Obama “Pals Around With Terrorists”: What About You?
Oct 7th, 2008 by Will Potter
As McCain’s campaign is sinking, and it’s getting harder and harder to differentiate Sarah Palin from Tina Fey, his campaign team has pulled out a tactic straight from the “Green Scare” playbook. Palin has said Barack Obama “pals around with terrorists” because he has worked with the same organizations as Bill Ayers, a former member of the Weather Underground.
As background: In the 60s, Ayers was involved with bombings against government buildings in protest of the Vietnam War and U.S. imperialism. Now, he is highly regarded by the mayor of Chicago, and he has been named citizen of the year. Check out this video of Ayers speaking about his long-time work on education issues, and his crazy, terrorist ideas about teaching children to think for themselves. What a radical!
I’ll leave it to you all to post comments about whether Ayers and the Weather Underground are “terrorists,” but that’s really besides the point. McCain and Palin are saying Obama is guilty by association.
Sound familiar? Yeah, kind of like how the Center for Consumer Freedom said the Humane Society is “consorting with terrorists” for allowing another organization to simply set up a table at an animal welfare conference.
These tactics are fluid. They aren’t limited to animal rights activists, environmentalists, or communists. The T-word can be used against any enemy of the hour, and anyone who even associates with those recklessly labeled as “terrorists.” I guess by that skewed logic I’m a “terrorist” (I’ve even–egad!–had drinks and dinner with “terrorists.” And enjoyed it!) What about you?
And McCain, listen up. I’m calling you out. GreenIsTheNewRed.com has already exposed the Earth Liberation Front’s Retirement Cell, and it’s only a matter of time before you’re exposed for associating with them. Attacking Obama won’t protect you: you’re either with us or against us, gramps.
The difference between freedom fighter and terrorist is largely viewpoint.
It’s all especially ridiculous, since Palin has closer ties to a “terrorist” (anti-American) group than Obama:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/10/07/palins_unamerican/
Thanks for the link Kelly, that’s an important point to add.
And it’s interesting that Ayers’ name is dragged through the mud without anyone ever addressing him or considering him as an actual person. You can show your support for him here:
http://www.supportbillayers.org/
or by joining the facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30379517204
i know obama has denounced ayer’s past terrorist actions but i hope obama makes some sort of attempt to stand up for him(although i doubt this will happen so close to the election). have palin or mccain even hinted at the work that ayers is doing now?? i think what’s scary to note about this(if this last minute attempt actually works for mccain and palin and the public is actually affected by this “association”) is just how long this terrorist identity and label can action stick with someone in the public’s eye.
obama would totally get my vote if ayers was his BFF.
With everyone else being targeted, I’m amazed that those bad ass radical unschoolers haven’t been dragged in yet. If a guy who simply wants schools themselves to teach children to think for themselves is a “terrorist”, I’m amazed the kids who aren’t even in school are let be!
I like the post. I also agree with the fact that Ayers wanting to teach kids to think for themselves is a good thing. However, Ayers is a radical because of the bombings. The fact that he has an interest in something wholesome doesn’t exuse his past actions.
Excuse*, sorry.