I find some of these very interesting... I bolded the ones I like. This worth discussing?

Friday, November 4, 2005
Associated Press
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WASHINGTON - 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, who lives in Berrien Springs, Mich., 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. The Detroit native 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 tournaments as a professional and 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 was 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.

An interesting cross-section. I'm not Greenspan's biggest fan (nor biggest detractor), but there's no doubting his influence. Giving the medal to sports legends strikes me as odd (aside from notions of "breaking the color barrier"), but not unreasonable. Giving the award to Myers kinda reminds me of those that went to Bremer/Tenet/Franks, but I'd have to find out more info to back up or allay that feeling.

Quibbles aside, not a bad selection and some truly admirable choices included.

Giving the medal to sports legends strikes me as odd (aside from notions of "breaking the color barrier"), but not unreasonable.

What really strikes me as odd with giving this to Muhammad Ali was that he was a draft dodger. I respect Ali, and I can't say that if I were alive during the 60s that I wouldn't have done the same thing. BUT he was a draft dodger, and we are in a time of war right now. Very odd if you ask me.

What is the point of such a diluted "award?" Thanks for being famous?

I think if you did a lil research you'd find Ali dedicated his life to a great deal outside of boxing.

Fandros

I think if you did a lil research you'd find Ali dedicated his life to a great deal outside of boxing.

Fandros

Yeppers!

Ali, I am sure, is being recognized for his contributions both in the U.S. and in Africa. His history as a boxing champion has allowed many doors to be opened that may otherwise have been closed to him and the charitable groups he works with, which has made working with the impoverished easier in some areas opf the African continent.

Sonny Montgomery is long overdue, IMO.

Carol Burnett has also done a lot of work off camera in the charitable arena, and is a staunch supporter of programs aimed at treating alcoholism.

I am unaware of anything Aretha Franklin has done outside of her music, other than going bankrupt due to lavish spending.

Jack Nicklaus also rings no bells other than his golf game.

I am very much in agreement with Akipt on the three he highlighted, although I would have thought Greenspan would not have received his for another year at least. And I do want to point out that Ali was NOT a draft dodger in the common usage we were familiar with in those days, since he did not go into hiding or falsify his paperwork. He refused to serve based on his Islamic faith and the teachings of the Koran. (Just like our Bible, folks can use the religious book to justify either end of the spectrum)

More Ali wikipedia'ing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassius_Clay) for the lazy.


It was also in this same year that he refused to serve in the American army during the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector, famously saying that he "got nothing against no Viet Cong" - largely misquoted as "No Vietnamese ever called me a nigger." Ali was stripped of his championship belt and his license to box, and was sentenced to five years in prison. The sentence was overturned on appeal three years later, by a unanimous decision of the Supreme Court.

Ali's actions in refusing military service and aligning himself with the Nation of Islam, made him a lightning rod of controversy, turning the outspoken but popular former champion into one of that era's most recognizable and controversial figures. Appearing at rallies with Nation of Islam leaders Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X, and declaring his allegiance to them at a time when mainstream America viewed them with suspicion—if not actual hostility—made Ali a target of outrage, and suspicion as well. Ali seemed at times to even provoke such reactions, with viewpoints that wavered from support for civil rights to outright support of racial separatism.


And you can do a similar read-up on conscientious objection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscientious_objector) to war whie you're there.

I'm back to working in the basement of an ancilary building at St. Joe's hospital in downtown Phoenix. Part of St. Joe's here is the Barrow Neurological (http://www.thebni.com/home.asp) Institute. BNI is the home to the Muhammad Ali Parkinson's Center at Barrow Neurological (http://www.maprc.com/home/default.aspx). Ali's face is on "the CHW billboard" at Central and Thomas in Phoenix about half the time - alternating between him and children's care, generally. While obviously he has a personal stake in Parkinson's research, he gives greatly of his time, money (and fame) to the cause.

A good list and deserving for all in some way. only one i can object to would be general myers, after all this is meant to be a civilian recognition?!?
pretty sure myers has more medals pinned to his chest than he can even wear /shrug not a big deal really

Paul HarveyGood day.