• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Stephen Hawking awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom at White House

What has Hawking done to advance the progress of freedom and individual liberty?

Ya think anyone on the streets of Calcutta care about Hawking Radiation from black holes?

Is his claim to fame is position as the iconic cripple?

I know what his accomplishments are. They don't appear to have much value outside of the arcane world of the astrophysicist.

They included former Irish President and one-time United Nations human rights commissioner Mary Robinson, retired South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, film star Sidney Poitier and tennis legend Billie Jean King.
Senator Edward Kennedy, who has been battling brain cancer, was also recognised, but his daughter, Kara, attended the ceremony because he was mourning the death on Tuesday of his sister, Eunice.
A posthumous award was given to gay rights activist Harvey Milk, who was assassinated in 1978. Actor Sean Penn won an Oscar for his portrayal of the San Francisco politician in the film, ‘Milk.’
Click to expand...

Lets see who else....an irrelevant human rights commissioner, Mr. Tutu I can understand, he's black, Sidney Poitier, the Apologetic Negro from the movies of the 50's and 60's, a tennis ball chaser, Drunken Teddy, and the Milk "Man" that no one in the mainstream world could remember if their life depended on it.

Yep, the typical "lets line up some politically advantageous people and get a photo-op" show one expects from the Messiah.
 
Last edited:
Sigh:

II - All Opening Post threads posted in *BN* must have:

• Link to an article from a bona-fide news organization.
• Dateline within the past 48 hours.
• Exact same title as the cited article.
• Quoted short excerpts from the article.
• Your own unique content to spur discussion.
Click to expand...

Personally, I would prefer to keep that medal for Americans.
 
I hope Krewe Obama did a better job of checking out hawking than they did the last time they gave it to someone.
 
Well done him!
 
PeteEU said:
Much deserved I must say..
Click to expand...

It is designed to recognize individuals 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." The award is not limited to United States citizens and, while a civilian award, can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform.
Click to expand...

Indeed, well deserved!

This was funny. Someone shoulda told President Obama to put it on from the front. Practical, and it's also protocol when honoring a Chief.

article-1206107-060ADA06000005DC-221_468x371.jpg


article-1206107-060ADBB6000005DC-867_468x452.jpg
 
Joe Medicine Crow-High Bird was another I think truly deserving when reading his life story. The last living Plains Indian war chief.
 
NDNdancer said:
Indeed, well deserved!

This was funny. Someone shoulda told President Obama to put it on from the front. Practical, and it's also protocol when honoring a Chief.

article-1206107-060ADA06000005DC-221_468x371.jpg


article-1206107-060ADBB6000005DC-867_468x452.jpg
Click to expand...
Looky! He got a choked hold on the chief.
 
Scarecrow Akhbar said:
Lets see who else....an irrelevant human rights commissioner, Mr. Tutu I can understand, he's black, Sidney Poitier, the Apologetic Negro from the movies of the 50's and 60's, a tennis ball chaser, Drunken Teddy, and the Milk "Man" that no one in the mainstream world could remember if their life depended on it.

Yep, the typical "lets line up some politically advantageous people and get a photo-op" show one expects from the Messiah.
Click to expand...

To anyone who doesn't think that there's any opposition to Obama based on his race rather than his policies, I present Exhibit A.
 
Kandahar said:
To anyone who doesn't think that there's any opposition to Obama based on his race rather than his policies, I present Exhibit A.
Click to expand...

You do realize by their twisted logic you are now the racist. Funny how that works isn't it?
 
The fact that Stephen Hawking has a paralyzing disease yet still pursues liberty and happiness through his research - which, by the way, has been a colossal benefit to our understanding of the universe we live in - in order to contribute to scientific knowledge, means he is more than deserving of a medal that represents freedom.

His isn't American. So what? It's not like NASA and many space programs in the U.S. which monitor extrastellar phenomenon haven't relied on his models.
 
I support the Healthcare reform, but somebody could definitely use that pic of Obama and Hawking to suggest that Obama was administering his healthcare plan by choking Hawking out!!!!:lol::lol::cool:
 
Zyphlin said:
Ah, that guys no Chief Zee

Chief%20Zee.jpg


(joking, joking)
Click to expand...

Very true. The Crow Chief is wearing an eagle warbonnet. Each feather in that warbonnet represents some deed or honor he acquired by EARNING it. Each feather and the war bonnet itself represent a judgement by his peers (other warriors) of his accomplishments.

I know something of the Crow and those feathers most probably came from an eagle taken the "old" way i.e. a man in a capture trap on the top of some mountain, reaching up through the hide to grab the eagle's legs and then kill him with the single knife he would have been allowed. It was most probably a momentous struggle and life and death with no certain outcome.

Most definitely nothing like Z who up and decided one day to make a mockery of all REAL plains chiefs by donning a walt disney painted turkey feather headdress without earning it in either war or deed.
 
NDNdancer said:
I know something of the Crow and those feathers most probably came from an eagle taken the "old" way i.e. a man in a capture trap on the top of some mountain, reaching up through the hide to grab the eagle's legs and then kill him with the single knife he would have been allowed. It was most probably a momentous struggle and life and death with no certain outcome.
Click to expand...

Very neat information. Thanks for that.
 
Well he was one of the Vice Presidential Action Rangers, tasked with protecting the time-space continuum from disruptions.

epanthologyofinterest1.jpg
 
Scarecrow Akhbar said:
Lets see who else....an irrelevant human rights commissioner, Mr. Tutu I can understand, he's black, Sidney Poitier, the Apologetic Negro from the movies of the 50's and 60's, a tennis ball chaser, Drunken Teddy, and the Milk "Man" that no one in the mainstream world could remember if their life depended on it.

Yep, the typical "lets line up some politically advantageous people and get a photo-op" show one expects from the Messiah.
Click to expand...

Such a bold display of racism and homophobia.

I'm not sure if its just gutsy arrogance or blind inane stupidity.
 
I would think the advances he's made in theoretical physics ALONE would be enough to earn him this honor. Nevermind his debilitation.

http://hawking.org.uk/old-site/pdf/pub.pdf

194, first author, peer reviewed publications pretty much stand for themselves. Not to mention, that he is the MOST cited physicist in the world for other scientists.

He not only has been honored by his peers, but has made physics and the basic workings of the universe easier for mere mortals to understand, a rare talent for most scientists.

So, not only is he the preeminent scientist in his field, but a premier educator and humanitarian.

What I find ludicrous is that anyone would question his being honored with this award.
 
Last edited:
Zyphlin said:
Well he was one of the Vice Presidential Action Rangers, tasked with protecting the time-space continuum from disruptions.

epanthologyofinterest1.jpg
Click to expand...

Proper Futurama references are auto-win.
 
So you can leave a drowning mistress in a creek and get kicked out of Harvard for cheating and still win the Medal of Freedom from Obama?

Excellent stadards, Dear Leader.
 
Ikari said:
WTF did he do? You know, other people have had a more profound impact on science that Hawking.
Click to expand...

Name one that is still alive... do you have any idea of how revolutionary and useful his theories and ideas have been? How far he has advanced our understanding of how our universe works?

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking]Stephen Hawking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
 
Last edited:
Crunch said:
Name one that is still alive... do you have any idea of how revolutionary and useful his theories and ideas have been? How far he has advanced our understanding of how our universe works?

Stephen Hawking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Click to expand...

Carl Weinman, Eric Cornell, Steven Chu, Albert Fert, Peter Grünberg, etc.

Hawking radiation is a good theory, it explains a lot; but the majority of what Hawking created is untestable theory. How many Nobel Prizes does Hawking have?
 
Last edited:
Ikari said:
Carl Weinman, Eric Cornell, Steven Chu, Albert Fert, Peter Grünberg, etc.

Hawking radiation is a good theory, it explains a lot; but the majority of what Hawking created is untestable theory. How many Nobel Prizes does Hawking have?
Click to expand...

How many does Algore have? :lamo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom