Domestic Terrorism

If it is legally established that the killer of Dr. Tiller, a man who provided legal abortions in Kansas, was motivated to kill Dr. Tiller because of his profession, then the killer should be charged with terrorism. If this is the case and he isn't charged with terrorism as well as murder, it will be an injustice.

Dr. Tiller was attending church when shot and killed. He had survived a previous murder attempt ten years ago. The killings of physicians who perform legal, safe, medical procedures including abortions are blatant acts of terrorism because they have a political objective. It is a heinous act of violence against an individual and a message to other medical professionals who provide women's health services that religious fundamentalists often find objectionable.

Just as people killing in the name of Allah is of particular offense against humanity, so too is killings that find their inspiration in the religious texts of Christianity. We, as Americans, should come out strongly against anyone who would seek to terrorize our citizens. The networks that provide information on doctors who perform abortions to individuals considering and/or planning violence need to come under serious review by federal agencies and prosecuted vigorously. Terrorism, whether foreign born or domestically grown must be rejected on every level.