If Mohamed Ali had said this today, would Fox news and endless youtube clips have destroyed him?

Actualy Muhammed Ali's ties to the Nation of Islam in 1964 and later, reportedly becoming a Sunni in 1975 were very controversial in his day.

His views on Viet Nam were pretty in line with many in the Muslim movement of his day and were found to be controversial. As terrorism began to blossom in the late sixties and early seventies with the killing of the Jewish Olympic team , this Islamic Movement became even more controversial even within the United States.

Today, most do not connect Mohammed Ali to Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, and others who were so vocal and politically active at that time. But during that time he actually was quite controversial for his political stances and remarks.

I am certain that is not what Fox News says. I am certain that when I look at that clip, it will show a comical commentary. Beck was talking about advertising the Good Year Blimp on his 3rd chin. Are you going to assume he was serious there, too? - I have dial up and I finally downloaded that so I could watch it. Are you for real??? Fox news also comparing this to suicide. It was clearly a job, as evidence to the fact that people were laughing in the background! If this was the religious zealotry you thought, we would be hearing prayers to God in the background. And the anchor would not have a silly smirk on his face.

Vietnam had a draft. The Dems fought the war on poverty by drafting the poor. So much for the Great Society. Mohammed Ali may have been a great fighter,but he wasn't all there in the head.

He wouldn't be destroyed unless people believed the sh^t that fox news fed them. He shouldn't be considered unpatriotic, and if he would be then I seriously lost hope in America.

Oh and your answer to the "Why should I vote for Obama" was amazing.

Well, he was pretty much considered un-patriotic back then too :) ... it really hurt his popularity with at least the same kind of guys that are attacking Wright right now... there was a pretty widespread movement to not allow him to box anymore when he refused to go to 'Nam.

First, Vietnamese were/are far more racist against blacks and both the north and south had issues with black troops. So, in fact several Vietnamese did in fact refer to him and other blacks by that epithet.

Second, he was in fact cowardly and did violate the law which I believe should have seen all seditionists prosecuted and removed from society.

Finally, yes along with the other networks he would have been referred to as a coward and a criminal.

Why pick on FOX? I'm seeing the same exact stuff on CNN, Headline News, MSNG or whatever it is. Anyone refusing to go to war when they are DRAFTED is unpatriotic to the full measure. Unlike those now a days who volunteer or don't to go to Iraq.

You link is no good. But Mohamed Ali would have been called a coward, and possibly a racist today. I do admire him for standing up for his beliefs but he was still rather unpatriotic.

I remember his draft dodging dance well - and his conversion to Islam.

And I labeled him "unpatriotic" then - and I still feel the same.

Times really haven't changed that much - only the media attention.

He actually had it pretty rough. Imagine if no one would be willing to kill another person. If no one on our streets would be willing to kill I would say they cared about our country not that they were unpatriotic. I think it is hypocritical to say religion is important & then disrespect those who 'love thy neighbor as thyself" by caring for all of God's children.