from the Oct. 12, 2008 Chicago Sun-Times
BY ABDON M. PALLASCH AND CHRIS FUSCO
Sun-Times Staff Reporters
John McCain is hammering Barack Obama about his ties to Chicago educator Bill Ayers, co-founder of the Weather Underground, a group that used violence in the 1960s and 1970s to try to end the Vietnam War.
For a week now, the McCain-Palin ticket has been making Ayers an issue. And the attacks continued Friday, with an ad that calls Ayers the "leader of a terrorist group that bombed the U.S. Capitol." The ad also says "Obama's first campaign was launched at a gathering at Mr. Ayers' home."
Bill Ayers has declined to comment to the Sun-Times or any other media since Sen. Hillary Clinton first raised his name in the Democratic primary.
Who is Bill Ayers? Obama responds to ad tying him to '60s radical What did Obama know about Ayers, when?
But is everything the Republicans are saying true? Here's a look at the Obama-Ayers relationship.
1. Was Ayers the leader of a terrorist group?
The FBI labeled the Weather Underground "a domestic terrorist group" whose members took credit for bombings of the U.S. Capitol, Pentagon and other government buildings. The bombings were designed to cause property damage, not hurt people. Ayers never has been accused of killing anybody.
But three Weather Underground members accidentally killed themselves while making bombs in New York City in 1970. In 1981, two police officers and a security guard were killed when other members of the group committed an armed robbery.
2. How long was Ayers "underground"?
Ayers and his wife, Weather Underground member Bernardine Dohrn, were on the lam 10 years before surrendering in 1980.
3. Were they ever convicted of "terrorism" charges?
No. Ayers faced federal riot and bombing-conspiracy charges, but those charges were dropped because of illegal wiretaps, break-ins and mail interceptions by authorities. Dohrn served less than a year behind bars for non-bombing activities tied to the group.
4. How are Ayers and Dohrn viewed now?
At least before this campaign, they were mainly seen as respected college professors. After getting his doctorate in education at Columbia University, Ayers joined the University of Illinois, where he gained a national reputation pushing innovative -- some say controversial -- approaches to educating at-risk youth. Dohrn has a national reputation for pushing reforms of the juvenile justice system. Ayers has published 15 books. He sits on civic boards with Mayor Daley, who in 1997 awarded Ayers the city's "Citizen of the Year" award. Ayers and Dohrn live in Hyde Park, not far from the Obamas.
5. So how well do Ayers and Obama know each other?
Ayers and Obama served on separate boards associated with the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, an education-reform group that Obama began chairing in March 1995 and continued to work with through 2000. Ayers served on the Chicago School Reform Collaborative, which made recommendations to the board on grant awards during those years. Ayers and Obama occasionally would see each other in those roles.
Also, Ayers served alongside Obama between December 1999 and December 2002 on the board of the not-for-profit Woods Fund of Chicago. That board met four times a year, and members would see each other at dinners the group hosted.
The RNC's statement that "Obama's first campaign was launched at a gathering at Mr. Ayers' home" stems from a 1995 "meet-and-greet" coffee that Ayers and Dohrn held for Obama at their home when Obama was making his first run for the Illinois Senate. Obama's presidential campaign has described the event as an opportunity for Ayers and Dohrn to introduce Obama to their neighbors.
In 2001, Ayers gave $200 to Obama's campaign. A year ago, the two met walking through the neighborhood where they both live.
6. How does Ayers respond to the Republicans' charges?
He doesn't. He has declined to comment to the Sun-Times or any other media since Sen. Hillary Clinton first raised him as a potential problem for Obama in April during the Democratic primary.
7. What does Obama say about Ayers?
During a primary debate, Obama underplayed his relationship with Ayers: "This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood, who's a professor of English in Chicago, who I know, and who I have not received some official endorsement from," Obama said. "He's not somebody who I exchange ideas from on a regular basis. The notion that somehow, as a consequence of me knowing somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago when I was 8 years old somehow reflects on me and my values, doesn't make much sense."
8. Is it fair for McCain to criticize Obama on this issue?
Factcheck.org has this take: "Voters may differ in how they see Ayers, or how they see Obama's interactions with him. We're making no judgment calls on those matters. What we object to are the McCain-Palin campaign's attempts to sway voters -- in ads and on the stump -- with false and misleading statements about the relationship, which was never very close. And Ayers is more than a former 'terrorist,' he's also a well-known figure in the field of education."
9. Has Ayers ever apologized for what he did with the Weather Underground?
Not exactly. In 2001, Ayers told the Sun-Times he regretted that "people were hurt, that three of my dear friends were killed, that we were stupid, immature, intolerant and unwise. I regret that I hurt people's feelings." He did not regret "throwing myself as wholeheartedly as I could figure out into opposition to war and to the system of racial injustice."
A review of Ayers' memoir Fugitive Days that appeared in the New York Times on Sept. 11, 2001, quoted Ayers saying, "I don't regret setting bombs. I feel we didn't do enough." Three days after the terrorist attacks, Ayers clarified: "My memoir is, from start to finish, a condemnation of terrorism . . ."
10. Are all former alleged terrorists/radicals shunned?
No. Former IRA bomber Gerry Adams is welcomed at the White House as a peacemaker. Former PLO leader Yasser Arafat was too. Former Students for a Democratic Society member and Ayers friend Tom Hayden was elected to the California State Assembly. Former Black Panther Bobby Rush is a congressman representing Chicago, as is former Puerto Rican independence activist Luis Gutierrez.
Lynn Sweet is a columnist and the Washington Bureau Chief for the 
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Thank you for clearing this up. This is the first clear explanation of Ayers' past and present including his connection to Obama that I have seen since this whole attack strategy started and it is LONG overdue.
I'll be sharing this with other voters!
FactCheck.org is owned by Annenberg. Which means they have a vested interest in how Obama is portrayed to the public.
Obama and Ayers have more of a relationship than your misleading information is showing.
Obama has serious Socialist leanings which is why he and Ayers have known each other for years. They do in fact share the same idiologies.
Good piece Lynn.
I think Ayers is now fading away from the front line of the campaign because McCain didn't get any traction with the hit ads. That said, your point about guys like Adams and Arafat is a good one.
Oh C'mon....this is nonsense trying to white wash this guy. He only meant to destroy property, not to hurt people...LOL...what a crock. That makes him a nice guy then??? I'm amazed what people will try to pass off as rational. I'm scared when I see intelligent people being so devious.
Your article attempts to whitewash the connections between Obama and Ayers. It doesn't take too much inference and reading between the lines to determine that:
1) Obama and Ayers had in fact a very substantial relationship. What? You don't exchange views with people you sit on boards with? What exactly do you do, then , while sitting on a board with someone?
2) Obama has been disengenuous if not outright lying about his relationship with Ayers. Just from your information above it is clear that they had numerous contacts (perhaps hyndreds), and that these contacts involved pursuing programs they both agreed on. The point is they shared the same political philosopy in many regards.
3) Ayers and Dohrn introduced Obama to the group at their home. At a political event you sponsor and introduce someone you support, know well, and with whom you have close political agreement.
4) Factcheck.org is demanding that McCain and Palin not speak about a relationship that has extreme significance for the course that Obama would take as the leader of the United States. Obama's and Ayers political philosophy is one which is against American principles of due process, freedom and democracy. If you don't lie someone's ideas you just go and bomb them. It is a philosophy of class warfare and racial antagonism. Even now Obama says he wants to tax the rich and create more government entitlement programs for the 'poor'. His and Ayers' educational efforts were for installing an afrocentric curriculum in Chicago schools. This is an effort that is already discredited. It leaves Black school children even more behind the rest of the population in academic achievement.
5) Ayers is not only not reformed - he is unappologetic. He did, in fact attempt to bomb three private residences in Yonkers New York, where families were sleeeping. They failed to kill anyone because their efforts were inept. One of the intended victims, who was a child at the time, was on television just two days ago reporting on this event. Ayers certainly should have gone to jail for attempted murder but got off on technicalities. The victims certainly don't think this was justice.
6) Both Obama and Ayers need to admit the facts of their previous lives and appologize for them.
The reason this relationship is significant to the American people is because of the context of Obama's life. This is a man who has accomplished very little in his life except to run for political office, so in that context what he did whith Bill Ayers conctitutes a substantial part of his life's eforts. What else is there to point to?
I think most voters are tired of hearing the smear ads. All we want to know are the facts....then let us draw our own conclusions.
Both candidates need to realize that the voters are more interested in what they are going to do for this country than their perspective on what the other has done. Thanks for clearing up this issue.
efj - Southfield, MI
I appreciate the fact that you took the time to do this. I find it insulting when campaign's such as McCain's assume that the public is naive and uneducated & believe that making this type of connection will sway voters and distract us from what he is not teling us about himself and his goals (or non-goals). i hope this reaches many more voters.
great job
I knew I could count on the mainstream media to smear Obama at the last minute after supporting Obama over Hillary.
Well, let's just something straight--there's
really 12 THINGS to know about Ayers--
11. THEY DID NOT KILL ANYONE--and were very careful not to do so. There were warnings before bombs wen toff at all symbolic structures of oppression and genocide.
12. The violence of the state--another illegal "war" based on lies which was really just genocide--was way worse than any of the mere buildings Ayers blew up.
He is a hero.
This violence against buildings was used as an excuse to get rid of our civil liberties--but is it fair to blame Ayers for this?
I think from the tone of your article everyone is clear where you stand politically. Does not the very fact that Hilary Clinton originally brought up William Ayers in the first place demonstrate that this should not be a partisan issue? Are you so blinded by Obama-mania that nothing this man does concerns you?
And by the way William Ayers has NEVER repented of his past actions ("NOT EXACTLY???" - no, clearly he hasn't- even after the Oklahoma city bombings and September 11th, he would not admit his actions were wrong). Your lumping him in with Yasser Arafat, Tom Hayden, and Bobby Rush is just more proof of his despicable character - not a repudiation of his past, as you so ineffectively attempted.
You can hold your love fest for Obama and try to convince the ignorant masses that the character of the people he associates with has nothing to do with his own character, but those who can think for themselves know better.
This is very nice, I too will pass this information along.
Ayers still wants to radicalize school children and overturn the United States. His methods have changed but not his beliefs. The boards Ayers and Obama were members of gave money to far left groups. Many projects were deemed failures. Many never completed. Some of the funds were used to give Ayers friends from the weather underground jobs.
Since McCain seems to like to play connect the dots with past relationships, he might like to know that Walter Annenberg was a good friend to Ronald Reagan... the same one that seems to be the republican hero. I guess you could say that Ronny and Wally has ties to a domestic terrorist too.
I am amazed that anyone would put any thought into this last minute desperate attack by McCain. I started loosing respect for him after his choice of Palin and now stirring up hatred and ignorance at his rallies makes me feel sick.and ashamed at how it portrays our country to the world.Bush has already done such a terrible job at how we are viewed from the world. Just one more example of more of the same.
Hippie "Golden -- Oldie" and others think it is heroic to announce you are going to set off bombs. You really have to read more, or just think a little. Live in a little fantasy world where this stuff is similar to putting a flaming bag fo poop at a door, do you? Good for you.
For those not so inclined to think announcing a bombing is akin to being responsible: Have a chat with an Israeli about that; someone in Ireland around 1973-1982 or so.
This is what we are pinning our hopes on? People who write approving reviews of terrorists' memoirs, like Obama did??!!
Per number "9" above, it seems that Ayers is still something like who he was back then: a scatter-brain intellectual of the far left. Either he does regret things he did, or he does not. Geez, if someone is even unsure as to how they feel about setting off bombs that did main or kill INNOCENTS (not his pals, but the others), I would put him in the category of dirt-bag. Sorry.
I am tired of Obama's evasiveness. On this, on many things.
Oh I am so thankful this has been cleared up. I would hate to think that Ayers was out bombing to hurt people. It makes me feel better that he was bombing just to destroy property and government property at that. Who cares about government property? Who cares about those idiots that were part of his group that were killed accidentally while they were making bombs? I feel so much better that Ayers and Obama barely knew each other and don't share political ideaologies. Once again thanks for clarifying the situtation. I think what is totally clear is how our media is in the back pockets of politicians they agree with. Sounds like the media in some of those other socialist countries out there.
The article's writer didn't distinguish between repentant former terrorists and those not so when it referred to the issue of Obama going to the home of one of the latter for campaign help.
However, McCain tried to pull strings for a financial "terrorist"--Keating. McCain supports longer occupation of Iraq than Obama, which could fuel more terrorism against us and/or our troops.
Both need to oppose Israel's acts of war (land theft) against the Palestinians, Syria and Lebanon.
Why is it that no-one mentions that Mccain DID kill people, MANY innocent people, in Vietnam. Why is he considered a hero, while Ayers, at misguided zealot perhaps, is the terrorist? Not to say Ayers wasn´t terribly wrong in his thoughts and deeds at the time, but really...Mccain was actually a very successful bomber in a shameful war...has everyone forgotten how wrong that war was?
And how in the world can anyone accuse a young Obama of any wrong-doing thru professional association. Give me a break!
First, the Annenberg Challenge in Chicago (the board on which Ayers and Obama served along with many others) was not some 'radical' cause. Annenberg realized that the quality of education in this country was falling--and while we all know it, see it, experience it, we seem to have little power to improve it.
.....Annenberg's main idea was to give money and CONTROL back to local parents and educators to improve education. This is one of many Eisenhower Republican principles, that is, to return control to states and reduce the power of the federal government.
Second, Ayers and his wife TURNED THEMSELVES IN for their crimes and were prosecuted. By the time Ayers served with Obama on a board, he was--and still is--a respected educator. (I know personally, as a non-profit board member on several boards over the years, board members generally do not hang out with each other; nor do they share the same ideological beliefs.)
.....From the mission of the Annenberg Challenge, I would guess that Ayers and Obama share one similar view: Education in Chicago needed to be improved. In order to qualify for Annenberg money, Chicago had to come up with matching donations of $49.2 million. And THAT, folks, is what boards like these do: Fundraise. Anyone who was invited to serve on that board had to be connected to money and had to ask for it from those connections. I would bet what's left of my retirement that NO ONE on that board did a whole lot more than fundraise. As one result, the Chicago Public Education Fund was created and is still going strong, using 85.5% of its money on programs.
Was this supposed to be some sort of vindication of Obama? Yeah, Stalin also met with Roosevelt and Churchill during World War II--that didn't make the Soviet Union a legitimate governance. Inviting Adams or Arafat to a peace meeting is just capitulating to their violence. It was the wrong tactic and the wrong response.
Yes, thank you for the real story. Mcfailin is the train wreck we love to watch!
If Obama admits to as much relationship with Bill Ayers as you now report, he could come out clean.
But that will cost him the election at this time. He can try again four or eight years from now. By then he will have proven his love for the USA.
An excellent piece with clear evidence from what I've seen amidst the rubble. Aside from the Ayers-Obama madness, thousands of educators are at least defending the reputation their colleague Ayers here: http://www.supportbillayers.org
HE WORKS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-CHICAGO!
HE ISN'T RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT!
HE IS ALOT OLDER THAN BARACK OBAMA!
ADIOS!
If Osama bin Laden suddenly became a professor of education would we now feel it is ok to associate with him? No! no one in their right mind would even speak to the man! How is this any different?
1. Thanks for your spin on Ayers. But as wholly informative as it was -- I really do not want as a president a guy who is so disconnected and out of touch with any of his real past. For example, in addition to Ayers just being "some guy in my neighborhood," Barack sat through literally thousands of Rev. Wright sermons and "never" even heard any vitriolic anti-American or racist rhetoric. He was clueless according to him. Also he barely noticed slum lord T. Rezco and the money which changed hands and the extraordinarily unlikely coincidence in owning adjoining properties. More recently, the Obama party and (the deceased fifth estate) are having memory failure on Obama’s deep connections (including money diverted from the Annenberg Challenge project and in the new bale out bill) to the left wing Constitutional felons, ACORN (who also terrorized banks to force loans to the uncreditworthy). These faded or inaccurate memories are not credible. In addition, there are just too many of these (“all-but-forgotten”) relationships between Mr. Obama and these other “community organizers” to be a mere coincidence.
2. Noteworthy: Mr. Obama has no other real history or past to superimpose over, or to add to the end of, his career as a co-community organizer with the above-mentioned folks. Hence, he either has no past, or he has a rich one with these people. Noteworthy also, the only two people who could pardon Rezco (the Illinois Governor and a potential U.S. President) were recently given a clean bill of health by Rezco after his convictions. Some of us wonder why Mr. Obama’s name even had to be mentioned as "not" being involved in Rezco's crimes.
3. "Hey Hyde Park, U of C, Columbia, Bill Maher, Hollywood, Mr. Ayers, former journalists, and Mr. Obama -- the 60's just called and they want their narcissistic left wing radicalism back." CHANGE? Right. These political ideals are 40 plus years old and the class warfare (Robin Hood) politics is even older. PLEASE show the American people even one good working model of socialism/Marxism (former Soviet Union, Cuba?. In a decade in which Europe is running from socialism -- the Obama party is running toward it. That is not exactly "progressive."
Americans, particularly of the republican sort, have it quite good. Your hubris and selective ignorance and adept ability to tout democracy, freedom and the like will be your downfall. Unjust wars, assassinations, propping up despotic leaders, continued stealing of resources have gone unchecked for too long. Boo hoo, "Why do they hate us"? "What did we do to deserve this"? Take your heads out of your arses and look around. Vietnam, Korea, the Middle East, Cuba, Africa, North and South America. I wonder how many women and childen our Hero Johnny boy killed. Even after 911 you still conveniently choose not to look beyond the surface and buy in to bumper sticker political ethos. You are a bunch of reprobates. Have another six pack.
Let's see, Ayers & Co. tied to commit multiple murders, but now claim "We only tried to damage property." Like setting firebombs at peoples homes at night was 'only to damage property'. Yeah. Right.
And let's not forget that the bomb they were buiding when they blew themselves up- Ayer's designs, if I remember right- was a nail bomb. WHich was going to be planted at a dance at Fort Dix. You do not build nail bombs to damage property, you build them to kill and cripple people. Oh, and the pipe bombs they were going to plant outside to kill the ambulance crews and other emergency responders. For property damage only, right.
And Obama's long-term relationship with Ayers and Dohrn is no problem, doesn't mean anything. Yeah.
I used to respect McCain. Where now is the honorable man who did not cave under Viet-cong torture? It is shameful.
He is going to look like an idiot if he brings this up at the next debate because Obama is going to eat him alive.
Correction on Bernadine Dohrn, she did 7 mos. for obstruction, not for any terrorist or other group activities. She got probation and a $1500 fine for aggravated battery 30+ years ago!!
Sarah Palin addressed The Alaska SECESSIONIST PARTY last year!!
Lynn, thank you and can you please explain to your readers what "sitting on a Board" typically entails, particularly when it is not your day job? You might not ever see a person but once or twice a year! Also, is there any PROOF that Ayers ever set off any bombs? Was he charged with specific bombing crimes? From what I understand he wasn't. Thank you. I suppose anyone who has come into contact with Ayers, including his students should be beaten with stones according to some of your readers. FYI, it is very common for "groups" to target property damage as a tactic. Like the Animal Terrorists who break into places that TORTURE animals, set them free and burn the place down when no one is there. Same thing with "Eco Terrorists." That's primarily what the IRA did. Don't tell me otherwise- I lived there. It was a joke standing on train platforms- ho hum another IRA bombing called in way ahead of time so no one gets hurt. Now, over the last 50 years some people did get hurt and killed and THAT is WRONG. But there is a difference, just like there is a difference between Premeditated MURDER and criminally negligent homicide or are you all that stupid? Soldiers kill in war, but that is justified. People kill in self defense and it's justfied sometimes. Of course it depends on the CONTEXT!! Think about it. If Al Queda wanted to it could have made a statement by bombing emtpy buildings and inflicting property damage and causing disruption. They did not do that. They tried to kill as many people as possible. There is a difference. If I go to an empty abortion clinic and burn it or bomb it and destroy it that is quite different from hunting an abortion doctor and shooting him with a high powered rifle in his living room in front of his family (Dr. Slepian) and killing him, so get a clue!
It is shameful that polititians are taking people for being so gullible. Mccain is trying to win an election in any way possible. He is coming up with new stuff everyday to persuade people away from Obama. No matter how far fetched.
Ayer's lives a respectful life being a teacher. Have people stopped sending their children to school where Ayer's is teaching ? Have people shunned Ayer's socially ? No They are respecting and honoring him. Mayor Daley, in 1997 awarded Ayers the city's "Citizen of the Year" award.
Would you still call him a terrorist even if he has changed his ways and is being a constructive member of society. Our legal system exonerated him. We should stop calling him a terrorist when he is reformed and now a respected member of our society.
What ever interaction Obama has with Ayers, It was in his role as a respected citizen of society who is contributing to the welfare of society. Why would you let Mccain-Palin make an issue of it.
Just my 2c's
Shawn
Obama only had dinner with the Ayers family to meet the neighbors and kick off his political career. Jeremiah Wright doesn't share the same views as Barack. These people obviously had influence in shaping who Barack is. He only disavowed them when it became politically expedient to do so. C'mon people get serious.
I love how you brought up Yassir Arafat. I remember the first time I had to spend extra time in the airport, it was entirely because of him. Get real Lynne. Where is the objectivity in your paper. I used to buy it because it was easy to read. now I buy it because it is exactly the same size as the bottom of my birdcage.
Who cares what party we generally vote for? People, we need to wake up and be honest!
As documented here, 10 years, and entire decade belonging to an organization that bombs government buildings is a long time, long enough to clearly dismiss notions of youthful ignorance, etc. The fact that both Ayers and his wife were involved is further discouraging. What changed his opinions and behavior? Did he ever really change? Did he really?
"The bombings were designed to cause property damage, not hurt people..." ??? That is nothing but horse crap. Bombing buildings that people work in is clearly an attempt to hurt people.
Ayers never even apologized and will not discuss the topic with the media. What do you idiots think that means? Duh!!!
The RNC is not making false statements. They are simply stating facts. Those for Obama are trying to cover up the facts and confuse the obvious truth using twisted perceptions, excuses, and sick reference to nice people who were "former" terrorists visiting the White House from time to time.
The truth is clearly stated in the six points above. Ayers is a terrorist and is against the American way of life, against freedom, against all we stand for.
Ayers should have been arrested and executed like Timothy McVeigh long, long ago, and we don't need a president who has a clear friendly association with such a person.
Wake up America! Wake up! Its' time to quit pretending that everything is Ok when it certainly is not. It's time to wake up and pull weeds out of your garden.
Wow! McCain should be ashamed of himself, for even bringing this up. I wish the right people read this. Thank god for the internet.
Ayers should be in jail and would be if not for the FBI goofups
If we accept Senator Obama's rational that he was only 8 years old at the time of William Ayers' activities, then we all have reason to question whether George Washington existed, was there a US Civil War, etc. Not knowing your history is a very dangerous game and Senator Obama has no excuse not knowing. The so called "Days of Rage" occured during the 1968 Democratic Convention here in Chicago and was an SDS "event." In my opinion, Senator Obama is disingenuous. A comment like that insults the intelligence of every voter.
Another great example of the left wing media. I bet if this article were written for Saddam, he would have been protrayed as a humanitarian and leader for middle east peace. Ayers SHOULD be in jail and Obama should NOT be considered for the White House...
Well, was the Vietnam war an unjust war or an act of terrorism? Yes or No? Were your invasions in Panama, Grenada and Iraq quests to promote freedom and justice or to annex what was not rightfully yours? Just out of curiosity, how many innocent people would you say George Bush killed? Would you say that he and the people that put him in power (two times over) are terrorists and should get their due? Would you say that what you did to the American Indian, Africans, Vietnamese, Koreans, and a host of other indigenous peoples were acts of terrorism? What about the strangulation hold on Cuba, the ostensible basis of which is to bring freedom to the Cuban people? Cuba never did a damn thing to America but look at the vengeful history towards its people by Americans. If you are so much for spreading freedom why not launch similar embargos against China, or Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan? You are as naïve as they come and the chickens have only just started on their return home to roost. Moreover, I love how Republicans refer to Obama as dangerous, can't be trusted, not experienced. The same idiots that put a daft dodging, trigger happy halfwit in power. TWICE. Where would we be if Al Gore or Kerry had won. Trust me. A lot better off. The same goons are salavating over that intelectual bottom feeder by the name of Sarah Palin. Pearls and Swine is all that can be said. Here, have another six pack.
I received a phone call today at my home from someone identifying himself as representing the McCain campaign. He was calling to let me know that Obama has a close working relationship with a known terrorist. This is sick! I couldn't believe that John McCain would stoop this low! So, is everyone who ever took a class from Ayers also considered to be palling around with a terrorist? And what about the fact that Sarah Palin's husband was a member, until Spring 2002, of a party that wants Alaska to secede from the United States?
Yes, Obama & Ayers associated with each other when they served together on a charity, but does that mean they were plotting to bomb more buildings? No! Yes, he was a radical back during Vietnam, but you have to understand that thousands of Americans were dying for a unjust war (Sound familiar?). I believe him when he says he had no intention of killing anyone and just damaging property. Hate to change the subject also, but if the Republicans are attacking Obama on this then shouldn't Palin's ties to the Alaska Secessionist party be brought up? Lynette Clark, the chairman of the AIP, told ABC News on Monday that Palin and her husband Todd were members in 1994, even attending the 1994 statewide convention in Wasilla. Clark was AIP secretary at the time.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/members-of-frin.html
The RNP has a long history of criminals in their ranks. And it continues to this day. You don't have to look too far back just look at Dubya's administration. How my of them have been brought up on criminal charges? Speaking of terrorist affiliations, what about the Bush and the Bin Laden families? America’s failed attempts to assassinate Castro and the actual assassination of Allende and others by the CIA which by the way was headed by Bush Sr. Again American's are adept at being ostriches when it suits their benefit. The fact is for most Republicans, the Hillary Democrats, and Spanish speaking South Americans of European blood, the thought of a black president or seeing Michelle Obama and her black children in the White House is highly uncomfortable and utterly repulsive. Hell, if Obama were Jesus Christ himself they would no less lose their minds. Look at it this way, specifically with the Hillary posse, how ridiculous is it to say throughout the primaries that there were not major differences between Hillary’s agenda and that of Obama, but because the press purportedly were harder on Hillary, you will give your vote to McCane who has vastly different views than Hillary and whose party has devastated the country in every which way imaginable. Where is the logic in that? I could not imagine voting for McCain under any circumstance based of the press’ treatment of Obama. If Hillary had won over Obama regardless of the conflagrations during the primaries, she would get my vote based on my support of her platform. Ladies and gentlemen, don’t hide your racist ways, wear them proudly and speak openly because no matter how much you may try, your turd logic ain’t gonna shine.
I suggest that those unfamilar with the Vietnam War read about the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution sought by and passed under President Lyndon Johnson. In the same way, Bush received authority from the Senate to send troops. The difference between them is that Bush referenced UN resolutions, while Johnson made up the incident.
I think Obama's evading discussion of Ayers is his knowing that Vietnam was a "Democratic War." The Days of Rage were at the Democratic Convention in Chicago. Does anyone even recall where the Republican Convention was held that year? Or whether it preceeded or followed the Democratic convention? How about Democratic Senators Fulbright and Ribicoff splitting from their party leadership in the manner that they did? And the 1st Mayor Daley's "Shoot to Kill" order. Are we to believe that Chicagoan Obama didn't about any of this history?
I don't buy it.
Many people disagreed. But they did not plant bombs as did Ayers, some of which killed people. The point is not to relive the times as much to reference the Ayers' role which Obama either was ignorant about or tried to avoid discussing.
A US President ignorant of history is a danger.
If the Republican is such a moral party with such high regard for pro life positions, religion etc... why don't they believe in redemption? For all the bible toting and moral responsibility that they prescribe too, you would think that they would be happy based on the word of God that Bill Ayers is a reformed and reedemed man who has gone on to be a productive part of society. You can't have it both ways! This party is so forgiving but only when it's convenient for them? Is not John McCain contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Foundation in which Bill Ayers wife founded? Is she not a supporter of John McCain? This is silly season once again dealing with baseless attacks from the Republicans. Didn't they learn anything from Hillary Clinton's failures. Same stuff different day from clueless people.
John McCain just needs to concede this race and stop all this sideline character attacking stuff. People are down in the dumps dealing with their finances, they don't want to turn on the TV and hear more lies from the Party that got them into this financial mess.
Hey Christine S., I support Obama but John McCain will win this. Do not underestimate Republicans. They vote. Democrats are not as fervent. Coupled with whites (no offense) last minute jitters about voting for a half african man, well I say that the race is about even. Odds of 50/50. Throw in Joe The Plumber I will have to give it to McCain.
MS. SWEET:
YOU ARE ALL WET!!!!!!
YOU AND YOUR LIBERAL PUPPET FOLLOWERS, ARE PRECISELY WHAT'S CORRUPTING AMERICA COUNTRY TODAY!
THE SOCIALISM AND RADICALISM YOU ENDORSE, CAN EASILY BE FOUND ACROSS THE SEAS...WHY DON'T YOU GO THERE...IMMEDIATELY, AND SEE JUST HOW LONG YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO SPEW YOUR VENOM, IF IT IS COUNTER TO THE CULTURE, BEFORE YOU'D BE RUNNING AROUND WITHOUT A HEAD.
THERE IS NO ROOM IN THIS, THE GREATEST NATION IN THE WORLD, FOR YOUR ILK!!! YOU AND YOUR COHORTS ARE A 'CANCER' THAT QUICKLY NEEDS TO BE EXCISED.
What Country Is This? South Africa!
If Bill Ayers is a terrorist than what about the safety, protection and life of the students he is teaching at the University of Chicago?
Should the Black man Obama be lynched by John McCain for something a white man has done some 30 years ago?
If Bill Ayers is a terrorist he should be forced to leave this country and live in Afghanistan and Iraq
where the real terrorist all. Remember folks
"we have to fight them over there so we won't have to fight them over here".
Now Now VMH. This talk of "Cancer" and "needs to be excised" sounds awefully facist and might I say "radical". Are you saying their is not any room in America for opposing opinion? Very Talibanish Sir. By the way, I wonder in the oncoming years when Americans like you start losing jobs, homes and means to support their families, how many will hold their diehard anti solialism stances and refuse government assistance.
The shortsightedness of men leads them to adopt any measure that for seems good, and which does not openly reveal the poison concealed under it. - Machevelli. You Betcha!
Didn't we just witness the "Family Secrets" trial for murders some of which were done decades ago? Another recent story reported that Israel is still tracking down former Nazis from 60+ years ago. And we deport them. These were valid and legal. Why is Ayers free? What is the source of his political clout?
If Ayers and Dohrn are so "innocent" why did Dohrn celebrate the murder of Sharon Tate and her unborn baby? Why did Dohrn write a poem mocking a young man whose neck was broken by one of her Weatherman buddies (he was paralyzed for life?) Why did Dohrn protect Kathy Boudin who was responsible for the murder of three policemen (each of whom were fathers of young children)? Why did Ayers brag about the fact that his wife helped build a nail bomb that killed one San Francisco policeman and blinded another one? I remember the 60s, I remember the disgusting "Fork Salute" that Dohrn created in reference to the fork that was driven into Sharon Tate's eight-months pregnant belly by her murderers. Dohrn and Ayers were NOT nice people -- and they've never apologized. Not to anyone they've ever hurt. Oh, and the only reason they are now "respected college professors" is because Bill Ayers' rich, well-connected Daddy pulled strings to get them jobs after Bernie got out of prison. (that's right, Toy Revolutionary Billy is a rich trust fund baby born with a silver spoon in his mouth.) Today they live in a million dollar neighborhood, no doubt Rich Daddy put up the down payment --some "revolutionaries."
Thanks for reporting on the ten things to know about Bill Ayers. It just amazes me how such a man as Ayers is walking the streets of America and even worse, is shaping the minds of our youth by teaching in our universities. America wake up!