Oh, I think I fully understand it. It goes back to when he gave up his crown to avoid military service based on his principles. But I think you knew that.
It is amazing that at the prime of his career, even when offered, basically a 'Joe Louis' style enlistment, he turned it down. The ban from boxing literally cost him millions.
People also forget that it was Muhammad Ali that almost single handedly saved Howard Cosell after the "Look at that little monkey run." comment.
And you cast aspersions at Cindy Sheehan, whose son fought and died for this country while Cassius Clay praised the Viet Cong. Even if you disagree with Cindy Sheehan, she has the guts to speak in public against a war that makes no sense.
There were plenty of guys who would gladly have given up large sums of money rather than pay the price they *did* pay.
Those of us who lived through these times and who served (in SE Asia or elsewhere) even though we didn't want to (and were afraid) have nothing but contempt for him and his ilk.