Editor's note. Please check Part Two: "Not on Our Watch." Send your thoughts on either or both parts to daveandrusko@gmail.com.

When Planned Parenthood issued its tasteless "Choice on Earth" Christmas cards a few years ago, many people who had no particular allegiance in the battle over abortion thought that PPFA had finally gone too far. Well, if they thought that the nation's largest abortion provided had reached rock bottom in making a mockery of the Holy Season, just wait until they see the latest from Planned Parenthood's Indiana affiliate (PPIN).

"Looking for an unusual, yet practical gift this holiday season?" the website asks. Well, PPFA's idea of a stocking stuffer is gift certificates, available for purchase on line in $25 increments, that "can be redeemed at any of the 35 PPIN health centers around the state, no matter where they were purchased." (http://www.ppin.org/, accessed 12/2/08.)

Does "services or the recipient's choice of birth control method" include everything? PPIN Vice President Chrystal Struben-Hall told Leslie Olsen of WISH-TV that "They really are intended for preventative healthcare" but admitted that "We decided not to put restrictions on the gift certificates so it's for whatever people feel they need the services for most."

Betty Cockrum, president and chief executive of Planned Parenthood of Indiana, conceded to the Washington Times that this, indeed, did include abortion! (The Miami Herald reports that PPIN clinics perform about 5,000 abortions a year.)

No one at Planned Parenthood apparently stopped to consider how appalling the idea of an abortion gift certificate might be, at any time of the year, but particularly Christmas. Let's imagine how a young, pregnant, single mom, already concerned about her relationship, would feel waking up Christmas morning. She unwraps a package to find a stack of Planned Parenthood gift certificates and a note that says "This ought to cover the abortion. Merry Christmas, Billy."

If a engagement ring, often given at Christmas, says "I love you, I will stick by you," exactly what message is a young woman supposed to get from an abortion gift certificate. "Billy" would probably cover the abortion anyway, but now he gets to package this hush money as a "gift."

Worse yet, in what sort of sick world is a dead baby an acceptable gift? That Planned Parenthood would happily take your money and the life of an innocent child shows a greed and callousness that tells you more that PPIN intended.

In the original Christmas story, the Magi -- the wise men -- brought precious gifts for the young child. It was Herod (who lied when he told the Magi that he also wanted to worship the new King) who eventually ordered the slaughter of the innocents.

Both the wise men and the wicked king claimed to wish to celebrate the birth. The Magi offered genuine gifts, Herod offered death. Planned Parenthood uses the language and sentiments of the season, but whose agenda does theirs most closely resemble?

Herod may have killed dozens, maybe hundreds in Bethlehem. Planned Parenthood aborted 289,750 children in 2006 alone.

Part Two -- Not on Our Watch