Brian Cooper explains his link to Bill Ayers

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Brian Cooper, the editor of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald, explained his own link to Bill Ayers yesterday. The same Bill Ayers that every right winger from McCain on down complains about on an almost daily basis.

In the mid-1960s, I met Bill Ayers in his parents' home in suburban Chicago. He was the older brother of one of my grade-school friends, John. Their dad was president of Commonwealth Edison, making him part of the Establishment.

I remember seeing Bill Ayers only a few times. No, we didn't "pal around." Sorry. He is about 10 years older than me. I was in elementary school or junior high, and he was finishing high school or attending college. He didn't have much time for his kid brother's little friends.

However, I do remember that it was Bill Ayers who first showed a lapel button bearing a Peace Sign. He explained the symbol to us.

Of course, if Mr. Cooper ever ran for public office as a Democrat that'd probably be the first charge of the right wing that he spent the sixites in the company of Ayers - without bothering to say which Ayers he hung around with.