Hugo Chavez Praises Muhammad Ali
By Robert Ecksel September 26th, 2006Chávez says Bush is the worst, Ali is the greatest
Fresh off the firestorm of indignation he created at the United Nations General Assembly last week, which earned him the moniker ‘the bad boy of U.N. summitry’ by the Washington Post, Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez, after castigating George W. Bush for his policies at home and overseas, took some time to sit down with Tavis Smiley on Friday, September 22, to discuss a wide range of subjects.
Starting off with his signature “Good evening from Los Angeles. I’m Tavis Smiley,â€? before introducing Chávez to his audience, the PBS talk show host described Chávez as an “outspoken and controversial leader,â€? which is putting it mildly, to say the least.
Once the announcer announced that “‘Tavis Smiley’ is brought to you in part by Wal-Mart. Every member in a community has a responsibility to help it grow stronger. Every community partner has that same responsibility. Wal-Mart is committed to the community and to the people it serves,� Smiley got down to the business at hand.
He and Chávez spoke about the Venezuelan Prez calling Bush “the Devil� at the U.N., the ongoing and presumably never-ending wars in Iraq and the Middle East, the distinction between anti-Imperialism and anti-Americanism, the politics of oil and AIDS, and fun stuff like that.
It was only when Smiley asked Chávez about the deceased civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. that the conversation took on a rosy hue.
“I’ve heard you speak in Venezuela and I’ve heard you speak here in the United States,â€? Smiley said. “I’ve never heard you speak once without referencing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I happen to believe that Dr. King is perhaps the greatest American we have ever produced and, for whatever reason or reasons, his work has impacted your life and you are a student of him and reference him rather consistently. Why is that? What’s that about?â€?
“I share your opinion. He’s not perhaps the greatest,â€? Chávez said, contradicting Smiley ever so slightly. “One of the greatest Americans ever is Muhammad Ali. He’s the greatest. I admire Muhammad Ali enormously…â€?
September 26th, 2006 at 6:48 pm
I think you have made a gross mistake by not including the entire Chavez quote regarding Martin Luther King and Muhammad Ali….Be fair and include the entire context next time…
September 26th, 2006 at 9:01 pm
Muhammad Ali is a slap in the face to every American who has ever served his country.
September 27th, 2006 at 8:09 am
“m not surprised Chavez praised Ali as one of the greatest US born leaders. Ali stood up for his beliefs against the regime of his time, and did not fold under pressure. He was bright, charismatic, extremely talented, and had the heart of a warrior. That combination of things is not seen every day, and that is why we’re still in love with his persona. He transcended the sport and became an Icon of humanity.
MLK is a superlative figure whose efforts shook the very foundations of this system. We are all in a better place as far as human rights are concerned because of him and his bunch
September 27th, 2006 at 3:42 pm
Muhammad Ali had plenty of good reasons for not joining the war. For years the african american race was bound to the will of the white race in the US. Why oh why would he want to fight and risk his life for a race that cared nothing for him? Would you fight for a country that opressed you? I would not. Both of my grandfathers served in different theaters of WWII and both greatly enjoy Muhammad Ali’s fights. You should speak for yourself Jim instead of putting words in the mouths of every veteran and currently enlisted man.