Medal of Freedom to Ali

[W7WV]

Just a couple of days ago our President awarded the Medal of Freedom to Muhammad Ali (aka Clay)
What an insult to Veterans to award such an honor to someone who used his money to avoid the draft in 1967!

[W0MT]

Just one drafter dodger awarding something to another draft dodger.

[W7WV]

Good point, considering his record.

[w5lda]

I just wonder what Ali has done to promote freedom.
Great boxer? Yes! Great patriot? I think not!

[w7hn]

I'm not sure why the Medal of Freedom would be awarded to sportspersons.

I think the title should be changed to something else.

Misleading, I say.

[WB2WIK]

So, awarding one in the same ceremony to Carol Burnett is better?

These things are all silly.

[W5MEJ]

Like most awards, it's just a silly little honor without much real meaning. #Awarding it Ali, Franklin, Burnett, Griffith, et al is no insult to veterans - this thing can only be awarded to civilians anyway.

The text of the award says that it is awarded for:

"an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

Pretty much covers anything, wouldn't you say?

[w5klb]

Quote[/b] (W0MT @ Nov. 11 2005,09:21)]Just one drafter dodger awarding something to another draft dodger.
ummm... believe or not there are other networks to watch besides See BS, the Communist Boadcasting Service.

[K6BBC]

Glad to see all the red state red necks are out in force.

K6BBC

[w5klb]

Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,15:19)]Glad to see all the red state red necks are out in force.

K6BBC
Yeah, just like "Grainola" people from Kalyfornia.

[K6BBC]

Quote[/b] (w5klb @ Nov. 11 2005,15:36)]Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,15:19)]Glad to see all the red state red necks are out in force.

K6BBC
Yeah, just like "Grainola" people from Kalyfornia.
And the Noel Coward award for wit goes to...

[K6BBC]

Muhammad Ali stood up to the most powerful government in the world and said he had no reason to go fight a war against people who had done him no wrong. He had certainly been wronged by segregation and racism in his own country. He risked all his success and forfeited his title for principle.

The escalation of the Viet Nam war was based on the FLASE REPORT that an American ship was attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin. Tens of thousands of Americans were killed based on the lie.

K6BBC

[k9cn]

Muhammed Ali opposed an unjust war and misguided foreign policy long before it became fashionable to do so and did it at great cost to himself. Saving his own skin wasn't the issue because it was never in real danger in the first place. Ali could easily have joined the Army the way Elvis Presley John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and a host of other celebrities did and watched the war from the safety of a movie set or Army boxing ring. Instead, he accepted the loss of his title, a ban from his profession and a possible prison sentence because he recognized that being just another celebrity in uniform did not help the young, largely disadvantaged men who weren't celebrities and were dying for reasons that -- 40 years later -- still can't be explained.

Say what you want about him, I admire the man. He achieved what he did on his own (you can't fake your way to an Olympic Gold Medal or through a professional boxing match. Nor do you become the heavyweight champ simply because your daddy is a senator). He stood up like a man for what is right when the easy course would simply have been to put on the uniform, do the commercials and otherwise play along. He got his title back as he said he would and did it against younger, stronger men.

Muhammed Ali has earned all he has, including the right to be called by the name he chooses. Whether he deserves the Medal of Freedom (or even wants it) I don't know. But, both then and now, there are far worse examples of pseudo patriots and hypocritical celebrities out there. Lumping Muhammed Ali together with them is both inaccurate and unfair.

[WB2WIK]

Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,15:50)]#Tens of thousands of Americans were killed based on the lie. #
Where have I heard this before, more recently?

[K6BBC]

Quote[/b] (WB2WIK @ Nov. 11 2005,15:52)]Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,15:50)]#Tens of thousands of Americans were killed based on the lie. #
Where have I heard this before, more recently?
You mean it happened again, after Viet Nam? No. Americans would never fall for that old trick again.

[al2i]

Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,15:42)]Quote[/b] (w5klb @ Nov. 11 2005,15:36)]Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,15:19)]Glad to see all the red state red necks are out in force.

K6BBC
Yeah, just like "Grainola" people from Kalyfornia.
And the Noel Coward award for wit goes to...
I'm confused. What is a "Noel Coward Award"? Is that the gay theater lefty? Are you saying that KLB is gay or leftist or something?

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[K6BBC]

Quote[/b] (al2i @ Nov. 11 2005,15:57)]Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,15:42)]Quote[/b] (w5klb @ Nov. 11 2005,15:36)]Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,15:19)]Glad to see all the red state red necks are out in force.

K6BBC
Yeah, just like "Grainola" people from Kalyfornia.
And the Noel Coward award for wit goes to...
I'm confused. #What is a "Noel Coward Award"? #Is that the gay theater lefty? #Are you saying that KLB is gay or leftist or something?

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Like I need help making trouble.

[al2i]

Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,15:59)]Like I need help making trouble.
BBC thinks I am a troll. I am so innocent.

[W5MEJ]

Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,16:50)]The escalation of the Viet Nam war was based on the FLASE (sic) REPORT that an American ship was attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin. #Tens of thousands of Americans were killed based on the lie. #

K6BBC
That was during a Democratic administration, wasn't it? #You mean that both sides of the aisle will lie to us?

Seriously though, BBC, I love the avatar - I hope you understand that they aren't really candidates, though!

Chuck

[W8EFA]

Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,18:19)]Glad to see all the red state red necks are out in force.

K6BBC
I thought they were all occupied killing Mexicans on the other thread, #but I guess they can Multi-Ass http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[K6BBC]

Quote[/b] (W5MEJ @ Nov. 11 2005,16:14)]Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,16:50)]The escalation of the Viet Nam war was based on the FLASE (sic) REPORT that an American ship was attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin. #Tens of thousands of Americans were killed based on the lie. #

K6BBC
That was during a Democratic administration, wasn't it? #You mean that both sides of the aisle will lie to us?

Seriously though, BBC, I love the avatar - I hope you understand that they aren't really candidates, though!

Chuck
Please don't ruin my reality. I'm very fragile.

[al2i]

Quote[/b] (W8EFA @ Nov. 11 2005,16:15)]I though they were all occupied killing Mexicans on the other thread, but I guess they can Multi-Ass http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
You are beginning to amuse me as well. That was really funny in a slow-dawning sort of way. I've been able to MA for years! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[W5MEJ]

Quote[/b] (k6bbc @ Nov. 11 2005,17:16)]Please don't ruin my reality. #I'm very fragile.
I know what you mean. #I have a hard time seeing Hawkeye Pierce as a modern-day Republican!

Chuck

[wa9cwx]

CN,
Nicely stated.

[W5MEJ]

Quote[/b] (k9cn @ Nov. 11 2005,16:51)]Ali could easily have joined the Army the way Elvis Presley John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and a host of other celebrities did and watched the war from the safety of a movie set or Army boxing ring. #
Not a bad point, but your examples don't make much sense to me. #Ali's case was in 1967. #All of your examples are from a different war. #Do you have a relevant case to show that Ali could have been inducted and then gone on to a relatively safe assignment like was done by the celebrities you mentioned?

John Wayne was never in the military as far as I know, BTW.

Chuck

[W2ILP]

I agree totally with k6bbc. #Muhammad Ali stood up for his beliefs at the time of the Vietnam war and refused to serve. #This is not unlike Rosa Parks who remained seated where she wanted to sit in the bus. #Unfortunately Ali is now mentally limited. #If he was his old "rope a dope" self, I'm sure he would throw that medal back into GWB's face and not be a part of a photo op to publicize a needless war. #
U.S. troops have captured Saddam Hussein and killed his sons. #There is no reason to continue to patrol Iraq now. #The bell has rung...It is time to bring our troops home from Iraq and fight the next round somewhere else if need be...or better still mind our own business. #We have already won the war in Iraq by more than a T.K.O.

If GWB finally agrees to bring the troops home, I am sure that the Republicans will want to get the credit for doing so...Just as they claim credit for Nixon for reluctantly ending the Vietnam war...under great pressure from the Democrats and others who realized that the Vietnam war was going nowhere.

w2ilp (I Like Peace)

[W5MEJ]

Quote[/b] (W2ILP @ Nov. 11 2005,18:31)]I agree totally with k6bbc. #Muhammad Ali stood up for his beliefs at the time of the Vietnam war and refused to serve. #This is not unlike Rosa Parks who remained seated where she wanted to sit in the bus. #Unfortunately Ali is now mentally limited. #If he was his old "rope a dope" self, I'm sure he would throw that medal back into GWB's face and not be a part of a photo op to publicize a needless war. #
U.S. troops have captured Saddam Hussein and killed his sons. #There is no reason to continue to patrol Iraq now. #The bell has rung...It is time to bring our troops home from Iraq and fight the next round somewhere else if need be...or better still mind our own business. #We have already won the war in Iraq by more than a T.K.O.

If GWB finally agrees to bring the troops home, I am sure that the Republicans will want to get the credit for doing so...Just as they claim credit for Nixon for reluctantly ending the Vietnam war...under great pressure from the Democrats and others who realized that the Vietnam war was going nowhere.

w2ilp (I Like Peace)
I'm afraid that I can't see how you can compare Muhammad Ali to Rosa Parks. #Rosa Parks faced great physical danger, perhaps by chance and perhaps by plan, by refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white man.

Cassius Clay, aka Cassius X aka Muhammad Ali refused to face great physical danger by declaring himself a conscientious objector when selected for the draft.

Rosa Parks was a poor working class woman who provided the spark for the civil rights movement.

Muhammad Ali was the heavyweight boxing champion when he decided he couldn't fight for his country. #I suppose it is acceptable under Islam to pummel for sport, but not for country.

I'm amazed that you feel that Ali is no longer qualified to speak for himself, and that you feel that you are qualified to speak for him!

Again, I have no qualm with Ali receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom - but don't compare him with Rosa Parks. #Boxing is just a sport.

Chuck

[W2ILP]

When Ali refused to serve he was not permitted to box professionally and was jailed for some time. He had a lot more to lose than Rosa Parks. If he would have allowed himself to be drafted into military service, he would probably only been required to train soldiers by being a training coach. That is what Joe Louis did during WW2...BUT Ali wouldn't let them draft him because of his principals...just like Rosa wouldn't step to the rear of the bus because of her principals. Some time ago a ham said that more white GIs died in Vietnam than Black GIs. This is true...BUT if we take ratios; there were a greater percentage of Black GIs who died in Vietnam when compared to the percentage of Blacks vs Whites in the military service and the percentages of Blacks vs Whites in the population of the U.S.A. At the time I let the guy get away with his stats but there certainly was a lot of unrest in Black communities during the Vietnam war because most Blacks didn't want to continue to be cannon fodder without any complaining.
As always the poor find it more difficult to get exempted from military service...after they are forced to drop out of school.

The next draft is supposed to eliminate all educational and professional exemptions...That is why there is no draft.

Boxing may be just a sport to you...but to Ali it was a profession....He was no amateur.

w2ilp (Intelligent Loyal Principals)...both for Rosa and for Ali who fought for CIVIL RIGHTS.

[W5MEJ]

Quote[/b] (W2ILP @ Nov. 11 2005,20:14)]When Ali refused to serve he was not permitted to box professionally and was jailed for some time. #He had a lot more to lose than Rosa Parks. #If he would have allowed himself to be drafted into military service, he would probably only been required to train soldiers by being a training coach. #That is what Joe Louis did during WW2...BUT Ali wouldn't let them draft him because of his principals...just like Rosa wouldn't step to the rear of the bus because of her principals. #Some time ago a ham said that more white GIs died in Vietnam than Black GIs. #This is true...BUT if we take ratios; there were a greater percentage of Black GIs who died in Vietnam when compared to the percentage of Blacks vs Whites in the military service and the percentages of Blacks vs Whites in the population of the U.S.A. # At the time I let the guy get away with his stats but there certainly was a lot of unrest in Black communities during the Vietnam war because most Blacks didn't want to continue to be cannon fodder without any complaining.
As always the poor find it more difficult to get exempted from military service...after they are forced to drop out of school.

The next draft is supposed to eliminate all educational and professional exemptions...That is why there is no draft.

Boxing may be just a sport to you...but to Ali it was a profession....He was no amateur.

w2ilp (Intelligent Loyal Principals)...both for Rosa and for Ali who fought for CIVIL RIGHTS.
Sorry, ILP, but I really can't understand what you are trying to say. #I'm trying! #I agree that the poor had a harder time getting exempted from the draft, but Ali was far from poor at the time.

I also don't understand how he had "a lot more to lose than Rosa Parks." #If you believe that, you don't understand the racially charged atmosphere of Alabama in 1955. #What Rosa did was literally a "hanging offense" in the eyes of most whites of the era. #Law enforcement would have looked the other way, and there are many cases that will confirm that.

As to the "next draft" comments...where did you get that? #There is no "next draft" planned that I know of. Where do you get this inside information?

[W2ILP]

The fact that Ali was NOT POOR made his draft dodging news. If a poor Black man tried to avoid the draft, would it have meant much? Would it have made the newspapers? Ali could claim that he was a religious conscious objector and could afford to hire good lawyers, this is something that poor Blacks were usually unable to do...BUT in doing so he achieved the respect of all Blacks, even more so than Rosa Parks' seating objection did. There had been many Blacks who refused to take orders from whites. Many were lynched or killed,. Few remember their names because they were unimportant people. Rosa Parks happened to be on the right bus at the right time to be recognized in the press...maybe because important Blacks like Ali as well as Freedom Fighters were beginning to publicize racial discrimination at that time.

Rosa Parks stood up for all Blacks who were not passive. Mohamed Ali stood up for all Blacks who did not have the clout to stand up against unjust conscription themselves.

I said that there is no draft ..although... if we want to keep up with GWB's world domination policies maybe there could be one. I said that there is no draft because there are now selective service regulations on the books that differ from those of the past and if they are to be conformed to, a lot of spoiled brats may have to serve even if their daddies are wealthy and influential.

MEJ I understand what you are trying to say. You think it is not too uppity for a Black woman to stand up for her rights but you think that Ali was too uppity to stand up against the government's conscription of the poor in an unjust war.

There are people protesting the Iraq war in the U.S.A. today. It may take some number of years BUT IMHO they all may deserve a Freedom Medal from a future sane president of the U.S.,A. It takes guts for a wealthy person to criticize our government. and sacrifice for both rich or poor alike. If he or she is successful at any profession he or she may lose his or her job, his or her earning and the respect of the "status quo" idiots...But we must commend those who stand up for truth. I must admit that if I was not retired I would not say what I say here. I might lose my job and my Secret Clarence. I can't afford a lawyer to protect my freedom of speech if the government thinks that I am too subversive...so I must limit myself to making sick jokes about this situation....and hope that I am not taken so seriously that I make much difference aside from making some brainwashed people do a little thinking on their own.

Remember that I always say that I do not hate anyone personally and i certainly do not want to threaten anyone...I'm for peaceful protesting...like Martin Luther King was for.

w2ilp (I Like Peace)

[K6BBC]

There is NO CHACE Ali would have seen combat. Get real.

K6BBC (Bush Basher Club)

[W5MEJ]

Quote[/b] (W2ILP @ Nov. 11 2005,21:20)]Rosa Parks happened to be on the right bus at the right time to be recognized in the press...maybe because important Blacks like Ali as well as Freedom Fighters were beginning to publicize racial discrimination at that time.
Ali would have been 13 years old at the time that Rosa Parks decided to not give up her seat on the bus. #How did he pave the way for that? #I think you've got your history a little mixed up.

Another thing or two bothers me here. #What was that phrase you used? #"Important Blacks"?

What makes one person more important than another?

You say that you understand what I am trying to say...I don't think that you do. #Especially since you use the word "uppity" while trying to put words in my mouth. #That's not a word I have ever used to describe anyone.

You seem somehow convinced that a persons fame or money make them more important or more influential than common people.

The common people of this world, with their common values, are the people who will see to it that the world remains a fit place to live. #It has happened throughout history. #Some people quietly make a difference, and some just make a lot of noise.

All the best to you, Sir
Chuck

[W2ILP]

Chuck

Condi Rice and Colin Powell are important Blacks...I can't give you a list of many unimportant ones that you would recognize.

I am not an important person...but Barry Goldwater was an important person. #I will never run for President. #If you can't make that kind of distinction you are not paying attention. #Unfortunately even in a Democracy, the common people need important people to lead and represent them. #I know that that does not seem very democratic but it is a real fact of life.

Again you use the word "values" and it is a word used by Robinson and Falwell but what does it mean? #It may mean different things to people who value different "values". #True. #There are common people...but do they have common "values"? #I dunno. #Maybe some union members do. #Maybe they don't even know their own worth in the common market place. #I dunno.

All I know is when I see our government spending BILLIONS of our taxpayer money it bothers my sense of values...but as a common person...there doesn't seem to be much that I can do about it.

Nope if the common people had their say we might wind up in a Socialist Society and what would the uncommon stock holders be able to do about that? #I dunno. #

There are more common people in the U.S. that buy retail gasoline but there are a few gas company CEOs who have made uncommon profits lately. #Can the common people force our government to nationalize the oil industry? #Nah...It will never happen...because it is a Communist idea. #

If Rosa Parks did what she did when Ali was 13 years old she might have not been remembered for what she did until after the mid 1960s as well as she was. # I knew a Black engineer who refused to mop the floor in the room where there was an analog #flight training system, which he helped to design. #He finally gave in and mopped the floor. # He unfortunately won't be remembered by anyone but me. # I admit even if he didn't mop the floor and lost his job because he didn't mop the floor, he might not have been important enough to be remembered for trying to maintain his professional dignity.

w2ilp (Important Little Person?)...Not me! My "values" may be too common I haven't gotten any of my books published and won't be invited to get blessed by Larry King.

[k9cn]

Quote[/b] (W5MEJ @ Nov. 11 2005,16:50)]Quote[/b] (k9cn @ Nov. 11 2005,16:51)]Ali could easily have joined the Army the way Elvis Presley John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and a host of other celebrities did and watched the war from the safety of a movie set or Army boxing ring.
Not a bad point, but your examples don't make much sense to me. Ali's case was in 1967. All of your examples are from a different war. Do you have a relevant case to show that Ali could have been inducted and then gone on to a relatively safe assignment like was done by the celebrities you mentioned?

John Wayne was never in the military as far as I know, BTW.

Chuck
Actually, that's a valid question. During the Vietnam years, there were any number of football players, baseball players, actors, rock stars, etc., in the prime of life and in excellent physical condition, but I don't recall any of them even being drafted, much less serving, whether in combat or otherwise. Why was that? Why was Ali apparently singled out?

I do know that Al Gore (a senator's kid) went to Vietnam as an Army journalist, not a combat soldier, and was permitted to get just close enough to the action to look good in photos while not facing any serious danger. Skull & Bonesman John Kerry, too, got the photo ops and (if the swiftboat veterans are to be believed) apparently got out of there as soon as he had enough "combat experience" to suit his political ambitions.

The point is, the well connected and powerful have ALWAYS been able to treat war as "good sport," with the option of getting out and going home once it stops being fun. How many average soldiers get such choices?

As to John Wayne, you're probably right. I really don't know. But it seems an awful lot of movie heros and political blowhards, have, in real life, somehow managed to avoid getting themselves in the way of actual danger.

[W7WV]

I have news for you, if he had been drafted, most likely during that period he would have seen combat, as a medic!
And John Wayne did ask for a deferment, and got it.

[K6BBC]

Quote[/b] (W7WV @ Nov. 12 2005,15:32)]I have news for you, if he had been drafted, most likely during that period he would have seen combat, as a medic!
And John Wayne did ask for a deferment, and got it.
Would you mind naming one celebrity who was drafted and served in combat in Viet Nam.

K6BBC

[n2nh]

And they want to talk about how Clinton treated the Military??

Get real. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[ac4ut]

After reading through this thread I can take arguments on both sides as having validity,however I do have a question.

What is a "just war" as opposed to an unjust war?
In every war I have heard of a lot of people, that do not want to necessarily participate, go somewhere they don't want to be and get killed or already live at the fortunate site and die anyway.
I would think the term "popular war" is more befitting although any war is unpopular with some and all factions believe they are right in their actions.
And the winner writes the history as they see fit.

[AC0H]

Quote[/b] ]During the Vietnam years, there were any number of football players, baseball players, actors, rock stars, etc., in the prime of life and in excellent physical condition, but I don't recall any of them even being drafted, much less serving, whether in combat or otherwise. #Why was that? #Why was Ali apparently singled out?

Really? Rocky Blier (http://www.remember.gov/Profiles/RockyBlier/tabid/126/Default.aspx) Pat Tillman (http://www.remember.gov/Profiles/PatTillman/tabid/125/Default.aspx)
How about a retraction?

[W8EFA]

Quote[/b] (AC0H @ Nov. 14 2005,09:35)]Quote[/b] ]During the Vietnam years, there were any number of football players, baseball players, actors, rock stars, etc., in the prime of life and in excellent physical condition, but I don't recall any of them even being drafted, much less serving, whether in combat or otherwise. #Why was that? #Why was Ali apparently singled out?

Really? Rocky Blier (http://www.remember.gov/Profiles/RockyBlier/tabid/126/Default.aspx) Pat Tillman (http://www.remember.gov/Profiles/PatTillman/tabid/125/Default.aspx)
How about a retraction?
How about you pay attention AC0H? #The question was what celebrities were drafted for the Vietnam War besides ALI.

You named Pat Tillman who wasn't even born yet when Vietnam was going on. #He later Volunteered for Afghanistan.

Rocky Bleier though drafted was not a celebrity. #He tried out for the Steeleres when he returned from VietNam.

[AC0H]

Quote[/b] ]How about you pay attention AC0H? #The question was what celebrities were drafted for the Vietnam War besides ALI.

Maybe you ought to take your own advice before popping off Chocise.
Re-quoted with emphasis added for the reading impaired.
Quote[/b] ]During the Vietnam years, there were any number of football players, baseball players, actors, rock stars, etc., in the prime of life and in excellent physical condition, but I don't recall any of them even being drafted, much less serving, whether in combat or otherwise.
I used Pat Tillman as an example because he gave up a high paying NFL career to go serve his country. No he wasn't alive during the Vietnam war. Rocky Blier sure as hell was and is a Hall of Fame inductee. Why don't you ask his teamates whether he was a "celebrity" or not.

Typical pinko, military hating liberal. Minimizes the contribution of others who served while people of his ilk ran for the border. I doubt very much if you'd get the current crop of Hollowood "celebrities" to do what Blier and Tillman did. They're parasites, living off the sacrifice of others all the while stabbing them in the back.

[ac3p]

Roger Staubach wasn't drafted but he did complete his military obligations before going NFL. He QB'd for NAVY.

[KB9YCO]

Here's the real insult, (all those gung-ho guys that want everyone else to go to war):

President George W. Bush, still not too sure what he did or didn't do, it's been up for debate for sometime since the facts seem to have 'disappeared'. (His father did serve honorably in WWII though, credit where credit is due.)
VP Cheney - did not serve, several deferments, the last by marriage (in his own words, "had other priorities than military service").
Attorney Gen. John Ashcroft - did not serve, received seven deferments to teach business ed at SW Missouri State.
Karl Rove, did not serve.
Paul Wolfowitz, did not serve.
Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, did not serve.
House Majority Leader Tom Delay, did not serve.
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, did not serve.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist - did not serve.
Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, did not serve.
Majority Whip Mitch McConnell, R-KY, did not serve.
Rick Santorum, R-PA, third ranking Republican in the Senate, did not serve.
Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, did not serve.
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, did not serve.
Bob Dornan - avoided Korean War combat duty by enrolling in college acting classes, enlisted only after the fighting was over in Korea.
Phil Gramm, did not serve, student deferments.
Jeb Bush, Florida Governor, did not serve.
Rep. Christopher Cox, R-CA, fifth-ranking Republican in Congress, did not serve.
Senator Jon Kyl, R-AZ, did not serve.
Pat Buchanan, did not serve.
Bill O'Reilly, did not serve.
George Will, did not serve.
Sean Hannity, did not serve.

Then there's those so-called 'military hating' Democrats:

Representative David Bonior - Staff Sgt., United States Air Force 1968-72
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle - 1st Lt., U.S. Air Force SAC 1969-72
Former Senator Bob Kerrey... Democrat... Lt. j.g., U.S. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam
Senator Daniel Inouye, US Army 1943-'47; Medal of Honor, World War Two
Senator John Kerry, Lt., U.S. Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, and three awards of the Purple Heart for his service in combat
Representative Charles Rangel, Staff Sgt., U.S. Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea
Former Senator Max Cleland, Captain, U.S. Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) - Lt., U.S. Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
Gray Davis, former California Governor, Army Captain in Vietnam; received Bronze Star.
Wesley Clark, Democratic Presidential Candidate , lengthy military career.
George McGovern, famous liberal, awarded Silver Star & DFC, dozens of missions during WWII.
Former President Jimmy Carter, most recent recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, seven years in the Navy. "Except for his fellow service-academy graduate Dwight Eisenhower, no President of the twentieth century spent more years in uniform than Carter."
Representative Richard Gephardt, former House Minority Leader - Missouri Air National Guard, 1965-71.
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) - U.S. Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91
Senator Fritz Hollings (D-SC) Served as a U.S. Army officer in World War II, received Bronze Star and seven campaign ribbons.
Representative Leonard Boswell (D-IA) - Lt. Col., U.S. Army 1956-76; two tours in Vietnam, two Distinguished Flying Crosses as a helicopter pilot, two Bronze Stars, and the Soldier's Medal.
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-CA: Staff sergeant/platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army; was wounded and received a Purple Heart.
Bill McBride, Democratic Candidate for Florida Governor. Volunteered, served as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam, awarded Bronze Star with a combat "V."

Yes, veterans should be insulted, especially those that actually served.

(EDIT: I'm certainly not partisan enough to think that there weren't plenty of current Democrats that avoided war as well, but I tried my best to list some of the most currently vocal.)

[W8EFA]

AC0H - Again the point you responded to was a poster questioning how come Ali was the only Celebrity status personality that was drafted during Vietnam.

Your 2 examples were Tillman - who wasn't around during Vietnam, and Rocky Bleir who was not a celebrity at the time he was drafted.

Nice name calling also.

[AC0H]

Quote[/b] ]I thought they were all occupied killing Mexicans on the other thread, #but I guess they can Multi-Ass #

What was that about name calling?
Memory problems?

[W8EFA]

Quote[/b] (AC0H @ Nov. 14 2005,14:28)]Quote[/b] ]I thought they were all occupied killing Mexicans on the other thread, #but I guess they can Multi-Ass #

What was that about name calling?
Memory problems?
My Making a joke about a group of posters as compared to your
Quote[/b] ]Typical pinko, military hating liberaldirected toward me personally? #It doesn't bother me though considering the source.

[K6BBC]

Quote[/b] (AC0H @ Nov. 14 2005,09:38)]Quote[/b] ]How about you pay attention AC0H? #The question was what celebrities were drafted for the Vietnam War besides ALI.

Maybe you ought to take your own advice before popping off Chocise.
Re-quoted with emphasis added for the reading impaired.
Quote[/b] ]During the Vietnam years, there were any number of football players, baseball players, actors, rock stars, etc., in the prime of life and in excellent physical condition, but I don't recall any of them even being drafted, much less serving, whether in combat or otherwise.
I used Pat Tillman as an example because he gave up a high paying NFL career to go serve his country. No he wasn't alive during the Vietnam war. Rocky Blier sure as hell was and is a Hall of Fame inductee. Why don't you ask his teamates whether he was a "celebrity" or not.

Typical pinko, military hating liberal. Minimizes the contribution of others who served while people of his ilk ran for the border. I doubt very much if you'd get the current crop of Hollowood "celebrities" to do what Blier and Tillman did. They're parasites, living off the sacrifice of others all the while stabbing them in the back.
So much hate.

These Republicans who rattle the war saber have their attitude because they never went to war. I notice McCain never involves himself in chest beating.

There are a lot of stupid people in this country who believe the BS the Republicans are putting out there. (fewer today than yesterday I would guess) And yes, I did notice how few warmongers served. And we know VERY FEW of their children ever serve. That’s probably a good thing since some political families have a lot of alcohol and drug abuse problems and would be a bad influence.

bbc