A local boy makes good when former Louisvillian Muhammad Ali received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Unfortunately, Ali didn't get into the ring with the president.

Ali brings mixed emotions in many Americans. Originally Cassius Clay, Ali was a brutal heavyweight fighter who championships and olympic gold medals in the ring. During the Vietnam war, Ali refused to join the service and through his medals into the Ohio River. He lost his boxing license. Many people felt his stance as an ohjector was a bit bogus from a man who made his living fighting.

Ali was the son of a Baptist preacher and grew up in Louisville, Ky. he began an ardent champion of civil rights and he refused to join the service because he felt that until blacks were treated as equals, then they should've have to fight in an American war. He correctly point out black men were dying in Vietnam and couldn't sit at the same lunch counter with whites in the U.S.

A number of others were given awards including Aretha Franklin, Carol Burnett, Alan Greenspan, Andy Griffith, former Mississippi congressman Sonny Mongtomery (Montgomery GI Bill) and there were more. Paul Resusabegina, better known for the movie Hotel Rwanda, which was based on his experience. Also Vint Cerf and Robert Kahn, creators of the Internet. Jack Nicklaus and Frank Robinson also received awards as did Robert Conquest, author of the "The Great Terror" about the Russian Revolution.

All these people achieved some brilliance in their own right. Congratulations to all of them. They each had achievements people should look up too and if not emulate, at least consider the lessons each has to teach. The Washington Post has the story.

posted by Stithmeister @ 11:13 PM
 
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