President Bill Clinton Will Give a Eulogy for Muhammad Ali at Interfaith Service Friday

[sufrommich]

Source: ABC

Former President Bill Clinton will be among those giving a eulogy for Muhammad Ali at an interfaith service Friday in the boxer's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, the family announced today.

In a speech in California today, Clinton reflected on watching Ali light the Olympic torch in Atlanta while his hands shook from Parkinson's Disease.

"Once the most graceful, powerful athlete in the world, with his hands shaking, holding on, he did his job," Clinton said. "And in the very end he was actually astonishingly good humored about the burden of his later years. So by the time he died, who he was as a person was greater than his legend."

Ali's body will return to Louisville in the next 24 to 48 hours with his family and a private service will be held for immediate family Thursday, family spokesman Bob Gunnell said at a news conference in Phoenix today.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/president-bill-clinton-give-eulogy-muhammad-ali-interfaith/story?id=39611189

[bucolic_frolic]

1. The Greatest?

Can't be. Trump is the greatest. He told us he was.

[Beacool]

2. Trump is "YUGE", but Ali was the "Greatest".

[billpolonsky]

6. Trump is a "Garbage Fire"

Bernie is "YUGE"
Ali was the "Greatest"

[Purveyor]

3. Oh gag me with a spoon already... eom

Last edited Sat Jun 4, 2016, 10:29 PM - Edit history (2)

[William769]

4. Open wide.

[Purveyor]

5. Yummm... cherries!!!

[msanthrope]

13. Classy. nt

[Purveyor]

16. Indeed. Just like Bill Clinton. All {{{classy}}}.... eom

[msanthrope]

23. Ali chose President Clinton. Who the fuck are you to gainsay what Ali wanted?

Seriously....who the fuck do you think you are to pass judgment on a great Patriot who did more for this country than you or I could ever dream of doing?

A great man has passed, and you choose to be petty about his final wishes. Your username, and your post, reminds me that Arthur Miller correctly named his most famous protagonist.

[Purveyor]

26. I didn't gainsay a damned thing. I expressed my first and continued reaction...

Has nothing to do with Ali at all.

[msanthrope]

28. It has everything to do with Ali. Who the fuck do you think you are to

publicly disrespect his final wishes? Ali died a Patriot. And you chose to use your time on DU to voice a petty opinion on those wishes.

I am stunned at the level of privilege you display, and the utter lack of respect. Who the fuck do you think you are to comment disapprovingly on who he chose for his own eulogies?

Disgusting. But not unexpected.

[Purveyor]

30. Well you'll just have to find a way to get past it as my sentiments remain regarding Clinton.

[OwlinAZ]

44. Will you document Ali's final wishes?

[msanthrope]

47. I can't make you read the fucking OP. Try it. nt

[still_one]

27. Ali's family obviously wanted this. It is really disgraceful the way some people behave, then again

why should it surprise me since many of these same folks dissed John Lewis Al Franken, PP, and other groups and individuals for simply endorsing Hiilary, but this isn't even about that, some people are upset because Bill Clinton is saying goodbye to an amazing person, and they have a problem with it. How pathetic

[OwlinAZ]

45. Good bye to you

[George II]

34. You have a problem with the personal wishes of Mr. Ali himself?

[Purveyor]

37. Not at all. I have a problem with Clinton. Just when I steel myself to the fact that I will have

for her come November, he comes along...

😕

[TomCADem]

7. Muhammad Ali - Cultural Icon Who Spoke Out Against Vietnam War...

...the oppression of African Americans.

http://aliandcivilrights.weebly.com/the-civil-rights-movement.html

[sufrommich]

9. "This entire service was his specific request,"

Gunnell said. "He truly loved all people."



http://abc11.com/news/bill-clinton-will-give-a-eulogy-for-ali-at-funeral-friday/1371623/

[MisterP]

10. they won't debate in CA but they'll campaign in the Afterlife

I'm not complaining, I'm just sorta impressed

[edbermac]

11. Jury results

On Sat Jun 4, 2016, 05:28 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

A whole roster of white folks speaking. Might be more black folk had not people worked so hard
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1476314

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Race-based trolling of news discussing Ali's death and the ensuing services & memorial. Shameful.

JURY RESULTS

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sat Jun 4, 2016, 05:33 PM, and the Jury voted 5-2 to HIDE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Agree with alerter. Wrong time and place for commentary on the criminal justice system.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Everything I have read of Ali indicates that he would not disagree with this statement. In commemorations of his life, we should not ignore a truth.
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Stupid post.
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Racial trolling indeed.

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[George II]

14. Eulogists are going to be Bill Clinton (Christian), Billy Crystal (Jewish), and Bryant Gumbel.

A small segment of America.

By the way, when did Mr. Gumbel become a "white folk"? Funny how some just say things even if they're incorrect.

[SCantiGOP]

17. Thanks to the jurors

That was a classless post.

[AKing]

12. This won't go over well with Conman Don....Expect Twitter rants

[Lady_Chat]

15. Gold Medal Moments: Muhammad Ali @ Atlanta 1996 Games Opening Ceremony

Still gives me chills, same as it did that night.

[LonePirate]

51. That second photo you posted will send some people over the edge.

Their hatred of the Clintons exceeds their respect for the wishes of the departed Ali.

[brer cat]

57. Someone hung a pair of boxing gloves

on the Olympic Torch Monument in Atlanta. That was an incredibly moving moment when he lit the torch in 96.

[political marxist]

18. An atrocity

It's unforgivable for Clinton to be given such an honor. Ali, before his name and declining powers were co-opted for service to war and neoliberal politics, was the embodiment of black resistance to racism and imperialism. He was one of the first public figures, and the most famous, to come out against the Vietnam war. A friend to Malcom X and later Dr. King, a tireless warrior for justice, an ally of the civil rights movement, his legacy is belittled by Clinton's encomiums. Shame.

[sufrommich]

19. The service was planned by Ali before his death:

Before discussing Ali’s death, Gunnell detailed plans for Ali’s funeral, which was planned with Ali’s involvement and will be an interfaith service lead by a Muslim imam.

At 2pm a memorial service will begin. It will be interfaith, directed by an imam but including clerics from a number of religions. The “funeral plans were done years ago by Mr Ali, who discussed them personally”, Gunnell said.

Former senator Orrin Hatch will represent the Mormon faith, Gunnell said, and President Bill Clinton, Bryant Gumbel and Billy Crystal will give eulogies. A private reception will follow at the Muhammed Ali Center.



https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/jun/04/muhammad-ali-dead-age-74-live-updates

[JI7]

22. apparantly he was a friend to Clinton as well and this was his decision

[gwheezie]

31. What is your problem

None is us are going to complain about who goes to your funeral.

[Nye Bevan]

35. I would understand your post completely if it was David Duke who was giving the eulogy.

But why the hell shouldn't Bill Clinton?

[political marxist]

40. Let me count the ways...

From his championing the crime bill, which ushered in the carceral state, affecting african-american's above all, to the dismantling of the welfare system, Bill Clinton has left a trail of tears Ali in his prime would have condemned in no uncertain terms. Clinton and his crocodile smile should leave us cold.

[geek tragedy]

38. Welcome to DU

[pnwmom]

41. Then you're saying it's an atrocity that Ali picked Bill Clinton to do it.

And that it was an atrocity when Bill spoke at Ali's 70th birthday party.

And that it was an atrocity when Ali accepted a Presidential Medal from Bill during the last year of his term.

So many atrocities.

[OwlinAZ]

46. Bill was never one to pass up a little attention.

[pnwmom]

48. Why should it be an atrocity for Ali to choose who HE wants at his events? n/t

[Kall]

20. Probably could have done without

making a plug for Hillary Clinton at the end there because she's just like Ali in being "better than his publicity".

[ret5hd]

21. I wonder if Bill will "remember" Ali's support of the Viet Nam war?

[olddad56]

24. at least Ali had the balls to say what everyone knew. That the war was wrong.

[George II]

36. I'm sure his eulogy (requested by Ali himself) will be non-political.

[Beacool]

25. Some of you need to acquire some class.

This is not a political event. Ali planned his funeral, and if he decided to have Bill Clinton give his eulogy, who the heck are you to disparage his choice???????

Gee, this place can be sickening at times.

[still_one]

29. It is sickening, some of these posts should be ashamed of themselves

[Democat]

33. Trolls have no shame

The admins are letting them ruin DU. Hopefully it will end soon.

[ribrepin]

56. Who needs the Tea Party when we've got them right here at DU?

[yardwork]

42. Babyish. I see babyish behavior.

A lot of whining and pewling because people didn't get their way. Immature lashing out.

[Beacool]

50. They remind me of the LW version of Trump supporters.

Narrow minded and unaccepting of any other people's view but their own.

[Paper Roses]

54. Ali may not have planned this as a political act but:

Times have changed. I will bet my bottom dollar(ain't much!) that this will turn into a big media event that will highlight the former president. Not to my liking. I admired Mohamed Ali for his stance against the Vietnam war. I cannot stand the thought of the Clinton blow-up of this solemn family event.

I bet that the media will turn this funeral into a 'go-Hil event.

Lambaste me if you wish, just my thoughts.

[Beacool]

55. That's your your opinion and you're entitled to it, but Ali and Bill were friends.

Why shouldn't he speak at his friend's funeral, if that friend asked him to do so?

If this turns to be an unintended positive for Hillary, so what? She will be the nominee, regardless of what happens at Ali's funeral.

[JI7]

39. whose religious hatred ? this is appropriate because it's what Ali wanted

[SidDithers]

43. Holy deep fried Christ on a trailer hitch...

Some of the replies in this thread.



Sid

[GulfCoast66]

49. Why don't you guys say what you really think

That it is another trick by the Clinton campaign. Everything else seems to be.

Some of the responses here are a new low. I hate to see the depths it reaches before it is all over.

At least in a few weeks we will not have to read it here.

[LonePirate]

53. Some of the responses are indeed despicable. No respect being shown to Ali at all.

Makes me think they don't respect Ali or anything he represented. It's certainly not a huge leap to make.

[riversedge]

52. RIP oh Great one.

[brer cat]

58. Who knew Ali was supposed to check with

the Bernie Group at DU before planning his own funeral? There are some despicable posts in this thread.

[dembotoz]

59. no just that some of us tend not to worship the holy bill clinton like the hrc folks do

ali's folks can have whoever they wish to speak at their function.

and i can decide if i wish to take the time now to watch the service

i respect the but hell out of ali but i have no desire to see the clinton speech

does that make me awful? so be be it.
ask me if i care