Yesterday in Owosso, Michigan a frequent anti-abortion protester, 63 year old James Pouillon, was shot and killed by 33 year old Harlan Drake. The victim, who was well known for his frequent protesting around town and in front of the local high school was gunned down in front of students arriving at school in the morning as Drake drove by and shot from his truck.
Drake then went on to kill another man, and was headed for a third but he was apprehended and detained before he could get there.
By current accounts, the killer took the life of the anti-abortion protester because he didn't like the signs of aborted fetuses. Yes. He didn't think it appropriate to show signs of aborted fetuses in front of a school so he murdered somebody in front of a school.
Drake attacked Pouillon because he was “offended by the manner of Mr. Pouillon’s message,” said Shiawassee County Prosecutor Randy Colbry
-- Article
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The story was also covered by Huffingtonpost.com
By the prosecutor's statements and the nature of who was killed with no other stated connection between the murderer and the victim, this murder has the appearance of being politically motivated. Therefore I'd like to come right out and, for whatever it's worth, say I condemn Drake's actions.
There is no "But."
I flat out condemn these actions. Killing somebody with whom you have political or idealogical disagreements plumbs the deepest depths of repugnant. I'm disgusted and horrified that somebody with whom I probably shared an equal disdain for the victim's actions actually took it upon himself to silence the victim permanently.
Have I ever advocated violence against people I disagree with?
You know...I believe I have.
In the heat of the moment I've rattled off some off the cuff comments about smacking somebody I disagree with. Sometimes I like to talk big and be an asshole. It was probably done in a snarky way, intended to be humorous. But dammit, there's no excuse for it. And if any of my comments, or if any of the off the cuff comments from the Left in any way contributed to Drake's notions that he was remotely justified in violently taking this man's life...that's something we should really reflect on. I know I'm going to.
Four months ago Dr. George Tiller was murdered in a church by an anti-abortion zealot. Yesterday an anti-abortion protester was killed by Drake in front of a school. My personal opinion is that these actions are equally horrific, and equally unforgiveable. The tenor of political discussion is taking on a dangerous quality and people are getting killed. The Us against Them mentality seems to get more deeply ingrained by the day. I, for one, intend to dial my own rhetoric back a few notches.
I don't feel it's going to do any good to suggest Drake isn't One of Us. That he's not ours. Maybe he was. Maybe he wasn't. But insomuch as I had a shared disdain for the victim's actions, and insomuch as his actions in the eyes of those who sided with his victim are politically motivated, and insomuch as it has the appearance of political motivation...I feel compelled to condemn the actions as politically motivated.
Thanks to pontechango for the link to this vid by Rachel Maddow
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...
Update [2009-9-12 18:6:10 by Muskegon Critic]:
Comment from mjd in florida
I found out yesterday, on this site, that Jim was murdered from a random link to the NY Times. "He was a relative through marriage". He was a Vietnam Vet, a spousal abuser, (physical and verbal), drug/alcohol addict and non-supportive, threatening father and in-law for many, many years. After the eventual divorce, in the mid to late 80's, he found saving fetuses as his means for atonement. The ex-wife was back-ended and died instantly (pushed into a dump truck) 8 years ago and the middle child of their 5 children died of diabetes shortly afterwards. He has 4 surviving children and 5 grandchildren...some of them renewed relationships and some were estranged. It is similar to the reaction from the Owosso community. Jim, always pushed the bar through his entire life. He could be engaging or verbally abusive. (he always got along with my immediate family and would explain his actions as his salvation...to each their own) This is a extremely difficult time for my relatives as they have suffered much tragedy and the national coverage is harmful for them. (can we turn it off?) The cross-country, semi-driving shooter just went off for some unknown reason and picked three local people that irritated him. He was far from a liberal and wasn't part of a anti-pro-life conspiracy. The 2nd man murdered was high school friends with my older brothers and one of my classmate's brothers. It is speculated that the shooter's mom used to work for one of his two businesses years go. The 3rd man, a real estate agent, supposedly didn't treat his mom right in some deal. The shooter snapped for some reason and it wasn't tied to any one issue. Thanks for listening and pray for all of the families and their privacy. love, mjd (neither Mary Lou or Jim remarried so maybe they found some peace together in the yonder world)
Thanks for the comment mjd in florida.
I must say...there's been a lot of interesting discussion on many different sides of this. The intent of the diary was to speak to the anti-abortion people who may feel the world has become more dangerous for them. I sincerely hope not, as much as i disagree with their position and the violence of some of their more extreme members. I want to communicate that I, and probably most progressives, would roundly condemn acts of violence against anti-abortion activists. Judging from many comments below, a large number share this sentiment.
And now...I'm heading out because my sister just had a baby! So don't be offended if I don't read/respond to your comments.