If Bill Ayers is a former terrorist to be shunned, what about the roles of other former violent radicals and terrorists in American government? Conservatives and the McCain campaign have questioned Barack Obama’s relationship with Ayers, but nothing has been said to explain why Ayers is different from these former terrorists and radicals.
- Former IRA bomber Gerry Adams has been welcomed at the White House as a peacemaker
- The late PLO leader Yasser Arafat met with Presidents starting with Jimmy Carter
- Former Chicago Seven and Students for a Democratic Society member Tom Hayden served in the California State Assembly
- Former Black Panther Bobby Rush is a Chicago Congressman
- Former Puerto Rican Socialist Party member Luis Gutierrez is also a Chicago Congressman
Although Ayers has given a mixed response for his terrorist past, he stated that his memoir, “Fugitive Days,” was “from start to finish, a condemnation of terrorism . . .”
Obama’s relationship with Ayers, while ongoing for over a decade, has never been particularly close.
Ayers is more than just a former terrorist, but a respected figure in the education field known for his innovative and controversial educational theories for at-risk youth. He is the author of 15 books.
Ayers and his wife, Bernardine Dohrn, did face federal riot and bomb conspiracy charges. She served less than a year in prison for non-bomb making activities. His charges were dropped because of illegal information-gathering activities from authorities involving illegal wiretaps, mail interception and break-ins.
Although Ayers has claimed the bombings he was involved in were only meant to damage property, not injure people, he did admit to making and planning bombings. He has never been accused of killing anyone.
Ayers has declined media interviews since Hillary Clinton first raised his association with Obama earlier in the year.
