3,200 academics around the country have signed a petition in defense of Bill Ayers, saying that those who criticize the unrepentant former domestic terrorist who now teaches at the University of Illinois - Chicago are are trying to "intimidate free thinking and stifle critical dialogue."

Meanwhile, Patrick O'Reilly and Therese Quinn, two members of the UIC Education Alumni Board, wrote a letter in support of Ayers printed in today's Chicago Sun-Times which concludes:

His [Ayers'] unflagging dedication to these goals is an inspiration to College of Education students and alumni. We reject the recent and ongoing derogations of his character in the media and blogosphere, and by politicians, and stand beside Ayers, an advocate for education devoted to human enlightenment and liberation. That goal is also ours.

The ivory tower of academia is one of the only places in America where a radical Marxist who's never expressed any regret for bombing his own country (indeed, he expressed just the opposite as little as 7 years ago) is revered as being "devoted to human enlightenment and liberation."