OSCAR  AT 6:50 A.M. ET:  Well, I did break down and watch the last half hour or so of the Oscars, which haven't been fun since Billy Crystal stopped hosting them.  Earlier, as we reported last night, the first segment of the Oscarcast had been blacked out because of a dispute between ABC and Cablevision, which services our area.  Apparently, a deal was made at the last moment.

I was pleased that "The Hurt Locker" won for best picture.  While it's controversial among military personnel, at least it doesn't portray American troops as occupying monsters.  We didn't get the usual left-wing bath.  Kathryn Bigelow, the movie's director, became the first woman to win the best director prize, and conducted herself with great dignity.  Wonderful.  She had kind words for the armed forces.  Even better.  And the audience applauded those words.

As the camera swept the audience, there were so many people I didn't recognize.  It's a new industry.  It needs a great deal of improvement, and needs to show a renewed respect for real talent, great stories, and the American character.  A good start was made with "The Hurt Locker," whatever its flaws.  Maybe there's hope.

March 8, 2010