[Hoot Gibson]

The draft was not in effect when I was 18, and I did not join the military. I have a son in the Armed Services.

Mohammed Ali was a conscientious objecter. He paid the price. He is a hero to millions of African Americans. I personally think of him as being heroic because he stood on principle and sacrificed what, at the time, could have been multiple years in prison and his entire career, though it did not turn out that way.

I am suggesting that those Republicans that view Ali (since he chose that name, it is disrespectful to call him Cassius Clay) as a "loud mouthed coward" represent to African Americans a reason to vote Democratic.

Bob, you believe Ali to be a "loud mouthed coward." I don't call you a racist. But I know your opinion represents an aspect of right wing Republicanism that is offensive. Thus, "goodies" is a simplistic and self-serving way of explaining the voting of an entire group of people.

TRT, you appear to believe the conscientious objecter provision is null and void if a man be "able bodied."

So, we come to the "state of the Republican Party." To which I say the "Big Tent" is shrinking as it gets yanked further and further right by folks who think along the lines of you fellers.

As liberals so often do, you are tarring conservatives in the Republican Party with a broad brush, while white washing those who hold similar views in your own party. Anger at Ali for claiming conscientious objector status was not confined to a single party and for many who felt that anger, it had nothing to do with race. There was a widespread belief that Ali had no moral objection to violence because of his chosen profession. Perhaps there were Quaker boxers in the late 60s who were conscientious objectors, but I do not recall any.

I have much more respect for the conscientious objectors of that era than I do for politicians who dodged the draft - and for the draft dodgers who fled to Canada to escape service. I even had more respect for Ali, despite my skepticism that his claim of being a conscientious objector was sincere. At least Ali paid a price for openly defying the draft, remaining in his home country, and not claiming a deferment for some temporary minor physical ailment.

Those who fled to Canada and hid until they were granted pardons were the most cowardly draft dodgers, followed closely by politicians who used family ties and money to concoct excuses to avoid service.