Observations and inanities by a second-shift assistant supervisor in the Puppy-Grinding division of the Evil Atheist Conspiracy® (our motto: "Sure it's cruel, but think of the jobs!"), your host, Brent Rasmussen.
Aw, hell.
Damn:
Murdered Doctor’s Abortion Clinic Shuttered
The Wichita abortion clinic run by a doctor who was shot and killed will remain closed permanently, his family said on Tuesday.
Dr. George R. Tiller’s clinic was one of the few in the country to provide abortions to women late in their pregnancies, and for decades, women had traveled there from all over the nation and from overseas. It was also the only remaining abortion clinic, even for first trimester abortions, in the Wichita region.
* * *
Even some abortion opponents, who had long devoted their efforts to closing down Dr. Tiller’s clinic, said they did not wish to see it happen under these circumstances. Last week, Troy Newman, the leader of Operation Rescue, had said that closing the clinic now would send a worrisome message. “Good God, do not close this abortion clinic for this reason,” he said in an interview with The New York Times. “Every kook in the world will get some notion.”
Yeah, this is one of those few instances where I'm going to actually agree with Troy on a question concerning abortion. Because now any nut out there who thinks that he is "doing God's work" will go forth and try and kill someone who provides abortion services.
And really, think about it: it is the logical thing to do, if you really believe the message that the religious right has been pushing for years that "abortion = murder". I've never been particularly surprised that there have been terrorist attacks on abortion providers - in fact, I've been surprised that there haven't been more such episodes of violence, given the rhetoric and belief structure of these nuts.
OK, I can't blame the family of Dr. Tillman for their decision. They've just lost one family member to this fight, and I'm certain that all of them are just weary from having to put up with the attempts to terrorize them. I've had threats before, and it can get under your skin. Having to put up with that level of attack over decades would make about any sane person want to stop. So, no, I don't blame them at all.
But, damn, man. This is going to do nothing to slow down the crazies.
Aw, hell.
Jim Downey
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I have a hard time believing that Dr. Tiller would approve. He already survived being shot and went back to work immediately, so it's pretty clear he refused to be intimidated. I understand that the family is grieving and frightened and they have every reason to be, but his death was for nothing if the crime succeeds in doing what it was intended to do. The real tragedy is that there are people who are willing to pick up the torch and continue providing this service from this established location that already has all of the necessary infrastructure, and the family could just as easily step aside and announce that while they have decided to exit the profession they are turning the operation over to new management to honor the late doctor. I am not criticizing the family, I do indeed understand, I just wish they would examine the situation a little more dispassionately and realize that the best monument for Dr. George Tiller is to continue to provide quality reproductive care for women who need it.
Just ask Al Queda...
...Terrorism works.
That is sad, sad news
terrorism
[ter-uh-riz-uhm] –noun
1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.