Idaho Planned Parenthood celebrated its victory over the opposition this past weekend with a cocktail party, a propaganda film and a tour of its Twin Falls office. The celebration was held to commemorate five years since they first expanded outside the Boise market.

We were involved in organizing protests of that decision, working with many families in the Magic Valley to protect the community from this expansion of America’s abortion empire. Unfortunately, that effort failed to stop Planned Parenthood’s expansion. This sad turn was largely due to the failure of the Magic Valley’s spiritual leadership to recognize Planned Parenthood’s serious threat to families and children.

After five years of operation, it is hoped that the clergy have at least learned about the pernicious influence Planned Parenthood wields among the vulnerable. Unfortunately, much of that influence remains hidden and difficult to document.

We note, for instance, that Idaho’s abortion rate continues to rise – a trend line which defies national experience, and which closely parallels Planned Parenthood’s expansion into the Magic Valley. While that office does not, purportedly, perform abortions on site – it is a short drive to their killing rooms in Boise. And we have always believed that the real objective for expanding into the Magic Valley was to widen the potential customer base for Planned Parenthood’s premier business product. PP head Rebecca Poedy claims success there, too: She tells the Times-News that they have hands-on contact with some 1000 women each year.

Rather than celebrate with whoopee cushions, booze and perverse films – we choose to mark their five years with a sober recognition that many lives have been destroyed, others seriously damaged, by the poison pedaled by Dr. Kevin Kraal, Rebecca Poedy and other champions of Planned Parenthood.

And we pray that Poedy’s threat to open yet another recruiting center in Idaho – in Pocatello or Lewiston – by 2009 will be unrealized.