Originally Posted by Amazulu (Post 11964562)

A legend and one of the greatest Americans ever. A man of intelligence and of his time who's rise coincided with the civil rights movement and the end of colonialism, but the way he belittled and sneered at Frazier by calling him a Gorilla and an Uncle Tom was a disgrace and darkens the halo somewhat. In Manila, Frazier basically caused the onset of Ali's Parkinson's so maybe there was a bit of, hardcore, payback

I also find it somewhat ironic that Ali, who constantly railed against slavery and the oppression of minorities took a muslim name and that muslims were responsible for slavery out of Africa long before the Europeans and Americans started, and carried it on long after they stopped

RIP Cassius

Originally Posted by Bermudashorts (Post 11965000)

Actually I said I didn't know much about him and I have no particular interest in findin out now either.

The difference with rugby is that the sole purpose is not to batter someone until they can no longer stand up. Injuries are unintentional. And no, I will never ever embrace the battering of somebody as being just one of those personal differences. It is disgusting.

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11965007)

I see your point. He also dodged the draft using his religious beliefs as the reason. Seeing as though the middle east is at war for religous beliefs, same religion, it does everything to sell that religion as the most hypocritical around.

He would of been better off saying "hey I don't want to go to war". Seems like Islam is happy to change its view to whatever suits at the time.

Originally Posted by knockoff nige (Post 11965023)

So he should have fought in Vietnam? He also didn't use his religion as his reason. He said it wasn't his fight. His decision to not go was more than justified, even though he paid a big price for it. In fact, anyone that managed to avoid the draft was right.

Some of you want any opportunity to slam Muslims. It's ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11965039)

Rubbish. He cited religious reasons.

If you want to have a debate on whether the draft is right or wrong, find someone else. Its your argument.

Originally Posted by knockoff nige (Post 11965051)

Well no, you brought it up. That would make it your argument. You just used his absence from Vietnam as cannon fodder against Muslims. Not surprised.

And your point on his religion being hypocritical, well that's a very very biased view also. Christianity as it is today wins that race. You know that thought but it doesn't fit your agenda this morning.

Originally Posted by stevenglish1 (Post 11965081)

From a tribute to great human being to yet another left/right/anti-muslim fest in a page and a half. You do yourselves proud BE.

Originally Posted by stevenglish1 (Post 11965081)

From a tribute to great human being to yet another left/right/anti-muslim fest in a page and a half. You do yourselves proud BE.

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11965055)

When he converted to Islam, he joined the most radical and hate preaching version at the time. The Nation of Islam which was a cult that preached segregation, fantasized about genocide, and horrified the serious civil-rights liberals of that era, black and white.

As he matured from the confident 22 year old and re-converted to more moderate versions he did say that the Nation of Islam taught that white people were devils and he had heard so many horrible stories that the Nation of Islam was an appealing cult to follow.

Just thought you should know before you run off on an ill-informed left wing tangent.

Originally Posted by Amazulu (Post 11965124)

Rubbish

I posted that despite flaws, Ali was a great man - a man of his time which was also a time of great change and upheaval. I pointed out some of these flaws and others decided to make this personal. Their issue but I always respond to personal attacks - as I imagine you do too

If you just want to read about a sanitised version of Ali then I would hazard a guess that you posted in the wrong place

Originally Posted by knockoff nige (Post 11965146)

What's so wrong with having a pure appreciation thread on Ali? But even if you insist on mentioning the trash talk he was famous for pre-fight then why not just leave it at that? Yourself and Beoz can't waste an opportunity to prove your intolerance. It's a shame. We need more people like Ali and far less people like you. He made mistakes but he captured a lot of hearts and changed a lot of minds. What have you done?

Originally Posted by Bermudashorts (Post 11964929)

I must admit, I have been perplexed by the wall to wall media coverage, FB posts etc, I had no idea everyone was such a huge fan. I honestly do not know very much about him, but I loathe boxing and could never admire anyone that takes part in it. Barbaric.

Originally Posted by Amazulu (Post 11965124)

Rubbish

I posted that despite flaws, Ali was a great man - a man of his time which was also a time of great change and upheaval. I pointed out some of these flaws and others decided to make this personal. Their issue but I always respond to personal attacks - as I imagine you do too

If you just want to read about a sanitised version of Ali then I would hazard a guess that you posted in the wrong place

Originally Posted by stevenglish1 (Post 11965184)

Easy now fella, don't go off half cocked. I know pretty much all that is written anout the man and think the good far outweighs the bad, much like your view of Mandela. I certainly won't be having an argument with you or anyone else on this subject. Thread's ****ed already