Psychoblues
01-11-2009, 02:31 AM
Unbelievable but true nonetheless. A sad commentary on American awards.
Source: Financial Times
Now with a gong, not a whimper. George W. Bush is ending his days in the White House with the unapologetic award next week of the presidential medal of freedom to three world leaders who were among his staunchest allies: Tony Blair, the former British premier, John Howard, former prime minister of Australia, and President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia.
The award puts Mr Blair in an eclectic group of those - such as Walt Disney, Nelson Mandela, Frank Sinatra and Mother Teresa - who have received not only the presidential medal but the congressional gold medal, the two highest civilian honours the US can bestow.
For the more self-regarding recipient, the congressional gold medal carries a bonus: each is created specifically for the person being honoured, whose preferences are taken into account. The award to a distinguished cardiac surgeon, for example, might show a heart; while the medal for a famous aviator might depict an aeroplane or an eagle.
It is tricky to sum up the career of a statesman in a single image. So perhaps it is no surprise that the design for Mr Blair's congressional medal - awarded in 2003 after the invasion of Iraq - has still not been agreed: the US Commission of Fine Arts was recommending changes even in November last year.
One obvious choice of design is not open to him. The flying shoe has already become a potent symbol of the Iraqi conflict. But good manners surely dictate that Mr Blair leave that one for Mr Bush, should a future Congress decide to award the ex-president a gold medal. Another unkind suggestion is a dog collar, conveying piety and poodle.
Alternatively, a focus on Mr Blair's international role might suggest leaving the reverse of the medal blank, to commemorate the total absence of weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq.
But to capture the essence of Mr Blair as the leader who made the UK an ally loyal beyond Mr Bush's dreams, perhaps the right image is two rickety bridges: across the Atlantic and over the Channel.
More: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1152dd88-dedc-11dd-9464-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1
:beer::cheers2::beer:
Psychoblues
Source: Financial Times
Now with a gong, not a whimper. George W. Bush is ending his days in the White House with the unapologetic award next week of the presidential medal of freedom to three world leaders who were among his staunchest allies: Tony Blair, the former British premier, John Howard, former prime minister of Australia, and President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia.
The award puts Mr Blair in an eclectic group of those - such as Walt Disney, Nelson Mandela, Frank Sinatra and Mother Teresa - who have received not only the presidential medal but the congressional gold medal, the two highest civilian honours the US can bestow.
For the more self-regarding recipient, the congressional gold medal carries a bonus: each is created specifically for the person being honoured, whose preferences are taken into account. The award to a distinguished cardiac surgeon, for example, might show a heart; while the medal for a famous aviator might depict an aeroplane or an eagle.
It is tricky to sum up the career of a statesman in a single image. So perhaps it is no surprise that the design for Mr Blair's congressional medal - awarded in 2003 after the invasion of Iraq - has still not been agreed: the US Commission of Fine Arts was recommending changes even in November last year.
One obvious choice of design is not open to him. The flying shoe has already become a potent symbol of the Iraqi conflict. But good manners surely dictate that Mr Blair leave that one for Mr Bush, should a future Congress decide to award the ex-president a gold medal. Another unkind suggestion is a dog collar, conveying piety and poodle.
Alternatively, a focus on Mr Blair's international role might suggest leaving the reverse of the medal blank, to commemorate the total absence of weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq.
But to capture the essence of Mr Blair as the leader who made the UK an ally loyal beyond Mr Bush's dreams, perhaps the right image is two rickety bridges: across the Atlantic and over the Channel.
More: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1152dd88-dedc-11dd-9464-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1
:beer::cheers2::beer:
Psychoblues