Being the Change I Wish to See

Terrorism of any kind is unacceptable and those taking part in it should be subject to investigation, arrest and punishment to the full extent of the law.

There are two factions of the pro-life movement: legitimate, peaceful, pro-life activists and advocates who take part in the honest debate about abortion, and the anti-abortion anti-choice faction who incite and participate in crimes and violence.

This article is not directed toward the legitimate pro-life movement. Those who take part in honest debate about this important and volatile issue should be encouraged to continue the conversation.

This article is directed at the second group, the ones who condone violence and crime to impose their anti-choice ideals on others against federal law and in violation of their civil rights.

Anti-abortion extremist, Scott Roeder, is being named a hero in the anti-abortion movement, and the death of Dr. George Tiller is being celebrated by these people. They believe murder and destruction of abortion facilities are the only way to stop abortions. They have decided there is no legal way to change the law, so they resort to vigilantism and violence.

They also believe that they should have the right to impose their beliefs on private family matters that belong between a woman, her family, and her doctors and other health care providers.

No one likes the fact that abortion is a necessary medical procedure. If we could end unwanted pregnancies and have the technology to successfully protect women’s lives and health during pregnancies that currently lead to abortions, the number of abortions could be significantly reduced. But this isn’t the reality with which we currently live.

There is no black and white on the abortion issue. It is a complex issue full of gray areas. The anti-abortion movement would have you believe it is a simple black or white choice. Nothing could be further from the truth.

A woman may need to seek a late pregnancy abortion because continuation of the pregnancy is threatening her life or may harm her health permanently. What if that woman has a husband and other children? Is it realistic to risk her life when it is so important to her living family? It isn’t our choice or any of our business. It belongs within that family to make the choice that is best for them.

Interview with Vicki Saporta, National Abortion Federation President:

Anti-abortion extremists target abortion providers and they are a well-organized movement according to the National Abortion Federation. Operation Rescue, The Lambs of Christ, The Army of God, and many more organizations mobilize violent protests, use inflammatory language and set the environment for those who are willing to commit vandalism, bombings, shootings, and murders.

Even the constant silent vigils held outside of abortion clinics, although non-violent, are designed to harass and intimidate doctors, providers and patients. They overstep the bounds of freedom of speech and assembly. Their purpose is not to lobby the government to change the law.

Scott Roeder was one of the people ignored by the FBI when he vandalized an abortion clinic several times over several years and directly before he allegedly murdered Dr. George Tiller. He had a history of violence against abortion clinics starting in 1996. He was known by clinic staff and found on security tapes while gluing the doors of the clinic shut.

Why did the FBI continue to allow Scott Roeder to vandalize abortion clinics in clear violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) act of 1993 and not arrest him? Good question.

Violation of the FACE act is a federal crime. A first offense is punishable by 6 months in federal prison. A second offense is punishable by 18 months in federal prison. The Clinton Administration Justice Department actively enforced the FACE act. The Bush Administration Justice Department nearly stopped enforcing the law entirely. Extremely few prosecutions occurred and arrests that should have been made were never made over the past 8 years.

Why wasn’t Roeder on the FBI’s radar? How did this guy fall through the cracks? What can be done to reduce or eliminate these crimes without giving up our civil liberties?

Enforcing the current law would go a long way in stopping those who commit smaller crimes from going on to commit more violent crimes, such as attempted murder and murder. Those who are involved in the legitimate pro-life movement could also take it upon themselves to turn in those they know who are planning to commit or have committed crimes against abortion clinics before they commit more severe crimes. It would be in their best interest to stop this fringe anti-choice movement from being associated with their legitimate advocacy.

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Technorati Tags: abortion, domestic terrorism, Dr. George Tiller murder, violence

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Today, an anti-Semitic, anti-government, white supremacist extremist entered the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. and
started shooting. James W. von Brunn, age 88, shot two people, killing one, before he was shot and remains in critical condition. A third person was injured by broken glass and other debris.

Security guard Stephen Tyrone Johns was critically injured in the shooting and died later at a Washington D.C. hospital.

This is the third domestic terrorist attack committed by American citizens against other American citizens in the last 11 days. The first was Dr. George Tiller’s murder on May 31, the second was Pvt. William Long’s murder on June 1, and today, Security Guard Stephen Tyrone Johns’ murder.

All three murders were committed by extremists on the fringe of society. They may not have been on the same fringe, but they were all on the fringe of those who believe what they believe. In all three cases, the perpetrators decided to use violence and murder to express their disagreement with some other person or group. They were motivated by racism, religious fanaticism, and anti-government sentiments.

I am shocked, saddened, and furious. What the hell is going on in this country? Why are all the nut jobs coming out of the woodwork with loaded guns and full intent to kill people? How are they falling through all the law enforcement cracks? Is law enforcement failing us?

According to many abortion providers and abortion rights groups who follow their opposition are reporting a significant uptick in violent rhetoric, vandalism and other crimes, and violence such as murder.

There was an uptick in the violent nature of rhetoric used, and an increase in the anger of protesters and vandalism when President Obama was elected on November 4, 2008. There was another uptick in angry protests, vandalism and violence when President Obama was inaugurated on January 20, 2009. Since Dr. Tiller’s murder on May 31, there has been a significant uptick in the anger of protesters who are now assaulting and grabbing patients and their escorts as they enter clinics.

Even with U.S. marshal protection, abortion providers are more afraid than ever because they had become accustomed to the increases in violence and angry rhetoric. They were no longer shocked by vandalism or violent rhetoric because nothing further was coming out of it. Until now.

With the change in administration to a pro-choice, centrist, mixed race President, it seems some of the extremists (with a screw or two loose) have decided that the only way to regain control is through fear. Fear imposed on others who believe differently than they do, fear of non-white races being in charge of our government, and violence to stop the wars we are involved in.

While our reputation around the world is improving with Barack Obama as our President, those who fear non-whites, the rule of law and the privacy rights of others, and who hate our military actions have been simmering. Feeling a sense of loss of control seems to be heating the simmering pot to boiling over.

The only way to curb the violence is much tougher enforcement of the laws we have. Better coordination of local, state and federal law enforcement needs to become a priority.

When lesser crimes are committed, those violating the law must be arrested and prosecuted to send a clear message to domestic terrorists and those who set the atmosphere of heightened anger and violence. From stalking to possessing illegal weapons to vandalism to trespassing to minor assault and battery to conspiring to commit crimes, far more arrests that lead to prosecutions and jail time have to be made.

The organizations who oppose others beliefs, actions and the law who are non-violent and don’t condone violence must step up to the plate and take some responsibility. They must start turning in those they know of who are planning serious crimes or have committed lesser crimes. Until the legal, non-violent activists stop tolerating and celebrating violence and murder, they will be linked with the extremists who commit terrorist acts in their names.

We need better law enforcement, more arrests and more citizen involvement to put a stop to these domestic terrorist acts.

Photos:
AP
Yellow Limes Blog

Technorati Tags: domestic terrorism, James von Brunn, Stephen Tyrone Johns, violence

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