Just Yesterday Morning They Let Me Know You Were Gone

There were two murders that caught my attention this week.

George Tiller, a doctor in Kansas who was known nationally for his performance of late-term abortions, was murdered in his church by a deranged gunman. While I am appalled at the number of abortions (babies terminated) that this man performed (estimates put the number around 60,000) I am even more angered at the fact that this man was killed in a place of worship, a sanctuary for all sinners (anyone reading or writing this blog) to find the grace of God. I am shocked that his family and friends were there to watch it happen. And I'm dismayed that so many in the pro-choice (pro-abortion) crowd think that this type of action is a reflection on the feelings of the pro-life (anti-abortion) movement. All the same, this man's murderer likely has done tremendous harm to the cause he would claim to support. This story has been in the news, gets thousands of hits on Google, and the President has issued a statement about it.

Pvt. William Long, 23, was killed at an Army recruiting station in Little Rock, Arkansas on Monday. Another soldier was injured in the drive-by shooting; a suspect has been arrested. Pvt. Long had just finished basic combat training and was home helping with his local recruiting office before continuing his training and service. He took an oath to defend the Constitution, to obey the orders of the President and the officers appointed over him. He no doubt had a lot to look forward to. I used to play in the band for weekly graduation ceremonies at Ft. Benning, performing for thousands of soldiers and their friends and families. I could have played at this man's graduation were I still doing that job. Yet some nutjob gunned him down, here, at home, on our soil. It is tragic when we lose a soldier overseas in combat. How tragic is it when another American targets a soldier who isn't even serving in a combat zone? Who has no weapon, no body armor, no expectation that anyone nearby is dangerous?

This story has recieved much less media attention, though I can't imagine why. I'm still waiting for Pvt. Long's Commander-in-Chief to issue a statement.

UPDATE--JUNE 4, 2009: The President's statement on George Tiller, issued Sunday:

I am shocked and outraged by the murder of Dr. George Tiller as he attended church services this morning. However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence.

Now here is his statement about William Long, issued Wednesday (that's two days after the incident):

I am deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence against two brave young soldiers who were doing their part to strengthen our armed forces and keep our country safe. I would like to wish Quinton Ezeagwula a speedy recovery, and to offer my condolences and prayers to William Long's family as the mourn the loss of their son.