GameBanshee Forums

One of the problems with a republic is that while businessmen, sports heroes and politicians get fat salaries and awards everywhere, your government can't give the comparatively lofty but unremunerative award to the kind of people who really do make a cultural difference. I mean, of course, knighthoods (or damehoods) and such. Got a fabulously important scientist, a world-renowned violinist, an outstanding economist? If you live in the UK, they can at least get an honorary recognition from the government that makes them feel good, and gives the rest of the nation the impression that hey, the arts and the sciences do matter a bit, after all. Even the French, who pride themselves on their republican ideals, maintain lofty national organizations into which celebrated individuals are inducted as a matter of national civic pride. The French also name streets after great poets. We in the US name ours after types of trees. Personally, I like trees; trees are some of my best friends. But I don't think they'd be offended if we named a square after fine American composers, writers, pioneer computer scientists, historians, etc.

So whom do you think should receive such a prestigious reward, that has absolutely no chance of getting one in this particular lifetime of theirs?

The American government does give out awards of sorts, although we don't have anything so formal as Orders or Knighthoods. On top of military awards, we give out things like the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidental Medal of Freedom which recognise people (American citizens and foreign nationals alike) for their achievements not only for America but on behalf of humanity as well. We also name buildings, public areas, military bases/ships, facilities, schools and other things after people in recognition of their achievements and contributions (ie-Ronald Reagan National Airport)

If I were in charge of giving out these awards, the first person I'd pick would be Jimmy Carter, who has simply been the finest former president the nation has ever had. I think he's a man of tremendous integrity and intelligence and he has used his position as an ex-president in the most selfless ways possible (unlike former president Nixon who used his ex-presidency to rehabilitate his image and legacy). I think Carter will get a bum rap by history on account of several factors he could not control, but on balance, he has been (and still is) a great human being.