Murder of an Abortion Doctor

Oddly enough, my big fat mouth had nothing to say about abortion provider and OBGYN Dr. George Tiller being murdered in Wichita, Kan., yesterday. Sad? Yes. Senseless? Of course. Surprising? Not really.

What did surprise me was the outpouring of outrage of friends and acquaintances of mine on their Facebook pages. Granted, I expected this from my hippie, activist Lawrence, Kan., friends—we’re a big ol’ happy blue pool of liberal freakshows in this town. What really surprised me is the outrage from my old Wichita friends. These are people I went to high school with. People I haven’t seen in 20 years. I didn’t know their political leanings then, and am slowly discovering their leanings now. Many of those beliefs, like mine, have probably evolved over the years.

When you read these statements regarding the murder of Dr. Tiller, please keep in mind that these are all thoughts of Kansans, or Kansans now residing in other states. (Once a Kansan, always a Kansan.) There are single statements as well as comment threads.

I think it’s important that the rest of the world understands that Kansans don’t condone this kind of behavior. Because once again, we’re making national news for our backwardness, as opposed to our straight-forward Midwest thinking.

• When will we ever figure out that violence does not change anything?

• Vigil in memory of Dr. George Tiller Sunday, May 31st, 8:00pm at South Park Gazebo, Lawrence KS.

• I hope I am misunderstanding, but it seems there are people who actually consider the murder of Dr. Tiller "answered prayer". If you are of this mindset, please remove me from your friends list. I am cool with those who oppose abortion, I am not cool with those who rejoice at Dr. Tiller's murder.
• Amen sister
• I hope you are misunderstanding, also. Heartbreaking if you aren't... My thoughts are with you and all who mourn this outrage.
• Wow dr. tiller was murdered? that's f'ed up!
• I cannot agree more. This was an act of a deranged person, not anything higher. Certainly not anything noble, just, or to be praised.

• Another murder in the "name of God".....he has got to be looking down going....I said do what??....no i didnt....

• Are we ready for the ridiculous media onslaught and protesters and all that fun stuff that is about to take hold of our community for a bit.
• Ridiculous indeed....it will end up full on embarrassing.

• To my friends whom I have grown up with through the Summer of Mercy and the Randall Terrys, for those of us who supported Dr. Tiller through our years: I will light a candle tonight and be at the vigil in spirit. This is a very sad day...

• DAMN!!....Dr. Tiller should've just caught Joyce Myers on the tube at home Yo.
• MS13-Christians! World Wide Stalk On, Walk On!
• I should re-enlist in the Infantry where's it safe. lol

• Kansas: Fred Phelps, the ban of evolution and now the murder of a physician. Way to go. This makes Arkansas and Mississippi look pretty good.
• I hear what you're saying. But, it's people like us who won't let this change our minds that will be the true mark of our character as Kansans.
• Today I am ashamed to be associated with Kansas in any way. It's sickening.

• Wonder: how will the religious reich defend the shooting of an unarmed man in church?
• By spinning some tale of how he murdered millions of innocents and therefore deserved it? That's where I'm putting my money anyway. Ugh.
• The co-founder of Operation Rescue is convinced that the media will use this as an excuse to paint the anti-choice movement as a murderous fringe cult... because, y'know, they aren't doing a good enough job of that by themselves.
• Well, murder does tend to reinforce the murderous part of "murderous fringe cult."


• Join me in lighting a candle and having a moment of silence at 8pm central for Dr. Tiller, his family and /or for this being a very sad day for those who have stood beside George Tiller and rights for many years. Wichita's vigil begins at 8pm in Old Town. Peace.

• Heartbroken to learn of the murder of Dr. George Tiller.

• Vigil in memory of Dr. George Tiller Sunday, May 31st, 8:00pm at South Park Gazebo, Lawrence KS.

• I was on retreat and had no idea. This is terrible. Point blank in church. Really terrible.

• Unbelievable, infuriating and tragic.. And yet in a world full of lunatics, not surprising.

• I knew Mr. Tiller personally. He was a good man. My thoughts are with the family he loved so much.
• I didn't know him but my mom worked for him a while back and was there when he got shot in 1993.

• Your thoughts should not reflect your actions ! live and let live ! everyone has a choice !! live with the one you choose !! this is America !

• Join me in lighting a candle and having a moment of silence at 8pm central for Dr. Tiller, his family and /or for this being a very sad day for those who have stood beside George Tiller and rights for many years. Wichita's vigil begins at 8pm in Old Town. Peace.
• Been talking about this all day to anyone who will listen... such an outrage.

Finally, you should really check out this excellent diary entry on Daily Kos from a Wichitan who knew Dr. Tiller personally. It’s short and heartfelt.