Archive for the Cameo In Courage Award Category

Tenth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2025 (March 31, 2025)

Posted in Cameo In Courage Award on March 31, 2025 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “The envelope please.  . . .  This year, the ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award is awarded to . . . Thomas Harold Massie who selflessly serves as the Congressman from the Fourth District of Kentucky and displays transcendental courage and unwavering conviction in a world of compromise and corruption.  Indifferent to personal threats and caustic criticism, the self-styled ‘hillbilly, nerd, redneck, geek, farmer, Congressman’ and genuine Great American is one of the few statesmen on the American scene today.  With the soul and spirit of a Founding Father, he is a modern day Prophet for our time.

J          “I vote present.  I concede that he isn’t owned.”

K          “Senator Rand Paul is also from Kentucky.  One must wonder what is in the water down there.”

. . .

[See the tour of the Massie homestead in the video “Off the Grid” that reveals the genius and generosity of Thomas Harold Massie.]

[See the e-commentary at Ninth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2024 (May 20, 2024), Eighth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2023 (May 22, 2023), Cameo In Courage Award Nominee: Julian Assange (January 31, 2022), Sixth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2021 (April 5, 2021), Fifth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2020 (July 6, 2020), Seeing 2020:  Profiles In Cowardice; Profiles In Courage.  Oh, And Happy Valentine’s Day! (February 10, 2020), Alex J. / J. Assange And The First Amendment (August 13, 2018), Hero or Traitor? (June 10, 2013), Fourth Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2019 (April 8, 2019), Third Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2018 (April 9, 2018), Second Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2017 (March 6, 2017), First Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2016 (May 9, 2016), Award Deadlines (Livelines?) (July 25, 2016), Profile In Cowardice Award (May 12, 2014), Profile In Courage Award, 2015 (May 11, 2015), Chelsea And Ed:  Time For ‘Con’ ‘dign’ Treatment (November 30, 2015) and On Courage and Truth (March 17, 2008).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

“My philosophy is live and let live:  You don’t worry about what somebody’s doing in their holler, as long as they don’t worry about what you’re doing in your holler.”  Thomas Harold Massie

Dissent remains patriotic, but perilous

Ninth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2024 (May 20, 2024)

Posted in Cameo In Courage Award on May 20, 2024 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “The envelope please.  . . .  This year, the ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award is awarded to . . . David McBride who disclosed war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan including the killing of 39 unarmed Afghan prisoners, farmers, and civilians in 2012.  And for his courageous and commendable efforts, the Australian government is sending him to prison.

J          “He has my vote and support.”

K          “The Australian government fails to protect some Australian citizens such as Julian Assange and persecutes and prosecutes other Australian citizens.  Emulating the United States is obscene.”

. . .

[See “The Heroism of David McBride” by John Kiriakou in “Consortium News” dated May 16, 2024.]

[See the e-commentary at  Eighth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2023 (May 22, 2023), Cameo In Courage Award Nominee: Julian Assange (January 31, 2022), Sixth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2021 (April 5, 2021), Fifth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2020 (July 6, 2020), Seeing 2020:  Profiles In Cowardice; Profiles In Courage.  Oh, And Happy Valentine’s Day! (February 10, 2020), Alex J. / J. Assange And The First Amendment (August 13, 2018), Hero or Traitor? (June 10, 2013), Fourth Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2019 (April 8, 2019), Third Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2018 (April 9, 2018), Second Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2017 (March 6, 2017), First Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2016 (May 9, 2016), Award Deadlines (Livelines?) (July 25, 2016), Profile In Cowardice Award (May 12, 2014), Profile In Courage Award, 2015 (May 11, 2015), Chelsea And Ed:  Time For ‘Con’ ‘dign’ Treatment (November 30, 2015) and On Courage and Truth (March 17, 2008).]

Bumper sticker of the week:

Dissent remains patriotic, but perilous

When Will They [Le Kennedys] Ever Learn?:  The Answer Is:  ASSANGE (August 7, 2023)

Posted in Cameo In Courage Award, Courage, Hypocrisy on August 7, 2023 by e-commentary.org

Dear ___________,
The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation invites you to submit nominations for the annual Profile in Courage Award®!

Acts of courage happen at every level of government – and the Profile in Courage Award aims to recognize individuals who have taken a political risk to do what is in the greater good for their community, their constituents, and their country.

Founded by President Kennedy’s family, the award honors his legacy by celebrating leaders, like him, who act with integrity and conviction, regardless of the consequences.

Take a few minutes to nominate an elected official at the federal, state, or local level who you believe has demonstrated this exceptional political courage.

Thank you for your nomination and for helping us honor those who serve with courage and integrity.

Best wishes,

The JFK Library Foundation Team

. . .

K          “They are brokering their award to curry favor with the ‘Parvenu PMC’ and other errand boys and girls.  They are engaging in what I describe as ‘cross-credentialing’ with others.”

J          “Everyone is hustling to get a bigger piece of the Racket.”

. . .

[See the e-commentary at Cameo In Courage Award Nominee: Julian Assange (January 31, 2022) and The Persecution Of Assange And The Feckless MSM (September 21, 2020).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Alpha

Sierra

Sierra

Alpha

November

Golf

Echo

ASSANGE

Julain Assange’s continued incarceration is a continuing crime against humanity.  Anyone concerned with free speech and the First Amendment should be appalled and incensed.  By our silence and our indifference, we are all co-conspirators in a crime against humanity.  And we just go on with life. 

Eighth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2023 (May 22, 2023)

Posted in Cameo In Courage Award on May 22, 2023 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “The envelope please.  . . .  This year, the ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award is awarded to . . . Barbara Lee, the only Congressperson who voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in 2001.  Not one other person in the House or in the Senate had the courage, the dignity and the integrity to do what she did.  She has continued to challenge the powerful on behalf of the powerless.  She continues to carry the torch carried by Ron Dellums before her.  A civil society must provide some public nod to honor secular saints.  To acknowledge the poppy that forces its way through the crack in the asphalt to reach for the light.”

J          “One person demurred.  Only one person demurred when Congress capitulated completely.  And she is still serving.”

. . .

[See the e-commentary Cameo In Courage Award Nominee: Julian Assange (January 31, 2022), Sixth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2021 (April 5, 2021), Fifth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2020 (July 6, 2020), Seeing 2020:  Profiles In Cowardice; Profiles In Courage.  Oh, And Happy Valentine’s Day! (February 10, 2020), Alex J. / J. Assange And The First Amendment (August 13, 2018), Hero or Traitor? (June 10, 2013), Fourth Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2019 (April 8, 2019), Third Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2018 (April 9, 2018), Second Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2017 (March 6, 2017), First Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2016 (May 9, 2016), Award Deadlines (Livelines?) (July 25, 2016), Profile In Cowardice Award (May 12, 2014), Profile In Courage Award, 2015 (May 11, 2015), Chelsea And Ed:  Time For ‘Con’ ‘dign’ Treatment (November 30, 2015) and On Courage and Truth (March 17, 2008).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Dissent remains patriotic, but perilous

“People run in packs because they don’t feel safe alone.  I run alone because I don’t feel safe in packs.”  Muhammad Ali

Cameo In Courage Award Nominee: Julian Assange (January 31, 2022)

Posted in Cameo In Courage Award, Courage, Hypocrisy, Journalism on January 31, 2022 by e-commentary.org

. . .

PROFILE IN COURAGE AWARD® – SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Award nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis. Nominations received after February 15th of each year will be rolled over for consideration the following year. Ordinarily, the award will be made to living Americans who are or were elected officials.  Individuals at all levels of government—federal, state and local—are eligible for the award.  An emphasis will be placed on contemporary acts of political courage. Please consider the Award Criteria to determine whether the person you wish to nominate would be an appropriate recipient of the Profile in Courage Award®.

Tell Us About Your Nominee for the Profile in Courage Award

Nominee First Name: Julian

Nominee Last Name: Assange

Act(s) of political courage for which your nominee is to be considered: Courageously standing up for free speech and courageously challenging illegal and immoral government action.

Enter other…

Tell Us About Yourself

First Name: e-

Last Name: commentator

Email Address:  e-ssay@gci.net

Zip / Postal Code:

All information submitted will be kept confidential by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and will be used only to communicate with you about your nomination and the Foundation’s activities.  No information on this form will be disclosed to any other person or entity.

. . .

[See the Cameo In Courage Award for Julian Assange in 2019 at Fourth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2019 (April 8, 2019) and the most recent award at Sixth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2021 (April 5, 2021).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Make courage courageous again

___________________________________________________

A Petition to President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.:  Pardon Julian Assange

Whereas Journalist Julian Paul Assange and his media organization, Wikileaks, has in the respected tradition of American journalism obtained and published information that is classified and newsworthy, a practice shared with the Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and others and

Whereas in the fifteen years of its existence the authenticity and accuracy of materials published by Wikileaks has never been questioned or disputed and

Whereas assertion by the American Intelligence Services that Julian Assange is the agent of a “Hostile Foreign State” or the Russian government are politically suspect and completely unproven and denied by Assange and

Whereas Julian Assange has consistently denied that material obtained from the Democratic National Committee and published by Wikileaks came from the Russian State and has provided unimpeachable proof to U.S. authorities and

Whereas Julian Assange, now in failing health, is being held in solitary confinement and is being extradited by British authorities to the United States for trial and

Whereas Julian Assange is an impeccably-honest, incredibly-brave, humanitarian journalist, who provides an invaluable platform for whistleblowers and concerned citizens exposing corruption and criminality infesting governments, nullifying democracy and obliterating human rights, around the world and

Whereas there are absolutely no legitimate legal grounds to prosecute Assange and, as the U.S. Department of Justice admitted in 2013, doing so would expose all U.S. journalistic and news outlets to similar criminal jeopardy.

Therefore I urge President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. to issue a full and unconditional pardon to the journalist Julian Paul Assange in the interests of justice, mercy, truth and unity.  This humanitarian act could be the most consequential and far-reaching action in your first term.

Sixth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2021 (April 5, 2021)

Posted in Awards / Incentives, Cameo In Courage Award, Courage on April 5, 2021 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “The envelope please.  . . .  This year, the ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award is awarded to . . . Daniel Hale, the whistleblower who exposed the government’s drone assassination program at considerable cost to himself.”

J          “Will there come a time when such individuals are hailed as Great Americans and courageous patriots.”

. . .

[See “As Drone Whistleblower Daniel Hale Pleads Guilty, Advocates Warn of ‘Profound Threat’ to Free Press” in “Common Dreams” dated April 2, 2021 by Brett Wilkins.]

[See the e-commentary at “Fifth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2020 (July 6, 2020)”, “Seeing 2020:  Profiles In Cowardice; Profiles In Courage.  Oh, And Happy Valentine’s Day! (February 10, 2020)”, “Alex J. / J. Assange And The First Amendment (August 13, 2018)”, “Hero or Traitor? (June 10, 2013)”, “Fourth Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2019 (April 8, 2019)”, “Third Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2018 (April 9, 2018)”, “Second Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2017 (March 6, 2017)”, “First Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2016 (May 9, 2016)”, “Award Deadlines (Livelines?) (July 25, 2016)”, “Profile In Cowardice Award (May 12, 2014)”, “Profile In Courage Award, 2015 (May 11, 2015)”, “Chelsea And Ed:  Time For ‘Con’ ‘dign’ Treatment (November 30, 2015)” and “On Courage and Truth (March 17, 2008)”.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Dissent remains patriotic but perilous

“Sheep spend their whole lives living in fear of the wolf only to be eaten by the shepherd.”  Proverb

The Persecution Of Assange And The Feckless MSM (September 21, 2020)

Posted in Cameo In Courage Award, First Amendment, Journalism, Newspapers, Press/Media on September 21, 2020 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “Most media outlets are not concerned about press freedom because they are completely free to say precisely what they are directed to say.”

J          “The only journalists commenting on the most critical freedom of the press case of our time are commentators such as award-winning Caitlin Johnstone and historian and human rights advocate Craig Murray, those at Consortium News, and a few other heroes, stragglers and renegades.”

. . .

K          “What would RBG say?”

J          “I respectfully dissent.”

. . .

[See “Empire’s mask slips at Julian Assange trial” in “The Asia Times” dated September 18, 2020 by Pepe Escobar.]

[See some of the e-commentary by typing “Assange” in the search box.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Have a peaceful International Day of Peace

“First they came for the journalists.  We don’t know what happened after that.”

Have a peaceful Equinox

Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Fifth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2020 (July 6, 2020)

Posted in Awards / Incentives, Cameo In Courage Award, Courage, On [Traits/Characteristics] on July 6, 2020 by e-commentary.org

[Google continues to block access (except on July 2 and 3!?) to https://e-commentary.org/ with no justification or recourse.]

. . .

K          “The envelope please.  . . .  This year, the ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award is awarded to . . . Doctor Chris Martenson at Peak Prosperity who has presented and continues to present a regular detailed presentation and discussion of issues and challenges related to the Coronavirus / Covid-19 Plague.  With quiet conviction and factual facts, he has challenged the lies and propaganda of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Health (NIH), the American Medical Association (AMA), President Trumpi, the Surgeon General, the Main Stream Media (MSM), Corporate News Network (CNN), Faux News (Fox), Big Pharma (BG) and so many other institutions and individuals.  One benchmark of his veracity is the unrelenting criminal efforts by the Internet gate keepers such as Google/YouTube and Facebook and Twitter to block his presentations.”

. . .

[See “Malaria drug and zinc, the missing link” in “The Conservative Woman” dated May 26, 2020 by Joseph Berry.]

[See the e-commentary noting Doctor Chris Martenson’s contributions at “Covid-19:  BAU v. BAU (February 24, 2020)” and “Covid-19 PanICdemic/Plague:  The (Partial) Solution:  Mom’s Chicken Noodle Soup Savored Alone (And Wash ‘N’ Wear ‘N’ Hide!) (March 30, 2020)”.]

[See the e-commentary at “Seeing 2020:  Profiles In Cowardice; Profiles In Courage.  Oh, And Happy Valentine’s Day! (February 10, 2020)”, “Alex J. / J. Assange And The First Amendment (August 13, 2018)”, “Hero or Traitor? (June 10, 2013)”, “Fourth Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2019 (April 8, 2019)”, “Third Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2018 (April 9, 2018)”, “Second Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2017 (March 6, 2017)”, “First Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2016 (May 9, 2016)”, “Award Deadlines (Livelines?) (July 25, 2016)”, “Profile In Cowardice Award (May 12, 2014)”, “Profile In Courage Award, 2015 (May 11, 2015)”, “Chelsea And Ed:  Time For ‘Con’ ‘dign’ Treatment (November 30, 2015)” and “On Courage and Truth (March 17, 2008)”.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Dissent remains patriotic

The more flak you get the closer you are to the target.”  World War Two bomber’s observation

“Science is but an image of the truth.”  Francis Bacon

Julian Assange:  b. July 3, 1971 – d. slowly for the last few years

Seeing 2020:  Profiles In Cowardice; Profiles In Courage.  Oh, And Happy Valentine’s Day! (February 10, 2020)

Posted in Awards / Incentives, Cameo In Courage Award, Courage, Covid / Coronavirus, Ebola, Profile In Courage Award on February 10, 2020 by e-commentary.org

. . .

Hi _________!

John Lewis. Gerald Ford. Gabrielle Giffords. John McCain. Mitch Landrieu. Barack Obama. George H. W. Bush. Nancy Pelosi.

What do these inspiring elected officials (and others!) have in common? They all served or continue to serve the public courageously, fighting for justice and putting the greater good ahead of their own careers. That’s why we honored them with the Profile in Courage Award.

Can you nominate a leader who inspires you for this year’s Profile in Courage Award? The deadline is soon — February 15 — and it just takes a few minutes! 

It’s critically important that we have leaders who follow their consciences and a public that demands the leadership we all deserve. As President Kennedy so eloquently put it in Profiles in Courage, “We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve.”

Thanks in advance for using your voice to call for courageous leadership. We’ll keep you updated on who wins this year’s Profile in Courage Award.

Thank you,

The JFK Library Foundation Team

. . .

Dear Kennedy folks:

You don’t know courage.  This year, break with your tradition and settled practice and nominate someone who has shown real courage not someone you want to play squash with.  Consider: 

Julian Paul Assange

Chelsea Elizabeth Manning

Edward Joseph Snowden

Jeffrey Alexander Sterling

William Edward Binney

Thomas Andrews Drake

John Chris Kiriakou

Daniel Ellsberg

Maurice Robert “Mike” Gravel

Other names upon request.

Thank you for your attention to these deserving individuals.  Best wishes.

Sincerely,

K

. . .

[See “Julian Assange Wins 2020 Gary Webb Freedom of the Press Award” in “Consortium News” by Joe Lauria dated February 10, 2020.]

[See the e-commentary on “On Courage and Truth (March 17, 2008)” and the “Cameo In Courage Award” that challenges the dubious and discredited award given by the establishment to other members of the establishment.  Society needs an award that rewards those who are truly courageous.  The annual “Cameo in Courage Awards” were made in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.]  

Bumper stickers of the week:

Courage.  Why not?

Coronavirus:  Coming to a town near you

Fourth Annual “Cameo In Courage” Award For 2019 (April 8, 2019)

Posted in Awards / Incentives, Cameo In Courage Award, Courage, On [Traits/Characteristics], Trump, Truth on April 8, 2019 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “The envelope please.  . . .  This year, the ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award is awarded to . . . Chelsea Elizabeth Manning and Julian Paul Assange.  Again.  Since the award last year, both of them have continued to display courage in the face of cowardice and criminality from those in power in the United States who are threatened by the Truth and who threaten the courageous with confinement in the American Prison Gulag.”

. . .

And a tip of the hat to the great nation and good people of Ecuador that have provided a home and a haven for Mr. Assange so far.  Rumblings abound that the United States is pressuring the government of Ecuador to release Assange to the wolves.  His country and his countrymen should demand his freedom and his return to Australia.  Trumpi should and could redeem himself in part by pardoning both of them.

[Please send nominations for the “Cameo In Courage” Award for 2020 and a supporting letter by January 24, 2020 to e-ssay@gci.net and send the entry fee to your favorite charity.]

[See the article titled “Chelsea Manning’s ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ Moment” in “The American Conservative” by John Kiriakou dated April 8, 2019 and the presentation titled “Whistle-blowing, Wikileaks & The Future of Democracy” available at “caitlinjohnstone.com” presented by Caitlin Johnstone on February 18, 2019.]   

[See the e-commentary at “Alex J. / J. Assange And The First Amendment (August 13, 2018)”, “Hero or Traitor? (June 10, 2013)”, “Third Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2018 (April 9, 2018)”, “Second Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2017 (March 6, 2017)”, “First Annual ‘Cameo In Courage’ Award For 2016 (May 9, 2016)”, “Award Deadlines (Livelines?) (July 25, 2016)”, “Profile In Cowardice Award (May 12, 2014)”, “Profile In Courage Award, 2015 (May 11, 2015)”, “Chelsea And Ed:  Time For ‘Con’ ‘dign’ Treatment (November 30, 2015)” and “On Courage and Truth (March 17, 2008)”.]

Bumper sticker of the week:

Dissent remains patriotic