Bush Family Planning Appointee Who Called Contraceptives Part Of The ‘Culture Of Death’ Resigns
Bush Family Planning Appointee Who Called Contraceptives Part Of The ‘Culture Of Death’ Resigns
Last October, President Bush appointed Susan Orr to oversee federal family planning programs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Orr, who previously directed HHS child welfare programs, was touted by the administration as “highly qualified.”
But after less than a year on the job, Orr has resigned. From a statement by the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (via RH Reality Check):
We are certainly relieved that a known opponent of access to contraception like Dr. Susan Orr is resigning from her position as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs (DASPA), the position which oversees the only dedicated federal program for family planning services for low-income and uninsured people.
ThinkProgress spoke to HHS spokeswoman Jennifer Koentop today, who confirmed that Orr has stepped down.
From the beginning, Orr was controversial, with her strongest credentials seemingly being her support for failed abstinence-only policies. Lawmakers immediately wrote to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt and urged him to reconsider the appointment. Before joining HHS, Orr served as senior director for marriage and family care at the conservative Family Research Council (FRC) and was an adjunct professor at Pat Robertson’s Regent University. A look at her past record:
– In a 2001, Orr embraced a Bush administration proposal to “stop requiring all health insurance plans for federal employees” to cover a broad range of birth control. “We’re quite pleased, because fertility is not a disease,” said Orr.
– In a 2000 Weekly Standard article, Orr railed against requiring health insurance plans to cover contraceptives. “It’s not about choice,” said Orr. “It’s not about health care. It’s about making everyone collaborators with the culture of death.”
– Orr authored a paper in 2000 titled, “Real Women Stay Married.” In it she wrote that women should “think about focusing our eyes, not upon ourselves, but upon the families we form through marriage.”
More recently, Orr’s former employer, FRC, has been pressuring the Bush administration to restrict federal funding for family planning centers. Conveniently, Orr oversaw this funding.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
The rats are fleeing the ship. Good riddance.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:26 pmEnjoy your time with your family, beyotch.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:30 pmThe so-called “right to life” and the “anti-abortion” movement is merely anti-sex and anti-woman. If the progressives would keep hitting this simple point, we could lower the right-wing’s power in this area.
O/T some one ought to tell the die-hard Clinton supporters that are now threatening to vote for McCain, that, we, he wants to outlaw abortion. McCain/Coathangers 2008.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:30 pmBye, Bye Loser RePugniScum!!!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 6:30 pmright. and millions of people dying of aids and starvation in africa because no one is willing to talk to them about safe sex and birth control is DEFINITELY part of the culture of life.
the heck with this sick witch. shes probably hiding some serious issues, wasnt one of the guys working with her caught using that dead madame’s hookas? this lady is probably a closet lezbeann peedophile or something..
May 21st, 2008 at 6:31 pmShe’s not leaving because she’s knocked-up, is she? I hope not because well, that would be awkward.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:32 pmDr??? Is that a joke? Dr??? Really? That stupid and Dr?
Hahaaaaahaaaahahahahaaahahahah!!!!!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 6:34 pmWhat do you want to bet she has no trouble with insurance covering viagra or other “male enhancement” drugs? I mean, wouldn’t little blue pills help encourage the “culture of life”?
May 21st, 2008 at 6:37 pmTen to one says she had her “tubes tied” long ago. It is too bad that abortion can’t be made retroactive!
May 21st, 2008 at 6:41 pmOn the other hand, Ms. Orr was a long time proponent of covering breast implants, botox injections and other cosmetic treatment for women. Ms. Orr defended her position by saying: “This is a pro life society. the men have to have a reason to participate.” Ms. Orr was know for many other far left feminist positions.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:46 pmI wonder if she had to ask her hubby’s permission before she resigned? After all, that is not for the ‘little woman’ to choose.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:46 pmAn adjunct professor at Regents Univ, no less. Where on earth do they find these stepford women? Maybe her thong is stitched on too tightly.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:54 pm>Dr??? Is that a joke?
Its deceptive. I dont know what shes a doctor of, but its not medicine:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/orgs/bios/sorr.htm
“She has been a high school principal and adjunct professor at American University and Regent University.
Dr. Orr received her undergraduate degree in politics from the University of Dallas and master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Claremont Graduate School.”
Doesnt even say what her Ph.D was in. Probably Theology is my guess. Personally, I dont think someone should be allowed to use the title “doctor” unless they are a medical doctor. I think technically I may be able to use the title “doctor” but I would never do so because I have no medical training and would not want anyone to believe I did.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:00 pmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Orr
In a 2000 article in Washington Watch, a publication for the conservative Family Research Council titled Real Women Stay Married, Orr argued that the majority of divorces are caused by women and called for them to recognize that only God can fulfill their lives.
UGH. Shes a real knuckledragger
May 21st, 2008 at 7:05 pmWhy, Regent University, of course! I’m surprised you had to ask.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:06 pmIUDumb
May 21st, 2008 at 7:07 pmI’ll bet she’s headed to rehab.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:08 pmpossible things Orr coudl have her doctorate in:..notice MEDICINE or BIOLOGY isnt in the list:
http://www.cgu.edu/pages/5488.asp
Arts & Humanities
Behavioral & Organizational Sciences
Drucker School of Management
Educational Studies
Information Systems & Technology
Mathematical Sciences
Politics & Economics
Religion
Anyone want to take bets on which of these subjects shes a “doctor” of..
May 21st, 2008 at 7:08 pmWhy, Regent University, of course! I’m surprised you had to ask.
Touche, Ralph. You got me on that one :)
May 21st, 2008 at 7:26 pmI’m being serious, not sexist with the following comment: If she is such a big fan of fertility and family, shouldn’t she be at home having many babies and raising a family? I mean their logic follows that there needs to be someone home raising the family so isn’t she going against her own values by having a job and being away from her kids?
May 21st, 2008 at 7:31 pmwhy now?
May 21st, 2008 at 7:31 pmPlease tell me that picture was taken in the late seventies, early eighties, when the Dorthy Hamell look was in.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:33 pmWon’t the wingnuts have a collective meltdown when the partial birth abortion ban is overturned next year?
Their lamentations will be a sweet chorus of despair.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:33 pmDRxJ Says:
Please tell me that picture was taken in the late seventies, early eighties, when the Dorthy Hamell look was in.
—
May 21st, 2008 at 7:49 pmAt home she wears a sweatshirt with the collar ripped out
and legwarmers
May 21st, 2008 at 7:50 pmGood riddance! And don’t let the door hit ya where God split ya…
WHERE does Bushco find these people?
May 21st, 2008 at 8:33 pmVincennes Says
May 21st, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I’m being serious, not sexist with the following comment: If she is such a big fan of fertility and family, shouldn’t she be at home having many babies and raising a family? I mean their logic follows that there needs to be someone home raising the family so isn’t she going against her own values by having a job and being away from her kids?
__________________________________________
This is the same question many of us asked about Phyllis Schlafly. It seems there are a lot of women out there who have carved a career out of telling women they shouldn’t have one. Of course, this applies to their audience — not to them.
As a woman, what I REALLY find insulting is when women blame other women for all the ills of the world. First, “Dr” Laura (WHY do so many of these women manage to have “Dr” in front of their name?) tells us that it’s the woman’s fault if her mate is unfaithful, and now we have this nutcase telling us that divorces are caused by women. The possibilities that each case is different or that blame could be shared doesn’t occur to them.
Maybe they just loathe their sex…
May 21st, 2008 at 8:39 pmHer talents will certainly be in demand. Servicing Daryll and his minions.
May 21st, 2008 at 8:54 pm#19 Chocolate Jesus Says:
possible things Orr coudl have her doctorate in:..notice MEDICINE or BIOLOGY isnt in the list:
Anyone want to take bets on which of these subjects shes a “doctor” of..
Her Ph.D. is in government….
May 21st, 2008 at 8:54 pmDoesn’t this mean that she gets a lifetime pension for her lousy few months “service” to the country, telling poor women to shut up, and stay barefoot and pregnant?
May 21st, 2008 at 8:57 pmChocolate Jesus
Guess who else has a Ph.D. in government? Bill Kristol.., come to think of it they might make a good couple..
It has possibilities..
May 21st, 2008 at 8:59 pmWhy is it that other people feel they have to have control over my body?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:03 pmmisshusseinmolly - THANKS for responding!
May 21st, 2008 at 9:17 pmWell these people have to promote the birth lots of poor kids, otherwise who will they have to kill off in their unnecessary wars. Their cronies need more money.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:27 pmIt becomes more apparent with each passing day that “success”, in the Bush administration, is to resign before actually indicted. Did she remember to delete ALL her email?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:34 pmAnother Bush scumbag leaves the sinking ship.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:52 pm#28 misshusseinmolly Says:
As a woman, what I REALLY find insulting is when women blame other women for all the ills of the world. First, “Dr” Laura (WHY do so many of these women manage to have “Dr” in front of their name?) tells us that it’s the woman’s fault if her mate is unfaithful, and now we have this nutcase telling us that divorces are caused by women. The possibilities that each case is different or that blame could be shared doesn’t occur to them.
Maybe they just loathe their sex…
I agree Miss Molly. As a woman, Ann Coulter is on the top of my list of least favorite. Especially for these pearls of wisdom.
May 2003 Ann said “…It would be a much better country if women did not vote. That is simply a fact. In fact, in every presidential election since 1950 – except Goldwater in ‘64 – the Republican would have won, if only the men had voted.
Oct. 2007 – “It also makes the point, it is kind of embarrassing, the Democratic Party ought to be hanging its head in shame, that it has so much difficulty getting men to vote for it. I mean, you do see it’s the party of women and ‘We’ll pay for health care and tuition and day care — and here, what else can we give you, soccer moms?’”
Could she be more insulting, I see why she has never been married… Have a nice night MissHusseinMolly..
May 21st, 2008 at 10:12 pmAlso, note this wingbat is from that scary part of the right-wing that dislikes the state getting involved with abusive parents. She wants to privatize Children Protection Services and restrict it to an advisory role only. She dislikes mandatory reporting (which requires people who work with children to report suspicions of child abuse) because it encouraged unnecessary reporting and discouraged neighbors from directly helping. And the real spooky part: she was the head of Bush’s Children’s Bureau, responsible for child abuse protection. Read all about it. Where was the uproar then?
May 21st, 2008 at 10:16 pmPete says (sarcastically)
Did she remember to delete ALL her email?
Yeah, she printed every damn one, then shredded them. BushitCo SOP.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:18 pmIs this stupid cow breeding again?
May 21st, 2008 at 10:42 pm.
But of course, the culture of death meme.
“Now watch me hit this.”
“Bring em’ on.”
“Stay the course.”
That culture of death is lead by the one, the only, George W. Bush. How else have a million Iraqis, thousands of US troops, and scores others around the globe, both here and abroad, have died but through the honest neglect and dismissal of life, liberty and the freedom of happiness here on earth BUT by this criminal Executive Branch?
Well Susan Orr, how’s it knowing that you’ve participated in this perpetration of WAR CRIMES? You should have resigned the day Bush selected you, but you didn’t because of you blind Loyal Christian(R) values… NO?
.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 amSorry about the OT, but, it does serve to demonstrate the continuing ineptitude of Bushco.
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2143598920080522?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews&pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:48 amSince Auntie Condi is having a problem finding diplomats willing to go to Iraq, let’s send this broad so she can see “the culture of life” firsthand. She’ll no longer have to worry about IUD’s in the face of IED’s.
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:05 amLets celebrate with a song!
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:16 amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0kJHQpvgB8