Strollerderby : planned parenthood

Sonogram Cufflinks for Father's Day ... or a Pro-Life March

Madeline Holler — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:14:00 GMT

If your man his hard to shop for, Father's Day gifts present the ultimate challenge. But remember, there's no shame in gift certificates. Or socks. Or even sentimental things like pictures, poems, and playlists.

I am having a hard time getting behind these cufflinks, though. They're not just any decorative sleeve closure, they're personalized.

With your baby's first picture -- the sonogram one.

Not only do sonograms not scale well for the face of a cufflink, but they look like something a snazzy dresser might wear to an anti-abortion rally. If your man's into picketing Planned Parenthood, they're probably perfect. (Just $65 a pair and turnaround time is fast -- order by June 15.)

Me? I might stick to gift certificates.

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Photo: CuffLinks.com

New Abortion-Opposition Strategy to Cripple Planned Parenthood

Shannon LC Cate — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:00:00 GMT

That the far-right Family Research Council is gunning for Planned Parenthood is nothing new. Their latest tactics, however, are uniquely timely. The Wall Street Journal reports that the latest volley in the reproductive health wars is a claim from the far-right that government money should not be used to fund the health clinics in these difficult financial times.

Arguing that the clinics are well-funded without states' money, they say it's time to let them go it alone. In fact, about a third of Planned Parenthood's budget comes from state contributions. To remove them would severely damage the clinics, leaving low-income women and teen girls even fewer options for health care. Because even though Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the United States, abortion services account for only 3% of their work. The other 97% includes contraception provision, STD testing and treatment, cancer screening and prevention and other Ob/Gyn and some men's reproductive health care.

I have taken advantages of Planned Parenthood's low-cost, basic women's health services, as have many, many women I know at times when we've been uninsured, or under-insured students or working for peanuts in retail, food service, or those dues-paying jobs for middle-class young adults that pay in little but prestige. I can only imagine how vital Planned Parenthood's services are to people in a more permanent state of financial challenge. It would be criminal to cut support for them now, when more and more people are losing jobs and thus healthcare.

Indiana Planned Parenthood Sells Gift Certificates

Brett Singer — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:00:00 GMT

From the Chicago Tribune:

"What do you get the person who has everything—except adequate health insurance? If you live in Indiana, consider this offering from the state's Planned Parenthood affiliate: gift certificates in $25 increments."

In news even less surprising than Clay Aiken coming out of the closet, anti-choice groups are not happy. The Tribune quotes Jim Sedlak, who is with both the American Life League and Stop Planned Parenthood (where DOES he find the time?) as saying that the gift cards are just PP's "annual [attack] on the Christian community at Christmastime...[Planned Parenthood] could easily have said, 'these certificates are not to be used for abortions.' But they intentionally chose not to do that." Because I'm sure that Planned Parenthood spends most of their time thinking about how they can ruin Christmas for Christians everywhere.

Now my initial reaction was a great big ol' "Huh?" Luckily my mother was present when I heard this news (on The Daily Show). She pointed out, as does president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana Betty Cockrum, that most of what PP does is "provide basic health care." In fact, Cockrum says that's 95 percent of what they do. Still, "a pap smear in a Pear Tree" doesn't sound very appealing.

All joking aside (you can see Jon Stewart's slightly reluctant mirth-making on this topic in the video below), I guess this isn't as weird as it sounds. It's not weirder than a doctor's office selling gift cards. Well, that would be weird too. The underlying message of providing health care is a good one. But who do you buy one of these cards for? The Duggar family? Jon and Kate? Kevin Federline? (I know, it's about health care, not just birth control. The jokes are almost too easy. If Jon Stewart can apologize, so can I!) I guess in theory you could pick one up for someone you know who doesn't have health care. But isn't that incredibly awkward? "Hi, I know you're uninsured, so I thought you could use one of these. Happy holidays!" I would love to know how many cards Planned Parenthood Indiana (who have the unfortunate acronym PPIN – say it out loud and then make a Beavis and Butthead chuckling noise) actually sells. So far, they say they've sold about twelve. This isn't Vegas, but I'm putting the over-under at 25. Anyone want to take that action?

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Planned Parenthood Gift Cards

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Source: The Daily Show, Chicago Tribune

Image: PPIN

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Hillary Clinton on Repro Rights

Brett Singer — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Hillary Clinton (actually, its Hillary Rodham Clinton again; not sure if she used the middle name while she was still a Presidential candidate) and Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood had an Op-Ed piece in the Times a couple of days ago that I thought would be of interest.

The Op-Ed discusses, "a proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that would…require that any health care entity that receives federal financing — whether it’s a physician in private practice, a hospital or a state government — certify in writing that none of its employees are required to assist in any way with medical services they find objectionable. Laws that have been on the books for some 30 years already allow doctors to refuse to perform abortions. The new rule would go further, ensuring that all employees and volunteers for health care entities can refuse to aid in providing any treatment they object to, which could include not only abortion and sterilization but also contraception."

A clear definition of abortion is left out, which means it is open to the interpretation of the health care provider. "The Bush administration argues that the rule is designed to protect a provider’s conscience. But where are the protections for patients?"

"The 30-day comment period on the proposed rule runs until Sept. 25," which is just a couple of days away. If you feel strongly about this issue, call your Senator or Congressperson.

Source: NYTimes

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Abortion Blogger Gives Liberal Parents a Bad Name

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:22:00 GMT

The popular new blog “What to Expect When You’re Aborting” may be the worst thing that’s happened to the choice movement since Sarah Palin. And, in a shout-out that promises to make anti-choice Republicans proud, the writer thanks her “lefty parents” for forming her beliefs.

The anonymous blogger is an anti-choice caricature of the kind of woman who would choose to have an abortion. She is a financially stable white woman in her early twenties; she has been on the pill since she was 13, though she has been "pretty f***ing lax" about it; she glorifies alcohol consumption (beginning her description of the day of her abortion with the headline, “Let’s get some cocktails and de-brief, shall we?”); and she takes glee in parading her hatred for all religion. I don’t have a problem with any of these things in and of themselves—I just don’t want this young woman to be the spokesperson for reproductive rights.

When the blogger sees her fetus, which she refers to as “Tumor,” in a sonogram, she writes, “This was not my Juno moment, where all of a sudden I bit my lower lip and recognized the ‘life’ inside of me. If I could have I would have ripped the f***ing thing our [sic] with my bear [sic] hands on the spot.” She is only concerned that the “tumor’s freakshow head” will mean she’ll be in more pain during the procedure.

The way a woman reacts to a pregnancy is entirely personal: she may feel nothing but relief to have an abortion, or she may decide, at 16, to become a mother. But I don’t want to hear a callous woman broadcasting her hatred of her fetus as an example of why reproductive rights are important, any more than I want to hear an evangelical teenage mom self-righteously defend her choice as heroic or moral.

This blogger, not surprisingly, minces no words in expressing her rather juvenile hatred for the “culture warriors.” She’s got no time for intelligently discussing policy issues (though she does occasionally include a meaningful quote from more nuanced thinkers); she just loathes the bastards and she takes joy in making that perfectly clear, entirely unaware that she is only giving anti-choice activists lots of grist for the self-righteous hatred mill.

This blog epitomizes my concern about the attitude amongst young people that it’s cool not to care too much about anything. If this is what teenage girls stumble upon on the Internet as they try to navigate the very difficult questions surrounding sex and relationships, parents need to work doubly hard to raise thoughtful, intelligent young women.

Photo: What to Expect When You're Aborting

What Does Bush Have Against Planned Pregnancies?

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:42:00 GMT

Although I am unequivocally pro-choice, I respect those who are peacefully opposed to abortion on moral grounds. But anyone who supports the Bush administration’s most recent attack on family planning is completely nuts as far as I’m concerned.

The administration has put forth a proposal to deny federal funding to any health programs, including schools and hospitals, that “discriminate against” providers who refuse to provide abortion or some types of birth control. To give you a feel for how this policy would affect women’s lives, the draft proposal, according to The New York Times, “expresses concern about state laws that require hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape victims who request it.”

To that end, the Bush administration would like to make the definition of abortion much broader. According to the proposal, abortion should be redefined as anything “that results in the termination of the life of a human being in utero between conception and natural birth, whether before or after implantation.”

That “before or after implantation” is crucial: it means that birth control pills and emergency contraception could be considered abortion—and that any clinic that thinks otherwise could lose federal funding.

Does anyone else feel like she’s in the Twilight Zone?

Photo: prochoice.org

Pro-Life Pharmacy won't sell birth control

Brett Singer — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:00:00 GMT

DMC Pharmacy, can we help you?

Oh, you want birth control pills. I'm sorry, we can't help you with that. No, we don't sell condoms either. How about this pamphlet on the Rhythm Method? Perhaps a new Bible? Hello? Hello, are you there?

The DMC Pharmacy in Chantilly, Virginia, is a Pharmacy with a Point of View. Basically, if you're going to "do it," you should be prepared for the pitter-patter of little feet. That means no condoms, no birth control pills, no morning after pill – nada. Zip. The "family planning" aisle will be filled with rosary beads, Left Behind novels and snacks filled with nothing but high (moral) fiber. (We kid, because we love.)

(Aside #1: I wonder how far the store will take this. Would they sell copies of "The Da Vinci Code"? How about "Hustler"? Jolt Cola?)

(Aside #2: Now, don't go to dmcpharmacy.org if you want to find the pro-life pharmacy. That site is for a different DMC Pharmacy, which is part of the Detroit Medical Center. I'm not sure if they'll sell you a rubber, but my guess is that they will.)

Tom Brejcha from the Thomas More Society is, of course, supportive of the venture. Brejcha is representing another pharmacist who refused to fill a birth control prescription on moral grounds. The Washington Post quotes the attorney as saying, "Every pharmacist has the right to do the same thing." According to the Post, "[The DMC Pharmacy in Chantilly] is one of a small but growing number of drugstores around the country that have become the latest front in a conflict pitting patients' rights against those of health-care workers who assert a 'right of conscience' to refuse to provide care or products that they find objectionable."

Now, we may mock (in good humor) the notion of a pro-life pharmacy. But I think they have a right to keep contraceptives off the shelves; I'm not a lawyer but I'm fairly certain that no private store has a legal obligation to sell any product that they don't want to. Manhattan is filled with drugstores advertising a staff that will help you get your health insurance company to pay for fertility treatments, which is something not typically offered at your local Walgreen's. Different strokes, different folks. I do have a problem with a pharmacist who works at a "regular" pharmacy (you know, the kind of establishment that will burn in eternal hellfire – OK, sorry, mocking again, it's just a joke! Ouch! Watch the lightning!) refusing to fill any prescription, or a health-care worker who goes against the policies of their employer. You are absolutely entitled to your beliefs, but don't you also have to do the job that you were hired for? That's another legal question I don't claim to know the answer to.

Obviously it would be a problem is every store took this attitude. Personally, even though I don't need birth control pills myself, I would gladly avoid a store that took a stance against them. The best way to stop stores like this from proliferating is simply to not shop there.

Source: thefrisky

images: Wikipedia (1, 2), and then futzed with in Photoshop by me

Old Birth Control Dilemma Comic

Kelly Mills — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:43:00 GMT

"Darling, it's so awful feeling this way! I love you--and I want you, but I'm so afraid I'll get pregnant again I freeze when you just kiss me." Thus begins this excellent Planned Parenthood comic from 1956/1962, posted with care on Comics With Problems and found via Boing Boing, who are doing an awfully good job. Joan and Ken Harper have three kids, and while they are all hot for each other still, Joan doesn't wanna get knocked up AGAIN. The sexual tension leads to some burnt toast and a brawl, and then an industrial accident. A common tale, I know. I think the rural edition involves a combine.

While the doctor is patching Ken up, he mentions birth control. Ken is scared, but as the doc says, "The government wouldn't let birth control products be sold if they were harmful." Oh, the rosy innocence of the 50's. Anyhow, some bright nurses fix Joan right up, and the couple can love without fear once again. Shoot, I gave the ending away! Oh well, you should still check it out for yourself, because they just don't make public health message comics like they used to.

Field Trip Mishap: Abortion Center Outing

Melissa Summers — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:12:00 GMT

Parents in New Hampshire were not entirely thrilled when their public school junior high student children attended a field trip to a so called "Planned Parent Abortion Business". The trip was organized in partnership with the YMCA as a tour of positive places and programs to get involved with over the summer.

The school board has apologized for the mistake and Anne Johnson the Planned Parent staff member who spoke to students said there was no discussion of abortion at the presentation, though children were confronted by Pro Life protesters outside the clinic. The YMCA coordinator of the trip went on to say, "The intent of the day was to provide information to kids who are getting ready for the summer and won't have the support of school or at home. The intent was not to take kids to an abortion clinic. That word was never said."

I'm not sure I really want my kids going on a field trip to an abortion clinic but where I live Planned Parenthood is a whole bunch of things, not just an "Abortion Business". They run many educational and support programs including parent-child communication and sex education which includes the ever popular (and largely ineffective) abstinence approach.

Woman Sues Planned Parenthood for Failed Abortion, Wants Child Support for Her Two-Year-Old

Stefania Pomponi Butler (CityMama) — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:01:00 GMT

This story is fracked up on so many levels I don't even know where to begin. But let me start here: Two years ago, the unfortunately named (and unfortunately pregnant) Jennifer Raper, 45, went to Planned Parenthood in Boston to have an abortion. She claimed financial hardship. The Planned Parenthood doctor flubbed the procedure and Raper remained pregnant.

A doctor at Boston Medical Center failed to detect any pregnancy at 20 weeks, and it wasn't until Raper went to the hospital with abdominal pains that she realized she was in labor, having a baby. A baby she didn't want in the first place.

Raper's daughter is now two, and her mother is suing both Planned Parenthood and BMC doctors for negligence and she is seeking the cost of raising her child.

All things aside, how f-cked up is that kid going to be?

Strollerderby : planned parenthood

Sonogram Cufflinks for Father's Day ... or a Pro-Life March

They Say: Moms Don't Care if Boys Get Fat

3 Generations, 3 Boys, All Born May 11

Married vs. Single Moms: Who's Got it Easier?

Teacher in Affair with 6th-Grader to Host 'Hot for Teacher' Night

India Baby Boom: Surrogate Birth Every 48 Hours

Michael Pollan Doesn't Know if He was Breastfed!

New Abortion-Opposition Strategy to Cripple Planned Parenthood

Indiana Planned Parenthood Sells Gift Certificates

Are You Cutting Back This Holiday Season?

Things You Should Never Say To A Nursing Mother

Babble's Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide

Girly Gift Guide

Make Your Own Religious Doll

The Birth of the Duggar’s 18th Child Will be Televised

White House Sends Chanukah Card With Christmas Tree On It

Kevin Federline Answers To One Name: Daddy

Rite Aid Says They Will Stop Selling Expired Baby Products

Hillary Clinton on Repro Rights

McCain, Palin oppose teen pregnancy aid and sex education

UPDATE: Tainted Milk Tally tops 50,000

Arkansas Evangelist's compound raided, six children removed

Preventing Teen Pregnancy, One Tick at a Time

Second Best for the Hard-to-Adopt?

Abortion Blogger Gives Liberal Parents a Bad Name

Babies R Us tells breastfeeding mother to get out

Mom leaves kids in a Jersey parking lot

Teaching Evolution as Theory not fact

They Say: no link between autism and measles vaccine

Abortion Blogger Gives Liberal Parents a Bad Name

What Does Bush Have Against Planned Pregnancies?

Pro-Life Pharmacy won't sell birth control

Old Birth Control Dilemma Comic

Field Trip Mishap: Abortion Center Outing

Woman Sues Planned Parenthood for Failed Abortion, Wants Child Support for Her Two-Year-Old