Debating the Murder of Late-Term Abortion Doctor George Tiller, GM's Bankruptcy

Our daily look at stories and topics that are lighting up the Internets:

The Death of George Tiller

Reports the N.Y. Daily News: "One of the nation's most controversial abortion doctors was gunned down Sunday in his Kansas church as he handed out programs for Sunday services." Tiller was one of three doctors in the U.S. who performed late-term abortions. Karen Tumulty gives the background to this story. Predictably, Tiller's murder is sparking debate and name-calling that's unusual (for the blogosphere). So let's get to it. First up: reactions from the left. Liberal Bonnie Erbe touches on two common themes, the first being downright shock and anger at the murder. The second theme accuses Tiller's killer and the pro-lifers whose rhetoric targeted the doctor of being domestic terrorists. In terms of incitement, many hands are pointing at Bill O'Reilly (video), who will address his critics tonight. Monika Bauerlein worries for the sake of women there's no one left to replace Tiller. Greg Sargent thinks the incident will help push the Sotomayor nomination along. Steve Benen thinks the killing is pretty clearly an act of terrorism. Andrew Sullivan agrees, writing: "The fusion of religion with politics is a dangerous, dangerous thing." In another post, he calls on the very conservative Michelle Malkin to clarify her thoughts on the matter.

The Right Reacts to Tiller's Death

A la Amy Sullivan: two sympathetic pro-life reactions to the death, and one not-so-sympathetic. A critic of Tiller defends himself: "Your reasoning suggests that we should not say the truth... If you want to blame someone for this, blame Moses. Moses said, 'Thou shall not kill.' What you're asking for is surrender and we will not do that." Conservative Dan McLaughlin responds to liberal reaction to the murder. "Even before anything was known about Roeder"—Tiller's alleged killer—"the left side of the blogosphere reacted to Dr. Tiller's murder as if it was Christmas morning and they just got a pony," he writes. Later, McLaughlin connects liberal outrage at the event to the lack thereof at Bill Ayers: "Now perhaps the people looking to make political hay over Roeder will extend some of their outrage to Bill Ayers' benefactor in the White House." His full post is available here. Conservative Kathryn Jean Lopez highlights one remark among many from the Internet's "wild forest of ridiculous comments about George Tiller's murder."

The Bankruptcy of GM

Swaraaj Chauhan gives us a little bit of history and a little bit of news on GM and today's bankruptcy filing. Barrett Sheridan explains why this isn't too big a deal for the broader economy. Conservative Iain Murray blames GM's luck on big government and big unions: "As for making cars Americans wouldn't buy, what they did was build cars that Americans would buy, but were forced by government to make other cars as well that Americans did not prefer to those of their competitors." Liberal Mickey Kaus thinks the government's $50 billion investment in GM is only just the beginning. Mary Kate Cary agrees. Marc Ambinder thinks opponents of bailouts need to settle down. Full text of this morning's speech by Obama available here. And Rosabeth Moss Kanter wishes she didn't have to own GM stock (as a taxpayer).

...Meanwhile...

Sarah Palin reveals the Middle Eastern location where Stephen Colbert was supposed to be secretly heading... Obama hits the Big Apple for date night with Michelle... Sasha Baron Cohen lands his crotch directly into an angry Eminem's face (video)... And the best of Late Night with Conan O'Brien (video).

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