I’m relieved to see that the Susan G. Komen Foundation has reversed course on funding for Planned Parenthood. Not only because PP can use the money, but also because it’s a strong indicator that the right wing doesn’t have a monopoly on effective action. It also might prevent other mainstream charities from taking similar exclusionary steps.

But I’m not entirely convinced that Komen has changed its stripes. For one thing, there does seem to be a significant conservative cohort in the organization,which might seek to influence Komen policy in other ways. For another, there are some weasel words in Komen’s apologia/retraction. To wit:

We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood…

That’s fine, until the “existing grants” run out. This wording is very similar to Paul Ryan’s (and Mitt Romney’s) on Medicare and Social Security — they say benefits will be unchanged for current recipients. This is true, but leaves out future recipients, who would see their benefits voucherized. Back to Komen:

…and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants…

And there’s the other side of the Ryanesque promise. Sure, go ahead, apply all you want. Of course, you might not get any future grants. Tough luck there. And finally:

…while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities.

Which leaves the door open for local Komen chapters to freeze out Planned Parenthood if their local donor base leans pro-life. You could see a dramatic difference between red states and blue states in who gets Komen dollars.

Maybe I’m paranoid. But I have little trust in an organization that makes such a move in the first place, and then changes course because of intense public reaction. In architectural terms, Komen looks less like a cornerstone and more like a weathervane.