Comments on: Anti-Abortion Activist Murdered

By: Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:55:43 +0000

There's no clear narrative, that's why the media isn't giving it much time. It's a disjointed story of pro-life guy, gravel pit guy and some other guy, all on the killer's grudge list. No one even knows whether the shooter gave a damn about abortion.

By: just me

just me — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:32:06 +0000

I think what is notably different is that there isn't much media coverage of the event. Not sure if that is because the media is more interested in 9-11 stuff and Wilson's "liar" or because they don't care.

But I do find it curious that two things the media loves to cover, cover cover are abortion related shootings and shootings/gun incidents close to or on school property.

The victim here was a pro life advocate protesting abortion across from a high school and he was murdered in front of the students going into that high school.

The media, while not entirely silent, is comparatively silent.

I can't help but think if the guy killed was a pro choice advocate, we would be getting 24-7 coverage of the event and how horrible it was to shoot somebody in front of children.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:50:10 +0000

It was a breaking news item that was naturally going to spawn a lot of commentary based on the abortion angle. I wanted to point out that, regardless of whether it was abortion-related, 1) it wouldn't prove anything about "the Left" or even the pro-abortion-rights movement and 2) there's remarkably little violence around the issue given the heat.

By: odograph

odograph — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:47:44 +0000

You caveatted it, but what was the purpose of the post, if it wasn't to work the "side" issue?

You don't normally cover the murder of gravel company employees, do you?

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:59:35 +0000

No, you jumped the gun. You can't use this as an example of nuts on "sides:"

I caveated this pretty well, I think.

By: Pug

Pug — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:24:01 +0000

This is a harbinger of what will ensue if the Pelosi-Clinton-Frank-Barry Bonds crowd passes their health "reform."

Barry Bonds?

By: odograph

odograph — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:16:09 +0000

"It does, sadly, seem yet another data point in my longstanding There Are Nuts on Both Sides meme. " No, you jumped the gun. You can't use this as an example of nuts on "sides:"

Colbry said authorities do not believe that the two homicides and the third plot were related, saying, “They stemmed from individual grievances Drake had with the victims.”

By: DL

DL — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:10:38 +0000

It's not about nuts.

It is about the idea that precious human life is a commodity to be disposed of at will when it becomes inconvenient or troublesome. Just as stealing small things turns into stealing big things,once stealing becomes acceptable, so does the abortion mentality turn into things like Obamacide and the justifiable murder of those we abhor become acceptable -just as Mother Theresa and John Paul II warned us.

It's sad that so many don't yet get the connection.

By: just me

just me — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:01:43 +0000

Apparently the murder was motivated by the political message.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/11/michigan.shooting/

Authorities say the suspect, Harlan James Drake, was offended by anti-abortion material that the activist had displayed across from the school all week.

By: Brian Epps

Brian Epps — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:22:07 +0000

Maybe the killer, having already decided to kill the guy at the gravel pit, decided to off that "annoying sign guy" as well.

That's my theory, at least.

By: Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:10:35 +0000

It seems this may have been a vendetta against gravel pit owners and realtors, too. In other words, it may have had nothing at all to do with abortion.

By: A Shooting In Michigan; Or Yes, Virginia, There Are Lunatics On Both Sides, If Abortion Is Even What This Shooting Is About « Around The Sphere

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:09:06 +0000

[...] James Joyner: It does, sadly, seem yet another data point in my longstanding There Are Nuts on Both Sides meme. Thankfully, even though this is the issue that seems to motivate the most vitriol in our politics, the number of murders committed since 1973’s Roe v. Wade can still be counted on both hands. There have been more people killed for their sneakers than their views on abortion. [...]

By: Ilishe Mikos

Ilishe Mikos — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:38:54 +0000

Unless you count all the actual babies aborted, then you'd need a lot more hands.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:06:31 +0000

“the number of murders committed since 1973’s Roe v. Wade can still be counted on both hands”

Not if you count the number of fetus murder. Sorry had to throw that in. It was too much of a softball.

By: Steve Plunk

Steve Plunk — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:05:08 +0000

James, Thanks for bringing some perspective.

Abortion is one of the most passionate political issues ever yet we have little violence to accompany that passion. It gives hope we are still a civil society.