I’m seeing some understandably overwrought press releases from pro-life groups dubbing James Pouillon, the protester who was murdered in Michigan a “martyr” and “hero.” If you read comments around the web, and some early commentary, folks are tying it to George Tiller’s murder earlier this year, on all sides of the debate, in one way or another. I’m also reading about his graphic photos — as if that’s justification for killing a man.

I think everyone needs to take a step back. An evil thing has been done. Period. At the moment, from reading the news reports, it’s not clear why. If he was killed because of his abortion protesting pro-lifers should be vigilant to not make the mistake abortion activists have: To conflate random criminal acts with a passionate movement, albeit one that does, in fact, end lives at their most vulnerable.

(I think, by the way, that the National Right to Life Committee’s response was a good one.)

Because the stakes are so high, and up is so down, emotions run high — this is all the more reason for those who defend human life be prudent and to always seek to elevate the conversation about human life and dignity. Murder must be condemned. Be careful about “warrior” and “civil war” talk.