Could you do me a favor? Sign the white house petiton I started for Bety White

[leigh.bess.toad]

As some of you may know, today, the remarkable and ageless Betty White turns 91 years old. She is the very definition of a living legend. And I think it is time for her to receive the highest civilian honor available: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

 

In a career spanning over 70 years, she has brought such laughter and joy to tens if not hundreds of millions of people here and around the world. Remarkably, at this age, she has developed a huge following of the younger generation, getting over 500,000 people asking for her to host SNL, which she did (and won an Emmy for). And in addition to all that she has done for us humans, she has maybe done even more for animals. Her work on behalf of animals, animal rescue, and animal welfare alone warrants presidential recognition.

 

I would ask that any of my forum friends who feel as I do about this national treasure, please sign the petition I started on the White House's We the People page. You should be able to get there via one of the two following links:

 

http://wh.gov/mKmj

 

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/honor-betty-white-living-american-legend-presidential-medal-freedom/VW0hRkf6

 

And if you wish to share it with your friends on social media such as Facebook or Twitter, I'd appreciate it.

 

I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition of a grateful nation for all she has been to so many of us.

 

Happy Birthday Betty. You make the world a much better place. As you have for over 70 years.

[Diverdan]

I agree, and she has been a real friend to the GLBT community too.

[bigvalboy]

Thanks for the post LBT, I will sign the petition...and DD is absolutely correct about her support of our community. Thank you for reminding us all of that.

[+ WilliamM]

I understand that the Presidential Medal of Freedom is often awarded based on the wishes of the public. And I have been watching Betty White on television since my parents bought a TV in 1949 when I started first grade. She is a national treasure. So I will sign.

 

But, I looked up TV comics who have received the medal. They are, as follows: Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Johnny Carson, Bill Cosby and Andy Grffith. So a Betty White petition is not a sure bet.

[leigh.bess.toad]

But, I looked up TV comics who have received the medal. They are, as follows: Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Johnny Carson, Bill Cosby and Andy Grffith. So a Betty White petition is not a sure bet.

 

Not a sure bet, but her name certainly belongs with that list of former recipients. Besides, maybe Bo will put a word in for her. They seem to be friends.

[+ honcho]

I signed. 5 hours after this post went up and 3 other people commented, I'm surprised to find myself as signer # 2 !

[Guy Fawkes]

Done.

[RockHard]

I looked up TV comics who have received the medal. They are, as follows: Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Johnny Carson, Bill Cosby and Andy Gr(i)ffith. So a Betty White petition is not a sure bet.

 

Why not? Betty White's career equals if not surpasses the names you mentioned. Also, she's a hell of a lot nicer person than some of those. I see no reason why our nation's great grandmother of television will not receive the medal. She's earned it.

[+ WilliamM]

I should know better than to even slightly suggest that Betty White may not deserve this medal. I can not even use the excuse that I had a drink or two before posting last night.

 

I doubt that Lucille Ball and Johnny Carson were nice people even before TV. But, it did not help that both Ball and Carson received high ratings for decades. They must have been under a huge amount of stress to maintain those high ratings for so long.

[Ronp608]

Done

[operalover21]

I understand that the Presidential Medal of Freedom is often awarded based on the wishes of the public. And I have been watching Betty White on television since my parents bought a TV in 1949 when I started first grade. She is a national treasure. So I will sign.

 

But, I looked up TV comics who have received the medal. They are, as follows: Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Johnny Carson, Bill Cosby and Andy Grffith. So a Betty White petition is not a sure bet.

 

I believe both George Burns and Bob Hope received it as well.

[RockHard]

Sorry for the hijack, but...

 

I doubt that Lucille Ball and Johnny Carson were nice people even before TV.

 

I worked with Lucy quite early in my career, and I loved her. She was always very nice to me. I never worked with him, but I met Johnny Carson on numerous occasions, backstage at his show. He, too, was always a gentleman.

 

Unless you know an artist in show business personally, it's very difficult to judge "niceness." When you are living life as a legend/star, the people on the periphery can become crazy at the flick of a switch. They always think they know you, and they behave in a manner that is inappropriate when in the presence of a stranger.

 

Every celebrity I work with has a guard, and when the guard goes up, the guard could easily be perceived as "not nice." When, in fact, the guard has nothing do with nice. It's there for self-protection and self-preservation.

[+ WilliamM]

Why not? Betty White's career equals if not surpasses the names you mentioned. Also' date=' she's a hell of a lot nicer person than some of those. I see no reason why our nation's great grandmother of television will not receive the medal. She's earned it.[/quote']

 

So that leaves Bill Cosby, Carol Burnett and Andy Griffith. Glad to hear about Lucille Ball and Johnny Carson. They were arguable two of the most successful TV stars ever, so it's good to know how nice there were (at least mostly). I understand that Ball and Carson, especially at the height of their respective fame, would be the subjects of much gossip.

[bigvalboy]

Done

[JoeBlow]

Great idea Lee. I'm signing it.

[gallahadesquire]

Done. Signer number 10. I also sent it off to Facebook him to see if some extra people will sign it..

[rickp]

Yes, of course I'll sign it!

 

I've been catching up on my Hot in Cleveland all week.

[gallahadesquire]

As of right now: 2012:01:21:18:03, there were 12 signatories.