Wrath of angels : the American abortion war

Gary recommended this to me in 2012. In Des Moines, he said that Randall was protected and guided by angels. Part III "Operation Rescue" is on Randall Terry's early history. * * * Includes bibliographical references (p. [379]-384) and index This book traces the rise and fall of the anti-abortion movement in the US beginning with the events that led up to the Roe vs. Wade decision, a "true legal landmark of the post-World War II era" and the way Harry Blackmun's attempts to cut off debate failed and, in fact, led to the political mobilization of America's Christian fundamentalists. The second part of the book tells the stories of John O'Keefe, the "father of rescue"; Michael Bray, "the father of violence"; Joseph Scheidler, Francis Schaeffer, and Jerry Falwell, the "new militants; the "Battle of St. Louis"; John Ryan's obsession; and the events in Pensacola Florida featuring "Saint" John Andrews and Randall Terry. Part 3 is devoted to an explication of Operation Rescue, and part 4 covers the events in Wichita during the summer of 1991 and the culmination of anti-abortion wrath in the murders of abortion providers. The epilogue notes that these murders as well as a renewed wave of violence in the form of clinic bombings and arsons finally forced the federal government to respond with the FACE Act and spelled the eventual end of significant anti-abortion activism. It is also noted that although Operation Rescue failed to make any significant inroads into the number of abortions performed, increasingly improved use of contraception is causing the abortion rate to decline. The most potent impact of the anti-abortion movement was the political mobilization of the religious right Before Roe -- The struggle for Roe -- The father of rescue: John O'Keefe -- The father of violence: Michael Bray -- The new militants: Joseph Scheidler, Francis Schaeffer, and Jerry Falwell -- The battle of St. Louis -- John Ryan's obsession -- Pensacola: from Saint Joan to Randall Terry -- Street preacher: Randall Terry -- Blood guiltiness -- The siege of Atlanta -- Betrayal and breakup -- Wichita: summer of mercy? -- A time to kill Abortion has been at the emotional center of Americas culture wars for a generation. Ever since the Supreme Courts landmark Roe v. Wade decision, abortion has in many ways defined American politics, creating an ideological demilitarized zone between liberals & conservatives. Above all, the 25-year war over abortion has been responsible for the most significant social phenomenon of our timesthe political & cultural mobilization of Evangelical America. Furthermore, it's served as the lightning rod for the most intense & prolonged debate on the issue of separation of church & state since the founding of the nation. Now for the 1st time, in a compelling narrative, Wrath of Angels traces the rise & fall of the anti-abortion movement & reveals its critical role in the creation of the Religious Right. The book explores why the passionate battle to end abortion failed to achieve its goal & yet in the process became one of the most important & least understood social protest movements of the 20th century. The anti-abortion movement was the catalyst that convinced Protestant fundamentalists to end their long cultural isolation, leaving their pews for the streets. While they failed to change the law, they were transformed themselves, emerging as one for the most potent political forces in America at the end of the century. James Risen, an investigative reporter for the LA Times, & Judy L. Thomas, a reporter for the Kansas City Star, are widely acknowledged as the leading journalistic experts on the anti-abortion movement. Their narrative history captures all the drama of the abortion battles of the past 25 years & reveals how a movement with its roots in the Catholic lefts antiwar protests of the 1960s was gradually transformed into a rallying point for the newly muscular Religious Right. Wrath of Angels documents the origins of the use of civil disobedience in the anti-abortion movement & offers the definitive explanation of why the movement ultimately descended into violence& collapsed as a political force. It tells the story of the shootings of abortion doctors in the 90s & draws upon exclusive interviews with the anti-abortion extremists who have been convicted of these crimes. Anti-abortion activism represents the largest social protest movement since the 60s. With objective clarity, Risen & Thomas unleash the stormy wrath of angels, the volatile eruption of fundamentalist fury into American politics. This Book Traces The Rise And Fall Of The Anti-abortion Movement In The U.s. Beginning With The Events That Led Up To The Roe Vs. Wade Decision, A True Legal Landmark Of The Post-world War Ii Era And The Way Harry Blackmun's Attempts To Cut Off Debate Failed And, In Fact, Led To The Political Mobilization Of America's Christian Fundamentalists. The Second Part Of The Book Tells The Stories Of John O'keefe, The Father Of Rescue; Michael Bray, The Father Of Violence; Joseph Scheidler, Francis Schaeffer, And Jerry Falwell, The New Militants; The Battle Of St. Louis; John Ryan's Obsession; And The Events In Pensacola, Florida Featuring Saint John Andrews And Randall Terry. The Third Part Is Devoted To An Explication Of Operation Rescue, And Part Four Covers The Events In Wichita During The Summer Of 1991 And The Culmination Of Anti-abortion Wrath In The Murders Of Abortion Providers. The Epilogue Notes That These Murders, As Well As A Renewed Wave Of Violence In The Form Of Clinic Bombings And Arsons, Finally Forced The Federal Government To Respond With The Face Act And Spelled The Eventual End Of Significant Anti-abortion Activism. It Is Also Noted That Although Operation Rescue Failed To Make Any Significant Inroads Into The Number Of Abortions Performed, Increasingly Improved Use Of Contraception Is Causing The Abortion Rate To Decline. The Most Potent Impact Of The Anti-abortion Movement Was The Political Mobilization Of The Religious Right. Pt. I. Inception : Before Roe ; The Struggle For Roe -- Pt. Ii. Quickening : The Father Of Rescue: John O'keefe ; The Father Of Violence: Michael Bray ;the New Militants: Joseph Scheidler, Francis Schaeffer, And Jerry Falwell ; The Battle Of St. Louis ; John Ryan's Obsession ; Pensacola: From Saint Joan To Randall Terry -- Pt. Iii. Operation Rescue : Street Preacher: Randall Terry ; Blood Guiltiness ; The Siege Of Atlanta ; Betrayal And Breakup -- Pt. Iv. Wrath : Wichita: Summer Of Mercy? ; A Time To Kill. James Risen & Judy L. Thomas. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [379]-384) And Index. Wrath of Angels traces the rise and fall of the American anti-abortion movement and reveals its critical role in the creation of the Religious Right. The book explores why the passionate battle to end abortion failed to achieve its goal and yet in the process became one of the most important - and least understood - social protest movements of the twentieth century. Wrath of Angels documents the origins of the use of civil disobedience in the anti-abortion movement and offers the definitive explanation of why the movement ultimately descended into violence - and collapsed as a political force. It tells the story of the shootings of abortion doctors in the 1990s and draws upon exclusive interviews with the anti-abortion extremists who have been convicted in these crimes. Timed to coinicide with the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark Roe versus Wade decision legalizing abortion, this work discusses the subject of abortion and asks such questions as why did the Supreme Court decision generate a nationwide anti-abortion movement?