The Kermit Gosnell trial has become something of a cause célèbre among the anti-abortion crowd. The more I think about it, though, the forced-birthers have no moral right whatsoever to use this as a tool to get more abortion restrictions on the books. Why? Because they continue to give succor to Cheryl Sullenger.
For those who don't recall, Sullenger is senior policy advisor for Operation Rescue and director of another religious right group, Kansans for Truth in Politics. Back in 1988, she and her husband pleaded guilty to attempting to blow up a San Diego abortion clinic. They served three years in prison. Incredibly, she told the judge she was actually trying to save lives. So that should have ended her career, right? Nope. She made her way to Kansas and has been a major player in the anti-abortion movement for two decades.
You'll also recall that Sullenger's number was found on the dashboard of Scott Roeder, the guy who murdered George Tiller. Sullenger later admitted she'd kept Roeder informed about Tiller's court dates. So in other words, Sullenger gave Tiller's information to a guy off the street. In my book, that makes her morally--if not legally--an accessory to murder. And yet, not only is she still on the payroll, she's still sought out for interviews.
So let me get this straight. These people are wringing their hands over a rogue abortion provider, while they continue to condone someone like Sullenger? Give me a break. Many of you know that I renounced the anti-abortion movement two years ago in part because of what I saw as a disturbing lack of respect for human dignity. One of my main concerns was Sullenger's continued employment with Operation Rescue. As long as this remains the case, as far as I'm concerned these people are throwing stones in a glass house.