Planned Parenthood and the KKK
From Phyllis Zagano in Touchstone, a report on Planned Parenthood (PP), public radio freedom of speech, taxpayer subsidies-- and a comparison between PP and the KKK...
PP is upset because the NPR affiliate in Pittsburgh turned down a $5,000 sponsorship from PP. Of course, NPR affiliates are not required to accept sponsorships from any given entity. And this particular affiliate is licensed to Duquesne University-- a Catholic school.
The connection to the KKK: about seven years ago, the KKK sued the NPR affiliate run by the University of Missouri (St. Louis) when they refused a similar offer.
Of course, government agencies can do what they want. But NPR is not a government entity but a private non-profit. It does receive about 2% of its funding through federal funding, which does make it somewhat vulnerable to federal control. But as Zagano points out, this is the pot calling the kettle black-- given the extent to which PP receives federal dollars. This is the sort of area where the Left typically cries "censorship". But I doubt that they opposed the similar choice by NPR vs. the KKK. In any case, this confuses censorship, freedom of speech, and voluntary arrangements.
Her conclusion: "PP is right up there with the KKK in trying to force its beliefs onto the airwaves of NPR."
Congrats, again, to Planned Parenthood for the company they keep...
posted by Eric Schansberg @ 10:59 PM
4 Comments
4 Comments:
I certainly agree that Planned Parenthood had just as baseless a complaint as did the KKK. However, it betrays an egregious bias and dauntingly far-fetched notions of "keeping company" to conclude your post implying that PP and the KKK are comparable, when in reality the only thing they have in common is being unreasonable in pursuing self-promotion, an easily-made error that is exhibited by any type of organization you could name.
Jonah, thanks for writing.
I accept your comment that the implied comparison is too tight.
But, at least for pro-lifers, a complete disconnect between PP and the KKK is not tenable. And in any case, a complete disconnect in historical terms is impossible.
What on earth do you mean by "complete disconnect"? I've granted that they are both overzealously self-promoting, as are countless organizations of all types. I'm sure there are numerous other "connections" as well- for example, they both have a hierarchy, they're both politically engaged, and I wouldn't be surprised if they are both backed by some big-money interests.
What are you implying? Do they have a history of cooperation? A shared membership base? Similar goals?
Please, state your argument; thus far you've asked me to take your word as proof of a claim you have not made.
Again, you're correct. I was not more specific-- because I did not think it was necessary.
The racial angle of PP's origins, the demographics of contemporary abortion, the connection of abortion to eugenics and race, etc.-- all imply a more specific connection between the two.
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