And on THAT note

The power of social media. I refer to the news about Susan B. Komen foundation responding to the uproar over its decision to pull funding for breast cancer screening from Planned Parenthood. Seems that within 24 hours of that decision, the foundation reversed itself.

I heard about it via Facebook, saw Twitter posts, and received email alerts about it before I ever saw it on television media. I realize that more and more I get my news from social media, and the opportunity to take immediate action is powerful. So many make use of it, and it's an incredible way to spread a message, good and bad.

For a time line of how quickly this story and controversy unfolded, check out  this story in The Guardian.


To add fuel to the fire about the political nature of the grant withdrawals, MoveOn.org posted a retweet by one the Susan B. Komen's VP's, who has a conservative political background:
http://front.moveon.org/susan-g-komens-vp-indicates-her-real-motives-in-awful-twitter-retweet/?rc=daily.share&id=35381-15090999-ezp2uSx 

What is the take away?

Social Media is powerful, fast and has a life of its own.
Control of the spin is difficult.
Sometimes when the public speaks, you have to listen.