Advertisement

Opinion: Sarah Palin, Planned Parenthood and I Thank You

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Sarah Palin opposes abortion, even in cases of rape and incest. As she said in a gubernatorial debate nearly two years ago, even if her own daughter were a rape victim, she -– not the daughter, interestingly, but Palin herself -– would ‘’choose life.’’

Now there’s an e-mail making the rounds that urges people to make a gift donation to Planned Parenthood in Palin’s name.

Advertisement

What makes it even better, the e-mail says, is that for every donation made in her name, Planned Parenthood sends Palin a card thanking her.

And for me, the most delicious part of all – it was my idea.

Seven years ago, after George Bush was sworn in, he immediately revoked as many pro-choice policies and appointments as he could.

Bush’s wife doesn’t think Roe v. Wade should be overturned. Neither does one of his closest advisers, Condi Rice. Ditto Nancy Reagan. And Betty Ford. And Cindy McCain.

If they couldn’t make a difference, perhaps we could. So in my Los Angeles Times column less than a week after Bush took office in January 2001, I suggested that Americans make a little gift for Presidents’ Day: a contribution to Planned Parenthood, in George Bush’s name.

Every donation generated a ‘thank you’ card. I envisioned a scene out of ‘Miracle on
34th Street,’ sacks and sacks of thank-you cards from Planned Parenthood, delivered to Bush in the Oval Office.

It worked. Boy, did it. Ultimately, more than a million dollars, I was told, was generated for Planned Parenthood in Bush’s name. George Bush became one of the biggest money-generators in Planned Parenthood’s history. The idea won me an award from Planned Parenthood, and a splash in Ms. Magazine.

Advertisement

So I am delighted that my ‘’Mother of All Ironic Donations’’ notion has been revived for Palin.

May her mailbox be full to overflowing.

Advertisement