As far as I'm concerned his was a valid act of civil disobedience, and I never heard him complain about the consequences.
That's why I called him a draft "resister" instead of a draft "dodger." He didn't flee the country, he took a stand, didn't back down, accepted the consequences for it, and dealt with it. I don't agree with him, but I respect the way he handled it, unlike so many others (liberals especially). I can respect how he handled it even if I don't really respect the beliefs that caused him to do it.
But I still don't understand why he deserves a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Yes, he was an electrifying athlete, a cultural icon, a spokesman for Parkinson's victims. But what did he do for America to deserve such a high civilian honor, besides give us some memorable sports highlights?
Maybe I'm just misinterpreting exactly what one has to do to get the Presidential Medal of Freedom. *shrug* I don't begrudge Ali receiving the praise he's received over the years, I just don't get why he's getting this one particular honor.
}:-)4