Ross Perot just donated $1 million to Planned Parenthood

[DonViejo]

The Texas billionaire's foundation has come through with a major gift to the beleaguered women's health provider

BY KATIE MCDONOUGH

Thousands of women have lost access to vital healthcare since Texas dismantled its Medicaid-funded Women’s Health Program in 2011 because Planned Parenthood acted as a service provider under the program. As a result of these cuts, and the persistent targeting of reproductive health clinics by anti-choice lawmakers, many clinics have been forced to close in recent years, leaving Texas women without low- and no-cost options for reproductive healthcare. Enter: Ross Perot.

The Perot Foundation of Dallas, which was founded by the billionaire and former presidential candidate, announced this week that it would be donating $1 million to the beleaguered women’s health provider to help serve the women of Texas.

“For nearly 100 years Planned Parenthood has helped to educate men and women regarding family planning and general family health,” said Margot Perot in a written statement. “Our family has supported this nonprofit for many years because we are impressed with the work they do — providing birth control; scientifically based education; breast health exams; and basic, life-saving healthcare for women who cannot afford services otherwise.”

“We also recognize the need to further inform the public of the mission of this great organization and the need to support it at this critical time,” she added.

Planned Parenthood of North Texas CEO Kenneth Lambrecht thanked the Foundation in a statement, saying, “We are thrilled that this generous gift will enable us to continue providing basic, preventive health care. Thanks to the generosity of The Perot Foundation and other community members, Planned Parenthood is proud to be here for the Texans who count on us, no matter what.”

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http://www.salon.com/2013/08/30/ross_perot_just_donated_1_million_to_planned_parenthood/

[MADem]

1. The way that guy got his E-Systems people out of Iran in 1979 was very impressive.

I never saw a more orderly noncombatant evacuation.

I'm delighted that he did this. Good for him!

[sabrina 1]

38. Ross Perot is a Third Party leader. His son is a Libertarian. I thought we didn't

ever support Third Party candidates and especially Libertarians on this forum no matter how right they are on an issue?

I have no problem ever, just for the record, praising any American who stands up for what is right.

I hope the support for this Third Party leader signals an end to the childish refusal to acknowledgement when someone is correct on an issue.

That would be a refreshing sign of political maturity.

[shaayecanaan]

40. Fat chance

From now on, anyone who supports access to abortion is a racist, Ayn-Rand loving Paulite.

[otherone]

41. +1`

no third party advocacy ..

[sendero]

2. I always like Ross Perot..

.... maybe not everything about him but I always thought he was more honest than most politicians. His predictions in the 1990 campaign have certainly borne out.

Back in the mid 80s I was sitting with my wife in a "home cooking" type restaurant called Dixie House. Sorta like a Black-Eyed Pea and perhaps owned by the same bunch. Near the E-Systems campus at the time. Certainly not upscale.

Perot and a companion walked in and sat down a table or two over. Him and his friend did not talk much they ordered lunch and ate.

[marble falls]

12. Liked Ross, hated most of his politics.

[DhhD]

17. Ross Perot received 20% of the vote in November 1992.

His predicitions about the economy came true; if NAFTA is reauthorized, you will hear a giant sucking sound from the South. Remember the Maquiladoras?

http://www.gao.gov/products/GGD-93-129

[PatrynXX]

18. some of his politics I didn't like however his ethics are above anyone elses

I just know probably not wise to put Ross Perot and John McCain in the same room. John might get hurt. John doesn't have a great compassionate soul

[Egalitarian Thug]

31. I always hated the little fuck, but he is one of those genuine people that are

frequently the most irritating and difficult to deal with. He is honest in his dealings and his positions. He honestly believes in the positions he takes, no matter how wrong they are.

I've often thought that I should have voted for him in 1992.

Off topic but, Ted Turner is another one of them. Such a fucking asshole, but straight.

[cherokeeprogressive]

36. He's the last person who asked for my vote that had me convinced he believed every word he spoke.

Handlers? I never got the feeling there was someone in the background telling him to "wear more earth tones" or what not.

I don't know if you remember the Dana Carvey skit with the big check where Perot claimed to have fixed the problems of the United States with a $700 million donation but it was one of the funniest SNL skits I've seen in the last 30 years.

[eShirl]

3. This is going to make a huge difference to the health and lives of so many people.

my thing-I-always-liked-about-Perot item: great taste in campaign theme songs.

[Little Star]

4. I liked the way he did his campaign infomercials, charts and all.

[CTyankee]

7. "The American people need to turn up their Miracle Ear!"

IIRC, he said that in a debate with Al Gore...and Gore laughing...it was a funny line...and now that my husband is having hearing trouble, which he denies, I say that to him...

[Little Star]

8. lol

[Little Star]

5. Im glad to see that he donated $1 million to Planned Parenthood. That's a good thing.

[liberalla]

6. "scientifically based education"

It's telling that they felt the need to identify the type of/source of education.

"scientifically based education" ...as opposed to "Rick Perry based education", (or belief-based education, just say NO!, or hold an aspirin between your knees education?)

I love that they're donating this to PP, and bringing attention to the sad state of women's health care in TX.

Kudos and applause to the Perot Foundation.

[BlueJazz]

9. Ross Perot has (to me) always been a straight-up guy. He told the truth when he was...

... campaigning and was laugh at by some of the so-called experts.

"Jobs will be sucked out of the United States like a monster vacuum"

Boy....was he right..

[mountain grammy]

10. No one described the impact of NAFTA better than Ross Perot..

"the giant sucking sound" of jobs leaving the US. He saw it, he knew it, he told us. America, "turn up your miracle ear!"

[BlueMTexpat]

11. Perot has some admirable traits,

and this is indeed one of them. Good for him!

Let's not forget, however, that his Electronic Data Systems (EDS) made the majority of its $$$ from being awarded lucrative government contracts and squeezing out - or bullying out - competitors, a fact he conveniently liked to forget in his story of "self-made" man, just as so many other successful individuals like to. So no, he has not always been entirely honest as some seem to believe.

Still, in this gesture, he is truly giving something back and should be heartily praised!

[quakerboy]

27. Nor forget that he came out to Endorse Bush JR.

But yeah. When people are in need, any port in a storm. Helping people is a good thing, no matter what comes before or after it.

[BlueMTexpat]

44. Too true. eom

[northoftheborder]

13. Very excellent step which helps erase some of his mistakes in the past. He was right about...

.....NAFTA......but he and his family benefitted greatly from it's effects.

[JimDandy]

14. K n R. A name from the past doing good! n/t

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

15. Good for him!

The old boy amazes me sometimes.

[aikoaiko]

16. Helps vets, helped Bill Clinton win presidency, and supports PP.

Thank you, Mr. Perot.

[joanbarnes]

19. Voted for Perot in n'96

Could no longer support Clinton after Navy blew up TWA plane and government covered it up in election year...

[Orrex]

43. Not only that, but that was the year that flight 800 crashed, too.

[UTUSN]

20. R#72 for, well slap me sillily happy!1 n/t

[Judi Lynn]

21. Good for him! Thanks for the info. n/t

[felix_numinous]

22. Outstanding, bravo!

[bonniebgood]

23. His chart and campaign was the reason why the first vote I ever

cast was for Ross Rerot. not clinton.

[UTUSN]

24. Kicking for my mother

Mother had a fun streak, was a good sport, liked to mimic people, liked dogs and comic strips. We Dems like TRUMAN for his give’em-Heck, but with her, liking him also was a little about his quirkiness, and this was shown that she liked the Snuffy Smith comic strip and then in real life PEROT (not that she would vote for him against a Dem).

What I like about him is how he was a pain-in-the-, uh, I mean, a BURR UNDER THE SADDLE for Rethugs/the BUSHes. And now, a burr for Texas wingnuts with this Planned Parenthood thing.

[MotherPetrie]

25. K&R Good for them!

[ForgoTheConsequence]

26. didn't he endorse romney?

Seems weird that an anti free trade abortion loving independent would have voted for Romney but who knows, rich people are weird.

[liberal_at_heart]

28. Glad to see someone willing to keep them open and funded.

[hamsterjill]

29. Thank you, Perot Foundation.

Happy to see this!

[Maraya1969]

30. Good on him. And I wish some other wealthy individuals would do the same.

I remember being in college and not wanting to go to a regular doctor and God forbid I went to our family doctor. The clinics were nice and helpful and most importantly.......I did not get pregnant! Neither did any of my friends, (well maybe one or two that I never knew about but chances are they did not.)

Now I drive by the Planned Parenthood in my town and see the dim wits standing on the corner all the time with their stupid signs.

But having a clinic in a strip mall is a good idea and should be spread around. Because you cannot protest in the parking lot. So a woman who is going into the place is shielded from the jack asses who would otherwise be yelling and taunting her. The protestors have to stay on the sidewalk which is a long way from the clinic.

[REP]

32. The Perots' support of PP is one reason I've always had a soft spot for that crazy fuck

He was absolutely right about a few things, like NAFTA and reproductive rights. His family (and their money) have been true friends to PP and reproductive rights for a long time, and I will always be grateful for that.

Warren Buffett has been, too - he and his family give significant money to support PP and reproductive rights.

[leanforward]

33. I'll have to change my opinion

My hats off to the gentleman. He's been off my screen for some time now. This will change my opinion of him.

[DeSwiss]

34. You see? This always happens.

Every time some crazy Texas shit happens, a guy (or lady) like this:
comes along and does the right thing and makes me have hope for Texas again!!!

- Damn you Ross Perot!!!!!

K&R

[devils chaplain]

35. Surprised and gladdened by this. Thanks, Ross. n/t

[gopiscrap]

37. Good deal, I bet there were some Texan freeper heads exploding on that one!

[Horse with no Name]

39. Ross's son-in-law is a prominent physician in Dallas

and Margot Perot has a large women's center named after her at Presbyterian Hospital.

Good on them for this.

[Jasana]

42. I don't care why Ross may have done this...

I just know it was the right thing to do so kudos to him.