# So forming the Miami Sound Machine gets you the Medal of Freedom? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 16, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744 "2015-11-16T22:32:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/1 "2015-11-16T22:32:37Z")
Seriously? > **[President Obama to award Presidential Medal of Freedom to Gloria and Emilio...](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article45096954.html)** > > Obama will recognize the Estefans for their contributions to Latin music ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/2 "2015-11-16T22:45:59Z")
Sure, if you hosted a fundraiser for his campaign. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/3 "2015-11-16T22:52:56Z")
From Wikipedia, “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded by the President of the United States ‘for especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.’” And the statement from the White House says, “[Gloria] Estefan became one of the first mainstream Hispanic artists to crossover between English and Spanish language music paving the way for countless other Latin artists to follow.” So, yes, forming the Miami Sound Machine qualifies. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/4 "2015-11-16T22:54:31Z")
Well, they gave one to Ben Carson, so it’s not _that_ exclusive of a club… ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/5 "2015-11-16T22:55:30Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > From Wikipedia, “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded by the President of the United States ‘for especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.’” And the statement from the White House says, “[Gloria] Estefan became one of the first mainstream Hispanic artists to crossover between English and Spanish language music paving the way for countless other Latin artists to follow.” So, yes, forming the Miami Sound Machine qualifies. So you’re saying that paving the way for Pitbull qualifies for the Medal of Freedom. Got it! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/6 "2015-11-16T22:58:55Z")
Yes, that is _exactly_ what I’m saying. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/7 "2015-11-16T23:16:55Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > So you’re saying that paving the way for Pitbull qualifies for the Medal of Freedom. Got it! > [@](#): > > (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.'" And the statement from the White House says, “[Gloria] Estefan became one of the first mainstream Hispanic artists to crossover between English and Spanish language music paving the way for countless other Latin artists to follow.” So, yes, forming the Miami Sound Machine qualifies. So . . . do you disagree with the White House’s assessment of Gloria Estefan’s culural significance? If so, in what way? ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/8 "2015-11-16T23:20:58Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > …for especially meritorious contribution to > (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or > (2) world peace Well, there’s your answer. Who knows what kind of war-ravaged hell we’d be living in if we didn’t all learn to come-on-shake-your-body-baby-do-the-conga? For perspective’s sake, here’s more arts & entertainment people given the PMF under Obama’s watch: Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand, Meryl Streep, Jasper Johns, Sidney Poitier, Maya Angelou, Willie Mays (WOW he’s still alive?!?), Ernie Banks, Loretta Lynn, Tom Brokaw, Oprah Winfrey, Yo-Yo Ma… just to name a few. Yeah, it’s a meaningless photo op but hey, that’s the fuckin’ job. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/9 "2015-11-17T02:38:25Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > For perspective’s sake, here’s more arts & entertainment people given the PMF under Obama’s watch: Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand, Meryl Streep, Jasper Johns, Sidney Poitier, Maya Angelou, Willie Mays (WOW he’s still alive?!?), Ernie Banks, Loretta Lynn, Tom Brokaw, Oprah Winfrey, Yo-Yo Ma… just to name a few. Yeah, it’s a meaningless photo op but hey, that’s the fuckin’ job. And Bush gave the Medal of Freedom to Hank Aaron, Carol Burnett, Julia Child, Aretha Franklin, Andy Griffith, B.B. King, Rita Moreno, Jack Nicklaus, Nancy Reagan, and Fred Rogers. It’s like an American knighthood. You can receive it just for being famous. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2015, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/10 "2015-11-17T13:51:50Z")
“…one of the first mainstream Hispanic artists to crossover between English and Spanish language music paving the way for countless other Latin artists to follow.” How about a Presidential Medal for Awesome Guitar Riffs, and award it to Carlos Santana? ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2015, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/11 "2015-11-17T13:54:19Z")
Well, Julia Child worked for the OSS, the which later became the CIA. She really did help protect the security interests of the USA. But you’re right - it’s essentially an American Knighthood. I don’t have too much of a problem with it, except that I wish it went to more scientists and thinkers instead of movie stars and sports figures. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2015, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/12 "2015-11-17T14:07:26Z")
> [@BlackKnight](#): > > Well, Julia Child worked for the OSS, the which later became the CIA. She really did help protect the security interests of the USA. > > But you’re right - it’s essentially an American Knighthood. I don’t have too much of a problem with it, except that I wish it went to more scientists and thinkers instead of movie stars and sports figures. There was a petition years ago to get Rick Rescorla the Medal of Freedom. It still hasn’t happened. Singing “Come on, shake your body baby, do the conga” is more worthy than saving thousands and dying while trying to save more. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/13 "2015-11-17T14:52:31Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > So . . . do you disagree with the White House’s assessment of Gloria Estefan’s culural significance? If so, in what way? _Shrug_ I have “Turn the Beat Around” on my mp3 player, but I’m not prepared to give her a medal for it. If they’re really going to award it to anyone & everyone who was famous a couple decades ago, then they really should rename the award. “Medal of Freedom” implies that your actions advanced freedom in some way. Maybe they should call it the “Legion of Merit” or something similarly generic. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/14 "2015-11-17T16:29:20Z")
[quote=“buddha\_david, post:8, topic:737744”] Well, there’s your answer. Who knows what kind of war-ravaged hell we’d be living in if we didn’t all learn to come-on-shake-your-body-baby-do-the-conga? In your criticism, you only quote items 1 and 2 and leave out item (3) “cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” which followed immediately after. I think that was the reason the medal was given. And the same reason that many Presidents gave the medal to many entertainers. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/15 "2015-11-17T16:43:51Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/16 "2015-11-17T16:47:49Z")
> [@BlackKnight](#): > > Well, Julia Child worked for the OSS, the which later became the CIA. She really did help protect the security interests of the USA. > > But you’re right - it’s essentially an American Knighthood. I don’t have too much of a problem with it, except that I wish it went to more scientists and thinkers instead of movie stars and sports figures. There ARE awards for scientists, and for math and science teachers. But they don’t get any press because they don’t go to popular entertainers. If President Trump started giving the Medal of Freedom only to Nobel-quality scientists, you would stop hearing about it very quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-forming-the-miami-sound-machine-gets-you-the-medal-of-freedom/737744/17 "2015-11-17T16:53:52Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > If they’re really going to award it to anyone & everyone who was famous a couple decades ago, then they really should rename the award. “Medal of Freedom” implies that your actions advanced freedom in some way. Maybe they should call it the “Legion of Merit” or something similarly generic. Yes, it’s a silly name. But the laureates have always included people who did nothing to advance freedom. Tony Blair got one from GWB in 2009, despite having substantially retarded the cause of freedom.