Matthew Yglesias [1],goes over the deep end:
Random murder of civilians in order to coerce political concessions doesn’t have a great track-record. But direct action terrorist violence against abortion providers has, I think, proven to be a fairly successful tactic. Every time you murder a doctor, you create a disincentive for other medical professionals to provide these services. What’s more, you create a need for additional security at facilities around the country. In addition, the anti-abortion protestors who frequently gather near clinics are made to seem much more intimidating by the fact that the occurrence of these sorts of acts of violence.
I agree with Yglesias’ point about random violence. Anti–abortion violence might, or might not, in theory be an effective weapon. However in practice it is so rare as to virtually non-existent. from NARAL [2]:
- Since 1993, seven clinic workers – including three doctors, two clinic employees, a clinic escort, and a security guard – have been murdered in the United States.
- For every murder, there are many more attempts on the lives of abortion providers and clinic staff.
- In fact, opponents of choice have directed more than 4,200 reported acts of violence against abortion providers since 1977, including bombings, arsons, death threats, kidnappings, and assaults, as well as more than 92,000 reported acts of disruption, including bomb threats and harassing calls.
OK make that eight murders since 1993. If this represents an organized campaign of terror, it is barely detectable, and given the circa one million abortions a year, totally ineffective. I cite NARAL, because I assume they have no reason to understate the magnitude of anti-abortion violence.
I call for the end of all abortion related violence, and I urge Yglesias to do the same.
I ask, is Yglesias being willfully ignorant or deliberately provocative? To wit, is Ygleaias attempting to incite a campaign of terror where none currently exists? Is this Yglesias own ill inconcieved talking point or the White House’s. See what the head Obamatard has to say.
Addendum: (bump)
Attaturk, Fire Dog Lake imbides the same Kool-Aid, “They are ‘Terrorist [3].””
Sure, now let the nice man take you back to your room.