Terrorism Calls for Anti-Terrorism Efforts

In her Jan. 4 column (“Where Does Free Speech End, Terrorism Begin?”), Robin Abcarian asks what can be done to stop anti-abortion terrorism.

I have some suggestions based on conversations with a man who once worked as an anti-terrorism specialist for the Israelis in Jerusalem. He established preventive measures to counter the Islamic jihad attacks on Jews and moderate Arabs.

One measure called for moving potential victims’ offices to upper floors of buildings. Metal detectors, bulletproof glass and bomb-sniffing dogs are also employed. Most important: alert, well-trained and armed guards who can and will apply deadly force, if need be, to patrol the premises.

Also, private agents infiltrated the jihad to get names and descriptions of potential hit men, which are then given to those who may be on a “hit list.” Here, the FBI should step up its investigation of fanatic anti-choice people to supplement private efforts, which pro-choice groups should be undertaking.

Some may say this shouldn’t be necessary in free and democratic America. But then, Israel is a free and democratic country, as was Germany when Hitler took over in 1932.

JAY HOFERR, Los Angeles

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The violence propagated by the anti-abortion zealots is not rendered to advance a religious message. Christians do not shoot up abortion clinics to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The extremists who take matters into their own hands and murder abortion doctors actually believe they are helping God out by doing so. We are not talking about sound individuals here.

Should the latest wave of violence be a reason for the Catholic Church to end its denouncement of abortion? Should the church reconsider its moral code in order to prevent any further violence?

The church has a responsibility to maintain its teaching of moral truth and at the same time advise its members to abstain from violence as a means of getting the point across. The church must become more involved in a peaceful solution to the differences. But the church cannot be held responsible for the actions of its members.

EUGENE AGUIRRE, West Covina

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There is no doubt Robin Abcarian is correct in labeling the murders committed by Paul Hill in Pensacola (Fla.) and those at the clinic in Brookline, Mass., as terrorist acts. But several of her arguments need addressing.

In the Dred Scott decision, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that something evil (slavery) could be legal. This error, after a costly and bitter struggle, was remedied by a constitutional amendment, and we are a better country as a result.

Many citizens believe the (almost) unrestricted right to abortion granted in the Roe vs. Wade decision also made legal an intrinsic evil, but fortunately the great majority of these folks also realize that evil cannot be overcome by evil.

ALBERT J. LEO, Ontario