KOMEN's Response, Completely Unsatisfactory!

[kpete]

From: Portteus, Chandini [[e-mail]]
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 6:01 AM
To: Portteus, Chandini
Subject: Letter from Komen President: Granting Strategy
Dear Scientific Advisory Board and Komen Scholars,

I am writing to clarify some of the misinformation that has been circulating over the past 24 hours concerning Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Planned Parenthood. Unfortunately, there have been serious mischaracterizations and we appreciate this opportunity to clarify the issue. This issue is part of a bigger initiative at Komen to adjust our granting strategy with a desire to focus on key outcomes. I want to assure you that there has been no blanket decision made to discontinue funding to Planned Parenthood or to cut back on the mammography services to underserved women. That
said, because of the nature of some of the past Planned Parenthood grants, total grant funding to Planned Parenthood will decline as part of our new strategy.

For Komen, the women we serve are our highest priority in everything we do. Last year, thanks to the support of individuals and businesses, we were able to invest $93 million in community health programs. These programs provided 700,000 mammograms, no doubt saving countless lives. Earlier this year, we began an initiative to further strengthen our grants program to be more outcomes-driven and to allow for even greater investments in programs that directly serve women. We also implemented more stringent eligibility and performance criteria to support these strategies. As we move forward, we are working directly with Komen Affiliates to ensure that there is no interruption or gaps in services for women who need breast health screening and services.

It is regrettable when changes in priorities and policies affect any of our grantees, such as a longstanding partner like Planned Parenthood. However, like all organizations, we must continue to evolve and meet ever higher standards of excellence, so that we can most fully advance our mission. Our grant-making decisions are not about politics. Our
priority is and always will be the women we serve. Any efforts to make this political or leverage it for fundraising purposes would be a disservice to women.

I hope this answer provides the information you need. As always, we appreciate your support of Komen and our mission to end breast cancer forever.

Warmest Regards,
Liz Thompson

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/01/1060797/-Komens-Response?via=siderec

[SidDithers]

1. They really stepped in it with this decision...

Boo to them.

Sid

[JustAnotherGen]

2. I read this as them saying

From: Bullsh*t, Bullsh*t
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 6:01 AM
To: Bullsh*t Bullsh*t
Subject: Letter from Bullsh*t President: Granting Strategy

Dear Scientific Advisory Board and Komen Scholars,

Bullsh*t. Some more B.S. B.S. artist. I love to spew bull. Bull is good. Do you like bullsh*t? Do you believe it? You have just been b.s.'d.

Warmest Regards,
Bull Sh*tter

[madaboutharry]

3. This part is a lie;

"However, like all organizations, we must continue to evolve and meet ever higher standards of excellence, so that we can most fully advance our mission. Our grant-making decisions are not about politics. Our
priority is and always will be the women we serve. Any efforts to make this political or leverage it for fundraising purposes would be a disservice to women."

It is absolutely all about politics. Infiltration at the organizational level is the republican game plan. Taking over school boards, local government, women's' health care, and other government structures and organizations is the means to frame the agenda and control policy.

[REP]

4. How I read it:

"Here's a bunch of meaningless double talk. Did I mention proactively going forward? Good. I hope this answers your questions. Please keep giving us your money; all this pink kitsch costs a lot. New paradigm. Impactfully yours, corporate mouthpiece"

[KatyMan]

5. Our daughter today posted on Facebook

That she just donated to Planned Parenthood and had the thank you letter sent to Komen in Dallas. Nice work! Very proud of both our daughters.

[Bluerthanblue]

7. I like this-

great idea!

[KT2000]

6. In other words

We have decided to go from simply a corporate backed, Republican organization to a Tea party approved organization.
Before, we were simply concerned with paying high administrative costs and keeping our corporate sponsors protected from potential liability by directing our research elsewhere. Now though we are going to embrace the complete nutcase ultra-right wing agenda and use our huge amounts of money we prevent from going to other research institutions to fight the anti-abortion battle with the lives of women.
Fuck Komen.

[sufrommich]

8. In other words, we stopped supporting Planned

Parenthood for the reasons explained in the media and there has been no "misunderstanding". Boycott the pink ribbon.