I don't necessarily find that that hard to believe. Sarah Jane Olson, real name Kathleen Soliah, lived for years as a St. Paul housewife and no one knew she was a member of the infamous Symbionese Liberation Army. I never met Olson but I've talked to people who knew her and were her neighbors who never realized who she was. Granted she was in hiding and didn't want her background known. In another case in college I had a professor who organized the Black Power saluted done at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and I didn't know he was behind that until after I had taken his class as it wasn't something he ever talked about. I don't know how much Ayers chose to hid his background or at least deemphasize it but I find it very plausible that he didn't go around bragging about being in the Weather Underground. As for Obama kicking off his campaign for Illinios Senate from Ayers' house from my experience with local politics I don't think that necessarily indicates a very close connection. Oftentimes a local politician will launch a campaign from the house of someone who they or their campaign manager knows has very nice house and is willing to host. He obviously knew Ayers at that time as a colleague but him kicking off his campaign from Ayers' house just might be that Ayers had a nice house and nothing more.
Might want to research Ayers some... Obama has admitted their relationship is friendly but he rejected Ayers past actions. He said they share some ideas, but certainly didn't agree on everything. Obama said he was aware of Ayers past. They have worked together on committees in Chicago, they know one another better than you and I do. I don't see what the big deal is. Ayers is an extremist, Obama isn't, but they share some roots and political points... so what; Obama is going to get elected. If he can't beat McCain with his personality and Bush's legacy then we might want to start hand counting the votes. IMHO
So if in 1995 any of you had met Bill Ayers, would you have known he was in the Weathermen? The guy re-entered Chicago society like nothing happened, people who are Democrats and Republicans alike have worked with the guy for years and held him in high regard for his work in education. Was Obama supposed to call the FBI and ask for a background check? All of their connections, meeting for the first time at Ayers meet and greet, serving on 2 non profit boards that met a couple of times a year, all of it happened before the book came out and before he made his unrepentant remarks.
That's what a University of Chicago education will get you. Doesn't look too threatening I'll grant you. I don't think Obama didn't know of his past, but he doesn't seem to be a close adviser either.
This thread makes me want to type in capital letters. Maybe just one big 36 pt. issues to get people to focus on the magicians sleight of hand. There's so much more than this at stake. Of course during the opposing candidates convention you propagate the second most spinnable piece crap you've got. You've got to cut the legs out from under any convention momentum. You save the #1 piece for October. -Rove 101-
Obama's choice of who he has associated with in life is truly HORRENDOUS. There are no two ways about it. The guy had made awful decisions.
Well, all Republicans are associated with Bush, and in all honesty, who has done this country with more harm, Ayers or Bush (not that it's all necessarily his fault or intetion, some times things just don't work out)? Not to mention, people change. You judge Barrack on the person he is and what he will lead the country to become. Obama will lead the change, we don't need another Republican to give us mroe of the same.
Those scamps at Sadly No! put the Ayers hoopla in perspective- If want to see the post with links in place go here- http://www.sadlyno.com/archives/11294.html
It isn't legitimate at all since the two dont' have a close relationship. They've never once pretended or proclaimed to believe in the same tactics, or extremism. There's not even a real link for the two of them. If you are going to let little non-issues such as this scare you away from facing the bigger issues our nation is facing, then I feel sorry.
Because the amount of time he spent with Ayers is minimal. If it was only at the few times a board they served on convened, or when he met Ayers as someone who was a supporter, then it is an incredibly insignificant amount of time.
Rev. John Hagee Vicki Iseman Wayne Berman Tom Loeffler Randy Scheunemann Randa Fahmy Hudome G. Gordon Liddy Charles Keating Joseph "Joe Bananas" Bonano Charlie Black Paul Manafort Rick Davis Karl Rove George W Bush Oh and as for McCain saying anything about this "historic day"... John McCain opposed a state MLK holiday in 1987, a new MLK Federal holiday in 1989, and funding for commission encouraging recognition of a holiday in 1994.
