Two recent killings in the United States have drawn significantly different public reactions.

People can draw their own conclusions, but it is interesting to note the different reactions and level of public concern about the murder of Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller and the murder of Army Pvt. William Long, who was killed while standing outside an Army-Navy recruiting office in Little Rock, Ark.

The murder of Dr. Tiller occurred Sunday in a Wichita church. The man charged with his murder is said to have had a record of anti-government activity and been a militant opponent of abortion.

The man accused of killing Pvt. Long has been identified as a Muslim on a mission to “kill as many people in the Army” as he could. He targeted soldiers “because of what they had done to Muslims in the past.”

The murder of Tiller, who is said to have performed thousands of late-term abortions, triggered numerous gatherings of mourners, candlelight vigils and major news coverage.

The murder of the Army private, who had not seen combat, got a few headlines. His accused killer has been pictured and his Muslim connection prominently mentioned, but there have been few, if any, signs of public vigils or candlelight gatherings of mourners holding hands to show their abhorrence of the killing.

It is obvious that individuals have various levels of concern and varying reactions to similar events, depending on who is involved in similar actions and the value of one life over another.