That's just silly ...

When was the last time you heard of a statesman giving out an award for an abstract moral achievement? The chastity medal, the order of noncovetousness, the five-point star for humility and rectitude? President Chen Shui-bian hands out awards for filial piety. More here.

(Editor's note: The picture above is the Order of the Chrysanthemum, a Japanese miltary medal, obviously not the awards that Chen handed out to school kids. Rank does not endorse or condone Japanese military expansionism during World War II. Picture is of historical interest only.)