This year, like so many others, has been full of horrific, domestic terrorism including bombings, shootings, hostage events and more. These events, coupled with the recent tragic events in Paris and abroad, have made Americans rather uneasy, to say the least.
While many of us were gathering together with friends and family to celebrate life and all that we hold dear, tragedy struck once again. Â Â
This time, the shooter was a 57-year-old man who had an agenda it seemed — an agenda that took the lives of three people and injured nine. Robert Lewis Dear was eventually cornered after a long shootout and standoff at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado. He was taken into custody for what is being called by many, a direct attack on women receiving health-care services.
Although information about Dear and this horrific event is still unfolding, Vicki Cowart, president of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said the shooter was, “motivated by opposition to safe and legal abortion.”
Amongst those killed was a police officer, Garrett Swasey, who was also a former champion figure skater, assistant pastor at his church, husband and father. A United States Army veteran Ke’Arre Stewart, 29, also a husband and father, and Jennifer Markovsky, 35, a stay-at-home mother of two, were also both killed in the attack.
President Obama made a statement noting that this was not normal and that something had to be done regarding gun control in this country.Â
This is not the first time that a Planned Parenthood clinic has come under attack. According to the National Abortion Foundation, since 1977, there have been eight murders, 17 attempted murders, and 42 bombings. In addition, there have been 186 arsons and thousands of other incidents involving vandalism and threats.
Although it has not been confirmed, a recent video released by the California-based Center for Medical Progress, which showed Dr. Savita Ginde, vice president of Denver-based Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, talking about prices of aborted fetal remains, may have spawned the violence.
Since the release of the video, threats against abortion clinics all over the country have increased. This includes death threats to one of the doctors associated with Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
Why Killing is Never a True Pro-Life PositionÂ
I
believe that all human life holds value and that taking the life of another human being for the sake of this belief would be not only hypocritical but also flat-out wrong. How could I say on the one hand that I am pro-life, and turn around and kill someone who may not hold the same belief as me? It just doesn’t make any sense.
Some are calling this most recent tragedy an issue with gun control, including our president. However, it is likely that no matter what gun control laws are in place, guns will still find their way into the hands of unstable people with a “terrorist” mentality. Remember, people kill people, not guns!Â
No matter what your position is on abortion or other highly contentious subjects, there is a right way to protest, a right way to be heard. A way that does not involve the taking of life, but rather the preservation of life.
Here are just a few constructive ways you can get your voice heard.
- Attend organized peaceful demonstrations.
- Write a letter to elected officials sharing your viewpoint.
- Encourage your church and other organizations to get involved.
- Join a social media activism campaign.
- Contact your congressman or congresswoman.Â
Whatever you do, don’t sit on your frustration, it will build up over time. Even if you just take the time to sit down with a friend and speak about what is on your mind, you will immediately feel a sense of relief.
Also, keep in mind that while everyone is entitled to their opinion and we all feel passionate about certain things, our focus should always be on educating others, not forcing thought or action through evil.
I think that Martin Luther King put it best when he said this,
Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that.
Hate multiplies hate,
violence multiplies violence,
and toughness multiplies toughness
in a descending spiral of destruction…
The chain reaction of evil —
hate begetting hate,
wars producing more wars —
must be broken,
or we shall be plunged
into the dark abyss of annihilation.Â
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Strength to Love, 1963
—Susan Patterson
Susan is the Content Director at The Alternative Daily, a Certified Health Coach, Certified Metabolic Typing Advisor and Master Gardener. With an extensive knowledge of whole foods and wellness, Susan enjoys educating others on how to live healthy and sustainable lives. She presently lives off grid in the middle of the New Mexican high desert with her three children and numerous animals.
Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/29/us/colorado-planned-parenthood-shooting
