Planned Parenthood

The Dawn Patrol blogged Planned Parenthood, the government-subsidized so-called nonprofit that made a $35.2 million profit last year, is shamelessly milking Americans' compassion for Katrina victims—by using the disaster as an excuse to raise money.

Is Planned Parenthood offering evacuees food? No! Water? No! Shelter? No! First aid? No!

The front page of Planned Parenthood's Web site features a heart-tugging photograph of hurricane victims lining up on a New Orleans sidewalk. The victims in the foreground are black. The text reads:

Help Those Affected by Hurricane

Planned Parenthood staff are on the frontlines aiding patients in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. You can help. 100% of your tax-deductible contribution will go directly to supporting our efforts.

Clicking the "more" link leads to an page that reads:

Help Those Affected by Hurricane

Planned Parenthood clinics in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas are doing everything possible to attend to the needs of patients in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Women and families escaped the storm with their lives,

Note it says "women and families." Not just "victims," or "women, men and children." Women first, then families—men and children nowhere in sight. It's like that famous New York Times headline parody: "World Ends; Women, Minorities Hit Hardest."

The pitch continues:

leaving behind birth control and other items critical to their well-being.

It's really all about birth control. If Planned Parenthood were providing "other items critical to their well-being," they'd say what those items were.

The pitch translates to: "You've seen those masses of displaced black people on TV. Give us money and we'll make sure that, when they come to your town, they don't breed!"

It continues:

Those desperate for care are rushing to their nearest health center to get the care and treatment they need. Despite the horrific events of the past few days, affiliates and health centers in this region are determined to serve all those that come through the door.

Support Planned Parenthood and their patients during this time of great need. 100% of your tax-deductible contribution will go directly to helping Planned Parenthood affiliates and health centers in this region serve women and families who have nowhere else to turn.

If those refugees have nowhere else to turn but Planned Parenthood, they're really in trouble.

I started to say this is obscene, but then just about anything Planned Parenthood does is obscene. But to try to take advantage of people's generosity, thinking they are helping the people displaced by Katrina find food, water, shelter, and first aid, is ,,,, obscene.