zOMG! Planned Parenthood offering "abortion gift certificates"!!!1

[flvegan]

Naturally, the loonies of the religious right have EHS (Exploding Head Syndrome) over this.

I got the Fox link because, well...you know why.

Planned Parenthood Gift Certificates Could Be Used for Deadly Purposes

A number of Planned Parenthood clinics in Indiana and Illinois are offering gift certificates for their services this Christmas.

Officials say the vouchers enable people to give their loved ones "the gift of life" — that would help pay for annual checkups and birth control — but also can be used for abortions.

Planned Parenthood said the stocking-stuffers — that range in value from $25 to $100 and can be ordered online — are redeemable for health services at clinics throughout the two states and can go to any service offered. "We decided not to put restrictions on the gift certificates, so it’s for whatever people feel they need the services for most," Struben-Hall said.

A number of religious and pro-life groups are outraged, saying that at a time when millions are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Planned Parenthood is offering a gift that could fund an abortion.

"They can and will be used to end the lives of children at Christmas," said Cathy Ruse of the Family Research Council. She believes the gift certificates will anger many, even those who are not deeply religious. "A coupon for abortion at Christmastime?" Ruse said. "That’s just inherently offensive, I think, to all Americans."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,462127,00.html

[Jackpine Radical]

1. When do the after-Christmas specials on D&C's start?

[SharonAnn]

10. You could call them "Birth Control Gift Certificates"

[Jamastiene]

2. Dear Santa...

All I want for Christmas is for the right wingnuts to finally STFU and go away.

I honestly don't see what they are complaining about. I do not know any hard and fast price rates, but I'm sure abortions cost more than $100.

[glowing]

19. As far as I know.. its been a while since I've been involved with one with a friend,

but $500.00 for an abortion... Its expensive for someone with limited funds, but a lot less expensive than 18yrs of life. Sad so many choose abortion because they don't have the money to raise a child. There are of course other reasons.. but its sad that anyone makes the decision based on lack of funds. So, a gift card for medical access to prevent unwanted pregnancy is the best gift ever.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Here's an idea Cathy Ruse of the Family Research Council, DON"T BUY ONE!!!!

[Kutjara]

4. As usual, the freeps and fundies race straight for the edge cases.

Never mind that these certificates can be used so that people who otherwise can't afford access to reproductive healthcare can at least get a checkup or some advice. No, no, no. These are "death certificates," whose only purpose is to kill babies.

Typical bigoted bullshit from the hard-of-thinking crowd.

[flvegan]

8. Yup.

I was watching the story on the news. The PP folks were talking about how they hope it'll be a gift for an exam or birth control. Immediately, the Family Resource somethingorother went all "MURDER!!" on the reporter. Crazies.

[kevinbgoode]

5. I see...so Cathy Ruse and the "Family" Research Council

is trying to dictate to Americans what they can purchase as gifts? Excuse me?

Someone send that bi*ch a chocolate Jesus.

[Downtown Hound]

16. A chocolate Jesus...

:rofl:

[LeftyMom]

6. "Abortions for some, miniature American flags for others!" -Kang

[gollygee]

7. Maybe they're pap smear gift certificates

So someone can be saved from cervical cancer right at Christmastime.

Abortions aren't the only thing that happens at Planned Parenthood, idiots.

[Liberal Veteran]

9. So if I buy a book about how to become a satanist using a Barnes and Noble gift card....

...does that mean that Barnes and Noble is offending Christianity?

[flvegan]

13. Absolutely. No Anton Szandor Levay for you at B&N.

[LeftyMom]

14. Please don't give them any ideas. nt

[iamjoy]

11. I Don't Know About This

I'm strongly Pro-choice. In fact, I give monthly to my local Planned Parenthood.

BUT
it just seems weird to give gift certificates for health care - especially something as intimate as reproductive health. Here, go get a PAP smear. Here, go get the pill. As necessary and important as these things are (indeed, they could save a life) it just doesn't seem like a great gift idea.

[roody]

15. Why can't gifts be something useful? Most of us have plenty of

useless items.

[FloridaJudy]

20. Are you kidding?

If I were a few decades younger, I'd love one of those! And if I had a daughter or daughter-in-law I'd stuff one in her Christmas stocking. What better way to say "I love you, and I want you to take good care of yourself"?

[kimmylavin]

23. How many millions of Americans cannot afford healthcare?

My birth control costs $35/month, WITH insurance.
And this would be a great help to me!

Seems that giving a woman a certificate to cover a few months of birth control would be more useful than giving her yet another scarf or pair of socks.

[gollygee]

25. It wouldn't seem weird to you if you didn't have good health care. n/t

[Crunchy Frog]

12. Well gosh, maybe they could just boycott them, or picket them or something.

:eyes: At least they could maybe get an agreeement for the receptionists to say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

Really, why aren't these "pro-lifers" upset about the fact that people aren't able to access basic, life saving medical screenings, and that Planned Parenthood is the only place offering them for a reasonable price? I just can't believe how insanely hypocrytical it all is.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

17. I'd hate to see their returns policy.

[Radical Activist]

18. Finally! Now I know what to get my girlfriend for Christmas!

Thanks PP and DU!

[EFerrari]

21. Healthy women? F#ck me, what a horrible idea! Bunch of Communists!

lol

[Warren DeMontague]

22. They should give women the gift of government intrusion into their personal medical decisions,

instead.

The gift that keeps on giving!

..

[DerekG]

24. Is this a Monty Python sketch!

Abortion gift certificates?

What the fuck?!?!

[Le Taz Hot]

26. Do these dittoheads understands that abortion services

make up a whole 3% of the services Planned Parenthood offers?


Affiliate Medical Services Summary*

Contraception— 36 percent of services in 2007

STI/STD Testing and Treatment — 31 percent of services in 2007

Cancer Screening and Prevention — 17 percent of services in 2007

Other Women's Health Services — 11 percent of services in 2007

Abortion Services — 3 percent of services in 2007

Other Services — 2 percent of services in 2007

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/issues-action/birth-control/pp-services-17317.htm

Planned Parenthood remains one of those organizations that should be a model for all others.