Appearing on CNN, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) took offense at a statement issued by CEO of Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains, Vicki Cowart – who said that the clinic might have been targeted by an extremist – and stated that he would be expecting an apology if she was proved wrong.
Before police apprehended Robert Lewis Dear – who killed three and wounded nine at the women’s health clinic in Colorado – Cowart, released a statement saying, in part: “We don’t yet know the full circumstances and motives behind this criminal action, and we don’t yet know if Planned Parenthood was in fact the target of this attack. We share the concerns of many Americans that extremists are creating a poisonous environment that feeds domestic terrorism in this country. We will never back away from providing care in a safe, supportive environment that millions of people rely on and trust.”
However, Kinzinger felt offended by Cowart’s statement and immediately said, “Wait just a minute, hold on here. Why are we automatically assuming that this man is an extremist, a terrorist? I can understand why the majority of Americans would feel the urge to do that considering the current political situation in the world, but there is a more important question we need to be asking here: Was this man, perhaps, sent by God to punish Planned Parenthood for their sins?”
The GOP lawmaker was referring to the accusations that have arisen several months ago that Planned Parenthood was selling off aborted fetus parts. The public reacted explosively to the heavily edited videos showing what appeared to be organization employees negotiating the sale of aborted baby organs and body parts.
“And you know something? If it turns out that the man who is shooting up the Colorado clinic right now was actually sent by God directly to act as the blade of righteousness, I expect a public apology from Planned Parenthood. We’re in a bad situation already when it comes to civil liberties, the racial issue and a number of other social factors, and we don’t need prominent public figures adding gasoline to the fire,” the GOP lawmaker concluded.