comes to grassroots fundraising for breast cancer research.

As a fundraising professional I know that the Komen foundation is going to be held up as an example for all non-profits...

I can see the conference breakout sessions now: "Komen foundation: how to lose your small and mid-level donor base in one fell swoop" and "political board members, asset or liability?" and "transparency, its not just a buzzword"

I am really really pleased to see the truly unprecedented outpouring of support for Planned Parenthood, over $3million raised in less than 3days!!! That is remarkable. It gives me faith in the American public.

[Chancie]

Make a donation to Planned Parenthood (https://secure.ppaction.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=pp_ppol_Nondirected_HonoraryG iving) in honor of Susan G. Komen, and

You will let them know how you feel about their recent behavior.

I did this when anti choice Sarah Palin was running for Vice President.

[Sachita]

another one bites the dust. As always it takes one idiot to pull down a whole village of idiots. The VP is a bigot and he just caused the collapse of this charity.

Honestly, I would rather support grass roots efforts and not dump my money into these large money pit corrupt charities and more. Times have changed and so should we.

[CherylNYC]

Make a donation to Planned Parenthood (https://secure.ppaction.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=pp_ppol_Nondirected_HonoraryG iving) in honor of Susan G. Komen, and

You will let them know how you feel about their recent behavior.

I did this when anti choice Sarah Palin was running for Vice President.

Thanks for the link. I just sent my donation to Planned Parenthood in memory of Susan Komen. I made sure to have an aknowledgement sent to the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation, the org through which our breast cancer fundraising efforts have previously funneled money to the Komen Foundation.

[Cin]

The thing is this isn’t a recent change in politics for the Komen Foundation or for its founder, Nancy Brinker. It is a case of Komen misjudging the size of the backlash from their latest right wing maneuver. The immediate fallout is a perfect example of the ease with which information is spread online as well as proof that the average person does not share their right wing agenda. And the discovery of the disturbing truth that has always lurked in the shadows concering the Kormen Foundation's right wing agenda is a testament to the depth and breadth of what is available with a simple internet search or just a little digging through the web. It is no wonder there are forces at work behind the scenes trying to find ways to gag the net.

This is an article that appeared in 2002 about the Komen Foundation's politics. http://www.alternet.org/story/14014/


And even back in 2000 their political agenda was the same. So really the only difference is now more people are aware. Hopefully that will translate financially into a more equitable distribution of private funding for women’s health care.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/01/1060885/-Behind-the-Pink-Curtain-Komens-Political-Agenda

Behind the Pink Curtain - Komen's Political Agenda

In 2000, when I first became a breast cancer activist, one of my first assignments was contacting the senators and members of Congress in my area to encourage their support for the Breast & Cervical Cancer Prevention & Treatment Act. The bill was to provide Medicaid coverage for uninsured women diagnosed through the Breast & Cervical Cancer Prevention & Screening Act, which had been passed several years earlier. IOW, the Treatment Act was necessary because uninsured women were getting no-cost breast cancer diagnosis, but still had no means to pay for treatment.
Sounds easy, right? You screen and diagnose them, you have to help them get treatment. Except one of my GOP senators didn't see it that way, and he had another breast cancer group who agreed with him....

Upon calling my GOP senator and speaking with his aide, I was shocked to hear her tell me "Sen.__ can't sign on as a co-sponsor to the bill because all the breast cancer groups aren't in agreement on it." Shocked, I asked her who was opposing it. She told me that Komen opposed the bill. When I asked her why, she explained that Komen felt that treatment for uninsured breast cancer patients should be funded through private donations, like the pink ribbon race. I was speechless, in shock. A phone call to another activist confirmed it was true - Komen was lobbying behind the scenes to kill the bill. A moment later, Sen.__'s aide called me back and begged me not to repeat our conversation to anyone, that she had given me the information by mistake.

Thus my lesson about Komen began in 2000. They spend a lot of money lobbying for a very different agenda.

The bill passed anyway and Bill Clinton, who pushed hard in Congress for its passage, was happy to sign it. Unfortunately, it wasn't the end of Komen (and its founder, Nancy Brinker's) political maneuvering to stall or kill legislation in Congress and in state legislatures that was supported by other breast cancer advocacy groups.

They fought behind the scenes in my state to prevent the governor from adopting the Treatment Program. They worked for several years to stall or kill the Breast Cancer & Environmental Research Act. In the end, they eviscerated it by removing new funding for environmental research and substituting a panel to review all research on breast cancer & environment. Using private funds, they recently collaborated with the Institute of Medicine to develop said report. Released last December, it sadly detailed the same old arguments that there's no evidence of links between environmental toxins and that no further research should be done on the subject since everyone has those toxins in their bodies already. Instead they chose to blame breast cancer patients for getting the disease.

In 2009, Komen lobbied behind the scenes to weaken the health care bill (ACA) as it was being debated in Congress. They hired Hadassah Lieberman, wife of Joe, in an effort to convince Joementum to vote against the Public Option. Komen spent over $1 million in 2008 & 2009, on behind the scenes lobbying related to the health care reform bill, so who knows what else was on their agenda.

Nancy Brinker, the founder of Komen and sister of the famed, now deceased Susan G. Komen, has always thought of herself as a heavy hitting player in politics. As you've seen in other diaries, she raised millions for Bush's election, as well as other GOP lawmakers. She was appointed by Bush to high positions in his administration. She has a very large ego and likes to play the role of political kingmaker, using her corporate backed non-profit organization to further her agenda.

Sorry, folks, but this is how they roll. It's how they've always done things, they're just being more transparent than they have in the past. And as an organization that seldom screws up and who hires some of the best political and marketing consultants in the country, they must think they have a chance at succeeding.

Who's behind them, besides the GOP? Corporations, pharma companies, and probably a lot of very influential hospital and health care associations.

[TexasCowboi]

unfortunately, it was too late for me to pull out of the Race for the Cure..... so I have decided to Run in the competitive 5k division of the 2012 Race for the Cure, and have formed a race team called "Jogging for Jugs".

Somewhere on my race tee-shirt, I will have the letters "ISWPP" and "FYSGKF" (let's see if you can guess what those stand for!

The reason I have decided to go ahead and race is that I support my local affiliation as they are against the national's decision and are still working with our Local PP organization to provide screenings and mammograms. I would be more than happy to provide anyone who asks, a copy of the email the local chapter sent me.

While, this may very well be my last Race for the Cure because of this issue, I cannot turn my back on the reason I run in this race.... because i'm sure not running for the Komen Foundation!.

I am running for those who are still dealing with this horrible disease.... I am running for those who have laid down their swords in their fight against breast cancer, and I am running for those who cannot run.

Those of you who decide you want to help out a local affiliate such as the Greater Fort Worth affiliate, here is the link to my race team..... feel free to help out.

http://greaterfortworth.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/FTW_GreaterFortWorthAffiliate?team_id=201390&pg=team&fr_id=2347

[Toughy]

It is NEVER to late to pull out of the run for pink event. Thinking that because the local group is ok, it's ok to give time and money for the local group. Guess what......your money goes to the main office and some stays in the local community.

Komen has never been anything other than a money/power maker. I've never given them one dime of my time or money. I figured it out when I applied for a job with them. I was an activist and they were not the least bit interested in activism that actually helped women. That was the 90s and nothing has changed except the public is finally getting to seeing the nastiness and corruption.

By the way...........I looked at their very fancy financials statements. They run a total of 20% administrative costs........and it has to be higher because you always cook your books to make that admin cost as low as possible (oh wait....I should not say that cuz that means you get to look behind the curtain dorothy)

edited to ad: no matter what you tell yourself about 'I run for those who can't run'.....you are running for Komen and Komen gets your money.

[Hollylane]

I do hear what you're saying Toughy, and I don't disagree with it. I also appreciate the detailed information and your passion.

However, it seems like TexasCowboi has been involved and preparing
for this event for some time, is doing it for the right reasons, and likely agrees with you as well.

[Hollylane]

It's been a heck of a week for the supporters of breast cancer research. Perhaps the person who can really put it in perspective is Linda. As a breast cancer survivor and former supporter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, her words are incredibly powerful. Watch:


2ZwpSwm_4as

[Gemme]

It's been a heck of a week for the supporters of breast cancer research. Perhaps the person who can really put it in perspective is Linda. As a breast cancer survivor and former supporter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, her words are incredibly powerful. Watch:


2ZwpSwm_4as

OMG, I love her.

Fantastic.

[UofMfan]

Karen Handel, Susan G. Komen's Anti-Abortion VP, Drove Decision To Defund Planned Parenthood (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/05/karen-handel-susan-g-komen-decision-defund-planned-parenthood_n_1255948.html) ~ HuffPo

<snip>...Emails between Komen leadership on the day the Planned Parenthood decision was announced, which were reviewed by HuffPost under the condition they not be published, confirm the source's description of Handel's sole "authority" in crafting and implementing the Planned Parenthood policy.

[Kobi]

But Komen isn't the only apparently apolitical organization experiencing pressure to break ties to Planned Parenthood. While reporting Thursday's story on the right-wing boycott of Girl Scout cookies because of a Colorado council that allowed a transgender seven-year-old to join a troop, I learned that conservatives' biggest complaint with the Girl Scouts is the organization's ties to Planned Parenthood. Sure, inclusion of a transgender girl has some people up in arms. But the Girl Scouts' supposed association with what Cathy Ruse, a blogger for the Family Research Council, described to me as "the biggest abortion business in the US" is the religious right's main beef with the 100-year-old girls' leadership organization.

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2012/02/conservatives-targeted-komen-and-girl-scouts-planned-parenthood-ties?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Motherjones%2Fmojoblog+%28Mot herJones.com+%7C+MoJoBlog%29

[TexasCowboi]

It is NEVER to late to pull out of the run for pink event. Thinking that because the local group is ok, it's ok to give time and money for the local group. Guess what......your money goes to the main office and some stays in the local community.

Komen has never been anything other than a money/power maker. I've never given them one dime of my time or money. I figured it out when I applied for a job with them. I was an activist and they were not the least bit interested in activism that actually helped women. That was the 90s and nothing has changed except the public is finally getting to seeing the nastiness and corruption.

By the way...........I looked at their very fancy financials statements. They run a total of 20% administrative costs........and it has to be higher because you always cook your books to make that admin cost as low as possible (oh wait....I should not say that cuz that means you get to look behind the curtain dorothy)

edited to ad: no matter what you tell yourself about 'I run for those who can't run'.....you are running for Komen and Komen gets your money.

It's "NEVER too late" ???? yes, I have been preparing for this race for a long time, My money is paid.... was paid before the funding was cut and then uncut.... our local affiliate STILL WORKS WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD. I don't have to agree with the freaking headquarters idiots to support the local affiliate.
Yes, SGK is a greedy organization....I hate their politics.... but... SGK has helped a handful of my friends.... I cannot and will not ignore that.... Will this be the last SGK race I run in... I don't know... I will watch and wait....
It's not up to you to tell me who I run for or belittle why I'm running..... I AM running for those who cannot run.....

[Toughy]

It's "NEVER too late" ???? yes, I have been preparing for this race for a long time, My money is paid.... was paid before the funding was cut and then uncut.... our local affiliate STILL WORKS WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD. I don't have to agree with the freaking headquarters idiots to support the local affiliate.
Yes, SGK is a greedy organization....I hate their politics.... but... SGK has helped a handful of my friends.... I cannot and will not ignore that.... Will this be the last SGK race I run in... I don't know... I will watch and wait....
It's not up to you to tell me who I run for or belittle why I'm running..... I AM running for those who cannot run.....

My comments were directed at the ideas, not you Texas Cowboi.

Planned Parenthood never had funding cut. The local affiliates are still working with PP based on the money awarded during the last grant cycle. The Komen BoD under VP of Public Policy Handel (a right wing nut job) changed the rules for this next grant cycle specifically to keep PP from applying. PP was denied the ability to submit proposals for the next grant cycle. After the uproar, Komen said PP could apply in the next grant cycle. Planned Parenthood may or may not be granted money in this next cycle. Komen is doing the 'watch this hand' game, however the truth about them is finally coming to light.

If any person thinks it's too late to pull out, I have a suggestion. First, wear nothing with the Komen logo (ever again). Second, wear a sign that says this is your last run because Komen does not support women's health.

I absolutely know one of my best friends in this world, who died (age 45) of breast cancer not detected by mammogram (so much for early detection), would haunt me for the rest of my life if I gave a penny to any and every group that had the Komen brand on it.

[TexasCowboi]

My comments were directed at the ideas, not you Texas Cowboi.

Planned Parenthood never had funding cut. The local affiliates are still working with PP based on the money awarded during the last grant cycle. The Komen BoD under VP of Public Policy Handel (a right wing nut job) changed the rules for this next grant cycle specifically to keep PP from applying. PP was denied the ability to submit proposals for the next grant cycle. After the uproar, Komen said PP could apply in the next grant cycle. Planned Parenthood may or may not be granted money in this next cycle. Komen is doing the 'watch this hand' game, however the truth about them is finally coming to light.

If any person thinks it's too late to pull out, I have a suggestion. First, wear nothing with the Komen logo (ever again). Second, wear a sign that says this is your last run because Komen does not support women's health.

I absolutely know one of my best friends in this world, who died (age 45) of breast cancer not detected by mammogram (so much for early detection), would haunt me for the rest of my life if I gave a penny to any and every group that had the Komen brand on it.


""no matter what you tell yourself about 'I run for those who can't run'.....you are running for Komen and Komen gets your money" ok, that read that you were belittling my running for these people who are so sickened with this disease that they cant run themself..... I run for them.... you belittled and criticized My "ideas" .... you belittle me. bottom line is you dont get to tell me who I run for Toughy......

I wonder if I can get Team Jogging for Jugs or Trotting for Titties or even Bowling for Boobs off the ground as another Cancer Charity sporting event...

[TexasCowboi]

My comments were directed at the ideas, not you Texas Cowboi.


If any person thinks it's too late to pull out, I have a suggestion. First, wear nothing with the Komen logo (ever again). Second, wear a sign that says this is your last run because Komen does not support women's health.

.

Toughy..... #1 For me.... it is too late to pull out of the race..... get past that please...... #2 I am ALREADY planning a protest during the race...... My own protest..... Trust me.... it will be a good one......I've already run it by several people.... #3.... not gonna post a sign saying that this will be my last run because I dont know if this will be my last run.... I will be watching Komen very closelu to see what they do with their funding.... while they support the underprivileged women of our county area

[pynkkameleon]

I'm very anti-Komen and have been for quite some time now. I was also diagnosed with aggressive Breast Cancer in October 2009.

with that said...

I fully support and am proud of TC's decision to run in this event. The decision to participate was a long thought out and well planned one. It is a decision to race FOR the survivors and for those precious lives we have lost. It's not to race in support of Komen. As far as the money goes. Yes, there will be funds raised and yes, only some of the money will stay within the community. Approximately 75%. That's 75% more funds available to benefit those in need. For this purpose, I'm okay with that. I honor and respect TC's and any other person's decision to participate in these events. It is their own choice and they almost all race for someone they care for and/or for whom they have lost. I'm not going to take that away from them, even if I do believe that SGK does not have their priorities or funding straight. I expect that we will see more than just TC running in a SGK sponsored race, protesting in their own way throughout the country. I see it as an act of activism, bravery and wonderful bit of "F-U". We each protest in the ways that we can. Some by giving their time or money to more deserving organizations, some via word of mouth and by educating others, some silently, some boldly and some just as TC has chosen to do.

Toughy - My heart aches for the loss of your friend.

[Toughy]

...look Texas Cowboi....you do not own the idea of whether to run or not, wear a pink ribbon or not, protest or not. Once again, I was not belittling you, I was giving my opinion about raising money for Komen by running. I offered a suggestion or two for those who still want to run. This is soooooooo not about you the person Cowboi.

We human beings tell ourselves all kinds of things about why we do things and it makes us feel better if we feel like we are doing something good. That includes me.

In the end, the money goes to the general fund of Komen. Every penny raised in their events is an unrestricted donation that Komen can spend anyway they want. Komen cuts a deal with the local affiliates for part of that money. That's how it works. You can pretty up the language to make it sound all nice, however just remember the Board of Directors approved this endeavor. That would be the leadership, so I bet a dollar to a donut PP will either get no money or drastically reduced money in the next grant cycle.

Vonni, thanks for your condolences......

[Soon]

BREAKING: Anti-Choice Komen VP Karen Handel Resigns, Admits Role In Plan\ned Parenthood Decision (http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/02/07/420377/anti-choice-komen-vp-karen-handel-resigns-in-protest-of-pro-planned-parenthood-reversal/)

Her resignation letter: http://karenhandelkomen.com/

[Parker]

She "resigned in protest" ..... yeah. Right.

Good riddance, I say.

[Toughy]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/05/1061504/-The-Komen-Foundation-s-curious-relationship-with-the-science-of-cancer-prevention?via=sidebyuserrec

the last paragraph from the above article:

Komen is in damage control mode, and despite its blatant dishonesty, it will be well served by the traditional media's now traditional role of obscuring and obfuscating. But what has been revealed by Komen's move against Planned Parenthood was not out of character for an organization that long has proved itself more interested in self-promotion than public health. Komen is not about medical science, but it never really was.

[SmoothButch]

article via Huff Po

2ZwpSwm_4as

[Cin]

Interesting article. Talks about the breakdown of donations.

I Will Not Be Pinkwashed (http://www.alternet.org/story/154010/I_Will_Not_Be_Pinkwashed%3A_Komen%27s_Race_Is_For_ Money%2C_Not_Cure__/)

Repeats in case they were missed the first time around.
Komen Foundation's Politics (http://www.alternet.org/story/14014/)


Behind The Pink Curtain (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/0...litical-Agenda)

[TexasCowboi]

...look Texas Cowboi....you do not own the idea of whether to run or not, wear a pink ribbon or not, protest or not. Once again, I was not belittling you, I was giving my opinion about raising money for Komen by running. I offered a suggestion or two for those who still want to run. This is soooooooo not about you the person Cowboi.

We human beings tell ourselves all kinds of things about why we do things and it makes us feel better if we feel like we are doing something good. That includes me.

In the end, the money goes to the general fund of Komen. Every penny raised in their events is an unrestricted donation that Komen can spend anyway they want. Komen cuts a deal with the local affiliates for part of that money. That's how it works. You can pretty up the language to make it sound all nice, however just remember the Board of Directors approved this endeavor. That would be the leadership, so I bet a dollar to a donut PP will either get no money or drastically reduced money in the next grant cycle.

Vonni, thanks for your condolences......


no one ever said I owned the idea of running, wearing a pink ribbon or whatnot... and no one, not even myself, said this was about me.... it was about your "tone".....

sometimes moderation is a good thing....

As long as our local affiliate still works with Planned Parenthood, I will be ok with it.... Should they stop working with PP, then I'll stop running in their race....

I understand everyone's issue with Komen.... I have the same issues with that organization......... My friends' memories.... my friends' battles..... are worth way more than the 35 dollar entry fee. I'm not raising any money for SGK foundation..... I'm not wearing the SGK pink ribbon symbol.... in fact, I'll probably have the letters SGK across my ass....and the letters P P on my really visible biggo pink bra..... and when I run by any camera, I'm gonna flip up the back of my tu-tu and show my ass to the camera.....