Sticks & Stones May Break Bones, But Words... Can Raise A Shotgun?

I think that extremists of any type will view any statement in the light of their extremism. In the past eight years, the West generally has gone to great lengths to separate the religion of Islam from what happened on 9/11 even though many, not most, Muslims do not find the actions of those terrorists deplorable. (That may be an incoherent statement, I am typing with one hand as I sit here and nurse my baby. My brain is moving faster than my hand.)

There are people who are prone to violence in every "movement" that there is. I really don't see how anyone can think that the mainstream prolife movement is inciting anyone. I mean, there are loud protests every time there is an execution in this country. And the protesters call the executioners "murderers". No one thinks that those protesters are inciting violence.

Abortion, I think, is unique among other political issues, because there is so much emotion involved. There are very few, if any, women for whom abortion is a painless decision. And many remain highly conflicted about their decision. But just because I believe that an unborn baby's life outweighs her mother's choice does NOT mean that I am guilty of hate. And just because there are hateful people who have anti-abortion views, does not mean that the movement is hateful.

There is no legitimate argument that killing Tiller, ESPECIALLY in church, is justifiable, much less right. It is horrible, for everyone.

I don't think you can call what has happened to the issue of abortion in the United States a debate. I'm hard pressed to find an anti-abortion organization (and I'm not talking about religious organizations that ALSO happen to be anti-abortion, I'm talking about groups whose sole purpose is to oppose abortion) that doesn't use horrific tactics including intimidation, stalking, violence, vandalism, destruction of property and hate speech to terrorize women, doctors and clinic workers (and anyone who supports or knows them). I think it's pretty clear that these actions incite people to violence and yes, sometimes murder.
I've had many interesting discussions about the subject with people who feel differently than I do. I have no problem with discussion and debate. However, when anti-abortionists organize into groups like Operation Rescue, they (more often than not) become bullies and yes, terrorists. It's not just Bill O'Reilly (though I find his "I'm the victim" rhetoric disgusting), that's too easy and simplifies the issue. It's all of the organizations who feel it's their right to use these kinds of intimidation and call it "free speech". It's shameful and not at all conducive to discussion... though why anyone thinks they have the right to discuss my medical decisions is beyond me.

That last comment is mine. Dunno why my name got struck. Bizarre.