Obama and Ayres. This dog won't hunt.
As I understand it, the criticism about Obama and Ayres follows this logic string---
Ayres was a founder of Weather Underground in the 60s.
Ayres has said recently that he thinks he "didn't do enough to oppose the war".
Ayres has not said he rejects his past.
Ayres works to promote 'radical leftist' ideas today as an educator.
Obama's first 'candidate coffee' back when he ran for the legislature was at Ayre's house in the 90s.
Obama served on a board with Ayres some years ago.
Obama served on a different board that funded projects which Ayres was involved with, again some years ago.
Obama and Ayres cross paths periodically.
ERGO----
Obama accepts the Weather Underground philosophy and/or Ayres' radical political ideas.
Perhaps there is some other conclusion being drawn that's negative, but I may have missed it.
None of the above statements appear to be in question. The issue is what inference can be drawn from them.
Obama has said publicly that he does not agree with or endorse the Weather Underground philosophy.
Ayres is a very public figure and has been quite forthcoming about his radical education ideas--nothing sinister in his behavior there.
Ayres has not done anything recently that would make one think he's planning bombings
Ayres has said things along the lines of "we were narcissistic and naive" in referring to the Weather Underground--that sounds like change to me.
Ayres is an public figure in Chicago liberal politics so crossing paths with Obama and his campaigns seems likely.
Ayres isn't involved nor hasn't been involved in Obama's Senate or Presidential campaigns.
Obama served on those boards with numerous other people besides Ayres. I understand some of them were conservatives.
The Annenberg Foundation is a very well-respected foundation, so Obama's selection to that board is a sign of mainstream acceptance.
The minutes of the board actions and other documents are all being looked at---I haven't heard anything to suggest impropriety.
I haven't seen anything that actually shows Ayres and Obama hanging out together at the backyard BBQ or similar regular connection.
Ayres' education projects were determined to be ineffective and the funding was ended.
Obama was a little kid when Ayres was a radical--over 30 years ago. Why does knowing Ayres now mean anything unusual?
What am I missing? Doesn't seem to me to be a big deal.
Ayres was a founder of Weather Underground in the 60s.
Ayres has said recently that he thinks he "didn't do enough to oppose the war".
Ayres has not said he rejects his past.
Ayres works to promote 'radical leftist' ideas today as an educator.
Obama's first 'candidate coffee' back when he ran for the legislature was at Ayre's house in the 90s.
Obama served on a board with Ayres some years ago.
Obama served on a different board that funded projects which Ayres was involved with, again some years ago.
Obama and Ayres cross paths periodically.
ERGO----
Obama accepts the Weather Underground philosophy and/or Ayres' radical political ideas.
Perhaps there is some other conclusion being drawn that's negative, but I may have missed it.
None of the above statements appear to be in question. The issue is what inference can be drawn from them.
Obama has said publicly that he does not agree with or endorse the Weather Underground philosophy.
Ayres is a very public figure and has been quite forthcoming about his radical education ideas--nothing sinister in his behavior there.
Ayres has not done anything recently that would make one think he's planning bombings
Ayres has said things along the lines of "we were narcissistic and naive" in referring to the Weather Underground--that sounds like change to me.
Ayres is an public figure in Chicago liberal politics so crossing paths with Obama and his campaigns seems likely.
Ayres isn't involved nor hasn't been involved in Obama's Senate or Presidential campaigns.
Obama served on those boards with numerous other people besides Ayres. I understand some of them were conservatives.
The Annenberg Foundation is a very well-respected foundation, so Obama's selection to that board is a sign of mainstream acceptance.
The minutes of the board actions and other documents are all being looked at---I haven't heard anything to suggest impropriety.
I haven't seen anything that actually shows Ayres and Obama hanging out together at the backyard BBQ or similar regular connection.
Ayres' education projects were determined to be ineffective and the funding was ended.
Obama was a little kid when Ayres was a radical--over 30 years ago. Why does knowing Ayres now mean anything unusual?
What am I missing? Doesn't seem to me to be a big deal.
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