38 Comments

1. Chris  •  May 31, 2009 @8:07 pm
   

   I can`t believe any church would have let a killer such as him through the doors. It`s sad that his life had to end in such a way, but I guess: “Live by the sword, die by the sword.”

2. Duke  •  May 31, 2009 @8:20 pm
   

   It’s strange to me that the same types of people who had no trouble killing black people in the 1800’s call themselves pro-life. The same people who send their own children to die in Iraq are pro-life. The same people who support the killing of a man in church are pro-life. The supposed party of less government wants the government to make decisions for women and their bodies. It’s an intolerable hypocracy by a group that claims to know what God wants and how he feels about certain issues of the day. I really wish they would go to a state that no one is using, like alaska, and live in their happy world of hate and hypocracy.

3. Ray B  •  May 31, 2009 @8:44 pm
   

   “However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence,” Obama said in a statement issued by the White House.”
   What Obama fails to realize, and what all those shedding tears over Tiller’s death fail to realize, is that George Tiller committed heinous acts of violence every day for a living. Sticking scissors in the skull of a child and suctioning out their brains may have been sanctioned by an activist 1973 Supreme Court, but it does not make it any less murder or any less “a heinous act of violence.” While it is sad to see the death of ANY human being, including Tiller, today, he unfortunately got a taste of what he has been doing to others for decades. Cry for him if you must, but also cry for the thousands of innocent human beings who died by his hand. May God have mercy on his soul.

4. John  •  May 31, 2009 @9:02 pm
   

   I think we should make abortions illegal for Christians only. If they are going to use religion as a justification for changing the law, then let’s only change it for them. I am not a Christian, so their laws and rules shouldn’t impact me.

   So there we go: Abortion is illegal for Christians.

5. toma  •  May 31, 2009 @9:06 pm
   

   Well, that’s a new angle, John.

6. barnowl  •  May 31, 2009 @9:42 pm
   

   This was an act of right wing domestic terrorism. It should be treated as such. My sympathy to Dr. Tiller’s friends and family.
   Late term abortions are rarely necessary but on occasion the mother’s life, health and sanity are severely compromised by a fetus’ death in utero,severe deformity or other pregnancy related threats to the survival of the mother. I hope the right wing haters never are faced with such a heartbreaking situation.
   The violence inciting rhetoric common on Fox and right wing radio outlets needs to stop. Advocating violence and murder shouldn’t be allowed on the public airwaves.

7. Ender  •  May 31, 2009 @10:13 pm
   

   And the right wing is now decrying the act as something they do not support.

   When will these people learn that their intolerance and radical rhetoric leads to just this type of violence? They dont agree with something someone is doing so they “declare war” on it. And then act shocked when things like this happen.

   The party of intolerance is an intolerable burden on the land of the free. For gods sake, if you can’t live with the freedoms of others then go somewhere else. You right wingers are runining this nation with your intolerance, greed, divisiveness, and “holier than thou” attitude.

   The right wing is not brave enough to live free.

   Period.

8. Julius  •  May 31, 2009 @10:39 pm
   

   There you go… more right winged terrorists. This is looking more and more like the Afghanistan of Al Qaeda.

9. Mark  •  Jun 1, 2009 @5:09 am
   

   Boo hoo a child killer dies! What a crying shame. I seen the candle light vigil and wasn’t sure if I wanted to laugh or puke in disgust of all these worthless scum crying over a child murderer/torturer. He should have bought it long time ago along with the scum that supports it.

10. Doug  •  Jun 1, 2009 @5:22 am
    

    About time this descendent of Herod is dead. The world it has lost a toxic waste.

11. Hugh G. Reckshen  •  Jun 1, 2009 @5:23 am
    

    Some things never change. When an abortion doctor ends the lives of hundreds of late-term babies by piercing their skulls and sucking out their brains, liberals hail it as a victory for women’s rights. But if a tree is cut down, they mourn.
    God help us all.

12. toma  •  Jun 1, 2009 @5:30 am
    

    Thank you, Web Boner, for your heartfelt comment.

13. Graham  •  Jun 1, 2009 @5:39 am
    

    I wish everyone would stop with the whole liberal ,right wing , christian crap. Been a pro lifer dosen’t mean I am a right wing christian nut. I don’t believe in god, I believe in life, the right to life and the right to death. I believe abotion is wrong, where’s the “choice” for the baby? the child should decide for themseves when they get older that is why euthanasia should be legal.

14. Everett  •  Jun 1, 2009 @6:13 am
    

    Shouldn’t the headline read murder murdered?

15. Scott  •  Jun 1, 2009 @6:16 am
    

    This man should not have been shot. Convenience late term abortions should have been criminalized, and then he should have been tried in a court of law. How do you pro abortion activists not get that sticking scissors in the back of a BORN baby’s skull and sucking out their brain is murder? What if someone did that to you? Aren’t you glad that your mother decided to keep you? All you feminazis (means those who desire for as many abortions as possible) out there claiming every pro life person wants take the law in their own hands and shoot an abortion provider are out of your fricking minds. This isn’t about a mother choosing anything. The choice was when she decided to sleep with the baby’s father. Yes, I know women get raped – I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about the “I don’t think I’m ready for a child. I’m getting an abortion.” B.S. Sorry, you already made your choice.

16. Jerry  •  Jun 1, 2009 @6:41 am
    

    As a gay man I am so thankful that abortion exists as an issue for the venting of religious fanaticism. Just think what these right wing nut cases would do to people like me without the distraction.

    My heart goes out to the family of this very brave man.

17. Fred  •  Jun 1, 2009 @7:34 am
    

    This goes to show how these conservatives are going wild ever since Obama came into office. With the religion, people are always trying to force others of their thoughts even thought it is no ones business. Being in a gay marriage, having an abortion, or having safe pre-maritial sex are no one’s business but the people personally involved. We need to stop debating these issues because its a person’s choice and if you don’t like abortions than don’t have one. These are non-issues in a world where pressing issues are exploding in every corner of the globe and in our backyards. Violence in inner cities, north korea, middle east, economy, reform in immigration practices and many more issues are much more important than worrying what is going on in your neighbor’s house. This country needs to start thinking in pragmatic terms and stop these idiots from injecting religion into our secular government. It all starts with these conservatives who rather tear this country down rather than fixing it because of racism and hatred for others. We are progressing as a people and these nimrods and their school of thought will eventually go extinct because more and more people realize that conservatives rather put lighter fluid on a fire rather than find solutions to put it out.

18. Doug  •  Jun 1, 2009 @7:43 am
    

    Just why is it that if a individual causes the death of a pregnat woman he is charged with the murder of the woman and that of the unborn fetus(es)? So it can be a double or triple murder charge. This implies that the fetus(es) is/are “human beings” with the rights accorded thereto. So just why was this Dr. not a murderer? Is it because the woman/women consent to this “termination”? This should only make the consenting woman an accomplice to the crime of murder. We cannot have it both ways and say that both outlook on the unborn’s status is right. Choose one.

19. Bob  •  Jun 1, 2009 @8:03 am
    

    Time to spread the gospel of atheism. The atheist harbors no hatred or hubris. The atheist does not blame and does not wallow in guilt. The atheist believes it is best to maximize ones own well being by maximizing the well being of all living creatures (and yes, it can be proven mathematically that we maximize our own well being by maximizing the well being of all life on the planet). The atheist believes that the best course of action for maximizing the well being of all life can only be determined by scientific discovery – not by mythology. Isn’t it time you converted to atheism?

20. WTH  •  Jun 1, 2009 @8:18 am
    

    It amazes me how the 15watt bulbs get all up in arms over this issue. However I am sure that these same people have done all they can for disable /orphaned children who are actually breathing… oh wait that would mean actually doing something instead of thumping your fist on a fictional book.

21. Eric  •  Jun 1, 2009 @8:24 am
    

    Actually Doug, we can have iut both ways. Just as we can have it both ways with the death penalty. Killing an adult is a crime except when it is sanctioned by the state. Killing a fetus is a crime, except when it is sanctioned by a medical doctor who has justifiable reasons to do so (ie no fetal viability or the mother’s life is at risk). Most of this guy’s patients where cases where the mother’s life was at risk or something was really wrong with the pregnancy and it had to be terminiated. Contrary to what the propagandists that you seem to be glued to are telling you to think, this wasn’t someone that was doing abortions as a form of contraception.

    To all the pro-lifers: It’s fine that you think abortion is wrong and is a sin. Nothing wrong with that. Your faith teaches that. In that light, that means that you should not have an abortion. That also means that you should try to prevent those in your sphere of influence (ie family and friends) from having one. But, to paraphrase Oliver Wendal Holmes, Your right to exercise your religious belief ends where my rights to be free of your faith begins. Please use your brain and think for yourself instead of letting others think for you. If you want a good example of what groupthink like this does, take a look in your history books and read up on Nazi Germany. The fundamentalist Christian community (aka the American Taliban) and the right wing politicos that spout thier particular brand of hate are not too far off from this. It was the hate that the Nazi party preached that enabled the extermination of millions of Jews in WWII. It’s that same hate that has lead to the death of this good doctor and others like him in acts of terrorism. Shooting a doctor or bombing a clinic is no different that Hamas sending a suicide bomber into a crowded cafe or Israel launching missles into a civilian neighborhood or al-Queda flying planes into the World Trade Center. They are all acts of terrorism. We are a nation that is governed by the rule of law, not by acts of terroism. Just because your particular viewpoint is not shared by the majority of your fellow citizens doesn’t mean that it is ok to commit acts of terrorism and murder. Not only does that make one a criminal, it makes one, and those that support him, utter hypocrites. I believe that, according to your faith, there is a special place in hell for people like that… What would Jesus have to say about this? I am sure he would nt be making comments like your fellow fundamentalists above are making. I have a feeling that he would be condeming this as an act of terror.

22. Jana  •  Jun 1, 2009 @8:41 am
    

    Hopefully this crime will bring about the Freedom of Choice Act. It’s to late for Dr. Tiller but our abortion clinics and doctors will finally have the protection of our government. These Terrorists like Operation Rescue should face charges for the active part they played in this Murder, as well as Bill O’Reily. They outright Lie to the ignorant fools that will listen to them. They reject the FACTS and use this as a cash cow to take money for a cause and then pad their own pockets. Abortion is a Womans Right PERIOD! Before Roe V. Wade according to one estimate 5,000 women died yearly due to illegal abortions and countless others were scarred so badly from the procedure they could never have any more children. Abortions have been performed since the beginning of time. Nomads simply use infanticide to limit the size of their families and have for centuries.
    Adoption has as much ridicule from these groups as abortion. They voice their support then turn their back and whisper their distain for a woman that gives up a child for adoption.
    The FACT is that 2 doctors have to agree on the decision to abort a late term fetus. This is not a decision made lightly, unless the woman is outright lying to the doctors. If she is, she is not fit to become a mother to a helpless infant in the first place.
    This is a Hate Crime and I hope it will give rise to all the Pro-Choice supporters to join together and Fight Back!

23. Jana  •  Jun 1, 2009 @8:46 am
    

    Bravo Eric! Well said!

    Thank you!

24. Jana  •  Jun 1, 2009 @8:48 am
    

    Have you noticed that the web sites for Operation Rescue have been shut down. I tried to let them know my feelings on this crime that they were accessory to. Can’t do it, the cowards shut it down.

25. Jana  •  Jun 1, 2009 @9:02 am
    

    Bob, I was raised a catholic, from birth to elementary school, the whole nine yards. I reject religion now because of what they have become, using tax free dollars to influence politics and buying politicians and attempts to make laws that support their ideology. The reason the republican party is loosing members and christianity is shrinking they have lost their common sence particularly when it comes to the fight against our Gay brothers and sisters and womens rights. My mother projected her faith by example and I was inspired by her love, generosity, kindness, acceptance and understanding. She would be saddened by the path the church has taken, and she would support my decision.
    I am now atheist and proud of it.

26. Doug  •  Jun 1, 2009 @9:08 am
    

    Eric, you state your case quite well although you make quite some assumptions and so render your arguments invalid in my eyes. I am not “glued to” any “propagandists”. I have my own mind. I did not interject any “this is wrong because God” arguments into my case. It is so “transparent” in that you make your argument with “the state can sanction”. PLEASE! Think for yourself or are you dependent on the state to think for you? “Life” is a wonder. We as humans at least should be able to realize that. This “butcher” you call a Dr. was not using a fetus’s viablility or the “mother’s life in jeopardy” to justify his heinious acts. He was using the “mother’s mental health” to circumvent the spirit of the law to enrich himself. As for dragging Nazis and terrorist into this argument, I will not descend to the apparent level you so willingly embrace as a way of defending the slaughter visited on the unborn.

27. Bob  •  Jun 1, 2009 @9:27 am
    

    Doug, the state does provide us with useful information. Think of weather information or health information. The key is keeping this information free from religious bias and free bias from those who would promote false information for economic gain. There is no way for any of use to obtain all of the information we need on a daily basis without the help of others. It is impossible not to depend on others for the information we need on a daily basis. The question is how do we guarantee the accuracy of the information. We can only do this if it is free from religious bias and bias from those who would gain from the information provided. A freely elected democratic government is gives us the best chance of this happening (only if religion is kept out of it)

28. Bob  •  Jun 1, 2009 @9:35 am
    

    Jana – glad you are doing well. I think you post brings up a good point. Atheists would do well to realize that all thing religious are not bad. For example, your catholic up bringing and the values given to you by your mother are not bad. I think to promote atheism properly we need to dissociate ourselves from the Ayn Rand selfishness camp and promote a kinder gentler form of atheism that encourages altruism while spending less time bashing those devoutly religious. They will never change by being bashed. Also, if we look like curmudgeons (or boring scientists) no one will want to be around us. The positive approach is more effective.

29. Doug  •  Jun 1, 2009 @10:20 am
    

    Bob, I can and do agree with you on your points of the state having its uses. A government should be a service organization for its people. It should provide services such as those you mentioned as well as others (i.e. national security, infrastructure, etc.). None should tolerate or delegate to it being the “thought police”. So, we as individuals should judge if the taking of life for any justification is and should be warranted. I while being “pro-life” am still a supporter of the death penalty as a deterrent to crime. But I do not say “well the state sanctions it”. No, I say “we the people” sanction it. We used to hang bank robbers and horse thieves. We do not do so now because as a society we have evolved more moderate and just views. However, do we condemn people from the past for these actions? No, because they were a product of there times. Abortion on the other hand is not a punishment for a crime. What crime have the unborn committed? As for the “mother’s life in jeopardy”, just what does that mean? I can understand if a woman is in danger of losing her life due to a pregnancy (which with the state of medicine should be the exception rather than the convienient rule) then it sould be a woman’s right to choose. But today’s view is not acceptable to me. “Abortion on demand” is abhorrent to me and should, in my estimation, be to all. Are we a society so addicted to “throw away goods” that we now consider “life” a throw away commodity? I will support “abortion on demand” 100% only when we are willing to expand the “time period” of allowable abortion to be from the “fertilization of the egg” till “the death of the individual born from a pregnancy”. Let us either embrace life and respect it OR let us reject life’s specialness and open all people to being aborted. Lets stop the hypocrisy. “Life” is special or not. A fetus is “human” or not. And to all, please stop the religon bashing. I may not be religious but the a person being religious and having their beliefs really does not cause me any pain at all. And if I were to delegate life and death decisions to any authority I would feel safer doing it to someone with moral guidance rather than to anyone whose motive were financial gain.

30. Bob  •  Jun 1, 2009 @10:31 am
    

    I am not a big fan of abortion – no one is. Everyones should have as a goal the reduction of abortion to the lowest possible level. However, it is not my position to say whether or not a particular abortion is justified or not. The state cannot possibly have that information nor can it obtain that information in a reasonable time frame. We all know how long the court system takes. Therefore, it only makes sense to leave the decision to the doctor and the patient. The governments role should be to promote positive alternatives that benefit all of us – preschool, after school, youth summer job programs, birth control, family planning, etc. Those programs benefit all of us beyond their effect at reducing abortions.

31. Bob  •  Jun 1, 2009 @10:38 am
    

    I also agree with Doug to stop the bashing of the religious. Please also quit bashing atheists. Atheist are perhaps the most discriminated group in the world. I know for a fact that this is true in the United States.

32. Doug  •  Jun 1, 2009 @11:55 am
    

    Bob I agree. My views aside (be they what they may be) Atheist views also have no direct impact on me. I repect their right to believe whatever they choose (or not to believe). I do not have to agree with anyone to respect their point of view. Beliefs are a persons right and as long as they do not try to impose their view on others it should be respected. I also respect the right or believers or non-believers to attempt to persuade others to their view(s). But I respect no ones right to denigrate, mock or otherwise attack another individual’s view(s).

33. Bob  •  Jun 2, 2009 @3:38 pm
    

    With that said, I am donating much money today to pro-choice groups. I hope you do to. It’s time to move to a more rational country. I believe atheism is a good choice. We just need to find a way to meet weekly to build up some social and political capital. When everyone sees what good moral people we are they to will adopt a more rational lifestyle.

34. Bina  •  Jun 2, 2009 @9:46 pm
    

    I notice that all the “pro-life” whited sepulchres here who are slamming the late Dr. Tiller are males.

    Since none of you can walk in the shoes of a woman who needs to terminate a late-term pregnancy because the fetus is so abnormal that her own life is at risk, why don’t you all just shut the fuck up, go the hell away, and thank your lucky stars that you will NEVER be in the untenable position of HAVING to choose between a life-saving (but not wanted) abortion, and a birth that will kill you? An aunt of mine was in that position during her second pregnancy, and thanks to an abortion (for which she had to jump through a million moralistic hoops), she is still alive to see her grandson grow up.

    You don’t know what women who choose abortions are thinking, or what they are going through. You never will, because you literally don’t have the gonads. Therefore: Have the decency to shut up about it just this once and let those whom it concerns (i.e. NOT YOU) do the deciding. Women and doctors can decide this just fine between themselves, and it is not your place, no matter how strongly you feel about it, to interfere.

35. toma  •  Jun 2, 2009 @10:46 pm
    

    Get ‘em Bina!

36. Jerry  •  Jun 3, 2009 @8:57 am
    

    Brava, Bina!

37. seethirty  •  Jun 8, 2009 @1:56 pm
    

    Scott Roeder is a coward, anyway. He’s throwing childish fits about his cell being cold, and having a cough, and trying to scare people with threats of more “events” like Tiller’s death being “planned”, but he’s too much of a spineless whiny coward to admit he did it. Why deny it? In his mind, isn’t he doing what’s ‘right’? Why not take credit where it’s due? C’mon, Scott Roeder. You deserve a medal, don’t you? You shot an unarmed, defenseless old man in a church, to protest killing. Congratulations, jackass.

38. toma  •  Jun 8, 2009 @4:56 pm
    

    Yup, exactly.