The New York Times and numerous other news outlets are providing more information about suspected killer Scott Roeder, who is expected be formally charged tomorrow with the murder of late-term abortionist Dr. George Tiller.
The emerging picture of Mr. Roeder, as his former wife and brother have intimated, is of someone suspected of mental illness with a tie to a radical, right-wing extremist group and strong feelings about abortion. From what I’ve been able to read so far there has been no, let me repeat, no formal connection discovered of Mr. Roeder with any pro-life group.
That being said, and in spite of the pro-life community’s strong expressions of outrage against this killing and genuine expressions of sympathy towards Dr. Tiller’s family, friends, and religious community, it is truly sad that some pro-abortion forces are seeking to capitalize on this tragedy by painting pro-life persons with the broad brush of hate. Example: Vicki Saporta, president and CEO of the National Abortion Federation:
“It is abhorrent that once again, individuals who oppose the right to choose have used violence to try to advance their extreme anti-choice agenda,” said Saporta.
Recall paragraph two: Mr. Roeder’s former wife and brother suspected his mental illness.
Other than the few wing nuts who should be prosecuted for violating the law and a few that should be tutored in basic Christian civility, my guess is that most pro-life people aren’t that objectionable. If four recent polls are accurate, pro-life people are in the majority right now in this country. Most pro-life people abhor violence and try to live according to the law.
What is objectionable, however, is taking advantage of Dr. Tiller’s death, and the deaths of nearly 60,000 babies he aborted during his career, by histrionic hate speech.
If he is charged tomorrow, we’ll have an even better picture of Mr. Roeder in the coming weeks. By their words, the Haters are already giving us a good picture of themselves.
