If if I am not mistaken the man who made the video said that he made friends with his victim and still considers her a friend all the while pretending that he was a biotech guy just starting out and needed advice on his project. He went so far as to set up a front company. I am 71 and my family has had a long history with Planned Parenthood starting with my Irish Catholic convent educated grandmother went to the Sanger clinic close to 100 years ago. If these grandstanding political idiots really cared about abortions they would support PP in delivering birth control to everyone.
4
I am so disgusted, at my advanced age, to have to witness this kind of clown show around the rights that women should be able to take for granted at this time.
The rights I thought were secure in the mid-1970s are not secure at all. We need to continue fighting for them.
The rights I thought were secure in the mid-1970s are not secure at all. We need to continue fighting for them.
3
It seems to me that the most obvious argument in Planned Parenthood's favor is that they are the only ones out there actually PREVENTING abortions by handing out birth control. The Republicans don't want to prevent abortion. They want to prevent women from having sex without having kids.
4
I addition to the lies and half truths from the Republicans on the House committee, the Republicans showed their general disdain for women by implying that a female head of a major health organization shouldn't be getting paid $500K a year. I doubt if he would be questioning the salary of a male head of a large organization.
5
Why didn't the article describe how Rep. Chaffetz didn't even let Ms. Richards answer any questions? He asked question after question but kept saying he needed to move along and didn't allow her to answer. Rachel Maddow showed the footage but the Times didn't describe the totally unfair way the Republicans conducted the "hearing." Why not?
6
The accusations hurled yesterday at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee by members of the Republican/Tea/Witchhunt Party reminded me of the Army-McCarthy hearings in the 50s and the quote by Joseph Welch directed at Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy - "Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"
The claims being made against Planned Parenthood aren't new -- and they're totally false.
Every couple of years, anti-abortion extremists launch a new smear campaign against Planned Parenthood, all following the same pattern: Make outrageous claims, heavily edit undercover videos to support them, whip up media attention, and get right-wing politicians to push for investigations. Every time, the claims fall apart upon closer inspection. This latest smear campaign claims -- falsely -- that Planned Parenthood is selling fetal tissue. The exact same claim was made in 2000, also involving heavily edited undercover videos, sensational media coverage and congressional hearings. It was all a lie, as the main witness admitted. This time, even the heavily edited videos do not show Planned Parenthood engaged in any wrongdoing, and three teams of forensic experts concluded that videos significantly distort and misrepresent actual events.
This is really part of an extreme political agenda to ban abortion and deny women the ability to go to Planned Parenthood. This isn't about fetal tissue.
The claims being made against Planned Parenthood aren't new -- and they're totally false.
Every couple of years, anti-abortion extremists launch a new smear campaign against Planned Parenthood, all following the same pattern: Make outrageous claims, heavily edit undercover videos to support them, whip up media attention, and get right-wing politicians to push for investigations. Every time, the claims fall apart upon closer inspection. This latest smear campaign claims -- falsely -- that Planned Parenthood is selling fetal tissue. The exact same claim was made in 2000, also involving heavily edited undercover videos, sensational media coverage and congressional hearings. It was all a lie, as the main witness admitted. This time, even the heavily edited videos do not show Planned Parenthood engaged in any wrongdoing, and three teams of forensic experts concluded that videos significantly distort and misrepresent actual events.
This is really part of an extreme political agenda to ban abortion and deny women the ability to go to Planned Parenthood. This isn't about fetal tissue.
7
And now the GOP Congressional clowns are going to do yet another witch hunt investigation against women at taxpayer expense? As the New England Journal of Medicine has pointed out, Planned Parenthood followed all guidelines and significant medical research using fetal tissue has benefited millions of people. PP itself has served 2.7 million women annually, largely with cancer screenings, basic health care, contraceptives, and STD treatment, far more than abortions.
Why isn't it illegal to use demonstrably fake videos obtained fraudulently as justification for expensive investigations? Why aren't these Congressional committees being investigated for wasting taxpayer money? What's next? Perhaps using Cotton Mather's suggestion that "spectral evidence" should next be used to justify GOP Congressmen's witch hunts against women?
Why isn't it illegal to use demonstrably fake videos obtained fraudulently as justification for expensive investigations? Why aren't these Congressional committees being investigated for wasting taxpayer money? What's next? Perhaps using Cotton Mather's suggestion that "spectral evidence" should next be used to justify GOP Congressmen's witch hunts against women?
9
Yes, where are the videographers? Why aren't they answering questions about their phoney film?
4
Members of Congress sitting on committees such as this should be required to take an oath to tell the truth just like the witnesses.
8
To Jason Chaffetz and the Republican members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee:
Planned Parenthood receives Medicaid REIMBURSEMENTS for healthcare services provided to women and men.
REIMBURSEMENTS. Not a budget, not a lump-sum payment, not a check, not a windfall.
Was that simple enough for you?
Planned Parenthood receives Medicaid REIMBURSEMENTS for healthcare services provided to women and men.
REIMBURSEMENTS. Not a budget, not a lump-sum payment, not a check, not a windfall.
Was that simple enough for you?
10
I think these clowns (most PG word I can use here) picture themselves using this footage for their campaigns. That may be so but I think it will be used by their pro women pro family opponents and Planned Parenthood to fund raise. This appalling tax payed funded nonsense may be the gift that keeps on giving. Only not in the way they think.
2
Didn't republicans repeatedly say that government should NOT get in the way of the "doctor/patient relationship"? I thought republicans believed in market competition too. Many women prefer to go to a "women's oriented" clinic for their gynecological needs, rather than sit in an overcrowded clinic surrounded by men. The government is NOT funding Planned Parenthood, it is paying "fee for service" for medicaid and medicare insured patients. The government should NOT pick and choose which doctors women can see.
10
Kindly answer this for me:
If there is a standard protocol in the bio-medical research field for procurement of human tissue for research purposes, isn't there a standard listing of costs related to the procurement of such tissue? Wouldn't any PP affiliate that participates in such a program--and according to Ms. Richards, there are only two or three that do--have such a document and a contract template?
Why would an official such as Dr. Nucatola meet with any potential legal buyer of such tissue anywhere but in her office? Why would she consider it appropriate to accept a meal from such a potential purchaser, when this is supposedly a standard practice with known costs--within a standard range--for obtaining, preparing and shipping such tissue? What is there to discuss?
People who wine and dine you want something from you. Customers in a regulated industry where profit is not allowed are trying to get what, exactly, from you that makes any investment in you and your time worthwhile?
I am a strong supporter of legal abortion up to the point of viability. I believe such abortions should be covered under any healthcare policy--including Medicaid--that covers any other health-related procedure legal in this country. I believe every healthcare facility that provides women's reproductive health care should be able to provide abortions.
But I can also smell when something is not exactly as claimed.
If there is a standard protocol in the bio-medical research field for procurement of human tissue for research purposes, isn't there a standard listing of costs related to the procurement of such tissue? Wouldn't any PP affiliate that participates in such a program--and according to Ms. Richards, there are only two or three that do--have such a document and a contract template?
Why would an official such as Dr. Nucatola meet with any potential legal buyer of such tissue anywhere but in her office? Why would she consider it appropriate to accept a meal from such a potential purchaser, when this is supposedly a standard practice with known costs--within a standard range--for obtaining, preparing and shipping such tissue? What is there to discuss?
People who wine and dine you want something from you. Customers in a regulated industry where profit is not allowed are trying to get what, exactly, from you that makes any investment in you and your time worthwhile?
I am a strong supporter of legal abortion up to the point of viability. I believe such abortions should be covered under any healthcare policy--including Medicaid--that covers any other health-related procedure legal in this country. I believe every healthcare facility that provides women's reproductive health care should be able to provide abortions.
But I can also smell when something is not exactly as claimed.
For those of you arguing that the Republicans at least have a concern for the sanctity of life: If the Republicans didn't object to every single proposal that helps to reduce the number of abortions in the US, one could feel a bit more sympathy for their position about the sanctity of life. And if they showed the least bit of concern for the sanctity of life after it has left the womb, again maybe more sympathy. Instead, their every move is aimed at controlling women's options and bodies. They will make every effort to block a woman from entering a Planned Parenthood office, but won't lift a finger to block the execution of the woman on death row that the Pope argues against. At least his position is logically consistent.
3
So what next? Close PP and take away women's right of choice so that we can support life in it's unborn form. I think to avoid causing variety of societal issues, we should consider restricting more choices that women have in this western civilization, such as the right to vote, right to work and right to wear whatever they want to. Think of how many lives we will support by avoiding all those divorces that are happening due to all the freedom we are giving to women. Go Trump!
2
There really is a difference between a "blob of tissue" at the embryonic stage, and a very tiny, physiologically immature human being not yet capable of surviving outside the womb.
For many of us--and not necessarily the rabidly-anti-abortion crowd, that human being becomes so at "ensoulment," which in Judaism and Islam happens around the 40th day after conception. The Catholic Church at one time recognized that and did not regard abortion as a sin before "ensoulment."
I myself believe abortion should be legal--and safely provided in any healthcare facility that provides women's reproductive health care--up to the point of fetal viability. But I do not pretend for myself that the abortion of a fetus--not an embryo, a fetus--is not the killing of an actual life. That the mother's wellbeing and choice takes precedence over that other life is a painful reality and one that must be protected by law.
We are learning every day, it seems, that stem cells can be obtained from tissue other than fetuses. Donate placental tissue; donate embryonic tissue; but perhaps the donation of fetal organs and parts is and should always remain a step too far.
For many of us--and not necessarily the rabidly-anti-abortion crowd, that human being becomes so at "ensoulment," which in Judaism and Islam happens around the 40th day after conception. The Catholic Church at one time recognized that and did not regard abortion as a sin before "ensoulment."
I myself believe abortion should be legal--and safely provided in any healthcare facility that provides women's reproductive health care--up to the point of fetal viability. But I do not pretend for myself that the abortion of a fetus--not an embryo, a fetus--is not the killing of an actual life. That the mother's wellbeing and choice takes precedence over that other life is a painful reality and one that must be protected by law.
We are learning every day, it seems, that stem cells can be obtained from tissue other than fetuses. Donate placental tissue; donate embryonic tissue; but perhaps the donation of fetal organs and parts is and should always remain a step too far.
1
The mystery is WHY are there ANY female supporters of the GOP ? Women are a majority in the USA . Why are there ANY Republicans in Congress ?
Answer: Per 8 separate Gallup polls over the last 27 yrs, 46% of US adults believe that the earth is less than 10,000 yrs old and that evolution didn`t happen. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/americans-believe-in-creationism"). These are the supporters for this Republican witch hunt.
In a rational world they would be required to go to school again before they would be allowed to vote on ANYTHING ( not homeschooling). The unfortunate aspect of this lack of enlightenment is that these people are ruining the minds of their children by steeping them in this nonsense at an early age. Escape from misinformation/ignorance then becomes greatly reduced for the next generation.
Answer: Per 8 separate Gallup polls over the last 27 yrs, 46% of US adults believe that the earth is less than 10,000 yrs old and that evolution didn`t happen. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/americans-believe-in-creationism"). These are the supporters for this Republican witch hunt.
In a rational world they would be required to go to school again before they would be allowed to vote on ANYTHING ( not homeschooling). The unfortunate aspect of this lack of enlightenment is that these people are ruining the minds of their children by steeping them in this nonsense at an early age. Escape from misinformation/ignorance then becomes greatly reduced for the next generation.
3
Five Horrible Haiku - Odes to Congress from Women
(apologies to poets better than I)
Pious hypocrites
You care for none but yourselves
Congress, a nest of vipers
Are women worthless?
We can’t be trusted to decide
Our own fate and lives
If you truly cared
You would ask us what we need
Instead of telling us
Woe to you congress
Take heed, you can not control
What is not your own body
This fight will end soon
Old White men in control now
Soon you’ll be outnumbered by us
(apologies to poets better than I)
Pious hypocrites
You care for none but yourselves
Congress, a nest of vipers
Are women worthless?
We can’t be trusted to decide
Our own fate and lives
If you truly cared
You would ask us what we need
Instead of telling us
Woe to you congress
Take heed, you can not control
What is not your own body
This fight will end soon
Old White men in control now
Soon you’ll be outnumbered by us
3
We still have no one who can tell us the minute mark on the video where the live baby appears. Such a simple answer to solve the issue. Everyone sends video links with the minute mark for the important or funny scene. Now Planned Parenthood is being grilled because of a poorly edited video with a scene that no one can find.
1
Where I come from in Upstate New York in the 1970s Planned Parenthood brought birth control to countless needy teenage girls who were able to avoid pregnancy and find better lives for themselves. I remember the social climate of those days when there was so much sexual abuse of girls and women. Girls and women need access to birth control as a fundamental human right. And yes access to abortion as well if they need it.
6
I remember those days as well. Thank you for your comment.
1
A number of nonprofit CEOs are paid much more than Ms. Richards, many for providing less in lifesaving services. Unsurprisingly, most of them are males (like most of Ms. Richard's Congressional Republican attackers) . Check out the CEO of Goodwill (over 2 million) and Lincoln Center (over 1 million), for instance.
These "hearings" are a disgusting display of deception and misogyny.
These "hearings" are a disgusting display of deception and misogyny.
7
Instead of taking Grover Norquist's no tax pledge- I would like to see all the GOP against Planned Parenthood ( pretty much all I think) to take a pledge not to use birth control in their own families, never to have an abortion in their own families, and never, never, never use any medical procedures that would cure or save themselves or a family member from any disease that was made possible by fetal tissue testing. That will never happen of course. I would guess that most if not all of these people use or have used birth control in their own family planning and get it through their government supplied healthcare paid for by taxpayers. The fact that they want to deny poor women these very same services is despicable since it is purely for political grandstanding.
9
Abortion rights do not equal a mandate to have an abortion, only an option. The moral/ethical decisions of individuals are still theirs to make. Those who object to abortion being legal on moral/ethical grounds make no less specious an argument than do those who object to same sex marriage as devaluing heterosexual marriage. No one is mandated to marry a person of the same sex just because some are allowed the freedom to do so. As nearly every argument against abortion being legal is based on religious grounds, it is patently clear that a first amendment issue is at stake. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion ..." A ban on abortion is just that: a law that establishes a religion-based prohibition by the US government or a state government.
3
I don’t think a single Republican or Democrat would change his vote regardless of whether the video shown has been edited or is intact.
It is difficult to put aside for a moment my utter frustration with anyone who dispages this organization. Plan Parenthood is for many women THE ONLY SOURCE for healthcare. Period.
Too many talk the talk about "caring" about the life of children they would not help otherwise in any stage outside of their development as a fetus. Didn't anyone actually LISTEN to the pope last week? I've grown weary of evangelicals hijacking religion to lamenting the lives of babies that they do not give a damn about.
What is tragic is too many people who heard OF the organization but never actually USED the organization. So judgement calls are made in ignorance. Planned Parenthood is not some abortion mill cranking out on demand infantcide.
I have private insurance now. However, when I was in college or was laid off from a job I got all of my pap smears there. My birth control there. When I started having issues with my cycle, they diagnosed the problem as fibroids. These people knew me, supported me and gave me care at a cost I could afford. For years. The nurses were kind and decent women. The doctors were excellent. I found it difficult to find people so committed to helping others in the private healthcare sector.
It's just galling that institution helping working class people, the poor, women or people of color is a target of ridicule, contempt and defunding. This callousness is now considered the new normal in this country.
Too many talk the talk about "caring" about the life of children they would not help otherwise in any stage outside of their development as a fetus. Didn't anyone actually LISTEN to the pope last week? I've grown weary of evangelicals hijacking religion to lamenting the lives of babies that they do not give a damn about.
What is tragic is too many people who heard OF the organization but never actually USED the organization. So judgement calls are made in ignorance. Planned Parenthood is not some abortion mill cranking out on demand infantcide.
I have private insurance now. However, when I was in college or was laid off from a job I got all of my pap smears there. My birth control there. When I started having issues with my cycle, they diagnosed the problem as fibroids. These people knew me, supported me and gave me care at a cost I could afford. For years. The nurses were kind and decent women. The doctors were excellent. I found it difficult to find people so committed to helping others in the private healthcare sector.
It's just galling that institution helping working class people, the poor, women or people of color is a target of ridicule, contempt and defunding. This callousness is now considered the new normal in this country.
4
I feel her pay is not out of line. Department chairs at many large universities make over $600,000 per year. Some mega stockbrokers make close or over 1.0 million. She has a lot responsibilities her pay is in line today.
1
Yet another example of the Republican elite pretending to fight for the fundamentalist base in order to advance their true agenda of wealth distribution to the top. By keeping them uninformed and stirred up, they can get the fundamentalists to vote for issues that are entirely against their best interests.
What's wrong with giving women a discreet and well run medical plan which costs nothing if they can't afford it. PAP smears, breast cancer examinations, and contraceptive care are tools that all women need; not just the well off ones.
Abortion is a different matter but outlawing it never worked. I remember the days when rich girls were whisked off to Mexico or Europe and poor girls had a much more dangerous path that many times led to death or permanent health issues.
What's wrong with giving women a discreet and well run medical plan which costs nothing if they can't afford it. PAP smears, breast cancer examinations, and contraceptive care are tools that all women need; not just the well off ones.
Abortion is a different matter but outlawing it never worked. I remember the days when rich girls were whisked off to Mexico or Europe and poor girls had a much more dangerous path that many times led to death or permanent health issues.
2
It is like some strange nightmarish throwback to the fifties movie that here in the year twenty-fifteen we have a McCarthy era like panel in our House of Representatives still pursuing to undo the decision Roe v. Wade as an established right to abortion in 1973. I also find it to be an irresponsible waste of time and the taxpayers monies by the House, considering the problems our Nation and the world faces today. Based on the needs our Country faces such as infrastructure repair and/or replace, jobs instead of gambling on Wall Street, never ending war and the list just goes on and on, and......that Representative Jason Chaffetz has the unmitigated gall to question the paltry salary of Planned Parenthood's president Cecile Richards who has the responsibilities of running a $1.4 billion dollar organization with 820 locations and thousands of employees. The fact that the video that is the basis for this effort by the Republican party to de-fund PPH is a propaganda tool and shown to be highly edited, full of lies and does not sober them proves they are not fit to govern. These are not gentlemen nor gentlewomen pursuing this agenda and should not be treated as such by the Democrats siting within this venue. The only way to win at this game is to shame these and all Republicans for their continued use of evidence and hearsay in a obvious display of a witch-hunt to garner votes while Rome burns.
3
The fact is the video's say what they say. And the entire video's are out there for public consumption. No amount of lies by Cecile Richards can change what was said on those video's. Notice how PP supporters and the NY times and every other liberal rag puts in big bold letters numerous times that the video's are heavily edited...well duh some of the video's are over 4 hours long.
As for womens healthcare what in the world is this thing called Obamacare? Isn't everyone now covered?
Fact is PP is a billion dollar enterprise that makes millions and millions of dollars harvesting baby tissue. They know this outrages the public and so they have to lie about the video's and the true purpose of PP.
Also notice how none of these people are talking about how PP is basically committing genocide against black americans. Look at where PP offices are located if you doubt this.
But hey as long as these evil people can say the video was heavily edited it must be ok.
As for womens healthcare what in the world is this thing called Obamacare? Isn't everyone now covered?
Fact is PP is a billion dollar enterprise that makes millions and millions of dollars harvesting baby tissue. They know this outrages the public and so they have to lie about the video's and the true purpose of PP.
Also notice how none of these people are talking about how PP is basically committing genocide against black americans. Look at where PP offices are located if you doubt this.
But hey as long as these evil people can say the video was heavily edited it must be ok.
1
It's amazing how many lies you managed to pack into one post.
No, Planned Parenthood is not committing genocide against black Americans. You base this false claim only on the neighborhoods, and often urban clinics may be found in poor neighborhoods serving women in need.
The ACA is an insurance program, and Medicaid expansion was denied in a number of red states, leaving women and men not covered. Planned Parenthood is a health care provider, with clinics staffed by physicians, nurses, and other personnel to directly serve women and men. It primarily provides cancer screenings, basic health care particularly for reproductive health, STD diagnoses and treatment, contraceptives, etc.
Judge not lest ye be judged.
The ACA is an insurance program, and Medicaid expansion was denied in a number of red states, leaving women and men not covered. Planned Parenthood is a health care provider, with clinics staffed by physicians, nurses, and other personnel to directly serve women and men. It primarily provides cancer screenings, basic health care particularly for reproductive health, STD diagnoses and treatment, contraceptives, etc.
Judge not lest ye be judged.
60% of Americans do NOT want PP defunded.
The "genocide against black people" is false. And who would believe that the Tea Party has that as a concern with their record.
The films were collaged and edited. If they were true you certainly would not take the chance of being accused of lying. And lie they did.
For the millionth time there are people who cannot meet copays of regular healthcare. Almost 80% of PP's users make 19K and under.
The "genocide against black people" is false. And who would believe that the Tea Party has that as a concern with their record.
The films were collaged and edited. If they were true you certainly would not take the chance of being accused of lying. And lie they did.
For the millionth time there are people who cannot meet copays of regular healthcare. Almost 80% of PP's users make 19K and under.
I will not take Pro life advocates seriously until I see those same MEN support safe child care, food programs for children, health insurance for all children, after school programs for kids, safe housing, prenatal care for mothers, immunizations for all children, and better education for kids.
Right now those who vote PRO life, immediately abandon those children that are born, the moment they come into the world. They vote against any program that helps children, especially poor children. It seems to me they want to create a permanent underclass that they can exploit for cheap labor.
Right now those who vote PRO life, immediately abandon those children that are born, the moment they come into the world. They vote against any program that helps children, especially poor children. It seems to me they want to create a permanent underclass that they can exploit for cheap labor.
4
The Tea Party cannot move the numbers, even with lying. 61% of the American public oppose defunding Planned Parenthood. Rep Steve King actually said that he was hoping it would happen like their attack on Acorn. These men are delusional if they think American women are not going to fight their lies.
Bring the 26yo videographer to the hearings. Let's have a real hearing, not a Soviet style show trial.
Bring the 26yo videographer to the hearings. Let's have a real hearing, not a Soviet style show trial.
2
Ms. Richards was factual, courteous, and she was in control of herself. The committee, wild eyed and hair on fire----a mob. Nowadays the cry is for "more transparent" government. Well it has been partly answered by these congress members---I can see right through them and so could Ms. Richards.
15
Thank you Jim Jordan for being such an evil fool. Your treatment of Cecile Richards inspired my donation today to Planned Parenthood Action
18
Many of the comment shows a major part of the problem here. There are many people that see using aborted fetus as merely "donated" tissue. There are many people who do not see it that way. I am a trained physical scientist (PhD) and I support a woman's right to have an abortion, but at the same time I question the ethics of treating these aborted (and still living) fetal tissues as simply tissue to be donated (like you or I could choose to do with our own parts after we die). Let's face it, the DNA of the donated tissue is clearly NOT the tissue of the mother or father. It is distinct. So you already bring to the table a moral and ethical argument, "Is this right to do this"? The hubris of some of those in the scientific community that believe this is ok is just as ignorant and inflammatory as the Far right people who advocate outright banning of abortion. There should be a moratorium on fetal tissue "donation" until we as a people can figure this all out. Cures for disease and research cannot be allowed to trump our morals and ethics. When I step back and look at these procedures and "donations" it looks like organ harvesting and something out of a bad sci-fi movie. I think that is why so many people are making such an uproar. PP should not be in the organ/tissue harvesting business and stick to what they are good at - women's reproductive health.
4
As someone who happens to have a PhD in physics, I call you out on your spurious use of the authority argument. Your PhD in "physical science" (whatever that means) does not make you any kind of authority on moral issues. As anyone with half a brain can recognize, there is no harm done to anyone by preserving tissue that would otherwise have been thrown out and using it for scientific research that may one day save lives.
1
Ken C, do you not see the incredible contradiction in your comment? You are 100% scientifically right, the DNA in the tissues under discussion are not those of the mother or father. DNA represents the most scientifically accurate way to positively identify cells or tissue as belonging to a specific individual. And therefore you seem to question the moral right of the mother and her abortion provider to decide the disposition of the tissue of what is clearly another individual. But you support her right to end the life of that same individual that makes the tissue donation even a question. Please explain that seeming contradiction. It has always been the contention of those on the prolife side that the "tissue"/ fetus is an individual, innocent, living human being. I defy anyone to refute the scientific validity of that belief. And as such we believe that the Constitution, as an outline of a government tasked with protecting the inalienable rights to LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, requires that government to protect individual, innocent, living human beings. Because abortion clearly stops the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of this other individual in deference to the mother's liberty and pursuit of happiness. So in reality abortion, and fetal tissue donation, is not about a woman's right to choose what to do with her body, DNA science clearly shows that in reality she is deciding what to do with the body of another individual.
We, "as People," have decided that each person should make their own choice, for themselves. You, on the other hand, don't count as "we," and I'm sure you never intended to be.
Isn't she a bit overpaid to be the schmoozer in a skirt?
1
Please stay in la la land
8
Your comment beautifully illustrates why women need to be in control of their lives and futures.
1
What is the concern?
That Planned Parenthood did not profit from selling aborted fetal tissue OR that it even sold that tissue?
Did revenue from selling that tissue help offset overhead and/or operating costs?
If that revenue did, then Planned Parenthood should explain why haggling with tissue-buyers for highest price was good.
That Planned Parenthood did not profit from selling aborted fetal tissue OR that it even sold that tissue?
Did revenue from selling that tissue help offset overhead and/or operating costs?
If that revenue did, then Planned Parenthood should explain why haggling with tissue-buyers for highest price was good.
1
The reporter forgot to mention the many states that have investigated such charges against Planned Parenthood - and found no evidence of wrong-doing. Facts. The NYTimes needs to provide a complete accounting of the available information informing a story, rather than navigate a fictional "neutral" path in a political dispute. Such reporting, while trying not to be positional, in fact conceals more than it reveals and thereby invalidates any claim to 'neutrality.'
20
Roy Cohn and Joseph McCarthy must have gotten quite a kick out of that Congressional inquisition where ever they now are.
14
Regarless of good intentions, Planned Parenthood is simply a waste of Federal Resources.
This program is better managed at the local level.
But the point isnt to provide a valuable service....its to increase Bureaucratic POWER and control the population.
For example.....how is paying a bureaucrat 500,000+ a year actually helping anybody, except that Fat Cat Bureaucrat.
This program is better managed at the local level.
But the point isnt to provide a valuable service....its to increase Bureaucratic POWER and control the population.
For example.....how is paying a bureaucrat 500,000+ a year actually helping anybody, except that Fat Cat Bureaucrat.
3
I am neither "for" or "against" abortion. I believe "abortion" is the most irrelevant political debate of all time.
We are having our heart-strings jerked around by US Senators, all in the effort for them to control more and more $$$ and thus....POWER. To the Senate, the specific rationale for POWER is irrelevant...it is simply important to CONTROL the population and make them aware that the Senate has POWER>
....
Illustration: How is paying a bureaucrat 500,000+ a year .... actually helping the poor?
We are having our heart-strings jerked around by US Senators, all in the effort for them to control more and more $$$ and thus....POWER. To the Senate, the specific rationale for POWER is irrelevant...it is simply important to CONTROL the population and make them aware that the Senate has POWER>
....
Illustration: How is paying a bureaucrat 500,000+ a year .... actually helping the poor?
3
All these CEO's make salaries that should make them blush considering the mission of the organization: For example United Way CEO made $764,211 in 2013. The argument is always that you need to compensate for what a comparable CEO makes elsewhere. Not clear to me that you cannot find qualified, ambitious, and effective CEOs for $200,000. It is a club. Most of us are not in it.
4
Chaffetz, like modern anti-abortionists everywhere, began with a lie after Ms. Richards's statement about the lies made about Planned Parenthood. He also ended with a graphic--literally, a graphic--lie. Chffetz showed a graph which he claimed used PP's numbers for its annual report on abortions and revenues; as Ms. Richards pointed out, the graph contained a label naming the organization which made the edited and misleading films as the maker of the graph. Too bad the story and the film on this site omitted this telling fact.
19
GOPs profit from showing themselves as Christian.
2
Why does Planned Parenthood need federal funding when it reportedly shows a $90 million annual profit?
6
Planned Parenthood does not "receive federal funding." Like other healthcare providers, it accepts reimbursement from the Medicaid program on a per procedure basis. It is no different from any other healthcare provider that accepts Medicaid or Medicare.
Here is an illustration that might make this clearer: my elderly father in law sees a doctor who accepts Medicare. Does that mean that Dr. Lewis "receives federal funding"?
Here is an illustration that might make this clearer: my elderly father in law sees a doctor who accepts Medicare. Does that mean that Dr. Lewis "receives federal funding"?
15
Mr. Shear's reporting is very benign. If you hadn't watched the committee hearing, you'd have no idea how bullying the committee members were. Ms. Richards was repeatedly interrupted and not allowed to finish what she was saying, while members tried to put words in her mouth. I was ashamed of what our Congress has become, and ashamed of the Republican members who made a circus out of what should have been a fact-seeking mission.
26
PP opponents need to realize two important things: 1) nature is pro-choice because 17 to 21 percent of all pregnancies are aborted naturally and 2) when and if abortion is made illegal, abortions will still continue but safe ones will be reserved for doctors' wives and girl friends and sisters and daughters and grand daughters .....
15
If and when abortion is made illegal, women will die. They will die in botched back-alley abortions, the way they did before Roe vs. Wade. This is a fact the self-anointed "pro-life" crowd conveniently ignore.
2
you can't claim the moral high ground be de-funding Planned Parenthood. Those are the same people who rant about the rule of law. To be morally consistent, eliminate them through legislation. But knowing this is not possible, doesn't give you the right to waste tax dollars by using edited videos to score political points with your supporters who include those who disrespect "the rule of law" by harassing, etc., Planned Parenthood's employees and consumers.
planned Parenthood
planned Parenthood
11
How anyone can still praise Planned Parenthood after viewing these vile videotapes is beyond comprehension. Where is our moral compass and why aren't NYT readers more outraged? These tapes have not been altered and show the killing and dismemberment of little babies for the selling of their body parts. This is disgusting and I am glad PP is being exposed for the dishonest organization that it is. I plan on sending a donation to a pro-life group so they can continue exposing the evil that goes on within PP. This is a money grabbing outfit that must be stopped.
4
Did you watch the videos? Did you see the things in the videos that people like Carly Fiorina said were there? Because if you did, you would know that the videos were heavily edited (why add music and interviews if it showed the literal killing of fetuses for harvest?). But please continue your fallacious rhetoric.
People "praise" PP because they provide desperately needed healthcare services to low-income women like std and cancer screenings and contraception education/material.
-Were you unaware of the HIV outbreak in Indiana after they closed and lowered funding to PP there? Then were scrambling to get things back in place. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/31/indiana-planned-parenthood_n_69...
-Or did you hear about when Texas slashing the budget for all family planning programs by 2/3. Since so many claim that the minuscule $450 million of $3.9 trillion (0.01%) going towards PP can be sent to other organizations who don't perform abortions. This caused many, many women to not have available services nearby. Some women have to travel 50 miles to the nearest location that is capable of providing family planning services.
http://www.texasobserver.org/one-year-later-cuts-to-womens-health-have-h...
People "praise" PP because they provide desperately needed healthcare services to low-income women like std and cancer screenings and contraception education/material.
-Were you unaware of the HIV outbreak in Indiana after they closed and lowered funding to PP there? Then were scrambling to get things back in place. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/31/indiana-planned-parenthood_n_69...
-Or did you hear about when Texas slashing the budget for all family planning programs by 2/3. Since so many claim that the minuscule $450 million of $3.9 trillion (0.01%) going towards PP can be sent to other organizations who don't perform abortions. This caused many, many women to not have available services nearby. Some women have to travel 50 miles to the nearest location that is capable of providing family planning services.
http://www.texasobserver.org/one-year-later-cuts-to-womens-health-have-h...
1
If those ultra-right Republicans believe the chopped-up videos, then they're too dumb to be in office.
If they don't believe the videos, then they're liars.
If they don't believe the videos, then they're liars.
20
What does the CEO of the Hospital Corporation of America make? It's probably a lot. Maybe we should eliminate all Medicare and Medicaid funded reimbursements from that organization too.
16
What are the grounds for characterizing the president of Planned Parenthood as "embattled"? Widespread, mainstream reporting has shown both the videos and Republican statements about the videos highly misleading. A recent national poll conducted on behalf of mainstream new organizations found Planned Parenthood to have higher favorability ratings than the Republican or Democratic parties and most candidates running for president from either party, and a slightly earlier poll found the organization's favorability ratings had not materially changed. And the Republican's threat to defund Planned Parenthood has zero likelihood of succeeding. Yes, Planned Parenthood's president was beset by conflict in a hearing driven by misleading information and opportunistic politicians with little regard for the truth, but to say Ms. Richard is "embattled" when all evidence is to the contrary is a bit melodramatic for the NYT.
5
There is not a "normal" citizen who would think of lying to Congress.
And that's what this woman did.
And that's what this woman did.
4
@ Gareth Andrews
I'm afraid I have to take issue with your statement - you got it completely backwards. The Republican congressmen lied to the American people when they said what they did to Ms Richard, a normal American citizen.
I'm afraid I have to take issue with your statement - you got it completely backwards. The Republican congressmen lied to the American people when they said what they did to Ms Richard, a normal American citizen.
12
To the Republican men in Congress who bullied, berated, interrupted, insulted, disrespected Cecile Richards in this so-called interview purported to get the facts about the organization she directs, I say, You have convinced me that you have no business being in Congress and representing the people of this country. I was so embarrassed at your behavior. Acting out in rage and harassing people who come before you to testify is despicable. You would not even let the woman reply--constantly yelling out your venom as she tried to reply. I expect our representatives to be of the highest moral character. It is unbelievable that you acted in this manner. I was horrified to see this circus you conducted. If you expected that the women of this country would root for your position, you are wrong. We are appalled at your cruel, distasteful, bullying behavior.
21
Does no one else see the irony of Mr. Chaffetz lamenting the death of his mother from breast cancer, while simultaneously trying to defund an organization that provides breast exams to women for the purpose of preventing breast cancer? I haven't seen the full coverage of Ms. Richards testimony - did anyone else think to point his out to him?
44
Lauren, breast exams do NOT prevent breast cancer! is this what the push for breast cancer awareness has done? let us think an exam can prevent this horrendous disease?
in fact on the eve of pinktober it is urgent to point out that mammograms do nothing to increase mortality rates for women. Why so much money spent on screening programs that don't work and no money for research into prevention, vaccines that will prevent it or new & novel ways to treat? follow the money honey
in fact on the eve of pinktober it is urgent to point out that mammograms do nothing to increase mortality rates for women. Why so much money spent on screening programs that don't work and no money for research into prevention, vaccines that will prevent it or new & novel ways to treat? follow the money honey
2
From www.cancer.gov
"Screening With Mammography
Benefits
Based on solid evidence, screening mammography may lead to the following benefit:
Decrease in breast cancer mortality
Magnitude of Effect: In the randomized controlled trials (RCTs), for women aged 40 to 74 years, screening with mammography has been associated with a 15% to 20% relative reduction in mortality due to breast cancer."
Now tell me where you get your facts from.
"Screening With Mammography
Benefits
Based on solid evidence, screening mammography may lead to the following benefit:
Decrease in breast cancer mortality
Magnitude of Effect: In the randomized controlled trials (RCTs), for women aged 40 to 74 years, screening with mammography has been associated with a 15% to 20% relative reduction in mortality due to breast cancer."
Now tell me where you get your facts from.
1
The major medical associations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Cancer Society, and others recommend regular clinical breast exams as well as mammograms which can detect tumors that are not otherwise found. http://www.acog.org/About-ACOG/News-Room/News-Releases/2014/Ob-Gyns-Cont...
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/moreinformation/breastcancerea...
Research is always good, but that is not for immediate detection and treatment.
Sadly I had a young student (19) die earlier this year from aggressive breast cancer that was not caught early.
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/moreinformation/breastcancerea...
Research is always good, but that is not for immediate detection and treatment.
Sadly I had a young student (19) die earlier this year from aggressive breast cancer that was not caught early.
When "right to life" advocates picket and protest at military recruiting stations and military bases because bombs, rockets and drones cause millions of men, women ( some of whom are pregnant) and children to be blown to bits or incinerated (collateral damage) then, and only then, will I take seriously their high regard for the unborn.
25
You would think the GOP would consider the optics of this investigation specially during a election cycle. This is nothing more than a distraction to the voters focused on something other than the fact that the GOP has no agenda worth voting for.
8
$500k is a very low salary for a CEO. Compare it to the salaries of the CEOs of health care companies, for example... And then compare it to the salaries of the Wall Street firms.
Attacking Planned Parenthood is no more than political fodder. The Republican agenda to cut social services, health care, and public education is obvious. Add to that the elimination and outsourcing of jobs and I wonder who will be left to buy goods and services. Sooner or later this will come down like a house of cards.
Attacking Planned Parenthood is no more than political fodder. The Republican agenda to cut social services, health care, and public education is obvious. Add to that the elimination and outsourcing of jobs and I wonder who will be left to buy goods and services. Sooner or later this will come down like a house of cards.
17
The outrageous display put on by Republicans yesterday in their persecution of Ms. Richards saw any sense of seeking the truth sink their stature as statesmen to new lows, if that is possible.
Blatant GOP showboating, pandering to their ignorant constituents, served no other purpose than to fan the flames of outrage over dubious at best "evidence" of wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood. Unsubstantiated claims by suspect anti-abortion "journalists" have been taken as fact by Republicans.
Republican tactics and the antagonism shown toward Ms. Richards recall for me another Republican from the past who acted similarly, Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy. Armed with no proof but mounds of ambition McCarthy conducted a witch hunt against alleged Communist infiltrators. Yesterday Republicans made a concerted effort to conjure up the ghost of Tail Gunner Joe. They did a fantastic job of finding not only smoke but fire where none exists.
Come next November, we will remember this atrocity they committed, and vote accordingly. Thanks Republicans, for reminding us that despite your libelous speeches claiming to support the rights of all women, your heads are still stuck in the sand washed up on a beach from the past century.
DD
Manhattan
Blatant GOP showboating, pandering to their ignorant constituents, served no other purpose than to fan the flames of outrage over dubious at best "evidence" of wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood. Unsubstantiated claims by suspect anti-abortion "journalists" have been taken as fact by Republicans.
Republican tactics and the antagonism shown toward Ms. Richards recall for me another Republican from the past who acted similarly, Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy. Armed with no proof but mounds of ambition McCarthy conducted a witch hunt against alleged Communist infiltrators. Yesterday Republicans made a concerted effort to conjure up the ghost of Tail Gunner Joe. They did a fantastic job of finding not only smoke but fire where none exists.
Come next November, we will remember this atrocity they committed, and vote accordingly. Thanks Republicans, for reminding us that despite your libelous speeches claiming to support the rights of all women, your heads are still stuck in the sand washed up on a beach from the past century.
DD
Manhattan
19
No abortions ?
Then guarantee the children will rexeiv full economic support including money for the caretaker until the child has received a full education so he/she can have a job that pays a living wage.
Then guarantee the children will rexeiv full economic support including money for the caretaker until the child has received a full education so he/she can have a job that pays a living wage.
14
When a company derives an enormous portion of it's revenue from two sources abortion and government and, without proof, claims that the damning evidence of malfeasance is faked, it is not a stretch to disbelieve them.
We know the Clinton's are premier liars. I just did not know they were giving classes to every department of the administration and other lobbyist clients!
We know the Clinton's are premier liars. I just did not know they were giving classes to every department of the administration and other lobbyist clients!
2
You have to have respect for facts. That is clearly not a problem in your post.
1
PP gets $500 million a year in taxpayer dollars. Miss Richards gets 500,000 a year salary from taxpayer funds. That's a huge percentage for just One salary. What is their total administrative cost for running this organization? A careful independent probe needs to be done on PP. Four years they have claimed that part of their funding goes towards mammogram for women. I was shocked yesterday to find out that was not true it's time for private funding for this corporation not taxpayer dollars
3
Like many others, you have been confused by the dust storm kicked up by the right wing.
Planned Parenthood does not receive federal funding and the taxpayer does not pay the salaries of Planned Parenthood executives.
Like any other medical provider, Planned Parenthood receives reimbursement on a per procedure basis from health insurers. Through Medicaid and Medicare, the US government functions as a health insurer for certain members of society.
If Planned Parenthood is "federally funded," then so is the internist who takes care of my elderly parents.
Planned Parenthood does not receive federal funding and the taxpayer does not pay the salaries of Planned Parenthood executives.
Like any other medical provider, Planned Parenthood receives reimbursement on a per procedure basis from health insurers. Through Medicaid and Medicare, the US government functions as a health insurer for certain members of society.
If Planned Parenthood is "federally funded," then so is the internist who takes care of my elderly parents.
You probably could have discovered all of the information you "asked" for with one quick visit to charitynavigator.org, instead of asking your so-called questions.
Planned Parenthood Federation has a 4 star rating, with only 9.9 % Administrative Expenses and 72% spent on programs and services.
Oh, and Mrs. Richards' salary is not $500,000, but $396,866.
Planned Parenthood Federation has a 4 star rating, with only 9.9 % Administrative Expenses and 72% spent on programs and services.
Oh, and Mrs. Richards' salary is not $500,000, but $396,866.
Removing Planned Parenthood from the Medicaid program (the actual meaning of 'defunding planned parenthood) will leave huge gaps in essential health care services for many, mostly low income, women and men (yes, men too). I'm curious as to the Republicant party leadership's plan to fill that void in services?
34
Obamacare?
Unfortunately, there's way too much passion in-bedded with Planned Parenthood and the (vast majority) of the services they provide. The best way to get the facts is to follow the money. Require in the appropriation for PP to pass an audit just like a federal agency is required to do. While we're at it, make other agencies like PP that receive federal funding do the same thing. The public deserves to know where the public funds are going and what they are being used for, and it would debunk a lot of ill-informed opinions.
2
There is no "appropriation for PP".
PP's receipt of Federal funds is limited to reimbursement of services covered under Medicare/Medicaid. Abortion is *not* among those services, and PP pays for them through private and institutional donations.
PP's receipt of Federal funds is limited to reimbursement of services covered under Medicare/Medicaid. Abortion is *not* among those services, and PP pays for them through private and institutional donations.
1
To be consistent, you would then have to subject every single physician in the United States who accepts Medicaid or Medicare to undergo the same audit.
You are under the misimpression that Planned Parenthood receive some sort of annual federal appropriation. It does not.
You are under the misimpression that Planned Parenthood receive some sort of annual federal appropriation. It does not.
Because of the politics involved, PP is audited up, down and sideways by the Feds and state governments every year. And they've never failed any of these audits.
In just the last few weeks, Massachusetts residents have learned of the horrific beatings and starvation of two toddlers and one elementary-age boy by their parents. The little girls are dead, and the boy is in a coma. The outrage shown by these Republans concerning abortions would be more understandable if they showed equal passion about protecting innocent young lives from such vicious torture at the hands of those who have been charged with their safety and well being.
13
This hearing was one of the most disgraceful, deceitful, lawless, and stupidly ideological hearings I have witnessed (since McCarthy days). How can the public, endowed as we all are with common sense, keep electing such mediocre people to represent them in congress which of course becomes dysfunctional in carrying on the tasks the Constitution requires of them. The public seems to assess them for the worthless politicians that they really are, but why do they keep electing them? The educational system obviously has failed both in the case of the citizenry and the calibre of these representatives.
15
There is a history of death and mutilation that precedes the legalization of abortion. It was legalized because women and men stood up for the right to choose. The law and its' parameters have been modified over the years. Planned Parenthood provides, within the law and on the occassions that it does, a non judgmental, private, safe and expert environment for probably the most serious procedure a woman may face. Of all the interrogators Ms. Richards faced yesterday. The most telling was Mr. Gowdy who attacked Ms. Richards on a personal level. His attempt at seeking to make this an us agianst them situation. That somehow the right to choose was a a cultural battle that truly had to be won . As opposed to understood showed no compassion. He scolded that Ms. Richards looked down on those who would choose not to and she would claim superior those who would choose to do so. AS ms. Richards and many oters looked on dumb struck. Mr. Gowdy exposed the Right's desire to rule and his disdain for the processes of democracy which fashions the rule of law. Mr. Gowdy has come the closest to an expression of theocracy in the halls of our democracy I have ever seen. And It was he that was scary.
10
At this point in time, wouldn't the wiser and simpler course of action be for Planned Parenthood to abandon abortion services? It has been reiterated time and time again that those only make up 3% of the what they do, so dropping these would not be a major issue for the organization, financially or organizationally speaking. And, on the other hand, they would steer clear of the controversies and likely open themselves up to receive additional public support for all the other services the provide. And, even for their clients, I suspect that many women want nothing to do with Planned Parenthood, out of moral convictions.
Abortion is not a logical service for an organization which purports to promote family planning.
This brouhaha has to stop, the government is spending too much time on this, and also facing the risk of a shutdown. As long as Planned Parenthood provides abortions, there will be ongoing issues with the way it handles public monies.
Abortion is not a logical service for an organization which purports to promote family planning.
This brouhaha has to stop, the government is spending too much time on this, and also facing the risk of a shutdown. As long as Planned Parenthood provides abortions, there will be ongoing issues with the way it handles public monies.
1
That is just what the right wing wants. It's the chip-away strategy to rob women of reproductive rights. If you can't make it illegal, then make safe access virtually impossible as a practical matter. At least for poor women: the women Planned Parenthood overwhelmingly serves.
No, because it;s exactly what these people really want. They care nothing for the services provided such as screenings and healthcare. Their sole purpose for attempting to shut down PP is to eliminate the 3% of legal, non-federally funded abortions that PP provides.
And it also not logical to try to shut down an organization that dispenses family planning information and services, which of course, lead to fewer unwanted pregnancies, and therefore fewer abortions.
And it also not logical to try to shut down an organization that dispenses family planning information and services, which of course, lead to fewer unwanted pregnancies, and therefore fewer abortions.
A few points:
1a) Abortion is legal.
1b) Abortions are not funded by federal dollars.
1c) All organizations (public & private) by law can have advocacy arms that promote their positions and PACs.
1d) How executives are compensated can only be evaluated by comparison to executives in similar fields.
2) Ms Richards could have been a bit more prepared. As a PP supporter, I was dismayed by her answering questions in an equivocal manner. With respect to answering yes/no questions. She could explain that the question cannot be answered accurately with a yes or no answer because other factors are involved. The Congressperson would not like that response, but she could come back with reasons why it is not a yes or no response.
1a) Abortion is legal.
1b) Abortions are not funded by federal dollars.
1c) All organizations (public & private) by law can have advocacy arms that promote their positions and PACs.
1d) How executives are compensated can only be evaluated by comparison to executives in similar fields.
2) Ms Richards could have been a bit more prepared. As a PP supporter, I was dismayed by her answering questions in an equivocal manner. With respect to answering yes/no questions. She could explain that the question cannot be answered accurately with a yes or no answer because other factors are involved. The Congressperson would not like that response, but she could come back with reasons why it is not a yes or no response.
15
Given everything we face this is the last things Republicans should be worrying about. The fact their whole argument is based on lies and heavily edited tapes only shows you the lengths they will go to to justify undermining the government. They are no longer fit to govern for the way they are trying to sabotage the government.
7
Ms. Maloney's choice of words is important. "Choose" in this context is their code word for "Kill". Ms. Richards and the author are supporting a woman's right to KILL. Worse yet it is the right to kill the innocent.
2
You have no idea what you are talking about. That is part of the problem of course.
5
You are entitled to live your life according to the dictates of your conscience. But please refrain from substituting your conscience for my own.
Fetuses do not have the capacity to be "innocent". When a pregnancy kills a pregnant woman - for example, via a pulmonary embolism or pulmonary hypertension - the fetus is not "guilty". The right that all women have in America, as affirmed by SCOTUS, is the right to 14th Amendment protections in privacy in healthcare decisions - exactly the same right that you and all other men in America are endowed with at birth.
Interesting that Republican panelists were more interested in what THEY had to say than anything Ms. Maloney could say. Safe to say that it reminded me of the HUAC "hearings" under Joe McCarthy. I wish Republicans could get their noses out from under women's skirts. What women do with their own bodies is nobody's business but their own. I wish Republicans could bring themselves to tell the truth once in a while.
12
Here are some facts:
(1)Planned Parenthood dispenses non-abortion healthcare to millions of women (about 3 million in 2009)who otherwise would have none; (2) Using government funds to pay for abortions is unlawful and specifically prohibited in the case of Planned Parenthood; (3) about 9% of Planned Parenthood's procedures are abortions and are paid for by state Medicaid funds or privately, and restricted to rape and incest cases. Some states go beyond that restriction, however, but that is a state—not federal—matter. (4) A woman has a right to an abortion....by law.
Until someone can prove beyond a doubt that the facts are different and that federal money pays for abortions, this whole issue remains—totally and completely—a political football, with conservative minority trying to jam their views on abortion on the majority of the American public and using Planned Parenthood as the target of their ire.
To lie, cheat and distort the facts to make a case against Planned Parenthood simply shouldn't work in serious debate; the kind the United States Congress is supposed to conduct but where the truth is often the first victim.
(1)Planned Parenthood dispenses non-abortion healthcare to millions of women (about 3 million in 2009)who otherwise would have none; (2) Using government funds to pay for abortions is unlawful and specifically prohibited in the case of Planned Parenthood; (3) about 9% of Planned Parenthood's procedures are abortions and are paid for by state Medicaid funds or privately, and restricted to rape and incest cases. Some states go beyond that restriction, however, but that is a state—not federal—matter. (4) A woman has a right to an abortion....by law.
Until someone can prove beyond a doubt that the facts are different and that federal money pays for abortions, this whole issue remains—totally and completely—a political football, with conservative minority trying to jam their views on abortion on the majority of the American public and using Planned Parenthood as the target of their ire.
To lie, cheat and distort the facts to make a case against Planned Parenthood simply shouldn't work in serious debate; the kind the United States Congress is supposed to conduct but where the truth is often the first victim.
17
I'm typically not one to tout the conspiracy paranoia, but the whole hubub seems a bit to well contrived and coincidental to have been genuine or accidental.
I think that the organization who fabricated this video knew what they were going to "find" long before they started trying to obtain it. They timed the release well, and played the public opinion well. They've even coordinated with the 'Congress' well.
I think the only thing (so far) that they didn't account for was the great job PP does at keeping their paperwork properly executed. The audit done has already shown the video to be a blatant lie. I would be surprised if there was no attempt to delay the audit's release, but perhaps it was only because they didn't expect it to be a problem...
...of course this (extreme) side of the party has never been particularly reliant on 'facts' or 'truth'.
I think that the organization who fabricated this video knew what they were going to "find" long before they started trying to obtain it. They timed the release well, and played the public opinion well. They've even coordinated with the 'Congress' well.
I think the only thing (so far) that they didn't account for was the great job PP does at keeping their paperwork properly executed. The audit done has already shown the video to be a blatant lie. I would be surprised if there was no attempt to delay the audit's release, but perhaps it was only because they didn't expect it to be a problem...
...of course this (extreme) side of the party has never been particularly reliant on 'facts' or 'truth'.
15
Republicans are clowns!
7
Planned Parenthood is a perfect flash point for the two passions of the theocrats: hatred and fear of sex and hatred and fear of science. In my eyes, the fact that fetal tissue is used for scientific research is an ennobling aspect of the otherwise routine medical procedure of abortion. Women who donate the discarded tissue instead of throwing it into the incinerator are to be commended as much as organ donors. And yet, somehow, this selfless gesture (for nobody gets an abortion just so they can donate tissue) sends the Republicans into a feeding frenzy of horror movie cliches: Frankenstein science, crashed babies, etc. Yes, the fetus has to be extracted in a particular way to preserve specific tissues. So what? It would have been removed in any case since the woman does not want it inside her body. What difference does it make how the procedure is performed? But PP is a perfect target to vent the venom of ignorance that theocrats mistake for morality.
50
According to other reports of this hearing, when Cecile Richards' salary was attacked, Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-MD, rose to her defense emphatically asking why CEO salaries were not condemned, too. It was one of the worst, most brutal treatments of a witness ever. Totally designed to rabble-rouse the Republican base--and we know all too well that their base is nothing but rabble.
17
Would it be extreme to ask those standing on the soapbox of righteousness to sign a pledge to refuse any and all treatments or medicines developed or enhanced by way of fetal tissue research?
14
I was able to watch most of the hearing, on C-Span. Most of this was a witch hunt, with legalized bullying by the Republican members. Gowdy, Jordan & even the Chairman, Chafetz were shameful. They went on & on with a diatribe, & would not even let Ms. Richards answer questions.
This was a fake hearing. If they had been truly interested in a sincere investigation, there would have been testimony from the people who took the videos, forscenic reports, & the companies that procured the Fetal tissue & then sold it.
There is no word for the behavior of this gop crowd that can be printed.!
This was a fake hearing. If they had been truly interested in a sincere investigation, there would have been testimony from the people who took the videos, forscenic reports, & the companies that procured the Fetal tissue & then sold it.
There is no word for the behavior of this gop crowd that can be printed.!
18
Ms. Richards and the democrats are caught in a very tough argument: that a private organization MUST receive government funds. It's even tougher when the committee members point out Richards earns a half million, they have millions to lobby with and have a massive amount of funds flowing into their organization. You don't have to be a tea partier to have that bother you.
3
Have you read anything at all about the issue? The federal funds Planned Parenthood receives are mostly in the form of Medicaid reimbursements for health care services rendered. What do you propose, that Medicaid not cover PAP smears and breast exams when they are provided through Planned Parenthood?
And if you're concerned about private companies receiving government funds, have you ever thought about the construction and agriculture industries? There are plenty of private companies that are funded almost completely through government contracts (often through the military), whose CEOs are paid much more than the CEO of Planned Parenthood. Or does CEO pay not matter when the CEO happens to be male?
And if you're concerned about private companies receiving government funds, have you ever thought about the construction and agriculture industries? There are plenty of private companies that are funded almost completely through government contracts (often through the military), whose CEOs are paid much more than the CEO of Planned Parenthood. Or does CEO pay not matter when the CEO happens to be male?
10
Planned Parenthood receives reimbursements from the Medicaid program for providing specific medical services, on a per service basis. It is no different from any other private healthcare provider in this respect. Republicans have fed the counterfactual fantasy that Planned Parenthood somehow receives a big federal donation every year just for existing. That's not how it works.
4
Wow, Dan! What an interesting take... Amazingly, your comment mirrors the exact points FOX News "journalists" Bill O'Reilly, Megyn Kelly, and Sean Hannity focused on last night...
Perhaps, not a coincidence?
A few miscellaneous Facts you'll never hear on FOX:
- The average CEO salary in the US is $13 million. By any standard, Ms Richards is a bargain!
- Government reimbursments received by Planned Parenthood are a fraction of what BIG OIL receives in the way of government subsidies.
- Total government reimbursments received by PP for abortion services = zero.
Conclusion: People who never leave the cave never see the sun.
Perhaps, not a coincidence?
A few miscellaneous Facts you'll never hear on FOX:
- The average CEO salary in the US is $13 million. By any standard, Ms Richards is a bargain!
- Government reimbursments received by Planned Parenthood are a fraction of what BIG OIL receives in the way of government subsidies.
- Total government reimbursments received by PP for abortion services = zero.
Conclusion: People who never leave the cave never see the sun.
13
Unfortunately, PP has become a victim of the "Fox News Effect"; if Fox News says it enough times, it becomes true.
11
The United States of America is, was, and probably will be, at least for the foreseeable future, a country rife with misogyny. Face it: the patriarchy is terrified of women and will do everything it can to hobble their societal advancement.
The attack on Planned Parenthood is, of course, a prime example. This is part and parcel of the GOP's obsession, both on state and federal levels, to do away with legal and safe abortion.
The attempt to keep the electorate focused on HRC's e-mail situation is another example of an attempt to prevent a woman from reaching the highest office in the land.
And then there is the question of whose face will be on the new $10 bill. Unable to think of an American woman of note one of the GOP presidential contenders suggested Margaret Thatcher.
Brava.
The attack on Planned Parenthood is, of course, a prime example. This is part and parcel of the GOP's obsession, both on state and federal levels, to do away with legal and safe abortion.
The attempt to keep the electorate focused on HRC's e-mail situation is another example of an attempt to prevent a woman from reaching the highest office in the land.
And then there is the question of whose face will be on the new $10 bill. Unable to think of an American woman of note one of the GOP presidential contenders suggested Margaret Thatcher.
Brava.
14
I believe that it was Jeb Bush who suggested Margaret Thatcher. (Go figure.) And two wanted their mothers. Speaks loudly of the lack of knowledge--or frank denial-- about the contribution from women to our country.
4
She is not embattled - she is being harassed and disrespected but she is holding her own and fighting back. Embattled is victim speak - Cecile Richards is a warrior, and I'm proud she is carrying this flag - she deserves every penny of her salary and then some.
20
Most of the white men you saw trying to take family planning away from women today are from gerrymandered districts. They can be this extreme and uncaring for their constituents' needs because they know their seat is safe.
Put them in a fair election, few would survive.
Put them in a fair election, few would survive.
10
PP is the largest abortion provider in the country. That is lawful and not under question. Federal funding for abortions is. Ms. Richards did clear up some facts, no they do not provide mammograms and certain other preventative services, but provide referrals. And that in some cases abortions are a large part of their revenue. Woman's healthcare is a red herring argument by liberals. Obamacare mandates all of the preventative services and birth control via the exchanges and Medicaid. PP got caught in the commerce of baby parts, there is no other way to spin it.
2
The fact is that NO federal money is spent on abortions. Attacking planned Parenthood will result in more pregnancies, not fewer. And that means more abortions. Why is this so hard to understand?
5
You have your facts wrong. Planned Parenthood didn't get "caught in the commerce of baby parts." There is no evidence whatsoever that Planned Parenthood violated any law or regulation in providing fetal tissue for research.
4
I try and try to understand the Republican Party, but it seems like this political body has become more and more a complex system of contradictions, inconsistencies and hypocricies. This is a party that claims with great enthusiasm that every fetus is precious and must be protected from those who wish to destroy it, all the while fighting to give every person possible a gun and even automatic weapons to those who go out and murder a whole classroom of children. A woman's constitutional right to her own decision is not as important as the constitutional right to own a gun. If a pregnant women were shot by some lunatic, they would not lament the loss of the baby as much as double down on the right to gun ownership. If a woman decides to abort her child she is condemned with an battery of curses, but if that woman accidentally shot her child they would fight for her right to own a gun. That they see no inconsistencies here is very disheartening.
12
And let's not even mention their love of unjustified wars for corporate profit and the death penalty, attacks on healthcare and food stamps, and denial of climate change.
The Republican Party is in actuality, the Pro Death Party.
The Republican Party is in actuality, the Pro Death Party.
2
I suspect that I am the only one to note the striking juxtaposition of this story with the story headlined: "Mother Is Accused of Throwing Newborn to Death From 7th Floor Window in Bronx".
Footnotes:
---If accused mother had had a late term abortion for her "health" Cecile R. would be defending the mother, now charged with second degree murder, for exercising her "right to choose".
---Recent studies reported in the medical journals JAMA and NEJM report that infants born as early as 24 weeks have a 49% survival rate.
Footnotes:
---If accused mother had had a late term abortion for her "health" Cecile R. would be defending the mother, now charged with second degree murder, for exercising her "right to choose".
---Recent studies reported in the medical journals JAMA and NEJM report that infants born as early as 24 weeks have a 49% survival rate.
2
You do not know anything about this tragedy except that you chose to make it an illustration of your prejudices. That is called an opinion.
4
Late term abortions are NOT allowed unless there is a danger to the mother's health or the fetus'.
2
A danger such as "I will kill this baby if she happens to drop out of the womb."
Using fetal tissue to research ways to reverse disease has great promise to help many people. This is not a negative even if the video showed some doctors being insensitive. It is actually a good thing.
9
The puerile bullying and pompous sneering of the GOP "questioners" demands an answer to the question: Why does the GOP hate women?
13
As a women, I am disgusted that Ms. Richard has the gall to stand up and claim the videos were doctored when the entire videos are posted on the CMP website. Watching the full-length versions only confirms that Planned Parenthood, with no ethical scruples whatsoever, sells the bodies of aborted foetuses for money. The callousness and the cavalier attitude shown by PP employees in these videos is truly sickening. I strongly believe PP should be defunded and that women should stop deluding themselves by thinking that abortion is their ticket to freedom. I would even support certain very limited rights to abortion under very restricted circumstances (rape, incest, abortion before 8-10 weeks) but these horrific late-term abortions that results in organ harvesting turn my stomach. This has nothing to do with "reproductive freedom". All the boilerplate feministic rhetoric in the world won't convince me that it does.
7
facts please.
the "entire" videos have not been released. this was made clear at the congressional hearings yesterday. congress has not had access as they are still part of a california court case.
the video that ms. fiorina has been referring to was most definitely edited with anti-abortion photos added.
the "entire" videos have not been released. this was made clear at the congressional hearings yesterday. congress has not had access as they are still part of a california court case.
the video that ms. fiorina has been referring to was most definitely edited with anti-abortion photos added.
4
Late term abortions are often wanted pregnancies that have failed due to disease, and the women affected volunteer their fetuses to medical research so that a cure may be found and other families spared their tragedy. Storing and transporting these fetuses and fetal tissue entails expense.
Beware of hate. It makes you feel good but it destroys reason.
Beware of hate. It makes you feel good but it destroys reason.
2
Uh- The CMP are the ones who doctored the videos to begin with.
Let's have Dr. Ben Carson explain it - he did surgery using fetal tissue and wrote a professional paper on it.
If you vaccinated your children for polio you have benefitted from this research as have parents whose kids have CP.
Let's have Dr. Ben Carson explain it - he did surgery using fetal tissue and wrote a professional paper on it.
If you vaccinated your children for polio you have benefitted from this research as have parents whose kids have CP.
8
Heather Collins here. Out of curiosity, I looked at how much we spend on agriculture subsidies, and also at compensation for CEOs of the big Ag companies. Looks like the subsidies for the top ten agriculture subsidy recipients comes to $183 billion, compared to $500 million for Planned Parenthood. This means those big "farmers" are getting 36 thousand times what Planned Parenthood is getting in government support. And interestingly, the average pay for the CEOs of these companies is pretty high. Excluding Cargill (a privately owned company for which I couldn't easily find salary info), the average compensation for these farming CEOs looks roughly to be something like $14 million a year. Thirty times what Cecile Richards makes. And while I fully understand what Planned Parenthood is doing for us little women, I don't really get what the agriculture subsidies are doing for us. But these big agriculture guys are sitting home not being grilled by Congress. What's up?
22
I wonder if Representative Chaffetz will also mention J. Michael Pearson's $10 million annual salary when the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform invites the Valeant Pharmaceuticals CEO to testify before Congress next week on price gouging for essential medicines.
22
Ms. Richards shows a quiet strength and openness that defines in stark contrast the despicable weakness and aggressive close-mindedness of her attackers
16
The first question to ask critics is: "Are you an organ donor?"
Then the follow-on is: "Don't mothers have the right to donate their fetal tissue to help other babies?"
Then the follow-on is: "Don't mothers have the right to donate their fetal tissue to help other babies?"
13
Well now we at least know that Carly was lying through her teeth about the video of a live fetus being harvested for body part by PP. The video had nothing to do with PP.
The Pubs looked real bad today. They proved once again they know absolutely nothing about women's health or the procedures women go through daily provided by PP.
And PP's favorable rating has gone up throughout this entire ordeal of edited videos.
The Pubs looked real bad today. They proved once again they know absolutely nothing about women's health or the procedures women go through daily provided by PP.
And PP's favorable rating has gone up throughout this entire ordeal of edited videos.
12
That "live" fetus was a prematurely born, naturally delivered. It was NOT an aborted fetus.
2
Last week, the United States Congress and a watching world speak eloquently about the positive vocation it should be. "The pope said "we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind. A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms. But there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners."
Today, in their righteously heavy and fact-lite condemnation of Cecile Richards and Planned Parenthood, the Republican Party proved that they are not up to the task of acting in accordance with Pope Francis' appeal to our better angels. Republican zealots proved once again that nothing matters more to them than their their antisocial political ideology. To be sure, Pope Francis' position on women, abortion, and family planning aligns more closely with the Republicans than the Democratic Party. But the pope's faithful representation on the Catholic Church's stances toward women reflects both his church's and the GOP's Middle Ages antagonism toward women and women's reproductive health.
Pope Francis appealed to the American people's democratic spirit. The Republican Party continues to act out their hostility toward democratic governance and society.
Today, in their righteously heavy and fact-lite condemnation of Cecile Richards and Planned Parenthood, the Republican Party proved that they are not up to the task of acting in accordance with Pope Francis' appeal to our better angels. Republican zealots proved once again that nothing matters more to them than their their antisocial political ideology. To be sure, Pope Francis' position on women, abortion, and family planning aligns more closely with the Republicans than the Democratic Party. But the pope's faithful representation on the Catholic Church's stances toward women reflects both his church's and the GOP's Middle Ages antagonism toward women and women's reproductive health.
Pope Francis appealed to the American people's democratic spirit. The Republican Party continues to act out their hostility toward democratic governance and society.
2
Witch hunt. You'd think in the 21st c. men would be so intimidated by providers of health care to women.
7
Last week, the United States Congress and a watching world listened to Pope Francis as he spoke eloquently about the positive vocation it should be. "we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind," the pope warned. " ... there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners."
Today, in their righteously heavy and fact-lite condemnation of Cecile Richards and Planned Parenthood, the Republican Party proved that they are not up to the task of acting in accordance with Pope Francis' appeal to our better angels. Republican zealots proved once again that nothing matters more to them than their their antisocial political ideology. To be sure, Pope Francis' position on women, abortion, and family planning aligns more closely with the Republicans than the Democratic Party. But the pope's faithful representation on the Catholic Church's stances toward women reflects both his church's and the GOP's Middle Ages antagonism toward women and women's reproductive health.
Pope Francis appealed to the American people's democratic spirit. The Republican Party continues to act out their hostility toward democratic governance and society.
Today, in their righteously heavy and fact-lite condemnation of Cecile Richards and Planned Parenthood, the Republican Party proved that they are not up to the task of acting in accordance with Pope Francis' appeal to our better angels. Republican zealots proved once again that nothing matters more to them than their their antisocial political ideology. To be sure, Pope Francis' position on women, abortion, and family planning aligns more closely with the Republicans than the Democratic Party. But the pope's faithful representation on the Catholic Church's stances toward women reflects both his church's and the GOP's Middle Ages antagonism toward women and women's reproductive health.
Pope Francis appealed to the American people's democratic spirit. The Republican Party continues to act out their hostility toward democratic governance and society.
3
The Old Nasties of the GOP always screech and scream at any woman testifying before Congress. Their lack of dignity and human respect towards women deserves our everlasting revulsion for everything and anything Republican for the rest of our lives. Defeat the lying obstructing fascist old bigot men in every election and let them know woman do not have to put up with their sick and irrational hatred of all women.
8
My experience watching committee hearings, especially the ones dealing with social issues, is that the members of the committee are more interested in making an initial speech to mark their ideological territory, rather than eliciting information from the witnesses. As a consequence, they barely ask questions and when they do, they do not listen. It often happens that when they finish with their speeches, they leave the room.
18
Just watched CNN - segments on the Planned Parenthood Hearing ..man just amazing garbage journalism by CNN.
Here is what they left out and with CNN its what they leave out that usually is the real Story:
1. Planned Parenthood is taking Taxpayer Money! Correct-Correct!
That means they have an absolute responsibility to the US Taxpayer to spend the money as they should as a Charity Organization that primarily helps poor women. And use Taxpayer Funds very responsibly. Yet they pay Cecile Richards almost 75 times more than what the average women makes who uses their services. Not 25 times more, not 50 times more, 75 times more! Sounds like a Charity Ripoff of Taxpayer Funds! CNN left this out!
2. It was also Disclosed during the Hearing with Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood - (PP) uses charter jets and when on commercial flites sit in First Class, amazing amazing.......Help the Poor but never associate with the average person or use the Taxpayer Funds responsibly......CNN left this out!
3. Why Women cant manage their bodies responsibly:
CNN leaves this out all the TIME!
Maybe through thought - using your brain - what are you doing before you got into the situation of being pregnant. "Women use your Brain" this should be Planned Parenthood's Motto.
IS CNN's reporting - what I am sure they consider journalism dealing with Reality or are they in fact Pandering.
Here is what they left out and with CNN its what they leave out that usually is the real Story:
1. Planned Parenthood is taking Taxpayer Money! Correct-Correct!
That means they have an absolute responsibility to the US Taxpayer to spend the money as they should as a Charity Organization that primarily helps poor women. And use Taxpayer Funds very responsibly. Yet they pay Cecile Richards almost 75 times more than what the average women makes who uses their services. Not 25 times more, not 50 times more, 75 times more! Sounds like a Charity Ripoff of Taxpayer Funds! CNN left this out!
2. It was also Disclosed during the Hearing with Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood - (PP) uses charter jets and when on commercial flites sit in First Class, amazing amazing.......Help the Poor but never associate with the average person or use the Taxpayer Funds responsibly......CNN left this out!
3. Why Women cant manage their bodies responsibly:
CNN leaves this out all the TIME!
Maybe through thought - using your brain - what are you doing before you got into the situation of being pregnant. "Women use your Brain" this should be Planned Parenthood's Motto.
IS CNN's reporting - what I am sure they consider journalism dealing with Reality or are they in fact Pandering.
3
@James P. Evanhoe
Jackson, Wyoming
Why can't women manage their bodies responsibly? And apparently this particular woman is being paid too much. The Republican view. Btw the taxpayer dollars PP receives are for the provision of healthcare services. You know like the taxpayer dollars Medicare or Medicaid providers receive.
Jackson, Wyoming
Why can't women manage their bodies responsibly? And apparently this particular woman is being paid too much. The Republican view. Btw the taxpayer dollars PP receives are for the provision of healthcare services. You know like the taxpayer dollars Medicare or Medicaid providers receive.
11
CEOs in Wall Street casinos make 300 to 500 times what an average worker makes.
Get informed first before accusing Ms Richards of having a huge salary.
Get informed first before accusing Ms Richards of having a huge salary.
7
Cecile Richards makes $100,000 below the median salary for a CEO. Overpaid indeed.
8
Rather like a Moscow show trial. One wonders if PP and the Democrats aren't actually laughing up their sleeve because some of the more blatant Republican bullying of this woman is likely to find its way into election ads
28
If there is income derived from legally selling fetal tissue etc shouldn't the government expense be reduced by this additional income
3
"If there is income derived from legally selling fetal tissue etc . . ."
There isn't.
There isn't.
5
A. Taxpayer, No fetal tissue is being sold. The fetal tissue is being donated by the women who provided it. Planned Parenthood is being reimbursed for the reasonable expenses of preserving the tissue and providing it to researchers, so that medical science can be advanced to save lives.
7
There isn't any income derived from "legally selling" fetal tissue because:
1. It is not legal to sell fetal tissue
2. PP is not selling, legally or illegally, fetal tissue; thus there is no income.
1. It is not legal to sell fetal tissue
2. PP is not selling, legally or illegally, fetal tissue; thus there is no income.
2
Why did this hearing remind me of a show trial from communist Russia under Stalin's rule?
49
It wasn't a Stalinist show trial because false confessions obtained through "hard interrogation" (torture) weren't recited by defendants to save their wives and children.
You get approval for comparing aggressive questioning by Republicans to Soviet show trials that were a prelude to execution, sometimes of Jews. If you had compared the questioning to the Holocaust, however, you would have been broadly criticized. Just because the peanut gallery likes your comment doesn't mean that it's thoughtful or constructive.
It's amazing what Republicans need to resort to to overcome their inability to win elections on merit. This is a charade. The federal government spends $500 million a year on PP? That's all? We pay upwards of $50 Billion annually to subsidize oil companies. Planned Parenthood helps women avoid having abortions. Planned Parenthood was just named the most popular entity we have in our country. And they dare criticize Ms. Richards' salary? The average corporate CEO makes $13 million.
With all of the serious issues confronting our country, Republicans spend their time passing bills against abortion, affordable care, and the rights of citizens to vote. The men on the committee looked like their heads might explode. That would be a blessing.
With all of the serious issues confronting our country, Republicans spend their time passing bills against abortion, affordable care, and the rights of citizens to vote. The men on the committee looked like their heads might explode. That would be a blessing.
69
Plus the men on the committee clearly know nothing about women's healthcare. They parrot the stale talking points of the GOP right wing OK'd for their districts.
3
You're right! Why should PP be able to sell body parts??
The truth is, Planned Parenthood is one of the action agencies at the end of the abortion pipelines. There are many abortion pipelines (in the USA) that funnel people to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers.
Many millions of Americans have been taught to destroy unwanted unborn babies.
Many millions of Americans have been taught to destroy unwanted unborn babies.
9
@Pastor Clarence Wm. Page
High Point, NC
These are not babies and women have a constitutional right to an abortion. You may not agree with it but this doesn't alter either the science or the legal status.
High Point, NC
These are not babies and women have a constitutional right to an abortion. You may not agree with it but this doesn't alter either the science or the legal status.
39
Planned parenthood helped me not have an abortion when I was 21 alone and didn't think I had any choices. They let me know there was help available for me to have my baby who is now 24. Planned Parenthood later caught a lump in my breast during an exam and referred me to help at Ralph Lauren Breast Center. They believed in me and taught me to care for my body. Im grateful for Planned Parenthood every day.
79
And this is exactly why people are turning away from religion. Where in your bible does it state that you are allowed to judge?????? And where in your bible does it state that you have the right to tell me what to do?????
10
I wonder if some of the vociferous defenders of PP have listened to the entire tapes. Edited they may be in part, to avoid showing the actors using the restroom or washing their hands, but in no way could the amateur editors concoct Dr Deborah Nicotella coldly describing crushing a fetus' calvarium, or adjusting her procedure to avoid specimen loss; or another doctor joking about wanting a Lamborghini and coyly showing interest in a financial transaction after agreeing that the product would be more valuable if the abortionist were to use a less "crunchy" procedure; or another PP rep crowing about researchers wanting "gonads," or a tissue company rep saying confidentially that the filth in some clinics was repulsive. It is chilling. View the tapes on YouTube, and then make your judgment. PP may be fortunate in its enemies, but it is engaged in a vile business. American women, poor and medically underserved, deserve better treatment.
10
@Kathleen
The tapes weren't "Edited" to avoid showing people going to the rest room. By my count at least five independent auditors have concluded the videos were deceptively edited and false linkages included. Republicans including presidential candidates have repeatedly lied about what they contain. Abortions are a woman's constitutional right as you seem to have forgotten. They represent only a small part of the health services provided to women by PP do and many others are performing abortions including maybe a hospital that you attend. Nor is the sale of fetal tissue and its use for research illegal. Millions of women use PP and get excellent treatment which is why they support it by a large majority.
The tapes weren't "Edited" to avoid showing people going to the rest room. By my count at least five independent auditors have concluded the videos were deceptively edited and false linkages included. Republicans including presidential candidates have repeatedly lied about what they contain. Abortions are a woman's constitutional right as you seem to have forgotten. They represent only a small part of the health services provided to women by PP do and many others are performing abortions including maybe a hospital that you attend. Nor is the sale of fetal tissue and its use for research illegal. Millions of women use PP and get excellent treatment which is why they support it by a large majority.
36
The anti-abortion movement is blind to its own misconduct due to excessive zeal. Their failing mirrors Sen. Barry Goldwater's, enshrined by that infamous declaration in his acceptance speech at the 1964 San Francisco Republican Convention: "... extremism in the defense of Liberty is no vice ...".
Oh, but it is.
The videos you cite are bogus. Their editor reportedly refuses to testify before Congress, and the Republican-controlled Congress refuses to compel him to appear, interestingly.
I've edited video. With enough coverage, footage, an editor can make a very convincing story "out of whole cloth". Documentarians often plug continuity gaps by inserting snippets of "stock" footage taken at other times, in other places. "The Blair Witch Project" is a brilliant example of how clever visual techniques possess unique powers of suggestion.
Oh, but it is.
The videos you cite are bogus. Their editor reportedly refuses to testify before Congress, and the Republican-controlled Congress refuses to compel him to appear, interestingly.
I've edited video. With enough coverage, footage, an editor can make a very convincing story "out of whole cloth". Documentarians often plug continuity gaps by inserting snippets of "stock" footage taken at other times, in other places. "The Blair Witch Project" is a brilliant example of how clever visual techniques possess unique powers of suggestion.
11
The tapes were edited. They are a lie. Trying to get any truth out of them is a silly exercise. Only those with their mind made up against PP would even try.
8
"Surgeons in London have carried out a pioneering human embryonic stem cell operation in an ongoing trial to find a cure for blindness for many patients.
The procedure was performed on a woman aged 60 at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
It involved "seeding" a tiny patch with specialised eye cells and implanting it at the back of the retina.
The London Project to Cure Blindness was established a decade ago to try to reverse vision loss in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)."
-- BBC, today
If this is part of what donated fetal tissue might accomplish, why would any thinking person oppose it?
The procedure was performed on a woman aged 60 at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
It involved "seeding" a tiny patch with specialised eye cells and implanting it at the back of the retina.
The London Project to Cure Blindness was established a decade ago to try to reverse vision loss in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)."
-- BBC, today
If this is part of what donated fetal tissue might accomplish, why would any thinking person oppose it?
48
No thinking person would.
Republicans, on the other hand...
Republicans, on the other hand...
5
Because people think sickness is a punishment from God and so humans should not interfere.
As disgusting as these Republican kangaroo courts are, let's look on the bright side of life. The GOP is digging its own political grave with these offensive hearings into Planned Parenthood (and Benghazi and Hillary's emails and IRS etc.). Democrats and many independents (especially single women) will continue to rally to PP's cause. The Dems will likely retain the Presidency and regain the Senate in 2017 (with critical control of Supreme Ct nominations) and hopefully get control of the wacko bird House in 2018 or 2020. Then much of this silly sanctimonious nonsense may subside or at least be narrowly confined to Fox and Rush and their fellow hatemongers.
38
It's reached the point in the Republican Party where they fabricate "evidence" to justify their nonsensical congressional witch hunts. Not unlike George W Bush's fabricated "evidence" that justified an invasion that killed, injured, and displaced millions, cost trillions, and destabilized the Middle East for decades, or the Koch Funded think tank "Studies" that "disprove" Climate Change.
America's most dangerous enemy is not ISIS, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, Putin, or China. America's most dangerous enemy resides right here at home.
America's most dangerous enemy is not ISIS, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, Putin, or China. America's most dangerous enemy resides right here at home.
52
I am deeply grateful to Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood, for standing up to destructive attacks for 5 hours on behalf of women and their medical needs.
I don't think all this Republican Grandstanding against Planned Parenthood will do the Republicans much good and I am happy for that. Most of us are aware that people who spend their time chastising others for their sins are not paying enough attention to their own.
All this about not taking the lives of the unborn is hipocracy for those who support the death penalty .
These people should think about their own sins and not those of others.
I don't think all this Republican Grandstanding against Planned Parenthood will do the Republicans much good and I am happy for that. Most of us are aware that people who spend their time chastising others for their sins are not paying enough attention to their own.
All this about not taking the lives of the unborn is hipocracy for those who support the death penalty .
These people should think about their own sins and not those of others.
52
I'll give up the death penalty....even for the monsters who committed the Petit family slaughter in Connecticut....if you will stop murdering unborn humans----who committed no crimes and do not deserve a death penalty.
1
The countries with the lowest abortion rates follow the Planned Parenthood model, not the so-called pro-life model. Criminalization is a failed strategy that drives abortion underground and destroys the quality of prenatal care.
Most fertilized eggs never become newborn humans but are lost somewhere along the way. Aggressive criminalization of abortion too often turns into criminalization of miscarriage and police state level surveillance of pregnant women and healthcare providers.
Self-righteousness is folly. Hate makes the brain euphoric and stupid. Look at these hearings! Republicans seek to defund the part of PP that prevents abortions, not provide them! Look at Colorado. A largely privately funded program cut the teen abortion rate by over a third in its first year! Republicans couldn't get rid of it fast enough!
Most fertilized eggs never become newborn humans but are lost somewhere along the way. Aggressive criminalization of abortion too often turns into criminalization of miscarriage and police state level surveillance of pregnant women and healthcare providers.
Self-righteousness is folly. Hate makes the brain euphoric and stupid. Look at these hearings! Republicans seek to defund the part of PP that prevents abortions, not provide them! Look at Colorado. A largely privately funded program cut the teen abortion rate by over a third in its first year! Republicans couldn't get rid of it fast enough!
2
The video... The whole reason for this sudden outburst by the right. Where were the producers of this video? In our system of justice, although I realize this was a Congressional dog-and-pony show, er, I mean, hearing, the accused should have the right to face their accusers. So, where were the video's producers? Further, why aren't the Congressional inquisitors interested in hauling into the hearing room the makers of the video and subjecting them to the same manner of leading questions Richards had to face today?
I for one would love for these producers to have to face experts in the field of video editing. I'd love for the producers to have to provide " footnotes" in order to validate the premise of the video. Carly Fiorina has even said that ther are many other videos that support this video. Perhaps she should face the scrutiny of a Congressional panel.
I for one would love for these producers to have to face experts in the field of video editing. I'd love for the producers to have to provide " footnotes" in order to validate the premise of the video. Carly Fiorina has even said that ther are many other videos that support this video. Perhaps she should face the scrutiny of a Congressional panel.
52
Not mentioned in the article, but Rep. Chaffetz at one point displayed a chart which purports to show that abortions are up and medical care is down at Planned Parenthood clinics.
Ms. Richards denied the information, which led to a back and forth with Ms. RIchards insisting the statistics on the chart were wrong, and Chaffetz calling her a liar, claiming his staff had taken the information from Planned Parenthood's own financial filings!
After a couple minutes, a lawyer for PP leans over and whispers in Ms. Richards' ear. She then turns to Chaffetz and informs him that her staff have identified the source of his chart data: the anti-abortion organization Americans United for Life.
Chaffetz gets a bit miffed, but then decides to change topics, without any apology for calling Richards a liar when in fact it was his claim that was the lie.
Ms. Richards denied the information, which led to a back and forth with Ms. RIchards insisting the statistics on the chart were wrong, and Chaffetz calling her a liar, claiming his staff had taken the information from Planned Parenthood's own financial filings!
After a couple minutes, a lawyer for PP leans over and whispers in Ms. Richards' ear. She then turns to Chaffetz and informs him that her staff have identified the source of his chart data: the anti-abortion organization Americans United for Life.
Chaffetz gets a bit miffed, but then decides to change topics, without any apology for calling Richards a liar when in fact it was his claim that was the lie.
78
Not to mention that Rep. Chaffetz never explained what exactly is sinister about abortions going up and other medical services going down. Perhaps it means only that thanks to an improving economy and Obamacare, more women have health insurance, no longer qualify for Medicaid, and don't need to use Planned Parenthood as their primary care provider.
22
The source was actually still shown on the slide in a footnote. Chaffetz, in his rush to ""get" Richards neglected to scrub the graph of this information. Never mind that he claimed to have pulled it from PP documents.
3
Rep. Chaffetz received his question-list from a committee staffer just minutes before gaveling his committee to order. He read it for first time just after swearing-in the witness.
If he seemed out of his depth, he was -- because the preparation process was delegated to unqualified subordinates; routinely.
If he seemed out of his depth, he was -- because the preparation process was delegated to unqualified subordinates; routinely.
3
These attacks by the GOP are so dishonest, wanting to deny Medicaid payments to a large institution thereby undercutting Medicaid itself, as they move in other ways to undo Medicare, Social Security---the entire New Deal.
It's the complete lack of honesty of their motives, and displacement onto whatever's at hand, no regard for its racist or inflammatory nature.
Brave New World, as they underhandedly try to advance their vile agenda.
Good job in impossible task, Cecilia.
It's the complete lack of honesty of their motives, and displacement onto whatever's at hand, no regard for its racist or inflammatory nature.
Brave New World, as they underhandedly try to advance their vile agenda.
Good job in impossible task, Cecilia.
39
Representative Chaffetz, as usual, with his curious and sarcastic smile, had a difficult time with Cecile Richards who was prepared and had the facts on her side. The GOP is on the wrong side of almost all the social issues of our day: Same sex marriage, women's health care, Planned Parenthood, voting rights, equal pay for women, immigration and, well, you fill in the rest.....it's a very long list. Are we witnessing, in real time, the demise of the Republican Party? Trump? Are you serious?
41
Shocking, revolting behaviour by the GOP members of the committee. They make no attempt to be civil or polite. Their self-centred righteous egotism is beyond the pale. They bring total shame to themselves and the institution.
49
Val in Brooklyn. Right now, Quest for Fire, the film set in prehistory, makes more sense and seems like a more enlightened period than this--including the cannibalism. I've seen videos of a room packed with obsessed people putting the head of Planned Parenthood on the rack. Thank the Goddess for Rep. Connelly and the few other voices of reason in that ambush. As he said, why haven't the real perpetrators, the people who make the fake videos been brought to trial?
Why are they threatened by her and PP? And so desperately determined, that the attack shifts from video to birth control to planes? It can't be $$. D.C. is like ancient Rome and the Axis Powers. Why are they so threatened by womens' (and men's) private, autonomous decisions for their health, lives and bodies? Isn't that part of the value and point of being a U.S. citizen and simply a human being? I don't get it.
Rep. Jordan's wrong re: shifting $$; the more hands against cancer the better. My late sis would agree. She had cancer; dead at 49 in Jan, '15.
Voters won't forget; this voter won't forget; or forgive.
Why are they threatened by her and PP? And so desperately determined, that the attack shifts from video to birth control to planes? It can't be $$. D.C. is like ancient Rome and the Axis Powers. Why are they so threatened by womens' (and men's) private, autonomous decisions for their health, lives and bodies? Isn't that part of the value and point of being a U.S. citizen and simply a human being? I don't get it.
Rep. Jordan's wrong re: shifting $$; the more hands against cancer the better. My late sis would agree. She had cancer; dead at 49 in Jan, '15.
Voters won't forget; this voter won't forget; or forgive.
29
It's abundantly clear that this "hearing" was nothing more than a televised inquisition aimed at humiliating and discrediting the chief executive of Planned Parenthood. All aimed at justifying a position the right wing has been slobering over for years. Sadly for Mr. Chaffitz and the Republicans holding the hearing, Ms. Richards was unfazed by their goading and harassing. She delivered solid answers to their ridiculous assertions and accusations. I can accept some people don't approve of abortions; but they fail to remember Planned Parenthood does a very small number of abortions, and it doesn't use federal dollars to do so.
These GOP men are seeking to destroy a reputable organization that provides badly needed healthcare services for millions of low income women. It's remarkable, quite honestly, that they continue to push this absurdity. This inquisition will only hurt the GOP in the end. About that I am insanely happy.
These GOP men are seeking to destroy a reputable organization that provides badly needed healthcare services for millions of low income women. It's remarkable, quite honestly, that they continue to push this absurdity. This inquisition will only hurt the GOP in the end. About that I am insanely happy.
51
The most damaging was the disclosure of the fat salaries and perks for the executives what happened to the IRS rules on charities payments to staff ?
3
Check the salaries of the Red Cross and blood bank CEO's. Also, those of CEO's of non profit hospitals.
2
Do you mean the IRS rule that allows charities to enslave their workers and not pay them?
SURPRISE!!! They have staff, they have executive. Is your problem taht a woman is making more than you? It's 2015 --- GET OVER IT.
SURPRISE!!! They have staff, they have executive. Is your problem taht a woman is making more than you? It's 2015 --- GET OVER IT.
1
I was incredibly offended by Cecile Richard. She condescended, played the American people for fools and lied about the services PP provides. This organization needs reform immediately and it's obvious her first priority is politics.
4
Well said -- usually about Texans.
The consensus was that she did well. Being grilled by guys who do not know what they are talking about and interrupted a thousand times probably helped the public understand the deep disregard of the right wing politicians for real issues for women. It was a joke.
Meanwhile, where were the video makers? Let's have them answer some questions. Laughable that they weren't invited to this show "hearing".
Meanwhile, where were the video makers? Let's have them answer some questions. Laughable that they weren't invited to this show "hearing".
3
Hey, Texas -- I'm sure the majority of your fellow Texans agree. I was personally glad to see that the Republican senators questioning Ms. Richard chose to take the high road with unimpeachable evidence and a calm judicious tone. THEIR forst priority was the public good and the protection of citizens, not politics. Refreshing!
I have never seen anything that shows a woman making the decision to have an abortion happy.
But there are a whole lot of men happy to have sex and happy to walk away from that responsibility and happy to strut around over these kinds of issues.
But there are a whole lot of men happy to have sex and happy to walk away from that responsibility and happy to strut around over these kinds of issues.
37
Sure. And there are plenty of women happy to toss their newborns out of 7 story buildings, and to put their dead fetuses in a bag while they go shopping. If your intent is to smear men by claiming female moral superiority, you have failed.
Federal law (42 USC 289g-2(a)) -- provides that "It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly acquire, receive, or otherwise transfer any human fetal tissue for valuable consideration if the transfer affects interstate commerce." If PP sold fetal tissue, the issue is whether it received "valuable consideration" in return. PP denies that. Its accusers disagree. It really doesn't matter what you think about abortions. The law is the law. And intelligent discussion here concerns solely whether PP got paid for fetal tissue and. if so, whether the payment constituted "valuable consideration". When it comes to the law, your politics are irrelevant.
7
If ever there was a time for an investigation, this is it. Taxpayers have a right to know exactly how Planned Parenthood's money is spent. No more obfuscations like its "3%" claim.
4
The law does not turn on whether tissue research is important for science. It does not turn on whether Panned Parenthood made a lot of money selling fetal tissue. and iit does not turn on whether videotapes were improperly edited. Under the law it is illegal to transfer fetal tissue for "valuable consideration". Valuable consideration is a term from the law of contracts defined as payment sufficient to enforce an agreement. Courts generally hold that any payment is sufficient, even a penny. So if PP got any money for its fetal tissue it likely violated the law. We have been misled on the viability of a number of Republican legal arguments, regarding immigration and health care, among others. It has consistently been reported that the Democrats will win hands down when they don't. This is yet one more example of the same. I am a liberal, but I am a lawyer and it's obvious to me that PP is facing an uphill battle when they inevitably will be sued for selling fetal tissue.
When it comes to the law, you need more than a doctored video to make a case.
2
"For her part, Ms. Richards said repeatedly that no federal money was used to pay for abortion services, and she said that most of the federal funding to her organization — about $400 million per year — came through Medicaid reimbursements for health care services provided to women."
Let's clear Ms. Richards obfuscation:
"The Medicaid program is jointly funded by the federal government and states. The federal government pays states for a specified percentage of program expenditures, called the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP)."
Most of the services are for abortions.
Health care is outsourced to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
There are over 1100 FQHCs in the United States that operate at about 6000 sites, and in addition, the Washington Post reports there are 9,059 community health care clinics, saying, “Throughout the country, community centers vastly outnumber Planned Parenthood, totaling 9,059 to 669. It would appear that women could still get the health care they need.”
Let's clear Ms. Richards obfuscation:
"The Medicaid program is jointly funded by the federal government and states. The federal government pays states for a specified percentage of program expenditures, called the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP)."
Most of the services are for abortions.
Health care is outsourced to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
There are over 1100 FQHCs in the United States that operate at about 6000 sites, and in addition, the Washington Post reports there are 9,059 community health care clinics, saying, “Throughout the country, community centers vastly outnumber Planned Parenthood, totaling 9,059 to 669. It would appear that women could still get the health care they need.”
5
Maybe women know what kind of women's reproductive healthcare, cancer screening, and contraceptive clinic they want. Has that ever occurred to you? Women are half the population in America and are capable of handling these issues.
You guys can stop starting wars if you need a project.
You guys can stop starting wars if you need a project.
39
Well, let's it simple. The bulk of your statement is not true.
Meanwhile, in the Bronx, a woman performs a self abortion at home and gets arrested. Why?
16
Yes. It is a disgrace that such a case should be prosecuted. Leave her alone.
Planned Parenthood needs to take a more calculated approach to its opponents. It needs to create YouTube videos and documentaries about the inconsistencies and hypocrisies of its adversaries. The people who oppose Planned Parenthood on the ground that life is inviolate are overrepresented among those who support the death penalty. They are also overrepresented among those who oppose social welfare funding for the children of indigent parents, whose numbers will of course be larger the less opportunity there is for family planning. The anti-PP crowd thus supports the growth of an indigent underclass--which, incidentally, will be unlikely to vote Republican.
13
Because these "truthiness" videos would be extremely edited to show one side only.
It seems to me here, that what democrats and republicans both should see, is that to most Americans it isn't really the abortions this time around. It's the SELLING of the tissue. And yeah I know, it covers the cost and blah blah, blah. It's the selling of the tissue and people don't think that's right. This includes people who are both pro choice and pro restriction. Why not require that this tissue be donated and the donations be distributed through some kind of system based on need and priority.
The system could be funded either publicly or through the industry. That would be a much more productive partisan fight to have!
The system could be funded either publicly or through the industry. That would be a much more productive partisan fight to have!
1
Willfully denying and/or misunderstanding the facts and then getting upset about one's misunderstanding seems to be the right wing game these days.
The tissue is donated, nothing is sold, as has been proved through the 9 or 10 state investigations resulting from this latest skirmish in the Republican War on Women.
Republicans always seem to forget that women vote (as do those who love them).
The tissue is donated, nothing is sold, as has been proved through the 9 or 10 state investigations resulting from this latest skirmish in the Republican War on Women.
Republicans always seem to forget that women vote (as do those who love them).
24
Democrats seem to forget that about 25% of women registered to vote in the USA are Republicans. You write as if that number is 0%.
The mother of the stillborn child in the videos in question is interviewed. Nothing to do with Planned Parenthood.
http://www.msnbc.com/thomas-roberts/watch/mother-of-stillborn-child-spea...
It's disturbing that Republicans are so desperate to make political points that the truth suffers. They seem to feel that repeating the same untruths over and over and over trumps the truth. That ploy only works for a while. Except for those who know only what they believe and aren't swayed by the truth.
http://www.msnbc.com/thomas-roberts/watch/mother-of-stillborn-child-spea...
It's disturbing that Republicans are so desperate to make political points that the truth suffers. They seem to feel that repeating the same untruths over and over and over trumps the truth. That ploy only works for a while. Except for those who know only what they believe and aren't swayed by the truth.
16
The Republicans are to be commended for taking up this very important Planned Parenthood issue of the selling of baby body parts that were discussed between PP doctors and the pro-life group shown on video. They have behaved in a dignified and fair manner in the questioning of Ms. Richards of PP. The truth will be revealed and hopefully people will finally see what abortion really is -- the killing of innocent babies in the womb. I hope the Republicans do not give up on this very important fight to save the most vulnerable in our society.
3
Did you vaccinate your children for polio? That was part of fetal cell research.
14
Why do you continue to spread the LIE that PP "sells" fetal tissue. They charge 80 - 150 dollars to the lab to ship the fetal tissue - a charge that several bio-ethics committees as several hospitals and universities actually thought was on the low end. Please realize you are being used as a dupe by anti-abortionists. PP does NOT sell fetal tissue.
1
If nonstop interruptions, condescension, talking over someone testifying, and refusing to let a person answer a question just posed by a Representative moments earlier qualifies as behaving in a "dignified and fair manner," then I wonder what hostile, unfair questioning looks in your eyes. I watched the hearing, and found nothing dignified, fair, rational, or reasonable in the questioning of Ms. Richards by Republicans in Congress.
2
I understand the emotion on both sides, but can we please stop calling baby killing "healthcare"?
6
Or these kinds of money wasting and partisan witch hunts "Congressional Hearings?" Where were the guys who glued this fake video together? Why wasnt their project questioned instead of swallowed whole by these Congressmen?
5
Well sure, we can go back to calling it "abortion" -- and then maybe you can stop calling abortion "baby killing." I think you in fact DON"T understand the emotion on both sides, but only on one.
1
Mr. Ted Lieu, Democrat from California, mentioned that the fellow who videotaped Planned Parenthood discussing the selling of baby body parts was a coward for not attending the Congressional hearings. He was not invited because a court in California would not not allow the remaining videos to be released. This important fact was mentioned by Mr. Jason Chaffetz, the Republican presiding over the hearings, during the session.
3
How is an injunction on the remaining videos stopping him from testifying at the hearing? That makes little sense to me. Perhaps an injunction would make him unable to answer specific questions about what might be on other, unreleased videos, but it shouldn't have any bearing on answering other questions.
But No he didn't ask to see the videos he asked to testify. But I guess your pals on the right have dispensed with the constitutional principle that allows the accused to face an accuser.
I guess Chaffetz had to mention one important fact during the hearing and provided many important lies to go along with the one fact.
I guess Chaffetz had to mention one important fact during the hearing and provided many important lies to go along with the one fact.
1
As a lawyer, I can tell you that your explanation makes no legal sense whatsoever.
1
Access to abortion services should not be outlawed. I am a left-leaning scientist. I have never voted Republican. I am not religious. However the moral and ethical issues surrounding the harvesting of cells and tissue from aborted fetuses is not merely a grey area. Some people think that research and science trumps other morals. I disagree. When I stand back and look at what is going on it plays like a bad science fiction movie. Dead babies grown and harvested for research. I know many people do not consider undeveloped fetuses as babies and I agree, but at the same time, it is living tissue that apparently has great value and is now a commodity. Regardless of whether people "profit" of not from this enterprise is not the point. It is just ethically wrong. If the fetus is not capable of developing into a viable baby or is terminated at some point, then really terminate it. Destroy the tissue. I never thought that George W. Bush got anything right. He was not a bright person. However, I do recall his stance on embryonic stem cell harvesting and research (he was strongly opposed), I remember agreeing with him. He got one thing right. We, as a species and society, have not developed to the point where we can separate desire for cures and research from what is wrong and right. I think Planned Parenthood should continue to be funded. I think any trafficking in human tissue from aborted fetuses - regardless of consent - should be banned. It is a Frankensteinian science.
3
Nancy Reagan was up against the same questions about the use of stem cells to help LIVING people. She stared down the right wingers in her own party to help with Alzheimers research.
6
At what time were any "dead babies grown and harvested for research?" It's not as though we are living in a dystopia where woman are intentionally impregnated, forced to carry the pregnancy until a certain point, then forced to undergo an abortion so the tissue can be harvested! These are women who are *getting an abortion by choice* for whichever reason they may have - something still protected by our law, at least for now. And in the course of deciding to terminate their pregnancy, an extremely small number of these women offer informed consent to donate the fetal remains for lifesaving research. They *choose* to do so, just as they *choose* to get an abortion.
This only sounds like terrifying science fiction if one is willfully ignoring the facts and distorting everything from the pregnancy itself to the person who holds the power to opt for donation or not: the woman. We are not living in that dystopian society where ANY "dead babies are grown and harvested." Not even close.
This only sounds like terrifying science fiction if one is willfully ignoring the facts and distorting everything from the pregnancy itself to the person who holds the power to opt for donation or not: the woman. We are not living in that dystopian society where ANY "dead babies are grown and harvested." Not even close.
1
As shameful as the Republican's attack on PP is the opening sentence of this article: "The embattled president of Planned Parenthood on Tuesday forcefully disputed what she called 'outrageous accusations' by Republicans."
No quotes needed around "outrageous accusations," Mr. Shear. The Times's own reporting establishes that this characterization is no more subject to debate than the statement that the earth is not flat.
No quotes needed around "outrageous accusations," Mr. Shear. The Times's own reporting establishes that this characterization is no more subject to debate than the statement that the earth is not flat.
20
Exactly why are quotation marks around quoted words "shameful"?
1
How is quoting someone in an article opener - a common journalistic feature - shameful? It seems plainly factual to me. Ms. Richards is embattled, she did forcefully answer questions, and she did describe the accusations as "outrageous." That characterization is neither false not misleading.
Representative Jason Chaffetz, Republican of Utah and chairman of the committee, opened the hearing with a tearful commentary about the death of his mother to breast cancer, and the death of his father to cancer as well yet he has no compassion for a woman who may have been raped and now is pregnant or needs a mammogram to find out if that lump she is feeling is cancer. I think it was Gloria Steinem a long time ago who said that "if men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament."
39
Jason Chavitz's performance was appalling in every respect. On the plus side, it will come back to haunt him. For Democrats, clips of this hearing will be the gift that keeps on giving.
1
Watched portions of the hearing. Main impression is that Republicans, again, did not prepare for the hearing and ended up shouting and sputtering. Do these guys have any idea how ridiculous they look? Highlight was when the congressman did not even know who prepared the bogus chart he was using.
38
Watching these hearings today made me sad for my country. What is happening in America? What is the problem with these white, Republican men, stomping on the rights of women. Do these men not have sisters, mothers, daughters and wives. This was such a misogynistic show. At a time when American faces serious problems and issues, why do we allow this kind of farce to go on?
I'm not only sad for America, I'm ashamed of one of its two major political parties. The GOP has lost its way.
I'm not only sad for America, I'm ashamed of one of its two major political parties. The GOP has lost its way.
46
I don't think it is a problem of "white, Republican men" when these men are attempting to protect the lives of innocent sisters, mothers, aunts and grandmothers. You should be ashamed of yourself for losing sight of the real problem which is stopping the ugliness and callous murdering of innocent pre-born babies in the name of "women's reproductive rights".
John G – –
Your comment says it all about the kind of condescending,paternalistic, patriarchal control thinking women deplore. When I need you to "protect" me, John, I'll ask. In the meantime, my uterus is my business and not yours.
Your comment says it all about the kind of condescending,paternalistic, patriarchal control thinking women deplore. When I need you to "protect" me, John, I'll ask. In the meantime, my uterus is my business and not yours.
1
Chaffetz demonstrated that he is an ignorant bully. Hopefully the women of Utah will toss this boob to the street in 2016. A disgusting performance.
34
"Republicans perceive Planned Parenthood as a well-oiled, well-funded machine promoting Democratic candidates."
Well, DUH. When the Republicans ALWAYS attempt to legislate rules that allow the "gummint" to force their religious beliefs on women and how they deal with personal heathlcare matters, it sort of stands to reason that those who take a different view (which most Democrats support) will side with the Democrats.
As an old hetero male, who had a mother (of blessed memory), has a wife, two daughters, one daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters (not to mention other female relatives), I ask a simple question: Why do these Republicans think it is any of their business to stick their noses into anyone else's personal medical issues?
Oh, yeah ... Jeb! and Terri Schiavo is one good example.
When you go about stepping on toes, don't be surprised if the people attached to those toes take a serious dislike to you. Don't be surprised when some of their relations join in that dislike.
There already is a Federal law that prohibits Federal dollars to be spent for abortions. Do they think they need a second law that says the same thing?
Pro-lifers who are over the top like these Republicans can go pound sand.
Well, DUH. When the Republicans ALWAYS attempt to legislate rules that allow the "gummint" to force their religious beliefs on women and how they deal with personal heathlcare matters, it sort of stands to reason that those who take a different view (which most Democrats support) will side with the Democrats.
As an old hetero male, who had a mother (of blessed memory), has a wife, two daughters, one daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters (not to mention other female relatives), I ask a simple question: Why do these Republicans think it is any of their business to stick their noses into anyone else's personal medical issues?
Oh, yeah ... Jeb! and Terri Schiavo is one good example.
When you go about stepping on toes, don't be surprised if the people attached to those toes take a serious dislike to you. Don't be surprised when some of their relations join in that dislike.
There already is a Federal law that prohibits Federal dollars to be spent for abortions. Do they think they need a second law that says the same thing?
Pro-lifers who are over the top like these Republicans can go pound sand.
41
America, where women in 2015 are still 2nd class citizens, when will we all get it and revolt?
28
I have often pondered the same question, and I think I have an answer:
Never, because human beings are more loyal to tribe by nature than they are to gender, even when those of the same gender have great common interests.
Never, because human beings are more loyal to tribe by nature than they are to gender, even when those of the same gender have great common interests.
"Chaffetz...opened the hearing with a tearful commentary about the death of his mother to breast cancer, and the death of his father to cancer as well. He said he felt strongly that federal money should be shifted away from Planned Parenthood so it could go to other health care research."
So he doesn't give two hoots about cervical and all other cancers of a woman's reproductive system?
So he doesn't give two hoots about cervical and all other cancers of a woman's reproductive system?
37
What about testicular cancer? Where is the funding for that? I forgot, men are trash in YOUR society.
2
Testicular Cancer Screenings:
''Schedule your regular screening today.
Whether you have found changes yourself or it is time for your regular check-up, call 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) or visit your local Planned Parenthood health center to schedule your screening and get a professional opinion.''
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-st-louis-region-sout...
Any questions?
''Schedule your regular screening today.
Whether you have found changes yourself or it is time for your regular check-up, call 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) or visit your local Planned Parenthood health center to schedule your screening and get a professional opinion.''
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-st-louis-region-sout...
Any questions?
In one video, Dr. Nucatola, Planned Parenthood’s Senior Director of Medical Services, said:
“We’ve been very good at getting heart, lung, liver, because we know that, so I’m not gonna crush that part, I’m gonna basically crush below, I’m gonna crush above, and I’m gonna see if I can get it all intact.”
She is describing the procedure for getting the high demand organs without crushing them. She also described the going rate and her concern with charging too much so as not to give the impression that organs are being sold.
It's hard to blame the crudeness of her remarks on "editing."
“We’ve been very good at getting heart, lung, liver, because we know that, so I’m not gonna crush that part, I’m gonna basically crush below, I’m gonna crush above, and I’m gonna see if I can get it all intact.”
She is describing the procedure for getting the high demand organs without crushing them. She also described the going rate and her concern with charging too much so as not to give the impression that organs are being sold.
It's hard to blame the crudeness of her remarks on "editing."
9
Why do we even need Planned Parenthood when Obamacare offers many of these same services for a fraction of the cost? There are also thousands of community health centers that cater to women's needs minus abortion practices. Americans should not be forced to pay for PP activities with their tax dollars; and for those people who are defending this unscrupulous organization, let them foot the bill. I do not want to spend one dime towards the brutal and barbaric killing of innocent human life in the womb or the selling of baby body parts. This is what Planned Parenthood was caught doing red handed. Shame on them.
5
Last year PPF served 2.7 million women, men and children. There are many parts of the country that do not have adequate public clinics and/or have clinics that provide limited services. Defunding PPF will limit the options many poor people (not just women) have for healthcare.
20
Obamacare offers no medical services. It makes it a little easier for people to get coverage that will help pay for medical services. Although lower health care costs and spending are a goal of the Affordable Health Care Act (and that seems to be working), it does not offer giant discounts on doctor's fees and hospital bills. So where is your evidence for the claim that Obamacare offers the same services for a fraction of the cost? Meanwhile, NO federal funds pay for abortion; that was outlawed in 1974. You do not and never have had to pay for one. Planned Parenthood is a leading force in the prevention of abortion. And, as several state and federal investigations have shown, Planned Parenthood is NOT selling fetal tissue. They are making it available for research on devastating diseases. I pray that you never suffer from such conditions and need treatments stemming from such research.
5
KMW --
Not everyone is covered under Obamacare; it was expected that the Medicaid expansion would cover these people. However, 19-20 states (as of 9/1 Utah is still thinking about it) didn't expand Medicaid, so an estimated 4 million non-elderly adults fall through the cracks.
Many health care providers do not participate in Medicaid, so people turn to places like PP and community clinics. These clinics provide a lot more than women's health services and would be overwhelmed if they suddenly had to provide services to all the women who could no longer go to PP. For example, in 2012 Texas removed PP from the state's family planning program, which meant clinics would have to increase their capacity by about 81%. They couldn't do it. In fact, state reports show that the Texas Women's Health Program actually served fewer women in 2013 than it had in 2011.
Your federal tax money does not pay for any abortion services. What else does PP do? How about 4.5M tests and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, 3.6M in contraception services, and 1.1 million pregnancy tests and prenatal services. Anyway, we don't get to pick and chose what our tax money covers. I don't want to subsidize Big Oil companies, but that's not the way it works!
Finally, despite all the evidence the videos were severely edited to have the highest shock value, people persist in believing they accurately describe most of what PP provides.
Not everyone is covered under Obamacare; it was expected that the Medicaid expansion would cover these people. However, 19-20 states (as of 9/1 Utah is still thinking about it) didn't expand Medicaid, so an estimated 4 million non-elderly adults fall through the cracks.
Many health care providers do not participate in Medicaid, so people turn to places like PP and community clinics. These clinics provide a lot more than women's health services and would be overwhelmed if they suddenly had to provide services to all the women who could no longer go to PP. For example, in 2012 Texas removed PP from the state's family planning program, which meant clinics would have to increase their capacity by about 81%. They couldn't do it. In fact, state reports show that the Texas Women's Health Program actually served fewer women in 2013 than it had in 2011.
Your federal tax money does not pay for any abortion services. What else does PP do? How about 4.5M tests and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, 3.6M in contraception services, and 1.1 million pregnancy tests and prenatal services. Anyway, we don't get to pick and chose what our tax money covers. I don't want to subsidize Big Oil companies, but that's not the way it works!
Finally, despite all the evidence the videos were severely edited to have the highest shock value, people persist in believing they accurately describe most of what PP provides.
11
I just made a small contribution to PP in honor of Jason Chaffetz. Dishonor was not an option.
39
All of the comments here that assert that abortion is wrong, it's morally or ethically reprehensible, etc.: fine. So be it. That's those people's opinions, and they should not get abortions. But abortion has nothing to do with the defunding of Planned Parenthood. Why don't people get that? Their/our tax dollars are going to women's (and men's) health care, as provided by PP. It is not going to a single illegal abortion. And yes: the war analogy is a good one--except for the fact that ALL of us are paying for wars that MANY of us consider morally and ethically reprehensible.
42
Anne:
If you don't like wars, don't fight in them. If you don't like gas guzzlers, don't drive one. If you don't like pesticides, don't use them. If you don't like fracking, don't frack.
People impose their views on everyone else all the time.
If you don't like wars, don't fight in them. If you don't like gas guzzlers, don't drive one. If you don't like pesticides, don't use them. If you don't like fracking, don't frack.
People impose their views on everyone else all the time.
5
True but the tragedy is that abortion not really the central issue in the hearings. The central issue is whether or not PP broke the law (didn't) and if funding PP as healthcare provider is appropriate for the government.
See, if you take abortion (1% of PP business and not ever federally funded) out of the equation then argument against funding becomes silly. So the right can't do that and hence, you get Congress all concerned because a woman is making $500K, flies on planes and is not at home baking cookies and pumping out kids.
Pretty sad, but that's the deal. Cecile Richards tried to point all this out as nicely as possible, but there was no one listen. Look through this blog, everyone who thinks PP is disaster mixes the three arguments together. The bad behavior is linked to abortion and frankly, it barely hasn't anything to do with providing that medical service.
See, if you take abortion (1% of PP business and not ever federally funded) out of the equation then argument against funding becomes silly. So the right can't do that and hence, you get Congress all concerned because a woman is making $500K, flies on planes and is not at home baking cookies and pumping out kids.
Pretty sad, but that's the deal. Cecile Richards tried to point all this out as nicely as possible, but there was no one listen. Look through this blog, everyone who thinks PP is disaster mixes the three arguments together. The bad behavior is linked to abortion and frankly, it barely hasn't anything to do with providing that medical service.
1
If Planned Parenthood is defunded, health care access to poor women would expand not shrink.
What is not declining are health care services in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), which is the secret Planned Parenthood doesn’t want people to know. FQHCs are nonprofit or public organizations that offer services to all persons, regardless of the person’s ability to pay, and, unlike Planned Parenthood, “provide comprehensive primary care services.”
By contrast, there are over 1100 FQHCs in the United States that operate at about 6000 sites, and in addition, the Washington Post reports there are 9,059 community health care clinics, saying,
“Throughout the country, community centers vastly outnumber Planned Parenthood, totaling 9,059 to 669. It would appear that women could still get the health care they need.”
The current Senate bill to defund Planned Parenthood, the one the White House has indicated it would veto, specifically says:
"All funds no longer available to Planned Parenthood will continue to be made available to other eligible entities to provide women’s health care services."
Obama says he cares deeply for the poor of this nation, but when he has the opportunity to expand their health care services, he chooses the needs of his friend Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, instead of the needs of the poor people in rural communities and inner cities who need basic health care.
5
Please inform yourslef. $400 million of Planned Parenthood funding is from Medicaid reimbursement for services provided to women who come to Planned Parenthood voluntarily over other "community centers" or FQHCs.
Not some lump sum granted by Obama on whim.
Not some lump sum granted by Obama on whim.
5
You believe that the guys who tear down PP for a fake video are going to go look high and low and provide great healthcare in rural areas for women? That is never going to happen. The GOP is all about denying healthcare, my friend.
PP is not for the needs of Cecile Richards. Most users make under 19K a year.
PP is not for the needs of Cecile Richards. Most users make under 19K a year.
6
Unfortunately, you're entirely wrong! When the Governor of Louisiana went to court to prevent State funds from going to Planned Parenthood, he too claimed there were thousands of other choices for women to obtain health care sevices. However, as the Judge in that case noted, many of there health care providers were dentists and podiatrists. The bottom line thst came out in the hearing was that 10,000 providers were distilled down to 29, and none of these was accepting new patients. Indeed, this is a war on women!
18
And so the Republican War On Women™ continues, just in time for the start of the 2016 Presidential campaign. What a coincidence.
33
I was incredibly offended by the actions and words of Chaffetz and his colleagues. Please go to www.plannedparenthood.org and make a donation in support of the important work that PP does.
34
So many people seem to believe that the ACA provides insurance for all low-income people. What they do not realize is that those who qualify for Medicaid are not eligible for insurance under Obamacare. PP accepts Medicaid patients whereas many doctors and clinics do not because the reimbursement is so low
41
In other words, PP is a way to maintain our class-discriminatory health care system. I haven't thought about it this way. Nor did I know how much the CEO got paid.
2
JY, Wayne LaPierre, head of the NRA, makes $970,000. But of course, he's a man so I understand the GOP's view that she makes too much.
7
Actually, the attempts by Republicans to repeal the ACA is a way to go back to a health care system where patients would have their health coverage cancelled because they were ill
5
500,000 dollars for the CEO ?
I am about as liberal as they come, and I think that is disgusting
and it probably doesn't include travel, wardrobe, pension etc
I am about as liberal as they come, and I think that is disgusting
and it probably doesn't include travel, wardrobe, pension etc
6
You are incredibly misinformed. That salary is on the low end for large complex non profits. Based on how she represented PP in Congress today, she probably deserves a raise.
23
@ezra abrams
You DO understand that $500K is at the low end of the spectrum for a CEO managing an organization the size of PP, right? Compare it with health insurance and other executives in the healthcare industry and you'll find she's not doing this thankless job for the money. She should be applauded for taking the lower salary when she could be making twice that for her skills and responsibilities.
You DO understand that $500K is at the low end of the spectrum for a CEO managing an organization the size of PP, right? Compare it with health insurance and other executives in the healthcare industry and you'll find she's not doing this thankless job for the money. She should be applauded for taking the lower salary when she could be making twice that for her skills and responsibilities.
22
And how much is being spent by congress on this"investigation"?
21
As a taxpayer I am outraged that elected representatives are wasting time and energy on witch hunts designed to make points with the right wing. There are many real problems to solve and this congress has avoided all of them unless it serves their anti-everything shopping list . To accept a sting video ,in which health care officials' workspace was violated under false pretenses, as fact and run it up as a crisis shows that this political party has long abandoned honor, dignity and truth, not to mention women's rights. Enough free stuff- my tax dollars should not be spent doing the bidding of zealots who refuse to abide the separation of church and state.
52
Ah, such as Trey Gowdy's Permanent Select Committee on Benghazi? (Incidentally, what's the current tab on that dog and pony show?)
3
Rep. Chaffetz, if you want to malign someone making a huge salary, try going after the CEOs and presidents of the big U.S. banks. For them, Ms. Richards' salary of $500,000 would be the cost of a night out. But you wouldn't because they likely are all Republicans and have put their money into GOP treasure chests.
57
Never gonna happen. Those big banks launder all the drug money. Democrats and republicans alike. Wake up.
I just saw on C-Span the questioning by committee chair Jason Chaffetz. First he complained that PP doesn't provide mammograms, showing how ignorant he is by apparently not knowing that mammograms are performed in radiology clinics. Then he asked a "gotcha" question. He showed a chart that Ms. Richards never saw before but he claimed was based on data provided by PP. After saying she would be happy to look at it, her lawyer whispered in her ear that it came from an anti-abortion group. Instead of being "gotten", she "got" Chaffetz. Not a good day for the Republicans. Every day they seem more ridiculous.
28
If this disgraceful McCarthyesque fiasco was anything more than another politically motivated Republican witch hunt, why hasn't David Daleiden, the man behind the videos on which this "investigation" is based, been asked to testify?
Answer: Because the Republicans KNOW the videos are fraudulent and wouldn't stand up to scrutiny.
Answer: Because the Republicans KNOW the videos are fraudulent and wouldn't stand up to scrutiny.
43
Many of the pro-choice commenters may not realize how the abortion issue plays in heavily Republican districts. Here it is: a candidate who is strongly anti-abortion will get elected, no matter what his or her other positions or history are (within reason), while a candidate who is not strongly anti-abortion simply cannot be elected. So, being strongly and demonstratively anti-abortion is, all by itself, an absolute make or break issue for a candidate in such a district. That alone explains the fervor of Republican politicians' attacks on abortion and those associated with it -- add to that the fact that some of them actually seem to believe that their positions are correct.
14
It might also help to mention that such districts, where anti-abortion sentiment is so strong, are also likely to be gerrymandered districts. Districts drawn (by politicians, btw) for the intended purpose of concentrating such single-issue voters and guaranteeing that district go to the party that 'created' it. This is where the zealots, who've always been with us but diluted with more reasonable voters, come from. A political party long ago made a choice to cheat their way from a minority future to a political majority. Not because they've convinced any new voters that they know what they're doing, but by artificially concentrating those preferred votes at the expense of the votes by everyone else. Their votes simply don't count, because they have the misfortune of living in the 'wrong' district. In effect, much of the Tea Party has come to power by anti-democratic means. They are a tiny, though empowered, minority of voters in a nation of voters. In a normal, roughly evenly divided by party-registration district, most Tea Party candidates would never win their seats.
13
Actually I'm reminded of the Bolsheviks v. the Mensheviks during the Russian revolution of 1917. Bolshevik means minority, while Menshevik means majority. The reason the Bolsheviks won was simply because they were better organized and had a central theme/story. The Tea Party and its adherents, although representing a tiny but very active and dedicated minority, i.e. Bolshevik, has been extremely successful in organizing at a grass roots level; e.g. school boards, state legislatures etc. by running a story of how the pointy headed liberal "elite" are the ones responsible for the desperate lives that so many folks lead. It doesn't matter whether that desperation is due to economic disparity and/or simple fear of change. The ideologues that promote this story know well how to ride the fierce energy of desperation. Once in power at these more local levels they set about gerrymandering to create safe districts for their anarchistic and extreme right wing intolerant views, while at the same time working to restrict the right to vote of those that might have a different take.
For some reason the more progressive folks don't seem to be able to bring the same degree of concerted organization to allow them to combat what seems to me to be a very coherent and well thought out strategy by those who see a path to power by fanning the fear and ignorance of desperate people.
For some reason the more progressive folks don't seem to be able to bring the same degree of concerted organization to allow them to combat what seems to me to be a very coherent and well thought out strategy by those who see a path to power by fanning the fear and ignorance of desperate people.
2
True to an extent, but there are many places were gerrymandering is not necessary in order to have continuous Republican representation, for example, the Rocky Mountain West, and my district which has been Republican at least since Jerry Ford won the seat in the late 1940s, except for about a year and a half in the mid-1970s. Similarly, there are many places where gerrymandering is not necessary for continuous Democratic representation, such as Chicago and the San Francisco Bay area.
1
My apologies for my earlier question. The article clearly states that 87% of so-called federal funding" for PP is actually Medicaid reimbursements for medical services provided by PP. And no, Medicaid does not pay for abortion.
24
Yet PP seems to be saying that without those governent reimbursments, they could not afford to exist. Seems that in a way, the reimbursements are indeed supporting abortion - otherwise they wouldn't be making such an issue of it.
If the personal is political (I think early feminists coined that phrase). So let's get personal. Would you perform an abortion? If not, why not?
3
I'm not a medical doctor
12
Yes. But if you are a "no", then please answer your own question so that we understand your point. Because I don't.
6
I'm not a doctor. And that's a stupid question. Mine is: if you don't support abortion, why do you feel the need to interfere in the lives of women who want and need them?
8
I listened to the entire hearing and just ended up feeling sorry for the wives of all the bullying, finger-pointing, interrupting Members of Congress.
27
Where are people in congress who should be standing up to the out of control extremists who seem determined to bring our government down?
28
Planned Parenthood is a healthcare provider that millions of women depend on. These Republicans are spending American taxpayer dollars to attack breast exam and contraception providers, to protest abortion.... Which a majority of Americans support and the Supreme Court has ruled is a right.
What is wrong with these people? And what is wrong with us? Why do they still have jobs?
What is wrong with these people? And what is wrong with us? Why do they still have jobs?
41
For many years my wife and I contributed to a prominent cancer charity. Then, several years ago, the group's leadership politicized the charity. That not being acceptable to us, we decided to discontinue donations to that charity. Planned Parenthood became the new beneficiary of annual donations. Since that time we have had no reason to believe that PP has compromised or politicized its reproductive and cancer detection services. The only politicization now is at the hands of Republican politicians, demonizing PP for their own political agenda. It has nothing to do with abortion rights!
36
This was a hearing that would have made Joe McCarthy proud of his fellow Republicans.
30
Ms. Richards said that she had apologized because she thought it was “inappropriate” that the doctor in the video had a “clinical discussion in a nonconfidential, nonclinical setting.”
-------------------------------------
So, Cecil is not disputing the 'clinical' discussion, and wants to apologize on behalf of the doctor rather than just condemn it? Either way, she is not denying the content of conversation or discussion but seems to be sorry that her organization's questionable actions were revealed.
Ms. Richards had a tough time defending her salary and even pretended she did not know about the statistical information presented on her own organization's brochures and disclosures.
If PP gets reimbursed by Medicare for most of the services provided by it, it would seem that the Federal dollars go to pay her obscenely huge salary of over half a million dollars and for lobbying efforts, if not for abortion services. So, cutting of funding to PP by the Feds should not put the organization in jeopardy.
Hand in the cookie jar.
-------------------------------------
So, Cecil is not disputing the 'clinical' discussion, and wants to apologize on behalf of the doctor rather than just condemn it? Either way, she is not denying the content of conversation or discussion but seems to be sorry that her organization's questionable actions were revealed.
Ms. Richards had a tough time defending her salary and even pretended she did not know about the statistical information presented on her own organization's brochures and disclosures.
If PP gets reimbursed by Medicare for most of the services provided by it, it would seem that the Federal dollars go to pay her obscenely huge salary of over half a million dollars and for lobbying efforts, if not for abortion services. So, cutting of funding to PP by the Feds should not put the organization in jeopardy.
Hand in the cookie jar.
8
So if that woman goes to a Kaiser or Aetna for-profit clinic you don't mind if that CEO makes 25 million dollars?
21
The apology was for the comments about crushing the parts above and below the organ being harvested. It definitely sounded like they were performing abortions in a way to protect organs in high demand.
1
Get the facts right. The statistical information was presented by an anti-abortion group. It was not from PP's brochures.
I thought she defended her salary just fine.
I thought she defended her salary just fine.
8
For years, the debate about abortion has been framed as either a "Pro-Choice position or a "Pro-Life" one. In fact, the positions are more accurately labelled as "Pro-Choice" and "Anti-Choice." Many respondents to current polls identify themselves as being unwilling to obtain an abortion for themselves (at least in the abstract) - while simultaneously stating that their own position should not be forced on another woman. Such a belief structure is Pro-Choice. Deciding to obtain an abortion is an intensely personal one; few suggest that the decision is taken lightly. But the decision belongs to the woman herself. It is past time for respondents to honestly identify their own position as being either for or against individual choice.
31
How about Pro-Abortion and Anti-Abortion?
My check to Planned Parenthood went out as soon as I saw the vultures circling. They were circling around the bodies of women who will die unless they get the low cost, quality care that will pick up their breast cancer before it spreads.
46
My generous check to the Center for Medical Progress went out after I watched the second of the videos.
1
@claire to you also buy snake oil too?
4
What I don't understand is how this women is making over $550,000 a year and her last raise was close to 50%?
Please excuse my knowledge level, but doesn't this country have a new health care program that caters to low income people, so we wouldn't need planned parenthood????
Please excuse my knowledge level, but doesn't this country have a new health care program that caters to low income people, so we wouldn't need planned parenthood????
10
Why does the CEO of United health carry a compensation package of $66 E6 in 2014?
Why are the top 25 hedge fund managers in this country make more than 158000 kindergarten teachers (11E9 vs 8E9).
Good questions, right?
Why are the top 25 hedge fund managers in this country make more than 158000 kindergarten teachers (11E9 vs 8E9).
Good questions, right?
18
The Affordable Care Act does not provide universal coverage, nor does it create neew clinics. It essentially expands access to insurance.
8
These interlocked directorship CEOs have to "give back" to corrupt the negotiation of our social contract.
I'm curious as to the number of children that have been adopted by members of the GOP of the House and the Senate.
With such unswaying support of life, I'd imagine these GOP reps must be role models for adopting children, especially those with disabilities and handicaps.
After all, if they didn't, wouldn't they just be hypocrites?
As an adoptee, I'm interested to see if they walk the walk, or simply talk the talk.
With such unswaying support of life, I'd imagine these GOP reps must be role models for adopting children, especially those with disabilities and handicaps.
After all, if they didn't, wouldn't they just be hypocrites?
As an adoptee, I'm interested to see if they walk the walk, or simply talk the talk.
29
This is actually their elected jobs, and whether or not they have adopted, etc. is no more relevant than if they have served in the military when taking part in crafting the military budget.
Whether women like it or not, PP gets a great deal of taxpayers' money. It's okay for them to have to justify being deserving of receiving this money.
As far as the common refrain of women demanding that elected officials stay out of their health care, I would agree except now it is federally mandated that health care pay for elective abortions and birth control. This means that elected officials have a legal interest in these areas.
Whether women like it or not, PP gets a great deal of taxpayers' money. It's okay for them to have to justify being deserving of receiving this money.
As far as the common refrain of women demanding that elected officials stay out of their health care, I would agree except now it is federally mandated that health care pay for elective abortions and birth control. This means that elected officials have a legal interest in these areas.
1
I'm interested if you think your life was worth saving. Assuming it's a yes, then what makes you so special among others? You're an adoptee, so your birth mother wasn't prepared for you...yet you are ok with other babies in the same situation being killed, instead of given the same chance you received??? I'm curious to know what makes you more special?
2
So why do you reject planning parenthood?
1
The doctors in the videos show an appalling lack of sensitivity in discussing abortion. Admittedly, they are scientists, but that alone does not explain the nonchalance with which they discuss the procedures they undertake. Secondly, the doctors' creative interpretation of laws about fetal extraction show a concerning disregard for the will of congress. This organization needs some shaking up.
6
"The doctors in the videos show an appalling lack of sensitivity in discussing abortion."
Do you mean the doctors who believed they were talking to other doctors but were secretly being videoed in order to engender the sort of "outrage" which has resulted from this right wing dirty trick? Are those the doctors you are referring to? Should they light candles and burn incense before talking about their work?
Do you mean the doctors who believed they were talking to other doctors but were secretly being videoed in order to engender the sort of "outrage" which has resulted from this right wing dirty trick? Are those the doctors you are referring to? Should they light candles and burn incense before talking about their work?
9
Ok, so part of the hypocratic oath is to only tell the truth if talking with another doctor? The rest of us can't handle it??? I can handle it. I guess you can't?
1
Let's look at the hypocrisy of Planned Parenthood:
1) they support the legal action that prevented further release of the videos, and then say the people who released the videos are coward for not testifying. Huh? If you take legal action to silence someone, you can't complain that they are silent!
2) they say the UNEDITED VIDEOS are deceptive edited. Really? Remember, this is the same group that took legal action to prevent the release of UNEDITED videos.
3) they continue to evade questions about their lobbying efforts, and yet they claim to offer services when they don't even have the equipment (i.e. mammography).
In the Cecile Richards will be known as someone who kills the unborn and sells their organs for profit. Planned Parenthood could easily spin off their non-abortion health care and put an end to this controversy, but they don't because they like making money from killing the unborn. Those are facts, and no amount of spin, distortion, or defiance can change that reality.
1) they support the legal action that prevented further release of the videos, and then say the people who released the videos are coward for not testifying. Huh? If you take legal action to silence someone, you can't complain that they are silent!
2) they say the UNEDITED VIDEOS are deceptive edited. Really? Remember, this is the same group that took legal action to prevent the release of UNEDITED videos.
3) they continue to evade questions about their lobbying efforts, and yet they claim to offer services when they don't even have the equipment (i.e. mammography).
In the Cecile Richards will be known as someone who kills the unborn and sells their organs for profit. Planned Parenthood could easily spin off their non-abortion health care and put an end to this controversy, but they don't because they like making money from killing the unborn. Those are facts, and no amount of spin, distortion, or defiance can change that reality.
11
This is absurd.
6
Alas, the right wing dirty tricks were bound to be successful with some.
5
Yes, have PP spin off abortions services. Hey let's do an IPO! Should we list on NYSE or NASDAQ??
You, my friend, are crazy uninformed.
If you want to really prove something, show un-edited video.
You, my friend, are crazy uninformed.
If you want to really prove something, show un-edited video.
10
A core problem with the world's major religions (those of which I am familiar) is that they are misogynistic. They forward archaic notions about women being second-class citizens or even property. I am not saying that these religions are wholly without value, there is certainly embedded wisdom which includes the universal value of respecting and preserving life.
But we must be more discerning and choose the divinely inspired messages of love, equality, and freedom, while discarding the man-made messages of hate, scarcity, and separation. Abortion is not a clear-cut issue and I am personally abhorred by the thought of ending a life. Yet it seems that some are unwilling to appreciate the feelings, desires, agency and rights of women in this debate. And their deeply held misogyny is evident in the fact that attacking women's reproductive rights is their most pressing political agenda at a time when the very future of our planet is in question.
Politicians who personally hold these religious beliefs or pander to voters who blindly follow dogma, are impeding the path of human evolution and are missing the core message of religion - love others as you would yourself. This includes loving women, what should be the most natural and obvious experience for every man on the planet.
But we must be more discerning and choose the divinely inspired messages of love, equality, and freedom, while discarding the man-made messages of hate, scarcity, and separation. Abortion is not a clear-cut issue and I am personally abhorred by the thought of ending a life. Yet it seems that some are unwilling to appreciate the feelings, desires, agency and rights of women in this debate. And their deeply held misogyny is evident in the fact that attacking women's reproductive rights is their most pressing political agenda at a time when the very future of our planet is in question.
Politicians who personally hold these religious beliefs or pander to voters who blindly follow dogma, are impeding the path of human evolution and are missing the core message of religion - love others as you would yourself. This includes loving women, what should be the most natural and obvious experience for every man on the planet.
16
What makes PP so unique amongst all healthcare providers in the country that it deserves federal funding? Why not any of the tens of thousands of local clinics, private practices, hospitals, etc, etc.? With the ACA, everyone is insured now so they can get the care at any of these facilities - as well as PP - but again why does PP require federal funding?
10
Planned Parenthood is not unique. Make the effort to educate yourself on Title X, which provides funding for family planning and reproductive health services to more than 4000 clinics across the nation. Planned Parenthood has about 820 clinics.
8
Get the facts. Many doctors do not accept Medicaid patients. Further, not everyone gets insurance under the ACA - many of the low-income citizens are covered by Medicaid.
11
Can we explain again that they get no federal "funding". They receive payment for services rendered under Medicaid. Just like almost all and any provider. There is no line item for PP.
15
I wonder how many of these grandstanding christian vote baiting republicans have taken their mistress to have abortions?
38
I wonder how many Democrats grandstanding on global warming take private jets, or have giant homes that guzzle more than twice the electricity of the average American? Hint: start with Al Gore.
I'm morally opposed to abortion, & I don't know what the truth is here, but wouldn't it be nice if Republicans were this concerned about allegedly spending money to end life when it came to the unnecessary trillion tax-dollar wars they've started & cheered on in recent years?
26
Planned Parenthood should have become redundant by now. With subsidized healthcare available for everyone under the Affordable Care Act, why is it even necessary for our government to support this organization?? For those that insist on patronizing these clinics, let them pay for it privately. The rest should take advantage of the healthcare legislation our government has taken such pains to provide - enough is enough.
23
At least $400 million of the $500 million that Planned Parenthood comes from Medicaid reimbursement. Medicaid was supposed to be expanded under the ACA however if you inform yourself you will see many states opted out. Please educate yourself
17
What don't you get? People who go to Planned Parenthood ARE paying for it privately. They pay cash, or they pay a co-pay for their office visit and their insurance carrier is billed for services provided. Surprise!!! That's just like any other doctor's office in the country. Just because Medicaid is the insurer that reimburses PP for care provided to patients does NOT make them "federally funded" any more than my doctor's office is. And people can go to the doctor wherever the heck they want to. And, in many cases, a woman goes to Planned Parenthood because it is the ONLY location for hundreds of miles for her to go when she needs a pap smear or other cancer screening or a routine gynecological exam or family planning.
So, NO. As has been widely reported in stories about places like Texas, Mississippi and the Dakotas, Planned Parenthood is far from 'redundant' now. Open your eyes. And stop repeating the fiction that our government "supports this organization." Our government merely reimburses this provider, just like it reimburses many thousands of other health care providers, when Medicaid is billed for services provided. It's not like the government gives money to PP like it does to the Red Cross or NASA. Crimony.....
So, NO. As has been widely reported in stories about places like Texas, Mississippi and the Dakotas, Planned Parenthood is far from 'redundant' now. Open your eyes. And stop repeating the fiction that our government "supports this organization." Our government merely reimburses this provider, just like it reimburses many thousands of other health care providers, when Medicaid is billed for services provided. It's not like the government gives money to PP like it does to the Red Cross or NASA. Crimony.....
14
(1) You have no idea of how the Affordable Care Act works and (2) you're a man (or so you claim), so you have no idea of the health issues women face. As Ogden Nash wrote in a lyric for "One Touch of Issue" (1943), "From Kalamazoo to Kamchatka, The trouble with women IS MEN!"
6
I was ignorant enough to not know what Planned Parenthood was about, though I could guess it probably involves preventing unintended pregnancy for couples (especially young ladies) through education and clinical procedures. I did not realize it also provides other health care services to women. So, if that is the case, it's a specially designed healthcare network then, with certain medical advocacy being part of its mission. $600,000 annual salary is a little too much, but that is what healthcare CEOs are making these days. This pathetically unjustified high income for clinicians is not unique to planned parenthood though.
6
So, you agree that this is essentially a non-issue?
2
You are also not really up to date on what health insurer CEOs making. For what service?
Check it out.
Check it out.
3
Given Chairman Chaffetz heartfelt concern about how much money Ms. Richards makes, I assume he will open up an investigation into all of the not-for-profit hospitals that pay even larger salaries to primarily male CEO's. Many if not all of those hospitals also take medicare money. Many of those hospitals provide far fewer people healthcare services than the combined Planned Parenthood clinics across the country. Many of those hospitals have lavish offices etc. But then again...big salaries are not really what he is concerned about...he is just throwing out big numbers to try to score political points. Any male head of a non-profit medical establishment would not have received such commentary. The hypocrisy is astounding. Never mind that the facts are clear that the videos were edited to mislead, etc. etc.
30
For over four decades, the radical right has demonized women. Then, these fundamentalist reactionaries will turn around and say that they are pro-child and pro-family.
23
They always do. And the sheeples always believe them regardless of their obviously misogynist prejudices. Count on it.
Of course, they also know that their own gerrymandering in 2010 has essentially inured them against having to be "politically correct". They can act as disgracefully as they want given these electoral protections. Get used to throwing up in your mouths every time you hear one of these pretenders speak for years to come.
Of course, they also know that their own gerrymandering in 2010 has essentially inured them against having to be "politically correct". They can act as disgracefully as they want given these electoral protections. Get used to throwing up in your mouths every time you hear one of these pretenders speak for years to come.
8
There is nothing wrong with removing unwanted tissue from a woman's body if she so chooses. Anything else is Hallmark sentimentality.
13
Oh dear...You should thank your mother that she didnt throw you as an unwanted tissue.
1
It's not a tumor, it's a baby.
1
@amy feinberg
There are many ways to prevent the "unwanted tissue" from entering your body. Terminating a pregnancy and discarding a Kleenex are two very different things.
There are many ways to prevent the "unwanted tissue" from entering your body. Terminating a pregnancy and discarding a Kleenex are two very different things.
2
I was taught that honesty and integrity were values to maintain regardless that one's argument may be flawed. In other words, admit an error. Apparently, too many favor winning regardless of whatever demeaning tactics are necessary; even if it means sacrificing integrity and honesty in order to prevail
6
We have repeatedly seen Republicans who double-down when caught in lies.
3
so here's why we don't just take the money from PP and give to the so-called 1000s of women's clinics (if that's what you can call them) then what's to stop them from closing them all down? they don't believe in abortion so gradually they'll feel like they can close it all down. abortion is not pretty no matter where it's done. so please save that rhetoric for your mama. if they're tax money in any way looks like it pays for abortion they will fight to the death over death. stupid.
4
I would like to ask all the Republican men who grilled Cecile Richards today to step forward and become living kidney donors. Any healthy adult with two working kidneys can give of their body to save the life of a stranger.
No, let's* mandate * that they donate! After all, the recipient's life is too sacred and precious to throw away for want of one little organ that the donor will never miss. After all, living kidney donation is less painful and hazardous than pregnancy/childbirth, so what's the big deal? You can't take time from your job? You're worried about how it will affect your family? Afraid of pain or complications? How selfish! Why should your comfort and convenience and choice be more important than the life of an innocent stranger! Shame on you.
Any man who wants to outlaw all abortions should step forward and put his own body on the line for an unknown innocent life, not just demand that women do it. Maybe you'd understand a little better -- and you'd save a life.
And by the way, I am a living kidney donor who believes in choice and bodily autonomy -- for pregnant women AND living organ donors.
No, let's* mandate * that they donate! After all, the recipient's life is too sacred and precious to throw away for want of one little organ that the donor will never miss. After all, living kidney donation is less painful and hazardous than pregnancy/childbirth, so what's the big deal? You can't take time from your job? You're worried about how it will affect your family? Afraid of pain or complications? How selfish! Why should your comfort and convenience and choice be more important than the life of an innocent stranger! Shame on you.
Any man who wants to outlaw all abortions should step forward and put his own body on the line for an unknown innocent life, not just demand that women do it. Maybe you'd understand a little better -- and you'd save a life.
And by the way, I am a living kidney donor who believes in choice and bodily autonomy -- for pregnant women AND living organ donors.
24
It would have been interesting if this hearing was going last week while the Pope was in Washington DC....
4
It never would have happened as most of these ignoramuses would have preferred to sight-see, just like everyone else when he was there. Multiply 247 (the number of republicans in the house) by $180K, the average salary of those serving in congress, and we come up with $44,460,000.00 - a colossal waste of US tax-payer money.
4
Clearly some of the members of the committee were poorly prepared to investigate the working of Planned Parenthood. Had they done their homework, they would be aware that "mammogram" and "breast exam" are not interchangeable.
14
Another dust-up by the rabid right wing of the GOP which has the intent--not of resolving any issue, but to eliminate the opposition and create one-party rule in the United States. We saw the first inkling of this in the Watergate scandal, which was a scandal because Nixon's Republican supporters were actively looking for ways to discredit the Democratic Party and thus set themselves up as the only viable choice. We next saw it in the Gingrich "revolution" of 1994-1995, when incoming freshman congressmen were heavily indoctrinated by Professor Gingrich in ways to take down the Democrats. We are seeing it again here: a conscious, orchestrated effort to bring down the two-party system and assure the hegemony of the Republic Party into the future.
And what is the rest of Congress doing while the activists strut their stuff? When is someone going to stand up and accuse the activists of treason?
And what is the rest of Congress doing while the activists strut their stuff? When is someone going to stand up and accuse the activists of treason?
11
It seems to me that Planned Parenthood helps prevent the need for abortions through their family planning programs.
And if we stop legal abortions, women are going to get them illegally. They have a natural right to control their own bodies, and they will. So do we really want to drive women to illegal abortion providers and coat hangers? The woman always seems to be left out of the anti-choice narrative.
And if we stop legal abortions, women are going to get them illegally. They have a natural right to control their own bodies, and they will. So do we really want to drive women to illegal abortion providers and coat hangers? The woman always seems to be left out of the anti-choice narrative.
13
The Federal Government could easily fund women's healthcare without funneling the money through an organization that provides abortions. This isn't really about selling aborted baby body parts. It's about the fact that they are actual babies with actual "intact" body parts, not just "fetal tissue". By being outraged that any one is accusing them of doing anything illegal they are trying to avoid talking about what really does happen to a viable human being during a legal abortion.
2
There are not enough health care clinics that are willing to provide such a volume of care for Medicaid reimbursement.
Also, fetal tissue donation was established under the Reagan Adminsitration with strong bipartisan support. Please inform yourself.
Also, fetal tissue donation was established under the Reagan Adminsitration with strong bipartisan support. Please inform yourself.
6
As someone who believes that Planned Parenthood does important and useful work on behalf of underserved women I must admit I was troubled by the size of the salary and travel expenses quoted during the hearings. It seems to me that the head of this publicly funded organization, as well as her various state counterparts, should not be paid more than the President of the United States. Much as I hate to admit it, in this regard I have to agree with the Republicans on the committee.
4
People are a little gullible sometimes, I guess. The opponents of choice blather on and on about Planned Parenthood, fabricate ridiculously false controversies, and throw around the term "federally funded" and the lemmings begin to believe them. I go to my own private doctor. Some of his patients pay for their treatment through the federal health insurance program known as Medicaid. My doctor's practice receives payment from the federal government when they bill Medicaid for services provided to patients using that particular insurance. Does this mean my doctor's practice is "federally funded???"
Planned Parenthood is only "federally funded" insofar as they receive PAYMENT FOR SERVICES PROVIDED to patients insured by Medicaid. That's it. Like any other health care provider. And in many areas of the country, rural areas in particular, the Planned Parenthood clinic is the only facility within hundreds of miles to provide a variety of health care services to women (pap smears, family planning, cancer screenings, etc.) There is ALREADY a federal law banning the use of federal funds (Medicaid dollars paid to reimburse for health care services provided) to provide abortions.
Enough already with the fake scandals and the fake videotapes and the fake outrage and the hostility toward a bleeping health care provider! Good grief. Why can't people find something ELSE to kvetch over already?
To be clear PP is not "publicly funded."
Planned Parenthood is only "federally funded" insofar as they receive PAYMENT FOR SERVICES PROVIDED to patients insured by Medicaid. That's it. Like any other health care provider. And in many areas of the country, rural areas in particular, the Planned Parenthood clinic is the only facility within hundreds of miles to provide a variety of health care services to women (pap smears, family planning, cancer screenings, etc.) There is ALREADY a federal law banning the use of federal funds (Medicaid dollars paid to reimburse for health care services provided) to provide abortions.
Enough already with the fake scandals and the fake videotapes and the fake outrage and the hostility toward a bleeping health care provider! Good grief. Why can't people find something ELSE to kvetch over already?
To be clear PP is not "publicly funded."
5
State universities are publicly funded organizations, yet most of their presidents make more than the President of the US (I suspect it is actually all of them.) And, again, most, if not all, pay their football coaches, many of their basketball coaches, and some of their athletic directors more than the President of the US is paid. It may be true that we need to re-examine what we pay the President; glad you brought it up.
4
You cannot call yourself Pro Life if you try to shut down an organization that offers services to screen for and treat breast cancer, cervical cancer, and uterine cancer.
15
Well, to be fair they are only trying to shut down abortions that terminate/execute living fetuses where the medical procedure itself is altered in order to facilitate the harvesting of the fetus' organs. So there's that.
Well done to Cecile Richards for standing her ground.
In doing so, she works not only to safeguard the availability of much-needed healthcare services for low-income women and men who rely on Planned Parenthood as their provider. She also indirectly works to head off another wasteful and ludicrous attempt to shut down the government by a political party that has gone off the deep end of extreme and irrational, all in a lust for political power.
The G.O.P.'s last grandstanding act of government shutdown (October 2013) cost us 24 billion dollars. For nothing. 24 billion dollars gone out of the U.S. economy, with nothing to show for it. Simply thrown away.
It's unfathomable that the G.O.P, a main political party of an advanced nation, not only consistently takes positions and actions out of step with our peer advanced nations, but also actively works to destroy our institutions -- social and political -- and the health of our nation at every turn.
If my taxes can be used to fund wars that I do not support and to develop, create, and purchase more military armaments than any one country needs, then my taxes should also be used for something that I do unequivocally support: Planned Parenthood and all the healthcare services that it is able to provide with its 500 million dollars worth of federal funding.
In doing so, she works not only to safeguard the availability of much-needed healthcare services for low-income women and men who rely on Planned Parenthood as their provider. She also indirectly works to head off another wasteful and ludicrous attempt to shut down the government by a political party that has gone off the deep end of extreme and irrational, all in a lust for political power.
The G.O.P.'s last grandstanding act of government shutdown (October 2013) cost us 24 billion dollars. For nothing. 24 billion dollars gone out of the U.S. economy, with nothing to show for it. Simply thrown away.
It's unfathomable that the G.O.P, a main political party of an advanced nation, not only consistently takes positions and actions out of step with our peer advanced nations, but also actively works to destroy our institutions -- social and political -- and the health of our nation at every turn.
If my taxes can be used to fund wars that I do not support and to develop, create, and purchase more military armaments than any one country needs, then my taxes should also be used for something that I do unequivocally support: Planned Parenthood and all the healthcare services that it is able to provide with its 500 million dollars worth of federal funding.
11
Enabling the GOP imposes extraordinary opportunity costs on even the GOP.
It would b much more persuasive it she apologized for the erros of the organization and said she would clean house.
3
What errors?
4
Apparently, she didn't feel she needed to apologize for anything. And I'm guessing the majority of Americans agree with that. Why apologize for something that someone else has completely manufactured? Meaning, why apologize for completely doctored videos? Why apologize for Carly Fiorina lying and defaming PP publicly just to score political points? Why apologize for something that has been mainstream medical practice (use of tissue) for decades? Why apologize for something that one of the Republican presidential contenders believed in and practiced himself at one time? If anyone should apologize, it should be those endeavoring to muddy the waters for the electorate (i.e. republican congressmen and women, and special interest groups like Center for Medical Progress), and those that support them (i.e. you).
6
This is among the worst examples of bullying by Congress that I can think of. What is even worse is that their rhetoric seems to be influencing a substantial portion of the general public. If you repeat a lie enough times, people start to believe it--or at least think that it is a controversy worth discussing. And, make no mistake, these are lies: bold-faced, outrageous, inflammatory lies, meant to gain votes and support from people who (rightly or wrongly) have strong beliefs that abortion should be illegal. Planned parenthood is a valuable service to a huge number of women who otherwise would have no access to cancer screening, STI testing, vaccination, and other vital services. It takes a true misogynist to want to deny them that service, and a sociopath to manipulate people with lies to make that denial happen. Welcome to the Republican Congress.
Oh, and to those of you who claim that you should not have to fund abortion through your tax money because you oppose it, perhaps you would also be willing to eliminate the tax-free status of religious institutions so that those of us who are agnostic do not have to use our tax dollars to support your beliefs that directly, and sometimes viciously, attack our right to live our lives.
Oh, and to those of you who claim that you should not have to fund abortion through your tax money because you oppose it, perhaps you would also be willing to eliminate the tax-free status of religious institutions so that those of us who are agnostic do not have to use our tax dollars to support your beliefs that directly, and sometimes viciously, attack our right to live our lives.
356
Yes, tax churches. I've been saying that for years.
But don't take my hard earned money and give it to someone else either. Get the government out of this. Problem solved. Then planned parenthood can do whatever they want, regardless of public opinion.
Where is a similar institution for men? Never gonna happen.
I know, poor women. Such a tired argument.
But don't take my hard earned money and give it to someone else either. Get the government out of this. Problem solved. Then planned parenthood can do whatever they want, regardless of public opinion.
Where is a similar institution for men? Never gonna happen.
I know, poor women. Such a tired argument.
So true and well spoken. A female co-worker of mine once told me she was voting for a Republican candidate for a public office because he is on the television. Me being me, I informed her that Mickey Mouse was on the television as well, was she also voting for him?
I cannot help but inquire as to if we hear the same uproar when anyone dies, there is an autopsy and tissue is retained or removed from a dead body? This is truly a tempest in a teapot by folks who need to keep their opinions to themselves. Believe me, there is a whole list of other folks who need to withhold their commentary.
I cannot help but inquire as to if we hear the same uproar when anyone dies, there is an autopsy and tissue is retained or removed from a dead body? This is truly a tempest in a teapot by folks who need to keep their opinions to themselves. Believe me, there is a whole list of other folks who need to withhold their commentary.
1
I can not help but think from the statements of the "tearful" politicians that they simply don't think women's health is important. We simply don't count in their eyes, and the poor among us even less so.
13
Most Congressional hearings are there for the members to make speeches, without any interest in eliciting any facts or truths. Using falsehood, invented events and out and out misleading propaganda is the hallmark of these hearings. Current examples are the endless Benghazi hearings to discredit Hillary Clinton and the Planned Parenthood ones, which are there for the chairman to keep repeating his propaganda of falsehoods.
15
There needs to be a law to protect citizens from grandstanding, harassing politicians who beat up on the witnesses.
17
Then what would we need C-SPAN for?
These stupid "representatives" of their gerrymandered districts make a practice of demoralizing federal bureaucrats who simply perform their duties.
2
I believe one of the many helpful medical services is breast exams for cancer prevention or early detection. Seems so odd that Representative Jason Chaffetz would want to defund a medical group who try to save women from what killed his mother. A blind eye to how important Planned Parenthood truly is, not to mention putting so much emphasis on this issue rather than anything that really can help improve the country.
15
A doctor does not care who the patient is when trying to cure an illness.
1
In 2012 Obama said:
“[…] in many of these state Planned Parenthood is your only possible access to not only abortion but Pap smears, cervical cancer screenings, mammograms. It is a place where women who many not otherwise have the means can take care of their own bodies.”
MissTennessee Hannah Robison feed the lie to viewers of the Miss America pageant when she said:
“The $500 million that gets given to Planned Parenthood every single year goes to female… care. It goes to screening for cancer. It goes for mammograms.”
In reality, when a woman goes to Planned Parenthood for a cancer screening, she is referred to a different local health care clinic .
There are over 8,700 licensed facilities that provide mammograms in the United States.
Not a single one is a Planned Parenthood facility.
My guess is that Chaffetz is either completely ignorant of the assistance - albeit indirect - proferred to his mother by PP, or a complete misogynist. Can't really see it any other way.
4
In the (hopefully unlikely) event that PP does lose Federal funding what will be on the conservatives' chopping block next?
Scary to think about. They won't be satisfied until we are back to illegal back alley abortions for the poor.. The rich will always be able to access what they need since they will be able to pay the black market price..
Scary to think about. They won't be satisfied until we are back to illegal back alley abortions for the poor.. The rich will always be able to access what they need since they will be able to pay the black market price..
14
I believe we are finally getting to motivation by Republicans: political spending on Democrats. Republicans believe no organizations should be donating to Democrats. Kill the unions, kill PP, kill ACORN, any organization that represents actual people. I wonder why no one mentioned the cash flow of Right to Life who lobby Congress, accept Koch money and have been suspects in voter shenanigans in Walkers recall in Wisconsin. I also wondered why no one mentions the $500 million taxpayers shell out for Abstinence Only Education who's sole purpose is to misinform teens about sex and birth control.
12
One is depicted as a depraved subhuman for being a Democrat.
2
What would you call the cold-blooded Planned Parenthood executive talk about selling fetal organs?
It may be unseemly to hear a Planned Parenthood official haggle over pricing for those organs: “Let me just figure out what others are getting, and if this is in the ballpark, then it’s fine, if it’s still low, then we can bump it up. I want a Lamborghini.”
Typical of other executives there who spoke about human remains.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
I guess that's one of those that don't matter.
I guess that's one of those that don't matter.
4
Does PP actually receive federal grant money or are the "taxpayer dollars" that the Republicans keep referring to really from Medicaid and Medicare payments for services provided? I do know that Medicaid pays for services rendered (non-abortion services) at the PP centers so I am wondering what monies the R's keep griping about.
8
For me, abortion is not a method of birth control.
Too many women and girls practice sloppy ownership of their reproductive rights.
Birth control has been around for ages, in yet, women have unwanted pregnancies all the time, which they remedy with an abortion.
Sorry but anyone who engages in abortion to get rid of what they should not of had in the first place; that person gives up their right to choose because in the end it is what it is… murder.
Too many women and girls practice sloppy ownership of their reproductive rights.
Birth control has been around for ages, in yet, women have unwanted pregnancies all the time, which they remedy with an abortion.
Sorry but anyone who engages in abortion to get rid of what they should not of had in the first place; that person gives up their right to choose because in the end it is what it is… murder.
6
"Too many women and girls practice sloppy ownership of their reproductive rights."
Interesting. Are you some kind of self-appointed arbiter out there in Santa Barbara of evaluating how sloppily or cleanly women and girls practice ownership of their reproductive rights?
Interesting. Are you some kind of self-appointed arbiter out there in Santa Barbara of evaluating how sloppily or cleanly women and girls practice ownership of their reproductive rights?
13
"Too many women and girls practice sloppy ownership of their reproductive rights." Do you feel the same towards men's sexual sloppiness or is it just women having sex that irks you?
In golden olden times, i.e, before Christ, people put their unwanted babies on the streets or in the fields to die or be used for slavery. Is that preferable to you?
In golden olden times, i.e, before Christ, people put their unwanted babies on the streets or in the fields to die or be used for slavery. Is that preferable to you?
4
Too many men and boys practice sloppy ownership of their reproductive rights. No woman would have an unwanted pregnancy if men were sexually responsible.
12
I am just curious if the Pope asked the American public which they would support more if the church said would might consider one of these social issues (hypothetical of course):
A) Abortion
B) Same Sex marriage
C) None of the above.
A) Abortion
B) Same Sex marriage
C) None of the above.
1
Obviously the Catholic church may never ask such a question because :
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/28/us-pope-usa-gaymarriage-idUSKC...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/28/us-pope-usa-gaymarriage-idUSKC...
You left out "low taxes for the wealthy" as an option. Because some republicans believe this to be an issue inhabiting the same moral plane as the first two listed.
3
To MDCooks8: The American public has been taught to support both A and B.
According to the Holy Bible, Almighty God supports neither A nor B.
According to the Holy Bible, Almighty God supports neither A nor B.
A primary reason for the opposition to Planned Parenthood is that the US offers by far the most liberalized access to abortion of any first world democratic nation - including most of Western Europe. In almost all those countries abortion is legally restricted to the first trimester. After that period - highly restricted if not outright illegal.
Why is it that countries which liberals generally consider much more socially responsible and less religious than the US are also more restrictive on abortion? Research this and you'll learn that Europeans consider that the fetus after the first trimester acquires a degree of person-hood worthy of protection. It's not religious - it's humanistic. The US Supreme Court should never had made out of womb viability the red line. Aborting a fetus at 19 weeks is barbaric and allows for the kind of fetal parts selling of which PP stands accused. Our law needs to change towards moral and civilized.
Why is it that countries which liberals generally consider much more socially responsible and less religious than the US are also more restrictive on abortion? Research this and you'll learn that Europeans consider that the fetus after the first trimester acquires a degree of person-hood worthy of protection. It's not religious - it's humanistic. The US Supreme Court should never had made out of womb viability the red line. Aborting a fetus at 19 weeks is barbaric and allows for the kind of fetal parts selling of which PP stands accused. Our law needs to change towards moral and civilized.
6
I think your facts are wrong on the availability of abortion services in western Europe.
4
One of the congressman asked Ms. Richard "who is the bald guy at the back?" What a way to address a team member at the hearing! Need some decency. What happened to the cordial address like" the gentle man and gentle woman" used at the congress?
10
I saw a segment of the televised hearing, particularly that of Mr. Chaffetz's interrogation, which appeared to be more of a cruxifiction and execution rather than a fact-finding process. I was dismayed at his lack of civility and respect. I would describe his interrogative technique as badgering, battering and bludgeoning the witness. In the court of law, this wouldn't be allowed. I understand that the issue is heart-rending, and the videos controversial. But even given this setting, shouldn't there be more civility in the discourse? Or is this asking for the moon in a congressional hearing?
2
Our Nation is only a few short steps from the Republican Party launching Pope Gregory style inquisitions. They have been increasing their scope ever since Obama was elected. I wonder how things are going to be when the next Speaker makes Boehner look like a leftist liberal.
15
Let's be perfectly clear in understanding that the attack on Planned Parenthood is completely bogus. First, federal law forbids the use of funds for abortion. So, while this is being misrepresented as an attack against horrific abortion, it is, in reality, just another denial of valuable health care services to women. Second, the videos cited are also bogus in two ways: (1) they have been doctored to make it look as if this is a money-making, for-profit organization rather than one that promotes women's health and the health of all with fetal tissue research that could cure Parkinson's and other diseases; and (2) the one video of a purported horrific abortion so often cited has been inserted from an archive having nothing to do with Planned Parenthood. It is shameful that Congress desperately seeking a partisan issue on the eve of Pope Francis' visit has resorted to the type of "fundamentalism" and petty "polarization" "which sees only good or evil" which the Pope decried as "forms of individual delusion and ideological extremism." The attempt by conservative Republicans to elevate their Christian fundamentalism above other religions and the law is exactly the extremist intolerance that Pope Francis warned the Congress against.
14
There are already existing stem cell lines to study in order to potentially cure the diseases you mention. You also fail to mention that embryonic stem cells had a deleterious effect on Parkinson's patients, whereas adult stem cells did not.
Is it me, or do the virulent attack comments of the pro-Planned Parenthood faction here sound like the virulent anti-planned Parenthood comments of the far right? I think so.
3
It's you. No one here is making up stories and telling out and out lies to make a point that they apparently can't legitimately make.
4
When rights are continually attacked, morality continually questioned, people get annoyed. Democrats and anyone else who is pro women's rights need to fight back harder if anything.
4
Really?
August 7, 2015:
A group of black pastors sent a letter to the director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery asking that the bust of Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger be removed from the museum’s “Struggle for Justice” exhibit, citing her support for eugenics and the targeting of minorities by the nation’s largest abortion provider.
"Perhaps the Gallery is unaware that Ms. Sanger supported black eugenics, a racist attitude toward black and other minority babies, an elitist attitude toward those she regarded as ‘the feeble minded;’ speaking at a rally of Ku Klux Klan women; and communications with Hitler sympathizers," the letter from Ministers Taking a Stand states.
“Also the notorious ‘Negro Project,’ which sought to limit, if not eliminate black births, was her brainchild,” the letter states. “Despite these well- documented facts of history, her bust sits proudly in your gallery as a hero of justice.
“The obvious incongruity is staggering!” the letter states.
Planned Parenthood has never disavowed Sanger's statements.
Everyone can all agree that politics is personal. Most if not all house members and Senators are looking out for themselves, their careers and their post-government salaries. They will say anything that gets them ahead.
But, if an average woman in North America votes Republican, anti-planned parenthood, I think we can all agree she's certifiably nuts or grossly misinformed. There is absolutely no advantage to her personhood, political self-sovereignty, and financial independence.
anti-abortion is anti-woman
But, if an average woman in North America votes Republican, anti-planned parenthood, I think we can all agree she's certifiably nuts or grossly misinformed. There is absolutely no advantage to her personhood, political self-sovereignty, and financial independence.
anti-abortion is anti-woman
8
Except perhaps - when an abortion is performed to select for a boy? Some little girl lost it all there.
Who was that insufferable narcissist who so ungraciously took an apology?
1
How about planned parenthood just get out of being a fetal body part store all together. And I don't care if that means research can't be done that may save a life. Look around. People are not an endangered species. Over population of the earth is the greatest problem we face. If we can abort babies and cut them up for sale we can let the sick just die too.
1
Maybe you would like to give up the vaccines and cerebral palsy research for the youngsters in your own family. This is just like when the right wing tried to stop Alzheimer research because stem cells were used.
2
I wonder if you'll be using the overpopulation argument when it's the life of one of your loved ones that is in question.
If you're worried about overpopulation, don't have children. I didn't. But once a person is on this Earth, our society must not allow him/her to die of or suffer from preventable or treatable diseases. Anything else is a dangerously slippery slope.
If you're worried about overpopulation, don't have children. I didn't. But once a person is on this Earth, our society must not allow him/her to die of or suffer from preventable or treatable diseases. Anything else is a dangerously slippery slope.
Does anyone know if this committee plans on calling the organizations that published those videos and having them testify on the accuracy of the videos? From what I've seen on CSPAN, I don't think the GOP members are interested in determining the accuracy.
8
of course they're not. logic forbid they have to be responsible on their end for this mockery of an issue.
2
The United States of America needs to stop killing its children. It is not just women, men are also guilty of approving abortion.
According to published stats, since 1973 we have killed more than 57 million babies (in the womb). 57 MILLION!!!
When you abort your baby you KILL YOUR child!!!
www.ltgof.net
According to published stats, since 1973 we have killed more than 57 million babies (in the womb). 57 MILLION!!!
When you abort your baby you KILL YOUR child!!!
www.ltgof.net
Since when is the egg you eat a baby chick? A fetus/ovum is not a BABY. It is a bodily function yet unformed., It is not a baby in the womb. It is a fetus/ovum just as the egg you eat is not a baby chick!
2
That's a lot of abortion. That number would probably come down if women had better access to birth control and if men took more responsibility for preventing pregnancy.
2
To sylnik:
Dear One,
Please read the first five verses of Jeremiah Chapter 1 (in the Holy Bible).
Dear One,
Please read the first five verses of Jeremiah Chapter 1 (in the Holy Bible).
Why do these Senators not ask hard questions of these fringe groups that use fraud and lies to try to impose their views on others? After investigations have shown that they have essentially lied to the people of the USA and the world, defamed a reputable organization that provides esential health services, and cost the taxpayers countless thousands of dollars in "investigation" costs incurred, THEY should be called on the carpet to answer for their reprehensible conduct. It is time for Congress to stop letting anti-abortion groups terrorize women and bully the government. After 38 years, Congress should have the guts to say the issue has been decided.
10
Stop it America it's getting really embarrassing.
4
The GOP loves the fetus because it's an amazing fundraising tool. The have zero interest in ending abortion for this reason alone. Somehow, the simpletons in their base haven't figured that out yet.
9
I've run out of patience in the ability to continue reading the same articles about the same issues whereby the REAL TRUTH is twisted and contorted by the GOP to such an extent as to make it something otherworldly. If one believes the expression "the truth will set you free" then the GOP and their supporters are forever destined to an eternity in PURGATORY.
16
It appears that Planned Parenthood is getting around accepting Federal funding yet still performing abortions by only accepting payment from Medicaid at clinics that only provide referrals for abortion, while at the same time at their clinics that perform abortion only private healthcare insurance is accepted....
To me this is an issue, since federal funding for abortion is only suppose to be for cases of incest, rape and saving the life of the mother.....
To me this is an issue, since federal funding for abortion is only suppose to be for cases of incest, rape and saving the life of the mother.....
Most women pay cash for abortion and Medicaid reimbursemnt is typically for Pap smears, STD screening, etc etc. Please inform yourself
2
The issue of abortion is one of those rare instances where both sides have equal weight. For those who believe that life begins at conception, any effort to terminate a pregnancy will be considered immoral. For those who believe in a woman's right to control her own body, then abortion seems a rational choice under many circumstances.
The real issue comes down to religious belief on the "sanctity of life" and when life begins. Given that religions define the beginning of life at different points, then legally defining it at any point prior to viability will impose the religious beliefs of some people on all women, which would violate the 1st Amendment's ban on official religions.
The best solution overall is still the simplest: To ensure every woman has access to free and effective birth control, which is exactly the purpose behind Planned Parenthood.
The real issue comes down to religious belief on the "sanctity of life" and when life begins. Given that religions define the beginning of life at different points, then legally defining it at any point prior to viability will impose the religious beliefs of some people on all women, which would violate the 1st Amendment's ban on official religions.
The best solution overall is still the simplest: To ensure every woman has access to free and effective birth control, which is exactly the purpose behind Planned Parenthood.
12
You forgot the organ harvesting from newly dead fetuses.
When our fellow countrymen say enough of War and seriously reduce military spending so the Pentagon is in no condition to start optional wars like they did in Iraq that killed many thousands of innocent men, women, and children, I'll support reducing funding for Planned Parenthood and putting funds into furthering adoptions in America. After all, it's good to have kids, your own or others, because they will love you all your life no matter what and care for you when you are old and need help.
2
Planned Parenthood Federation is a popular organisation. Many people see this organisation as a humanitarian Non-Governmental Organisation. But the founder of this organisation, Margaret Sangers, made it clear that the organisation was started to promote abortion. The name ‘planned parenthood’ is a deception. It is not to plan parenthood but to prevent parenthood. This woman is a great racist. The abortion she was really advocating and supporting financially was to eliminate those she considered less human. In her own words, “Negroes (African Americans) and Southern Europeans were mentally inferior to native born Americans.” Sangers called them “human weeds”, “feeble minded” and “a menace to the race.” By ‘the race’, she meant the ‘pure’ Americans or Europeans.
1
If the videos are heavily doctored, then Planned Parenthood should serve all the Republican candidates papers for slander at the next debate. On live TV.
7
I support Planned Parenthood - but they need to stay away from selling fetal tissue. That goes beyond providing services and tips into, well, imagery of black market body parts. At least it feels that way to the irrational within. I get what they are doing but I don't support that part. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
But not sure what this article is about? A slice of life in the never ending fight from Republicans who mistake their religious beliefs as secular law? FYI: Women are not going back to barefoot and pregnant, and Planned Parenthood has helped prevent that fate for many.
But not sure what this article is about? A slice of life in the never ending fight from Republicans who mistake their religious beliefs as secular law? FYI: Women are not going back to barefoot and pregnant, and Planned Parenthood has helped prevent that fate for many.
I'm just learning that the mother of the stillborn in the video inserted into the anti- PP videos has stepped forward to say this was her son. The dead fetus, still semi- alive on the table with "kicking legs" was not the result of an abortion but a miscarriage and the whole sorry event did NOT take place at a PP facility.
The video production guy has taken the fifth. PP should sue the pants off the anti-abortion sting group. They should also sue Carley Fiorina for libel unless she issues an apology.
Somebody needs to make the Congressional GOP accountable for ambush propaganda based on stolen videos and their inquisition of Ms. Richards. These self righteous interrogists should be required to forfeit a week of House pay to be returned to the US taxpayers.
The video production guy has taken the fifth. PP should sue the pants off the anti-abortion sting group. They should also sue Carley Fiorina for libel unless she issues an apology.
Somebody needs to make the Congressional GOP accountable for ambush propaganda based on stolen videos and their inquisition of Ms. Richards. These self righteous interrogists should be required to forfeit a week of House pay to be returned to the US taxpayers.
24
I listened to the Republican arrogance and grandstanding with utter horror today.
Thank you, Ms. Richards, for standing your ground on behalf of Planned Parenthood and the women who need its services.
Thank you, Ms. Richards, for standing your ground on behalf of Planned Parenthood and the women who need its services.
15
How absurd can it get?
You have lawmakers championing FAKED videos in their own chamber where they make our country's LAWS.
You have the Representative from Tennessee who pressured his wife/girlfriend/both to have abortions and who has the hypocritical gall to act like some town scold toward Richards.
You have the Rep from Utah crying about his parents dying from cancer who would deny women cancer screenings from PP. (Go somewhere else he says!)
You have the Rep from Ohio interrupting and pointing and squawking and trying his darndest to distort the intentions of PP when he has probably given polio vaccines to his own children if he has any.
My own Rep tried to attack our University and fetal cell research. They are up against the same ignorance Nancy Reagan batted down for Alzheimer research was threatened by the Tea Party types because researchers use stem cells.
These guys have to be told OVER and OVER that PP doesnt get fed funding for abortion. They are embarrassingly stupid.
You have lawmakers championing FAKED videos in their own chamber where they make our country's LAWS.
You have the Representative from Tennessee who pressured his wife/girlfriend/both to have abortions and who has the hypocritical gall to act like some town scold toward Richards.
You have the Rep from Utah crying about his parents dying from cancer who would deny women cancer screenings from PP. (Go somewhere else he says!)
You have the Rep from Ohio interrupting and pointing and squawking and trying his darndest to distort the intentions of PP when he has probably given polio vaccines to his own children if he has any.
My own Rep tried to attack our University and fetal cell research. They are up against the same ignorance Nancy Reagan batted down for Alzheimer research was threatened by the Tea Party types because researchers use stem cells.
These guys have to be told OVER and OVER that PP doesnt get fed funding for abortion. They are embarrassingly stupid.
18
If the Republicans showed this same zealotry for wage inequality, education, homelessness, etc., just imagine what we could accomplish as a nation!
But no. The GOP uses it to attack women. Again. I just hope America was watching and remembers when they cast their vote for President.
But no. The GOP uses it to attack women. Again. I just hope America was watching and remembers when they cast their vote for President.
9
I find it hard to believe that "Ms. Richards... insisted that Planned Parenthood sells only a small amount of fetal tissue and recoups only reasonable expenses as allowed by the law."
Selling fetal tissue is illegal and so is buying fetal tissues or any other human body part. My understanding is that some but not all Planned Parenthood affiliates act as an agent for those women who voluntarily wish to donate fetal tissue to medical research. This practice is legal--and important to medical advances. Planned Parenthood is only one of many organizations that provide this service. Legally, these organizations are able to charge no more than the actual cost of preparing and shipping these tissues to the receiving researcher. Planned Parenthood's fees are at the low end of the fees charged for such services.
This is a critical distinction. Planned Parenthood provides a legal service; selling fetal tissues is not legal. Any responsible reporter or editor should be careful not to imply that Planned Parenthood sells tissues.
Selling fetal tissue is illegal and so is buying fetal tissues or any other human body part. My understanding is that some but not all Planned Parenthood affiliates act as an agent for those women who voluntarily wish to donate fetal tissue to medical research. This practice is legal--and important to medical advances. Planned Parenthood is only one of many organizations that provide this service. Legally, these organizations are able to charge no more than the actual cost of preparing and shipping these tissues to the receiving researcher. Planned Parenthood's fees are at the low end of the fees charged for such services.
This is a critical distinction. Planned Parenthood provides a legal service; selling fetal tissues is not legal. Any responsible reporter or editor should be careful not to imply that Planned Parenthood sells tissues.
5
Holding hearings over videos that were likely doctored--even John Boehner couldn't stand presiding over something so ridiculous. But this is par for the course for GOP politicians. Think 2003--G.W. Bush & Co. gleefully launching an invasion of Iraq under false pretenses.
This can't bring order to the Middle East or anywhere else if stuff like this is going to happen in Congress. Maybe James O'Keefe for Speaker?
This can't bring order to the Middle East or anywhere else if stuff like this is going to happen in Congress. Maybe James O'Keefe for Speaker?
5
Carol from San Francisco, thank you for the link to NPR's fact checking on PP. It's very helpful! I recommend it to everybody. And I mean everybody. Here it is again:
http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/08/05/429641062/fact-che...
http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/08/05/429641062/fact-che...
9
I believe life is valuable at every stage and that we can do more to protect it at every stage, from fetus (avoiding alcohol) to baby (milk and human touch) to toddler (reading at night) to child (giving them opportunities to explore and create) to teenager (helping with identify formation) to college age (encouraging them to find their life's purpose and be independent) to adult (supporting decently-paying jobs with decent wages) to senior (Social Security and Medicare).
I do think this position is consistent with other liberal beliefs, many of which I support. It's a strange thing that myself and many other people with liberal views oppose the death penalty, and hope to prevent people dying of hunger or lack of health care, but do not exercise the same care when it comes to unborn babies, especially those far along in the pregnancy. I do believe that a second trimester baby has many of the same capacities for pain as a newly-born infant and we should not be so quick to establish an arbitrary dividing line at birth.
I do think this position is consistent with other liberal beliefs, many of which I support. It's a strange thing that myself and many other people with liberal views oppose the death penalty, and hope to prevent people dying of hunger or lack of health care, but do not exercise the same care when it comes to unborn babies, especially those far along in the pregnancy. I do believe that a second trimester baby has many of the same capacities for pain as a newly-born infant and we should not be so quick to establish an arbitrary dividing line at birth.
3
We need to dump the notion that pregnancy is God's punishment for the pleasure of sexual relations.
1
I do not know any pro-choice supporter who regards each and every abortion as anything but a failure: a failure in sex education, a failure in access to contraception, a failure in family planning, or a failure in providing a safe environment for women. Many of us support Planned Parenthood because we believe it provides vital services that contribute to reducing the incidence of such failures. Most fundamentally, however, at the end of the argument, most pro-choice supporters believe that the decsion to have an abortion should be made by the woman involved. In an ideal world that decision can be made in consultation with her family and the father, but, sadly, there are many, many situations when that consultation is not the optimal situation for the woman.
I believe that the importance of allowing the woman involved the right to make this difficult decision can be illustrated by usiing one of your examples. Medical evidence showing the harm caused by mothers-to-be drinking alcohol is overwhelming: would you support laws that criminalize alcohol consumption by pregnant women? Recent medical studies show that breast milk provides advantages absent in formula: should we pass legislation requiring women to breast feed?
I believe that the importance of allowing the woman involved the right to make this difficult decision can be illustrated by usiing one of your examples. Medical evidence showing the harm caused by mothers-to-be drinking alcohol is overwhelming: would you support laws that criminalize alcohol consumption by pregnant women? Recent medical studies show that breast milk provides advantages absent in formula: should we pass legislation requiring women to breast feed?
2
You seem to believe that one size fits all, whatever that is.
2
If the Republican party's real beef is not the sell of fetal tissue but of the expenses of PP, why isn't PP just handing over their financials? I don't get it.
1
Abortion requires secrecy, even from one's siblings, not just from the parents. Or from the husband.
They did. About 20,000 pages to the house committee holding the hearing; not to mention that as a non-profit all their financials are public.
You can find that information QUITE readily. QUITE READILY. As in, a few keystrokes in a Google search. Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization and provides annual reports, detailing their financials.
4
Ms. Richards salary is not out of line, especially given she runs a nationwide chain of healthcare facilities. See the NYT story of about 18 months ago on administrator salaries. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/sunday-review/doctors-salaries-are-not... I'd love to see Chaffetz complain about the pay going to the heads of Kaiser or Humana, big at the Medicare trough. And when will Republicans agree that Medicare should hold competitive bidding for drugs it pays for? Answer: Never. Total hypocrisy. Total anti-women.
23
The video as presented to the public was transparently pieced together out of edited decontextualized statements, As you listened you heard the jumps. I am certain that every high ranking Republican official knows it is a pastiche. In this sense that they are not simply embarrassed to present such bad job in evidence is testimony to the cynicism and simple disrespect for the public's intelligence that they have descended to.
14
It is so disheartening to see the Republicans deliberately fostering hatred and misinformation about Planned Parenthood. It is difficult for me to see it as anything except the basic disrespect that they have for women and the poor. If Republicans cannot understand and respect the role that Planned Parenthood has in the US, how can we trust them to guide our country?
18
It is part and parcel of their denial that humans can materially damage the Earth.
PP defunding? What happened to the "laser like focus on jobs" promised by this Congress? I guess all those problems of jobs and wages are taken care of. Good to know. Now, on to other important things like Kim Davis for instance.
Impressive work Republicans.
Impressive work Republicans.
24
You sure assume a lot from a very little. Like 6 blind men trying to describe an elephant.
Anyone else struck by thus? The very same Republicans who mocked Democrats for saying a video contributed to the mob in Liberia that attacked the AAmerican embassy have no problem conducting a political witch hunt based on a heavily edited video produced by an anti-Planned Parenthood zealot? What are they so fired up about? Surely a video did not whip them into a frenzy?
10
Really, a video spurring a mob "Liberia"?
Do you even know where Liberia is located in the world and which area of that continent the country is located?
Do you even know where Liberia is located in the world and which area of that continent the country is located?
I am curious about the "honorable" Representative Chaffetz' annual salary and his yearly travel budget and how much he actually pays for his travel. Mr. Chaffetz' collection of salary "facts" should have been turned against the entire mysogynistic committee. The true waste of tax payer funded stupidity is this hearing.
15
Another Planned Parenthood witch hunt. This important organization is critical to providing health care to under served areas and populations. Thank goodness for them and their good work!
22
The witch reference is apt, since witches often used living babies for sacrifice at their Sabbats. For more, see (Ms.) Lyndal Roper, "The Witch Craze."
When you start paying my bills, you can start making decisions about my healthcare.
9
In that case why should the federal government fund Planned Parenthood?
Why should the federal government fund early education, railways, clean energy, and interstates, but not a person's health?
Representative Carolyn B. Maloney, Democrat of New York, lamented what she called a “relentless campaign” by her Republican colleagues against Planned Parenthood.
“Make no mistake: Despite what we hear, Republicans are doubling down on their war against women,” Ms. Maloney said, adding later, “We need to recognize this fight for what it is — it’s about banning a woman’s right to choose.”
_____
I completely agree.
“Make no mistake: Despite what we hear, Republicans are doubling down on their war against women,” Ms. Maloney said, adding later, “We need to recognize this fight for what it is — it’s about banning a woman’s right to choose.”
_____
I completely agree.
25
Thank God Obama will veto any legislation to close down PP. The GOP is wasting its time and our money, once again, even having this discussion.
12
Planned Parenthood is an excellent organization that does a lot of good. PP gives the American taxpayer more value for their money than most health care providers. Those attacking Planned Parenthood now are demonstrating their biases and their ignorance.
16
It strikes me that this hearing was just a way to stoke the fires of ultraconservative outrage.
The best way to prevent abortion would be to promote and pay for effective birth control alternatives. But "life" isn't really what the conservative agenda is all about. What they want is to deny women the ability to control their own sex lives and to make their own procreative choices.
The best way to prevent abortion would be to promote and pay for effective birth control alternatives. But "life" isn't really what the conservative agenda is all about. What they want is to deny women the ability to control their own sex lives and to make their own procreative choices.
27
If you want to believe in a certain narrative that justifies one's bias against Planned Parenthood then one would believe the highly edited videos to be the gospel. If opponents want to make an argument against Planned Parenthood then use don't use edited video and entrapment techniques which crooked prosecutors do to indict someone. Planned Parenthood has a minuscule budget that is use to educate young women on the alternatives to abortion i.e. contraception and even adoption. Better to spend the money upfront than latter down the road on unintended pregnancies and childbirth out of wedlock. Sometimes one has to step beyond their ideology to see the good of a federally funded program that actually works.
5
This is really pretty simole. If the GOP-led committee really wantsto discover the truth, it will also call the director and editor of the videos to testify as to the circumstances around their creation including explanations of how they were edited.
13
Does it infuriate rabid, pro-natalist GOP politicians to know that the Vatican is located not in America but in Italy, and that one of the greatest scientists of modern times (Gregory Pincus) who is given primary credit for inventing the first oral contraceptive for women was a native-born U.S. citizen?
What a bizarre, antediluvian worldview. You want to live in a country that takes orders from the Vatican, move to the Philippines and see what life is like there for poor women with more children than remaining teeth in their mouths who WANT to use birth control and family planning services but are blocked from doing so.
What a bizarre, antediluvian worldview. You want to live in a country that takes orders from the Vatican, move to the Philippines and see what life is like there for poor women with more children than remaining teeth in their mouths who WANT to use birth control and family planning services but are blocked from doing so.
26
I've not read the 667 previous comments so I may be repeating one or more readers, but note:
Jason Chaffetz was revealed to be a flat-out liar when he projected the slide purporting to show information he said he himself took directly from the PP annual report. He did no such thing, and the information did not come from PP's report; as Ms. Richards said, the information is false and was fabricated by a longtime opponent of PP.
These Republicans are truly the mole people.
Jason Chaffetz was revealed to be a flat-out liar when he projected the slide purporting to show information he said he himself took directly from the PP annual report. He did no such thing, and the information did not come from PP's report; as Ms. Richards said, the information is false and was fabricated by a longtime opponent of PP.
These Republicans are truly the mole people.
35
I am in disbelief that the Republican Committee members would take a line of attack on Ms. Richard's salary. For 2014, the Halliburton CEO reported a salary of $20,290,972; the CEO of Lockheed Martin reported $17,869,727 and the General Dynamics CEO reported $18,993,196. These companies take federal funding through contracts.
Ms. Richards runs an organization that has a billion dollar budget and serves over five million people a year. She oversees 27,000 employees and volunteers. She has an annual salary of over $500,000 a year. Find a comparable sized company and see what the CEO makes.
So much for free markets...
Ms. Richards runs an organization that has a billion dollar budget and serves over five million people a year. She oversees 27,000 employees and volunteers. She has an annual salary of over $500,000 a year. Find a comparable sized company and see what the CEO makes.
So much for free markets...
37
The US is being looted by an interlocked directorship of very ordinary people.
2
Planned Parenthood is not part of the Military Industrial Complex; therefore, these Congressmen do not profit from PP. They do profit from guaranteeing contracts to their campaign donors. It is a quid pro quo; it has nothing to do with honest governance. They are allowed to keep unused campaign funds for the use of future campaigns; they are allowed to use campaign funds for "necessary" expenses. I have never seen a bullet point presentation of what is deemed "necessary". Clothing? High end hotel rooms? Expensive dinners at posh restaurants? Would love to see where they stay and where they eat, and how much they spend on wardrobes. D.C. lives pretty high on the hog; I know, I lived there for five years. Georgetown restaurants and bars are expensive and full of Congressmen out on the town. I remember limousines pulling up one very popular Georgetown bar, either to drop off or pick up Congressmen and Senators. They didn't hide it.
If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament.
30
Apparently one of the representatives hammering Richards and not letting her speak while he blabbered on about PP "making money off of death" was Scott Desjarlais of Tennessee, a doctor whose lady friends apparently were encouraged by him to get an abortion. A recreational fix it sounds like, unlike most of the women who use PP>
This happened 2 or 3 times. Maybe he will be answering questions tomorrow about that.
This happened 2 or 3 times. Maybe he will be answering questions tomorrow about that.
36
I wonder why his "lady friends" did not use birth control? Were they too lady-like? Or maybe they thought he'd marry them, once pregnant. And old story, that.
6
It's like the old saying:
VD isnt terminal unless you're a Baptist preacher.
VD isnt terminal unless you're a Baptist preacher.
As a life long Republican, I have always held that abortion is a matter between a woman and her doctor, not some controlling (socialist?) politician. I support Planned Parenthood and will with my vote.
41
None of this would even be discussed if men were the ones needing healthcare. Why is women's healthcare always the target.
29
It doesn't make sense that as a country we can have detainess, or people who can be held sometimes for decades without being charged , yet to even begin an investigation here the outcome needs to already be pre-determined? Launch an investigation, collect evidence and inform the public of the outcome.
3
There was an investigation but Republicans don't want to hear the truth.
1
Joseph McCarthy lives. Only this time the enemy is not Communists. It's women.
Left to its own devices this Republican Party of ignorance, stupidity, white entitlement, white fear and racism and clear hatred of women will destroy
the United States of America.
The Republican Party to quote a phrase old lyin Joe McCarthy would have used, is the enemy within.
Two weeks ago after that monstrous Republican presidential debate I picked up the phone and sent a contribution to Planned Parenthood here through their regional office in Newark.
I suggest every right minded person do the same. Not tomorrow. Right now.
Left to its own devices this Republican Party of ignorance, stupidity, white entitlement, white fear and racism and clear hatred of women will destroy
the United States of America.
The Republican Party to quote a phrase old lyin Joe McCarthy would have used, is the enemy within.
Two weeks ago after that monstrous Republican presidential debate I picked up the phone and sent a contribution to Planned Parenthood here through their regional office in Newark.
I suggest every right minded person do the same. Not tomorrow. Right now.
23
What - women's health care not expensive enough for the religious fanatics of the Republican conservative right wing? They need to make it even less affordable for those who most need affordable health care? They need to have more women not to be able to maybe have an early warning of breast or cervical cancer to have a fighting chance against these deadly diseases? These hard core religious fanatics are trying to drag this country back to the 50's when white men dictated and women and minorities had no voice . Horrifying....
14
What did Ms. Richards say about Planned Parenthood's slicing up a living baby to preserve its heart for sale? NYTimes seems to have buried the lede.
4
You are thinking of Carly Fiorino's bald-faced lie about a brain- she has been unable to come up with the mythical footage to support her assertion.
4
Try again. This was in the paper today: "Missouri Finds Planned Parenthood Didn’t Mishandle Fetal Tissue"
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/30/us/planned-parenthood-fetal-tissue-mis...
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/30/us/planned-parenthood-fetal-tissue-mis...
1
Maybe they didn't discuss it because it never happened.
If the GOP really believes Planned Parenthood promotes Democrats let them refuse to fund it and see what happens in 2016. The Tea Party doesn't own anger as a concept for turning out the vote.
10
Apparently the Republican Party doesn't like proven, successful programs. They want to de-fund PP, eradicate Medicare and Medicaid, and end Unemployment funds, and stop Social Security.
Their idea to replace all of these things? Prayer and and corporate entities that will raise the price of your life-saving meds 700%.
Their idea to replace all of these things? Prayer and and corporate entities that will raise the price of your life-saving meds 700%.
15
Let's be honest here. The Republican Party is doing their sleazy best to make abortion illegal in this country. The war on women is real, as was made clear today in their questioning of Ms. Richards.
Little by little, the Republicans are chipping away at women's rights. The religious right in this country is getting more political. They won't be happy until every woman dresses like Warren Jeff's wives and and breeds like the Duggar women.
Little by little, the Republicans are chipping away at women's rights. The religious right in this country is getting more political. They won't be happy until every woman dresses like Warren Jeff's wives and and breeds like the Duggar women.
28
Republican lawmakers assailed the organization as more a political advocacy organization that wastes federal money....
No, actually it's all those tax-advantaged PACs etc that they must be talking about. The ones that give that gang of intellectual primitives running for Republican presidential candidate enough money to carry on their war against women's health and freedom.
No, actually it's all those tax-advantaged PACs etc that they must be talking about. The ones that give that gang of intellectual primitives running for Republican presidential candidate enough money to carry on their war against women's health and freedom.
9
The issue is not about the amount of money the CEO makes, or how efficient PP is with the monies it receives, or how the videos were edited, or how the senators treated the witness. These concerns are distractions.
We should all be deeply horrified that there is a lively and profitable trade in human tissue taken from the its most vulnerable and helpless members and it is used to benefit those with $$ and a voice. Its always the marginalized, the weak, the helpless who suffer to server the needs of the wealthy.
There are many activities of humanity that could fit the following definition "The human caused and intentional intervention in the course of a human life which results in the termination of that life" Capital punishment fits, murder fits that and so does abortion.
We should all be deeply horrified that there is a lively and profitable trade in human tissue taken from the its most vulnerable and helpless members and it is used to benefit those with $$ and a voice. Its always the marginalized, the weak, the helpless who suffer to server the needs of the wealthy.
There are many activities of humanity that could fit the following definition "The human caused and intentional intervention in the course of a human life which results in the termination of that life" Capital punishment fits, murder fits that and so does abortion.
3
Would it be inappropriate for this article to contrast the committees statements with demonstrable fact? Does the Times have an issue with clear bright lines? Singing for the choir is not what is needed nor is confirming painfully odious redundancies.
.
.
6
I don't like abortion and have never had one. But I still defend the right of a woman to choose whether to give birth or not.
I also hate it that the very people who want to defund Planned Parenthood also want to reduce sex education in school, severely restrcit access to readily available contraceptives, and ban the morning after pill. These would all help to stop unintentional pregnancy.
This is a War on Women - make no mistake about it.
These men want to return to their 1950s power base and have women "Barefoot and Pregnant".
I also hate it that the very people who want to defund Planned Parenthood also want to reduce sex education in school, severely restrcit access to readily available contraceptives, and ban the morning after pill. These would all help to stop unintentional pregnancy.
This is a War on Women - make no mistake about it.
These men want to return to their 1950s power base and have women "Barefoot and Pregnant".
46
Yes, it was the men who forced so many womyn to become pill poppers in those late 50's /early 60's years of Oppression, such that a documentary by Edward R. Murrow, "Harvest of Pills," was needed to depict the damsels in distress. A sequel, "Valley of the Dolls," was similarly successful in exposing the depredations of Male Big Pharma on 20-something single girls on the make, as Helen Gurley Brown urged.
$500K OF TAXPAYERS MONEY??? Cmon, don't we all all see something ludicrous about that?
2
Yeah phillip, it is ludicrous, 500k is not even enough to pay for one of the unnecessary tanks and planes the Pentagon buys just to giv kickbacks to the Industrial Military Complex.
In order to do real education and family planning for the whole country Planned Parenthood should be given a leash 50 to 100 million dollars twice a year.
In order to do real education and family planning for the whole country Planned Parenthood should be given a leash 50 to 100 million dollars twice a year.
2
I present a comment made after philip's:
Thought_Provocateur USA 47 minutes ago
I am in disbelief that the Republican Committee members would take a line of attack on Ms. Richard's salary. For 2014, the Halliburton CEO reported a salary of $20,290,972; the CEO of Lockheed Martin reported $17,869,727 and the General Dynamics CEO reported $18,993,196. These companies take federal funding through contracts.
Ms. Richards runs an organization that has a billion dollar budget and serves over five million people a year. She oversees 27,000 employees and volunteers. She has an annual salary of over $500,000 a year. Find a comparable sized company and see what the CEO makes.
So much for free markets...
Thought_Provocateur USA 47 minutes ago
I am in disbelief that the Republican Committee members would take a line of attack on Ms. Richard's salary. For 2014, the Halliburton CEO reported a salary of $20,290,972; the CEO of Lockheed Martin reported $17,869,727 and the General Dynamics CEO reported $18,993,196. These companies take federal funding through contracts.
Ms. Richards runs an organization that has a billion dollar budget and serves over five million people a year. She oversees 27,000 employees and volunteers. She has an annual salary of over $500,000 a year. Find a comparable sized company and see what the CEO makes.
So much for free markets...
NO,I DON"T.
To Charles from San Jose, Calif.:
It is easy Charles, the most evasive and deceptive about what Planned Parenthood has said and done was not Cecile Richards or Hilary, it was you. What Planned Parenthood is doing is common sense contraception education and abortion for those who do not want to be parents for many reasons. Overpopulation and poverty of hundreds of millions of people should be your concerns, not abortion. "Once you are born you are on your own," as a motto is cruel and hypocritical for those who "care about life."
It is easy Charles, the most evasive and deceptive about what Planned Parenthood has said and done was not Cecile Richards or Hilary, it was you. What Planned Parenthood is doing is common sense contraception education and abortion for those who do not want to be parents for many reasons. Overpopulation and poverty of hundreds of millions of people should be your concerns, not abortion. "Once you are born you are on your own," as a motto is cruel and hypocritical for those who "care about life."
17
Ya got me there, Bert.
Which disgusting, underhanded, duplicitous tactic by the Republican anti-women zealots should I comment on? How about this ... outrage at the CEO of a nationwide organization making $500,000 a year? Of course, it's no problem for the CEO of a rapacious Wall Street "bank" to make tens of millions per year even after we, the taxpayers, bailed out the whole rotten system. Oh right, Jim Jordan and company, those poor women don't vote or finance your campaigns, do they?
18
Before the hearings were barely underway GOP chairman Chaffetz was caught in an enormous and obvious lie. He displayed a potentially damning chart showing an increase in PP abortions and claimed the data came right from PP's corporate report. Ms. Richards quickly corrected Chaffetz by pointing out the chart was provided by an anti-abortion organization (whose name was on the bottom of the chart...DOH!) and didn't reflect reality in any way. This is so typical of the entire GOP lie-until-we're-caught-and-then-move-on-to-the-next-lie-strategy. Sadly, it all went down hill after that as the GOP representatives treated Ms. Richards like she was....Muslim!!! I am often left feeling embarrassed by legislators on both sides of the aisle, but this was definitely a new low. I can't imagine how any woman could watch this hearing and not feel like Ms. Richards was being belittled, diminished, talked down to and insulted at every turn
27
Let's settle this. If there is a crime let's have the investigation and the charges. Is there not a Republican prosecutor out there somewhere looking to make a name for themselves? Now that Ms Richards has testified in front of Congress, if she has lied or presented false witness let's have those charges. And finally let's have a libel suit by Planned Parenthood against those who have slandered them with these videos.
17
We need legislation that protects the districts whose legislators acted/voted to keep the government from being shutdown -- i.e., government services should continue to be provided for the districts where their legislators wanting to keep the government open.
The districts whose legislators support a shutdown should have their wish and have all government services terminated within that district. Seems to be the fair thing to do.
The districts whose legislators support a shutdown should have their wish and have all government services terminated within that district. Seems to be the fair thing to do.
12
Your comments suggest that you don't understand some aspects of the legislative process. The proposed legislation is not a vote for or against a shutdown. It is simply legislation that would defund government assistance to Planned Parenthood, but would fully fund every aspect of government operation apart from these subsidies. Should President Obama decide that he could not accept a bill without the PP subsidies, his veto would be the act triggering a shutdown, not the enactment of legislation that is not to his liking.
2
Planned Parenthood cannot be "defunded" because it isn't being "subsidized." It accepts payments, like every other health care provider, for services provided under Medicare and Medicaid. What is at stake here is access for millions of poor women to health care (breast exams, cancer screenings, checkups, etc.) they could not otherwise afford. When abortions are provided they are not funded by the government. There is absolutely no reason to "defund" Planned Parenthood unless, of course, your ulterior motive is to keep women barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen - which many of us are beginning to suspect is the case. Dare I suggest that what I choose to do with my body is a matter between me, my family and my doctor, and not something that should be subject to legislation? I thought not. And sorry, but the attachment of Planned Parenthood "defunding" to a bill to continue funding of the government is a right wing ploy, pure and simple. President Obama would be absolutely right to veto it, and the resulting mess is and should be squarely on the Republicans, who thought up this ridiculous scheme in the first place.
4
" It is simply legislation that would defund government assistance to Planned Parenthood..." There is no "government assistance" to Planned Parenthood other than reimbursement that PP would be providing via a health care plan, namely Medicaid for those eligible for that government-sponsored coverage. With respect to the comment about the "legislative process," the attempt (perhaps unsuccessful) was to be sarcastic; those legislators that work to cause "train wrecks" and those who elect those legislators, should get their wishes fulfilled with appropriate consequences. HR 3495 sets things up for a shutdown by keeping Medicaid funds from going to certain PP operations for any women's health services (it is punitive), and those in the House who support that legislation know doing so will most likely cause a shutdown. They are the ones that will have "pulled the pin on the grenade" with this legislation.
1
With lobbyists and PAC contributions, Planned Parenthood isn't simply a medical provider. It is an interest group. I think its political activities get in the way of its medical services.
5
Why is planning parenthood such an issue for you?
9
Planned Parenthood is just as dependent on abortions as those seeking them. Abortions are its "cash cow" business.
4
It is only political for the Tea Party for women to have healthcare.
2
If only the poor and middle class women going to PP for life-saving pap smears and mammograms could be sent home with bibles and assault rifles and told to keep their legs closed. The republicans trying to whip up their base to vote against their own economic interests would triple their funding.
15
Um, liberal posters love to talk about the ignorance and stupidity of conservatives who only believe what they want to. At the same time, a typical specimen talks about all those mammograms PP does.
1
I am a former Republican, mostly because the Republican Party today stands against facts on issue after issue. Today's hearing on Planned Parenthood is but the most recent example of Republican congressmen not letting the facts get in the way of their political goals. Republican presidential candidates' statements on the economy, climate change, vaccinations and a number of other issues are similarly counter-factual. And the so-called base eats it up. It is sad and is impairing U.S. leadership at abroad and prosperity at home. That is why I am now an Independent.
18
The Republican Party has, apparently, taken a page from ISIS's rule book.
I imagine throwing acid on women trying to go to school is next.
It's time to stop the Religious Right and this is an excellent start at exposing their hate and ignorance.
I imagine throwing acid on women trying to go to school is next.
It's time to stop the Religious Right and this is an excellent start at exposing their hate and ignorance.
21
I swear these comments are better reads than the article.
2
$500K wouldn't be enough for me to take that job and all the heat that comes with it. I'd rather run a health plan. UnitedHealtcare CEO Stephen Helmley took home $66 million in 2014. Trevor Fetter Chief Executive Officer and President of Tenet Healthcare made a mere $13.3 million, dear guy.
23
PP provided about 10 million services in 2014. So the leader of PP earned about 5 cents per visit.
United Healthcare CEO gets about 19 cents per customer visit.
United Healthcare CEO gets about 19 cents per customer visit.
Women are routinely underpaid.
Through all the twaddle and soft-shoe, I want to know this. Were the words which issued from the mouths of the butchers their own words? If they were, then the case is closed.
5
Fetal tissue is used in vaccines. The polio vaccine you undoubtedly were given. The twaddle part is the GOP trying to shut down our government over this.
5
The people who made the video recordings have published them in their entirety. The excerpts seem to be completely accurate, but if you'd like to see the full recordings, look here: http://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/
1
MisterMike- you are linking to the "heavily edited" videos that have been deemed unreliable.
3
Strikes me that, Planned Parenthood, as a corporation,and by extension having all the rights of an actual person, should be able to sue for defamation of character and slander, and ask for compensatory and punitive damages from not only the individuals and organization that manufactured the video tapes, but also from those who are using the false tapes as fodder to attack Planned Parenthood. This certainly should include Presidential Candidates that are not elected public servants, as well as elected public servants who should be impeached and then tried later.
26
Truth is, in the eyes of the law, a complete bar to liability for defamation. The videos, published in their entirety, corroborate the accuracy of the more abbreviated versions. The words attributed to PP officials were, in fact, spoken by them, so it would be difficult to establish defamation.
The National Abortion Federation has sued. And it was only last week when a judge in California told the Center for Medical Progress that it is a corporation and not a person and therefore cannot plead the Fifth Amendment. It must turn over all the video as part of the discovery process. Interesting, huh, that the CMP is worried about incriminating itself.
2
Raoul: I got the impression that PP is suing.
Mike: Not true. They were deemed absolutely unusable as any kind of legal evidence because they were tampered with to the point of trying to create a narrative.
Mike: Not true. They were deemed absolutely unusable as any kind of legal evidence because they were tampered with to the point of trying to create a narrative.
4
Republican legislators are not at all concerned about how much for-profit CEOs earn whose companies receive corporate welfare from Uncle Sam, so why are they so outraged by Cecile Richard's relatively small $600K salary? She manages a national organization. People who work at Planned Parenthood regularly receive death threats and have to walk into their place of work through crowds of angry and sometimes murderous demonstrators. Until the Republicans decide to aim some of their oh-so-righteous indignation at the CEOs of Exxon and Goldman Sachs, they should zip their hypocritical lips.
19
Right . . . any focus on her compensation is misplaced. Executives of not-for-profits should be fairly compensated for their work.
The real emphasis should be on whether PP adhered to the legal and ethical standards governing its operations. The compensation of its executives, unless tied to improper conduct, should not be a matter of concern.
The real emphasis should be on whether PP adhered to the legal and ethical standards governing its operations. The compensation of its executives, unless tied to improper conduct, should not be a matter of concern.
A Planned Parenthood clinic, which was recently burned by arsonists in Washington, did not provide abortion services.
No Title X federal funds are used for abortions.
Not only do Republicans want to block abortions, they also feel no guilt regarding their efforts to decimate many necessary healthcare services for thousands of low income women, many of whom have limited transportation access to more distant clinics. And most of those clinics already have full patient loads, and many may not accept Medicaid patients.
- Article - "Louisiana: Women Don't Need Planned Parenthood:They Have Dentists" - motherjones.com
Excerpts - "Nowhere is the struggle more apparent than in a recent declaration by Louisiana's attorneys that there are 2,000 family planning providers ready to accommodate patients (if Planned Parenthood clinics are shut down). A federal judge, reviewing the list in an early September court hearing, found hundreds of entries for specialists such as ophthalmologists, nursing home caregivers, dentists, ear nose and throat doctors, and even cosmetic surgeons." The state attorneys "filed a pared down version that lists just 29 health care providers."
- Article - "Fact Check: How Does Planned Parenthood Spend That Money?" - npr.org
Includes good charts indicating that the vast majority of Planned Parenthood funds are spent on non-abortion related services, like STD testing and treatment, contraception, and screening for breast and cervical cancer.
No Title X federal funds are used for abortions.
Not only do Republicans want to block abortions, they also feel no guilt regarding their efforts to decimate many necessary healthcare services for thousands of low income women, many of whom have limited transportation access to more distant clinics. And most of those clinics already have full patient loads, and many may not accept Medicaid patients.
- Article - "Louisiana: Women Don't Need Planned Parenthood:They Have Dentists" - motherjones.com
Excerpts - "Nowhere is the struggle more apparent than in a recent declaration by Louisiana's attorneys that there are 2,000 family planning providers ready to accommodate patients (if Planned Parenthood clinics are shut down). A federal judge, reviewing the list in an early September court hearing, found hundreds of entries for specialists such as ophthalmologists, nursing home caregivers, dentists, ear nose and throat doctors, and even cosmetic surgeons." The state attorneys "filed a pared down version that lists just 29 health care providers."
- Article - "Fact Check: How Does Planned Parenthood Spend That Money?" - npr.org
Includes good charts indicating that the vast majority of Planned Parenthood funds are spent on non-abortion related services, like STD testing and treatment, contraception, and screening for breast and cervical cancer.
6
So the question the article does not really answer is this:
Did it seem that the Republican Congressmen had a legitimate point or were they just blowing smoke for their base (as an act of political theater)?
It seems to me that we've had lots of hearings: Benghazi, E-mail Servergate, and now Planned Parenthood. And not much comes out of any of them. Certainly no definitive proof of wrongdoing, even if there are enough "suggestions" to justify another round of hearings.
So they waste millions of dollars and countless hours and it's all a political show. But the work of governance isn't getting done as these have been the least productive Congresses in the history of the US.
Maybe this is why Congress enjoys an approval rating of 10-15%?
Did it seem that the Republican Congressmen had a legitimate point or were they just blowing smoke for their base (as an act of political theater)?
It seems to me that we've had lots of hearings: Benghazi, E-mail Servergate, and now Planned Parenthood. And not much comes out of any of them. Certainly no definitive proof of wrongdoing, even if there are enough "suggestions" to justify another round of hearings.
So they waste millions of dollars and countless hours and it's all a political show. But the work of governance isn't getting done as these have been the least productive Congresses in the history of the US.
Maybe this is why Congress enjoys an approval rating of 10-15%?
19
There's a lot of political football going on here on both sides, but at the end of the day the Supreme Court has the Democrats' back on this one.
The thing is that the Court's opinions on abortion are pretty strange:
1). Most medical procedures are not specifically protected, by name, as constitutional rights. Why the special treatment for abortion? Does this set up a new legal framework for legally authorizing some procedures more than others?
2). There is no standard medical practice for determining the beginning of life, although there is a standard practice for determining the end. How can the Court determine a standard that doesn't exist medically?
3). If the medical establishment were to conclude that abortions under some circumstances have no valid indication, would the existing laws require doctors to provide them anyway, because they are an individual right?
Basically, it seems odd to me that, even though abortion itself is a medical procedure based on evolving biological science and clinical standards, the legal view of it is frozen in time according to the political needs of a long-gone historical era.
The thing is that the Court's opinions on abortion are pretty strange:
1). Most medical procedures are not specifically protected, by name, as constitutional rights. Why the special treatment for abortion? Does this set up a new legal framework for legally authorizing some procedures more than others?
2). There is no standard medical practice for determining the beginning of life, although there is a standard practice for determining the end. How can the Court determine a standard that doesn't exist medically?
3). If the medical establishment were to conclude that abortions under some circumstances have no valid indication, would the existing laws require doctors to provide them anyway, because they are an individual right?
Basically, it seems odd to me that, even though abortion itself is a medical procedure based on evolving biological science and clinical standards, the legal view of it is frozen in time according to the political needs of a long-gone historical era.
3
The long-gone historical era took birth to be the beginning of life, and it allowed for killing deformed newborns.
1
The court ruled that before viability a woman's right to privacy trumps, after viability the fetus gains certain consideration. This is about a right to privacy, something I doubt men will be willing to give up to see abortion outlawed.
Perhaps abortion is specifically protected because it was specifically prohibited.
How many times has Planned Parenthood been investigated? Have there been any findings of illegal activities? How much public money has been spent harassing a duly licensed health care provider?
17
I can't decide who was the more evasive, defensive, disingenuous, and garrulous with the explanations and dismissals: Cecile Richards before Congress, or Hillary's back to back interviews with Chuck Todd of Meet the Press on Sunday and Monday. Obiter dicta: "If you are explaining, you're losing." Both of these single-issue feminists should retire before things get worse for them, they're each costing the Democrats millions of 2016 votes. No wonder Millennials are turning against abortion.
6
I watched excerpts of this testimony and was both shocked and outraged at the way that Cecile Richards was treated. She was blindsided and asked to comment on utterly false data. She was interrupted, badgered, bullied and subjected to utterly offensive questioning. The House Republicans should be completely ashamed at their behavior. They were boors.
Anyone seeing this testimony can readily see that the "Freedom" caucus was only out to generate sound bits to infuriate their right-wing constituents. This was yet another low, low day in our rather disgusting recent legislative history. Anyone seeing this carnival of venom can only admire Ms. Richards for her poise during this five hour ordeal.
Anyone seeing this testimony can readily see that the "Freedom" caucus was only out to generate sound bits to infuriate their right-wing constituents. This was yet another low, low day in our rather disgusting recent legislative history. Anyone seeing this carnival of venom can only admire Ms. Richards for her poise during this five hour ordeal.
29
Absolutely right. For example, there was Jordan (I think that's his name) that was, like some others, constantly interrupting. If he acted like that in my home, I'd kick him out. This behavior passes for adulthood?
A pay a lot in taxes. A lot! I find that my tax money being used to pay these House members and Senators and their staff's absentee salaries disgusting and reprehensible. That my hard earned money goes to these non-governing, game playing individuals aggravates me to no end.
The states who put these individuals in office should be the ones to pay all of their salaries and all of their benefits.
They are the most wasteful way I have ever experienced to spend my tax dollars and I would like it to stop.
One individual in the video, I don't care where he is from or who he is, decries the salaries of the PP management. I'm fairly sure that they work at least 20 times harder than this representative whoever he is.
To see the previous Congress waste time and my tax money over and over again, senselessly trying to repeal the Health Care ACT is an affront to the American People and an abomination of governance.
The states who put these individuals in office should be the ones to pay all of their salaries and all of their benefits.
They are the most wasteful way I have ever experienced to spend my tax dollars and I would like it to stop.
One individual in the video, I don't care where he is from or who he is, decries the salaries of the PP management. I'm fairly sure that they work at least 20 times harder than this representative whoever he is.
To see the previous Congress waste time and my tax money over and over again, senselessly trying to repeal the Health Care ACT is an affront to the American People and an abomination of governance.
49
PP is now engaged in an all-out PR campaign to discredit the videos, but the unfortunate (for them) truth is that the videos reflect the exact words and attitudes of the organization's executives. Nothing more and nothing less.
The current effort to recast what has been already said and recorded verbatim will fail with those who are guided by the evidence, and not by politics.
As to the claims of "deceptive editing," each and every one of the full videos has been available on line within hours of the more abbreviated versions. And they're still there: http://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/
The current effort to recast what has been already said and recorded verbatim will fail with those who are guided by the evidence, and not by politics.
As to the claims of "deceptive editing," each and every one of the full videos has been available on line within hours of the more abbreviated versions. And they're still there: http://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/
8
There is no "verbatim" in a "heavily edited video". Sorry. If you have truth you dont need "heavy editing".
What you have is a Tea Party hit piece to try to force shutting down women's healthcare.
What you have is a Tea Party hit piece to try to force shutting down women's healthcare.
15
Hopefully, the pending litigation in California will eventually reveal the actual truth even though the video makers tried to plead the fifth to keep it hidden.
6
MisterMike, regardless of that, there is nothing wrong with using fetal tissue for research. Your manufactured moral outrage is transparent.
I know you think people should be PC when talking about "dead baby parts", but it doesn't change the fact that everyone, including you, benefits from the research.
I don't care if she was eating a baby when she was talking about fetal research, the fact is, this is about the Religious Right's war against women and abortion.
The Republican Party has become our own home-grown version of ISIS.
I know you think people should be PC when talking about "dead baby parts", but it doesn't change the fact that everyone, including you, benefits from the research.
I don't care if she was eating a baby when she was talking about fetal research, the fact is, this is about the Religious Right's war against women and abortion.
The Republican Party has become our own home-grown version of ISIS.
5
From the pro-choice perspective: Since Ms. Richards has assumed leadership of PLanned Parenthood and the pro-choice movement, legal abortion has become inaccessible or less accessible. in large swaths of the US. I believe that Ms. Richards is an ineffective and counterproductive leader of Planned Parenthood and the pro-choice movement. If we want to preserve a woman's ability to make her own reproductive choices, Ms. Richards needs to be replaced!
2
The GOP is waging a zombie like war against women. R vs W should have made the issue dead decades ago and here it is again. 2016 is just around the corner and it is time for women to really give the Republicans a taste of all-out war too.
18
Yea, just like they did in the 2010 and 2014 Midterms, historic routs for Democrats. Dream on.
3
Few but religious fanatics are concerned about early abortions and 'bean sized clumps of tissue'. It is about those fetus so evolved they could survive a live birth where real questions arise. There even we atheists have a moral problem that cannot be just dismissed as some so lightly and shallowly do.
In those circumstances denying the moral quandary makes as much sense as those who still believe Obama is a Kenyan. Both sides have a point in this debate and I an athiest find some of my fellow athiests to be as extreme as ISIS in their intolerance to the religious and other cultures values and ideas (and just like the bigoted right) and disrespect for the right for individuals to have their own conscience and morals (without which we are ciphers and cattle).
I am no on the left, anti war, anti death penalty, anti racist (Margret Sanger wanted to abort the 'untermensch' as well as handicapped individuals through sterilization) and anti child murder.
As soon as we get to fetus's capable of living outside of the womb we have moved from abortion to infanticide and that is a scientific moral question not just a religious one! The Romans and Spartans did it too to build ubermensch. We should not"
In those circumstances denying the moral quandary makes as much sense as those who still believe Obama is a Kenyan. Both sides have a point in this debate and I an athiest find some of my fellow athiests to be as extreme as ISIS in their intolerance to the religious and other cultures values and ideas (and just like the bigoted right) and disrespect for the right for individuals to have their own conscience and morals (without which we are ciphers and cattle).
I am no on the left, anti war, anti death penalty, anti racist (Margret Sanger wanted to abort the 'untermensch' as well as handicapped individuals through sterilization) and anti child murder.
As soon as we get to fetus's capable of living outside of the womb we have moved from abortion to infanticide and that is a scientific moral question not just a religious one! The Romans and Spartans did it too to build ubermensch. We should not"
4
Though I come at this from a religious perspective, I think you've accurately characterized the feelings of many of us. In my case, I have a goddaughter who, by the standards of Roe v. Wade, could have been aborted. Born prematurely, she survived and is thriving. This is, more than anything, why the conduct of many abortionists seems abhorrent to me.
Apologists for PP are too often willing to totally abandon morality--scientific or religious--in their zeal to defend what they characterize as "reproductive rights."
Apologists for PP are too often willing to totally abandon morality--scientific or religious--in their zeal to defend what they characterize as "reproductive rights."
I am more shocked by the sararies of the top eecutives, first class airfares, and I am going to assume dining in 4 star restaurants than the political Republican pudding on display here. These are highly inflated salaries and perks and I won't support it. I was similarly shocked to learned of similar salaries of the Red Cross and Smile Train.
6
Rep. Jason Chaffets's patronizing response to the data he parroted is embarrassing as a male. That knuckle-dragger needs to enter the 20th century.
8
Two of the least effective members of Congress whose mission is enriching the political fortunes of their party castigating a woman who leads her organization effectively and whose mission is providing health care for the poor.
16
Before a group of mainly men starts to raise moral objections over women's reproductive rights and the "right to life", they should decide if this "right to life" is only for the unborn or if it covers the impoverished and malnourished in the US, those on death row in America or those in countries whose populations we continue to bomb. Further, those same career politicians should probably reveal exactly how much they are being paid (including benefits, retirement plans, expenses) by tax payers before attacking someone who is probably working extremely hard for that salary and who could probably make a heck of a lot more were she in the private sector. It's all hypocrisy.
15
I am a male from Ohio that is incredibly offended by Rep. Jordan's interrogation of Ms. Richards. Luckily he didn't have access to water-boarding equipment so he could get the answer he wanted. Obviously the Republican Right now is aware that the videos were terribly misleading, and so it's time to beat up and harass this woman to please their base and deflect the truth about their elaborate lie. I am so ashamed of Jordon who says he represents Ohioans. He doesn't. He's a bully and clearly a misogynist.
17
Planned Parenthood should have taken $50K of the CEO's pay and invested in a Threat Analysis. What are we doing that could give ammunition to our enemies? Is that activity worth the potential harm to the organization? Clearly, the leadership made some very bad decisions.
As someone who has used Planned Parenthood for all my medical needs from college to near retirement, I wonder what Republican lawmakers are suggesting as an alternative. Single payer health care for all perhaps? Or is it that, like JE Bush, they don't think women's healthcare is worth all that much to the nation?
16
How long will Ms. Richards get away with claiming the videos are "deceptively edited"? That claim is slowly being disproven. Her still raising it as a defense implies the videos show something very negative and damaging.
It's not what was edited out of those videos but what is still in them that is the real problem.
It's not what was edited out of those videos but what is still in them that is the real problem.
5
Oh what a pity. Did you lose your green checkmark?
4
No, wrong again.
There were 3 independent companies that looked at this hot mess and said it wouldnt be usable anywhere as "evidence". Except as a Tea Party hit piece.
There were 3 independent companies that looked at this hot mess and said it wouldnt be usable anywhere as "evidence". Except as a Tea Party hit piece.
1
A quick online search tells me that in 2013, Wayne LePierre made $970,000 as head of the NRA. A lobbying organization if ever there was one, and a 501c3 to boot.
Where is the outrage?
Where is the outrage?
53
The NRA does not get federal funding.
4
but he is a man!
2
Mr. LaPierre does not purport that he is providing charitable services to the poor.
1
The government does not pay for abortions - illegal for Fed funds to do. 3% of Planned Parenthood service is abortion. When these Republicans start adopting unwanted kids from unwanted pregnancies - let's have a real conversation.
28
Three percent of services. What percent of revenue? The number cited was 86%.
What "number" are you citing???
The only 86 percent I see is coming from "ever-so-reliable" right-wing web sites, so try again and give us something reliable, or else if you cannot do this, do us all a favor and stop spreading unverifiable falsehoods on this board.
The only 86 percent I see is coming from "ever-so-reliable" right-wing web sites, so try again and give us something reliable, or else if you cannot do this, do us all a favor and stop spreading unverifiable falsehoods on this board.
Whatever ones opinion on the abortion issue, it's legal in many states. So the real issues here are whether federal $ are being used to fund abortions, whether fetal tissue is being sold by PP for profit AND whether PP is using federal $ to pay for parties, unreasonable salaries or political activities. I'd gather from what I watched today, the answer is no on all accounts. People forget federal $ come to PP through healthcare specifically not abortions. PP raises a great deal of money through support mechanisms - some Congresspeople may want to dictate how those funds are spent - they cannot. Ms. Richard's salary seems on the low side for the size of the organization she captains. The person who heads up a 3 state PP affiliate is paid (I think I heard) $450,000 - again a small salary for supervising a number of centers treating thousands of women and men per month. $5M in travel expenses for an organization as large as PP may be completely within the range of normal - who knows? I for one am getting tired of watching Congressmen and women play this scolding game for reasons that are far murkier than they'd have us believe. I suppose if PP is forced to re-evaluate how it is spending money (federal or donated) some good can come of this - but if the result is to defund an organization that only uses that federal funding to treat people who are NOT receiving an abortion (people who have few affordable healthcare options) - how can anyone spin that to be a good thing?
9
Abortion is legal in all states per a decision of the United States Supreme Court, which applies to all of the US, i.e.Roe v. Wade.
If planned parenthood has enough money to pay their president a $520k salary, they clearly do not need federal funding.
9
Planned Parenthood does not get any grant funding. It receives reimbursement for services provided to medicaid patients and those in similar programs.
9
But many for profit hospitals whose CEOs make 10 times or more what Ms. Richards makes get federal dollars the same way. Any provider who performs Medicare or Medicaid service is federally funded the same way Planned Parenthood is.
That is a distinction without a difference. Whatever they receive from my taxes they are able to shift funds to other activities. Such a well funded and profitable organization should not be receiving corporate welfare.
3
How ironic that in a story that is all about selectively editing video in an unbalanced way, the NYT managed to show video in an incredibly unbalanced way. At first, you had me; I was thinking, "whoa, $400, 000 a year? What are they up to?" But as I came to my senses and learned that PP is paid by the government in the form of Medicaid reimbursement for health care, and then I thought about what would happen if ALL health care providers whose CEO's made $400,000 or more weren't allowed to receive Medicaid/Medicare. There would be complete collapse of our healthcare system. Do ANY nationally known health care networks have CEO's who make less? I dearly hope that someone in the media will point this out.
15
So the Republicans (at least a group of them) wants to take on Planned Parenthood, Federal Funding (which isn't used for abortions by fact or law), Women's salaries, women's healthcare, Medicare, and Healthcare for the poor and wrap it up into a "stop abortion" episode.
Dig a hole!
Dig a hole!
6
Like the hole Hillary dug?
We saw almost the entire hearing. This is about (a) the abortion debate, which as of now is settled per Roe v. Wade, and/or (b) the Tea Party, who apparently are looking for a way to defund the government, at least all of the programs they don't seem to like, not just PP but whole departments such as the EPA, Education, and (whoops, the third one). It is also about an organized and deliberate attempt to entrap/frame PP, an organization that has been doing critical work for the country for 99 years and counting under the administrations of 17 Republican and Democratic presidents since Woodrow Wilson. It was very impressive seeing Cecile Richards take on her Tea Party opponents today. She is a true inheritor of her mother's grit and intelligence.
13
I was just thinking that. One quote from Ann Richards was, "Power is what calls the shots, and power is a white male game." She would be proud of her daughter.
4
I used PP services when I was 18 going off to college and then for several years afterward. I paid on a sliding scale. Why would congress want to take this care away from women? I was being responsible and protecting myself from an unwanted pregnancy. Isn't that what the anti-abortion movement wants?
Or rather, should I have stayed celibate in my door room at night until the man of my dreams swept me off my feet, go on to marry young and practice the rhythm method? Thanks but no thanks, I enjoyed those carefree days (and nights) over 30 years ago testing out a few Mr. Wrongs before I settled on Mr. Right. No harm, no foul...No Josh Duggar either!
Or rather, should I have stayed celibate in my door room at night until the man of my dreams swept me off my feet, go on to marry young and practice the rhythm method? Thanks but no thanks, I enjoyed those carefree days (and nights) over 30 years ago testing out a few Mr. Wrongs before I settled on Mr. Right. No harm, no foul...No Josh Duggar either!
24
Great. Enjoy your memories of your carefree nights of sexual exploration. But don't expect taxpayers to enable you or anyone else to subsidize your life choices. If you want to be a sexual explorer, fund your activities on your own dime.
5
How did the rhythm method get in there? Does anyone even know how to do it? It must be like making some recipe from your great great grandma that's been handed down, but was last made in the 1980s.
As can be clearly seen in the reply from Compton CA, no, that isn't really what the anti-abortionists want. Their concern isn't for fetuses; they want to impose the traditions of "morality" that keep women second-class citizens.
5
I'm of two minds when it comes to Planed Parenthood.There is no doubt in my mind, that religion is behind the issue & which automatically is an infringement on the Separation of Church & State. On the other hand, lets not confuse abortion & woman's choice, I certainly do not support abortion, but I do support the right of women to have the legal right as American Tax Payers to have access to it.The question arises, do we really need a complex organization which besides the exorbitant salary of Ms. Richards, & her confusion about the video & the admittance by Ms. Richards that fetal tissue is being sold, that something smells in Planed Parenthood, & that it has out lived it's usefulness.
Lastly, lets call it what it is, another form of welfare, & like welfare the tax payer is footing the bill for nothing more than abortion, which many are against because of religious reasons. This program will be better served by the private sector & not by the tax Payer.
Lastly, lets call it what it is, another form of welfare, & like welfare the tax payer is footing the bill for nothing more than abortion, which many are against because of religious reasons. This program will be better served by the private sector & not by the tax Payer.
3
Fetal tissue is not being sold. There are costs involved with obtaining the tissue and providing it to researchers. The costs are well within the norm for any hospital or other organization.
The New England Journal of Medicine, like almost all major medical groups, strongly supports the health care and practices of Planned Parenthood as a recent editorial makes clear.
The New England Journal of Medicine, like almost all major medical groups, strongly supports the health care and practices of Planned Parenthood as a recent editorial makes clear.
4
Ms Richards did NOT agree that fetal tissue is being sold. She stated that a small percentage of PPF clinics receive reimbursement for making it available to medical research organizations. This is most often do at below-cost.
And, in response to her salary, as countless of commentators have noted, it is well below that of other CEOs of non-profit, healthcare organizations. It is even below that of many, many smaller non-profits such as museums, colleges, etc.
And, in response to her salary, as countless of commentators have noted, it is well below that of other CEOs of non-profit, healthcare organizations. It is even below that of many, many smaller non-profits such as museums, colleges, etc.
3
There was no such "admittance," and fetal tissue is apparently not being sold. I think many millions of Americans would agree that PP has certainly not outlived its usefulness. And the few abortions that PP performs, as a very small portion of the services it provides, are not paid for by the tax Payer.
3
The majority in the House of Representatives is perpetrating a hoax upon the nation in the name of political power. The ploy is clearly aimed at whipping their base into a frenzy and the hope that they pick up enough of the less committed to translate this so-called scandal into electoral victories. They also hope to slay Planned Parenthood because they provide abortion services, even though such services are a very small percentage of the overall services they provide. Basing Congrssional action upon polemical propaganda videos in which health care providers answer hypothetical questions is absurd.
However, it seems that our Congress has become the theater of the absurd and today's committee hearing was akin to a televised black comedy. I will give credit where credit is due: Congressional Republicans have mastered the pithy scandalous sounding media sound bite. Dumbing down our political discourse has provided them a means to majority. It does not matter to them that fetal tissue donation and reasonsble compensation for such procedures has been authorized by federal statutes passed by Congress for years. It does not matter whose reputations are sullied in their quest for political gain. Just tell the big lie and feign outrage for the TV cameras.
Americans voted these people into power. We deserve what we are getting.
However, it seems that our Congress has become the theater of the absurd and today's committee hearing was akin to a televised black comedy. I will give credit where credit is due: Congressional Republicans have mastered the pithy scandalous sounding media sound bite. Dumbing down our political discourse has provided them a means to majority. It does not matter to them that fetal tissue donation and reasonsble compensation for such procedures has been authorized by federal statutes passed by Congress for years. It does not matter whose reputations are sullied in their quest for political gain. Just tell the big lie and feign outrage for the TV cameras.
Americans voted these people into power. We deserve what we are getting.
13
Physicians live to save lives and alleviate suffering. But too often not enough is known to do that. Dr. Richards MD has been such a physician. By contrast, what can we say about the Congressmen shouting at her since, after meeting the Pope, Speaker Boehner invoked the "false prophets" in MY Party, in Congress. In war and in healthcare one sees incredible suffering and is made to feel incredibly helpless. Dr. Richards, being an MD, cannot but have been witness to such a tumult of sickness and misery as any of us. So, to attack her so viciously because HER GROUP salvages FETAL TISSUES FROM FETUSES THAT ARE DISCARDED AFTER ABORTION is rather dishonest. The same Congressmen can't pass laws to prevent abortion. Yet, they want to pass laws that waste the fetal tissues that could alleviate the suffering, misery and death of so many rather than be discarded as garbage. Those who are so ready to waste young lives in war can't be the ones with the moral high ground!
8
"Representative Jason Chaffetz..... opened the hearing with a tearful commentary about the death of his mother to breast cancer, and the death of his father to cancer as well."
Am I missing something here? One of the really phenomenal things Planned Parenthood does well is screening for cancer especially screening for and earlier detection of breast cancer. Has Chaffetz any tears for women who would in many states be denied screening if the assault on women's health continues and Planned Parenthood defunded? Surely, when Chaffetz referenced his mother he should as a public service have referred to the importance of screening for cancer! He said his father also died from cancer; once again, it would have been helpful if he stated which type, e.g.., was it colon cancer which is readily screened for? And of course, the HPV vaccine to protect against cervical cancer.
The other notable feature of the hearing-no mention that abortions would be incredibly higher if not for all that Planned Parenthood does in the prevention of unwanted pregnancies through comprehensive family planning and contraception.
Am I missing something here? One of the really phenomenal things Planned Parenthood does well is screening for cancer especially screening for and earlier detection of breast cancer. Has Chaffetz any tears for women who would in many states be denied screening if the assault on women's health continues and Planned Parenthood defunded? Surely, when Chaffetz referenced his mother he should as a public service have referred to the importance of screening for cancer! He said his father also died from cancer; once again, it would have been helpful if he stated which type, e.g.., was it colon cancer which is readily screened for? And of course, the HPV vaccine to protect against cervical cancer.
The other notable feature of the hearing-no mention that abortions would be incredibly higher if not for all that Planned Parenthood does in the prevention of unwanted pregnancies through comprehensive family planning and contraception.
15
The women who have already refused of their kid decided to care about the future of their remains... It is nonsense, especially to be angry about that, because fetal tissue can be the only hope for the people who suffer some diseases
4
I'm making a donation to Planned Parenthood today and encourage everyone to do the same.
17
Why? They have plenty of money. Give the money to a homeless person or a starving child.
2
As a wise man once said, what a grown women does with her own body is no one else's business.
8
Yet, it is not beyond the pale, politically, philosophically and theologically to believe that when there is another body inside her that that body may have rights that society should care about. The arguments about whether it is a life and when that life begins or when the state should have jurisdiction are all negated, for me, by the simple fact that left alone nature would produce a living human being that would come under the state’s jurisdiction. I am not saying abortion should be illegal, just that it isn't necessarily a right. And people who don't agree shouldn't demonize each other. It should be hashed out by the political system in every state, that's democracy.
A favorite target of the rich in their war on the poor has always been poor women. If they are able to politicize part of the war on the poor to enough that it makes mainstream headlines via a morality play, it really helps in distracting from the overall war on the poor.
This isn't about morality. It's about people having access to vital health needs and it effects every citizen of the USA when those benefits are denied. What a low point in this day and age to see such hatred in our own Country at such high levels.
This isn't about morality. It's about people having access to vital health needs and it effects every citizen of the USA when those benefits are denied. What a low point in this day and age to see such hatred in our own Country at such high levels.
7
I had two thoughts while watching the hearings. First, whatever they pay Cecile Richards, on days like this, she earns every penny of it and then some. Second, if the Republicans questioning Richards REALLY cared about babies, our country would not have such high rates of infant and maternal deaths - the worst of any developed nation. Of course, fixing that might actually require a tax increase or lowering corporate subsidies, and they don't love babies THAT much.
15
Your data is wrong.
4
I am a strong supporter of low cost women's healthcare and the services provided by Planned Parenthood. That said, I believe the organization allowed itself to become a target by selling fetal tissues and by allowing high salaries and excessive travel and political activity. It is no secret that these anti-abortion activists are out there. Planned Parenthood should have been better prepared. The current leadership is therefore responsible for allowing the organization's mission to be compromised. The correct action in this case is to admit the problems, change the leadership and refocus on the mission of providing low cost healthcare to women.
5
It has not sold fetal tissue. It is reimbursed for actual expenses of preparing and delivering it.
This has nothing to do with Planned Parenthood, abortion, or right to life, and everything to do with rallying the base of the Republican Party and all the low information voters who support them.
Yes, Cecile Richards should vigorously support Planned Parenthood and point out all the blatant lies, but the voters that this affects will never read, see, or hear her remarks. All they remember is that Planned Parenthood butchers live human babies and sells the parts off. Since they are against babies being butchered they will vote Republican.
Yes, Cecile Richards should vigorously support Planned Parenthood and point out all the blatant lies, but the voters that this affects will never read, see, or hear her remarks. All they remember is that Planned Parenthood butchers live human babies and sells the parts off. Since they are against babies being butchered they will vote Republican.
9
There's room to disagree on abortion, but -- seriously -- there's no room to disagree on what the videos show:
"It is a dismal state and a sad affair when our elected lawmakers twist the obvious truth, proven through audits and simple examination of facts, to further their vitriolic attack on this and other organizations."
Those videos show exactly what PP's critics say they show: a bunch of PP people sitting around with pretend "buyers" of fetal tissue to discuss ways to include the yield of salable fetal tissue from aborted fetuses. Whether that bothers a viewer is for the viewer to determine. But there's really no question that that's what the videos show.
"It is a dismal state and a sad affair when our elected lawmakers twist the obvious truth, proven through audits and simple examination of facts, to further their vitriolic attack on this and other organizations."
Those videos show exactly what PP's critics say they show: a bunch of PP people sitting around with pretend "buyers" of fetal tissue to discuss ways to include the yield of salable fetal tissue from aborted fetuses. Whether that bothers a viewer is for the viewer to determine. But there's really no question that that's what the videos show.
7
The full tapes tell a different story. For example:
During the taped meeting Dr. Nucatola expressly stated that “nobody should be selling tissue. That’s just not the goal here.” This statement was
omitted from thr excerpted tape.
Ten times during the conversation, Dr. Nucatola said Planned Parenthood would not sell tissue or profit in any way from tissue donations. All ten
instances were cut out of the video released on the site. As the full tapes are related the scope of the lies will become increasingly apparent.
During the taped meeting Dr. Nucatola expressly stated that “nobody should be selling tissue. That’s just not the goal here.” This statement was
omitted from thr excerpted tape.
Ten times during the conversation, Dr. Nucatola said Planned Parenthood would not sell tissue or profit in any way from tissue donations. All ten
instances were cut out of the video released on the site. As the full tapes are related the scope of the lies will become increasingly apparent.
11
@Thinker.
Don't believe everything you see. It's been shown how those videos were edited and distorted to prove a point. Please educate yourself and then form an opinion based on facts, not lies.
Don't believe everything you see. It's been shown how those videos were edited and distorted to prove a point. Please educate yourself and then form an opinion based on facts, not lies.
8
They were heavily edited to create the impression that they show what you describe.
1
What a bully Rep. Chaffetz is. It is simple courtesy to let a witness answer the question asked, and he did not even make an attempt. He asked questions and then cut Ms. Richards off after less than a sentence of answer.
Maybe he is auditioning for the role of a bad-guy prosecuting attorney on a lousy TV show. That might explain his aggressive cross-examination. In any event, he is abusing his role in this Congressional proceeding.
Maybe he is auditioning for the role of a bad-guy prosecuting attorney on a lousy TV show. That might explain his aggressive cross-examination. In any event, he is abusing his role in this Congressional proceeding.
12
Cecile Richards did her mother proud today.
25
Her mother did her proud, to have her.
3
Republicans also say corporate America CEOs are deserving of their millions because it takes those astronomical salaries to entice the best to run a successful business. So by that logic, we should increase the salaries of the management of Planned Parenthood to ensure that it is run effectively, right?
16
And none of them offended by what Carly Fiorina was paid at HP (until it suits their purpose).
6
Not when I am paying for it.
1
Wow. Attacking a woman for daring to make what's basically a drop in the bucket compared to male corporate presidents and CEOs. Just when you think Republicans couldn't get any lower...
46
I am an American citizen living and working in Montréal Québec, where abortion is available, safe and legal. I am also a former employee of Planned Parenthood Federation where I saw just how important our services were for the uninsured, poor and underserved of San Francisco. It is absolutely appalling that Republican men are treating Ms. Richards as a scapegoat - using McCarthy era like tactics – to declare they definitively know when life begins and thus have the right to bully Congress into defunding PPF. When it comes to abortion and women’s rights, American Congressmen seem to think their individual, narrow-minded views of a legal medical procedure should bring down Congress, stalemate all health services that PPF provides, including those for people with cancer, in order to drive home a brand of moral relativism that is racist, classist, sexist and downright offensive.
869
The McCarthy era tactics you mentioned, Sandra, worked for the ogres of the House UnAmerican Activities Committee (HUAC, which Sen. McCarthy was not a part since he was a Senator). HUAC has been dead for 40 years. The acronym is not important since the House Oversight committee is now running with the ball and painting PP, not as Communists but as baby killers. The tactics that worked during the Red Scare era work today because the show is just that - a show. A show for very dumb, very confused, very ill-informed voters who don't care to be informed as long as they can find a leftist (read that 'atheist baby killer') boogyman to demonize. The Republican Party needs these people and needs them badly. Put another way: if there were only 1,000 ugly voting-age people in our country who love this kind of venom do you think the Republicans would give a hoot about them?
1
Sandra: the absolute best answer for our American Congressman; you described them so well. Too bad you are no longer in the USA to campaign against these terrible Congressmen; you have the right answer to them.
To public defenders of PP, use her words in her last sentence,
To public defenders of PP, use her words in her last sentence,
1
I live near Quebec, and am familiar with some its peculiarities. You quote the situation there, where abortions are paid with tax money like they do most medical procedures, as a positive, but many would see it as a negative. Apparently, one in four pregnancies in Quebec end as terminations, one of the highest rates in North America.
The fact that people have differing beliefs on abortion has nothing to do with this. It's purely political. End of story. Maybe vegetarians should fight to stop all federal subsidies going to animal farmers, or atheists/agnostics should fight against any federal money going to any organization with any religious affiliations. What I don't understand is often the same people who want to outlaw abortion, also want to cut funding to social welfare programs. So yes young lady, you must have a child you in no way have the means to raise, and no we won't help you. Its genius!
15
Let's see the salaries of all the Healthcare CEO's and how they compare to Ms. Richards:
They run in the $13 to 16 million range for Aetna, Anthem,UHC, and the others.
The CEO of a small hospital probably makes about what she makes.
And the money that PP gets is mostly fee for service from Medicaid (low fees per service at that).
Most private practice docs still do not accept Medicaid--I know that very few do in CT. The patients --mostly all women--would have no where to go if PP was not there.
I do believe men can get STD care at PP as well.
The bigger answer to this is that we need universal health care for all, such as proposed by Bernie Sanders!
They run in the $13 to 16 million range for Aetna, Anthem,UHC, and the others.
The CEO of a small hospital probably makes about what she makes.
And the money that PP gets is mostly fee for service from Medicaid (low fees per service at that).
Most private practice docs still do not accept Medicaid--I know that very few do in CT. The patients --mostly all women--would have no where to go if PP was not there.
I do believe men can get STD care at PP as well.
The bigger answer to this is that we need universal health care for all, such as proposed by Bernie Sanders!
28
Let's be honest. Chafetz hates the idea that women should control their own fertility without his interference. They love fetuses because they might be male; they hate actual women whose beliefs don't have them down on their knees in front of him and his ilk. Barefoot and pregnant--that's their solution. My male dog has more morals than the Republicans on this committee.
18
Anti-Male and loves dogs better than humans. A beaut, indeed. Please stop with the bra burning rhetoric.
My male dog has more morals than the late-term abortionist, a former pal of Dr. Tiller, R.I.P., who serviced the Boulder CO area for years, esp. its university students, with late-term abortions, as shown on a TV documentary several months ago. Indeed, women from all over came to his shop, since his practice was illegal in their states.....
At 70 or so he remarried, conditional on a hasty retreat from the abattoir, per his Christian wife. The pre-born babies of Boulder breathe easier now.
At 70 or so he remarried, conditional on a hasty retreat from the abattoir, per his Christian wife. The pre-born babies of Boulder breathe easier now.
I watched the proceedings and was appalled. It was clear this was a "show trial" with no intent or purpose except to provide a few soundbites. And the bullying tactics, constant interruptions of Ms. Richards and reliance on discredited information made clear this was a political attack - not a hearing in any sense of the word that I am familiar with. And while I am wholly sympathetic to the chairman's personal losses to cancer, it is astonishing that he did not recognize that disqualifying Planned Parenthood as a medical provider under Medicaid would deprive millions of women of the very cancer screening and detection services that they need and rely upon.
23
Sadly, Ms. Richards only came prepared with science, facts, and the truth.
Hardly a convincing arguement for the GOP.
Hardly a convincing arguement for the GOP.
39
Democrats seem to approve of killing innocents while not approving killing of the deserved. Why is that?
4
Who deserves to die? People on death row maybe? Can you guarantee they are all guilty. Of course not. So why do you support the deaths of innocents?
2
So you think you have a point, but if you're really thinking democrats aren't killing the innocents...it is the individual mothers' personal choices as mandated by the Supreme Court decision authored by no less than than the republican SC justice Harry Blackmun.
1
OK, if $500K as a salary to be the president of a major health care organisation as Planned Parenthood is a bit much according to the GOP, may be they should look at the salaries of CEOs of major not-for-profit and for-profit hospital organisations as well? Because that is what you need to compare it to. I think they make far more than that.
13
abortion is a sin. It should be banned immediately. Republicans understand this. Why do liberals not?
5
Lying is a sin. Republicans do not seem to understand that.
4
How do you know abortion is a sin ? It may be your personal opinion but what does that have to do with me, my wife, or my daughter?
4
No federal funds go for abortion. Women have all kinds of reasons for having abortions, none of which are the business of anyone other than the woman involved. If having a child would kill the woman, would mean bringing a nonviable fetus to term, would mean the woman would have compromised health and not be able to take care of other children, would mean having a stillbirth, would require a woman or girl to have the child of their rapist including being raped by their father or uncle, etc.
Who are you to judge?
Who are you to judge?
Thank you Republicans. I learned that the videos which touted evidence of selling fetuses for profit were edited lies. I learned that PP serves millions of poor women and in many cases are the only healthcare providers around. I learned that this federal "funding" is reimbursement for provided services. I learned that less than 1% of the centers are involved in fetal tissue donations and that NONE of them agreed to make a profit. That some centers merely donated tissues while waiving lawful reimbursement. I learned that republicans are outraged that a top executive, when it is a woman, should EVER make $600,000. I learned that republicans have the audacity to present a slide during the hearing, claim it to be from PP, and we then learn that it is from a Anti-Choice organization. Basically, Chaffetz lied to us. I learn that too many poor Americans are denied healthcare but for what is provided by PP. Thank you for teaching me so much. I know am a stauncher supporter of PP.
"Until this moment, Senator [Chaffetz], I think I have never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness....Little did I dream you could be so reckless and so cruel as to do an injury ...I am a gentleman, but your forgiveness will have to come from someone other than me."
"Until this moment, Senator [Chaffetz], I think I have never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness....Little did I dream you could be so reckless and so cruel as to do an injury ...I am a gentleman, but your forgiveness will have to come from someone other than me."
17
Not sure this commenter has actually watched the videos:
"It is very sad to realize that a significant number of our legislators do not think that organ donation is a good act. The dead do not need their organs."
If a person dies, he won't need his organs. That's obvious, and few people object to those organs being used for some good purpose. I, for one, have no objection to those organs being sold for that good purpose. But when people sit around and discuss clever ways to improved the yield of salable parts from patients who will die in the future, any such patient will – or should – start getting very uncomfortable – if, of course, that patient is even capable of feeling uncomfortable.
For those who haven't actually watched the videos, I suggest you do, and then ask yourselves these two questions:
1. Are those videos in fact showing what the PP critics claim, or have they been edited to show something that isn't really happening?
2. If you conclude (as I did) that those videos are showing what the PP critics claim, do you still feel comfortable defending PP on this?
I think – and hope – that this ends up with PP not getting any more governmental funding for performing abortions, but continuing to get funding for other health services. Government shouldn't tell women they can't have abortions, but nor should it compel people to fund abortions. That's just wrong, and it should stop -- immediately if not sooner.
"It is very sad to realize that a significant number of our legislators do not think that organ donation is a good act. The dead do not need their organs."
If a person dies, he won't need his organs. That's obvious, and few people object to those organs being used for some good purpose. I, for one, have no objection to those organs being sold for that good purpose. But when people sit around and discuss clever ways to improved the yield of salable parts from patients who will die in the future, any such patient will – or should – start getting very uncomfortable – if, of course, that patient is even capable of feeling uncomfortable.
For those who haven't actually watched the videos, I suggest you do, and then ask yourselves these two questions:
1. Are those videos in fact showing what the PP critics claim, or have they been edited to show something that isn't really happening?
2. If you conclude (as I did) that those videos are showing what the PP critics claim, do you still feel comfortable defending PP on this?
I think – and hope – that this ends up with PP not getting any more governmental funding for performing abortions, but continuing to get funding for other health services. Government shouldn't tell women they can't have abortions, but nor should it compel people to fund abortions. That's just wrong, and it should stop -- immediately if not sooner.
2
PP gets no money from any government agency for abortions. That's zero, nada, zilch, NOTHING. Inform yourself. Facts are a wonderful thing.
2
Planned...Parenthood....receives....no.....government...funding....for...abortions!
You're conscience is safe.
You're conscience is safe.
2
Except all the evidence is that the videos were edited. Does that change your mind?
No it doesn't. You have a view (you are entitled to it) you found some "evidence" that was fabricated to support it. That doesn't make your opinion wrong it just means you need a better argument.
I'm all for people being against abortion (and I believe most people are) what most people also are is realistic, that a lump of cells in the body is not a person and we shouldn't turn that into a person if the parent can't look after them
The same people want to force births as want to shut down social support for poor mothers.
You'd rather being a life into poverty and suffering than never let it be born? How is that the right thing to do?
No it doesn't. You have a view (you are entitled to it) you found some "evidence" that was fabricated to support it. That doesn't make your opinion wrong it just means you need a better argument.
I'm all for people being against abortion (and I believe most people are) what most people also are is realistic, that a lump of cells in the body is not a person and we shouldn't turn that into a person if the parent can't look after them
The same people want to force births as want to shut down social support for poor mothers.
You'd rather being a life into poverty and suffering than never let it be born? How is that the right thing to do?
1
The problem with this woman's testimony is that she lied. Planned Parenthood's forensic examination was conducted by Fusion GPS, on outfit with Democratic ties that does opposition research. An independent forensic examination, comparing the original recording and released edited versions shies that no factual distortion of the actual events took place. PP is a political organization, essentially laundering federal and state money, and giving it back to select politicians. Defund PP and give that money to actual Heath providers for necessary services. I have had it with this despicable outfit. Every service provided by PP can be done better and cheaper by local health providers, without the political baggage.
2
Your post has false information.
There were 3 independent companies that examined these "heavily edited videos" i.e. FAKE videos, and concluded that NO legal system would ever use them as evidence - for anything.
There were 3 independent companies that examined these "heavily edited videos" i.e. FAKE videos, and concluded that NO legal system would ever use them as evidence - for anything.
8
Have you ever been to a Planned Parenthood facility? I'd love to know how they were "laundering money" when they provided my Pap tests and birth control pills during my years in graduate school.
I challenge you to identify 10 providers in your local area that will take Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements for mammograms, pap smears and the like. Good luck.
1
This is the most completely bogus thing the Republicans have concocted in the six years they have controlled the House. The government doesn't fund Planned Parenthood, Medicaid reimburses it for services performed for poor people, just has it does for any other provider.
This is about restricting abortion indirectly and by any means. You can’t use federal funds to pay for abortions and now they want to make it so Medicaid or Medicare can’t reimburse any provider who provides abortion services, for any services.
Would we be having silly fights like this, almost fifty years after Roe v. Wade, if the Supreme Court hadn’t declared abortion a right? There are practical reasons for abortion to be legal and most states might have legalized it by now having lived with the consequences of it being illegal. By short-circuiting these political fights, we have created endless haggling and acrimony. Abortion is less controversial in Europe because the people decided to allow it and not nine judges. The Supreme Court, which everyone loves when it rules in their favor and reviles when it doesn’t, hasn’t any business deciding controversial issues in a democratic system, yet we have turned the 14th amendment in to an excuse to let them.
We are a democracy and the people should decide everything but the most basic rights, those guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, even though many find that inconvenient. We have been paying a huge price for letting the Court usurp the power of the people.
This is about restricting abortion indirectly and by any means. You can’t use federal funds to pay for abortions and now they want to make it so Medicaid or Medicare can’t reimburse any provider who provides abortion services, for any services.
Would we be having silly fights like this, almost fifty years after Roe v. Wade, if the Supreme Court hadn’t declared abortion a right? There are practical reasons for abortion to be legal and most states might have legalized it by now having lived with the consequences of it being illegal. By short-circuiting these political fights, we have created endless haggling and acrimony. Abortion is less controversial in Europe because the people decided to allow it and not nine judges. The Supreme Court, which everyone loves when it rules in their favor and reviles when it doesn’t, hasn’t any business deciding controversial issues in a democratic system, yet we have turned the 14th amendment in to an excuse to let them.
We are a democracy and the people should decide everything but the most basic rights, those guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, even though many find that inconvenient. We have been paying a huge price for letting the Court usurp the power of the people.
5
And the war on women continues. Here's hoping that the GOP will self-destruct. The sooner the better.
17
It is McCarthyism all over again, but now to root out those dangerous women.....
20
"While the funding fight is ostensibly about abortion and fetal tissue, the subtext is politics: Republicans perceive Planned Parenthood as a well-oiled, well-funded machine promoting Democratic candidates." There you have it in a nutshell.
7
Or... Democrats realise what a well funded political machine PP is so they are willing to countenance PP's barbaric behavior to ensure the money keeps flowing.
1
Congressman Chaffetz is clearly punching above his weight in attacking Ms. Richards' salary. Not only does she earn almost 3 times his salary, she represents the values and opinions of millions of Americans against the 95,000 who voted for him in 2014. Could be a bit of envy on his part? Hmmm...
15
You're not a statistician, are you? I'd say that equal millions of people find the CEO, and her "non-profit" hideous.
2
You don't read poll results much, do you? 69-31, Americans oppose defunding PPF
There HAS to be a link somewhere here...between Benghazi and Planned Parenthood! I'm sure the GOP will keep looking until they find SOMETHING! ANYTHING! Maybe it will be found on Hillary's e-mail server.
11
In the state of Mississippi it is very hard to get a pap smear if you are poor and have no insurance. I came to this realization while trying to find a place for a person in need to have one done. The federal government through its National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides funding for poor women to receive these life saving services, but they provide them to the states as block grants. It is up to the states to decide how they will administer the program. Although cervical cancer is more likely to occur in relatively young women (30+ and sometimes younger), Mississippi has chosen to only offer this test widely to women over 40 and on a limited case by case basis to women under 40. THIS IS TOO LATE. The whole point is prevention. Health departments don't provide this service (they do provide STD screening and birthcontrol). Clinics that are free or low cost aren't used for routine healthcare maintenance like pap smears. There is one planned parenthood facility ( it doesn't offer abortion) in the whole state and from what I could find, there are no other female health centers for the poor. It should come as no surprise that Mississippi has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer and cervical cancer deaths in the country. In the United States no one should be dying because they could not get a pap smear. Planned Parenthood provides a service that few places are equipped to provide. They take care of poor women, and they save lives.
38
"Republicans perceive Planned Parenthood as a well-oiled, well-funded machine promoting Democratic candidates."
In other words, PP helps American citizens therefore it is popular among Democrats.
In other words, PP helps American citizens therefore it is popular among Democrats.
20
"Republicans perceive Planned Parenthood as a well-oiled, well-funded machine promoting Democratic candidates."
That's the real reason for the persecution.
That's the real reason for the persecution.
14
Someone earlier suggested that they should do their Tea Party hearings in Salem.
4
This outrageous phony accusation by R's regarding an anti-abortion video is a reminder of the the Republican 2008 election ACORN scandal. Voter fraud was being touted in 11 swing states - covered daily by the R media. The truth came to light when a phony stunt raid was discovered in a Nevada ACORN facility, with actors attempting to vote more than once. Perhaps the "actors" who put together the phony abortion video for the 2016 election will be outed as well.
12
Moderate Republicans, where are you? Are you calling and writing to your representative over this shameful show trial?
23
A commenter vows:
"I am sending a donation to PP in their names."
I don't object to anyone donating $$ to PP, or anyone else. I do object, though, to sending someone to prison (for not paying taxes) because that person feels abortion is wrong.
Ruling that abortion can't be prohibited (Roe v. Wade) is one thing. Government funding of abortion is quite another. The first amounts to a declaration that government can't prohibit someone from doing something. The second amounts to a declaration that government can force someone to do something: pay for other people's abortions.
ALL governmental functions arguably involve compulsion. If someone doesn't think we should have police, or firemen, or soldiers, he still should go to prison if he refuses to pay taxes so we can have police, or firemen, or soldiers. But I wouldn't put governmental funding of abortions in the same category as police, or firemen, or solders. There is far less agreement on whether that is a proper expenditure of tax money – a critical question since any of us can be sent to prison for refusing to help fund any expenditure of tax money for a legitimate governmental purpose.
I'd continue to fund PP for non-abortion services, but cut funding to PP (or anyone else) for performing abortions. If people want to donate to PP (or anyone else) so they can perform abortions, I'm all for that. But to force someone to do it – by sending them to prison if they refuse to pay taxes for that – is wrong.
"I am sending a donation to PP in their names."
I don't object to anyone donating $$ to PP, or anyone else. I do object, though, to sending someone to prison (for not paying taxes) because that person feels abortion is wrong.
Ruling that abortion can't be prohibited (Roe v. Wade) is one thing. Government funding of abortion is quite another. The first amounts to a declaration that government can't prohibit someone from doing something. The second amounts to a declaration that government can force someone to do something: pay for other people's abortions.
ALL governmental functions arguably involve compulsion. If someone doesn't think we should have police, or firemen, or soldiers, he still should go to prison if he refuses to pay taxes so we can have police, or firemen, or soldiers. But I wouldn't put governmental funding of abortions in the same category as police, or firemen, or solders. There is far less agreement on whether that is a proper expenditure of tax money – a critical question since any of us can be sent to prison for refusing to help fund any expenditure of tax money for a legitimate governmental purpose.
I'd continue to fund PP for non-abortion services, but cut funding to PP (or anyone else) for performing abortions. If people want to donate to PP (or anyone else) so they can perform abortions, I'm all for that. But to force someone to do it – by sending them to prison if they refuse to pay taxes for that – is wrong.
3
Government is prohibited from funding abortion. It's called the Hyde Amendment.
10
Is there any point in directing your attention to the Hyde Amendment? Which prohibits the use of federal government funds to pay for abortions? And has done for 40+ years?
7
But sending people to prison for refusing to pay taxes that fund foreign wars that cost trillions of dollars and take many innocent lives is ok? Or sending someone to prison because they refused to pay taxes that would go to funding executions?
As a moral issue, Abortion pales in comparison with foreign wars, inequality, the death penalty and cops who shoot first and ask questions later.
As a moral issue, Abortion pales in comparison with foreign wars, inequality, the death penalty and cops who shoot first and ask questions later.
4
Republican Grand Inquisitors are everything that independent, thinking women despise about men: they are always looking to make the things that save women's health and time and money into a Grand Satan so that they can then claim to have "saved" us from evil. Totally nauseating, little totalitarians showing how "big" they are by pushing around poor women who have no recourse.
20
Many evangelical Republicans don't like the idea of planning parenthood. To their minds God should plan families. This is a battle between religious zealots and those of us who are not.
12
Completely off base, maybe the evangelicals in OK have gotten to you. Neither 'r,' nor evangelical, strongly anti-abortion.
Planned Parenthood provides birth control and information that will reduce pregnancies, which I reduces abortion. Republicans like the "just say no" route for the women, and if they happen to get raped, it was probably their own fault anyway.
13
A 500,000 salary for running a major non-profit organization with locations all over the country does not seem excessive or unusual to me.
It's unlikely any other non profit CEO's salary would be controversial, especially if it was a man. I strongly agree that the comments about Richards salary were “totally inappropriate and discriminatory.”
It's unlikely any other non profit CEO's salary would be controversial, especially if it was a man. I strongly agree that the comments about Richards salary were “totally inappropriate and discriminatory.”
16
If we take aware Planned Parenthood then how will the GOP deal with the sudden rise in need for additional supportive service, such as food stamps, welfare, and housing?
Oh, I forgot. They're not planning for the end game, they're trying to win an election.
Oh, I forgot. They're not planning for the end game, they're trying to win an election.
12
Why do new organizations keep referring to the Planned Parenthood Scandal? The Scandal is the switfboating of Planned Parenthood by extremists with a smear campaign of lies based on video that forensic experts have determined (even the 'unedited versions') to be manipulated and worthless as evidence.
16
Most GOP lawmakers don't care about Planned Parenthood or abortion. This is a cynical plan to distract voters from their complete failure to deliver any positive legislation in the last four years. It's the GOP version of "Look! A squirrel!"
10
I submit that the (enter political party here) only panders to the sheep in its respective base, regarding social issues.
It was good to see Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, put a professional face to the organization; even better that she forcefully and factually refuted the bogus charges based upon edited videos. It was past time for her to set the record straight. Regreatbly, those advancing the false allegations, and their followers, no longer are influenced by facts, logic or science. In the absence of favorible evidence, its now ethically acceptable, in certain circles, to make some up, so ling as it supports what you fervently believe.
15
...and the science of stem cell research has a LONG way to go, and can be harvested from sources other than mutilated infants.
I just finished watching the entire hearing. The GOP questioners were unbelievably embarrassing, especially the preacher ones. What in the world have we become? Anyone, with even mediocre intelligence, would have been repulsed by those right wing crazies. This hearing alone confirms the fact that the U.S. is in much deeper trouble than I thought.
41
Your Planned Parenthood leader just lied to Congress. There have been two independent forensic examinations of the video tapes conducted, comparing the edited versions with the raw tape. Both found that the editing was fine to shorten the tapes and NO attempt had been made to distort the events presented. PP, in the face of that used Fusion GPS, a Democratic outfit that does opposition research, to claim that the tapes were misleading, but, and this us key, they never looked at the unedited raw video.
Republicans are good at fighting battles of the past...They still want to fight over the Civil War...They like to complain about the New Deal, Watergate, Roe V Wade, and the failed Bork nomination....
Well, this charade they put on today was just a continuation of their never ending fight on abortion, despite it being the law of the land since 1973...
Perhaps if Republicans could leave the past, they might be better apt to handle the REAL issues of this country in the present..
Well, this charade they put on today was just a continuation of their never ending fight on abortion, despite it being the law of the land since 1973...
Perhaps if Republicans could leave the past, they might be better apt to handle the REAL issues of this country in the present..
16
How dare the New York Times and Michael Shear portray this as an unsettled controversy. And then rather than report established fact go for the drama of agenda driven quotes only uttered as the participants know the press will eat it up and publish their trash.
As per usual the Times prefers to go for the drama, exaggerate the conflict and present rabid lying as simply one side of a dispute. Not to mention that three quarters of the article is weeks old news.
One cannot help but wonder if the Times as any plans for reporting the basic facts of this story anytime soon. Or is it planning on wooing the Hobby Lobby for article sponsorship as is discussed in todays public editor column. I for one think that having Mr. Shear's writing in the paper goes against everything the paper once stood for.
As per usual the Times prefers to go for the drama, exaggerate the conflict and present rabid lying as simply one side of a dispute. Not to mention that three quarters of the article is weeks old news.
One cannot help but wonder if the Times as any plans for reporting the basic facts of this story anytime soon. Or is it planning on wooing the Hobby Lobby for article sponsorship as is discussed in todays public editor column. I for one think that having Mr. Shear's writing in the paper goes against everything the paper once stood for.
7
I couldn't agree less with this comment:
"That is what the House is occupying their time and resources on? Shameful."
I happen to find abortion acceptable. What I don't find acceptable is the use of taxpayer money to fund abortions. Many Americans strongly oppose abortion, and yet they'll be thrown in prison if they don't pay taxes to fund abortions. That is flat-out wrong.
"That is what the House is occupying their time and resources on? Shameful."
I happen to find abortion acceptable. What I don't find acceptable is the use of taxpayer money to fund abortions. Many Americans strongly oppose abortion, and yet they'll be thrown in prison if they don't pay taxes to fund abortions. That is flat-out wrong.
7
I strongly oppose wars. Yet my taxes are used to pay for wars, endless wars that kill and maim many people. Here's the gist about our taxes: once they're paid, we don't get to say what happens to them. And no, PP does not use federal money to pay for abortions. How many times does this have to be repeated to finally sink in.
22
Abortion is not federally funded.
War is. Putting people to death is. The NRA is tax-exempt. So is the NFL. I guess Guy Stuff is OK.
War is. Putting people to death is. The NRA is tax-exempt. So is the NFL. I guess Guy Stuff is OK.
32
I recommended this comment to readers not because I agree but because once again in this comment string, a writer is asserting that federal funds pay for abortions. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.
7
It is a dismal state and a sad affair when our elected lawmakers twist the obvious truth, proven through audits and simple examination of facts, to further their vitriolic attack on this and other organizations.
How bright do these elected representatives have to be to detect that Planned Parenthood and the Action Fund are two different organizations? You and I would be embarrassed to have made such a basic mistake, yet they sophomorically continue to bang their drum and insist that this is the case.
To say that federal funds go towards abortion, when open audits prove otherwise once again puts their capabilities to lead by being unable to find facts and discern the truth in the lowest percentage of public servants.
I am sorry that the one fellow's folks died of cancer. My brother and grandfather did too.
If the entire budget of Planned Parenthood were to be devoted to research that would find a cure for all cancers, major benefactors and philathropists like Gates would have stepped forward with the necessary cash a long time ago. Or our government would have funded it fully to save enormous amounts of this country's people from needless suffering and death. Yet the grandstanding continues.
If I as an average citizen can see these facts, who do they think they are impressing or how shallow of thinkers we the electing body are?
How bright do these elected representatives have to be to detect that Planned Parenthood and the Action Fund are two different organizations? You and I would be embarrassed to have made such a basic mistake, yet they sophomorically continue to bang their drum and insist that this is the case.
To say that federal funds go towards abortion, when open audits prove otherwise once again puts their capabilities to lead by being unable to find facts and discern the truth in the lowest percentage of public servants.
I am sorry that the one fellow's folks died of cancer. My brother and grandfather did too.
If the entire budget of Planned Parenthood were to be devoted to research that would find a cure for all cancers, major benefactors and philathropists like Gates would have stepped forward with the necessary cash a long time ago. Or our government would have funded it fully to save enormous amounts of this country's people from needless suffering and death. Yet the grandstanding continues.
If I as an average citizen can see these facts, who do they think they are impressing or how shallow of thinkers we the electing body are?
12
Where does the PP Action Fund get its funding? Why did Roberts get reimbursed $30k? Oh yeah to take tax payer money and recycle it into Democrat donations to perpetuate its funding source via bribery. The killing of viable babies is just collateral damage.
Congressman Chaffetz's use of his parents is an excellent example of why we desperately need Planned Parenthood and why the government should seek more opportunities to help the people. Chaffetz is a great example of a congressman who is confused by party platform and is a great soldier for the GOP, but a terrible representative for the people. Attacking an organization for providing a needed service is the wrong approach for a man who's career is supposedly to serve the people. He is a great example of what is wrong with Washington. A legislature invested in the success of a party, not in the success of our nation.
20
The GOP has simply no credibility when it comes to the abortion topic.
If the GOP really wanted to prevent abortions, it would do everything in its power to prevent pregnancies and support increased spending on birth control and accept that their abstinence policies simply do not work.
If the GOP really wanted to prevent abortions, it would do everything in its power to prevent pregnancies and support increased spending on birth control and accept that their abstinence policies simply do not work.
23
Have you really seen these videos?
"I'm an editor. It is incredibly obvious ... that these videos are cut so as to *suggest* something has happened --[If they hadn't been edited], the running time would be 30 seconds."
I haven't watched all of the videos, but I've watched 3 or 4 of them. (All were considerably longer than 30 seconds, by the way, and so I'm not sure what you watched -- maybe just a clip from one?) However one may feel about what the videos show, there's no question that they show PP personnel talking with potential "buyers" of fetal tissue and trying, jointly, to think of ways that abortions could be done differently to yield more salable fetal tissue. Again, maybe that's OK with a viewer and maybe it's not. Either way, though, there's really no question that that's what the videos show.
"I'm an editor. It is incredibly obvious ... that these videos are cut so as to *suggest* something has happened --[If they hadn't been edited], the running time would be 30 seconds."
I haven't watched all of the videos, but I've watched 3 or 4 of them. (All were considerably longer than 30 seconds, by the way, and so I'm not sure what you watched -- maybe just a clip from one?) However one may feel about what the videos show, there's no question that they show PP personnel talking with potential "buyers" of fetal tissue and trying, jointly, to think of ways that abortions could be done differently to yield more salable fetal tissue. Again, maybe that's OK with a viewer and maybe it's not. Either way, though, there's really no question that that's what the videos show.
8
You have already lost credibility through your complaints above about the federal funding of abortion--which the gov't is prohibited from doing and has been for 40 years, via the Hyde Amendment. Such an error demonstrates a basic lack of familiarity with the basic legal issues at stake in this (manufactured) controversy. Basing an argument on discredited, highly-edited shock videos is really poor reasoning.
False. There is no profit made but the normal costs associated with tissue donation. Every hospital or other organization such as Red Cross has these costs paid, and experts in the field have said that the costs under discussion were average ones.
The New England Journal of Medicine had a strong editorial in support of Planned Parenthood, which is more constructive than watching faked, edited, and illegally obtained videos that are propaganda tools.
The New England Journal of Medicine had a strong editorial in support of Planned Parenthood, which is more constructive than watching faked, edited, and illegally obtained videos that are propaganda tools.
1
What is truly "repulsive" is people like Jim Jordan, Republican of Ohio, who one might think is intelligent and takes his job as a public servant seriously, but instead forwards and supports LIES and DISHONESTY in the name of personal belief and political doctrine.
When this hoopla is found to be baseless and of vicious intent, these zealous Congress people should stand before a court and be charged with sedition.
When this hoopla is found to be baseless and of vicious intent, these zealous Congress people should stand before a court and be charged with sedition.
9
Congressional Republicans (mostly male) don't let another opportunity slip by without bullying women.
23
Jim, you sound like a woman. Bullying? Get real, or at least grow a pair.
Congressional Republicans bully women. Congressional Democrats turn a blind eye to females being torn limb from limb. Whatever.
When doctors gather and talk about their patients, that is, you and me, I wonder how callous they would sound if we secretly recorded them. Would they be quite frank, without the niceties of a bedside manner? Do we care?
11
The hearing was disheartening to watch. Several times I found myself wondering if this is what the McCarthy hearings were like in the 50s. Bullying, bulldozing, and putting words in the witness' mouth. They even asked for names of collaborators. And this hearing is for an organization that follows the law and provided services legal in the US.
Planned Parenthood cannot be de-funded because it does not get any grant funding. It receives reimbursement for services provided to medicaid patients and those in similar programs. Thousands choose PP for their reproductive services and screenings. What a terrible idea to take away their choice, and what a terrible precedent. Will other medical centers be denied medicaid reimburse because they too provide some (legally available) services that are unpopular with the current majority party?
Planned Parenthood cannot be de-funded because it does not get any grant funding. It receives reimbursement for services provided to medicaid patients and those in similar programs. Thousands choose PP for their reproductive services and screenings. What a terrible idea to take away their choice, and what a terrible precedent. Will other medical centers be denied medicaid reimburse because they too provide some (legally available) services that are unpopular with the current majority party?
920
Not only medical services but Social Security and Medicare are in their sights as well.
3
These hearings were very much like the alcoholic McCarthy's hearings which ruined the lives of many innocent teachers and others. Congress has the power to destroy lives with impunity. These are the same people who accept bribes offered on the House Floor by lobbyists. These are the same people who build military bases in every district to ensure MIC funding for themselves. These are the same people who accept tainted, dark money from super PACS. These are the people who have governors who gerrymandered their districts so that they can never be easily unseated. A terrible, destructive Congress. The worst in my lifetime.
2
McCarthy?
I was struck that it is Orwellian that we are discussing the public need to murder our citizens. That we even enthusiastically endorse federal spending on abortion if the very definition of Orwellian.
I cannot imagine any person who would deny any other person health care. Why do we allow that ruse to even be taken seriously. Of course we are all for healthcare. Federal funding for murder however is another case for many.
I was struck that it is Orwellian that we are discussing the public need to murder our citizens. That we even enthusiastically endorse federal spending on abortion if the very definition of Orwellian.
I cannot imagine any person who would deny any other person health care. Why do we allow that ruse to even be taken seriously. Of course we are all for healthcare. Federal funding for murder however is another case for many.
Where are the producers of the video, and why aren't they testifying?
20
Could care less what party was asking questions, Republicans were absolutely RUDE! Richards would try an answer their questions and Republicans would interrupt constantly throughout the hearing, blazingly disregarding any courtesy to Richard. It was a total embarrassment.
17
My take away from the Utah politician is, "Cecile Roberts only gets paid $600,000? Give that woman a raise!"
12
Seriously, $500k to someone running a non-profit??? That's inside the top 1% range of incomes in the US. Who knew running a non-profit could be so lucrative.
4
She earned a good chunk of that change today.
2
Sigh. Okay. President of the Heritage Foundation (you know, the non-profit Conservative think-tank), made well over $1 million during 2011. National non-profits CEOs command big dollars, but it's not a partisan thing. Just a combination of scale and executive compensation trends.
I am pro-life and pro-choice, and I support Planned Parenthood. But if the budget numbers are correct, Cecile Richards needs to explain salary structure, first-class travel expenses, and private jet expenses. For a non-profit health concern, partly funded by tax-payer dollars, every tax payer should be concerned about these financial decisions.
6
Ms. Richards is very very far from being the most highly-paid CEO of a non-profit which receives federal funds. In the end, she does oversee a national institution with thousands of staff and overseas programs as well. I doubt anyone with sense champions executive compensation levels in this country, but to single out Richards as somehow out-of-line just ignores what is in fact a national trend, right across large institutions, whether for-profit or not.
Republicans are so concerned about life. Too bad they don't focus on the US's high infant mortality rate. At #34, we are ranked worse than Cuba.
Planned Parenthood provides a lot of pre-natal healthcare for those who can't afford the "best healthcare system in the world". Defunding them won't help reduce those deaths.
But of course, these theatrics are not about "protecting innocent life". They are about making their base give them more money and votes.
Planned Parenthood provides a lot of pre-natal healthcare for those who can't afford the "best healthcare system in the world". Defunding them won't help reduce those deaths.
But of course, these theatrics are not about "protecting innocent life". They are about making their base give them more money and votes.
17
...and the same can be said about Democrats and the pro-abortion crowd. So, now what?
2
So now, register to vote (if you can in your state) and VOTE!
It is very sad to realize that a significant number of our legislators do not think that organ donation is a good act. The dead do not need their organs. Human tissue can be used in research, to grant health and life to the living. I am very upset so many members of Congress are upset because the tissues of the dead are used to benefit the living. I regard the use of "Pro Life" by the antiabortion movement as inappropriate. I do not regard it as Pro Life to prohibit the use of tissue from the dead to promote the welfare and life of the lving.
483
Interesting argument. Most organ donors give consent (as i have done, via my driver's license). An aborted fetus on unable to consent, so I'm not sure how your logic applies here.
2
Steve, it's your logic that's flawed -- every day, bereaved parents donate the organs and tissues of their deceased children. They consent for the child, generously and selflessly, so that others may live, and so that part of their child will live on in others.
5
Yes -- 'St. Ronnie' Reagan was supposedly 'pro-life'...but Nancy and family have strongly supported stem-cell research for the Alzheimer's that killed him. Talk about hypocrtical!
Cecile Richards does great work helping millions of women. Oversight and direct management of a multi-million dollar high-profile organization , a job demanding not only excellent business management skills but an articulate public presence , is a job deserving MORE than $500,000 a year salary. and how about that Congresswoman Mia Love? She could not even read questions prepared by her staff. Congresswoman Mia Love, posture child for the bigoted ignorant right.
9
I guess it never occurred to Mr. Jordan and Mr. Chaffetz that if you REALLY had a smoking gun, you would have a video in one piece and not some collaged hit piece trickled out and taped together with stock footage from god knows where.
I am sending a donation to PP in their names.
I am sending a donation to PP in their names.
327
Good idea.
3
The DO have the raw, unedited video and it, and the edited version were subjected to forensic examination. The events captured in those videos actually happened! PP is a political outfit, not a healthcare provider. Give the state and federal money to actual heslthcare providers, not to a political arm of Emily's List.
"Representative Jason Chaffetz, Republican of Utah and chairman of the committee, opened the hearing with a tearful commentary about the death of his mother to breast cancer, and the death of his father to cancer as well. He said he felt strongly that federal money should be shifted away from Planned Parenthood so it could go to other health care research."
I'm confused. I'm 100% certain that I had a breast exam when I used PP as my women's health care provider. What exactly are we shifting these resources to?
I'm confused. I'm 100% certain that I had a breast exam when I used PP as my women's health care provider. What exactly are we shifting these resources to?
139
I called my representative's office and said "So exactly who are you going to shift the money to?" *shrug* was the answer. These irresponsible hacks have no plan after they mess over women's healthcare. They have TAXPAYER-provided healthcare for themselves!!
They. Do. Not. Care.
They. Do. Not. Care.
101
Fake pregnancy counseling centers that persuade gullible girls that abortion causes breast cancer. Absolutely untrue. The depths to which these organizations sink!!
9
We have the affordable care act now, no need for other government sponsored care since Obama care offers affordable healthcare for everyone including women.
2
This entire Planned Parenthood discussion should stop. It is simply a ruse by both parties to placate and play to their base. It allows the Republicans to call democrats baby killers and allows Democrats to yell about a war on women. I don't even understand the funding issue because the article stated "...she said that most of the federal funding to her organization — about $400 million per year — comes through Medicare reimbursements for health care services provided to women." If that is true, then how can Republicans cut that funding? And how is it a war on women if they can go to any doctor that accepts Medicare and get the same treatment? It would be nice to stop these sideshows and get to the real issues affecting people in this country.
9
Craig, if you had listened carefully to the testimony, you would have learned that what you consider a sideshow is in fact a political war on women insofar as if successful, it would end health care for many, including women members of the Armed Services, who are currently served by PP. Many health care clinics do not accept Medicare patients, whereas all PP clinics do, and they will accept anyone, including the poor and those who can pay privately (all of these 2.7 patients come to PP as a matter of choice). In some areas, there are NO other clinics available. So they can't 'go to any doctor'.
9
Unfortunately there are not enough other providers to take up this shift in population, even if they had GYN and women's health and sexually transmitted disease training.
Some of these clinics are set up in very under served areas for just this reason, and to remove them from providing services would make finding appropriate services much more difficult than just traipsing across the street or to the other side of town to find a substitute.
Some of these clinics are set up in very under served areas for just this reason, and to remove them from providing services would make finding appropriate services much more difficult than just traipsing across the street or to the other side of town to find a substitute.
4
Agreed that both sides are using this, but please note that this situation wouldn't exist were it not for the Republicans and their supporters (it was the Republicans who are running the committee running this hearing).
And not all doctors take Medicare patients. For a number of women reasonable alternatives to PP do not exist for those health care services.
And not all doctors take Medicare patients. For a number of women reasonable alternatives to PP do not exist for those health care services.
1
In my opinion, abortion is a necessary evil. To play the same sort of game, can we show the graphic photos of war. Can we show service men and women getting serious brain injury, their limbs blown off, all of the innocents being killed? Maybe more of us would be anti-war. They're lives, too.
98
the difference is that they are adult, physically capable, thinking, fully developed lives, allegedly with the power to reason.
Read NAGASAKI- even war-mongers might be moved.
Read NAGASAKI- even war-mongers might be moved.
1
Excellent point.
Well the women who need an abortion "are adult, physically capable, thinking, fully developed lives, allegedly with the power to reason."
1
I am for freedom of choice, but I have to admit that I was quite disturbed by the videos of fetuses throbbing, and the callous way the employees talk about the whole thing. Yuck.
4
But of course you now know that you were being manipulated, because those videos were edited to make you feel that way, just like a Hollywood movie. Isn't THAT despicable, when so many women's lives are at stake?
7
IQ of 4 you do not know those videos were patched together frauds.
6
I am quite sure you never watched the videos
6
My god, what is wrong with Republicans? They want to defund women's health services because Planned Parenthood contributes to Democratic candidates who, surprise, promote women's health services. That is their naked political reason. It is shocking and unacceptable. Women of America, wake up1 The GOP is discounting your civil rights. Your civil rights are not important, their ability to control politics is. Support Planned Parenthood. Stop this theatrical charade that insults women.
127
Planned Parenthood does NOT contribute to the democrats. The PP Action group does. Sort of like having an athletic booster club lobby for your favorite university, since the funds in the athletic department are restricted.
I agree that they both have a similar (although not identical) goal and are friendly with one another. But the functions of the service delivery group is vastly different and cannot be political.
I agree that they both have a similar (although not identical) goal and are friendly with one another. But the functions of the service delivery group is vastly different and cannot be political.
2
Dale: Thank you for the clarification. However, the fact that Planned Parenthood does not contribute to Democrats, the PP Action Group does, will not stop the GOP from defunding and defaming Planned Parenthood. I am a woman who makes financial contributions to Planned Parenthood because I support their important work and because I have a daughter, 2 daughters-in-law and 3 granddaughters.
2
Kudos to Cecile Richards for her aggressive defense against a Swiftboat attack. Not one penny of the $450 million (not $500 million) is spent on abortion. 87% ($390 million) of the funding is Medicaid - poor women getting basic health services.
129
I just sent my contribution to planned parenthood and in the unfortunate event that it should be defunded I would increase that contribution. That said, I do not judge the candidacy of Carly Fiorina about a single issue about which we disagree. She has a quick mind, varied experience and seems trustworthy as opposed to another female candidate seeking the nomination of the other party.
4
I don't judge, but she lied about the video she claimed to have seen...which evidently does not exist. By the way, especially based on what I've seen today, Cecile Richards earns every penny that she is paid.
3
Mr. Chaffetz, a member of the do-nothing congress makes $174,000 a year plus benefits, 'works' approximately 174 days a year, and who sits around doing nothing more than attending and moderating meetings- in other words doing a whole lot of nothing- finds that Ms.Richards $500,000 salary as CEO of Planned Parenthood, an organization that serves 4 million people, and consists of 85 affiliates and 820 clinics in the United States, with a total budget of US$1 billion, is extreme and inappropriate.
120
Abortions and breast cancer are women's issues but heart care for women is not. You may think that's because only women have breasts and a womb. But it's more than that. They arewpmen's issues because men have a particular interest in them. After all, only women get yeast infections, but they are hardly a feminist issue. Planned Parenthood is deeply involved with women's parts that are of interest to men. They'd be less controversial if they also treated women's hearts and yeast infections.
5
You can get medicine for your yeast infection at the CVS.
You can even buy a testing kit.
Sheese.
You can even buy a testing kit.
Sheese.
1
Basic questions that NO one is addressing in this Political/Moral mess:
Moral questions:
-Is it OK for Planned Parenthood to provide companies fetal tissue for medical research from patients who are not aware of their participation in this research?
- Is it OK for pharmaceutical firms to profit from research done on human tissue that was meant to be disposed of? Is this happening with other non-abortion tissue? in regular hospitals?
- Can anyone cite beneficial medical research that has stemmed from Planned Parenthood's donation programs? Can PP provide examples on the good done to society, besides helping the US keeping population growth and reproductive and sexual health in check ?
And finally:
- How do we as taxpayers feel about funding a $500,000 salary for a CEO of a company who cannot keep its employees in check, or at least have a way to conceal its shady research affiliations?
Moral questions:
-Is it OK for Planned Parenthood to provide companies fetal tissue for medical research from patients who are not aware of their participation in this research?
- Is it OK for pharmaceutical firms to profit from research done on human tissue that was meant to be disposed of? Is this happening with other non-abortion tissue? in regular hospitals?
- Can anyone cite beneficial medical research that has stemmed from Planned Parenthood's donation programs? Can PP provide examples on the good done to society, besides helping the US keeping population growth and reproductive and sexual health in check ?
And finally:
- How do we as taxpayers feel about funding a $500,000 salary for a CEO of a company who cannot keep its employees in check, or at least have a way to conceal its shady research affiliations?
39
Obviously, you can't, or won't do research.
PP is not a government organization, it is a nonprofit. Any "taxpayer" money is channeled through Medicaid. Sort of the way many groups claim tax exemption and qualify for government grants to provide various services. Do you also object to your taxpayer contributions paying for salaries for Members of Congress you don't like?
Shady research affiliations? What ones are they? If you don't know who they are how can they be shady?
As for the rest, a couple of hours of research might answer your questions. Message me if you'd like a service quote.
PP is not a government organization, it is a nonprofit. Any "taxpayer" money is channeled through Medicaid. Sort of the way many groups claim tax exemption and qualify for government grants to provide various services. Do you also object to your taxpayer contributions paying for salaries for Members of Congress you don't like?
Shady research affiliations? What ones are they? If you don't know who they are how can they be shady?
As for the rest, a couple of hours of research might answer your questions. Message me if you'd like a service quote.
42
Answers:
- it is not okay if the patient is unaware of their participation. FACT: Planned Parenthood informs their patients and asks them to sign consent papers saying as much.
- see first answer. is it okay for pharmaceutical firms to jack up the prices of a drug like daraprim 5000% because, you know, free markets?
- taxpayers don't pay Ms. Richards salary.
~ finally, stop watching fox
- it is not okay if the patient is unaware of their participation. FACT: Planned Parenthood informs their patients and asks them to sign consent papers saying as much.
- see first answer. is it okay for pharmaceutical firms to jack up the prices of a drug like daraprim 5000% because, you know, free markets?
- taxpayers don't pay Ms. Richards salary.
~ finally, stop watching fox
20
Nanicka, If you had listened carefully to Cecile Richards' testimony you would have learned that all fetal tissue given for research is done with the consent of the patients, some of whom have asked beforehand for this to be done. In addition there is a long list of diseases that have been helped by medical research with fetal tissue (cited by Rep. Liu of California). The assumptions behind your questions have no basis in reality.
12
To Mr. Chaffetz, I would say it's absolutely tragic that providing healthcare to women in this country necessitates political activity. This is undoubtedly another Republican smear campaign against an organization that's been extremely effective in protecting women's right to choose.
46
Thank you Ms Richards & anyone who stands up for Planned Parenthood!
PP provides an incredible service to low income women & men - helping to reduce unwanted pregnancies (ie, prevent abortions), screen for disease, & provide prenatal support. How anyone could be opposed to these services is beyond me...
Eliminate PP & we'll have more unwanted children, more disease, & less healthy babies. Smart move (sarcasm).
PP provides an incredible service to low income women & men - helping to reduce unwanted pregnancies (ie, prevent abortions), screen for disease, & provide prenatal support. How anyone could be opposed to these services is beyond me...
Eliminate PP & we'll have more unwanted children, more disease, & less healthy babies. Smart move (sarcasm).
56
How are they preventing abortions when the number holds fast -- or rises -- every year? Such a crock.
How can people allow themselves to be so woefully ignorant of the facts? I see comment after comment about the evil Republicans wanting to take away women's healthcare. The simple fact is that the bill will simply move the $500MM that Planned Parenthood receives from the government to the already existing network of over 9,000 community health clinics that provide women's healthcare. There is no defunding of women's healthcare here. There is a defunding of abortions absolutely. Planned Parenthood is a sham. These clinics that would receive the funding in this bill have a higher per ca pita presence in poor rural areas than PP. Shame on all of you and shame on the NY Times for not reporting this issue accurately.
3
Agreed, how CAN people allow themselves to be so woefully ignorant of the facts? Like the fact that NO government funding supports abortion at any Planned Parenthood clinic. Not one, thin dime.
Ignorance is bliss, I guess.
Ignorance is bliss, I guess.
43
"9,000 community health clinics"? During a hearing in Louisiana over defunding Planned Parenthood, Judge John W. deGravelles pointed out that a list of Medicaid providers provided to the court by the state included dentists and ophthalmologists, saying it struck him as "extremely odd" that Planned Parenthood patients could go there for family planning services. No Ryan, we are not ignorant of the facts. We are all too well aware that the attacks on Planned Parenthood are an attack on women's' health that uses lies -- like the deceptively edited video -- smears of honorable people and deception. It all reeks of McCarthyism.
10
Ryan, you have no idea how few clinics in Texas (as elsewhere) will not accept Medicare patients.
7
Doesn't Planned Parenthood do breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings and care? Sort of like the type of health care where Rep. Chaffetz wanted to redirect PP's federal money? Don't these guys do any research into the topic that's going to be discussed at these hearings? Can I shift my tax dollars away from Rep Chaffetz and his agenda to other political priorities?
99
He was talking about research. You are talking about screening. See the difference?
It appears to me that the anger we see in actions of representatives is actually promoted by persons in and out of government positions.
To be specific, the members of Congress who refused to work, shut down government and now seems focused on the slander of females at every age has been stimulated to divide and to conquer the American voters in order to stay in government office.
May their own words come back forever to haunt them!
To be specific, the members of Congress who refused to work, shut down government and now seems focused on the slander of females at every age has been stimulated to divide and to conquer the American voters in order to stay in government office.
May their own words come back forever to haunt them!
44
I usually try to be even-handed on political issues (i.e., I find problems and things to praise vis-a-vis both sides of the aisle), but on this one, after watching about a half-hour of it (after which I could take no more), I came to one simple conclusion: the Republicans on this committee were a bunch of disgusting, offensive, uncouth morons.
360
It took you that long to realize that?
She only disputes the profit, not the selling of fetal tissue. It's the selling of fetal tissue that has outraged some people. She could agree to stop selling fetal tissue and end the controversy.
5
It's perfectly legal and the legislation was supported by both Republicans and Democrats. You want to vilify them for following the law?
15
Profit is the only difference between sale and offsetting costs in donation, which comports with all ethical procedures for donated fetal tissue. If you think research on fetal tissue should be outlawed, just say so.
10
How is it "selling" if there is no profit?
10
Mr. Jim Jordan's FB page is full of lies about PP. In what world would a "heavily edited", i.e., FAKE video be used as "evidence" except in the laughable GOP "lawmakers" world where lies against women are welcomed. This clown would be outraged at a fake video about wrestling, which is apparently why he cannot think straight.
These guys should be ashamed of themselves.
These guys should be ashamed of themselves.
70
Have you been the actual uncut videos? They are also online and really disturbing.
2
Provide the links.
3
Correct me if I'm wrong, but have the complete, unedited videos been finally released by court order as of yet, or are they still resisting making them completely open?
Republicans all over the country have lost their minds. They are passing restrictive laws in every state they have the majority. In my state of NC one elected official accused Planned Parenthood of giving out defective birth control to raise business for abortions! These idiots are making laws for women's healthcare and most are so gerrymandered we can't get them out of office.
88
From a completely objective stand I must say that I believe that it is the woman's choice to decide whether they can abort or not. It is their body, period. It is their right to have accessible care that is both private, affordable and non judgmental; to go through such a delicate procedure. There are no sins here. It is called public health.
That they are spending a lot of money on salaries, travel, etc. Yes, they are. But what about all the churches in America that are tax exempt and allowed to do whatever they want with their money? I think they should be facing this committee, not the people that provide a health service to America.
That they are spending a lot of money on salaries, travel, etc. Yes, they are. But what about all the churches in America that are tax exempt and allowed to do whatever they want with their money? I think they should be facing this committee, not the people that provide a health service to America.
58
I strongly agree. Religious organizations in this country receive about 82.5 BILLION taxpayer dollars per year, yet 0.5 billion is somehow too much to provide low income women, men, and families with reproductive healthcare. If people are going to continue meddling in our legislation because of their religious beliefs, we certainly should tax religious organizations. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2013/08/22/you-give-relig...
I'm pretty sure it's Medicaid, not Medicare, that provides reimbursement for many Planned Parenthood services. That said, the organization probably does serve some Medicare beneficiaries. Women need GYN care even when they're "old" and given that fewer physicians than ever accept Medicare, we shouldn't be surprised to see Medicare patients turning to PP once again for low-cost, compassionate care.
21
This is such a dishonest "investigation". Planned Parenthood receives 40% of its funding (about $450M) from the government as reimbursement from Medicaid for medical services rendered. Reimbursement can only be allowed for services that are approved by Medicaid. That does not include abortions that are funded by private funds or donations, not by the taxpayer. Furthermore, it is hypocritical -- to say the least-- for committee members to question the salaries of those who manage Planned Parenthood when congress, based on their recent accomplishments, gets paid -- by the taxpayers no less -- for doing practically nothing.
145
It seems important to me to emphasize a point that Cecile Richards made re. the "funding" that PP gets from the federal government. The vast majority of it (~400 million of the 500 million annually) is in the form of reimbursements for services provided to Medicare recipients. It's not like the government is simply handing PP a check and letting them do whatever they want with it. And NONE of this money is used to fund abortions. They are a health care provider that is willing to accept Medicare clients, along with the reduced reimbursements, compared to other health care providers, that this entails.
Also, I would point out that although Richards' salary is quite large, it is significantly lower than what is common for the heads of non-profit hospitals, which are often well over $1 million/year (see, e.g., http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20140809/MAGAZINE/308099987). Whether these salaries are justified or not is a separate question.
Also, I would point out that although Richards' salary is quite large, it is significantly lower than what is common for the heads of non-profit hospitals, which are often well over $1 million/year (see, e.g., http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20140809/MAGAZINE/308099987). Whether these salaries are justified or not is a separate question.
101
Jeff: one quick correction: PP is reimbursed through Medicaid -- not Medicare.
Medicaid is the program used by the ACA to provide medical services to the poor and middle class.
It's a little more complicated than that -- it depends on the state where you live and whether the republicans in charge have actually expanded Medicaid, etc. But the bottom line on your post is Medicaid. Services for poor and middle class men & women. (Men go too -- for breast exams, and STD screening, etc.)
Medicaid is the program used by the ACA to provide medical services to the poor and middle class.
It's a little more complicated than that -- it depends on the state where you live and whether the republicans in charge have actually expanded Medicaid, etc. But the bottom line on your post is Medicaid. Services for poor and middle class men & women. (Men go too -- for breast exams, and STD screening, etc.)
I agree, this most certainly is a war against women.
But it's also a war against our families. Women who lack the right to choose, to get health care and especially, contraceptives, lack the right to control our own bodies, our own destinies.
That means, in essence, that we can't care for our families either.
It's ironic, given the Pope's pro-family message, that the rights of women aren't considered paramount!
But it's also a war against our families. Women who lack the right to choose, to get health care and especially, contraceptives, lack the right to control our own bodies, our own destinies.
That means, in essence, that we can't care for our families either.
It's ironic, given the Pope's pro-family message, that the rights of women aren't considered paramount!
51
If there is the possibility that the Republican Party is being manipulated by the fraudulent practice of editing videos by those who oppose abortion, where is their outrage that this fraud has led to needless hearings that are costing the American taxpayers monies that could be used elsewhere?
38
A party that makes 200 some odd patently absurd efforts to overturn the ACA has all day, all week, this entire Congressional session to waste on this nonsense.
19
I knew the videos trying to discredit PP were doctored but didn't know how despicably manipulated they were until I heard the story this am, almost everything in them were falsified. PP should sue them for slander.
http://www.npr.org/2015/09/29/444398818/amid-controversy-head-of-planned...
http://www.npr.org/2015/09/29/444398818/amid-controversy-head-of-planned...
31
joie, you may want to watch the whole uncut unedited videos which are also online. Not for the faint of heart though.
1
Richards lied. In her testimony today she said, "An affiliate isn't a health center. I think I spoke earlier, we do not have mammogram machines at our health centers. And we've never stated that we did. As was mentioned earlier, for women who go for a breast exam, if you need a mammogram, you’re referred to a radiological clinic."
However, in 2011, Richards said on CNN that if federal funding is cut off to her organization "millions of women are going to lose access, not to abortion services, to basic family planning, you know, mammograms...."
She’s a liar.
However, in 2011, Richards said on CNN that if federal funding is cut off to her organization "millions of women are going to lose access, not to abortion services, to basic family planning, you know, mammograms...."
She’s a liar.
2
Dave: as I'm fairly certain that you have never had a mamogram, I will educate you. When I go to my Dr.office to get a breast exam, and they think I need further testing by getting a mammogram, they REFER me to a radiological company that specializes in those procedures. Are you saying that my Dr. office isn't a health center as it also doesn't have mammogram capability on site either? What Richards was referring to in 2011, is that women on MEDICARE who need breast exams can't access those exams without a clinic like PP that takes MEDICARE. That is the first step to getting a referral to get a mammogram to diagnose any cancers. MANY MANY drs will NOT take medicare, my Dr will not. Will yours? Its a common misunderstanding that there are LOTS of other choices, but in actual fact there are few who will see someone without the $$$ to pay for the first office visit.
9
And you're so full of it Dave your eyes are brown...
5
I think Cecile Richards is a good and honest women trying to help her own. I also believe many of the individuals that are against PP are men that do not have a horse in the PP race. Ms. Richards makes $500,000 a year as president of PP. If this was a male doing the work of the president of PP he would be making three time that sum. I do not know a single women's organization that tries to control the lives of men. Why do we see men's organizations trying to control women. Maybe it's the same reason so many men object to seeing Ms. Clinton run for President.
11
Planned Parenthood is rated 92.42% efficiency by Charity Navigator, and is 4-star (highest rating). This measures organizational transparency and usage of funds for the purpose of fulfilling its mission. If Congressman Chaffetz's mother died of breast cancer, he should be lauding Planned Parenthood for providing invaluable screening services. It is the only nationwide organization that offers women's reproductive health services to all, and NO other local services are equipped to serve the broad population. I am unable to understand the logic of working to refuse both abortion AND contraception services to women in need. This is shameful grandstanding by those who want to whip their base into a frenzy, taking advantage of a duplicitous and misleading video.
1349
In many states, Arizona being one of them, an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases is increasing. The work of PP to control this STDs is so important. Also the fact is PP will accept anyone, female and male patients , those with private insurance or on Medicare, military or civilians. This is what we need more of, not less. People who vote for the Republicans on the Committee currently doing their 'investigation' of PP should get off the golf course and educate themselves about the truth concerning this important organization.
70
well said.
15
So if Planned Parenthood is only providing all the healthcare services you mention along with abortions for reasons of incest, rape and saving the life of the mother, what is the Affordable Care Act doing?
There should not be a need for both services unless the Affordable Health Care Act is failing to provide healthcare to all people that have a need....
There should not be a need for both services unless the Affordable Health Care Act is failing to provide healthcare to all people that have a need....
1
Why is it only up to this besieged organization to take a stand for fetal tissue research? Anyone who's ever been vaccinated and avoided deadly childhood maladies should be outraged.
53
And the legislation that allows for fetal tissue research was passed with broad bipartisan support.
1
Someone should have the brash to say that Carly Fiorina adopted these lies without fact-checking in order to pander to an audience of people who don't care if they are told lies, as long as the misrepresentations comport with their views.
40
These Republican politicians are infuriating hypocrites who care nothing about health care for women. We never hear them complain about the mult-million dollar salaries of CEOS running non-profit hospitals. They make absurd salaries, much of which should go towards research and actual health care.
Republican politicians have an agenda to make abortion illegal and deprive women of their Constitional right to choose. They don't care about the millions of wonen, many poor and non-white, who receive health care services from PP. Most of all, they don't care about the truth, or doing what's right. They are despicable.
Republican politicians have an agenda to make abortion illegal and deprive women of their Constitional right to choose. They don't care about the millions of wonen, many poor and non-white, who receive health care services from PP. Most of all, they don't care about the truth, or doing what's right. They are despicable.
28
I have been amazed at how Ms. Richards has been able keep her composure and patience answering these GOP lawmakers that, frankly, I can't put in any nicer way, are lacking enough brain cells to understand anything.
30
All these GOPers who are so angry about PP saving embryos should also be willing to forego any medical treatment for themselves that is new and a result of stem cell research. For example is a woman develops breast cancer she should be treated w medical methodologies from the 1990s, rather than the more successful treatments of the past fifteen years which are a result from stem cell research which is a result of having embryos to research from.
23
The real crux of the Planned Parenthood funding debate is the morality (and hence legality) of abortion. To those of us who are essentially rational, a woman removing a kidney bean-sized clump of tissue from the inside of her own body does not amount to murder. To those of us who are religious and believe that kidney bean contains something called a "soul" (whatever that is) actually placed there by "God" (the anthropomorphic deity that created the universe) abortion is indeed murder. One side defines life by rational analysis; the other side defines life according to a pretty wacky, superstitious and non-disprovable concept. I don't see a lot of room for compromise.
16
Religion, and your obvious bias against it aside, if it is true that a fetus is "a kidney bean sized clump of tissue" (Really? At 24 weeks?) Why is it that the decision to have an abortion is described so often as being such a difficult and painful ordeal?
If it were all kidney-bean sized clumps of tissue Planned Parenthood wouldn't be able to sell it to researchers. As we've seen on the tapes (and by PP's own admission) many of these are fully formed fetuses, in some cases possibly able to survive outside the womb. One of the surgeons describes "crunching" in the right places in order to preserve the (fully formed) organs needed for sale.
1
While I agree with you that a tiny clump of replicating cells does not constitute life, please do not clump all religious persons into one group. As a scientist I understand the biological process of fertilization, fetal growth, and birth. However, as a professing Christian, I also believe that life begins AT SOME POINT during growth. Is it at conception? I don't think so, but cannot say definitively. Is it at birth? Perhaps, but again I cannot say definitively. The debate about PP is definitely a moral one, and it is the religious right who are seemingly irrational about the entire thing; however, do not belittle the beliefs of others who agree politically with you but still hold fast to their belief in God. There is such a thing as the religious left.
Is there anyone left in the republican Party who does not come across as the next Joe McCarthy?
Why does roughly half of the voting public derive pleasure from witnessing this vulgar bullying.
We should all be embarrassed by what passes for governance in America.
Why does roughly half of the voting public derive pleasure from witnessing this vulgar bullying.
We should all be embarrassed by what passes for governance in America.
36
If you take the average hourly salary of every person that attended the House committee hearing and multiply by the number of hours the committee met, include the services to support the meeting, etc., it will show that the cost of this hearing was well over $500K.
Proportionally, the salary of the House members that attended the hearing is considerably higher and was not on the table, because their salary should be slashed to zero given the they don't do any governing work.
Proportionally, the salary of the House members that attended the hearing is considerably higher and was not on the table, because their salary should be slashed to zero given the they don't do any governing work.
17
Planned Parenthood service actually reduce the number abortions per year by about 300,000. So if Republicans manage to defund Planned Parenthood there will be few hundred thousand more abortions!
22
The Republican Plan (as it relates to PP and women):
1) De-fund Planned Parenthood
2) Outlaw abortion
3) Require women to bear children regardless of how (or by whom) they were impregnated
4) Require women to bear children whether or not they have the financial and emotional means to care for these children
5) Do not provide education (i.e. eliminate Planned Parenthood)
6) Do not provide any type of birth-control device(s) (see item #5)
7) Do absolutely nothing to help these women and/or children in society once the children have been born
8) Blame liberals and Democrats for the excessive amount of individuals (see #'s 1-7) seeking help from their government - the same government that painted them into the very corner they're in.
How any woman in this country can still pull the lever for these wackos is beyond reason.
1) De-fund Planned Parenthood
2) Outlaw abortion
3) Require women to bear children regardless of how (or by whom) they were impregnated
4) Require women to bear children whether or not they have the financial and emotional means to care for these children
5) Do not provide education (i.e. eliminate Planned Parenthood)
6) Do not provide any type of birth-control device(s) (see item #5)
7) Do absolutely nothing to help these women and/or children in society once the children have been born
8) Blame liberals and Democrats for the excessive amount of individuals (see #'s 1-7) seeking help from their government - the same government that painted them into the very corner they're in.
How any woman in this country can still pull the lever for these wackos is beyond reason.
155
I would add a point 7(a) - If kids screw up incarcerate without rehabilitation; and 7(b) provide no healthcare to those who can't afford it
Jason Chaffetz is not quite the dumbest politician we have in Utah, but he does try hard to look like that person. Planned Parenthood provides low cost cancer screenings to poor women. By law a poor woman has the right and the ability to pick her own medical team. The money spent to provide very needed health services to populations who usually cannot access them otherwise helps in the fight against cancer.
What doesn't help in the fight against cancer is a demagogue withholding funds for medical research, medical care, medical services. Those are Chaffetz's tactics and by extension his party's.
What doesn't help in the fight against cancer is a demagogue withholding funds for medical research, medical care, medical services. Those are Chaffetz's tactics and by extension his party's.
17
As an addendum to my comment, US District Judge Clark Waddoups has just issued a temporary restraining order against Utah's governor to prevent the governor's ordering stopping funding for Planned Parenthood in Utah from going in to effect. As I wrote before, Chaffetz is not the dumbest politician in Utah.
As I think George Carlin put it, it's interesting to note how many republicans go all out to protect unborn fetuses, but if you are a child who has happened to be born into an economically disadvantaged group, you're on your own!!
15
No agenda from Chaffetz and Jordan - card carrying Freedom Caucus members - just good old American grandstanding. And shame on Mr. Chaffetz for his crocodile tears shamelessly using his parents deaths to advance a radical right wing position. If he wanted his mother helped, maybe she should have gotten screening services from her local Planned Parenthood chapter. But truth would interfere with the Gang of 40's agenda against women.
13
"War against women" is right. These unprincipled, lying hacks make Donald Trump's insults seem minor by comparison. I hope the nation's women will tell them in no uncertain terms where to go -- and I'll be behind them all the way.
54
Abortion is legal and appropriate for some women. It should be safe. It should be available to all women. Concurrently, fetal tissues are used in research the has and will save millions of lives. We need to continue research using fetal tissues. Planned Parenthood makes no profit selling fetal tissue.
The films produced to demean and harass Planned Parenthood by right wing anti abortionists is highly edited; obviously made for its shock value. The Congressmen who demand defunding of Planned Parenthood are either being manipulated by, or manipulating their own constituencies. The hearings are a stupid waste of time and money by men who should know better.
The films produced to demean and harass Planned Parenthood by right wing anti abortionists is highly edited; obviously made for its shock value. The Congressmen who demand defunding of Planned Parenthood are either being manipulated by, or manipulating their own constituencies. The hearings are a stupid waste of time and money by men who should know better.
1066
Operative word is "men".
Or, maybe the Congressmen are representing nearly 50% of the citizens? Could that be possible?
You don't know what u r talking about. Uninformed making comments that r false. The videos , excited or not, are real. The entire videos r available on line. U r a typical uninformed lib who has already made up their mind. Pathetic.
The attack on Planned Parenthood is just more Whitewater, Benghazi, IRS, Van Jones,Voter Fraud, Bill Ayres, etc. Just more mud pitched in hoping something will stick.
Thank God, Donald Trump is running for President. His candidacy reveals the lunacy of the current GOP of which these one act plays bear witness to.
Thank God, Donald Trump is running for President. His candidacy reveals the lunacy of the current GOP of which these one act plays bear witness to.
15
Actually, it's not; this is an issue that half of the country is appalled, rightly, by.
Rather than treating abortion as a right of passage, those who perceive all of this as an "attack" on women might wish to simply try to understand that many people believe abortion is truly wrong. With that simple understanding it should be obvious that it is not a practice that they should be forced to support. I would prefer to see the videos rather than take Ms. Richards word for what they did to make her organization look so bad. She is waving her hands and telling everyone to pay no attention to what may be behind the curtain. She sounds a lot like the head of an oil company trying to defend its drilling rights.
36
Whether abortion is considered wrong or not is irrelevant. Abortion is legal.
13
You do realize that not a single taxpayer money goes to abortion, unless it fits federal law.
11
If you watched the videos, are you qualified to decide whether they were strategically edited to make PP look bad? Either way you must realize the video footage was obtained by people who are staunchly against Planned Parenthood, whose primary goal is to cast Planned Parenthood in a negative light.
8
Poor Republicans are constantly pitting themselves against people who speak the truth, with integrity, and with class. That they aim their attacks for the sake of winning over their base tells you everything you need know about them and their base. I hope these shows (and the "Presidential" "debates") motivate all Americans to vote no matter how hard the GOP works to block them from doing so.
22
So, you are the gatekeeper of what is true? People have opinions and "truth", while it may be "legalized" as in abortion, can carry many different weights for many different people.
1
After watching Jordan make a fool of himself, I decided to double my contribution to Planned Parenthood. If Jordan tires of his work in Congress, I'm sure that the Taliban will have a leadership position for him.
28
Ms. Richards should have asserted forcefully that if the nation had Universal Health Care like other civilized nations, Planned Parenthood would not be needed. In fact, too many health services exist that rely on donations, local, state and federal funding. All these would disappear with a National health care.
17
It's already happening; search a recent article on PP being hurt by expanded access. In response, they up their donations to the Democratic party, and build new, state of the art facilities.
I am a lifelong left-leaning centrist. I almost always tend toward liberal/progressive ideas. But not when it comes to abortion. I find it patently absurd how some on the left completely ignore the strikingly obvious ethical and moral issues related to abortion. I am not saying there are clear-cut and easy answers. I am saying that we must all admit that there are very serious areas of gray throughout the abortion debate. And when the gray areas are concerned with what may potentially be human life, then we must err on the side of being careful in all matters.
62
Pablo you are a man. Until you get pregnant, mind your own business.
32
Of Course. That is why it should be up to the couple and their doctor or the woman and her doctor, NOT a bunch of GOP fools seeking votes by rabble rousing.
Why are you imagining anyone takes this subject lightly? It is insulting. Faking a video to shore up lies is unacceptable as well.
Why are you imagining anyone takes this subject lightly? It is insulting. Faking a video to shore up lies is unacceptable as well.
19
Do you believe women are autonomous human beings, or that the state should be allowed to control their bodies?
There is no gray area, it's black or white.
There is no gray area, it's black or white.
18
When will those responsible for the fraudulent, calculated, and deceitful editing of the videos referenced by Carly Fiorina, et al, be charged with fraud? When will those responsible for these fraudulent actions be charged? Enough is enough with the lies and deceit. Someone has to do something to stop these criminals in their tracks. What in the world is the holdup here?
33
LOL. Feign outrage, and diversion tactics, at their finest.
CMP and the fake tissue procurement company they set up are being sued by the National Abortion Federation (NAF), which is the professional association of abortion providers in North America. Here is the text of the lawsuit. http://www.docdroid.net/RAHJcMn/naf-lawsuit.pdf.html
Mr. Chaffetz might take note that PP's services include breast and cervical cancer screening--perhaps preventing some deaths, maybe even his own mother's if, she, like millions of underserved women, had needed to rely on that free testing. Also, I believe there is an error in the story--the reporter states that the federal funds come from Medicare, but more likely, the money is from Medicaid.
13
I'm an editor. It is incredibly obvious to anyone who has ever done even the slightest bit of video editing that these videos are cut so as to *suggest* something has happened -- and that that these editors have resorted to this sub-optimal approach *because they do not actually have footage which proves their assertions.* If this production team *actually had* indisputable contextualized footage," they would *not* be releasing multiple videos, they would *not* need music, the running time would be 30 seconds, and they would not need any editing. Indeed, they would purposely avoid editing SO AS TO MAKE IT OBVIOUS THAT THE FOOTAGE WAS NOT MANIPULATED. Would you take seriously a police department releasing body-cam video from a disputed shooting scored with sinister music, cutaways to non-contextual shots and sit-interviews? No way.
1394
Transcripts of the unedited videos paint a very different picture.
During the taped meeting Dr. Nucatola expressly stated that “nobody should be selling tissue. That’s just not the goal here.” This statement was
omitted from the excerpted tape.
Ten times during the conversation, Dr. Nucatola said Planned Parenthood would not sell tissue or profit in any way from tissue donations. All ten
instances were cut out of the video released to the media.
People were misled by the fraudulent videos and continue to cling to their complete falsehood.
During the taped meeting Dr. Nucatola expressly stated that “nobody should be selling tissue. That’s just not the goal here.” This statement was
omitted from the excerpted tape.
Ten times during the conversation, Dr. Nucatola said Planned Parenthood would not sell tissue or profit in any way from tissue donations. All ten
instances were cut out of the video released to the media.
People were misled by the fraudulent videos and continue to cling to their complete falsehood.
13
A 3rd party PROFESSIONAL team of video forensic specialists examined the footage and found it to be totally valid. The only parts removed were of people going to the bathroom or chewing food. There were multiple videos because this occurred at multiple different locations in multiple settings at multiple times. In this case the evidence is improved because it was not digitally strung together into a single video file. This would make the accusation of tampering have more weight. Instead we have multiple video sources INDEPENDENTLY corroborating that Federal laws were in fact broken.
1
"Federal laws were in fact broken." What on earth are you basing that on? The fact that no charges have been or will filed regarding this non-event?
9
How dare we fund women's healthcare when Rep. Chafetz family members are dying of cancer? Once again, a Republican shows an inability to see an issue through anything but the prism of his own personal life. The empathy-challenged party.
136
Planned Parenthood was visited by 2.7 million people last year and it's CEO made half a million, about 18.5 cents per customer. CIGNA has 19 million customers and its CEO David Cordani made 17.76 million in 2013, more than 93 cents per customer. You can make a lot of money denying care.
642
The Republicans are living in a fantasyland. Fiorina is a prime example; on Meet the Press she once again affirmed to have seen things in the videos that clearly are not there.
49
Are we sure that Ms. Richards sais that PP only "sells" a small amount of tissue?
If not, that attempt to paraphrase should be corrected.
As far as I know, they don't sell any fetal tissue.
If the women undergoing abortions decide to donate the fetal tissue for research, then PP manages that process for them, asking the researchers to pay the costs of preserving and transporting the tissue.
If anyone knows differently, please correct me.
If not, that attempt to paraphrase should be corrected.
As far as I know, they don't sell any fetal tissue.
If the women undergoing abortions decide to donate the fetal tissue for research, then PP manages that process for them, asking the researchers to pay the costs of preserving and transporting the tissue.
If anyone knows differently, please correct me.
28
You are correct -- Ms. Richards did not say that Planned Parenthood sold anything. She was very clear with her response that the fetal tissue is legally donated, and the only costs recovered by PP are for specimen preparation and transfer. Mr. Shear should amend this statement.
It is obvious that is not true.
If they only asked for the cost of storage and transport, there would be a simple price sheet with clear prices ("cost of storage and transport on a tiny fetal heart: $100").
Instead they laughed and went out for an expensive lunch with wine, and BARGAINED AND NEGOTIATED the highest possible price ("a Lamborghini") with parties they believed were wealthy medical researchers.
So it is impossible the charges were for "storage and transport".
If they only asked for the cost of storage and transport, there would be a simple price sheet with clear prices ("cost of storage and transport on a tiny fetal heart: $100").
Instead they laughed and went out for an expensive lunch with wine, and BARGAINED AND NEGOTIATED the highest possible price ("a Lamborghini") with parties they believed were wealthy medical researchers.
So it is impossible the charges were for "storage and transport".
I don't think you understand how fetal tissue donations works or how much researchers pay for samples. We're talking thousands upon thousands of dollars. If you want to believe those shoddily edited videos, go right ahead. The rest of us can decide for ourselves.
Soon enough, she'll be chopped up into little pieces herself along with the rest of these degenerate demons. Time for some South American justice on this one...
By the way, love the paid tro ll s with the same IP address and different pseudonyms posting over and over again... Hilarious... Good luck. This one's gonna be a hard sell.
By the way, love the paid tro ll s with the same IP address and different pseudonyms posting over and over again... Hilarious... Good luck. This one's gonna be a hard sell.
just add 'Jive' on the end of that monicker as you tighten up your definition of "South American Justice"
"Republicans perceive Planned Parenthood as a well-oiled, well-funded machine promoting Democratic candidates."
I'm pro-choice and a former contributor to PP. I noticed, however, that PP had gotten much larger than it used to be and that the contribution calls I received had a strong pro Democrat bias.
Planned Parenthood should raise money for abortion and contraceptive services, etc., privately and its other activities should at least have a different name. That PP is trying to keep its abortion etc. services separate from its other activities is unacceptable when those activities are funded by government and they have a PAC which operates as a Democratic Party PAC.
I'm pro-choice and a former contributor to PP. I noticed, however, that PP had gotten much larger than it used to be and that the contribution calls I received had a strong pro Democrat bias.
Planned Parenthood should raise money for abortion and contraceptive services, etc., privately and its other activities should at least have a different name. That PP is trying to keep its abortion etc. services separate from its other activities is unacceptable when those activities are funded by government and they have a PAC which operates as a Democratic Party PAC.
1
Do the Republicans also propose withdrawing government funding from defense contractors that make political contributions and lobby Congress? It seems that to the Republicans, political activity by a government contractor is only bad when it happens to benefit the public and, as a side effect of that, the Democrats.
6
Congress insisted back in the 70's by the Hyde Amendment that abortions are separate services so that Medicaid or any government taxes may not pay for abortions (which harms poor women of course). That was imposed on PP decades earlier. Our memory span is ludicrously short!
5
What if I want to contribute to PP's abortion/contraception services without supporting the Democratic Party? I can't.
I wonder whether it would be advantageous for Planned Parenthood to focus solely on sex education, contraception, and disease prevention, and leave abortion services to a separate entity. That would reduce the political issues associated with Planned Parenthood and perhaps even allow them to better focus their mission. They would make the necessary referrals, of course, but could more easily show no commingling of funds for the separate entities.
The risk, of course, is that the entity providing abortions would be driven out of existence, but perhaps sufficient private funding could be found (as it apparently largely is now.)
The risk, of course, is that the entity providing abortions would be driven out of existence, but perhaps sufficient private funding could be found (as it apparently largely is now.)
1
Woman are going to have abortions no matter what. There isn't a clinic the GOP won't attack. No Federal monies are used for abortion at PP; but the Republicans say they want to "shift" PP funding to other clinics. Why? Those other clinics are going to offer abortion services and this time the American tax payer will be paying for them.
Who are the referrals? They are nearly extinct as too many providers' lives have been placed in danger. PP has a long track record of performing low-risk abortions and have a great field record, just ask some of the lower income women like I was back in the 70's and 80's.
What you're saying is that because they're being needlessly attacked by rapid Republicans, PP should change their model (which is, by the way, legal)? Why do you put the onus on the victim rather, the perpetrators - Republicans. They are the ones who need to change their behavior.
3
Once again we see the shortsightedness of the modern GOP. Planned Parenthood provides cancer screenings to women! They're helping in the war on cancer. Chavetz and his fellow Republicans would deal that worthy battle a big by defunding Planned Parenthood.
41
Republicans are not pro-life who fight to outlaw abortion and to sacrifice their living, breathing mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives to pregnancy.
24
Huh? Who made you?
It is probably just as well that the Republicans continue to expose themselves for what they are--an anti-immigration, misogynistic, Party for privileged white people. Even as they are nearly drowning in their own hypocrisy, they continue to believe they can walk on water.
36
Correction: Privileged white men
4
If a majority portion of the electorate doesn't vote, they will endanger our country in post 2016.
When I was unemployed and had no health insurance Planned Parenthood gave me annual checkups and mammograms, important sense I have breast cancer in my family. They provide services to women who most need them. The attacks are unwarranted!
127
Planned Parenthood is a wonderful organization doing great work for women. And being treated to a disgusting political witch hunt.
We can hope that the more radical that House Republicans become, the less support they will receive at the ballot box.
We can hope that the more radical that House Republicans become, the less support they will receive at the ballot box.
59
Nonsense. Planned Parenthood, and folks like yourself, simply refuse to recognize what millions and millions do: there are deep and disturbing ethical and moral questions related to abortion practices that you simply sweep under the rug, and then imbue on your ideas, amazingly, a thin veneer of righteousness and morality.
I have been a life-long liberal in almost all things. But not abortion. There are deep and murky questions that pro-choice folks absolutely refuse to address. That's disturbing to me. And it will probably come back to haunt democratic candidates forever.
I have been a life-long liberal in almost all things. But not abortion. There are deep and murky questions that pro-choice folks absolutely refuse to address. That's disturbing to me. And it will probably come back to haunt democratic candidates forever.
1
You could say the same about the death penalty, but I don't see many pro-life advocates shedding tears as they contemplate the ethical mysteries of THAT practice. In any case, it's besides the point. What's going on with Congress and PP is not supposed to be about whether or not abortion should be legal. If it was, your comment would be relevant because of COURSE there are ethical issues for both sides to consider. But as it stands, abortion is legal and the Congressional hearing was not convened to change that status. It was convened to determine whether or not PP is following the law. Period. If PP was PROFITING from the sale of fetal tissue, it would be illegal. Yet, even as an organization with the broadest investigative powers possible, no one in Congress has shown any such profits. They have only shown, through the use of a video widely regarded as unethically edited, that fetal tissue is sold in accordance with the law (i.e., they charge only what it costs to preserve and transport such tissue). Also, as has been stated without evidence to the contrary many, many times... tax dollars do not pay for the abortions PP provides. THAT'S the focus of the investigation. If you would rather debate the merits of abortion, in terms of it's ethics/legality, your grievance is with the Supreme Court, not PP. The fact remains that PP provides the services it does (many of them having nothing to do with abortion) in a legal manner.
It's amazing how much time and money our elected officials waste chasing lies and distortions for political gain. I guess this is easier than passing laws.
38
America can not afford Republicans.
1
Jim Jordan from Ohio needs to learn communication skills for conflict resolution especially in regards to women.
It might be believed he is showing his passion but it looks more like he is acting like a caveman. Overriding the other person's conversation is a sign of aggression.
It might be believed he is showing his passion but it looks more like he is acting like a caveman. Overriding the other person's conversation is a sign of aggression.
19
The investigation- on the taxpayers dime and time! of Planned! Parenthood is a throw back to the Salem witch trials circa 17th century. Same male judges judging those uppity women. Can't use Blacks or Latinos to blackmail the government but yeah poor women will do just nicely. Their crime? Wanting health care and control of their own bodies just like men have. Uppity for sure. Get those bonfires going and light em up! Thank you Ms. Richards for not bowing and scraping to these men who have never ever worried where their next meal was coming from or how they were going to feed, clothe or house their children. And have taxpayer paid! gold plated! healthcare for themselves and their spouses until they draw their last breath- no questions asked and no cost too great for the taxpayer to bear. Oh yeah a taxpayer paid pension for life too!
38
Too bad most of you didn't actually watch the videos. They are disgusting and horrible. I can't even believe we as a nation sanction this stuff. One day we will look back on this in the same was we look back on slavery. A stain on our nation.
1
CassidyGT, the videos were edited to make one feel disgusted. They were edited to make certain conversations appear a different way. Surely you can agree that this is something that can be done easily.
Even after several investigations finding no wrongdoing on Planned Parenthood's part and after several reports stating that the videos are in fact edited and therefore useless as evidence, you still believe that the videos were unedited and honest? If so, that's not good.
Even after several investigations finding no wrongdoing on Planned Parenthood's part and after several reports stating that the videos are in fact edited and therefore useless as evidence, you still believe that the videos were unedited and honest? If so, that's not good.
14
Have you ever seen a video of a colonoscopy? They are disgusting- do you want to ban them too?
15
Yes, those folks did a great job pulling things out of context and manipulating things to make a compelling video!
4
Going beyond the validity of the accusations presented in the videos, wondering if anyone asked whether or not a live fetus in any instance is aborted whole and its brain or other hard to harvest organs are extracted at that point.
Also wondering why any group receiving any substantial funding from the government can use any portion of its budget to support any political person or party. Seems like that should be precluded from occurring if federal funds are provided.
Also wondering why any group receiving any substantial funding from the government can use any portion of its budget to support any political person or party. Seems like that should be precluded from occurring if federal funds are provided.
I used PP for over 20 years and there was ZERO about politics... it was ALL about health and safety and education.
There was no live fetus. The purported video shows a 19 week fetus from a still birth, unrelated to PP or abortions.
To all those defending the $500,000 annual salary that the head of this so-called "non-profit organization" is bringing home, I'd like to ask a question...
Imagine, if you will, that the NRA (National Rifle Association) were a taxpayer-supported non-profit organization. Would you think Wayne LaPierre receiving half a million dollars a year would be a little... excessive?
See? Now you're starting to get it!
Imagine, if you will, that the NRA (National Rifle Association) were a taxpayer-supported non-profit organization. Would you think Wayne LaPierre receiving half a million dollars a year would be a little... excessive?
See? Now you're starting to get it!
4
Actually the NRA is taxpayer supported because of its tax exempt status!
6
Sorry. Don't get it. I get that the NRA wants an UN-regulated militia rather than the WELL regulated one specified in the Constitution. I get that UN-planned parenthood will be wa-a-a-ay more expensive in lives and tax-payer money than Planned. I also get that constitutional democracy demands straight up or down VOTING on matters of National import, rather than mere grandstanding in closed committees. How am I doing then?
3
Quick google search says he makes twice that.
5
"While the funding fight is ostensibly about abortion and fetal tissue, the subtext is politics: Republicans perceive Planned Parenthood as a well-oiled, well-funded machine promoting Democratic candidates."
I could easily switch words in the above paragraph to say, in effect, Democrats perceive Congressional hearings as a well-oiled, well-funded machine designed to roll back Roe Versus Wade and destroy the Democratic party.
By the way, the anti-abortion hit squad that arranged the interviews interspersed portions of interviews with stock photos of aborted fetuses. The altered videos were nothing more than propaganda. The GOP zealots ignore that fact and hone in on Richards with the attack dog mentality of the Benghazi hearing committee.
I wish these clowns would fund a highway construction bill. I wish they would fund the government. I wish they would do something other than use taxpayer dollars to use their time in smearing an organization already proved (in Missouri) to be doing everything they do according to law.
Republicans are screaming PP conducts political advocacy with taxpayer dollars? I believe Ms. Richards that the two missions are kept separate--do you really think an organization so much in the crosshairs of Congress wouldn't be above board?
No, I am screaming that Congress conducts political advocacy with taxpayer dollars to fund mock hearings based on nothing but their own propaganda straight out of Alice in Wonderland. For shame!
I could easily switch words in the above paragraph to say, in effect, Democrats perceive Congressional hearings as a well-oiled, well-funded machine designed to roll back Roe Versus Wade and destroy the Democratic party.
By the way, the anti-abortion hit squad that arranged the interviews interspersed portions of interviews with stock photos of aborted fetuses. The altered videos were nothing more than propaganda. The GOP zealots ignore that fact and hone in on Richards with the attack dog mentality of the Benghazi hearing committee.
I wish these clowns would fund a highway construction bill. I wish they would fund the government. I wish they would do something other than use taxpayer dollars to use their time in smearing an organization already proved (in Missouri) to be doing everything they do according to law.
Republicans are screaming PP conducts political advocacy with taxpayer dollars? I believe Ms. Richards that the two missions are kept separate--do you really think an organization so much in the crosshairs of Congress wouldn't be above board?
No, I am screaming that Congress conducts political advocacy with taxpayer dollars to fund mock hearings based on nothing but their own propaganda straight out of Alice in Wonderland. For shame!
86
Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards defends Planned Parenthood. The behavior of PP is not easy to defend. Staff is overpaid, money is directed to ads, abortion has become a business... with medical goals... Mother Lexi Oliver Fretz has three living children. She also had Walter... still born at 19 weeks. Walter was dying... a premature baby that was handled well by the family. Walter's life has become a football in politics. The loss of the child is not uncommon. Use of the dying child's body is not uncommon. The entire discussion is a mess - and taken out of context. The New York Times will never find fault with abortion. I will never find abortion right.
The nation has other things to do. The federal government does not belong funding Planned Parenthood. Nor should we outlaw abortion at this time.
Rather, we must educate the errant to teach why... killing the unborn is a sin.
The nation has other things to do. The federal government does not belong funding Planned Parenthood. Nor should we outlaw abortion at this time.
Rather, we must educate the errant to teach why... killing the unborn is a sin.
31
"Rather, we must educate the errant to teach why... killing the unborn is a sin."
... OR we cam make sure women have access to birth control which is predominately what Planned Parenthood does!
... OR we cam make sure women have access to birth control which is predominately what Planned Parenthood does!
21
SB--I'll make you a deal. If I agree that abortion is wrong and I promise never to have, will you do the same?
1
Your use of the term "we must educate the errant" says so much about who you are. Filled with a sense of moral and intellectual superiority that can only come from one who takes most of their information straight from the pulpit it is you who should look in the mirror and consider the sin of arrogance.
18
If the GOP is so obsessed with murder, as they love to call abortion and birth control then how about all the people that die in the wars they love to start. If most of the money goes through Medicaid then it is not for abortion but women's health.
31
I work in one of the poorest congressional districts in the nation - I know the needs of people who live in such places and we are not even close to meeting their needs. Planned parenthood does what it can and de-funding them would be not just be stupid but an injustice. Ms. Richards handled herself very well in face of repulsive criticism. The congressman who suggested that they do abortions for profit is repugnant and betrays his ignorance of life in the inner city. Even the God they took an oath on died caring for such people.
86
A member of Congress calling PP a "wasteful organization" that spends millions on political activities, lavish parties and travel. Isn't that the equivalent of the pot calling the kettle black?
35
The evidence is mounting almost daily that the Republican Party is imploding: its repeated attempts to destroy Obama care (blaming the conservative Chief Justice, for example), the efforts to deport millions of undocumented people, the resignation of the moderately conservative Speaker of the House, the fractious primary campaign with a patently unsuitable candidate in the lead, and now the willingness to shut down the government unless the non-profit Planned Parenthood organization is defunded.
I wouldn't be surprised if it breaks into two or more parts before the 2016 election: a business faction and a right-wing evangelical faction limned by xenophobia and racism.
I wouldn't be surprised if it breaks into two or more parts before the 2016 election: a business faction and a right-wing evangelical faction limned by xenophobia and racism.
25
I watched the interrogations in awe how Ms. Richards held herself. Her patience of being constantly interrupted, when trying to answer questions as she was bull dozed by the GOP side, was nothing short of amazing. The Republicans should be ashamed of their approach and relentless absurd questioning, their interest is not for women's rights, only for political advancement. It is beyond comprehension. And this is the issue that may shut down the government? Which will cost the tax payer millions!! Shame, shame shame.
321
I'm embarrassed to say that Congressman Jordan is from my gerrymandered Ohio district, and there appears to be no way of getting rid of him. State after state the GOP has created these safe districts that protect their most rabid, irrational conservatives.
189
The unchristian Christians on the right do so enjoy publicly crucifying individuals. A sad irony of blindness to their own sinful nature and failure to follow the Golden Rule.
29
I believe the biblical term is hypocrite.
This would be the same Jason Chaffetz who is a leading spokesman for the Dietary Supplements (ie, quack science) industry, right? Color me unconvinced that he is truly a friend of medical research.
155
Yep. Another "local control" republican who wants to tell the people in DC that their overwhelming vote to legalize marijuana doesn't matter.
5
With our dumb downed populace, which is easily influenced by lies, fake videos etc (and are not listening when the truth comes out later), PP would be smart to just give up, and not performs abortions at all (which is what this is all about). Have another group (no government funding) provide that service. Then government funding to PP could continue and a GOP single issue voter fails.
3
I take it you're not a woman and have never needed Planned Parenthood's services. What gives you the right to decide which women's health services Planned Parenthood should provide?
3
That would not stop these attacks. They are already beginning to target forms of artificial birth control as supposed "abortifacients." This is a much broader attack on women's freedom and autonomy.
1
People are routinely shamed for improvident remarks of 140 characters. I have been surprised the media, even given its obvious sympathy for PP, did not even blink at the crudeness and callousness on display in the videos. They would have made, at the very least, some good soundbites. Or was the cavalier attitude combined with the graphic nature of the procedure discussed (how to kill the fetus without destroying the salable parts, for instance) deemed too disturbing to disseminate? But then why would that be?
2
I notice that every single comment (up to this one if they post it)was pro Planned Parenthood with no mention of their horrible sales of body parts and late term abortions. It's all a conspiracy to the left.
3
Maybe because there was no "sale?"
13
Did you not hear the videos? You're in denial, Fidel.
You're late to the party and you missed the part about the truth.
Have you not read here and elsewhere, for weeks, about doctored/edited videos and miscellaneous lies about PP, especially "fetal parts"?
Have you not seen this?
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/30/us/planned-parenthood-fetal-tissue-mis...
Have you not read here and elsewhere, for weeks, about doctored/edited videos and miscellaneous lies about PP, especially "fetal parts"?
Have you not seen this?
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/30/us/planned-parenthood-fetal-tissue-mis...
8
Typical despicable deceitful GOP. Richards' video apology was stupid and ridiculous. She should have held her head high and ripped apart those videos. Instead, she gave the Republican her own words to use against Planned Parenthood.
Cecile Richard's mother was force of nature. Be one too, Cecile! Teach those Republicans a lesson, show them what standing your ground really means and take them down! Most Americans are with you.
Cecile Richard's mother was force of nature. Be one too, Cecile! Teach those Republicans a lesson, show them what standing your ground really means and take them down! Most Americans are with you.
25
In a way I hope the GOP keeps this up because **even moderate GOP women support women's abortion rights**. The more they press on this issue, the more ammunition to defeat the GOP in national and state legislative races in 2016.
30
I am not a resident of Representative Jason Chaffetz's district. So, I can not contact him directly; however, I respect and admire his stance on this kind of misappropriate conduct. I am not a politically-minded person, as I am a scientist by profession. I see this as a purely ethical and moral issue and have no will or desire to change people's minds on the issues in question. That being said, this is one time where I feel that Congress is really doing their job. Thank you Rep. Chaffetz! ~John
4
Thousands of people are being slaughtered in the Middle East, climate change is wreaking havoc around the world, and the Republicans are attacking non-profits that deal in women's health care. I can't figure it out--are they that self-absorbed, or are they just plain stupid? I fear it's both.
444
They are doing exactly what their masters tell them to do.
Not to mention the time and money wasted on their absurd drum beating about Benghazi and Hillary's server, their typical grandstanding for the rvoters back home.
There is something deficient in the reporting here and elsewhere -- I still don't know WHAT EXACTLY the videos show and to what extent, if any, they are videos attributable to Planned Parenthood. Is Carly Fiorina's description of the video at the last debate accurate? We need reporting focused on these questions because otherwise the video accusations -- which are central to every article about the current Planned Parenthood controversy -- are hopelessly confusing. Richards' comments, paraphrased in this story, that videos were "edited" doesn't tell me much. What were the videos before they were edited? In what way were they edited?
5
Carly lied as to what she claims to have seen.
23
Observer: open your eyes and look around, don't criticize the article for not spoonfeeding you information.
13
Carly Fiorina's description of the videos is far from accurate. It is actually downright untrue. A simple internet search will answer the questions you have. The videos were analyzed by a third party out of DC and were found to be edited (half hour blocks of video missing, time stamps show). That same group contacted a different company to produce transcripts of the edited videos, and that group found that the transcripts published by Center of Medical Progress were inaccurate. The best part of that is that the company providing the transcripts didn't know that the video had anything to do with Planned Parenthood.
11
Cecile Richards should have been out there defending Planned Parenthood on the media stage long before this. Lawsuits need to be filed all over the place against those slandering the organization on the basis of a doctored video. Don't let PP go the way of Acorn because the crazies are jumping up and down in your face. Ms. Richards is late to the fight.
And it is contraception that the ring wing is coming after next. So PP put on your pink boxing gloves and fight back. Let's have a Girls Out Politicians party. KA
And it is contraception that the ring wing is coming after next. So PP put on your pink boxing gloves and fight back. Let's have a Girls Out Politicians party. KA
90
Richards and other sane people have been out from the beginning pointing out that the videos are fake. But the GOP and the media have kept the story alive.
13
Lawsuits were filed against Center of Medical Progress shortly after the edited videos were released.
1
Lawsuits will require discovery. There will be no lawsuits.
1
Would it not be more appropriate if these type of hearings were held in Salem, Massachusetts, so they would impart the proper perspective?
666
Or in Saudi Arabia...
nah. Salem, MA has gotten way past that. They actually understand that the witch trials were a miscarriage of justice, and they say so.
Hold these hearings in some redneck state, on October 31st.
Hold these hearings in some redneck state, on October 31st.
So if they attacked Cecile Richards over her salary then I guess we can look forward to a GOP uprising against the "waste" and abuse of the hundreds of millions in pay and bonuses received by every major CEO in Corporate America.
564
What about members of Congress who draw their salary for doing nothing?
24
And how about Jim DeMint's $614,000 salary "earned" for 8 months work in 2013 at Heritage Foundation - in the top ten of highest paid "Charity" CEOs?
1
notfooled,
I'm sure the GOP will be contesting every salary that is above minimum wage soon. That is except for their bloated congressional salary for doing almost nothing except fundraising.
I'm sure the GOP will be contesting every salary that is above minimum wage soon. That is except for their bloated congressional salary for doing almost nothing except fundraising.
1
Ms Richards has a great presence and extraordinary patience. She represented the work Planned Parenthood well.
100
The NRA is VERY happy that the GOP drama around Planned Parenthood is effectively distracting everyone from gun rights issues and the recent violent deaths of school children and church-goers from deadly, legal assault weapons. Mission accomplished, GOP members - you deserve your A-rating status from the NRA and therefore earn protection from the potential political shakedown (a la NRA) of your future career in politics.
51
I realize that she doesn't want to antagonize the committee, but Ms. Richards was not very prepared. One Republican Congressman from Florida asserted that the public doesn't want to spend money on abortions, when a poll by Reuters say that 51% of Americans have no objection to it and only 22% do oppose it.
She should have said that most Americans don't want to spend money on war, either, but that doesn't preclude the Defense Department from receiving 1500 times more than what Planned Parenthood gets annually.
She should have said that most Americans don't want to spend money on war, either, but that doesn't preclude the Defense Department from receiving 1500 times more than what Planned Parenthood gets annually.
570
"that doesn't preclude the Defense Department from receiving 1500 times more than what Planned Parenthood gets annually."
You mean the Department of War. Common mistake.
You mean the Department of War. Common mistake.
4
Federal money to PP is not used for abortion.
8
Gov't money doesn't go to abortions within PP anyways, so that's kind of a moot point.
8
That Kangaroo court proceeding should be required viewing for everyone. That is what the House is occupying their time and resources on? Shameful.
425
One would think so but unfortunately close to half of US voters are incapable of sorting out the obvious.
2
How dare she make a high salary (though, actually, kinda puny for a CEO of an organization with that budget) running a large complex organization! How dare an organization that is constantly under politically motivated attack have a political arm for defending itself! How dare a company that gets federal monies engage itself in the dross of politics at all! As Republicans, we believe in reserving those privileges for oil companies, arms merchants, and such--though, of course all at vastly higher scale,
798
that's right - we all know women don't deserve high salaries!
22
PP is perfectly in engaging in public advocacy of the causes it serves It is not politics but a democratic right. For her responsibilities a good salary (high is a matter of opinion) is absolutely justified, much better than the bogus charity organizations that spend most of the donations it collects on administrative expenses (including high salaries) and a much small portion is spent on causes for which they exist.
3
Hey, you forgot prison and for-profit school operators.
10
Well if you can't defund em, the just grill em publicly. It's red meat to the base during an election cycle. Well done gentlemen. Well done.
30
Aborting the republicans is what is called for.
Planned Politicianhood - prevent stupid, vacuous, inconsistent, greedy, soul less liars from pretending to represent us is the goal.
Planned Politicianhood - prevent stupid, vacuous, inconsistent, greedy, soul less liars from pretending to represent us is the goal.
27
If Mr. Chaffetz wants to find a portion of the budget to redirect towards cancer care, I submit that he ask the Defense Department to procure fewer bombs.
399
So now we know what is really going on. The GOP wants to de-fund Planned Parenthood depriving thousands of women of access to preventative healthecare such as pap smears and mammogram because Planned Parenthood exercises its First Amendment rights by occasionally supporting Democratic Candidates,
So much for respect for the Constitution!
So much for respect for the Constitution!
181
Planned Parenthood does NOT provide mammograms. It's amazing how many people pass that lie around like it's truth.
5
@Mary Fisc: you're needlessly splitting hairs over a useful organization that helps women both directly and indirectly by finding medical resources:
"Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses teach patients about breast care, connect patients to resources to help them get vital biopsies, ultrasounds, and mammograms, and follow up to make sure patients are cared for with the attention they need and deserve."
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/womens-health/breast-cancer-scree...
"Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses teach patients about breast care, connect patients to resources to help them get vital biopsies, ultrasounds, and mammograms, and follow up to make sure patients are cared for with the attention they need and deserve."
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/womens-health/breast-cancer-scree...
10
Hi, Mary Fisc, you're right. According to FactCheck.org, Planned Parenthood doesn't provide mammograms. It does help provide women with access to mammograms, though, by giving women referrals to organizations that do provide them, helping women get fnancial support to pay for mammograms, and in some cases having mobile mammogram vans provided by other organizations parked right at Planned Parenthood clinics. http://www.factcheck.org/2012/10/planned-parenthood-and-mammograms/
The FactCheck article is really worth reading to get facts about what Planned Parenthood does. Breast exams. Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer. Diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Contraception services, which prevent unwanted pregnancies and therefore surely prevent abortions. Abortions constitute 3% of services provided.
The FactCheck article is really worth reading to get facts about what Planned Parenthood does. Breast exams. Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer. Diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Contraception services, which prevent unwanted pregnancies and therefore surely prevent abortions. Abortions constitute 3% of services provided.
13
On the basis of decorum and respect for opposing views Ms Richards is a winner by a land slide.
301
Interestingly, the Pope, calling for the halt to state executions said this the other day: "“Every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with inalienable dignity..."
I'm sure its a sentiment shared by many. And yet, there are vastly more abortions than executions occurring in this country.
I'm sure its a sentiment shared by many. And yet, there are vastly more abortions than executions occurring in this country.
5
And the opinion of a non American religious leader are relevant because....?
9
Nevis07, would you nitcpick less if executions were more frequent? Just wondering what your priorities might be.
11
A fetus is NOT a baby; a woman is NOT an incubator; and abortion IS NOT MURDER.
30
The Republican committee members are hacks, liars, and if they remove funding for PP, potential murderers. This is typical of conservative criminality: deny health care to women in need for their own corrupt filthy political careers.
91
If the Republican Party was serious about reducing abortion, then Colorado Republicans would not have just defunded the most successful teen pregnancy and abortion prevention program in the nation's history.
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/may/06/colorado-contraception-fa...
The program offered low-cost/free IUDs to poor women and resulted in a 40% statewide drop in teen birth rates between 2009 and 2013 and a 35% drop in abortions.
The Colorado Family Planning Initiative also saved the state an estimated $42.5 million.
But the success of basic contraception, the savings of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars, a collapse in the teen pregnancy and abortion rates and a governmental success story was too much for conservative hypocrites and misanthropes to bear.
Grand Old Prevaricators and Propagandists.
Party First; Country Last : GOP 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/may/06/colorado-contraception-fa...
The program offered low-cost/free IUDs to poor women and resulted in a 40% statewide drop in teen birth rates between 2009 and 2013 and a 35% drop in abortions.
The Colorado Family Planning Initiative also saved the state an estimated $42.5 million.
But the success of basic contraception, the savings of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars, a collapse in the teen pregnancy and abortion rates and a governmental success story was too much for conservative hypocrites and misanthropes to bear.
Grand Old Prevaricators and Propagandists.
Party First; Country Last : GOP 2015
994
This comment is most helpful because it offers some facts along with opinion. Thank you.
25
Let's think about those stats, Socrates, and I can prove they are fake.
They gave 100 young women an IUD for free. Out of those 100 women, 60 of them GOT PREGNANT ANYWAYS.
It is virtually impossible to get pregnant with an IUD, as it is inside you and requires no effort on your part. It is also something like 99.999% effective.
So how did SIXTY WOMEN get pregnant with an IUD? it should have been 100% successful!
Please do not say "maybe they pulled it out". That would be agonizingly painful without anesthesia or pain meds, and most young women wouldn't be able to do this. You could really hurt yourself.
Somehow, 60 women got pregnant WITH AN IUD. That is impossible. Ergo, the numbers were faked.
(It also suggests that teen girls are too stupid to use the Pill, which is a scary thing in and of itself.)
They gave 100 young women an IUD for free. Out of those 100 women, 60 of them GOT PREGNANT ANYWAYS.
It is virtually impossible to get pregnant with an IUD, as it is inside you and requires no effort on your part. It is also something like 99.999% effective.
So how did SIXTY WOMEN get pregnant with an IUD? it should have been 100% successful!
Please do not say "maybe they pulled it out". That would be agonizingly painful without anesthesia or pain meds, and most young women wouldn't be able to do this. You could really hurt yourself.
Somehow, 60 women got pregnant WITH AN IUD. That is impossible. Ergo, the numbers were faked.
(It also suggests that teen girls are too stupid to use the Pill, which is a scary thing in and of itself.)
1
They don't agree with contraception either. I've always said that the way to end poverty in two generations and dramatically reduce the numbers of abortions performed would be to pay girls/women of child-bearing age a monthly stipend of a few hundred dollars in exchange for having and maintaining implantable birth control.
2
I don't think any money should be spent on a political agenda from this organization that gets millions of our tax dollars. Also I think that $500,000 bucks a year is a little for this woman salary. I don't want any of our tax dollars going toward the murder of innocent children. No matter how you try to cover it up, it is murdering a child. Planned parenthood should be about birth control not baby killing.
5
yes, so what if it's not true! I am against it even if it's not true!!
6
I believe most of what they do is family planning and women's health issues.
13
Planned Parenthood is about saving women's lives. It is well-known that when abortion is illegal, women die.
Then again, I suppose women's lives don't count to those who think a fetus is more important than a grown woman.
Then again, I suppose women's lives don't count to those who think a fetus is more important than a grown woman.
30
I happened to catch some of this testimony that is described on TV and I have to say that Republicans do put on a good show and Ms. Richards stayed calm even while she was repeatedly interrupted in her testimony. I also learned that two million women use Planned Parenthood for all of their health care because they cannot get it anywhere else. They will have to go somewhere if the Republicans succeed in shutting down Planned Parenthood. Maybe they have a plan for Single Payer.
950
Planned Parenthood does NOT provide "all" (in other words comprehensive) health care for women. They only provide care related to their reproductive system. Women also have cardiac, respiratory, orthopedic, GI, etc. systems. PP does not address any of them. Woman who have true financial need are eligible for medicaid which is accepted at community health centers and hospital clinics where the woman's health is far more fully addressed.
3
There are over 9,000 Health Centers that also receive federal funding in the US that women can go to for health services, withdrawing federal funds from the non-profit Planned Parenthood would not shut them down.
2
Many hospital systems are run by corporations affiliated with the Catholic Church and will not provide artificial (non-rhythm) birth control information, devices or meds, and they certainly don't perform abortions. In addition, there are many specialty hospitals and clinics that deal with individual organs or ailments. It is not in any way out of line for Planned Parenthood to specialize in family planning and reproductive health. They have offered non-judgmental counseling and treatment on reproductive health issues to millions of women for almost 80 years regardless of ability to pay. Planned Parenthood has an impressive record of effective and compassionate services and, of course, makes referrals to specialists and hospitals when needed.
21
Representative Jim Jordan, Republican of Ohio, called the videos “barbaric and repulsive”
Well, "barbaric and repulsive” describes very well that acts of Jim Jordan and his "conservative" colleagues. There is no more shame lying in congress.
We should all be very thankful to Cecile Richards for her courage.
Well, "barbaric and repulsive” describes very well that acts of Jim Jordan and his "conservative" colleagues. There is no more shame lying in congress.
We should all be very thankful to Cecile Richards for her courage.
390
Call his office.
5
Courage is demonstrated by our military putting themselves in harm's way on our behalf. Not sure even getting bullied by congress at a hearing is the equivalent. Perhaps patience and perseverance.
I know it's hard but this isn't a checked box that gets checked once and is done. Courage is all around you. Try to keep up.
1
Wouldn't you think the Republicans could find more important issues to get hysterical about? It gets so tiresome. Hysterical because Planned Parenthood receives $400 million a year? They know that's a grain of sand in the budget. Hysterical that Cecile Richards makes a salary of $500,000 a year? That's a nice salary, but pales in comparison to their lobbyist pals who spend way more than that taking them to lunch and dinner every year. But the base they are screaming to doesn't always know that, so they can get riled up about it, too.
Thank you, Cecile Richards, for caring about poor women. Thank you, Democrats, for standing with her.
Thank you, Cecile Richards, for caring about poor women. Thank you, Democrats, for standing with her.
729
$400M is chump change to many GOP donors.
14
She makes $500,000/ year and that's not an appropriate subject for a tax-payer funded non-profit? Then what is an appropriate subject?
Then she also made $31,000 last year for "services provided" from a fund she says is separate from her job. That's a full time job salary for a lot of Americans. Does corruption and dishonesty have no boundaries?
Geesch! What does it take for people to recognize the overwhelming evil of P.P. - parading themselves as compassionate toward women but they don't even provide breast exams with x-rays. Apparently no fetal parts to sell in that! How evil must evil get before everyone recognizes it for what it is?
Then she also made $31,000 last year for "services provided" from a fund she says is separate from her job. That's a full time job salary for a lot of Americans. Does corruption and dishonesty have no boundaries?
Geesch! What does it take for people to recognize the overwhelming evil of P.P. - parading themselves as compassionate toward women but they don't even provide breast exams with x-rays. Apparently no fetal parts to sell in that! How evil must evil get before everyone recognizes it for what it is?
8
How much does the CEO of the American Heart Association make? Boy Scouts of America, Leukemia Society? Sorry to bust your bubble darlin but if you are in charge of a large organization with million dollar budgets, you will be reimbursed for services rendered.
It is not a tax-funded organization. They are reimbursed for Medicare services like many other non-profit clinics.
It is not a tax-funded organization. They are reimbursed for Medicare services like many other non-profit clinics.
35
well, no wonder you are a chauffeur - anything past "follow the GPS" is apparently beyond your grasp.
25
The issue is not her salary. The issue is an investigation into any wrongdoing and hopefully exposing the motivations (aka charade) behind the people who are using PP as an avenue of attack against Obama and Democrats instead of responsible governance. It's all theater. Perhaps the "overwhelming evil" is the constant right wing attack on women, esp. poor women who can't afford proper family planning care in this, the biggest economy in the world and their contempt for the SCOTUS decision of "Roe v Wade".
29
Another witch hunt by the despicable far right. Thank you, Cecile Richards, for your intelligence poise , qualities that I can't attribute to any of the men of the far right.. Mr. Chaffetx certainly stepped on it, and revealed his and his cabal's disdain for women.
We have not used federal money for abortion services since the Reagan administration. But the ultra conservative constituency will continue to believe in the 'tiny feet' that will eventually wear "boots on the ground."
We have not used federal money for abortion services since the Reagan administration. But the ultra conservative constituency will continue to believe in the 'tiny feet' that will eventually wear "boots on the ground."
336
The so-called 'evangelical Christians' are anything but 'christians' Their bias is so pronounced and their phony patriotism is the height of hypocrisy. The rep from Ohio was so off base with his 'holier than though' baloney
135
Where do rich women get their abortions?
32
Probably from their private, concierge doctors. My doctor quit seeing patients last year, and become a concierge doctor. You paid him $25k cash per year, and he provided whatever services were needed to treat you.
21
Concierge medicine was voted down in MA 10 yrs. ago.
2
They use the same clinics. Ordinary OB-GYNs do not normally do abortions, nor do they have the equipment or skills to do so.
1
Why aren't the people who made the comments being questioned?
14
I think the G Oh Please party is getting bored with this e mail stuff so they are finding other things to investigate. How they get the ridiculously incompetent press Corp to go along with them is beyond me.
23
The two obsessions of the right wing GOP: sex and guns. Something unhealthy going on here.
424
If she said the videos were doctored, then why has she not produced her own that were not doctored?
3
Because she wasn't the one making the videos. That is the strangest question I've heard in awhile.
70
Huh?
She's not the one who has the tapes. What part do you not understand?
She's not the one who has the tapes. What part do you not understand?
62
Have you heard of Google? You can find the unedited video online. This factcheck.org video, for example, has a link to it.
http://www.factcheck.org/2015/07/unspinning-the-planned-parenthood-video/
http://www.factcheck.org/2015/07/unspinning-the-planned-parenthood-video/
18
Can the republican party do anything that is not based on a lie?
Is their vision of our nation's future based on False Witness?
If their ideas are so good why can't they tell the truth for once?
How are their voters capable of compartamentalizing and blocking out the truth about what they are doing to our nation?
Who in their right mind could possibly believe that this is a good thing?
Is their vision of our nation's future based on False Witness?
If their ideas are so good why can't they tell the truth for once?
How are their voters capable of compartamentalizing and blocking out the truth about what they are doing to our nation?
Who in their right mind could possibly believe that this is a good thing?
121
Well how could the German public support Hitler? Same thing.
8
Isn't it still a sin to bear false witness against one's neighbor, and isn't it what these videos do, and isn't it what Mr. Chaffetz's committee has done today?
I can respect differing views on abortion, but bearing false witness for political gain I cannot respect.
I can respect differing views on abortion, but bearing false witness for political gain I cannot respect.
18
Sins and false witnesses? Next thing you'll be mentioning an invisible man in the sky.
That was some shameless grandstanding on the part of the GOP. What a circus.
275
I distrust any outfit that feels itself called by God to lie.
38
Are you talking about the Republican party?
3