Lost Continent Words

Stop Calling Bill Ayers a Terrorist

This won't be as long an entry as it deserves to be, but I'm really tired of hearing Bill Ayers called a terrorist every few minutes without the slightest bit of consideration.

Its true that Ayers participated in the planning and execution of many bombings, most famously the Haymarket Riot Police Memorial (twice), the New York Police Headquarters, the US Capitol Building, and the Pentagon. And I also won't deny that his actions as a member and leader of the group were highly irresponsible and dangerous. But the group went very far out of its way to avoid harming civilians, and never targeted public places for the purposes of instilling fear. The best judgment is probably the maligned Bush phrase "enemy combatant" as the group had declared war on the US government and targeted mainly government institutions in response to actions in the Vietnam war and the culture wars occurring during this time.

Again, I'm not saying I support Ayers or the Weathermen's mission. But calling him a terrorist goes well beyond the meaning that word has today. By the same standards Sam Adams and Patrick Henry from the US, Nelson Mandela from South Africa, and several other celebrated leaders are terrorists.

Of course, this discussion is entirely too nuanced for our political scene, where we argue about lipstick jokes. But you know, in a perfect world people would attempt to be more appropriate with their language.

Notes: Out of time, you can go to wikipedia for yourself this time.