Yep. We’re in a new political era as we move into what is looking to be a very violent century. Media types and political types who use hate and fear can get their ratings and votes but they could also trigger “fight or flight” modes in some who become alarmed enough at their over-the-top rhetoric. Its looking as if this is a prime example:
An early-morning fire at Planned Parenthood in Pullman Friday was arson, according to the Pullman Fire Department and the Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The fire, which started around 3:30 a.m., caused significant damage that may keep the health center closed for a month or more, Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Tanya Riordan said.
Karl Eastlund, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho, said in a statement, “This is an appalling act of violence towards Planned Parenthood, but unfortunately a predictable ripple effect from the false and incendiary attacks that fuel violence from extremists.”
FBI Special Agent Frank Harrill said federal agencies were involved because of the history of domestic terrorists targeting healthcare providers offering abortion services.
In 1996, a Planned Parenthood clinic in Spokane Valley was bombed. Four men were convicted in the blast.
Planned Parenthood’s Pullman health center offers abortion referrals but does not provide abortion services, according to its website.
Sadly, give the penchant of those seeking votes, hits and ratings to try and whip up hysteria, I fear we’ll see a lot more of this in coming years. Our trending doesn’t look good.
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.