So, we have all heard about the Dr. in Kansas that was gunned down while serving as an usher at his local church. The play in the media, the blogs and the talk shows has been understandably heavy. In addition to the story itself, there has even been an increase in the whole abortion debate. I would suspect, given our divide on the issue of abortion, that this could not be avoided. However, the aspect that has really gotten me sideways is the whole guilt by association running parallel to this.
There are opinions on both sides of the abortion debate. Additionally, each side runs heavy on emotion. As with all charged debates that are fed with significant amounts of emotion, extremists emerge. To hold one group of people who have an opinion on an issue responsible for the extremists is poor form in the highest degree. The stories that are circulating that claim so and so contributed to the murder. Or that this group and their HATE speech motivated this act, are stories of the worst kind. I don’t any one single person that thinks cold blooded murder is the way to handle a debate, any debate. Everyone I know thinks that this guy in custody is guilty of 1st degree murder and should be given the book.
But does that stop the stories? The press and the whole “machine”? No.
But the worst of this is in the coverage of the soldiers gunned down in Arkansas. Literally the day after this Dr. was murdered, a Muslim extremist shot and killed a soldier; another was injured as well. Not only is play of the news story far less than the Dr.’s, but the outrage is starkly missing. I don’s see one single story screaming that it’s radical Islam, and groups that support it, being held responsible for this shooting. I don’t see Anti-War groups being excoriated for fanning the flames of hate causing this to occur. Nothing. No where.
So it was that I was trying to find such a story last night. I couldn’t. But, near the end of my search, I just refreshed CNN. And this is what I find:
NEW YORK (CNN) — A potential victim became a compassionate counselor during a recent robbery attempt, changing the would-be criminal’s mind — and apparently his religion.
This is the story, even compelling, of a shop keeper showing compassion to a would be burglar. And during this moment of compassion, perhaps converted the man to Islam. Now, don’t get me wrong, this story is the feel good news that I think we should see more often. However, I can’t get over the double standard being displayed here.
On one hand we have Pro-Life organizations and individuals being held accountable for one man’s extreme views. Ont he other, we have a feel good piece on Islam giving that particular group’s extremists a free pass.
Unbelievable.
