Information Warfare [UPDATED]

by Larr Johnson, Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:23:36 PM EST

DCMedia Girl told me the other day that this year the media is doing the worst job ever of providing honest, genuine investigative reporting. Damn is she right. Two examples. First, tonight's breaking news about John McCain and his alleged political sexual relationship with lobbyist Vicky Iseman. I learned of this story in December 2007. I know one of the sources for the story. And I know that both the New York Times and USA Today were sitting on the story. Do you think Republicans would have wanted to know this information in December before the primaries started? I think so. But the New York Times decided, hell, let's wait till McCain has it sewn up. Second, Obama's ties to a one time communist (Frank Marshall Davis see also) and self-confessed terrorist (William Ayers) (at least this is how the Republicans will be certain to play this info). This information has started to trickle out, finally, but no thanks to the news media. In fact, I was contacted Monday afternoon by the Washington Post's Michael Dobbs. He wrote:

Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:06:37 To:LCJohnson@BERG-assoc.com Subject: message from wapo reporter I was interested in your Huffington Post blog item on Obama and Bill Ayers. The fact that Ayers gave a $200 donation to Obama plus fact that they were both members of the Woods Fund Board are matters of public record. But I have not seen any source for your statements that Ayers organized private fundraiser for Obama and that they arranged for donation to company with PLO ties. Could you provide sources for those statements, or give me a call? Many thanks Michael Dobbs
I returned the call and gave him the names and phone numbers of five people who could confirm the story. People with firsthand knowledge. Well, guess what? The lazy bastard declined to call any of the sources and wrote the following pablum:
But the Obama-Ayers link is a tenuous one. As Newsday pointed out Clinton has her own, also tenuous, Weatherman connection. Her husband commuted the sentences of a couple of convicted Weathermen Underground members, Susan Rosenberg and Linda Sue Evans, shortly before leaving office in January 2001. Which is worse: pardoning a convicted terrorist or accepting a campaign contribution from a former Weatherman who was never convicted? Whatever his past, Ayers is now a respected member of the Chicago intelligentsia, and still a member of the Woods Fund Board. The president of the Woods Fund, Deborah Harrington said he had been selected for the board because of his solid academic credentials and "passion for social justice."
Completely misleading bullshit. Obama was sitting on the board with Ayers just six years ago. Dobbs equates that with a contact Hillary never had (she gets blamed for something her husband did). Same thing, right? Obama and Ayers give money to the Arab American Action Network and Hillary does what? Dobbs is a hack. A lazy hack at that. I guarantee I will never return the bastard's phone call again. Let's have the same standard for everyone--for McCain, Obama, and Clinton. Let's get the truth out on the table now, while voters can still have a say in who their respective candidates will be. For the Democrats, it appears too late. They are drunk with the Obama cotton candy and do not realize that the sugar high will pass. We are close to the Obama zenith. The nadir to follow.


Tags: John McCain, Barack Obama, William Ayres, Washington Post, Hillary Clinton (all tags)

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Permalink :: 56 Comments :: Post a Comment


Communists and terrorists? (2.00 / 3)

Good lord!

Larry, I suggest you immediately round up your CIA pals and waterboard Obama! We need to find out what he has planned for America!


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:34:47 PM EST

Re: Communists and terrorists? (2.00 / 2)

Thanks for the substantive response.  You totally disproved Larry's assertion that the media is setting on stories about Obama the same way it sat on the McCain story.</snark>


by Mike Pridmore on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:00:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Mike, it's not a story. (2.00 / 2)

You're taking Larry's word on what the reporter did or didn't do. If Larry has the proof he claims to have, why not post here or on his blog and prove that the reporter is lying?

Larry should post all the info he has on this, don't you agree?

If the reporter won't cover it, Larry should blow it wide open!

Wouldn't that be somethin'?


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:06:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mike, it's not a story. (2.00 / 1)

No.  Anyone in intelligence operations knows you don't ever tell all you know.  And even if he did, the media would not follow up.  That is his point.

I understand that you think this underhanded and maybe even shameful.  I would be more sympathetic to you if you had not been being an utter jackass of late.   I'm tired of you using the primaries as an excuse for your own shameless behavior.  I hope you get back to being your previous non-primary season self soon.


by Mike Pridmore on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:15:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mike, it's not a story. (none / 0)

mike, if you're buying this garbage, you have my sympathies.


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:17:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mike, it's not a story. (2.00 / 3)

I have dealt with Larry before and found him to be knowledgable.  I don't know about this story, but I don't like it when you treat other friends of mine this way.  And although I am upset with you and talking strongly to you to your face about it here, I have also defended you to other people who don't know you, and will continue to do so. My defense of Larry is not that different from how I have defended you to other Hillary supporters who have talked ugly about you.


by Mike Pridmore on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:27:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It's great posts like this that make MyDD... (1.50 / 2)

... such a special place, indeed!

I bet this rockets to the top of the Rec list!

Congratulations, Jerome!


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:35:50 PM EST

And he should be... (2.00 / 2)

At least Jerome allows voices like Larry's a chance to be heard. And really, this has made MyDD a great place to find real news & really good analysis. That's what keeps me coming back here! :-)


Help Clintonistas for Obama help Democrats win! :-)
by atdleft on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:47:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And he should be... (2.00 / 2)

Do you think this post is reasonable, sensible and rational?


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:48:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes... (2.00 / 1)

A hell of a lot more so than all the usual garbage celebrated at places like Kos(obama).


Help Clintonistas for Obama help Democrats win! :-)
by atdleft on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:59:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yes... (2.00 / 3)

Really? You think Obama getting a $200 contribution from some guy who was involved with the Weatherman 40 years ago will become a big issue in the campaign?

God almighty...


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:04:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And he should be... (1.00 / 1)

This is "real news and really good analysis" to you?  That's really telling.

The Clinton smear machine is really just as vile and vicious as Rove's, and I, for one, am extremely glad it will be out of business for good on 3/5.


NJ Hussein Independent
by NJIndependent on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:51:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And he should be... (2.00 / 2)

This is such utter bullshit. Even if you disagree with Larry over whether these are big stories, he is not part of a "smear machine."  He is a decent human being who has been a loyal friend to the cause of Fighting Dems and veterans.  I know this because I happened to be working in those same circles, blogging mostly for Fighting Dem Eric Massa, when Larry was working with other friends of mine on these issues.  It is not right to label and dismiss people, even when you disagree with them.


by Mike Pridmore on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:05:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And he should be... (2.00 / 2)

It's a ridiculous charge, mike. Regardless of what Larry has done or is doing.


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:07:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And he should be... (none / 0)

Physician heal thyself.


by Mike Pridmore on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:16:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And he should be... (none / 0)

That's great work he has done for Eric Massa, but on here, every one of his diaries and comments on the primary has been a vicious, unsubstantiated personal smear against Obama.  And he's not the only one.  From Clinton's supporters here all the way up to high level campaign operatives like Shaheen or even Bill himself, it's been vile smear after vile smear.

I stand by my statement.  The Clinton smear machine is every bit as powerful and underhanded as the GOP Rove-Bush smear machine, and it has been on full power during this primary.  It's really disgusting to see and hear constantly, and 3/5 can't come soon enough when it will be out of business for good.


NJ Hussein Independent
by NJIndependent on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 02:20:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Information Warfare (2.00 / 1)

I made a similar point ,

although i am not really interested in a lot of this stories , I am however surprised the way the media has reacted to this story with regards to mccain.

Bodes well for Obama in my view in the general.

Compare the press reaction to Rezko which was burning in local and chicago media for weeks and the msm did not even touch until clinton brought it up and the reaction to this mccain story , which is a lot of innuendo in my opinion.

It seems to me they would side with obama in the general.

Which is great news.


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:37:18 PM EST

Maybe you're right... (2.00 / 2)

I hope so. But really, I'm not so sure. The media treatment of Obama now reminds me of the media treatment of Kerry in 2004. I just hope Obama's campaign is ready for what happens when the GOP attacks if he intends to be the nominee. He can't always depend on the media to defend him.


Help Clintonistas for Obama help Democrats win! :-)
by atdleft on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:52:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Maybe you're right... (none / 0)

He'll be ready.  The Clinton smear machine is every bit as bad as the Rove GOP smear machine and he is currently in the process of crushing that.


NJ Hussein Independent
by NJIndependent on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 02:22:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Guilt by association? (2.00 / 2)

I am wondering just what threat to national security you think this tenuous relationship presents?:


There has been a sudden spate of blog items and newspaper articles, mainly in the British press, linking Barack Obama to a former member of the radical Weather Underground Organization that claimed responsibility for a dozen bombings between 1970 and 1974.  The former Weatherman, William Ayers, now holds the position of distinguished professor of education at the University of Illinois-Chicago.  Although never convicted of any crime, he told the New York Times in September 2001, "I don't regret setting bombs...I feel we didn't do enough."

Both Obama and Ayers were members of the board of an anti-poverty group, the Woods Fund of Chicago, between 1999 and 2002.  In addition, Ayers contributed $200 to Obama's re-election fund to the Illinois State Senate in April 2001, as reported here.  They lived within a few blocks of each other in the trendy Hyde Park section of Chicago, and moved in the same liberal-progressive circles.

Is there anything here that raises questions about Obama's judgment or is this just another example of guilt by association?

Michael Dobbs - Obama's 'Weatherman' Connection Washington Post 19 Feb 08

What exactly is your point?  Is 'information warfare' your complaint or purpose?


by Shaun Appleby on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:38:10 PM EST

Re: Guilt by association? (2.00 / 2)

Obviously, Obama and Ayers were bombing homeless people in the war on poverty in Chicago.  Duh.


NJ Hussein Independent
by NJIndependent on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:49:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Huh? (2.00 / 2)

I'm not getting your point. Larry's talking about media bias here. And judging by his real life story, it looks like something important that we should talk about here.


Help Clintonistas for Obama help Democrats win! :-)
by atdleft on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:49:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

You mean the Ayers-Obama Weatherman connection?  Crikey, you can't be serious, are you?  Obama was twelve at the time and living in Hawai'i.


by Shaun Appleby on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:54:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (2.00 / 1)

I think the fact is that he chose to hang out with a terrorist not that he committed any terrorist acts.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:58:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

"Chose to hang out with a terrorist." (none / 0)

I'm embarrassed for you. I really am.

The aroma of desperation has turned into a stench.


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:01:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: (2.00 / 1)

Is that the best response you can give?


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:06:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Tell me what Larry has proven here. (none / 0)


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:09:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tell me what Larry has proven here. (none / 0)

This plays into the larger narrative out there about Obama is what it does.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 06:17:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: (2.00 / 1)

Bullshit.  You've become such a shameless advocate for your candidate, constantly running down Senator Clinton, that I really think you have forgotten what it is to be embarassed any more.


by Mike Pridmore on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:11:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

mike, this story is inane. (none / 0)

Note that Larry claims to have evidence and contacts who will back up his claims, yet he won;t produce them. Instead, he claims that the reporter didn't contact them.

So why doesn't Larry blow the lid off this story himself?

This is as inane as his "Obama helping his Kenyan relative" fable.

It's tin-foil lid territory, mike.


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:14:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: mike, this story is inane. (1.50 / 2)

He can't hear you, this is so alarming he's in the Cone of Silence with his mates attempting to discuss it.


by Shaun Appleby on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:16:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: mike, this story is inane. (none / 0)

Remember the episode where Max and Larabee get locked in the airtight vault?

Max says, "Larabee, we only have 30 minutes of air!"

So Larabee starts doing jumping jacks.

Max shouts, "Larabee! What are you doing?"

Larabee replies, "You use your fifteen minutes your way, I'll use my fifteen minutes my way!"


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:20:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: mike, this story is inane. (2.00 / 1)

I hear you just fine.  Let me explain so even someone like you can understand.  This isn't a story that will have legs unless the media picks it up.  By putting out the story without all the details, Larry is leaving room for some reporter to come along and claim he/she broke the story.  Reporters want credit for coming up with the details so they can convince their editors or other potential employers that they are news finders.  If they just crib from something they found on a blog, they can't make that claim.

If you want some reporter looking to make himself a reputation to pick up the story you can't reveal all the details first.


by Mike Pridmore on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:22:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: mike, this story is inane. (none / 0)

Sounds to me like the story already 'broke,' as in there has been a sudden spate of blog items and newspaper articles, mainly in the British press, linking Barack Obama to a former member of the radical Weather Underground Organization.

What's going on here may have a different name, suit yourself.  It seems pretty thin to me, frankly.


by Shaun Appleby on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:31:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: mike, this story is inane. (2.00 / 1)

That is only one story.  And it has yet to cross the pond.  Still time for an American reporter to be spoonfed new sources and claim to have details not included in the British stories. And since you have brought up those other stories, doesn't it make you wonder why the US press isn't talking about it.


by Mike Pridmore on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:43:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: mike, this story is inane. (none / 0)

I'm guessing because editors are sensitive to their colleagues snickering at them behind their backs, but I could be wrong.


by Shaun Appleby on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 12:25:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

Hillary hung out with fugitives (Hsu) and had a felon appointed as Asst AG (Hubbell), Bill in his post-presidency has hung out with a child molester.


by Socraticsilence on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:08:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

well your insane and we're here with you...

uh oh!


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:18:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

'Choose to hang out with a terrorist?'  Oy, veh.


by Shaun Appleby on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:11:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

Tell me how this 'terrorist' managed to become a distinguished professor of education at the University of Illinois-Chicago?  Or has he just stolen someone's identity.  Quick, ring the Homeland Security hot-line, condition orange!


by Shaun Appleby on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:14:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

You don't think that bombing buildings and having admitted to bombing them is terrorism? And as far as his position you'll have to take that up with the employer.

It all plays into the larger narrative that the GOP has set up for Obama.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 06:20:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (1.00 / 1)

I have illegally confronted the DC National Guard, the Washington Metropolitan Police and the 82nd Airborne Division in violation of the law, including wilfully throwing their tear gas grenades back at them, disobeying public orders and fleeing the scene.  Of course at the time the US government was killing three million mostly innocent civilians which you probably think of as 'collateral damage' in the fight against Communism.  Your moral compass has been calibrated by whom?  I swear to God I think half of you belong at Free Republic.  

Let me ask you this, during the Viet-Nam war several trains carrying munitions intended to be dropped on civilians were blown up en route to the West Coast.  No lives were lost.  That was 'terrorism?'  But the dropping of the bombs on civilians in North Vietnamese cities and South Vietnamese hamlets wasn't?  I have spoken with you many times before and it is a useless waste of time.  You are exactly the kind of person who is destroying this nation through your insular, jingoistic, smarmy, self-righteous ignorance and total disregard for anyone and anything that isn't one of your own, whatever the hell that is.


by Shaun Appleby on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 06:41:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

You were wrong to do that. You are just as bad as those people who bomb abortion clinics and kill doctors because it's "saving the lives of babies" right?

Plenty of liberals condemned Timothy McVeigh and rightly so.

Wow, Obama really attracts some radicals for supporters. You would have been much better off trying to change things through legitimate avenues than radicalism.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 06:52:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

Yeah, well it will no doubt disappoint you to know I was awarded $2300 several years later in a class-action suit for illegal arrest and detention, along with over 10,000 others.  And you are equating that peaceful but disruptive protest in DC with bombing abortion clinics and killing doctors when our government was killing three million people at the time?  And lying to us about it?  Right.

You didn't answer my question, either.  But I suppose the Sons of Liberty at the Boston Tea Party were 'terrorists' too.  Crikey, this country was founded by people with the courage of their convictions who were willing to die for their beliefs.  What have we become?  

So I'm just as bad as people who kill doctors and bomb abortion clinics?  Remind me never to put my faith in the deliberations of a jury in Georgia.


by Shaun Appleby on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 07:06:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

Okay, according to you any war is an act of terrorism? That's what you are implying.

No wonder people are getting creeped out by Obama and his supporters.

Blowing up trains is okay because there weren't any people on them? That's advocating terrorism. And both were wrong. Vietnam was wrong but what people like you did actually created a backlash and enabled the war to go on longer which is why I think Obama will cave and do what the neocons want him to do. After all, he's been begging for their acceptance. He even said defunding the war is "playing chicken with the troops."

Your sanctimonious attitude is why Democrats lose elections. And it's why I'm sure that Obama will lose should he be the nominee.


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 07:51:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

Well I'm gratified to even have a response from you, I suppose, but you are doing several things in your 'argument' which are questionable.  I am not saying any war is an act of terrorism, far from it.  Military history is my hobby, actually.  It is the asymmetrical wars like Viet-Nam which are the ones where we get in to trouble.  I actually advocate the Powell Doctrine as a framework for the management of these inevitable conflicts and there are plenty of historical examples of how they are won or lost.  We are currently losing one in Afghanistan, for example.  We didn't just ignore the Powell Doctrine we threw it on the ground and danced on it.

And what 'people like I did actually created a backlash and enabled the war to go on longer' is going to require a bit more of an explanation because at face value I don't see that it makes any sense though I could be wrong.  And as for Obama begging for the acceptance of neo-conservatives, predicated on his refusal to defund the war, that is simply untrue.  The McGovern-Hatfield legislation which attempted to do just that in Viet-Nam was disastrously unsuccessful.  I agree with him that a mandated withdrawal is the sanest legal course to follow, even preferabe to de-authorisation.

Sanctimonious?  Have another look at your moral compass and see if it is still pointing North.  I am a 'realist' in foreign policy terms as I think that is, in most cases, the most successful strategy but it doesn't mean that our foreign policy objectives should be bereft of moral awareness, quite the contrary.  In the long run that is a very 'realistic' approach to foreign relations.  

We'll see if Obama wins the general election.  I'm guessing you didn't expect him to get this far.  My support does not seem to have done him any serious harm so far.  In the meantime try and resist profiling the opinions of others into the apparently limited number of stereotypical world views you seem to be anticipating and keep your mind and heart open.  We live in interesting and generous times which will be very challenging, and potentially rewarding, for all of us.


by Shaun Appleby on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 08:24:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

Moral compass? There you go again. More smarmy self righteous sanctimony. You just can't help yourself can you? Actually, I find that somewhat of a compliment from someone who defends terrorist acts.

Nixon was effectively able to use people like you to keep the war going. Read some history on that subject.

Obama won't win because he's played to lose. What is getting him out of the primaries won't get him far in the general election. Disenfranchising millions of voters isn't the way to win. He's too arrogant and condescending to admit his mistakes and apologize. Right now over 1/2 of Democrats are saying that they WILL NOT vote for him according to exit polls. Real good job, eh?


No longer a Democrat, now proudly an independent voter!
by Ga6thDem on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 09:37:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

'Defender of terrorism?'  At least I can think for myself.  Have fun at Wal-Mart.


by Shaun Appleby on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 02:55:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Guilt by association? (none / 0)

You don't see the danger? The consequences? The dire predicament we may be placing our country in should Obama succeed in conquest?


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:49:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Guilt by association? (none / 0)

Not so much.  I don't think Tom Hayden is very scary anymore, either.


by Shaun Appleby on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:51:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Guilt by association? (none / 0)

When Obama was six-years-old, he was plotting to bomb Selective Service headquarters.

I'm just sayin'...


by Bob Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 10:52:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Information Warfare [UPDATED] (2.00 / 1)

The only thing that will work to get the message to them is to stop watching their networks and so called news. Many people have contacted them only to be ignored.

I have started my boycott this week, and it has been much more peaceful of a life.  Not tuning in is the only thing they will listen to because it is a money loss for them if it reaches critical mass.  I suggest we all make ourselves stop paying attention to them.


by Scotch on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:46:34 PM EST

Re: Information Warfare [UPDATED] (1.50 / 2)

If folks like Bob Johnson are indicative of those giving Barack advice he is in real trouble.  As is typical of Bob, an obtuse soul, he misses the fundamental point.  Let's take the Ayers/Obama relationship as an example.

Obama has had presidential ambitions for several years.  That means you should have a sense of how things will be perceived.  Substance and truth, unfortunately, do not necessarily matter in politics.  Ergo, he aligns himself with Ayers starting in 1996.  Ayers continues to express no regret for bombing the US Capitol and the State Department.  If you are going to run for President can you afford to be friends with a guy who is an unrepentant terrorist?

Do you think Republicans will ignore this?  Do you think Republican backed 527 groups will feel this is of no consequence?  If you answered no to both questions you do not qualify to have any role in a national presidential campaign.  You should understand this info will be used against you in a brutal fashion.

That's the point.  Poor Bobby Johnson lacks the mental acuity to grasp such nuances.


by Larr Johnson on Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:51:14 PM EST

Re: Information Warfare [UPDATED] (none / 0)

In 1996?  That was twelve years ago.  'Unrepentant terrorist?'  The damage done to this country with 9/11 far exceeds the cost in lives and material damage, doesn't it?  About a trillion dollars worth of wasted time and squandered common sense, I'm thinking.


by Shaun Appleby on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 12:29:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Information Warfare [UPDATED] (none / 0)

Larry, I have recommended many of your posts at Daily Kos over the years. Your writings on Iraq and Iran have been insightful, powerful, detailed and well-sourced.

That being said, your stuff on electoral politics has, generally, been petty, suspect, and some odd mix of vindictive and vicious.

The reason the reporter didn't move on your claims here is because it is a non-story. It's silly, inane garbage.

Crackpot stuff like this undercuts your credibility when you speak on matters where you have proven expertise.


by Bob Johnson on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 10:47:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Information Warfare [UPDATED] (none / 0)

I hadn't known that "Frank" from Dreams of My Father was actually a well-known poet. Yet another amazingly cool and interesting chapter in the life of Barack Obama. This guy was blessed from birth, apparently. Got to hang out and be mentored by a major, but relatively unknown figure in black history living in Hawaii of all places, when he was still in high school. He obviously imparted some wonderful pearls of wisdom on his young study. Thanks for this, it further deepens my belief that Obama is going to be a giant, positive figure in U.S. and world history.


by dmc2 on Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 12:33:11 AM EST


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