White House Names Presidential Medal of Freedom Award Winners

The Associated Press ^ | Nov 3, 2005 | Anon

[Pharmboy]

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Thursday announced the recipients of this year's Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civil award.

Those to be honored at a White House ceremony this coming Wednesday are:

-Muhammad Ali. The three-time heavyweight boxing champion successfully defended the title 19 times and was a gold medalist at the 1960 Olympic Games.

-Carol Burnett. The actress and comedian debuted on Broadway in 1959 and starred for more than a decade on "The Carol Burnett Show."

-Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn. They designed the software code used to transmit data over the Internet.

-Robert Conquest. The historian is known for his work on Soviet history, politics, and foreign policy. More than 35 years after its publication, his book, "The Great Terror: Stalin's Purge of the Thirties," remains one of the most influential studies of Soviet history.

-Aretha Franklin. The singer has nearly two dozen No. 1 singles and has won numerous awards. Franklin was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.

-Alan Greenspan. He has been chairman of the Federal Reserve for the past 18 years.

-Andy Griffith. The actor first achieved national acclaim in the 1950s for his standup comedy routines. He went on to star in television shows such as "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Matlock" and numerous Broadway productions and films.

-Paul Harvey. The radio personality's broadcasts started airing nationally in 1951.

-Sonny Montgomery. A veterans' supporter during his 30 years as a member of the House of Representatives. The Montgomery GI Bill helped make education affordable for millions of veterans.

-Gen. Richard Myers. He recently retired as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

-Jack Nicklaus. The golfer won 18 major tournament as professional as well as won more than 70 PGA Tour events.

-Frank Robinson. The current manager of the Washington Nationals, Robinson won most valuable player awards in both the American and National leagues. He broke the color barrier for managers, becoming the first black manager in Major League Baseball in 1975.

-Paul Rusesabagina. The hotelier's life was the subject of the movie "Hotel Rwanda," which depicted his courage and compassion in sheltering people at the hotel he managed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

The Medal of Freedom, established by President Truman in 1945 to recognize civilians for their efforts during World War II. The award was reinstated by President Kennedy in 1963 to honor distinguished service.

[Hildy]

Wow...you're right..something for everybody. I love Andy Griffith. I studied theater because of him. The first play I say was Pirandello's SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR. It was on PBS, I don't even know how old I was. He was the star, believe it or not.

[Michael.SF.]

And you cast aspersions at Cindy Sheehan, whose son fought and died for this country while Cassius Clay praised the Viet Cong. Even if you disagree with Cindy Sheehan, she has the guts to speak in public against a war that makes no sense.

Wow. That is a lot of ammunition you just unloaded.

Where shall we start?

Why you admire Cindy Sheehan more then Muhammed Ali?

Or why you are wrong regarding the war in Iraq?

Maybe we could start with somthing simple:

Show me a quote or reference where Muhammed Ali "praised the Viet Cong."

"The Viet Cong Never called me no Nigger" does not count, that is damning others, not praising them.

[YaYa123]

My aol dictionary defines "meritorious" as "deserving honor or esteem'.

Everyone one of these people deserve at least that for their accomplishments. They are the tops in their fields, and I think it's important the president can recognize and reward American excellence.

"Freedom" is the misnomer here.

[Michael.SF.]

Those of us who lived through these times

I turned 18 in 1973. I got lucky with a high lottery number. Many of my friends did not. I recall these times and felt then as you do now regarding Ali.

I will tell you what changed my mind:

The Supreme Court over turned the case. Ali was targeted by bigots in Kentucky simply because they wanted to shut up the uppity and mouthy 'N'. They were wrong, the SC said so and agreed.

Muhammed Ali then returned to the ring and IMHO opinion stood the test of time and prooved that his reasons were valid.

Let me ask you this, in all seriousness: Do you feel the same way against all Conscientious objector's?

Do you also feel that people then have no right to be a true Conscientious Objector?

I will also add that anyone who hides falsely behind CO status, should go to jail. I do believe that Ali was a true CO and that this was within his rights.

[laconic]

I don't "admire" Cassisu Clay at all; he's lived the high life and paid very little for it while he spat on this country. I respect Cindy Sheehan both for: 1) raising a son who was willing to fight and lose his life for his country and, 2) for having the courage to speak out against a war (and NOT the soldiers fighting it) whose course has proven that we never should have been involved in it in the first place and whose outcome to date has primarily benefitted the neighboring lunatic asylum called Iran.

[Gay State Conservative]

Far too much here to comment on in less than 100,000 words. I was,and still am,highly suspicious of those who claimed CO status.I'm very strongly inclined to think that the large majority were phonies who,if their application was denied,would have fled to Canada.

To put it another way,I firmly believe that there were many Ho Chi Minh/Mao Tse tung sympathizers in the ranks of CO applicants.

[Michael.SF.]

I agree with all of that.

But I came to the conclusion, years ago, that Ali was a real CO. He paid the price for it and was willing to go to prison for his beliefs.

I believe him, you don't. Other then that I think we are on the same page.

[Michael.SF.]

whose course has proven that we never should have been involved in it in the first place

I am reminded of a line from the movie, Slaughter House Five, I do not recall the characters name, but he was the American dressed in snazzy officer's uniform talking to the prisoner's, in an attempt to get them to fight against Russia. The line was:

"History will prove you an Ass"

It seems appropriate at this time.

[FreedomCalls]

-Gen. Richard Myers. He recently retired as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

This is the only one I disagree with you on. And it's on a technicality. The military already have awards to recognize meritorious military service. He received all those he deserved. The PMoF is primarily for civilian service. Now if Myers did something after he left the military that was noteworthy, then he deserves it. Otherwise I'll have to say no if it just repeats what he got in the military, just as I did when one was given to Tommy Franks.

[Killborn]

Ok, that's a reasonable objection.

[dancusa]

How about Jabbar Gibson? Why only famous elitist types get the award?

[Pharmboy]

Great choice...

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

Next..?


RICK RESCORLA: 911 Lifesaving Hero, R.I.P.

http://www.strategyzoneonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24361

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[kaktuskid]

Don't forget Andy's highly underrated film "A Face In The Crowd"....his character reminded me of another famous Arkansian (hint..hint)

[George Smiley]

Don't forget Andy's highly underrated film "No Time For Sergeants", either.