Remember THESE words from Muhammad Ali...and call on our leaders to heed them...

[Ken Burch]

Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? No I’m not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is here. I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality…. If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people they wouldn’t have to draft me, I’d join tomorrow. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for 400 years.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Powerful and stark framing of the issue.

Better times now (but far from perfect, have no doubt).

Since then, the draft has ended, the armed forces have more women including in combat roles and women in command roles including a combat command high officer woman (general, I think). There has been a black (african american) Chief of Staff and an african american President (re-elected, no less).

Unfortunately there have also been wars in the intervening years.

[malaise]

2. So true

Sometimes I am amazed at the way people compartmentalize issues. There was no such disconnect with Muhammad Ali.
Not one of the wars is about freedom or democracy or they'd practice what they preach at home.


Big Rec

[tecelote]

3. Why are so many willing to continue our wars?

We have a chance to change directions but war is a minor issue to most.

Hillary supporters should be yelling at Hillary to stop the wars. It goes against the caring and compassionate image they are selling.

NO MORE WAR - it would save lives and a lower MIT budget would pour billions in to improving the lives of Americans.

[KG]

4. piss on the leaders, it's working people need to heed them, and stop enlisting to fight thier wars..

[napkinz]

5. K&R

[Octafish]

6. Gee. A lot has changed since he first spoke them, principally the Rich have gotten Superricher.

The essence of what Ali meant has not changed a lick: Wars without end for profits without cease...Some people are more valuable than others...People judge others based on their flesh tone...Justice is really Just-Us...