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The facts:
Dr. George Tiller was a famous Kansas abortion doctor who performed controversial late-term abortions. The pro-life movement made him their bogeyman, perhaps with good reason. It is speculated that he performed over 60,000 abortions in his career.
Dr. George Tiller was a parent and grandparent. He was a regular churchgoer.
Dr. George Tiller was murdered yesterday in Wichita Kansas, while standing in the foyer of the Reformation Lutheran Church. At the time of the shooting, he was performing duties as a church usher.
The murderer is alleged to be one Scott P. Roeder, a pro-life extremist.
The commentary:
This Examiner is disgusted on so many levels, I don't know where to begin. Disgusted at Dr. Tiller's abhorrent medical practice, to begin with. I hadn't even heard of the man before I moved to Kansas last year, but I was certainly surprised that such a "Red" state could boast the world's most extreme abortionist. Even many on the pro-choice side of the fence felt that late-term abortion should be carefully regulated, and with good reason. The termination of a fetus is one argument - the termination of a viable infant is yet another.
I am disgusted at the fact that he was murdered. Whatever side of the socio-political spectrum you reside on, you have to accept that Dr. Tiller was well within his legal bounds to be performing his operations. He may have been a murderer in the eyes of some, but in the eyes of the law he was a regular citizen and medical practitioner.
I am disgusted at the reaction of many of my own political allies. Though the seated members of the GOP and other career politicians have been quick to condemn this act of violence (and rightly so), there have been pro-life activists rejoicing and celebrating Roeder's actions. Some in the movement have claimed that there is a war on against those who take the lives of innocent babies. A war? They have claimed that Tiller's death will save the lives of hundreds of babies. I disagree. If a woman wants an abortion, she's going to get one. Tiller may have been the most famous late-term abortionist, but he was by no means the only one.
The murder of Tiller is not the only action of pro-lifers I'm disgusted at. For years I have pointed out that the imagery of mangled infants probably wasn't doing the movement any good. That the vitriol being spewed in every election season was probably making them look very much like single-issue lunatics. And that perhaps if they want to change hearts and minds, they should do it with kindness and compassion toward the women and girls who need it. You may never change the mind of NARAL, but perhaps you can save a few babies if you simple reach out with a hug instead of a sermon.
Furthermore, I am disgusted that this is the brush with which I, too, will be tarred. Dr. Tiller, your soul needed saving perhaps more than many others'. You were a terrible, terrible man in life. I shed no tears now that we are rid of you, but I wish it hadn't been this way. You did not deserve this. Should your actions have been deemed unlawful, then decisions would have been made as to your freedoms. But you did not deserve to be gunned down in a house of God.
Your words:
Please try to keep the commentary civil. I know this is a very contentious subject.
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