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[[Image:Features_ayers1.jpg|thumb|William Ayers as he appeared in ''Chicago Magazine''.]] '''William Charles "Bill" Ayers''' (born December 26, 1944 in Oak Park, [[Illinois]]) is currently a [[Professor_values#Immoral.2C_Unethical.2C_or_Bizarre_Behavior|professor]] at the [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois]] at [[Chicago]] and former Chicago [[community organizer]]. He is best known as a founder of the internationally supported [[terrorist]] [[Weather Underground|Weather Underground Organization]] (WUO), and as a good friend of [[U.S. President]] [[Barack Obama]].  The WUO has often mistakenly been labeled as a [[Vietnam War]] era protest organization, however many of the organizations activities continued well past the end of American involvement in [[Vietnam]],<ref>''Ambush:The Brinks Robbery of 1981'', [http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/terrorists_spies/terrorists/brinks/2.html  truTV - Crime Library: Terrorists, The Weather Underground & Black Liberation Army]</ref> the fall of [[South Vietnam]], and the victory of the [[Atheism|atheistic]] [[Communist]] regime of [[North Vietnam]], which was the groups oft stated goals.

[[Image:Features_ayers1.jpg|thumb|William Ayers as he appeared in ''Chicago Magazine''.]] '''William Charles "Bill" Ayers''' (born December 26, 1944 in Oak Park, [[Illinois]]) is currently a [[Professor values#Immoral.2C Unethical.2C or Bizarre Behavior|professor]] at the [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois]] at [[Chicago]] and former Chicago [[community organizer]]. He is best known as a founder of the internationally supported [[terrorist]] [[Weather Underground|Weather Underground Organization]] (WUO), and as a good friend of [[U.S. President]] [[Barack Obama]].  The WUO has often mistakenly been labeled as a [[Vietnam War]] era protest organization, however many of the organizations activities continued well past the end of American involvement in [[Vietnam]],<ref>''Ambush:The Brinks Robbery of 1981'', [http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/terrorists_spies/terrorists/brinks/2.html  truTV - Crime Library: Terrorists, The Weather Underground & Black Liberation Army]</ref> the fall of [[South Vietnam]], and the victory of the [[Atheism|atheistic]] [[Communist]] regime of [[North Vietnam]], which was the groups oft stated goals.

Ayers is the husband of terrorist [[Bernardine Dohrn]].

Ayers is the husband of terrorist [[Bernardine Dohrn]].

 

 

 

==Early life and upbringing==

==Early life and upbringing==

Ayers grew up in a wealthy home as the son of Thomas G. Ayers, former Chairman and CEO of Commonwealth Edison. <ref>[[Northwestern University]], Obituary: Thomas Ayers Served as Board Chair from 1975 to 1986[http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2007/06/ayers.html]</ref> He lived in Glen Ellyn, a suburb of Chicago. Ayers attended [[public school values|public school]]s and received a bachelor of Arts degree from the [[University of Michigan]] in 1968. At age 21, Ayers became director of the Children's Community, a small school in a basement that did not have grades, report cards, and had children address teachers by their first names. It was part of a "free school movement."

Ayers grew up in a wealthy home as the son of Thomas G. Ayers, former Chairman and CEO of Commonwealth Edison.<ref>[[Northwestern University]], Obituary: Thomas Ayers Served as Board Chair from 1975 to 1986 [http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2007/06/ayers.html]</ref> He lived in Glen Ellyn, a suburb of Chicago. Ayers attended [[public school values|public school]]s and received a bachelor of Arts degree from the [[University of Michigan]] in 1968. At age 21, Ayers became director of the Children's Community, a small school in a basement that did not have grades, report cards, and had children address teachers by their first names. It was part of a "free school movement."

== Internationally sponsored terrorism ==

== Internationally sponsored terrorism ==

In 1968, Ayers became leader of the [[Students for a Democratic Society]], and then a prominent leader of the violent "Weatherman group." The group was associated with other international [[communist]] guerrilla and terrorist groups, including the [[Vietcong]].  Its objective was the furtherance of [[Soviet]] foreign policy and the defeat of the U.S. in Vietnam.  In May 1970, the organization issued a Declaration of War<ref>[[FBI]] file, [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Weather_Underground_Declaration_of_a_State_of_War Weather Underground Declaration of a State of War]</ref> against the United States authored by Bernardine Dohrn who was later to become Ayers wife but not until other members of the group, including Ayers girlfriend at the time, blew themselves up in a bomb making factory in [[Greenwich Village]] [[New York City]].

In 1968, Ayers became leader of the [[Students for a Democratic Society]], and then a prominent leader of the violent "Weatherman group." The group was associated with other international [[communist]] guerrilla and terrorist groups, including the [[Vietcong]].  Its objective was the furtherance of [[Soviet]] foreign policy and the defeat of the U.S. in Vietnam.  In May 1970, the organization issued a Declaration of War<ref>[[FBI]] file, [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Weather_Underground_Declaration_of_a_State_of_War Weather Underground Declaration of a State of War]</ref> against the United States authored by Bernardine Dohrn who was later to become Ayers wife but not until other members of the group, including Ayers girlfriend at the time, blew themselves up in a bomb making factory in [[Greenwich Village]] [[New York City]].

[[File:Bring the War Home2.JPG|right|thumb|SDS leaflet organizing the Chicago Days of Rage, October 11, 1969. [http://www.archive.org/stream/TheWayTheWindBlewAHistoryOfTheWeatherUnderground/waythewindblew#page/n27/mode/2up] ]]

[[File:Bring the War Home2.JPG|right|thumb|SDS leaflet organizing the Chicago Days of Rage, October 11, 1969. [http://www.archive.org/stream/TheWayTheWindBlewAHistoryOfTheWeatherUnderground/waythewindblew#page/n27/mode/2up] ]]

The WUO was responsible for roughly 72 bombings in all, including the [[United States Capitol]] (March 1 1971), [[The Pentagon]] (May 19 1972), the United States [[Department of State]] (January 28 1975)<ref> [http://foia.fbi.gov/weather/weath1c.pdf FBI file Weather Underground] pgs. 67-71 pdf</ref> and numerous other targets.  In 1969, the Weather Underground planted a bomb at a statue dedicated to [[police]] casualties in the 1886 [[Haymarket Riot]]. The statue was blown into pieces, but was rebuilt in 1970. It was blown up again by the Weather Underground, five months later.

The WUO was responsible for roughly 72 bombings in all, including the [[United States Capitol]] (March 1, 1971), [[The Pentagon]] (May 19, 1972), the United States [[Department of State]] (January 28, 1975)<ref>[http://foia.fbi.gov/weather/weath1c.pdf FBI file Weather Underground] pgs. 67-71 pdf</ref> and numerous other targets.  In 1969, the Weather Underground planted a bomb at a statue dedicated to [[police]] casualties in the 1886 [[Haymarket Riot]]. The statue was blown into pieces, but was rebuilt in 1970. It was blown up again by the Weather Underground, five months later.

Ayers stated, "I'm not so much against the war as I am for a Vietnamese victory," and "I'm not so much for peace as for a U.S. defeat."

Ayers stated, "I'm not so much against the war as I am for a Vietnamese victory," and "I'm not so much for peace as for a U.S. defeat."

==San Francisco Police Department bombing==

==San Francisco Police Department bombing==

In sworn testimony before the U.S. [[Senate Internal Security Subcommittee]] on October 18 1974,<ref>Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, October 18, 1974 quoted in [http://www.usasurvival.org/docs/chicago-obama.pdf''Communism in Chicago and the Obama Connection''], USA Survival, Inc.</ref> an [[FBI]] informant declared,

In sworn testimony before the U.S. [[Senate Internal Security Subcommittee]] on October 18, 1974,<ref>Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, October 18, 1974 quoted in [http://www.usasurvival.org/docs/chicago-obama.pdf''Communism in Chicago and the Obama Connection''], USA Survival, Inc.</ref> an [[FBI]] informant declared,

{{cquote|"When he [Bill Ayers] returned, we had another meeting at which time -- and this is the only time that any Weathermen told me about something that someone else had done -- and Bill started off telling us about the need to raise the level of the struggle and for stronger leadership inside the Weathermen 'focals' [i.e., cells] and inside the Weatherman organization as a whole.  And he cited as one of the real problems was that someone like Bernardine Dohrn had to plan, develop and  carry out the bombing of the police station in [[San Francisco]], and he specifically named her as the person that committed that act."}}

{{cquote|"When he [Bill Ayers] returned, we had another meeting at which time -- and this is the only time that any Weathermen told me about something that someone else had done -- and Bill started off telling us about the need to raise the level of the struggle and for stronger leadership inside the Weathermen 'focals' [i.e., cells] and inside the Weatherman organization as a whole.  And he cited as one of the real problems was that someone like Bernardine Dohrn had to plan, develop and  carry out the bombing of the police station in [[San Francisco]], and he specifically named her as the person that committed that act."}}

The informant added that Ayers said "the bomb was placed on the window ledge and described the kind of bomb that was used to the extent of saying what kind of shrapnel was used in it."  He was asked, "Did he say who placed the bomb on the window ledge?" He replied, "Bernardine Dohrn."<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78130 Did Ayers' wife kill policeman? FBI report said Dohrn named as bomb builder, planter], ''[[WND|WorldNetDaily.com]], October 16, 2008.</ref>

The informant added that Ayers said "the bomb was placed on the window ledge and described the kind of bomb that was used to the extent of saying what kind of shrapnel was used in it."  He was asked, "Did he say who placed the bomb on the window ledge?" He replied, "Bernardine Dohrn."<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78130 Did Ayers' wife kill policeman? FBI report said Dohrn named as bomb builder, planter], ''[[WND|WorldNetDaily.com]], October 16, 2008.</ref>

The ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' reported on March 12 2009, in a highly unusual move, the San Francisco Police Officers Association have accused Ayers and his wife of taking part in the bombing.  The Association claims,  

The ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' reported on March 12, 2009, in a highly unusual move, the San Francisco Police Officers Association have accused Ayers and his wife of taking part in the bombing.  The Association claims,  

{{cquote|There are irrefutable and compelling reasons to believe that Bill Ayers and his wife Bernardine Dohrn ... are largely responsible for the bombing of Park Police Station,}} and a cold case investigation is being called for.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/12/BATK16DHA4.DTL&hw=ayers&sn=001&sc=1000 S.F. police union accuses Ayers in 1970 bombing], Demian Bulwa, ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' March 12, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://marklevin.ning.com/forum/topics/ayers-dohrn-murder-case Ayers, Dohrn Murder Case Reopened] marklevin.ning.com</ref>

{{cquote|There are irrefutable and compelling reasons to believe that Bill Ayers and his wife Bernardine Dohrn ... are largely responsible for the bombing of Park Police Station,}} and a cold case investigation is being called for.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/12/BATK16DHA4.DTL&hw=ayers&sn=001&sc=1000 S.F. police union accuses Ayers in 1970 bombing], Demian Bulwa, ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' March 12, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://marklevin.ning.com/forum/topics/ayers-dohrn-murder-case Ayers, Dohrn Murder Case Reopened] marklevin.ning.com</ref>

*National Guard Headquarters, Washington D.C.

*National Guard Headquarters, Washington D.C.

*Presidio Army Base and MP Station, San Francisco

*Presidio Army Base and MP Station, San Francisco

*Federal Offices of Health, Education and Welfare, San Francisco <ref>[http://www.zombietime.com/prairie_fire/ William Ayers' forgotten communist manifesto: Prairie Fire], zombietime.com, October 22, 2008</ref> <ref>[http://www.dakotavoice.com/2008/10/forgotten-terrorist-manifesto-prairie.html Forgotten Terrorist Manifesto: Prairie Fire], Bob Ellis, Dakota Voice, October 24, 2008</ref> <ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2008/10/23/reading-bill-ayers/ Reading Bill Ayers], [[Michelle Malkin]], MichelleMalkin.com, October 23, 2008</ref>

*Federal Offices of Health, Education and Welfare, San Francisco <ref>[http://www.zombietime.com/prairie_fire/ William Ayers' forgotten communist manifesto: Prairie Fire], zombietime.com, October 22, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.dakotavoice.com/2008/10/forgotten-terrorist-manifesto-prairie.html Forgotten Terrorist Manifesto: Prairie Fire], Bob Ellis, Dakota Voice, October 24, 2008</ref><ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2008/10/23/reading-bill-ayers/ Reading Bill Ayers], [[Michelle Malkin]], MichelleMalkin.com, October 23, 2008</ref>

== "Guilty as hell, free as a bird" ==

== "Guilty as hell, free as a bird" ==

==Fugitive Days==

==Fugitive Days==

Today, Ayers and his wife -- fellow former Weather Underground fugitive [[Bernardine Dohrn]] -- live in Hyde Park, where they moved after surrendering in 1980.

Today, Ayers and his wife—fellow former Weather Underground fugitive [[Bernardine Dohrn]]—live in Hyde Park, where they moved after surrendering in 1980.

In a 2001 interview with the [[New York Times]], an unrepentant Ayers said, "I don't regret setting bombs" and "I feel we didn't do enough." Ayers later claimed that he was quoted out of context, and that he meant that he felt that he had not done enough to oppose the war in Vietnam, which he defined as ''"[an] illegal, murderous, imperial war."'' <ref>Bill Ayers' blog, Episodic Notoriety–Fact and Fantasy, by Bill Ayers, 4/06/2008[http://billayers.wordpress.com/2008/04/06/episodic-notoriety-fact-and-fantasy/]</ref>

In a 2001 interview with the [[New York Times]], an unrepentant Ayers said, "I don't regret setting bombs" and "I feel we didn't do enough." Ayers later claimed that he was quoted out of context, and that he meant that he felt that he had not done enough to oppose the war in Vietnam, which he defined as ''"[an] illegal, murderous, imperial war."'' <ref>Bill Ayers' blog, Episodic Notoriety–Fact and Fantasy, by Bill Ayers, 4/06/2008 [http://billayers.wordpress.com/2008/04/06/episodic-notoriety-fact-and-fantasy/]</ref>

Ayers has claimed that his actions were not terrorist acts.<ref>Bill Ayers' blog, Episodic Notoriety–Fact and Fantasy, by Bill Ayers, 4/06/2008[http://billayers.wordpress.com/2008/04/06/episodic-notoriety-fact-and-fantasy/]</ref> He has stated that according to the official definition of both the U.S. and the U.N., terrorism consists of violent acts intended to intimidate or coerce a populace into a political end, and that his actions were intended to draw attention to and combat the state terrorism of the U.S. in the Vietnam War. In his autobiography, Fugitive Days, Ayers claimed that his bombing of the [[Pentagon]] prevented aerial bombardments in Vietnam for several days, which he defined as terrorism. In this regard, Ayers has implied that he ''prevented'' terrorism rather than caused it.

Ayers has claimed that his actions were not terrorist acts.<ref>Bill Ayers' blog, Episodic Notoriety–Fact and Fantasy, by Bill Ayers, 4/06/2008 [http://billayers.wordpress.com/2008/04/06/episodic-notoriety-fact-and-fantasy/]</ref> He has stated that according to the official definition of both the U.S. and the U.N., terrorism consists of violent acts intended to intimidate or coerce a populace into a political end, and that his actions were intended to draw attention to and combat the state terrorism of the U.S. in the Vietnam War. In his autobiography, Fugitive Days, Ayers claimed that his bombing of the [[Pentagon]] prevented aerial bombardments in Vietnam for several days, which he defined as terrorism. In this regard, Ayers has implied that he ''prevented'' terrorism rather than caused it.

Asked if he would do it all again,  Ayers stated, ''I don't want to discount the possibility.''   

Asked if he would do it all again,  Ayers stated, ''I don't want to discount the possibility.''   

Ayers rebellion against authority also extended to sexual morality. He stated that  that  the Weathermen tried to ''[[Smash Monogamy]],''  and engaged in fornication, including for Ayers, [[homosexual]] relations with his best male friend. <ref>''No Regrets for a Love Of Explosives,'' [[N.Y. Times]], September 11, 2001</ref>

Ayers rebellion against authority also extended to sexual morality. He stated that  that  the Weathermen tried to ''[[Smash Monogamy]],''  and engaged in fornication, including for Ayers, [[homosexual]] relations with his best male friend.<ref>''No Regrets for a Love Of Explosives,'' [[N.Y. Times]], September 11, 2001</ref>

==Obama, the Annenberg Challenge, ACORN and the Woods Fund ==

==Obama, the Annenberg Challenge, ACORN and the Woods Fund ==

The announcement of Obama's candidacy for higher office was made in the home of Bill Ayers and his wife, Bernardine Dohrn in 1995.   

The announcement of Obama's candidacy for higher office was made in the home of Bill Ayers and his wife, Bernardine Dohrn in 1995.   

In 2001, Ayers supported and contributed $200 to Obama's state Senate campaign<ref>[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/contributor.phtml?d=330121189]</ref>.

In 2001, Ayers supported and contributed $200 to Obama's state Senate campaign.<ref>[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/contributor.phtml?d=330121189]</ref>  

Obama was asked about the relationship in an April 2008 Presidential debate by moderator [[George Stephanopoulos]]:  

Obama was asked about the relationship in an April 2008 Presidential debate by moderator [[George Stephanopoulos]]:  

:''"This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood, who's a professor of [[English]] in Chicago who I know and who I have not received some official endorsement from. He's not somebody who I exchange ideas from on a regular basis. And the notion that somehow as a consequence of me knowing somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was eight years old, somehow reflects on me and my values doesn't make much sense, George"''

:''"This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood, who's a professor of [[English]] in Chicago who I know and who I have not received some official endorsement from. He's not somebody who I exchange ideas from on a regular basis. And the notion that somehow as a consequence of me knowing somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was eight years old, somehow reflects on me and my values doesn't make much sense, George"''

In February of 2008, Obama Chief Strategist [[David Axelrod]] said:  

In February 2008, Obama Chief Strategist [[David Axelrod]] said:  

:''"Bill Ayers lives in his neighborhood. Their kids attend the same school … They’re certainly friendly, they know each other, as anyone whose kids go to school together."'' He called Ayers current defense of his 1960s bombings ''"objectionable, and I think Barack would also say that was objectionable. I don't think he's ever had an in-depth discussion [with Ayers] about them."''<ref>[[Politico]], ''Ax on Ayers'', by Ben Smith, February 26, 2008 [http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0208/Ax_on_Ayers.html]</ref>

:''"Bill Ayers lives in his neighborhood. Their kids attend the same school … They’re certainly friendly, they know each other, as anyone whose kids go to school together."'' He called Ayers current defense of his 1960s bombings ''"objectionable, and I think Barack would also say that was objectionable. I don't think he's ever had an in-depth discussion [with Ayers] about them."''<ref>[[Politico]], ''Ax on Ayers'', by Ben Smith, February 26, 2008 [http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0208/Ax_on_Ayers.html]</ref>

In an October 2008 article in ''American Thinker'', Jack Cashill presented evidence that Ayers ghostwrote Obama's first book, "Dreams From My Father". He based his assertion on a comparison of the writing styles of Bill Ayers' 2001 memoir, ''Fugitive Days'', and Barack Obama's earlier 1995 book, ''Dreams From My Father'', and came to the conclusion that Ayres had ghostwritten ''Dreams''. <ref>[[American Thinker]], October 26, 2008, ''Who Wrote Dreams From My Father?'', by Jack Cashill, October 09, 2008 [http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/10/who_wrote_dreams_from_my_fathe_1.html]</ref>

In an October 2008 article in ''American Thinker'', Jack Cashill presented evidence that Ayers ghostwrote Obama's first book, "Dreams From My Father". He based his assertion on a comparison of the writing styles of Bill Ayers' 2001 memoir, ''Fugitive Days'', and Barack Obama's earlier 1995 book, ''Dreams From My Father'', and came to the conclusion that Ayres had ghostwritten ''Dreams''.<ref>[[American Thinker]], October 26, 2008, ''Who Wrote Dreams From My Father?'', by Jack Cashill, October 09, 2008 [http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/10/who_wrote_dreams_from_my_fathe_1.html]</ref>

In 2013, Ayers called for every American President of this century, including Obama, to be tried at the Hague for "war crimes."<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/18/bill-ayers-obama-should-be-put-on-trial-for-war-crimes/ Bill Ayers: Obama should be put on trial for war crimes, Fox News, 18 June 2013]</ref>

In 2013, Ayers called for every American President of this century, including Obama, to be tried at the Hague for "war crimes."<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/18/bill-ayers-obama-should-be-put-on-trial-for-war-crimes/ Bill Ayers: Obama should be put on trial for war crimes, Fox News, 18 June 2013]</ref>

==See Also==

==See also==

*[[Mystery:Who Ghostwrote Obama's Books?]]

*[[Mystery:Who Ghostwrote Obama's Books?]]