Great Op Ed by BIll Ayers

[malaise]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/06/opinion/06ayers.html?_r=1
<snip>
IN the recently concluded presidential race, I was unwillingly thrust upon the stage and asked to play a role in a profoundly dishonest drama. I refused, andhere’s why.

Unable to challenge the content of Barack Obama’s campaign, his opponents invented a narrative about a young politician who emerged from nowhere, a man of charm, intelligence and skill, but with an exotic background and a strange name. The refrain was a question: “What do we really know about this man?”

I was cast in the “unrepentant terrorist” role; I felt at times like the enemy projected onto a large screen in the “Two Minutes Hate” scene from George Orwell’s “1984,” when the faithful gathered in a frenzy of fear and loathing.

With the mainstream news media and the blogosphere caught in the pre-election excitement, I saw no viable path to a rational discussion. Rather than step clumsily into the sound-bite culture, I turned away whenever the microphones were thrust into my face. I sat it out.

Now that the election is over, I want to say as plainly as I can that the character invented to serve this drama wasn’t me, not even close. Here are the facts:

The antiwar movement in all its commitment, all its sacrifice and determination, could not stop the violence unleashed against Vietnam. And therein lies cause for real regret.

[Frustratedlady]

1. Excellent! I was hoping he would come out with his thoughts.

They are as I imagined during the campaign. His refusal to get involved had to have been mainly because he could see no use in arguing about something so asinine. I'd say he made the right decision and probably delighted in frustrating the MSM.

I found it interesting that the Repugs would put so much importance on Ayers' youth, but scoffed at the Dems interest in Bush's earlier years...AWOL, substance abuse, etc. I guess it's all in where you place your values...if you have any.

[malaise]

2. Rethugs are obsessed with the anti-Vietnam war

movement. The day we seriously analyze terrorism, we will discover that the real terrorists are among the hierarchy of the GOP.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

3. He did the difficult, yet honorable thing.

He refused to play along.

Well done Mr. Ayers.

A great op-ed. Thank you for posting it malaise. :hug: :)

[malaise]

4. Anytime

:hi: :D

[saracat]

38. Ayers is NOT honorable. He is a revolting egotistical beast .

This is what Ayers was:

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/weatherunderground/movement.html

[tkmorris]

41. You just lost my respect

I'm sure you don't care, but you did. You are irrational, and unempathetic. Go to DC sometime, take a stance in front of the Vietnam War Memorial, and REALIZE what it was he was dedicated to stopping. While you are at it, contemplating that vast vast display of names who lost their lives for nothing, try to imagine all of the Vietnamese names that aren't there. A memorial listing their names could well stretch for 3 miles or so.

Further, understand that Ayers did not directly support the use of bombs etc. to make the case. It is true that he was a founding member, but what others did later can not be placed at his doorstep. You might want to open your mind instead of closing your heart.

[saracat]

46. I marched against the Vietnam war! I was one of those people who

protested. I slept on the mall in DC. I participated in anti war marches in MY home state of NY . I was verbally and physically attacked in my private school for speaking out against the war and the My Lai incident. Don't you dare patronize me!

What did you do? Were you even alive?

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. I like. He deserves credit for putting his life ....

... on the line to stop that hideous war.

For those who don't understand: you had to be there.

Mistakes were made by Ayers et al. Ideological nuttiness was indulged. Some died and some inadvertently killed others.


But it was *nothing* compared to what the US gov't was doing to SE ASIA.

[Frustratedlady]

6. You said: But it was *nothing* compared to what the US gov't was doing to SE ASIA.

And, still doing to our vets. I know of several who are suffering from the effects of Agent Orange. I knew the man who fought for vets' rights on AO and the military denied it as long as they could, but he was insistent.

It is insane what they put our people through to fulfill their fantasies of more and more shock and awe.

That era was an awful, awful part of U.S. history.

[malaise]

7. And they continue to rinse, repeat, recycle

They never learn.

[MadMaddie]

33. The Problem is that all of those people that pushed the Vietnam

war, "Rummy, Cheney and many others were not held accountable for their crimes in the early 70's. And at the time that Nixon resigned, the new Republican party arose out of the ashes, determined to make the Presidency a dictatorship, to start any war they wanted to so it could profit their cronies and shove their version of America and democracy down the throats of the world.

This time the Obama administration has an obligation to prosecute any and all crimes that have occurred over the last 8 years.(unfortunately one of the tasks that will not be popular with all)

Why? Because the rank and file of the Republican party are the Cheney's and Rumsfelds of today. WE must insist that the cycle is broken and ensure that these traitors to America and the Constitution are not given another platform to terrorize Americans and the world. Next time, if there is a next time for the Repugs it will mean WWIII and the destruction of the world as we know it.

[crazylikafox]

55. agreed

[Kajsa]

8. Great article, Malaise!

I was hoping he would come forward and
state his case.

Thanks for posting this.

:) :hi:

[malaise]

12. Pedro mentioned it on WJ this morning

and I decided to read it for myself. It is a great article.

[Matariki]

9. What a thoughtful and well writtten piece.

thanks for posting it.

[Robbien]

10. Bill Ayers was a guest on "This Is Hell" this morning. He was great.

One thought that stayed with me from the interview was that Ayers said FDR was pretty conservative before taking office but it was facts on the ground and public activism which necessitated his "socialist" programs. So, for people worried about Obama's conservative bent, it is up to us to make Obama aware that the public needs safety nets and government jobs programs.

The podcast of this morning's program should be up sometime tomorrow if anyone is interested.
http://www.thisishell.com/archives.html

[malaise]

11. Thanks I'd love to hear him

:hi:

[Robbien]

14. He's got a great speaking voice

The host introduced Ayers as an ex-activist, ex-Weather Underground member, an ex- so on and so on.

Ayers said nope, I'm not an ex anything. Still very active in everything.

A good man.

[rug]

13. He's still an ass.

[Warren Stupidity]

16. How old are you?

Were you even alive? If you were what did you do to end the war?

[rug]

17. 58. And his narcissistic adventurism did more to prolong the war than to stop it.

[malaise]

18. And you know this how?

Guess you didn't listen to those Nixon tapes this week.

[rug]

19. I know people spent an awful lot of time talking about assholes with bombs instead of

assholes in the White House.

[Warren Stupidity]

21. well that proves it

I know an awful lot of my high school and college age friends and associates at that time who, because of the pervasive climate of resistance of which the weather underground was a part, actively or passively refused to participate in the war effort.

[rug]

23. There were half a million people marching in Washington before Ayers built his first bomb.

[Warren Stupidity]

24. And there were huge nationwide protests after.

So we really can't say much about the relationship between the two, other than neither bombs nor marches ended the war.

[rug]

26. The WUO was a fringe, at best, to the antiwar movement.

What is distateful about Ayers in gereneral, and this piece in particular, is his attempt to portray his thoroughly selfish and unproductive activities as being done under the mantle of a far broader, far more legitimate antiwar movement.

[Warren Stupidity]

27. Ah well then, as a fringe it had little or no effect.

I'm glad we agree.

[saracat]

49. Amen. You are absolutely spot on!

[Captain Hilts]

29. Correct. It de-legitimized the anti-war movement. nt

[saracat]

39. Correct.

[Warren Stupidity]

20. right

And you did what instead? And you can demonstrate with actual facts rather than bluster that your accusations are substantial?

[rug]

22. I parachuted into Hanoi with a satchel of signed petitions.

[Warren Stupidity]

25. Or not.

[Captain Hilts]

28. An ass that set off explosives. NOT cool. nt

[Hanse]

35. An ass who's a distinguished professor.

What have you done with your life?

[Captain Hilts]

42. He helped de-legitimize the anti-war movement.

[saracat]

48. And that is the truth. He is no "hero" for sure.

[bemildred]

36. Well, somebody is an ass.

And somebody else is right.

[progressoid]

44. Yep.

[Warren Stupidity]

15. Must read!

[Time for change]

30. That's a great op-ed

I'm glad he used the chance to set the record straight.

[malaise]

31. I like his timing

It's perfect.

[saracat]

32. You have got to be kidding. Ayers really is no saint. He is married to Bernadine Dohrn who has

never apologized for her part in the death of Judge Murtagh or the killing of many innocent people. This is a woman who "praised" Charles Manson! And this guy is suddenly a hero?

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/weatherunderground/movement.html

[FloridaJudy]

34. That's what - guilt by two degrees of separation??

The point Ayers addressed is the attempt to smear Obama by association. There are lots of people I'm forced to associate with that don't share my values. The only way to avoid them would be for me to go live in a Buddhist monastery somewhere, even though that didn't work out so well for Leonard Cohen and the Dalai Lama.

[saracat]

37. I agree with your point about the "smear by association" but Ayers deserves no respect

He was a domestic terrorist and his wife is a terrorist and a criminal.and Neither have any remorse for their actions. This has nothing to do with Obama except how folks want to make it about him. I am just disgusted that Ayers comments are even worth reporting.

[JackRiddler]

43. Oh, they should only report the lies of the Republicans.

The Republicans should have been able to make up whatever they like about Obama and Ayers, and the guy they brought into the national discourse involuntarily should not have his own responses reported, as that would be "disgusting," as you say. Care to apply this logic to international affairs? Perhaps the media shouldn't report the statements of certain foreign leaders, as that would be "disgusting"? What's your idea of democracy, I'd like to know.

[saracat]

47. Ayers isn't a foriegn "leader" He is a narcissitic maniac.Of course they can "report" on anything.

I don't happen to think his "drivel" is worth reporting.The Republicans didn't make Ayers what he was.Ayers did that himself.The GOP stretched the truth about his relationship with Obama but that doesn't make Ayers a great guy. He isn't
As far as I am concerned both he and his miserable wife have earned their disrespect.And I retain my right to "disrespect " them. My criticism is also part of democracy.

[JackRiddler]

52. The Republicans did not make Ayers, but they used Ayers...

So he has a right to expect that his response can appear in the same media platforms the Republicans used to defame him (and to slime Obama by association). This is not "disgusting" but self-evident in an open society: the guy who's being attacked or accused gets to respond. Ayers' comments relate directly to the Republican attacks on him. Your failure to acknowledge such an elementary point probably says a lot more about you than Ayers.

[Maat]

50. At the risk of having to don a flamesuit, I agree with you, Saracat.

I watched the entire interview with Amy Goodman (both Bernardine and Bill spoke extensively). Instead of coming out of that experience respecting them, I came out feeling nothing but contempt.

I'm just never going to be a fan of Bernadine and Bill's work, and intend to forget about them as soon and as much as possible.

I've marched against wars, and for civil rights, for decades. The key to non-violent resistance is that it is NON-VIOLENT. Otherwise, you lower yourself to THEIR level; and, that tends to negate all of your hard work, not to mention making you a hypocrite.

I never held Obama's working with them against Obama; that would have been silly. They were let off of criminal charges due to malfeasance on the part of the government. They went on to be very productive members of society, and, of course, one would work on social problems with tenured professors.

That having been said, however, it is most ironic that Bernadine is an attorney; her past behavior represents the epitomy of unethical and violent behavior. This law school graduate does not understand why some are hassled beyond belief, in terms of getting their license, over a drug charge, when she was involved in very horrible, non-productive behavior that caused families serious harm (even if you just consider the property damage).

It's a decent column; but it just doesn't get me to respect Bill and Bernardine.

Just my two cents' worth.

I should add that, as a social worker (I'm retired - have been for eight years), and as a community organizer/activist, I talk and associate (and have talked and associated )with all kinds of people, with all kinds of backgrounds, who've committed all kinds of crimes. Just because I talk to them, that doesn't mean that I agree with their past behavior or ideals. Obama shouldn't be blamed for working with professors in the community. His work with them was logical and appropriate. That having been said, I came out of my research having a complete lack of respect for Bernardine and Bill.



:hide: (I know that here - well, I'm going to have to agree to disagree with some DUers.)

[saracat]

51. Obviously I agree.I also think it was opportunistic of Ayers to do any kind of an OPED.

He didn't need to further associate himself with Obama even by "disassociation". Those that think Obama was more than a casual aquaintance will always think that and those that don't will also always think that. This is just Ayers putting himself forward again. It would have been more appropriate for him to just drop it. But he and Bernadine have never been appropraiate.
BTW, Bernadine is a lawyer but she is forbidden to practice law.

[Maat]

56. I agree (n/t)(So, she doesn't have an active license ... interesting).

[Vattel]

57. not all justified resistance is non-violent.

I may think that his tactics were wrong-headed or even foolish, but there is nothing wrong in principle with destroying property to protect innocent life.

[Maat]

58. I couldn't disagree more.

His destruction of property was not in the direct defense of others or himself, but rather a "statement," and that destruction did NOTHING to end the war.

[Hekate]

40. I feared he would be murdered by a hysterical Palinite. Thank God he was not. nt

[progressoid]

45. yawn.

Go away bill.

[JackRiddler]

53. He was "away." He was doing his thing when the Republicans made him an issue.

[spanone]

54. this article absolutely proves how compllicit our media is. no one sought the truth about ayers.