ron2
Posted : 9/27/2008 7:23:25 AM
fuzzy_dogs_mom
I'm guessing that a lot of people who belonged to radical groups in the 60s grew up to be nice, normal people. 
Why do you think Obama's stance on terrorism would be any different than yours or mine? It almost sounds like you suspect he might be secretly in favor of it.
Not necessarily. At the least, poor judgement. I'll go ahead and give the answer. Obama and I are approx the same age. So, he was a kid when these things happened. Bill Ayers belonged to the Weathermen. Thanks to Bill Ayers, they did a bit more than burn bras and draft cards. They bombed the Pentagon. They bombed a number of police stations in New York City. A few people got killed. Ayers was charged but later set free. And he bragged about being guilty, yet being set free. And, on 9-11-01, he felt we deserved the attack and he wished he had done more back in the heyday of the Weathermen. He is a known, documented terrorist. And he worked on the Annenberg Challenge, along with Director Obama, who has been to parties at Ayers' house in his honor. No, Obama didn't commit the acts of terrorism, but he's hanging out and being chummy with a terrorist.
Now, I know a number of people will come along and either justify that or explain how one is not guilty by association and you are right. Just as I have known some biker people, some good, some bad and my being in the same circles as someone who may have committed some crimes doesn't mean I am guilty of the crimes. But it behooves me to be careful with whom I associate. And since we will allow that we're not always guilty of what our associates are, why not allow variance in the severity of crimes? Someone selling some marijuana is not as bad as someone blowing up buildings.
But these may or may not be issues. Certainly, at some point, having learned some history, Obama would know of Ayers' background. And should have disassociated or at least asked how we can allow a terrorist to be involved in education. Instead of going to his house for a party supporting his political career.
I did watch some of the debate, each candidate relying on his best talents. Obama with the gift of words with a promise to change things and McCain with decades of experience and a proven track record. I think Obama's a little better at debating but that's not what makes a good president, it justs makes for good tv. Just as being a hero and a combat veteran doesn't make a good president. And, no matter how they debate each other, once in the White House, things change. And, a debate doesn't predict the election. Reagan didn't do so well in his first debate but he kicked butt in the next one.
But, for once, it's nice to hear the candidates in their own words, which is a campaign manager's nightmare. They usually try to keep a candidate from speaking their mind because of the high risk of foot-in-mouth disease.