The Oscars provide Americans an opportunity to peek behind the curtain about the politics of the Hollywood elite. It is not a pretty sight. From accusations of racism to denunciations of global warming, each and every pronouncement comes chock full of two-faced hypocrisy.
Front and center, of course, was the effort to address the accusations of rank racism by the Hollywood elite for their failure to nominate a black actor or actress in Oscar categories for two years in a row. Chris Rock, the host of the night, asked "Is Hollywood racist? You damn right Hollywood's racist." Watching the liberal Hollywood elite call denouncing themselves almost made the Oscars worth watching. Almost.
Then there Leonardo DiCaprio proclaiming that "climate change is real" and "it is the most urgent threat facing the entire species." DiCaprio, according to the leaked Sony emails, happily availed himself of more than $200,000 worth of private jet travel in just six weeks in 2014. He also has proposed to create in Belize “the World’s first truly restorative island development – a development completely powered by renewable energy and designed to increase the biological health of species on the island and in the waters around it.” Too bad, that doing so requires the destruction of some of the finest fly fishing grounds in the world.
And let's not forget the speech by the screenwriter of "The Big Short" who warned voters of candidates who take money "weirdo billionaires." Without saying more, there is little doubt that Adam McKay is probably thinking of the Koch brothers when he said those words, but has little or no problem cuddling up to George Soros and Tom Steyer.
In Congress, this rank hypocrisy is on display, perhaps most vividly, by liberal Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass). Markey introduced legislation to overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, comparing the decision, which allowed a private group to make a movie critical of Hillary Clinton, to the Dred Scott case.
If he truly believes millionaires and billionaires are purchasing Congress, what explains Mr. Markey's decision to send a letter to the Federal Trade Commission to help billionaire hedge fund owner Bill Ackman and his short bet against Herbalife, the nutritional supplement maker?
Ackman declared war on the company, taking a billion dollar short position (a bet that the stock would collapse) and then getting his friends on government to join the battle. Markey's letter was the tip of the spear. By attacking the company as an alleged pyramid scheme, Ackman hoped to make billions and Markey, and others, were more than willing to help
Since the letter was sent, Herbalife's stock has rebounded and Ackman's short position is costing him millions. Yet he still remains eager to find friends in Congress who will help make him richer. It is worth noting that Ackman is a prodigious giver to liberal members of Congress and the Democrat establishment. Not so surprising those liberals in Congress and the Obama Administration are more than happy to help him out.
Hollywood and Washington are full of hypocrites and that reality was on full display last night.
