Despite repeated requests, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s office refuses to comment on the video released last Tuesday showing Planned Parenthood’s senior director of medical services describing how the organization’s abortionists “crush” an infant so that its most valuable body parts can be saved and sold to buyers. Her silence says a lot about the abortion debate in this country.

Why should Shaheen comment? Planned Parenthood is her 15th largest campaign contributor. She has been a strong and vocal advocate of public funding for the organization. Last October, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards campaigned in New Hampshire for Shaheen. Richards personally donated $2,000 to Shaheen in the last election cycle.

Shaheen’s silence last week is important because it shows just how much the abortion industry depends on euphemisms and spin. It is one thing to shout support for a “woman’s right to choose,” it is another to defend the actual horrific practice of killing and dismembering human infants. Shaheen loves to do the former but cannot bring herself to do the latter.

The abortion industry survives on its euphemisms. Last week’s video exposes the brutal reality hidden behind the spin. It is a reality that cannot be defended.

An outside spokesperson hired by Planned Parenthood said last week that the group was merely disposing of the “products of conception.” The product of conception, though, is not a “tissue” extension of the mother’s body. The product of conception is a separate human being complete with its own DNA and, before long, its own distinct body parts. This – not “tissue” – is what Planned Parenthood kills, cuts to pieces, and sells.

The Executive Council is likely to vote soon on a renewed contract with Planned Parenthood. The contract was not funded in 2011 but funded last year. It never should have been awarded, and after the exposure of the group’s barbaric practices the council should reject the funding and make clear that the state will not do business with this organization.

More than that, the state attorney general should investigate Planned Parenthood’s facilities in New Hampshire to determine whether they are selling body parts for profit or conducting partial-birth abortions, both of which are illegal.

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150719/OPINION01/150719097