The Muhammad Ali episode at the WH made the MSM...

[hwmnbn]

I had posted about it here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5319694

And now the WP wrote an accurate description of the event.

"Bush, who appeared almost playful, fastened the heavy medal around Muhammad Ali's neck and whispered something in the heavyweight champion's ear. Then, as if to say "bring it on," the president put up his dukes in a mock challenge. Ali, 63, who has Parkinson's disease and moves slowly, looked the president in the eye -- and, finger to head, did the "crazy" twirl for a couple of seconds.

The room of about 200, including Cabinet secretaries, tittered with laughter. Ali, who was then escorted back to his chair, made the twirl again while sitting down. And the president looked visibly taken aback, laughing nervously."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/09/AR2005110901738_pf.html

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Ali could have turned Bush into hamburger once upon a time.

He has more class than Bush ever imagined having.

[Saphire]

17. freeper response to same idea. Freepers have no respect.

To: freedarn
Clay has no business getting such an award but he was just making fun of Bush "being crazy" by acting as if he'd fight Clay. Bush could kick Clays butt by the way. Note that Clay needed help walking.

[MADem]

19. If those nitwits are going to refer to Ali as Cassius Clay, then they had

better refer to their hero Michael Savage as Michael WEINER.

I find the joy in seeing that an ill, older man with a debilitating disease needs help walking indicative of their basic nature.

[leesa]

23. It never ceases to amaze me that they think Bush has any machismo at all

I rarely see such wimpiness in a man as I see in Bush and yet somehow they are blind to it. Wierd.

[geckosfeet]

20. He probably still could - n/t.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

27. You beat me to it. n/t

[awoke_in_2003]

34. "Ali could have turned Bush into hamburger once upon a time"

He probably still could.

[Wilms]

2. I hate boxing.

And I love Muhammad Ali.

What a wonderful thing. I hope to see the video.

[Mabus]

10. I love boxing

I once dated a boxer who later became a lightweight champion so I have a lot of respect for the athleticism required to participate in the sport. In fact one of the reasons that I fell in love with my husband is because I finally found someone who liked basketball, football and boxing as much (or more) than I did and who didn't automatically dismiss me because I was a woman.

I grew up in a household where Ali was a hero because of his refusal to be drafted. In the mid-70's, around the time I was dating my boxer, my mom once shared a red-eye flight with him from D.C. to Chicago and they spent almost the entire flight talking about kids. Before they parted company Ali gave my mom personalized autographs for each of us kids - all ten of us.

[Wilms]

12. That's great!

Oh, I don't doubt the althleticism. It's the head injuries that bug me.

Where I grew up, they didn't know what to make of this guy named Clay changing it to Ali. I didn't either. But he was against a shitty war, and so was I. That the white trash was freaked out by him made me like him all the more. I admit. :)

[Sequoia]

31. THAT'S TOTALLY AWESOME !!!!!!

[Sequoia]

30. It's on the original post from Crooks and Liars.

[EarlG]

3. They've got a picture on Yahoo

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/051109/photos_pl_afp/051109205419_f7izopnr_photo0

"Ailing boxing legend Muhammad Ali, seen here at the White House, swapped wisecracks with President George W. Bush in his first public appearance in five months which dispelled recent fears over his health.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)"

Lol.

[EarlG]

6. Oh, found a much better one!

"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"

[hippiechick]

14. "crazy to offer a fight" ... or just plain crazy ?

Gotta wonder. :shrug:

[fishnfla]

29. crazy like a fox

with rabies

[progressoid]

21. Ha ha ha Outstanding!! . . . . nt

[Gato Moteado]

7. swapped wisecracks?

is that an accurate description of what happened or is that the 1984 version?

[Mabus]

11. Looks like the 1984 version.

[LisaM]

4. I always wonder about those athletes who say Ali is their hero

Are they are even aware of his stand against the Vietnam War? Is that the reason he inspires them?

[hwmnbn]

9. I think there is way more to Ali than his ringside exploits.....

here is H2O Man's excellent post on the subject:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5319694&mesg_id=5323367

[erpowers]

15. They Probably Know

I would think they do know, but since time has changed it is okay to accept Ali as a athletes hero. I do not think there has ever been a time when I heard about Ali without hearing about his opposition to Vietnam. Maybe these kids and other people realize that Ali's stand against the war was pretty principled and probably more principled than other athletes who went to the war. In his book David Zirin claims that most of the athletes and movies stars who were inducted into the military did not actually fight the war. Zirin says that Ted Williams flying misions was the exception to the norm. I believe Zirin goes on to claim that military personnel told Ali that all he had to do was report for induction and then do a few boxing matches in red, white, and blue trunks.

[Sequoia]

32. That book is "What's My Name Fool" and I highly recommend it!

[DinahMoeHum]

47. The author also has a website: Edge of Sports

www.edgeofsports.com

Lots of great stuff there.

:bounce:

[Lerkfish]

5. so..if Ali had clocked him, would he be sent to a black site and tortured?

?

[DanCa]

8. I got no beef with viet cong.

Is thier a video link to this?

[AnnieBW]

13. I Wonder

What * said to the guys that founded "The Internets" and who came out in defense of Gore in 2000 during the whole "invented the Internet" stuff?

[SpiralHawk]

16. k & R - The Greatest

And this coming from a guy who bet on Sonny Liston against Cassius Clay. Twice.

I have not gambled since (except an occasional lottery ticket).

"I am the Greatest."

[confludemocrat]

18. Why does anyone have to ask if The Greatest is making political statement?

Damn right he was, his whole life is a political statement, make no mistake about it. He may be slow physically now, but evidently as sligh and bold in the episode as he ever was in the ring.

[Dangerously Amused]

38. Agreed. DEFINITELY a political statement. Here's why...

Basic Body Language, 101:


Ali is NOT smiling. This isn't a joke to him.

Ali is making a point of looking Bush directly in the eye, which indicates that he is conveying a serious message.

Ali's left fist is clenched. People don't clench their fists when they are relaxed and at ease.

Ali did not make any secondary gesture to indicate that he was joking, such as patting Bush on the shoulder.

Upon returning to his seat Ali made the gesture once again, to underscore the understanding that he meant what he "said" the first time.

[mcg]

22. A TKO for Ali

Ali's gesture wouldn't have worked if it wasn't true.

Bush was foolish to try to verbally spar with a man
who was also great at that sport. Maybe Bush thought
that Ali's illness has dulled his mind, but this has
shown otherwise, Ali once again stung like a bee.

Bush, you got your ass kicked.

[cliss]

39. Yes, I believe this is true.

I think Bush meant no harm. He was trying to be funny. I've watched some clips of Bush, and he has this idea that he wants to be a comedian. I'm sure at some point, his handlers have coached him, "Try to make people laugh. It will make them relax, and they will like you".

The problem is, Bush isn't able to pull it off. He just comes off looking like an idiot. Recall the incident with Bush "looking for WMD's, in the sofa cushions, under his desk. He's tried many times to crack jokes, and they just end up backfiring on him.

The truth is, people laugh AT him, not WITH him.

[NEOBuckeye]

48. Some people just shouldn't try to be funny.

Remember Bush's "missing WMDs under furniture" routine? He couldn't have been more insensitive to the soldiers and their families who fought and died looking for that which never even existed.

[Dawgs]

24. One of the best movies I ever saw was "When We Were Kings"...

Ali was, and is, a great man. George Bush is a punk.

[goclark]

45. That is a fantastic movie...

Ali knew how to dance around that ring and knock um out because he was extremely intelligent.

He knew how to read each opponent and play to their weakness.

He did Bush the same way. I'm sure he has been watching this clown on TV and realized that he would be in the presents of a crazy man!

He played the crazy man just right! Loved it!!

He made Bush think that he could be in control and Wammo!

Ali did the "crazy twirl" that we have been doing in the hood for years.

Everyone got what he was saying except the truly wacko and that group contains the Chimp.

[Straight Shooter]

25. Muhammad Ali speaks for me. eom

[fishwax]

26. What a great gesture

Way to go, Ali :D

Bush is such a tool. He thinks everything he does is funny. And wanting to fight Ali ain't the only reason he's crazy.

[fishnfla]

28. In many cultures, there is a universal sign for a laughing jag coming on

People lie down on the ground for fear they may hurt themselves from laughing so hard.

Now if you excuse me, I've a date with the floor.....

[Sequoia]

33. Count me in....under my desk!!!

[Aimah]

35. Muhammad often does that with people that he likes....

It's not something that people usually do first to him. Most people are really happy and giddy and then he puts of his fists playing with him. I've been in Muhammad's company on the years many times. My father worked for him before I was born and they would run into each other at different events. I've ran into several of his kids lately but I haven't seen Muhammad in about 5 years. I've never seen him do the crazy hand signal thing.

[Alpharetta]

36. Ali should have decked him

It would have been beautiful.

"He asked for it. He said BRING IT ON."

[Buddyblazon]

37. The epitome of good and evil....

that photo of * and Ali.

The word from his daughter is that Ali has being going downhill pretty rapidly of late. She said last week that he cannot speak anymore, and they believe that his time is short.

It will truly be a sad day when he passes. Smart, witty, charismatic, strong-willed, stronger convictions. And at one point, THE most recognizable figure in the entire world. Literally more recognizable than the Pope.

And even when death is at his door, he makes an obvious political statement. Without saying a word. The contrast between the two figures couldn't be anymore opposite.

[Botany]

40. Even with his disease I think Ali could still get one punch in that

would have turned bush into pudding.

Ali who sadly is very close to his end out witted and out spoke
bush without saying a word.

Besides I don't think Ali is down with bush's war or his brown people
comments.

[itzamirakul]

41. If Ali was against the Viet Nam war enough to accept punishment for

refusing to serve, then what in the name of all that is holy do these stupid Republicans think would make Ali accept THIS war?

These crazy Republicans think that by bringing Ali out to have a photo op with Bush, that that action somehow signifies that Ali ACCEPTS this war and APPROVES of Bush's actions against ANOTHER group of BROWN PEOPLE. Now, I ask you...isn't that idiotic? What could possibly make them think that by giving this great man one of their cheesy awards that he (Ali) would be supportive of their terrible policies? Yet EVERY DAMN THING this administration has done is IDIOTIC!

Ali may be unable to communicate verbally, but he is NOT senile. By not smiling or putting up his "dukes" and by making the crazy sign he is definitely telling the world that Bush is totally off his rocker, in Ali's opinion...not for offering to fight Ali but for taking this country to war.

Anybody notice how many black people Bush keeps surrounding himself with lately? In today's Vet's Day speech, he had several Black soldiers in the background..something that hasn't been done too much until just lately. I think it is to encourage more young men (of all races) to volunteer for his rapidly depleting army. Also, it probably is still a reaction to Katrina. "Oh, yes I do too like black people, Kanye West! See how many of them are sitting behind me today?"

[baron j]

42. Perhaps he is also saying Bush is crazy for opposing stem cell research,

which may cure Parkinson's in the future?

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

43. Still my personal hero.

I will never forget his lightning-fast jab - or his appearance at the Olympic games. Makes me a little misty-eyed...

[stevietheman]

44. This fellow Louisvillian is proud. n/t

n/t

[neuvocat]

46. Bush has to have other people fight for him.

Ali never had that problem.