Governor Palin, Planned Parenthood and I Thank You

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 she - 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.

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.

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

May her mailbox be full to overflowing.

Comments

[GeekGoddess]

Brilliant! I received the email, made a donation, posted it to my personal blog and Facebook, and now I post updates on how much has been donated!

[kel500]

With the choice of Palin as a running mate, perhaps McCain is hoping we will vote with our vaginas.
What a great idea! The message I'm getting from down under is "Obama/Biden".

[lilylin]

keep up the good work.... I sent a donation

[OutragedMom]

Thanks for the great idea! Just made a donation.

[whit4brains]

Thanks will send my donation this weekend.

http://www.womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com

http://www.womenagainstpalin.com

http://www.womenagainstsarahpalin.org

[lightthedark]

Brilliant! Hell hath no fury like a women scorned. vote Obama/biden

[jlweiss]

This is where they are asking you to have the "thank you" card sent...

McCain for President
1235 S. Clark Street
1st Floor
Arlington , VA 22202

PS make sure you use that link above or choose the pulldown of Donate--Honorary or Memorial Donations, not the regular "Donate Online"

[larry278]

I will never understand women. They can be devious & ironic. It's better to be content with admiring women then trying to understand women.

[orzzys]

Please make your donations to Planned Parenthood PAC, so they can use the money to run ads that can make a difference in this election!

[TroubleNYC]

I think it's amazing how these prominent Republican women are against Roe v. Wade being overturned. Yet, Palin is the feminist.

[Strywever]

This is a brilliant idea, and I got the e-mail yesterday and immediately sent a donation. You all need the address of Palin's campaign HQ so the thank you card will be delivered there. It's in the e-mail that's circulating, but I don't feel comfortable attempting to post it here. I'm sure you can look it up on the internet if you don't have it.

[MBryant]

Palin is also a (backhanded) spokesperson for the ineffectiveness of abstinence only sex education and pregnancy prevention. She says it works - Bristol's tummy says it doesn't.

[ladeyday]

My money is going to go forward via "the email" this weekend

[RallyGrrrl]

This is great

[LeftRight]

That is a GREAT idea!!!! I'm DEFINITELY donating tonight!!! THANK YOU!

[CaptainAsshole]

Ditto, and am forwarding this article to all fam and friends