The Best Job in the World
formerly Emboldened at the Golden Globes*
by Oxz

*See http://dissidentvoice.org/2010/01/emboldened-at-the-golden-globes/ which was posted under the name Arnold Pepper. I often have to use an alias because I am blacklisted to a great extent within alternative media circles these days. Details upon request. Please note that editors omitted the very important P.S. which appears here… which refers back to the final line obliquely. Oh yes, I’ll probably add a point or two now, like, say, something about Invictus. Maybe more later. I trust that alternative editors will not hold my deception, my words here, against me. In the Big Picture… we are working toward the same Gates of Heaven, yes?

“It is not an act of love for celebrities at the Golden Globe Awards to plead for (earthquake-related) contributions to Haiti. It is appreciated and laudable, but it is not an act of love. Rather, it is an act of indifference and ignorance. Meaning, LOVE would address the $2 a day earned in Haitian sweatshops 365 days a year ad infinitum, not be limited to melodramatic, self-serving gestures embodied in misguided ‘Red Cross’ efforts straight out of Central Casting.” — A struggling actor, unloved by the Entertainment industry

I’m glad that no one set off an explosion at the Golden Globes Award Show on Sunday (1/17/10). Imagine what the broad consequences might have been, aside from the humanitarian horror that we would have witnessed.

But enough about WHAT lots of people around the world are wanting to do in increasing numbers with each passing day. Let’s focus on WHY.

Viewers were treated to the sparkle of blood diamonds once again, as — once again — more than one celebrity (upon receiving an award) enthused dramatically about how lucky everyone was who worked in the Film industry. “This is the best job in the world!” was shouted out twice, I believe, to wild applause (or smirking appreciation).

But… did it occur to anyone that that might not be the best PR move for the industry, to be celebrating their elite employment status so at this juncture in history? When so many are without a job at all, or with a gig which is quite a come down from what they were doing or wanted, what they liked or expected.

It’s easy — obviously — to exude compassion (particularly if you’re an actor) over the current crisis in Haiti. To write a check. To point to a non-profit foundation you’ve created or like. However, some of the links provided at Amo Ergo Sum will touch upon what’s really needed, what’s really wrong. What that relatively wealthy Golden Globe crowd wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot-pole.

And because they’re not going to, the dramatic resolution in this film is going to be worlds away from the script they’d like us to embrace, the delusion that serves them very well. That enables them to carry on — uninterrupted, for the time being — all the self-congratulatory blah blah, all the spotlighting of how the marvelous Motion Picture industry serves the public beautifully, providing escape and instructive experiences.

They do provide great diversion at times. And they do give so many of us inspiration and insight once in awhile. There are, unquestionably, beautiful elements in their world, the world they share with us… at a price. Many virtually starve to do so, I know. But I’m talking about the movers and shakers in that realm right now. Them and (subliminally) the powers that be (in other realms) who care even less about the horror in Haiti, and who do infinitely more damage to… the vast majority of the world.

But let’s return to our focus on the Motion Picture industry, the small potatoes which have such an enormous influence on us. Who could change our abominable momentum.

There is a huge downside to the Motion Picture industry.

Take AVATAR, as a flick which provides just one example. If you glance at http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/the-left-debates-avatar/  , you’ll find an excellent pro and con rundown… which culminates in a left-oriented basic approval of the film which won Best Picture at the Golden Globes.

Yes, the movie moved masses with its basic put-down of imperial designs which parallel what we’re doing in Iraq… and elsewhere. Yes, good. But no one stood up last night and waxed and waned about how great it was that an anti-imperialist theme was pulling in record $$$.

Rather, we got that kind of schtick for Mo’Nique courtesy of Drew Barrymore, who went absolutely tearful over what the Best Supporting Actress had taught her. Such emotion was reserved for that sort of thing. Tributes to people who some souls couldn’t have done without. You know the speech. You know the drill. [Pause.] What we’ve come to expect. And what THEY never fail to deliver. Everything and anything short of actually addressing the real world on an ongoing basis, with a life-and-death attitudinal set. Authentic acknowledgment that we’re all complicit in our present day holocausts.

No only glances backward are permitted, usually reserved for The Holocaust… almost exclusively. Sure, exceptions are made from time to time, but their subjects are rarely repeated. Tarantino’s Inglorious Bastards is just one of MANY — too many — examples of how the Film industry keeps the politically correct stance vis-a-vis The Holocaust alive. How they compound ignorance with ignorance ad infinitum. Of course, The Holocaust took place. It’s just that there are equally abominable atrocities taking place right now… with our general support… and the Film industry’s singular contribution to the blindness and bloodbath (not even counting the diamonds).

Hey, if the King of England or France — at a certain point in history — came forth and said, “Yo’, this is the greatest gig in the world, this Monarchy gig!” … well, he might lose his head losing his head in that way. The slaves in Haiti got rid of their chains for awhile, in fact, back in the day when such an in-your-face attitudinal set was giving out rewards to a select few in Port-au-Prince.

Those celebrities are really quick to thank God for their particular successes, their globes. I don’t see anyone getting up and saying anything about God in relation to the immiserated. “Thank God, we have this kind of job where we can make a difference!”

No.

I say, “Roll ‘em.”

The author can be contacted in his studio at tosca.2010@yahoo.com. There is a plan of action which does not require violence. P.S. directly below.

[Oh, you think doing a documentary about a conflict in Sudan is making a difference? You don't see 'em as all drunk on their own PR?]

ADDED NOTES: Invictus, with the full-blooded imprimaturs of both Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman — beloved by the blind Left, for sure (which is NOT to say they don’t have their hearts in a decent place, the actors, their fans) — is another flick which does way more damage than good. History-based biopics compound ignorance with ignorance routinely. [See John Sayles' wonderful PAST IMPERFECT on this count... which features the terrific historian Eric Foner.] Clint Eastwood’s film probably never even computed the downside of embracing the William Ernest Henley poem for its title. Without saying the poem doesn’t have value at all, I’m obliged to underscore that Henley was quite the racist imperialist… and the tweaking of history which Eastwood engages in… well, it’s not worthy of Stephen Biko’s sacrifice, I’ll say that. Oh yes, I should have underscored the horror associated with Schwarzenegger connecting with his old friend the director for Avatar, what’s his name… that sad figure who sank the Titanic. Sad, if only because he’s so closely associated with the present Governor of California. If anyone thinks that’s not an insurmountable obstacle to movement in solidarity with him… you’re mistaken. For whatever “good” he might be doing with the film (as per the left-oriented Avatar link above), his overall profile must be lodged in the Negative Column. Money does get in the way. Question: Has anyone ever proposed to these people who have the “best job in the world” that they work for much more modest pay… helping to set an example for the entire country… and the much more wealthy powers that be?