Muhammad Ali was hilarious without saying a word....

[hwmnbn]

Yesterday during the Medal of Freedom ceremonies, after the chimp gave him his medal and hugged Ali, the chimp got into a mock fighter's stance facing Ali. How many people over the years have done so and had a friendly Ali get into the stance also? LOTS, right?

This time Ali just gave him the universal hand gesture that means "you're crazy!" He extended his forefinger and circled it by his ear, while never cracking a smile or saying a word. The chimp was embarrassed and tried to slough it off with a phony too-big smile. :rofl:

Although Ali is very sick, his mind is sharp, and his integrity is still intact. He's been one of my heroes since the sixties when he took a stand against the Viet Nam war. He put himself, and his career on the line and paid a big price. He is still making political statements without saying a word.

I love the guy!

[LisaLynne]

1. I also saw some picture of the Chimp trying to hug The Champ ...

(had to say it) and Ali looked like he was about to roll his eyes. Not enthusiastic at all, IMHO.

[Gato Moteado]

2. he shoulda taken a fake swing at the chimp

so everyone could see the coward piss his pants. kind of like in 2000 during the debates when al gore approached him and he got frightened.

[wicket]

3. Muhammed Ali rocks

Did you see him on 60 minutes a few years ago? He was being interviewed by Mike Wallace I believe, and he pretended to fall asleep during the interview, then gave Wallace a fright by jumping out of his "sleep" into a fighter's pose, it was so hilarious :D

[Lochloosa]

12. I remember that well. I fell out of my chair laughing...

Ali was the greatest. Fighter and Humanitarian.

[myrna minx]

26. I saw that too.

Priceless.:D

[unblock]

28. lol! still doing the rope-a-dope!!

:rofl:

the boxing world is full of unsavory characters, but ali has always been a class act.

[oregonindy]

39. please please please somebody post a vid from this!

[deminks]

48. Crooks and Liars - VIDEO!!!!!

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/11/10.html#a5800


Ali - you are the greatest.

[H2O Man]

4. My younger son

called me two nights ago from college. He has to write a "compare & contrast" essay for one of his classes. He decided to do it on Bush and Ali, after seeing that the president was trying to associate himself with Ali.

One of my favorite books is "The Soul of a Butterfly," published last year, by Ali with his daughter Hana Yasmeen. It shows that while Ali's physical health is impaired, his thinking is not. He was the greatest athlete in the toughest sport. He also was extremely brave outside the ring, and his battle with Uncle Sam should be taught in classrooms today.

[alcibiades_mystery]

9. Ah, the ole compare and contrast essay

First-year comp?

Lovely.

[H2O Man]

14. First year.

Lots of fun.

[goddess40]

49. How dare * think he should hug Ali!

Ali stood up and said no to Viet Nam, he wouldn't go because he knew it was wrong and he took his punishment.

Bush got his daddy and others to give him a cushy Guard job while he hawked for the war - and then he deserted on top of it.

Ali was forced to struggle for everything he got because of the color of his skin. Ali had to "fight" his way to the top, sorry about the awful pun, when he had more to give to the world with his intellect. Fighting which led to his current health problems.

Bush had the world handed to him on a platter because of who he was born to. He lived, and continues to live, a sheltered life with no clue as to how real people live.

Ali is a great man, Bush will never be any where near Ali's league.

[IndyOp]

67. Ali watched one of the Kerry-Chimp 'debates' last year --

when someone called his home after it was over to talk with him, his wife said Ali couldn't come to the phone -- watching a good ass 'whupping had made him so gleeful he was too excited to come to the phone.

:-)

[goddess40]

90. I'm interested to see how his paper is received

Heck I'd like to read it myself. If he'll allow it you could post it on DU.

[babylonsister]

5. I feel sorry for all those medal winners yesterday;

having dimson present the medals tarnished their achievements.

[hwmnbn]

7. Yep, it does take some of the luster off .....

coming from someone who doesn't deserve to be on the same planet, much less the same room with the honorees.

Still, the medal is an honor and they can be proud of the recognition from our nation, regardless of who presents it.

[Sequoia]

54. I recall in history the Native American chiefs who received medals

from President Grant then were killed later on by the troops. Even when they held up their medals (as the 7th Calvary stormed into their villages killing women and childen) to show they were "friends" of the white man and how the great "white father" honored them.

[EFerrari]

6. I love the guy too, and managed to miss that.

[hwmnbn]

10. I saw it this morning on GMA's first news wrap-up segment...

I believe they have the video on their website, but it is a subscription service. They're out of THEIR mind if they think I'll pay them for anything.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/ look under U.S.

[EFerrari]

41. Thanks! I know Mr. sfexpat would like to see it, too.

:hi:

[goddess40]

8. I would have loved to see that

If it makes it to the web that would be a sure vote for DU's main page.

[hwmnbn]

11. I'll keep a look-out on C&L or maybe Countdown.....

This is really "must see TV"

[Kire]

63. C&L's got it

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/11/10.html#a5800

[deminks]

13. Here is a photo, not a video,

but still shows, I think, the expressions. Priceless.



http://news.yahoo.com/photos/sm/events/pl/110905medaloffreedom/p:45

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) playfully pretends to box against Muhammad Ali, who responds by circling his finger to indicate the president is crazy to offer a fight, after Bush presented Ali with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington November 9, 2005. Bush presented the highest civil award recognizing exceptional meritorious service to 14 honorees from the sport, entertainment and political world at the ceremony. REUTERS/Jason Reed

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

17. Thanks so much for that.

[central scrutinizer]

24. nice spin here

"who responds by circling his finger to indicate the president is crazy to offer a fight" Nice try, but I believe Ali meant the president is crazy, period.

[deminks]

31. I believe that, too.

I think that the Champ has the Chimp pegged.

[hwmnbn]

37. good one!.....eom

[lumpy]

42. Of course he knows Bush is loony.

Ali is a thinker.

[LibDemAlways]

84. When I saw it, I knew what the

caption would be in the corporate whore media, and I also knew what Ali's intent was. Leave it to the whores to find a way to spin this so as not to be humiliating for the dumbass. I'd have simply captioned it "The champ defines the chimp."

[hwmnbn]

44. Yep, that's the shot.....

thanks for posting it.

[Kire]

62. The video is here:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/11/10.html#a5800

[0007]

75. Thanks Kire.

I think Saddam Hussein should get a medal. If it wasn't for him Halliburton and the Carlyle Group would still be claiming poverty.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

80. Priceless! Thank you for posting this Kire! Still laughing here! nt

[elehhhhna]

15. Nominated. Saw it. Loved it.

[UTUSN]

16. Kick for Recommended n/t

[qanda]

18. Priceless

Thanks for sharing.

[GreenPartyVoter]

19. I had such a crush on him Ali when I was a little girl. Elvis, too

[AzDar]

20. Oh my gawd, that is PRICELESS! "I AM the Greatest..you ARE an idiot"!!

[kentuck]

21. Ali is in the same mold as Rosa Parks...

He changed a lot of things in this country.

[lpbk2713]

22. The Greatest --- Always was, always will be.

Maybe he can't float like a butterfly any more but I'll bet he can still sting like a bee.

[Flying Dream Blues]

47. Wow...that photo gives me chills. What a great man!

There are some people who just glow with significance. I think it is more commonly called charisma, but there are a few who take it so far beyond that. I guess it just seems they are destined to change the world, and it shows. Not very articulate, but maybe you understand what I mean.

[MisterP]

56. Ali for President!

[peekaloo]

23. That was priceless.

Also seeing andy Griffith being honored by Goober made me larf.

[Javaman]

25. ALI! ALI! ALI!

For those that are old enough to remember, I still get chills when I hear that chant on audio archived recordings.

Ali is an amazing human being.

[Nightjock]

30. If you haven't seen it yet

see the documentary "When We were Kings"

[quiet.american]

36. Seen it. Own. LOVE THIS MAN! n/t

[hwmnbn]

40. Yeah, I have it on DVD.....

Those were big time boxing events. Ali was the greatest. Even George Foreman had to come around and give respect.

Even more than his inside the ring exploits is how he galvanized a generation. He made it possible/popular to openly oppose the war. He was his own man, made his own determination about right and wrong. He put his money and life on the line and came out the winner.

When I saw that he could do it, I knew it could be done. He helped and inspired me to do the same in my own small way. I love the guy for giving us all a great example of "being a man"

[BronxBoy]

57. Great Film....

Not only for capturing a quintessential moment in sports history but also for some of the musical history it captured. I wish they would make a movie from the viewpoint of the musicians that were there: BB King, James Brown, The Spinners. It was great stuff.

I don't think there has been a Black athlete since Ali who can fill his shoes as a cultural icon.

[MADem]

27. Well done, Champ!!

One round KO!!!

Ali can still speak, but not clearly, so he does not like to. He was so brilliantly verbose in his youth, and struggles now.

But he knocked the Chimp out of the ring with just a few gestures!

[jseankil]

29. Ali = Class

Bush shouldn't even share a stage with him.

[hwmnbn]

43. Hi jseankil, welcome to DU.....

:hi:

[wryter2000]

32. No kidding

I didn't see that.

Way to go, champ! :applause:

[WilliamPitt]

33. My favorite athlete ever

I met him in 1978. He was HUGE.

Is still huge.

[Awsi Dooger]

64. Same here

I met him in the '80s in Las Vegas and shook hands plus got his autograph on a little white piece of paper. What a presence! Looked me smack in the eye with a little grin like he knew all my inner secrets but wouldn't tell.

You are exactly right, Ali is huge. I see tons of celebrities and athletes here in Las Vegas and inevitably they're puny, shockingly so. Ali has massive shoulders and his listed height of 6-3 is legit.

[Julius Civitatus]

34. He PUNKED Chimpy, big time!

Sting like a bee!

[sellitman]

35. Looks like he "roped the dope"

ALI :yourock:

[DanCa]

38. Alis my inspiration. He's still the greatest.

[FearofFutility]

45. LOL

My morning paper said that Ali "mimed boxing jabs with President Bush". I didn't know the loco sign was a boxing move.:rofl:

[hamerfan]

79. Did anyone see Ali mime boxing jabs?

My paper, the Kansas City Star, also had the AP story with the line, "mimed boxing jabs with President Bush". I saw the video and never saw Ali mime any damn boxing jabs, I only saw him mime that * was crazy. So this morning I'm calling the paper and cancelling my subscription. DID anyone see Ali mime boxing jabs? Did it happen but I not see it? Thanks!

[H2O Man]

46. "In order for the people

of this world to truly search their souls to rectify the many wrongs that were heaped upon the back of this man in the past, and restore the proper justice due this amazing human being, we must first and foremost be absolutely absolute in our total acceptance of him. By this time we should all be fully prepared to reconcile our individual differences with the totality of all his tremendously talented attributes, all of which contribute to the integrity of this man. For who else isbetter qualified to be himself -- if not Muhammad Ali?

"We must also learn to not only accept and appreciate Muhammad Ali's astronomical fistic feats, but to accept as well his moralistic feats in a faltering world. For surely if we are not competent enough to even provide him with this small token of our collective appreciation, then how in the world are we capable of twisting our mouths to call him OUR CHAMP? We would be doing this man a great disservice if we, the people, accepted any less of Muhammad Ali than his total humanity. If Ali had decided upon adopting any other religious faith with the exception of Islam, of course, there never would have been a PROBLEM at all.

"So to the black people of America, Muhammad Ali means having the mental and physical strength to overcome all insurmountable odds -- insurmountable to the extent that existed in 1967 when he was illegally stripped of his title and persecuted to the point of financial bankruptcy for refusing to enter the Armed Services against the explicit doctrines of his Islamic religion. And the odds became even more unimaginable when the Government prosecuted him for the refusal and sentenced him to serve three-to-five years in a Federal Penitentiary, before the United States Supreme Court stepped in to overturn this racially motivated conviction.

"...Muhammad Ali means Constant Struggle! But THAT'S what America is all about. Is it not?"

--What Ali Means to Black People ... And all People; Rubin "Hurricane" Carter; World Boxing Magazine; 1974

[BronxBoy]

58. Thanks for posting this.

Whether you agree with him or not, Ali basically stood up and represented as a Black man who, while having the gifts of a superlative athlete, also drew a line in the sand for his beliefs. He was as competent with his mind as he was with his fists.

I wish we had some Black athletes like him today.

[H2O Man]

65. When Rubin was in prison,

Ali was very helpful and supportive. And it was more than just money .... although when others involved in the case were looking to make a profit, the Champ spent a lot of his own money. But more, when Ali would visit Carter in the prisons, the inmates reacted to him. He gave them hope when they had no hope. He treated them with a respect that they weren't used to. And it wasn't just one group of inmates: everyone loved him.

My brother had the opportunity to spend time in Ali's training camp on a few occasions. He has told me stories, including some Bundinee told him, about Ali helping the poor, the sick, and the social outcasts. Ali didn't want publicity. He is a powerful man.

In his book, "The Soul of a Butterfly," Ali tells a story about giving an outcast some cash, after others had avoided the guy. The poor man looked Ali straight in the eye, and said, "I will bless you." The Champ said that he wasn't saying the guy was God, but that you can't be sure that he wasn't a messenger, disguised as a hobo. It takes a highly evolved person to recognize that.

[Sequoia]

88. We should all think about that one.

There's always been angels in disguise. Even the old crone in fairy tales was actually a powerful godess or something. Even Jesus talks about when we do evil to those who are down and out we do it to him.

[IndyOp]

68. We do have a couple - now all we have to do is spread the word

and push to get them more air time to express their political views...

Etan Thomas Electrifies Anti-War Washington
<http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0927-20.htm>

Steve Nash: Appreciation for an Anti-War Basketball Star
<http://dominionpaper.ca/opinion/2005/06/03/appreciati.html>

There must be more... Baseball? Football? Soccor?

The men who spoke out in the 60's & 70's got press and therefore increased in numbers as others saw it was okay to speak out. The pressure not to speak - not to make a bad impression on consumers - is stronger now and the media's willingness to cover what they say is less. Still, it can be done. Etan Thomas visits many, many high schools to carry his message to the people.

:patriot:

[BronxBoy]

74. Wow.....

That was some speech. As I grew older, my interest in sports in general have waned. And I have to admit that I have become a bit jaded about today's athletes: Mainly because it seems that it's all about the money with them these days.

Thanks

[IndyOp]

87. That is why Etan Thomas makes a point of talking

with students about why he does not cover himself in bling-bling - to him it is not all about the money.

You are welcome! :hi:

[MN ChimpH8R]

50. Muhammad Ali will always be The Champ

and The Greatest. Great fighter and a fine human being.

They should have captioned the pic of him and * "The Champ and The Chimp."

[ProSense]

51. The Greatest!

And this is more proof of that.

[Sequoia]

52. You should read the book, "What's My Name Fool?"

There's a chapter about him and the "fights" outside the ring. He's a very brave man.

[BlueManDude]

53. The return of the Rope a Dope!!!

[mikelewis]

55. Shame on Ali!

He should have hit the son of a bitch and claimed it was an unexpected reflex to an aggressive stance from an evil bastard.

[dennisnyc]

59. i saw it too and thought i was reading too much into it. And

i was not recording it. I didn't see it again or would not have thought i was hallucinating!

thanks for the post!

[FizzFuzz]

60. How cool is that?

Ali is the greatest. Geez I love him too. Love that humor, quick wit, mad skills, deep integrity. THE coolest!

[goddess40]

61. They showed it on Countdown

I really like Olberman

[TheCentepedeShoes]

69. That's where we saw it.

Priceless.

[LittleClarkie]

66. Hunter S. commented in the Rolling Stone

that he talked to Ali during the first Kerry/Bush debate, and that Ali was enjoying the ass whumpin'.

I wondered if that was a put on, or if Hunter really did call Ali and get that reaction. It went well with the article anyway.

But I can imagine Ali being no fan of the Chimperor.

[Wilms]

70. kick n/t

[Bullwinkle925]

71. I saw that as well. I love Ali!!

[DarkTirade]

72. A part of me almost wished that he'd take the pres up on his offer...

'cause you know even with his health the way it is, he could TOTALLY take him down. :)

[kick_them_hard]

73. Yeppers...saw it

and almost choked on my chips. Laughed my ass off. Ali's always had class.

[Sugar Smack]

76. That was a beautiful moment for the history books.

Is bush beginning to comprehend what an embarrassment he truly is?

[JP Belgium]

77. another video with something extra...

I saw this on Belgian television, but the clip is a little bit longer: you can clearly see Ali repeating his gesture when he returns to his seat.

here is the link:

http://video.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_master/versie2/mediatheek/video-051110_Mohammedali/S_051110_mohammedAli-20051110-133255-HB.wmv

For those who don't understand flemish: "... despite of his illness Ali reacts very alert when president bush challenges him for a fight..."

... if only he could give him one right up the nose, just for old times' sake. (that would have been my commentary)

[Pachamama]

78. What if Ali had K.O'd the Chimp? He could have said later that it was an

involuntary reflex from the Parkinson's Disease and when dim sun put up his fists he automatically responded...

What would they have done? Put this national treasure and legend, the greatest fighter ever into prison?

Now that's a pay per view fight I'd have paid to see!

That would have been priceless....and the world would have cheered!

[awoke_in_2003]

89. they would have probably...

sent him to Guantanamo. He already has two strike: 1:black 2:muslim

[Horse with no Name]

81. I was a child of the 70's

and my Dad was a product of his generation.
He was a prejudiced man. But even through his Archie-Bunkeresque attitude, he idolized Ali and everything that this man stood for.
I remember that my Dad NEVER went anywhere--no concerts, no movies, etc.
But he was at the Coliseum in Phoenix when they simulcast the Ali-Foreman title fight from Madison Square Garden.
Ali could sure "talk the talk", but he could certainly back it up by "walking the walk".
What a great man.:toast:

[H2O Man]

83. Ali vs Foreman

was in Zaire. His first fight with Joe Frazier ("The Fight of the Century") was at the Garden. His second Frazier fight, the 12-round, non-title bout, was at the MSG, too. I was ringside for that one.

It's funny you say that about your Dad. In the mid-1960s, the Archie B's tended to hate Ali. But after he came back, they began to have a grudging respect for Ali that slowly turned into a deep admiration. Part of it was the recognition that the Vietnam war was wrong. Part was Ali's obvious sincerity. And part was the erosion of the Champ's previous physical skills .... in his actual prime (the Williams/Terrel/Foley fights), no fighter in history stood a chance of beating him. None. But after the Archies saw Ali lose the first Frazier fight, including getting up from a heck of a left hook in the 15th round, he gained a measure of respect. Then, when he could no longer just dance and rely on lightening fast reflexes, Ali began to win by being stronger, in better shape, smarter, and having greater will than other men.

Will Pitt mentions Ali is a huge man. And in a way, he is. He was actually bigger than Sonny Liston, something poor Sonny didn't realize until their first fight started. But by today's standards, he is not a big heavyweight. I've trained bigger guys. But these guys -- the Ali's, the Foremans, the Ken Nortons -- they are way, way stronger than most other big men.

One last thing: if anyone watches a film of Ali's 3 round tko of Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams, they see the perfect display of speed and power. In a 3 round fight, Ali lands every punch he throws. Unheard of. (Floyd Mayweather Jr is a great fighter, with skills that no one can match to date. He often lands about 60% of his punches, which is every trainers' dream. Ali landed 100%.)

[Horse with no Name]

86. I stand corrected

I was a little girl at the time watching my dad get ready to leave for the big fight.
So it was Ali-Frazier...that does ring more familiar.
Thanks Waterman.:toast:

[bleedingheart]

82. that made my day...bwahahahaha

[Sugar Smack]

85. Kick!

:rofl: