Since its conception in 1916, Planned Parenthood has been a contentious entity through trial after trial to gain the acceptance of the American people.
The latest court action to destroy Planned Parenthood surprisingly backfired.
But we at the Editorial Board fear it wasn’t quick enough.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Similar controversies have been around since Roe v. Wade.
Lately it seems as though Planned Parenthood’s long history of struggle and subjugation hasn’t merely repeated itself, it’s continuing down a long, flat road to nowhere.
Last year the Center for Medical Progress, a pro-life activist organization, released a series of graphic videos showing a representative from Planned Parenthood selling fetal organs and tissue.
An overwhelming commotion from anti-abortion parties ensued.
Not surprisingly, these videos caused an outcry from the public as well as government officials, all clamoring for the defunding of the government organization.
The grotesque images made prospects dim for Planned Parenthood — the entire public seemed to have caught them red-handed.
But, after a series of investigations, it wasn’t Planned Parenthood that was under suspicion.
The CMP, specifically founder David R. Daleiden and member Sandra S. Merritt, were found to have wrongfully condemned the organization.
Daleiden and Merritt have been indicted for tampering with government documents, including fabricating fake California driver’s licenses they used to represent themselves and their equally fake medical company, Biomax Procurement Services.
Daleiden was also indicted for soliciting or purchasing human organs. .
Although justice has been served, the implications of these videos show in the stigma of the Planned Parenthood community.
Planned Parenthood has always carried with it an inherent political stigma.
The Editorial Board recognizes few are merely neutral about Planned Parenthood’s goals — many have polar views when it comes to the role of the family planning agency.
The sad part is the stigma associated with Planned Parenthood’s objectives isn’t as easily turned over as these charges were.
Although the videos were false, the speculations and rumors that circulated have further tainted the overall objectives of Planned Parenthood.
Abortion is a sensitive topic. But when most people hear the name “Planned Parenthood” they immediately think of pictures of unborn babies.
This association has to stop.
The Washington Post reported only three percent of Planned Parenthood’s services are related to abortion.
The main goal of this organization is to promote women’s health.
Eighty-five percent of the clinic is dedicated to things like the testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, contraception and cancer screening and prevention.
These services aren’t simply things we want, they’re amenities we need.
The prospect of defunding such an imperative organization is alarming, and it’s clear to us that even the smallest scandal can have huge implications.
The public’s tendency to jump to conclusions is contagious — it spreads through the media like a virus.
We shouldn’t lay blame until the correct facts are uncovered.
