Of course it’s laughable that people insist that Obama should answer such a slime question, while Palin herself can’t even answer questions that WERE asked to her and DO matter to americans….

This thread of comments has gotten very long and complex. Would you mind creating a short list of concise questions that you would like answered about Senator Obama? It would give us all an opportunity to analyze whether or not the information is available. It would also be a good list for submission to the Obama campaign. If the voters have serious questions about a candidate, I feel we might be able to get them answered (too optimistic?). However, we need to be careful to analyze the questions, so that they are not baseless.

We’re still waiting for answers from Obama.
It’s not a personal attack.
It’s a legitimate question to ask someone who’s running for President.

Rove had said in this year that throwing the kitchen sink would not make the GOP win this time, because Barack was different. He was right. I hope these kinds of stupid tactics that only manage to persuade the hard-core republicans have an end in this election.

And Nelsonart, no, Obama doesn’t have to explain anything. It’s McCain who has to answer this simple question. If Ayers is so damned important, why doesn’t he confront Obama on it?

Answer: ‘Cause he’s a coward. He knows fully well that if he presses Obama too much to give an answer, he will give it, and it will blow McCain away as the stupid snitchy idiot from the classroom who made the shittiest snitch ever.

What does the word “terrorism” mean?
“the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion”
(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrorism)

By the official definition, it is fair to label Mr. Ayers a terrorist. However, what is the definition of “terrorism” in the context of 2008 and the US Government’s general application of the word?

According to the Homeland Security Fact Sheet on its National Strategy (http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/homeland/index.html): terrorism represents violence, specifically islamic extremism.

The FBI defines terrorism into two categories: 1) International Terrorism and 2) Domestic Terrorism. “International terrorism involves violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or any state, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or any state.” “Domestic terrorism is the unlawful use, or threatened use, of violence by a group or individual based and operating entirely within the United States (or its territories) without foreign direction, committed against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” (http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress02/jarboe021202.htm)

What does the word “violence” mean?
The first (primary) definition:
1 a: exertion of physical force so as to injure or abuse (as in warfare effecting illegal entry into a house) b: an instance of violent treatment or procedure
(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violence).

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Given the definitions of terrorism, I come to the conclusion that Dr. Ayers can fairly be labeled a 1970s domestic terrorist. It is not fair, though, to categorize him in the same class as international terrorists – origins from abroad, intentions of bodily injury.

In modern conversation, the term “terrorism” refers to the definition of “international terrorism.” For proof on that, Google “terrorism,” and you’ll find thousands of websites using the term in that way.

Domestic terrorism was employed in the form of the Boston Tea Party in 1773.

The McCain campaign is seeking to associate Senator Obama with international terrorism by linking him to a former domestic terrorist from the 1970s. This association is apparent, and it is not accurate. The McCain campaign employs intelligent political strategists, and I am confident their intention is to associate Senator Obama with international terrorism. The campaign strategists understand “terrorist” means “islamic extremism terrorist” to most Americans. The grassroots approach to labeling Senator Obama a Muslim, which he is not (http://isbarackobamamuslim.com/), is also an intentional association with international terrorism.

The McCain campaign believes that if they can associate Senator Obama with the word “terrorist” in any way, he will be associated with the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. This approach is defined as “fear mongering.” It is the same tactic used by the Nazis over the citizenship of Germany.

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Dr. Ayers is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the College of Education. His interaction with Senator Obama has been through anti-poverty groups, like the Woods Fund of Chicago (http://www.woodsfund.org/site/epage/61420_735.htm). Please read the NYTimes’ investigative report on this topic (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/04/us/politics/04ayers.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin).

Senator Obama and Mr. Ayers have interacted in support of quality education for underprivileged children and communities. Their association has nothing to do with events from the 1970s.

Your last post leaves me stunned. You defend Ayers and condemn McCain and then ‘call me out’ on the carpet for bringing up his name and questioning Obama’s judgment?

Perhaps I see an unrepentant, treasonous criminal in a different light because I’m not a far left liberal and can’t dismiss his bombing career as merely misguided youth (nearing 30 when he bombed the pentagon).

Ayers should be rotting in prison. McCain is a war hero. Obama’s associations are fair game in that it shows his judgment and offers some insight into his tolerance to work with… questionable characters.

Lastly, some things in my view are simple and black and white. I’m comfortable with labeling Ayers as a terrorist, due to his actions at nearly 30 years old. Some crimes are worse than others and deserve a sticky label. Try equating Ayers and McCain verbally to your acquaintances and friends and see what kind of response you elicit.