question about Ali

[billeau2]

Taking a "stand"? The government that gave him everything told him to give back.

We can argue whether conscription is a good thing or not. Whether Viet Nam was a necessary war, or not. Whether it was fought well, or not. Most of us will have the same opinions and probably we'll all reach the same conclusion, but America had given Ali everything. To try and take a political stand was pretty pathetic.





Yeah, it's a long ass time. But he came back as if nothing had happened. He stopped Quarry and Bonavena: nothing pre-exile matches that.

He also only had to fight a prime Joe Frazier once. Even the rematch and rubbermatch took A LOT out of Ali. Imagine how bad it would have been for Ali if all three fights (if he could have ever beaten Frazier at all) would have been. He'd maybe be around for Foreman, but in what form? He doesn't fight Norton or Shvares, not for the title.

No... Wrong argument. Ali could have run away, he could have been put in a division that was protected...he did neither. In fact he made it pretty certain he would suffer more for his decision at the hands of his own government, as he did.

What you are failing to realize is what Ali said. It is hardly complex and if you believe that your father, because he raised you, gave you food, shelter, education has the right to tell you to murder, than I feel sorry for you Rusty. I don't think you believe this and hope you are right.

Many people have forgot what Ali said: It is not a complex ontological proposition on the epistemology of the solopsistic self I with existential dilemna No No NO!!!!

Here, as a reminder is what Ali said: "Aint no Viet Cong ever hurt me, I ain't going to murder no Viet Cong." And every goddamn sports writer with the exception of Cosell came at Ali, using the argument of loving one's country. Yet like Socrates Ali did not avoid his fate...Ali could have easily been shuttled out of the country by any number of willing fans, but Ali stood down and accepted his fate.

It hurts me that people don't see this as brave. Its the same logic of those who look at pasty, skinny hippies and laugh. These hippies faced down a military industrial complex that dosed people with LSD to watch what resulted, and managed to shut them down. THINK for a moment about facing an enemy that would put LSD in your coffee, pay disinfo agents like Leary, create a whole media presence (Laurel Canyon look it up) and winning.

Ali never claimed to be perfect...he was rakish, and he said some silly things at times, but he was never mean spirited about these things and he was sincere in his belief that he should not commit murder.