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You are here: Home / Economics / C.R.E.A.M. / Late Night Open Thread: The Price of FREEDUMB!

Late Night Open Thread: The Price of FREEDUMB!

by Anne Laurie|  November 11, 20181:51 am| 39 Comments

This post is in: C.R.E.A.M., Open Threads, Republican Venality, All Too Normal, Clown Shoes

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Trump is giving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the top US civilian honor, to 3 dead people (Elvis, Babe Ruth, Antonin Scalia), a GOP senator (Orrin Hatch), and Miriam Adelson, the wife of GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson, who gave $55 million to elect Republicans in the midterms pic.twitter.com/R90usNwUCP

— David Mack (@davidmackau) November 10, 2018

… or, at least, a nice Medal of Freedom. Per Esquire:

… Miriam Adelson won’t be the first billionaire given the nation’s highest civilian honor—most recently, then-president Barack Obama awarded it to Bill and Melinda Gates in 2016. But the Gates family and other wealthy philanthropists who’ve received the award tend to be honored for their charitable giving to the young, sick, or needy. Obama also awarded the honor to Oprah Winfrey, a vocal supporter of his presidential campaign. But supporting Democratic politics isn’t Oprah’s primary contribution to the world; she’s the first black woman to host a national daily talk show, she’s won 16 Emmys and been nominated for two Oscars, and she’s given widely to all kinds of charitable causes. Miriam Adelson, on the other hand, is known for giving big bucks to one primary recipient—the Republican Party…

And, recently, one primary recipient within the Republican Party — namely, Donald J. Trump. I assume the Medal is being awarded to Miriam and not Sheldon because Donny couldn’t be trusted not to fall on his knees in front of a successful casino mogul, and nobody wants to see that in public.

Trump’s tax cut is reported to have saved the Adelsons $700 million already, so those donations were a pretty good investment — about on a par with picking the right cash-back credit card, given the couples’ personal wealth — and the Medal of Freedom is just a shiny bauble decorating that taxpayer-funded gift.

The Adelsons bought themselves a medal just like they bought themselves an embassy and a political party. The list reads like someone tried to toss in all-American icons — Babe Ruth, Elvis — to cover up international corruption with domestic nostalgia. https://t.co/vsDIxlFLlb

— Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior) November 10, 2018

I look forward to this Ocean’s 11 reboot. https://t.co/YYo3wVORkJ

— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) November 10, 2018

Kanye really blew that Presidential Medal of Freedom at the last minute.

— Schooley (@Rschooley) November 10, 2018

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Previous Post: « There Will Be Recounts in Florida: Brooks Bros II, the MAGA Cap Edition
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Reader Interactions

39Comments

  1. 1.

    Roger Moore

    November 11, 2018 at 2:04 am

    Shorter: Trump is devaluing the Presidential Medal of Freedom exactly the same way he’s devalued everything else associated with the presidency.

  2. 2.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    November 11, 2018 at 2:09 am

    Can Medals of Freedom be taken back? Mrs. Adelson hasn’t done a damn thing to deserve it.

    OT: I’ve searched high and low for this short story that was mentioned on here like a year ago. It was called A Message from the Planet Akron or something and it was about human scientists who had made radio contact with an alien civilization that was hyper-theocratic and would prosthelytize to them. The messages would take like 45 or 50 years to travel each way.

  3. 3.

    NotMax

    November 11, 2018 at 2:13 am

    Omarosa left too soon. //

    Also too, Ivanka must be feeling left out. “But Daddy, you promised.” //

  4. 4.

    NotMax

    November 11, 2018 at 2:17 am

    Saturday not the most productive of days. Rain plus a two hour power outage in the middle of the afternoon.

  5. 5.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    November 11, 2018 at 2:28 am

    How very European of Trump to hand out awards to his favorites, but I assume the Trump is saving awarding himself the Congressional Medal of Honor for his Vietnam service for 2020?

  6. 6.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    November 11, 2018 at 2:35 am

    Did some research. I came across a WaPo article discussing Cosby getting his Medal of Freedom possibly taken away.

    But revoking the award isn’t a simple matter of presidential decree or congressional vote. In fact, we don’t actually know how the medal would be revoked because it’s never happened before. Even White House press secretary Josh Earnest said he didn’t know if it was possible.

    This is absolutely silly. Just pass a law saying that Medals of Freedom can be revoked for specific reasons. There’s always a first time for everything and you shouldn’t let the fact that a possible action is “unprecedented” prevent you from taking it.

  7. 7.

    M. Bouffant

    November 11, 2018 at 3:02 am

    You can’t convince me Miriam isn’t a Mossad agent sent to control Sheldon’s ill-gotten money.

  8. 8.

    Amir Khalid

    November 11, 2018 at 3:02 am

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??:

    Just pass a law saying that Medals of Freedom can be revoked for specific reasons.

    JFK created the Presidential Medal of Freedom by executive order. I suppose the power to revoke a medal would also have to be created — well, exercised — by the president, and it would be up to POTUS to make any rules about revocation. As far as I can tell Congress has no say in picking Medal winners; it seems to me that giving the legislative branch a vote on revocations or revocation criteria (1) is inappropriate for that reason, and (2) opens the door to revocations driven by partisan spite.

  9. 9.

    Mary G

    November 11, 2018 at 3:06 am

    He had to choose mostly dead people, because so few live ones would accept it from him.

  10. 10.

    rikyrah

    November 11, 2018 at 3:11 am

    @Mary G:
    There is that

  11. 11.

    wasabi gasp

    November 11, 2018 at 3:21 am

    no revokin, just provokin

  12. 12.

    wasabi gasp

    November 11, 2018 at 4:05 am

    WooOOoo WOOoo

  13. 13.

    Origuy

    November 11, 2018 at 4:22 am

    My friend Nik is a veterinarian in Megalia, CA, near Paradise. He is suggesting that people who want to help with the animals displaced by the Camp Fire in the northern Sierra Nevada donate to the Critter Pass Ranch. Their main focus is on disabled animals, but they will be busy with all sorts of animals in the current situation. They are housing some of the pets of Nik’s family while they are evacuated.

  14. 14.

    Platonailedit

    November 11, 2018 at 4:37 am

    It’s harder to buy Sudafed than it is to become Attorney General.

    — Jake Vig (@Jake_Vig) November 10, 2018

  15. 15.

    wasabi gasp

    November 11, 2018 at 4:59 am

    livin’ on a prayer (and a pair of ass kickin’ boots)

  16. 16.

    Patricia Kayden

    November 11, 2018 at 5:37 am

    Let’s root for Kanye to show up at the ceremony to grab the medal from Ms. Adelson’s hands and give one of his infamous “I’m gonna let you finish but ..,” speeches. He’s as deserving of one of these medals as any of the other recipients. At least he has an actual talent.

  17. 17.

    JPL

    November 11, 2018 at 5:49 am

    CNN is showing the Armistice ceremony, and it is quite touching. Most of the world leaders arrived by bus, but trump arrived separately by motorcade, and a female was able to run and got close to his car. (tweets will come later) Anyway Putin arrived separately also, but a minute or so behind trump. hmmm

    @Patricia Kayden: I’d watch that.

  18. 18.

    TS (the original)

    November 11, 2018 at 5:55 am

    He couldn’t find enough living people to accept his award – hence those who have died are selected.

    Edit: I see Mary G beat me to the same conclusion

  19. 19.

    TS (the original)

    November 11, 2018 at 6:03 am

    @JPL: And Macron is explaining the difference between patriotism and nationalism as part of his speech.
    Edit: Trump does not appear to be listening to a translation – unless there is a hidden microphone.

  20. 20.

    NotMax

    November 11, 2018 at 6:11 am

    @ TS (the original)

    Dolt 45 had an uncle who once ate brie, so he knows all there is to know about the French, including the language.

    :)

  21. 21.

    JPL

    November 11, 2018 at 6:12 am

    @TS (the original): It didn’t appear that trump applauded the speech like the other leaders did. Of course, he didn’t walk in unison with them either. I want Obama.

  22. 22.

    satby

    November 11, 2018 at 6:20 am

    @TS (the original): @JPL: sulky toddler having a tantrum on a world stage. He hates to travel, hates to have his routine upset, hates to work, and hates that IF he has to do any of that he doesn’t get a rally of cheering nimrods to speechify to, even if they have to be paid to pretend to adore him.

  23. 23.

    JoyceH

    November 11, 2018 at 6:21 am

    @JPL: I saw that too. It was just so weird! ALL the other world leaders arrived together, got out of their vehicles some distance from the ceremony site, and walked there together, in a rather ceremonious fashion. THEN Trump shows up, with just Melania, after everyone else is in the big tent greeting one another. And a few minutes after that, Putin shows up.

    Why even bother going if you’re going to act like that? It’s not just rude, it’s WEIRD!

  24. 24.

    TS (the original)

    November 11, 2018 at 6:27 am

    @satby: He really does hate to work. This became so obvious when he was campaigning over the past few weeks – all he wants to do is have rallies and attack the media.

    I do not have the word skills to explain how obscene and revolting he always is.

  25. 25.

    TS (the original)

    November 11, 2018 at 6:28 am

    @JoyceH:

    THEN Trump shows up, with just Melania

    Trump can’t walk. He has to be driven very close to where he is sitting.

  26. 26.

    JPL

    November 11, 2018 at 6:30 am

    @JoyceH: After his antics yesterday it’s not surprising. How do you arrive late to a dinner when you haven’t done anything but watch TV all day?
    @TS (the original): trump needs to be forced to attend a class on how to be presidential.

  27. 27.

    Barbara

    November 11, 2018 at 6:34 am

    @TS (the original): I’m beginning to wonder if he is experiencing real physical limitations, like the kind you get when you need a hip or knee replacement. Yet he still plays golf or at least says he does. He did all those rallies but can’t manage a tribute to Marines.

  28. 28.

    OzarkHillbilly

    November 11, 2018 at 6:37 am

    @JPL:

    trump needs to be forced to attend a class on how to be presidential.

    Another waste of time and money. Besides, who would teach it and why do you hate them so?

  29. 29.

    JPL

    November 11, 2018 at 6:39 am

    @Barbara: My uneducated guess would be that the world leaders no longer feel it necessary to jump at his command. If trump can’t get his way he throws a hissy fit,.

  30. 30.

    satby

    November 11, 2018 at 6:40 am

    @NotMax: been thinking about you! How are you doing?

  31. 31.

    Amir Khalid

    November 11, 2018 at 6:42 am

    @JPL:
    With Trump, you have to start further back. Like, with the basic socialisation skills that parents teach to their toddlers.

  32. 32.

    Barbara

    November 11, 2018 at 6:47 am

    @JPL: I don’t understand why you would insist on going to France for 100th anniversary Armistice memorial activities and then miss the event that honors Marines for what must be the highest single battle casualties they ever experienced, in the first big US involved battle that definitively began to change the course of the war. It’s just stupid.

  33. 33.

    OzarkHillbilly

    November 11, 2018 at 6:51 am

    @Barbara:

    I don’t understand

    It was raining. Don’t you know what happens when witches get wet?

  34. 34.

    JPL

    November 11, 2018 at 6:51 am

    This is from Daniel Dale and includes a couple of snapshots of Trump after Macron’s speech.
    https://twitter.com/albamonica/status/1061578511150997504

  35. 35.

    Quinerly

    November 11, 2018 at 6:52 am

    @Mary G: I chuckled yesterday. One of the news report had Orrin Hatch (my mother always called him “Pencil Neck” as in “How on earth can Kennedy be friends with THAT Pencil Neck?, but I digress ?) grouped in with the deceased ones. Written like he was receiving it posthumously. Forget which news blurb but later in the day they changed the wording and noted their correction.

  36. 36.

    NotMax

    November 11, 2018 at 7:08 am

    @satby

    Just dandy (or a reasonable simulacrum thereof).

    And you?

  37. 37.

    satby

    November 11, 2018 at 8:20 am

    @NotMax: I feel back asleep for an hour in my chair. Coffee’s ice cold.

  38. 38.

    debbie

    November 11, 2018 at 8:40 am

    Orrin the fucking Hatch????? What courageous thing has he ever done? Telling women to grow the hell up???

  39. 39.

    J R in WV

    November 11, 2018 at 10:54 am

    @satby:

    I was awake predawn as usual, 5-6am, and sat down with some water to hydrate and look at the webs. Suddenly I woke up, and the screen had gone dark, there was just the keyboard backlight, I was so startled. Of course went right back to bed, where I got 4 more hours. Glad I didn’t fall out of the sit-up-straight office chair!

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