(Editor’s note: This letter is in response to “Planned Parenthood Calls on Senators to Reject Political Agenda of House Members” by President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Nassau County JoAnn D. Smith that appeared in the Friday, March 11, 2011 edition of the Farmingdale Observer.)
I am writing in response to Ms. Smith’s letter about “the extreme political agenda by the Republican House leaders.” Ms. Smith’s letter, about 150 words, fails to mention the reason funding was cut off.
While she explains the many functions and services that Planned Parenthood provides she neglects to state that Planned Parenthood provided abortions. In fact, Planned Parenthood performs hundred of thousands of abortions nationwide throughout the year. The law states that the Federal government cannot provide funding for abortion. Why did Ms. Smith not mention this? Is she unaware of it? Or does it not fit her political agenda?
I do not wish to get into a debate about abortion. I would welcome that discussion at another time. However, since Ms. Smith stated the other services Planned Parenthood provides and how valuable they are and failed to mention abortion services, then my conclusion is that abortion isn’t that important to Ms. Smith or Planned Parenthood. If Planned Parenthood would stipulate that they would no longer provide abortion services I’m sure the “extreme Republican members” of the house might look more favorably toward funding.
Is Ms. Smith trying to hide the fact or publicly minimize abortion in Planned Plarenthood’s “agenda?” The recent investigation of Planned Parenthood shows that they make the majority of their money by providing abortions.
Ms. Smith, let’s put the cards on the table. What you are upset about is that you cannot get Federal funding to provide abortions. Trying to casually minimize abortion, while it is the major service Planned Parenthood provides is deceitful. That’s it, bottom line.
Bill Hartenstine
Farmingdale resident
