The Observation Deck

I submitted this for publication in response to a column printed in the June 2nd issue of the Observer by Rev. John Tamilio III. Since my response is not going to be printed I'd thought I'd post it here:


The recent murder of Army recruiter William Long by an Islamic radical is a reminder that media and political hate campaigns against American soldiers can have tragic consequences. The murder of abortion provider, Dr. George Tiller, at about the same time offered a stark contrast between the liberal and conservative attitudes towards violence. While pro-life groups unanimously condemned the murder of Dr. Tiller liberals were mostly silent about the assassination of Private Long.

Terrorist master mind Bill Ayers is treated like a celebrity by the liberal establishment. Appointed to foundation and government boards, writing in the New York Times, earning thousands on speaking tours the one time terrorist is a liberal icon. The bombings and deaths caused by his organization are considered no big deal.

In contrast, the pro-life movement and conservatives universally condemn the actions of killers of abortion providers and shun them as outcasts. The liberal establishment often chastises conservatives for their concern for life and liberty. But they seem curiously unconcerned about the violence their rhetoric causes.

Keith Olberman’s orgasmic, hate filled rants, Newsweek’s false stories about flushing Koran’s down the toilet, or members of congress making false accusations against American soldiers all create an atmosphere of hate. Those hate fests led directly to the death of Private Long. Hopefully liberals everywhere will give some thought before they attack those who serve and reconsider the honor and respect they give terrorists like Bill Ayers.

Bill Call wrote:Terrorist master mind Bill Ayers is treated like a celebrity by the liberal establishment.

Keith Olberman’s orgasmic, hate filled rants

Those hate fests led directly to the death of Private Long. Hopefully liberals everywhere will give some thought before they attack those who serve and reconsider the honor and respect they give terrorists like Bill Ayers.

Bill, Bill, Bill

Ayers treated like a celebrity? No one would have even remembered him had the right not
dragged him up again. Which brought him into the spotlight. Cannot defend Ayers just
a little unmoved by your description.

Olberman's orgasmic, hate filled rants?

I agree let's look into these and other hate crimes, lets get the bastards responsible. Are
you ready to go after both sides for violating first amendment rights? I just want to know
so that I can ask you to join me in toning down so called second amendment rights as
they seem to be not working real well either.


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Moderators, please move this thread to global. This does not belong on this board.

Valerie Molinski wrote:Moderators, please move this thread to global. This does not belong on this board.

This is exactly where this post belongs.

Bill Call wrote:

Valerie Molinski wrote:Moderators, please move this thread to global. This does not belong on this board.

This is exactly where this post belongs.

Do not agree. The crime happened in Little Rock, Arkansas. The rest has nothing to do with Lakewood except that a random op ed was published in the Observer. The rest of your post also has nothing to do with Lakewood.

Ayers during his Weathermen association days was comparable to moonshiners during the prohibition days. He was a semi-folk hero, like the Duke Boys on Dukes of Hazard, or other criminals. If Ice Cube can make movies for Disney, Ice T can appear on Law and Order, and Paris Hilton can be at the Kids Choice Awards show, Ayers can be a college professor in Chicago. We are, after all, a nation founded by people who committed Treason.

In the good old days, doctors or med students could provide abortions in the privacy of someone's home or back alley offices. usually the woman was too poor or stupid or rich for the public or the press or the police to take much interest.

ryan costa wrote:Ayers during his Weathermen association days was comparable to moonshiners during the prohibition days. He was a semi-folk hero, like the Duke Boys on Dukes of Hazard, or other criminals. If Ice Cube can make movies for Disney, Ice T can appear on Law and Order, and Paris Hilton can be at the Kids Choice Awards show, Ayers can be a college professor in Chicago. We are, after all, a nation founded by people who committed Treason.

Whoa....are you saying that Ice Cube, Ice T, and Paris Hilton committed treason? I mean I know that aren't that great of celebrities, but don't you think that's a little harsh?

And to the best of my knowledge, the Duke boys weren't criminals or folk heroes, more like rowdy teenagers. I always like Starsky and Hutch better anyway.

And really, I agree with Valerie, this thread doesn't belong here. Way too national and not really talking about a response to the editorial.

Thealexa Becker wrote:And really, I agree with Valerie, this thread doesn't belong here. Way too national and not really talking about a response to the editorial.

The Lakewood connection is that last year and for some years previous various groups were "protesting" outside the armed forces recruitment center in Lakewood. Part of the protest included cries of baby killer and efforts to obstruct the business of the center. Various media outlets, including this one, chose to pretend it wasn't happening.

The editorial that sparked my response can be found here on page 18:

http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue ... sue_11.pdf

Bill--- I think the reason that any protests that have occurred at the Armed Forces recruiting center have not been reported upon is due simply to the fact that they were lame.
Notice that Jim and the whole crew put a premium on well executed riots (faux or real).
A good cause is the first requirement. A spirit of "the summer of love" is another essential. And, well disciplined anarchy is a third ingredient.
To this day, I can remember the cry from Jim at the Skatepark riot prior to a City Council meeting, after a request from a local media outlet for a better camera angle, OB hollered out, "turn the riot north!"
Therefore, there was no "mainstream media" plot as you suggest.
A good demonstration requires a good demonstration of demonstrating. This, the recruiting center protesters lacked.
Stan

Watch any episode of Dukes of Hazard. They behave in ways that would get them arrested and thrown in jail in Cleveland or Cambridge. back-talking to cops, driving dangerously, speeding, shooting things with bows and arrows, hogging the CB radio. it was a popular television show.

In real life Americans have made celebrities out of criminals. Abolitionist John Brown was admired by Freedom Loving Americans. Filibuster William Walker was cheered in Slavery Loving States.

ryan costa wrote:In real life Americans have made celebrities out of criminals. Abolitionist John Brown was admired by Freedom Loving Americans. Filibuster William Walker was cheered in Slavery Loving States.

Oh yeah, because all young kids aspire to be a craggy old guy. You'd be lucky if most high school graduates even know who John Brown is. Or even William Walker.

Most people in this country want to be sports stars and earn a living doing mindless physical activity.

John Brown was an athletic guy. he was fighting slavery well into his late 50s, and fathered at least 17 children. he was religiously conservative.

William Walker was small and palid and weak and very queer looking. He wanted to re-introduce slavery to central America. He was popular in the South.

For a brief time the north and south were united by resentment of Irish Immigrants, Catholic Immigrants, and Irish Catholic immigrants. a major political platform was to try to outlaw more irish immigrants, and to outlaw Catholics from holding public offices.

Today's professional athletes are at increased risk of showing up at the nightclub concealing semi-automatic handguns in their sweatpants, then somehow shooting themselves in the thigh.

So really, what is your point other than illustrating what we already know, that people are really weird.

My intent isn't to prove anything.

I felt a need to reflect publicly on our culture's veneration for different kinds of violent crimes and reckless behavior. Even these Ocean's 11 movies are very anti-social. Maybe anti-social is the wrong word. there is an aspect of conformity to it.

So Bill, it sounds to me like the real issue here is that a soldier was killed because you believe that information about bad behavior of our military was made public. You say it was false, maybe some of it was, but a lot of it was true.

So, what is the solution? Should we ignore the misdeeds of over reaching of our military to protect innocent soldiers? Should we ignore the abuses of Blackwater, of Gitmo, of Abu Ghraib? Does that save lives? Maybe in the short run, but doesn't it mean that Americans condone this type of behavior and create more hatred for us in the long run?

Should we have covered up the My Lai massacre in Vietnam? Should the Germans have covered up the death camps?

I have always taught my children that the only thing necessary for evil to succeed is for good men and women to do nothing. To turn a blind eye to what we know in our hearts is wrong. Not all Germans were evil, but they let Hitler have his way. Not enough people spoke up. I believe it is patriotic to stand up for what we believe is right. If that is saying that torture is wrong and we have committed torture that in my mind is acceptable and positive behavior.

You talk of William Ayers, what about Robert McNamara who was responsible or complicit in the deaths of thousands of both Americans and others lives. Seems to me he was just honored.

And William Walker, what a surprise to hear him mentioned! I just finished reading the history of Costa Rica. Costa Rica has 1 military hero, Juan Santamaria, for which the international airport is named. They also celebrate his birthday in Costa Rica. He was a young drummer boy who set fire to the building where William Walker's troops were staying. Santamaria died in the process. But Walker never got a foothold in Costa Rica. The Costa Ricans were not made slaves as Walker envisioned.