Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio released their monthly Thanks and Spanks today. The organization's cheers and jeers go to two groups or individuals who have made a difference in reproductive rights, either good or bad.

If there is one voice for women in Ohio, it is that of Connie Schultz. The Pulitzer-prize-winning columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes twice weekly in defense of the underdog and the underprivileged. Ms. Schultz's column is a voice for reproductive rights, gay rights, sexual equality, affordable and accessible health care, workers' rights, military families, and ending violence towards women and children.

In 2009, Connie Schultz raised her voice to a pitch often described as a roar, in support of women and reproductive rights. In April, Ms. Schultz served as keynote speaker at the Freedom of Choice Ohio Lobby Day. Her speech urged the women in the room to play a greater role in politics. She inspired us to look even within ourselves for the next reproductive rights warrior.

In November, Ms. Schultz slammed Rep. Bart Stupak and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for claiming religion is a legitimate reason to deny access to health care. In the same column, she warned "self-proclaimed progressives" against asking women to forfeit their rights so the Democratic Party could have a hollow political victory. Her description of the "me-first-you-never approach to women's rights" could not be more true.

For speaking out for those without a voice, Ms. Schultz is re-paid with thousands of insults and criticisms that flood her inbox, often slamming her for her pro-choice views regardless of the topic of her latest column.

For those reasons and so many more, we offer our special year-end THANKS to you, Connie Schultz! We are proud to have you on our side and appreciate your voice.

To Thank Ms. Schultz for her year of hard work and to ask her for more of the same in 2010, you can write her at Cschultz@plaind.com or call her at the Plain Dealer at 216-999-5087.




Oh, Congressman Boehner, how do I dislike thee? Let me count the ways.

Congressman Boehner, the House Minority Leader, has spent 2009 spreading misinformation and outright lies. In January, we told you about Congressman Boehner’s attempt to kill the Medicaid Family Planning State Option because it would include contraceptive coverage. In August, Congressman Boehner was up to his old tricks again, claiming that a public-option would force American citizens to fund abortion on demand.

Predictably, he's still at it. This month, the House Minority Leader's office released a statement blasting Senator Harry Reid for forcing all Americans enrolled in a proposed insurance plan to "pay a monthly abortion premium." What Boehner doesn't explain is that these proposed plans would be created for the specific purpose of giving women the option of having abortion coverage. They would be strictly voluntary and fully funded by the private premiums paid by the individual. In other words, no Americans would be forced to have abortion coverage or pay for it if they chose not to do so. Yet another attempt at fear-mongering by Congressman Boehner.

For this reason and so many more, we award Congressman Boehner with the SPANKS of the year! And here is the rest of it.

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