Not so fast on the Komen “reversal”

Posted on Friday, February 3, 2012, 9:00 am by Paddy
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What is that Senator Franken used to say, “weasel words”? Here lay some big fat weasels-

The new statement does not pledge Komen to reverse its funding decision, and it does not promise Planned Parenthood any new funding. Let’s look at the relevant passage (emphasis mine):

“We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities.”

Komen had never intended to renege on its existing grant commitments to Planned Parenthood, as PP themselves noted in their press release announcing the break between the two organizations (again, emphasis mine):

“In the last few weeks, the Komen Foundation has begun notifying local Planned Parenthood programs that their breast cancer initiatives will not be eligible for new grants (beyond existing agreements or plans).“

Komen’s statement that Planned Parenthood will be “eligible” for new grants is a new development, but it commits Komen to nothing. There’s no reversal of the funding cutoff here, and no promise to reinstate Planned Parenthood funding.

Kudos to @Studentactivism for being right on top of it. More analysis here.


ADDED- Greg Sargent talks to a board member of SGK who spouts his own cache of weasel words.

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 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.

Yes Mr Raffaelli it is unclear, that is why everyone is asking you to clarify. Idjit.

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  • http://twitter.com/ceut Chris U

    um…is the problem the phrase “eligible to apply for future grants”?  I’m working for 2 non-profit, grant-making foundations and everyone has to apply for grants. There is a general system in place throughout the non-profit world where applications are reviewed & reports on the effectiveness of the grants are required.  No one is guaranteed funding without going through the process.  One of the foundations that employs me has 2 community initiatives that get funding from other 501(c) (3) organizations – they get funding from the same sources year after year and every year they have to apply & report.   Their missions are dependent on annual grants, but if they don’t apply, they don’t get the money. 

    I’m not in any way defending Komen.  Politics should have no place in the grant making process, especially one where the lives & health  of millions of women depend on the organization’s mission,  just saying that “eligible to apply for future grants” is a phrase that is used routinely by grant makers.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1370027711 Fredric L. Rice

    One good thing about all this is that we now see how much the Christanic domestic traitor right wing have infiltrated and subverted not only our governments but also our beneficial charitable organizations. If you give money to these people, you’re finding domestic treason.

    http://www.SkepticTank.Org
     

  • Anonymous

    SJK has been playing dangerous political games with women’s health for a while.  Their biggest donors, including KOCH, Inc., use BPA  in their products, which has been linked to causing breast cancer.

    Surprise, surprise:

    “But Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which collectively receives millions of dollars every year from companies like the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, General Mills, and Georgia-Pacific, all of which use BPA in their product materials, claims that BPA is safe. The group even makes the absurd statement on its website in defense of BPA that “[l]inks between plastics and cancer are often reported by the media and in email hoaxes.” ”

    http://littlegreenfootballs.com/page/268689_The_Koch_Brothers_-_Susan_G._K 

    What a lobbying coup for the Koch brothers SJK has been!   These nutjobs are protecting Koch and their other donors and putting women at risk everywhere.

    Hmm… I wonder if Brinker got a call in the middle of the night from one of the Koch’s?  ”You are destroying your brand!!  Reverse course immediately!!”

  • Anonymous

    I noticed the weasel lingo, but I don’t think it’s going to lure many former supporters back.  To compound the problem, now all those who donated to Komen in support of defunding Planned Parenthood are going to be really, really unhappy. Also.  Too.

  • http://twitter.com/fucentarmal fucen_tarmal

    i think they have seen the santorum storm that comes with not renewing planned parenthood, or taking their organization hard right, its not a total victory, and i am sure the right wing faction within komen will be all over the”results” from PP, but i don’t think they want to go through this again. at least, not without damned good reasons.

    they will need to be monitored, and i think the pressure should continue, and they would be wise to reform their organization, but i am guessing the right wing faction is less powerful inside komen than it was.

  • http://twitter.com/thenotoriousmlp TheNotoriousMLP

    That is exactly what I said.