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 ...
That's what I thought. He did lose the right to ply his trade for a couple of years though.
At the rate he talks that must have been a 4 hour press conference.
He may have pre recorded it, but it was a ten minute deal that I remember and he was very angry at the attack on NY and denounced that as not being anything but the terror it was.
Good for him in that, but other stuff I don't often see eye to eye with him.
I've got mixed feelings on this. Back when Ali became a Muslim, it didn't have the same meaning, at least as openly. I do have a problem with him being a "national treasure" however. He lived the American Dream, punch drunk and all. This one's a tough call
Pandering indeed. I agree.
I was a George Foreman fan and hated Ali back in the day, but came to respect him as I grew older. I think his persona and flamboyance was uplifting to many people, most of who didn't care a lick about his politics.
I consider him a legend, an icon, a natural leader. I don't hold him up as a hero, but I do respect him for many reasons.
My Ass Too. I'll Stand with you Swamp, If you don't mind.
I don't think this is a proud moment for the guy's on the big Black Wall.
I knew a few of them. And I know that they would agree.
Friends in the boxing business; also, listen to his comments after 9-11 about 9-11.
Ah yes, the Ali bashers have crawled out of their rocks.
"And we don't owe Cassius Clay a thing"
WHAT'S MY NAME, FOOL? WHAT'S MY NAME!
You're not worthy of a response.
Military service is an honorable profession. Nevertheless, it should not be compulsory.
Very true, St Paul and St Peter also died for thier conviction and faith; my question was to emphasize the conviction part; I have not been to jail for my beliefs and probably in most cases would not, I do not have the courage Ali or Clay did.
He didn't dodge the draft. He resisted the draft, which is another thing altogether.
He didn't run to Canada. He didn't pull strings to get out of it. He didn't even accept a cushy non-combat assignment, which is certainly what he would have received had he gone into the Army. He stood by his convictions, and he took his lumps. Would that most Americans had his moral courage.
We don't have to share his views on the war to admire the way he refused to take the easy way out.
"I had friends coming home in boxes while Ali was draft dodging.
He didn't dodge the draft. He resisted the draft, which is another thing altogether.
He didn't run to Canada. He didn't pull strings to get out of it. He didn't even accept a cushy non-combat assignment, which is certainly what he would have received had he gone into the Army. He stood by his convictions, and he took his lumps. Would that most Americans had his moral courage.
We don't have to share his views on the war to admire the way he refused to take the easy way out".
He appeared in a billboard ad supporting Ronald Reagan.
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