Politics raises its head in the "Race for the cure"

Introduction

I have a shooting vest decorated with a number of pink ribbons, each of which represents a weekend of my time, setting up, running, and cleaning up after a charity clay bird shoot to raise money for breast cancer research and treatment. My wife died of cancer (not breast cancer) and I give my time and money to several cancer related organizations.

But:

After hiring failed gubernatorial candidate and anti-abortion activist Karen Handel as senior vice president of public policy, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, a leading breast cancer support group, adopted a policy preventing funding for groups under investigation for misuse of funds. Then Representative Cliff Stearns, a Florida Republican and chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, started an investigation to see if Planned Parenthood had used federal funds for abortion. That investigation seems to have been tabled "waiting for documents," leaving a stalled investigation, no need to prove wrongdoing, and thus permanently blocking Komen Foundation funding for breast exams benefiting women who choose Planned Parenthood for their gynecological care.

After this action created a backlash from a number of prominent people, and resignation of a number of Komen officials, the reason was suddenly changed, and it was "because there are other local providers of the exam." And do clients regularly see those providers for other services and get reminded on a "while you're here" basis? Then it was announced that the "other local providers" had better equipment than Planned Parenthood.

And finally the Komen Foundation announced that it would continue to fund those clinics "where there is no other local provider." Really? While the moribund investigation is still ongoing?

I wish

Planned Parenthood would set up a fund to be used just for cancer screenings, to which donations could be made without political implications, by anyone.

I Wish "separation of church and state" meant politicians wouldn't feel free to use the machinery of government to oppress people who's beliefs are not the same as the politicians, or to besmirch the reputation of such people or organizations. Isn't it time for the witch hunts to end?