Agree to stamp out domestic terrorism

June 14, 2009 07:47 am

— An abortion doctor. A security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Museum. And an Army private.
George Tiller. Stephen Tyrone Johns. Pvt. William Long.
The three men would seem to have little in common.
They share a bond -- death by hate.
Tiller was gunned down inside a church, apparently by an anti-abortion radical. Johns was killed by an 88-year-old racist, while Pvt. Long was shot by a 23-year-old American man who converted to Islam after the 9/11 attacks.
Different motives drove these killers, but they share a seething hatred fueled by unwillingness to accept the collective will of the American people. Our laws define how our society will operate. Our laws define our rights.
Americans of the Islamic faith have spent years trying to distance themselves from perceptions perpetuated by the outrageous and evil conduct of terrorists. The pro-life movement now must deal with the same stigma, apparently thanks to the murderous actions of 51-year-old Scott Roeder.
The stain of hate is our nation's problem.
We rightly celebrated the peaceful change of power that accompanied the election of President Barack Obama. Months later, the lunatic fringe is stirring and seeking to undermine the democratic process by exploiting freedoms Americans hold most dear.
The battle against domestic terrorists may be every bit as difficult as the struggle against enemies abroad. Domestic terrorists pose a unique threat because they may cloak their actions in the garments of true patriotism.
Americans can disagree on political and moral issues, such as abortion. Under the big tent of America's free and open society, there is room even for those whose views most find abhorrent. Americans, of all political and religious views, can and should work together to stamp out the brand of hatred that has spawned this intolerable spate of senseless violence.