Log In | Register
What appeared to catch the Komen Foundation and other conservative backers off guard was the immediate and grassroots rejection of this continued politicization of women's health issues by the conservative agenda. In an earlier segment of the show, Goldberg surmised that this is has as much to do with the insularity of conservative thinking (as evidence by Komen's continued help from Ari Fleischer) as well as the class issues, as Harris-Perry suggests in this clip. When an estimated one in five Americans have sought treatment for a wide array of health issues from Planned Parenthood (and that includes men) over their lifetime, it is truly a bridge too far for conservatives to threaten the very existence of this organization.
Komen Backlash Shows Conservative War on Women 'A Bridge Too Far'
Seeded on Mon Feb 6, 2012 4:23 AM EST
Article Source: Crooks and Liars- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (60)
Are you a political group, Komen?
Or, are you a health group?
Never mind, we know now that you are a political group ideologically opposed to LAW that recognizes a woman's right to choose.
- 20 votes
It's really not the Komen Foundations fault. I've said it before, with success, especially in a charity, will draw the bad elements like a moth to a flame.
A much tighter scrutiny needs to be applied to whomever holds the reins while holding them accountable for these ridiculous actions.
Thank God the public eye ran them off this time, I fear we must never turn a blind eye to this. Or those who would destroy it will.
- 12 votes
As far as I'm concerned, we have only started to reclaim their rights and dignity from the RWNJs (both male and female) who want to treat women like brood mares. We won't be safe until we remove the likes of Rick Sanctimonious, Karen Handel, Rick Perry, and others from the social and political arenas.
- 29 votes
Can anyone name one thing the GOP has done in the last 20 years that resulted in something positive for the masses? Everything they touched turned to @!$%#!
- 26 votes
Thank God the public eye ran them off this time, I fear we must never turn a blind eye to this. Or those who would destroy it will.
Actually, with all the scrutiny comes revelations of far more problems than just defunding PP and $12 million dollars of reseach. SGK is not just populated with right wing ideologues, but fat cat right wing ideologues. I don't mind the $30K salaries for the coordinators who work with all the different races/walks etc. They put in the hours and do a lot of work for that money. I do mind the half a million that Brinker gets paid and the $300,000 and up the other execs. get paid. I know it's not near what private corporations pay but it seems out of line.
Take a look at the financials that show that only 40% of what they bring in gets spent on research and care. The remainder goes to 'overhead'! I think SGK is going to be real sorry that they opened this can of worms.
A Fiscal Times review of Komen’s finances show that about 40 percent of the group’s $177 million annual budget goes toward grants to fund breast cancer research and care. The remaining 60 percent is divided between advertising and promotion and consulting contracts, each of which accounts for about $18.5 million. The budget also calls for $11.7 million for office expenses, $2 million for staging charity race events, and $14.4 million for salaries. Komen’s chief executive officer, Hala Moddelmog, made $456,437 in 2009, and other top executives earned in the $300,000 range.
And then consider that they also cut the twelve million from research in November because the research involved stem cells. This organization no longer cares about women's health but about right wing ideology and that plain and simple is wrong.
- 24 votes
I heard Komen has a $1million/year legal fund just to prevent other charitable organizations from using their slogan. How many breast screenings and mamograms would $1 million provide? What is more important to Komen, detection and treating breast cancer, or protecting their "intelectual property"?
- 11 votes
Rodney.....I have been asking that and not limiting it to the past 20 years and have YET to get anything that isn't debunkable. The gNOp hasn't done a DAMN thing for the benefit of Americans that wasn't a compromise for some perk for the elite. And the foolish tools continue to vote agains t their best interest! DUMBASSES!
- 12 votes
So true, I wonder how America's second favorite GOP Gov. would answer that question?
Hey, Gov. Jan Brewer, name one thing the GOP has done in the last 20 years that resulted in something positive for the masses?
...an awkward silence, then this gem
Gov. BREWER: I have done so much... We have cut the budget, we have balanced the budget, and we are moving forward. We have done everything that we could possibly do.
Well, there you have it, they've done everything that they could possibly do.
These people make my head hurt...
- 12 votes
What is more important to Komen, detection and treating breast cancer, or protecting their "intelectual property"?
...or salaries
Answer:
The things you spend the most money on...
- 6 votes
#1.4:Everything they touched turned to @!$%#!
And I do mean EVERYTHING! Even the programs that they did support at one time have turned to spit and dissipated into thin air!
Just Amazing, it I didn't know any better I would say that they were snake-bit!
Oh, what a wonderful thought! *%^*(){$#@$. I love the idea!
- 6 votes
#1.5:Actually, with all the scrutiny comes revelations of far more problems than just defunding PP and $12 million dollars of reseach. SGK is not just populated with right wing ideologues, but fat cat right wing ideologues. I don't mind the $30K salaries for the coordinators who work with all the different races/walks etc. They put in the hours and do a lot of work for that money. I do mind the half a million that Brinker gets paid and the $300,000 and up the other execs. get paid. I know it's not near what private corporations pay but it seems out of line.
Isn't it nice to catch everybody with their "bloomers" down! Perhaps they won't be so quick to investgate eerybody else- will they!
My parents always said "when you get ready to dig someone's grave, you better dig two (one for you too)!
Another statesman I remember had a saying that states: "if you want to watch me, you have to stay down here with me! Ouch!
Finally, "what is put in the wash will all come out in the rinse".
Nuff said.
- 6 votes
Karen Handel's got to lose her job as a result of the fiasco she's created.
Stunned by the fallout, Komen leadership decided within three days to reverse the Planned Parenthood decision and apologize. But the Komen insider said Handel was furious about the cave and fought against it up until the point that it was announced Friday morning.
"It became clear Thursday night that something had to give," the source said. "Nancy Brinker, Liz Thompson, the board, and leadership were saying, 'We're really worried about Komen's mission if we don't figure this out.' But Karen was still arguing against it as of Friday morning -- she was horrified that we were caving, she said. She's politically tone-deaf."
In light of the political damage and the abrupt reversal of the Planned Parenthood funding decision, pressure has mounted inside Komen for Handel to resign.
"Everybody in the organization wishes she would do the right thing," the Komen insider said.
So far, Handel hasn't indicated an intention to step down. Nor does it appear that she's been formally asked to do so. But as a result of her efforts, Komen has been left reeling and its reputation as a top charity endangered.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/02/05/karen-handel-susan-g-komen-decision-defund-planned-parenthood_n_1255948.html
- 4 votes
Hey MEG
I'll add an oldie but goodie
"When you "lie" down with dogs, you get up with fleas"
Time for Komen to head to the Vet, it may be too late though, seems they are infested with parasites too.
- 5 votes
#1.7:Rodney.....I have been asking that and not limiting it to the past 20 years and have YET to get anything that isn't debunkable. The gNOp hasn't done a DAMN thing for the benefit of Americans that wasn't a compromise for some perk for the elite. And the foolish tools continue to vote agains t their best interest! DUMBASSES!
Hi "Pet", I know you addressed this to "R", but I wanted to interject something here and I hope you don't mind me butting in. But I can not, for the life of me, understand this phemenon of voting against your self-interest.
The first law of nature for survival is self-preservation (save yourself first, fool!), but this is not happening. Can you help me understand this paradox. This is really the only genuine dilemma that I have encountered that I have not been able to come up with an answer for.
Can you - or anybody else- explain this to me.
- 5 votes
#1.13:Time for Komen to head to the Vet, it may be too late though, seems they are infested with parasites too.
Good morning Rod, (and belated Happy New Year- if I'm a bit late on this!)
What is so ironic about this is whatever Komen does now is TOO LATE! This organization is so inept, backwards, and all fouled up that nothing that they do matters now. The damage is done- PERMANENTLY!
And the more they do to control the damage, the worse they look. Sort of reminds me of the saying "when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging"!
They might as well take down their "OPEN" shingle; they are out of business!
- 6 votes
It is amazing that so many people expect something free. They have no right to it but moan and whine when it is taken away. The society of entitlement I suppose.
Good morning Rod, (and belated Happy New Year- if I'm a bit late on this!)
same to you my friend,
I really don't see how they can survive. Every major sponsor is debating the fallout and what negative impact Komen could have on their brand this morning. This is probably the most important morning in the future of Komen and will, most likely, determine if they survive or not.
- 5 votes
#1.17:I really don't see how they can survive. Every major sponsor is debating the fallout and what negative impact Komen could have on their brand this morning. This is probably the most important morning in the future of Komen and will, most likely, determine if they survive or not.
I am going to put my money on a bet that will not survive the fallout.
Too many inconsistencies and problems issues without this latest snafu. The organization was getting a "little too big for its britches", which as usual, draw the moths to the flame. This looked like a sure winner for the repug party to "take over".
But oops, as BB King said, "You made your move too soon". In addition, people are sick of the repugs and the nasty decisions they are making and have made. This tide has turned around in the last months and people are not going to take it anymore.
In this case it was the repugs who put this VP woman in charge of making decisions there at Komen, with the first despicable act of defunding Planned Parenthood. The downfall here was that this witch - or someone at Komen- talked too much-and too loud. This newly appointed VP warned folk that she would de-fund PP as soon as she took office. And she did it! Now how dumb was that?
They, similar to the Teabaggers, got too big for its own good in too short a time. And just as vultures do, repugs are lurking in the tree tops just waiting for a chance to fly down, pounce on the wounded prey, and devour. They pounced all right, but here the hunter turned out to be the hunted.
As was stated earlier on this Seed, "everything the repugs touch turn to shexit". It fits them nicely, because that's what they have made it. Nothing but 'shexit'!
- 6 votes
MaryEllen.....I grew up as and among the (r)s and still can't wrap my mind around their drive to push for their own demise......Boggles MY mind!
- 2 votes
#1.19:MaryEllen.....I grew up as and among the (r)s and still can't wrap my mind around their drive to push for their own demise......Boggles MY mind!
It is truly mind-boggling! I cannot understand it at all; it is as if these people intend on losing everything, from reputation to overall standing. Like you said, "boggles the mind". t is time that I leave this one alone - because it can't be understood.
I know my mind is not bad and I can't figure it out, so there is nothing else to do but leave it alone!
- 3 votes
Komen's donations doubled in the two days after the Planned Parenthood assault began, presumably because lots of people wanted to support its apolitical work against breast cancer but did not want to give money to a group that was subsidizing a group that both performs and advocates for abortion.
Komen displayed an appalling naiveté in its approach to the matter. It failed to understand it was dealing with intolerant fanatics.
Komen is under no obligation to fund Planned Parenthood. Its decision not to do so was not punitive and did not even appear to be. Komen's actual aim was to extricate itself from the divisive national battle over abortion by severing its connection with a leading combatant.
The truth is that Komen blundered into a political battle by supporting Planned Parenthood in the first place and was attempting to back out of it quietly.
in this case, neutrality on abortion is portrayed as opposition to "women's health."
Komen would have been better off approaching the matter straightforwardly, by announcing that it wished to opt out of the abortion debate and would not support groups that take a position on either side of the issue, including Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood and its supporters have internalized the notion that abortion is health, and are determined that everyone else internalize it too.
- 1 vote
#3 - Mon Feb 6, 2012 9:25 AM ESTThe facts don't support your comments 'voter. . . The facts point to right wing ideologues trying to attack an organization that provides health care to one in five women at some point in their lives. Those were the women, along with men who support health care for all, who pushed back on SGK.
And no amount of over-the-top right wing rhetoric can change that.
- 13 votes
Your position only makes sense if they also stop supporting any organization to performs vasectomies too.
None of what you say really matters, Komen is charity, the ONLY opinion that matters is the donors. No money, No Komen.
So you can come with all the fancy analysis you want, if the people stop opening their wallets...game over.
- 8 votes
Komen would have been better off approaching the matter straightforwardly, by announcing that it wished to opt out of the abortion debate and would not support groups that take a position on either side of the issue, including Planned Parenthood.
That statement falls flat considering that Komen's recently appointed VP, Karen Handel, has an extensive public record as an anti-abortion activist who promised two years ago to defund Planned Parenthood.
"Karen Handel was the prime instigator of this effort, and she herself personally came up with investigation criteria," the source, who requested anonymity for professional reasons, told HuffPost. "She said, 'If we just say it's about investigations, we can defund Planned Parenthood and no one can blame us for being political.'"
Emails between Komen leadership on the day the Planned Parenthood decision was announced, which were reviewed by HuffPost under the condition they not be published, confirm the source's description of Handel's sole "authority" in crafting and implementing the Planned Parenthood policy.Handel's strategy to cut off Planned Parenthood involved drafting new guidelines that would prevent Komen from funding any organization that was under investigation by local, state or federal authorities. Since Planned Parenthood is currently the target of a congressional inquiry prompted by House Republicans into the way it uses government funds, the family planning provider would have been immediately disqualified from receiving new Komen grants.
- 8 votes
Actually, one of the board members already admitted that abortion should have been kept out of the debate, so Komen has all but admitted the decision was political
...in an interview with HuffPost, board member John D. Rafaelli, a Democratic lobbyist and a supporter of Planned Parenthood's mission, took responsibility for the changes. As the only lobbyist on the board, he told HuffPost, he should have anticipated the political fallout.
"Honestly, I didn't think it through well enough," Rafaelli said. "We don't want to be pro-choice or pro-life; we want to be pro-cure. We screwed up, I'm saying it. We failed to keep abortion out of this, and we owe the people in the middle who only care about breast cancer and who have raised money for us an apology."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/05/karen-handel-susan-g-komen-decision-defund-planned-parenthood_n_1255948.html
At least he understands who is in charge of Komen's mission...the donors.
- 8 votes
We failed to keep abortion out of this, and we owe the people in the middle who only care about breast cancer and who have raised money for us an apology."
That guy gets it. Let's see who else inside Komen catches on.
- 8 votes
#3.5:That guy gets it. Let's see who else inside Komen catches on.
Isn't it amazing how the "guys who gets it" isn't the one ever making the decision!
I wonder why this is how the game is played. Perhaps to keep everything stupid and going strong; to become incompetent and in line for a promotion and a hefty raise once you're on the job. Wow.
I guess if there is no one to "screw up" there would be no need for someone else to clean it up the screw up. Senseless.
I guess that is what you call full employment!
- 6 votes
intolerant fanatics.
This is where the entire right wing has it wrong. Every woman I know was pissed by the Komen move to unfund PP. I'm talking women from 30 to their 60's. Young ones too. It was instantaneous and spontaneous, an outpouring of anger that the teavangelicals were trying YET AGAIN to harm the health and welfare of all women, especially the poor. They really don't get it at all.
- 4 votes
#3.7:They really don't get it at all.
But I bet they get it know! I bet they are falling all over each other now asking "who did something so stupid, and how soon can we get rid of them"?
In the meantime, "everybody stay up UNDER the radar"! It is truly embarrassing.
- 1 vote
Of course you are wrong..but you know that already....neutrality on abortion is portrayed as opposition to "women's health."
- 2 votes
#4 - Mon Feb 6, 2012 9:55 AM ESTThere was, and is, nothing "neutral" about the rocket launched at PP by SGK.
And you know that.
- 7 votes
Get this..there are people..millions..that will not donate money to an organization that either directly or indirectly that peforms abortions.
Period. I am one. Once Komen has severed connections to PP I will generously give to Komen. Komen's donations doubled in the two days. Komen will do just fine and so will PP.
Deal with it.
Komen's misjudgement was that it failed to understand it was dealing with intolerant fanatics; the evidence is on Newsvine.
- 1 vote
#4.2:Komen's misjudgement was that it failed to understand it was dealing with intolerant fanatics; the evidence is on Newsvine.
Reported as COH."intolerant fanatics"; the evidence is on Newsvine.
- 6 votes
Komen's misjudgement was that it failed to understand it was dealing with intolerant fanatics...
Roe v. Wade became the law of the land in 1973.
Its opponents don't seem to mind ethically challenged (to be polite) methods of circumventing that law. Bombings, shootings.... also in their repertoire.
Who's fanatical and intolerant?
- 5 votes
IV, you really don't get it all all, the entire right wing doesn't get it. This is women on their own, not fanatics, just normal people who are outraged at the war on women by the far right (I guess that would be most of them at this point). And whatever money Komen loses will be their own fault by bringing politics into the mix. I won't give to them anymore, I'll go straight to organizations that do better. They are losing all around on this one.
- 3 votes
Roe v. Wade became the law of the land in 1973.
True....but if you read the decision it does not mandate that I donate money to organizations that either directly or indirectly support and peform abortions.
Its opponents don't seem to mind ethically challenged (to be polite) methods of circumventing that law. Bombings, shootings.... also in their repertoire.
Unfortunately true....I certainly do not condone criminal activity. People that engaged in the above activites should be prosecuted..period.
- 1 vote
I don't know a single person who is pro-abortion but aware of millions who prefer to let women have a CHOICE. IF you don't want to have an abortion....DON'T have one. However, that being said, it is usually the no-choice mamas who will snatch up their girlchild and run her down to the local abortionist when it is proven their abstainence only form of birth control didn't work! Seen it happen! Don't try the BS it doesn't!!
- 3 votes
Abstinence is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy.
And almost 100% likely to never happen.
You can't keep people from having sex. You sure as hell can't keep teenagers from having sex; the harder you try to stop 'em, the harder they'll try to make sure you can't.
The parents whom I've seen have the best luck keeping their kids away from unintended pregnancy are the parents who didn't moralize and preach. They listened, and they made sure that their kids knew they were listening.
Moralistic "thou shalt not" pronouncements fall on deaf ears, and probably should.
This is nothing new... not in this society, not in any.
- 5 votes
I'm glad this witch Karen Handel decided to politicize breast cancer.
Can she please be fired now?
- 9 votes
#5 - Mon Feb 6, 2012 10:14 AM ESTVoted up for that one.
I agree what this woman did was unjustifiably biased, short-sighted, political and reflected poor judgement as a leader of an organisation that is not supposed to be partisan and concerned only with ending breast cancer.
She should be sacked!
- 6 votes
She should be sacked!
If she doesn't agree with your POV..then she should not be allowed to hold any job..
Komen's actual aim was to extricate itself from the divisive national battle over abortion by severing its connection with a leading combatant.
True
- 1 vote
Komen's actual aim was to extricate itself from the divisive national battle over abortion by severing its connection with a leading combatant.True
The following quote is attributed to Karen Handel...
"If we just say it's about investigations, we can defund Planned Parenthood and no one can blame us for being political."
- 5 votes
If she doesn't agree with your POV..then she should not be allowed to hold any job..
Nope Independent Voter that is a very simplistic and melodramatic conclusion to draw from my comments.
I would calmly and rationally sack the woman because she attempted to deprive millions of women from accessing a crucial health screening service that is a core part of Komen's efforts to fight breast cancer. She has devalued and destroyed the Komen corporate image as a result.
Like I mentioned in another post. If Komen had sourced another supplier of free mammograms FIRST and THEN defunded PP and simply announced: "We have changed suppliers for free mammograms,"- there would not have been a problem because the BIGGER PICTURE- Fighting breast cancer is being considered before any ideology.
That was not the case. Poor leadership! Loss of perspective and focus! Heads should roll!
- 2 votes
If she doesn't agree with your POV..then she should not be allowed to hold any job..
No, she should be fired because she took a foundation who's purpose is to fight breast cancer and instead selfishly used it as a weapon for her own personal crusade against a women's right to choose to have an abortion.
- 5 votes
Komen would have been better off approaching the matter straightforwardly, by announcing that it wished to opt out of the abortion debate and would not support groups that take a position on either side of the issue.
An honest position would have been easier to defend. No one would have been able to dent Komen's integrity.
Women have the right to choose....just not with my money. Simple.
- 1 vote
So you have always had the option to donate to another organization that supports all of your beliefs.
Since you feel so strongly, now that SGK says they's consider PP for future grants (unlikely to happen) you can now donate to one of those organizations.
Think of it as an opportunity.
- 1 vote
Insular in that apparently conservatives believe that PP exists only to abort babies, not provide other much needed services too.
- 6 votes
#6 - Mon Feb 6, 2012 11:05 AM ESTGet this..there are people..millions..that will not donate money to an organization that either directly or indirectly that peforms abortions.
What part of that don't people get?
Komen's donations doubled in the two days. Komen will do just fine and so will PP.
Everyone wins.
- 1 vote
We will see who wins in the end. I'll bet Komen will have a hard time in the future getting many donations they took for granted until now.
- 4 votes
Komen's donations doubled in the two days. Komen will do just fine and so will PP.
Yeah, so if that is going so well for them why did Handel resign?
Sorry...that will not happen....
Looks like it already did, not even 24 hours after you said that.
- 4 votes
Interestingly, the donations to PP went over $1 million to cover the Komen loss--and much more--with a matter of days. And although Handel is gone, many women are now refusing to return to supporting Komen. A wise move on the part of those women...
- 5 votes
acorn? planned parenthood? isn't it time to stop stooping down?
- 1 vote
#7 - Mon Feb 6, 2012 12:14 PM ESTMy support to all organizations on behalf of humanity. There is always corruption, but that happens in all areas of life. Thanks to many organizations, thousands of people can improve their living conditions.
- 2 votes
#8 - Tue Feb 7, 2012 1:38 AM ESTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.
