George Tiller, en kontroversiel abortlæge i Kansas, blev skudt og dræbt i sin kirke i morges. Ana Marie Cox opfordrer os til at sammenligne New York-guvernøren David Patersons udtalelse med Barack Obamas. Her er Patersons udtalelse:

“I was deeply saddened to learn that Dr. George Tiller, a well-known provider of and advocate for women’s health care, was gunned down this morning at his church in Wichita, Kansas. With his murder, we are robbed not only of a dedicated and courageous physician, but also of a husband, father and neighbor. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Dr. Tiller’s family, friends and community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. 

“Dr. Tiller was targeted for his belief in the right of women to make their own health decisions. He protected that right and sought to ensure that his patients were provided with the medical, emotional and spiritual counsel they needed to make the right choice for themselves and their families. He continued this work despite the threat of harmful retaliation, physical attacks and the destruction of his clinic. We will forever remember his fearlessness, compassion and commitment. 

“We in New York are no strangers to these types of attacks and cannot help but to recall Dr. Barnett Slepian, a Buffalo physician murdered in October 1998 for his own commitment to women’s rights. In this era of violence, we must recall the teachings of tolerance and peace and use these lessons to overcome such acts of hatred and desperation.”

“I am shocked and outraged by the murder of Dr. George Tiller as he attended church services this morning. However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence.”

Opdatering: Emily Bazelon fra Slate skriver på webloggen XX factor om hvad det kræver at være abortlæge i USA hvis det er udenfor de største byer:

George Tiller was killed inside his church today. What does it take to live in legal and physical peril because of the work you do, and then to lose your life in your house of worship? Much more than almost all of us have to give. Or should be asked for.