Gywneth Paltrow and Scarlett Johansson Omit Abortion Mention in Campaign for Planned Parenthood

Is Planned Parenthood still on the chopping block? In passing a stopgap measure to avoid a government shutdown, Congressional Republicans dropped their demand to defund the women's health services provider.

Critics attacked the eleventh hour agreement for prohibiting federally funded abortion in the District of Columbia. Many believe this signals a loss of government funding in the final budget. Others believe Planned Parenthood doesn't belong in a funding debate.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Scarlett Johansson want your help in assuring Planned Parenthood's continued funding. They've started a video campaign directing supporters to a page for donations.

Taking care not to mention abortion services as the preventive care Planned Parenthood provides, Paltrow and Johansson emphasize the possible loss of health care services for low-income women. Both focus on STD and cancer screening as services at risk of defunding. Johansson also mentions "access to birth control," but stops short of any reference to abortion.

Do Paltrow and Johansson give a fair account of the issue? Doesn't the public deserve to be reminded that Planned Parenthood provides abortions? Some have also lambasted the organization for lobbying and supporting political candidates. Of course there is no mention of political activity in either video.

I understand pro life sentiments with respect to federal funding of abortion services. Certainly, the issue is an explosive one to many Americans. Yet, maybe because abortion accounts for only 3% of Planned Parenthood services, Paltrow and Johansson didn't think it worth mentioning.

At only 3% of total services and in light of the life-saving care Planned Parenthood provides, I can overlook the partisan politics. Wouldn't total defunding be like throwing the baby out with the bath water?


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All Aboard the 'Pineapple Express' for Highly Addictive Drug Legalization

At the Hollywood premiere of Judd Aptow's stoner flick, Pineapple Express, Hollyscoop dug up a motherload of dirt from the cast, as well as a few choice celebrities.

As the movie involves copious amounts of marijuana smoking, Hollyscoop couldn't resist asking the stars about their personal positions. Probing questions like "What do you think about smoking pot?" And, "Do you think we should legalize marijuana?"

And hoo-boy, did Adrianne Curry ever swallow the bait.

This was so funny because she practically shoved hubby Christopher Knight in the chest (yes, that Peter Brady) -- a "shut-up now honey" sign if ever one existed -- then mounted her soapbox to preach in favor of legalization. The daggers in Knight's eyes as he looked down and away, up in the air, then down again as if pleading for the earth to magically open up and swallow him whole. Easy to tell that embarrassing moments like this must happen to him a lot. An occupational hazard still ruffling feathers whenever Curry joins him for a night out on the town.

"I am the celebrity advisor for the marijuana policy project, so I think that speaks volumes," Curry responded to the reporter's question about legalization

Who knew weed aficionados could be organized enough to create a policy project, let alone influence a former Playboy bunny to be their celebrity advisor? Sounds like Curry found herself a new reality job only this time the stakes are quite high.

"We should legalize all drugs," chimed in Knight, "all drugs."

Come again? During the interview, the two of them acted like they were both on crack or at the very least a might buzzed. Does Florence Henderson know about this?

Our drug war is a failure,' sneered Curry. 'I can score heroin anywhere, cocaine, crystal meth, you name it, I can get it by the end of the night. Why are we wasting our money on this war that isn't working?'

Then she rattled on about some kind of paranoia and people looking at "the crazy b**ch from reality TV," but by then my mouth was hanging so far open I could barely swallow.

In the first place, just because brain fizzies can score crack, heroin, crystal meth, you name it from their local neighborhood drug dealer doesn't mean the stuff should be legalized. Do Curry and Knight have any idea what over-the-counter sales of highly addictive narcotics would do to this country? The only thing staunching the floodgates of people who would readily trade their bleak existences for fleeting highs of a crack pipe or syringe is the inability to score without the threat of getting busted.

I'm not a big fan of the war on drugs either, but don't throw away the baby with the bath water. Addicts deserve a fighting chance to clean up their acts and become productive members of society. Court ordered rehab is a much better alternative to mandatory jail sentencing.

Behind bars, addicts only learn the pain of withdrawal and where to score upon release.

Politicelebritopia Round-Up for October 29, 2007

The line separating politicians and celebrities so often becomes blurred. As they cross into each others' realms, mongrel spawn are born. Round-up from this past week includes:

1. Madame Tussauds opened another house of wax in Washington, D.C. This full sensory interactive museum is probably the only place in the world where both Katie Couric and J. Edgar Hoover can put visitors on the hot spot...[more]

2. Cate Blanchette's sons have problems differentiating the celebrity from the sovereign, but they’re only five and three years old. What’s everyone else’s excuse?...[more]

3. Whoever is running FEMA watches too much reality television. America’s civil servants turn their California wildfire response into a botched episode of Survivor...[more]

4. This Hillary screensaver is a riot. When maneuvered correctly, New York’s junior Senator looks quite happy to substitute bubbly balls for hubby Bill...[more]

5. Speaking of Bubba, at Hillary’s 60th birthday bash, good ol' Bill revealed aspirations to star in Billy Crystal’s next movie. You’ll never believe who tested for the part of Marilyn Monroe...[more]
6. The downside of socialized medicine is revealed as Keith Richards, Patricia Routledge, and Christopher Timothy march to protest the consolidation of hospitals in southern England...[more]

7. After toying with the idea of running for president, popular Comedy Central star, Steve Colbert, begins stumping in his home state of South Carolina. Guess he skipped the ending of that popular Robin Williams movie, Man of the Year...[more]

That concludes this week's edition of Bastard Child. Tune in again next week for more spawn from around the globe.