Ayers and the Old Glory Boogie
posted at 10:50 am on May 5, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Well, let’s add to the avalanche of hits going to the Marathon Pundit this morning, who discovers a circa 2001 photo of William Ayers doing what looks to be the Twist on an American flag. The picture comes from a Chicago Magazine profile of Ayers, who had begun promoting his memoir of domestic terrorist called Fugitive Days. Here are two versions of the picture from that photo shoot:
Even in the CM profile, which tends towards the hagiographic, Ayers has no regrets about his domestic terrorism:
At 55, Bill Ayers, the notorious sixties radical, still carries a whiff of that rock ‘n’ roll decade: the oversize wire-rim glasses that, in a certain light, reveal themselves as bifocals; a backpack over his shoulder—not some streamlined, chic job, but a funky backpack-of-the-people, complete with a photo button of abolitionist John Brown pinned to one strap.
Yet he is also a man of the moment. For example: There is his cell phone, laid casually on the tabletop of this neighborhood Taylor Street coffee shop, and his passion for double skim lattes. In conversation, he has an immediate, engaging presence; he may not have known you long but, his manner suggests, he’s already fascinated. Then there is his quick laugh and his tendency to punctuate his comments by a tap on your arm. …
One of the Weatherman leaders was Bernardine Dohrn, a smart, magnetic figure who, in part because of her penchant for miniskirts and knee-high boots, was dubbed “La Pasionaria of the Lunatic Left” by FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. After a bomb exploded accidentally and killed three of their colleagues, Ayers and Dohrn “hooked up,” in the parlance of the day, and, since 1982, they have been married. This—violence, death, and white-hot rhetoric—is his past and Ayers insists he has no regrets. “I acted appropriately in the context of those times,” he says. But it’s hard to reconcile this quick-witted man with that revolutionary. Today Bill Ayers seems too happy to have ever been so angry.
Marcia Froelke Coburn doesn’t bother to ask Ayers any tough questions in this interview. She notes the Weather Underground robberies and murders of 1981 but never mentions Dohrn’s part in those crimes, nor her refusal to testify against the murderers they counted as their close friends. She does manage to catch Ayers in a moment of hypocrisy, however:
Certainly there are moments when Ayers has the sound of the sixties down pat, like when he tells me, “Imperialism or globalization—I don’t have to care what it’s called to hate it.” And then there are moments when he sounds light-years away from his radical sensibilities, more like an old grump lamenting today’s uninformed youth: He tells me a story about going into Starbucks and having the young woman behind the counter mistake his photo pin of John Brown for Walt Whitman. “And when I told her, no, it’s John Brown, she said, ‘Who is John Brown?’”
But I am struck by another part of that story. What are you doing in a Starbucks? I ask the man who professes to hate globalization.
“Oh,” he says. “I have an addiction to caffeine.”
Allow me to offer Ayers a solution: fair-trade coffee and a Thermos.
The optics of these picture will not help Barack Obama make his case that Ayers’ radicalism existed when Obama was only eight years old. At the time of this magazine profile, Obama and Ayers served together on the Woods Foundation board of directors. Obama worked for Ayers at the Chicago Annenberg Challenge as the board’s chair in 1996, well documented by Tom Maguire even while it isn’t documented at all by Obama.
The Old Glory Boogie in 2001 will again raise questions about Obama’s judgment in working with America-hating radicals and lunatics. At some point, one has to wonder whether this shows bad judgment or reveals something about Obama’s real views on America and politics — and which would be worse in the White House.
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So sad they (left wing Dems) hate America first. Their kowtowing to the UN and other international organizations is sickening. Do they have any policies that actually favor the United States of America?
kirkill on May 5, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Spoiled rich kid who never grew up.
29Victor on May 5, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Treason? Or just an enormous douchebag? It doesn’t matter. Let’s see if the MSM will run with this.
Maybe Barry should take lessons from here.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 5, 2008 at 10:57 AM
These are the vilest of possible words
Pastor Wright, Rezko and Ayers
Barack Obama’s collection of turds
Pastor Wright, Rezko and Ayers
mymanpotsandpans on May 5, 2008 at 10:58 AM
What South America has that America doesn’t, but needs:
Right Wing Death Squads
pseudonominus on May 5, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 5, 2008 at 10:59 AM
If you hate America so much then get the hell out!
SoulGlo on May 5, 2008 at 11:00 AM
What a detestable POS.
Big John on May 5, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I’d like to Russian-Sickle that dude.
natesnake on May 5, 2008 at 11:01 AM
I’d get angry over this picture, but he looks so ridiculous standing on the flag with his arms up in the air like a hopelessly unhip white guy that I just can’t muster anything but pity.
Esthier on May 5, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Where’s Jim Brossard when you need him?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 5, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Heh.
Jaibones on May 5, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Just e-mailed the photo to 41 patriots in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. I’m sure it will be a big hit with them.
Limerick on May 5, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Some one should pour a double skim latte over his head. How is this creature allowed to roam without frequent castigation and bespittling?
BL@KBIRD on May 5, 2008 at 11:10 AM
It never ceases to amaze that lefties who do this sort of thing seem so temendously oblivious to the irony of their actions: stomping (burning, etc.) the very flag that provides them with the right to stomp (burn) the flag.
ncc770 on May 5, 2008 at 11:10 AM
the only logical conclusion one can draw from this is that Obama hates America.
crr6 on May 5, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Dude. Now, where’s Zell Miller when you need him?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 5, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Who’s up for stomping on a Mexican flag? Or better yet, a UN flag?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 5, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Barry’s friends have proven themselves willing and able to push his head underwater to get more air time.
I’m hoping for a long book tour.
I’m sure Obama wishes that Professor Calamitous, Beautiful Gorgeous, Grandma Taters and the rest would simply just disappear.
moxie_neanderthal on May 5, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Just makes me want to cling to my flag.
RushBaby on May 5, 2008 at 11:20 AM
The evil corporate baristas at Starbucks actually sell fairtrade coffee.
cameo on May 5, 2008 at 11:20 AM
So is this the new Brand of Patriotism?
ninjapirate on May 5, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Because we have more class than that. And don’t forget, as Tammy Bruce mentioned on the radio this morning, Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico defeating France. So that’s a good thing.
But ok, the UN flag, I got no problem with that. Better yet, just pull our funding of that “do nothing to promote world peace organization, even though that was it’s original purpose.”
kirkill on May 5, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Leave Obama Alone!!!!!!!
He was only thirty-nine at the time.
Obama can sit through a long, screaming sermon and not hear anything. How can we hold him responsible to be aware of what his associates are up to?
If we are to truly deserve hope and change and a Black skinned president, I join Tom Hanks in asking all of you for an absence of accountability towards Obama, or people, this is just not going to work.
Hening on May 5, 2008 at 11:22 AM
commie bastardo
custer on May 5, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - for Obama who brags about his judgement and his ability to transcend race and ideology, he sure sucks at it. Unless of course, he means to hang out with Race baiters and terrorists, then he’s excellent at it.
mjk on May 5, 2008 at 11:24 AM
get a grip
Sefton on May 5, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Eh, according to the Official Narrative, guys like this are heroes. You know, refreshing the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants and such. His unrepentance just shows he hasn’t sold out to The Man.
Farmer_Joe on May 5, 2008 at 11:27 AM
That picture of Ayers will go nicely next to the one with Obama standing awkwardly with his hands in front of him while the National Anthem plays (and all the other politicians on the stage stand with hands over hearts). Some group somewhere is working on a nice commercial with these images right now, and a lot of gun-toting, Bible-thumping, xenophobic middle Americans are going to be seeing a lot of that commercial in the fall.
And, BTW Barry, you were about 41 years old in 2001 when your good buddy Ayers was posing for this picture, weren’t you? I don’t think many Americans are going to be too impressed by your “hey I was only 8 when Ayers was planting bombs” defense after they see this picture of that arrogant, America-hating, POS Ayers.
AZCoyote on May 5, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Don’t question their patriotism.
WisCon on May 5, 2008 at 11:28 AM
What the Clintons have that Obama doesn’t, but needs:
Arkansas goons
Mike Honcho on May 5, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Has anyone noticed the article was written less than a month before September 11?
vonspringer on May 5, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Professor Calamitous’ photo should be on a milk carton.
moxie_neanderthal on May 5, 2008 at 11:32 AM
How’s this grab you Ed?
Obama’s liabilities are considerable. His very pro-abortion, pro-late term abortion voting record, and documented views lay in wait for the general. If he looks “out of the mainstream” now just wait a month or so…
Theworldisnotenough on May 5, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Yet one more thing that McCain will berate conservatives for bringing up.
spmat on May 5, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Bring on the photos and the ongoing comments from Ayers.
There is no mistaking Ayers, Wright AND MICHELLE OBAMA are Barack Hussein’s reflection. Otherwise, NAME closest friends of BHO who COUNTER these views. There are none, or they would already have been paraded by his campaign. If they come out of the woodwork now, it’s all fabricated whole cloth for a fresh whitewash effect.
Really, now, who is confused about BHO? Frustrated, perhaps, that we see him for himself; but not confused about Obama. So if Obama wins his DNC primaries, it merely proves how many Americans LIKE Ayers more than they love their American heritage. That so many think being abusive is “smart” is another reflection of American culture corrupted.
So now, who finds the conservative platform valuable? Who promotes the conservative agenda regarding citizenship rights and responsibilities not being cast as pearls before swine? Not McCain, not yet if ever, because he is another Progressive, not Marxist, but Progressive in the Marxist pocket.
Blast the progressives and purge McCain of his errors in liberally facilitating compliance of judgment. McCain has his own sins against the citizens of America needing his own sworn affidavit to believe McCain’s presidential platform as GOP, not RINO.
Effectively pressure Obama, Hillary, and McCain simultaneously to conserve your own energy. Require their own alignment with or against YOU, the tax paying citizen whose voice bears no sway in the progressive winds, but is only heard on conservative grounds. You need not align with THEM as THEY are the ones courting YOUR vote.
maverick muse on May 5, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Punk-ass punk.
mikeyboss on May 5, 2008 at 11:47 AM
amerpundit on May 5, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Well that didn’t work out.
“Oh,” he says. “
I have an addiction to caffeine.‘m a douchebag hypocrite.”amerpundit on May 5, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Why do these America hating freaks stay in the US? There are plenty of other countries to go live in if they find America so repulsive. We certainly would be glad to see them leave and take their violence with them.
katieanne on May 5, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Amazing. If you go to the Wikipedia article for Ayers,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Ayers
it never mentions “terrorist” or “terrorism”, and some have made sure that hasn’t happened- if you read the discussion page, they argue it’s not accurate. I’m sorry, but it is accurate:
No denying- Ayers himself says he set bombs, and his purpose was to coerce.
The wikipedia article just says he’s a distinguished professor and a 60’s radical.
TheBlueSite on May 5, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Finally, a head-out-of-ass comment from cervix!
Jaibones on May 5, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Here are some interesting articles written by David Horowitz, a person who knows this type better then most anyone else, since he was at the birth of the SDS.
First article
Second
Third
There are more, but David had them (ayres and his wife) pegged years ago.
right2bright on May 5, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Obama Unfit for Command
Chakra Hammer on May 5, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Empty Shell
entagor on May 5, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Kind of makes the flag pin on the lapel issue more relevant (given that this radical leftist has no reservations about dancing on the flag).
Rick on May 5, 2008 at 11:58 AM
What, are we not allowed to question his judgment? Especially since that’s what he’s running on.
Rick on May 5, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Disgusting. What an absolute POS. To think, that he might actually be invited to spend a night in the Lincoln Bedroom if the people who vote for Obama or against McCain get their way.
Disgusting.
wise_man on May 5, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I believe that somewhere there is a picture of Obama doing this or burning a flag. Somebody probably has an audio tape of Obama saying something wonderful about Ayers or bad about the United States of America.
There is no way a person can pal around with so much scum without getting some on themselves.
EJDolbow on May 5, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Yes, and a puff piece it was, too. No wonder he felt emboldened to express his remorselessness on 9/11/01. Even goes so far as to parrot sympathy for a dead terrorist:
*sniff*
/I’m so sure.
RushBaby on May 5, 2008 at 12:05 PM
It’s a bit challenging to read the text in that second picture, but if you look carefully you can read that he said
Apparently, about the only thing Ayers thinks is great about this country is that he literally got away with murder.
And he celebrates by dancing on the flag.
He dishonors every man and woman who has given their life to defend this nation and our freedoms.
Answer: Because their goal isn’t to leave this country. They Hope to Change this country and want other people to Believe as they do.
Red Pill on May 5, 2008 at 12:11 PM
someone needs to give this guy a nice long piece of rope.
Jared_MA on May 5, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Well, now we know why Barry wouldn’t wear the flag lapel pin. He was afraid that Ayers would stomp on his chest. Perfectly legitimate.
Matticus Finch on May 5, 2008 at 12:14 PM
How do we take back our nation without having to resort to the physical bodily annihilation of ppl like ayers?
blatantblue on May 5, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I ask for the 47th time: are we REALLY maybe going to elect Barack Obama? Seriously?
Professor Blather on May 5, 2008 at 12:17 PM
God help Ayers if he ever gets out of this country and goes abroad.
You know, most of the E.U., the Middle Eastern or South Americans I have met don’t care for Americans… they hate lefties even more because they think they know it all and have said they are ignorant. I wonder how Ayers would do in Poland? Or Afgahnistan? Or Iran?
I bet he would be hugging that Flag he is dancing on then.
Now, would I protect his stupid ass, would be the question.
upinak on May 5, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Would you stay in if B.H.O. or H.R.C. was put in?
Getting nervous? How are you doing on your run BTW?
upinak on May 5, 2008 at 12:19 PM
The short end will do just fine, thanks.
James on May 5, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I’m really tired of these racist, 6-degrees-of-separation attacks on Obama. I really do not see the relevance of the fact that a guy who wants to be President surrounds himself with people who hate America.
These attacks are a distraction from the real issues. And they aren’t helping my kids.
misterpeasea on May 5, 2008 at 12:21 PM
From the piece quoted by Theworldisnotenough on May 5, 2008 at 11:36 AM:
Won’t this make a great bumper sticker, or poster, or ad?
[Photos of Wright, Ayers, Dohrn, etc.]
“I CHOSE MY FRIENDS CAREFULLY” —Barack Hussein Obama
LOL!
MrLynn on May 5, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Only enlightened conservative pundits seem to wonder about that. Most of us great unwashed know the guy is a post-modern, racist, marxist, corrupt little creep poseur. He’s an empty suit but only pundits seem to be confused. We don’t think he’s charming and charismatic despite pundits telling us that constantly.
peacenprosperity on May 5, 2008 at 12:23 PM
OT: Come to think of it, how about Zell for VP?
MrLynn on May 5, 2008 at 12:24 PM
My own father is a blue state Democrat who likes Barack Obama. I was talking on the phone with my father yesterday, and he won’t listen to a word I say about Obama or Obama’s associates.
What is it going to take to make Obama supporters wake up to who he and the people with whom he surrounds himself really are?
Red Pill on May 5, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Barack’s continued refusal to wear the American flag lapel pin and his close friendship with the ilk of Ayers is NOT a coincidence.
He is a bigger fool than one would think if he thinks American people will continue to be taken in by his lack of substance.
And what kind of a man stomps on anything with looking like that?
Fineagle on May 5, 2008 at 12:27 PM
That’s an easy one to answer: its going to take him getting elected. THEN they’ll realize what they’ve done and who exactly he is and what sort of people he chooses to have around.
Sucks for the rest of us.
Professor Blather on May 5, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Dance on the Koran or the Gay flag and see what happens.
Dance on the American Flag, and no one bats an eye, especially the media.
madmonkphotog on May 5, 2008 at 12:34 PM
“One of the Weatherman leaders was Bernardine Dohrn, a smart, magnetic figure”…I want her on my fridge so i won’t raid the fridge late at night.
It figures that Ayers would put aside his hatred of American capitalist corporations and go to Starbucks, it’s anti-military. That’s why I will never meet Ayers, or anyone else there. I guess if Ayers needed some heroin he’s put up with having to enter a dealer’s dump just to get his fix. Apparently, addictions change people’s value systems. Amazing.
Christine on May 5, 2008 at 12:34 PM
So, according to your standards, guilt by association should not be a factor.
Let’s see if you tree hugging hippies truly believe that in days and months to come.
madmonkphotog on May 5, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Welcome, Michelle Obama.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 5, 2008 at 12:38 PM
I know people are not supposed to be guilty by association..but come on people..I am going out on a limb here and saying People should be found guilty by associationS (plural) - Birds of a feather flock together. Name one pro-American (and non-crook) that BHO was friends with prior to his running for president (excepting maybe his grandmother and we know what he did to her)…anyone??
HawaiiLwyr on May 5, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Ahh Starbucks is not anti-military. One of the Owners gives me coffee to send out to my Soldiers once a month.
upinak on May 5, 2008 at 12:40 PM
I’m really tired of these racist, 6 degrees-of-seperation attacks on Hitler. He never puts Jews in gas chambers and his book as really interesting. All his talk about getting rid of the entire Jewish race was just empty rhetoric. It was really Himmler and Mengele who were the Nazis.
Hitler just wanted to have a strong Germany and he accomplished that.
(see how that works?)
mjk on May 5, 2008 at 12:44 PM
.
That is a REALLY bad idea.
.
What we need is for the anti-McCain people to take over the local and state Republican parties from the Paulistas and the country clubbers.
Right_of_Attila on May 5, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Irony: He’s a tenured professor at a public institution drawing his salary and ben’fits from a government he despises. He’s worse than Ward Churchill.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 5, 2008 at 12:47 PM
What in the Sam Hill are you talking about? You are joking, right? Sorry, but if we have a president who actually hates America, there ARE no other REAL issues. And that isn’t helping anyone’s kids.
Irony: He’s a tenured professor at a public institution drawing his salary and ben’fits from a government he despises. He’s worse than Ward Churchill.Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 5, 2008 at 12:47 PMHypocrisy is nothing new to the radical left. Just never point it out to them or expect them to accept responsibilty and all will be just fine.
Glynn on May 5, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Don’t know why that drew a line through your quote, Cwac.Cwac. Sorry.
Glynn on May 5, 2008 at 12:56 PM
I find it astonishing that Ayers is employed by the taxpayers of Illinois. People in Illinois need to get a clue.
Oh, and, when does McCain start in on this guy Ayers, as many right side bloggers predicted? Anytime now, Senator.
james23 on May 5, 2008 at 12:57 PM
American-hating radicals who happen to be obsessed with Education. Which is why education is so important to Michelle and Barack. And Ayers. When you lead on education, you define the path on education.
And the path has very little to do with teaching children how to grow up to become successful, prosperous individuals able to stand on their own two feet and always about control of the system for teaching about hate America-hate the system, rent-seeking socialist indoctrination.
The Obamas, Ayers, and yes, Wright, really don’t care about the education that Americans “hope and change” for and that’s the reason why no matter how much more money gets sucked out of our pocketbooks into “education”, the system still sucks.
And where does the education system suck the most? Exactly where these same hate America-hate the system, rent-seeking socialist indoctrinators have the most control over it and where any real “hope and change” approach proposed is fought tooth and nail by these same people.
Dusty on May 5, 2008 at 12:59 PM
So at the DailyKKK, they are claiming that Ayer’s bombing of the Pentagon created jobs, so was a good thing.
No, really. http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2008/5/5/123721/4066/31#c31
And the rest of them are frantically mocking this story as irrelevant.
Vanceone on May 5, 2008 at 1:05 PM
He’s a traitorous scumbag. Someone should put him (and his ilk) in a straight-jacket, load them on a barge, and drop them off on the shores of Cuba. They deserve each other.
Gartrip on May 5, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Nope, can’t question his judgement because that raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacist.
crazy_legs on May 5, 2008 at 1:12 PM
No probs, gee. I’m an educated white guy that is trying to hook up with a sweet deal like that without having to resort to domestic terrorism. I don’t know. I guess this whole thing of using one’s merits just doesn’t work.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 5, 2008 at 1:13 PM
This post has to be a joke, right?
right2bright on May 5, 2008 at 1:14 PM
This is the equivalent to wondering what would be worse…A fart-bubble, or a turd in the punch-bowl.
franksalterego on May 5, 2008 at 1:16 PM
The Chicago Magazine piece tries a rowback for Ayers’ old girlfriend, Diana Oughton, claiming that maybe she nobly intentionally detonated the bomb that killed her and two others, rather than let it be set at a soldiers’ dance at Fort Dix. What a joke.
Brainster on May 5, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Show Ayers a picture of someone stomping on a Palestinian flag…..See what he does.
ThePrez on May 5, 2008 at 2:29 PM
franksalterego on May 5, 2008 at 1:16 PM
TMI comes to mind too.
upinak on May 5, 2008 at 2:34 PM
To quote (sort of) someone we all know : O’Bama’s Chickens Have Come Home To Rooooooossssst.
bloggless on May 5, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Yeah but if you use Rev Wright’s logic Starbucks is just another evil US Government tool to keep blacks addicted to caffeine and once they are addicted threaten to cut them off unless they tow the line…
Liberty or Death on May 5, 2008 at 2:59 PM
About 40 years ago, someone should have done “the Twist” on his shirt…while he was wearing it.
whitetop on May 5, 2008 at 3:14 PM
ahahahaha!
Branch Rickey on May 5, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Was it Ayers or the photographer who didn’t have the balls to shoot that shot out in the open? Had to hide in an alleyway to get that gem of a shot.
ej_pez on May 5, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Wow Bill Ayers, You’re SO groovy, SO counter-culture. Dig It, You’re where it’s At, man!
A regular Billy Jack Ayers tough guy, you are, when your MSM pals are around.
One tin(foil hat) soldier rides away…
But wtf is with the (two) earrings well into your 50’s?
AWe back in high school, ‘rebel’ boy? Is that it?
I’d like reconcile this punk’s ‘quick-wit’ by beating it the hell out of him.
Teddy on May 5, 2008 at 3:36 PM
[ej_pez on May 5, 2008 at 3:26 PM]
Nice point.
Dusty on May 5, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Too bad this didn’t rapidly disintegrate into a flag burning (with him in it).
moxie_neanderthal on May 5, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Would it break any laws to push him under a bus? No really.
Akzed on May 5, 2008 at 4:41 PM
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