Megan Rapinoe to get Presidential Medal of Freedom

I guess I'll copy my posts in the News and Media thread here so it'll all be in the same place.

Rapinoe will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on July 7:

The highest civilian honor in the United States. 🎖@mPinoe will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on July 7 🇺🇸

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 1, 2022

A HUGE honor, but also I guess this means that she won't be in Mexico for the Jamaica game?

First reaction from Rapinoe:

Megan Rapinoe speaking just now in Monterrey about receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom:

"I'm just shook. I'm totally overwhelmed and just completely honored by this. It's really hard to find the words to express how special this is and what this means to me."#USWNT

— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) July 1, 2022

And ends with this:

Pinoe closes us out with this: "You guys, I'm going to the fuckin' White House."#USWNT pic.twitter.com/Gmy4CavrWi

— Steph Yang | Horrible Soccer Goose (@thrace) July 1, 2022

Press conference video after the announcement of Rapinoe receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom that includes the above quotations:

 

I was going to say, that's an insultingly late award for such a prominent figure.

 

Clips of Biden calling the recipients:

These Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients embody the soul of this nation – hard work, perseverance, and faith. They’ve dedicated their lives to advocating for the vulnerable and driving change.

I’m proud to welcome them and their families to the People’s House tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/CGm8443ZmW

— President Biden (@POTUS) July 7, 2022

 

Don’t mind us, just something in our eye… 🥲😭😭😭

So proud of you, @mPinoe 🎖

🎥 » @cspan
pic.twitter.com/cTcY18Ngvo

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 7, 2022

 

I cant help but wonder WHY? Did she get it for kneeling during the national anthem? Or maybe for refusing to face the flag when it's being played? or was it for her endless protests about her cause de jour? She even had to protest at this event for that woman held in Russia for drugs. Or is it simply because she is a gay, loud mouthed woman? Im surprised she would even accept this award? Makes her a bit of of hypocrite doesnt it? All she does is knock this country but she still shows up to accept an award? Of course Biden also got the same award for no apparent reason too so i guess it really isnt worth much anymore

 

Because she courageously fights for civil rights. Something you obviously care little about. Since your rights as a white male have not been trampled upon, and you clearly are not for equal rights, perhaps you should sit this one out. Your post is disgusting to be honest.

 

There is nothing intrinsically disrespectful about kneeling. Billions of Catholics kneel in church as an act of reverence. The other Abrahamic religions all do it as well. It’s even in the Bible in Isaiah 45:23

The idea that it’s disrespectful of the flag is a meme that people who disagree with her use as a put down to avoid dealing with the issues she is bringing up. Attack the person, not the issue.

the idea of kneeling was proposed to Colin Kaepernich by a decorated army veteran to show respect and still get a point across about police brutality towards blacks, which were later born out by several cold blooded murders by police officers that eventually resulted in life sentences for the murderers. It t was a very effective way to bring a huge racism issue before the public.

but unless you were comatose during the protests and conviction for the murder or George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin and other cases, you knew that.

the NWSL and USsoccer figured it out and reversed their policies towards expression, maybe you need to make an effort to educate yourself. It’s now a world wide means of expression no matter what flag you revere.
https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...r-t-shirts-with-message-of-unity-4373972.html

 

Rapinoe's act of kneeling was not without consequences for her. She didn't play in another match for the WNT for eight months or so. Supposedly, she was injured, but it was obvious that the Soccer Federation was trying to get rid of her.

What prompted her return was that the WNT realized they desperately needed her on the field. We had recently lost matches with England and France, but when Rapinoe came back it became obvious that she was the best player on the pitch. (Argue with that if you wish!)

I admire people who take a stand -- and suffer consequences as a result. Most of us don't have the guts to take a risk with consequences. At the same time, I don't blame other players for keeping their mouths shut. A lesser player than Rapinoe who bent a knee at that time would have been summarily exiled from the game by the powers that be. Rapinoe is privileged, as she admits, and she is using her privilege for what she perceives as good.

So, now she's going to the f-ing White House. Congats, Pinoe.

 

She better do it quickly. Her career is virtually over and once that happens, nobody will care what she thinks or says. I dont see a spot for her if the healthy people return. Macario, Sam Mewis, Ertz, and maybe Press could all return. Where does that leave Rapinoe it they do?