Conservative Pundits Accused Of Stoking Right Wing Violence

By Justin Duckham-Talk Radio News Service

There are growing concerns that the rise in right-wing violence throughout the U.S., symbolized by the pro-life motivated murder of physician George Tiller and the shooting at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum by an avowed white supremacist, is linked to the recent spike of inflammatory rhetoric in the mainstream media.

“We are facing a very toxic environment that, from our position, seems as though it will probably breed quite a bit more [domestic] terrorism,” said Heidi Beirich of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) during a panel discussion along with representatives from a number of advocate groups.

Beirich paid special note to the increase in radical anti-immigration groups, the numbers of which have risen by over 300 according to the SPLC. Beirich attributed the rise to pundits like CNN’s Lou Dobbs along with the sinking economy.

Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, argued that Fox News Commentator Bill O’Reilly, who had compared Tiller to a Nazi during his television show the O’Reilly Factor, should tone down his rhetoric in light of Tiller’s murder. However, Keenan doubts this change will take place.

“He shows no change, he shows no sign of changing his rhetoric, and he shows no sense of wanting to accept responsibility for what he has said over many, many shows,” Keenan asserted.

Updated hate crime legislation has recently passed through the House and will soon face the Senate. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced his support for the bill Tuesday.