[Vision2020] Statement from former FBI agent Scott Nelson:

[No Weatherman]

Statement from former FBI agent Scott Nelson:

I am a retired FBI Agent and professor of criminal justice, and I join
law enforcement professionals, educators and others across the country
who are seriously concerned by Senator Obama's documented association
with the known and unrepentant terrorist, William Ayres, and the
Senator's failure (so far) to offer a credible, simple explanation of
when he learned about Ayers terrorist past. The notion that Ayers'
participation in terrorist acts in the 1960s is irrelevant in 2008 is
an affront to our nation's cherished principle of "the rule of law,"
which is fundamental to our Constitution and criminal justice system.

We believe the public has a right to know the facts about Mr. Ayers
and his wife, Bernadette Dohrn.

Bill Ayers and Bernadette Dohrn were founding members of the violent
terrorist bombers called the Weather Underground. They were the
Unabomber's of the 70s and radical role models for subsequent monsters
like Timothy McVeigh, who bombed the Murrah Federal building, and
Osama Bin Laden who slaughtered thousands on 9/11. This is not a
matter of opinion but an indisputable fact. Ayers admitted bombing the
New York City police headquarters in 1970, the U.S. Capital in 1971,
and the Pentagon in 1972. Throughout the Weather Underground bombing
rampages, many were killed and the survivors of those terrible acts
still suffer emotional and physical trauma. Ayers and Dohrn assumed
false identities and hid from authorities for years. Dohrn was placed
on the FBI's Top Ten Fugitive list, which is reserved for the most
dangerous, high priority fugitives in the world. Once arrested,
following extensive and expensive investigation, Ayres avoided jail on
a legal technicality and sneered "Free as a bird, guilty as hell,
ain't America great." Dohrn was jailed.

Unfortunately, Ayers and his wife continue to express no regrets about
their terrorist history. Bill Ayers told the New York Times on 11
September 2001 that, "I don't regret setting bombs. . . . I feel we
didn't do enough." They told Connie Chung the same thing (e.g.,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQsYzBlXK6M). We are outraged that
Ayers now teaches college where he continues to pollute young,
impressionable minds with his personal brand of radical, destructive
rhetoric.

We believe that candidates for our highest office must reflect a full
commitment to the rule of law and eschew all who would espouse
violence and terrorism as an appropriate, acceptable course of action.
It is more than just words, the actions must reflect the words. While
Barack Hussein Obama is a charismatic, gifted speaker, we cannot find
a single statement or action prior to this summer in which the Senator
denounced the actions and attitudes of Mr. Ayers. Senator Obama
launched his campaign for the Illinois State Senate in Mr. Ayers
living room in 1995. At the same time, Mr. Obama was hired to serve as
the Chairman of the Board of a foundation established by Mr. Ayers.
More troubling is that Mr. Obama in 1997 praised a book penned by Mr.
Ayers. He said the book was, "A searing and timely account of the
juvenile court system, and the courageous individuals who rescue hope
from despair." At no time did Mr. Obama demonstrate any concern about
Mr. Ayers' previous conduct and Ayers continued public insistence that
he did not do enough and would do it again.

We want to know at what point Senator Obama learned that Bill Ayers
and Bernadette Dohrn were unrepentant about their previous terrorist
acts and what steps the Senator took to distance himself from those
individuals and their radical ideology? This is a fair question of any
candidate who aspires to be the person constitutionally charged with
upholding and protecting the Constitution of the United States. We are
troubled that Senator Obama appears to have failed to understand or
appreciate the implication of participating in business and charitable
activities with someone who takes pride in carrying out terrorist
attacks against the Government of the United States.

We are not interested in what Senator Obama knew when he was eight
years old, but we are very concerned about the Senator's actions as an
adult and a member of the bar. Senator Obama's failure to challenge
Mr. Ayers publicly before this years at a minimum indicates poor
judgment. We respectfully request that Senator Obama provide a
complete and full disclosure of his prior relationship with Bill Ayers
and Bernadette Dohrn. It goes to the heart of the question for whether
the Senator has the judgment and character necessary to effectively
lead the law enforcement agencies of the United States during these
dangerous and difficult times.
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/10/19/a-statement-by-a-retired-fbi-agent-re-william-ayers/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSsjeNXistg