No Winter Olympics would be complete without Don King putting in an appearance. King has skated on thin ice for years, and the master of flutz, lip and waxel hasn?t crashed, hasn?t burned, he hasn?t sunk without a trace. No, on the contrary he has triumphed. In the spirit of triumphalism, the patriotic promoter has penned a letter to Russian president Vladimir Putin. It?s a letter of thanks, and a letter of justification, as though either thanks or justification weren?t beside the point.
Thank you, President Vladimir Putin. I, Don King, along with all Americans wish you continued success in your battle against terror. We are very happy and overwhelmingly proud to bear witness to the beautiful pageantry honoring the Russian culture, history and people of the opening ceremony and the start of the winter Olympic games in Sochi, Russia. The ceremony was not only spectacular, it occurred without any untoward violence or negative incidents.
I hate interrupting King, but since he interrupts everyone else, I figure two can play that game. Firstly, who authorized Don King to speak for all Americans? Secondly, if King had been authorized to speak for all Americans, would anyone have suggested he praise Putin?s battle against terror, which is more subterranean than King knows or is willing to admit? Terror is a catchword that justifies all manner of repressive measures. But those are just words, admittedly my words, whereas King?s words carry the weight of the nation.
Your courageous action substantiate and validate your libertarian cosmic words: ?Nobody and nothing will stop Russia on the road to strengthening democracy and ensuring human rights and freedoms.? The spirit of Russia lives on.
I?d like some of those libertarian cosmic words along with my caviar and vodka. I also wouldn?t mind a brown paper bag filled with cash while you?re at it.
My being the People?s promoter extraordinaire, I have lived with the challenge of risk?and the apprehension of fear, one promotion after another, the world over. This year is the 40th anniversary of my historic promotion of the ?Rumble in the Jungle? ? Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman held in Kinshasa, Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is also the 39th anniversary of the ?Thrilla in Manila??the third and final match up between Muhammad Ali and ?Smokin? Joe Frazier held in Manila, Philippines.
Those were historic fights and the People?s promoter extraordinaire promoted them extraordinarily. He may have lived with the challenge of risk?and the apprehension of fear, one promotion after another, and we have thanked him many times. Is it absolutely necessary that we thank him again?
Mr. Putin, you met the risk, and challenge of staging the Winter Olympics with indomitable courage, and you met the fear, and apprehension with an invincible spirit and a never say die attitude. Despite such pressures as the insurmountable difficulties of security and the incessant mental violence of destruction promulgated by the chatterboxes of imminent danger, perpetrated propaganda, you and your country persevered and have risen gloriously in front of the eyes of the world.
King may have lost a step, but he still uses language like a bullwhip. I could write from now till kingdom come and never dream up a phrase like incessant mental violence of destruction promulgated by the chatterboxes of imminent danger. That I don?t know what it means is of no account. Chances are King doesn?t know what it means either.
That is why, President Putin, I take my hat off to you, and I salute your dynamic leadership under crisis and congratulate you on the phenomenal promotion of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games held in Sochi, Russia.
May God continue to bless you and the great Russian people, as the journey of life continues.
Again, Thank you Mr. President.
And thank you, again, Mr. King.
