Robin Hinrichs:

 Dave and Clonnie,

I did not go into details of my strike, but no question that emergency services would not be curtailed.  No one would agree to that, and it could jeopardize life and limb.  But all clinics, routine appointments, treatments, etc, would be cancelled for one day.  I just feel strongly that this murder, and the ones prior to it, are actually accomplishing their intentions.  By this I mean to bully providers into curtailing or not offering legal medical services.  These actions by a few zealots are affecting our medical providers ( no quotes) in multiple areas.  From personal safety issues, to their ability to afford malpractice and pratcie insurance.  Quite a few OB/GYNs no longer work their specialty because they can't afford the outrageous insurance costs.  And part (but not only I realize) of the reason these costs are so high in their field are the acts of violence perpetrated on them.  My one day strike would serve only to focus attention - that is the intent.

Robin

I applaud your idea and your passion for the issue needing sunlight.  The terror will not stop as long as it is effective to any degree and it certainly "stopped" Dr. Tiller (ergo success).  There is little difference in this terrorist and the Muslim extremist who straps on a bomb or boards a plane.  The two biggest things the two have in common are hatred and an instigator.  There would probably be an odd occasional act of terrorism without the agitators, Just as the clerics of hate have inculcated terrorists to the high purpose of jihad, it cannot be denied that the internet, talk radio and even TV Networks have given "legitimacy" to the hate filled rhetoric and vitriol that the weak minded zealot will feed on and use to justify their extreme acts of terror.  It cannot be denied and it can no longer be ignored.  I think a better movement would be a "turn-off" the day after every act of terrorism on America.  We should all pledge to not blog, not visit radical websites, not listen to radical talk radio, not watch the radical talk shows, etc.  Like the great American Smoke out effort each year.  It is a movement worth the effort to draw attention to the hatred that is running rampant and feeding the weak, mentally ill, hate filled and closed minded among us.

Clonnie Yearout:

I am not advocating that abortion be outlawed completely.  I just honestly wish it occurred with less frequency.  I'm not against age appropriate sex education or making birth control available to minors.  I wish our society would not treat sex so casually and I wish we did not view abortion as after-the-fact birth control.  We place a high value on life after birth -- I just wish we would value it a little more before birth.  Having said all that, I know we live in a world where my ideals will never be met, but unlike many who share many of my views, I will entertain compromise.  While I object to abortion on moral grounds (except in the cases stated above), I'm willing to accept the fact that America has decided that it will be kept legal on some level.

[I'm back.  I'm sure Ricky had a good reason but I don't know what it was.]

I also wish abortion occurred with less frequency.  I don't know anyone who thinks otherwise, including obstetricians.  Clonnie, we're both for sex education and freely available birth control.  And I share your opinion that sex should not be treated casually. 

I think the part of your comment that I quoted above might be in reference to elective "abortion on demand" (mostly occurring in the first timester).  According to the Roe v. Wade decision, that is a woman's choice, so it is legal, but I can see why many people think it is immoral.  I think it is unfortunate, and rarely taken lightly by women who make that choice, but immorality within the bounds of law is just a matter of opinion. 

I value both personal responsibilty and liberty; in a free society we can't have either one without the other.  People have a right to make lawful personal decisions that others think are immoral.  Some people think unnecessary abortions are immoral; some people think drinking alcohol is immoral; some people think oral sex between a husband and wife (a felony in Virginia) is immoral; some people think homosexual relationships are immoral; some people think it is immoral for women to cut their hair and wear slacks; the list is a long one.  We have to let the law be the line, not someone's personal opinion about what other people should or shouldn't do.