View Full Version : Muhammad Ali dead at 74
mojaveman
06-03-2016, 23:36
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has died at the age of 74 after suffering from Parkinson's disease for a number of years.
http://cbsnews.com/news/muhammad-ali-boxing-legend-and-cultural-icon-dies
There were about 6-7 of us that traveled from Panama to Bragg in '87(?) and when we were going through the connecting airport late at night we walked by a darken gate and there was someone sitting there. We made about 25M past the gate and someone said, "i think that was Mohammed Ali back there." We all said BS but turned around and went back.
It was him.
We sat with him shooting the bull for about 45 minutes. Treated him like a man, no pictures or autographs, just talked with him. He was so appreciative, and a cool and humble man. Big danged flat fist.
RIP.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali
Not taking away for what he did in the ring, but his mindset. However, I didn't grow up "African American" and don't know. So, I can only offer my expression as why he didn't step up for his country....which is "why not"... I doubt any of the things he said ever happened to him, unless someone can verify.
However then there's this.
Ali refused to be inducted into the armed forces, stating that he had "no quarrel with them Vietcong."[52] "My conscience won't let me go shoot my brother, or some darker people, or some poor hungry people in the mud for big powerful America. And shoot them for what? They never called me nigger, they never lynched me, they didn't put no dogs on me, they didn't rob me of my nationality, rape or kill my mother and father.... How can I shoot them poor people? Just take me to jail."[53] He was systematically denied a boxing license in every state and stripped of his passport. As a result, he did not fight from March 1967 to October 1970—from ages 25 to almost 29—as his case worked its way through the appeals process. In 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction in a unanimous 8-0 ruling (Thurgood Marshall recused himself, as he had been the U.S. Solicitor General at the time of Ali's conviction).
I cannot defend his decision not to serve but at the very least he did not take his riches and flee to Canada, he stayed and faced the music. Had he served he would have been on some boxing team enjoying the good life.
He is the standard by which all others are measured .
RIP
The less secure a man is, the more likely he is to have extreme prejudice.
Clint Eastwood
RIP, a remarkable life and amazing boxing skill and savvy.
He was a great boxer and the cause of some of the best memories I had of "dad-son time" in front of the TV watching him fight.
Rest In Peace!
Ambush Master
06-04-2016, 11:09
One Less Muslim in the World!!!
Pretty poor fucking standard to be measured by.
Scammed his way out of the draft with his phony religious epihany.
I enlisted in 1966 in order not to be drafted-Airborne Infantry.
That yellow self serving prick could have served time in special services or some PR position.
He would not have had to go any where near any of them "Viet Congs."
Hell, Elvis drove a tank in Germany.
Need to raise your standards.
Team Sergeant
06-05-2016, 14:34
Pretty poor fucking standard to be measured by.
Scammed his way out of the draft with his phony religious epihany.
I enlisted in 1966 in order not to be drafted-Airborne Infantry.
That yellow self serving prick could have served time in special services or some PR position.
He would not have had to go any where near any of them "Viet Congs."
Hell, Elvis drove a tank in Germany.
Need to raise your standards.
You've not heard of "Fundamental Change"? Sorry Charlie, the standards are not only being lowered but they are being tossed out.
Well if he draft dodged and then blasted John McCain he could have been more than just a boxer, he could be the GOP nominee for POTUS
In '64, I believe it was, he was classified 1-Y because his tested IQ was only 78, too low to be drafted except in a national emergency. They lowered the IQ requirement in '66 and re-classified him 1-A.
He knew that he wouldn't actually see combat but he faced the music and didn't run to Canada like so many others.
RIP, champ.
Pat
One Less Muslim in the World!!!
The world would be a better place with more people (Muslims, Christians, Jews, Agnostics, Atheists, etc, etc) like him.
https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/muhammad-ali
CAARNG 68W
06-05-2016, 20:39
Pretty poor fucking standard to be measured by.
Scammed his way out of the draft with his phony religious epihany.
I enlisted in 1966 in order not to be drafted-Airborne Infantry.
That yellow self serving prick could have served time in special services or some PR position.
He would not have had to go any where near any of them "Viet Congs."
Hell, Elvis drove a tank in Germany.
Need to raise your standards.
At my age, you would not be shocked at the hate I got for my opinions on him. I'm a huge boxing fan also.
In '64, I believe it was, he was classified 1-Y because his tested IQ was only 78, too low to be drafted except in a national emergency. They lowered the IQ requirement in '66 and re-classified him 1-A.
He knew that he wouldn't actually see combat but he faced the music and didn't run to Canada like so many others.
RIP, champ.
Pat
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_v._United_States#Background
Further contributed to my negative opinion of "The Champ"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_v._United_States#Background
Further contributed to my negative opinion of "The Champ"
I'm confused. Are you challenging what I said or supporting it? If the former, I said that he "faced the music". Had he had to stay in prison for the rest of his life, or even be executed if permitted by law, I would have been fine that that and still respect his decision. He was not a coward that ran away. That's my point. We know his name. How many people have you come in contact with who ran to Canada and then were pardoned by Carter? You'll never know.
Pat