It’s become something of a cliche to talk about the “reality-based community” (i.e., anyone outside the circle of Bush and his supporters) vs. those who “create their own reality (the president and his team), but once in a while, we’re reminded why this became a cliche in the first place.
Less than a week ago, the World Health Organization released one of the most comprehensive studies to date on reproductive health. Its conclusions were not surprising — the only effective way to reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions is to make contraception widely available. It’s not rocket science; it’s common sense. If people have access to safe, lawful family planning services and materials, the result is a healthier society.
Five days later, the White House has responded to this reality by naming an opponent of birth control to head the federal government’s family planning office.
The Department of Health and Human Services appointed Susan Orr — who has spoken out against contraception — to a post responsible for U.S. contraception programs.
Orr, who will be acting deputy assistant secretary for population affairs, has been directing child welfare programs in another branch of HHS. Prior to joining the Bush administration, Orr was senior director for marriage and family at the Family Research Council, a conservative group that favors abstinence-only education and opposes federal money for contraception.
Frequently, the problem with Bush’s reckless staffing choices extends way beyond high-profile cabinet positions, and includes important executive branch offices that most Americans have never heard of. In this case, we have a religious right activist making the transition from the Family Research Council (created in part by James Dobson) to the Administration for Children and Families.
This is painfully ridiculous. It’s as if the Bush administration is trying to find the most offensive choice possible
Keep in mind, Orr’s position is not just some symbolic office for a figurehead. She will now oversee HHS’s $283 million reproductive-health program, a $30 million program that encourages abstinence among teenagers, and HHS’s Office of Population Affairs, which funds birth control, pregnancy tests, counseling, and screenings for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.
It’s not a meaningless job. Orr will have “extensive power to shape the kinds of information disseminated to millions of women,” and will be able to “develop new guidelines for clinics, set priorities, and determine how scarce dollars get spent.”
The last thing we need is a family planning office headed by someone opposed to family planning. And yet, that’s what Bush has given us. Again.
Indeed, Orr’s predecessor was Eric Keroack, a doctor who believes the distribution of contraceptives is “demeaning to women,” and who had a history of saying truly nutty things, such as the belief that condoms “offer virtually no protection” against herpes or HPV.
Yes, I know, we’re talking about the Bush administration. When looking for someone to head up family-planning programs, loyal Bushies aren’t going to put Joycelyn Elders’ resume at the top of the list. I get that.
But there has to be some credible Republican official the administration can turn to for an office like this one.
And no, in case you’re wondering, the position does not require Senate confirmation.