Politicising the Oscars - What's Next for the Obamas

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy Awards that officially changed its name to The Oscars this year, has been honoring film makers and performers since 1929. Even World War II didn't halt the annual Hollywood ceremony to recognize the best of its own. In the 85 years that Oscars have been awarded, there has never been a political component to the evening -- until last night. The big surprise of the evening came when Jack Nicholson, on stage to award the Best Picture Oscar, turned to the huge screen behind him and called on Michelle Obama, who announced the winner - Argo - by remote video from Washington. Backstage, winner Affleck described how surreal it was when he heard her say the word: "Argo." While Ben Affleck and his co-producers Grant Heslov and George Clooney may be very happy to insert Mrs. Obama into the Oscar ceremony as part of their own political planning, I found it jarring and completely inappropriate. There are not many facets of our lives that the President and his wife have not invaded - gardening, sports teams, eating, exercising, weight control, children's education - the Obamas are there. But the one evening when we were always able to forget the outside world and settle happily into the lap of our favorite Hollywood actors, actresses and films was changed, probably forever, last night. Barack does sports and leaves our eating habits and daily routines to the Missus. Apparently, she has now added the film arts and Oscars to her chores. Was it a repayment thank-you for the large total contribution amount provided to the Obama re-election campaign by Hollywood? Who knows. Who cares. But,Washington has been deeply involved in the best picture race this year. President Obama held a screening of Lincoln at the White House in November. Vice President Joe Biden and several senators met with Silver Linings Playbook's David O. Russell and Bradley Cooper to discuss mental health. Argo held a screening at the CIA, while Zero Dark Thirty came under scrutiny for its producers' relationship with certain members of the clandestine service. Either Hollywood is going bigtime 'political' or the Obama political machine has snared the residents of Hollywood, all of them gullible artists who have no idea what Barack Obama's real goals may be. It could be that Michelle was using the Oscars as a dress rehearsal for what's to come. Will she be told to announce the collapse of America's fiscal house after her husband's refusal to talk to Congress about the budget and debt ceiling leads to an international refusal to buy US bonds? That would be likely because Barack would probably be too busy watching March Madness to take time to talk to America. But the real breakthrough coup could come when Michelle is on video receiving a note from a red-hatted fellow and she announces the name of the new Pope. Hey, with these two, anything is possible.