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Post by teancum79 on Nov 9, 2005 16:35:12 GMT -5
Have I missed something with this guy? I mean granted he was a good boxer and Will Smith played him in a movie, but what makes him qualified for the Medal of Freedom the highest civilian honor in our nation? Fox news said he was getting the Medal of Honor which is only given to soldiers and that caught my attention. So is there a real reason for this or is Bush just really needing to make nice with Black Muslims?
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Post by Tara on Nov 10, 2005 0:02:19 GMT -5
 Unfortunately I don't have an answer for you. |
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Post by dianaholberg on Nov 10, 2005 9:02:16 GMT -5
I have known several who looked up to Muhammed Ali as the first black man to stand up publicly in the US unafraid. I think it's hard for us today to imagine how radically different he was in his time. In his own way, he contributed greatly to the Civil Rights era. A couple of links: Muhammed Ali - Time magazine profile Dancer, Poet, Mime... |
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Post by littlepea on Nov 10, 2005 10:14:55 GMT -5
he changed his religion to avoid having to fight in vietnam - how noble ...
in the UK it's not uncommon for sports personalities to be given knighthoods and OBEs or MBEs (Officers or Members of the British Empire)
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Post by dianaholberg on Nov 10, 2005 10:42:14 GMT -5
It wasn't exactly a noble war... I haven't met anyone who would argue differently. Anyway, I seriously doubt that his only motivation was to avoid combat -- particularly since he went into combat every time he stepped into the ring.
I'm personally not a fan of his... I found him arrogant and prideful -- qualities I don't admire. But I do understand folks who respect him for giving his race one more voice at a time when those voices were rarely heard.
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Post by teancum79 on Nov 10, 2005 10:58:13 GMT -5
True they gave one to Carroll Burnett (granted she was funny I've caught a few oh her reruns), but not a national hero. Paul Harvey got one too and his I can understand he is a legend in talk radio. Oh well I guess it would be interesting to see who has gotten the awards over time and why.
Oh I think a thread on the draft and dodge could be fun.
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Post by cenk on Nov 10, 2005 14:39:24 GMT -5
he changed his religion to avoid having to fight in vietnam - how noble ... in the UK it's not uncommon for sports personalities to be given knighthoods and OBEs or MBEs (Officers or Members of the British Empire) No you moron Mohammed Ali didn't revert to Islam to avoid fighting in Vietnam. It was probably the 100's of reasons that reverts convert to Islam. Its like MalcomX went to Hajj (I hope you all know what Hajj is!!!!) he saw how man (wherever they are Black, White, Brown or Yellow) where standing side by side, praying, talking to one another with out regard to skin colour. He was helped by White Muslims, he was shocked he thought 'how could a white person help me? I am Black. That is when he turned less radical upon his return to America. If he reverted to Islam to fight in Vietnam why is he still Muslim? and that more than 30 years later! He was stripped of his heavyweight title because he refused to fight. What happened to president George Bush when he refused to fight in Vietnam? It wasn't exactly a noble war... I haven't met anyone who would argue differently. Exactly America had No business in vietnam and America lost anyway. Plus when they left the vietcong where ultimately victorous. All Americas legacy was in Vietnam was prolonging the war which ultimately led to the deaths of over a million more people. He was one of the Greatest Boxers in the world. He was one of the Greatest Sports men ever and this was at a time when there was racism across the US, especially (still present) in the South. He also encouraged the Civil Rights movement. Have I missed something with this guy? I mean granted he was a good boxer and Will Smith played him in a movie, but what makes him qualified for the Medal of Freedom the highest civilian honor in our nation? His legacy still lives with us, he has given motivation to countless Black people across the world. He deserves to have the highest honor that an American Citizen can achieve. Only someone out of touch with reality can't why he is finally being honoured. |
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Post by Tara on Nov 10, 2005 20:04:54 GMT -5
he changed his religion to avoid having to fight in vietnam - how noble ... in the UK it's not uncommon for sports personalities to be given knighthoods and OBEs or MBEs (Officers or Members of the British Empire) No you moron Mohammed Ali didn't revert to Islam to avoid fighting in Vietnam. Be nice.  For first timers who may have never gotten the chance to learn of Islam, why don't you find the Hajj thread and link it. Add some info if you'd like.  |
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Post by littlepea on Nov 10, 2005 22:07:00 GMT -5
normally i don't like arrogance and pride, but when it comes to sport you have to believe that you are the best to be the best and he did and he was. if he was arrogant and proud and boastful to his personal friends and family then that's another matter, but sportsmen and women often adopt different personas in public and private life whether by choice or not. believe it or not when i play football i can often be very fair, calm and composed  ali says "i didn't dodge the draft, i just avoided it" ... you certainly did, cassius ... i don't doubt that ali didn't want to fight for moral reasons and i would agree with him on that, but he put his sport before his converted religion and that i certainly don't respect (in my eyes it makes it even more likely that he only converted to islam in order to avoid the draft). i'm not having a dig at islam, cenk, so don't insult and bore me with your stories of how great your religion is. i didn't ask for you to preach at me so do us both a favour and keep it to yourself for the time being. |
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