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Local News and Events
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Lori Lamerand, Board Chair Jean P.Rowan and volunteer Bernie Klein all in the Ann Arbor News
Opinion: Planned Parenthood helps those in need in an imperfect world, by Lori Lamerand
Every child wanted and loved.
Every woman safe and healthy.
Those two, simple statements summarize the philosophy of Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan. Yet we know that the path to those goals is filled with complex challenges.
The path begins with prevention. We provide 40,000 women each year with health care and birth control. The government reimbursement we receive for those services covers less than half of our costs. While some local health departments have abandoned their efforts to provide family planning services because it's too expensive, we continue to do so because we know prevention works. Without it, those 40,000 women we serve are at risk of an unintended pregnancy.
Our clinicians and medical assistants devote long hours and weekends to their jobs so that women with few options and even fewer dollars can get family planning assistance and cancer screening in the evenings or on Saturdays.
They work so that women whose Pap tests show an abnormality can get colposcopy procedures and biopsies in a timely manner, averting possible cervical cancer. This procedure would cost an uninsured woman $1,500 elsewhere, but we charge on a sliding fee scale, costing women as little as $150.
Anti-choice organizations are fond of taking a quick, superficial look at our financial statement and pouncing on our gross revenue, not bothering to take into account the actual cost of providing family planning services for 40,000 uninsured or underinsured women.
By law, the federal reimbursement we receive can only be used for family planning. It cannot be redirected to other programs, such as our prenatal care program. Washtenaw County is the only organization assisting us with funding for the prenatal care program.
These are tough times in Michigan. The number of uninsured women needing our health services increases every year, while our federal funding stays the same or decreases. We've reached the point where we can't offer our life-saving annual exams, cancer screening, prenatal care, vasectomies and birth control to low-income women and men without loyal supporters and donors who understand the vital importance of our work.
Unlike anti-choice ideologues, we don't live in a world that is black and white, wrong or right. We live and work in shades of gray, where women, confronted with an unintended pregnancy, hang in the balance between emotional, physical well-being and sinking, all-consuming desperation.
In this polarized nation we live in, all too often our detractors point only to the 2 percent of the work we do - abortions - and conveniently ignore the other 98 percent of the work we do, which is prevention. These detractors then make rash, contradictory statements that ironically support most of our work while denigrating our entire organization.
We all dream of a perfect world where women never get cancer and never have an unintended pregnancy. But until this is a perfect world, we will continue to fight for every woman's right to make her own private, personal decisions about reproduction.
We don't apologize for the work we do. On the contrary, we are proud of our dedicated staff and supporters who work unselfishly and tirelessly for women of all ages and socio-economic circumstances who, on any given day, find they need us.
Could the woman who loses her job and can't afford $40 a month for birth control pills turn to an anti-choice activist for help?
Could a woman working two jobs to support a family go to an extreme ideologue for emergency contraception?
In the final analysis, we know that we do more every day to protect women's health and prevent unintended pregnancy than the anti-abortion extremists do any day.
Letter to the Editor by Jean P. Rowan
Actions speak louder than words.
That is why anti-choice activists who use words to condemn the work of Planned Parenthood, yet take no action to help uninsured women who need health care, perplex me. In her Feb. 7 Other Voices essay, Judy Bloss stated that she opposes county support of a prenatal program for low-income women whose babies are at highest risk of infant mortality, just because that program is run by Planned Parenthood.
Never mind that professionals in county government see the program as critical in our fight to reduce the high rate of infant mortality in our county, or that many of these women have no other choice for prenatal care.
As a physician who has researched and developed birth control pills, I know that prevention is vital in reducing health care costs and the need for abortion. Planned Parenthood's work is all about prevention - preventing infant mortality and preventing unintended pregnancies. Each year our Planned Parenthood organization provides birth control services to nearly 40,000 women.
For all the words I hear from anti-choice groups, there seems to be a dearth of action. Planned Parenthood, on the other hand, acts steadfastly every day to help women prevent unintended pregnancies and deliver healthy babies because prevention works.
Thanks to the majority of our Washtenaw County Commissioners who are committed to the health of low-income women and their babies, our prenatal program will continue. Please show your support of those commissioners with your thanks.
Jean P. Rowan, Ann Arbor
Letter to the Editor by Bernie Klein
Anti-abortion writer jumped to conclusions
Longtime anti-abortion activist Judith Bloss, in her Feb. 7 Other Voices essay, bemoans the fact that recently the Washtenaw County commissioners rightly voted to continue funding for the prenatal program provided by Planned Parenthood. This is a much-needed program, not readily available elsewhere in the country, for lower-income women.
Bloss compares the number of abortions versus prenatal patients nationally (265,000 vs. 12,610 respectively) and jumps to the nonsensical conclusion that "Healthy moms and babies are clearly not a priority of Planned Parenthood.'' What is clear is that Planned Parenthood's priority, as with any other provider of women's health services, is providing the services their patients request.
Bloss is anti-abortion and anti-Planned Parenthood and to those positions she's certainly entitled. But she should not look to destroy a program she's "not opposed to'' because of her aforementioned positions.
Bernie R. Klein, Ann Arbor
United Way in Jackson withdraws funding for Planned Parenthood teen pregnancy prevention program
After giving Planned Parenthood the thumbs up for funding a teen pregnancy prevention program called "Talk to Me," which teaches parents how to talk to their kids about values, abstinence, contraception and prevention, United Way withdrew their support for the program under pressure from Right to Life.
Below are the news stories related to the decision.
Abortion concerns put brakes on grant
Posted by Tarryl Jackson | Jackson Citizen Patriot December 18, 2007 09:21AM
Categories: Top Stories
The controversy over abortion caused the United Way of Jackson County to decide against giving a $10,000 grant to Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan.
United Way's board of directors voted not to support the grant Friday due to pressure and disapproval from local nonprofit agencies. The grant was for Planned Parenthood's Talk to Me program, where teen peer educators talk to parents about how to discuss sex with their children.
"I'm pretty disappointed that the community is not given a chance to support a program that could have a great impact," said Lori Lamerand, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan. "We're feeling it's wrong to connect the abortion connotation to everything we do."
Board members rejected the Planned Parenthood funding and asked a task force to submit a new proposal that does not include the organization as part of United Way's teen pregnancy prevention initiative.
The board felt that having Planned Parenthood on board "would be too controversial and cause too much conflict" said Jim Brian, United Way's manager of marketing and communications.
Brian said there were a number of nonprofit organizations that opposed Planned Parenthood being part of the program.
Jackson Right to Life was one of them.
Kathy Potts, president of Jackson Right to Life, said she and other community members were concerned by Planned Parenthood's support of abortion rights.
"Our biggest concern was that when you do any type of business with Planned Parenthood, no good can come of it," Potts said. "We in no way threatened to pull support (from United Way), but we were glad that they listened to the community."
Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan, based in Ann Arbor, provides surgical and medication abortions, according to the organization's Web site. It also has a health center in Jackson at 2009 W. Michigan Ave.
COMMENTS (2)Post a comment
Posted by danielle on 12/18/07 at 10:57AM
United Way does a good job in the community but they do have a difficult time finding a balance of helping the community and avoiding anything that crosses the political and religious lines. With any giving, every person should feel comfortable about the intent and purpose of the organization they are supporting.
Posted by JxnChicory on 12/18/07 at 10:42PM
You're correct, Danielle: every person should feel comfortable about the intent and purpose of the organization(s) they are supporting. That's exactly why I have refused to support the United Way for many years now. They are too controlled by religious and superstitious interests. I donate independently to organizations I believe in such as Planned Parenthood and others. I strongly believe safe abortion should be a choice available to each and every woman should she find it to be the best option in her situation.
United Way's 'no' poses a challenge
by Jackson Citizen Patriot December 23, 2007 00:28AM Categories: Editorial
The following is the Jackson Citizen Patriot's editorial for December 23:
Last week the United Way of Jackson County board of directors voted not to support a controversial $10,000 grant to Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan. The action was both sad and predictable.
Two factors make it so:
• Jackson County, like many other areas of the nation, has a serious problem with teen pregnancy. United Way's function in this community is to address such problems. Planned Parenthood's Talk to Me program is a credible strategy for doing so. In it, teen peer educators talk with parents about how to discuss sex with their children.
• There is simply no common ground between pro-life groups and Planned Parenthood. The underlying problem -- a political reality in Jackson County -- is that whatever good Planned Parenthood does is tainted in the eyes of many by its indirect link to abortion. That link bothered some on the United Way board, and various pro-life groups in the community made it clear they opposed any grant going to Planned Parenthood.
Unfortunately, the end result of all this is that there will be a gap in programming for teen pregnancy -- a serious social problem that nearly everyone agrees should be tackled in a strategic way in this community.
It would be easy to blame United Way officials for buckling under pressure from special-interest groups, or even for allowing its board to be placed in the position where such a vote was necessary.
But that would not help deter a single teen pregnancy. In the aftermath of this vote, there is one paramount challenge: United Way needs to re-focus on the problem that won't go away, and come up with a viable strategy to deal with it that will be
accepted by all parts of the community.
-- Jackson Citizen Patriot
Abortion blocks prevention of teen births
Posted December 27, 2007 10:09AM
The following is a guest column is by Ken Toll, executive director of United Way of Jackson County.
Teen pregnancy is one of our community's most significant problems.
Jackson County's teen pregnancy rate is consistently among Michigan's highest, and the costs are enormous. The long-term costs of children born to teens in Jackson County in 2005 alone are projected to be more than $7 million.
Taxpayers pay for more than medical costs of the deliveries. More than 75 percent of teen mothers rely on public assistance within the first five years of motherhood.
Their children do worse educationally and are more likely to end up in prison.
Addressing this problem is difficult. The causes are complex.
Some elements are taboo or uncomfortable for some to discuss, and a long-standing rift between the polarizing organizations of Planned Parenthood and Right to Life creates dangerous waters for any organization to navigate.
United Way now finds itself in those waters.
Planned Parenthood participated in a collaborative effort to develop a plan to prevent teen pregnancy.
Part of that plan called for parental education. Five programs applied for funding to do that, and the initiative recommended funding four -- two faith-based, abstinence-only programs and two comprehensive educational programs.
Planned Parenthood was one of the latter, promising to educate parents about everything from abstinence to contraception and leave it to the parents what to convey to their kids.
The program has proven effective, as have the abstinence-only programs.
United Way believes both approaches are needed.
While United Way knew many would object to funding Planned Parenthood, we had no way to gauge the impact that would have on our broader mission.
It quickly became apparent that our community work would suffer in many ways.
Our board of directors supports funding the best program provider, but it cannot do so for one issue if that jeopardizes all the other work we're doing.
There are simply too many people hungry, homeless and without heat to take any such risk.
This inflamed Planned Parenthood supporters.
That organization is understandably frustrated that it could not be funded for "political" reasons, no matter how hard it worked or how effective its contributions are.
While we thought we were doing the right thing to consider funding their program, just the act of that consideration has brought attacks from both sides.
Is it even possible to take on teen pregnancy without being dragged into the pro-choice/pro-life debate?
Can we get our collective eye back on the ball of teen-pregnancy prevention and push forward, or will any such efforts create another no-win situation for United Way and our community?
We are listening to our local supporters and community leaders and those parents living with kids at risk of becoming teenage parents.
Especially to those parents, who clearly and repeatedly ask for help.
United Way is working with an ever-expanding list of partners across the community.
We have built or participated in efforts that have launched Project Access, providing free medical care to our "working poor"; that have rebuilt our failing Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition into a model for the region; that have created the state's second-largest 211 call center that supports our entire emergency assistance network; that have launched a Marriage Matters initiative that promises to make a big dent in teen pregnancy rates.
If we truly want to make a difference in today's teen-pregnancy problem, it will take all of our efforts working in a united way.
Peace on Earth may be unrealistic, but I wish you all peace in Jackson County.
Posted by geek49203 on 12/27/07 at 2:13PM
So Ken, why not use one of the other parent - child organizations in town for this purpose? For instance, how about Child and Parent Center (CPCAN)? Lifeways? Lutheran Social Services? If this work is so important, why not just move the funding and program?
The United Way in many places pushed out the Boy Scouts due to their beliefs concerning homosexuality. However, they (United Way) maintain their ties to the largest provider of abortions in the country, perhaps the planet, an organization that has eugenics built into their DNA. Perhaps this only follows the whim of would-be givers, but to say that this position that the United Way has take is puzzling is an understatement. Some might even suggest a political bias at work here.
Posted by blueman59 on 12/27/07 at 11:59PM
Ken, you said a whole mouthful here and tried to justify where the $$ went, but the bottom line is you let a group of folks (right to life) dictate to you where the $$ should go. The UW does not need to be in the business of letting special interest group(s) dicate the funding of peoples hard earned money that is donated to the UW. If the UW continues down this path you will be hoping some organization will be funding you.
Posted by jtech on 12/28/07 at 9:53AM
You're right, blueman59. I won't be giving any money to the United Way this year but I will be sending a donation to Planned Parenthood.
Posted by timeforthis on 12/28/07 at 10:49AM
Interesting that blueman and jtech don't consider their interests "special" and thought UW as fine when it did their bidding. Now, they don't think UW is such a good idea because of one small issue. That sure seems like a special interest mentality.... But, hey, the only hypocrisy is in the religous right, ha ha ha ha ha. Too funny, you people are.
Posted by blueman59 on 12/28/07 at 2:06PM
Whoa timeforthis, you call teen pregnancy a 'small issue'. What cave you living in. Peace!!!!!!
Posted by timeforthis on 12/28/07 at 7:32PM
blueman, no, i do not call teen pregnacy a small issue. I do call the amount of mony involved here a small issue, relative to the UW budget. My reference was to the money, not the problem, because the money is what is seen as the issue here. The concern from the PP proponrnts is the money, and the influence of the pro-lifers. For the PP proponents there is no larger issue such as the propriety of supporting and funding an organization whose primary purpose and product is the murder of children. So, come out of your cave of smalleness and recognize that others have "larger' issues to concern themselves with than the symtomatic evidence of a greater problem. Have a nice day!!!!
Posted by brandinius on 12/30/07 at 1:24AM
Please, "timeforthis," what is your argument that abortion is "the murder of children"?
Anything other than religious reasons?
In other words, is your argument based at all in fact, science, reason? Didn't think so.
Posted by pianoman88 on 12/30/07 at 5:51PM
Come now, Brandinius, almost every science text now agrees that contrary to pro-abortionists' belief, the baby begins to show outward signs of life very early in its development! It doesn't just lie there like a useless lump of flesh until its birth! You can go to Parents.com and get all the information you need right there. Plenty of science there for you. But if you'd rather believe that a living being isn't "living" until it emerges from the womb, well, no amount of religion OR science will be enough to convince you.
Posted by sheshepoopoo on 01/01/08 at 4:03PM
UW does not want to do anything to have anyone not "like" them. Don't forget- the monies they collect from the public pay their paychecks.
They probably had to out weigh the odds. Did more $$ come from one side or the other, then they made their choice. UW binds together to make sure they look crystal clean... if Jackson only knew the employees they kept on staff.. you'd get real kick out of the "issues" they deal with inside the walls of UW!!!
I'm sure they made the best decision based on what was right for THEM...What do the people of Jackson know other then the spoon fed garbage they give you??? Save yourself 18% and give your money right to the agency you want to. Stop paying people who only look out for #1- Themselves.
Voice of the People;
Right to Life's narrow agenda blocks progress
ANN ARBOR - Who could possibly object to a program that brings parents into the sexuality-education process?
Right to Life does.
That's why it derailed a United Way grant that would have benefited parents and teens in Jackson. The $10,000 would have funded "Talk to Me," which was designed specifically for the Jackson community to reduce teen pregnancy.
The proposed program received wide community support and would have given parents the skills to express their values and help their children make healthy decisions. Why? Because research proves that teens delay the onset of sexual activity when their parents talk openly with them.
Another terrific aspect of the program was that our teen peer educators in Jackson would have worked with parents, giving them a direct line into the hearts and minds of teens.
It is our understanding that this concept met with great enthusiasm in churches and family neighborhoods. Its association with the name Planned Parenthood spurred Right to Life into blackballing the program.
Planned Parenthood has been a partner in the Jackson community for 14 years, working harmoniously with religious groups and nonprofit organizations to prevent unintended pregnancy. In fact, 100 percent of the work we do at our Jackson health center is about preventing unintended and teen pregnancy, cancer, STDs and HIV.
It's astounding that Jackson Right to Life President Kathy Potts was quoted as saying, "When you do any type of business with Planned Parenthood, no good can come of it." I'm sure the millions of women and men who have benefited from Planned Parenthood services nationwide would beg to differ.
With Right to Life, it's always about abortion, but never about prevention.
- Lori Lamerand, president/CEO
Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan
Voice of the People;
Group makes difference on teen pregnancies
JACKSON - I join many who are speaking up for Planned Parenthood's "Talk to Me" program. This had the potential of making a positive impact in reducing teen pregnancies in Jackson.
When Planned Parenthood contacted me about its application for this grant, I spoke to parents of preteens about it. They responded with appreciation. They noted their difficulty in "getting through" to their children regarding sexual activity. I know parents who talk to their children about sexual relations can have a significant impact on reducing or delaying sexual activity. I wrote a letter of support.
I am, therefore, deeply disappointment by the United Way board's decision. I understand the issue is with Planned Parenthood being the lead organization for the program.
The community needs to recognize the excellent work that Planned Parenthood does in Jackson. I have observed its work to reduce teen pregnancy through programs in our public schools like "Baby Think It Over" and teen peer projects. Both teachers and students have praise for these.
I recently spoke to the Jackson Area Ministers Association meeting about the potential support of the United Way for the project, and my interest in it. Several pastors declared their support: the Revs. John Doud, Karen Kelley, Erik Johnson, Cindy Landrum, Gretchen Sanewsky and Ed Ross.
The United Way board is in the difficult position of making decisions about critical issues in our community. A balanced approach to funding is needed. The original recommendation to fund faith-based, abstinence-only programs as well as this broader-based Planned Parenthood program met that need.
As one teacher, Anne Baird, said, "United Way is supposed to represent the whole community." In the final analysis, a significant portion of the community is not represented in this decision.
- The Rev. Jay Cummings
Comments
Posted by DrManDog on 01/03/08 at 4:05PM
Thanks, Jay. You're right on the money as opposed to the knee-jerk reactions from folks whose knees keep jerking even with their heads buried in the sand.
Posted by scientist3 on 01/03/08 at 6:31PM
To DrManDog....so if I disagree with you, I'm having a knee-jerk reaction? I think its the other way around....you're the one having a knee-jerk reaction. Myself and many other people have written well-reasoned, intelligent responses. People like yourself just rant.
To Rev. Jay Cummings....how do you reconcile the Bible's clear teaching against abortion with supporting a group that makes the majority of its money from killing babies? Once again, by your line of reasoning, you would have been supportive of Hitler in Germany in WWII. Unfortunately, and to their everlasting shame, many German ministers were. We fondly remember those ministers who stood up against the Nazi's, some of whom paid for it with their lives. Maybe a little history lesson might do you some good?
Posted by funkisback on 01/03/08 at 6:45PM
Rev. Cummings, when UW supports PP which promotes the killing of babies, they do not represent the part of the community that I comprise. This reduces your position to being that of "United Way is supposed to represent the whole community at one time or another."
So, why does it bother you so when they represent my portion of the community now? Portions of my salary have been confiscated and turned over to them for years prior to this. Can't you let me have this one time of peace? Support the program with your own money.
Now, some will try to differentiate between the abortions that PP provides and this little program, but why do you want to eat out of the hand that poisions your children with immorality and promiscuous ideals?
Posted by Socialboy on 01/03/08 at 9:07PM
funkisback..........................Society is the hand that teaches immorality and promiscuity, it is up to the parents to provide the correct leadership.
Posted by funkisback on 01/04/08 at 7:48AM
Social - some of us feel that parents can and should also provide a society that teaches correct leadership. it is a bigger step, but a worthy one.
Voice of the People;
A teen responds to United Way's action
JACKSON - I would like my voice to be heard because obviously it was not. I believe that what the Right to Life did was wrong and very unrespectable. Please do not get me wrong: I respect every business's choice, but I feel Jackson needed this grant as much as Planned Parenthood did.
There are so many teens right now who are getting pregnant and getting STDs. This would have been the door to a new beginning for teens and their parents to allow them to talk freely with one another about sex education.
I hope Right to Life people are well aware they turned down something that could benefit all. If you are reading this, think about it first. Do you have kids? Are they telling you everything you think they are? I really hope they can soon realize the mistake that was made here, and it can be corrected. Thank you. I am a 16-year-old who needs this as well as others!
-Rachel Spence
Peer Educator for Planned Parenthood
Comments
Posted by timeforthis on 01/03/08 at 1:11PM
Rachel,
Thank you for speaking your mind. You are to be commended for your courage and conviction. While I am on the other side of you on this issue, at times a larger concern can bring opposites together, and I think that young people having courage and convictions is a larger concern.
Please don't be discouraged at this one set-back. A battle does not equal a war and UW is already back pedaling. In the meantime, unless your objectives also include the right to kill the unborn, you could put your efforts into other programs which already exists to accomplish the same goals since the problems you site in your letter are the prevention of teen pregnancy and STDs.
Regardless, keep working for the truth, and God bless.
Posted by DrManDog on 01/03/08 at 3:25PM
Rock on, Rachel. You clearly have more maturity on this issue than some of the adults in this community who are clueless. Many of us will keep working for this change.
Posted by timeforthis on 01/03/08 at 4:06PM
See, here is the difficulty young people face. Rachel, you write a good letter which reflects well on the youth of today, and then another, drmandog, comes along and makes such a poor reflection by casting insinuation and labels around; implying that a lack of maturity is required to dissent on this issue.
Rachel, you need to distance yourself from such as drmandog, and then you will see more progress.
Posted by jgsr on 01/03/08 at 5:18PM
Rachel, I appreciate your passion for the issue, and that says alot for your character. I do agree that the money could do some good for teens and young adults, picking up the slack for deadbeat parents. How about finding another organization to receive the grant or even found another organization. i don't mean to be crude and I apologize in advance but as a father of 5 beautiful children I don't think you should consort with an organization that profits from murdering unborn babies. Continue to care but be aware of this little life lesson,"you are who you surround yourself with". The world and this community especially can benifit from many more young people such as yourself. Myself & my family wish you the very best. Jeff Grantham Sr. & family
Posted by LarryZach on 01/03/08 at 7:44PM
What Rachael is choosing is to support an educational program that facilitates dialogue between parents and their children regarding sexual activity.
That program is coming from Planned Parenthood, a community-based, non-profit facility that grew from a need for uninsured middle-class and poor Americans to have information and access to the same services that the wealthy have always had.
Where is your effort to keep the wealthy from information and access to birth control and abortion? You'll never be able to touch them. And, they can afford all the children they want. Why be so selective? Rally your forces and go after the rich
Posted by Socialboy on 01/03/08 at 9:04PM
I'm glad to see that some respondents actually have the correct idea regarding this situation. This is not a question of whether abortion is right or wrong, but rather the lack of educational opportunities our kids have in this area. Most people in this post have most likely never been into a Planned Parenthood and do not understand the educational resources they offer for young adults, which is free I might add. Again, calling abortion murder is a separate issue, the issue at hand is the absence of available resources for people such as Rachel who has a excellent outlook on society for seeing that at her age. Most women will never have to experience rape, incest, or sexual slavery that results in pregnancy, or the trauma that goes along with it. What angers me most (and yes I'm male) is that America has one of the highest rates of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), and yet that is pushed under the rug, but when the issue of unwanted pregnancy occurs, suddenly those lives matter. The Jackson area simply does not give the resources that other cities around the country do. Go to the Planned Parenthood in Ann Arbor (yes there is one) and ask them how many abortions they perform yearly, the numbers will be quite different. Why? Their children have educational resources, and I'm glad to see our youth speaking out about this issue. This county has continually stomped on school millages, library funding, transportation funding, and everything else that could have an impact on our youth, that is the sad truth that confronts teens every day.
Posted by brandinius on 01/03/08 at 9:46PM
"America has one of the highest rates of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)"
You've hit this one right on the head. These people talk about "murdering babies" and all of the other religious-based stuff, but are they going to be there for the child and the mother when she is forced to have the baby she didn't want?
Of course not. That's why they're called hypocrites.
Posted by jax55girl on 01/04/08 at 12:59AM
brandinius:
It is called adoption. Their are thousands of people waiting to adopt an unwanted child. Why shouldn't the child and the people wanting it be given a chance for happiness?
Just because someone has the child does not mean that they have to keep it if they don't want it, plenty of other people do. They go to the ends of the earth to find them!
It is the greatest gift someone can give to both the child and the parents who will love it.
Abortion or welfare are not the only options. There is also not getting oneself into the situation by valueing yourself and a life you might create.
Posted by brandinius on 01/04/08 at 10:15AM
OK, Jax55, I'll bite.
1) You force the girl to have the child. There are medical expenses for the entire pregnancy. Who pays for that?
2) She has complications that require expensive medical procedures. Who pays for that?
This is just the raw economics of it. Anti-abortion folks can cry "murder" and "child killer" all they want, but it's religious based without the true Christian ethic of actually helping these girls through their forced pregnancy. Again, hypocrisy.
Posted by jax55girl on 01/04/08 at 10:26AM
brandinius:
You must know that there are government programs that pay for the medical expenses of mother and child. Or in the case of private adoption some, if not all, expenses are paid by the adoptive parents.
Who pays for the abortion? Do you not know that things can and do go wrong that this is a medical procedure.
Forced pregnancies? Few are true rape victims and most people put that in a different catagory. Responsibility for ones actions is not some theorical idea, you have sex take responsibility for the possible results.
Who pays for the STD's and AIDS mostly the government also.
Your hatred of Christians and people with morals really is unhealthy.
Posted by brandinius on 01/04/08 at 10:52AM
"Few are true rape victims and most people put that in a different catagory. "
What, dear Christian, do you classify as a "true" rape?
I do not hate either real Christians, or morals. I hate those who pose as such but have none.
Posted by funkisback on 01/04/08 at 10:59AM
Brandi - "Forced pregnancy"?!?!?! Who/what forced them to get pregnant? Have they been taken away and forced to "breed" by some aliens? Where does the term "forced regnancy" come from? Where do you get this stuff? How old are you?
Please, exercise some judicial thinking as you compose your posts. Have some regard for the intellect of others who may read yor posts. Some people consider pregnancy a blessing, not an unfortunate consequence of living the life of fido.
Posted by brandinius on 01/04/08 at 12:14PM
A forced pregnancy is when your type forces a woman to have an abortion because of YOUR religious beliefs, when there are other, safe options available to terminate the pregnancy.
Posted by funkisback on 01/04/08 at 1:12PM
Brandi - please forgive me, I fear that it may seem that I am all over your case, but I am having a difficult time understanding, and I do sincerely want to understand your thinking on this.
What safe options are there for ending a pregnancy other than the live birth of the baby? In any other scenario I can imagine, someone is not safe.
My religious beliefs would never force a woman to have an abortion. Quite the opposite, really.
I suspect that you are trying to say that my way of thinking forces the woman to continue her pregnancy. But, you must see Brandik, that can only happen after she has made the choice to become pregnant (i know, except in the case of rape.......yada, yada, yada) in the vast majority of cases. How is that my fault? I don't understand why, except for laziness and a lack of discipline, a woman that doesn't want to deliver a baby gets pregnant. I don't think the baby, and ther rest of us, should be punished for that.
No education needed to get parents talking
Posted by Jackson Citizen Patriot January 03, 2008 10:50AM
Categories: Voice of the People
JACKSON -- I agree parents need to know how to talk to their children about sex. But this is where I disagree: It doesn't take any special education.
I am a mother of four girls. My oldest and I talk every day about what she does. My husband and I show her we care. We ask questions. And we know whom she is friends with, and know the parents of her friends.
I take an active role in all of my girls' lives, and I am teaching them sex needs to wait for marriage. This is common sense. Sex can lead to unwanted pregnancies and STDs.
The teen-pregnancy rate has nothing to do with parents being educated. It's the kids being misinformed and left to figure it out on their own, not feeling they can talk to their parents or even a family doctor.
Anyone who is naive about the abortion rate decreasing with this program is sadly misinformed. Planned Parenthood teaches birth control and STD prevention, not abstinence like it should.
Teens who are out getting pregnant are the same ones who are left alone, feel abandoned by one or both parents and are looking for a way to fill a void. Sex does not do this. Love does.
And that is what parents need to be educated on, how to show their children they are loved, and not to go looking for it in sex. Sex is meaningless and empty. Making love is between a husband and a wife in the sanctity of marriage.
Kathy Potts is not speaking for everyone in Jackson. She is speaking on behalf of all of us who believe abortion is murder, and therefore we cannot see funds going to any organization that aids in this behavior.
-- Tabitha Dillay
Many support Planned Parenthood's mission
Posted by Jackson Citizen Patriot January 03, 2008 10:52AM
Categories: Voice of the People
JACKSON -- What a disappointment that the grant to Planned Parenthood for its Talk To Me program has been withdrawn. That parent-education effort is geared to prevent teen pregnancies. It was not about abortion. It was about education.
The United Way board needs to understand many Jacksonians support Planned Parenthood's mission to ensure there are no unwanted pregnancies.
-- Peg Eaton
United Way's decision derails effective program
Posted by Jackson Citizen Patriot January 03, 2008 10:49AM
Categories: Abortion, Voice of the People
JACKSON -- How unfortunate that the United Way chooses to let one group of supporters bully it into pulling funding for the Planned Parenthood "Talk To Me" education program.
The original decision to fund this program was made by a panel of experts who had been meeting for more than a year. Its extensive research into why Jackson County's teen pregnancy rate is among the highest in the state revealed that something as simple as communication can be a preventive measure.
Parents need to be talking with their teens about sex and pregnancy prevention, but not every parent has the communication skills to do that. The reality is, teens often feel parents "just don't understand," and sometimes, parents really don't.
They are uncertain how to approach their teens to talk about sex -- a discussion that must include more than "just say no."
These conversations can be uncomfortable for everyone involved, but learning how to communicate with your children on their level, with empathy and understanding, can make all the difference in the world.
Honest and open communication not only helps curb the rate of teen pregnancy and unwanted abortions, but can also strengthen the relationship between parent and child. "Talk to Me" promotes just that.
It is indeed sad the Jackson County United Way board sided with a small special interest group to derail such an effective program without demanding it offer a viable alternative. This is another example of Jackson Right to Life's continued anti-Planned Parenthood agenda.
-- Nancy Berger
COMMENTS
Posted by scientist3 on 01/03/08 at 6:46PM
So, if I disagree with you, I'm bullying but if I agree with you, I'm standing up for my principles? Gee, Nancy, what's wrong with this picture?
And since when is a "panel of experts" always right? I'd like to know the biases of these "experts"...I'd also like to know who considers them "experts". I've seen too many "experts" who were nothing more than idealogues (fanatics) with an agenda to push.
I'm glad United Way made this decision. If they didn't, I would have taken my hard-earned money and put it elsewhere....which, by the way, is what you can do. Nobody is bullying you or United Way. They are just people making their viewpoints known.
Most parents know how to talk with their kids about sex. Any parent can look up resources on how to talk with their kids about it, if they don't know. This isn't rocket science., you don't have to re-invent the wheel. I found an overwhelming amount of resources when we raised our kids about 20 years ago and that was before the internet.
If you mean that it must include more than "just say no", that it must include something about condoms, I would strongly disagree with you. Abstinence is the best, most effective route to take and the most life-affirming.
Maybe you need to get educated about all the positive alternatives to Planned Parenthood there are that are out there?
Planned Parenthood doesn't stand for community's values
Posted by Jackson Citizen Patriot January 04, 2008 09:06AM
Categories: Abortion, Voice of the People
RIVES JUNCTION -- I commend United Way for listening to concerns about Planned Parenthood and taking the brave step of withdrawing funds for a program supposedly aimed at reducing teen pregnancy.
I am thankful they were able to look past Planned Parenthood's propaganda and see the truth.
In 2005, Consumer Reports (an independent organization with no ties to the pro-life movement) conducted testing on condoms to determine strength and reliability. Of 23 types tested, the two receiving the lowest scores and the only ones given "poor" ratings were both given out for free by Planned Parenthood.
The group's response was to criticize the testing methods. Does this give you confidence that Planned Parenthood is to be trusted in preventing teen pregnancies?
Planned Parenthood claims to support a woman's right to choose. Looking at the latest available statistics, it aborts 180 babies for each referral to an adoption agency.
It typically charges $350 and up for an abortion and receives no payment for adoption referrals. Do you really believe its clients are encouraged to make the best choice? Is this the agency you want teaching your children?
A great deal can be learned about Planned Parenthood by reading the writings of its founder, Margaret Sanger.
Consider some of her famous quotes:
• "The most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it."
• "We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population."
• "Birth control must lead ultimately to a cleaner race."
Planned Parenthood proudly promotes Sanger on its Web site but covers up most of the truth. Its history is an ugly one. Its current activities are no better.
The truth is, Planned Parenthood does not represent the values of the Jackson Community. I thank the United Way for recognizing that.
-- Beth Thorrez
Posted by LarryZach on 01/04/08 at 11:37AM
Is it possible for a member of this community to have another opinion regarding abortion--i.e. 'killing the unborn--murdering unborn babies." I do not choose to sensationalize nor interfere with the personal, thoughtful dialogue between parents, who may hold a different point of view, and their children
Planned Parenthood serves the entire community--with many philosophies and religious beliefs.
I expected people to hold sacred the values (whatever they are) that parents and their children form together through the dialogue facilitating programs offered by Planned Parenthood, the church, etc. Do you wish to interfere in how and where parents chooses to educate their children? If so, the tables can and may be turned.
Posted by bubbasan on 01/04/08 at 1:01PM
LarryZach: Calling abortion 'killing' is sensational? A human being that was alive is now dead due to the actions of another human being is not murder? You may not call it killing or murder, but it doesn't change the fact that it is just that.
The abortion industry thrives on teen pregnancy. Perhaps Planned Parenthood is part of the reason Jackson County has such high rates...
United Way giving voice to both sides
Posted by Jackson Citizen Patriot January 03, 2008 11:03AM
The following is the Jackson Citizen Patriot's editorial for January 3:
Jackson County's United Way touched off a firestorm by denying money last month for a program to combat teen pregnancy led by Planned Parenthood.
The opinions on the opposite page reflect the divide: between abortion opponents and those who say United Way threw a needed program under the bus under pressure from a special interest, Jackson Right to Life.
The best step the United Way can take now is bridge that gulf. The nonprofit will host a forum next month to let people talk about its action. It could well be a messy affair, with both sides in this fight capable of hyperbole, but it could start the slow process of reconciliation, of helping United Way make decisions that aren't bogged down in political pressure.
United Way could have avoided this by standing firm on conviction, or recognizing before the decision was made that Planned Parenthood's name sets off bells.
A panel recommended Planned Parenthood's Talk To Me effort get $10,000 to address teen pregnancy (also funded were abstinence-based approaches). The agency's board overruled that, buckling to worries that abortion foes would pull their contributions.
We disagree with that, but what's done is done. United Way officials are looking to keep money coming in to reduce births to teen moms, but they also need to fund many other programs that address other community needs.
The group helps stock food pantries, answers calls for help on the 211 phone line and promotes early literacy. It can't afford to lose the public's help.
Now, here's the catch: To do that, it will have to satisfy would-be donors that its handling of contributions is fair and impartial.
Do Jackson County residents really want to freeze Planned Parenthood out of local dollars for worthy programs because they disagree with some of its activities Abortion is an issue of morality, but where would its foes have cut off money to any group with links to abortion?
United Way is too valuable to this community and teen pregnancy too pressing an issue for this controversy to drag on.
Next month's forum is a good chance to let people express their opinions -- and to begin moving forward.
-- Jackson Citizen Patriot
Comments
Posted by danielle on 01/03/08 at 4:57PM
People should attend this seminar to hear both sides of the story from the directors. They should sit and listen with open ears and ask questions in a cordial manner. If the potential donors do not like the answers, then they have the right to withhold their funding for this organization. If the meeting appears to be a horse and pony show, then I would not think twice about withholding my contributions. I would hope that they could provide better role models for sex education than a former President.
Planned Parenthood is the wrong messenger for teens
Posted by Jackson Citizen Patriot January 03, 2008 11:02AM
The following is a guest column by Kathy M. Potts, president of Jackson Right to Life.
As Paul Harvey would say, "Now for the rest of the story."
Important information has been lost in the controversy after United Way withdrew support for Planned Parenthood's "Talk to Me" program, which it claims would lower the teen-pregnancy rate in Jackson.
Jackson Right to Life has supported and understood that parents communicating with their teens is essential. The issue of unwed teen pregnancy is compelling, and we are eager to give our teens good guidance and resources.
The Dec. 23 editorial was incorrect in saying there is an "indirect link" between Planned Parenthood and abortion. It is the largest abortion provider in our nation! The group's 2005-2006 annual report shows revenues of $112.6 million from 264,943 abortions and, interestingly, not one adoption referral. This is hardly an indirect link.
Look at Planned Parenthood Mid-Michigan Alliance's Form 990 for 2005-2006. It records more than $5.3 million in medical services, yet only $331,000 on education. I would not say that 6 percent of its activity can imply a focus on education.
Why not use its own money if the group is truly concerned about education? Isn't it enough that more than one third of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America budget is from our hard-earned tax dollars?
Planned Parenthood would have us believe it is a woman-friendly, benevolent organization that focuses on providing cancer screenings, pelvic exams, mammograms and other needed services. Our community has other health providers for low-income women that do not perform abortions.
This billion-dollar empire is no friend to our teens. As desperately as the group tries to distance itself from abortion, it cannot. Abortion is what the group is about, and the numbers prove it.
Statistics show that 70 percent of poor, cohabiting teens using condoms become pregnant within a year. So do nearly 50 percent of teens using the birth-control pill. Planned Parenthood would be more than happy to offer their abortion services to these teens in a difficult situation.
Planned Parenthood's advertisement, turning this controversy into another fundraising opportunity, stated it "does more to prevent unintended pregnancy every day than Right to Life does any day." I would agree in that its answer to unintended pregnancy is to destroy the living, albeit tiny, human being.
The "Talk to Me" program in reality encourages promiscuity. With it, the organization already has drawn teens into its customer base. You can get a better idea of its philosophy by looking at http://www.teenwire.com/, which shows deep disrespect for the values and health of our teens.
They deserve to be taught respect for themselves.
The United Way board voted almost unanimously to withdraw support to Planned Parenthood. To think any group could "bully" United Way into changing its decision does not give proper credit to the integrity and strength of its members.
United Way is still committed to helping the community and our teens with this serious problem. It is continuing to work with other groups and organizations.
United Way is too important a resource in Jackson to cast its reputation and judgment into doubt by this partnership. It was wise to stop Planned Parenthood from stealing its good name and donors' money.
We care deeply about teen pregnancy. The work of Jackson Right to Life is 100 percent volunteer. No high-paying salaries influence our decisions.
So, who is the special-interest group? Don't send the fox into the henhouse to teach our teens.
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