To the Editor:
    In reading the article "The Politics of Hate," it seems that the murder of George Tiller was connected to the Republican Party and the religious right. How ridiculous can you get? Quoting the writer's words "Schaffer opines (thinks) that while hyperbole, (meaning deliberate exaggeration in writing or speaking used to create an effect), from the pulpit from religious leaders is par for the course, and words are spoken which lead directly to violence by the unhinged or the truly committed." I've never heard any exaggerations from the pulpit, only the truth, about abortions. George Tiller was an usher in his church. Does this mean he was a religious man? If he was, how could he murder babies? I wonder if his pastor ever preached about the evil of murdering babies.
    I know there are hate groups against abortionists. I do not condone murder. Murder is murder no matter how you look at it. What Scott Roeder did was murder. He is no better than George Tiller and should be punished for his actions as they will both be judged by God one day. The article is all about George Tiller, religion and politics as far as I can see.
    No where in Celia Murray's article do I see any outrage at the killing of babies. What about the 60,000 babies that George Tiller murdered? Just because abortion is legal doesn't make it right. That's where the outrage should be focused.Who will speak up for those 60,000 murdered babies? Tiller was only one of a few doctors who performed late term abortions where babies are being murdered while they are being delivered from the womb. Human life is precious, those babies lives was precious and George Tiller's life was precious. Killing George Tiller enrages and inflames, but it does not move us any closer to the goal of seeing real heart change so that human life is regarded as worthy of protection inside the womb.  I think Scott Roeder, as did Eric Rudolph, got so fed up with all the baby killing that he took matters in his own hands, which was wrong, not so much as to kill George Tiller because he hated him, but to stop the killing of 60,000 more babies. He hated what Tiller was doing and he felt so strong about it he was willing to murder for what he believed was wrong just as George Tiller murdered babies because he thought what he was doing was right. Nothing to do with politics period.
    As far as Frank Schaeffer and his evangelical anti abortion father being leaders in the early years of the anti abortion movement being responsible for bringing Jerry Falwell, Ronald Reagan and countless Republican leaders into the fold, more leaders, including Democrats, and you can't tell me there aren't any Democrats who feel this way, should stand up for what they believe is right. That doesn't make them murderers. Roeder did not act alone as Ms Murray implies, but he was driven, inspired and encouraged by the hate speech of those who pretend to assume the moral high ground on the issue of a woman's right to choose. She used the word moral and I think that's what it boils down to, a moral, not a political issue. Ms Murray is just as guilty by her writings that incite hate to religious leaders and the Republican party. Should she be labled a terrorist? Why does she seem to hate these two groups so much? Every week her column is spewing hatred against the Republican Party it seems. Enough is enough Ms. Murray.
    I pray that one day Roe vs Wade will be overturned and the murder of innocent babies will stop.
    I know that everyone will not agree with my views on this issue, I am thankful for the freedom to express them.
Brenda Thompson
Rutledge
Via e-mail