Planned Parenthood
As you may know, LiveJournal has a campaign to raise money for Planned Parenthood by offering IMHO fugly icon "virtual gifts" in denominations of $1, $5 and $10, 100% of which goes to PP. I personally do not support Planned Parenthood and *in general* don't usually give money to organizations. I prefer to give time or goods because I feel those are better utilized by the organization. I also love to give directly to those in need, eliminating the "middle man" when possible.
I do not believe that simply not supporting Planned Parenthood as an organization means that I hate women or am against supporting good health for women. That would be like saying if you don't support the American Cancer Society, you don't care about people suffering with cancer. The two just don't go together.
As I expressed some of my personal opinion on the LJ post where they announced these virtual gifts, an anonymous or possibly 2 anonymous folks purchased Planned Parenthood virtual gifts for my account, which I promptly permanently deleted. (I suppose the person(s) who bought them didn't realize you can delete gifts.)
First off, you can't force others to support your beliefs and donating money to X conglomerate in someone's "name" doesn't prove anything except that you lack tolerance and respect for choice. The entire concept of choice is that each person decides for themselves what they believe and support. Some people don't understand how that works. They seem to think that if you don't agree with them it's some kind of horrific personal affront and seek to "remedy" your choice by imposing their own.
If you want to support Planned Parenthood that is your choice. We live in a free country and you're allowed to support whomever you choose. You're (hopefully) the one who earns your money and so you have the right to spend it as you wish. The only thing that these two anonymous donors accomplished in my mind was to waste their money (it will be probably used for stamps or office supplies). If they feel they provided "health care" for a woman (whatever health care all of $6 can buy) then great.
It's still a really ugly icon that I don't feel the art people put any thought or time into, though.
I do not believe that simply not supporting Planned Parenthood as an organization means that I hate women or am against supporting good health for women. That would be like saying if you don't support the American Cancer Society, you don't care about people suffering with cancer. The two just don't go together.
As I expressed some of my personal opinion on the LJ post where they announced these virtual gifts, an anonymous or possibly 2 anonymous folks purchased Planned Parenthood virtual gifts for my account, which I promptly permanently deleted. (I suppose the person(s) who bought them didn't realize you can delete gifts.)
First off, you can't force others to support your beliefs and donating money to X conglomerate in someone's "name" doesn't prove anything except that you lack tolerance and respect for choice. The entire concept of choice is that each person decides for themselves what they believe and support. Some people don't understand how that works. They seem to think that if you don't agree with them it's some kind of horrific personal affront and seek to "remedy" your choice by imposing their own.
If you want to support Planned Parenthood that is your choice. We live in a free country and you're allowed to support whomever you choose. You're (hopefully) the one who earns your money and so you have the right to spend it as you wish. The only thing that these two anonymous donors accomplished in my mind was to waste their money (it will be probably used for stamps or office supplies). If they feel they provided "health care" for a woman (whatever health care all of $6 can buy) then great.
It's still a really ugly icon that I don't feel the art people put any thought or time into, though.