DON'T NEED A WEATHERMAN...
Steve Chapman, apparently, doesn’t believe in redemption by others for past misconduct. Nor does he demonstrate the need to cease and apologize for his own complicity in misconduct.
His column on Barack Obama’s relationship with former Whether Underground leaders Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn, appears to be part of a concerted media and Republican campaign to paint Obama as unpatriotic. Ayers and Dohrn are convenient vehicles to further this agenda.
As one who opposed the Vietnam War in the 1960s, I understand the frustration of those who worked to end an immoral war that needlessly killed over a million Vietnamese and 58,000 Americans. Ayers and Dohrn make no apologies for their particular efforts which included condoning if not participating in violent conduct. But Chapman fixates on the lack of apology as the main reason to impugn Obama’s character through his relationship with Ayers and Dohrn.
They long ago fulfilled their legal responsibility for their radical activities. They could have thrown away the rest of their lives as many in their movement did. Instead, they redeemed themselves by becoming productive citizens, working to make this a better country and world. Thankfully, at least one presidential contender has the wisdom and courage to work with anyone, regardless of past transgressions, who now trods the path of peace and progress.
Instead of obsessing over refusals to apologize for forty year old behavior, Chapman and the rest of the Tribune editorial board should examine their continued enabling of the Bush administration’s needless and self destructive war in Iraq which is bankrupting America, morally and financially. Their continued support for behavior that can arguably be termed criminal as well as immoral dwarfs the decades-old transgressions they fret over.
Our future leaders need to solicit the support of every thoughtful and productive member of society if we are going to end this catastrophic war and begin solving the avalanche of problems confronting America. Ayers and Dohrn belong in that group before any of the dwindling number of cheerleaders for the status quo like Chapman and his editorial board compatriots.
Originally published in Chicago Tribune, April 26, 2008
His column on Barack Obama’s relationship with former Whether Underground leaders Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn, appears to be part of a concerted media and Republican campaign to paint Obama as unpatriotic. Ayers and Dohrn are convenient vehicles to further this agenda.
As one who opposed the Vietnam War in the 1960s, I understand the frustration of those who worked to end an immoral war that needlessly killed over a million Vietnamese and 58,000 Americans. Ayers and Dohrn make no apologies for their particular efforts which included condoning if not participating in violent conduct. But Chapman fixates on the lack of apology as the main reason to impugn Obama’s character through his relationship with Ayers and Dohrn.
They long ago fulfilled their legal responsibility for their radical activities. They could have thrown away the rest of their lives as many in their movement did. Instead, they redeemed themselves by becoming productive citizens, working to make this a better country and world. Thankfully, at least one presidential contender has the wisdom and courage to work with anyone, regardless of past transgressions, who now trods the path of peace and progress.
Instead of obsessing over refusals to apologize for forty year old behavior, Chapman and the rest of the Tribune editorial board should examine their continued enabling of the Bush administration’s needless and self destructive war in Iraq which is bankrupting America, morally and financially. Their continued support for behavior that can arguably be termed criminal as well as immoral dwarfs the decades-old transgressions they fret over.
Our future leaders need to solicit the support of every thoughtful and productive member of society if we are going to end this catastrophic war and begin solving the avalanche of problems confronting America. Ayers and Dohrn belong in that group before any of the dwindling number of cheerleaders for the status quo like Chapman and his editorial board compatriots.
Originally published in Chicago Tribune, April 26, 2008
posted by Walt Zlotow at 6:52 AM
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