To the editor:

I was horrified to hear Sunday of the murder of Dr. George Tiller, the medical doctor in Wichita who provided abortions. Regardless of one’s religious views, this is an act of pointless cowardice. Since the killer fled the scene, he obviously did not even have the courage of his own convictions.

So now it begins. Spokespersons for the lunatic right will say: “Of course we’re opposed to violence in all forms, but … ” Then will follow the usual litany of nonsense of how Dr. Tiller only brought this heinous act on himself (blame the victim); think of the human lives that will be saved because of this act of viciousness (none); we on the Right can’t be responsible for the moral outrage and insane acts of our converts (yes, you can because you egg them on); etc., ad nauseum.

When are the leaders of the religious right going to learn that frothing-at-the-mouth hatred of everything they disagree with is capable of inciting the lesser intelligent or more malleable among us to perform acts of fanaticism? It is time for them to accept responsibility for their own actions.