Jack Nicklaus: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Jack Nicklaus was among those honorees awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom today by Pres. Bush. The award is the highest recognized for a civilian. Among the other honorees were Muhammed Ali, Aretha Franklin, and Alan Greenspan.
5 Comments:
It should be noted that Arnold Palmer received the award in 2004.
It appears to me that for the highest medal that can be bestowed on a civilian, the honor has been given far too liberally, and perhaps the presidents have lost sight of the significance of the award (politics in a nutshell).
Charlton Heston won the award, recognized as a civil rights activist, which must be his position as president of the NRA (and bit part in Bowling for Columbine).
Not to take away from the award, but it appears that every president's wife gets the medal (assume as a tribute to past presidents to ensure that their own wife will receive the award as well).
For the first 10 years of the award, only one or two recipients were given the award for most of those years. In the past ten tears, it has averaged 10 recipients a year. Prior athletes that have received the award (such as Arthur Ashe and Jackie Robinson) received the award mainly for their civil rights activities, not athletic achievement. It appears that those who give the award have lost sight of the true reasoning for the award.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes "exceptional meritirious service." Not quite sure if Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul deserve to get lumped with Heston, Palmer, and Jack. Granted, Palmer and Jack have made strong contributions to charity and society through the game of golf, but is this really exceptional meritorious service? Well, it appears that the guidelines have been fuzzy far earlier than now, and I can't think of a better golfer to honor than Jack.
I agree, Power Fade. The Golden Bear is certainly deserving of the honor.
Hey, I admire Jack Nicklaus for his golfing ability.
But, "Medal of Freedom" come'on! Jack has been great for golf and carried the sportmanship flag that Bobby Jones did as well.
Jack's impact on America and the world beyond golf competition are minimal. Has Jack been generous with his time or influence on any beyond-golf issue? Outside of competing Jack has been mostly a golf course designer -- building courses accessible to very wealthy folks -- 1/2 of 1% of the world's population.
Jack is my golfing hero...but compared to the risks, guts, obstacles and impact of Muhammed Ali, for example, Jack simply is not worthy.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jack never got honoured by our Community Council here in St Andrews that caused quite a stir, got one of the committee resigning and I myself questioned peoples integrity
cheers
steve
http://www.scotlandgolftouring.com
Post a Comment
<< Home