Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Patricia Albjerg Graham, professor emerita and former dean of the Harvard School of Graduate Education. Stanley O. Ikenberry, former president of the University of Illinois. Arnold R. Weber, former president of Northwestern University. Cynthia M. Campbell, president, McCormick Theological Seminary.

What do these people have in common? They, along with many other outstanding individuals with distinguished records in the academic, civic and business worlds, have served with Bill Ayers on the boards of nonprofit organizations. According to Charles Krauthammer, most Americans "would not shake hands with -- let alone serve on two boards with -- an unrepentant terrorist" as a matter of "sheer indecency." Mr. Krauthammer characterized Sen. Barack Obama's participation on these boards alongside Mr. Ayers as "tolerance of the obscene."

What are we to make, then, of the roll call of eminent Americans who have served on boards with Mr. Ayers? Are they all terrorist sympathizers? If so, the mind boggles at the widespread infiltration by terrorist sympathizers of the highest echelons of our society.

LISA M. NG

Arlington