Tipsheet 2001 Photo: Ayers Stomping US Flag Amanda Carpenter | May 05, 2008 11:55 AM Barack Obama says William Ayers is "just a guy in the neighborhood" who engaged in terrorist activities when Obama was just a tike. And that's why it's ok for Obama and Ayers to be friends now.So, what does Obama have to say about Ayers stomping on the flag in 2001?