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[DaffyGrl]

Bush’s choices for the highest civilian honor in the country, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, are George “Slam Dunk” Tenet, Paul (abolish the Iraqi Defense Ministry) Bremer and General Tommy Franks. While General Franks may be somewhat deserving of the honor (since the blame for his only failure can be laid squarely at the feet of the Secretary of Defense-lack of troop strength), Tenet and Bremer were/are essentially failures in their respective jobs.

The 9-11 commission blames the CIA and Tenet for some of the crucial intelligence failures that prevented us from stopping the terrorist attacks.  On Iraq, before the invasion, it was Tenet who described the existence of WMD as a  "slam dunk."  Paul Bremer guided the postwar Iraq effort into chaos and insurgency.  And General Tommy Franks, while leading US troops brilliantly to Baghdad, had no plan once US troops got there to secure any part of the nation and prevent looting or sabotage. MSNBC

But as recently as Monday, Iraqi interim President Ghazi al-Yawar slammed what he called Bremer's "big mistake", the abolishment of Iraq's defence ministry when he led the US-led occupying authority.

Merely ridding the military of Saddam Hussein loyalists "could have saved us a lot of hassle and a lot of problems" in dealing with deadly chaos that threatens elections scheduled for January, Yawar told BBC radio. iAfrica

While the Medal was initiated by President Truman to honor meritorious service by civilians during the war, the Medal was reidentified as “an honor for distinguished civilian service in peacetime” by John F. Kennedy when he reinstated it in 1963. It looks as if Bush has gone back to the Truman definition by honoring these particular three people.

Historically, the Medal has been bestowed upon the likes of presidents, generals, and civilians like Rosa Parks, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Bob Hope, Cesar Chavez, Julia Child, and Arnold Palmer. Medal of Freedom Official Site

Do you agree with the selection? Why or why not?

Does the choice of these recipients mock what the Presidential Medal of Freedom represents? Why do you believe these particular three individuals were selected?

Are there others more deserving of the honor?