Pink'd

Unless you avoid all methods of news distribution or have been away in, say Antarctica, for the past week, you likely know all about the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization pulling their funding of Planned Parenthood's breast cancer screening. You don't need me to tell you why they chose to cease the grants or hear me surmise about the political over- and undertones of the issue; you can read for yourself at CNN or the Washington Post or the trusted news outlet of your choice.

But I will tell you that I am angry. And hearing that SGK has revised their policy after the outpouring of outrage doesn't minimize my anger in any way because I think their "policy change" is less about what is right for women's health in rural communities and more about a tarnished public image.

I have long supported SGK. I tried to rationalize in my mind when I heard some time ago that they spend $1 million a year on legal action against other nonprofits or organizations using the phrase "for the cure"; I understand branding, I really do, and I understand the concept of protecting your brand. But threatening some small town group that wants to have a "Jitterbug For the Cure" fundraiser? Really? And it has slowly come to light over the years about how money is spent and how little of the money from pink merchandise goes to fight the fight.

I give money to organizations with the trust and belief that they are doing good with the money, as much as they possibly can. So I can't help feeling like my trust has been broken by SGK. And I am angry about it. When I disagree with a company's business practices, I choose not to do business with that company; it is the only way I know to express my displeasure. And so it goes with SGK - I choose not to give them money from this day forward. There are many other groups out there doing the same thing but doing it better that deserve our contributions.

Read about the fracas, if you like, and make your own decision.

February resolutions

Fresh off my success in keeping my January resolution, I am throwing caution to the wind and setting not one but TWO resolutions for February. I know, I am such a daredevil!

My first resolution is once again related to knitting. I want to finish the wrap that I am knitting for my Aunt Eula. I am over halfway done and just need to commit a little more knitting time than usual to it. It is not at all a difficult knit but because it has longer rows than my usual projects, I need to be able to take the time to sit down and complete a row, and not just pick up/put down every few minutes.

Resolution #2 is to exercise for 30 minutes, three times each week. Those who know me well know that I loathe exercising, and it shows. So I am endeavoring to take walks, snowshoe (if we ever get enough snow) or use On Demand exercise videos to get my lazy butt up and moving.

Now if I could only figure out how to knit and exercise at the same time.