In case you haven't heard John McCain who is:
AGAINST comprehensive sex education
AGAINST international family planning funding
AGAINST Roe v. Wade
AGAINST funding to prevent unintended pregnancies and teen pregnancies
AGAINST funding for public education on emergency contraception
AGAINST requiring health care plans to cover birth control
AGAINST restoring Medicaid funding that could be used for family planning services for low-income women
has selected his running mate for the Presidency. Anti - Choice Republican from Alaska, Sarah Palin. Enough is enough.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund recently polled 1,205 women in 16 likely battleground states, finding that:
Despite his extreme voting record, 51 percent of women voters in battleground states have no idea what John McCain's positions are on women's reproductive health issues. Forty-nine percent of women currently backing McCain express pro-choice views, and 46percent of women supporting McCain over Obama want to see Roe v. Wade upheld.
In a match-up with Barack Obama, 36 percent of pro-choice McCain supporters say they are less likely to vote for McCain when told that he opposes Roe v. Wade.
For more information on how you can help Planned Parenthood this election please visit www.miplannedparenthoodvotes.org
See below for the press release from the PP National Office.
For Immediate Release Contact: Diane Quest, 202-973-4851
August 29, 2008
CECILE RICHARDS, PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTION FUND PRESIDENT, STATEMENT ON MCCAIN VICE-PRESIDENTIAL SELECTION
“Senator McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as a running mate makes clear that John McCain is completely out of touch on the issues that matter to American women. The last thing women need is a president — and vice president — who are prepared to turn back the clock on women's rights and repeal the protections of Roe v. Wade.
“The 2008 presidential election is about going forward, not backwards. It is about change, not about more of the same. But in choosing Governor Palin, Senator McCain has once again demonstrated that a McCain-Palin administration would be four more years of the same.
“According to an article in the Alaska Journal (3/16/08), when Palin was running for lieutenant governor in 2002, she sent an e-mail to the Alaska Right to Life board saying she was as “pro-life as any candidate can be.” She is also on the record stating that she is opposed to abortion even in the case of rape or incest.
“Women deserve a president who understands all their health care needs. There should be no question now that Barack Obama does and John McCain does not. John McCain may have a woman on the ticket, but he does not have the interests of women at heart. This selection may satisfy the right wing of the Republican Party, but it will further alienate mainstream women voters.”
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The Oakland Press Covered Our Rally!
Here's an article about the rally we had on Tuesday. The reporter left too soon and therefore only accounted for a dozen attendees- he should have stuck around to see the other dozen! But it's great that he was there and covered us.
As usual, McCain's positions on our issues are so vague they are not compelling at all.
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/082708/loc_20080827492.shtml
As usual, McCain's positions on our issues are so vague they are not compelling at all.
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/082708/loc_20080827492.shtml
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
McCain is a McStake
Yesterday we celebrated Women's Equality Day (commemorating 88 years of American women's right to vote) by protesting outside of Sen. McCain's Midwestern Headquarters in Farmington Hills.
It was the perfect way to celebrate how far we've come in this movement for equality, and to let it be known that we do not intend to be taken back to a time when our voices weren't heard, when our concerns were ignored, and when we were not treated with respect and fairness.
This election is critical in standing up for women's rights. Here are some things to know about McCain:
He is...
AGAINST comprehensive sex education
AGAINST international family planning funding
AGAINST Roe v. Wade
AGAINST funding to prevent unintended pregnancies and teen pregnancies
AGAINST funding for public education on emergency contraception
AGAINST requiring health care plans to cover birth control
AGAINST restoring Medicaid funding that could be used for family planning services for low-income women
And as if that wasn't bad enough, McCain doesn't support Pay Equity Legislation that would require that employers pay women the same that they pay men for the same job.
I don't know what century he's living in, but we were there in force yesterday to show him that we're not interested in having him lead us in this current one.
It comes down to being fair and principled in your approach to health care and families- and if that's something you're into, you shouldn't be into McCain.
We waved signs and let hundreds of people driving down Northwestern Highway know that McCain is a McStake... big time!
It was the perfect way to celebrate how far we've come in this movement for equality, and to let it be known that we do not intend to be taken back to a time when our voices weren't heard, when our concerns were ignored, and when we were not treated with respect and fairness.
This election is critical in standing up for women's rights. Here are some things to know about McCain:
He is...
AGAINST comprehensive sex education
AGAINST international family planning funding
AGAINST Roe v. Wade
AGAINST funding to prevent unintended pregnancies and teen pregnancies
AGAINST funding for public education on emergency contraception
AGAINST requiring health care plans to cover birth control
AGAINST restoring Medicaid funding that could be used for family planning services for low-income women
And as if that wasn't bad enough, McCain doesn't support Pay Equity Legislation that would require that employers pay women the same that they pay men for the same job.
I don't know what century he's living in, but we were there in force yesterday to show him that we're not interested in having him lead us in this current one.
It comes down to being fair and principled in your approach to health care and families- and if that's something you're into, you shouldn't be into McCain.
We waved signs and let hundreds of people driving down Northwestern Highway know that McCain is a McStake... big time!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Bush Administration Rule Change Severely Threatens Women's Health
Below is the letter Planned Parenthood Federation of America President, Cecile Richards, sent out last night. You may have heard that this was coming up, like I did, but it's still unfathomable that the Bush Administration would betray women like this as they leave office.
Here's the gist: The president's rule within the Department of Health and Human Servies (HHS) lets health care providers define abortion, which could threaten access to birth control and broader reproductive health care, and allow federal funding for so-called "crisis pregnancy centers" that refuse to inform patients of or provide patients with a full range of reproductive health care options.
With abortion being left undefined, it means that "the regulation creates all sorts of space for ideology and political views to insinuate themselves into medical practices, emergency rooms and clinics all across the country and when that happens women will suffer.”
Please take action and encourage your friends to as well- we've got 30 days of public review to show them that this IS NOT OK.
Not under our watch,
Dessa
From Cecile:
At 2:00 this afternoon, the Bush administration launched an attack on women's health care and reproductive rights that has put Planned Parenthood and the people it serves in the fight of their lives.
We need your help today — and over the next few weeks — to fight back. Thank you in advance for standing with us during this critical time.
For the past month, we have been aware that the Bush administration was planning to release a rule that would limit the rights of patients to receive complete and accurate birth control and other reproductive health information and services. With your help, we did all we could to stop the president from going through with the threat to release the new rule. But Bush was intent on delivering this "gift" to his extreme anti-choice supporters before he left office. Today was their lucky day.
You can bet that anti-choice activists are thrilled that President Bush made good on his promise to them. This rule will allow them to receive federal funds for so-called "crisis pregnancy centers" — anti-choice facilities whose purpose is to deceive and dissuade women from accessing birth control and abortion information and services.
A woman’s ability to manage her own health care is at risk of being compromised by politics and ideology. The new regulation complicates rather than clarifies the law. It lets health care providers define abortion, which could threaten broader reproductive health care, including contraception. This is just one more instance of the Bush administration putting politics in the exam room.
We've got a fight on our hands — and it's a big one. We have 30 days to dispute the rule with everything we've got. That includes you. It is during crises like the one happening today when your support for Planned Parenthood and the people it serves is most needed. We're launching a massive campaign immediately.
When more and more families are uninsured and have difficulty accessing health care at all, implementing a rule that will limit access to health services is utterly perplexing. The Bush administration's outrageous actions never cease to amaze me, but this one is beyond belief. It will hurt the women who most need help at a time when they are most vulnerable. It's unconscionable, and it is wrong. And, once again, it's our job to stop it.
www.ppfa.org
Thank you, thank you, for your help today and during the next few weeks.
Sincerely,
Cecile Richards, President
Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Here's the gist: The president's rule within the Department of Health and Human Servies (HHS) lets health care providers define abortion, which could threaten access to birth control and broader reproductive health care, and allow federal funding for so-called "crisis pregnancy centers" that refuse to inform patients of or provide patients with a full range of reproductive health care options.
With abortion being left undefined, it means that "the regulation creates all sorts of space for ideology and political views to insinuate themselves into medical practices, emergency rooms and clinics all across the country and when that happens women will suffer.”
Please take action and encourage your friends to as well- we've got 30 days of public review to show them that this IS NOT OK.
Not under our watch,
Dessa
From Cecile:
At 2:00 this afternoon, the Bush administration launched an attack on women's health care and reproductive rights that has put Planned Parenthood and the people it serves in the fight of their lives.
We need your help today — and over the next few weeks — to fight back. Thank you in advance for standing with us during this critical time.
For the past month, we have been aware that the Bush administration was planning to release a rule that would limit the rights of patients to receive complete and accurate birth control and other reproductive health information and services. With your help, we did all we could to stop the president from going through with the threat to release the new rule. But Bush was intent on delivering this "gift" to his extreme anti-choice supporters before he left office. Today was their lucky day.
You can bet that anti-choice activists are thrilled that President Bush made good on his promise to them. This rule will allow them to receive federal funds for so-called "crisis pregnancy centers" — anti-choice facilities whose purpose is to deceive and dissuade women from accessing birth control and abortion information and services.
A woman’s ability to manage her own health care is at risk of being compromised by politics and ideology. The new regulation complicates rather than clarifies the law. It lets health care providers define abortion, which could threaten broader reproductive health care, including contraception. This is just one more instance of the Bush administration putting politics in the exam room.
We've got a fight on our hands — and it's a big one. We have 30 days to dispute the rule with everything we've got. That includes you. It is during crises like the one happening today when your support for Planned Parenthood and the people it serves is most needed. We're launching a massive campaign immediately.
When more and more families are uninsured and have difficulty accessing health care at all, implementing a rule that will limit access to health services is utterly perplexing. The Bush administration's outrageous actions never cease to amaze me, but this one is beyond belief. It will hurt the women who most need help at a time when they are most vulnerable. It's unconscionable, and it is wrong. And, once again, it's our job to stop it.
www.ppfa.org
Thank you, thank you, for your help today and during the next few weeks.
Sincerely,
Cecile Richards, President
Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Abortion Provider Inverviewd on NPR
Earlier today, I was listening to National Public Radio, via WDET in Detroit, while I was getting some work done. Just as I was about to turn it off and concentrate on some tedious numbers stuff, I heard the next segment advertised. Susan Wicklund was to be interviewed about her recent memoir This Common Secret: My Story as an Abortion Doctor.
Of course, I couldn't turn off the radio then. So I decided to eat my lunch a little earlier than planned and get back to the numbers after the interview.
The interview was really interesting. Dr. Wicklund is a very mild mannered woman, who's caring nature is evident each time she speaks about her patients. Hearing the story about her abortion as a young woman and how that experience made her want to provide safe abortions for women of the next generation was really inspiring.
Hearing how she has been targeted by anti-choice extremists by way of stalking, protests at her home, protests at her daughter's school, and death threats, and how she continued to do the work she believed in because of the energy she got from her patients was also inspiring.
No doctor performing legal and safe procedures should have to go through what Dr. Wicklund did. But her struggles have inspired me to keep working and fighting for what I believe in even when it's hard.
You can hear the interview I heard by clicking here:
http://www.here-now.org/
Of course, I couldn't turn off the radio then. So I decided to eat my lunch a little earlier than planned and get back to the numbers after the interview.
The interview was really interesting. Dr. Wicklund is a very mild mannered woman, who's caring nature is evident each time she speaks about her patients. Hearing the story about her abortion as a young woman and how that experience made her want to provide safe abortions for women of the next generation was really inspiring.
Hearing how she has been targeted by anti-choice extremists by way of stalking, protests at her home, protests at her daughter's school, and death threats, and how she continued to do the work she believed in because of the energy she got from her patients was also inspiring.
No doctor performing legal and safe procedures should have to go through what Dr. Wicklund did. But her struggles have inspired me to keep working and fighting for what I believe in even when it's hard.
You can hear the interview I heard by clicking here:
http://www.here-now.org/
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
PPAM Seeks Voter Registration Interns: Could That Be You?
I am happy to announce that Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan is looking for 10 Voter Registration Interns across the state to help us register 2,000 new voters in the next couple of months.
In this historic and important election, we want to make sure no stone is left unturned in finding eligible voters who can exercise their right (and duty) to vote for the first time on Nov. 4th, 2008.
If you're interested in applying, check out the announcement on our website (http://www.miplannedparenthood.org/opportunities.htm), and get in touch!
The deadline to apply is August 22nd, and spots are filling up fast, so don't delay!
In this historic and important election, we want to make sure no stone is left unturned in finding eligible voters who can exercise their right (and duty) to vote for the first time on Nov. 4th, 2008.
If you're interested in applying, check out the announcement on our website (http://www.miplannedparenthood.org/opportunities.htm), and get in touch!
The deadline to apply is August 22nd, and spots are filling up fast, so don't delay!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Successful Primary
So this is a little late, but still very important!
Planned Parenthood's endorsed candidates had a successful day on the primary on August 5th. Congratulations to these three candidates who won their Democratic primary for state House Representative!
Sarah Roberts in House District 24
Lisa Brown in House District 39
Katie Segal in House District 62
These candidates are certain to make women's health a priority in the state of Michigan. If you live in their districts, make sure to vote for them! If you don't live in these districts, make sure you vote for pro-choice candidates all the way down the ballot in November! Find out candidates' positions on choice by viewing our voter guide at: http://www.miplannedparenthoodvotes.org/primaryvoterguide08.pdf
Planned Parenthood's endorsed candidates had a successful day on the primary on August 5th. Congratulations to these three candidates who won their Democratic primary for state House Representative!
Sarah Roberts in House District 24
Lisa Brown in House District 39
Katie Segal in House District 62
These candidates are certain to make women's health a priority in the state of Michigan. If you live in their districts, make sure to vote for them! If you don't live in these districts, make sure you vote for pro-choice candidates all the way down the ballot in November! Find out candidates' positions on choice by viewing our voter guide at: http://www.miplannedparenthoodvotes.org/primaryvoterguide08.pdf
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Until the Violence Stops: Detroit
UTVS Detroit is a two-week long festival, happening at the end of February 2009. The event is a part of V-Day, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. The organization is considered radical, in that it does not seek to decrease violence. It seeks to eradicate it – everywhere. V-Day does work domestically and globally, reaching countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mexico.
UTVS Detroit gives individuals and organizations in Michigan the opportunity to speak out on the issue of gender-based violence and to take action. The kick-off event for the festival was a 2-day expo held at the Gibraltar Trade Center in Mount Clemens, Michigan on August 2nd and 3rd. Vendors performed massages and yoga. They sold oils, perfumes, books and jewelry. There was also an activist corner where Planned Parenthood provided an opportunity for people to volunteer and show support for our Prevention First campaign.
Highlights of the expo included the Red Tent, which is a safe space for women to enter and reflect on their experiences. The V-Day documentary “Until the Violence Stops” was broadcast throughout the day for free. Finally, there was a display using 73 pairs of empty women’s shoes to show how many women would die in the state of Michigan due to gender-based violence this year.
At Planned Parenthood, we care about women’s health, physical and emotional. It is great to work with other community partners like V-Day organizers who have similar ideals. The president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America delivered a message of solidarity at V-Day’s V to the Tenth celebration in New Orleans. It assured women that Planned Parenthood takes the issue of violence against women seriously, and that we intend to be a partner in the movement that will one day end it.
For information on Planned Parenthood’s involvement with V to the Tenth, see http://www.plannedparenthood.org/issues-action/other/celebrate-v-days-10th-anniversary-19659.htm.
UTVS Detroit gives individuals and organizations in Michigan the opportunity to speak out on the issue of gender-based violence and to take action. The kick-off event for the festival was a 2-day expo held at the Gibraltar Trade Center in Mount Clemens, Michigan on August 2nd and 3rd. Vendors performed massages and yoga. They sold oils, perfumes, books and jewelry. There was also an activist corner where Planned Parenthood provided an opportunity for people to volunteer and show support for our Prevention First campaign.
Highlights of the expo included the Red Tent, which is a safe space for women to enter and reflect on their experiences. The V-Day documentary “Until the Violence Stops” was broadcast throughout the day for free. Finally, there was a display using 73 pairs of empty women’s shoes to show how many women would die in the state of Michigan due to gender-based violence this year.
At Planned Parenthood, we care about women’s health, physical and emotional. It is great to work with other community partners like V-Day organizers who have similar ideals. The president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America delivered a message of solidarity at V-Day’s V to the Tenth celebration in New Orleans. It assured women that Planned Parenthood takes the issue of violence against women seriously, and that we intend to be a partner in the movement that will one day end it.
For information on Planned Parenthood’s involvement with V to the Tenth, see http://www.plannedparenthood.org/issues-action/other/celebrate-v-days-10th-anniversary-19659.htm.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Today's Primary! Don't forget to Vote!
Just a reminder that today is our Primary. If you want to see what your ballot's going to look like so you can study before you head to the polls today, check out this website: http://lwv.publius.org/
It will also tell you where your polling location is as well as the hours that it's open.
Happy Voting!
It will also tell you where your polling location is as well as the hours that it's open.
Happy Voting!
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