There’s actually a little more confusion than initially reported about Susan G. Komen’s actual commitment to restoring Planned Parenthood funds. They certainly wanted everyone to think that they were changing their policy. Upon closer inspection of their statement, however, they may be trying to take credit for a change in policy without actually doing so.
The statement says that they would “amend the criteria” used in determining their grants, “to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political.” And they added that existing grants to Planned Parenthood would go forward, and that they could apply for future grants. But the existing grants were already going forward. That really hasn’t changed. And this doesn’t fully commit Planned Parenthood to receiving those grants in the future.
Greg Sargent tracked down a Komen board member for comment.
I asked Komen board member John Raffaelli to respond to those who are now saying that the announcement doesn’t necessarily constitute a reversal until Planned Parenthood actually sees more funding. He insisted it would be unfair to expect the group to commit to future grants.
“It would be highly unfair to ask us to commit to any organization that doesn’t go through a grant process that shows that the money we raise is used to carry out our mission,” Raffaelli told me. “We’re a humaniatrian [sic] organization. We have a mission. Tell me you can help carry out our mission and we will sit down at the table.”
Pushed on whether this means the new announcement wasn’t really a reversal, Raffaelli pushed back, arguing that Komen, in response to all the criticism, had removed politics from the grant-making process. “Is it really unclear that we’re changing the policy to address criticism?” he said.
The proof that the policy has actually changed, then, will not be revealed until the acceptance of the grant request next year. Planned Parenthood could actually take this a step further. They could refuse to participate in the grant process. If I’m seeing things correctly, the Komen Foundation is breaking down. This has damaged their credibility significantly. They may not be around a whole lot longer. So Planned Parenthood can stand on the side against politicization of women’s health and say they won’t lend any credibility to Komen’s tarnished brand.
I don’t think they’ll do that, but when you see all this game-playing, it’s really hard to go back and take the Komen money. Ultimately, women’s health is more important. But I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this fight.
…Marcy Wheeler has some similar thoughts.





106 Comments


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Umm… Bullshit.
They are contractually committed to this year’s grants and make no concessions at all on future grants.
In short- nothing.
You’ve fucked up as badly as karoli on this one dday.
Magnetic pink waffles …
DW
How about this for a walk back.
Title-
I. Was. Wrong.
Body-
I earlier reported Susan G. Komen Reverses Decision, Will Fund Planned Parenthood.
I was wrong.
Instead they have admitted that they are contractually obligated to fulfill existing agreements and have “allowed” Planned Parenthood to apply for future grants.
This is not a concession of any sort.
I like waffles. But they’re not on my diabetic diet.
Let’s not be too harsh.
Let’s just say that, as of today, the situatiuon is “fluid”.
Loaded with carbs for sure.
But there is no making light of this. It’s another ACORN attack and dday is failing miserably the longer he persists in the error of his ways.
There are plenty of other things that pink water bottles, phone cases, t-shirts and spatulas cannot do but doctors at Planned Parenthood can.
I look at the considerable track record of David Dayen and I must protest regarding some comments here. I can see how someone could come up with his original headline (agree it is incorrect) in good faith. The bullshit that flies around (copious and infinite amounts) the information super highway can be challenging and all of us can be duped or mistaken. Let’s show the tolerance that we expect from the intolerant we are always railing against. How about; thanks for your good work DD but you missed something here instead of vitriol. I can’t do what you do DD and am glad you are on our side.
You said it so much nicer than I was going to say it. (and no f-bombs) Thanks.
Hear hear!
I don’t know why our money isn’t just sent straight to PP! We all know about middlemen!
Well said.
Even if I don’t agree, I don’t start off by shouting LIAR!
DK is pushing for that over at burnt orange.
Has Komen finished pissing of everyone to the maximum degree? If not, expect more announcements.
I do agree totally that it’s an ACORN attack. This was coordinated to allow the congressional investigation the ability to say “see even well-respected, non-partisan groups like THIS won’t have anything to do with them!”
But I’m not giving DD a hard time for jumping the wrong direction when the story broke (while cranking out a LOT of quality reporting on many subjects) … rather than an apology for being wrong, I’d prefer to see the earlier headline that gives SGK credit for doing something they didn’t do at all updated so it doesn’t serve as misinforming casual search-engine fodder.
Or Dr. Susan Love, if you want to support breast cancer research.
Future headline:
“Planned Parenthood grants rejected, Komen denies political bias”
Yes, I wish D-Day would stop writing faster than I can read. But to complain about a title, rather than the content, is quite snippy. I recall comedian John Stewart tried to criticize Raw Story for their sensationalistic titles.
But I certainly am glad this topic is showcased, because it is a symptom of the war between Us and Them. Attack the poor for the Paulson Finance Fraud. Attack ACORN for registering poor people to vote. Attack women’s health care. That because we should not care about poor women. They have a safety net and we should only discuss it in a quiet room. Attack the weakest because the One Percent despises us “lesser people”.
STOP flaming D-Day and go after this phony charity that serves One Percent.
It’s not just the poor who go to PP. Two of my daughters made the decision when they were teenagers that they wanted their yearly physicals done at PP. I thought it was a great idea.
How many charities (phony or real) would we need if we actually had quality universal healthcare?
Just the one for foot fungus…..
PP:
If we had it. There would not be any charities defending carcinogens produced by Big Oil and Big Chemical and promoted by Big Hedge Funds. Komen claims BPA’s are safe and do not cause cancers.
Also, just to restrict the discussion to Breast Cancer is misleading and unscientific. Women are killed by other Cancers and are just as dead.
Also, a Universal Health Care would radically change the present treatments. The Chemotherapy Business is itself obscene both medically and financially.
Money-root of all evil.
dday gets a pass.
karoli not so much.
Even when people lie?
That said, link to it.
That’s a start.
Already harvested by Google, so a full retraction is really what is needed here.
But the headline is what gets harvested by Google.
And dday bought into it hook, line, and sinker.
He needs to issue a complete and explicit retraction.
Get a life.
I must confess that I’m not quite able to grasp the reason(s) for the ass-whuppin’ that’s being delivered unto D-Day about this story, particularly in light of the fact that the opening sentence of the piece is as quoted above.
There’s obviously a substantial amount of fog surrounding this PR conflagration, and it will very likely take a day or two (or longer) to really get a handle on the particulars. In the meantime, Mr. Dayen continues to pump out stories and critical analyses at a quantity and pace that should rightfully command the respect (and/or boggle the mind) of even the most seasoned and hardened of journalists.
So hows about…lightening up, yo?
So you hate me.
For what?
How quaint.
Let the Sun Shine, and disinfect…..
seconded. WTF?
Or, you could write a Post, which I suggest. Being a citizen journalist is not always easy. But it can be exciting when the Rich People take their class war over the edge.
“ass-whuppin’”?
Let me mildly suggest your experience is limited.
There is no fog at all now, Susan G. Komen is completely exposed for what and who they are.
I look forward to dday’s expose that they only spend .25 of every dollar on actual factual charity.
This all seems like a strange funnel to get to the issue of women’s health and PP, etc. As Chris Rock pointed out more than a decade ago: ” The money is not in the cure, it’s in the disease. ” For 2 decades Americans of all stripes have seen this run around, thru a middlewoman in this case, on all healthcare issues facing us. In a for-profit healthcare system you don’t get healthcare, you get profit, period. This farce of gatekeeping by Komen or March of Dimes or United Way are ” scams and schemes ” for the naive and not unike the lottery or poker. The house always wins a % of the take. In America the house gets 20-30% and we fools continue to place our bets. What a sad commentary on our political and medical institutions. 50 million uninsured and another 50 million underinsured and the same circus comes to town every year and the same clowns step in the ring to entertain us. P.U.
“…go after this phony charity that serves One Percent.”
BCBS a Public charity? Serves that 1% well with 11 million dollar exec, “chute rides!” All the news we don’t want the public to know? Just, go shopping………….
KMA
You know zero about me. Nothing, nada, zip. So you might want to back-track just a little bit on that assertion.
Put your money where your mouth is.
Heh.
While no dday I run two blogs and write 3 or 4 posts a day.
The Stars Hollow Gazette
DocuDharma
And I like dday.
Usually someone so prolific understands the difference between an “update” and a “retraction.”
Glad you don’t like me.
What $2,090,000,000,000 blown out the gasoline auto tailpipe, in the next five years, could do for America?
Since you asked, a quick google search provides:
ekhornbeck commented:
Amen. I consider myself pretty well informed, but next to Dday I look like a Faux News addict.
Well… you consider this an “ass-whuppin’”
Who’s being naive Kay?
Those were liars.
Not facts are lies. Get over it.
Sometimes things are factually untrue.
Then you issue a retraction, not an update.
Were it the Washington Times how would you feel?
What is your point? You just go on and on about nothing.
If someone is reporting what someone else said, and taking them at their word, and accurately reports what they said, and it turns out that the person was dissembling, an update is required, not a retraction.
It sounds to me like you came in here with a chip on your shoulder. Why, I cannot say. What I can say, however, is that insofar as correcting the record is concerned, you have yet to walk the talk.
As for “ass-whuppin’?” I’ll retract and replace with “criticism.” I’m going to guess that won’t make you happy, either.
I made my point.
You seem to insist on having the last word.
Stenography.
The highest form of journalism.
Our gov’t should be issueing tax credits to those who don’t own cars, period. If you own an electric scooter or bicycle and use it for 2 years the entire cost of said equipment should be completely depreciated in addition to the tax credits if the thing is made in the U.S. That would do more for women’s health than all the pink ribbons pinned on their tee shirts. Why doesn’t Michelle and her oldest daughter tool around on these for the photo-op and really empire women’s health and independence from the toxins in the air? Maybe they could motor around some coal plants, too!
Michael used a comma.
And the Komen PR press release tries to hide its own internal politics by substituting in its statement the term “politics” when ‘ideology’ or ‘belief’ is in fact the issue.
On the contrary.
I think I have admirably defended my “criticism”, everyone so far admits it’s factually correct.
Instead the thread is filled with attacks on my character because I have dared to point out that dday is wrong.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but whips and chains excite me.
I freely admit to every vice unless you have something new you’d care to share.
Listen up: Stenography doesn’t update or retract — or analyze.
Dday reports, updates, and analyses.
Most of us have no trouble distinguishing among the three.
If he reported that they said something they didn’t say, a retraction is needed. And he would give one.
Get it?
You have still not walked back your assertion about me at #33. As I said, you know precisely zip about me. Like, Zero. So don’t pretend like you do. And don’t misquote lines from “The Godfather,” either. It’s offensive.
As I said, you came in here with a major-league chip on your shoulder and you’ve now managed to drive yourself so deeply into your own misguided notions that you’d have to get a sky crane to haul yourself out. Not that I would ever expect you to have the balls to admit it.
You picked the wrong day and the wrong guy. I’m really not in the mood.
Take your troll shit somewhere else.
I think the actual saying is “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil”. Not money in itself, which is merely a transfer mechanism.
Why would people contribute funds to a “charity” like SGK that only passes on a small portion of its donations and utilizes the remainder to enrich its administration?
“he reported that they said something they didn’t say”
“a retraction is needed.”
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101443220
Seems SGK are in cahoots with a hand gun dealer!
So now you’re threatening me.
Cool.
He actually mentioned the “Moonie” rag, the Washington Times. That’s a reveal.
Grow up. In fact, if all you want to do is run your mouth, then why don’t you go outside and play? The grownups are trying to have an adult conversation.
Ohfergawdsakes. Everybody reported the Komen announcement as a “reversal.”
On more careful perusal, folks like our dday noticed some disturbing details…
One of the things I haven’t seen noted (prolly is, somewhere) that makes me very suspicious of K’s real intent – yesterday Brinker was all “oh, this decision had nothing to do with investigations or our new rule, nothing at all. It’s all about the “pass-through” so they really don’t provide “excellent service” so THAT’s why we cut off PP.”
Today’s announcement, supposedly reversing the decision – suddenly, it IS all about investigation after all. They just will change their criteria for investigated organizations.
Why isn’t anybody pointing this out? Or maybe she isn’t going on live anywhere, even with her best buddy Andrea Mitchell.
Doesn’t anybody know how to cross-examine anymore? Sheesh.
Yup.
I mentioned it as a negative example.
Next.
He quoted what they said. That’s his responsibility.
They led everyone — including Dday — to believe that it was a reversal in policy. We find out that it wasn’t: They tricked everyone but you.
That requires an update stating that they may have tricked everyone — which he provided.
Put your pecker or whatever back in your pants. We get it. You’re smarter and purer than the rest of us. Sometimes a stiff drink helps.
Ya think?
Everybody jumped his shit on the last thread and informed him he was wrong.
Every site I have read today says “Komen Backs Down.”
I suggest that you go to a lot of places and tell them how wrong they are. Assume that your work is done here.
The Latin original is Radix malorum est cupiditas. Back then they argued a lot about caritas ‘love’ and cupiditas ‘love’. The Church fathers coined caritas for the Vulgate, to translate the NT Gk Agapé. ModE ‘charity’ is the derivative. They figured they could form a new word from L. carus (ModE ‘care’, ‘caring’; Fr. chere), which meant ‘dear’, ‘costly’, ‘esteemed’. The IE base for L carus (hypothetically reconstructed as ker-) meant ‘adulterer’ in Gothic (ModE ‘God’ comes from the Goth’s language), and the OE hora and ModE word ‘whore’ are cognate derivatives. Nu? Has the Church retracted or admitted error?
David: I will give you the same advice that “Superchicken” gave to his faithful companion “Fred”, “You knew the job was dangerous when you took it.”.
Me, I’m still a fan!!!!
Interpret the following for me:
If you think that they will be able to defund Planned Parenthood anytime in the near future, I have a bridge …
They will be defunding the shit out of Planned Parenthood in the near future because Komen is going to go out of business unless they can convince the public that they hadn’t caved to right wing bullying in the first place.
Hence their PR stunt today. All the while insisting it isn’t based on politics.
Thanks for the link. I’ve read the article. I don’t know if “cahoots” is accurate. Seems like a mutually beneficial marketing plan to benefit women’s health tied to the sale of hand guns. The Walther model P22 is a fine weapon and if more women had one there would be far fewer cheating husbands like Newt Gingrich. :-)
They put out a PR statement that was cute but will make it fucking IMPOSSIBLE to screw PP in the future.
Now, who was “factual” in the end?
Do you think all their races wil be “in jeopardy”.
Ridiculous. That would be suicide.
Probably not “all their races”, but enough people are not going to be willing to play their game any more that the gravy train is probably over.
What would be suicide???
Misquote?
You have cut me to the quick.
Thanks for confusing me. The original saying is from Timothy in the New Testament of the Bible, which wasn’t written in Latin and predates the establishment of the Church, doesn’t it? Please just clarify as to whether my interpretation was accurate or not. I can’t tell one way or the other from your comment.
If you mean that choosing to defund PP in the near future would be suicide, you missed my point.
It wouldn’t be their choice.
Defunct organizations are not able to disperse funding any more.
Really?
So in your world “factual” means- “supports my viewpoint”.
Thanks for the clarification. Next what? I refuse to feed trolls so no more from me. Not that that comment was directed to you in the first place.
Yup. Still looking for it.
Really?
It was a reply to me.
GFY
Hi again. The ancient languages had several words for our mere word ‘love’. When we say ‘the love of money’ we probably mean something like ‘lust for’, which was the notion of cupiditas, or ‘cupidity’. There are historical explanations for the notions that ‘sex is evil’, and they may be related to the term ‘filthy lucre’.
SGK has not reversed itself. Its nothing more than a ploy. Don’t fall for it. They have made sure their criteria has been changed in terms of “pass through screenings” so that PP will no longer qualify in the future.
Even if PP applies next year they will be turned down because they make screening referrals instead of doing the screenings inside the clinic.
They are simply performing some sleight of hand here. They are sneaky snakes. They have turned this organization into an arm of Operation Rescue.
Oh my goodness golly.
That’s an awfully adult response, isn’t it now?
The problem they’re going to have is that contributors and sponsors are going to stop taking everything pink and cuddly for granted. They’re going to follow the money.
Check it out.
If they don’t fund PP, they die.
TBogg:
FWIW… they were clients of my last company a couple of years ago. From what the AE said they were having SERIOUS internal issues
How To Destroy A Reputation In Less Than A Week
And it looks like Komen will not be selling any more of those pink guns (as featured on The Young Turks today).
Gun distributor takes down Susan G. Komen gun webpage
Well it looks like McDonald’s isn’t the only one with a PINK SLIME Problem.
Contextually? Not even close.
Personally, I hope this is end of SGK. They have done more to shield polluters killing people with their carcinogenic pollution than any group I can think of. This, in fact, make them look like they are in the business of delivering “customers” to the cancer biz and protecting the *CAUSE*. Not to mention, weeding out those that can’t pay.
Hardly, they have just been outed as turning hard right, which seems like it has been in the process of, for quite a while.
here is more to add to the stench.
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/02/03/418797/exclusive-ari-fleischer-komen-planned-parenthood/
“Ari Fleischer, former press secretary for George W. Bush and prominent right-wing pundit, secretly helped guide Komen Foundation’s disastrous strategy regarding Planned Parenthood. Fleischer personally interviewed candidates for the position of “Senior Vice President for Communications and External Relations” at Komen last December. According to a source with first-hand knowledge, Fleischer drilled prospective candidates during their interviews on how they would handle the controversy about Komen’s relationship with Planned Parenthood.
Fleischer’s relationship with Komen and the Planned Parenthood controversy was previously undisclosed. Fleischer confirmed to ThinkProgress his recent role in filling a key communication position at Komen. He stressed, however, that another communications firm (Ogilvy PR) was retained by Komen to deal with the explosive controversy over the last few days.”
It was amazing to watch the NBC affiliate KING TV do interference for komen, last night. Slanting coverage against PP and stepping on the fact that Patti Murray was going to make an appearance at the Seattle branch today.
“Contextually”
I see.
Because you don’t have an actual factual leg to stand on. I quoted correctly and you are wrong.
It is far past the time for fanatical evangelical politicians and religious nuts to stop sticking their noses into a pregnant woman’s vaginal business, sticking their noses where their right-wing noses don’t belong and aren’t welcome.
Hey Jagoff:
Prove you can read.
Let’s see, who am I gonna believe? You or Katha Pollitt?
Feh.
You’re some kind of jagoff tool.
Suck on this and then go away.
Yes. That is precisely what I said. And the fact that you are taking issue with it proves beyond the slightest doubt that you don’t know what in the fuck you’re talking about.
You brought a pea-shooter to a tank battle. Why don’t you go back down into whatever hole you crawled out of and leave us alone.
You lost. You’re wrong. You stepped in it. Get over it and and get the fuck out, jagoff…
The President of Komen was granted an ambassadorship by the Bush junta. What else do you need to know?
If anyone had read that statement carefully this morning they would have realized that this was in no way a guarantee that Komen would fund grants to PP in the future but only honor the ones that had already been awarded. Those are the facts. The even bigger travesty in all of this is that Komen also cut funding to any research done that uses embryonic stem cells. That amounts to over $12 million this year alone. Granted a drop in the bucket to what is really needed but damned hard to replace.
Dayen missed it and Politt missed it, too. I have no doubt that next year there will be no Komen funds going to PP if the same right wing haters of women are in charge.
They will reap the whirlwind.
Over at RedState lie factory Master Erickson wrote a post:
Commenters are sad, mad, passing numbers for refunds.. :)
Not only have they lost trust of the left, and have been exposed as being money wasters/launderers to everyone, they have earned scorn from knuckle-draggers for their walk back, and because it’s disingenuous they don’t trust them either- now. Its nice to see Mrs. Brinker get her comeuppance.
Heh.
Jagoff three times and a get the fuck out.
Who brought a peashooter again?