Kermit Gosnell, butcher, was found guilty today on three of four counts of murder, and of involuntary manslaughter of a woman whose abortion he botched.
Good. Since it would serve no purpose to try expressing the depths of my contempt for the man, let it suffice to say I am glad to read of this verdict.
But there is something more I want, and I’ve said it already.
[O]ne reason I hope this story gets lots and lots of attention, in Pennsylvania if not the nation as a whole, is that I hope many, many, many people lose their jobs. I hope some are brought to trial for their own negligent, incompetent and/or indifferent contribution to the mutilation and murder of women and infants. I hope that the brightest glare of media scrutiny shines on every single person who was charged with overseeing the practice of medicine in that city and state, and that a full accounting of their failures is made.
If you click the link in my first paragraph, you will read a litany of regulatory failures. I find them both utterly baffling and utterly disgraceful. I want to know who was responsible for them, and if they are also facing legal penalties of some sort.
Women entrusted their lives to this monster, and they did so assuming the state was doing its job to remove from practice those who were flagrantly untrustworthy. The state, in the form of its employees, failed, and failed miserably. I am pleased by the Gosnell verdict, but not satisfied. Someone else is responsible for allowing his crimes to continue for decades, and deserves a fair portion of attention and shame, as well.
So let’s have it, Pennsylvania. What else do you have? Today’s verdict is a good start, but don’t think the work is done.
Totally agree, Russell. I’m delighted this man will face penalty for his crimes; and the folk who should have been overseeing his work but didn’t should also be called to task.
This:
Regulation is a source of security, despite the oft-touted mantra, “regulatory insecurity.” Good regulation helps prevent BP from dumping millions of gallons of oil and toxic chemicals into the Gulf of Mexico, it prevents large banks from gambling with the economy, it helps assure that tasty dinner won’t make you sick.
I couldn’t even read the stories about this awful man.
Probably a wise choice.
It’s so sick. And sad. I just want to punch him in the face and take all of the unwanted babies to my house to cuddle them. I’m going to need a bigger house.