This is what an Oscar moment looks like
Only in New Jersey would a town sue a resident for wanting public information
The Front Page
Morning Update
Friday, April 1, 2022
By Ken Tingley
The Oscars has always been an event in our home.
We watch “E” coverage of the red carpet so we can make catty remarks about what the beautiful people are wearing.
We prepare an exotic array of snacks to be served between commercial breaks. Sometimes we even have an Oscar martini. Like the movies we so often enjoy, the Oscars are a release from our mundane everyday life. We revel in the glamor of the movie stars, yet applaud when some unknown documentary film-makers tells you of their long journey to the ultimate Hollywood stage.
It’s the American dream.
That’s what makes what happened at this year’s Oscars so disturbing.
It ruined the moment and it will overshadow everything else that happened that night.
I’m sure it’s tough to be a movie star, but not as tough as a single mother struggling to put food on the table and is not sure how to get her sick kid to the doctor.
It’s not as tough as a middle class family trying to figure out how to pay for their kids’ college.
And not nearly as tough as a senior trying to get by on Social Security.
Those beautiful people needs to have some perspective about the charmed lives they live.
Be humble
Be charitable.
And grateful that you have so much. It’s not the end of the world to lose your hair. Ask any chemotherapy patient.
I’m not sure if I will ever look at the Oscars or the movie stars we find so glamorous quite the same.
Fifteen years ago, struggling musicians Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova starred in an Irish love story about street musicians. They made the movie it on a shoestring budget on the streets of Dublin without even getting the necessary permits to film.
Their song from the movie, “Falling Slowly,” was nominated for Best Original Song.
They were right up front at the Oscars night.
And they won.
The pair, a couple in real life at the time, had never been to the Oscars and they have not been back.
When John Travolta announced their win, the shocked Hansard, who wasn’t even wearing a tie, covered his face with one hand, stood up and pumped his left fist as he strode to center stage with Irglova.
“This is amazing,” Hansard said. “What are we doing here. This is mad. We made this movie on two handi-cams in three weeks. We made it for $100,000 and never thought we would come into a room like this and be in front of you people. It has been amazing. Thanks for taking us seriously. This is amazing. Make art, make art.”
It was the type of rags to riches story that we love to see, for which we as Americans take so much pride. This was a moment for all the dreamers.
Unfortunately, Irglova, just 19 at the time, was cut off before she could give her thanks. A few minutes later, host Jon Stewart apologized and invited her back on stage.
“This is such a big deal deal, not only for us, but for all independent musicians and artists who spend most of their time struggling,” she said. “The fact we are standing here tonight, that we are holding this, it just proves that no matter how far out your dreams are, it is possible. Fair play for those who dare to dream and don’t give up. This song was written from a perspective of hope and hope at the end of the day connects us all no matter how different we are.”
Those words came from a teenager from the Czech Republic.
She was living the dream.
That’s why I watch the Oscars.
Those coddled front-row millionaire celebrities need to remember how fortunate they are, that many do still hold them in high regard and that their actions do matter.
That’s why I watch the Oscars.
The Smiths and anyone who applauded his actions should watch from the last row of the Dolby Theater next year and see how they like the view from the cheap seats.
Public information
Back in 2009, Mark Mahoney won the Pulitzer Prize for a series of editorials about open government and freedom of information. In one of those editorials, he gave a lessons to regular citizens on how they could file Freedom of Information requests so they could obtain public records legally available to them.
The American Press Institute reported this week that Elouise McDaniel, an 82-year-old New Jersey resident, was being sued by her town because she had filed 75 public record requests under New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act. She was seeking information about the town’s mayor and administration. She was accused of harassment.
Elouise should not only be applauded for her citizenship, but someone should give her an award. I hope some sharp lawyer comes forward to represent her and gives the town a lesson in what a free democracy looks like.
Voting
If you haven’t taken a moment to vote for my short story “Moving Day,” I’m hoping you can now. It is being considered for publication as part of an anthology of short stories by Something or Other Publishing.
The story chronicles a cross country trip by my son and I during the worst of the pandemic.
Here's to Chris Rock . . . a comedian . . . a king's jester . . . who kept his head when all about him were losing their's and blaming it on him. Who trusted himself when all men doubted and gave allowance for their doubting too . . . who was lied about but didn't deal in lies . . .
Bravo! Well said!