There were plenty of guys who would gladly have given up large sums of money rather than pay the price they *did* pay.
Those of us who lived through these times and who served (in SE Asia or elsewhere) even though we didn't want to (and were afraid) have nothing but contempt for him and his ilk.
I turned 18 in 1973. I got lucky with a high lottery number. Many of my friends did not. I recall these times and felt then as you do now regarding Ali.
I will tell you what changed my mind:
The Supreme Court over turned the case. Ali was targeted by bigots in Kentucky simply because they wanted to shut up the uppity and mouthy 'N'. They were wrong, the SC said so and agreed.
Muhammed Ali then returned to the ring and IMHO opinion stood the test of time and prooved that his reasons were valid.
Let me ask you this, in all seriousness: Do you feel the same way against all Conscientious objector's?
Do you also feel that people then have no right to be a true Conscientious Objector?
I will also add that anyone who hides falsely behind CO status, should go to jail. I do believe that Ali was a true CO and that this was within his rights.