Paula Froelich

Karen Handel’s Unedited Resignation letter (With Ed Notes)

I got a copy of Karen’s pre-edited resignation letter. Here’s what Karen really wanted to say:

I am deeply disappointed by the gross mischaracterizations of the strategy (to get rid of planned parenthood ties), its rationale (they kill babies), and my involvement in it (IT was all me!). I openly acknowledge my role in the matter and continue to believe our decision was the best one for Komen’s future and the women we serve (the rich women who donate to us and help me get into really fancy parties with ex presidents, that is). However, the decision to update our granting model was made before I joined Komen (under my advisement as a lobbyist), and the controversy related to Planned Parenthood has long been a concern to the organization (ever since I got Cliff Stearns to open an investigation). Neither the decision nor the changes themselves were based on anyone’s political beliefs or ideology (except for my good friend, George W Bush). Rather, both were based on Komen’s mission and how to better serve (rich) women, as well as a realization of the need to distance Komen from controversy (like our grants to Penn State and Bank of America). I believe that Komen, like any other nonprofit organization, has the right and the responsibility to set criteria and highest standards for how and to whom it grants.

What was a thoughtful and thoroughly reviewed decision (by me and the Tea Party) — one that would have indeed enabled Komen to deliver even greater community impact (in the Palm Beach area)— has unfortunately been turned into something about politics (As a former gubernatorial candidate for Georgia, I am shocked! SHOCKED!). This is entirely untrue (except for that part about me wanting to get rid of Planned Parenthood for ideological reasons). This development should sadden us (me) all greatly.

1. dceiver liked this
2. paulafroelich posted this