I'm a little amused at the list.
Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients were announced yesterday. I find the list amusing - it just screams "MUST BE DIVERSE." It's almost as though Obama went through a checklist of identity groups and made sure he had one of everything. Gay activist? Okay, yep, got one of those. Black guy? sure. Native American? Of course (doesn't appear on this list, but there is one). Latina (wise or not)? Yep! Brainy handicapped person? You betcha! Cancer victim? Check! Even Republicans are represented!
The 16 honorees named by the White House include Harvey Milk, the San Francisco supervisor who led an early movement for gay rights in public life and was assassinated. Also named were the late Republican congressman Jack Kemp, a onetime pro football standout as well, and ailing Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.
The president's choices, who will be honored at a White House ceremony Aug. 12, include the Rev. Joseph Lowery, an American civil rights activist; and Desmond Tutu, the South African archbishop and Nobel laureate. They include a pioneer in sports for women, tennis star Billie Jean King; and the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Actor Sidney Poitier and singer Chita Rivera were also named. Among the honorees from the international scene are British cosmologist Stephen Hawking and Mary Robinson, the first female president of Ireland and a former United Nations high commissioner for human rights.
Harvey Milk, Sidney Poitier among Obama's Medal of Freedom recipients -- chicagotribune.com
The 16 honorees named by the White House include Harvey Milk, the San Francisco supervisor who led an early movement for gay rights in public life and was assassinated. Also named were the late Republican congressman Jack Kemp, a onetime pro football standout as well, and ailing Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.
The president's choices, who will be honored at a White House ceremony Aug. 12, include the Rev. Joseph Lowery, an American civil rights activist; and Desmond Tutu, the South African archbishop and Nobel laureate. They include a pioneer in sports for women, tennis star Billie Jean King; and the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Actor Sidney Poitier and singer Chita Rivera were also named. Among the honorees from the international scene are British cosmologist Stephen Hawking and Mary Robinson, the first female president of Ireland and a former United Nations high commissioner for human rights.
Harvey Milk, Sidney Poitier among Obama's Medal of Freedom recipients -- chicagotribune.com