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Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008 | 2 a.m.
William Ayers accompanies Bernardine Dohrn as the former radical enters the Criminal Courts Building in Chicago in 1980 to surrender to authorities.
Sun Topics
David Tanenhaus could have stayed silent as pundits and politicos debated the significance of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s ties to Vietnam-era radical William Ayers.
But with news reports glossing over what Tanenhaus thought were important details about Ayers, a man Tanenhaus knew and respected, the soft-spoken UNLV history professor appeared this week on FOX News Channel’s “The O’Reilly Factor” to talk about the controversy.
One of Tanenhaus’ main points: The Ayers he and Obama met in Chicago in the 1990s was a different man from the old Ayers, a leader of the anti-war Weather Underground, which bombed the Pentagon and other high-profile targets.
Tanenhaus said the Ayers he knew was a children’s rights advocate leading a “decent, good, productive” life. Tanenhaus encountered Ayers, an education professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, while researching Chicago’s juvenile justice system. Obama worked with Ayers on school reform.
Tanenhaus remembers Ayers and his wife, Bernardine Dohrn, another former Weather Underground leader, not as terrorists but as a middle-aged couple who invited him to build gingerbread-cookie houses and share Christmas dinner with them in 2000 shortly after Tanenhaus lost his first wife to breast cancer.
“They treated me like parents,” Tanenhaus, 40, told the Sun on Thursday, reiterating themes in an Oct. 10 article he wrote for Slate, an online magazine. “They didn’t want me alone on Christmas, so they invited me into their home.”
“I wanted to bring some humanity to this story that was very politicized by the election. They’re human beings. They’re parents. They’re grandparents. All of that was being lost, so I was trying to bring some humanity to the story.”
It’s a story that has refused to die.
While battling Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton talked about the Illinois senator’s relationship with Ayers. Arizona Sen. John McCain discussed the Ayers-Obama connection in Wednesday’s debate with Obama, and Nevadans began receiving automated phone calls Thursday on the issue from the Republican presidential nominee’s camp.
Tanenhaus’ Slate piece earned him the ire of many readers, some of who e-mailed him to complain.
“I got a lot of people making an argument similar to the hypothetical that O’Reilly posed to me, which was, ‘Imagine a war criminal. They come back into society, and they’re doing all these good things and they’re exposed. Are they still a war criminal?’ ”
Still, some history department colleagues who have read Tanenhaus’ Slate submission or watched his O’Reilly appearance say Tanenhaus is doing what historians do best — putting past events into context.
For example, Tanenhaus pointed out that for many members of his and Obama’s generation, Vietnam was “not such a big deal,” said Colin Loader, a fellow history professor.
“That’s what we do as historians,” Loader said. “We try to put stories in perspective.”
Tanenhaus said he didn’t discuss the Weather Underground with Ayers or Dohrn. That part of their life seemed distant by the time Tanenhaus met them.
“I would never say that what they did was something that I would support or that I thought that was right,” he said. “I never understood the idea of blowing things up.”
But he added that he believes in redemption, and that it is important to recognize that Ayers and Dohrn had, by the 1990s, dedicated themselves to addressing issues including juvenile justice.
Tanenhaus said he was able to convey that message successfully on O’Reilly’s show though O’Reilly did most of the talking, firing questions at Tanenhaus such as, “If you’re going to support an unrepentant terrorist, what does that say about you?”
Paul Werth, another UNLV history faculty member, said watching the segment reinforced his reluctance to appear on programs of that sort. If guests don’t have the opportunity to fully articulate their arguments, “I don’t think there’s a point to it,” he said.
Tanenhaus said O’Reilly’s producer had asked him to go on air to defend his views after he signed an online petition supporting Ayers.
Tanenhaus said he accepted the invitation because “you speak up for what you believe in.”
Tanenhaus said he hopes the Ayers story “fades away much like the Weather Underground faded from memory once before.”
But he’s not done speaking up yet. On Monday, he said, he’s scheduled to appear on “FOX & Friends,” a FOX News Channel morning show, to talk about his old friend again.
A kind man. A man who bombed and killed. A man, whose wife killed. A kind man. A founder of SDS whose co bomber Wade Rathke founded ACORN. Not a lie, Rathke was a SDS founder that later started two organizations. ACORN and the union SEIU. Are we starting to see a trend?
No wonder why UNLV and the System of Higher Education is so screwed up. Their professors think that Ayers is a hero. It certainly shows the mentality of the university system. They need to get out in the real world. We should not be paying this guy. Has anyone bothered to check this guys bacground. Maybe we need to check everybody's background over there.
This "kind man" never apologized to his victims or their families.
This is exhibit A that demostrates that higher education is full of junk staff who do not have any wisdom.
Two articles on the front page of this worthless paper defending a terrorist, does this surprise anyone. This paper has no shame with its socialist propaganda. Greenspun needs to leave his political shortsightedness in California, where he lives and preaches from.
I doubt greenspun's father would have ran these articles. Of course that does not matter, greenspun inherited it all and unfortunately is the fat ass son of a distinguished man who does not know his ass from a hole in the ground.
I applaud Professor Tannenhaus for having the courage and the decency to speak up for people who treated him well. Ranting about something one knows only from news reports is easy and meaningless; speaking from personal experience, and embracing both complexity and paradox, is hard and matters. Bravo Tannenhaus: you showed guts and decency.
LKM, I beg your pardon-something only known by news report!!! does this make bombing public buildings right? The only intent of these articles by the sun is to soften one of the many actions by obama that makes him unfit for the presidency
Sad comment by a very naive person clearly supporting the liberal crap the media has been shoving down our throats for many years.
As for your professor, he is preaching his agenda too. Propaganda is propaganda, nothing more. Evidently you cannot discern what is and what is not. Sad commentary on the sheep like behavior of American citizens, history has taught us the consequences of a populace towing the line and following blindly. Think about that!!
I am confused. All these people who purport to be patriots, but then label Ayers as a villain and terrorist. What crime was Ayers convicted of? Doesn't our constitution say that someone is innocent until proven guilty? What did the government prove him guilty of? Oh yeah, nothing - because due to government abuse and misconduct bringing any sort of case against Ayers is impossible. The man is innocent by our own constitution. You who claim to be patriots, I dare you to acknowledge that.
As for what we convict him of today - a NYT article where his quotes were distorted - just like most of you claim this paper does - and all the media does. So you believe the media when it is convenient to inspire your hate?
All this UNLV professor did was say that these people are human, and at a very dark time in his life - they helped him. What is wrong with that? Who of you helped him when his wife died of breast cancer? I don't know what Ayers did or did not do. I certainly can not judge him. But it seems to me that making a villain of an american citizen who was never convicted of anything - goes completely against the values that we claim to hold dear.
How quaint, a "kndly terrorist."
David Tanenhaus is not merely a friend of mine, but someone whom I respect greatly as a person, a teacher, and a scholar. Even if that were not the case, I would say what I am about to say.
He did not--repeat, did not--condone what The Weather Underground did. He did not say he thought Bill Ayers was right in his beliefs or to do what he did. He stated what he knew about the Bill Ayers he knows.
I would add that the reason Ayers was never convicted of any crime was that the federal government broke the law itself through wire-tapping and other illegal activities. That doesn't condone what he did, either. But it says a great deal about the people trying to hang Professor Tanenhaus for speaking up on behalf of a friend.
Hm. Speaking on behalf of a friend. Loyalty to someone who was good to you. Some of you might try feeling loyalty and friendship to something other than yourselves and your hate.
Ayers has admitted to bombing police stations and other crimes.
He has never apologized for those crimes or the damage to the victims or victims family.
If David Tanenhaus respects that then David Tanenhaus has very poor judgement, just like Obama.
Nance, you seem to respect a "man" who crashed five airplanes and ran around on his wife. Did those break the law? No. But it doesn't say much for him as a man. Renounce him and say you are not voting for him.
Nor does it say much for a "man" who won't admit to his own drunk driving record, lied about a woman he ordered executed, promoted policies that have led to the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression (causing want and privation) or is responsible for the murder of 4,100 American soldiers. I would say George W. Bush has caused more wanton and unnecessary death, destruction, and sadness than Bill Ayers ever dreamed of. Renounce him or show us that you are a hypocrite.
It seems that you are the hypocrite.
It seems that you are OK with a man that bombs police stations and harms people and never says, "Sorry".
I guess that the standard that you Obama live up to.
All you can come back with is a bunch of hogwash liberal koolaid crap.
"No wonder why UNLV and the System of Higher Education is so screwed up."
Elizabeth:
Although UNLV strongly encourages academic freedom (which it should adamantly defend!), it would be highly irresponsible to associate a professor's viewpoint and statements with those views of UNLV as a whole, or the entire Higher Education System of Nevada. Furthermore, the academic environment should respect the diverse intellect from both the staff and the student body; everyone has a voice.
So if a history professor came out and said that he admire and respected David Duke then the UNLV would applaud that as a demostration of academic freedom.
LOL...........
I am sure Osama bin Laden was a nice guy too, building all those roads and hospitals and all.
The liberal mind never ceases to amaze me.
Liberals also overlook the sins of their liberal heros.
They fall over themselves in love when talking about Castro who is a dictator.
They have no shame.
Now, libs and Obama have another hero in Ayers.
Ayers admits to bombing and hurting people.
Is Ayers ashamed of that? NO.....HE IS VERY PROUD OF THOSE ACTIONS.
If you want to be critical, you could try reading the article. As I said, at no time did anyone condone what Ayers did. Tanenhaus stated what Ayers was like in his dealings with him. In turn, he was loyal to a friend--a quality you seem to love in George W. Bush sticking with war criminals like Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, to name only two in his administration who should be in prison.
But you choose instead to attack both Ayers, who did something terrible, and Tanenhaus, who merely talked about knowing him in more recent times. That is almost as unfortunate as your inability to think for yourselves instead of parroting the hateful racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-Americanism of the Fox News crowd. You should join the insane congresswoman from Minnesota in your little Bircher/McCarthy cult. Happily, though, since liberals saved capitalism in the 1930s, it looks like we're going to get to do it again and end up being criticized for it. Which is fine. As liberals, we are open-minded and willing to accept criticism, unlike the right wing, because we actually believe in a First Amendment right to be heard. Even for you.
I'll bet the Weather Underground did not "fade away from the memory" of its victims. shame on the Sun for running this in defense of their Chosen One.
MG:
I was with you until you started ranting about "hateful racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-Americanism of the Fox News crowd". That's a ridiculous argument.
You seem to be missing the point: Ayers is a bad guy and ANY association with him is going to be deemed irresponsible and show poor judgment. It would probably be different had Ayers robbed a liquor store at a young age. But he didn't, he is a terrorist, one who has stated that he wished he had committed more terrorism as recently as the early 2000's.
So please dispense with the ad hominem attacks.
All you McCain supporters are following his lead and spending all your energy talking about what Obama won't do for you instead of what McCain WILL do for you.
Please keep up the attacks. As the polls have indicated, this negativity is pushing Obama to a double digit lead and a landslide victory in a few weeks.
PLEASE KEEP UP THE ATTACKS ON OBAMA, DOING SO WILL TURN OFF IND. VOTERS AND WILL LAND OBAMA IN THE WHITEHOUSE---JUST LIKE ALL THE ANGER THE LEFT HAD TOWARDS BUSH PUSHED IND. VOTERS TO VOTE FOR BUSH IN 2004.
Your anger is doing more for Obama then anything his own people can do. Thanks!!!
Car_1, that was not an ad hominem attack. Try watching O'Reilly, Hannity, and their friends. And when I say anti-Americanism, I view what Ayers did as anti-American. He should have gone to prison. But I feel that racism, sexism, and homophobia are anti-American. Those are not the kinds of things this country is supposed to stand for. Of course, if you said that at a rally with Sarah Palin, she and her kindly supporters might do unto you as she does unto moose and wolves.
As to "any" association with Ayers, etc., I find that attitude strange. He did something wrong. I don't question that. But I guess that means you refuse to associate with anyone who has ever violated the law because, well, that would be wrong. So, I hope that your next post will include criticism of John McCain and anyone else who listens to or associates with G. Gordon Liddy, a convicted felon from part of Richard Nixon's effort to subvert constitutional government during Watergate. "Mr." Liddy, in case you didn't know, has advocated on his radio show that if ATF agents come to your door, shoot at their heads because they wear bullet-proof vests. He has advocated murder and claims to have committed violent crimes, in addition to the crimes for which he was convicted. Therefore, John McCain, having appeared on his radio show and praised him, should withdraw as nominee and from civilized society. I eagerly await your agreement with me.
Ayers is so wonderful.
BS.......he has never apologized for the crimes that physically hurt people.
In fact, he is very proud of those bombings.
It is one thing that is a terrorist.
But even now he is very proud that he was a terrorist and never never has been sorry for his past.
I guess Obama and libs just don't give dam about that.
Nance, I was going to apologize for veering a bit from the topic, but, sadly, I don't think we really have. It is useless to argue the point because you are not going to acknowledge or apologize for the domestic terrorism of G. Gordon Liddy, who, by the way, has shown not an ounce of repentance for his actions. I can't presume to apologize for Ayers and neither does Tanenhaus, who, to repeat, merely described the person he knew. It's a bit like saying that today's John McCain is not the temper-tantrum-throwing, bullying, philandering, drunken coward of his younger days because that isn't the person we know today. Of course, we couldn't say that because, well, that is the person we know today. Oops, off topic.
Gordan Liddy paid for his crimes and said something stupid on his radio show.
Ayers bombed the Pentagon and police stations where people got hurt.
Today, Ayers is very proud of those bombings.
If you want to equate Ayers's bombings to a few words on a radio show then you are drunk with koolaid from the DailyKos.
Obama and Libs have no problem with Ayers.
They could care less that he is very proud of those bombings.
Obama and Libs have poor judgement.
Just to clarify some points...
"Gordan Liddy paid for his crimes and said something stupid on his radio show."
Typical of a righty to let another righty off the hook.
"Ayers bombed the Pentagon and police stations where people got hurt."
Never happened.
"Today, Ayers is very proud of those bombings."
Completely bogus.
"Obama and Libs have no problem with Ayers."
Neither does Walter Annenberg.
"They could care less that he is very proud of those bombings."
He isn't.
"Obama and Libs have poor judgement."
Untrue.
All clear now? Good. Stop spreading lies.
Michael Green,
You are a typical idiot liberal. It is no wonder that Obama can get elected in a country with such people as you.
Thanks for contributing to the discussion, Laguna. I'm sorry you think that people are idiots for wanting to vote for someone who didn't get soldiers killed unnecessarily and doesn't believe in guilt by association.
Laguna,
Keep it up. Your hatred, nastiness, and lashing out towards someone simply expressing a different point of view then your own is what is driving the independant voters to side with Obama.
Please keep ignoring what your own candidate will do and resort to calling people names and making sweeping generalizations about people who differ from you.
You are playing the same roll that the screaming Bush-haters played in 2004. Keep pushing away the independant, please!!!!
For Mr. JohnVegas who does not like the facts:
"Ayers bombed the Pentagon and police stations where people got hurt."
Mr. Ayers admitted to doing such in his book. In his book he claims to take part in the bombing of the Pentagon, New York Police HQ and US capitol building.
I guess JohnVegas thinks Mr. Ayers lied in his own book.
He has never apologized for any of the bombing.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.ht...
In the above NY Times article is was quoted as saying, "I don't regret setting bombs" and "I feel we didn't do enough", and, when asked if he would "do it all again," as saying "I don't want to discount the possibility"
It is very clear that Obama and Libs have trouble with sound judgement.
The young man pilots the plane onwards. He's thousands of miles from home. It is not a declared war. Ahead of him are his targets. People he has never met. Innocent people will die. Onwards towards the target he flies. Is he a soldier or a terrorist? Is he John McCain or Mohamed Atta? The description fits both of them. If Mohamed Atta had survived and the people on the ground had captured him, would he have survived as John McCain survived? If bombing and killing are wrong, why does the USA keep bombing and killing?
Particalone, I guess you are going to be really sad when Obama increases the bombing in Afhangistan and Pakistan.
Niether country has the USA declared war on.
I guess that you are going for vote for Nader.
Just a point of fact here: No one was ever killed by Bill Ayers or his wife. Additionally, Bill Ayers apologized for his dealings with the weather underground in his book.
Hanging David Tanenhaus for knowing Bill Ayers is simply stupid. But that's what angry, ignorant, sanctimonious mobs like... Does anyone else hear echos of the Weimar Republic? jfnance32, are you part of the "real America?"
Arnold R. "Arnie" Weber is a Chicago Annenberg Board Member and Chicago "insider". He was a part of the Nixon White House. Arnie Weber has held other Washington "insider" jobs too. He is a LONGTIME REPUBLICAN DONOR. But get this: Arnie Weber was a BOARD MEMBER of the infamous **CHICAGO ANNENBERG CHALLENGE** organization, which was founded by known "TERRORIST" Bill Ayers!
Sarah Palin was using "guilt by association". This, however, is a two way street but Gov. Palin may not understand this.
NEW INFORMATION SHOWS THAT JOHN MCCAIN HAS ACCEPTED "TAINTED" CAMPAIGN MONEY FROM ARNIE WEBER, AN ASSOCIATE OF BILL AYERS.
Arnie Weber has given the maximum legal amount of $1,500 to the McCain campaign in 2008. He probably would have given more if allowed by law. In 2008, Arnie Weber made two separate donations of $1,000 and $500 to McCain's presidential campaign run by EX-LOBBYIST AND WASHINGTON INSIDER RICK DAVIS.
And that's not all. On 10/08/2008, John McCain's campaign released a list of 100 former ambassadors "endorsing" the GOP presidential nominee. Second on the list is Leonore Annenberg, currently the president and chairman of the Annenberg Foundation and widow of ambassador and philanthropist Walter Annenberg. Ms. Annenberg was herself the "chief of protocol" at the State Department under President Reagan. Ms. Annenberg was responsible for the Chicago education board where Arnie Weber and Bill Ayers worked on their political "agendas" for Chicago. Arnie Weber is a McCain CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTOR.
more here http://www.buckeyestateblog.com/hey_bobb...
"Additionally, Bill Ayers apologized for his dealings with the weather underground in his book."
This is an absolutely false statement.
Ayers not in his book or ever has apologized for the bombings.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.ht...
In the above NY Times article is was quoted as saying, "I don't regret setting bombs" and "I feel we didn't do enough", and, when asked if he would "do it all again," as saying "I don't want to discount the possibility"
It is very clear that Obama and Libs have trouble with sound judgement.
jfnance32, as far as I can tell, that's not a link to Mr. Ayers book. The link is to a poorly crafted NY Times article that quotes Ayers out of context.
But hey, this isn't about Ayers at all is it? It's about maligning both Mr. Tanenhaus and Barack Obama. More importantly, it's labeling those who are "real" Americans vs. the "anti-Americans." Republicans being the former, and the rest of us being the latter. Mr jfnance32 and the other Republicans are playing a very dangerous game. We have already heard Palin crowds calling for Obama to be killed.
Oh, the Prof went to their home for Chirstmas. I'm sure Osama bin Laden - another terrorist who bombed the Pentagon like Bill Ayers - also celebrates religious holidays and invites others to his home, such as it is.
Even Hitler celebrated holidays; so what?
Bill Ayers has shown that we was and is an America-hating liberal. His "education foundation" has been shown to have done a good job getting young people to fall for Communist lies but hasn't helped those kids read, write or add any better than before.
More proof of D'ohBama's shared interest with enemies of liberty and freedom.
Heil Ted