The Real Bill Ayers

[augie]

I couldn't care less about Ayers . . .

. . . and have said so repeatedly.

It might be a good idea to review a few more posts (instead of one that had nothing to do with Ayers but instead Obama's Warren Court comments) and see that yes, I didn't give two hoots about Ayers, except for the fact that it reflected on Obama's associations. I believe this is an very valid point - to this very day.

I think Ayers is an extremely unsavory character who did horrible things and I find it curiouser and curiouser that it's now in vogue to defend him.

I can call Obama whatever I want and I don't regret a single word I typed. Aren't we all allowed to have our own opinions? Or now that Obama won it's okay to berate and look down on the opposition? Based on his record and past statements (can't go on past writings/briefs/articles cause they're not available) and two books which I have now read - yes, he came across to me as very much a left-candidate with socialist tendencies.

I'm starting to get naseous at the sight of the word pragmatic - blech - definitely in the running for the most over-used word of '08, right up there with palling around and unrepentant.

Regarding Cabinet picks - could be worse, I will grant that. In fact I just read on Politico this morning that lefty-libs are starting to howl because they're not being represented and feeling like Obama is forgetting about them.

Obama also promised not to smoke in the White House. Great news!

[Guest]

freedom to associate with whomever one chooses is one of the fundamental reasons for the Revolutionary War. I don't care if Obama associated with people who identified as communists or pro-evolution conservatives. At least his mind is open.

[Jeannie]

Either way, he's not in jail, has never been in jail (unlike Liddy), and isn't being hunted by the police. He also never killed anyone or even plotted to kill anyone (unlike Liddy). So regardless of whether UIC is crap, the fact remains that Ayers has been living as an upstanding citizen for more than 30 years now and the things that he did more than 30 years ago apparently weren't serious enough for law enforcement to pursue. That doesn't make him a saint - the guy did blow stuff up and that's just wrong. But when considering the whole picture, it's ridiculous to say that there was some risk that Obama's association with Ayers means Obama approves of blowing things up - even to stop an unpopular war.

[SueW]

"At least his mind is open."

At least his mind is open.

Enough said.

[augie]

Of course Obama doesn't approve of blowing things up due to his association with Ayers. That's not what's being said. And I don't get the Ayers-Liddy-Ayers-Liddy deal, either. Last I knew McCain was in Sedona licking his wounds.

Ayers went from having his "Most Wanted" mugshot in post offices across to country to being a free man on a technicality - he himself said he was "guilty as hell." Law enforcement did pursue - and royally screwed it up.

[Jeannie]

Of course Obama doesn't approve of blowing things up due to his association with Ayers. That's not what's being said. And I don't get the Ayers-Liddy-Ayers-Liddy deal, either. Last I knew McCain was in Sedona licking his wounds.

Ayers went from having his "Most Wanted" mugshot in post offices across to country to being a free man on a technicality - he himself said he was "guilty as hell." Law enforcement did pursue - and royally screwed it up.

So what was Palin getting at with all the Ayers stuff? Why were we supposed to be worried that Obama palled around with him? I'm not being sarcastic and I realize this wasn't one of your main concerns. I just truly want to know what the argument is for making this such a big deal. What bad thing were we supposed to think about Obama because of his supposed relationship with Ayers?

McCain is in Washington licking his wounds ... and, FWIW, in what I consider a very dignified manner. But the Ayers Liddy deal is that it was hypocritical of the McCain campaign to go after Obama about Ayers when McCain has a much more personal relationship with someone like Liddy - a relationship McCain refuses to repudiate.

Law enforcement's screw up on Ayers was illegal wiretapping. But there were other ways to go after him. And even when Ayers' wife turned herself in on similar charges, she got probation.