Politics Daily
Inside Politics Daily
Scott Brown and the Palin Path: Will He Choose Brassy or Boring?
Democrats Leave Health Care Behind for Jobs, Toyota, Gays in Military
Murtha Turned Against War, but Not Grab-While-You-Can Politics
Rep. John Murtha, Advocate for Pa. District, Pentagon, Dies at 77
Liz Christman, Enemy of the Passive Voice, Who Rocked Some Jaunty Hats
Is Obama's Search for 'Common Ground' Real?- Tim Tebow's Brilliant Fake Leads to Pro-Life Score
'Snowmageddon' in D.C. -- The Politics, Talk Shows and Snowball Fights Go On
Sarah Palin Serves Tea Party Delegates Red Meat and Certainty
My Left Breast Put Fancy TSA Scanner to the Test
From a Grass Roots Tea Party, a PAC Blooms
At Nashville Tea Party: Saving the Country, Waiting for Palin
Ann Coulter and Bill O'Reilly Among Early Scapegoats for Tiller Murder
It didn't take long. The blogosphere, and the more immediate (and arguably more important) Twittersphere are abuzz with finger-pointing in the hours-ago murder of Dr. George Tiller.
On Twitter, Daily Kos' Markos Moulitsas was characterisically subtle with his summation:
PD toolbar!
No, the implication here is stark, and not really an implication at all. Conservative pundits incited the murder of Dr. Tiller. It naturally follows, then, that they are guilty of criminal speech.
This is an argument of opportunity, and it reeks. If, for example, a similar fate had befallen then-President Bush, would Kos, et al, present themselves for summary arrest?
To be clear, I am not defending what O'Reilly and Coulter said, but rather their right to say it. Neither of them invented the "Abortion is murder" frame that is the bulwark of the "right to life" movement.
Coulter's remark, in particular, is an example of the kind of dark hyperbole that both sides routinely use to illustrate a point. A reasonable person could not conclude that she was diminishing the shooting of doctors, but rather illustrating how seriously some pro-lifers view abortions. To imply otherwise is dishonest.
While Kos and Co. similarly have the right to say what he wants, I don't think they're helping to cool the temperature of this conflict. Attempts to paint everyone who considers themselves "pro-life" as accessories to murder are necessarily counterproductive, especially when you consider how broad that segment really is.
I am unflinchingly pro-choice, and I believe that standing up for choice is crucial to being pro-woman. On the other hand, I grant others their differing point of view, and I'm glad we live in a country that allows women reproductive freedom.
Alienating people with relatively moderate positions on abortion does nothing to help keep it that way. Instead, we ought to realize that most people, on both sides of this question, argue passionately, but in good faith, and find the common ground that the President spoke of in denouncing and mourning this murder.
Follow PoliticsDaily On Facebook and Twitter,
and download the new Politics Daily toolbar!
On Twitter, Daily Kos' Markos Moulitsas was characterisically subtle with his summation:
Who'll be the next target of O'Reilly's and Beck's ire to get gunned down by domestic conservative terrorist?As I pointed out earlier, Bill O'Reilly has already been singled out, and Ann Coulter was the next to be teed up:
PD toolbar!
In fact, the hands are many in the death of George Tiller, some more directly than others. Take Ann Coulter, for example. I watched her describe, to a church full of right-wing activists, abortion-clinic doctors and health care personnel who were murdered, as either having been shot, "...or, depending on your point of view, had a procedure performed on them with a rifle." And she's still out there today, spewing the same bile with violent force.As you read this, the interweb is being scoured for clips of right-wing personalities to hang this on, all in service of...well, I'm not really sure. Are Coulter, O'Reilly, Terry, et al, supposed to begin weeping and preaching the pro-choice message of tolerance?
No, the implication here is stark, and not really an implication at all. Conservative pundits incited the murder of Dr. Tiller. It naturally follows, then, that they are guilty of criminal speech.
This is an argument of opportunity, and it reeks. If, for example, a similar fate had befallen then-President Bush, would Kos, et al, present themselves for summary arrest?
To be clear, I am not defending what O'Reilly and Coulter said, but rather their right to say it. Neither of them invented the "Abortion is murder" frame that is the bulwark of the "right to life" movement.
Coulter's remark, in particular, is an example of the kind of dark hyperbole that both sides routinely use to illustrate a point. A reasonable person could not conclude that she was diminishing the shooting of doctors, but rather illustrating how seriously some pro-lifers view abortions. To imply otherwise is dishonest.
While Kos and Co. similarly have the right to say what he wants, I don't think they're helping to cool the temperature of this conflict. Attempts to paint everyone who considers themselves "pro-life" as accessories to murder are necessarily counterproductive, especially when you consider how broad that segment really is.
I am unflinchingly pro-choice, and I believe that standing up for choice is crucial to being pro-woman. On the other hand, I grant others their differing point of view, and I'm glad we live in a country that allows women reproductive freedom.
Alienating people with relatively moderate positions on abortion does nothing to help keep it that way. Instead, we ought to realize that most people, on both sides of this question, argue passionately, but in good faith, and find the common ground that the President spoke of in denouncing and mourning this murder.
Tommy on: Daily Dose:
and download the new Politics Daily toolbar!
-
PRINT
-
IM
-
E-mail
62 comments
+ add your own
Tommy Christopher
Tommy Christopher is a freelance writer, blogger, and online journalist based out of New Jersey and Washington, DC...more
Comments (62)
DBH
9:49PM May 31st 2009
I think you miss the point here... Sure, I'm in favor of saying anything you want, but if you say something stupid or irresponsible, then don't be surprised if you get called on it, or charged with a crime.
Imagine if AC used her "rifle procedure" in reference to President Obama?
You make a very weak and flabby argument.
Imagine if AC used her "rifle procedure" in reference to President Obama?
You make a very weak and flabby argument.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(-1)
(-1) 
bellaproia
9:53PM May 31st 2009
tiller's death. no great loss. ann coulter's remark - i wish i had thought of it first. procedure equals murder in abortionspeak.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-4)
(-4) Ed Baggett
11:53AM Jun 1st 2009
You're sick. Check in to the nearest insane asylum. This mess of "sniping" at people you disaggree with all started with those right wing radio talk shows which should be off-limits to reasonable individuals who have a brain to discern whats rational & what is not. You're a fool !
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(2)
(2) PCL
10:12PM May 31st 2009
Nice analysis, Tommy. It serves no purpose whatsoever to blame the likes of Bill O'Reilly or Ann Coulter for the actions of someone who is obviously mentally deranged, or wants their 15 minutes of fame--if this is how they think they can get it, I stand by my 'deranged' comment.
I am extremely pro-choice. However, I don't like the idea of 'late term abortion', but then I'm not the one getting the abortion, so I'm not gonna pass judgement on any woman who does get one. Could I seek that procedure? I don't know, and quite frankly I don't want to find out (and that's a shout-out to a certain someone). Every woman out there should have the right to decide that matter should it come her way, without the input of the RR out there who want to force women to believe the way that they do, and ALL individuals should have the right to privacy, and what is more private than deciding whether or not to have an abortion? I would venture to guess, it is not an easy decision and is not a decision that is easily forgotten, even over time.
As for AC and BOR: they have the right to voice their opinions, as we all do. Just keep in mind, they are out to make a buck--and they can't do that unless they stir up shit. They both have books to sell--you want to hit back at them, boycott their shitty books. But, unless you are willing to have your own voice either censored or eliminated completely--fight for their right to speech, regardless of the content.
I am extremely pro-choice. However, I don't like the idea of 'late term abortion', but then I'm not the one getting the abortion, so I'm not gonna pass judgement on any woman who does get one. Could I seek that procedure? I don't know, and quite frankly I don't want to find out (and that's a shout-out to a certain someone). Every woman out there should have the right to decide that matter should it come her way, without the input of the RR out there who want to force women to believe the way that they do, and ALL individuals should have the right to privacy, and what is more private than deciding whether or not to have an abortion? I would venture to guess, it is not an easy decision and is not a decision that is easily forgotten, even over time.
As for AC and BOR: they have the right to voice their opinions, as we all do. Just keep in mind, they are out to make a buck--and they can't do that unless they stir up shit. They both have books to sell--you want to hit back at them, boycott their shitty books. But, unless you are willing to have your own voice either censored or eliminated completely--fight for their right to speech, regardless of the content.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (2)
(2) sandsnnydz
10:26PM May 31st 2009
the minute you mention the Daily Kos the whole story becomes irrelevant
RATE THIS COMMENT: (2)
(2) hrlymk49
11:36PM May 31st 2009
You know taking the law into one hands, to be judge, jury and excecutioner is morally wrong. Whether liberal or conservative taking matters into your own hands when you feel your cause just is unfortuantely part of the human "experience". My apologies to you folks out there who believe we came from apes (though I'm sure that the apes that we still have around are glad they choose to stand pat) God created us last and when it comes to western thought we believe last is best and whatever we do in life is somehow trumpeted in the heavens, what a joke. I happen to be pro life, but last time I checked, the targets I shoot at down at the range have bullseye's on them and not sillouettes of people. I believe my grandmother would have said I have good moral fiber, knowing the difference between right and wrong and being created last did not make us best, but gave us a heavier responsibility toward creation. The older I get though the more I see things that were considered immoral in the recent past are now forgiven as if we look to the heavens and exclaim "we are only human and hence flawed...forgive us!" Our Presidents chase "skirts" around the same desk that Lincoln once sat, it seems we cannot elect officials who can be honest and forthright, in fact the way we're headed it may be better to only elect convicted felons so at least that part of it is already in the books. So how do we deal with the fact we are human and inherently weak? We pass laws that forgive us our poor behavior. Lets face it folks sex sells, we'll do anything to get it, rape, cheat on our wives, girlfriends, husbands and boyfriends, we'll break hearts, tear apart families all for what amounts to an average of a half an hour of foreplay and 30 seconds of orgasm. Unlike most folks I believe a woman has a choice, but that choice comes before she points her legs to the heavens and screams "OH BABY!!" How bad has our behavior become? I will bet money when I said 1/2 hour forplay and 30 seconds of orgasm most folks said silently to themselves "Hell I can do hours of foreplay and orgasm's... 10 minutes worth at least, this guy must be a light weight". I'm not trying to prove sexual prowess m'friends just making a point. The point, instead of seeing where the hell our society is going wrong we make excuses and give folks an out. Perhaps it's because we've all become used to the get out of jail free card from Monopoly. Or perhaps it's because we are not a democracy really, since the law of the land rarely has anything to do with what the majority wants, after all we aren't "educated" enough to know what's best, we'd probably go with common sense and decency and boy that would screw everything up, what would Hollywood say. Has our "technosociety" become so encompassing that we get no pleasure from day to day life anymore and since the only thing we can truly control, our bodies, provides us with what little enjoyment from life there is, is pro choice really about not wanting to have a baby or is it really about wanting to contnue to have uniterrupted and free flowing sex. It really puts a dampner on the mood when you have to stop for a moment to get out the old protection. I know... we could pass a law making it mandotory for any woman able to bear a child to take birth control when she's in "cruise" control, hmm but then again we bring up the choice thing. Better of two evils perhaps, since we can't be trusted to give up our carnal pleasures, it may be a better alternative to caving in a baby's skull and sucking it out of a womans body with a vacuum. Anyone who would precribe to that scares me and when it's the most authoratative person in our country it down right terrifies me. Yes we were created last, but when has it ever been said that last was best.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) escort6768
10:31PM May 31st 2009
Darn it Tommy. Everytime I lose faith in you up comes an article I have to agree with.
President Eisenhower once said; I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it. (or words to that effect.)
Today it seems that if one party makes a mistake, it's the other parties fault.
President Eisenhower once said; I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it. (or words to that effect.)
Today it seems that if one party makes a mistake, it's the other parties fault.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (2)
(2) wmkingsman
10:32PM May 31st 2009
Good, Tommy. You've really whipped up the muck, with your slanted spew. Schmuck.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(0)
(0) teffkern
10:45PM May 31st 2009
Ann Coulter is right. Liberals Can't handle the truth about anything. Tiller was a piece of crap without a soul and finally had done to him what he had been doing to others for years!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) Mark Anderson
11:58PM May 31st 2009
Mr. Christopher,
Are health care providers from Planned Parenthood and others who are stalked, threatened, attacked, just supposed to turn the other cheek. I'm of the opinion that speech is free, but if you make statements such as Ann Coulter's you should pay a price for it. By the way, of course Ms. Coulter was diminishing the shooting of doctors, and I'm just a much more reasonable person than you are. The right wind windbags make sweeping generalizations of the type you are lambasting Kos for, all the time, if you think that just sitting back and taking it because it's untrue is the solution you don't know your political history.
Are health care providers from Planned Parenthood and others who are stalked, threatened, attacked, just supposed to turn the other cheek. I'm of the opinion that speech is free, but if you make statements such as Ann Coulter's you should pay a price for it. By the way, of course Ms. Coulter was diminishing the shooting of doctors, and I'm just a much more reasonable person than you are. The right wind windbags make sweeping generalizations of the type you are lambasting Kos for, all the time, if you think that just sitting back and taking it because it's untrue is the solution you don't know your political history.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
(-2) Jean
1:51PM Jun 1st 2009
The reason you see AC's comment as diminishing the murder of these doctors is because YOU do not value the life in utero as those who are pro-life do. AC's point was not to diminish these murders, but to point out that the life of the unborn child is just as valuable. She was ELEVATING the status of the aborted child by putting it in terms opponents could understand.
You claim to be more reasonable than TC, but your analysis is not as reasonable or fair-minded.
I am pro-life in all instances...I am against abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, and wars in general (obviously not against "just wars", i.e. WWII). However, I have respect for those with opposing POV's. I just wish the discourse was more civilized on BOTH sides!
You claim to be more reasonable than TC, but your analysis is not as reasonable or fair-minded.
I am pro-life in all instances...I am against abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, and wars in general (obviously not against "just wars", i.e. WWII). However, I have respect for those with opposing POV's. I just wish the discourse was more civilized on BOTH sides!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-1)
(-1) marshalair
10:50PM May 31st 2009
"Crucify him !" they shouted.
"Why? What crime has he committed?"asked Pilate
But they shouted all the louder,"Crucify Him !"
Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barrabas to them.
He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be Crucified.
Free speech prevailed,a man died,and we all are left with
our opinon of what happened.
Did it start with "Crucify him?"The crowd.The rating givers.
Those paid voices that move men. "Crucify Him!"
"Why? What crime has he committed?"asked Pilate
But they shouted all the louder,"Crucify Him !"
Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barrabas to them.
He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be Crucified.
Free speech prevailed,a man died,and we all are left with
our opinon of what happened.
Did it start with "Crucify him?"The crowd.The rating givers.
Those paid voices that move men. "Crucify Him!"
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-3)
(-3) convertable24
11:03PM May 31st 2009
These right wing folks talk a good story. As far as free speach goes -- the US Supreme Court made a ruling on the right of free speach in the 1960's. The court rule in favor of free speach no matter what, with one exception. They concured that Yelling"FIRE" in a movie theater is not covered under free speech as a constitutional right. Therefore calling for murder of Doctors of death is not free speech either. The pro-Life folks should examine this legal technial point. Those asking for saving the life of a fetus and at the same time approving of a president killing women and children in Iraq is a position I could never understand
RATE THIS COMMENT: (0)
(0) Pundit
11:08PM May 31st 2009
We must have been mind melding...
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-3)
(-3) lenherb419
9:08AM Jun 1st 2009
Thank you for your comment, "And the Truth shall make you free".
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) neil callan
7:00PM Jun 1st 2009
War is not murder.Abortion is.I know this won't change your mind butto equate the 2 is nonsense.Oh by the way,God loves you
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(4)
(4) Pundit
11:07PM May 31st 2009
There is a legal reason that it is illegal to shout "fire" in a crowded theater;
As it is proven to have caused deaths from the trampling 'reaction', when no fire or smoke was ever present.
The "Abortion is murder" frame that is the bulwark of the "right to life" movement... is now repeatedly proven to have caused unprovoked deaths of honest LAW ABIDING Citizens.
As it is proven to have caused deaths from the trampling 'reaction', when no fire or smoke was ever present.
The "Abortion is murder" frame that is the bulwark of the "right to life" movement... is now repeatedly proven to have caused unprovoked deaths of honest LAW ABIDING Citizens.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(3)
(3) hwteenstars
11:44PM May 31st 2009
Fundamentalists of all religions are acting up around the globe as they are unable to evolve as quickly as other human institutions. They are hamstrung by their own texts, unable to evolve like economics, politics, art, society and technology. Since every religion is theoretically operating off of the word of god, those who are literal are stuck with whatever philosophical world views were current when their religion was erected. Changes to the word of god are not allowed because they are supposed to be of divine origin. Prior to the printed word and mass communications religions were much more fluid and could change easily from one generation to the next as was needed. Priests or shamans could easily change their religion to fit the needs of the time. The advent of recording devices such as film and television have also hampered the ability of religions to make claims of divinity as now people really want to see the proof, hence, there has been a drop in miracles, sightings and other religously oriented phenomona. The codification of religion has made it impossible for religions to keep up, to be flexible, especially in light of the advances made in the last two hundred years in every other aspect of human endeavor except religion. As such every other human institution is seemingly conspiring against fundamentalist religion. As society progresses along with economics, art, politics and technology the old precepts of the past are discarded as soon as they are no longer valid. Religion can't do that without acknowledging the truth which is that none of them are anything but human inventions. To admit that would require the wholesale dismantling of religions and rob them of their traditional political and economic powers. As such, all they can do is to try and strike out, create chaos and hopefully regain the upper hand over secularism by creating theological gulags. It is either that or disappear into history as a dead religion or morph into some new religion and make another run at representing god on earth. The rapidity of change is what is really killing them, it's just so hard to find a spot to stand on. Like the abortion issue that ended up being why the doctor was killed. They are so behind the curve of whats going on it's ridiculous.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (6)
(6) Larry
11:47PM May 31st 2009
First of all this rat sucking Reepuke panty sniffer has alienated more female voters from the rat sucking Reepuke Party by this act than anything any other stinking Reepuke, including Rush, could do. Second LAWSUIT........ O'Reilly, Coulter, Fox, all of the rat sucking Reepuke scum. Take them all out in a billion dollar lawsuit. That's how they took out the KKK.............
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-4)
(-4) Dedmanrisn
10:33PM Jun 2nd 2009
The "Abortion is murder" frame that is the bulwark of the "right to life" movement... is now repeatedly proven to have caused unprovoked deaths of honest LAW ABIDING Citizens.
Yeah, I suppose you'd think that way since the "pro-abortion" supporters seem to have no problem in terminating the life of an unborn child merely because it cannot speak for it's own life. The good doctor merely was terminated after he spent half his life instead of getting terminated in the womb. Try as I might, I cannot find any sympathy for the good doctor. In fact, I hope he felt intense pain in massive amounts before he expired. There may be justice in the world, no more babies will die at his hands.
Yeah, I suppose you'd think that way since the "pro-abortion" supporters seem to have no problem in terminating the life of an unborn child merely because it cannot speak for it's own life. The good doctor merely was terminated after he spent half his life instead of getting terminated in the womb. Try as I might, I cannot find any sympathy for the good doctor. In fact, I hope he felt intense pain in massive amounts before he expired. There may be justice in the world, no more babies will die at his hands.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-1)
(-1) 
Politics Daily on Facebook
Now Commenting
- rironhorset on:
Robert Gibbs Gets Hands-On About Mocking Sarah Palin - jbaird48 on:
Robert Gibbs Gets Hands-On About Mocking Sarah Palin - Jill on:
Robert Gibbs Gets Hands-On About Mocking Sarah Palin - crazyk on:
GOP Filibuster Stops Obama Nominee, With Ben Nelson and Blanche Lincoln's Help - maobamastoast on:
Robert Gibbs Gets Hands-On About Mocking Sarah Palin - john black on:
Robert Gibbs Gets Hands-On About Mocking Sarah Palin
Submit Your Favorite Links
No.
Props
Props
- 28
- 25
- 30
- 29
- 28
- 30
Follow Politics Daily
Other News
- Get busy, Democrats
- Behind Liz Cheney's group, a weird legacy of torture
- The race is on for Murtha's seat
- The real political realities
- Senate blocks NLRB appointee
- Gay Soldier Invited Back to Guard Unit
- Schumer's Wall Street Donors Look for Revenge
- Michael Steele Suggests Racism Fuels His Critics
- Robert Gibbs Pokes Fun at Sarah Palin
- World Likes Obama Much More Than Bush
- The Mystery of Yo-Yo Ma's Name
- White Out
- How Palin Could Win
- Fresh Picks
- What to Eat: Chinese New Year Feast
- Environmentalists May Take Over 'Hollywood' for Day
- Few New Ideas in Jobs Bill
- Unions Give $$$ to Target Tea Partiers
- Clinton Hostage-Taker Now a Fugitive
- Lead Scare Over Target's Valentine's Day Bears in Calif.
Politics Daily More Links