Bush Chooses Uribe, Blair, Howard For Medal Of Freedom

WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush is giving the nation's highest civilian award to three foreign leaders who have been among his most loyal partners on the world stage, particularly in the Iraq war.

Bush is awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and to two former leaders: former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Bush is conferring the prestigious award on his friends in an East Room ceremony on Jan. 13 _ exactly one week before he leaves office, White House press secretary Dana Perino said Monday.

"The president is honoring these leaders for their work to improve the lives of their citizens and for their efforts to promote democracy, human rights and peace abroad," she said. "All three leaders have been staunch allies of the United States, particularly in combating terrorism."

The Medal of Freedom was established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to recognize civilians for their efforts during World War II. The award was reinstated by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 to honor distinguished service. It is given to those deemed to have made remarkable contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, culture, or other private or public endeavors.

Prior to these three leaders, Bush has awarded 78 medals during his tenure in office.

Among the most controversial came in December 2004, when Bush gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former CIA Director George Tenet, former Iraq administrator L. Paul Bremer and retired Gen. Tommy Franks, three people central to his early policy in Iraq. Bush was especially criticized for including Tenet, who came under fire for intelligence failures leading to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the Iraq war.

Comments

[vugo]

Only John Howard could accept this award with anything other than shame...

War buys lesser men a place in history.

[marignymitch]

These poodles have worked hard to make Junior happy. And humiliated themselves and their nations in the process. So I think the awards are appropriate; the medals will be the only thing they can hold onto after destroying the respective careers. In addition I see no harm in it seeing as how Junior has devalued the Medal of Freedom to worthlessness.

[SiberianRat]

AAAAAMEN!

[dctackett]

How about the Medal of Awesomeness?... really, who cares who this guy gives some "award" to...

I'd love to give Bush the Medal of Incompetence and the Dunce Hat of Super Smartiness...

really, though, giving medals and pins and other such awards is kind of lame...

[ErnestineBass]

Harry Truman must be spinning in his g r a v e .

[Deparis]

Just the line up is telling...

[curiousasheck]

Medal of Freedom
http://www.crestock.com/images/270000-279999/279594-xs.jpg

[bluevistas]

how about the "Civilian Award" be given to actual "civilians"?

[deke4]

I forgot to add that those receiving the awards lost their last election, or would have lost because of their support of the Bush stupidity.

[americanalien]

Tony Blair is such a loser. I have not one ounce of respect for him.

[Hirnlego]

Kill tons of people. Receive awards. Good message to the world.
This is the equivalent of the muslim fundamentalists promising those 72 virgins.

Sickening.

[Bozwellian]

For sure a double time gag !!! These folks are truly depraved helmsmen who care NOT the suffering of ordiary folks who are the ACCEPTABLE and expextable casualties of the consequences of the helms decisions that has brought death and destruction and enflamed the world.
Bush has no sense of shame, does not and is incapable of realizing the depth of depravity his egregiously wrong decisions have been.

[ErnestineBass]

Sociopaths are like that.

[KCFreedom]

It's time for a new medal. This one has become tainted with stank.

The "PMOF" should be retired or only awarded for what it has become, the "Poodle Tag". Perhaps it should come on a read white and blue flea collar.

[WorkingClass]

That George. He is one funny dude. Uribe? The medal of FREEDOM? Hahahaha Your killin me.

[corujoj]

This just doesn't seem like a time to be giving out awards. Don't these @#$%ing politicians get tired of patting themselves on the back for the jobs well done?

- Really, at least Hollywood has something to show for it. They can give themselves awards every week of the year if they'd like, but with the looming grey cloud moving over America and it's economy, the last thing these twits should be doing is precisely that.

Will Brownie be getting a lifetime achievement award?

[dukeman]

Don't forget, Blair brown-nosed Clinton as well.

[StraightouttaLondon]

Clinton awarded this honour to German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and the award has gone to a couple of Popes in the past so there is a precedent for it going to non US citizens...

[1differentdrummer]

Okay, that needs to change, civilian citizens only. On another note, I'll bet these guys really will cherish an award from this miserable failure. Oh sure.

[Hirnlego]

Medal of freedom? To popes? You gotta be kidding.