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Highlands Today

The Point Was?

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John Lukondi

Published: November 1, 2008

Everyday I check out the editorials in the Highlands Today. I can't wait to read the letters submitted to the editor. Some of them make for interesting reading, while some of them are just meaningless ramblings.
The letter from Bill Ross in Sunday's edition was one of those. Reading it over several times, it was hard to figure out the point he was trying to get across. He rambled on from George Bush to McCain and Palin. Then on to JFK and Cassius Clay. For the life of me I could not figure out why he had Clay included in that list of political powerhouses. What has he accomplished that rates him up there with those who have made a difference?
A little history. Long ago, Cassius Clay was just a street kid who knew how to use his fists. He had very little education, no skills and no talent.
It was easy to see how he could be lured into the world of beating each other's brains out, commonly known as boxing.
At the height of his boxing career, he was being promoted and managed by none other than Don King, and boy did King rip him off big time and Clay didn't realize it until way too late. Like I said, not too smart.
In the mid-1960s, the government came knocking on Clay's door with a notice that said "Greetings, you are being drafted." It was then he miraculously found religion and quickly converted over to Muslim. He then received a draft deferment because of his "religious beliefs."
When interviewed about his newfound religion and draft deferment, I still remember his words to the media. "I ain't got no quarrel with the Viet Cong." Bill Ross calls him a world champion humanitarian and ambassador. Phffft. I don't think so. Can you spell draft dodger, children?
John Lukondi
Lorida

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