Heros and Brats: A Night of Contrasts

Watched an amazing episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition that featured the family of an ex-Marine (yes, I realize there is no such thing as an "ex" Marine) who was an unsung, mysterious hero of 9/11—rescuing two Port Authority police officers from the rubble.

There was flag waving, Marine semper fi-ing, the singing of the national anthem, tears and lots of expressions of gratitude for our service men and women.

Afterwards, I flipped over to watch the second hour of the Grammys where the voting members of the Recording Academy were smugly sending out a big "bite us" to our men and women in uniform by awarding the Dixie Chicks every award they could.

What a contrast.

It was so clear that the awards were more about making a political point than the musical merits of "Not Ready to Make Nice" (a title that is, itself, a politcal point) that even the usually clueless Natalie Maines had to acknowledge it their final acceptance speech of the night. She said something like, "Obviously someone is exercising some free speech...sending a message..."

Yes. Message received. The reality chasm between regular Americans and the entertainment industry elites is wider than ever.