Anti-choice groups across the nation are busy insisting that since they didn't personally pull the trigger, their protests, harassment, and hate speech are not to blame for the murder of Kansas abortion provider Dr. George Tiller. Yet some anti-choice activists -- even now -- seem only too happy to aid and abet the crazy ones who will resort to violence. Or else why, three days after the assassination of a medical doctor who provides late-term abortions, did Jill Stanek post on her blog photographs of the clinic of Dr. LeRoy Carhart, another physician who provides late-term abortions and who has said he is willing to take over providing services at Dr. Tiller's clinic?
By way of introduction, Stanek writes, "Let's take a station break to view photos of Carhart's "nondescript building," taken in March 2009 on the day it reopened following refurbishment after a fire (NOT blamed on pro-lifers). It was almost immediately shut down because Carhart reopened without getting an occupancy permit, as I previously reported, and was running his electricity off a generator..." She and her readers just want "to take a look." Why? She wants to prove her point that it's a dingy building? Over Carhart's safety, and the safety of his staff and patients?
Combine that with Operation Rescue senior policy advisor Cheryl Sullenger's admission, just reported by McClatchey, that she provided information to suspect Scott Roeder about Tiller's planned court appearances when Tiller was tried for performing illegal abortions. (Sullenger's name and the Operation Rescue phone number were found on a note in the dashboard of Roeder's car.) "[Sullenberger] said Roeder’s interest was in court hearings involving Tiller. 'He would call and say, "When does court start? When’s the next hearing?" ' Sullenger said. 'I was polite enough to give him the information. I had no reason not to. Who knew? Who knew, you know what I mean?'”
Who knew? When Tiller was on trial in mid-March of this year, local police had -- thirteen years ago -- found materials to make a bomb in Roeder's vehicle. On Operation Rescue's own website, in a page dating back to 2007, a person identifying as Scott Roeder had posted a comment saying, "Bleass [sic] everyone for attending and praying in May to bring justice to Tiller and the closing of his death camp. Sometime soon, would it be feasible to organize as many people as possible to attend Tillers church (inside, not just outside) to have much more of a presence and possibly ask questions of the Pastor, Deacons, Elders and members while there? Doesn’t seem like it would hurt anything but bring more attention to Tiller."
In other words, Roeder had a clear history of intention to commit violence and an avowed commitment to "bring[ing] justice to Tiller and the closing of his death camp." And Sullenger was still "politely" handing him information about Tiller's whereabouts? Just as Jill Stanek is now still posting photographs of Dr. Carhart's clinic? As if they needed reminding, the antis now know exactly how low their brethren can stoop. Should they really be giving them more ammunition? What does the so-called pro-life community say about the posting of these pictures now?
If another act of violence is committed, will they disavow that?
UPDATE 6/04/2009 4:00pm ET: Rachel Maddow discussed Roeder's connection to Operation Rescue on her show last night.
