The Leaven, March 27, 2009
Friday’s The Leaven (newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas) published a nearly half-page picture of Dr. George Tiller with the caption “Abortionist on Trial: Notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller faces criminal charges.”
A smaller picture at the bottom of the page showed Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius holding a T-shirt, “Trifecta 2006: Sebelius, Parkinson, Morrison.” This picture of Dr. Tiller and Gov. Sebelius was taken at a dinner at Cedar Crest, the governor’s mansion, when Gov. Sebelius hosted Dr. Tiller and 20 of his clinic staffers.
The two page one articles included:
“Tiller trial seen as day of reckoning” and
“Archbishop, pro-lifers contest governor’s claim to pro-life credentials.”
The first p. 1 article was continued on p. 4 with the title “Tiller accused of improper financial relationship.” Also on p. 4 (the other half page) was an article “Tiller campaign cash greases political wheels.”
The second p. 1 article was continued on half of p. 5 with the title “Record one of ‘uncompromised support’ of abortion.” Also on p. 5 (the other half page) were two web sites displays with the caption: “Opposing web sites have been established alleging Catholic support and opposition to Sebelus.
The page 2 column (about 3/4 page) by Archbishop Joseph F Naumann was titled:
“Governor’s claim of reducing abortions deserves closer scrutiny”
Here is a link to an earlier column by Archbishop Naumann from March 20:
Archbishop responds to questions concerning Sebelius nomination.
A PDF of the entire March 27, 2009 issue is online here.
Tiller was aquitted on Friday in Wichita of misdemeanor charges related to an improper legal/financial relationship with another “independent” doctor, who would independently certify whether a mother would suffer permanent and irreversible physical harm if a late-term abortion were not performed.
In 2007 Attorney General Paul Morrison dismissed late-term abortion charges against Dr. Tiller brought by Attorney General Phill Kline, but replaced them with weaker charges. The acquittal in Wichita yesterday was for these weaker charges, and the case did not directly address alleged illegal late-term abortions.
Both A.G. Morrison and A.G. Six interpreted Kansas Law to allow late-term abortions regardless of the reason given by the two independent doctors, or regardless of their medical credentials. This was one reason the case never addressed the legality of the late-term abortions, but only some secondary financial/legal business relationships.
KFL Executive Director, Mary Kay Culp, commented in today’s Kansas City Star:
“This is far, far, far from over,” said Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life.
Culp, who lives in Johnson County, said one Board of Healing Arts complaint was filed by a Topeka woman who alleged she was never given a second opinion when she had an abortion at Tiller’s clinic.
This Topeka woman also gave her shocking testimony to a special legislative committee in late Summer 2007, an recently to a large group in Johnson County.
A press release from yesterday from the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts:
For Immediate Release
Kristi Pankratz, Public Information Officer
March 27, 2009Disciplinary Petition Against George R. Tiller, M.D.
The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts continues to move forward with a disciplinary petition the Board filed against George R. Tiller, M.D., Wichita, in December 2008.
The petition filed includes 11 counts, alleging violations of the Healing Arts Act. Violations alleged include performing an abortion on a fetus that was viable without having a documented referral from another physician not legally or financially affiliated with him; unprofessional or dishonorable conduct or professional incompetency; and commitment of acts likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public.
A pre-hearing conference will be scheduled which will then be followed by a hearing with a presiding officer. No dates have been scheduled at this time. Following the hearing, the presiding officer will issue an initial order. That initial order will then be reviewed by the Board of Healing Arts, who will then issue a final order regarding whether or not to take disciplinary action against Dr. Tiller. Disciplinary action could include revocation, suspension, fines or other limitations. …
Dr. Tiller’s legal troubles are not yet over.
The Tiller-Sebelius political relationship might be a topic of discussion during her Senate confirmation hearings next week.
Related:
- Sebelius and Abortion, Kansans for Life
- Jury finds abortion doctor not guilty on 19 charges, Kansas City Star, March 28, 2009.
- Tiller Wins Jury, But Board Moves to Remove License & Sebelius Signs Bill, Kansans for Life, March 27, 2009.
- Abortionist on Trial, The Leaven, March 27, 2009. Other articles in same issue:
- Tiller trial seen as day of reckoning (p. 1)
- Archbishop, pro-lifers contest governor’s claim to prolife credentials (p. 1)
- Governor’s claim of reducing abortions deserves closer scrutiny (p. 2)
- Till campaign cash greases political wheels (p. 4)
- Tiller declared ‘not guilty’ on all counts, Kansas Liberty, March 27, 2009.
- Jurors Acquit Kansas Doctor in a Late-Term Abortion Case, New York Times, March 27, 2009.
- Summary of Gov. Sebelius, Dr. George Tiller, ProKanDo PAC information, Kansas Meadowlark, March 3, 2009.
- Kathleeen Sebelius and Three Catholic Archbishops Battle Over Culture of Life, Kansas Meadowlark, March 2, 2009.
- 1000 in Overland Park Hear About Forced Late-Term Abortion As Kansas Laws are Ignored, Kansas Meadowlark, Feb. 15, 2009
Tags: Culture of Life, George Tiller, Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, Kathleen Sebelius
