GEORGE TILLER ASSASSINATED....

[ProSense]

GEORGE TILLER ASSASSINATED....

George Tiller, a Wichita physician, was assassinated this morning while attending church serves in Kansas.

Tiller, 67, was shot just after 10 a.m. at Reformation Lutheran Church at 7601 E. 13th, where he was a member of the congregation. Witnesses and a police source confirmed Tiller was the victim.

No information has been released about whether a suspect is in custody. Police said they are looking for white male who was driving a 1990s powder blue Ford Taurus with Kansas license plate 225 BAB. <...>

Tiller has long been a focal point of protest by abortion opponents because his clinic, Women's Health Care Services at 5701 E. Kellogg, is one of the few in the country where late-term abortions are performed.

Tiller has long been a target for right-wing criticism, and had been shot before. His medical clinic, a constant target, had been vandalized earlier this month.

As Amanda Marcotte recently noted, "(Tiller) is one of the two doctors in the country that specializes in the very small percentage of abortions performed late in pregnancy (but before viability) done for health reasons, usually because the pregnancy is a danger to a woman's health or life, or because the fetus is dead or dying.... He's been shot in both arms, stalked by the attorney general's office under Phill Kline ... and charged with the crime of performing a bunch of illegal abortions, for which he was acquitted."

I emphasize this because it's a point that may go overlooked in much of the media coverage -- Tiller performed therapeutic abortions for women who wanted children.

Tiller, in other words, worked past the constant threats of violence to provide a service to women that few would. Today, he was apparently murdered for his efforts.

[marmar]

1. Have you scanned DU? This is a little outdated at this point.....

n/t

[ProSense]

3. Really? n/t

[FourScore]

8. I haven't been around for a few days

so I'm glad you posted it.

This is terrible.

[Xipe Totec]

2. Oh Great! Now Cheney can claim ther was a terrorist attack

While a Democrat was in the White House...

:eyes:

[BlooInBloo]

4. What is "headlines you'll never see", Alex?

[sandnsea]

5. Yes, he was assassinated

And we need to say that loud and clear too.

[ProSense]

6. US Marshals to Protect

US Marshals to Protect:

Statement from Attorney General Holder ...

"The murder of Doctor George Tiller is an abhorrent act of violence, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers at this tragic moment. Federal law enforcement is coordinating with local law enforcement officials in Kansas on the investigation of this crime, and I have directed the United States Marshals Service to offer protection to other appropriate people and facilities around the nation. The Department of Justice will work to bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice. As a precautionary measure, we will also take appropriate steps to help prevent any related acts of violence from occurring."

[BlooInBloo]

7. Sigh. That's something I guess.

[XOKCowboy]

9. Kicking your thread since I put a similar post.

Dr. Tiller was not just murdered he was assassinated for his beliefs.

[bcoylepa]

10. the way it should be reported

so many of the news reports are sensationalized - this one is not - he was assassinated and I for one hold Randy Terry -Bill O'Reilly and their ilk responsible.
Dr. Tiller was a provider of woman's reproductive health care - he was our biggest advocate and he worked for all women and their families. Women will most likely have to leave this country now for these services - this is shameful in so many ways. My heart breaks for his family and friends and we should mobilize to support and protect reproductive health care in this country.