Katrina vanden Heuvel: What We Learned From Planned Parenthood

[marmar]

from The Nation:



What We Learned From Planned Parenthood
Katrina vanden Heuvel on February 7, 2012 - 3:06pm ET


In 2010, when the right-wing echo chamber succeeded in destroying ACORN—a group Bill Moyers described as “more devoted to helping poor people become their own best champions” than any group he’d ever covered as a journalist—Senator Bernie Sanders offered this warning:

“These same forces drummed Van Jones out of the White House. The rightwing echo chamber is now two-for-two, and no one should have any illusions that it won’t be back.”

Sanders’ words proved prescient. Since 2010 Planned Parenthood—along with organized labor—has been a prime target of a well-funded and relentless effort by Republicans to dismantle and destroy progressive institutions. While the right might employ different tactics depending on the target, the goal is the same: take down progressive groups that have institutional strength.

This strategy was starkly revealed again last week when the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation announced its decision to end funding for Planned Parenthood based on a (bogus) investigation launched by House Republicans into whether taxpayer money is being used to fund abortions. Komen attributed its decision to an internal policy not to fund organizations under federal investigation. There are reports, however, “that the rule was adopted in order to create an excuse to cut off Planned Parenthood.” ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blog/166114/what-we-learned-planned-parenthood