Oscars and political commentary

[Poiuyt]

I noticed last year when Micheal Moore made his "Ficticious War" speech, there was a significant number of boos and gasps. This year, when the winner of Best Documentary (I believe) made an anti-war speech there was loud applause.

The climate in this country is indeed changing.

[tedoll78]

1. He used..

that eloquent and non-combatative "down the rabbit hole" metaphor. Everyone at the ceremony and at home knew exactly to whom he was referring. I was quite pleased with the audience's cheering.

[Fenris]

2. It was not a speech. It was a short statement.

He said that in the 1960s the country went down a rabbit hole and it feels like we're going down that rabbit hole again (a reference to Viet Nam and the current war, respectively). It wasn't on the level of anger and vitriol that Moore's speech was, and he was not expected to make an impassioned speech. Errol Morris' film was a long interview with Robert S. McNamara, the man who orchestrated Viet Nam policy under Johnson and who is reviled by left and right alike. Morris has organized the interview into 11 lessons that McNamara imparts on the audience. During an interview with the Austin Chronicle, Morris made the wonderful statement about McNamara and today that is currently my sig line.

Morris' Oscar statement was eloquent and refined, and did not demonize anyone. Instead it voiced an observation.

Everyone needs to watch The Fog of War. You might learn something about history and its long circular marches.

[K8-EEE]

4. Michael Moore's Speech Was 45 Seconds

Which could also qualify as a "short statement" And probably the most famous Oscar speech ever -- at least one of the most favorite!

Many people were applauding him last year at the Kodak theater last year -- including my husband and I, there were very scattered boos that came from off sides or from the balcony. We were STANDING AND APPLAUDING in the balcony!

Also since the war had just begun there were a lot of protesters both pro war and anti war on the drive up, lots of emotion on both sides.

[regnaD kciN]

9. O.K., spill...!

Who are you, and how did you qualify for admission to last year's Oscars? Enquiring minds want to know...

;-)

[gander2112]

11. The kodak theater in Rochester?

I was there last year for a special event. Awesome place...

I am jealous.

Geoff

[G_j]

7. Billy Crystal followed

this with a comment about Morris getting a tax audit: "these are dangerous times"

perhaps the most 'daring' comment

[abracadabra]

3. the climate hasn't changed --just the volume and pan

They did Moore just like they did Dean--On Dean they turned the crowd volume down(see Dianne Sawyer) on the tape to make Dean appear mental(the actual crowd noise was so loud he could not hear himself speak -- they di actually play the real version back to back with the alterd version on the show with Dianne Sawyer)

Then Moore --
turns out they boosted the volume of 3 or 4 boos which turned out to be coming from the nosebleed seats. That tape was also exposed on one of those nighline type shows=--they played the before and after edit versions back to back.

What has not changed in ths country is the MEDIA's GRIP-
We believe their manuipulations?
What are we stupid?

A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.
-- Edward R. Murrow

[Lindsey]

5. Personally, I'm glad it didn't get that political

because the right wing would have ragged on it endlessly. As it is now, they won't be able to say a damn thing. I kind of think that the winners intentionally acted the way they did on purpose. Granted, there were a few comments, but not enought for the freepers to have a hey day with. I'm extemely pleased with the way things worked out.

[Oilwellian]

8. I doubt they even understood...

the clever snippets throughout the evening. :D

[question everything]

6. Also, I thought that Sean Penn (best actor winner)

mentioned WMD in passing..

[Victimerican]

10. Penn's quote

He said something along the lines of, "One thing actors know, besides that there were never and WMDS, is that there is no real best actor, because we're all so good, especially Johnny Depp, who out-acted me and deserves this award, so here you go Mister Depp.

Well, maybe not that last part, but it's still true. <g>