Bill Ayers Speaks: 'Life Happens'

As his name was tossed back and forth Tuesday in the fury of the presidential campaign, 1960s radical William Ayers spent the day as he often does, working quietly as a professor and trying to ignore the political tempest.

Officials at the University of Illinois at Chicago say Ayers is on a previously scheduled sabbatical, but he was on campus Tuesday, sitting on a lunch-hour doctoral dissertation panel.

The man who was a Weather Underground member and decades later had dealings with Barack Obama is being increasingly cited by John McCain's supporters, who accuse Obama of "palling around with terrorists." Obama's campaign counters that McCain is using "smears" involving Ayers to distract voters from the economic crisis.

When the Tribune caught up with Ayers on Tuesday, he had no interest in joining the unpleasant conversation.

"What could I possibly add?" he asked from the door to his office. "Life happens."

Read the entire article here.

Comments

[BIG JOHN]

HERE'S ANOTHER TAKE: I HEARD A LADY TODAY ON THE RADIO SAY SHE WAS A VIETNAMISE WHO IS NOW A U.S. CITIZEN AND LOVES AMERICA, BUT SHE FEELS MCCAIN IS NO HERO, HER FAMILY WAS KILLED BY THOSE BOMBS MCCAIN DROPED ON HER FAMILY. OUCH.

[Justsaynodeal]

And you are trying to tie McCain to that? It was a war, and he was doing his job in the military, unlike many others like Bill Ayers. So what does it mean, "Ouch?" If this woman feels this way about the US military, why is she now a citizen here? Big John, it is a stretch

[missjabez]

I can't understand why this poor man is being vilified for things he did 40 years ago, when he was much younger and probably a different person than he is now. He didn't kill anyone, did he? Everyone does stupid things when they are young. Right now Ayers is a force for good and contributes a lot to his community. Why not leave him alone and let him live his life?

[Justsaynodeal]

The grant from Annenberg Foundation to be used for education, in reality was used to radicalize student thinking in the public schools of Chicago. It was dispersed by one Barack Obama whom Ayers hired to give away millions of dollars each year. Now, since 0bama didn't know Ayers very well and has described him as a guy from his neighborhood, I can envision this scenario. Mr Ayers is walking down the street and spots 0bama mowing his lawn, and thinking that 0-man was doing a good job on his lawn, stopped and asked him to come and disperse all these millions to Chicago area school districts. This sounds as reasonable as 0bama not knowing him very well.......you know as he described him as just being a guy who lived in his neighborhood. Believe that and I have a bridge to sell you. In 2001 Ayers said he "hadn't bombed enough buildings in the 60/70s...............

[liluskikus]

McCain is probably suffering. In Obama's shoes, I would try to address him with compassion, smile, and speak the truth. And when McCain acts out, treat him firmly, and invite him to focus on the Common Interest: living well, in peace, and sustaining the planet and all its inhabitants.

[NicoleAnon]

If that doesn't work he could make jokes about bombs and Manson ki--ing Tate by stabb-ing her in the stomach because some people think that is funny.

Life happens!

[slimcat]

I'd take a Bill Ayers any day over an authoritarian-conservative from the 'new' Republican't party.

Mr Ayers is a patriot in the best tradition of Thomas Jefferson.

[NicoleAnon]

I'm not sure Thomas Jefferson would brag about using bombs in areas where there are civilians or think jokes about Manson ki--ing Tate by stabb-ing her in the stomach are that funny, but you might be right.

You probably know more about Jefferson than me - I actually didn't even graduate from college.

And ki--ing Tate wasn't really that horrible. As wise people say "Life happens!"

[Puddin]

When I was a kid I had braces on my teeth. My orthodontist was in Berkeley (CA) near the University. When the "hippies" got the notion to protest (riot) I didn't/couldn't go to the dentist. Of course I was always thrilled (I hated to go to the dentist/I always got n trouble for not wearing my [ugly] head gear). Those very people who broke (merchant) windows, turned over cars etc, are now lsw abiding, tax paying, loyal citizens. They are doctors, lawyers, police, EDUCATORS, senators, congressmen/women. The 60's and 70's are gone, people can't undo what they did then. But you know what? God forgives and he is greater than humans. We, Christians, McCain, Palin and anyone else should be like/do like God; FORGIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Justsaynodeal]

"Mr Ayers is a patriot in the best tradition of Thomas Jefferson."

What Bull Sh*t! You are probably a student now, and if there was a draft, I can see you pulling a Thomas Jefferson to save your sorry arse, just as Ayers did in the 60's.

[NicoleAnon]

I'm just curious about something although I'm sure I'm going to be attacked for even mentioning this but it's strange that when I go to the main page for HP there is page for Chicago and not any other city in this country. This place is obviously biased towards a certain candidate we can't mention by name, but is this a way for them to officially announce that they're part of his campaign, being paid by people in his campaign, or have any association with his campaign at all?

And that isn't bad or against the law so you don't need to be angry - I'm just curious why this city has it's own page here.

[eden4barack08]

DUH!

[NicoleAnon]

Now that it's confirmed, I don't need to mention it again. I was just curious.

And I don't have much to say about Ayers except that if I served on a board with a man who said his wife made jokes about Manson ki--ing Tate by stabb-ing her in the stomach because she thinks it's funny, I would immediately resign from that board because I would be uncomfortable to be around that person.

But I realize people here might think it's funny and not have a problem with it.

[WFV]

Easy, Nicole! Chicago is the greatest place on earth!

That's the easiest question I've had all day!

[PastorAgnostic]

How true. Not only do we have four distinct seasons (Winter, summer, elections and road construction), but we also have the best arts, food, music, and the loveliest coastline of any big city.

Plus, even if our sports teams fade and fail, our local pols are sporting enough about their indictments to keep our attention riveted.

Chicago is great, and has it all.

[exflatlander]

Does this mean that if they have a New York page, they're in the tank for Guiliani? Or from Boston, their disgruntled Romney supporters? What a weird idea!!

[Justsaynodeal]

NicoleAnon, they have a Chicago page because when 0bama was selected to be the nominee, he moved the DNC headquarters to Chicago...............simple as that. You know 0-man is the head of the Democratic party, and he can do whatever he wants.......at least until the GE, and if he loses, well he will slink back to the Senate like Kerry did. It is appropriate for the DNC to be in Chicago because they have taken on all the characteristics of Chicago/Daley/Axelrod dirty political achine and the tactics of the GOP which we hated in 2000 and 2004.

BTW, Chicago is a beautiful city with Lake Michigan, Rush Street and the best pizza in the country.

[isom74]

He doesn't look near as scary as Sean Hannity.

[lefty247]

Bill Ayers...very cool dude and smart as they come....most of the anti viet nam war activists ended up as respected college professor- we had semi-famous ex blank panther turned professor at my college in CA-
the ritewing chicken hawk draft dodgers like to act tough...30 years later.

[SurrealPumpkin]

*light bulb moment* McCain is still stuck in Vietnam, Ayers was against the war in vietnam. connection........

[JustLynn]

Liddy, Keating, Timmons.....'nuff said.....

[PeaceOnEarth62]

amen sister

[proudliberal4truth]

I'm a couple of years younger than Ayers, but I do vividly remember the times he and I came of age in. His anger and his passion against the government that was pushing the Vietnam War as "defense of our freedoms" was not only justified, it caught the passion of an entire generation. The use of bombs to get people's attention was regrettable (to me at least) but when Ayers said "we didn't do enough", he was referring to the fact that they weren't able to stop the war soon enough. I think Ayers was a true patriot in the mold of Sam Adams and the Son's of Liberty. Remember also, the only people who lost their lives in the Weatherman attacks were members of the Weathermen.

[SurrealPumpkin]

I remember the times as well. It's not something l'd like to see again. You couldn't claim to be a protester if you didn't have an FBI file.

[Justsaynodeal]

Yes, Bill Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn were charismatic and exciting to the youth creating a movement with their rhetoric. 0bama reminds me of the charisma Ayers had with his exciting the youth of this country in this election. Perhaps that is why the 0bama supporters are admirers and defenders of Bill Ayers.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R6gcbC9Hz4

[truth2008]

I think Mr. Ayres should sue the McCain campaign and Fox news for slander and defamation of character. Mr. Ayres was never convicted of any crime, and his statement that he "wish he could have done more", was taking out of context. He meant that he wish he could have done more to stop the
Vietnam War, which was a useless waste of life. There were many radical anti-war groups, who protested and went to jail fighting to stop that war. McCain dropped napalm on thousands of innocent children, families in Vietnam, Mr. Ayres never hurt anyone. Members of his group were accidently killed in an explosion. HYPOCRACY MUCH MCCAIN? You betcha, (wink wink)

I say SUE THEM Mr. Ayres! He is now a respected member of his community, a educator, and person who stood for his principles. He was also awarded the "Man of the year Award"!

Leave Mr. Ayres alone, he is more principled than Hannity, McCain, or Fox news!

[Puddin]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[highfire]

I would personally love to see Fox have their ability to call their show "news" info-tainment...entertainment...slanderous blathering....come up with some more realistic term 'cause it aint news.

[exflatlander]

Maybe the HP should start an Ayers legal fund to do so. I'd love to see FOX News called on their twisting of facts.

[walk0nwalls]

I find it hilarious that they've never actually used any pictures of Ayers because in person he looks like probably the most harmless guy on earth.

Kinda hard to paint smiley McGlasses as Mr. Boogeyman

[Bitsko]

I've been following his story for years and, as much as he may do for his community, he's a bit of a pompous egomaniac. But he is an academician after all.

[zoozey]

Funny, all that Ayers has to do to appease this bunch of neo"con" radicals was to have come out with an "I have found God in prison and I am now HEALED thru our Lord Jesus Christ who..." blah blah, blah....He could have gone to Palin's minister and had his "demons purged." That is the only thing they understand. Wipes away everything: from child molestation to murder. That's it. That's all you have to do, and they will embrace you, set you up on a pedestal and give you a show on Fox News or one of their rabid radio shows.

Yup, instead Ayers did a stupid thing--like trying to live his life in a more compassionate way, giving back to the community, chairing non-profit (the neos don't understand the term) charitable organizations.

[SurrealPumpkin]

It's kind of hard to pull the "I have found God in prison" when you haven't been to prison!

[Justsaynodeal]

""I have found God in prison and I am now HEALED thru our Lord Jesus Christ"

Isn't that just the point, BIll Ayers didn't go to prison because of a technicality, and wasn't it he who said when his case was dismissed, "I'm guilty as hell; isn't this a great country?"

[PinkyBear]

I would sue for slander and libel.

[bygollymissmolly]

The sad thing about all the so-called "Christians" in the Republican party is that they only believe in redemption if you are a Republican. If you are a Democrat, there is never redemption available to you.

John McCain found redemption after his involvement in the Keating 5. Do all you right wingers think that the rest of his life should have been defined by the fact that he participated in causing hundreds of thousands of Americans losing their life savings?

[Davwbaird]

mccain IS A FRAUD and always has been. The disguise is peeling off . He fooled a lot of people, never me, I saw through his disguise.

[tedbear]

I know polls show people don't react positively to McCain's attacks against Obama during these debates. I have watched the lines go up and down during them.

McCain needs to be reminded of his many associations with people the American public would frown upon. He needs to be reminded in front of the entire world tomorrow night. I don't suppose Obama is going to do that, and because Obama is above that kind of behavior he probably won't do it.

I wish you would clean his clock, Senator Obama! Just this one time in front of the entire world!

[Wiserone]

What about McCain's continuing "association" & relationship with the convicted Watergate burglar & domestic terrorist G. Gordon Liddy? Should we not apply the same standards drawn by the McCain campaign with regards to Ayers & Obama? Liddy's advocated break-ins, Firebombings, Assassinations, Kidnappings. During the same period that Bill Ayers was a member of the Weather Underground, Liddy was making plans to firebomb a Washington think tank, assassinate a prominent journalist, undertake the Watergate burglary, break into the office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist, & kidnap anti-war protesters at the 1972 Republican convention. Yet, in 1998, Liddy gave a fundraiser in his Scottsdale, Arizona home for McCain's senatorial re-election campaign the two posed for photographs together; & as recently as May, 2007, as a presidential candidate, McCain was a guest on Liddy's syndicated radio show. Liddy has also contributed financially to McCain's presidential campaign. Is Liddy any less a domestic terrorist than Bill Ayers? It is a zero-sum argument, for sure. Liddy's actions were during the same period that Ayers was a Weatherman & which Liddy continues to express for his actions, unapologetically to this day. Instead, McCain embarked on a scorched-earth death struggle for the presidency cultural warfare that knows no bounds. So, it's not surprising why McCain avoided in the last debate a confrontation with Obama about "palling around with terrorists" because of McCain's very real and recent symbiotic association & STILL praising of, never refuted actions for another (not Ayers) domestic terrorist emblematic of the Vietnam era too: G.