A Statement by a Retired FBI Agent Re William Ayers

[From Larry Johnson--Scott Nelson is a friend of an FBI buddy of mine. Scott is not the only retired FBI agent concerned about Barack Obama's relationship with William Ayers. There have been a few who have gone on cable TV to speak out as well. The following is Scott's statement. He is an honorable man who has served his country with courage and integrity.]

Statement from Scott Nelson:

I am a retired FBI Agent and professor of criminal justice, and I join law enforcement professionals, educators and others across the country who are seriously concerned by Senator Obama’s documented association with the known and unrepentant terrorist, William Ayres, and the Senator’s failure (so far) to offer a credible, simple explanation of when he learned about Ayers terrorist past. The notion that Ayers’ participation in terrorist acts in the 1960s is irrelevant in 2008 is an affront to our nation’s cherished principle of the rule of law,” which is fundamental to our Constitution and criminal justice system.

We believe the public has a right to know the facts about Mr. Ayers and his wife, Bernadette Dohrn.

Bill Ayers and Bernadette Dohrn were founding members of the violent terrorist bombers called the Weather Underground. They were the Unabomber’s of the 70s and radical role models for subsequent monsters like Timothy McVeigh, who bombed the Murrah Federal building , and Osama Bin Laden who slaughtered thousands on 9/11. This is not a matter of opinion but an indisputable fact. Ayers admitted bombing the New York City police headquarters in 1970, the U.S. Capital in 1971, and the Pentagon in 1972. Throughout the Weather Underground bombing rampages, many were killed and the survivors of those terrible acts still suffer emotional and physical trauma. Ayers and Dohrn assumed false identities and hid from authorities for years. Dohrn was placed on the FBI’s Top Ten Fugitive list, which is reserved for the most dangerous, high priority fugitives in the world. Once arrested, following extensive and expensive investigation, Ayres avoided jail on a legal technicality and sneered “Free as a bird, guilty as hell, ain’t America great.” Dohrn was jailed.

Unfortunately, Ayers and his wife continue to express no regrets about their terrorist history. Bill Ayers told the New York Times on 11 September 2001 that, “I don’t regret setting bombs…I feel we didn’t do enough.” They told Connie Chung the same thing (e.g., http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQsYzBlXK6M). We are outraged that Ayers now teaches college where he continues to pollute young, impressionable minds with his personal brand of radical, destructive rhetoric.

We believe that candidates for our highest office must reflect a full commitment to the rule of law and eschew all who would espouse violence and terrorism as an appropriate, acceptable course of action. It is more than just words, the actions must reflect the words. While Barack Hussein Obama is a charismatic, gifted speaker, we cannot find a single statement or action prior to this summer in which the Senator denounced the actions and attitudes of Mr. Ayers. Senator Obama launched his campaign for the Illinois State Senate in Mr. Ayers living room in 1995. At the same time, Mr. Obama was hired to serve as the Chairman of the Board of a foundation established by Mr. Ayers. More troubling is that Mr. Obama in 1997 praised a book penned by Mr. Ayers. He said the book was, “A searing and timely account of the juvenile court system, and the courageous individuals who rescue hope from despair.” At no time did Mr. Obama demonstrate any concern about Mr. Ayers’ previous conduct and Ayers continued public insistence that he did not do enough and would do it again.

We want to know at what point Senator Obama learned that Bill Ayers and Bernadette Dohrn were unrepentant about their previous terrorist acts and what steps the Senator took to distance himself from those individuals and their radical ideology? This is a fair question of any candidate who aspires to be the person constitutionally charged with upholding and protecting the Constitution of the United States. We are troubled that Senator Obama appears to have failed to understand or appreciate the implication of participating in business and charitable activities with someone who takes pride in carrying out terrorist attacks against the Government of the United States.

We are not interested in what Senator Obama knew when he was eight years old, but we are very concerned about the Senator’s actions as an adult and a member of the bar. Senator Obama’s failure to challenge Mr. Ayers publicly before this years at a minimum indicates poor judgment. We respectfully request that Senator Obama provide a complete and full disclosure of his prior relationship with Bill Ayers and Bernadette Dohrn. It goes to the heart of the question for whether the Senator has the judgment and character necessary to effectively lead the law enforcement agencies of the United States during these dangerous and difficult times .

Here is a video of another FBI agent: