Military Recuiting and Abortion

Well, let's not pretend the killing of abortion clinic workers, and the harassment of patients, are the works of isolated psychopaths. Of course, most Pro-Life people don't condone murder, and no one thinks they do. Polls show that time and again, and that's not really at issue. You're painting a Red Herring. What is at stake, though, is the fact that significant segments of the "Pro-Life" group operate in communities (churches, online groups, etc.) that ratchet up a rhetoric of vengeance, God's ire, countless "slayings of the innocent", etc. that many people can process responsibly, but that many other people cannot. Religion is the constant well at which these groups drink, and intoxicated with Terrible Vengeance of the Lord, they feel justified in demonizing abortion proponents not only as mass killers (sinners who are damning themselves), but as depraved monsters who will bring down all of the country and society under the fire of God's anger. None of this sort of rhetoric is the least bit relevant for the objective (and necessary) public debate over the medical technology, the role of family in decision making, the dignity of human life, and the social good. This killing was not isolated, and it was not (so far as I have heard, psychiatrically) the work of a sociopath. It is part of a well-documented pattern of violence, fueled by a mythological rhetoric and a deliberately intensified vehemence that takes special root in under-privileged sectors of society. Those who kill at abortion clinics are usually vulnerable in a number of ways: not well educated, steeped in church proselytizing, economically troubled, driven by an ideological "cause". These are not people who tore the wings off of flies or killed dogs as children--there was nothing inherent or inevitable about their violent outbursts. They were encouraged in this holy war against "baby killers" every step of the way by a community that has not yet learned to separate its own personal religion from the objective responsibilities of society.

Lets not just leave it at some people Ted lets call it what it is, some government, some companies, some groups, some individuals, some religions, some races and I am sure the list can go on and on. Even if we have proof in black and white people will still tell you that it is a lie. Especially when it comes to the government. I do not have to prove anything because the people or the groups know the evil they spread when they spread it. All I have to say what goes around comes around so a lot of people better get ready!

You're so right, Ted, there will always be those who try to lump everyone who has the tiniest bit "in common" with an extremist into the same group as that extremist. The examples of this could probably go on into infinity. There are certainly those who call anyone who happens to be pro-choice "baby killers". Any woman who even remotely considers herself a "feminist" is a "man-hater". All of those who were against Prop 8 advocated the violence that occurred, including the beating of elderly women. As I said, the list can go on and on. Now I'm going to be VERY careful about how I say the rest of what I'd like to say on this subject because I know it will be very easy to word it wrong or for those who want to read the wrong thing into it to do so. First of all, I KNOW 99.999% of those who are against a woman's right to choose abortion in any or all cases are also against the kind of violence that took place last Sunday and the other times when abortion providers, clinics and those who worked at them have been shot, killed or bombed. HOWEVER...and this is where I'm taking a risk by saying it...there ARE some extremist activists who may not have ever actually taken part in an act of violence but I think they've contributed almost as much to the deaths and injuries as those who have pulled the trigger or set off the bomb. Randall Terry immediately comes to mind with his "He reaped what he sowed" remark after saying he disagreed with the murder. Unfortunately, it's people like him the public sees and remembers and I think that contributes to the stereotyping of anti-abortion activists. I really don't think it pertains to the average anti-choice person but more to those who are very active in the movement. Annie

"Some "Pro Choice" people will try to make it seem that all "Pro Life" people identify with Tiller's killer... as if we're all just an excuse away from doing the same thing." Well those morons just love to pretend every pro-life person is like that despite the fact that pretty much every major pro-life organization as well as Sarah Palin has condemned what happened to Tillman despite the fact that he was a despicable human being. One jerk on these very forums compared pro-life groups to al Quaeda. I don't know about you but I stopped waiting for prominent Muslim leaders and the Nation of Islam to condemn the 9-11 attacks a long time ago.

"Some "Pro Choice" people will try to make it seem that all "Pro Life" people identify with Tiller's killer... as if we're all just an excuse away from doing the same " You are indeed prophetic ted: http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2027569.aspx

Th truth here is that there are fanatics in all walks of life. They make up a very small percentage of the population but a huge percentage of the headlines. Garbage is always newsworthy. Heroism is always backpage if at all. People want sensationalism. They want to be shocked and it gets harder and harder to shock people because there is so much garbabe in the news. A really good reporter would have put that on the back page. Don't feed the fanatics. They want their stories on the front page that is why they do what they do. Shalom~Adoniah