Politics: Balkanization [2/28] among others discussed the removing of two dissenting voices from the President's bioethics panel (irony of ironies, the removal was argued sometimes as neutral, when it was surely likely not). This is just a part of the administration's hard time in accepting debate, especially when it's politically problematic for them. When this seeps into scientific and intelligence areas, we are really in trouble. Bioethics is inherently divisive, and such a panel MUST be allowed to include dissenting views. This is a troubling example of a broader trend. My comments on the NY Debate are here and Kerry's recent foreign policy speech, here. And lousy or no, the U.S. did not do a great job of dealing with the fall of Aristide. Same old, same old.

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Oscars: Billy Crystal's open montage and musical numbers were fun but then we had a long period of mostly dullness. The show could have been over before March, if all the technical awards (and a few more, such as song) were handed out to Lord of the Rings all at once. Before 11, if all the awards from New Zealand and Australia were handed out together. Things perked up when the winner for Documentary Short gave an eloquent speech for her work Chernobyl Heart [Tim Robbins gave a nice speech too with a great end bit about victims of abuse.] The performances for "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" (A Mighty Wind) and "Belleville Rendez-ous" (The Triplets of Belleville) really gave a needed energy as things approached hour three. Also, the "words to the 'you're done' instrumental" by Jack Black and Will Farrell was hilarious as well.

The LOTR swept, except for those wherein they weren't nominated. A few "what were they thinking" presenter match-ups (the worse, John Travolta and Sandra Bullock). Charlize Theron has an emotional speech as did Renee Zellweger (the best part of Cold Mountain, but Patricia Clarkson was better). I'm truly annoyed Sean Penn won over Ben Kingsley or Bill Murray ... his overacting didn't match their excellent performances. The winner of the "Short Film" (Live Action) went long. Sofia Coppola was sweet when she accepted her award for Best (Original) Screenplay. And, the winner for Finding Nemo impressed women everywhere (except those who thought it too corny) by sweetly saying how he passed a note to his now wife in school. Overall, the 76th Annual Academy Awards were rather dull.