To many, it appeared that Planned Parenthood was in danger of losing their federal funding, due to a Bill sponsored by Joni “Pig Nuts” Ernst (R-IA) and Rand “Idiot, Son of idiot, Named after Idiot” Paul (R-KY). It seemed that hundreds of organizations churned out emails that Planned Parenthood was doomed, unless we made a contribution to the sender. In actuality Planned Parenthood was not in any danger at all.
A Republican effort to strip Planned Parenthood of its federal funding came up short in the Senate Monday, with a Democratic filibuster leaving the bill from Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) seven votes shy of the 60 needed for passage. But the failure of the measure, which aimed to take away more than $500 million in federal funding from the organization, is likely just a prelude to a fiercer debate to come.
Republican presidential candidates such as Paul and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) are threatening another government shutdown if federal money for the reproductive health and abortion service provider is not eliminated. Cruz told Politico that Ernst’s bill was nothing more than a "show vote," and that when it comes to the real fight, he is willing to do whatever it takes to defund Planned Parenthood.
The recent conservative attacks on Planned Parenthood follow the July 14 release of two heavily edited video clips in which Planned Parenthood officials appear to be negotiating the sale of aborted fetuses. The videos, part of a conservative campaign against Planned Parenthood, were produced by a little-known anti-abortion activist named David Daleiden, whose group, the Center for Medical Progress, is associated with the anti-abortion organization Live Action. The video was circulated by Groundswell, a conservative strategy group, which Mother Jones’ David Corn reported on back in 2013. Groundswell includes such players as Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and conservative journalists and commentators from outlets like Breitbart News, which broke the news of the first sting video…
Inserted from <Mother Jones>
If Republicans had been serious about passing this bill they would have tucked it into a must pass budget item originating in the House, forcing Democrats to obtain 60 votes to remove it. Instead, they brought it to the floor knowing that Democrats would block cloture. Only Donnelly (DINO-IN) and Manchin (DINO-WV) goose stepped with the Republican Reich, May both suffer saguaro suppositories! The final vote was 53 – 46.
The only Reason the Republicans did this is to have a dog and pony show that they could take home to display to their rabid base voters. We can be sure they will try to keep this issue alive because they can use it as a distraction from the many subjects they wish to avoid on the campaign trail. Nevertheless we need to know how to counter their lies. The videos, on which they are basing this attack have been thoroughly debunked already. Furthermore, several of the Republicans, who are screaming their outrage now, voted to fund research using fetal tissue in the past.
Finally, never forget that Republicans have their own comprehensive plan covering women’s rights:
38 Responses to “Planned Parenthood Was Not in Danger”
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You may be partially right and I noted that Kirk defected from GOP ranks on this, too. I think the TP contingent is planning this to become the holy grail of as many votes as possible to replace the failed ACA vote strategy that doesn't even garner media attention any more.
Just saw this from Credo, which is an alternate view:
"We fought back against the latest Republican attack on Planned Parenthood and we won.
Planned Parenthood dodged a bullet, but the fight is far from over. This latest vote to defund Planned Parenthood was not just your typical political posturing by anti-choice Republicans looking to score political points with their right-wing base. There is a coordinated campaign under way by Republicans and the right-wing to destroy Planned Parenthood, in much the same way as the right killed the community organizing group ACORN."
I meant thata they were noy in danger from that vote. Bear in mind that Credo has their own agenda. They want people to use their cell phone service. As a former customer, I have to say that they do business like Republicans, so I take whatever they say with a ton of salt.
KIRK defected from the GOP? Does he think he can beat Tammy Duckworth? I most sincerely hope not! Or is it a different Kirk?
I think both views are correct. I think the GOP, had this passed the Senate, would have taken it as manna from heaven. Having failed, they will now go for the jugular. They certainly don't want to be seen as "cuckservatives." http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/04/1408563/-The-Rise-of-Cuckservative-How-Conservatives-Adopt-Racism-Sexism-Let-Their-Freak-Flag-Fly
Here is what my Mr.-Facing-Both-Ways Rethuglican Senator had to say in his canned response to PP supporters: "On July 28, 2015, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced S. 1881, a bill that prohibits federal funding to Planned Parenthood and instead entrusts those dollars to women's healthcare providers not under investigation. I am a proud co-sponsor of this legislation because it ensures there are no cuts to federal funding for women's health, which is vitally important, but it also ensures federal taxpayer dollars are not being used to fund Planned Parenthood. On August 3, 2015, I voted in favor of moving to this legislation on the Senate floor, but unfortunately the measure did not achieve the 60-vote threshold necessary to proceed and was defeated 53-46."
Ran into this investigation of the history of the hoax while looking for the voting list:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/04/opinions/louis-planned-parenthood/index.html
Found it:
Republicans No
Kirk, Ill.; McConnell, Ky.
Republicans Not Voting
Graham, S.C.
Independents No
King, Maine; Sanders, Vt.
I have seen very little news in the last few days and I am shocked that McConnell voted NO against any legislation that would help women.
I was also surprised he was a "no."
By changing his vote to no, Bought Bitch Mitch reserved the right to bring it up again in the future,
OK, that is his hidden motive, that explains it!
I never heard that term before tonight, but am now educated thanks to Daily Kos.
There's been a fantastic Tweet floating around that perfectly sums up the situation:
https://twitter.com/JesseLaGreca/status/627656320292945924
Good one! lol.
I loved it, too!
Posted on FB earlier. I haven't heard from my "friends" about it yet.
Perfect!
Excellent Nameless, and so true!
Bingo!!
It would be Jesse la Greca, the "smartest man in Wall Street" when Wall Street was being occupied. He really is bright. And this is so true.
Donnelly and Manchin really need to switch parties. This is an interesting point, and I think you are right. They have attached plenty of harmful bills to others that must be passed. Wish I had thought of that.
As appealing as that sounds, even DINOS count toward a Democartic majority in the Senate. That makes them better as DINOS than as Republicans.
Sigh, right again, as usual!
The video was an item on our news in The Netherlands too as soon as the Republicans came up with it and it looked very suspicious right from the start. Our national news didn't comment much on it, because they obviously not had time enough to research it and were short on items (we call lull in news during the holiday season "cucumber season"). Of late we've had American news items on a daily basis, I wonder why LOL. They did however report on the Republican "outrage", so it was clear from the start that the videos were made by them and served the usual purpose: get Planned Parenthood clinics closed. Our news reported that the whole outrage seemed a bit contrived as PP did so few abortions and concentrated on conception and women's healthcare in general. Even when they didn't do much research, our national news seems better informed that Republican senators and the odd DINO in the House.
So the GOP did it's quarterly little dance for their base, but its presidential hopefuls may take it up a notch. If they get to debate about it, in the end they will have their ignorant base convinced all those witches of PP do is abort all day and sell the fetuses for personal profits, because not one of the hopefuls is going to point out that only 3% of their activities is abortion related, are they. The next bill to abort funding may therefore get much more dangerous for PP than this one.
Your last sentence expresses the fears of so many so well; thanks Lona
I love your term "Cucumber Season" to designate summer holiday time!
I fully agree. I expect Republicans to make Planned parenthood their go to issue, replacing Obamacare. It may even supplant Benghazi.
And don't forget individual states. New Hampshire just defunded PP. I suppose Maggie Hassan might veto that; I have no idea what the voting was or whether it was veto-proof there.
"saguaro suppositories"? Had to google that one and I have one word for it: OUCH!!!!! But it is well deserved for these Republicanus/Teabaggerum wannabes!
Of course Trump weighed in on the debate and according to CNN "Donald Trump said he believes Republicans should shut down the government rather than fund Planned Parenthood, …" (http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/04/politics/donald-trump-government-shutdown-planned-parenthood/?iid=ob_article_topstories_pool&iref=obnetwork).
Not one Republicanus/Teabaggerum of whom I am aware has called for further investigation of the "heavily edited" tapes produced by "…David Daleiden, whose group, the Center for Medical Progress, is associated with the anti-abortion organization Live Action." But why since they just love a good hearing? Probably because they already know the tapes are heavily edited and they don't want to expose their 'family values' meme to scrutiny, much less being exposed as liars. They would far rather have a government shut down and blame the Democrats for that debacle. Likewise, we already know that the Republicanus/Teabaggerum have tried to repeal the ACA aka Obamacare 54 times so why not get rid of PP as a partial victory!
I think we'll see close to 54 attempts to defund PP
If it's just OUCH, the saguaro needs to go deeper.
Just to keep thiings in perspective, here's a Fact Check breakdown of where Planned Parenthood budget goes (although I'm sure it varies some w/ time and state):
Treatment of STD/STI – 35%
Contraception – 35%
Cancer Screening & Prevention – 16%
Other Women's Health Services – 10%
Abortion Services – 3%
Other – 1%
http://www.factcheck.org/2011/04/planned-parenthood/
Very similar to the graphic I used.
Watch Elizabeth Warren Slam GOP Planned Parenthood
"Do you have any idea what year it is? Did you fall down, hit your head and think you woke up in the 1950s or the 1890s? Should we call for a doctor?" Elizabeth Warren attacking the GOP for their efforts to defund Planned Parenthood is priceless — and she makes valid points!
For today's Secondary Action, watch Elizabeth Warren take down the GOP for their history of holding other issues hostage in an effort to roll back women's healthcare funding.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/watch-elizabeth-warren-slam-gop-planned-parenthood-attack.html?z00m=25438340
VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeilHs9kZ2g&feature=player_embedded
I am very glad that Planned Parenthood did not get defunded. PP does so much good for women, children and even men too. Abortion only constitutes 3% of its services.
I have a hard time understanding why the GOP/TP don't care about the health of women and children.
TY TC – sorry, in too much pain. Back in a bit.
Hope ypou feel better, Pat.
Jeb Bush "Not Sure We Need Half a Billion Dollars for Women’s Health"
In more news from the campaign trail, Republican candidate Jeb Bush has sparked outrage with his statement that women’s healthcare is overfunded. Bush made the comments when responding to an interviewer’s question about the Planned Parenthood sting videos, which are edited to appear to suggest that the organization sells fetal tissue, an allegation Planned Parenthood vehemently denies.
Interviewer: "Shouldn’t we make that an issue and say not one more red cent to Planned Parenthood?"
Jeb Bush: "We should, and the next president should defund Planned Parenthood. I have the benefit of having been governor, and we did defund Planned Parenthood when I was governor. We tried to create a culture of life across the board. The argument against this is, well, women’s health issues are going to be — you’re attacking — it’s a war on women, and you’re attacking women’s health issues. You could take dollar for dollar, although I’m not sure we need a half a billion dollars for women’s health issues."
Jeb Bush later partially walked back the statement, saying he was not speaking about community health centers but only about Planned Parenthood’s "hard-to-fathom $500 million in federal funding." He had a Twitter war with Hillary Clinton, who was questioning his saying he did not support women’s healthcare in America.
http://democracynow.org/2015/8/5/headlines#852
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Puzzle link is now working. lol. Hugzzz …
Woooo Hoooo! Brb Gotta change today's Open Thread before I upload it.
Thanks all. Hugs!