Oscar Hang Ups?

The other night, the Oscars were the big thing that everyone seemed to watch, and since then, everyone seems to be talking about them. Even on the French news, the major story was that a French guy won an Oscar, and then gave a lively speech upon acceptance.

Not everyone is impressed with such festivities, of course. A former classmate of mine, who considers himself a conservative Democrat, made a comment on Facebook the other day, saying such things are the reason that the world hates us. Perhaps, in part, he is right.

Still, it dominated the news, and many people loved to talk about it. When something unique happens, like when Angelina Jolie shows off her legs, it makes headlines, gets people talking. As I understand it, it has become a popular picture that has circulated on Facebook and all over the internet, with her legs being photo-shopped onto other pictures (such as the painting, "Whistler's Mom").

As for me, I never really paid much attention to them, or to the Golden Globes, and the other acting awards where the stars come out to shine in glittering Los Angeles in front of an eager television audience throughout the country and, perhaps indeed, in front of the world. It never particularly interested me, although I do not knock it, either. Some people really enjoy it. Sure, there is an air of superficiality to it, but is that not the case with just about everything, these days?

But is that the reason why Americans are hated throughout the world? Of that, I am not sure. That seems to be a superficial judgment by that one guy about a domestic event that has reached worldwide status. I would tend to think that the focus of much of the resentment, and even hatred, of the United States is aimed not so much towards Los Angeles, which is arguably America's artistic capital and certainly the entertainment capital, but rather at Washington, the national capital and seat of the government, where all of the decisions, including who to bomb, takes place.

Sure, there are many resentments towards Hollywood and the luxurious lifestyles and indulgences of those who live their lives like that. It is a major cultural export, no doubt, and likely has in fact done damage the world over, casting it's shadow over the unique cultural expressions of individual nations, which simply cannot compete with the machine that is Hollywood and it's unique culture - often referred to, probably quite accurately, as the "entertainment industry".

I have found, however, the more people the world over are upset by the attitudes of those in power on the other coast of the United States, in Washington, and among many of the voters who regularly place the corrupt politicians in power, and who support them in their actions, even when it serves against their best interests. America is an empire now, and when it cuts corners in order to save money in the name of being more competitive, people suffer. That is the reason why greed reigns supreme, and why we do not have a functioning health care, why social security is steadily going away, and why we fight stupid and unnecessary wars, which reflect far more poorly on our national priorities than Hollywood, or the actors that populate it, ever could.