Ayers Lucky: Protesters Don't Share His Violent Tactics

Despite the disapproval of many, 60s terrorist William Ayers graced Oakland University with his presence.

Protesters lined the lecture hall while holding signs demonstrating their distaste for Ayers attendance. With a full house, OU students Adrienne Kampman and Leah Lasota stood outside the room in disapproval of Ayers visit.

"I don't think Oakland University made a very wise choice," Lasota said.

Inside, Ayers was set to speak about education, but the conversation meandered frequently over to politics.

No matter. Ayers watched as pliable young college students continually nodded their heads as if in a brainwashed trance.

Appealing to the acceptance that young people so often crave, Ayers boasted, "I'm in the majority." He later added, "Chicago City Council agrees with me on handguns, the war in Iraq, gay rights and women's rights."

Cathy Shafran, broadcast journalism professor at OU, questioned Ayers about his days in the Weather Underground. On behalf of her students, who also attended the event, Shafran asked

Ayers about his protesting in the 60's and what he would do differently.

"We became dogmatic. Everybody in the movement got rigid in their thinking," Ayers said, "We were too busy talking to ourselves and living in the well-lighted prism of a single good idea."

Though a wise and reflective statement, a better answer may have been, "I wouldn't have used violence to protest and I wouldn't have put innocent people in harms way."

To Ayers credit, he didn't exhibit disdain for his adversaries who were present at the event. He respected the rights of protesters even though they were protesting him. It's doubtful, however, that he would've been so understanding if they had used a bomb to make their point as he had so many years ago.

How Can I Get My Likeness on a Gold Coin?

Okay, I'm willing to accept that the American people have spoken and perhaps they all know something I don't. Perhaps Obama will "change" the American economy and foreign policy for the better. But, are we jumping the gun a touch in creating commemorative coins to honor our 44th president? He hasn't actually done anything yet. He spent little time in the Senate. His record is nearing nonexistent. What are we glorifying?

His association with Reverend Wright is enough to raise some eyebrows. And, how about his terrorist friend, William Ayers? Lingering questions about Ayers were put to rest when he appeared on Good Morning America and confirmed that he is, indeed, a spawn of the devil. Notably, he didn't deny his relationship with Barack Obama.

But hey, let's give Obama the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was able to lie down with dogs and get up squeaky clean. All I'm asking is that you wait until Obama does something worth honoring before we start selling gold coins with his likeness on them.