Posted on 11/09/2005 1:43:43 PM PST by george76
Ailing boxing legend Muhammad Ali swapped wisecracks with President George W. Bush in his first public appearance in five months which dispelled recent fears over his health.
Ali, 63, went to the White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, from Bush.
He appeared weak from his longstanding battle against Parkinson's Disease but attentive throughout the ceremony in the East Room of the White House, applauding each recipient.
Ali's first public appearance in five months
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
A real American treasure. Too bad his life has to end this way.
Y'know, I'm torn here. I've always liked the guy. I loved watching him fight when I was a kid, and his shtick with Howard Cosell. I think he's handled his Parkinson's with grace, and he's undeniably one of the greatest boxers of all time...he practically redefined the heavyweight division.
But I'm just not 100% comfortable with giving the Presidential Medal of Freedom to a draft resister. (Notice I didn't say "dodger," in that he did stay in the country and do his time in prison for it.)
}:-)4
I wonder how much money he gave to mooselimbs to kill Christians and Jews - I wonder if you have half the conviction of your faith that he has in his?
The 'treasure' should remain buried.
By the way, you know this how?
I don't think Ali owes us a thing. He has lived his life with dignity and he took full advantage of his gifts. The country is the winner because of him.
I had friends coming home in boxes while Ali was draft dodging.
Presidential Medal of Freedom, my ass!
I got nothing against Ali. He never called me an INFIDEL!
What's the reason for him getting this?
I'm 100% with you. Well he objectd out of his believe and he certainly had the conviction of his beliefs I still don't see how that leads to a medal of freedom.
And we don't owe Cassius Clay a thing, much less a Medal of Freedom for not doing a damned thing for the US, other than crapping on this country while hundreds of thousands of other young men went to fight (and many of whom died) in his place. Elvis Presley went into the armed forces at the peak of his career which was too much for this bum. So much for Mr. Neoconservative, George Bush. I'll never work or vote for another member of that incompetent family again. They'd be nowhere but for the real President, Ronald Reagan.
My sentiments exactly. I entered the Army in 1968. In my book he is a COWARD. Neither he or Jane Fonda will ever be forgiven by me.
Ali, as all human beings are, is flawed. And so in his younger years he was led and influenced by people around him that were only operating in their interest, not his. However, any objective person must take full measure of the man during his entire life. Ali like so many other American Icons, is not perfect. But he loves this country, and its people, and its people love him. In both the ring an in his battle with illness, he has maintained that maverick glint in his eye, that lust for life and the glorious quest for America that allows an Ali to reach the pinnacle of suceess. He is both a great American and a hero to all in America!!!
You east texas people crack me up. If President George W. Bush wants to give him a medal, thats good enough for me. I will let you judge his actions.
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