Comments on: Ayers and Dohrn at Hatcher Library

By: cmadler

cmadler — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:24:19 +0000

Ayers and Dohrn were in Ypsilanti earlier in the day, and after an appearance at EMU, they apparently stopped by Beezy's Cafe. According to cafe owner Bee, "Bernadine was holding a ‘venti’ Starbucks cup the whole time she was there. Ouch, stick it to the man until it's time to get coffee." See: this link

By: Steve T

Steve T — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:44:04 +0000

The public figure who Mr. Ayers and Ms. Dohrn could most accurately be compared is Timothy McVeigh. They’re just not as competent. Fortunately for all of us, the “Weather Underground” was more comic opera compared to Mr. McVeigh’s tragedy. For a more thorough understanding of Ayers, Dohrn, McVeigh, Rudolph Hess, etc., read Eric Hoffer’s fine book “The True Believer.”

By: Morton

Morton — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:13:07 +0000

Bill Ayers ran for the school board in 1968 at the age of 23. He lived on Felch Street and was the director of an experimental school for children. Here are two quotes from him in an Ann Arbor News article announcing his candidacy, “The crying need is to liberate the kids from the suffocating regimentation that passes for education” and “The kind of meaningful education envisioned here cannot be attained without radical changes in the structure of our whole society.”

Bill Ayers finished a distant last among the field of eight candidates, receiving less than half as many votes as the seventh place candidate. The three successful candidates were Harold Lockett, Richard Wood, and Ted Heusel.

By: Dave Askins

Dave Askins — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:00:31 +0000

Re: comment [5]

Thanks, Barbara. The caption is now complete.

By: Barbara Murphy

Barbara Murphy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:56:51 +0000

The “as-yet-unidentified” person is Odile Hugenot Haber, a long-time peace activist nationally and in Ann Arbor. She’s also Al Haber’s wife, and my neighbor.

By: mr dairy

mr dairy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:15:04 +0000

I named my dog, Bernie, after Bernardine Dohrn after seeing her FBI wanted poster at the Post Office in 1972

By: Fred Zimmerman

Fred Zimmerman — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:20:50 +0000

yes, Linda, to add a little nuance to my emotional comment, if I had known about the event, I might have been interested in going, and I certainly don’t begrudge anyone who did. Also, I entirely agree that it would be interesting and thought-provoking to hear him speak. I have read several of his editorials during the recent campaign, and while I disagreed with some of what he said, it didn’t cause me to froth at the mouth.

I thought the decisive moment in the electoral campaign was when he attacked Obama for his links to Ayers in the second debate, it made McCain look petty, and Obama’s answer was perfect (and, alas, highly revealing): “my advisers will be people like Paul Volcker and Warren Buffet.”

Some of Ayers’ actions and beliefs cross my personal “line in the sand,” to the point where I find his version of patriotism and respect for the law deeply offensive, but, as my first comment (cryptically) implied, I think the apropriate remedy, at this stage, is not hysteria, but mindful choice to look elsewhere going forward.

By: Linda Diane Feldt

Linda Diane Feldt — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:00:36 +0000

I attended this event because I felt that anyone considered that dangerous by the right was worth listening to. I appreciated Bill’s thoughtful and holistic perspectives, not defensive, but really working to reframe the questions and concerns that we now face. It isn’t often that I’ve heard such an optimistic radical organizer. And his perspectives on extremism were also helpful. The importance of continuing self evaluation and admitting and learning from your mistakes. Bernadine was new to me, and her keen intelligence and passion about youth activists and education were lovely.
If Palin helped to give Bill and Bernadine greater exposure and a wider audience that may end up being a very good thing. A larger conversation about the ’60s and the war in Vietnam may be profoundly healing, and their perspectives and insights are well considered and welcome. They certainly add to the understanding and move the conversation forward rather than just continuing the arguments of who was right and wrong.

By: Fred Zimmerman

Fred Zimmerman — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:53:49 +0000

“Otherwise put, where do you take Bill Ayers for a drink in downtown Ann Arbor?”

Nowhere. I wouldn’t shake his hand, let alone break bread with him.