GOLDEN GLOBE WINNERS POINT TO A BETTER VISION OF AMERICA THAN FASCISM

I liked the films I saw this year. In fact, ever since I decided to stop going to see crap movies (a.k.a.- corporate "blockbusters"), I've found the movie-going experience become a lot more pleasant. And even more astoundingly, other people seem to have liked the movies I liked this year: BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, CRASH, THE CONSTANT GARDENER, TRANSAMERICA, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, MATCH POINT, CAPOTE. I was particularly surprised, and heartened, to read that some of these films, particularly BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, were doing exceptionally well in so-called "red states." (Although a theater that had advertised BROKEBACK in Utah and subsequently buckled to pressure from uptight psychos in the Mormon cult that controls so much of that unfortunate, backward, benighted state was not alone in shunning the film, movie-goers all over the former Confederacy who wanted to see the movie were able to. And they have been going-- in droves.)

Last night BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN won the Golden Globe award for "Best Picture," as well as awards in 4 other categories. Wins by TRANSAMERICA, SYRIANA, CAPOTE and THE CONSTANT GARDENER all conspire to show a vibrant and healthy alternative America to the dark, authoritarian vision of George Bush and the corrupt and inherently evil coterie around him. As the DLC and other right-wing and corporate-oriented Democrats clamor to adopt the GOP's vision of governance, it is crucial that progressives never lose sight of the fact that there is a shared vision of out great nation that is not based on greed, selfishness, hatred and bigotry.


THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE: SANTORUM TO THE RESCUE

This morning by friend Wouter sent me this piece by Andy Borowitz, "SANTORUM BACKS BAN ON GAY WESTERNS--Golden Globes Win for 'Brokeback Mountain' Irks Pennsylvania Senator," which makes it clear that the right-wing Opus Dei representative inside the U.S. government is doing more than just running the K Street Project for the Republican Party

Three days after the critically acclaimed film "Brokeback Mountain" won Golden Globe awards in four major categories, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Penn) called for a constitutional amendment banning gay westerns.

"We cannot sit idly by and watch 'Brokeback Mountain' sashay into the mainstream of American culture," Mr. Santorum said on the Senate floor today.  "If allowed to flourish, gay westerns will destroy the sanctity of traditional westerns."

He added that if the film continued to gain acceptance in the heartland, several western states might soon legalize marriage between gay cowboys.

The Pennsylvania senator explained that his proposal of a constitutional amendment banning gay westerns was not a rash decision on his part: "I only reached this decision after watching 'Brokeback Mountain' ten, maybe twelve times."

Mr. Santorum added that it was "unconscionable" that the producers of the film had cast an actor as "hot and sexy" as Heath Ledger as one of the gay cowboys, since "he only makes the gay cowboy lifestyle seem more enticing."

In a sign that Mr. Santorum may have more constitutional amendments to propose, he said that he was also "very concerned" that Hollywood might someday produce a remake of the film "Benji" featuring "man on dog sex."

"I am going to be extra vigilant on this issue," Mr. Santorum said.  "If there is a remake of 'Benji' featuring man on dog sex, I will be waiting in line for a ticket on the very first day."

Elsewhere, the Supreme Court voiced support for assisted suicide, and model Kate Moss voiced support for career suicide.