Posted on 11/22/2016 8:11:13 PM PST by Ennis85
Comedian Ellen DeGeneres was praised by the US president for her influence on the gay rights movement as she received the country's highest civilian honour. Celebrities including Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro and Michael Jordan were also among the 21 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Barack Obama said it was easy to forget the risk Ellen De Generes took to come out as gay in 1997. He said her bravery helped "push our country in the direction of justice". "It's easy to forget now, when we've come so far... just how much courage was required for Ellen to come out on the most public of stages almost 20 years ago," he said during the award ceremony at the White House. "What an incredible burden that was to bear - to risk your career like that - people don't do that very often. And then, to have the hopes of millions on your shoulders."
The award, which recognises contributions to United States culture, security and international interests, is the highest honour a civilian can receive, alongside the Congressional Gold Medal, a similar accolade awarded by the US Congress. "These are folks who have helped make me who I am,'' Obama said. "Everybody on this stage has touched me in a very powerful, personal way, in ways that they probably couldn't imagine."
Honourees from the entertainment world included actors Tom Hanks, Robert DeNiro, Robert Redford and Cicely Tyson, as were musicians Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross. From the sporting world, former basketball superstars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan - who President Obama jokingly referred to as "the guy from Space Jam"- were awarded the medal, alongside sports broadcaster Vin Scully.
Bill and Melinda Gates were awarded for their philanthropic work through their charitable foundation.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
An award for what? Say that again.
Obama lauds awards on celeb Hollyweird trash.
Classy.
And just how did the woman who pioneered software “touch” junior? He had no clue who she is.
I never use the word “pedestrian” in this way, but today I will - to describe this list of honorees.
sorry Obama but hollywood celebs won’t make America great again
In his last days Obama hands out Participation Trophies.
Scully only good one in the bunch.
The only one I give a damn about on that list is Diana Ross. I like her music and as a kid I remember sitting with my parents watching her on tv at that Central Park concert when it started pouring and storming. She kept singing until they told her to stop.
And Lady Sings the Blues is a great movie with a great soundtrack.
Did they get a Nobel prize for peace like obama before he set the world on fire?
Everyone is too worried about Trump tweets on “insignificant” topics.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_recipients#Activism
Frank Ciongoli 2013[29] Whipped By Girlfriend Barack Obama Has no sense of free will or personal dreams
For having sex with other women.
Wow, so this award has been de-valued to a wooden nickel.
Did she also win the Degenerate Award? She’s richly deserving of that one, too.
“Roger Nash Baldwin (January 21, 1884 – August 26, 1981) was one of the founders of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).”
No more Ellen DeGenerate...
As in the days of . . . . .
Obammer turned this once honorable award into and Everybody Gets A Trophy ceremony for commie libs.
This award should go to her ex wife for switching back to the right team.
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