Third Blog

"The Murder of Dr. Tiller, a Foreshadowing" by Cristina Page, is an article that not only sympathizes with Dr. Tiller's death, but strategically identifies acts of cruelty performed by anti-abortion groups. The author strongly justifies her argument of being against the punishment that is not being forced upon the abortion clinic bombings and murder of Dr. Tiller. She accomplishes this by using statistics, comparisons, and a quote from a clinic staff member, Claire Keyes, to support the idea that this type of violence is being ignored. Keyes states that "police were called but so far they don't seem to be responding appropriately" and that is effectively added into the article to reinforce Page's argument. The insufficent amount of action being taken to recognize the alternating terrorism during the 3 presidential administrations is changing my view on the importance of authority in this day and age, as well as the extremes anti-abortionists will go to stand up for their beliefs. Page's argument for the lack of concern with these horrific events is strongly effective because it spreads awareness on the difficult problem of violence towards pro-choice believers. I agree with Cristina Page and am very driven to help acknowledge the many problems that are arising during Obama's administration. He has done nothing but try to help prevent abortion, so why is he being harrassed and attacked? The comparison between the two pro-choice presidents, Clinton and Obama, and pro-life president, Bush, helps me understand the motives of the terrorists, and how willing they are to press the "boundaries of legal, civil protest." Although I'm not really supposed to give my opinion on the whole abortion issue, I feel as if I need to, especially now that I have read this article. I had no clue that this type of aggression was being taken out on innocent women, and clinic staff members, and I believe Cristina Page has done the right thing by writing this article. She has done a splendid job, but she didn't really acknowledge or refute other positions. She might have mentioned the National Right to Life Committee and the American Life League, but she didn't exactly say why she believed calling Obama a "hardcore pro-abortion president" was wrong... Her strengths in the article stood out a lot more to me than the weaknesses did considering I agreed with her argument.