Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 15 > Entry
Justin Timberlake a bigger celeb than Muhammad Ali?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Q100’s “The Bert Show” never called to ask what I thought about about their recent “Who Do You Know!” celebrity contest. Maybe they should have.
I could have saved show yakkers Bert, Melissa, Jeff and Jenn some major embarrassment. The contest — and it was a good one — challenged radio listeners to use their personal connections and get the biggest celebrity they could to call the station to win money for charity.
Jessica Biel called. So did Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Fran Drescher, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sean Connery, Bette Midler and others.
Trouble is, when they got around to selecting who was the biggest celebrity who called, “The Bert Show” chose Justin Timberlake as No. 1 over … get this … Muhammad Ali.
At this moment my head is in my hand because I can’t believe anyone on the planet would make such a dumb move.
I mean, Timberlake is a big celebrity. But no way does he even come close to Muhammad Ali.
Granted, Ali was never a Mouseketeer. Far as I know Ali never appeared on Ashton Kutcher’s “Punk’d” to get so upset during the prank being played on him that he called his mama. Ali didn’t expose Janet Jackson’s breast. Nor did he ever date Britney Spears.
So maybe Ali isn’t the bigger celeb. All he did was win the world boxing title three times! All he did was emerge during the 1960s as a fighter who could command as much if not more media attention than Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
I have been around celebrities most of my life. I can tell you three times I was rendered speechless.
No. 1: I was working in a busy newsroom in the early 1980s when, unexpectedly, Ali walked in with the publisher. The entire newsroom stopped cold. And it was close to deadline time. Ali slowly walked around and spoke to everyone. It was amazing.
No. 2: When Ali appeared to light the cauldron at the 1996 OIympics in Atlanta.
No. 3: While driving and listening to “The Bert Show” and realizing that the celeb who had just called the station was Ali.
I’ve seen Timberlake in person. He’s a fine celeb. A nice guy. But he lacks the charisma of an Ali.
Oh, what was it my once-wee son, Cecil B., said about Justin Timberlake as our biggest male pop star? Oh, yes. It was this: “After Michael Jackson, I guess J.T. is what we’re left with by default.”
The argument at the radio station shouldn’t have been about Timberlake vs. Ali. It should have been about Ali vs. President Carter.
Who do you think is the bigger celeb — Timberlake or Ali? Or would you have named someone else who called the station as the biggest celebrity?
Permalink | Comments (65) | Post your comment | Categories: Alan Smithee
Comments
By geekboy
May 15, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Any time an Olympic hero and American legend is passed over in favor of the flavor of the month/year/half-decade, you know you are dealing with mindless media.
Ali will forever be in history books. Timberlake’s music, as his name suggest, sounds like a subdivision.
By TT
May 15, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
The Bert Show sucks. I have tried to listen to them but end up wanting to run my car off a bridge. The fake laughter and mindless talk is too much to handle. I have never heard anyone who can beat a dead horse like these guys.
By KatyWatts
May 15, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
I would have voted for Sean Connery!
By Cassius Clay
May 15, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
See, Alan, you have to understand that the audience at Q-100 are too young to understand the impact Muhammad Ali had, especially during the 70’s, a time of great change in our country. Ali had such great respect and admiration from not only the common man, but from world leaders as well. In fact, I think if you asked Justin himself, I think he would be embarrassed to find out he won this contest…
By Mrs. Warren
May 15, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
This just shows what society in America has come to. That judges would choose a “NOW” celebrity as opposed to one who has a lifetime of achievements. Justin Timberlake should not have even been close to top running.
It should have been between Ali, Carter, Samuel L. Jackson, Sean Connery.. I mean, COME ON!!!
By Nat
May 15, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
The show really needs to grow up. It has been around for awhile and still caters to teenagers. I think they forgot that their listeners have grown up. They need to move in the same direction.
By Bruce L
May 15, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
How do you define celebrity? Timberlake has more mass appeal today. Ali is an icon. He also was a draft dodger.
Why not Jimmy Carter, he was a president, albeit an embarrassment to many Georgians today.
I personally would not be speechless by Ali, but would by Connery, so I guess I could write an article that you got it wrong. Or I could accept the fact that diffferent people are affected differently. How many of the Bert Show’s listeners are men, and how many are old enough to have understood Ali back in the 60s, not what they read about him or watched in the Will Smoith movie a few years back?
PS. Had Robert Smoith of The Cure called in, the contest would have been over for me :-)
By WhoCares
May 15, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Does it really matter? Timberlake is probably more known by the teens who listen to the Bert Show, how many of them know who Ali is? It is a silly contest that means nothing. Get over it.
By Bruce L
May 15, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
How do you define celebrity? Timberlake has more mass appeal today. Ali is an icon. He also was a draft dodger.
Why not Jimmy Carter, he was a president, albeit an embarrassment to many Georgians today.
I personally would not be speechless by Ali, but would by Connery, so I guess I could write an article that you got it wrong. Or I could accept the fact that diffferent people are affected differently. How many of the Bert Show’s listeners are men, and how many are old enough to have understood Ali back in the 60s, not what they read about him or watched in the Will Smoith movie a few years back?
PS. Had Robert Smith of The Cure called in, the contest would have been over for me :-)
By nypeach
May 15, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
I love Q100 and am a faithful listener. I walked away from V103 two years ago and never looked back. That being said, I think they made a mistake on this one. I think the real contest was between Ali, Sean Connery, Morgan Freeman and Jimmy Carter. But really, I think they would have been lambasted no matter who they picked.
By JJ
May 15, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
If you heard the voting (which was around 9 morning show people)Timberlake actually blew away Ali. Jimmy Carter had also called in and he was not even a contender (a United States PRESIDENT). If celebrity is defined by how many paps follow a person around than Justin was probably the appropriate winner. By any other measure Ali is not only more celebrated but the man is an icon in his own time. The fuzzy math Q100 used to determine the “walking-away” winner seems to be an equation that heavily favors the celebrity status of a Q100 artist.
Ali, Boom-Aye!
By nypeach
May 15, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
I love Q100 and am a faithful listener. I walked away from V103 two years ago and never looked back. That being said, I think they made a mistake on this one. I think the real contest was between Ali, Sean Connery, Morgan Freeman and Jimmy Carter. But really, I think they would have been lambasted no matter who they picked.
By Sarah
May 15, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
You obviously did not listen to the show from the moment Ali called in to the time they voted. They debated over this for like 3 days! JT won because of Q100’s demographic - I don’t know what’s so hard to understand about that. And I love the Bert Show.
By Big B
May 15, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
I can fully understand the concern about the contrast of a pop icon, like Justin Timberlake, versus someone as historical as Muhammad Ali . But within the context of the contest it makes sense. As I understood it the vote wasn’t based on the body of work that each celebrity had done in the course of their lives but was based on the interview and overall interaction on the call. Certainly no one can debate that Muhammed Ali, historically, is a more predominate figure than Justin Timberlake. From what I heard yesterday morning on the Bert Show, Bert himself was taken back that the vote had turned out the way it had. But, again, the vote was solely based on the call-in to the station and the overall impression of the call. Certainly when you look at the demographics of the listeners of the station (Q100), Justin Timberlake is somewhat more of a relevant figure versus a Muhammed Ali strictly due to the era in which they were notable figures. Timberlake’s time is now whereas Ali’s time was mostly back in the 60’s and 70’s. And, again, no one can argue that Muhammed Ali’s presence has been felt long after his career in the ring. The net of it is, that this vote shouldn’t be anything to get worked up about as it was an unofficial end to what was a entertaining contest. Nothing more.
By MWP
May 15, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Ali wins by a knockout in the first round. This isn’t even close.
By ADL
May 15, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
I guess this shows what the true meaning of celebrity is…
By Shannon
May 15, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
You have to remember who the target audience is for Q100. While I don’t think Timberlake is the biggest celeb who called in, a LOT of their target audience probably does! Yes, I listen, but I’m in my 30’s. The majority of their listeners are in their teens and 20’s and to them Timberlake is probably “IT.” I think they made the best choice for what their show is all about. Now if they were a “serious” talk show, then Ali would have won hands down. But they’re not, they’re fluff. Timberlake is fluff. What else can you expect?
By Sarah
May 15, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
You obviously did not listen to the show from the moment Ali called in to the time they voted. They debated over this for like 3 days! JT won because of Q100’s demographic - I don’t know what’s so hard to understand about that. And I love the Bert Show.
By Calde
May 15, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Timberlake = White + Bert Show Crew = White
You do the math.
By Morning Zoo's for D-Bags
May 15, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Wow, talking about boring, cookie-cutter morning radio shows like Q100? Nice life. Everyone do themselves a favor and go pick up a Sirius Radio receiver. No radio show ever has, or ever will compare to Howard Stern. JOIN THE REVOLUTION! F* THE FCC!
By Jiimmy
May 15, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Clearly this writer doesn’t listen to the show. The cast clearly explained the parameters for the contest. The uproar over your choice of celebrity is amazing. This morning show is a cast of pop culture and current events. What is so surprising? This wasn’t a contest about the most famous person in a specific genre. Picking a celebrity because of his obvious impairments now, would be, in my opinion disrespectful to that celebrity. It would be blatantly a show of feeling sorry for them.
By rb
May 15, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
I agree, this just goes to clearly define the listening audience of q100. If you want to talk about something tragic, how about those TV ads running now? there’s no reason for a grown man to be as tan as bert weiss appears to be.
By KF
May 15, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
While I don’t agree with the final decision either, if you actually listened to the debates they had, Bert himself was disgusted by the “jury’s” decision; he thought Ali should have won. But the majority ruled.
Leave it to Calde to bring race into it though!
By Big George
May 15, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Ali, Boom-aye!
Ali, Boom-aye!
Ali, Boom-aye!
Ali, BOOMAYE!
I will never forget that. Look it up.
By AJ
May 15, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Have you really listened to the Bert Show? It’s a fine example of the ‘dumbing down of America’ Jeff is an ass, Jen is a wanna be womens libber, Melissa is the angry lesbian who’s biggest contribution is repeating ‘yeah, yeah’ when she can’t think of anything deep to say and Bert is desperately trying to hang on to his youth so of course they’re gonna pick an arrogant piece of work like JT… and he wasn’t even worth listening to when he did call in. Bigger signal… smaller minds.
By Amanda
May 15, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Bottom line, Justin is a bigger celebrity than Ali. If this contest was held in the 60’s, than Ali would win. Maybe even if this was held in 1996 after the Olympics, he would have won. But it’s 2008 (12 years since the Olympics) and Justin is one of the biggest recording artist of the decade. A persons’ star rises and falls, but the impact that someone makes will always remain. Justin has a higher star right now, but Ali’s impact will never change. Who knows what Justin’s impact will be?
By Amanda
May 15, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Bottom line, Justin is a bigger celebrity than Ali. If this contest was held in the 60’s, than Ali would win. Maybe even if this was held in 1996 after the Olympics, he would have won. But it’s 2008 (12 years since the Olympics) and Justin is one of the biggest recording artist of the decade. A persons’ star rises and falls, but the impact that someone makes will always remain. Justin has a higher star right now, but Ali’s impact will never change. Who knows what Justin’s impact will be?
By Kristina
May 15, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Ok some of you don’t listen to the show, JT is right now the bigger star. Ali is the biggest icon. He was a big star in the 60’s and if we were in the 60’s he would have won. The contest wasn’t who is the biggest icon it was who is the biggest star.
By PHR
May 15, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
I think that Jimmy Carter is a bigger celebrity than any of the others. There have only been “43” Presidents of the United States and only “4” living Presidents. That is an exclusive group if you ask me. Plus he is busy and is currently in the news.
By hokie4life
May 15, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Ok after listening to WHY they picked “full of himself” Timberlake, I can accept why he won. The decision SUCKED big time and will forever “stain” the Bert Shows cred.
By Karen
May 15, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
On my drive to work the past couple of weeks,I would flip really quick to the Bert Show to see if any ‘celebrity’ called. I heard a few.. others I missed. I just can’t stand the morning show on Q100. Everything they say is so ignorant. Every sentence ends in a ‘question’ sound. The writer above had it right—Bert is trying to hang onto his youth. They’re all idiots. I love Justin Timberlake’s music (and I’m not a teenager!. But, to hear those morons vote against a former President AND Muhammed Ali..oh yes, time to quickly change the channel. I wish they would just GO AWAY.
By Amandabama
May 15, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Obviously race has everything to do with it Calde. People like you make our society a horrible place to live in.
GET OVER IT ALREADY!!
By ROB
May 15, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
THINK OF THIS, MUHAMMED ALI, CALLED THE BERST SHOW, JIMMY CARTER, CALLED THE BERT SHOW, SEAN CONNERY, CALLED THE BERT SHOW, MORGAN FREEMAN, CALLED THE BERT SHOW, countless others called the bert show, the winners in all of this were us, listeners who got to hear these people, as they really are!
and i think it should have been a tie between Ali and Carter, with out question!!!!
By house
May 15, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Yeah Caid everything isn’t race related. But I’ll bet you think Mike Vick is innocent too. Get a grip.
By jes8
May 15, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
It’s a morning show contest people. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not really that important. I am amazed at how passionate everyone is about how much they HATE the Bert Show, or how Ali should have won, or how Howard Stern is THE BEST EVER. Does any of this really matter? I think the perameters they set up were appropriate. Let them do their thing. If you don’t like it, no one is going to force you to listen to it, but you don’t have to bash everyone who does.
By elladee
May 15, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
I have to say that the Bert show is one of the saddest, lamest excuses for a radio talk show. They take anything related to sex or getting drunk and try to turn it into deep, meaningful material. How much longer will this shallow program be allowed to run…
By WTF
May 15, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
The Bert show should be taken off the air for such a stunt…Ali-“greatest of all time”, man of the people, and most importantly stood for human rights!!! Yes, JT is a great star, but thats just it. A star versus a legend not only for what he did in the ring but off.
This is the sort of thing that happens when you have a radio DJ trying to act younger than he really is…They become delusional!!
By WTF
May 15, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
The Bert show should be taken off the air for such a stunt…Ali-“greatest of all time”, man of the people, and most importantly stood for human rights!!! Yes, JT is a great star, but thats just it. A star versus a legend not only for what he did in the ring but off.
This is the sort of thing that happens when you have a radio DJ trying to act younger than he really is…They become delusional!!
By Sharon
May 15, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
Ali should have won, hands down. For those of you who don’t listen, the had a Supreme Court Justice come in and define “celebrity.” She said that first you should look at “global celebrities;” people known around the world. I honestly think that Justin Timberlake was out THEN. Let’s face it, he is not Michael Jackson!! I’m a 33 year old woman, I have lived in Atlanta all my life, and I can’t name a SINGLE song that Justin Timberlake sings (with the exception of Sexy Back because my friend has that as a ringtone). The Justice also said that they sould not look at “popularity” but at “celebrity.” Justin Timberlake IS popular with Bert Show listeners, no doubt. So, if that’s why he won, why not let the listeners pick a winner?! And I agree with the people that said that Justin Timberlake is the “flavor of the ___.” He is!! Muhammad Ali is timeless. He’s like Elvis…. he’s known all over the world, and he will be long after he’s dead and gone. My grandchildren will not know who Justin Timberlake was!! And how in the world could Justin Timberlake beat Jimmy Carter?! Even the terrorists in Iraq know who Jimmy Carter is?! Do you think they know who Justin Timberlake is?!
By bert showlistener
May 15, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
I listen to the Bert Show since day one and it could be that they used this contest and the results to make sure they have an imprint in history! Somewhere forever, it wil be written that The Bert SHow chose JT over ALI. It gets everybody talking, from young to old. It’s a DEF blow TO Ali… and ego boost for JT. THe Bert SHow will take any type of publicity….no matter what Legend they have to put down. That says a lot about them.
By Kelly
May 15, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
There are way to many angry people in the world. If you don’t like the show then don’t listen!! And their is NO NEED for race to be thrown into it. It’s about time people come up with a different excuse.
By who
May 15, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
I really don’t give a crap, but you do so host your own contest and give it to Ali. He might even say thhaaannnkkss or at least mumble something
By Matt
May 15, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Within the parameters set by the Chief Justice they brought in and asked to define “celebrity”, then yes, Justin Timberlake was the correct choice. Had the contest been to have the “greatest” or the person who made the “greatest impact on society” call in, then the argument can be made for Ali, Jimmy Carter and the like, but that wasn’t the case.
By CCC
May 15, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
First, The Bert Show Sucks. I loved the contest though….thought it was a great idea. Problem was though some of the stupid banter between the shows hosts. Jeff Dahler could be the biggest MORON i’ve heard on the radio! How does his fat ass even draw a paycheck from Q100? He kept saying “don’t forget Danny Glover called in”…..is your fat ass serious? He’s about as famous as the dog sh*t I stepped in this morning. Your show sucks. Dahler, two peices of advise…#1 join a gym, #2 stop talking, your not funny.
By Matt
May 15, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
I agree that allowing the audience to vote on the winner would have been a better idea, and I bet they do that if they run this contest again. That said, the Justice did say that the show’s demographics should be taken into account when determining who the bigger celebrity who called in was, and taking that into account, Justin Timberlake was the bigger celebrity. The audience who listens to The Bert Show skewers younger, and like it or not, right or wrong, I think the majority of the listening audience would say that Justin Timberlake is more relevant to them then Ali.
By Wife of the Real Big George
May 15, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Ali bomaye!!!!
Ali Kill Him!!!
Rumble in the Jungle!!!
Ali is the greatest!!!!!!
By Dazed and Confused
May 15, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
The contest was a great idea, but there choice was definitely wrong. The top 4 should have been Ali, Jimmy Carter, Sean Connery and Morgan Freeman. The Supreme court justice’s definition of “biggest celebrity” was not what I would call accurate. Scary thought is the Supreme court justices define a lot of areas that directly affect our lives and if this is an example of their abilities, then I for 1 am a little concerned.
Also to “who “: you are an idiot and an insensitive horse’s A**.
By Dazed and Confused
May 15, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
The contest was a great idea, but there choice was definitely wrong. The top 4 should have been Ali, Jimmy Carter, Sean Connery and Morgan Freeman. The Supreme court justice’s definition of “biggest celebrity” was not what I would call accurate. Scary thought is the Supreme court justices define a lot of areas that directly affect our lives and if this is an example of their abilities, then I for 1 am a little concerned.
Also to “who “: you are an idiot and an insensitive horse’s A**.
By Dazed and Confused
May 15, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
The contest was a great idea, but there choice was definitely wrong. The top 4 should have been Ali, Jimmy Carter, Sean Connery and Morgan Freeman. The Supreme court justice’s definition of “biggest celebrity” was not what I would call accurate. Scary thought is the Supreme court justices define a lot of areas that directly affect our lives and if this is an example of their abilities, then I for 1 am a little concerned.
Also to “who “: you are an idiot and an insensitive horse’s A**.
By Dazed and Confused
May 15, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
The contest was a great idea, but there choice was definitely wrong. The top 4 should have been Ali, Jimmy Carter, Sean Connery and Morgan Freeman. The Supreme court justice’s definition of “biggest celebrity” was not what I would call accurate. Scary thought is the Supreme court justices define a lot of areas that directly affect our lives and if this is an example of their abilities, then I for 1 am a little concerned.
Also to “who “: you are an idiot and an insensitive horse’s A**.
By Daze & Confused
May 15, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
The contest was a great idea, but there choice was definitely wrong. The top 4 should have been Ali, Jimmy Carter, Sean Connery and Morgan Freeman. The Supreme court justice’s definition of “biggest celebrity” was not what I would call accurate. Scary thought is the Supreme court justices define a lot of areas that directly affect our lives and if this is an example of their abilities, then I for 1 am a little concerned.
Also to “who “: you are an idiot and an insensitive horse’s A**.
By Dawg 'n IT
May 15, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Put it this way, is JT even the biggest celebrity in his field?
Ali is the most famous boxer ever, one of the biggest athletes ever (on the level of Jordan, Tiger, and Ruth), and one of the most famous icons in history when factoring the political angle.
JT is trying to follow in Michael Jackson’s footsteps as an entertainer.
Ali created his own footsteps for others to follow.
By Casey
May 15, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Yeah Ali is a boxing legend, but look at it from a moral standpoint… He dodged the draft, changed his name, and swapped religion so he wouldn’t have to fight for this country. It’s amazing how someone will turn their back on everyone else, but yet reap the benefits. Your willing to sit there and say that a man who would not fight for this country, yet benefit from it and bring in the millions, grab all the publicity, and live the life he did deserves to be the biggest celebrity that called in? Ali outta be on his hands and knees praising the men and woman who fought the battle he hid from, so he could live the fab life he lived while we were at war. How about you open your eyes and take your liberalist views out of perspective and see someone who has actually done some good for this country and walked a straight line to call the biggest celebrity. A president or an actor who has embraced this country and deserves the spotlight outta get the award for being the biggest celebrity who called in. Not someone who up and changed his identity to beat the system and cheat his way to freedom and high society. Look at all the other famous athletes that turned in their uniforms for guns. Just goes to show you how less of a person Ali truely is. He was a great boxer, and that’ll never be taken away from him, and I can appreciate a man that can dominate his sport like that, but character is also a deciding factor in how big someone’s status should be and how their legacy should end up.
By danp217
May 15, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Ali is “Icon” not a celebrity.
By Tired of Race Baiting
May 15, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Calde, die in a fire.
By Howard Co$ell
May 15, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Ali Bombaye, Ali Bombaya, Ali Bombaye!
By EATL
May 15, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
I like Justin Timberlake, have seen him in concert twice, and really don’t have a problem with them picking him. It’s a sad state, that if you put Justin, Jimmy Carter and Ali in front of 50 Bert Show listeners without telling the audience who they were, 95 percent would know JT, whereas a much smaller majority would know Ali and Carter. I’m not saying that’s right…it just is what it is. Another station may have picked a different celebrity.
Of course, they were also debating who would win if Oprah and the pope called in, so there you go.
By EATL
May 15, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
I like Justin Timberlake, have seen him in concert twice, and really don’t have a problem with them picking him. It’s a sad state, but if you put Justin, Jimmy Carter and Ali in front of 50 Bert Show listeners without telling the audience who they were, 95 percent would know JT, whereas a much smaller minority would know Ali and Carter. I’m not saying that’s right…it just is what it is. Another station may have picked a different celebrity.
Of course, they were also debating who would win if Oprah and the pope called in, so there you go.
By Tryp
May 15, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
I love Q100. I love “The Bert Show,” but clearly they emssed this one up. They went based on the demographics of the station. Unfortunately, it just shows how lacking our education system is. Our “kids” (anyone 25 and under) don’t have a clue about their history. The contest should have been between Ali, Connery, and President Carter. At least some charity was blessed. That’s the important thing.
By Dawg 'n IT
May 15, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Casey,
Does that mean we need to interview JT to document his political views and why he chooses to make millions in entertainment instead of enlisting at this crucial time of our country’s history? Hey, Pat Tillman gave up an NFL career to serve so it’s not unheard of for a celebrity to make that sacrifice. Ali didn’t want to be drafted, JT isn’t willfully enlisting. Are the two that different? Ask most younger men making a good living if they want to go to Iraq right now and see what answer you get. I get so tired of hearing the whole draft dodging argument. It’s easy to point fingers at people who do not want to be forced to fight a war. Why can’t it be just as easy to point a finger at people who will not willfully enlist? Since JT has not been asked to serve, Ali’s draft issue is irrelevant. Heck, even Prince William enlisted to serve the British army and he’s just as big a celebrity as JT worldwide.
We live in a country where military service is not a requirement, it’s a choice. If we really didn’t have the numbers, we’d be a different society right now and we would all get some form of military training as a part of life but that’s just not the case.
And the whole changing religions to avoid the draft thing would be considered a brilliant tactical move by most strategists today who look for loopholes in just about every money making/power grabbing venture they partake in from taxes to stacking rebates.
By Listen
May 15, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
No other show is creating anything to talk about on Atlanta Morning Radio. Right or wrong in their vote. Everyone one who has written was interested in the bit.
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By mscutie78
May 16, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Hey Dawg ‘n IT - there is a major difference in dodging the draft and not willingly joining the military. The difference is that the government said you were going to fight and you did everything in your power to avoid it. You’re not required to join the military so it’s stupid to think JT would. Don’t forget that every male still has to sign up for selective service when their 18 - so should a draft be enacted…I’m sure JT would go and not avoid the draft like Ali. I think this is SO stupid…the contest was about the demographic of the viewers and the viewers are in their 20s-30s and don’t give a hoot about Ali. If you want to start comparing credentials…then Sean Connery should have won afterall he’s been knighted by the Queen!! Get real people - it’s just a contest…let it go.
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