It's time to face the truth about Planned Parenthood: the organization never broke the
law.
After last summer's sting campaign against Planned Parenthood, politicians across the country attacked the organization on fabricated claims by the so-called "Center for Medical Progress" that Planned Parenthood was selling fetal tissue.
Following an extensive investigation, a grand jury in Texas officially cleared Planned Parenthood in January of any wrongdoing. Not only did the grand jury clear Planned Parenthood, but it took one step further and indicted those who created the videos.
These people allegedly broke the law to spread malicious lies about Planned Parenthood in order to advance their extreme anti-abortion agenda.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was appalling and an incredible misallocation of resources that so many politicians, including a few of our own, used this fabricated video to call for investigations and the defunding of Planned Parenthood.
Not only Texas but also Florida, Ohio, Washington, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri and South Dakota each have cleared Planned Parenthood of wrongdoing. Another eight states have declined even to investigate, citing a lack of any evidence to suggest wrongdoing.
As the dust settles and the truth comes out, it has become clear that the only people who engaged in wrongdoing were the criminals behind this fraud, and I am glad they are being held accountable as well as saddened that two members of North Dakota's congressional delegation swallowed the hoax without questioning the messengers.
I believe reason and good sense do exist-just not where politicians are more interested in pandering than good policy.
Dina Butcher
Bismarck
