Ayers' support grows among university professors

According to Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, he's "an unrepentant domestic terrorist" with ties to Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

But as of this morning, more than 3,200 faculty members from universities across the country – including 10 from Florida schools – had signed a statement protesting "the demonization" of University of Illinois professor William Ayers, left.

The statement, posted on www.supportbillayers.org, describes Ayers as an individual who "participated passionately" in the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s but who now is being unfairly targeted "as part of a pattern of 'exposes' and assaults designed to intimidate free thinking and stifle critical dialogue."

"His participation in political activity 40 years ago is history," the statement continues. "What is most relevant now is his continued engagement in progressive causes, and his exemplary contribution -- including publishing 16 books -- in the field of education."

Among the list of Ayers' supporters, most of whom hail from the University of Illinois, are three professors from the University of Central Florida; three from Florida State University; two from the University of Florida; one from the University of South Florida; and one from Florida Atlantic University.

Donna Winchester, higher education reporter

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Comments

[Drew Smith]

I couldn't find an endorsement from someone at the University of South Florida. I saw one marked "USF", but so far as I could tell, that one was from the University of San Francisco. (There are a number of institutions who abbreviate their name as "USF".)

[say no to socialism]

It is sick that people will support Ayers and excuse his past behavior. It is as simple as this: He KNOWINGLY killed Americas with terrorism! No good works in academia make up for the people he stole life from. And the fact that he is rather remorseless generously pours salt into the wounds of many. Are we this out of touch?

And Bush knowingly killed Americans by lying about the reasons for going to war.

[Timmy!]

Ayers is/was an unrepentant terrorist. He belongs with Timothy McVay.

5:10 needs a kool-aid intervention. see justcantmoveon.org

[say no to socialism]

5:10- Why don't you focus on the topic, Bill Ayers' unrepentant terrorism, rather than using a faulty illogical appeal of ad hominem by referencing the Bush Administration? Even if one wishes to compare the two, their intentions are an endless sea apart. Ayers planned bombings to kill people. The war in Iraq was not a device Bush put into place so he could kill people. I am sure that you believe every senator that voted to support the war is murderous as well. Now, is that really logical? Or, is it fair to draw this comparison with Ayers’ behavior? What is logical is that Bill Ayers is, and will always be, a terrorist.

[Earl T.]

Context:

Ayers & the Weathermen went after government buildings with homemade bombs in protest to the abominable Vietnam War, taking care to not harm anyone. His book, which is quoted in the media without context, is filled with personal regret and is a denunciation of all terrorism.

It's all there, but the ability of the right media & McCain campaign to take lines here and there over a span of 30 years and blow it up into "unrepentant terrorist" is easily playing on the public's "terrorist" fear that runs wild in today's American psyche.

Ayers never killed a single person, turned himself in, still was never convicted, and for 30 years has committed his life to social service. Why should he apologize. Why should his life 30 years later be demonized because of an election.

[WHAT?]

Earl T.----why don't ask you the families of those that were killed?