The abortion debate takes a bloody turn
Sunday, May 31st, 2009
The debate on abortion has long been a heated one, with strong opinions on both sides and far-reaching ethical implications. However, this debate resulted in tragedy today as a prominent abortion doctor was shot and killed at his church in Kansas.
Dr. George Tiller, 67, was serving as an usher at Reformation Lutheran Church when he was shot and killed this morning, according to the Associated Press. A suspect was later detained; this man has been identified as Scott Roeder, who has a criminal record and who has expressed strong anti-abortion views in the past. So far, he has not been charged with the murder, and it is expected that he will be taken to Wichita for questioning.
Dr. Tiller’s Women’s Health Care Services is known as one of only three clinics in the country that performs late-term abortions. He and the clinic have been targets of violence in the past - the clinic was bombed in 1985, and Dr. Tiller was shot in both arms in 1993. Furthermore, the clinic was targeted in recent acts of vandalism, and Dr. Tiller had asked the FBI to investigate recent incidents including damage to security cameras.
Reactions to the murder have been varied among those on both sides of the debate. Some anti-abortion activists have denounced the violent tactics used, while others have called Dr. Tiller a murderer in his own right. Meanwhile, pro-choice activist Nancy Keenan of NARAL Pro-Choice America has spoken out in support of clinics like Dr. Tiller’s in light of this tragic act. However, President Obama summed it up very well: “However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence.”
