Though predictable, it was no less despicable. Just a day following the heinous murder of the country’s foremost practitioner of infanticide, George Tiller, radical antihuman rights activists on the left were already condemning the entire pro-life movement for facilitating the incident. Left-wing Web sites like the Daily Kos blamed conservative commentators Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck for causing it, the Huffington Post deemed it a morally outrageous hypocrisy, and PBS’ abortion fanatic Bonnie Erbe went so far as to characterize the entire pro-life movement as a breeding ground for domestic terrorists.
Of course rational people recognize that it borders on clinical insanity to rail about the moral outrage of killing a single human being while simultaneously defending and advocating the wholesale slaughter of millions of others. And just to make sure that there is no confusion on this point, let’s be clear on what Tiller did for a living.
George Tiller specialized in what is euphemistically called late-term abortion. There is a term that some of us use for such an act. It’s called murder.
Again, these are full-term, completely viable infants capable of living outside the womb with totally developed life systems – including the ability to experience pain. In short, Tiller practiced, and the left defended, infanticide. Hearing these leftists now lament the taking of human life is disgracefully stomach turning.
Notice then the irony of the situation. The only people in a position to truly express outrage over Tiller’s murder are those that the left is attempting to blame for it. But this is just one of the numerous twists surrounding this tragic situation.
For instance, consider this irony: Those that claim to be outraged by Tiller’s murder will be calling for a lighter penalty than those they condemn for causing it. When Tiller’s murderer is brought to justice, it will be those of us who oppose abortion that will be demanding his execution. The intrinsic value of human life (which, paradoxically, Tiller assaulted) is so great that anyone who violates it forfeits his own right to live.
Meanwhile, it will be those on the left who proudly defended Tiller’s life work that will call for a softer sentence. They consider the death penalty barbaric and find pro-lifers who advocate capital punishment inconsistent. “You can’t be pro-life and pro-death penalty!” they shout.
Evidently to them, being pro-abortion and anti-death penalty is somehow better? Is there anything more ethically offensive than those who defend the right to life for convicted, murderous felons, yet strip that right from innocent newborn babies? It is astonishing that anyone can be so blinded by their own self-righteous pomposity that they fail to see this blatant moral incongruity.
It’s also notably ironic that the same ideological movement that demands we not castigate all Muslims for the actions of a few is so quick to violate its own precepts when it comes to this issue. We aren’t hearing the throngs of Hollywood activists shouting that “most pro-lifers are peaceful,” or seeing Democratic congressmen thumping their chests while proclaiming that “revenge against the pro-life movement for the actions of this one radical will not be tolerated.”
Indeed, the ironies surrounding the murder of this murderer are plentiful to say the least. But perhaps the most tragic of them all is that in the end, George Tiller met a brutal demise at the hands of someone who exhibited a blatant disrespect for the intrinsic value of human life ... a lesson that Tiller – with the left’s blessing – dedicated his life to teaching.
• Peter W. Heck hosts a talk show on WIOU-AM 1350 and is a frequent contributor to the Kokomo Tribune. Contact him at peter@peterheck.com
Opinion
HECK: George Tiller and the ironies
Man who didn’t value life killed doctor
- Opinion
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White shouldn’t return to office
The issue: The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state.
Our view: Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.
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Editorial - Feb. 8, 2012: Grand success for Indianapolis
The issue: The Super Bowl.
Our view: Indianapolis left a great impression on thousands of visitors.
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Letters to the Editor: Feb. 8, 2012
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride. More Indiana students are graduating from high school than ever before.
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Which religions will we include?
The Indiana Senate last week approved a bill that would allow public schools to teach creationism, as long as they include theories from multiple religions.
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If you say so
In an opinion piece we published Thursday, state Rep. Mike Karickhoff announced why he voted against “right-to-work” legislation. His reason: The community told him to.
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Cheers and jeers - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Karickhoff acted ‘cowardly’
The Rev. Robin Wentworth Mayer and Horst G. Mayer of Kokomo send the Jeer for state Rep. Mike Karickhoff’s silence during the “right-to-work” debate:
“Mr. Karickhoff, for someone who’s new to office, you’ve certainly learned the art of talking out of both sides of your mouth.
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Let’s drug test our lawmakers
Perhaps it’s appropriate that a measure passed by the Indiana House this week would ask not only welfare recipients but Indiana lawmakers to consent to a drug test.
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Editorial - Feb. 2, 2012: Peru delivers a message
The issue: Peru’s collection of $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed.
Our view: Aggressive enforcement can help a city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.
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Karickhoff: Reason behind my ‘right-to-work’ vote
There is no doubt the “right-to-work” debate has brought mixed emotions, not only to our state but District 30 as well. There were only a handful of House Republicans who did not vote in support of this legislation. Let me explain why I felt it was necessary for me to vote in opposition to right to work.
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Heinig: ‘Right-to-work’ law to arouse continued resistance
I wouldn’t call Gov. Mitch Daniels a charismatic leader, but he does possess some leadership skills. If he didn’t, he couldn’t have brought us this far along the happy trail to his economic Valhalla.
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White shouldn’t return to office
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