More unsettling developments in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure shitshow.
The breast cancer advocacy group cut $680,000 in screening grants to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, saying that the organization could not give money to groups that are under congressional investigation.
(A pro-life pol from Florida recently started a crusade against Planned Parenthood to see whether it uses federal money on abortions. But some have suggested that Komen has wanted to cut ties with the women’s health non-profit mainly for political reasons).
But as reproductive rights advocates across the country — including Mayor Mike Bloomberg — have lambasted Komen and rallied behind Planned Parenthood to keep lifesaving diagnostics available to low-income patients, details keep emerging that make Komen look downright awful.
Mother Jones reported that Komen hasn’t halted $7.5 million in grants to Penn State — though the university is clearly under federal investigation for a child sex abuse scandal.
And now, this:
Discount Gun Sales, a firearms retailer, “is proud to team up with the Susan B. Koman Foundation to offer the Walther P-22 Hope Edition in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A portion of each P-22 Hope Edition will be donated to the Seattle Branch of the Susan G. Komen Foundation”(h/t Daily Kos’ Scott Wooledge).
The Hope edition, as it turns out, has an “exclusive” DuraCoat Pink slide and appears to be an entirely un-ironic, real thing.
For only $429.99, it looks like, you can defend yourself — and help prevent breast cancer — with this modern polymer pistol.
(Of note: The Walther is said to be America’s favorite handgun, according to the website.)
Wow.
Of course, pinkwashing is nothing new, but we want to know you think — what’s the worst thing that’s ever been shilled under the pink ribbon label?
Runnin’ Scared tracked down a spokesman for Smith & Wesson. He says he has never heard of a “Hope” edition, but has in fact seen that gun before — and that his company has never marketed anything specifically for breast cancer awareness. Discount Guns refused repeatedly to comment and hung up on this reporter.]