eBay Bans Terrorist Auction

I have never bought or sold anything on eBay. I didn't have anything against them. It's just not how I like to make my purchases. But I have to admit, my estimation of the site has gone way up since their refusal to host an auction for terrorist-murderer Scott Roeder's defense.

As you know, Roeder (pictured) is the anti-abortion nut that murdered Dr. George Tiller in his church. Roeder is one of those violent people that believes if you don't agree with him, he has the right to commit a violent terrorist act (up to and including murder). He is now sitting in jail awaiting trial.

When he committed the murder, the anti-abortion movement was quick to distance themselves from his actions. I think most of us knew that wasn't really how they felt, and now they are beginning to show their true colors.

The anti-abortion terrorists decided to raise money for Roeder's defense -- they want him to claim it was a justifiable homicide. They decided to help raise the money by holding an auction on eBay. Among the items to be auctioned were a cookbook written by a woman in jail for arson on a clinic, some drawings done and autographed by Roeder and an Army of God manuel on how to shut down clinics providing abortions.

Dr. Tiller's widow and family were naturally horrified at the prospect of this macabre auction. They wrote to eBay saying, "These materials contain hate messages, glorify violence against abortion doctors who provide constitutionally protected medical services, and instruct on means of violence, including bombing of abortion clinics. We urge you to deny access to the resources of eBay for this reprehensible and vile 'auction'."

eBay must have already been disturbed by the prospect of the auction, because they banned the auction on the same day of the Tiller family's request. They said, "Based on the details we know about the anticipated listings, we believe these would violate our policy regarding offensive materials. eBay will not permit the items in question to be posted to the eBay site, and they will be removed if they are posted."

Of course, the anti-abortion terrorists are upset with eBay's decision. Regina Dinwiddie, a supporter of Roeder, had the gall to say, "They're not only chilling the first amendment of the Constitution, they're raping the whole Constitution." That's a ludicrous statement.

No one is denying these sick people the right to say whatever they want in defense of their murdering cohort. But there is nothing in the Constitution that says eBay must help them spread their hateful message. eBay is a private entity, and can do as they please.

I applaud eBay's decision to come down on the side of common decency and ban this auction.