There is a word for Planned Parenthood’s role in this form of terrorism: complicity. Democrats in Congress must be held to account for their routine legislative defense of this organization, which should be stripped of all taxpayer funding as soon as possible. The pro-death atmosphere Cecile Richards’ outfit helps create continues to put Americans at risk. Have we learned nothing from these acts of terrorism? An all-male Supreme Court may have ruled that abortion is a constitutionally-protected right, even though our founding document is silent on the issue, but that supposed “right” is killing us right now. Granted, cutting off public funding for Planned Parenthood may not have prevented what happened at the Pulse nightclub, and it may not stop future atrocities. But it we can save just one life, not to mention the countless lives targeted by abortionists, it will be worth it.

It has also come to light that Mr Mateen registered to vote in his home state of Florida in 2006. When he did so, he proactively chose to align himself with the Democratic Party. It is therefore essential that elected Democrats and their powerful echo chamber of media supporters and boosters commence an important process of serious self-reflection and ponder why such a man was attracted to their political rhetoric and agenda. While the precise motivation for the rampage remains unclear, it is quite obvious that Mateen was overwhelmed by hatred for his fellow Americans. Tragically, this is the state of American politics, driven too often by Democratic politicians who cynically pit one group of Americans against each other for their own myopic advantage. The people killed in Orlando were victims of a terrorist attack. But they also need to be remembered as casualties of a society where hate has deep roots. It’s long past time for the Democratic Party, and the newspaper editorial boards who reflexively abet it, to stop scapegoating and demonizing millions of Americans — lest it continue to attract ruthless killers into its ranks. Hate is hate. Indeed, one might argue that Democrats’ toxic rhetoric is a form of violence unto itself. By committing to civility, and weighing their words much more carefully, Democrats may finally start to atone for the problem they’ve created. And if that saves just one life, it will be worth it.