Abortion Clinics Fear Execution Reprisals

[NNN0LHI]

See why you didn't want to make a martyr out of this guy now? Doing so plays right into these nuts hands.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=716&e=10&u=/ap/20030904/ap_on_re_us/abortion_execution

STARKE, Fla. - The execution of Paul Hill for the murders of an abortion doctor and his bodyguard left abortion providers holding their breath, wary that the former minister may become a martyr to the anti-abortion cause and spur others to act violently.

While the mainstream anti-abortion community largely dismissed Hill as a fringe character, his supporters — including a small but vocal group that stood outside the prison as Hill was put to death Wednesday — believe he was rewarded with glory in heaven for his actions.

Florida abortion clinics and police were on heightened alert for reprisals. Several officials connected to the case received threatening letters last week, accompanied by rifle bullets.

"We're very concerned," said Vicki Saporta, president and CEO of the National Abortion Federation in Washington. "We know that certain events can and do trigger increased violence."

more

[hlthe2b]

1. I'm really worried about these folks, too

Last week, I needed to check a phone directory and as it happened, I was walking just yards from a Denver Family Planning Clinic. While they have autolocks, they readily buzzed me in (likely because I'm female) and of course were very helpful at their reception area--

But it got me thinking... What if I'd been a female version of these anti-abortion Fundie crazies? They would have been totally vulnerable to me, had I had some weapon. If there was security beyond the auto locking door (and probably a hidden emergency alarm), it certainly wasn't apparent.

I hope for the best for these brave folks....

[eyesroll]

2. An acquaintence of mine works for Planned Parenthood

in their administration dep't. He's not a doc.

He said for the first time, he's feeling very wary when the protestors greet him, "Good morning, Doctor." Thankfully, our city isn't exactly the bastion of right-wing nut-jobs (we got Jeff Dahmer instead), and the protestors are usually just there taking up space, but I'm still concerned for his safety.

[liberalhistorian]

3. I am adamantly opposed to the death penalty no matter

who it is or what they've done. As horrible and heinous as Hill's crime was, and as angry as it made me, I was also against his execution. And even if you were in favor of it, you have to admit that it's going to make things worse for those working in the front lines trying to give women full access to abortion, and easier for the nutball extremists to recruit more nutball extremists.

How ironic that these people, who claim to be "for life", have no problem using bullets and violence against real, live, flesh-and-blood human beings. And it's doubly ironic that a lot of conservatives were against his execution, and protested, when these are the same people who are screaming for the switch to be thrown on all death row prisoners.

[cherryperry]

7. Don't you realize what that's about?

These people are for the pre-born; once you're born, they consider you to be on your f-ing own!


:grr: :grr: :grr:

[peekaloo]

4. Why was this freak allowed to hold a press conference?

Is this a customary procedure in Florida....last meal/last chance to recant/last chance to issue a call to arms?????


Surreal.

:mad:

[damnraddem]

12. Not always.

Only when a state administration is secretly thrilled by a call to arms that they dare not make themselves.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. is there a story here?

Did Jeb Bush do something srong by allowing it?

[CO Liberal]

16. It Only Would Have Been a Story If Bush Had STOPPED The Execution

Jeb and his brother apparantly have never met a death warrant they didn't like.

[TheYellowDog]

5. I've never understood this logic.

You kill somebody to "save lives"? It's really disturbing what Hill did, in fact, I think the same thing happened in Buffalo a few years ago to a different OB/GYN. What I am concerned about is that nuts like Hill give all well meaning pro life people a bad name. I have a few friends who are pro life, and they would never dream of doing anything like this, or even condoning it. I find it encouraging that all of the major anti-abortion groups have disowned Hill and stated unconditionally that they do not support what he did.

[NNN0LHI]

6. "and they would never dream of doing anything like this"?

Maybe not out loud. But don't think for a minute this guy is not a hero to your so called pro-life friends.

Don

[TheYellowDog]

17. that is absolute crap!

my mother is anti abortion and she is absolutely disgusted with what Hill did. True pro lifers value ALL life, including the lives of already born doctors!

[NNN0LHI]

23. How did we go from some friends to my mama so quick? Odd? n/t

[demdave]

24. Now you are the latest thought police?

How insightful of you.

[NNN0LHI]

25. Gosh. I gave an opposing opinion to someone elses. And you don't like it?

And then you begin speaking of thought police in the same breath? Very odd?

Don

[noonwitch]

10. Those who kill ob/gyn's that perform abortions believe

that what they are doing is akin to somebody having killed Hitler before WWII broke out to prevent the holocaust. They are deluded and deadly, but they think that they are right and that everybody else is wrong.
As I don't believe in hell, but do believe in an afterlife, just think how surprised Paul Hill must have been to see his victim in the same place he is now.

[damnraddem]

13. Or in a better place?

What justice is it if everyone ends up the same?

[Xithras]

14. Yep, they think they're helping

I had a discussion with a fundie anti-choicer once that made me understand these people's mindset. From his perspective, an abortion provider was a serial killer that preyed on children. They weren't LIKE serial killers, they WERE serial killers. He looked at Hill as a hero, not a criminal or a martyr. Quote: "Hill killed a person who was murdering children, and there's nothing wrong with protecting a child from a killer. More people should do what he did."
Scary :scared:

[cherryperry]

8. Check this out:

There are already several websites set up with the aim of "avenging the murder" of Paul Hill.


:crazy: :wtf: :wow:

[Rich Hunt]

9. look at this website

There are groups all over the 'net calling Hill a 'hero' and agreeing that more people should do what he did.

http://www.lektrik.com/

You don't have to look too hard.

People who criticize Bush fear monitoring by the FBI, but people like this can openly advocate violence against abortion providers.

Actually, now that I think about it - I'd rather that these sites are available, because it makes it easier to monitor these freaks.

ON EDIT: And look! The Army of God is not going to have access to their e-mail for the next two weeks!

http://www.armyofgod.com/

[Gingersnap]

21. I just saw a site that made me physically ill

one of my loved ones is an ob/gyn who performs abortions. This site is really scary:

http://www.mttu.com/main.htm

[damnraddem]

11. The price of capital punishment is too high.

And part of it may now be exacted against the clinics that were Hill's target. Yeah, if anyone deserved the death sentence, Hill did; but that is a big if.

[TheYellowDog]

18. Most anti abortion groups

are disgusted with what Hill did.

Look at this article:

http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/localstoryA11448A.htm

"The Vanderbilts oppose abortion too, but are no supporters of Hill.

"We're pro-life people that try to save babies, not protestors," she said. "I'm against murder, even murdering murderers. I'm against murder in any way, shape or form. Life is too precious, because there is always time to repent."

Mainstream abortion opponents have rejected Hill's contention that he was justified in killing to stop abortions.

"He's a murderer," Vanderbilt, 74, said. "He's an extremist. Most pro-life people are pro-all life. Life is from God, it's precious."

"I don't understand why there's so much hoopla about this. Pro-lifers are very peaceful people.

"Everyone talks about pro-life violence -- there isn't any, except you get an occasional nut."

[TheYellowDog]

19. I frankly find it offensive that some people

would describe all pro lifers as nuts. Most of them truly respect all life, and granted, there are a few nuts as said above, but most are peaceful people. Think about it, Dennis Kucinich was pro life for his whole life until last year. Was Dennis Kucinich a NUT?

[lumpy]

20. 'Several officials connected to the case received threatening letters

last week, accompanied by rifle bullets'.
One can hope that government agencies including Homeland Security will follow up on these disturbing terrorist threats.

[qb]

22. Why aren't they going after Jebbie?

He could have stopped it and didn't. Jebbie killed Hill.