Crackpots are responsible for their own actions

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This is a reply to Del Wasso’s comments on the murder of Dr. George Tiller. Recently, while going through the opinion archives, I came across your letter on Tiller’s murder. I do agree that your letter does not actually condemn mainstream Christians. The way it was worded could lead to that conclusion.

Whether or not that was purposeful, I could care less. What concerns me is the conversation you are having with Andrew Kida. What concerns me is this accusation of right-wing terrorism versus left-wing terrorism.

I am a Christian and a moderate conservative by choice. I looked at Roeder’s background a bit, and his Web site is full of hatred of most mainstream conservative outlets. He hates Fox News and Bill O’Reilly. Also, being anti-abortion does not always make you a conservative. It was mentioned that other right-wingers have committed crimes, and they have no argument.

I also would like to point out that at about the same time, a Muslim convert in Oklahoma City went into a recruiting office and shot and murdered a U.S. soldier and critically wounded another for “crimes” against the Muslim world.

My point is this. Lunatics, murderers and crackpots usually have their own logic for committing their crimes. In my opinion, the only people who are guilty of the crime are the people who walked in and pulled the trigger.

To blanket their actions into a political point or ideology does a disservice to both liberals and conservatives who may disagree with each other on many things, but all agree that Tiller’s murder and the murder of police officers and soldiers are heinous and should be regarded with derision, no matter who you are or what you believe in.

What needs to be discussed are ways to spot these troubled people and deal with them before they take a life – not finger-pointing as to who has responsibility for them. They are responsible for their own actions and should pay the price accordingly.