XPost: alt.politics.democrats, alt.politics.usa.republicans, alt   
   politics.elections   
   XPost: alt.politics.usa   
   From: tim.howard@suddenlink.net   
      
   Recently McCain/Palin have been criticizing Obama for his "association"   
   with "terrorist" William Ayers.   
      
   Now, all Obama can do is denounce Ayers past acts (or alleged acts), say   
   that he was only a kid at the time, contend that the two do not have a   
   friendship, etc.  If he would point out the logical flaws in the   
   Republican statements, he would just be accused of being a terrorist   
   sympathizer.  So I will take up the burden.   
      
   First of all, William Ayers was never convicted of anything   
   Second, Ayers was never even put on trial for anything (even Palin has   
       backed off lately, now only calling Ayers a "former terrorist").   
   Third, Ayers is not currently wanted for any crimes.   
   Forth, he has not been involved in any bombings or violent activities   
       for perhaps 35 years.   
   Fifth, he is a distinguished professor of education for years who has   
       been on various boards and commissions since the early 90s that push   
       education reform.  If they are going to condemn Obama for serving on   
       those boards with him, which was not why he got involved with those   
       boards, they why don't they criticize the dozens of Chicago officials   
       who have associated with Ayers much more closely.   
   Sixth, the bombings he was responsible for (the Pentagon, the Chicago   
       Haymarket, the NY police station and the Capitol Building) did not   
       kill anyone.   
   Seventh, while the bombings should be opposed--accept perhaps blowing up   
      
       the statue in Haymarket, which was erected to honor police who   
       brutalized peaceful union protesters during the "Haymarket Riot", it   
       is clear that they were not designed to kill anyone either.  While   
       they could have killed people, which is why they should be condemned,   
       it is clear the acts Ayers was involved with did not intend to kill.   
   Eighth, the event Obama attended at Ayers' house was organized by the   
       person Obama was to succeed in the IL state legislator, not by him.   
       It was to "introduce" him to various Chicago dignitaries.  What was   
       the man supposed to do, refuse to attend his own coming out party?   
       Again, William Ayers was rehabilitated in the eyes of all those   
       important people, so what does anyone expect Obama, a newly elected   
       state Senator, to do?   
   Ninth, while Ayers has apparently hosted other events at his home to   
       raise money for Obama, Obama did not attend those events.   
   Tenth, Ayers has nothing to do with Obama's campaign nor is there any   
       evidence he has been an influence on Obama's life.   
      
   To people who still think William Ayers should be punished in some what   
   for being part of the Weatherman, I say complain to the government.   
   They dropped all charges against him in 1980--27 years ago!  Get over it.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)