OLBERMANN: These recent events that I've mentioned, don't they prove that we're already seeing the kind of violence happen that's sort of being predicted retroactively?
POTOK: It absolutely does. I mean, you know, the spate of real terrorist incidents that we've seen since Obama's election are quite remarkable. You know -- and, of course, this was the very kind of activity that was talked about in the infamous Department of Homeland Security report that was so pilloried by Republicans and others on the right, you know? As it turns out, of course, the report was really prescient"
"You know, the reality is, is that there is an immense amount of totally false propaganda out there, and much of it is coming from the militias or similar groups. You know, it's just astounding is that sort of responsible Republicans and other politicians and commentators seem to be incapable of rejecting this. You know, so I think really there is a line between the people you see or some of the people you see at town hall meetings amongst the deathers and so on, and the ideology we're seeing being reborn with the militias.
And, unfortunately, there is a huge connection to be made between those against health care reform, those against abortion, and those who are joining or fueling the rise of right wing militias.
Each contributes to the creation of a climate that makes political assassination and violence, verbal or physical, viable.
And all in some way or another vehemently oppose this nation's current president. Their opposition may not be overtly racist but the anti-abortion movement in particular has fashioned abortion into a civil rights issue over the past few decades arguing that they are trying to save the African-American race.
Don't take my word for it. Check out this photo:
As the public option is discussed, as this fake paranoia of a government takeover of health care spreads, anti-abortionists are spreading ignorant racist ideology on the comments threads of sites like the U.S. News & World Report's "God & Country" blog.
Fay Pollman of MO
Choices in health careThe pro choice or pro abortion group is very concerned that a woman has a choice to abort a baby if that is her desire. Should the taxpayer who is pro life not have the choice to NOT pay for something they feel is the taking of a life, murder. If we are to be for choices it should go both ways.
I do not agree that abortion is "health care". Not paying for abortion with tax dollars does not take away the right to it. Planned Parenthood is annihilating the black race with its easy access to abortion for the very poorest. Do we need to expand this horror?
What do those who have begun to believe the rhetoric they speak think when a black president doesn't want to protect black women from aborting thousands and thousands of black babies? What happens when, as they would argue, black women are contributing to the killing of their race?
[emphasis added]
Yes, those questions are racist and ignorant. And the right wing abortion movement sets up this straw man argument suggesting pro-choice advocates support the wiping out of this nation's African American population.
I witnessed this racism and ignorance at Notre Dame when Obama came to give the commencement speech. It probably was evident to anyone who saw pro-life groups in D.C. during Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings. And, it will not go away anytime soon.
Pro-lifers consider violent rhetoric and political assassination as something heroic. They have no fear of arrest or imprisonment. They don't even fear the death penalty for their actions.
Violent pro-lifers believe what they are doing serves a higher benevolent power and opposes intrinsic evil. Dying for it is sacrifice, a way to achieve martyrdom, martyrdom which is not too different from the martyrdom suicide bombers seek.
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