Planned Parenthood doesn't want my stinkin' help.

[hadespussercats]

So. Back in January, I interviewed for a volunteer position at Planned Parenthood-- a full-time office gig.

I support Planned Parenthood's mission of providing reproductive health services for women of all incomes and background, and sexual education and advocacy for men and women alike. I've marched for them, and done smaller-scale volunteer gigs for them in the past. So, when I was laid off at the end of the year, I thought I'd try to put my new-found free time to good use.

I applied for the job, and was called in for an interview.

At the interview, I was asked if I was interested in other kinds of volunteer work, if an office position wasn't available. I was enthusiastic. But I pointed out that I was a little concerned about interacting with clients seeking abortion services, since I was pregnant, and, while I had no problem with the situation, I dreaded representing some sort of oppressive presence, just because of my appearance, to women who might be feeling emotional turmoil about pregnancy.

I explained that that was why I'd applied for an office position, rather than a clinic position-- but if they thought I was making an issue out of nothing, I'd be more than happy to help in any capacity.

The interview seemed like it went well, but a few days later I was informed that the position was closed.

A month later, PP contacted me about coming in for a few days to help out with a mailing. I said I'd love to come help. At the time, I was involved in the "secular debate about abortion" here at Ratz. Warren Dew had a question about PP and donations. Since I was going to be working for them, I thought I'd pass his question along.

Shortly after my email to PP, I was contacted by the woman I'd interviewed with. She said they were sorry, but there'd been a mistake and they had all the help they'd need. Then she added that their HR department was still deliberating over my interview question, about helping out while I was pregnant. She still hasn't gotten back to me. And, I should emphasize, I'd asked the question back in January.

So, apparently, Planned Parenthood doesn't need my help. Which, honestly? pisses me off. I was ready to donate a significant portion of my time to help an organization I've patronized and supported since my teens. But, since I'm currently planning to be a parent, they have no use for me. And they don't even have the integrity to explain why.

What the fuck?

Well, that's would be because "Planned Parenthood" is not really about family planning, it's about genocide and killing children. That's how Planned Parenthood makes it's money, by providing abortions to low-income minority women. That's why it locates the majority of its clinics in low-income minority neighborhoods, so they can encourage irresponsible sexual behavior and profit from giving ignorant poor (mostly) black women abortions, which assists with the eugenics agenda of the organization's founder, Margaret Sanger. You do indeed set a bad example for them by wishing to create life rather than destroy it.

Here's an experiment for you to try, and I'm perfectly serious. Go to another clinic and tell them that you really want to work for Planned Parenthood in any capacity, and that you want to abort your child, but you need a job of some sort right away to help pay for it. Get back to us on how quickly they offer you a job.

Seriously.

Seth, Seth, Seth.

I used PP as my source for annual GYN exams, birth control pills, and STD screenings for, oh, over a decade at least. Thanks to services like theirs, I never needed an abortion, and I got at least a base level of medical care even without health insurance (I went through most of my twenties without.)

Plus, PP allows people to pay for abortions and other services based on income. If I needed an abortion and could show them I couldn't pay for it, they'd find a way to get me that abortion-- no job necessary.

[hadespussercats]

I wouldn't blame Planned Parenthood as a whole, just that particular one's HR department. You get odd folks in every organization and it seems you had the misfortune to find them in this one.

Yeah, it's not like I don't support PP in general. I'm just frustrated by these guys, because I really would like to help. I wonder if they think I'm some secret right-to-lifer trying to sneak into their administration.

Sad to say, it wouldn't be the first time it had happened. Right-to-lifers have no qualms about lying and dirty tricks.

You mean "subterfuge and undercover operations" that reveal the truth about Planned Parenthood and it's genocidal, corrupt lawbreaking and RICO violations, don't you?

If Planned Parenthood were what it purports to be, it wouldn't matter how many undercover videos "right-to-lifers" made, there would be no controversy to be had.

You think it's "dirty tricks" only because the undercover operations have been repeatedly successful in exposing the deep corruption and evil of the organization.

I don't think they're worried about corruption being exposed within their network. I think they're more worried about right-to-life wingnuts confronting vulnerable women and obstructing their care, or possibly getting in a good position to coordinate a violent attack on clinic workers or facilities.

[hadespussercats]

I didn't know you were pregnant, Hades. How did that happen?

Same old way, I imagine.

And congratulations to you for NOT wanting to kill your baby. I hope everything goes well. Is it your first?

You win for the oddest congratulations I've received, Seth. Thanks, I guess. And yes, it's my first pregnancy. I'm glad I had access to the services I needed so I could wait to become a parent until I was ready.

[tattuchu]

I didn't know you were pregnant, Hades. How did that happen?

Well, watermelons are out of season, so that's not it.

I'm not sure. Maybe it's because I started hanging out with those storks, down by the pier...

A storkly realistic explanation.

I was told that you get someone pregnant by getting really really really close to them. I'm kinda vague on the specifics, but still I tend to keep my distance as a result. I'm no dummy. Though sometimes I like to hold hands. I do hope I'm not putting myself at undue risk

[hadespussercats]

I didn't know you were pregnant, Hades. How did that happen?

Well, watermelons are out of season, so that's not it.

I'm not sure. Maybe it's because I started hanging out with those storks, down by the pier...

A storkly realistic explanation.

I was told that you get someone pregnant by getting really really really close to them. I'm kinda vague on the specifics, but still I tend to keep my distance as a result. I'm no dummy. Though sometimes I like to hold hands. I do hope I'm not putting myself at undue risk

As long as you can't do the splits, you're safe.

[Robert_S]

Hades, What was Warren's question that you passed along?

You might have a point about being pregnant and that being in some way -I don't know of oppressive is the right word- maybe intimidating or emotionally distressing to women who are already facing emotional stress.

And i love Planned Parenthood. I used to get condoms from them occasionally when I was broke.

[Geoff]

I had to look up PP (though it's clear from your posts what they do).

All those kinds of services are provided free by the state over here (including free condoms).

[hadespussercats]

Hades, What was Warren's question that you passed along?

You might have a point about being pregnant and that being in some way -I don't know of oppressive is the right word- maybe intimidating or emotionally distressing to women who are already facing emotional stress.

And i love Planned Parenthood. I used to get condoms from them occasionally when I was broke.

Thanks for pointing out that last bit-- might help shut Seth up. Well, probably not.

And I would totally understand if PP decided I might upset abortion clients (though when I went there, one of my doctors was heavily showing-- and my interviewer pointed out something similar in our meeting.) After all, that concern was why I brought up my pregnancy in the interview in the first place-- I wasn't showing then. I could have just kept my mouth shut. It'd be nice if they said so, though.

I wonder if the reason they haven't is because telling me they're turning me down because of pregnancy might open them up to a discrimination suit. (I wouldn't sue-- but they might not believe that.)

But I don't see how my pregnancy would cause a problem if I was working at a computer or preparing mailings in the offices next door.

Warren wanted to know if it was possible to donate directly to his local clinic, instead of making a donation to the national organization.

[hadespussercats]

I had to look up PP (though it's clear from your posts what they do).

All those kinds of services are provided free by the state over here (including free condoms).

It'd be nice to live in a country that had health care that works.

[Robert_S]

Hades, What was Warren's question that you passed along?

You might have a point about being pregnant and that being in some way -I don't know of oppressive is the right word- maybe intimidating or emotionally distressing to women who are already facing emotional stress.

And i love Planned Parenthood. I used to get condoms from them occasionally when I was broke.

Thanks for pointing out that last bit-- might help shut Seth up. Well, probably not.

And I would totally understand if PP decided I might upset abortion clients (though when I went there, one of my doctors was heavily showing-- and my interviewer pointed out something similar in our meeting.) After all, that concern was why I brought up my pregnancy in the interview in the first place-- I wasn't showing then. I could have just kept my mouth shut. It'd be nice if they said so, though.

I wonder if the reason they haven't is because telling me they're turning me down because of pregnancy might open them up to a discrimination suit. (I wouldn't sue-- but they might not believe that.)

But I don't see how my pregnancy would cause a problem if I was working at a computer or preparing mailings in the offices next door.

Warren wanted to know if it was possible to donate directly to his local clinic, instead of making a donation to the national organization.

I don't know what to make of that honestly. Maybe you tripped some alarms and raised a red flag somehow.

[hadespussercats]

Hades, What was Warren's question that you passed along?

You might have a point about being pregnant and that being in some way -I don't know of oppressive is the right word- maybe intimidating or emotionally distressing to women who are already facing emotional stress.

And i love Planned Parenthood. I used to get condoms from them occasionally when I was broke.

Thanks for pointing out that last bit-- might help shut Seth up. Well, probably not.

And I would totally understand if PP decided I might upset abortion clients (though when I went there, one of my doctors was heavily showing-- and my interviewer pointed out something similar in our meeting.) After all, that concern was why I brought up my pregnancy in the interview in the first place-- I wasn't showing then. I could have just kept my mouth shut. It'd be nice if they said so, though.

I wonder if the reason they haven't is because telling me they're turning me down because of pregnancy might open them up to a discrimination suit. (I wouldn't sue-- but they might not believe that.)

But I don't see how my pregnancy would cause a problem if I was working at a computer or preparing mailings in the offices next door.

Warren wanted to know if it was possible to donate directly to his local clinic, instead of making a donation to the national organization.

I don't know what to make of that honestly. Maybe you tripped some alarms and raised a red flag somehow.

I have a feeling telling them, "I'm NOT a terrorist-- really!" might not help...

[maiforpeace]

I wouldn't blame Planned Parenthood as a whole, just that particular one's HR department. You get odd folks in every organization and it seems you had the misfortune to find them in this one.

Yeah, it's not like I don't support PP in general. I'm just frustrated by these guys, because I really would like to help. I wonder if they think I'm some secret right-to-lifer trying to sneak into their administration.

Sad to say, it wouldn't be the first time it had happened. Right-to-lifers have no qualms about lying and dirty tricks.

You mean "subterfuge and undercover operations" that reveal the truth about Planned Parenthood and it's genocidal, corrupt lawbreaking and RICO violations, don't you?

If Planned Parenthood were what it purports to be, it wouldn't matter how many undercover videos "right-to-lifers" made, there would be no controversy to be had.

You think it's "dirty tricks" only because the undercover operations have been repeatedly successful in exposing the deep corruption and evil of the organization.

Ah, such dramatics Seth, it's making your devil's advocate position way too obvious. How fun is that?

[Seth]

Seth, Seth, Seth.

I used PP as my source for annual GYN exams, birth control pills, and STD screenings for, oh, over a decade at least. Thanks to services like theirs, I never needed an abortion, and I got at least a base level of medical care even without health insurance (I went through most of my twenties without.)

Plus, PP allows people to pay for abortions and other services based on income. If I needed an abortion and could show them I couldn't pay for it, they'd find a way to get me that abortion-- no job necessary.

As long as you recognize that PP is in the abortion BUSINESS, with the emphasis on generating profits from abortion, and that they are NOT an altruistic organization dedicated to women's health, I'm fine with your decision. The problem is that they violate the law every day of the week by providing abortions to underage victims of rape without informing the police as they are required to do by law, and in doing so they send the girl right back into the abusive relationship without any place to turn. The evidence of this sort of malfeasance is overwhelming, among other crimes and moral and ethical lapses.

[Seth]

I don't think they're worried about corruption being exposed within their network. I think they're more worried about right-to-life wingnuts confronting vulnerable women and obstructing their care, or possibly getting in a good position to coordinate a violent attack on clinic workers or facilities.

Then explain why they have Lila Rose's picture posted in every clinic and why do they constantly warn their employees to be on the lookout for people trying to expose their corrupt practices, like the ones who videotaped the PP worker advising a pair of pseudo-pimps how to evade the law to facilitate human trafficking and sexual slavery and prostitution of under-age foreign girls?

And this has happened dozens of times in nearly every state in the Union. Each time PP throws the worker under the bus and tries to claim they are not adhering to policy, which is a lot like Al Capone claiming that he never killed anybody...he just had other people do it for him.

I'd say they are intensely worried about their corruption being revealed, in no small part because their federal funding is at stake as a result of these undercover videos.

[Seth]

I didn't know you were pregnant, Hades. How did that happen?

Same old way, I imagine.

And congratulations to you for NOT wanting to kill your baby. I hope everything goes well. Is it your first?

You win for the oddest congratulations I've received, Seth. Thanks, I guess. And yes, it's my first pregnancy. I'm glad I had access to the services I needed so I could wait to become a parent until I was ready.

My sister has six boys from 2 to 16, and with all the trials and tribulations, each and every one has been a joy. I wish you all the best, and don't panic, you actually can do it, even when you think you can't. If I can give you one piece of advice out of everything I've learned from being an uncle, it's be firm and unshakable and absolutely consistent in your discipline, whatever level you decide upon. What does the most harm to kids is not to have boundaries that are firmly established and consistently enforced. Kids need structure and boundaries, and they need the comfort of knowing what the rules are and that they will not be arbitrarily enforced or not enforced, because that confuses the hell out of them.

Being consistent in discipline does not mean being abusive or unreasonable, it merely means enforcing whatever the rules are evenhandedly and the same each time, without fail, and most especially when you are worn-out, frazzled, tired, frustrated, angry and upset. It's as much a habit pattern for you as it is for the child. This is true even at a very young age, beginning even before the child is one. Kids are programmed by nature to try to manipulate their environment to maximum benefit for them, and you have to resist the urge to succumb to every cry or tantrum and set schedules and rules and enforce them. The kid will benefit from this consistency even from, and perhaps most importantly during, their early years.

All the best, and it gets better all the time.