As IF Times

Source: Asghar Farhadi wins the Oscar for best foreign film | Daily Mail Online

It’s not really a surprise to witness the ever expanding circle of nutters that collectively push the ‘progressive’ movement these days.  No subset of the population is so fringe that they can’t get sympathetic support from the inclusive and tolerant folk. No anti-social pronouncements or activities are considered too extreme for the loving left.

Part of a group that bombed police stations in your youth? Welcome aboard; heck, let’s instill you as a college professor. Unapologetic anti- semite and supporter of a radical black society? Hey, you get to be vice chairman of the Democrats!  Want the law to support your use of opposite sex washrooms because you just say you identify with that sex? You’re a prized member! Want free school, free health care, free housing and open borders? Well now that’s the core of the movement!

We’ve become accustomed to the endless parade of delusional people insisting that their sensibilities be accepted in some moral or even legal way. But even as the left has managed to lionize past dictators and murderers alike in romantic depictions, the most recent knee slapper at the Academy Awards has to make even the most ardent liberal pause to reflect on just how far over the abyss the left has moved.

Asghar Farhadi, an Iranian filmmaker had an acceptance speech readied for his award, which he didn’t expect to win, and so was delivered by a surrogate. But the speech was less one of appreciation than one of a scolding condemnation of the U.S. policy on immigrant screening. Apparently, it isn’t enough these days, “just to be nominated”.  To use his words, the U.S. policy is “inhumane”.  Think of that.  An Iranian citizen invoking the “I” word.  That’s as preposterous as Colonel Sanders lecturing on the rights of chickens.  Of course, the partisan sheeple in the audience clapped enthusiastically like trained seals in approval of his message.  It even earned a shaking fist of approval from Tehran.

Iran; ground central for terrorism funding, for honor killings, for public canings, for mandating that half of its citizens dress in body bags in 100 degree heat.  But that pales in comparison to the inhumane U.S. immigration procedures.  The guy made the correct decision not to come.  Who’d want to come to this hell hole anyway? Maybe he’ll stay out.

Update: Iran censors presenters

link Oscars | Page 8 | Liveblog live blogging | Reuters.com.

And the winner is….THE UNIONS!  It’s not our imagination.  Only last month in another of the litany of self congratulatory love fests, the SAG awards show was notable for the frequent mention of the unions in the acceptance speeches.  In the Oscars presentation last night, the unions were thanked again by at least two winners.  Heck, Christian Bale couldn’t even remember his wife’s name, but some had the presence of mind to thank the unions.  Who knew they were so instrumental as artistic muses?

I can’t recall ever during the history of the Academy Awards when a political figure was featured during the ceremonies.  But this oversight has clearly been rectified as a large image of the current president, Kim Jong Il-like,  smiling benignly at the audience was on big screen display during one of the presentations.  Even Bill Clinton, the much loved darling of the Hollywood crowd didn’t receive that honor during his tenure.  

From earlier times when the Oscars represented artistic achievement, the show conveyed a certain dignity and audiences were entertained by the impressive and articulate acceptance speeches by the deserving winners.  During those earlier times, Hollywood was still able to create the aura of glitz and glamour and even though it was in the spirit of make believe, the public enjoyed it.      When Bob Hope, the best awards host of all time by a long shot was alive, it was all about the industry.  All humor and comments were directed at the entertainment crowd.   He would never stoop to commenting on the events of the world outside.  He knew this was all about a fantasy world and supporting the mystique.  TV sponsors of the event were likely involved in the beauty or fashion business such as Revlon, L’Oreal or Max Factor.   That was then.

Now, it’s the Academy Awards brought to you by, The AFL-CIO! Also by the TEAMSTERS!  With a special word from Dear Leader!  If you’re of the mesmerized masses, you may not even notice this, but for those who just tune in for simple entertainment they may be surprised and offended by the not so subtle partisan messages that have taken over.  My beef is that these political entities should at least take out and pay for legitimate sponsor roles so that people can get up and go to the bathroom or get a beer.  When the messages are weaved into the programming, it’s annoying at best and smacks of state propaganda at worst. 

The owners of the Academy awards are chagrined that their ratings decline year after year.  Well that may be because no one wants to watch political propaganda masquerading as entertainment.   (Interestingly, in real life, there are entertainment shows masquerading as political shows).   We don’t need to hear about the politics of the actors.  Let’s just go back to just it being about art.  Bugs Bunny used to say it best during his opening musical intro entitled, “This Is It”:
Overture, curtains, lights,
This is it, the night of nights
No more rehearsing and nursing a part
We know every part by heart
Overture, curtains, lights
This is it, you’ll hit the heights
And oh what heights we’ll hit
On with the show this is it

Tonight what heights we’ll hit
On with the show this is it

It’s about entertainment.  Even a cartoon rabbit can figure that out.