Planned Parenthood Ad Rips McCain and Palin for Rape-Kit Policies

From TPM:

"Under Mayor Sarah Palin, women like Gretchen were forced to pay up to $1,200 for the emergency exams used to prosecute their attackers," the announcer says, after a heartbreaking testimonial from a woman talking about her own experience of being raped. "In the Senate, John McCain voted against legislation to protect women from these same heartless policies."

The ad will run in Missouri, Wisconsin, and the Northern Virginia media market.

Panty Palooza

From Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania Action Fund:

PANTY PALOOZA

Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania Action Fund recognizes that politics can be an intimate subject — very intimate. Our signature fundraiser Panty Palooza honors that fact.

This is Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania Action Fund's (PPWPAF) eighth annual design-based fund- and friend-raiser. Stiff Competition, now Panty Palooza, was originally established to locally publicize the Planned Parenthood's reproductive rights and health messages in a new and humorous way, while appealing to a diverse target market. We've enjoyed all of the entries, and cheer all of our past winners, including the Rosie the Riverter condom: "We Can Do It If You Use It!" and our very first Award Winner, the still current PennDot Condom: "Make Sure your little Commuters can't get to the Golden Triangle" — just to name just a few.

On Thursday, June 19, 2008 from 6 to 9 p.m., PPWPAF's now (in)famous annual event will take place at Your Inner Vagabond. In celebration of this presidential election year artists, writers, and designers are encouraged to concoct political slogans for candidates that might not make it out of the focus group.

Stiff Competition accounts for 70% of PPWPAF's annual budget.

Panty Palooza
Date: TODAY! 06/19/08 06:00 PM
Location: Your Inner Vagabond
Address: 4130 Butler, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

RSVP HERE.
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EVENTS

May 28, 2008

The Bush-McCain Challenge
WHAT: MoveOn.org's Bush-McCain Challenge
WHEN: Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 12:00 PM
WHERE: Schenley & Forbes (in front of hot dog stands, Pittsburgh PA

"Tomorrow, MoveOn members are making sure people in Pittsburgh know John McCain is just like George Bush. The Bush-McCain Challenge works like the old Pepsi-Coke Challenge—we'll ask passersby to guess whether a quote or position is Bush's or McCain's. It'll be lots of fun."
RSVP: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3133&event_id=46620&id=12725-1367448-pXL8MD&t=10

May 29, 2008

Cocktails for a Cause
WHAT: Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania Action Fund's Cocktails for a Cause
WHEN: Thursday, May 29, 7:00PM
WHERE: Firehouse Lounge, 2216 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

"Join us for Cocktails for a Cause to benefit Planned Parenthood of Western PA on Thursday, May 29th from 6 to 9pm at Firehouse Lounge, 2216 Penn Avenue in the Strip District."
RSVP: http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?event=QTWKVFRHAOLMHRBGEAMY&unknownUser=true

Cracked Windows at Planned Parenthood, Downtown

On Saturday (yesterday) I happened to be walking down Liberty Avenue about 1pm. Passing by the Planned Parenthood clinic, I saw this:

Here's a closer view:

Anyone have any idea what broke the window?

With all the security at the clinic I would assume that whatever happened, the authorities were notified immediately. However, I googled the local news and found no mention of anything.

Anyone know what's going on?

UPDATE: Chris Potter of the City Paper added a comment that I wanted to elevate up to the posting. Here it is:

One of the City Paper staff noticed this as well. But PPWP assures us that it was just a drunken accident on some pedestrian's part.

End of story. Thanks, Mr Potter!

McCain Protest Tomorrow!

From Planned Parenthood of Western PA:

Help Expose John McCain’s Lifetime ANTI-CHOICE Record at an anti-McCain Rally!

It’s been a while since Pittsburgh has had a good Pro-Choice protest rally…and now the perfect opportunity has presented itself! John McCain will be at the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday April 15th at 12pm.
We all know John McCain has crafted his image as a “maverick” and that many people think he’s “independent” on many issues, but his record on women’s health issues aligns him directly with the farthest right-wing, anti-choice hardliners.

Check out the McCain record on women’s health issues:

- VOTED AGAINST requiring health care plans to cover birth control (3/11/03 Roll Call 45)
- VOTED AGAINST comprehensive sex education (7/25/06 Roll Call 214)
- VOTED AGAINST international family planning funding (3/14/96 Roll Call 35)
- VOTED AGAINST Roe v. Wade (3/12/03 Roll Call 48)
- VOTED AGAINST funding to prevent unintended pregnancies and teen pregnancies (3/17/05 Roll Call 75)
- VOTED AGAINST funding for public education on emergency contraception (3/17/05 Roll Call 75)
- VOTED AGAINST restoring Medicaid funding that could be used for family planning services for low-income women (3/17/05 Roll Call 58)

Channel your inner rage and join us downtown for a good old fashion protest!! Let everyone know John McCain is bad for women’s health and bad for America!

What: an anti-John McCain rally, exposing his record on women’s health issues
When: Tuesday April 15th; 12:00pm
Where: Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
What Else: Signs will be provided, but if you’re feeling creative feel free to bring your own! Also, please RSVP so we know how many signs and t-shirts to bring.
To RSVP: Contact Molly Johnson, Volunteer & Intern Coordinator, Planned Parenthood of Western Pennslyvania @ mjohnson@ppwp.org , 412-434-8957 ext. 126

More Canvassing to Make a Difference in this Election

We are continuing to show our support for PPWPAF endorsed candidates Brenda Frazier and John Paul Jones. Please indicate the day you’d like to participate and reply via email!

What: Canvassing, of course!
When: Saturday April 12th, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday April 19th, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday April 20th, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
To RSVP: Contact Molly Johnson, Volunteer & Intern Coordinator, Planned Parenthood of Western Pennslyvania @ mjohnson@ppwp.org , 412-434-8957 ext. 126

Planned Parenthood National Phone Bank on the McCain Record
Planned Parenthood Action Fund recently did a poll of 1,205 women in 16 likely battleground states, and found:

*51% of women say they do not know enough about McCain's views on abortion to say whether he is in step or out of step with their own outlook.

*46% of women supporting McCain over Obama/Clinton want to see Roe v. Wade upheld.

*36-38% of pro-choice McCain voters in a McCain-Obama/McCain-Clinton matchup say they are less likely to vote for McCain when told that he opposes Roe v. Wade. That translates into the potential to diminish his total vote share among battleground women by about 17-20 points.

We need to get the truth out about McCain! Join us for One Million Strong Nat’l Phone Bank Week!

During national phone bank week, you’ll be able to:

- Educate supporters and voters about John McCain’s lifetime ANTI-CHOICE record!

- Be part of the plan to reach ONE MILLION voters!

- Spend the entire volunteer shift (minus time for eating pizza) actually connecting with supporters and voters! Anyone who has phone banked before knows how frustrating it can be to make hundreds of calls and only reach a few people. During this week, we’ll have access to technology that will make multiple calls for you simultaneously and connect you only when some picks up. Generally you’ll be able to speak to about 40 to 50 people per hour!

So, sign up for a shift or two, bring a friend/family member/co-worker if you can, and be part of this historic effort to make an impact and elect a pro-choice president in 2008.
When: Sat., April 26th 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sun., April 27th 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Mon., April 28th 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Tues., April 29th 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Wed., April 30th 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Thurs., May 1st 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
To RSVP: Contact Molly Johnson, Volunteer & Intern Coordinator, Planned Parenthood of Western Pennslyvania @ mjohnson@ppwp.org , 412-434-8957 ext. 126

Last chance to help elect pro-choice candidates in the PA Primary…

Pro-choice candidates Brenda Frazier and John Paul Jones NEED YOU to help with poll-working (passing out information at the polls) on Election Day. Reply to this email with the time you’re available and we’ll place you at the polling location most convenient for you. Again, please indicate the shift you would like to volunteer your time and reply via email.

What: Poll Working on Election Day
When: April 22nd, 7 to 10 a.m.; 11:30 to 4; 4 to 8 p.m.
To RSVP: Contact Molly Johnson, Volunteer & Intern Coordinator, Planned Parenthood of Western Pennslyvania @ mjohnson@ppwp.org , 412-434-8957 ext. 126

WDUQ Won't Air Planned Parenthood Message

From Planned Parenthood of Western PA (and something we discussed too briefly on the radio this morning):

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!

Cocktails for a Cause

WHAT: Cocktails for a Cause
WHEN: Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Doublewide Grill, 2339 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh PA 15203

70% of all beer sales to benefit Planned Parenthood