Please sign the petition below to remove the statue of Jefferson Davis currently in Kentucky’s Capitol Rotunda, and replace it with a tribute to Muhammad Ali, “the Louisville Lip” and “the Greatest of All Time.”
I just heard from the Ali family: It is the Champ’s belief that Islam prohibits three-dimensional representations of living Muslims. Accordingly, I have adjusted the petition to call for a two-dimensional representation of Ali (a portrait, picture or mural) in lieu of a statue.
UPDATE (Tuesday, December 2, 2014)
In this interview with WHAS-TV’s Joe Arnold, Governor Steve Beshear endorses the idea of honoring Muhammad Ali in the State Capitol (although he disagrees with removing Davis). Arnold explores the idea further on his weekly show, “The Powers that Be.”
Click here to check out WDRB-TV’s Lawrence Smith’s coverage of the story.
And here’s my op-ed in Ali’s hometown paper, the Louisville Courier-Journal.
UPDATE (Saturday, June 4, 2016)
In the wake of the 2015 Charlestown tragedy, in which a Confederate flag-waving murderer united the nation against racism, all of the most powerful Kentucky policymakers — U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, Governor Matt Bevin, Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker Greg Stumbo — called for the removal of the Davis statue from the Rotunda. Today, as we commemorate last night’s passing of Muhammad Ali, there is no better moment to replace the symbol of Kentucky’s worst era with a tribute to The Greatest of All Time.
UPDATE (Wednesday, June 8, 2016):
Great piece by Lawrence Smith of WDRB-TV in Louisville on the petition drive to replace Jefferson Davis’ statue in the Capitol Rotunda with a tribute to Muhammad Ali.
UPDATE (Thursday, June 9, 2016):
Excellent piece on the petition drive by Jack Brammer that was featured on the front page of the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Highlight of the article:
Miller said he has received a few “angry comments” on his call to honor Ali.
“One of them encouraged me to kill myself,” he said. “You can quote me that I have decided not to take their advice.”
UPDATE (Friday, June 10, 2016)
The petition drives continues to show the Big Mo(hammed): check out these stories from WKYU-FM public radio in Bowling Green and WKYT-TV, Channel 27 in Lexington:
UPDATE (Saturday, June 11, 2016):
Still not convinced? Check out this excerpt from today’s New York Times:
While the “Occupy Wall Street” movement gains some steam, some critics are pointing to some of the philanthropy taking place among the masters of the universe. In the following article, Newsweek profiles the work contributing RP Eva Moskowitz is doing to improve education for poor, urban youth in New York City and her support on Wall Street:
It was a scene to curdle liberal blood. A ballroom full of New York hedge-fund managers playing poker … to raise money for charter schools.
That’s where I found myself last Wednesday: at a Texas Hold ’Em tournament to raise money for the Success Charter Network, which currently runs nine schools in some of New York’s poorest neighborhoods.
While Naomi Wolf was being arrested for showing solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement, there I was, consorting with the 1 percent the protesters hate. It’s no surprise that the bread-heads enjoy gambling. But to see them using their ill-gotten gains to subvert this nation’s great system of public education! I was shocked, shocked…
Your ZIP code can be your destiny, because poor neighborhoods tend to have bad schools, and bad schools perpetuate poverty. But the answer is not to increase spending on this failed system—nor to expand it at the kindergarten level, as proposed by Nicholas Kristof in The New York Times last week. As brave reformers like Eva Moskowitz know, the stranglehold exerted by the teachers’ unions makes it almost impossible to raise the quality of education in subprime public schools.
The right answer is to promote the kind of diversity and competition that already make the American university system the world’s best. And one highly effective way of doing this is by setting up more charter schools—publicly funded but independently run and union-free. The performance of the Success Charter Network speaks for itself. In New York City’s public schools, 60 percent of third, fourth, and fifth graders passed their math exams last year. The figure at Harlem Success was 94 percent.
Yesterday, the RP took the airwaves at Fox News to spread the gospel about No Labels’ plans to introduce a comprehensive government reform package in December.
One of the biggest questions during the transition from high school to college is something very basic… What to wear! This starts in the classroom when students must decide where to place themselves on the spectrum from pajamas to elaborate outfits. See here for one opinion on why looking presentable in the classroom is an important way to spend your college years. [College Fashion]
As college students, many men and women like to proudly display their school name across their clothing. This does not mean, however, that one must don sweats every time he or she want to show their spirit. See here for some recommendations on how to support your school with a more updated, stylish look. [Next Gen]
Upon leaving for college, many young men are subjected to lectures from their mothers about doing their laundry and brushing their hair. Unfortunately, many of them appear to forget it as soon as mom and dad drive away. Here is a quick outline of easy things all college men should consider when starting out their day. [College Tips]
Southern schools are notorious for their distinctive, put together looks for both males and females, and students often place pride in this stereotype. See here for a funny, if slightly critical commentary of some traditional trends seen today south of the Mason Dixon line. [Thought Catalog]
One of the most distinctive features seen within the female population at Southern schools is game day attire. Across the SEC (Southeastern Conference) campuses, female students opt for combinations of sundresses, pearls, heels, or cowboy boots for the football games, rather than more traditional American ways. See here for an account from the University of Georgia, as well as a link to the website for a new book devoted entirely to this unique tradition. [Holy Turf][Gridiron Belles]
Tune in RIGHT NOW to Fox News’ Happening Now with Jon Scott and Jenna Lee — the RP is on LIVE to offer a sneak preview of No Labels‘ exciting plans to introduce a Congressional reform package this December.
Score another one for Liberty. Here’s news about the liberation announcements in Libya that followed Muammar Gaddafi’s death. [National Post]
Things got a little out of control on Friday at my alma mater, Penn. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor was scheduled to speak at 4:30, but he canceled abruptly. Why wouldn’t the Congressman want to speak to a few hundred respectful, inquisitive college students? Well, I think he would…but that wasn’t who he was going to be speaking to if he actually showed up. Occupy Philadelphia marched from City Hall to Penn’s campus and effectively guaranteed themselves of being the first (300) to be let into the event. [The Daily Pennsylvanian]
Can a person or company make “too much” money? [CNBC]
By Kristen Hamilton, RP Staff, on Tue Oct 25, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Politics of Fashion
BREAKING NEWS: First Lady Michelle Obama tweets her first tweet! What does this have to do with fashion? She looked absolutely adorable while doing so! [NY Mag]
Angry Birds, Nicki Minaj, the Black Swan, and more are in the lead for most popular Halloween costumes this year. What will you be this Halloween? [Daily Mail]
Fashion = lifesaver for penguins from the Gulf Coast. Check out the cute story: [Fashionista]
Have you ever wanted Miss Piggy’s flushed cheeks or elongated eyelashes? There is now a MAC collection just for you! [NY Mag]
In other beauty news, Nicki Minaj debuts her OPI nail line! [ONTD]
The RP is back in the lion’s den this afternoon. He will be appearing on Happening Now with Jon Scott and Jenna Lee to offer a sneak preview of No Labels‘ exciting plans to introduce a Congressional reform package this December.
Tune in at 12:30 PM EDT to see the RP and learn more about No Labels important agenda.
Blog this!
