Article #1: Murder of Dr. Tiller (late-term abortion provider)

A man standing trail for first-degree murder feels justified in his actions. Scott Roeder of Kansas City, Missouri is charged with one count of first-degree murder and an additional two counts of aggravated assault. The victim is Dr. George Tiller, a man who performs late term abortions.One of only three clinics in the nation that provides 3rd trimester abortion, Dr. Tiller has been receiving threats for decades. While Roeder claims to be protecting innocent life he took the life of a doctor. Most pro-life organizations see innocent life, all life, as needing protection. Many pro-life supporters see the moment of conception to the moment of natural death as the standard, so by Roeder maliciously murdering Dr. Tiller contradicts every moral the pro-life movement stands for. Roeder has absolutely no regrets for his actions, in fact, he feels he was serving the public's interest. In an interview with AP, Roeder stated:

"No, I don't have any regrets because I have been told so far at least four women have changed their minds, that I know of, and have chosen to have the baby," Roeder said. "So even if one changed her mind it would be worth it. No, I don't have any regrets."

Roeder felt as though he had an obligation to protect the life of unborn children. For Dr. Tiller, his untimely death was not the first attempt to cease late term abortions at his clinic. In 1993, Tiller was shot in both arms and prior to this, in 1986, his clinic was bombed. Following Tiller’s death, Roeder confessed to the murder.

The article was located on Foxnews.com and as a conservative news station, I felt the article did little to shame and denounce Roeder’s actions. On several occasions, the article quotes comments implying that Roeder’s actions were heroic-like, not the murderer he truly is. Although, when commenting on Tiller’s close family’s response to the murder, they note that family sees Roeder as a terrorist.

Time.com offers a more emotional approach when covering the story of Scott Roeder. Author Nancy Gibbs begins her article stating how organizations that support abortion rights such as Planned Parenthood and National Abortion Federation have issued statements condemning Roeder and his violent response to Dr. Tiller’s actions. Executive director of American Life League stated, “Pro-lifers by our nature and commitment to human rights reject violence as a means of resistance” (www.time.com )

Please take a moment and watch the video below. Democracy Now! brings together many experts to comment on life and murder of Dr. Tiller. This video further elaborates on the work of Dr. Tiller and further coverage of his murder. Dr. Tiller was not the first abortion provider killed in this pro-life v. pro-choice debate.




Original article: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,573426,00.html

Additional sources: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1902120,00.html