A Tasty Presidential Perk

JUST as it’s good to be king, it’s good to be president. The perks are many: and not just Air Force One, the White House pastry chef, and the Marine Band. (The president used to have a yacht-the Sequoia-but Jimmy Carter sold that, in a display of nonostentatiousness.) The president has the privilege of awarding Medals of Freedom-Presidential Medals of Freedom, they’re called. This must be one of the most rewarding parts of the job. And a president’s choices reveal a fair amount about the man.

In the first week of November, President Bush completed another round of Medals of Freedom. Among his choices was Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet-who was not able to receive his medal in person. Heisina Cuban prison, and long has been. Biscet is one of the bravest and most inspiring of the Cuban political prisoners. He does not get much attention in the world press. But George W. Bush knows who he is: and he sent a message that was, indeed, heard. It lifted Cubans, at home and in exile, and irritated the Cuban dictatorship.

About the Author

Jay Nordlinger

Jay Nordlinger was a senior editor of National Review and a book fellow at National Review Institute.

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JUST as it’s good to be king, it’s good to be president. The perks are many: and not just Air Force One, the White House pastry chef, and the Marine Band. (The president used to have a yacht-the Sequoia-but Jimmy Carter sold that, in a display of nonostentatiousness.) The president has the privilege of awarding Medals of Freedom-Presidential Medals of Freedom, they’re called. This must be one of the most rewarding parts of the job. And a president’s choices reveal a fair amount about the man.

In the first week of November, President Bush completed another round of Medals of Freedom. Among his choices was Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet-who was not able to receive his medal in person. Heisina Cuban prison, and long has been. Biscet is one of the bravest and most inspiring of the Cuban political prisoners. He does not get much attention in the world press. But George W. Bush knows who he is: and he sent a message that was, indeed, heard. It lifted Cubans, at home and in exile, and irritated the Cuban dictatorship.