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The Komen Foundation was Bullied by the Left

Posted by Jim_Daly on Feb 6, 2012 4:05:20 AM

The Susan G. Komen foundation succumbed this past Friday to a relentless barrage of political bullying, a fact that is not only sad news for those who cherish the sanctity and dignity of all life, but also for all of us who believe that a private philanthropic organization shouldn’t be subjected to such harassment.komenlogo3.jpg

That the Komen foundation apologized for its decision to halt contributions to Planned Parenthood is another illustration that political correctness is running amok.

Speaking on behalf of many who have committed their lives to defending the most defenseless, I lament the loss of principled decisions in our culture.

Consider the facts:

  • The Komen Foundation is a private philanthropic organization. It has every right to fund or not fund charities or causes of its choice.
  • That certain individuals and causes are “outraged” over Komen’s announcement is, in itself, outrageous.
  • To complain about a gift not given is the highest form of presumption and arrogance.

And what about Planned Parenthood?plannedparenthood1.jpg

According to its annual report, the nation’s leading abortion provider is worth in excess of $1 billion. In 2010, abortion procedures constituted 91 percent (329,445) of Planned Parenthood’s services for pregnant women.

Yet, to follow their illogical argument, to have lost Komen’s projected yearly gift of $680,000 was somehow going to cripple their empire — and prevent them from continuing to offer mammograms. But Planned Parenthood centers do not offer mammograms, and instead refer women to other clinics for such services.

And let’s not forget what instigated this entire episode: Planned Parenthood is under federal investigation. They’ve been accused of using taxpayer money to perform abortions, a charge they deny, but common sense suggests otherwise. It’s something of a shell game. In 2009 Planned Parenthood received $363.2 million in federal money.  In fact, since 1970, Planned Parenthood has received billions of dollars of taxpayer money.

Planned Parenthood is regularly lobbying for even more federal subsidies. So not only do they now want to take more of your money via taxes — but they also want to be able to tell private foundations whom they (should) give to!

It defies logic.

Furthermore, as I indicated earlier this week, the relationship between Komen and Planned Parenthood has always struck me as a peculiar affiliation. That’s because according to some researchers, there’s evidence of increased risk of breast cancer after an abortion. Thus, the very disease Komen is trying to fight is potentially increased by the services Planned Parenthood provides!

The Susan G. Komen foundation has done much commendable work, and as the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, they didn’t deserve to be harassed and bullied like they were last week.

At the core of this matter, though, is a fundamental difference of opinion. Should private organizations have the right to operate under the rule of law? Should they be permitted to distribute their own funds to whom they see fit? Or should they be subjected to the rule and pressure of a mob mentality that is no respecter of independent rights, one who demands the donor’s money?

What we’ve witnessed this week is how bullies beat down their victims. It’s sad, unfortunate and most seriously, a tragic turn of events for the dignity and preservation of the defenseless victims of abortion.

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Feb 6, 2012 7:02 PM Guest Nate  says:
Let's call this what it is, black mail and extortion plain and simple. Planned Parenthood would do anything to keep the money flowing. We know they commit other crimes too, but who knew they would use black mail and extortion? Planned Parenthood is extremly evil they really are.
Feb 7, 2012 6:52 AM Guest Suzanne  says:

The left may have "bullied", but Komen showed no backbone and didn't stand up to the bullier.  If more of us were taught to stand up for our beliefs from

 

an early age,  America wouldn't be turning into a nation who tolerates evil.

Feb 7, 2012 7:48 AM Guest esanjays  says:

It seems Komen decided to make a business decision of it because PP would have destroyed their brand and they wouldn't have been able to raise any more support for breast cancer PERIOD. Too bad. It's a different life we live if we have faith in the Maker of the Heavens and the Earth. Trusting in God is so much better than trusting in man. They couldn't stand up to PP because they didn't have God's backbone on their side.

 

Notice how immediately after the switch, the media stops all reporting of Komen and PP? It's so obvious that if the media wants something, they will do everything to sway public opinion until they get what they want. They portrayed Komen as evil up until Komen reversed its decision. Everyday pounding did it to them.

 

Unfortunately, I gave money to them last week so now I'm going to call them to cancel the donation. Otherwise I'll have to put a stop payment on my CC.

Feb 7, 2012 9:12 AM Guest Courtney  says:

Sorry, Jim, but Komen tried to insert an anti-abortion agenda into the issue of breast cancer -- and hundreds of thousands of American women protested this political ploy.  That's not bullying -- that's an outcry from the grassroots and that's how America works.  Planned Parenthood is the major provider of healthcare services to poor women -- for Komen to threaten to cut them off was reprehesible.  I see today that the architect of that political ploy -- the rightwing anti-PP crusader named Karen Handel -- has just resigned from Komen. Let's hope Komen is able to recover from this utter debacle.

Feb 7, 2012 9:55 AM Guest Patrick  says:

I disagree with the above posters, in that I suspect that this was a deliberate attempt by the PP, Komen, and the "progressives" to shake the bushes, so to speak. Notice that immediately after Komen announced the split, PP made up their "lost" $680,000 through other private donations.

 

I think this was all planned from the beginning as a tactical maneuver designed to better identify where their base and their opponents stand. Information is more valuable to them than the lost money. Call it an advertising expense.

 

Look for traffic from within Planned Unparenthood signaling how they are making use of this new information. I'll bet it all has to do with the fact that this is an election year.

Feb 7, 2012 11:51 AM Guest Mike  says:

Public outcry = bullying?  I respect your beliefs.  But step outside of your churched bubble for a bit and realize you are not the only ones on this earth.  Be reminded, nothing has ever been enacted or decided upon that would prevent you from meeting out your values and beliefs within the boundaries of your own community.  The real bullying is by a group that seeks to impose its ideals and values onto others.

Feb 7, 2012 12:31 PM Guest Kent  says:

Just as the Komen foundation did indeed, have the right to "fund or not fund charities or causes of its choice," so did the public and media have the right to express their opinion on Komen's choice.

 

Criticism is not "bullying." The choice to defund Planned Parenthood should, in a free country, be open to comment and criticism from those who disagree. Handel's resignation is a tacit recognition of the fact that Komen made a tactical error in politicizing their campaign to end breast cancer.

Feb 7, 2012 1:28 PM Guest Kay  says:

Komen should have told folks they were only funding Pro-Life projects before taking their money.  What Komen did is just plain wrong.

Feb 7, 2012 2:34 PM Guest Michael  says in response to Kay :

Maybe I'm just out of the loop or just plain stupid, but why is an organization taking money given to them for the fight of breast cancer and giving it to anyone else?

 

If I donate money to fight breast cancer, I want it to fight breast cancer!!!!

Feb 8, 2012 11:57 AM Guest Tom A.  says:
"What we’ve witnessed this week is how bullies beat down their victims."  Bullied you say... Others are just using plays out of the James Dobsen/FOTF playbook. This is a "grassroots uprising" when you agree with the outcome and "bullying" when you diagree.
Feb 7, 2012 10:36 PM Guest American woman  says:
Federal funds aren't used by  Planned Parenthood or any other group to pay for abortions. Their books  are already triple-checked. The current Congressional probe is political  theater. And as for PP's  abortion  procedures constituting 91 percent (329,445) of Planned Parenthood’s  services for pregnant women, well that is heartbreaking to say the least  but overall that is still only 3% of the "healthcare" they provide to  women. I'm glad  places exist that help women with their health needs.  I'm glad Komen reversed its decision so that health providers to poor  women can continue to provide them with vitally needed breast exams. If  you look at the amount spent by Komen on actual funding to "finding the  cure" for Breast cancer you'll see that only 17% of their annual budget  goes to their mission. That being said they have the right to NOT fund  whomever they choose, it is a gift and if they choose not to gift it to  PP then by all means don't. I would respect that. But do not hide your  reasons behind a congressional investigation, simply state we as a  foundation are against abortion and no longer choose to donate to PP. I  believe the ethics of abortion should be secondary to the moral urgency  of  providing healthcare to socioeconomically depressed women. The fact is  that Planned  Parenthood is the only available medical provider for many poor women -  take away funding to PP and you take away women's access to care. To me,  that is morally wrong. How sad that you would hold  the health of tens of thousands of women hostage to your anti-abortion belief.  Doesn't sound terribly pro-life to me.
Feb 8, 2012 8:50 AM Guest Alex G.  says in response to American woman:
While Federal funds aren't used for abortions they do free up other monies to do so...
Feb 8, 2012 6:27 PM Guest Deborah  says in response to Michael:

I agree with Michael, 

If I'm donating to a charity- I want it to stay w/ that charity. PP is a billion dollar corporation. It should not be getting my tax dollars or my charity donations. I hate how my purchasing power is taken away from me.  I refuse to buy anything with a pink ribbon on it just out of principle - I hate being 'forced' to donate to Komen just so I can get a bag of m&ms, toilet paper or anything of the other 1000 products Ive seen it on.   It strikes me as simply a money making machine and the fact that they are caving in to PP proves it to me.

Feb 8, 2012 8:17 PM myfiles2000 myfiles2000    says in response to Alex G.:
yes and PP can use those freed up funds on abortions as is their right,  the government can't tell PP how to use their private funds or other funds they can only control what they give, as they should, but abortion is legal and pro-choice supporters can contribute
Feb 9, 2012 6:00 AM Guest Tina Maria S.  says:
I agree, that a private organization should be able to give or not give to whatever organization that it wishes to.  Abortions do increase a woman's chances of breast cancer.  And, 91% of Planned Parenthood's services to pregnant women are abortions.
Feb 8, 2012 9:21 PM Guest Katherine  says:
Has anyone discussed the link between abortion (both planned and spontaneous) and breast cancer?  I read some research several years ago that discussed a direct link between a marked increase in breast cancer and abortions at any stage.  That and the other issues with Planned Parenthood provides a valid reason for Komen foundation to withdraw its support.
Feb 8, 2012 10:03 PM Guest Cindy  says in response to American woman:
If you are correct that only 3% of Planned Parenthood's business is killing babies, then why can't they spend the rest of the 97% on "healthcare" (whatever that means) to women.   They certainly have the money do spend it on breast exams.  Keep in mind that breast exams are not the same as mammograms.  Why does Planned Parenthood need Komen's money and why does Komen see the need to give money to Planned Parenthood? I am beginning to wonder if there isn't another agenda as mentioned in the comments --maybe it is to keep the abortion-breast cancer connection quiet or to use the media to make it look like Planned Parenthood is being "victimized".  They did succeed apparently...
Feb 9, 2012 6:02 AM Guest Lynda M.  says in response to Mike:
Bullying is exactly what PP does, as well as all their mob mentality supporters. I have never seen such nasty vitriolic remarks made to pro-lifers as those from the pro-abortion crowd.
Feb 9, 2012 10:16 AM Guest Gail  says in response to Michael:
Exactly. Why would the Komen Foundation give away money to any organization whose PRIMARY purpose is not the research or prevention of breast cancer? Looks like they need to focus  a little more on their mission.
Feb 10, 2012 10:14 AM Guest Kitty P  says:
I guess I never looked close enough into where the money Susan G recieved.  I did no know they supported Planned parenthood (what an oximoran).  I have supported them in the past and have done the walk.  But they will no longer receive any money from me.  I can not support any orginazation that would support the murder of babies.
Feb 10, 2012 2:05 PM Guest Jody  says in response to Michael:

Exactly why is Komen giving money to PP? What does PP do to fight breast cancer? I always though Komen was funding R&D and paying for mamograms for those who can't afford them, along with educating people about breast cancer. Another role is support groups.

Why do all of these good causes get murky despite their good intentions?

Feb 12, 2012 11:28 AM Guest A W  says:
Susan G. Komen will not receive any more of my monies.  I don't understand why they were giving grants to PP in the first place, when PP doesn't even provide mammogram services.  Everyone has a freedom of speech but what about the rights of the unborn babies?  I had no idea that my previous donations to S G Komen went to PP, which in turn killed babies.  It is sad that S G Komen will lose a lot of donations from those who value human life in and outside of women's womb.

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