Monday, June 1, 2009

Man Killed by His Own Reputation, Sez NBC News

This is not a post about the abortion debate. It's a post about language and how its subtleties can distort truth.

Dr. George Tiller was murdered yesterday. He was a provider of abortions and was somewhat controversial for providing late-term (but legal) abortions. Although it is suspected that he may have performed some later-than-legal abortions.

This is how NBC Nightly News reported on the murder.


Did you catch it? It was right at the beginning. "His notoriety cost him his life." Not a bullet. Not some crazed person who didn't agree with what Dr. Tiller did. Dr. Tiller himself caused his death. This is an irresponsible use of language.

I guess if I go murder Dick Cheney or Donald Rumsfeld they'll have a news report saying that they were magically killed by their own notoriety. I'd have nothing to do with it.
No matter what you think of this man and his actions, he did not kill himself and he did not bring his death upon himself. He was murdered.
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