The American Spectator

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Thin Sheepskin

3.20.06 @ 12:01AM

BROKEBACK HEARTED
Re: Shawn Macomber's The Passion of Brokeback Mountain:

Even though a lot of Shawn Macomber's facts are diluted by half, his statement that Proulx's reasoning for "why Brokeback Mountain deserved an Oscar is nearly identical to the demands evangelical Christians made on behalf of The Passion" is completely disingenuous. I don't recall The Passion getting over twenty-five Best Film Awards before the Oscar ceremony. I don't recall the nearest competition having "two." I don't recall actual Academy members spouting in the press that they refused to see The Passion because of its content as voters said about Brokeback Mountain in the press. I don't recall seeing every indicator of what has gone on to win Best Picture the past 78 years, ignored by AMPAS. Every single one.

If he truly wanted to look beneath what Annie Proulx is writing and many people are still talking about concerning this years Oscars, then that would be good commentary. To accuse an author of "entitlement" is easy for him, doing his homework would be hard. That's entitlement. His last line, methinks, was written about himself: The convergence of self-importance and hyperbolic press releases is clouding your judgment.
-- Marty P.

As some wag pointed out, both Crash and Brokeback Mountain had a sort of "eat your vegetables" vibe about them. You didn't want to see the movie but if you did it was probably because mommy said it would be good for you. Well it's no surprise that nanny Proulx has taken out to the collective woodshed. Good form that it's in the Guardian -- maximum points for cocktail party intellectuals like Miss Proulx. Just remember, Academy voters, you will take your castor oil and you will like it. It was all so much simpler when all we had to contend with was the dreariness of a Merchant/Ivory film.
-- Ron Pettengill
London, United Kingdom

Those of us who have lived in the state of Wyoming all our lives or who live here because of an appreciation of the lifestyle here would be most grateful if Annie Proulx would take herself and her depraved worldview back to wherever it is that she came from.

She doesn't like us -- which makes one wonder why on earth she decided to live here -- and we don't like her.
-- Kathryn Matlack
Dubois, Wyoming

The 3/17 article written by Shawn Macomber is a nasty and transparent piece of poor journalism. His agenda is very obvious.

Why is it that so few have paid attention to the reality that many "members" of the Academy openly admitted they refused to even view BBM -- yet voted anyway? The Academy's "rules" apparently don't even require that voters see the films they vote on...Why is it that Tony Curtis and his kind are able to say openly in interviews they won't even watch a "gay"-themed movie and then there is barely a ripple in the press? Imagine any of the Academy members having the balls to announce publicly that they refused to watch Crash because it had "black people" in it... The s*** would hit the fan big time! But it's still OK to make jokes about gays, right? Did you even watch the first 15 minutes of the 78th awards on TV? It was insulting to gay people yet just done "in fun." How very quaint. If you think Crash won without some impact of homophobia, you should think again. As for Annie P? She was right on. I suggest you write and publish a more balanced article and let Mr. Macomber turn his attention to V for Vendetta. That should twist a knot in his tail.
-- David Muskera

Anybody but me seem to catch the fact that every time one of the liberals' oxen is gored they tend to go into "Beaker Mode"?

Beaker was the carrot-topped assistant to the notorious Dr. Bunsen Honeydew in the original "Muppet Show." Every time Honeydew would come up with a new product and want a guinea pig, Beaker was volunteered, to which she would start whining in an indecipherable chatter.

Saw the original article. Sounds like Beaker to me.
-- Cookie Sewell
Aberdeen, Maryland

BLIGHTED 'BURBS
Re: Lawrence Henry's A Walk in the Mall:

Troy, Michigan, and its cousin to the East, Sterling Heights are designated as "cities" by their respective charters. But as "towns," they are geographically platted square miles with subdivisions divided by cruel three- and four-lane roads with posted speeds in excess of 50 MPH. They are modern suburbs where if you need a gallon of milk, you're in the car. The "corner store" is a convenience-gas station. The grocer always seems to be a "mile up the road."

Both of these 'burbs, located far from the cruel realities of urban Detroit, offer no downtown, just the collection of city offices. Thus the collective commerce of their shopping malls is by default the manufactured downtown. The retailers basically bring otherwise strangers together. Kids of all ages congregate there, seniors walk there, and folks enjoy klatches in the food court.

Perhaps suburban designers developed this plan that retailers would in effect supply the necessary infrastructure for the modern downtown via the "shopping mall." The retailers' rent affords the maintenance and for the most part, their own security force. These ostensible "cities" can splurge on other items free of having to maintain a downtown. We can only hope this saves the taxpayers some money.
-- P. Aaron Jones
Huntington Woods, Michigan

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