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Printer-Friendly ModePlanned Parenthood criticisms missing the point of organization
September 26, 2005 —
While meandering about the Cards' Party two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet two women from the Tri-Cities Planned Parenthood, which is located right here in Saginaw. I was relieved to see them at the Cards' Party giving out useful information to college students. Unfortunately, some would prefer that Planned Parenthood did not exist.
Michigan Right to Life is attacking Planned Parenthood because, they claim, Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest abortion provider. The truth is that Planned Parenthood is only responsible for about 15 percent of all abortions in the United States. The four Planned Parenthoods in East Central Michigan, including the one in Saginaw, do not perform abortions at all. Pro-life advocates oppose public funding of "abortion clinics," and the Michigan Right to Life's legislative director, Ed Rivet, made the same declaration about the Saginaw "abortion clinic." But Saginaw's Planned Parenthood is not an abortion clinic and it does not receive public funding.
Instead of focusing on abortions, perhaps the Michigan Right to Life should focus on all the good services Planned Parenthood provides. These women at the Cards' Party were giving out pamphlets and brochures about sexually transmitted diseases, birth control, adoption, and general health issues for which everyone, including men, should be aware. Despite the obvious need and the overwhelming support for family planning, some would like to prevent access to this type of information, which is simply tragic.
The Saginaw Planned Parenthood is the only one in the Tri-Cities and rightfully so. Since inner cities tend to be more economically disadvantaged, it makes sense for the health clinic to be closer to the derelict city of Saginaw than swanky Midland or Bay City. To put Planned Parenthood out of business would be disastrous for all the young potential mothers in Saginaw without affordable contraceptives and health care. This could be devastating to women at SVSU who are likely to be sexually active.
Practice abstinence, one might say, and Planned Parenthood would not be necessary. The truth is that Planned Parenthood endorses abstinence. A statement on Planned Parenthood's Web site responded to Mr. Rivet's admission that he would be okay with Planned Parenthood if they did not do abortions by saying they "would welcome the chance to work with the local Right to Life groups on our common concern of reducing the number of unintended pregnancies." If Rivet would stop misrepresenting the facts about Planned Parenthood, some progress might be made.
It's important for pro-life advocates to look in the mirror, too. I can respect someone, like a devout Catholic, who says they are pro-life and, therefore, oppose all kinds of death like war, capital punishment, euthanasia, and abortion. But many pro-life advocates are not consistent with their beliefs. In 2004, George W. Bush won a majority of the Catholic vote, which means more than half of Catholics support the war in Iraq and capital punishment. Shall they be denied communion just like those Catholics who voted for pro-choice candidates?
It would be understandable for readers to question my insight on this topic, considering I am a male. Men should not interfere with women's rights, but, regrettably, society is dominated by male figures. Women should fight back by getting more involved in politics. With two Supreme Court vacancies and a conservative president, it is imperative that the Court maintain the firmly established ruling of Roe v. Wade. Even though it is unlikely to be overturned, a more conservative court with one less woman has the power to gradually chip away at women's rights. One way to combat the threat on women's rights is to unite in an effort to preserve local facilities like Planned Parenthood.
The Michigan Right to Life is busy arranging fundraising dinners with seasoned pro-life veterans like Dave Bereit and forming coalitions like the Concerned Citizens of the Tri-Counties Opposed to Planned Parenthood. They should take a lesson from the failure of the Bush Administration: If you are going to attack something, at least get the correct target.
If the Right to Life paid more attention to the positive, educational aspects of Planned Parenthood instead of attacking them for unsubstantiated reasons, they might see that representatives at the Cards' Party were giving college students access to great resources, which will make them wiser and more responsible adults. But I guess the Michigan Right to Life would prefer crack babies and coat hanger enthusiasts to prudent, dignified women with reproductive freedom.