# Paul Hill, anti-abortion terrorist, scheduled to die in a few hours **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 3, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381 "2003-09-03T19:25:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/61 "2003-09-04T18:30:57Z")
Did I see correctly??? did the state of Florida give this guy a **press conference**??? I saw some footage, but wasn’t certain when it was from, him in a prison jumpsuit, surrounded by suits and microphones. If they gave him a press fucking conference after he’d become part of the DoC of Florida, I’d be hopping mad. Do **not** give this ijiot air time. He can write all the letters he’s allowed to, but affording an opportunity to go on camera w/his crap while part of the prison population pisses me off. (aside to **Jodi** : ix-nay on ax-tay = eft-thay talk, lest you invoke ibertarian-lay) ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/62 "2003-09-04T18:39:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Weirddave \* > \*\*We’re going to get esoteric here, but it’s an argument that I’m quite comfortable with. Executing someone like Hill is preferable to warehousiong him for 50 years in a prison because it relieves the financial burden of caring for him from the citizens of Florida. Why the hell should they pay upwards of $50K/ year if it’s agreed he will never see the light of day again? He’s abrogated his responsibility to live within the tennents of civilized society, why does society still have the responsibility to care for him? \*\* Well, I actually agree with you on something. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/63 "2003-09-04T18:44:07Z")
wring: I’m also surprised the guy was given a press conference. Even more stunning was that the conference continued even after the murderer called for others to “continue his work!” World Eater: Isn’t the financial burdern of imprisoning someone cheaper than the financial burden involved in actually getting to the execution? ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/64 "2003-09-04T18:47:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Weirddave \* > \*\*We’re going to get esoteric here, but it’s an argument that I’m quite comfortable with. Executing someone like Hill is preferable to warehousiong him for 50 years in a prison because it relieves the financial burden of caring for him from the citizens of Florida. Why the hell should they pay upwards of $50K/ year if it’s agreed he will never see the light of day again? He’s abrogated his responsibility to live within the tennents of civilized society, why does society still have the responsibility to care for him? \*\* Hill’s the exception to the rule, filing only the mandatory appeal, but how much does a capital case usually cost in Florida? Here in Texas it’s upwards of one or two million dollars. And I’ve never heard of it costing $50,000 per year to incarcerate someone - most estimates I’ve read put it between 20 and 30 grand per. Assuming he does 40 years that’s somewhere between $800,000 and $1.2 million. Even if executing him turns out to be a few hundred grand cheaper over the next few decades, I don’t see that as a significant enough difference to use financials to prove anything in this case. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/65 "2003-09-04T18:54:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*World Eater: Isn’t the financial burdern of imprisoning someone cheaper than the financial burden involved in actually getting to the execution? \*\* I believe you’re right. I wonder if some lifer would have been given an early release to make room for Hill. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/66 "2003-09-04T20:27:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*Where did I say or imply that I have walked in your shoes? I was not addressing the issue of wishing death on the recently executed murderer. I was, rather, addressing the issue of wishing torture on the man. That was my point about religion to the two people whose comments I quoted. > > Now are you clear on my very clear already posting? \*\* Yep, gotcha, sorry - I was just a little confused on your question as to poster’s religions… ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/67 "2003-09-04T22:22:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by graceland \* > **I’ve always wondered about the people standing outside our clinics waving signs, screaming and terrorizing frightened women as they walk into a very difficult choice. If they’re so concerned about children, why aren’t they adopting the ones warehoused in foster care? \** They are, for the most part, a bunch of fucking hypoctites and cowards. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/68 "2003-09-05T00:48:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \* > \*\*They are, for the most part, a bunch of fucking hypoctites and cowards. \*\* Say it isn’t so! I had assumed they were the proud adoptive parents of zillions and zillions of unwanted crack babies… ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/69 "2003-09-05T00:57:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blonde \* > \*\*Say it isn’t so! I had assumed they were the proud adoptive parents of zillions and zillions of unwanted crack babies… \*\* Sorry to shatter your illusions, Blonde. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gotterfunken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58956e/32.png) [@Gotterfunken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gotterfunken)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/70 "2003-09-05T01:32:39Z")
Don’t forget that this bastard shot and killed _two_ people–the doctor’s escort as well as the doctor himself. And he said that if there had been a cop at the clinic, as there usually was–and as he had expected there would be–he would have shot him too. I saw Hill’s “press conference” and it was sickening. He kept this bizarre smirk on his face (the same kind of smirk he had when he was arrested) throughout the whole thing, even while he was describing how he shot his victims multiple times. He kept going on about how God had placed him in Pensacola, and guided him to undertake his “mission.” No sense of remorse–he had convinced himself that the abortion doctors were just like Nazi concentration camp doctors, and that he was saving children’s lives. **Shiva** and **graceland** , I was going to school in Pensacola when Hill committed the murders. I remember it wasn’t too long after Dr. Gunn had been killed by another anti-abortion fanatic. I don’t know why Pensacola has drawn such crazies to it (though it’s important to note that many of these people, like Hill, are not locals). I really hope that Hill’s death doesn’t inspire any more lunatics to descend on your city. I don’t agree with the death penalty, and I don’t feel right gloating over somebody’s death–even though this prick certainly tempted me to revise my beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/71 "2003-09-05T02:41:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KGS \* > \*\*Oh, bullshit. I hope you’re not suggesting that there’s something laudable about the way he stuck to his beliefs this whole time. > > He’s a classic psychopath, pure and simple. There are thousands like him, remorseless murderers and terrorists and even child molesters. And while this particular psycho made a bit of noise before the system put him down, his delusional mentality is about as trivial as it gets. He’s nothing special. > > And he’s not even that fucking scary, not really. \*\* I chose my words carefully; not trivial does NOT assume laudable. Psychopaths are neither. Yes, he is special, and I am grateful for that; if he were common, I would be really scared. And if he doesn’t scare you, you are male or delusional. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/72 "2003-09-05T03:46:09Z")
I had forgot that he killed not only the doctor but also his bodyguard (there must have been some earlier threats for him to have had a bodyguard, I’m thinking?) That smirk really put a chill up my spine - and he is (um, WAS) scary…I simply do not recall another murderer being that damn smug before their execution. The psychos with the religious “voice” in their heads are quite dangerous, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/73 "2003-09-05T04:18:46Z")
No problem, Blonde. Well, actually, there is a problem. Those damned lunatics going around killing innocent people are a problem! ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/74 "2003-09-05T04:32:00Z")
Thank you, **Monty.** 😉 The good news is – tomorrow is FRIDAY! I kill Pit threads on a regular basis in precisely this manner - you just watch. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/75 "2003-09-05T05:41:02Z")
Hey **Blonde** , no serial thread-killers allowed, at least not in my OP. 🙂 > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by j66 \* > **Yes, he is special, and I am grateful for that; if he were common, I would be really scared.** His attitude’s a lot more common than you think. Except, many of them are smart enough to avoid committing crimes (i.e. murder) that will get them in trouble. Instead, they become CEO’s of corporations, or politicians, or Nurse Ratched-type people… Plus, Hill’s attitude is quite common among small type criminals. We just don’t give ALL criminals a nationally televized press conference. :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > \*\*And if he doesn’t scare you, you are male or delusional. \*\* Guilty on both counts. 😉 Well, the 2nd part is debatable, but a fair argument can be made for it… ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/76 "2003-09-05T10:43:46Z")
You know, I think this is what really bothers me about this whole thing. I do not have a problem with Hill being prepared to die for his beliefs. I _do_ have a problem with his making others die for his beliefs. My money’s on him finding the afterlife is not at all what he expected it to be. CJ ---
**Author:** ![Gotterfunken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58956e/32.png) [@Gotterfunken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gotterfunken)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/77 "2003-09-05T19:44:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blonde \* > **I had forgot that he killed not only the doctor but also his bodyguard (there must have been some earlier threats for him to have had a bodyguard, I’m thinking?)** In March of 1993, [Michael Griffin shot and killed Dr. David Gunn](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/abortviolence/stories/gunn.htm). After that, most abortion providers would only travel to Pensacola clinics wearing a bullet-proof vest and with an escort. Hill often spoke of how Griffin’s murderous act had inspired him to follow suit. He also knew Dr. Britten would be wearing a bullet-proof vest, so he shot him and his escort in the head. The escort’s wife was also wounded in the attack. > [@](#): > > \*\*The psychos with the religious “voice” in their heads are quite dangerous, IMHO. \*\* Absolutely. They’re so convinced that God is on their side, that there’s no way to reason with them. I consider them to be not much different in ideology than Osama bin Laden. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/78 "2003-09-05T19:55:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*wring: I’m also surprised the guy was given a press conference. Even more stunning was that the conference continued even after the murderer called for others to “continue his work!” \*\* I’m astonished. Who the hell footed the bill for that? why was it allowed? I don’t recall them affording Ted Bundy a press conference, or any of the hosts of other folks they’ve executed. damn good thing I’m not a Florida citizen, my reps ears would be burning. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/79 "2003-09-06T03:10:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KGS \* > \*\*Hey **Blonde** , no serial thread-killers allowed, at least not in my OP. 🙂 > Guilty on both counts. 😉 Well, the 2nd part is debatable, but a fair argument can be made for it… \*\* That’s how Blonde kills threads; the voice of sweet reason kills a good arguement faster than anything I know. I always feel compelled to take a fresh, hard look at people who make my skin crawl; stifle the instinctive response, find another angle to argue. (This is the way I look at non-representational art, too.) (Most non-representational art annoys the hell out of me, BTW.) One learns the most from pain, and this whole affair violates everything in which I believe. EXCEPT that Hill stood his ground. So how do I deal with that? The ONE aspect of this matter that does not disqust me fills me with dread, and real terror. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381/80 "2003-09-06T03:18:56Z")
**j66** - hell, yeah! I’m trying to recall whether I’ve ever seen a murderer scheduled for The Chair do the following: A) Express zero remorse B) Blither on about the reward they’ll receive in Heaven C) Invite others to replicate their deed D) Smile in that manner (AAAHHH!! Psycho alert!) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-hill-anti-abortion-terrorist-scheduled-to-die-in-a-few-hours/199381.md?page=5)