All That Glitters ...

“In these challenging economic times … “
-- Everybody










To whom should I attribute the above quote – or pre-quote?

It has been used at least a thousand times this year to explain, warn, castigate, impel, compel, and excuse all manner of dire conditions. We can’t do X, because “in these challenging economic conditions …” We must do Y now, because “in these challenging economic conditions …” The economy, politics, international relations, health conditions, murder rates, porn, missing honey bees – OK, maybe not the last yet, but the list of things we must accommodate runs long. It seems the market is the turtle on which the planet rests. As goes the money goes the world.

And, tonight we anticipated one more accommodation. Tonight the Academy Awards visited the world on millions of screens. That lasting American icon and supposed wind-vane for the temper of America, that entertainment version of the mood ring, that televised allegory for skirt lengths swung by, and we wondered what she would be wearing. All week, “they” have been telling “us” that the Oscars would be having a dress-down day to honor the national mood in “these challenging economic times.” Who wants to see a bunch of toasties swilling down champagne in designer duds, and grabbing ten thousand dollar goodie bags when the flat-screen will be repossessed tomorrow, when the sheriff is driving down the street, when the shop where Grandpop, Dad, Uncles Ernie and Ted, and Mom had worked for, well forever?

Yet, there seems to have been a slight difference of opinion in the avocado-chomping backrooms of Hollywood. Some other voice, possessing the proper amount of muscle determined that toned-down fiscal responsibility is best managed from the Capitol and the boardroom. Tonight, the bling shone, Armani and Valentino made quite the respectable showing, and smiling humility was the favored accessory. The message: “Have hope. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and we have the juice to get there.”

And, you know what? Fine. Would it truly help our national disposition if Ally from Athens sympathized with Angelina in sack cloth? If Micky wore a button-down from Macy’s would we believe we are finally on the right track? Nonsense. I want to see Washington, Wall Street, Main Street, you and me thinking about the right things, deciding on the right things, and doing the right things. Leave Hollywood to keep spinning us illusions. After a hard day of harsh reality, we need a little respite.

Oh - and Slumdog Millionaire's Kung Fu is strong.