Returned: Muhammad Ali and Donald Trump

[This post from June 23, 2016 was deleted in mid-October, 2016]

MUHAMMAD ALI and DONALD TRUMP

IMPERSONATORS

Just as Elvis had his impersonators, Muhammad Ali will likely have more than Donald Trump now that he has gone to his eternal reward.  If you Google Muhammad Ali, you will find a quote of his that that may well be uttered by Donald Trump if he sees it.  The quote - "I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was,"

If you notice in the quote, the claim of greatness precedes acceptance of it as truth.  In the political world it seems that repetition of a lie often leads to it becoming truth to many.

MUHAMMAD ALI

Cassius Clay showed the depth and sincerity of his beliefs several times in then unpopular ways: changing his name first then refusing service in a war he considered unjust.  Whether he was right or wrong, he had a depth of sincerity that deserves admiration.  Later, his philanthropy continued in spite of declining health.

Thirty-six years ago I was with a small group visiting oases in the Libyan Desert portion of the Sahara.  We were there as part of a doctoral student's advisory group for help in studying what could be helpful in controlling blood flukes, a major health problem in the area which involved snail hosts in the springs as part of their life cycle.  A small group of children followed along, curious about the group of adults investigating the aquatic weeds harboring the snails.  One of the children wore a t-shirt with Muhammad Ali written beneath his picture.  I had to be impressed by his fame.

DONALD TRUMP

He may have discovered "I am the greatest" on his own.  If so, he was unobservant of popular culture of the time when Ali was saying it.  He has built up an abundant supply of his statements covering all occasions and views so he could well believe he has said whatever is appropriate for the occasion.

Unfortunately, he appears to screen out all who risk telling him when he is wrong.  I am sure there are many good things about Donald, but are there enough to keep the Republican Convention from becoming a Trump Dump?

Joe Engemann    Kalamazoo, Michigan   June 23, 2016

Disclaimer:  I decline all responsibility for the above due to probable low oxygen supply to the brain after blood loss from minor surgery earlier this month.

[I'm not quite sure why I deleted and now returned this post, the only one of 170+ posts to be deleted.  Perhaps I thought I would give Donald a chance, he has shown some ability to change.  But he is not likely to do things scientists have found to be better choices.  J.E. May 3, 2017.]