June 2nd, 2009
“Regardless of its unconscious foundation, the stage is set for political radicalism, perhaps more fervent and intractable than the radicalism of the 1960’s, and potentially as destructive as the radicalism that fueled the civil war, to rise again in America. The entire nation is being politicized, and it’s making our quality of life more than a little miserable. Without empowering a police state, conservatives should ponder how to stop the institutionalization of resentment, along with the unhinged animosity that follows it, before it spreads like a wildfire, too large and fierce to douse before it destroys whole chunks of America.”
I wrote that in 2006. My thesis was that the aftermath of 9/11, coupled with America’s generational cycles (as laid out by William Strauss and Neil Howe) could lead America down a darker path than the country has ever tread. Someday I’ll share it with you, but right now, there’s a much, much bigger trout to fry.
As you’ve heard by now, Dr. George Tiller, a 67- year old abortionist, was murdered in his church last Sunday during service. He worked at one of only three clinics in the United States that performs late-term abortions, terminations which occur after the 21st week of pregnancy.
Now that I’ve had a few days to calm down and put this in perspective, let me say in no unspoken terms that the worst part about this (by far) is that a free man was murdered. He was snuffed out in front of his wife in a house of God as many gathered to worship Him. To further dwell on just how inhumane this assassination is would be morbid, but please take a moment to appreciate its gravity.
Now that that’s been settled, let’s look at the broad implications of Tiller’s murder. It risks delegitimizing the entire pro-life movement, and by extension, American conservatism. This tragedy will not be presented as an anomaly on the right, but an indictment of all things conservative. This thing which should never have occurred will be cynically portrayed as the direct product of right-wing argumentation. In fact, that has already begun. Keith Olbermann, on his prime time cable news show, claimed that Fox News facilitated domestic terrorism in Tiller’s murder. His evidence: On the reliably left-wing Huffington Post, a pro-life writer blamed himself for helping create an atmosphere where this crime could occur. Oh, and Bill O’Reilly characterized abortion as “execution” (a matter of opinion) and Fox News commentators took a similarly strong stand against late-term abortion, as well as Dr. Tiller, on numerous occasions. Olbermann called Dr. Tiller’s murder “the inevitable result of this instigation,” which would be akin to calling the assassination of George W. Bush, if it had occurred, the inevitable result of Olbermann’s unyielding anti-Bush provocation. This is hateful, opportunistic partisanship at its worst, and I will not give it any more thought, lest some vulnerable reader confuse the MSNBC personality’s words with a responsible argument.
This episode of misguided political activism was staggeringly stupid on several levels. Even if you buy the amoral conviction that killing Dr. Tiller saved the lives of unborn children, two more doctors, inspired by Tiller’s martyrdom, will spring up in his place. One man was killed, but NO ONE WAS SAVED. I doubt any fewer abortions will occur because of this injustice. Also, if the public is gullible enough to believe that Dr. Tiller’s murder is the product of anti-abortion rhetoric, it could very well be the spark that lights the fire under anti-conservative censorship, such as the fairness doctrine or its modern equivalent. The bullet which took one man’s life may also threaten free political speech. Even the most callous anti-abortionist couldn’t find something to feel proud of here.
Operation Rescue denounced Tillers’ assassination as “vigilantism.” While the pro-life group is right to speak out against this cruel act, they chose some words poorly as they did so. Vigilantism happens when a citizen takes up arms against a criminal. Dr. Tiller had broken no laws, so the man who murdered him was not acting out a scene from Death Wish. From all angles, Dr. Tiller’s murder appears to be an act of political radicalism, any doctrine where political activism is considered more important than basic human rights. It’s also unnecessary, as the argument over abortion is far from settled. The doctor’s murder is a crime against humanity as well as America. Our Constitution demands tempered, thoughtful activism, not the violent urges of an impassioned Jacobin. I hope the murderer is caught, and I hope he is served the death penalty.
But I don’t want to end this in malice. Like Glenn Beck in December, I want to err on the side of sentimentality and reach for a few heartfelt platitudes, hoping they’ll make a positive impression. If you haven’t done so already, please say a prayer for Dr. Tiller’s family, as well as his soul. Please say a prayer for the shooter as well. Law, order, and (paradoxically) forgiveness are humanity’s responsibility. Judgment is God’s. So please pray for the murderer to recognize where he’s gone wrong before he’s justly put to sleep. Finally, pray for the future; pray that this kind of political activism, a violent radicalism which does not need speech to justify itself, ends here.
On my own part I will reinforce the fact that I, as well as the vast majority of the conservatives, do not condone violence as a political tool. There’s nothing wrong with pointing out anti-conservative bias, such as in the media and the classroom, but we should not develop a victim mentality. I promise you, the desperation that comes with internalizing victimhood will lead to more bloody Sundays. As conservatives, nay, as Americans, it is our responsibility to hold our heads high in the face of adversity, lest we equalize downward and adopt the desperate extremist mindset of Dr Tiller’s murderer. A man who does not have peace in his heart cannot afford to give peace to others.
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