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Politics and Activism

Planned Parenthood: Still Under Attack

Despite the deadly shooting, the GOP is still spewing hateful rhetoric.

Arlie Johansen

Dec 01, 2015

SUNY New Paltz

Planned Parenthood

The day after Thanksgiving, a shooting at a Planned Parenthood in Colorado left three dead and several injured. There have been four attacks on Planned Parenthood in the past four months, including a Washington clinic that was set on fire, and a California clinic that was fire-bombed.

What has Planned Parenthood done to receive these acts of terrorism?

Planned Parenthood has been under attack more heavily than usual from the GOP-- back in September there were threats of shutting the government down over funding the organization. With that in mind, it should be clear as to what motivated the attack on Planned Parenthood: extreme conservatism and false claims spread by the Republican party.

Yet a Fox News commentator, a right-wing network contributor, had the audacity to blame the shooting on President Obama…after Fox News had earlier tried to downplay the shooting, calling the attack a “bank robbery gone wrong” claiming the gunman fled to Planned Parenthood after attacking a Chase Bank. Meanwhile, police have confirmed that the entire incident took place at Planned Parenthood.

Vicki Cowart, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said in a statement that a possible cause for the shooting is that, "extremists are creating a poisonous environment that feeds domestic terrorism in this country.”

The shooting has left the nation puzzled as to how the issue should be addressed. Is it an issue of gun control? Or is it the result of the hateful rhetoric used by right wing party?

Republican presidential candidates Carly Fiorina, Donald Trump and Mike Huckabee have responded to the deadly shooting by reiterating the false claim that Planned Parenthood sells body parts. Bernie Sanders has thus far been the only presidential candidate to acknowledge that the shooting was most likely a consequence of the GOP’s hateful rhetoric.

The shooter himself told investigators that he has anti-abortion views and made remarks about “baby parts” as well.

It seems pretty clear what motivated the shooting to me. I would hope that this deadly shooting would inspire the GOP to tone down their attacks on Planned Parenthood, but so far that has yet to happen. If anything, this tragedy reminded us just how much the Republican party campaigns against women’s health.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

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Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

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Recommended for you

Planned Parenthood: Still Under Attack

Despite the deadly shooting, the GOP is still spewing hateful rhetoric.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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