Wash. Times Publishes Two Op-Eds From Anti-Choice Activist Terry

Terry: GOP Must “Hold The Funding Bill Hostage Rather Than See Money Go To The Nation's Largest Consortium Of Child Killers.” In a February 22 Washington Times op-ed, Terry advocated for defunding Planned Parenthood by using the political battle over government funding bills “as a 'teaching moment' to expose the evils of Planned Parenthood (such as protecting pedophiles and pimps) as well as highlighting the warped ethics of the senators who support Planned Parenthood.” Terry continued:

[A] group of Republican House members - probably 30 to 35 would do the trick - must inform Mr. Boehner that they will not vote for any final continuing resolution that comes out of the conference committee if it restores funding to Planned Parenthood.

In other words, they must hold the funding bill hostage rather than see money go to the nation's largest consortium of child killers. Such an act will require courage and the expenditure of significant political capital from those members of the House. [Washington Times, 2/22/11]

Terry: Politicians Who Do Not Vote To Defund Planned Parenthood “Have Betrayed The Unborn.” In a March 10 Washington Times op-ed, Terry told GOP politicians: “We expect you to defund this criminal syndicate, and to not pass a Continuing Resolution unless it completely defunds Planned Parenthood and all child killing in Obamacare.” Terry further wrote:

The moment of truth is here for the pro-life movement. This moment will either be a “Waterloo” for Planned Parenthood or for us.

To give a more earthy perspective: Is the anti-abortion movement a viable political force with clearly stated and achievable political ends? Is it a movement to be feared and defied only with severe political consequences? Or is it a political mistress - the ditsy bauble hanging on the arm of GOP sugar daddies in the campaign season, then ignored without penalty? Or worse, is the pro-life movement a political streetwalker that is knowingly being bought and sold and defiled for the money and power of our political pro-life pimps in Congress?

This moment of truth will arrive shortly in a shiny black SUV. The problem is that we cannot discern if that black SUV is a government-issued security vehicle for a GOP leader, a tricked-out pimpmobile or if they are one and the same. [Washington Times, 3/10/11]

Terry Has A History Of Extreme Rhetoric And Actions

Terry Reportedly Said Of CO Abortion Provider: "[P]ray That This Family Will Either Be Converted To God Or That Calamity Will Strike Him." On the February 2, 1992, edition of CBS' 60 Minutes (accessed via Nexis), Lesley Stahl reported: “While Terry insists he has never committed any violent acts himself, this footage, taped by the staff of the Boulder Abortion Clinic in Colorado, shows him asking his followers to pray for either the salvation or the death of the clinic's doctor.” 60 Minutes then aired video of Terry stating, “But pray that this family will either be converted to God or that calamity will strike him.” Stahl added, “The doctor he's talking about is Warren Hern, who runs the clinic. He's been a major target of pro-life groups for years because he's one of only three doctors in the country who specialize in late-term abortions.” [CBS' 60 Minutes, 2/2/92, accessed via Nexis]

Terry Reacted To The Murder Of Dr. George Tiller By Claiming “He Reaped What He Sowed.” In a press conference held after the murder of abortion provider Dr. George Tiller in 2009, Terry claimed Tiller “reaped what he sowed,” then reportedly invited reporters to buy him beer and chicken. From Salon:

But right-wing reaction to Tiller's murder actually got a lot crazier than that on Monday. “The pro-life movement, and pro-life leaders, are not responsible for George Tiller's death,” said Randall Terry, the now-ousted founder of Operation Rescue, which blocks access to abortion clinics around the nation, at his own press conference later in the day. “George Tiller was a mass murderer and horrifically, he reaped what he sowed.” The reporters in the room sat in stunned silence for almost 10 seconds, before I asked him if he was blaming Tiller for his own murder.

“The man who shot him was responsible,” Terry said. A few minutes later, though, he made it pretty clear what he really thought. “The whole point of this story should be, in part, what did George Tiller do that was so horrifying that it drove this man to that extremity?” If Mahoney's news conference seemed like a desperate attempt to keep blame away from the pro-life movement, Terry's just seemed like a desperate grab for attention. Once he wrapped up, he invited reporters to buy him a beer and some snacks -- “I like Guinness, for those of you who want to have a beer somewhere; I prefer my chicken wings really hot, and a little crispy.” [Salon, 6/2/09]

Terry Nearly Arrested While Stabbing Baby Dolls In Health Care Protest. During the health care debate, in August 2009, Terry was reportedly “nearly arrested...while standing outside a federal courthouse stabbing baby dolls, because he hadn't obtained the proper permits for the demonstration.” [Salon, 8/24/09]

Terry: “To Refuse To Filibuster [Sotomayor] Is To Bow In Abject Obedience To The Angel Of Death.” As Think Progress reported, in 2009, Terry “announced a twelve-city tour intended to convince senators that '[t]o refuse to filibuster [then-Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor] is to bow in abject obedience to the Angel of Death.” A flier promoting the event featured a skull superimposed over an image of Sotomayor:

[Think Progress, 6/6/09]

Terry's Organization Held A Competition For “Creating A Video Of Nancy Pelosi And Harry Reid 'Burning In Hell.'” In 2009, Terry's organization held a “competition for creating a video of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid 'burning in hell' for their part in forcing us to pay for murder.” According to the press release, “Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are like hardened criminals; they are bent on 'holding a gun' to American taxpayers, and stealing our money to force us to pay for the murder of babies under so-called 'health care.” The release recommended: "[I]f under 18, do not burn Nancy Pelosi in effigy unless your mom or dad is with you, and gives you permission." The release further stated: "[R]emember: this is not a threat to Nancy Pelosi's or Harry Reid's person...it is a prophetic witness of what awaits them when they die if they do not repent for this horrific sin." Think Progress noted that “Randall also recorded a video demonstrating how to burn an effigy of Pelosi and Reid, telling the audience that 'Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid will be waiting in Hell!'” [Christian News Wire, 10/26/09; Think Progress, 10/27/09]

Terry Hung Sen. Graham In Effigy For Supporting Nomination Of Elena Kagan. In 2010, Terry announced a tour of four cities in order to “burn, hang, or beat [South Carolina Sen.] Lindsey Graham in effigy for his recent vote for Elena Kagan.” In a press release, Terry is quoted as saying:

“If a man brings the enemy into your camp, he is helping the enemy; when he helps the enemy, he has become the enemy, and must be treated as such. Mr. Graham has betrayed God and innocent babies; we must treat him as a fraud and a traitor from this moment forth.

”On a lighter note, since Mr. Graham uses babies as pawns in his game of politics, we will play some 'games' in front of his offices, such as 'pin the flip-flop' on the donkey, and beating a Graham piñata. We promise - it will be a lot of fun." [Christian News Wire, 6/22/10]

Terry Warned Of “Acts Of Violence” If Congress Passed Health Care Reform. In a 2009 press release, Terry warned that Congress “cannot order people to pay for the murder of babies, and betray God Himself, without horrific consequences.” From the press release:

It is clear that many elements in the pro-abortion congress and White House want to force Americans to pay for the murder of the unborn in their “healthcare” program.

If that happens, it is tantamount to the government putting a gun to taxpayers' heads to pay for the brutal murder of an innocent child. This is tyranny and evil of the highest order.

“Please understand: neither I, nor any thinking person wants the convulsions that would inevitably come from such a government policy -- the decision to force Americans to pay for the murder of their neighbor.

”Nevertheless, the sheer horror and frustration of such an evil policy will lead some people to absolutely refuse to pay their taxes. And I believe -- if my reading of history from America and around the world is correct -- that there are others who will be tempted to acts of violence.

“If the government of this country tramples the faith and values of its citizens, history will hold those in power responsible for the violent convulsions that follow.” [Christian News Wire, 6/21/09, emphasis added]

Terry And Supporters Destroyed Copies Of The Quran. In 2010, Terry led a group of activists to protest outside during the White House. During the event, one of the protesters reportedly ripped pages out of a copy of the Quran, because, according to Terry “the charade that Islam is a peaceful religion must end.” Following the protest, Terry announced a series of events in which would hold “large posters printed with the words of the Quran” then “1) tear the passages, 2) crumple them up and throw them in a garbage bag, or 3) just laugh at them.” [Talking Points Memo, 9/11/10; Christian News Wire, 9/24/10]