Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

BaxterJ — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:46:26 GMT

It is really interesting that McCain keeps bringing up the connection but doesn't explain. I guess even he and his staff know it's tenuous at best.

http://www.entertonement.com/collections/4641/John-McCain-On-Bringing-Up-Ayers

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

maryna1 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:54:38 GMT

I wish the candidate would discuss global poverty more. According to The Borgen Project:

$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.

$540 billion: Annual U.S. Defense Budget

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

C_Lozano — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:56:10 GMT

A well educated or well informed public is a dangerous public - at least to politicians. Politicians more often than not would rather conceal, ignore, or distract from any real issues. Contrary to what Obama and his campaign suggest, a presidential hopeful's background, experience, personal and professional ties and alliances may all prove to be VERY important and VERY relevant to his own honesty and integrity, not to mention relative to his strength of character. These are important issues to consider when electing a person for the highest office in our government. And before someone plays the race card, I'll flat out state that Senator Obama is no Colin Powell. Powell, I respect. He served his country and has political and military experience. What does Obama have - besides the gift of verbal eloquence and a tremendous amount of money to back up his campaign?

The more PR, smoke screens and mirrors Obama and his campaign people use, the more inclined I am to vote for McCain. I would have crossed party lines to vote for someone like Colin Powell, who has served his country and who has political and military experience, but he's not running for president or vice president. I'm not voting for or against any politician's ethnic race; I'm voting for his or her political stance, record on issues, political experience, and the basic general direction I think they'll lead this country in. A "United Socialist States of America" is what Obama plans, in my opinion, and I don't want that. His personal ties to questionable individuals, or individuals of questionable character, if you prefer, disturbs me greatly. He had the chance to walk out of Rev. Wright's sermons many times over the course of twenty years, and to distance himself much sooner, but he didn't. He had the chance to do the right thing, but he didn't. He's as much a part of the political machine as any other politician, and all he's doing is literally TALKING his way into the White House. Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words, and McCain has the military and political experience to justify running for president of the United States. Obama has nothing but a brief tenure as an Illinois senator - and a tremendous amount of media backing and money from some powerful friends and allies. Having Oprah Winfrey backing him up, along with the Chicago Political Machine, doesn't hurt, either.

McCain is challenging voters to think and question. He's asking the American people to resist being spoonfed by the MSM. He's no political messiah, but at least McCain doesn't profess to be.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

scytherius — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:12:44 GMT

The Prosecutor of the Weathermen AND Ayers has just come out and said that it is absurd to connect Obama to ayers. He has said there is absolutely no connection between the two. Of course the Republicans won't care about facts but the rest of you will:

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003873017

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

HolyRoller — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:17:52 GMT

Barack Obama's very first political fundraiser was at the home and in the living room of none other than William Ayers and wife Bernardine Dohrn.

Dohrn, of course, was Ayers' comrade-in-arms, just as responsible as he for the bombings and the insurrection which landed her in prison while he walked on a technicality. Both Ayers and Dohrn were present for the founding of the Weather Underground terrorist group, and it was at one of those early meetings where Dohrn raised a three-finger, fork-like salute and praised Charles Manson and his "family" for the murders of actress Sharon Tate and eight others in the Hollywood hills. Tate was the wife of Polish film director Roman Polanski and, pregnant, was stabbed several times in the womb with a fork.

"Dig it," said Dohrn at the time. "First they killed those pigs, then they ate dinner in the same room with them. They even shoved a fork in a victim's stomach. Wild!"

I'm sure the obamamohammeds find this "cool" and "groovey" fo shizzle

NOBAMA!!!

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

burf — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:21:12 GMT

It'll be interesting how much McCain goes after Obama on this, at the next debate.

All Obama has to say, *you're making all these charges... where's any evidence that I'm lying?*

@C_Lozano: I guess when you speak of a *well informed public,* you're not including yourself.

Intelligent people are happy Obama isn't a Colin Powell. Powell lied to the UN before the Iraq invasion, and knuckled under to the Bush Mob.

As for Obama, inform yourself... here ya go:

BA Political Science (specialty International Relations) - Columbia University

JD - Harvard (Editor & President Harvard Law Review)

8 years in Illinois senate

Taught Constitutional Law for 12 years... Sr Lecturer for 8 years.

3 years in the Senate... Senate Foreign Relations Committee... Senate Committee on

Veterans' Affairs... Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions... Senate

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

List of sponsored legislation... http://tinyurl.com/6nzbg4

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

chick76 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:25:35 GMT

McCain is challenging people to think and question as long as they aren't thinking and questioning his running mate. Just because one has not served in the military does not mean they can't be a good leader. To try to bring up not Obama's past, but the past of someone he has worked with is trying to distract people from important issues.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

rrowleyarizona — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:28:33 GMT

McCain Plans Federal Health Cuts

Medicare, Medicaid Spending Would Be Reduced to Offset Proposed Tax Credit

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122315505846605217.html?mod=special_page_campaign2008_mostpop

John McCain would pay for his health plan with major reductions to Medicare and Medicaid, a top aide said, in a move that independent analysts estimate could result in cuts of $1.3 trillion over 10 years to the government programs.

The Republican presidential nominee has said little about the proposed cuts, but they are needed to keep his health-care plan "budget neutral," as he has promised. The McCain campaign hasn't given a specific figure for the cuts, but didn't dispute the analysts' estimate.

In the months since Sen. McCain introduced his health plan, statements made by his campaign have implied that the new tax credits he is proposing to help Americans buy health insurance would be paid for with other tax increases.

But Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Sen. McCain's senior policy adviser, said Sunday that the campaign has always planned to fund the tax credits, in part, with savings from Medicare and Medicaid. Those government health-care programs serve seniors, poor families and the disabled. Medicare spending for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30 is estimated at $457.5 billion.

Mr. Holtz-Eakin said the Medicare and Medicaid changes would improve the programs and eliminate fraud, but he didn't detail where the cuts would come from. "It's about giving them the benefit package that has been promised to them by law at lower cost," he said.

Both Sen. McCain and his Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama, have recently sought to refocus on health care. The issue once ranked at the top of voters' domestic concerns, but has in recent months been eclipsed by energy and the economy.

Sen. McCain charges that the Obama plan, which would create a government-run marketplace in which people could buy coverage, would lead to government-run health care. Sen. Obama charges that Sen. McCain's plan would leave many people unable to get insurance.

Sen. Obama's campaign turned up the volume in a major push on health care over the weekend with two days of attacks from the stump, four new television advertisements, a series of health-care events across the country and fliers to voters' homes in swing states.

Sen. Obama is focused on Sen. McCain's plan to offer a new tax credit of $2,500 per person and $5,000 per family toward insurance premiums. This would allow people to buy health coverage on the open market, where they may have more choices and might look for a better bargain.

In exchange, the government would begin taxing the value of health benefits people get through work. If an employer spends $10,000 to buy a worker health insurance, the worker would pay taxes on that money.

"It's a shell game," Sen. Obama told an outdoor rally of 28,000 people Sunday in Asheville, N.C. "Sen. McCain gives you a tax credit with one hand -- but raises your taxes with the other."

Sen. McCain's plan actually would lower taxes for most people. But that means the plan wouldn't pay for itself, because it cuts certain taxes more than it raises others.

The federal government imposes two taxes on wages, generally: an income tax, which funds the government's general operations, and the payroll tax, paid for by employers and employees, which funds Social Security and Medicare. If Sen. McCain were to apply both of these to the value of health benefits, he could fully pay for his new tax credits. That is what aides have in the past suggested he would do.

In April, when Sen. McCain gave a major speech about his health plan, Mr. Holtz-Eakin, the senior policy adviser, said the tax provisions alone were budget neutral -- meaning that health benefits would have to be subject to both income and payroll taxes.

Campaign officials have regularly implied since then that the tax plan was a wash. In the vice-presidential debate last week, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin described Sen. McCain's proposed tax credits and said: "That's budget neutral. That doesn't cost the government anything, as opposed to Barack Obama's plan to mandate health-care coverage and have this universal, government-run program."

Mr. Holtz-Eakin said the campaign never intended to apply the payroll tax to health benefits. That means that most people would see a net tax cut, contrary to Sen. Obama's assertions. Only those with very rich benefits packages are likely to see a net increase in taxes. But it also means that Sen. McCain must fill a huge budget hole -- which the campaign says will come from cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, a Washington think tank, estimates that the McCain plan would cost the government $1.3 trillion over 10 years. The plan would allow as many as five million more people to have insurance, it estimates.

Mr. Holtz-Eakin said the plan is accurately described as budget neutral because it assumes enough savings in Medicare and Medicaid spending to make up the difference. He said the savings would come from eliminating Medicare fraud and by reforming payment policies to lower the overall cost of care. He said the new tax credits will help some low-income people avoid joining Medicaid. The campaign also proposes increasing Medicare premiums for wealthier seniors.

Sen. Obama also would rely on some Medicare savings to pay for his health-care plan, which would offer subsidies to help consumers pay for premiums. The Tax Policy Center estimates that his plan would cost $1.6 trillion over 10 years and cover 34 million more people.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

srikop — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:29:09 GMT

Well, McCain has always been targetting the ignorant evangeloicals for their support. Anybody who is supporting Palin despite her empty speeches and the debate full of winks and flirtatious behavior, and think she is th ebest McCain could have found for the VP spot, either do not respect women or are utterly ignorant. I was leaning McCain until he picked her. Not anymore.

And everytime McCain brings up Ayers and Reverand Wright, it only proves that he is desperate and almost crying for help. He was a great man at one time, but now he has only turned into an old fool.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

marc christophe — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:34:19 GMT

Poor little Barack obama, he is the victim of the strangest coincidences. First he sat in Rev.Wright's church for 20 years and never knew Wright was a radical. Then he was unaware that his pal Rezko was a crook. Then he was unaware that Pfleger was a nut job. Then he was unaware that he (Obama) was a registered member of the New Party and the Democratic-Socialist Party ( I bet he thought it was the B'nai B'rth) . Now he is unaware of Ayers' ongoing radicalism up through 2001. Not only that, but poor little Barack actually wandered into the living room of Mr. Ayers and unwittingly launched his career there. (Yeah, stuff like that happens all the time.) Of course, Barack is also unaware of the fact his campaign finance chairwoman (Pritzer) is the president of a sub-prime mortgage company, he is unaware that the head of his VP search committee was linked to Fannie/Freddie, he was unaware of Raines and his 90-million dollar salary from Freddie, he was unaware of his campaign manager promising Canada that Obama's opposition to NAFTA was "just words", and he was unaware of the millions of dollars his campaign paid to ACORN to register illegal voters. Yep, poor little Barack sure seems to get caught up in a lot of coincidences.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

lj9283 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:34:28 GMT

With all of the hand wringing, and mud slinging by the Republican Candidates about the Ayers/Obama connection that has been going on in recent days, we seem to have lost sight of the real perpetrators of this conspiratorial connection.

Was it not for the socialistic excesses by the Annenberg Foundation in the form of injecting $50 million in matching grants for education in order to improve schools? Mr. Ayers and Mr. Obama may not have had their interaction.

Let us persecute the true villain in this undertaking The Honorable (so called) Walter H. Annenberg.

Supposedly Ambassador Annenberg devoted his attention to philanthropy and public service.

We now know the truth.

Ambassador Annenberg tried to impart socialism in the youth of America by increasing the value of the American educational process. and as we all know, if you let knowledge and truth be taught to the young it can only lead to a revolution against stupidity and lies.

It was Ambassador Annenberg, and his evil Foundation that encouraged the Ayers/Obama connection. Let us take the Annenberg Foundation to task, and ask why it funded such an un-patriotic undertaking as the Chicago Annenberg Challenge.

And lest we forget, it is time to look into the rest of the subversives that made up the Chicago Annenberg Challenge board including Susan Crown of the General Dynamics Corp. family; Patricia Graham, former dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Arnold Weber, past president of Northwestern University and of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

The Annenberg Foundation and those who served on the Chicago Annenberg Challenge board need to be reminded of the need to answer the most important question posed to any individual in this nation:

“Are you now, or have you ever been……?”

Keep in mind when you answer that any hearsay from statements, rumors, or innuendo we have gathered is going to be considered TRUTH to refute what you say.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

solipsism — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:35:02 GMT

Posted By: HolyRoller (October 10, 2008 at 3:17 PM)

Barack Obama's very first political fundraiser was at the home and in the living room of none other than William Ayers and wife Bernardine Dohrn.

"Dig it," said Dohrn at the time. "First they killed those pigs, then they ate dinner in the same room with them. They even shoved a fork in a victim's stomach. Wild!"

I'm sure the obamamohammeds find this "cool" and "groovey" fo shizzle

NOBAMA!!!

Did you even read the article?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

work_woman24 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:42:35 GMT

This article was right on point and I agree with what was said. I think that McCain is going to hurt himself in the long run and he has no basis on these statements. He's just an angry little man whose knows that he's going to lose this election. Obama is the right candidate for this postion and i think that he has what it takes to make this country into the land of the free and the home of the brave.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

work_woman24 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:47:55 GMT

In response to HolyRoller, you are a sick twisted man. you don't know what you are talking about. And why is it that you refer to Obama as a muslim, he's not even that and you just sound crazy. It's people like you who don't even need to vote in this election becuase you are completely warped and racist.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

The PAB — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:54:50 GMT

I find it fascinating how many times Palin and McCain keep saying that Barack Obama wants to just talk about the past and that is not what these two mavericks are all about. But time and time again, all they have is unsubstantiated innuendo and questions with no aswers that keep focusing on the past and a pretty distant and convoluted past connection. Their questions are like asking "Do you still beat your wife Mr MCain?

I wonder if Ms Palin is aware that one of the ten commandments is "thou shalt no bear false witness. And when someone screams out "Kill him" in a rally that is being led by Ms Palin, wouldn't it be the honorable thing to do to state immediately or at least the next day that that is not what any person associated with either campaign is willing to tolerate or condone?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

itsjustmyopinion — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:59:38 GMT

Barak Obama has much in common with Abraham Lincoln, John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Robert Kennedy. None of these men were perfect (who is?), but they were able to inspire and appeal to the best in us with a vision of a future with hope and reconciliation. They were some of the best leaders our country has ever produced, but they were all struck down before their work was completed. The unwarranted personal attacks on Mr. Obama by Mr. McCain and Mrs. Palin are a blatant attempt to inspire another unbalanced “patriot” to add his name to the list of John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, Sirhan Sirhan, and James Earl Ray. So in addition to voting for Mr. Obama, I am praying for his safety and if the Republican Party has one ounce of decency left, they will stop these irresponsible and dangerous attacks.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

mbs235 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:00:37 GMT

In the words of Charles Krauthammer, who said it better than I ever could, Obama’s associations with Ayers, Wright and Rezco tell us two important things about Obama: “First, his cynicism and ruthlessness. He found these men useful, and use them he did. Would you attend a church whose pastor was spreading racial animosity from the pulpit? Would you even shake hands with -- let alone serve on two boards with -- an unrepentant terrorist, whether he bombed U.S. military installations or abortion clinics?

Most Americans would not, on the grounds of sheer indecency. Yet Obama did, if not out of conviction then out of expediency. He was a young man on the make, an unknown outsider working his way into Chicago politics. He played the game with everyone, without qualms and with obvious success. . . . Second, and even more disturbing than the cynicism, is the window these associations give on Obama's core beliefs. He doesn't share the Rev. Wright's poisonous views of race nor Ayers's views, past and present, about the evil that is American society. But Obama clearly did not consider these views beyond the pale. For many years he swam easily and without protest in that fetid pond.”

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

TruthwithacapitalT — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:03:33 GMT

I believe that anti-Obama supporters aren't familiar with Democracy/public policy and governmental politics enough to accurately conclude a Truthful or the best judgment. I think that anti-Obama supporters have every right to voice their opposition but I also think that they should be held accountable when they label individuals as terrorists. The KKK is alive and well, why not the Republican Party as well. They can get angry and shout hate all they want but what good are they doing? Do they think that if they shout loud enough that God will hear them and run to their rescue? Well, they should know that God isn't on anyone's side; he's on everyone's side. We choose the good or the bad. From what I see and hear, the Bible denounces instilling fear into people. The Bible denounces confusion (Satan is the author of confusion and fear KJV). Sarah Palin's "Fruit" doesn't reflect the fruit of a Bible fearing woman like Esther, it reflects a Bible Jezebel and just like the people of the old Bible days there will be those who really are deceived. If Sarah and John would like to go there then let's really go there. It's time Individuals took a stand against McCain and Palin's hypocrisy and blasphemy.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

mbs235 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:06:33 GMT

Here is a link to Charles Krauthammer's editorial on this subject, which is much more informative than this article.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/09/AR2008100902328.html

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

freedom2u — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:14:30 GMT

Maybe it's time someone looks John MCCain straight in the eye and says :"IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID" Maybe Bill Clinton? I have lost all respect for McCain he is grasping for anything that he thinks will get him in the oval office. Does his campaign managers not realize this tatic is not working? Better pull another rabbit out of the hat, or better yet dust the dart board off again. To John McCainand Sarah palin:

"Ayers your coat and hats, what's your hurry? Don't let the door hit you in the butts on the way out".

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

totylanica — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:19:26 GMT

Florida is one of the battleground states mostly for being so republican and so anti comunism among the hispanic community. Well, what about all of the McCain supporters who in the 1950's and 60's fought beside Fidel Castro and now live in Miami, These McCainer's were communists, many fought in Checoslovakia and Angola and now live in Miami, own their houses, drive nice cars and accuse Fidel for being the cruelest dictator. These people now support John McCain and nobody think they're terrorists. So what's the big deal about Obama living in the same neighborhood as Ayers? If we want to be fair, we would have to judge and question everybody.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

rachelmom — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:26:19 GMT

Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin both have past and present judgements and associations that are more questionable than that of Mr. Obama living in the same neighborhood and serving on a charitable board with Mf. Ayers. Mr. McCain's Keating 5 associations, his wife's unsavory business are much more relevant in our economic situation. Ms. Palin's husband was a member of a secessionist party, Alaskan Independence Party (AIP) whose founder publicly extolled his hatred of the USA. Ms. Palin spoke as recently as April 2008 at the AIP convention and video of her speech indicates support of their party and their work. Those are important and questionable associations and judgements. I do not know what convicted felons live in my neighborhood or belong to my PTA, and I will not be judged by them anyway. Shame on Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin for stooping to fear tactics and inciting rage. Please stop and get on topic.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

McCainPain — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:28:09 GMT

Less than 25 years ago, republican President Ronald Regan and Republican Oliver North sold weapons to Iran. Right after 77 Americans were held hostage by Iranian Islamic Fundementalists. Oliver North was convicted and served jail time for the crime. John McCain was a republican Senator at the time who supported Regan and his cabinet. What are the links between John McCain, Oliver North, and President Regan? McCain should have compasion for hostages. Is John McCain being supported by people who sold weapons to Iranian terrorists? Has Oliver North contributed to McCain's or Palin's campaigne? What are the links between the same Republican Supporters of McCain and the Supporters of Regan and his cabinet?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

mbs235 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:36:39 GMT

joep1 wrote:

--Ayers was not just a "60's radical protesting the Vietnam War". He and his wife, Bernadine Dohrn were the FOUNDERS of the Weather Underground, a very violent cult group whose main objective was to sabatoge the US Government. They terrorized government agencies for years threatening to bomb them and they succeeded. Their bombings were done throughout the 70s and their activities continued into the 80s, well after the Vietnam War was over. They were considered terrorists by the FBI and were on the FBI's 10 most wanted list. The only reason Ayers did not go to jail was because of illegal surveillance tactics, not because he was innocent of any wrongdoing. It helped that his father is very wealthy.

10/7/69 Bombing of Haymarket Police Statue in Chicago, as "kickoff" for the "Days of Rage" riots in the city

10/8/69 "Days of Rage" riots in Chicago

10/6/69 Bombing of Chicago Police cars parked in a precinct parking lot.

12/27/69 Weathermen hold "War Council" where they finalize plans to submerge into an underground status from which they plan to commit strategic acts of sabotage against the government. Thereafter they are called the "Weather Underground Organization" WUO. Dohrn raised three fingers in a "fork salute" to CHARLES MANSON, whom she proposed as a revolutionary inspiration. She went on to joke about Manson's victims and dubbed them the "Tate Eight" after Sharon Tate, the pregnant actress whom members of the Manson tribe stabbed in the womb with a fork. "Dig it," said Dohrn at the time. "First they killed those pigs, then they ate dinner in the same room with them, they even shoved a fork into a victim's stomach! Wild!"

1969 Ayers attempted to extort money from the Vietnam Moratorium Committee -- demanding $20,000 to abstain from violence during a planned peace protest. After rejecting this demand, a member of the Moratorium group asked Ayers what he really wanted. "To kill all rich people," Ayers responded. When another peace activist pointed out that Ayers himself came from wealth, the radical answered with an angry slogan: "Bring the war home. Kill your parents."

2/13/70 Bombing of Berkeley CA police vehicles

2/16/70 Bombing of Golden Gate Park branch of San Francisco Police Department, killing one officer and injuring a number of other policemen

3/6/70 Bombing 13th Police District of the Detroit PD. 34 sticks of dynamite are discovered.

3/6/70 "bomb factory" located in Greenwich Village explodes. 3 WUO members die. The bomb was intended to be planted at a non-commissioned officer's dance at Fort Dix, NJ that night. The bomb was packed with nails TO INFILICT MAXIMUM CASUALTIES UPON DETONATION

3/30/70 Chicago Police discover WUO "bomb factory" on Chicago's north side. Subsequent discovery of a WUO "weapons cache" in a south side Chicago apartment several days later.

5/10/70 Bombing of The National Guard Association building in Washington, D.C.

5/21/70 WUO under Bernardine Dohrn's name releases its "Declaration of a State of War" communique

6/6/70 WUO sends letter claiming credit for bombing of San Francisco Hall of Justice; however, no explosion actually took place. Months later, workmen in this building located an unexploded device which had been dormant for some time

6/9/70 Bombing of New York City Police Headquarters

7/27/70 Bombing of The Presidio army base in San Francisco.[NYT 7/27/70]

9/12/70 WUO helps Timothy Leary break out and escape from the CA Men's Colony prison

10/8/70 Bombing of Marin County courthouse [NYT 8/10/70]

10/10/70 Bombing of Queens traffic-court building [NYT 10/10/70]

10/14/70 Bombing of Harvard Center for International Affairs [NYT 10/14/70]

3/1/71 Bombing of The US Capitol [NYT 3/2/71]

4/71 abandoned WUO "bomb factory" discovered in San Francisco

8/29/71 Bombing of the Office of California Prisons [LAT 8/29/71]

9/17/71 Bombing of The NY Dept of Corrections in Albany, NY [NYT 9/18/71]

10/15/71 Bombing of William Bundy's office in the MIT research center.[NYT 10/16/71]

5/19/72 Bombing of The Pentagon [NYT, 5/19/72]

5/18/73 Bombing of the 103rd Police Precinct in NY

9/28/73 Bombing of ITT headquarters in NY [NYT 9/28/73]

3/6/74 Bombing of the Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare in San Francisco

5/31/74 Bombing of The Office of the CA Attorney General.

6/17/74 Bombing of Gulf Oil's Pittsburgh headquarters

9/11/74/ Bombing of Anaconda Corp

1/29/75 Bombing of State Department

6/16/75 Bombing of Banco de Ponce in NY

9/75 Bombing of Kennecott Corp

10/20/81 Brinks robbery/murde in which several members of the Weather Underground stole over $1 million from a Brinks armored car in NY. 2 officers and guard murdered. (Obama was 20 and living in NY.)

1991 "Guilty as hell. Free as a bird. America is a great country," Ayers said when interviewed by David Horowitz.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

McCainPain — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:39:37 GMT

John McCain has been associated with Ronald Regan, and Oliver North who sold weapons to Iranian Terrorists, fact. John McCain has been supported by Jack Abermoth who stole millions of dollars from American Indians, and who has ties to the Mafia, fact. Has John McCain ever sat on the same committee as Duke Cunningham, Tom Delay, Mark Foley, Larry Craig, Ted Stevens, and District Attorney Gonzalez?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

TAVIA — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:45:51 GMT

I was interested by all the alarming talk, so I looked at the Annenberg site and the Chicago Fund site and saw what admirable work they did or were doing re school reform. These projects are so mainstream, Republcans and Democrats have served and are serving on these boards. The McCain campaign risks looking not only out of touch but venal with all this alarmist talk.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

jefflz — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:46:58 GMT

McCain knows this Ayers business is a crock. He just has nothing left to do but smear Obama. Ayers was a rehabilitated community member before Obama was even of voting age. McCain associated with right wing groups that supported terrorists and death squads in Central America during the Iran Contra fiasco. - groups that had ties to ex-Nazis. does this make McCain a Nazi sympathizer? Palin is married to a secessionist so clearly we should be able to say she has no respect for the United States. Hate speech and smears will not win this election. The polls show as much already!. Fox News poll shows Palin to be an 8pt drag. Get back to the issues.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Nowforthetruth — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:48:50 GMT

Even Bill Clinton points to liberal Congressional Democrats’ protection of Fannie and Freddie from scrutiny as a primary cause of the current economic meltdown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsynspIqAoE

The link below contains a purported list of the top 25 in Congress who got contributions from the folks at Fannie and Freddie. Obama is listed third, after Dodd and Kerry, even though Obama is just a junior Senator. Obama is followed next by Clinton. Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi are on the list as well.

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=16&artnum=1&issue=20080918

Then there is the Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher J. Dodd who allegedly got special mortgage deals from Countrywide, who gave preferential rates to 'friends' of company's chairman.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25140560/

For an interesting article purporting to detail the House Financial Services Committee Chairs long history with Fannie Mae, See http://www.businessandmedia.org/printer/2008/20080924145932.aspx

"House Financial Services Committee Chair promoted GSEs while former 'spouse' was Fannie Mae executive."

The link below describes how some in Congress tried to use the original version of the bailout bill to divert money eventually recovered to groups like ACORN, a group Obama has a long association with. See:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122247015469280723.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

And then there is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who allegedly has directed nearly $100,000 from her political action committee to her husband's real estate and investment firm.

http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/oct/01/pelosis-pac-pays-bills-for-spouses-firm.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Nowforthetruth — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:49:23 GMT

Obama Formerly Represented ACORN, Taught Classes For Future Leaders Of ACORN, And They Endorsed His 2008 Presidential Campaign:

Obama Directed Project Vote And Later Taught Classes For "Future Leaders Identified By ACORN And The Centers For New Horizons." "He [Obama] says he is drawn to politics, despite its superficialities, as a means to advance his real passion and calling: community organization. ... In 1992 Obama took time off to direct Project Vote, the most successful grass-roots voter- registration campaign in recent city history. Credited with helping elect Carol Moseley-Braun to the U.S. Senate, the registration drive, aimed primarily at African-Americans, added an estimated 125,000 voters to the voter rolls -- even more than were registered during Harold Washington's mayoral campaigns. 'It's a power thing,' said the brochures and radio commercials. ... Obama continues his organizing work largely through classes for future leaders identified by ACORN and the Centers for New Horizons on the south side." (Hank De Zutter, Op-Ed, "What Makes Obama Run?" ChicagoReader, 12/8/95)

Obama Was Part Of Team Of Lawyers Who Represented ACORN In A Suit Against The State Of Illinois. "Obama was part of a team of attorneys who represented the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) in a lawsuit against the state of Illinois in 1995 for failing to implement a federal law designed to make it easier for the poor and others to register as voters." (Mike Robinson, "Obama Got Start In Civil Rights Practice," The Associated Press, 2/20/07)

ACORN's Political Action Committee Endorsed Obama. "[A]CORN's political action committee endorsed Barack Obama for President. ... The endorsement reflects a belief that Obama -- who worked as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago -- understands that change must come from the ground-up, as part of a working coalition, rather than from position papers." (Katrina Vanden Heuvel, Op-Ed, "ACORN: Obama Gets It," The Nation, 2/23/08)

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/rnc-obama--acorn-fact/story.aspx?guid=%7B29569FA1-136D-4B95-9D51-4EF9E87ED547%7D&dist=hppr

CNN Reports Acorn Faking Voter Registrations:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/09/acorn.fraud.claims/index.html?iref=newssearch

The link below describes how some liberal Democrats in Congress tried to use the original version of the bailout bill to divert money eventually recovered to groups like ACORN, a group Obama has a long association with. See: Wall Street Journal

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122247015469280723.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Nowforthetruth — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:49:49 GMT

THE ACORN PROBLEM

Obama's Campaign Paid Over $800,000 To ACORN For Get-Out-The-Vote Efforts, But "Mistakenly Misrepresented" Their Work To The FEC:

Obama's Campaign "Paid More Than $800,000" To ACORN For Get-Out-The Vote Efforts; The Campaign Originally "Misrepresented" The Group's Work To The FEC. "U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign paid more than $800,000 to an offshoot of the liberal Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now for services the Democrat's campaign says it mistakenly misrepresented in federal reports. An Obama spokesman said Federal Election Commission reports would be amended to show Citizens Services Inc. -- a subsidiary of ACORN -- worked in 'get-out-the-vote' projects, instead of activities such as polling, advance work and staging major events as stated in FEC finance reports filed during the primary." (David M. Brown, "Obama To Amend Report On $800,000 In Spending," Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 8/22/08)

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Nowforthetruth — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:51:18 GMT

CNN Reports Acorn Faking Voter Registrations:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/09/acorn.fraud.claims/index.html?iref=newssearch

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

OpenEye — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:52:46 GMT

Interesting that we are supposed to be alarmed at Obama's lack of experience, but take Palin's lack of real experience as being evidence of her being independant and unbeholden to anyone. Also interesting to note that if one wishes to ask "why did you not walk out" on speeches, that there is sufficient footage, documentation of John McCain sitting through and meeting with and accepting the support of really questionable people, as well as his own well documented Keating Five participation. Either the past is an indication of one's present character, or it is not. If it is, Obama still stacks up well against McCain. Just ask the many people hurt because of McCains complicity with corrupt bankers. The candidate who seems willing to take any position, lose any decency contest and in consequence has lost my vote is John McCain. I was impressed by the book, but unfortunately, the last few weeks have revealed a man who puts his political ambitions above the well being of our country. The comments that are here on his behalf prove my point - they are divisive, mean-spirited and don't reflect the character of the American people that will pull us out of this mess, the one that grew on the basic understanding that United we Stand, Divided we Fall. John seems set on making that division bigger, and I am saddened to learn tthat he is not the man I thought he was, as well as that the candidate I had decided to vote for in June is not the one I will vote for in November. The candidate who realizes we are in this together, who hold rallies that says "yes we can" and does not hold rallies that remind me of scary lynch mobs, (as some of the folks who seem to be his most devout supporters also do) has my vote. We will not survive as a country if John McCains current style rules the nation.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

TruthwithacapitalT — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:53:29 GMT

Mr. Ayers should file prosecutorial charges against the RNC for labeling him a "terrorist." He has every right to defend his name and ask these individuals where they have been for forty years? Have they knowingly allowed a terrorist to head organizations for children? Has the grand ole party, for the past twenty or thirty years, publicly called for the prosecution or investigation into Mr. Ayers and if not, WHY? Sounds to me like the RNC has turned a blind eye to A LOT of issues that most certainly should have been addressed BEFORE 20 days before the most important election of their lifetime. A lot of people are afraid of being labeled terrorist...WELL LABEL ME RNC just don't label me a Republican.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

pad01 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:55:35 GMT

Why dont some one ask John McCain about is relationship with Tran Trong Duyet?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

rapidron — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:10:56 GMT

Bottom line: anyone buying the Ayer's bs and still supporting the liars, McCain and Palin, are fools.

Enough said!

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Vypurr — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:13:54 GMT

You gotta love Obama's team of writers here at Newsweak!

Truthwithacapitalt: I can't believe you're defending Ayers as if never did anything wrong! File charges against the RNC for labeling Ayers a terrorist? Are you that stupid? He is an ADMITTED, unrepentent terrorist, who admits he got away with it, and on 9/11 said he was sorry he didn't do more!

I'm sure the RNC will be happy to NOT label you as a Republican, as the party wouldn't want an idiot like you in the first place. However, I will be more than happy to label you as a complete Dumbass.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

pad01 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:16:42 GMT

Why dont some one ask John McCain about is relationship with Tran Trong Duyet?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

junkmail7 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:23:34 GMT

Andy...Andy...Andy,

You miss the point...as usual.

What did Obama say about his relationship with Ayers when he was first asked? Didn't he intentionally try to minimize the truth? In some circles that's called lying.

What did Obama say about pastor Wrights hateful and inflammatory remarks? He denied ever hearing any...only to say at a later time that he had. In some circles that's called lying.

What did Obama say when he was asked about why when in the state senate, he voted against bills that would protect an infant that survived an abortion? He denied that he had, even said people were lying. But we now know each and every time the bill came up he voted against it. In some circles that's called lying.

What did Obama say when asked about the handgun questionnaire he filled out. He said an aide had incorrectly filled it out, but we know there was one that had his signature and even some hand written notes. In some circles that's called lying.

I can go on and on and list them...but all you have to do is think what Obama first said any time something was brought up that he he didn't want you to know.

You see...like McCain implied...how can you trust someone when their first instinct is to deny and deceive? That Andy, is what McCain is alluding to...once again, in some circles that's called lying.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Loden Green — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:24:11 GMT

McCain just becomes more and more pathetic with each passing day. He's so desperate to win that he's sold his soul to the Bush/Rove sleazemeisters now running his campaign. American hero? Maverick? Not from where I stand.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

orion12 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:14:24 GMT

Well, Well Well. Some of you who insist that Obama is guilty of some crime by associating with Ayers are only playing dirty politics. I suppose if some of you lived in the same apartment building with someone who had some questionable past, then it will be bad to enter the same elevator with him and say hello and discuss the weather? When I read some of these silly and malicious comments I feel sick.

McCain is being very unwise. It is better for him to lose with dignity than in shame. After this campaign he will have very little worth as a man of honor. Anyone voting for a president should assess that person based on how he has carried him/herself during the election. McCain is someone who tells lies and never admits to anything. When he lies on TV I find it hard to believe that he has a conscience. That is not someone who should be president.

There are so many inaccurate comments by people here. For example JUNKMAIL7 below completely changed the facts about the handgun questionnaire. That questionnaire was initially filled by Obama's staff but he later corrected the input by having it redone and putting his handwritten comments on it. JUNKMAIL7 why don't you try to tell the truth? Or do you hate Obama so much that you are blind?

I am very distressed to see the hate and animalistic behavior of some of McCain's supporters. They are crazy with rage. They dislike Obama so much that everyday a new accusation crops up. Look at how they behave during public meetings. This is more than politics. It is a hate campaign. And I think that it has to do with Obama's skin color. And McCain and Palin are happy smiling all the tiime.. This is inciting violence. But as the saying goes, "you live by the sword, you die by the sword".

McCain is going to lose whether he continues to tell lies or the truth.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

TruthwithacapitalT — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:14:56 GMT

Vypurr...label me an idiot. Label me a dumbass. Label me whatever you want to label me just remember that whatever you label Obama supporters as is WHO MCCAIN/PALIN AND YOU ARE LOSING TO....You are losing to idiots and dumbasses? How does THAT feel?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

TAVIA — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:33:31 GMT

"What did Obama say about his relationship with Ayers when he was first asked? Didn't he intentionally try to minimize the truth? In some circles that's called lying."

That's another problem, for McCain, with these attacks. As the article makes clear Obama wasn't close to this guy. So you think he's a liar but most people don't and only McCain partisans will see it that way. As the polls sgow, everyone else will think McCain and his partisans are just calling names.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Disgusted Texan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:58:13 GMT

So…John McCain wants to talk character? O.K., lets talk character.

Let’s talk about Carol McCain. You know, John’s forgotten FIRST wife?

The former beauty queen who stood by John during his captivity?

The wife who was disfigured in auto accident?

The wife who John then cheated on with the present Mrs. McCain?

The wife who was then deserted by the honorable Sen. McCain for his younger, wealthier, more attractive trophy wife?

If Sen. Obama had did any of these things, John McCain would make sure we never heard the end of it.

Yeah…lets talk about character.

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1024927/The-wife-John-McCain-callously-left-behind.html

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Yonderboy — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:41:41 GMT

I don't think Obama should get reamed for his association with Ayers, but as always, the Obama supporting writers fail, intentionally or out of ignorance, to present the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

1. Ayers, certainly believed Obamas views were similar enough to his own to help him launch his political career out of his home. I doubt he hosted to many young Republicans.

2. Obama, wrote an endorsement for Ayers' book. Either Ayers asked and got, or Obama offered and was accepted. Maybe not that big of a deal, but I doubt either of them would have had anything to do with a Bush autobiography.

So it's not a big deal. The point is... You know if McCain was casually involved with an unrpentent Abortion Clinic Bomber and had worked on a Board with him and had written an endorsement of his book, the Dems and Andrew would be crucifying McCain.

Both sides use the same tactics, perhaps it's time for some objectivity Andrew, but that wouldn't make good writing.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

PaulStewart — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:44:14 GMT

Yeah, I agree completely. What does McCain think, that he can make people believe his lies? Does he think so many Americans are so stupid, that he can bridge the wide gap in the polls with characterizations that are obviously not true?

Indeed, I think I would go a step further. McCain, with his pick of Palin, basically lost the election. It was not clear at first, because it could be spun so much. It was the ultimate smoke and mirrors. Now it is clear that she is another clown, just like McCain.

If McCain and his Bushite and Rovian masters in the campaign and spin house think that Americans will be incited to "hang" Obama as the black candidate at the polls. They are idiots. If they think they can fool the majority of right thinking Americans into believing they are magicians and not sellers of snake oil, I will eat my hat.

America needs solutions, it needs leadership, it needs a calm hand and a strong, intelligent mind with a hand on the tiller. We know who that is.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

lawmax — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:08:14 GMT

This stuff is a bunch of crap being pushed by Sean Hannity etc. If you want an equally full examination of this trash( or think Newsweek is also subversive) go to Wikipedia. It's all character assassination. The irony is Palin complaining that OBAMA needs to answer questions.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

wolfess53 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:37:33 GMT

"We need to know the full extent of the relationship" to judge "whether Senator Obama is telling the truth to the American people or not," McCain said in Wisconsin.

McCain makes an excellent point -- we need to know the truth -- about what he confessed to his captors in the 'Hanoi Hilton'; we need to know why he chose to divorce his first wife after she was in that horrible car accident; we need to know what his running mate really did to Public Service Director Moneghan.

What William Ayers did 40 years ago couldn't possibly matter less; indeed, the things the McCain campaign has been saying this week that have riled up people at their rallies (kill him/traitor/etc) is tantamount to McCain and his harem (Cindy and Sarah) being terrorists that incite innocent people to cause harm to the rival candidate.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

wilkim0 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:42:41 GMT

Poor ole newsweek. you will go the way of new york times. biased, liberal and boringgggggggggg

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

silverhairgram — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:47:55 GMT

Enough is enough with this so called Ayers association. Will the McCain people quesstion Mrs. Annenburg's patriotism. Are they going to call her a terrorist?

After all, she appointed Ayers to the Board of the Foundation. Maybe they should give back her donation to the campaign.

Mud slinging and name calling doesn't cut it with most Americans.

One more thing. As for Palin, let's find out who the "REAL SARAH" is. Seems she's got plenty of explaining to do herself. Her income taxes!!!! Her per diem charges!!!

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

silverhairgram — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:51:30 GMT

Wolfess53 hit the nail right on the head. McCain had plenty to answe to, doesn't he.

Wonder if his campaign people will find a way to wiggle out of these questions.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Once you try to deceive — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:27:20 GMT

Where did this jerk learn to write! I know 4th graders who could be more objective rather then his total subjectivity on this story.First, Ayers is a convicted terriorist, don't let that slip away. He planned to kill innocent people, don't forget that slight point. Obama met with the guy in his house. What was he just passing by? Obama, we now learn because someone let it slip, was involved with ACORN, a group found guilty for voter fraud, was that a coffee break? Why does the press refuse to dig into these stories with some degree of objectivity? But what do you expect from this pro Obama media? Check out Palin's cover picture. Could they have found a worse one? God, we should be able to get some degree of fairness from the press, but don't count on it.Sorry i used God, someone may be reading this to Maher.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

CUAO007 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:42:42 GMT

MORE OF THE SAME OLD MAINSTREAM MEDIA'S BIASED ANTI MCAIN RHETORIC. WHY DON'T THEY JUST COME OUT AND SAY VOTE FOR BARRACK HUSSEIN OBAMA. STOP TRYING TO PRETEND YOU ARE DELIVERING FAIR UNBIASED NEWS. NEWSWEEK ACTUALLY USED TO PRINT FAIR UNBIASED NEWS IN THE 70'S WHEN I WAS GROWING UP.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Once you try to deceive — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:47:02 GMT

To understand how and why articles like this one are written with such a bias you have to look at the reporter. Mr. Romano attended a liberal university, Princeton: worked for a democrtic newspaper, The Trenton Times, and has written left learning articles for a rag totally controlled by democratic supporters, Newsweek. Check out their cover picture of Palin, another hachet job. Do not read this magazine to find any semblance of fairness toward McCain which is why it is featured on MSN, like NBC and MSNBC, all totally in the Obama camp. Whatever happened to the low paying objective reporter who covered both sides of a story to seek the truth? Sorry, I asked the wrong question in the wrong place.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

mystylplx — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:14:34 GMT

The facts are biased against John McCain. The facts are that McCain is 5 to 10 points behind in the polls. Most viewers thought he lost both debates. McCain doesn't want to talk about the economy, which is what's on most peoples minds right now and his campaign is floundering. That's why he's trying to bring out this Ayers thing. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that he is desperate. Thank goodness people aren't buying it.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

mystylplx — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:18:08 GMT

Once you try to decieve wrote: "First, Ayers is a convicted terriorist, don't let that slip away. He planned to kill innocent people, don't forget that slight point."

The facts are that you are mistaken on all counts. Ayers was never convicted of anything close to terrorism, and the Weather Underground were very careful to give warnings when they planted bombs to insure that no-one got hurt. That doesn't excuse them planting bombs, but the truth is always more enlightening than lies.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Ihadenough — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:21:15 GMT

If our first reaction to an article is that it is bias,I have to think about how closed minded we have become and maybe we are scared of the truth.After 8 years of bias goverment,why are the Republicans now shouting Foul?If I use name calling to respond to a situation,I'm showing my true character.So in essence I lose the right to judge another.The Republican party has shown no compassion for others who have not shared their views and values,yet want it in return.As an American I'm In pain to see McCain go so low.Where is hisChristian beliefs?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Michele22 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:22:52 GMT

Another Newsweek 'reporter' in the tank for Obama.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Michele22 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:24:03 GMT

Another Newsweek "reporter" in the tank for Obama. We get it.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Sauterelle — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:28:54 GMT

Demagogy at its finest!

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

ofi12 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:34:48 GMT

How substantive, Michele22. You would certainly make a much better reporter

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

mystylplx — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:42:14 GMT

Don't blame the reporter for reporting the facts. If the facts are biased then blame God, or better yet blame John McCain. The Ayers story has been disected to the point there's nothing left of it--but that's OK since there was nothing there to begin with. Obama was in Ayers house once. They served on a couple of boards together. They were never close friends or anything of the sort. There's no story beyond that.

McCain is 5-10 points behind in the polls. He's desperate and trying to regenerate an already debunked nontroversy. Those are the facts. Deal with them or rail against them--they remain the facts.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

allenj01 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:34:26 GMT

i think the connection between mcain and charles keating has much more currency. the savings and loan meltdown and mccains association with one of its leading architects has a lot more to say about mcains ability or even desire to solve the current financial mess that 1000 times worse.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

JustAJoe — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:44:42 GMT

That John McCain will do anything to get elected was proven by his VP pick, NOBODY says Palin is the most qualified person he could have found that shares his views.

Next he will remember what Bush did to him in South Carolina and start a rumor Obama fathered a black child!

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

ctgob — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:29:53 GMT

The ineptitude of the McCain campaign can be nothing other than intentional. The public has tired of self-serving republican policies and presidents – the pendulum has swung. They will drain the nation’s coffers, then force a new, debt-burdened administration to struggle to resolve a national crisis without the resources necessary to pursue any truly populist agenda. In four years, certainly in eight, we will have forgotten, and again be fooled by the vacant promises and divisive tactics of our elite, ruling class.

Hey - it’s happened before…

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

nickomota@yahoo.com — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:30:33 GMT

McCain is an old fart, he has lock of leadership that why he is distracting the public from real life important issues, wasting time and resources in false arguments shouldn't be the way to win the white house, besides if he is concern about the Obama-Ayers relation then his PAL Bush has fail to keep Ayers behind bars. Why isn't McCain worry about his running mate credibility?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

snippet — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:47:09 GMT

And how awful for Senator McCain's son while in Iraq to find out his own Dad voted against funding for the troops because he did not want a time constraint on their time of occupation? So, not only did DAD not send money to help his son to be safe and do his job but he is OK with his son staying over there forever if need be, putting his sons life at risk every minute. With a DAD like that the enemies in Iraq don't look so bad. Way to go DAD..............way to show how much you love your son. Way to go Cindy.........great Mom you are. What kind of President turns his back on family?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

b willy — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:34:05 GMT

Clearly, John McCain is a crazy, racist old man who should not be Preaident. Nor should that radical Islamist Barack Hussein Obama. That leaves America with two choices; crazy hate-monger Bob Barr, or true American Brad Willard....Vote Willard 2008! www.willard2008.com

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

NickKnight1944 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:00:19 GMT

These are the same kind of lies the Republicans have been using since Bush v. Dukakis. Remember the "Willie Horton" ad? I do. And, how bout the swift boat ads for John Carey? The Republican Party is the FATHER OF LIES.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

NickKnight1944 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:10:02 GMT

However, whatever disapproval I may express towards McCain and his Republican cohorts, I disagree with the commenter that says McCain is a racist. Whatever his faults may be I have seen no evidence that racism is one of them. Now, Republicanism in the form of Neocon dogma and ideology is indeed another matter. If McCain could, he would run this country like Calvin Coolidge, the architect of the First Great Depression. His dogma and his lies are his faults, not racism!

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

USMC1980 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:17:30 GMT

The bottom line is that nobody cares about some guy from the 60's who was a member of a mediocre radical group that was doing stuff when Obama was 8 years old. Our economy is in free-fall, people are losing their jobs, Afghanistan is on the verge of becoming another Iraq...and John McCain is so out of ideas and so out of touch that instead of coming up with soltuions and showing leadership, he is spreading lies and inneuendo, and stoking up his ignorant supporters most of whom appear to be clueless facists. Meanwhile Obama climbs higher and higher in the polls thanks to his steady leadership, calm demeanor, and actual solutions. It's over for McCain, his supporters need to man up and face reality...if they don't like it they can leave our country.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

mlbuie — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:44:21 GMT

They are going to get Obama KILLED!

These radicals are as bad as terrorists. Do you see the HATE McCain and Palin are stoking? These simpletons BELIEVE ... they WANT to believe ... the lies the McCain campaign are peddling. They truly believe Obama is a terrorist. They believe he is Muslim .. and that all Muslims want to kill them.

What a sad bunch of backwards people!

No matter what your beliefs about policy, do Republicans condone this kind of hate mongering? Are you really so conscience-less that you will feel no remorse when some poor fool who believes Obama is going to harm this country assassinates him.

You should be DENOUNCING this behavior in the strongest of terms. McCain and Palin should be repudiated. I will blame the Republicans, the "leaders" who stoked this irrational fear. What kind of leaders are you!?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Equaliy54 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:02:29 GMT

McCain said 'Weneed to know the full extent of the relationship to judge" whether Senator Obama is telling the truth to the American people or not"

Why then did the republicans try to stop the American people from knowing the truth about Sarah Palin and the troopergate investigation?.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Equaliy54 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:11:27 GMT

After all that have happen in america over the years .It would have been good if the people of this great nation could see each other as one people .not when it's convenient.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

emmarcee — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:36:45 GMT

Who played the financial markets to crash down for Obama's favor? THE TIMING WAS VERY CRITICAL. Right when Mccain was in the lead. How many "international " investors were involved? who is bent to make Barack Husein Obama the POTUS? fIRST THEY PLAYED THE energy crisis. WE beat them. Then they withdrew their holdings and support for our fianancial system. "AMERICA had it coming". WE entertained all these back stabbers who were more than ready to pull the money away from wall street market. All so legally. Govt had to step in to stop the short sale of uSA. YOu liberals who play with antiamerican terrorist coutries, we will let you know you also hold the other end of this stick.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

emmarcee — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:37:00 GMT

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

thehappyamerican — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:06:54 GMT

One of the answeres is tat Ayres has a way of taking over things he is associated with. Such as the Students for a Democtratic Society, which the weathermen took over from within.

Who is running the DNC, now?

The DNC may be changing it's name to ACORN, real soon.

How does Ayres do this?

Get the documentary on DVD called The WEATHER UNDERGROUND bySam Green anBill Siegel and see what makes radicles and assorted goof balls tick.

Then ask if Ayres should be allowed to pull the strings inside the DNC?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

joew46 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:33:09 GMT

Wow. let's see what we have so far. One blogger believes that Ayers is RUNNING the DNC. Another finds it suspicious that the financial crisis happened when it did, implying that international investors conspired to create the crisis so that Obama could win. You folks are too timid, for God's sake. Say the TRUTH. The bible clearly calls Obama the Anti-Christ. The jews know he is, and have created a false identity for him as a well-educated and thoughtful leader, when he is really a terrorist. Muslims know this, too, and are in cahoots with the jews and multi-nationalists to destroy America from within and without. Once Obama is in power, he will pursue a radical pro-muslim agenda that will include scarey black people with funny names in all areas of government. Then, when the time is right, he will unzip his body suit, and we will really discover Barack Hussein Obama. He will be revealed to be a lizard from the planet Zorp, and he will signal an enormous spacecraft to enter the atmosphere, full of other lizard men, who will enslave us, taunting us with such things as almost touching us, then saying, "I'm not touching you! I'm not touching you!"

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

giAmerican — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:41:10 GMT

If Obama was trying to get a job with the CIA or FBI would he pass the requirements. I think not. But he can be President??

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

gael2sail — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:48:07 GMT

Apparently, the author of this article has never heard of the concept of a "stealth" candidate. He is naive in the extreme.

I am a former member of the radical (Trotskyist) Left, and there is no question in my mind that Obama IS a "stealth" Socialist. Why do so many people IGNORE the blatant moral chasm that exists between the lofty standards of his public sloganeering and rhetoric . . . . and the SPECIFICS of his legislative voting record, both in Illinois and in Washington? Doesn't ANYONE on the Left even BOTHER to check his obsequious service to the corrupt Democratic Party political machine in Chicago, his admiration for the Stalin-loving Saul Alinsky, AND, his teaching of intimidation tactics to the "shake-down" gangster Socialists of ACORN?

Why are so many people willing to drink Obama's propaganda "Kool-Aid", without question? He knows how to portray himself as a pragmatist and moderate. That is precisely why he is dangerous. He will, pragmatically, try to transform the Constitutional and Moral culture of this country to an even MORE centralized and Socialistic society. When his disciples finally realize, years in the future, that his agenda has only succeeded in eroding even more individual liberty, and increasing the control of the centralized nanny-state, where will their smug intellectual pretensions and condescending arrogance be then? They . . . the idealistic children of Obama's crypto-Socialist "revolution" . . . . will be devoured by the ambitions of the lying vultures who lead it.

Mr. Ayers escaped any real punishment for his crimes . . . . not because he is innocent . . . . but because of a procedural technicality. He and his despicable vicious "vampira", Ms. Dohrn, were "authorized" to make war on a Constitutionally-elected government by NO ONE except themselves and their small band of fellow pompous lunatics. Because they are ideological fanatics "on a mission", they are now very patient. They are willing to live out the rest of their nauseatingly arrogant lives portraying themselves as moderate "respectable and valued members of the community" . . . . all while taking the money of foolish Capitalist donors, in order to provide every subtle means possible to inculcate Socialist and anti-American biases in the minds of new generations so that, eventually, the political fabric will be transformed into the Socialist "dream". And, the naive Capitalists will, therefore, be financing their own destruction.

If I WILLINGLY worked with someone I knew to be, not ONLY a former terrorist, but an UNREPENTANT former terrorist, does that not raise legitimate questions about MY character? Would Mr. Obama WILLINGLY work with an UNREPENTANT former rapist? . . . . Or, an UNREPENTANT former Jack-the-Ripper? It defies credibility to believe that he and Ayers NEVER talked of Ayers' attitudes about his own terrorist past. Why did Obama, or the Annenberg Foundation itself, feel it was morally justifiable to associate themselves with a former terrorist who declared no shame or repentance over his crimes? Why didn't Obama run SCREAMING in the opposite direction from Ayers and Dohrn when he DID learn of their present attitudes about their past conspiracies?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

J1978 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:50:55 GMT

This entire article was ridiculously biased. McCain is simply doing what every politician has done since the beginning of politics, mud slinging. The man has terrorist ties, who really cares what his (Obama's) involvment was with Ayers, he was involved with him! The economy has seen worse times than this, and this too shall pass. Yet I see all these morons willing to throw away safety and freedom to protect their bank accounts. The economy is important, but only one slice of the pie. I guess people just don't understand that the democratically controlled congress are the ones calling the shots. Hmmmmmmmmm. Obama's first step will be demilitarization and destruction of all nuclear weapons. Wake up folks he will make us sitting ducks. You think 9/11 was bad, just wait for what's to come when Mr. Osama, oops Obama is president.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

gharper81 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:01:37 GMT

I am so tired of being referred to as uneducated simply because I choose to read the entire report and understand that Obama diverted charitable money away from the math and science programs that applied in the Chicago Public Schools that are needed to bring our children to the forefront of the educated to give the funds to the political programs initiated by William Ayers and his own political agenda. He was instrumental in promoting Ayers' political agenda regardless if he was involved in the terrorists activities himself. I am not looking forward to the programs this man will initiate and I do think his participation in the funding of radical agendas puts him in questionable status as a person to run our great country. I have always been proud to be an American!

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

CoyotesChild — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:33:52 GMT

I am constantly amazed at the lack of critical thinking skills in much of the general populace of this country.

Half of this problem is because people follow so blindly. If you want to show people the "truth", take the time to actually investigate it yourself on respected sites that are held accountable rather than on web-sites, television shows, and other sources of "information" that work hard to disseminate lies, slanted biases, and slippery-slope thinking. There are so many flaws in the logic... if there is any in there to begin with... of so many voters.

It's a herd mentality, people. But sadly, so many of you are either too afraid to learn that something you might find out proves an opinion you hold to is fundamentally flawed, or too lazy to actually study before you vote rather than just listen to what your political party, friends, family, or church TELL you that you need to vote on.

If you consider yourself someone with intelligence, PROVE it. Go out and LEARN about what's going on rather than just listening to people using pop phrases, buzzwords, and telling you what they think you want to hear. SHOW that you're too smart to fall for someone trying to distract you from important issues, to wise to give in to the "Must... follow... mob... must.. get.. torch... and... putchfork..." mentality that so many ignorant and misinformed people are falling into.

Learn about what's going on for yourself rather than following blindly. To follow someone and give into hate only tears down what America really is. Show that you're FREE to choose for yourself what you want to vote rather than following the masses that would rather remain ignorant. Show that you're BRAVE enough to challenge your own ideas about someone and learn what both sides have to say and the backgrounds of both sides. And if you find after you've HONESTLY looked into everything with an objective eye and you will still vote as you did before (but better informed and more wisely), then go for it.

But following this slippery slope, conspiracy theorist, hate mongering, blind sheep, buzzword, follow the mob mentality that so many people in this country do is exactly how so many of the people you profess to oppose now or objected to in the past (bin Ladin, Saddam, Hitler, Stalin, Kim Jong-iL, etc...) GET their followers and their fanatics. And if you want to follow that mentality, it's up to you. Freedom of thought (or lack of it) and all that.

But understand both sides.

Even if you look at some of the propaganda:

McCain claims Obama is linked to a terrorist, Ayers, against the good of the American People. Yet McKain was part of the Keating Five, a group that helped cause the famous S&L crash and scandal in the late 80's.

Palin and McCain accuse Obama of lying and being evasive. Yet they both tried to block the bi-partisan investigation that found Palin guilty of abuse of power while in office. (And before you say it's a Democrat plot, the committee on this was 10 Republicans and only 4 Democrats.)

BOTH sides have things that can be used against them. But the wise and intelligent person looks past the propaganda and votes smart, speaks respectfully, thinks for themselves, and doasn't let hate, biases, mob mentality, or other bastions of dangerous ingnorance lead them.

One of the greatest American rights, one that exists in so few other countries, is the ability to make your voice heard through voting to decide this country's destiny. Do NOT throw this away by voting uninformed or just because one party or the other slings mud better. Vote for the BEST candidate. Not the one who can make their opponent look bad the best, and not the one who takes the "I'm the lesser of two evils", or the "I'm not the worst man for the job" approach. Look for what's GOOD in a candidate first, what's flawed second, and vote from there.

Enough said.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

ibgolfr — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:36:31 GMT

I was at the grocery store yesterday and found that they have finally move Newsweek to its rightful place in the pecking order of gossip rags--right next to the rest of the trash that respectible people won't even use to line the floor of their parrot cages. Talk about being in the TANK, this article is just below whale *** when it comes to honesty and forthrightfulness. TASS was at least honest in their one-sided reporting during the hay days of the Soviet rule unlike this yellow sheet effort at journalism.

The by-line photo for this article should have shown the author's best side--with his head stuck up a donkey's ass and Barack standing behind him with that damn smirk smile on his face when he knows he is just about to screw you and you'll love him for it.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

ladywolf — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:37:24 GMT

Palin has a lot of questions that need to be answered, like her real relationship to the AIP. Her husband was a member for some time and she palled around with them for a long time herself.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/10/10/palin_chryson/index.html

This link has an information about several of them. I found it far more interesting than the Ayers thing, for one thing this is more recent,so more relevant. Why doesn't someone ask her these questions instead of beating a dead horse.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

St. Germain — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:22:42 GMT

Everyone needs to know what osama has been up to in his life. Anyone who thinks other wise needs to keep their head in their duffel bag. Osama's relationship with the weather underground, rev wright, Acorn, and cocain really needs a good investigation.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

good for america — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:02:17 GMT

I think it is shameful that you in the media give obama a pass on his past associations /birth certificate

his[ present] votes and his vast.......! vacuousness. we are talking about the leader of the free world not a chicago community organizer trying to help establish marxist type programs you should be sounding the clarion call on these issue's not trying to make yourself the king makers because you think you know what the ignorant little people really need it is beyond the pale! I think journalism may truly be dead!

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

FRam — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:02:35 GMT

THE PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE MCCAIN IS CINDY AND PALIN SO NO PROBLEM.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

issm — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:08:18 GMT

My father-in-law, a lifelong Republican voter and consistent donor, and a senior executive in a big-time manufacturer before he retired, is voting for Obama. He regards Obama as "outstanding". He does NOT have his head in any duffel bag.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

cvkathy — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:24:21 GMT

Does anyone ‘get’ what John McCain is doing by sending Sarah Palin out there to incite crowds? She’s his canary. If she dies, she dies. She’s done her job by warning Mr. McCain that it’s not such a good idea to incite the supporters to violence. If his canary thrives then he can continue stripping the mine for personal gain.

It’s abundantly clear that John McCain is seeing his canary starting to wither and he’s ‘taking the high road.’ Yesterday, after hearing John McCain state to his supporters that Barack Obama is a decent man, I heard me saying to me, “why John McCain isn’t so bad after all.” But then I had a stern talking to myself. John McCain SENT Sarah Palin out to do the dirty work. John McCain actually IS so bad after all.

If John McCain doesn’t win this election Sarah Palin will not only be thrown under the bus, but the bus will proceed to run backward and forward over the body – over and over again. Sarah Palin will not be a threat in 2012. Sarah Palin will not even be a glint or a sparkle or even a wink in anyone’s eye.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

bennettsusan — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:27:53 GMT

Has anyone wondered why the McCain campaign, other conservative organizations, the conservative media, or even Hillary Clinton in the primaries, has done nothing more than hint at some mysterious relationship between Ayers and Obama? They have millions of dollars in resources at their fingertips and have had well over a year to investigate this so called relationship, and the best they can do is ask "Who is Obama and what is this relationship with Ayers all about?"

It's so obvious that it is exactly what he has said it is. Why? Because if there was really any meat on the bones, McCain would be holding the winning ticket to the presidency. We would know every detail in it's blown up glory. For all the talk about a liberal press, it's far more about ratings and they would be killing each other to post the breaking news. Fox News would be over the top abnoxious and probably announce it as the end of the Democratic party. It would be impossible for Obama and Co. to hide in this political environment. If McCain/Palin stood up there and said what they know to be true, instead of using words like "dangerous" and phrases like "Who is Barack Obama", the public would response with a collective yawn.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

willi583 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:38:47 GMT

One really blows my mind and that I will never understand. is how a person that is running for President of the United States has not had a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) when he will be handling issues that require one! With his background and associations, Barack Obama would not be allowed a Top Secret clearance were he to apply for a position requiring one! If I had his background, I would not have been allowed my clearances! Why so many look the other way is beyond me and is surely a double standard. Of course, if the same rules were applied to Barrack everyone would then say it is a race thing when his clearance could not be granted. Where is the common sense in this country. Out the window with the liberal left wing media. Why can't we have fair and unbiased reporting?! This all make me scared and really sick to my stomach. If Obama would admit the true extent of his associations then he could not be blackmailed. As it is, he just tries to disassociate himself from some very extensive and long term relationships which could very well be used to manipulate him in the future. But people see and believe what they want to, regardless. You shall reap what you sow!

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Newsweek Since 1977 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:49:21 GMT

Newsweek needs new leadership. John Meecham and the upper echelon of this once fine magazine should be fired immediately, fair-minded people brought in, and the house cleaned of these liars now employed as "journalists."

We are in for four years of Jimmy Carter-like Hell or worse - due in a significant part to the aid of media liars like those from Newsweek.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Bernice123 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:27:36 GMT

McCain is nothing more than a mean spirited nasty old bigiot! His rallies are nothing more than KKK rallies!

WHO ARE THEY PALING AROUND WITH?

WE NEED TO HEAR THE TRUTH FROM THEM!!

WHO IS McCAIN?

http://www.stopthinkvote.com/whatsnew/mccainsties.html

OH! Don't forget to click on that face!

WHO IS PALIN?

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/10/10/palin_chryson/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eniG9l_7its

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

WAYA12 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:30:45 GMT

Those of you who say the media have given a pass on Obama and his "associations" are so full of it. The same thing can be said of Palin herself whose husband and even herself support a terrorist group in Alaska that the media has not made much of and neither has the Obama campaign. Obama has shown that he has the temperment to not react to garbage and proceeds to discuss the issues and how he will deal with them, while McCain and crew are so focused on just tearing down anyone in their way to their goal. Innuendo without real facts only breeds hate and at this time in our history we truely do not need more hatred and divisivness. We will not survive if we continue to push wedges between each other. Now more than ever we need to work together. It is apparent that the McCain/Palin crew do not want to do that. It is the same fear hate tactics that got us into a war with no end and a world that is more dangerous today than it was 8 years ago. The rest of the world are disgusted that we are actually allowing this to go on and we are being more and more isolated from the rest of the world as they dont want to have any thing to do with us any more. The US is not looked at anymore with admiration but with disdain and that sentiment even comes from our allies. I know I have been in Europe in the last 2 years . If McCain can only use hate filled innuendo and has no more to discuss about issues, just the Obama somehow a terrorist then is he really qualified to be president? Obama is not perfect and he has made his share of mistakes for his life span, just like the majority of us, but he has shown more poise, dignity and control than anyone I personally know in the same situation. And just for the record I have been a life long Republican and have until GW always voted for a Republican. But I will not condone the hatred that has been spewed against selected groups by anyone. If we allow McCain/Palin to contnue then we are no better than the Nazis were as they persuceted the Jews. If McCain beleives Obama has terrorist ties then he needs to put that evidence on the table, out in the open, if not then he and Palin need to just shut up.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

ediet516 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:45:30 GMT

As everyone knows now, McCain has toned down his accusations towards Obama in recent days about Ayers. Could it possibly be because his campaign released a list of 100 former ambassadors that endorse the GOP candidate and second on the list is Leonore Annenberg herself?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Montana450815 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:46:21 GMT

Yes, folks. Let us get to the truth. Ayers is not a convicted terrorist. All charges were dismissed, primarily because law enforcement couldn't be bothered to follow the law themselves.

From all reports, Ayers and his wife finished their education and got involved in trying to change a failing education system. From what I remember hearing about the Chicago school system, it needed to be reformed so students actually got an education. Evidently Senator Obama agreed it needed work, probably after working in the neighborhoods devastated by the job loss that had occurred. I read the entire account from the woman who actually introduced Ayers to Obama and how that came about. Ayers was from a rather prominent Chicago family, and it seems that folks on both sides of the political spectrum have forgiven him his past transgressions and worked side by side with the man. It that doesn't say something to you about that being a non-issue than you are not really interested in truth, only in believing what you want.

Barack Obama, along other attorneys, once handled a case for ACORN when they sued to force the state to stop violating federal law regarding "motor voter" laws. The state refused to implement federal law, they were sued to force them. Happens all the time when people disagree. (He did try cases, was an active attorney, contrary to what those who deride his experience say. He was more than just a community organizer and did work in the private sector.)

Evidently, journalism is only good if you agree with what they say. I have seen articles expressing negativity about Obama in Newsweek. So is it a right wing rag on those days? Have you ever stopped to think that perhaps Obama has not done things that are really negative headline grabbing? Whether by moral compass, by fortune or by design, Barack Obama has steered a pretty straight course in his life. He does not seem to have deviated too much from his course to get his education and to work for the good of society. Whether you agree with his vision, he has a vision. I think folks need to do a deep self examination as to the roots of the anger and negativity. I would have more respect for people who tell the truth about their feeling about having a black president than those who try to hide behind non-issues. It is easier to discuss racism when it has a name and face to it. Racism exists in this country. I know. I see it regularly.

If you delve into John McCain's background, you cannot deny his shaky history. He got into the Naval Academy because of his father and grandfather. He did very poorly, graduating 5th from the bottom out of 899 men. He was angry and reckless even then according to classmates, he had all the opportunity in the world and he squandered it. He did not put his efforts into becoming a good pilot, nor an honorable officer. Had he not ended up a POW, he would not have gotten the respect he did when he came back. I watched a video on you tube of a former POW who knew McCain from school and as a POW. He was a prisoner longer than McCain, over two years longer. He doesn't believe McCain has the experience or temperament to be president. McCain himself said he received the command of his squadron after he came back and attended the War College, that he was in no way qualified to get. He has skated along for years because of who his family was and then because of his wife's wealth. I, in good conscience, knowing all the facts I have found, can't support his candidacy. As a long time Alaskan, adding Palin into the picture seals the deal for me. I know she is in no way ready to be the VP and has no business being a heartbeat from the presidency. Listening to her voice on this news back then was enough to make me change the channel, now I dislike more than her voice; I can't stand her politics or what she has done to a state I love. She hasn't fundamently changed politics up there, she just took it from a "good old boy" network to a "good old girl" one. Everything she has done smacks of dirty politics and trying to not leave a trail, including doing state business on less than secure email. The onl reason she had yahoo accounts was to not have a trail of her emails so she can try to hide her and her staff, friends and supporters actions. It is obviously not a secure way to do business, as one of her account's was hacked. And now through a bipartisan investigation, 11 republicans and 3 democrats, found she violated ethics in her handling of the firing of the Public Safety Director. And McCain picked her.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Baboon — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:26:38 GMT

Everyone who cares who these friends of Obama's is just enter their name in computer and u can see for yourself.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

CoyotesChild — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:46:20 GMT

Ummm.... Baboon.

You can do the same for Palin and McCain.

That argument doesn' really hold water to tell the truth.

And when you get down to it, one can also say that McCain has as just a close association with Ayers, if not closer, because his campaign receives financial support from Annenberg... who runs the foundation that appointed Ayers to the board that Obama was also on.

This means that while Obama has a relatively loose association with Ayers... McCain is happily receiving money for his campaign (which is a strong endorsement) from the woman who's organization trusts and endorses Ayers. And her foundation also has Obama on one of their boards.

Doesn't this mean that Annenberg is endorsing, in one way or another, Obama, McCain, AND Ayers?

So, by mud-slinging that connection between Ayers and Obama... McCain is also indirectly mud-slinging hos OWN campaign because he has a similar link to Ayers. Not to mention that by not trying to survive with an honorable campaign, he, Palin, and their campaign advisors show that they are desperate to win at all and any cost.

By all means. Look up who his friends are on the internet. But make sure you also look up who is endorsing McCain and Palin, and who their friends are as well.

EVERYONE has skeletons in their closet. Some are bigger and more important, or smaller and less important, than others. It's what you do with them, and about them, that determines what kind of person you are.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

greggegregg — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:30:50 GMT

Sign this petition if you think McCain should stop talking about Obama and William Ayers...and start talking about the economy instead:

http://www.McCainPetition.com

Gregg

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

Jack Kennedy — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:31:23 GMT

I see these posters on the site and I thought I was on dkook and huffypop and then I look and see newsweek and realized its all the same thing

I remember the weather underground, they were murderers and ayres and dohrn are murderers and guilty as hell

I remember when OJ wasn't a murderer, but he was guilty as hell

obama is a 60's radical and the media did not do their job because as gerri ferrarro said - the guy is black and off limits - everyone is afraid of the black attack - racist, blah, blah, blah

obama lies and no one will call him on it ,cuz he is black

the white guilt, foolish youth and senior looking for more medicare, social security and all of the other welfare set of the country luv him

obama would be another carter - and I remember 15% mortgages, 20% CD rates, 15% unemployment, gas lines, Iranian radicals holding our embassy hostage for 2 years

and on and on and on

obama will talk and give in to iran and all of the other muslims, it is good for the do nothings that what all the budget spent on welfare increases

America took awhile to get over carter and his 4 years

obama and his 4 years will take same struggle

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

be_extreme — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:25:36 GMT

Let us discuss facts Mr. Kennedy rather than turn to your race card. The weathermen and their despicable acts are reprehensible acts!!! Was Mr.Ayers involved when lives were taken? No proof of that. He could not have become a respected figure in the education arena and gone one to a respectable life. Check your history.

If Mr. Obama has lied as you indicate, there has been plenty of time to find facts to support this contention. To date no evidence has been brought up to support this contention...in efficient media?...incompetent Republican fact finding?...more likely nothing to dig up and all fact finding organizations are in agreement with this. ...(the circumstantial evidence and case with OJ is just a bit different and quite a tretch to equate it here!).

Each President will bring different things to the table. The comparison with Carter...another not fact based statement by you.

Obama offers the hope of some change and a different direction to the Republican direction that has been in the Presidency for the last 8 years. The country needs this change!

With the changing face of the US economy and the Global economy some social conscienceness is going to be necessary. Will that lead to full on socialism?...hardly...

Will a Democratic president lead the US to financial ruin?...The Republican presidency has gotten us there NOW!

Nothing you say is based on Facts...you are just fear mongering and basing opinions on innuendo like the McCain campaign has continued to do.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

BetsieR — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:08:29 GMT

Definitions from Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia.

Terrorism is the use of terror and fear to compel or manipulate a person.

Terrorist - A person who practices terrorism.

Political Terrorism – behavior designed primarily to generate fear for political purposes.

Just who is the terrorist now? With the McCain/Palin campaign saying Mr. Obama’s full name on purpose and asking just who is Mr. Obama?, they are inciting and manipulating people to react in a negative manner. That's a fact!

Both McCain and Palin are using tactics designed to instill fear in people at their rallies and in their commercials.

Something else for all you McCain/Palin supporters to think about also. We have an all volunteer army now and we (our tax dollars) are paying HUGE sums of money to get people to enlist.

The question is: Since we know McCain/Palin are pro-war … will they invoke (bring back) the military draft? This is something America had really better start thinking about. And if they do bring the draft back will WallStreet’s children and grandchildren be exempt?

Think about it!!!!!

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

louP — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:31:48 GMT

Mr. Kennedy, Barack Obama was born in 1961, and the Weathermen Underground was founded in 1969. You see where I'm going with this , right? Lack of facts = Fear

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

rudyacuna — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:13:58 GMT

Lewis is right. I am a Korean War veteran. I volunteered draft, and I see the attempt to use McCain's war effort as a justification for attacking Obama's patriotism a sham. First, Obama was eight year old when Ayers was protesting and criticizing an America that was then fighting what many considered an unjust war, and an America where racial segregation and injustice was rampant. An America where three leaders advocating justice had been assassinated. You can question the tactics of individuals such as Ayers, but their motives should never be questioned. Obama met Ayers some forty years later. So logically Ayers should not be an issue. Second, if Ayers is an issue should not McCain's past associations also be examined? McCain's service has for right or wrong been questioned by fellow POWs. Fact: McCain served on the board of US Council for World Freedom that was anti-semitic. His friend John Singlaub, the chair of the board, wound up involved in the Iran-Contra scandal which supported the death squads in Central America. McCain sought out Pastor John Hagee. Should this be forgotten because these people "loved America." In "Corridors of Migration" (Arizona 2007) I described how in 1933 California farmers shot down three strikers, intentionally starved nine infants to death, and wounded scores of others. Wofford B. Camp, a leader in California agribusiness, justified the actions of the grower community, praising the action, saying that the strikers were led by people who did not "love America like I do." The people who shot down the strikers saw them as unAmerican -- they were Mexicans In the Ayers case, the good Americans are distorting the facts in order to incite hatred. The Ayers affair resembles Nixon's southern strategy. It is meant to win over the "good Americans"-- a euphemism for white Americans -- WASPs -- who hate together. The mob is whipped up against the other with a McCain supporter asking whether Obama is an Arab. What is the logical conclusion?

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

reaganite7777 — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:29:53 GMT

Both sides are involved with campaign propaganda. The real issues are, Who will be prepared to lead the United States. Mc Cain will do more than just talk about a "spending freeze". President Reagan set a federal budget balancing agenda into motion, and the media cronies mistakenly triy to give the Clinton administration all the credit. Clinton did give support to balancing the federal budget during his term in office, but Ronald Wilson Reagan and his supporters deserve most of the credit. We never hear the words, spending freeze, or budget balancing anymore. Were it not for people like John Mc Cain and President Reagan, those words would never see the light of day. Our congress and the media feel quite comfortable poinging the finger of blame at our presidents, while it is the senators and congressmen whom are the roots of evil in our current financial fiasco.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

ed_bernays — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:43:45 GMT

I think Ayers is pretty clear and consistent on his mission to reform public schools to the far left, and the fact the he chose Obama initiate reform (and not when Obama was eight years old) in Chicago speaks for itself, though it needn't. Obama's claim that Ayers was "a guy in the neighborhood" seem less than forthcoming. Add that to Obama's claim that he sat in church for 20 years and had no idea what Wright was spewing, his Acorn connections (I believe some of the Annenberg money went there,) and it's all a little more than my willing suspension of disbelief can handle.

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

martin_gray — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:28:44 GMT

Are you crazy. President Bush inheirited a huge budget surplus left by President Clinton. He spent the surplus and has now placed the country at the doors of bankruptcy. How can you possibly say that the Republicans are not big spenders. Bush hasn't cut any budget line items and since McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time, why would I trust him to suddenly have an abrupt about face.

You are losing your collective asses in the polls and are using the very ancient record of Ayers to tar and feather Senator Obama. You might call it a virtual lynching. Republicans = racisism!!!

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

whatfreshhell — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:29:18 GMT

By the time Obama met Bill Ayers, it's clear Ayers was regarded as a respectable citizen, even by conservatives.

In 1995, Bill Ayers (with two others) won the Chicago Annenberg Challenge and was awarded $49.5 million dollars by the conservative Annenberg Foundation. The Foundation had been set up by Walter Hubert Annenberg - who had been appointed as the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom by President Nixon and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Reagan. The cheque for $49.5M was presented at a ceremony in Chicago by Wallis Annenberg, daughter of Ambassador Annenberg and his wife Leonore and the current VP of the Annenberg Foundation.

In 1997, the City of Chicago awarded Ayers its Citizen of the Year Award for his work on the Annenberg Challenge Project.

Obama served on the founding Board of Directors of the Chicago Arrenberg Challenge project, set up in 1995. The project dealt with the reform of public schooling, as required by the Annenberg Foundation.

If Obama was "palling around" with the unrepentant terrorist Bill Ayers, so were the directors of the Annenberg Foundation and the following other people who, like Obama, served on the same CAC board with Ayers:

Patricia Albjerg Graham, currently on the Board of Directors of Apache Corporation - the Texas oil and gas corporation and a prefessor of education history at Harvard University.

Stanley O Ikenberry, former President of the University of illinois.

Arnold R Weber, former President of Northwestern University and the University of Colorado. Weber has served on the boards of many corporations including Tribune Co., Burlington Northern Santa Fe Inc., PepsiCo Inc., John Deere & Company, Aon Corp. and Inland Steel.

Ray Romero, vice-president and general counsel of Ameritech.

Susan Crown, daughter of Lester Crown, "perennial member of the Forbes 400 list".

Scott C. Smith, president, CEO and publisher of the Chicago Tribune; former chairman of the South Florida Annenberg Challenge.

Susan Blankenbaker Noyes, daughter of Republican former Indiana state senator Virginia Murphy Blankenbaker; goddaughter of Patricia Albjerg Graham.

The current president, chairman and sole director of the Annenberg Foundation is Ambassador Annenberg's widow, Leonore Annenberg. Leonore Annenberg was made Chief of Protocol of the United States by President Reagan. She is a McCain supporter.

[All of the above is on the public record and easily accessible via Google and Wikipedia.]

re: Assessing Ayers: Innuendo vs. Information

jafus — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:48:48 GMT

Since MCCain want Obama to explain his association with Ayers, maybe he need to explain the investigation that Earl and Patty Hopper (tfoinc@hughes.net) conducted and concluded that when McCain was a POW he gave the enemy highly classified information causing American lives and planes to be shot down. Also, Gov Palin association with the Alaskan Independent Party, a group who hate the US Government, have been trying to separate from the US and become a separate nation.In her own word on CNN, she sent a video to their convention in July 2008, telling them to keep up the good work.