WDUQ vs. Planned Parenthood?
WDUQ is currently running a pledge drive asking for your money, but they've decided they won't accept ours. After allowing Planned Parenthood to underwrite news segments for only two days, the public radio station decided they could no longer tell the listening audience about comprehensive sexuality education, cancer screening, or preventive health care.
According to Scott Hanley, WDUQ’s station manager, Duquesne University has instructed WDUQ to refuse underwriting from Planned Parenthood. It seems the University is now dictating who can give money to the flagship NPR station, and what they can air. And apparently that means Planned Parenthood's message of prevention can't see the airwaves.
Planned Parenthood believes in public radio and has long admired WDUQ for its pledge to independence and integrity as a news station. We're also proud of the work we do to ensure strong and healthy families by providing men and women in need with healthcare services and information.
Like WDUQ, Planned Parenthood believes that public radio belongs to the public. Duquesne University shouldn't be able to tell WDUQ not to air our message or accept our donations. We hope you won't let this stand. You can read more about what happened at right, including the messages that won't air. Then please contact WDUQ and Duquesne University to tell them to reverse their decision.
Click on "Take Action" to get contact information for phone numbers and letters. We've provided sample letters, but please change them to reflect your feelings. Letters will go to Scott Hanley, the station manager, and Dr. Charles Dougherty, the president of Duquesne University.
What's At Stake:
On Wednesday afternoon, WDUQ (90.5 Pittsburgh, 100.5 Johnstown, 104.1 in Ligonier and Somerset, 92.3 New Baltimore) pulled Planned Parenthood prevention and education statements that started this past Monday as part of an underwriting campaign.
Planned Parenthood received the following message, “Unfortunately, WDUQ has been ordered by the Duquesne University administration to immediately cease airing the acknowledgment of underwriting support from Planned Parenthood. Accordingly, as the university holds our license, we must pull your remaining schedule.”
These ads, from a consortium of Planned Parenthood affiliates across PA, Delaware and NJ, are running in all three states. WDUQ is the *only* station to refuse to air them.
What messages are too controversial?Support for DUQ comes from Planned Parenthood, offering healthcare services to men, including screenings for cancer and STDs. Planned Parenthood: Their mission is prevention. Support for DUQ comes from Planned Parenthood, providing comprehensive sexuality education, including lessons on abstinence. Planned Parenthood: Their mission is prevention. Support for DUQ comes from Planned Parenthood, whose community educators empower teens to make good choices by teaching self-esteem. Planned Parenthood: Their mission is prevention. Support for DUQ comes from Planned Parenthood, offering cancer screenings for women and men. Planned Parenthood: Their mission is prevention.
As you know, more than 90 percent of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania's work is preventing sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. We serve thousands of men and women each year with annual cancer screen and contraception. We reach thousands more with our message of responsible decision making.
We believe the local NPR affilliate WDUQ is an important voice in our community. We believe in the work we do as well. Planned Parenthood is proud to help create strong families by providing healthcare to men and women in need. We know that the message of prevention -- whether that's annual cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing, or contraception, is a positive one. We're outraged that DUQ would refuse to air our message, and we hope that you are too. Please consider contacting DUQ and Duquesne University by sending them an email, to let them know that Planned Parenthood's message about prevention deserves to be heard.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS ISSUE!
This is a very stupid move by Duquesne, though I wouldn't doubt that the directive comes from a "higher source."
ReplyDeleteNot only is it insulting and petty, but, on a larger scale, it brings into question every news story that DUQ ever airs. Are they all being vetted by the Bishop?
Perhaps cooincidentally (or not), when the new Bish was installed a couple of weeks ago, DUQ did an extended story about the event. It was a puff piece that I found annoying. It wasn't news and it wasn't a feature; it was a PR story for the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Duquesne better be ready to pitch in some extra scratch to prop up DUQ, 'cause this will most likely hurt their current fund raising effort...
Pilt
I just sent an email promising not to renew my 12-year membership until they rescind this misogynistic and inhumane policy. I cannot understand nor support an attitude that encourages unwanted pregnancy, the spread of AIDS, and the proliferation of diseases such as chlymidia and gonorrhea.
ReplyDeleteI have been a long time and loyal listener of WDUQ public radio. I've been a member on and off over the years, mostly depending on how my finances happen to be when pledge time rolls around, but DUQ is on my radio almost all the time. (Except when Music from India is on, then I prefer opera on QED.) But this evening's report shook my support.
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard the Duquesne University spokesperson explaining why they couldn't accept a gift from Planned Parenthood ("and we have a stack of legal precedent to back us up, nyaa, nyaa, nyaa") I also heard her saying why they couldn't accept a gift from me. I support women's reproductive rights so my money isn't welcome.
Oh, I'm sure that they would actually take my money, even knowing I was an atheistic anarcho-collectivist disestablishmentarian, because they could do so anonymously. They don't have to acknowledge on the air that they took money from a heretic such as myself.
The journalistic integrity of WDUQ has been compromised. Was that recent epic-length report about the installation of the new bishop in Pittsburgh honest journalism of interest to the community or was that influences by the Duquesne University higher ups? How independent is DUQ that the university theocrats can step in and dictate who they can accept donations from?
I just got a raise recently and, since my finances were looking better, I was going to be renewing my DUQ membership. The operative word in that sentence is "was" because now, that money is going to be sent to Planned Parenthood.
WDUQ is an adjunct of a Catholic university. Besides, WDUQ listeners don't mingle the opposite sex anyway.
ReplyDeleteJohn K. says: Well good for WDUQ. They spoke with their dollar about this idea that abortion is a sound method of birth control for liberals. And nice to hear you lefties whine about it.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling is mutual. It's nice to see you bloviating meaninglessly, John.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness that common sense and decency prevails at Duquesne University. I'm glad that they pulled the infomercials for an organization that murders innocent lives.
ReplyDeleteJoh K. says: Sidebar here, just could not resist. KQV on line poll. 94% of the people who voted think Gore should not get the Nobel Peace Prize. Gore has been reduced to a walking joke. WDUQ rules for its decision.
ReplyDeleteDUQ has the right to accept or not accept any sponsorship. I have no problem with them declining the sponsorship of Planned Parenthood.
ReplyDeleteI would have a major problem if they didn't air, say, a Morning Edition Story on Planned Parenthood. There's a difference between the two.
I don't care so much about this. But it does make me be more alert for the second, very egregious offense.
If Duquesne was consistent with this then I wouldn't mind but they aren't.
ReplyDeleteOf course DUQ has the right to deny PPWP's ability to underwrite their news segments, however DUQ's members also have the right to decide to no longer support DUQ and tell them so.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget that DUQ broadcasts NPR Hourly News and many NPR listeners are folks who support Planned Parenthood.
Those listeners have the right to know who DUQ is denying and make up their own minds as to whether or not to reward or punish DUQ.
That's why I'm trying to help inform DUQ listeners here with this post.
I agree. I'm not saying anything otherwise. I'm just saying I'm not personally bothered by this, but it does make me more suspicious and alter for other things (the killing of news stories because the Church disagrees with the content)...
ReplyDeleteLet's also not forget that this was Duquesne University's decision, not DUQ's. And while technically DUQ is part of the university, the station has enjoyed a considerable amount of autonomy. The university administration really couldn't care less if you cancel your donation. So who are you really punishing?
ReplyDeleteThe insinuation about the bishop coverage is ridiculous. Two TV stations and one radio station (not DUQ) ran the whole installation live. DUQ's coverage was modest by comparison.
The university administration really couldn't care less if you cancel your donation. So who are you really punishing?
ReplyDeletePunishment, of course, is quite beside the point. The question is whether one chooses to support (that is, participate in)unacceptable, immoral behavior and therefore encourage more and worse unacceptable and immoral behavior. I will not do so.
Mr. Hanley was kind enough to send a very polite and professional reply to my original message informing him of my decision to cease my support for WDUQ. In my followup to his reply, I suggested that if WDUQ were to be forced, as the result of the loss of revenue that they have engendered, to relinquish some NPR programs or even its licence, another organization would pick up the slack. Perhaps the new organization might be less dogmatic and more willing to air both the rational AND the superstitious side of the argument.
Further, what assurance could DUQ possibly give us that the Catholic Church has not or will not intrude in other programming, particularly news, decisions?
Nah, I am now and hence a FORMER long-time member of WDUQ.
As for whether or not Duquesne itself cares about the loss of revenue from me, well frankly the feeling is mutual. But I'll bet they care, all right. If only one hundred people like me stop donating, it will wreck havoc on their budget. They already live hand-to-mouth at DUQ. That money will have to be replaced or something will have to give. I think they can ill-afford to lose many members such as Maria and me.
It bears repeating that if Duq. U can decide who's allowed to give DUQ money, that's non-profit, just-scraping-by DUQ, then what's to stop them from telling DUQ what programs they can run, what news stories they can tell, how they word their reports, etc.?
ReplyDeleteThe irony is listening to them scramble to match relatively small $ challenges all weekend long when they were forced to turn away $5000 in underwriting.
Duquesne U gains a lot in public perception by hosting WDUQ... and the President should be the one feeling the public ire. I'm sure that many of the underwriters and members of DUQ either support or are neutral about PP - particularly the very benign spots that were aired - and the University has to know that many NPR listeners have a liberal bent. To single out PP in this case is very wrong.
ReplyDeleteI know that many of the staff of WDUQ were as upset by the forced pulling of these PP spots as we members are. I support both WDUQ (and will continue to do so with my membership dollars) and PP, and I'd like to see more people expressing their feelings to the hypocritical decision-maker, Pres Dougherty.
This whole issue is pointless. WDUQ has a small niche audience that is unlikely to find PP's announcements relevant. PP should be aiming at the very young and low income people, two groups who do not listen to WDUQ in any significant numbers. Having PP announcements on WDUQ makes as much sense as advertising a Steelers keg party on WQED-FM.
ReplyDeleteIt appears WDUQ is now officially a sectarian station. They don't want donations from anyone who does not subscribe to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. Since I am an ex-Catholic who broke from the church at age 18, I am sure they don't want mine. Under the circumstances I will make a donation to Planned Parenthood instead, and I would urge everyone who is outraged by WDUQ's bigoted, theocratic orientation and opposition to reproductive rights to do the same. WDUQ will not budge from its position unless it suffers financially from it.
ReplyDeleteAs an institution that has harbored and covered up for predatory pedophiles among its officials for decades (centuries, really), what makes the Catholic Church think it is qualified to preach sexual morality to anyone?
Gary, don't give the Mayor any ideas...:)
ReplyDeleteYou are mistaken, I believe, about PPWP's advertising plan. I'm sure they underwrote news segments on WDUQ in an effort to garner financial support from DUQ's liberal audience -- not to reach their underage, low-income clients who need no encouragement.
ReplyDeleteBut even if your point were accurate, it hardly would excuse the
(Oops!)
ReplyDeleteit would hardly excuse DUQ's use of the public airways to promote a sectarian agenda, nor to stifle a message from a non-profit organization that provides services that actually prevent abortions and which inhibit the spread of STDs.
One more thing. WDUQ pays NPR based on its listenership during NPR programs. For this reason, I intend to continue and if possible to increase my listening to DUQ while they air NPR programs.
ReplyDeleteThe message is clear that Duquesne only wants money from those that support the Catholic Church and all of its teachings. That is not me. For once, I have no guilt that I am not supporting DUQ at an appropriate level. Kinda of ironic, isn't it.
ReplyDeleteThe message is clear that Duquesne only wants money from those that support the Catholic Church and all of its teachings.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you expect? It's a Catholic university, has been for a hundred years. They haven't been keeping that a secret. WDUQ was never a bastion of journalistic integrity. Wake up, people.
I have to agree that DUQ has a rather weak-kneed news department. It almost never takes on any issues of importance. For god's sake, last summer we were forced to endure a magnificent multi-part series on the DC-PGH bike trail; now that was some intense, investigative stuff!
ReplyDeleteThey SHOULD be more like NPR and take on local issues from a smart, curious viewpoint -- but mostly they don't. I would guess part of that is because they don't have the money or the staff to do so.
However, I've never thought (until I heard the glossy Bishop story...) that their news department was driven by a RC viewpoint. From now on out, I'll listen very differently...
Pilt
Like many people, I had a gut-check reaction, and was apalled that DUQ stopped running the PP spots. I have spent some time thinking about the PP/DUQ issue, and have some thoughts below.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I gather from a couple of DUQ volunteers I know, over the past couple of days DUQ has been hurt by this situation. This is truly unfortunate. Duquesne University is not being hurt financially. DUQ is. One of the disturbing things about Planned Parenthood, an organization I have always had nothing but respect for, is that they are turning this into an issue of journalistic integrity, when it really is not. It is about marketing and accepting financial support, not newsworthiness. I think that people are totally overlooking that. I did when I first heard about the situation, but then I thought about it more.
If you are an avid DUQ listener, you will probably have heard plenty of news stories and interviews about organizations and individuals who conflict with Catholic values. News can never be censored by Duquesne. Those kind of stories would never have aired if Duquesne could actually step in and censor news. Marketing/donations can be declined, apparently, by a higher-up since Duquesne owns the station. DUQ, in my years of listening, has always been willing to cover controversial issues, both national and local, in a more thoughtful and complete way than commercial broadcasters. I have given my financial support because I appreciate that.
I wonder if Planned Parenthood would have put DUQ in the same spot if the station would have refused to air their underwriting messages in the first place. I wonder what their reasoning was to make the pulling of financially supported messages into a huge news/PR piece for themselves. If DUQ would have refused to air actual news about PP, I could understand why PP would take such an activist stance, but this was something *they paid for*. It was technically a gift that was refused. I think PP made a poor decision by deciding to take a strike at a much smaller nonprofit. I don't hear DUQ taking any negative strikes at PP on the air. I did hear the news story DUQ put together about the PP/DUQ situation on Friday afternoon. If they put it online on their website, I think it is worth listening to if you haven't heard it. It approaches everything as news, from all sides. I am actually kind of amazed they did that. I'm sure Duquesne wasn't happy about it.
There is no doubt that Duquesne made a very poor decision in deciding to interfere with DUQ's efforts to raise financial support. Duquesne, itself, should refuse financial support from every healthcare provider in the region if they were to continue their stance. I doubt they will.
I will be writing to the president of the University, Charles Dougherty (president@duq.edu) to express my dissatisfaction, and still sending my support to DUQ. They are in a tough spot. As upset as I am about the PP spots being pulled because of a higher power. I do not feel that I should punish the station, which does so much good work, because of a decision that was made abouve their heads.
I hope that others will take a moment to think as well, and possibly contact the higher power that stepped on the station I love.
Anon, I thank you for your thoughtful essay on this subject. I respect the decision you have made about supporting WDUQ, but I disagree with it.
ReplyDeleteOne might argue that the Catholic Church is quite evil, but its leaders are not stupid, and you may be certain that they expected to lose a significant level of support after making this announcement just before the crucial second week of the DUQ pledge drive. We might speculate as to the Church's/University's intention in making the announcement and its timing. Here's one theory:
WDUQ is clearly a left-leaning media outlet and member of probably the least right-leaning network in the country. The Church/University can't be happy about that. Perhaps for this reason they took advantage of an opportunity to generate an excuse to cripple the station in order to abandon it.
I was told by a DUQ insider that the University has never interfered with programming or marketing before. (Amusingly, the only "exception" was when Duquesne required them to carry basketball games when no one else in the market would carry them.)
If I'm right in my admittedly speculative theory, DUQ will be going away in any case. Let's help it happen faster and have NPR programs come to us through a less superstitiously-supervised outlet.
If I'm wrong, there's a new policy of secular interference in the station's marketing and programming. In this case, we should be even more eager to have it fail.
It's not a matter of punishment. (Tell Mike it was only business. I always liked him.) The question is whether or not you will support the suppression of a message from a weak but worthwhile organization by a rich and powerful religion. Personally, I will not. My membership is in the past.
This has absolutely nothing to do with the First Amendment. It has nothing to do with censorship. It also has nothing to do with the news department at DUQ in any way, whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteRather, it appears the bigotry is being hurled at the Catholic church, Duquesne University, and by extension, DUQ. The opinions here are every bit as narrow-minded as the opinion of the Duquesne administration. DU gets assailed for being Catholic. That's like criticizing a dog for chewing on a bone.
Since there's been so much discussion of ethics here, I would hope those interested in ethical behavior, but outraged enough by DUQ and the university to renege on pledges, or otherwise without support, will also follow through by no longer tuning in to the station.
The notion that somehow listening more (since the author knows that fees for programming are based in many cases on audience estimates), but steadfastly refusing to financially support DUQ makes no sense. It also will make no difference unless the author has an Arbitron diary.
As for the idea that some higher-minded, less dogmatic organization would swoop in to rescue DUQ, after the station is forced to drop NPR programs, because of the financial effects of the feeding frenzy of hate, organized by PP, is naive, to say the least.
First, Duquesne University is unlikely to sell the station, come what may. Secondly, if the University declines to accept contributions from organizations whose mission it sees as being incompatible with Catholic doctrine, what would make anyone think they'd sell their radio station to such an organization?
Wake up and smell the pledge room coffee, as Ira Glass says. If you listen, you should pledge. If you can no longer support DUQ because of this flap, you should use the Web or WV Public Radio to get your NPR fix.
To have it both ways, is to make one's self the poster child for unethical behavior. You'll be just as much the villain as Charlie Daugherty, only with a little less consistency between your rhetoric and your behavior.
I wrote a long and eloquent reply to this, but Blogger lost it for me; so you'll have to settle for this.
ReplyDeleteStop listening to NPR? I'll be happy to do that -- as soon as DUQ gives up its near-monopoly on NPR programs so that I can listen to Morning Edition on a non-sectarian station.
Is it unethical for me to listen without contributing? Get real. Eighty percent of DUQ listeners do that, acccording to DUQ. Are they all unethical? And tell me something: If I listen to WDVE, am I ethically bound to go out and buy pimple cream? I don't think so. If I watch Steeler football, must I wash my Cialis down with Bud Light? Christ, I hope not!
If the Church decides to live up to it's license obligations and present diverse views on controversial issues, I'll re-up. Meanwhile, if I want to support an institution that seeks to stifle the voices of those with whom they disagree, I'll send my money to the Republicans.
Oh, and what makes you think I'm not jotting down an entry in my Arbitron diary right now, or might be doing so in the not-too-distant future?
Of course there's no ethical obligatin to buy anything advertised on commercial radio. That comment simply reveals a lack of understanding of the public broadcastting model.
ReplyDeleteCommercial stations, notably those operated by ClearChannel, turn down spots all the time. Then, the issue often is content, which had no bearing on the WDUQ case, despite PP's attempts to spin it that way. The message from Duquesne is that it would refuse support from any organization whose mission it believes to be inconsitent with its own mission. Since when is it part of any station's license obligation to air paid sponsorship announcements of any kind? Hmmmm.
Hey, listen all you want and don't ever pay. Just don't then try to parlay that behavior into anything remotely resembling a valid position from which to criticize the ethics of this non-editorial decision.
Clues are free, too. An open mind, however is required to get one.
Any station is free to carry Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and anything else NPR distributes. DUQ has no monopoly on anything. The other local stations, though, won't pick up those programs because they are way too expensive for them to consider.
ReplyDeleteYEP is too busy turning shameful budget surpluses, and using a ridiculous percentage of your money to pay for raising more money. At the same time, they spend so little on programming as to make their non-profit status dubious, at best.
QED is too busy playing dumbed-down "classical light," over-paying executives, and then wondering why people won't pledge to support it.
DUQ, while cow-towing to the university, and to the church, because it is subordinate to both, at least makes an attempt to actually cover local news, as well as being the only local outlet for the NPR newsmagazines. Again, this exclusivity is not due to any contracts with NPR. It has only to do with other stations' choices not to broadcast such programming.
I don't intend to allow you to turn this into a John K-type ad hominem spat, Anonymous. Fell free to continue basing your arguments on insults, but don't expect me to play along.
ReplyDeleteInasmuch as I have a mere 17 years experience in the broadcasting business, I'm sure you know how it works far better than I do, especially since my experience was on the commercial side. But since you understand the public radio model so well, enlighten me: What would happen if there were two stations carrying All Things Considered? Would Pittsburgh support two stations carrying such an expensive program? If not, then DUQ does have an effective monopoly on ATC, ME, Fresh Air, Car Talk, etc. doesn't it?
Tell me something else: Why doesn't DUQ carry PHC, but QED does? I suppose it's because PHC is so inexpensive that it doesn't cut in to QED's over-paying of execs.
An open mind is one that can change. I have supported DUQ for more than a decade despite its religious ownership and occasional religious programming. (Was it called "A Conversation with Bishop Wuerl?" I forget.) But now that it has gotten itself into the business of actively promoting a Catholic agenda, I will not. That's an example of an open mind changing as conditions change. Is your mind open?
Hey, support the Catholic Church's harmful, mysogynistic agenda with your money all you want. Just don't then try to parlay that behavior into anything remotely resembling a valid position from which to criticize my ethics.
Well, as long as we're flashing credentials, I have more than 35 years in the broadcasting business, both in commercial and non-commercial radio. I have been involved in the ownership of commercial stations and sat on boards of directors at non-commercial stations. Accordingly, your assessment of our respective backgrounds is likely accurate.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the sniping should stop, so I'll not post to this thread again. You win.
I would suggest, though, that someone direct efforts to try to get one of the other stations to pick up Morning Edition and All Things Considered. It's the perfect opportunity to run DUQ out of the business, if that's your end desire.
Then, the administration at Duquesne University can make DUQ all-Catholic, all-the-time, if that's their end desire, too.
Meanwhile, if folks listen, they should pledge, even if it would be at a reduced level, because the value is lessened by this crisis of confidence in station management.
I quit watching and listening to QED when I could no longer support them. Same thing for YEP, when they began to perspire money, while spending less than half of what they collect on programming. When I could no longer support those stations, I also could no longer watch or listen to them.
If you listen, you should pledge. That's the bottom line.
pax catolica, with a lower case "c"
one last thing...
ReplyDeleteDUQ is far from actively promoting the Catholic agenda. Indeed, DUQ broke this story on its own air, before any other media outlet in town wrote or uttered a single syllable in that regard.
Again, the message the station's ownership is sending is that they wouldn't accept sponsorship from any organization whose mission conflicts with its own mission, even if the acknowledgment were to promote a bake sale or swap meet. It's not the content. It's the organization.
Would you defend KKK's right to underwrite? Would you assail DUQ if the university refused to accept support from Al Qaeda?
As for social/political content, FCC strictly prohibits public broadcasters from airing anything that promotes a position. The PP spots got awfully close to that, too.
By the way, I'm a knee-jerk liberal. I'm not Catholic. I support Planned Parenthood, despite their rather disingenuous attempts to make this flap about censorship. I also support DUQ.
Would you defend KKK's right to underwrite? Would you assail DUQ if the university refused to accept support from Al Qaeda?
ReplyDeleteYes to both. And if you are a knee-jerk liberal as you claim, you would too. The cure for hateful speech is more speech, not suppression. (Now if DUQ were contributing to Al Qaeda instead of receiving their money, that would be a different story.)
If you listen, you should pledge. That's the bottom line.
I disagree and explained why at length above. Your repeating an article of faith while failing to support it does not increase its validity.
Sorry you won't be back to continue the debate, you are rather good at it and I was enjoying it except when you attacked my ethics. Don't feel bound by your pledge not to come back.
According to my sources inside the station, a number of people, including Scott Hanley, considered resigning over this issue.
ReplyDeleteDUQ management and staff have NO leverage in this case... none, nada, zip, zilch. Duquesne owns the station. Dougherty is ultimately in charge.
Here's a statement sent to all DU employees and students this afternoon:
"To the Campus Community:
As you have probably heard through recent news stories, the University has
refused to accept underwriting funding from Planned Parenthood on the
University-owned radio station WDUQ.
The underwriting of a program on WDUQ is considered a donation, and the
University retains the right to refuse donations and underwriting from any
organization. As you are aware, Duquesne University is a Catholic
university in mission and identity and the Catholic position on respect
for life is well known. The University chose not to accept a gift from
Planned Parenthood, the largest provider of abortions in America. Planned
Parenthood's annual report documents a total of more than a half-million
abortions performed during the 2004 and 2005 time period. This statistic
alone clearly demonstrates profound incompatibility with our institution.
The refusal of an underwriting gift from Planned Parenthood does not
affect WDUQ's editorial independence, its news reporting or its
programming. The refusal is, rather, a rejection of an inappropriate and
undesired public institutional association.
Except for enforcement of our Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities,
and Conduct, Duquesne University does not dictate personal choices to our
students or other individuals, including individual donors. Personal
choices, however, are different from an institution's right and obligation
to stand up for its own public principles.
On Behalf of the Duquesne University Administration,
Bridget Fare
Spokesperson"
The pledge drive started great, but has slowed significantly since the PP anti-DUQ campaign began. Programs may indeed be cut. Staff may lose jobs. My friends are really worried that this is it for DUQ as we know it.
The pledge drive started great, but has slowed significantly since the PP anti-DUQ campaign began.
ReplyDeleteThat is a valid, if somewhat slanted way, of describing the situation. Another way would be, "The pledge drive started great, but has slowed significantly since Duquesne University chose to alienate a large portion of WDUQ's largely liberal audience."
Programs may indeed be cut. Staff may lose jobs. My friends are really worried that this is it for DUQ as we know it.
Despite my bluster, I actually would be sorry to see DUQ eat dirt. This is just another example of the Catholic Church screwing up a good thing.
One thing we haven't discussed here is the institutional money that DUQ may lose. I strongly suspect they will also lose a significant sum from local lefty political organizations.
The University doesn't realize that this is going to come back and bite them in the ass in a major way. I know for a fact that donors have called Duquesne admin offices saying that they will no longer support the University because of this incident. Duquesne won't get a clue until they loose enough money.
ReplyDeleteWHEN WILL PEOPLE STOP AUTOMATICALLY ASSOCIATING PLANNED PARENTHOOD WITH ABORTION? SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INCREDIBLE SERVICES IT PROVIDES: SEXUAL EDUCATION, AFFORDABLE BIRTH CONTROL AND STD TESTING, ETC.
ReplyDeleteIN FACT, THERE ARE MANY PLANNED PARENTHOOD CENTERS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE ABORTION PROCEDURES. I ASKED MY LOCAL PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOCTOR ABOUT THAT AND SHE TOLD ME THAT ONLY P.P. CENTERS THAT ARE LOCATED IN AREAS WHERE NO ABORTION CLINICS DO NOT EXIST ARE MANDATED TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES.
I LIVE IN NORTHERN NJ, WHERE THE LOCAL PLANNED PARENTHOOD CENTERS DO NOT PROVIDE ABORTION.
MAY I ALSO REMIND EVERYONE THAT ABORTION IS, IN FACT, LEGAL. I DON'T SEE ANYONE PROTESTING SPONSORS FROM ALCOHOL COMPANIES OR OTHER COMPANIES THAT RIP PEOPLE OFF INSTEAD OF PROVIDING A WONDERFUL PUBLIC SERVICE.
WHEN WILL PEOPLE STOP AUTOMATICALLY ASSOCIATING PLANNED PARENTHOOD WITH ABORTION? SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INCREDIBLE SERVICES IT PROVIDES: SEXUAL EDUCATION, AFFORDABLE BIRTH CONTROL AND STD TESTING, ETC.
ReplyDeleteIN FACT, THERE ARE MANY PLANNED PARENTHOOD CENTERS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE ABORTION PROCEDURES. I ASKED MY LOCAL PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOCTOR ABOUT THAT AND SHE TOLD ME THAT ONLY P.P. CENTERS THAT ARE LOCATED IN AREAS WHERE NO ABORTION CLINICS DO NOT EXIST ARE MANDATED TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES.
I LIVE IN NORTHERN NJ, WHERE THE LOCAL PLANNED PARENTHOOD CENTERS DO NOT PROVIDE ABORTION.
MAY I ALSO REMIND EVERYONE THAT ABORTION IS, IN FACT, LEGAL. I DON'T SEE ANYONE PROTESTING SPONSORS FROM ALCOHOL COMPANIES OR OTHER COMPANIES THAT RIP PEOPLE OFF INSTEAD OF PROVIDING A WONDERFUL PUBLIC SERVICE.
WHEN WILL PEOPLE STOP AUTOMATICALLY ASSOCIATING PLANNED PARENTHOOD WITH ABORTION? SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INCREDIBLE SERVICES IT PROVIDES: SEXUAL EDUCATION, AFFORDABLE BIRTH CONTROL AND STD TESTING, ETC.
ReplyDeleteIN FACT, THERE ARE MANY PLANNED PARENTHOOD CENTERS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE ABORTION PROCEDURES. I ASKED MY LOCAL PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOCTOR ABOUT THAT AND SHE TOLD ME THAT ONLY P.P. CENTERS THAT ARE LOCATED IN AREAS WHERE NO ABORTION CLINICS DO NOT EXIST ARE MANDATED TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES.
I LIVE IN NORTHERN NJ, WHERE THE LOCAL PLANNED PARENTHOOD CENTERS DO NOT PROVIDE ABORTION.
MAY I ALSO REMIND EVERYONE THAT ABORTION IS, IN FACT, LEGAL. I DON'T SEE ANYONE PROTESTING SPONSORS FROM ALCOHOL COMPANIES OR OTHER COMPANIES THAT RIP PEOPLE OFF INSTEAD OF PROVIDING A WONDERFUL PUBLIC SERVICE.
When will people realize that blogging in caps is rude and detracts from readership and credibility? And when will they learn how to post only once?
ReplyDeleteWhy did Planned Parenthood not disclose the content of ALL of its messages? It is my understanding that there were 10 different spots, and PP only shared the content of four. Why?????
ReplyDeleteDuquesne University, for its part, appears not to care about the content of the messages, but rather the mission of the donor. The university's message is that it would not accept a contribution from PP if that message were to promote a bake sale or a walk-a-thon.
Why did PP not disclose that it had engaged the services of an advertising agency in San Diego to place these messages? It's not FREE speech. It's PAID speech. PP, however, doesn't want you to see it that way.
PP has been VERY disingenuous throughout this whole thing. The sneaky way that they have conducted themselves begs the question as to whether this entire episode was orchestrated in such a way for PP to be able to make PR hay.
Full disclosure would likely not change anyone's position. Since that is so, why is PP so disingenuous? What are they hiding and why?
PPWP is not a news organization. It is not their job to supply you with the details of how they do their marketing.
ReplyDeleteWDUQ is a local news organization. Why have they failed to inform you of all this chicanery? If there is something you should know about this, shouldn't it be WDUQ who reports it to you?
Is WDUQ part of the vast left-wing women's health-care conspiracy? Film at eleven.
Ah, but PPWP DOES provide details, to the point that they quote from e-mail correspondence from DUQ. They provide, however, only those details they choose to disclose.
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing stinks. A pox on all their houses.
My point, though, is that PPWP is far from an innocent bystander. They're spinning like a spider, while adopting a holier-than-thou posture.
Shame!
I disagree. Of course PPWP is telling their side of the story in such a way as to further their cause. That's what organizations do when they do PR. What do you expect them to do?
ReplyDeleteA better question would be to ask why Duquesne University has nothing to say while the controversy rages and while their behavior in the middle of WDUQ's pledge drive, in Scott Hanley's words, "leaves the future of WDUQ in doubt." DUQ is waaaaay behind what they need, according to Hanley.
Neither WDUQ nor PPWP has done anything obviously out-of-line in this incident. Duquesne University and the Catholic Church, OTOH, remain silent and smug in their sanctimonious immorality.
As usual, those who enhance our community suffer at the hands of the rich and powerful who suck our blood. I only hope that this impacts the University somehow, but that's not likely to happen, is it?
No, it's not likely.
ReplyDeletePP, though, IMHO, belongs in the "rich and powerful" category.
A billion-dollar organization can't be cast in the role of David to Duquesne's goliath.
The spots were NOT from PPWP. They were from the parent organization.
PP, though, IMHO, belongs in the "rich and powerful" category.
ReplyDeleteYou're kidding, right? Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization that lives on donations just as WDUQ does -- hardly rich and powerful. It's one of the most disparaged organizations in the country.
The spots were NOT from PPWP. They were from the parent organization.
That's really not relevant, is it? PPWP was using them to promote their local mission, which reflects the national mission.
Just give me some good jazz, instead of the crap Tony Mowad calls jazz..... Oh yea! he just plays music for his little thiefdome he calls the Pittsburgh Jazz Society..... People should be pissed about that and the other theifdome that's called the Manchester Craftsman Guild..... Someone should track the millions of dollars and other donations that have passed thru all of their hands....
ReplyDelete"V"
Just give me some good jazz, instead of the crap Tony Mowad calls jazz..... Oh yea! he just plays music for his little thiefdome he calls the Pittsburgh Jazz Society..... People should be pissed about that and the other theifdome that's called the Manchester Craftsman Guild..... Someone should track the millions of dollars and other donations that have passed thru all of their hands....
ReplyDeleteI agree that WDUQ's jazz is lame -- too safe, too vocal, too old fashioned. But it's really not a political issue.
ReplyDeleteRich and powerful, indeed. Big budget, PAC, the immediate broadcast e-mail and posting to the political action Web page.
ReplyDeleteWhere's the PAC for DUQ? or for the university? Where are their lobbyists? Do they contribute to political campaigns?
Size and power are definitely not on DUQ's side, nor the university's (and those are not necessarily the same), in this flap.
Where's the PAC for DUQ? or for the university? Where are their lobbyists? Do they contribute to political campaigns?
ReplyDeleteWell, there is that little-known, poverty-stricken, and powerless organization called...ummmm...what are they called again? Oh, yeah, the Catholic Church.
Of course, the Church had no role in this donnybrook, except that it was Catholic policy that was being enforced on WDUQ via the University.
And I'm sure that the fact of a new gun (bishop) in town had nothing to do with it, nor the fact that there's a new Pope (formerly known as JP2's bulldog).
You're right, I don't know what I was thinking. PPWP is a colossus overshadowing the pitiful Church of Rome. Duh! (Smacks palm on forehead.)
I hardly think it's valid to extrapolate to Rome, but even then, there's no PAC or lobbying effort, or contributions to candidates. Neither was there an e-mail campaign nor a message from the pulpit.
ReplyDeleteThe comparison holds no water.
Right. Thanks for playing. Even though you haven't won anything, we have some lovely parting gifts for you.
ReplyDeleteWitty reply. The comparison still holds no water.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the gifts. If Duquesne says I can't keep them, I'll donate them to Planned Parenthood.
They'll certainly need the money if they're in a fight with the Catholic Church.
ReplyDeleteThe only ones fighting are Planned Parenthood.
ReplyDeleteObviously, you and I have not just different opinions, but different realities. There's no use continuing a conversation where one of us sees grass as purple.
ReplyDeleteAs you wish. It's a big rainbow-colored world, though, and it seems you are interested in only the colors your rose-colored glasses allow you to see.
ReplyDeletepax humana
They also do not cover politics very well and no real issues. For example, no news about Congressman Dr. Ron Paul. I gladly withdrew my pledge and now I laugh when I hear their pledge drive stating how they are fair and unbalanced. The people need to do this to all news media, they have all been infiltrated.
ReplyDeleteMaybe only the surviving after products of unplanned conception attend Duquesne University?
ReplyDeleteYou should look at this from all of the angles.
Abortion is wrong, it is prevention of the conception that is the right thing to do. 9 months of responsibility and an adoption would be a good thing for today's society.