Planned Parenthood's Controversial Condom-Holding Keychains
Robert Paul Reyes
January 16, 2006
The American Flag, The State of Liberty and Michelangelo's painting that depicts God reaching out to touch Adam's hand are iconic images that represent values that most Americans hold dear: Patriotism, Liberty and God.
Some folks believe that these symbols should be held in veneration and never be belittled in any way.
But I'm of the school that contends that in a democratic society there are no sacred cows, and any image should be open to commercialization, satire and ridicule.
Planned Parenthood of Connecticut is selling condom key chains that include an image of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel with God handing Adam a condom.
The $3 key chains sold by Planned Parenthood of Connecticut on its Web site come in 28 designs including an image of the American flag with the stars replaced with the words "Wear with Pride" and a Statue of Liberty holding a condom instead of a torch.
There's also a design that features a crying baby with the slogan, "Condoms are cheaper than diapers." This may be the most effective one, when a guy is feeling amorous he might be more inclined to slip on a condom, if he glances at an image of a crying infant.
The condom-holding keys chains have sparked outrage from the usual suspects: Jerry Falwell and his ilk have condemned Planned Parenthood for their innovative form of merchandising.
It's ironic that con artists like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, who are experts at wrapping themselves in the American Flag and using the Bible to thump unbelievers upside the head, are complaining so vociferously about the misuse of iconic images.
I wish the Almighty would reach down from heaven and pass out condoms, we need to stamp out HIV and unwanted pregnancies.
The Statue of Liberty should be holding a condom instead of a torch, the lack of condom use has resulted in too many "poor, huddled masses" that are unwanted and unloved.
The controversy has led to an overwhelming demand for the condom-holding keys chains.
I would like to thank the Catholic Church and evangelical televangelists for doing so much to spur the sale of condoms
Some folks believe that these symbols should be held in veneration and never be belittled in any way.
But I'm of the school that contends that in a democratic society there are no sacred cows, and any image should be open to commercialization, satire and ridicule.
Planned Parenthood of Connecticut is selling condom key chains that include an image of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel with God handing Adam a condom.
The $3 key chains sold by Planned Parenthood of Connecticut on its Web site come in 28 designs including an image of the American flag with the stars replaced with the words "Wear with Pride" and a Statue of Liberty holding a condom instead of a torch.
There's also a design that features a crying baby with the slogan, "Condoms are cheaper than diapers." This may be the most effective one, when a guy is feeling amorous he might be more inclined to slip on a condom, if he glances at an image of a crying infant.
The condom-holding keys chains have sparked outrage from the usual suspects: Jerry Falwell and his ilk have condemned Planned Parenthood for their innovative form of merchandising.
It's ironic that con artists like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, who are experts at wrapping themselves in the American Flag and using the Bible to thump unbelievers upside the head, are complaining so vociferously about the misuse of iconic images.
I wish the Almighty would reach down from heaven and pass out condoms, we need to stamp out HIV and unwanted pregnancies.
The Statue of Liberty should be holding a condom instead of a torch, the lack of condom use has resulted in too many "poor, huddled masses" that are unwanted and unloved.
The controversy has led to an overwhelming demand for the condom-holding keys chains.
I would like to thank the Catholic Church and evangelical televangelists for doing so much to spur the sale of condoms
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