Your Tax Dollars At Work

[dr_pretentious]

An organization that calls itself "A Woman's Choice" runs a chain of fake women's health centers. Here's what a January New York Times article had to say about them:

Like many crisis pregnancy centers, A Woman's Choice is designed to look and feel like a medical center, not a religion-based organization with an agenda. Becky Edmondson, the executive director, said the center chose the look and name to reach women who were bombarded with pressures to abort and might think they had no other choice.

If callers ask how much the center charges to perform an abortion, Lisa Arnold, a counselor and leader of the postabortion group, said: "I say, 'It changes, but why don't you come in for an ultrasound and we'll talk about it.' You don't want to deceive them, but you want a chance to talk to them." Once women come to the center, staff members - who oppose abortion even in cases involving rape and incest - encourage them to make further appointments, and refer them to doctors who share the center's views on abortion.

Anne Ahola, the counseling director of EMW Women's Surgical Center, the abortion provider across the street, dismissed A Woman's Choice as a "fake" health clinic that tricks women into coming in to have abortions then provides inaccurate information about abortion and about their pregnancies. Crisis pregnancy centers have long been criticized for such practices, and courts have limited the terms they can use to pitch their services.

Here's some of what Planned Parenthood has to say about them:

One such center in Indiana shares a parking lot with a real Planned Parenthood clinic, and was designed expressly to lure our patients and deceive them. Recently, people from the fake "clinic" waged a campaign of intimidation and harassment against a 17-year-old girl who, with her mother and boyfriend, came to what she thought was our clinic for an abortion. Over the following days, the anti-choice extremists called the police to say the girl was being forced to have an abortion, showed up at her home, called her father's workplace, and even went to her school and urged classmates to pressure her not to have an abortion.

The worst part? Your tax dollars are funding these "crisis pregnancy centers" to the tune of $60 million.

I can understand that some people, even some of you, have principled objections to abortion. Still, I think this sentence bears repeating:

Over the following days, the anti-choice extremists called the police to say the girl was being forced to have an abortion, showed up at her home, called her father's workplace, and even went to her school and urged classmates to pressure her not to have an abortion.

Even if you object to abortion, is that a strategy that you want your tax dollars to fund?

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) has more details, including a confirmation that the Bush administration is funding these frauds.

You may wish to inform your representatives of your opinion on the Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women’s Services Act (SDAWS). You can download the full text of the bill from the link above. You can find your reps' contact info at http://www.house.gov.

Comments

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

This is utterly obscene.

I understand principled objections to abortion. I understand that it is an extremely emotive subject, and feelings run high. I do not understand how anyone could justify the sneaky, underhanded tactics for luring women into the centres, or the provision of inaccurate information, or the use of intimidation to pressure others into falling in line. It might be argued that people who honestly believe abortion to be murder are justified in using any means to prevent murder. I'm not convinced on that, but I do get that for many people it is a desperately important rescue mission. I still don't get the whole idea that the end justifies the means. And I'm absolutely livid that the US taxpayer is footing the bill for this. T is going to send a couple of strongly-worded emails to Holt, Lautenburg and Menendez.

Would you post this to Kith & Kin? And would you mind me re-posting it to my LJ?

[red-haired-girl.livejournal.com]

Can we PLEEEASE get them for Medical Malpractice, or Impersonating Medical Professionals, or something?

Being for Choice means being for CHOICES. I think too many people don't get that. On both sides of the equation.

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting this. My representative is so far up Bush's butt that when Bush waves you can see the guy waving at the back of his throat, but I'll send him a letter anyway.

Caorlyn Malony used to be my representative. I miss her.

*heavy sigh*

[wayzgoose.livejournal.com]

I hope people read the whole first paragraph. My first impression was that the article was about Planned Parenthood, an organization that calls itself a Woman's Choice. whew!

But reading the whole article was another of those things that raises my hackles. This is all part of what I consider the Christian Taliban that Bush is shepherding into power. Even if, like mine, your representative is giving the Prez a procto exam with his head, write. You may safely assume that lacking our action there is a day coming when heads will fly.

[byhisblood89.livejournal.com]

This is disgusting.