Indy Star publishes major puff piece about CEO of Indiana's Planned Parenthood

I've read some obvious puff pieces in my life. But a June 22nd piece in the Indianpolis Star titled, "Planned Parenthood's Betty Cockrum is a persistent fighter", surely deserves some sort of prize for "Glowing, Adoring, and Worshipful Hagiography of Those Committed to Killing the Unborn" (HT: Sandra Miesel). Lest you think I am being hyperbolic, check out some of these lines about Betty Cockrum, the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana:

• "For Cockrum, abortion is only one part of her mission to ensure that women have reproductive rights and access to health care."

• "To be fair, it's a tough time for anyone at Planned Parenthood's affiliates nationwide. But Cockrum -- a 59-year-old, twice-divorced mother of two and grandmother of one -- may have it toughest of all. Of all the nation's Planned Parenthood CEOs, she is thought to be the only one who has been harassed repeatedly and savagely on a very personal level."

• "Earlier this spring over breakfast in Bloomington, an aide had no qualms telling Cockrum a ribald joke with a reporter present, and Cockrum had no qualms chuckling at it. She wore a bracelet that said: 'Don't make me release the flying monkeys.'"

• "That's another thing about Betty Cockrum: She's funny."

• "During the presentation, Fichter and Cockrum were placed at opposite ends. The subject of 'interfacing with the opposition' was broached, and Cockrum was quick to point out the meanness of the Intercessors. It's useful to have enemies so over the top, and Cockrum is quick to bring them up in conversation."

The entire tone of the piece is one of unquestioning adoration. Much is made of Cockrum's difficult childhood. Well, at least she had a childhood, unlike the tens of thousands of babies who have been aborted during her comfortable watch (she makes $150,000 a year). Much is made of the verbal taunts allegedly thrown her way by pro-life activists. Not to condone verbal assaults or harrassment, of course, but being verbally assaulted has to be so much better than being torn limb to limb from the womb. Sure, being called names is hardly enjoyable, but if you are going to sign up to be a major player in the nation's largest abortion provider, you certainly should expect some opposition. Yet the reporter, Will Higgins, seems to think that being given the cold shoulder by political opponents is somehow the epitome of uncivilized nastiness:

Continue reading on the Catholic World Report blog.

Comments

[Peter L]

I had the dubious honour of debating a pro-abortion guy on another blog,just the other day.I asked him if they ever find the Gay gene and a pregnant Conservative Christian woman decides to abort her child on the grounds of the child's Gay sexuality,would he support her choice or decision to do so.Remember,he is also pro same sex unions.He stuttered and stammered and at the fourth or fifth time of asking he said "I cannot tell a woman what to do with her body or what is inside her body."

With mindsets like this guy out there,we can all see where this is all heading.Good article btw.