On Political Golden Rules: "Who is the real Sarah Palin?"
I can, at some fuzzy level, understand the questions some people have about Obama and Bill Ayers.
For the most part, though, I've been sensing that it's simply a visceral distaste for liberalism, even liberalism that may have grown up and left behind extremism.
But I'm willing to keep having that discussion with Ayers-haters. First, though, I'd need to know the Golden Rule of the political game. How close and how recent does a "bad apple" acquaintance need to be?
And what would that mean for Sarah Palin and her relationship with the felonious Ted Stevens, detailed in troubling fashion here....?
In the same way, why aren't the many secessionists within Todd Palin's beloved AIP being seen as nearly as anti-American as Jeremiah Wright? Me, I see AIP's leaders' claim that 'we don't necessarily oppose being part of the U.S., we just want to vote on it' as a very weak sauce.
In both cases, I suspect that a generalized contempt for liberalism is driving the criticism of Obama, whereas the associations of Palin are somehow more "apple pie" in the eyes of conservatives.
But, if conservatives can give me a coherent and consistent standard for political conduct, we can have a meaningful discussion here.
Rob,
Bill Ayers is not just some guy who went to Woodstock, smoked pot, and protested against the Vietnam War. He is an unrepentant terrorist. He is someone who destroyed property and sought to destroy lives. Are you suggesting that one must be a conservative in order to have some disdain for this guy? And by the way, do you know how Ayers responded the other day when hounded by a Fox News reporter? Well, the self-proclaimed anarchist called the police! You can't make this stuff up.
Anyway, Obama's connection to Ayers is significant when combined with the Reverend Wright connection and Obama's left-wing voting record - collectively, it provides a strong indication as to how Obama is likely to govern. Obama's connection to Ayers does not suggest Obama is likely to commit terrorist acts. Likewise, whatever professional connection Sarah Palin has with Ted Stevens does not suggest Palin will commit like felonious acts.
John, what exactly is your source re the latter-day agenda of Bill Ayers....? Can you be specific about his plans?
I'm not sure what you're asking me, Mr. Asghar? Can you please be more specific? Thanks in advance.
John -- when you say Ayers is an unrepentant terrorist, you remind me of people who agitate about how CAIR is a terrorist organization, even though the US government clearly disagrees. Ayers has been cleared by many mainstream Republicans who freely associate with him. So what info do you have that they don't....?
Rob,
Perhaps we should discuss this offline. First off, I'm not sure how you got the impression that I'm agitating. Secondly, when I say Ayers is an unrepentant terrorist, I'm saying he's not in the least bit remorseful about his Weather Underground activities; I've never said that he's still a terrorist. Third, and most importantly, the issue is not Bill Ayers, but rather Barack Obama. I'm bothered by the fact that Obama has an obvious affinity for the likes of Bill Ayers, Reverend Wright, and now Rashid Khalidi - extreme leftists all. Add to that the most liberal voting record in the Senate and you have someone who should go back to community organizing.