News Copy, New York

King Michael Forgets The Free Press: A Disgrace

Azi asked Bloomberg a good question but King Michael doesn't have a sense of humor.

If Michael Bloomberg thinks Azi Paybarah is "a disgrace" for asking questions, then we're all a disgrace.

Robert George of the New York Post calls for disgraceful solidarity.

Someone has to remind the emperor that his boxer shorts are coming off.

When the emperor is a billionaire, a two-term mayor of New York City and a veteran of media/publishing -- it's kind of hard to feel sorry for the guy

He should borrow a page from former New York City Mayor Ed Koch ("How am I doing?").

Meanwhile, an Azi Fan Club has sprouted on Facebook ("Dis-Gracie Mansion") -- and we're all a disgrace.

Nothing Condones This Violence: Abortion Doctor Murdered

We're a nation of laws, not vigilantes.

Kansas Abortion Doctor Shot Dead At Church:  Reuters

I'm pro-life and the memory of a doctor being killed in 1996 still sickens me.

This is a battle for the courts, elections and legislative bodies.  The arguments are legal, ethical, scientific and not religious -- at least in terms of our laws and any universal meeting of the minds that might ever be found.

I will say the same thing I said back in 1996.

This sets any accepted pro-life movement back 30-40 years.  The radical religious right isn't learning, at least not to the point where it is preventing such violence, and the politicians on both sides of this issue will only continue to hide under their desks.

Nothing condones this violence.  Of course, rationalizing that over 35 years of legalized abortion hasn't constituted violence doesn't help the debate either -- but such vigilance in the defense of life is as ruthless a quick fix.  More than anything else, I'm saddened by today's killing of 67-year-old George Tiller.

It's not a time for any excuses, or rationalizing, though this column from Megan McArdle of The Atlantic seems to plays devil's advocate and then draws out another scenario ...

... The War on The War on Abortion.

UPDATE: More reactions and condolences expressed to the family of George Tiller (courtesy of Chris Slattery).