To red carpet or not (warning: in rant mode)

[Nia]

 "Melody" originally wrote:
> > Ok.  Some might know I am a fashion history major.  I just get a 
> kick out of being able to study something so frivolous yet so 
universal. 
>  I mean, every culture adorns themselves some how.  Well, I also 
adore the Oscars.  *Major* fashion night.  I have tapes the pre-
show, the actual show, and then Joan River's fashion review
> > *every* year for years and watch them over and over.
> > <snip>
> 
> > So now comes this year.  Maybe I am misunderstanding, but isn't 
the movie industry a major part of the *entertainment* industry?  
Their goal in life is to distract us and entertain us.  That is what 
they do.  So, I must say I am now quite disappointed they have shut 
down the red carpet.
> > 
> > The reason: They say it is too frivolous given the state of the 
> world affairs.
> > 
> > Oh, come on.
> > 
> > The whole thing is frivolous.  That is the reason I watch it.
> 
> <snip>
> 
> Annemehr answered:
> Well, Melody, I sympathise, even though I've only watched a few 
hours of the Oscars my whole life.  I think it has something to do 
with being annoyed when useless things are done for not-well-thought-
out reasons. 
> 
> <snip>
> 
> > I guess I fear, if the Academy Awards says people should act as 
sedate as the industry seems to want to be portrayed, then the world 
will become a very depressing place.  That is what I fear.  We 
should not be ignorant and be skipping down the halls, but then 
again, we should not reflect each moment and sit transfixed in front 
of the TV watching CNN to be serious good citizens.
> 
> God forbid!  I am watching Fox News (especially when Shepard Smith 
and Brit Hume are on)!  And sustaining myself with hopes for a much 
> happier Iraq soon...
<snip>

Now, me:
I believe I heard a newsperson say that an additional reason the 
stars won't be pausing on the red carpet is that they don't want 
them to use the time as a forum for their views on the war.  
Intelligence does not always coincide with wealth and quite a few of 
them have expressed shall we say "uninformed" opinions.  The network 
people, it seems, don't want the more vocal ones casting a pall on 
things and perhaps demoralizing and depressing the soldiers on the 
front lines, which many seem not to think of at all in their quest 
to be heard.  IMO a free society thrives on differences of opinion, 
but there are proper times and venues for this sort of thing.  The 
silly Oscar event is not that venue.  Melody is perfectly right to 
be miffed about the whole business.

--Nia, who prays we are quickly successful, now that we've committed 
ourselves, and that the people of Iraq will finally be able to take 
a breath of free air.