dailymail--2019-05-07--You are truly one of a kind Trump shares video tribute of Tiger Woods after Medal of Freedom

'You are truly one of a kind!' Trump shares video tribute of Tiger Woods after Medal of Freedom

President Donald Trump has one more gift on Tuesday for golf legend Tiger Woods, whom he awarded the highest civilian honor to a day prior.  The U.S. president and friend of the Masters champion released a video tribute to Woods of his winning shot and an award ceremony at the White House attended by lawmakers, the golfer's family and his girlfriend.  'Congratulations @TigerWoods - you are truly one of a kind!' the U.S. president said in a tweet.  Trump awarded Woods the Medal of Freedom on Monday evening in a Rose Garden ceremony.  The president said that Woods, 43, is 'one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports' and has inspired people worldwide with his barrier-breaking victories, capped by a comeback at this year's tournament.  'He's also a great person. He's a great guy,' Trump declared. 'He inspired millions of young Americans with his thrilling wire-to-wire victories. Tiger Woods is a global symbol of american excellence, devotion, and drive.'  The first African-American to win the Masters and the youngest golfer to take the title, Woods won his first major tournament in 11 years in April after suffering severe injuries that threatened to end his career forever.  Woods cried at the White House as he talked about his late father and spoke about his 'amazing' comeback this year and the 'unbelievable experience' of winning the award in front his mother, children, caddy, girlfriend Erica Herman, the president and first lady Melania Trump.  'You've seen the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, and I would not be in this position without all your help,' he told his family. 'I've battled, I try to hang in there, and I've tried to come back and play the great game of golf again.'  The citation for the award said that Woods was being honored for the 5 Masters tournaments he's won, beginning in 1997 when he became the first black man and the youngest golfer ever to clinch the title. He won again in 2019, becoming the second-oldest champ.  President Trump also noted that Woods has 81 PGA tour victories under his belt - one victory behind the all-time record.  Trump also had another statistic he wanted to point out:  he said that Woods' victory in April led to 'record-setting ratings' for a Masters tournament.  'We are in the presence of a true legend, an extraordinary athlete who has transformed golf and achieved new levels of dominance,' he said.  He hailed Woods, whom he's relied on to boost his own popularity throughout his own career, as an entrepreneur and a philanthropist, as well as an athlete.  'That's how I originally met Tiger,' the former real estate mogul acknowledged in the Rose Garden on Monday evening.  After Woods' first Masters victory in '97, he celebrated at Trump's Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City. The men have been business partners since 2014, when they opened the Tiger Woods Villa at the future president's golf club in Doral, Florida.  Prior to the deal, the golfer took a break from the sport after tearing his ACL in 2008, admitting to infidelity in 2009 and divorcing his wife and mother of his children, Swedish model Elin Nordegren, the following year, in 2010.  He was arrested for drunk driving in 2017, when Florida law enforcement officers found five types of drugs in his system. He said he'd over medicated in response to back pain that caused him to quit competing two years earlier.  Woods was back on the course a month later in New Jersey, playing the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club, where he ran into his old friend, who'd become president, Donald Trump.  Trump hinted at the controversies at Monday's ceremony, as he recalled Woods' unexpected victory in the 2008 U.S. Open, despite having two leg fractures and a torn ACL.  'He's got a great memory, this guy. And he remembers the good stuff. Not the bad. We don't want to - we just, what you did there was amazing,' the president said, recounting the blow-by-blow of the victory.  The president said that Woods 'fought through the terrible pain, and he fought all the way back to the summit of golf' to win the PGA championship a decade later.  Last month, Woods shocked the world with 'one of the most incredible comebacks that golf or any sport as ever seen,' winning the Masters, Trump recalled.  'Tiger was back on top and won his first major in 11 years, and that was some major, with record-setting television,' he said.  Trump said he'd present the golfer with the Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony shortly after the surprise victory.  Trump said Monday that Woods is known for 'pushing boundaries, defying limits and always striving for greatness' in a way that embodies the American spirit.  'Tiger, we are inspired by everything you have become and attained, the job you have done is incredible: your spectacular achievements on the golf course, your triumph over physical adversity, and your relentless will to win, win, win,' he said.  He said Woods is someone 'whose tenacity, willpower and unrelenting drive' is an inspiration to everyone.  'Congratulations again on your amazing comeback and your amazing life,' he told his friend. 'And for giving sports fans everywhere a lifetime of memories. We can't wait to see what's next Tiger. It's going to be good. We know that, it's going to be good, because there are no winners like you.'  Woods noted that Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Charlie Sifford had received the award before him. President George W. Bush honored the first two golfers and President Barack Obama gave the Medal of Freedom to the latter.  Sifford was a mentor to Woods, who said in his speech that he thought of the late golfer as a grandfather. He named his son Charlie after the legendary athlete.  'So to have been chosen as the next golfer, after Charlie, is truly remarkable. So thank you, again, and thank you Mr. President,' he told Trump, before shaking his hand and posing for photos with the first couple, his family, and Herman.  Woods said in an Instagram post after the ceremony: 'It’s an incredible privilege to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Considering the recipients, history, and what this means to me and my family, it’s also very humbling. Thank you all for your support and I hope this inspires others to never give up on their dreams.'  Woods is a frequent golf partner of Trump's. So is Nicklaus. Both professionals play with the billionaire at his Florida properties.  The next professional tournament that Woods will play the Zozo Championship in Japan. Held at Accordia Golf Chiba Narashino Country Club, the tournament takes place roughly 50 miles outside of Tokyo. It's at the end of October.  He's also playing the Presidents Cup at the Royal Melbourne in Australia from Dec. 12-15, a tournament he's captaining on behalf of the United States.  Trump and past American presidents has been invited to attend the golf tournament.


dailymail--2019-09-05--Trump gives Lakers legend Jerry West presidential Medal of Freedom

Donald Trump awarded another sports player, former Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Jerry West, the presidential Medal of Freedom at a small Thursday ceremony in the Oval Office.  West is the sixth current or former professional athlete who Trump has honored with the prestigious award, and he joins basketball greats Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in winning the highest national honor for a civilian.  Trump said the 81-year-old West, who went on to coach the Lakers is a 'great man, great player and is going to be around for a long time' in short remarks at the scripted event. The president said he is a 'legend and make plays that will be remembered for forever' by sports enthusiasts like himself.  West told the president, 'I swear my name is going to look like a misprint on this list. Mr. President, thank you for including me on this incredible group of people.'  West played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 14 seasons, until 1974, before he became the team's coach and later its general manager.  Late in his career, he took over operations for the Memphis Grizzlies.  He has also served as a board member for the Warriors and consulted for the Los Angeles Clippers.  Reveling in his career as a player, the president said Thursday that one of West's best games came in the 1962 finals against the Celtics.  'Jerry rallied the Lakers and tried it and tried very hard I will tell you he tried so hard and it was a great rally, and he was up 115 to 115 with only three seconds left,' he said.  'The Celtics had the ball and Sam Jones. He was a good one...Sam Jones. They're all good on that team. He passed to the legendary Bob Cousy, who was here a few weeks ago.'  Trump also awarded Cousy a Medal of Freedom in August in the Oval Office.  He suggested that he was honoring West, too, immediately after because of his ties to West Virginia, a state the president won in the 2016 election.  'I shouldn't say this but I won it by 43 points,' he said in the Oval Office in front of the state's governor Jim Justice and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin.  The president indicated that he'd be talking to the West Virginia politicians after the Medal of Freedom event about Manchin's bipartisan background check bill, which Trump has waffled on supporting.  'I think we're going to meet on a certain subject later on, and that's good,' he stated.  Of West, he said the former basketball player 'taught himself on the the dirty surfaces of his neighborhoods' in West Virginia to play the sport.  'When it rained his sister would call him and say 'it's called the Mud Waller. Do you remember that at all, Jerry, you the mud waller? But nothing ever stopped you,' he asserted.  Since his retirement, West has become a veteran's rights advocate, the president said in the Oval Office.  'As a passionate supporter of our nation's veterans,' the president said at the event, 'Jerry works harder than just about anybody I can imagine.'  The White House said in a statement that Trump is honoring the sports hero and West Virginia native for his contribution to the game as an athlete and as an executive.  'After his playing career, Mr. West was a legendary NBA General Manager, responsible for building the successful Lakers organization of the 1980s and 2000s,' the White House statement said. 'The United States now proudly honors Jerry West, whose excellence and determination have made him an American sports icon.'  For the last two decades of his professional career, West served as the executive vice president of basketball operations for the Lakers.  In that role, the president said his hiring of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal 'two truly great players' was notable as it helped the Lakers create 'an unstoppable force in the NBA.'


dailymail--2019-09-17--Melania Trump wows in a chic white suit at Medal of Freedom ceremony

Melania Trump almost stole the spotlight from Medal of Freedom recipient Mariano Rivera when she arrived at the Yankee legend's ceremony in an incredibly stylish white suit.  The 49-year-old first lady looked like she meant business as she made her way into the East Room of the White House on Monday in order to watch her husband Donald Trump present the honor to the retired baseball star.  Keeping the look incredibly simple, Melania paired the suit - the same custom made Dior design that she wore to the State of the Union in 2018 - with a nude sweater and a pair of pale pink high-heels, which were on full display thanks to the cropped style of her wide-legged pants.  Her brunette locks were left down in loose waves around her shoulders - a 'do that is known as Melania's signature style - and she also modeled her favorite smokey eye look.  She finished the look off with some perfectly-manicured nails, which appeared to have been painted with a French tip, and a slick of pale pink lipstick.  Melania looked fairly somber as she made her way into the East Room, walking past several members of the military who were standing on either side of the doorway in their dress uniforms. However once inside the ceremony, her mood appeared to lighten and she was seen cracking a smile as she stood among her fellow guests.  During the touching ceremony, President Trump cited Mariano, an aggressive but well-loved relief hurler, for his bat-shredding cut fastball and his legendary humanitarian streak.  Trump also praised him for becoming the only Major League player ever elected to the Hall of Fame with unanimous support.  'Just out of curiosity, Babe Ruth was not unanimously elected?' Trump mused. 'The Babe didn't make it? What was his problem? He did pretty good too!'  Melania watched on quietly as the ceremony went on, smiling every now and then as both her husband and Mariano spoke at the podium.  The first lady was then seen making a stylish exit alongside her husband, holding his hand as they made their way out of the East Room.  Melania will no doubt have been thrilled to make such a stylish statement at Monday's event - particularly as her fashion choices came under some intense scrutiny last week, when critics slammed the mother-of-one over a seam on her dress.  After President Trump tweeted a 9/11 tribute image on Wednesday - the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks - some people hit out at Melania over her choice of ensemble in the snap, insisting that a seam and button detail on the back of the custom Herve Pierre jacket she was seen wearing resembled a plane crashing into a skyscraper.  Although the image, which captured the first couple from the back, was actually taken last year during their trip to the 9/11 memorial in Pennsylvania, when Melania was photographed wearing the coat from all different angles, Trump's decision to tweet the photo ignited a frenzy of outrage online.  Shortly after the tribute image was shared on social media by the president, dozens of users responded to criticize the sartorial choice, prompting a furious backlash that White House spokesperson Stephanie Grisham has since slammed as 'ridiculous'.  Hopefully this coming week will be filled with more positive experiences for the first lady, particularly after it was revealed on Friday that she is going to re-open the Washington Memorial on Thursday.  The first lady will be front and center on Thursday when the famous landmark reopens to the public after it was closed for three years for repairs, her office announced on Friday.  Melania will take part in an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, and will ride the elevator to the top of the iconic building, which suffered serious damage during an August 23, 2011, earthquake that struck the nation's capital and the rest of the Eastern seaboard.


foxnews--2019-11-21--Trump honors Jon Voight, James Patterson, others with National Medal of Arts, National Humanities Me

Trump honors Jon Voight, James Patterson, others with National Medal of Arts, National Humanities Medal

President Trump on Thursday honored eight people with the National Medal of the Arts and the National Humanities Medal -- four in each category.  Recipients included novelist James Patterson, actor Jon Voight, and the musicians of the U.S. military, among others.  “These are the highest honors available for contributions to American art and culture,” the president stated. Vice President Pence, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos were in the audience for the ceremony.  Trump began by honoring actor Voight, whom he called a “great friend” and “one of America’s greatest living legends.” Trump called Voight’s movie “The Champ” “the greatest boxing movie of all time.”  “Everyone was crying at the end of the movie but I tried not to, John,” Trump added.  Voight has starred in dozens of feature films since the late 1960s, when he rose to prominence for his Oscar-nominated role in “Midnight Cowboy.” Voight, the father of actors Angelina Jolie and James Haven, is also known for his roles in “Coming Home,” “Heat,” “The Rainmaker,” and “Ali.” More recently, he was seen in the “National Treasure” series, “Zoolander,” and “Four Christmases,” among others. Voight was an outspoken liberal in his early career, protesting the Vietnam War alongside actress Jane Fonda. However, he endorsed both Sen. Mitt Romney in 2012 and President Trump in 2016. He spoke at an inauguration rally for Trump in January 2017.  “We love having you here, especially since it happens to be somebody that I really like,” said Trump.  Sharon Percy Rockefeller was the wife of former West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, but her philanthropic work and public advocacy are what earned her the medal. As first lady of West Virginia, Rockefeller worked on behalf of the state’s schoolchildren, among other causes.  Rockefeller promoted the Public Broadcasting Service and served as the CEO and president of WETA, D.C.’s flagship public television and radio stations. She chairs the Board of Trustees for the National Gallery of Art. She also serves on the board of the Museum of Modern Art, Sibley Memorial Hospital and the Rockefeller Foundation.  Next, Trump presented a medal to author Patterson, whom he called a personal friend and “one of the most prolific and talented fiction authors of all time.”  Patterson has written 277 books and sold over 400 million copies. “You’ve sold a lot more books than me. More than anyone except maybe one -- the Bible has you by a little bit,” said Trump.  PRESIDENT TRUMP PRESENTS MEDAL OF HONOR TO GREEN BERET FOR 2008 AFGHANISTAN HEROICS  Among Patterson’s works are “Red Alert,” “Along Came a Spider,” “The President is Missing” which he co-wrote with former President Bill Clinton, and “Filthy Rich,” a story of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, published in 2016, years before the shocking 2019 revelations that led to his arrest and subsequent apparent suicide.  Of Patterson’s works, 218 titles have earned a spot on The New York Times bestseller list, and 95 have ranked No. 1.  Trump then turned to Allison Krauss. Krauss is an American bluegrass-country singer. She’s won 27 Grammy awards and 42 nominations, earning more Grammy awards than any other woman. She’s known for hits such as “Every Time You Say Goodbye,” “Baby Now That I’ve Found You,” “Whiskey Lullaby” and "When You Say Nothing at All.”  TRUMP PRESENTS MEDAL OF HONOR TO FORMER ARMY STAFF SERGEANT WHO RESCUED ENTIRE SQUAD IN IRAQ  The president then honored Patrick O’Connell as “one of the greatest chefs of our time.” O’Connell opened The Inn at Little Washington, which Trump said he and the first lady planned to visit.  Also honored was the Claremont Institute for informing Americans how America’s founding principles “made this nation the greatest of anywhere on earth.”  He then honored Teresa Lozano Long for her support of the arts. Together with her husband, Long has donated over $130 million to universities and institutions in Texas. She is also the namesake of the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS) at the University of Texas at Austin, for which she and her husband created a $10 million endowment.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP  Lastly, Trump recognized the musicians of the U.S. military. “Forming 136 bands worldwide, they perform over 35,000 times each year, from concert halls to war zones,” the president said. “Many could be in great concert halls of the world but this is where they want to be.”


inquisitr--2019-11-18--Actor Jon Voight To Receive The National Medal Of Arts From President Trump

This will mark the first year that President Trump will recognize an artist with the award since taking office.  President Donald Trump will be awarding Academy Award-winning actor Jon Voight with the National Medal of Arts at a White House ceremony to take place later this week.  According to The Hill, Voight — who is one of the president’s most outspoken supporters in all of Hollywood — will receive the prestigious award for his “exceptional capacity as an actor to portray deeply complex characters,” a statement from the White House said.  “Captivating audiences, he has given us insights into the richness of the human mind and heart,” the statement read.  Thursday will mark the first time the president has chosen to recognize an artist with the award, as he declined to do so in his first two years in the White House, as Hot Air reported. The late President Ronald Reagan, a former actor himself, signed the bill into law in 1984, which created the program to recognize the accomplishments of those in the arts.  The decision for Trump to recognize Voight for the award drew both criticism and praise from several media outlets.  “Until this point, Trump has shown little enthusiasm for the arts world. For three years running, he’s proposed budgets attempting to zero out federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts,” The Atlantic‘s Peter Nicholas wrote.  Voight won an Academy Award for his 1978 performance in the movie, Coming Home. The 80-year-old actor also has several Academy Award nominations under his belt from a number of films spanning his long and successful career in Tinseltown.  Not only has the actor publicly supported Trump and his presidency, he has often praised the president for his work in the White House while taking aim at his liberal counterparts in Hollywood and across the nation.  “Our country is stronger, safer and with more jobs because our president has made his every move correct,” Voight said in May. “Don’t be fooled by the political left because we are the people of this nation that is witnessing triumph,” he added.  Author James Patterson and bluegrass artist Alison Krauss will also be recognized at the White House ceremony on Thursday. Patterson, who authored a book about Jeffrey Epstein in 2016, will reportedly receive the National Humanities Medal.  As The Inquisitr previously reported, the awards ceremony will take place during the same week that the House Intelligence Committee — chaired by Rep. Adam Schiff — will interview a number of new witnesses in the ongoing impeachment investigation into the president.  One of the witnesses, Jennifer Williams, who works as an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, will be in the spotlight as a recent transcript release of her previous closed-door testimony revealed that she believed the president’s July 25 phone call with Ukraine’s president was “inappropriate.”


newspunch--2019-11-19--Trump to Honor Patriotic Actor Jon Voight with National Medal of Arts

Conservative actor Jon Voight will become the first person to receive the esteemed National Medal of Arts since President Donald Trump took office, according to the White House.  The four recipients of the National Medal of Arts and four of the National Humanities Medal were announced by the White House in a statement Sunday night.  The medals will be awarded by President Trump during a ceremony at the White House on Thursday.  Foxnews.com reports: In addition to his work in films and TV, Voight is one of Trump’s few vocal supporters in Hollywood, often deriding the president’s Democratic opposition and previously hailing him as “The greatest president of this century.”  The honors have been an annual affair during past administrations, but they had not been awarded since Trump’s inauguration in January 2017. The most recent arts or humanities medals were bestowed by President Obama in September 2016.  Voight will receive the accolade “for his exceptional capacity as an actor to portray deeply complex characters.” The actor starred in “Midnight Cowboy,” the 1969 film that won an Academy Award for best picture, and he won the best actor Oscar for 1978’s “Coming Home.” He appears in the Showtime series “Ray Donovan.”  The other recipients of the National Medal of Arts will be Alison Krauss, Sharon Percy Rockefeller and The Musicians of the United States Military. Meanwhile, those receiving the National Humanities Medal this year will be The Claremont Institute, Teresa Lozano Long, Patrick O’Connell and James Patterson.  Voight previously took to Twitter to explain to his followers and fellow conservatives in Hollywood why Trump is the best president the United States has seen in a long time.  “This is not peace,” he began. “This is not love. This is hate among the radical left. No amount of book smart will show the given policy of what truth stands for. Truth is a powerful emotion. Love … is what we should be voting for.  “And I must say that we — the Republican Party — have voted for renewal, for a place of safety, a community where all can have peace,” the 80-year-old Academy Award-winning actor continued. “But this is war among the left. They have hate. It’s like a venom. No words of God, no words of love, but a radical emotion of hate.”  Prior to his impassioned speech on Twitter, Voight called Trump the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln, who died in office in 1865.


newyorkpost--2019-10-08--Trump awards Medal of Freedom to former attorney general Edwin Meese

WASHINGTON — President Trump awarded the Medal of Freedom Tuesday to Edwin Meese III, calling the former attorney general “a titan” and “a star.”  Meese was attorney general under President Ronald Reagan and has since been a longtime conservative legal and thought leader at the Heritage Foundation.  “He was a star,” Trump said of Meese’s work in the Reagan administration during a crowded Oval Office ceremony.  “You are a loyal fighter for freedom, champion for law and order,” Trump told Meese.  Trump put the medal around Meese’s neck and praised him for a “lifetime of exceptional service and devotion to our country.”  Meese was joined by his wife, Ursula, and their children, grandchildren, grandson and other family members. Also on hand were conservative radio host Mark Levin and his wife Julie, who are personal friends of Meese.  Meese, 87, thanked the president and said he would cherish the medal forever. He praised Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for making “one of the finest teams we’ve ever had in our country.”  Meese thanked President Reagan, his family, his colleagues and friends, including Levin.  Levin also spoke and thanked Trump “for everything you’re doing for this country.”  The White House gave Meese the highest civilian honor because he “helped to craft a foreign policy strong enough to end the Cold War and played a pivotal role in securing historic tax cuts,” a White House statement said. “As Attorney General, he promoted Federalism and the original public understanding of our Constitution.”  Trump has awarded the Medal of Freedom to a number of politicians and athletes.  The recipients have included former Yankee closer Mariano Rivera, former NBA players Jerry West and Bob Cousy, golfer Tiger Woods, former Sen. Orrin Hatch and former NFL quarterback Roger Staubach.


npr--2019-05-07--Trump Gives Presidential Medal Of Freedom To Tiger Woods

Trump Gives Presidential Medal Of Freedom To Tiger Woods  President Trump Monday awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to golfer Tiger Woods in a ceremony at the White House.  Trump praised Woods' many accomplishments on the golf course and his ability to come back from debilitating physical adversity that might have permanently sidelined any other athlete.  "Tiger Woods is a global symbol of American excellence, devotion and drive," Trump said as Woods stood by him. "These qualities embody the American spirit of pushing boundaries, defying limits and always striving for greatness."  With his mother and two children in attendance, Woods thanked his family, personal friends and aides in brief and emotional remarks.  "You've seen the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, and I would not be in this position without all of your help," he said.  Trump has had a contentious relationship with many black athletes but Woods has a long history with the president.  Trump has long been a fan and recently, a business partner of Woods. He announced his decision to give the award to Woods in a tweet, after Woods won the Masters tournament last month at age 43, capping a remarkable comeback from personal turmoil and physical injuries.  In February, Trump tweeted about a round he played with Woods and another champion golfer, Jack Nicklaus, at Trump's course in Jupiter, Florida.  Woods designed a golf course at a Trump property in Dubai. Trump also named a villa after Woods at his Trump Doral resort near Miami.  Not everyone is a fan of Trump's decision to award Woods the Medal of Freedom, or of Wood's decision to accept it. Writer Rick Reilly, whose book Commander In Cheat portrays Trump as a notorious flouter of golf rules, tweeted Woods should spurn the award, because he says, Trump "thinks golf should only be for the rich."  Monday's ceremony is the second time in less than six months that Trump has awarded Medals of Freedom. In November, the President gave the award to a number of people, including Elvis and Babe Ruth.  Woods becomes the fourth professional golfer to receive the medal, along with Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Charlie Sifford. Woods said in the ceremony that Sifford was a mentor and that he named his own son, Charlie, after him.


rt--2019-05-07--Trump critics drag Tiger Woods over Medal of Freedom

Golfer Tiger Woods received the highest US civilian decoration from President Donald Trump, prompting media and Democrats to brand him a Trump crony and dismiss his accomplishments in sports and life.  At the ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on Monday, Trump called Woods a “global symbol of American excellence, devotion and drive,” an extraordinary golfer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.  Anyone associated with the president in any way becomes a target for Trump’s critics, however – including the legendary golfer.  Woods, now 43, became the first golfer of African-American or Asian heritage to win a Major when he claimed victory at the Masters in 1997.  He has also won a ‘Career Grand Slam’ of all four Majors, at one stage holding the US Open, British Open, PGA Championship, and Masters titles simultaneously.  He hit a rough patch for several years due to personal trouble and injury, but came back to win the Masters last month, prompting Trump to announce he would honor him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  Some in the mainstream media, which has spent years accusing Trump of corruption, being an agent of the Kremlin, or both, now insinuated that some kind of money-making scheme was behind the president’s decision to decorate Woods.  Trump is an avid golfer and owns some 17 golf resorts in the US and abroad. He has also bestowed the Medal of Freedom on three other athletes so far: football players Roger Staubach and Alan Page, and baseball legend Babe Ruth.  Woods is the fourth golfer ever to be decorated with the medal, after Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Charles Sifford, the first African-American to play on the PGA Tour. Nicklaus tweeted in support of Woods, as did the PGA.  The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian decoration handed out by the executive branch, and recognizes people who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”  Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!


rt--2019-09-16--Trump awards Medal of Freedom after hard-rocking walkout to Metallicas Enter Sandman

Trump awards Medal of Freedom after hard-rocking walkout to Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’

The awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom is usually a formal affair, but President Donald Trump has broken the mold, walking into the ceremony to the driving metal riffs of Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman.’  Presenting the medal to New York Yankees Hall of Fame pitcher Mariano Rivera on Monday, the President entered the East Room of the White House, with ‘Hail to the Chief’ giving way to the instantly recognizable main riff of Metallica’s 1991 megahit.  The music choice was fitting, as ‘Enter Sandman’ would reverberate through New York’s Yankee Stadium as Rivera walked onto the field to the pitcher’s mound during his career with the ‘Bronx Bombers.’  “Why do they call him the sandman?” Trump said that his wife Melania asked him before the ceremony. “I said because he put the batter to sleep, right, the sandman.”  While the choice of tunes was a hit with Trump and Rivera’s fans, the anti-Trump crowd were predictably displeased. “Few moments in live sports were more enjoyable than Metallica’s Enter Sandman playing as Mariano Rivera came out from bullpen with 50,000 fans on their feet,” journalist Chuck Modi tweeted. “Now Trump has ruined that too.”  Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!


theconservativetreehouse--2019-06-20--President Trump Presents Medal of Freedom to Economist Dr Arthur Laffer Video and Transcript

President Trump Presents Medal of Freedom to Economist Dr. Arthur Laffer – Video and Transcript…

Earlier today President Donald Trump presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Arthur Laffer in the Oval Office.  [Video and Transcript]  [Transcript] – 5:16 P.M. EDT – THE PRESIDENT: Well, this is a big day. Very important for a very important subject. Today it’s my privilege to award our nation’s highest civilian honor to the father of supply-side economics: Dr. Arthur Laffer. (Applause.)  I know Art has been to the Oval Office, unlike most people, many times. But this is a very special time for you. This is a tremendous award. You have the Congressional Medal of Honor on the military side, which, of course, is something incredibly special. And the presidential medal is — I just want to congratulate you. There’s nothing like it, right?  THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Art.  Joining us for this momentous ceremony are Art’s six children. Thank you very much. Congratulations. (Applause.) And we’re also grateful to be joined by Vice President Mike Pence. We just got back from Florida. (Applause.) Had a big night. That was a big night in Orlando, Mike. Right?  Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Alex Acosta, Elaine Chao, and Ben Carson, thank you very much for being here. And our top economic advisor and a great friend — of all of us, actually. I hear that voice and I just say “money, money, money.” Larry Kudlow. (Laughter.) Right? Larry. Thank you, Larry.  THE PRESIDENT: Few people in history have revolutionized economic thought and policy like Dr. Art Laffer.  He developed a brilliant theory, shaped unprecedented economic reforms, and helped turn a severe recession into a remarkable boom. He proved that the most powerful way to grow the economy and raise government revenue was not to increase tax rates but to adopt strong incentives that unleash the power of human freedom and innovate, create jobs, and deliver greater opportunity to all Americans. And he’s proved it over and over again.  A Yale graduate, Art went on to earn his PhD in Economics from Stanford University. He became the youngest-ever tenured professor at the University of Chicago. Oh, that’s good. That wasn’t too long, was it? (Laughter.) He’s very deceiving. He’s a little older than he looks. He looks like he’s in his forties. (Laughter.) He’s a little older than that. Just a little bit, right?  THE PRESIDENT: Don’t talk about it. (Laughs.)  In 1970, Art served as the very first chief economist at the Office of Management and Budget, where he designed an economic model that is still used today to forecast tax revenue and accurately predict economic growth.  Art then returned to the University of Chicago. At the start of the Ford administration, our nation’s economic situation was becoming dire indeed. We remember.  In 1974 alone, 2 million Americans joined the unemployment lines, and inflation hit 11 percent. Right now, we have inflation at almost nothing. (Applause.) I like that better. Don’t you? It’s good to read this because we read this and we realize how well we’re doing right now.  The consensus in Washington, on both sides of the aisle, was that the government could tax, inflate, and regulate its way to prosperity. But Art had a different idea. Right? You did have a different idea. I’d have you tell it. It would be much more interesting, huh?  In 1974, Art came to dinner with the White House Chief Staff — Chief of Staff Don Rumsfeld; Deputy Chief of Staff Dick Cheney — who’s been, by the way, a tremendous supporter, and we appreciate Dick very much; and Wall Street Journal reporter Jude Wanniski.  The dinner has since become very, very legendary in many minds. Art drew on his napkin a series of lines and a curve that changed history. With the now famous “Laffer Curve” — still, a very, very highly respected economic curve — Art showed that if tax rates are too high, people stop spending and they stop investing.  The result is less growth and lower tax revenues. On the other hand, at the certain point on the curve, lower tax rates spur investment, economic growth, and raise government revenue.  I think Steve Forbes agrees with that. (Laughter.) Where’s Steve? I’ve heard you for a long time talking about that. Very much agree.  Prominent academics called this theory “insanity,” “totally wacky,” and “completely off the wall.”  With optimism, confidence, and exceptional intellect, Art would go on to prove them all wrong. He proved them wrong on a number of occasions.  In 1978, California Governor Jerry Brown asked Art to help him implement Proposition 13, which the people had overwhelmingly enacted to dramatically reduce the state property tax. I think they could use it again out there, by the way. They should do that immediately. The results were so successful that job creation soon grew at twice the nationwide rate. Within two years, 43 states adopted similar reforms.  During that same period, Art also advised Ronald Reagan, and helped shape his low-tax, pro-growth agenda. After President Reagan’s election, Art served on the President’s Economic Policy Advisory Board. He played a vital role in both the 1981 and 1986 tax rate cuts, which ultimately lowered the top marginal tax rate from 70 percent to 28 percent. That’s not bad. That’s a pretty big reduction, I would say.  The Reagan economy soared, creating sustained economic growth, shrinking poverty, expanding incomes, and dramatically increasing federal revenue. Sounds very familiar. Sounds very, very familiar, actually. Our economy has never, ever been stronger than it is today. (Applause.) It’s true.  Dr. Laffer’s policies not only expanded opportunity for our citizens; they spurred economic reforms around the world and helped lift untold millions out of poverty. Art has advised many world leaders, including former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher — a great one.  Staying true to the pro-growth vision that Dr. Laffer helped develop, in 2017, we passed historic tax cuts and reforms into law. Now, unemployment has reached its lowest level in over 51 years, with fast-growing wages, low inflation, and real GDP. And this is GDP growth that’s higher than anybody ever thought possible. First quarter was 3.2. And everybody said the first quarter is not going to be so good because the first quarter is never very good for us. But it was not only good; it was double and even triple what people expected. And we’re going to see some other very pleasant surprises, especially when the trade deals are all worked out. And they’re coming along very well, Art, as you know.  Our tax cuts and reforms also created Opportunity Zones in distressed communities, another idea that Dr. Laffer helped develop early in his career.  In 1999, TIME magazine named Dr. Laffer one of the greatest minds of the 20th century. Former Wall Street Journal reporter Jude Wanniski wrote, “In studying public finance, there is nothing more important than an appreciation of the Laffer Curve.” I’ve heard and studied the Laffer Curve for many years in the Wharton School of Finance. It’s a very important thing that you’ve done, Art. Very important.  Dr. Laffer helped inspire, guide, and implement extraordinary economic reforms that recognize the power of human freedom and ingenuity to grow our economy and lift families out of poverty and into a really bright future.  Today, our nation is stronger, our people more prosperous, and the world a much better place because of the brilliance and boldness of Dr. Arthur Laffer.  And it’s now my profound honor to ask the military aide to come forward as I present Dr. Laffer with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It’s my great honor. Thank you. (Applause.)  MILITARY AIDE: Arthur B. Laffer, the Father of Supply-Side Economics, is one of the most influential economists in American history. He is renowned for his economic theory, “The Laffer Curve,” which establishes the strong incentive effects of lower tax rates that spur investment, production, jobs, wages, economic growth, and tax compliance.  Among other accomplishments during his distinguished career, Dr. Laffer was the first chief economist of the Office of Management and Budget and a top economic advisor to President Ronald Reagan.  The United States proudly recognizes Arthur B. Laffer for his public service and his contributions to economic policy, which have helped spur prosperity for our nation.  DR. LAFFER: Oh, my gosh. (Laughter.) When your staff said, “Keep it short,” I didn’t know that’s what they meant. (Laughter.) No, I’m just joking.  THE PRESIDENT: This is your day.  DR. LAFFER: Thank you very much.  Let me, if I can: Sincerity and brevity — or so they say — go hand in hand. And in that vein, Mr. President, I want to thank you from the top, the middle, and the bottom of my heart. Thank you.  Good economic policy is a team effort. And goodness knows my fellow teammates are the best ever: Larry Kudlow, my friend forever and ever and ever. Steve Moore. Where are you, Steve? Steve Moore. Steve Forbes. Steve Forbes canceled his trip abroad to be here today. Is David Malpass here? Kevin Hassett. Team players, Steven Mnuchin, wherever — there you are. You’re way back there. Steven. You don’t get a better team than that, ever. I mean, this is the team of all teams.  And I just want to reflect for a second on some of my past colleagues and working with other administrations. For example, in the past, my colleagues included Nobel Laureate and dear friend Bob Mundell; the legendary editorial page editor, Bob Bartley, of the Wall Street Journal; Jude Wanniski, the crazy, wild revolutionary for supply-side economics; Milton Friedman, of course; my godfather and dearest supporter, Justin Dart; George Schultz, my mentor who has hired me four times and not gotten tired of it yet, I guess; Jack Kemp, who we called, “The Weapon” — he’s delivered it; and my classmate at Yale, and my dear friend, a guy named Dick Cheney. It’s just really wonderful to have — each of whom deserves a lot of praise.  By the way, just for the record, Bob Bartley, Milton Friedman, Justin Dart, George Schultz, Jack Kemp, and Dick Cheney all received the President Medal of Freedom. Isn’t that amazing? I’m in great, great company, let me tell you. I’m awed by that.   But to get over the — to get the ball over the — to get the ball over the goal line, committed leadership is the sine qua non for this. And we had President Kennedy, President Reagan, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and of course, you, Mr. President, Donald Trump, to really make it all happen. Without the leaders — (applause) — and all I can say is, wow.  I mean, you know, President Kennedy established the current Presidential Medal of Freedom, and both President Reagan and Margaret Thatcher were recipients.  My business partner is here. My business partner’s friends and fellow dreamcatchers — a number of whom are here today, by the way — have allowed all of this to happen for me, and I am eternally grateful. They are the salt of the Earth. And, in fact, they actually lived the lives that we economists just talk about. They actually do it. And it is for them that we do what we do. They have kept, do keep, and will keep America prosperous.  And my final shout-out, if I may, is to my family — my wonderful family. All six of my children are here today, as well as Mike Madzin and Mike Stabile. I’m missing my 13 grandchildren and my 4 great-grandchildren, for which I am sure the White House staff is eternally grateful. (Laughter.)  My family makes me very, very proud and gives me a reason every morning to get up and get to work. Thank you. (Applause.)


theconservativetreehouse--2019-06-25--President Trump Presents Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant David Bellavia US Army Video and Tra

President Trump Presents Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, U.S. Army – (Video and Transcript)…

Earlier today in the East Room of the White House U.S. President Donald Trump presented the nation’s highest honor for bravery to Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, U.S. Army [Video and Transcript Below]  [Transcript] – 3:36 P.M. EDT – THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Please. Thank you, Chaplain, very much. It’s really beautiful.  Today, it’s my privilege to award the highest military honor to an American soldier who demonstrated exceptional courage to protect his men and defend our nation. Will you please join me in welcoming Staff Sergeant David Bellavia? David, thank you. (Applause.)  David is the first living recipient to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Iraq War. (Applause.)  We are honored to have with us distinguished leaders of our military. I want to recognize Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist. David, thank you very much. And congratulations. Acting Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy. Come here, Ryan. Let me just say hello to you. (Laughter.) Congratulations. Just happened yesterday, so I have to congratulate. Congratulations. Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Paul Selva. Thank you, Paul. Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley. Hi, Mark. And Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey. Thank you, Daniel, very much.  Thanks as well to members of Congress who join us: Representative Liz Cheney. Thanks, Liz. Chris Collins. Thanks, Chris. Dan Crenshaw. Tom Reed. Thank you. Thank you, Tom. I see you over there, Tom.  THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.  Joining David for this special ceremony is his wife Deanna and three children, Evan, Ayden, and Vivienne, along with his mother Marilyn, and his brothers Daniel and Rand. I want to thank you all for being here. A very special day for you and for all of us. For the nation, actually. Thank you. (Applause.)  David’s father William passed away in 2017. And though he’s no longer with us, we know that today he must be one of those proud dads. He’s looking down upon us from Heaven, and he’s very proud of his son and his son’s family. I have to say that. Thank you, David.  Finally, we are gratified to be joined by eight previous Medal of Honor recipients. And, I have to tell you, I’ve got to know just about all of them. You are forever with us. You inspire us. You are truly brave, great people. Thank you very much for being here. (Applause.) Brave people. Thank you.  David grew up in Western New York. He was the youngest of four children. As a boy, he would listen to stories from his grandfather, a World War Two veteran, and hero in his own right, who earned a Bronze Star in the Normandy campaign. I just came back from Normandy. That was something.  As David remembers, his grandfather’s stories were always “vivid with a source of pride.” And they were delivered very beautifully. There was a nobility and purpose in the infantry. And David saw that a very young age. “I wanted to be what my grandfather was,” David would often say. “I wanted to be part of this noble adventure.” Is that right? That’s a pretty good quote, would you say? Better say “yes,” otherwise I have a problem. (Laughter.)  In 1999, David followed the example of his grandfather, and joined the United States Army Infantry. Several months after the September 11th attack on our nation, David deployed, saying goodbye to his wife and his son, Evan. He served in Germany, Kosovo, and then in Iraq.  In November of 2004, after nearly a year of intense enemy combat in Iraq, David led his squad into battle to liberate the city of Fallujah and anti-Iraqi forces. That was a tough place. This operation was the bloodiest battle of the Iraq War.  For three days straight, David and his men kicked down doors, searched houses, and destroyed enemy weapons, never knowing where they would find a terrorist lurking next. And there were plenty of them.  The third day of battle was November 10th, David’s 29th birthday. That night, his squad was tasked with clearing 12 houses occupied by insurgents. A very dangerous operation. They entered house after house, and secured nine of the buildings.  Then came the 10th. That was a tough one. It was a three-story building surrounded by a nine-foot wall. As they entered the house and moved into the living room, two men were behind concrete barricades. They opened fire on David and everybody.  In the dark of night, shards of glass, brick, and plaster flew into the air, wounding multiple soldiers. The rounds of fire ripped holes into the wall separating the Americans from the terrorists. The wall was ripped to shreds. David knew they had to get out. David thought that they had had it. He leapt into the torrent of bullets, and fired back at the enemy without even thinking. The insurgents — he just took cover. David took over.  He provided suppressive fire while his men evacuated, rescuing his entire squad at the risk of his own life. Only when his men were all out did David exit the building. But the fighting was far from over. Militants on the roof fired down at them with round after deadly round. A Bradley Fighting Vehicle came to the scene to suppress the enemy and drove them further into the building.  Knowing that he would face almost certain death, David decided to go back inside the house and make sure that not a single terrorist escaped alive, or escaped in any way. He quickly encountered an insurgent who was about to fire a rocket-propelled grenade at his squad. David once again jumped into danger and killed him before he had a chance to launch that grenade.  Next, two more insurgents came out of hiding and fired at David. He returned fire, killing them both. Then, a third assailant burst out of a wardrobe — wearing a wardrobe — and opened fire. David shot and wounded the man, but he escaped up the stairs. Racing after him, David engaged in hand-to-hand combat and killed him too.  Bleeding and badly wounded, David had single-handedly defeated the forces who had attacked. Just then, yet another combatant jumped down from the third-story roof and attacked. David shot him, and the assailant fell off the balcony.  Alone, in the dark, David killed four insurgents and seriously wounded the fifth, saving his soldiers and facing down the enemies of civilization.  Here with us today are 32 American service members who fought with David in Iraq, including 12 who were with David on that very, very horrible and dangerous November night. Please stand. Please. (Applause.)  Did he do a good job?  THE PRESIDENT: If not, you know, it’s not too late. (Laughter.)  Thank you very much for being here. We appreciate it very much.  Also with us are five families of David’s brothers-in-arms who made the supreme sacrifice. To the Gold Star families of Sean Sims, Steven Faulkenberg, Scott Lawson, JC Matteson, and Michael Carlson: Our entire nation expresses our love, loyalty, and everlasting gratitude. Please, stand. Please. (Applause.) Thank you very much for being here. Appreciate it. Thank you.  David often tells young people, “Americans don’t want to fight, but if someone picks a fight with us, we will always win. Because we don’t fight for awards or recognition. We fight for love of our country, our homeland, our family, and our unit — and that’s stronger than anything the enemy has.” So, thank you. And thank you to his family very much. Great family, David. Thank you.  David exemplifies the same warrior ethos that gave his grandfather and all the heroes of Normandy the strength to defeat evil exactly 75 years ago. I hear that his grandfather Joseph is now 99 years old and that today he’s watching this ceremony at his home in Jamestown, New York. A lot of people are watching, David.  America is blessed with the heroes and great people like Staff Sergeant Bellavia whose intrepid spirit and unwavering resolve defeats our enemies, protects our freedoms, and defends our great American flag.  David, today we honor your extraordinary courage, we salute your selfless service, and we thank you for carrying on the legacy of American valor that has always made our blessed nation the strongest and mightiest anywhere in the world. And we’re doing better today than we’ve ever done. Our country is stronger now, and we’re doing better economically than ever before. We’re setting records, and you fought for something that’s really good, and we appreciate it, David. We really appreciate it. Thank you.  And now I’m very pleased to ask the military aide to come forward while I present the Congressional Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant David Bellavia. Please.  MILITARY AIDE: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3rd, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.  Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on November 10, 2004, while serving as squad leader in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq.  While clearing a house, a squad from Staff Sergeant Bellavia’s platoon became trapped within a room by intense enemy fire coming from a fortified position under the stairs leading to the second floor. Recognizing the immediate severity of the situation, and with disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Bellavia retrieved an automatic weapon and entered the doorway of the house to engage the insurgents.  With enemy rounds impacting around him, Staff Sergeant Bellavia fired at the enemy position at a cyclic rate, providing covering fire that allowed the squad to break contact and exit the house.  A Bradley Fighting Vehicle was brought forward to suppress the enemy; however, due to high walls surrounding the house, it could not fire directly at the enemy position. Staff Sergeant Bellavia then re-entered the house and again came under intense enemy fire. He observed an enemy insurgent preparing to launch a rocket-propelled grenade at his platoon. Recognizing the grave danger the grenade posed to his fellow soldiers, Staff Sergeant Bellavia assaulted the enemy position, killing one insurgent and wounding another who ran to a different part of the house.  Staff Sergeant Bellavia, realizing he had an un-cleared, darkened room to his back, moved to clear it. As he entered, an insurgent came down the stairs firing at him. Simultaneously, the previously wounded insurgent reemerged and engaged Staff Sergeant Bellavia. Staff Sergeant Bellavia, entering further into the darkened room, returned fire and eliminated both insurgents. Staff Sergeant Bellavia then received enemy fire from another insurgent emerging from a closet in the darkened room.  Exchanging gunfire, Staff Sergeant Bellavia pursued the enemy up the stairs and eliminated him. Now on the second floor, Staff Sergeant Bellavia moved to a door that opened onto the roof. At this point, a fifth insurgent leapt from the third floor roof onto the second floor roof. Staff Sergeant Bellavia engaged the insurgent through a window, wounding him in the back and legs, and caused him to fall off the roof.  Acting on instinct to save the members of his platoon from an imminent threat, Staff Sergeant Bellavia ultimately cleared an entire enemy-filled house, destroyed four insurgents, and badly wounded a fifth. Staff Sergeant Bellavia’s bravery, complete disregard for his own safety, and unselfish and courageous actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.


theconservativetreehouse--2019-10-30--President Trump Presents Medal of Honor to Sgt. Matthew Williams – 5:00pm Livestream…

Today President Trump will be presenting Master Sergeant Matthew Williams with the Medal of Honor for leadership under fire in Afghanistan. Anticipated start time 5:00pm EDT. [Video and Transcript Added]  [Transcript] THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Chaplain. I appreciate that. Please, sit down.  Well, this afternoon, it’s my privilege to present our nation’s highest and most revered military distinction. It’s called the “Congressional Medal of Honor.” There’s nothing like it. Please join me in welcoming today’s extraordinary recipient, Master Sergeant Matthew Williams. (Applause.) Thank you very much.  We are delighted to have with us the Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper. Thank you, Mark. And great job to you and to everybody and General Milley for the incredible act you performed seven days ago with al-Baghdadi. He — he was hit hard, the way he should’ve been. And I just want to say, for all of our military: We’re very proud of you. That was something very special. The whole world is proud of you, frankly. So thank you very much. Thank you, Mark. Great job. (Applause.)  Also with us is Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Byrne — thank you — thank you, Jim; Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy — thank you; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley — thank you, General — great job, incredible job; Army Chief of Staff James McConville; and Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston. Thank you very much. Thank you very much for being here.  Also thank you to some very special warriors — in a little different kind of war, maybe, but they are warriors: Senators John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, and Thom Tillis. Thank you very much, fellas. Thank you. (Applause.) Along with Representative Richard Hudson for being here. We have a few other great politicians here, but we won’t bother because we want to get on with this one. This is a very special thing. It’s such a great honor.  Joining Matt for this special ceremony is his wife Kate, his father Michael, his mother Janet, brother Cody, and his sister Amy. Please stand up. Please. Thank you. Great family. (Applause.) Each of you has strengthened our nation through your steadfast love and support. And we want to just thank you. You’re a very, very special family.  We’re also honored to be in the presence of eight previous Congressional Medal of Honor winners — recipients are here. And I thought maybe we should — what do you think? — we should introduce them. I think so, right? Huh? Come on, let’s do that.  William Swenson. William, thank you very much, William. (Applause.)  Ronald Shurer. Thank you. Thank you, Ronald. Thank you. (Applause.)  Robert Foley. Thank you, Robert. Thank you, Robert. (Applause.)  Brian Thacker. Thank you very much. (Applause.)  Florent Groberg. Thank you. Thank you, Florent. (Applause.)  David Bellavia. David. (Applause.) I heard you, maybe, are going to be running for office — but someday, I know, huh? I’ll tell you. Boy, I’ll tell you what: He has my vote. (Laughter.) You have a brave politician for a change, right? That’s great. Nice to see you, David. Thank you very much.  And Salvatore Giunta. Thank you, Salvatore. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Thank you.  Matt Williams grew up in the small town of Boerne, Texas — a very small town. He met Kate for the first time in elementary school. In college, he planned to pursue a career in law enforcement. But after 9/11, Matt decided his place was on the frontlines of the war on terror. He wanted to be the best of the best; he worked so hard at it. So, after graduation, he enlisted in the Army to become a Green Beret.  Matt finished his Special Forces training in August 2007 and deployed to Afghanistan by October. On April 6th, 2008, he joined dozens of American Special Forces and Afghan commandos on a mission to take down a terrorist leader in a remote mountain village. It sounded simple — not simple.  On that cold spring morning, the soldiers arrived in helicopters and jumped 10 feet from their Chinooks into the rocky and freezing terrain of Shok Valley.  When the first Americans reached the edge of the valley, at the base of a 100-foot mountain, a handful of Special Forces scouted ahead. The lead group was 60 feet up the slope when roughly 200 insurgents savagely attacked. And it was a big surprise — a very unwelcome surprise, I might add.  The terrorists filled the valley with a hail of bullets and explosions. Matt soon received word that the soldiers on the mountain were pinned down and suffering from mounting casualties. He organized the Afghan infantry under his command and he led a bold counterassault to stop the enemy advance.  As machinegun fire rained down from above, Matt and his fellow American soldiers, Scott Ford and Ronald Shurer, charged up the mountain. Once they reached their trapped comrades, Matt realized that several of them were too gravely wounded to be quickly evacuated. He ran down the mountain to get support and then climbed back up with bullets spraying all around. Not a good place to be.  Again and again, Matt exchanged fire with the enemy and rescued his fellow soldiers. He guided his injured team sergeant, Scott Ford, down the mountain to safety. When Matt noticed two combatants moving toward a group of the badly wounded, he immediately engaged the enemy fighters and killed them both.  But Matt was not done yet. In order to rejoin the battle on the mountain, he and Sergeant Seth Howard scaled a sheer cliff completely exposed to attack. Matt quickly reengaged the adversary and shielded the injured from falling rubble as American warplanes bombed insurgent positions above and rocked the mountain from top to bottom. He then helped evacuate the wounded down a very, very steep cliff.  As the terrorists continued to try to overrun their position, Matt raced back into battle. He fought for several more hours, valiantly protecting the wounded and putting his own life in great peril to save his comrades.  Matt’s incredible heroism helped ensure that not a single American soldier died in the Battle of Shok Valley. His ground commander later wrote: “I’ve never seen a troop so poised, focused, and capable during a… fight.” And Matt is without question and without reservation, “one of the bravest soldiers” and people “I have ever met.”  But Matt wants all Americans to know that he was not alone in his heroism that day. Joining us this afternoon are other heroes of Shok Valley. Please rise when I read your name: Lieutenant Colonel Kyle Walton. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. Master Sergeant Scott Ford. Thank you, Scott. (Applause.) And Luis Morales. Thank you very much. Thank you, Luis. (Applause.) Karl Wurzbach. Where is Karl? Thank you, Karl. (Applause.) Thank you. Sergeants First Class Seth Howard, Dave Sanders, John Walding, Dillon Behr, and Ryan Wallen. Thank you, fellas. (Applause.) Thank you, fellas.  And very importantly, as you know better than anyone, Afghan translators Bahroz Mohmand and Zia Ghafoori. (Applause.) How was that? Okay? Not bad? Good. He said it was okay. He said it was okay. Thank you both very much. Fantastic job. Fantastic job. Thank you.  I assume you all agree with this choice, right? Okay? Your last chance, eh? They all agree. Thank you very much. I agree, too. We all do.  Staff Sergeant Ronald Shurer was with us and privileged to be here. And we had a, not so long ago — a great ceremony with the Medal of Honor and that was really amazing that you both here are together.  To each and every one of you, I want to thank you and I want to thank the fearless defense and what you’ve done for our country. It’s incredible. Your valor, your bravery, your strength, your heart, your soul — it’s incredible. Incredible what you’ve done.  The Battle of Shok Valley is a testament to the overwhelming strength, lethal skill, and unstoppable might of the United States Army Special Forces and all of our military.  The enemy that really held a high ground, superior numbers, and an element of surprise — they had it all going; everything they’re not supposed to have, they had. But they had one major disadvantage: They were facing the toughest, strongest, and best-trained soldiers anywhere in the world. We showed that a few days ago. And these guys didn’t know what the hell hit them. (Laughter.) No adversary on Earth stands a chance against the American Green Berets.  A few years after that first perilous deployment, Matt married Kate. Did you make a good decision, Kate, in allowing this to happen, right? (Laughter.) Well, you definitely have a brave guy. I can’t speak for the rest. Okay? (Laughter.) He’s a brave guy and he’s a great guy, so good luck. That’s nice.  Today, they have a young son, Nolan, who will turn three next week. That’s beautiful. In the years to come, Nolan will learn that his father stands among the ranks of our nation’s greatest heroes.  For more than a decade, Matt has stared down our enemies, fought back the forces of terror, and exemplified the virtue and gallantry of the American warrior. He has completed five tours in Afghanistan, a deployment in Africa, and he continues to serve our country on active duty today. That’s something — to have Congressional Medal of Honor and be serving in active duty. It’s very rare.  Matt, we salute your unyielding service, your unbreakable resolve, and your untiring devotion to our great nation and the nation that we all love. Your spirit keeps our flag waving high, our families safe at home, and our hearts beating with American pride. On behalf of the entire nation — our great USA, our incredible United States of America — we are forever grateful for your life of service and your outstanding courage.  It’s now my privilege to present Master Sergeant Matthew Williams with the Congressional Medal of Honor. And I would like to ask the military aide to come forward and please read the citation. Thank you.  MILITARY AIDE: The President of the United States of America has awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to Sergeant Matthew O. Williams, United States Army.  Sergeant Williams distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on April 6, 2008, while serving as a Weapons Sergeant, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha [DEL: 336 :DEL] [3336], Special Operations Task Force-33, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Sergeant Williams’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and United States Army.  Master Sgt. Matthew Williams, a 3rd Special Forces Group operations sergeant, graduated from Angelo State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Driven to serve, Williams enlisted into the Army under the 18X Special Forces enlistment program in September 2005.  After completing Infantry One Station Unit Training, Williams attended Basic Airborne Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He then went through the Special Forces assessment and selection process in 2006 and was accepted into the program. In 2007, Williams graduated as a weapons sergeant from the Special Forces Qualification Course and was assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). – MORE


thedailycaller--2019-05-31--Trump To Award Art Laffer Presidential Medal Of Freedom

President Donald Trump will award economist Art Laffer with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  The ceremony will take place June 19, the White House announced in a press release. (RELATED: White House Aide Says WSJ Falsely Accused Him Of Speaking To Meeting He Didn’t Attend)  “Arthur B. Laffer, the ‘Father of Supply-Side Economics,’ is one of the most influential economists in American history,” the White House said in a statement. “He is renowned for his economic theory, the ‘Laffer Curve,’ which establishes the strong incentive effects of lower tax rates that spur investment, production, jobs, wages, economic growth, and tax compliance.”  Laffer is widely considered the intellectual founder of “Reaganomics,” the economic philosophy named after former Republican President Ronald Reagan, which emphasizes tax cuts, deregulation, and supply side economics. He is also the namesake for the Laffer Curve, a disputed political theory that postulates cutting taxes actually increases tax revenue in some circumstances.  The decision to award Laffer the Medal of Freedom comes a year after Laffer wrote a book titled “Trumponomics,” a book co-written by fellow conservative economist Stephen Moore. (RELATED: Art Laffer Explains Why The US Isn’t In A Trade War)  The White House’s move will likely be met with intense criticism from liberals who have spent decades opposing Laffer’s economic philosophy.


thedailycaller--2019-11-21--Jon Voight Dances For Trump At Medal Of Arts Ceremony

Jon Voight was a hit at the White House when he started showing off his dance moves for President Donald Trump during the Medal of Arts ceremony.  It all went down Thursday in the East Room, after Trump had begun the ceremony to hand out the National Medal of Arts and the National Humanities Medal to a handful of “artists, musicians and scholars,” the 80-year-old actor included. (RELATED: Jon Voight: We Must ‘Stand With President Trump For His Next Win’)  The president suddenly stops speaking as the theme music from “Midnight Cowboy” began to play in the background and we hear off-camera people clapping, per video from CSPAN shared on Twitter. (RELATED: Jon Voight: Trump Is ‘Greatest President Since Abraham Lincoln’)  The next thing we see is the camera panning over to see what the Trump and others are looking at as Voight jumps to his feet and saunters over to where the president’s standing while the music from the 1969 classic played.  Trump smiles at the legendary actor who then points at the president as he continued smiling.  “We love having you [Voight] here, especially since it is someone that I really like,” Trump shared with the room.  A short time later, the president presented the actor with a National Medal of the Arts for his contributions.


thedailyrecord--2019-04-30--Polar explorers are guests of honour at medal ceremony

A special ceremony has been held to mark the success of a group of Bathgate Academy’s pupils.  Over 120 guests attended a special dinner and medal ceremony at Dundas Castle near Edinburgh to recognise the achievements of 10 pupils who took part in a 10-day expedition in Eastern Greenland with the youth charity, The Polar Academy.  During April, the pupils and Ellis McKay (pupil support manager) participated in the life-changing trip. To loud cheers and more than a few tears, a parent of each expedition team member presented their son or daughter with the prestigious polar medal.  Looking on were family members and many of the growing number of supporters and patrons of The Polar Academy.  This included founding supporter, Tiso the outdoor adventure retail specialist and representatives of ski manufacturer, Åsnes Skis who travelled from Norway and attended wearing traditional Norwegian clothes.  Craig Mathieson, the Bo’ness-based expedition leader and founder of The Polar Academy, said: “Supported by the charity, their school and families, all at Bathgate Academy involved in this year’s expedition fully committed to the programme that included tough and regular physical training. Every week I could see their self-confidence steadily grow. In Greenland, whether tasked with navigating, cutting ice blocks or pitching tents, when the going got tough it was fantastic to watch everyone work as a team and to develop that all important ‘can do’ mentality.  “I am so proud of these pupils who over the past nine months of committing to the methods of The Polar Academy have transformed into confident and resilient young men and women. They now know that with focus and effort the seemingly impossible can be achieved.”  Team member Adam Rayner (16) said: “I feel that The Polar Academy has changed me from being a quiet, shy follower to someone with the confidence to lead. I’m definitely much more confident. The Polar Academy has changed my life and I’m really going to miss it.”  And Alex Cochrane (15) added: “It’s an almost indescribable feeling to explain how grateful I am to Craig (Mathieson) and The Polar Academy for the opportunity to be part of the expedition team. It has been a truly life-changing experience. Since getting involved with the programme I’ve increasingly noticed small positive changes in myself.”  Over the past year the expedition team and their families fundraised £75,000 to support their expedition and the future work of The Polar Academy, a charity that’s wholly dependent on donations to operate.  Pupils on the expedition team will visit schools about their life-changing experiences. It is the fifth year that The Polar Academy has successfully selected and trained individuals from within Scotland’s secondary education sector.  The Polar Academy and the expedition team from Bathgate Academy will feature in a four-part documentary to be broadcast on BBC Scotland later this year. The 2018/2019 Polar Academy Expedition Team was again accompanied by expert guides Craig Mathieson, Nigel Williams, George MacHardy, Mollie Hughes and Dr Naomi Dodds.


thedenverpost--2019-08-23--President Trump awards Medal of Freedom to NBA star Bob Cousy

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump presented 91-year-old basketball legend Bob Cousy with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday, praising the Boston Celtics star as “one of the all-time greats in the history of sports.”  Cousy played for the Celtics from 1950 to 1963, winning six league championships and the 1957 MVP title. The Bob Cousy Award, given to the country’s best point guard in men’s college basketball, is named for him. He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and played a pivotal role in founding the NBA Player’s Association.  After hanging up his No. 14 jersey, the 13-time NBA All-Star went on to coach basketball at Boston College.  “This acknowledgment allows me to complete my life circle,” Cousy said during the Oval Office awards ceremony. “I can stop chasing a bouncing ball. The Presidential Medal of Freedom allows me to reach a level of acceptance in our society I never once ever dreamed of.”  Trump spoke of Cousy’s childhood during the Great Depression and discovering his talent for basketball at a young age. The president said Cousy never forgot his first mentor’s advice to never be predictable, and jokingly added: “Hey, I’ve heard that lesson, too.”  The president recognized Cousy’s achievements on and off the court, lauding his support for underprivileged young athletes and speaking out against racism.  Cousy, who is white, ardently supported his black teammates who faced discrimination during the civil rights movement. Still, Cousy lamented in Gary Pomerantz’s biography “The Last Pass: Cousy, Russell, the Celtics, and What Matters in the End,” that he didn’t do more for his black teammates, including 2011 Medal of Freedom recipient Bill Russell.  The Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, celebrates individuals for their “especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the U.S., to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”  Trump credited West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin for suggesting the medal be given to Cousy.  Cousy is the second Medal of Freedom recipient this year. Trump presented the award to golfer Tiger Woods in May.  Cousy is the 10th honoree under Trump, who is Cousy’s candidate of choice in the 2020 presidential election.  In a recent interview with NBA.com, Cousy described himself as politically moderate. He said that although he disagrees with some of the president’s actions, he plans to vote for Trump next year.  During the award ceremony, Cousy said the medal was made all the more special because it had been presented by the “most extraordinary” president in his lifetime.  “I know in your world, you’re well on your way to making America great again,” Cousy told the president. “In my world, it’s been great for 91 years. Only in America could my story have been told.”


theepochtimes--2019-08-22--Trump Awards Medal of Freedom to NBA Star Bob Cousy

President Donald Trump presents the Medal of Freedom to retired Boston Celtic Bob Cousy in the Oval Office at the White House on Aug. 22, 2019. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)  WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump presented 91-year-old basketball legend Bob Cousy with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Aug. 22, praising the Boston Celtics star as “one of the all-time greats in the history of sports.”  Cousy played for the Celtics from 1950 to 1963, winning six league championships and the 1957 MVP title. The Bob Cousy Award, given to the country’s best point guard in men’s college basketball, is named for him. He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and played a pivotal role in founding the NBA Player’s Association.  After hanging up his No. 14 jersey, the 13-time NBA All-Star went on to coach basketball at Boston College.  “This acknowledgment allows me to complete my life circle,” Cousy said during the Oval Office awards ceremony. “I can stop chasing a bouncing ball. The Presidential Medal of Freedom allows me to reach a level of acceptance in our society I never once ever dreamed of.”  Trump spoke of Cousy’s childhood during the Great Depression and discovering his talent for basketball at a young age. The president said Cousy never forgot his first mentor’s advice to never be predictable, and jokingly added: “Hey, I’ve heard that lesson, too.”  The Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, celebrates individuals for their “especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the U.S., to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”  Trump credited West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin for suggesting the medal be given to Cousy.  Cousy is the second Medal of Freedom recipient this year. Trump presented the award to golfer Tiger Woods in May.  Cousy is the 10th honoree under Trump, who is Cousy’s candidate of choice in the 2020 presidential election.  In a recent interview with NBA.com, Cousy described himself as politically moderate. He said he plans to vote for Trump next year.  During the award ceremony, Cousy said the medal was made all the more special because it had been presented by the “most extraordinary” president in his lifetime.  “I know in your world, you’re well on your way to making America great again,” Cousy told the president. “In my world, it’s been great for 91 years. Only in America could my story have been told.”


theepochtimes--2019-09-05--Trump Presents Medal of Freedom to NBAs Jerry West

Trump Presents Medal of Freedom to NBA’s Jerry West

President Donald Trump (R) presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former NBA basketball player and general manager Jerry West, in the Oval Office of the White House on Sept. 5, 2019. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)  WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump is continuing his run of recognizing American sports greats with the nation’s highest civilian honor.  Trump has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to pro basketball great Jerry West, formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers, during a White House ceremony.  Trump says West “richly deserved” the medal for his years as a player, general manager and supporter of the nation’s war veterans.  The 81-year-old West noted his humble beginnings growing up in West Virginia and where sports has taken him, saying “it never ceases to amaze me the places you can go in this world chasing a basketball.”  Last month, Trump awarded the medal to 91-year-old basketball great Bob Cousy. Earlier this year, golfer Tiger Woods received the same honor.


themoscowtimes--2019-05-23--Putin Awards FIFAs Infantino State Medal for 2018 World Cup

Putin Awards FIFA's Infantino State Medal for 2018 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino thanked Russia on Thursday for hosting the "best World Cup ever" as President Vladimir Putin presented him with a state award for his role in making last year's tournament possible. In a Kremlin ceremony broadcast on television, Putin thanked "all those who helped to make this dream come to life," including the head of football's global governing body.  Infantino, with the Order of Friendship medal pinned to his lapel, replied: "You welcomed the world as friends, and the world has created bonds of friendship with Russia that will last forever." Russia's successful 2010 bid to host the 2018 tournament, which FIFA oversaw under Infantino's discredited predecessor Sepp Blatter, was marred by allegations of corruption in the bidding process which also saw the 2022 event awarded to Qatar.  In 2014, FIFA cleared Russian authorities of wrongdoing, though Western critics continued in the run-up to the tournament to question its safety credentials and suggest it could play into Putin's hands politically. Qatar has also been cleared of wrongdoing. But last year's month-long event, spread across 11 cities, passed off without major security incidents and was deemed a success by players and fans. Putin said at the time that the World Cup had helped debunk stereotypes about his country. Blatter was honored with state awards by Germany and South Africa, which hosted the 2006 and 2010 tournaments.


thenewyorktimes--2019-06-20--Trump Awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Arthur Laffer Tax-Cut Guru

Trump Awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Arthur Laffer, Tax-Cut Guru

WASHINGTON — President Trump bestowed the nation’s highest civilian honor on the conservative economist Arthur Laffer on Wednesday, praising him for policies that he said brought “greater opportunity for all Americans.”  Mr. Laffer is the father of so-called supply-side economics, and is the namesake of a famed theory — the Laffer Curve — which posits that reducing certain tax rates can actually increase government tax revenues by accelerating economic growth. He helped write Mr. Trump’s campaign tax plan and has advised the president on economic policy. He is also the mentor of Larry Kudlow, the director of the White House National Economic Council.  Mr. Laffer’s relentless and sunny advocacy of tax cuts, deregulation and free trade have influenced decades of Republican policy proposals, most famously under President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. Democrats have criticized him for repeatedly promising that tax cuts would deliver growth and revenues that did not appear, such as damaging state tax cuts in Kansas that produced a large shortfall in the state budget and prompted the Republican-controlled Legislature to ultimately reverse them.  In a ceremony in the Oval Office, with Mr. Laffer’s six children in attendance, Mr. Trump said, “I’ve heard and studied the Laffer Curve for many years.” He called the theory, which Mr. Laffer famously sketched on a cocktail napkin in the 1970s for Donald H. Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney, then Republican policy hands, “a very important thing you did, Art.”


thenewyorktimes--2019-09-06--For Second Time in 2 Weeks Trump Awards Medal of Freedom to an Ex-NBA Star

For Second Time in 2 Weeks, Trump Awards Medal of Freedom to an Ex-N.B.A. Star

WASHINGTON — President Trump awarded the Medal of Freedom to the former N.B.A. great Jerry West on Thursday, the second time in two weeks that the president has honored a long-retired standout from a league whose current generation of stars is known for refusing to visit his White House.  Mr. Trump called the former Los Angeles Lakers star “a legend” who made “plays that will be remembered for forever — I know many of them.”  Known by the nickname “The Logo” — a photograph of him was used a model for the N.B.A.’s silhouette logo — Mr. West was named an all-star in each of his 14 seasons, all with the Lakers, and was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980. He won one championship as a player and eight more as a basketball executive.  The Oval Office ceremony took place only two weeks after the president awarded the medal to the former Boston Celtics star Bob Cousy, a 13-time N.B.A. all-star during the 1950s and 1960s who is worshiped as one of Boston’s greatest sports heroes. As Mr. Trump noted on Thursday, Mr. West and Mr. Cousy also played against each other.


truepundit--2019-08-24--Trump Awards Mr Basketball With the Medal of Freedom a True American Original VIDEO

Trump Awards ‘Mr. Basketball’ With the Medal of Freedom: ‘a True American Original’ (VIDEO)

Celebrating a basketball legend who made a difference on and off the court, President Donald Trump honored a “beloved basketball legend and a true American original.”  The president awarded former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Bob Cousy, also known as “Mr. Basketball,” with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, on Thursday.  Cousey — who retired from his time playing for the Boston Celtics 1963 after 1,026 games — is a six-time NBA champion and 13-time NBA All-Star, among garnering several other achievements, the president shared.  “Off the court, he fought for racial equality by standing up to racism directed at his teammates, and he helped organize the NBA Players Association,” a military aide read allowed during the ceremony in the Oval Office. – READ MORE


truepundit--2019-09-10--Trump Awards Six Law Enforcement Officers With Medal of Valor for Their Heroic Effort to Stop Dayton

Trump Awards Six Law Enforcement Officers With Medal of Valor for Their Heroic Effort to Stop Dayton Gunman

President Donald Trump honored several brave Americans for their heroic actions during two mass shootings that recently struck the nation.  The president presented on Monday the Medal of Valor to six law enforcement officers who stopped a gunman within 32 seconds of the first gunshot during a shooting in Dayton, Ohio, on August 4. Additionally, five civilians were presented with the Certificate of Commendation for their actions in El Paso, Texas, where a gunman opened fire at a Walmart the day prior.  The two shootings during that weekend left the nation mourning as 31 lives were lost, nine in Dayton and 22 in El Paso.  “These incredible patriots responded to the worst violence and most barbaric hatred with the best of American courage, character, and strength,” Trump said during Monday’s ceremony. “Faced with grave and harrowing threats, the men and women standing behind us stepped forward to save the lives of their fellow Americans.” – READ MORE


truepundit--2019-11-02--President Trump presents Medal of Honor to Green Beret for 2008 Afghanistan heroics

President Trump awarded the highest military honor on Wednesday evening to an Army Green Beret who fought his way up a frozen mountain in Afghanistan to help rescue wounded comrades during a mission to kill or capture a terrorist leader.  Master Sgt. Matthew O. Williams, who helped save four critically wounded comrades and prevented the lead element of a special operations force from being overrun in Afghanistan, received the Medal of Honor on Wednesday as he was joined by his wife, Kate, and their 2-year-old son, Nolan.  Williams “put his own life in great peril to save his comrades,” Trump said during the White House ceremony.  “Matt’s incredible heroism helped ensure that not a single American soldier died in the battle of Shok Valley,” he added.  Williams, of Boerne, Texas, previously was awarded the Silver Star for his heroics during the six-hour battle on April 6, 2008, in Afghanistan’s Shok Valley. Williams was part of a joint U.S.-Afghan raid hunting Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of the former Hezebela Islami Gulbadin militia, Army Times reported. – READ MORE


upi--2019-11-07--Trump awards Presidential Citizens Medal posthumously to Col. Rick Rescorla

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump awarded a posthumous Presidential Citizens Medal Thursday to former Army Col. Rick Rescorla, a Vietnam veteran who died while leading evacuations from the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11 terror attacks.  The Presidential Citizens Medal is considered the nation's highest civilian honor after the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It was established in 1969 and recognizes those who have "performed exemplary deeds or services for his or her country or fellow citizens."  Rescorla is credited with helping to save 2,700 people during the terror attacks on the Twin Towers. He told everyone to ignore the PA system that was urging them to remain at their desks, instead directing people down the stairs. The South Tower collapsed while he was still inside.  "Today we come together to pay tribute to a fallen hero who devoted his life to defending freedom and who made the supreme sacrifice to save others," Trump said at the White House ceremony.  Rescorla was born in Cornwall, England, in 1939 and served in the British army in Cyprus. At the age of 24, he moved to the United States and enlisted in the Army. He was deployed to Vietnam as a platoon leader and left active duty in 1967.  The veteran later worked as a private security contractor and became head of security for Morgan Stanley in the company's offices in the World Trade Center.  "Our debt to [Rick and his family] is beyond measure," Trump said. "We can never reverse the horrors of that day. We can never replace the precious lives we lost. On behalf of our entire nation, I pledge that we will forever and always remember this incredible American hero."  Rescorla's wife, Susan, spoke briefly at the ceremony, thanking Trump and remembering her first date with her deceased husband.  "He said to me: 'When I was a very young man, I declared what I wanted to be, and I knew that if I stayed on that path at the end of my life I would have done the very best I could'," she said. "And that's exactly what he did."  The veteran also received two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for his service.


democracynow--2019-12-10--Amazonian Forest Protectors Rally Outside COP25 Amid Death of Two Indigenous Chiefs

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.  AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, The War and Peace Report. I’m Amy Goodman. We’re broadcasting from inside the U.N. Climate Change Conference, the U.N. climate summit, here in Madrid, Spain. I’m Amy Goodman. On Monday, indigenous activists from the Brazilian and Ecuadorian Amazon rallied outside this COP25 venue to protest the assassination of indigenous forest protectors and the destruction of their lands, known as the “lungs of the Earth.” Their protest came just two days after two indigenous chiefs, Firmino Prexede Guajajara and Raimundo Guajajara, were gunned down in a drive-by shooting Saturday in Brazil.  LEO CERDA: I am Leo Cerda from the indigenous community of Tena in the Ecuadorian Amazon. I am here to support the Brazilian delegation that is denouncing the deaths of two indigenous people that just passed away on Saturday due to the policies that Bolsonaro is pursuing in Brazil. We are here denouncing the policies, because Bolsonaro is not only bad for Brazil, Bolsonaro is bad for the whole world.  DAIARA TUKANO: I’m Daiara Tukano from the Tukano people from Brazil in the border between Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. And we are here at the climate conference with a Extinction Rebellion group and many other climate justice movements, pleading for the survival and the support to indigenous peoples that are the guardians of the forest and are the first ones to be attacked in this moment of genocide and ecocide that we are living. Brazil is one of the countries that kills the most of nature protectors and climate activists in the world, and many of them are indigenous nations, because our territories are those that protect more than 80% of biodiversity in the world.  HELENA GUALINGA: My name is Helena Gualinga. I’m 17 years old, and I’m from the Ecuadorian Amazon. So, my community has been fighting oil since forever, as long as I can remember. And I grew up during this process of fight, and my people has been fighting this for such a long time. And that has made me part of this movement. And I think that it’s my responsibility as a young person and as an indigenous youth to make the people of the Amazon, their voices heard in spaces like this.  LAURA GOTTESDIENER: Here you can see there’s two lines of activists from Extinction Rebellion from the Global North. And they have said that they’re putting their bodies on the line, that they’re risking arrest in order to be in solidarity with indigenous people who put their bodies on the line every day. We spoke to many of these Extinction Rebellion activists earlier while they were blocking the road right next to the press conference of these Brazilian indigenous activists.  ELAINE: My name is Elaine. I’m from Extinction Rebellion Belgium. We are now in front of the COP25, where it is all happening, sitting down on the road, blocking the traffic. That’s what we are doing, especially to support the indigenous people in the Amazon that are suffering a lot from the way that we live, that we all live, and that needs to change.  ALBERTO: I’m Alberto. I’m from Nice. And we are fighting for life, literally, because we are seeing that biodiversity is being lost. We are losing more than 200 species of animals and plants every day. And the risk is that the next ones will be us.  CARRIE: I am Carrie. I’m from the U.K. And we’re blocking this road to support the indigenous people. And I’m personally doing it for my children, because time — this is our last chance now. This is our last chance, and we need to stand up for these people and those people who died in the Amazon and for our children.  LAURA GOTTESDIENER: Right behind us, we see a delegation from the Brazilian Amazon who have come to denounce the killings of Brazilian activists and leaders, particularly indigenous Brazilian activists and leaders. In the center, you can see Sônia. She’s a relative of two indigenous activists from Brazil who were murdered this weekend, on Saturday, as they were coming back from a meeting of the electrical company and the indigenous federation, demanding their rights as indigenous people.  SÔNIA GUAJAJARA: [translated] I’m Sônia Guajajara. I am from the state of Maranhão in Brazil. I am the executive director of the Indigenous Peoples’ Articulation of Brazil. In Brazil at the moment, it’s very hard to live as an indigenous person. For the legal certification of logging and mining and agribusinesses that are destroying the Amazon, in 35 days there have been three killings. This is a direct result of Bolsonaro’s direct policies that are threatening the indigenous lives in Brazil.  AMY GOODMAN: And that was Sônia Guajajara, indigenous leader from Brazil, whose two relatives were assassinated on Saturday.


anonnews--2019-06-26--Petals From This Flower Look Like Tiny Humming Birds

A fascinating photo was recently posted to Reddit by the user “OctopusPrime,” showing flowers that looked just like hummingbirds. People commenting on the thread discovered that the plant was a Pareidolia.  These flowers do not always look like hummingbirds, but because of how the petals grow, sometimes they do appear to show wings. Some experts who have found these plants in the wild also suggest that they sometimes look like butterflies.  A postdoc scientist studying the evolution and ecology of flowers commented on the post, explaining some of the science behind the photo.  “This plant inhabits remote and arid Australia. The fact that the flower looks like a bird to humans cannot have evolved adaptively because as a signal receiver, there is nothing humans could have done to increase the fitness of individuals that evolved this signal (to look like a bird). Unless indigenous Australians in arid Australia bred or traded the plant because it looks like a bird,” the Reddit user SolitaryBee said.  “We have no evidence for ornamental horticulture in indigenous Australian culture, further, the scarcity of water and food makes this a waste of resources, therefore highly improbable. Now one could argue that today, the plant has increased fitness because it is traded and bred due to its appearance. But that does not say anything about the selection that gave rise to the traits we find so interesting,” the anonymous scientist added.  The scientist’s post went on to explain that this is most likely an optical illusion, that is experienced only by humans based on our point of reference and how we perceive the world around us.  Most animals probably don’t recognize this plant as being the same shape as a bird. In fact, if this plant appeared to be a bird to other plants and insects, it would probably never get pollinated. This is because birds are predators to bees, so they would avoid the flower instead of pollinating it.  In the Reddit thread where the photo originated, there is a lively and intelligent discussion about the evolution of plants.  Below are some other photos, showing the flower species from different angles.