The tapes: Planned Parenthood controversy should be addressed

Abortion is not a pleasant business.

Any video taken in any clinic is going to be full of images that will make many people cringe.

And there is no question that the Planned Parenthood videos have made many in this country cringe.

And while some might form the question about the information gleaned from them as another attempt to "limit women's rights to access health care," it is not about that for most of the millions of people who are outraged about what they learned.

It is about the fact that $500 million of their tax money is funding an operation that sells fetal tissue.

And like it or not -- the organization is benefiting from that sale and so are those who perform the procedures -- that is the truth.

The argument over abortion is a heated one -- that's why so few people take it up publicly. Passions are hot on both sides and there is no middle ground for either side.

There is one indisputable fact -- today abortion is legal.

Those who believe in what Planned Parenthood is doing can support the organization through private donations -- and they do.

But this is not about that.

It is about the state and federal tax money that goes to this organization.

It is about the information people heard on those videos.

And, by the way, just to be fair, you don't get to have it both ways. Secretly recorded videos are used by activist groups all the time. This is no different.

These videos show not only the raw facts of Planned Parenthood fetal tissue sales, but also the words of the doctors and others associated with it.

And for many people -- it was disturbing.

The reason for the backlash is simple.

Losing $500 million in state and federal funding is huge.

That's why there have been so many who are trying to skew the argument to "another attempt to legislate women's health rights and to limit their options" and the good work done with fetal tissue research.

But it is still not about that.

It is about the money -- plain and simple.

Planned Parenthood should be funded by private donations -- those who have views that align with its mission and the pursuit of that mission.

But what about those who don't agree or who have ethical questions about what the organization does? Should their tax money go to an organization whose values they vehemently disagree with?

And, by the way, this is by far not an issue on which there is united support. Even medical ethicists keep a close eye on its application.

This is not about denying access to women's health services. There are plenty of places for women to get those services -- most already funded through tax money.

This is about the rights of those who do not agree to not support an effort that is against their beliefs.

And while some will try to make it so -- it should not be about politics or any campaign.

There needs to be an inquiry, a discussion and an explanation. That is what happens when you take the people's money.

Any lawmaker who asks for any of the above is well within his or her rights.

And any citizen who wants to demand one should be heard.

Published in Editorials on July 30, 2015 11:19 AM