[The Urban Sombrero]

Like I said, I was there and I heard all the things said, and read many of the things written about Clay in the newspapers. He was not given a pass, I can tell you that. As Hoot pointed out, the boxing commission denied him legitimacy for a number of years. It is anything but heroic for an able bodied man to refuse serving his country in any time, much less wartime.

Did you serve your country US, or are you borrowing from others who feign self righteous indignation in Ali's name?

The draft was not in effect when I was 18, and I did not join the military. I have a son in the Armed Services.

Mohammed Ali was a conscientious objecter. He paid the price. He is a hero to millions of African Americans. I personally think of him as being heroic because he stood on principle and sacrificed what, at the time, could have been multiple years in prison and his entire career, though it did not turn out that way.

I am suggesting that those Republicans that view Ali (since he chose that name, it is disrespectful to call him Cassius Clay) as a "loud mouthed coward" represent to African Americans a reason to vote Democratic.

Bob, you believe Ali to be a "loud mouthed coward." I don't call you a racist. But I know your opinion represents an aspect of right wing Republicanism that is offensive. Thus, "goodies" is a simplistic and self-serving way of explaining the voting of an entire group of people.

TRT, you appear to believe the conscientious objecter provision is null and void if a man be "able bodied."

So, we come to the "state of the Republican Party." To which I say the "Big Tent" is shrinking as it gets yanked further and further right by folks who think along the lines of you fellers.