Man Who Prosecuted Weather Underground Hits Linking Ayers To Obama

Editor&Publisher:

Surprising a letter to the editor published in th New York Times today, the chief prosecutor of the Weather Undeground in the 1970s expressed outrage over the linking of Barack Obama to Bill Ayers by the McCain campaign, adding, "Although I dearly wanted to obtain convictions against all the Weathermen, including Bill Ayers, I am very pleased to learn that he has become a responsible citizen."

William C. Ibershof also corrects a charge in the Times: "I do take issue with the statement in your news article that the Weathermen indictment was dismissed because of 'prosecutorial misconduct.' It was dismissed because of illegal activities, including wiretaps, break-ins and mail interceptions, initiated by John N. Mitchell, attorney general at that time, and W. Mark Felt, an F.B.I. assistant director.

Read the whole story: Editor&Publisher

Comments

[Bettysdad]

Who you going to believe?

The chief prosecutor at the time, or Homer Simpson and the PTA lady?

[Knowitall]

How many here knew Ayers history before this campaign? I vaguely remember the Weather Underground from those days, but I still don't recall any inidividual names. I only know Ayers was involved because people in this campaign say he was. Why would an 8 year old kid in Hawaii know about it?? I'll also be willing to bet that neither Palin nor McCain ever heard of Ayers (and Palin probably hadn't heard of the Weather Underground) prior to six weeks ago.

How many people, even Republicans, check out the background of every person they sit on a board with? What about all of the negative associations that are trickling out about all of the candidates? It's ridiculous to paint anyone with the brush of someone they sit next to at a meeting, and I believe the American people are beginning to see through this stupidity (as they're 401k's decline. We've lost several thousand in my house--so get back to the issues!!)

[Whinger]

Not for Obama a judge and jury, or indeed a crime at all
Being who he is means he's guilty, so we´re guilty one and all.

[orangepetal]

Rehabilitated hardly. As a parent I am apalled that he has access to children helping to form what I perceive as radical non- costructive ideology. You know all this alternative stuff is nice, but I believe a standard education to be extremely beneficial and on a global perspective, a priveledge all American children enjoy. I think $100 million could of been extremely effective at focusing on children from vulnerable communities to dramaticaly increase their grades so as to be eligeble for scholarships which could of offered them untold opportunity.
I hope parents were given a choice of having their children participate in any programs he ran and informed of Ayers past activities as well as his radical ideology.

[MaryanneAZ]

Join a commune and insulate yourself and your children from the rest of us imperfect and diverse people. That's the only answer. We are a Nation of diverse people with different faiths and no faith, different values, ideologies, dreams, and goals, but one overriding agreement--that we are all created equal and should be able to live our lives as we choose and pursue happiness as we define it. If anyone wants something different, then they will have to go elsewhere to find it. Ayers is a well-respected educator and scholar who opposed a war and government that involved us in it back in the day. He chose a method of dissent that most people see as radical and extreme, but that was the times. He is often partially quoted in his post 9/11 comments. He was saying that he wished he could have done more to end the Vietnam war sooner and with the loss of less servicemens' lives. Their group never intended to target people. They were just too young and idealistic to realize that bombings were not the answer and can go wrong and people can lose their lives. I think he should have been punished for his deeds, but he received his due process rights and escaped punishment. That too is the imperfect system that we have and live with. I do not know of anything better. I'm proud to be an American--even with all of our faults and factions.

[Eoin45]

I agree with MaryAnne. Why don't you ask Walter Annenberg, a Republican and personal friend of Ronald Reagan, FOUNDER and CHAIRMAN of the board on which Ayers sat, why he allowed a radical on his board? Parents like you make me sick. How about if we make children safe for ideas rather than ideas safe for children?

[Bettysdad]

Tell us what you know about his "radical ideology."

[AbrahamSadegh]

How can anyone seeking the highest public office to represent an entire nation in a government that is supposed to be of the people, by the people, and for the people use any deceptive means intended to mislead the nation in order to achieve that office can be trusted to carry out its (his/her) responsibilities with honor and integrity?

Have John McCain and Sarah Palin no shame?

[smurrayesq]

"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." Bob Dylan

We know which way the wind blows and it blows towards Obama.

[DIMPLES]

AYERS WAS FUNED BY REPUBLICANS , AND THE BOARD HAD A REPUBLIAN FROM THE NIXION ERA ON THAT BOARD ALONG WITH OTHERS , DO MCAIN THINK REPUBLICANS ARE TERRIOST TO ? LINK : http://www.republicansforobama.org/?q=node/3027

[desertbloom]

The Republicans seem to have an affection for "terrorists."

It was Annenberg, a Reagan Republican, who appointed Ayers to his organization's board.

And, Osama bin Laden was funded/supplied to aid the U.S. when the Soviets were fighting in Afghanistan.

Go figure.

[Obibrenner]

I know this won't stop the "HATE TALK EXPRESS" from their fear stoking campaign, and of course, anything us liberals say won't stop it, nor will endorsements for Obama from conservatives, but maybe, just maybe, the main stream media will air some counter stories, like this one.

[trinidadgirl]

But still Huffpo........a rather misleading headline,don't you think?

[Eoin45]

No. You must not read well.

[mafina]

Once again, for the umpteenth time, Palin has something psychologically wrong with her. The woman is really, really, dumb. Only an idiot and fool would come out on national teevee and say this woman is talented and inspirational. People like Anderson Cooper, Joe Lowborough and Hannity really think this dumbo of a politician of some sort.

[desertbloom]

She has a talent for hitting them below the belt! Just ask Rich "Starburst" Lowry, of the National Review.

[Bettysdad]

There's something wrong psychologically with every Republican.

It's called paranoia.

They believe that some people are out to get them, their money, or the entire country.

Read John Dean's "Conservatives Without Conscience."

60 years of psychological study show their abnormalities.

[nightslider]

We have our October surprise folks, take a good look at what is happening. with the complicit support of the Bush administration, they can't get the public to ignore the economy so they ferment turmoll through ignorance and racism.
Hold steady this is going to get real ugly before it gets any better.

[PitbullCatcher]

A letter to John McCain,

Mr. McCain, you have been weighed in the balances and your time is up. The decisions you have made regarding your campaign have been without regard to the American people. You have put yourself first and country last. Your once respected campaign rallies have now become hate rallies. You have allowed Sarah Palin to hi-jack your campaign rallies and turn them into forums for hate. This has opened the old wounds of racism and fear that continues to plaque the south. The south is one part of the country where you are above 50% in the polls. You nor your running mate are talking about real issues for the American people. The more you push division and hate you will be pushed down in the polls. The hands of God will not let you pass. The American people in this time of our history are not looking for messages filled with hate. Since you are not willing to take back the control you have given to Sarah Palin, you are heading for a political disaster that will be in the history books. Your time is up.

[jacqmac]

GREAT letter! Now I'm hearing skepticism about Obama's claim about not knowing about Ayers' past when he went to his house. 'Everyone in Chicago knows Bill Ayers." Okay-and does 'everyone in Chicago' start every mention of the man's name with 'you know-the former Weatherman-the group that planned all those bombings during the sixties?' or "You know-the former terrorist?" I don't THINK SO! Ayers and Dohrn are and have been involved in Chicago social politics for a VERY LONG time. A more reasonable introduction of the man would be "You know, the distinguished scholar and professor that has been active in educational reform for 20 years?" I believe Obama when he says he didn't know about Ayers' political background. After all, VERY FEW people were aware of who did what and when back there in the sixties-I doubt that Ayers's name became a household word in Hawaii, even when he was being prosecuted.
Ayers doesn't need to make any kind of statement. His connection to Obama is very VERY slight. Matter of fact, I'm nearly certain that they DISAGREE on things more than they AGREE!

[morefromLA]

I believe Governor Palin reads the NYT only on the second Monday of every other month in a leap year, so she probably will miss this one. I understand.

[apoyo]

She needs to apologize.

[mafina]

McCain and his media hounds CNN and Faux News ought be ashamed of themselves in pushing this dumb woman as though she is intelligent. Wow, this is really shameful

[BatedBreath]

She doesn't read the nyt. Somebody in the campaign reads and watches the msm and relays the talking point to her.

[avocats]

There ya go again, assuming Palin can read.

[Teeninchee]

It is crazy that accepting a invitation to someone's home where you are introduced as the person who will be taking your place in political society makes you ... what exactly? In my research, I have found no place in which it has been stated Ayers and Obama hung out together. However, even if a person hangs out with another person for business reasons, (even some people socially get together) they don't always know their past history or agree with their life values. No one checked all of McCain's connections or Clinton's or anyone else's. I wish we could focus on where we are going and how we are going to get there.

[SFkid]

This should be on the FRONT of every major newspaper. Unfortunately it would take the drama away from the press and they want a blood bath in America because its good for networks.

[minty68]

This will be one of those days when Palin selectively "forgets" to read the NYT!

[atciii]

problem is McCain supporeters DO NOT READ! they only repeat was is told to them from thew campaign and its surrogates.

[juzcuz]

I'm afraid you are absolutely correct atciii: Repubs don't read, write or make sense of anything...they're mesmerized like blind sheep - heading for the cliff and they don't even know it.

[KarlaElisa]

Sadly this is true, atciii. They are the Foxtards of our country, getting their daily information spoon fed to them in easy to remember sound bites that they can then themselves parrot.

[minty68]

If this doesn't put these nasty accusations to bed, nothing will. McCain is just looking more and more riduculous.