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View Full Version : (06/01/09) "Time To Revisit Criticism Of DHS Report On “Right Wing Extremists”?" (The Plum Line)


Spang
06-01-2009, 01:03 PM
You may recall the enormous controversy that erupted in April over a Department of Homeland Security report that assessed the threat of “right wing extremists.” The story provoked days of nonstop cable chatter, and DHS chief Janet Napolitano ultimately apologized.

Fast forward to the huge and horrible news yesterday that late-term abortion doctor George Tiller was shot dead by a man who reportedly posted on the blog of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue. Maybe we should take another look at all that criticism?

One passage from the DHS report that provoked nonstop outrage said that right wing extremists “may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.”

Some on the right read this passage and decided it was a reference to them. Top conservative blogger Michelle Malkin warned that it meant you’re being targeted by Obama’s big brother government “if you are a member of an active conservative group that opposes abortion” or if you are active on other issues.

This wasn’t a fringe interpretation of the report, by the way. RNC chair Michael Steele for instance, blasted the report for labeling peaceful dissenters on issues “as terrorists.” Other Republican members of Congress sounded similar tones.

It’s true that the report committed a misstep in suggesting returning veterans are a risk. But the general intent of the report, which was chock full of warnings about “lone wolf extremists” capable of violence, now looks perfectly defensible, even reasonable.

The Source (http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/uncategorized/time-to-revisit-criticism-of-dhs-report-on-right-wing-extremists/)

Ikasu
06-01-2009, 02:51 PM
Yep. Let's give her the benefit of the doubt next time. It's her job to look into all terrorism threats, even if it's not politically correct.

Kbentleyis
06-01-2009, 03:03 PM
It’s true that the report committed a misstep in suggesting returning veterans are a risk. But the general intent of the report, which was chock full of warnings about “lone wolf extremists” capable of violence, now looks perfectly defensible, even reasonable. Question: What do we catagorize our leaders of this government? After all, they deal in corruption and tax evasion and pose great threats to the well-being of our people. No, they're not shooting Americans--just killing them softly. Hummm

Come on everyone, let's be fair and call it like it is. Some idiot shoots an abortion doctor and all of a sudden we give Napolitano the benefit of the doubt.

Spang
06-01-2009, 03:11 PM
Come on everyone, let's be fair and call it like it is. Some idiot shoots an abortion doctor and all of a sudden we give Napolitano the benefit of the doubt.

Expect to see more of this while a pro-choice president is in office, unless Obama and his administration take the proper precautions to prevent these kinds of things from happening in the future. That appears to be happening already. (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/31/pro-life-groups-fear-backlash-tiller-murder/)

mack20
06-01-2009, 03:29 PM
Question: What do we catagorize our leaders of this government? After all, they deal in corruption and tax evasion and pose great threats to the well-being of our people. No, they're not shooting Americans--just killing them softly. Hummm

Come on everyone, let's be fair and call it like it is. Some idiot shoots an abortion doctor and all of a sudden we give Napolitano the benefit of the doubt.


But this is noteworthy. Because for all the hoopla there was over the report, if you read it in full it made some very legitimate points.

* (U) Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that a number of economic and political factors are driving a resurgence in rightwing extremist recruitment and radicalization activity. Despite similarities to the climate of the 1990s, the threat posed by lone wolves and small terrorist cells is more pronounced than in past years.

(U//FOUO) Historically, domestic rightwing extremists have feared, predicted, and anticipated a cataclysmic economic collapse in the United States. Prominent antigovernment conspiracy theorists have incorporated aspects of an impending economic collapse to intensify fear and paranoia among like-minded individuals and to attract recruits during times of economic uncertainty. Conspiracy theories involving declarations of martial law, impending civil strife or racial conflict, suspension of the U.S. Constitution, and the creation of citizen detention camps often incorporate aspects of a failed economy. Antigovernment conspiracy theories and “end times” prophecies could motivate extremist individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition, and weapons. These teachings also have been linked with the radicalization of domestic extremist individuals and groups in the past, such as violent Christian Identity organizations and extremist members of the militia movement.

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that lone wolves and small terrorist cells embracing violent rightwing extremist ideology are the most dangerous domestic terrorism threat in the United States. Information from law enforcement and nongovernmental organizations indicates lone wolves and small terrorist cells have shown intent—and, in some cases, the capability—to commit violent acts.
— (U//LES) DHS/I&A has concluded that white supremacist lone wolves pose the most significant domestic terrorist threat because of their low profile and autonomy—separate from any formalized group—which hampers warning efforts.
— (U//FOUO) Similarly, recent state and municipal law enforcement reporting has warned of the dangers of rightwing extremists embracing the tactics of “leaderless resistance” and of lone wolves carrying out acts of violence.
— (U//FOUO) Arrests in the past several years of radical militia members in Alabama, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania on firearms, explosives, and other related violations indicates the emergence of small, well-armed extremist groups in some rural areas.



Even though Malkin and Hannity and Limbaugh all foamed at the mouth about how this report meant the government would be coming after regular "joe sixpack" citizens like themselves, it clearly spoke more of the type of man that Scott Roeder is. A paranoid (reports say he removed the magnetic strip from his money so that the government couldn't track it) anti-government militia member who was fanatically dedicated to his cause.

Lealy
06-01-2009, 03:30 PM
Expect to see more of this while a pro-choice president is in office, unless Obama and his administration take the proper precautions to prevent these kinds of things from happening in the future. That appears to be happening already. (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/31/pro-life-groups-fear-backlash-tiller-murder/)

Yes once I see the current administration stop all murder by crazy people I will feel better. 1 man 1 murder this is not terrorism its murder by a wacko and people are wacko for way too many known or unknown reasons. No administration no matter how up on issue's or who they are watching will be able to stop 1 crazy person from killing one or many people. (this is regarless of who is in charge what their issues are or not)

Spang
06-01-2009, 03:33 PM
Yes once I see the current administration stop all murder by crazy people I will feel better. 1 man 1 murder this is not terrorism its murder by a wacko and people are wacko for way too many known or unknown reasons. No administration no matter how up on issue's or who they are watching will be able to stop 1 crazy person from killing one or many people. (this is regarless of who is in charge what their issues are or not)

This isn't an isolated incident:

For those who would like to think today's murder in church of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider, is an isolated incident, here's the horrifying news: You are wrong. The pattern is clear and frightening.

In March 1993, three months into the administration of our first pro-choice president, Bill Clinton, abortion provider Dr. David Gunn was murdered in Pensacola, Florida. That was the beginning of what would become a five-fold increase in violence against abortion providers throughout the Clinton years.

The Source (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cristina-page/the-murder-of-dr-tiller-a_b_209562.html)

sojourner
06-01-2009, 03:53 PM
This isn't an isolated incident:


Two murders in the span of 16 isn't exactly a crime wave.

Spang
06-01-2009, 03:55 PM
Two murders in the span of 16 isn't exactly a crime wave.

Did you read the entire article?

For those who would like to think today's murder in church of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider, is an isolated incident, here's the horrifying news: You are wrong. The pattern is clear and frightening.

In March 1993, three months into the administration of our first pro-choice president, Bill Clinton, abortion provider Dr. David Gunn was murdered in Pensacola, Florida. That was the beginning of what would become a five-fold increase in violence against abortion providers throughout the Clinton years.

Today's assassination of Dr. George Tiller comes 5 months into the term of our second pro-choice president. For anyone who would like to believe that this is a statistical anomaly, a coincidence that doesn't portend anything, again, you are wrong.

During the entire Bush administration, from 2000-2008 there were no murders.

During the Clinton era, between 1994-2000 there were 6 abortion providers and clinic staff murdered, and 17 attempted murders of abortion providers. There were 12 bombings or arsons during the Clinton years.

During the Bush administration, not only were there no murders, there were no attempted murders. There was one clinic bombing during the Bush years.

One can only conclude that like terrorist sleeper cells, these extremists have now been set in motion. Indeed the evidence is already there. The chatter, the threats, the hate-filled rhetoric are abundant.

In the last year of the Bush administration there were 396 harassing calls to abortion clinics. In just the first four months of the Obama administration that number has jumped to 1401.

And so the execution of Tiller, 67, is not only tragic but ominous. He was born into an era when being an abortion provider meant saving women's lives. And the cold-blooded murder in church and in front of his wife of this stalwart defender of women rights and beloved physician, comes as a message for others, as well as tragic deja vu.

Battered women are at greatest danger of being killed by their abusers when they are most strong -- that is, when they muster the courage to leave. The same phenomenon may be true in the abusive political abortion debate. The pro-choice movement, specifically our abortion providers, are in the greatest danger of violence when we take power. When the anti-abortion movement loses power, their most extreme elements appear to move to the fore and take control. The murder of Dr. Tiller suggests that violence against abortion providers may be far more linked to the power, or lack thereof, anti-abortion groups have politically than to laws designed to increase penalties against such acts.

History has another disturbing lesson for us. The escalation of anti-abortion rhetoric plays a direct role in instigating violence. When anti-abortion groups ratchet up the rhetoric, they know exactly what they're doing and the results it will have. Even if they maintain deniability, as Operation Rescue recently did saying, in effect, we wanted Tiller gone, but didn't want him murdered, they have inflamed the rhetoric. And suddenly people Like Dr. Tiller's murderer become inspired.

Eleanor Bader, co-author of Targets of Hatred: Anti-Abortion Terrorism, in an article in March for RHRealityCheck.org about clinics bracing for an uptick in violence after the election of Obama wrote, "immediately after Obama's election, Douglas Johnson, Legislative Director of the National Right to Life Committee, called him a "hardcore pro-abortion president." The American Life League dubbed him "one of the most radical pro-abortion politicians ever," and Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life warned that Obama will "force Americans to pay for the killing of innocents." Americans United for Life, the Family Research Council and Operation Save America quickly joined the chorus."

Bader interviewed clinic staff -- many seeing a direct relationship between the pro-choice victory in November and increased aggression against them and their patients. Claire Keyes, of Allegheny Reproductive Health in Pittsburgh, explained:

Right after the election we saw a small upsurge in anti-abortion activity. But since the inauguration, things have gotten measurably worse. There's been an increase in picketing by students from Franciscan University in Ohio. On Saturdays there are 60-plus protesters and there's been an increase in screaming and aggression. We don't have a parking lot so people park on the street. The antis have surrounded cars, trapping the women inside, and in several cases the antis jumped into vehicles and touched or grabbed at them. The police were called but so far they don't seem to be responding appropriately.

Bader also quotes Elizabeth Barnes, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Women's Center, who explained, "When the pendulum swung in the direction of protecting women's rights, we expected something. The way the antis are reacting has changed, they're taking more liberties, pressing the boundaries of legal, civil protest."

Many in the pro-choice movement believed that the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) law, passed in 1994 in response to Gunn's murder, was responsible for reigning in violence against abortion providers. Clearly that is not the case. Based on statistics on violence against abortion providers compiled by the National Abortion Federation, even after the passage of FACE in 1994, there was still considerable violence and threats against clinic personnel, including six murders. As appears clear, the pro-choice movement has looked through rose-colored glasses, assuming or hoping that legalities can restrain terrorists.

In fact, it didn't abate after FACE, as we've seen. It was not until a comforting anti-abortion president did they calm down and stop the murder, bombing and harassment spree.

As a result of Bush's policies, recent reportings from clinics suggest that we may be seeing a surge in abortions. That has failed to inspire introspection from anti-abortion groups. That Clinton presided over the most dramatic decline in abortion rates in the recorded history of our country left them unmoved. That Obama has assigned his senior-most staff to the task of finding ways to reduce the need for abortion has not protected clinics nor providers nor Obama. Holder and his Justice Department should take note of the chatter and move aggressively against this form of domestic terrorism. The hate-filled rhetoric against Obama from the anti-abortion movement is at unprecedented levels, even for this reflexively inflammatory group. They refer to him as the "Most Pro-Abortion President Ever" ignoring the fact that he is the first to extend an olive branch in hopes that together we can make abortion more rare.

Anti-abortion groups will put out carefully worded press statements condemning the murder of Dr. Tiller, as became routine for them during the Clinton years. But unless the rhetoric they choose from now on becomes careful too -- they may be the enablers of murder and terror.

sojourner
06-01-2009, 04:03 PM
Did you read the entire article?

Sorry. I guess it was a crime wave.

Lealy
06-01-2009, 04:04 PM
This isn't an isolated incident:



The Source (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cristina-page/the-murder-of-dr-tiller-a_b_209562.html)

How many murders are committed against doctors each year? How many over abortion? 8 (not all docs just abortion related) confirmed, a 9Th iffy since 93. From 1993-2007 there have been 270,991 murders in the US by all kinda crazy people you are talking about 7 from that same period of time related to abortion. This may not be isolated but it is rare there are more people killed over food than abortion. No murder is any worse than another they are all bad and wrong.

Spang
06-01-2009, 04:10 PM
No murder is any worse than another they are all bad and wrong.

There's a correlation between pro-choice presidents and pro-life nut-jobs. When a pro-choice president is in office, pro-life nut-jobs come out of the woodwork.

Lealy
06-01-2009, 04:37 PM
There's a correlation between pro-choice presidents and pro-life nut-jobs. When a pro-choice president is in office, pro-life nut-jobs come out of the woodwork.

There are all kinds of correlations but the numbers you are talking about are still microscopic in relation to violence in general in the US. So what are we looking at in the US with a pro choice POTUS maybe 4 murders per term? Please don't misunderstand I would not in any way promote any murder I am just looking at reality. The reality is we have many important things to spend taxpayer dollars and time on that are much more significant in the US than trying to track down lone murders that could crack any min.

Spang
06-01-2009, 04:44 PM
There are all kinds of correlations but the numbers you are talking about are still microscopic in relation to violence in general in the US. So what are we looking at in the US with a pro choice POTUS maybe 4 murders per term?

Doctors who preform abortions, their staff and the abortion clinics they work at need additional security while a pro-choice president is in office.

Spang
06-01-2009, 06:38 PM
There's a lot of douchebags in this country

SKR01
06-01-2009, 06:42 PM
Doctors who preform abortions, their staff and the abortion clinics they work at need additional security while a pro-choice president is in office.

But not by taxpayers, and certainly not by Federal Marshalls. Abortionists make plenty of money and should take care of their staff, just as any other business has to. Local law enforcement can deal with local issues.

Spang
06-01-2009, 06:57 PM
But not by taxpayers, and certainly not by Federal Marshalls.

I disagree. We're paying taxes anyways, it may as well go towards something productive.

INDY4PUMAS
06-01-2009, 07:43 PM
How many people are killed, injured, or intimidated by gangs as opposed to anti-abortionists?

Spang
06-01-2009, 07:45 PM
How many people are killed, injured, or intimidated by gangs as opposed to anti-abortionists?

It doesn't matter. Neither group is right.

INDY4PUMAS
06-01-2009, 07:59 PM
It doesn't matter. Neither group is right.

Sure it does. In your attempt to target white religious groups as extremist, you quote the following stats:



During the entire Bush administration, from 2000-2008 there were no murders.

During the Clinton era, between 1994-2000 there were 6 abortion providers and clinic staff murdered, and 17 attempted murders of abortion providers. There were 12 bombings or arsons during the Clinton years.




These figures seem to be very alarming to you.

I bet the figures for gang violence in America in the same timeframe is, at a minimum, 1,000x the above quoted stats.

Spang
06-01-2009, 08:04 PM
Sure it does. In your attempt to target white religious groups as extremist...

I'm targeting pro-life nut-jobs or as I so eloquently put it in another thread, right-wing religious nut-jobs. In a similar thread, I was making and proving a point with a scenario dealing with Christians, the same way we dealt with Muslims in Guantanamo.

INDY4PUMAS
06-01-2009, 08:36 PM
I'm targeting pro-life nut-jobs

You're a wild man ....Good luck!

SKR01
06-01-2009, 08:39 PM
Yep. Let's give her the benefit of the doubt next time. It's her job to look into all terrorism threats, even if it's not politically correct.

What is the terrorist threat in this case? One man killed his particular target; he didn't shoot anyone else, although he was confronted and chose not to. A murderer, surely, but not a terrorist. Unless one counts every ex-spouse, convenience store clerk and prostitute murder as terrorism. Redefining words for political purposes is dangerous and a disservice to us all.

His family, the congregation, the shooter's family, and yes, the shooter, all need our prayers, not agendas. The shooter will be prosecuted as per law and will most likely receive the stiffest of sentences, as it should be. God will judge his motives; we can only judge his actions.

Spang
06-01-2009, 08:43 PM
What is the terrorist threat in this case? One man killed his particular target; he didn't shoot anyone else, although he was confronted and chose not to. A murderer, surely, but not a terrorist. Unless one counts every ex-spouse, convenience store clerk and prostitute murder as terrorism. Redefining words for political purposes is dangerous and a disservice to us all.

His family, the congregation, the shooter's family, and yes, the shooter, all need our prayers, not agendas. The shooter will be prosecuted as per law and will most likely receive the stiffest of sentences, as it should be. God will judge his motives; we can only judge his actions.

Would you feel safe spending the night in an abortion clinic?

Tybee
06-01-2009, 09:00 PM
Would you feel safe spending the night in an abortion clinic?

Only if I were pregnant. You defended the guys at the polling place standing there with billy clubs, that's more frightening. Hypocrite, if Obama likes it so do you.

Spang
06-01-2009, 09:04 PM
You defended the guys at the polling place standing there with billy clubs, that's more frightening.

How many people did that one guy with a billy club kill?

INDY4PUMAS
06-01-2009, 09:09 PM
How many people did that one guy with a billy club kill?

Ah, with this question, you are playing my game.

Spang
06-01-2009, 09:14 PM
Ah, with this question, you are playing my game.

I'm still trying to figure out what they have to do with this equation.

TheTaoOfBill
06-01-2009, 09:15 PM
What is the terrorist threat in this case? One man killed his particular target; he didn't shoot anyone else, although he was confronted and chose not to. A murderer, surely, but not a terrorist. Unless one counts every ex-spouse, convenience store clerk and prostitute murder as terrorism. Redefining words for political purposes is dangerous and a disservice to us all.

His family, the congregation, the shooter's family, and yes, the shooter, all need our prayers, not agendas. The shooter will be prosecuted as per law and will most likely receive the stiffest of sentences, as it should be. God will judge his motives; we can only judge his actions.

By definition a terrorist is someone who goes to extreme violent measures for a political reason. I think this case fits the definition of terrorism.

mack20
06-01-2009, 09:19 PM
What is the terrorist threat in this case? One man killed his particular target; he didn't shoot anyone else, although he was confronted and chose not to. A murderer, surely, but not a terrorist. Unless one counts every ex-spouse, convenience store clerk and prostitute murder as terrorism. Redefining words for political purposes is dangerous and a disservice to us all.

His family, the congregation, the shooter's family, and yes, the shooter, all need our prayers, not agendas. The shooter will be prosecuted as per law and will most likely receive the stiffest of sentences, as it should be. God will judge his motives; we can only judge his actions.

If you want to look at the narrow picture here, then yes, it was simply one man murdering another. But when you look at the broader view the act becomes more than that. Tiller's clinic was bombed in 1985 and he was shot through both arms in 1993. Tiller's name has been on hit lists circulated by militant anti-abortionists.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/01/kansas.doctor.killed.charges/index.html

A man named Scott Roeder was convicted in 1996 of criminal use of explosives and sentenced to 24 months probation, Topeka, Kansas, authorities told CNN.

Around that time, Regina Dinwiddie, a 54-year-old grandmother, met Roeder and got to know him as a regular outside abortion clinics, she said.

Dinwiddie said that in 1996 she and Roeder were protesting at a Kansas Planned Parenthood center and that Roeder went inside and demanded to see the doctor. When the doctor came into the lobby, Roeder approached him and said, "Now I know what you look like," she told CNN.

"Scott came out and told us that he had done that, and we all said, 'Scott, you better leave or they are gonna get after you,'" Dinwiddie said. "Next thing, all these people come rushing out of the place, all worried. Scott was standing up for what he believed in."

"Absolutely, what happened to Tiller was justified," the grandmother said. "He [Tiller] forfeited his life by taking the lives of innocent children."

It's that sentiment which frightens Dr. Suzanne Poppema, who used to provide abortions. She is the board chair of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health on which Tiller served between 2002 and 2006.

"All of us [abortion providers] honestly believed that because it had been years since someone had been hurt, we thought that the true crazy, violent anti-abortionists were fewer," she said. "That was clearly overly optimistic. Now you think, do I make sure I get body guards or have a federal marshal everywhere I go?"


What exactly counts as domestic terrorism, in your opinion? Tiller's clinic was bombed, he was shot and then finally, he was murdered. You don't think these are intimidation tactics used to instill fear? Tactics used by extremists to scare other clinics and doctors into no longer offering abortions? Judging by Roeder's reported history with the law, it seems like he wasn't averse to potentially using explosive devices to further his cause. He clearly wasn't averse to taking the life of another human being and believing it to be completely justified. He didn't murder Tiller because Tiller owed him money, and it wasn't a random selection or anything of the sort. Tiller was a calculated target chosen to die solely as retribution for Roeder's cause.

devildog
06-01-2009, 09:28 PM
Funny how that big scary terrorism word has now resurfaced.

TheTaoOfBill
06-01-2009, 09:30 PM
Funny how that big scary terrorism word has now resurfaced.

There is nothing wrong with using a word that fits it's definition.

devildog
06-01-2009, 09:42 PM
Yes there is, considering the Obama administration are calling terrorists "people who facilitate man-made disaster." It's now convenient for the left to bust out that scary word again and begin with the finger pointing because 1 man committed a heinous act of murder.

SKR01
06-01-2009, 09:43 PM
I disagree. We're paying taxes anyways, it may as well go towards something productive.

Killing babies is only productive for the abortionist and those on his payroll; oh, and for the male who would otherwise be held responsible for financial support of the baby or for his crime of raping the mother. So you think it's okay to pull police away from high-crime, low income neighborhoods in order to protect a usually very profitable business?

How is it that this one murder gets so much more press and D.C. attention than did five murders and one attempted murder by the Carr Brothers (aka, Wichita Massacre) in December of 2000?

The_Basseteer
06-01-2009, 09:46 PM
Yes there is, considering the Obama administration are calling terrorists "people who facilitate man-made disaster." It's now convenient for the left to bust out that scary word again and begin with the finger pointing because 1 man committed a heinous act of murder.
C'mon redefining words is what they do best.

sojourner
06-01-2009, 09:55 PM
By definition a terrorist is someone who goes to extreme violent measures for a political reason. I think this case fits the definition of terrorism.

That is an incomplete definition. Terrorists kill to send a message. This guy killed because he thought Tiller needed killing.

INDY4PUMAS
06-01-2009, 09:57 PM
One thing I remember during the election was that several pumas (I miss those posters) suggested that "Roe Vs. Wade" was the big boogey-man for Democrats. When the race is tight, scare 'em with the "Repubs are gonna strike down abortion rights!" message.

Is this murder gonna be the Democrat Party's way of using fear to strengthen their base...get some of the strays back on the farm?

Spang
06-01-2009, 10:00 PM
Killing babies is only productive for the abortionist and those on his payroll; oh, and for the male who would otherwise be held responsible for financial support of the baby or for his crime of raping the mother.

By productive I meant, protecting tax-paying citizens who are at high risk of being killed for doing their job. A job which happens to be legal.

mack20
06-01-2009, 10:17 PM
That is an incomplete definition. Terrorists kill to send a message. This guy killed because he thought Tiller needed killing.

There isn't really a set definition for terrorism. But generally speaking, terrorism is an act designed to inspire fear in the name of an ideological cause that often targets non-combatants. Sometimes the only message terrorists want to get across is "you aren't safe".

For the record, I am not trying to say that people who are pro-life, even ardently so, are terrorists. But the people who bomb abortion clinics? Who specifically target the doctors for murder? The people who create hit lists and made it necessary for George Tiller to spend a good portion of his adult life with a bodyguard? Those people are domestic terrorists. And I can understand 100% why people who are pro-life wouldn't want an act like this to be labeled terrorism. It's a very dirty word in our culture and it negatively affects their cause and overrides the fact that 99.9% of pro-life people in the US are peaceful and law abiding citizens. That 0.1% are still terrorists though.

Spang
06-01-2009, 10:21 PM
There isn't really a set definition for terrorism. But generally speaking, terrorism is an act designed to inspire fear in the name of an ideological cause that often targets non-combatants. Sometimes the only message terrorists want to get across is "you aren't safe".

For the record, I am not trying to say that people who are pro-life, even ardently so, are terrorists. But the people who bomb abortion clinics? Who specifically target the doctors for murder? The people who create hit lists and made it necessary for George Tiller to spend a good portion of his adult life with a bodyguard? Those people are domestic terrorists. And I can understand 100% why people who are pro-life wouldn't want an act like this to be labeled terrorism. It's a very dirty word in our culture and it negatively affects their cause and overrides the fact that 99.9% of pro-life people in the US are peaceful and law abiding citizens. That 0.1% are still terrorists though.

You should have your own nationally-syndicated newspaper column.

sojourner
06-01-2009, 10:27 PM
You should have your own nationally-syndicated newspaper column.

How do you know she doesn't?

Spang
06-01-2009, 10:30 PM
How do you know she doesn't?

I don't.

mack20
06-01-2009, 10:40 PM
How do you know she doesn't?

haha I definitely don't, but I do appreciate the compliment Spang!