A preview of the political commentary we can expect at Sunday night's Academy Awards? As a presenter at Saturday's “Film Independent's Spirit Awards” carried live at 2pm PST/5pm EST on the Independent Film Channel (IFC), actress America Ferrera (IMDb page), the title role star of ABC's Ugly Betty, interjected a bit of political commentary suggesting the U.S. will not be “the land of the free” again until President Bush leaves office. Taking the stage inside a tent on the Santa Monica beach, Ferrera was joined by actor Zach Braff, a star on NBC's Scrubs, to present the award for the “Best First Feature.” In the scripted exchange, Braff asked: “So do you think that you have any traits in common with the country that is your namesake?” Ferrera replied: “I guess I'm a free-spirited person and America's supposedly the 'land of the free,' right?” She then added, to loud applause from the left coast film industry audience: “Or at least we will be in 2008.”
Video clip (30 seconds): Real (900 KB) or Windows Media (1 MB), plus MP3 audio (175 KB)
Of course, Ferrera needs to study up on the U.S. political system. The new President will not take office until 2009.
The awards ceremony will re-air twice for two hours in “edited” form on AMC, presumably meaning with advertisements and sans the vulgarities, at 10pm EST Saturday night and 9am EST Sunday morning.
The exchange at the February 24 event:
Zach Braff: “You know America, here's a little interesting tidbit you probably don't know about me. My middle name is Israel. We're both named after countries. “America Ferrera: “Wow, that is interesting.”
Braff: “So do you think that you have any traits in common with the country that is your namesake?”
Ferrera: “Well, you know, I mean I guess I'm a free-spirited person and America's supposedly the 'land of the free,' right?”
Braff: “Well, I guess.”
Ferrera: “Or at least we will be in 2008.” [loud applause] Well how about you, Zach, I mean do you have anything in common with Israel?”
Braff: “Let me see. Well, I'm predominantly Jewish, I'm very hot and all of my neighbors hate me. So yeah.” [audience laughter]
According to IMDb's bio of Braff, his actual middle name is Ivan.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
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Ah another holywood liberal w
February 24, 2007 - 21:48 ET by AtheistRepublicanAh another holywood liberal who doesn't seem to understand the concept of freedom. We are more free under a republican then we would be under a democrat. Democrats are the ones who are constantly hacking away at real rights like the right to property, to arms, free speech, ect.. The few 'rights' republicans don't support don't really matter for the most part, gay marriage is in no way an important issue when compared to property rights.
Selling yourself to Hollywood...
February 24, 2007 - 21:58 ET by Peter LVSeems she is doing what everyone else in Hollywood HAS TO DO to remain in Hollywood...that is prostituting herself to the Democratic party.
Unfortunately, after reading her comments, it appears that prostituting yourself in no way buys any intelligence as her comments, in keeping with Hollywood tradition, were full of senseless garbage.
All performers know how to
February 24, 2007 - 21:59 ET by gueinAll performers know how to pander to an audience.
And worse still, they think o
February 24, 2007 - 22:00 ET by HumanEventsAnd worse still, they think our President, who is trying to fight and protect us from the terrorists is the enemy instead of the terrorists!
Yeah put in a DemocRAT who doesn't want to fight terrorism and see how free we'll be you dopey Hollywood celebs! And nice to see how much these liberal celebs love their country. "The land of the free, right?" "I guess." (As well as all the America loving people in the audience who loudly cheered for them).
Typical demonstration of how airheaded and politically moronic Hollywood is too - as if November 2008 is when the new President takes office! Duh which way did he go!!
Oh the little robot. It's r
February 24, 2007 - 22:03 ET by FairlightOh the little robot. It's really bizarre how when good things happen to liberals it still all comes back to Bush.
Does ANYBODY have an independent thought at the Indie awards?
Of course not, Fairlight. T
February 24, 2007 - 22:50 ET by Scout FinchOf course not, Fairlight. To be a liberal AND to be in Hollywood is like high school redux. Everyone wants to associate with the 'cool kids'. And in Hollywood, the 'cool kids' are the outspoken popular actors who are seriously afflicted with BDS. In order to attend the best parties and mingle with the coolest people, everyone out there becomes of one mind. It's moved beyond Hollywood, too. Nashville and country music artists are beginning to join the same mindset too.
What the liberals fail to rea
February 24, 2007 - 22:04 ET by CathGWhat the liberals fail to realize is that when they make stupid comments (that could just as easily have been omitted) is that they are AT LEAST alienating half the country! It just doesn't make any sense. My memory is long and I don't forget the list of "celebrities" who pander for a round of applause. I know I am not alone!!
Right but they know those the
February 24, 2007 - 22:09 ET by HumanEventsRight but they know those they alienate won't be voting for the Dragon Lady anyway. They hope to keep placing these anti-Bush/Republican thoughts in the minds of those who are independents, undecided, or just in to entertainment and not politics in order to influence them to vote Democrat. They also want to remain in good standing with the other Hollywood elites (and the way to do that is tout the liberal line).
CathG,I feel exactly same way
February 24, 2007 - 22:13 ET by msh1973CathG,
I feel exactly same way. I wouldn't walk across the street to a movie starring: Clooney, Streep, Roberts, Damon, just to name a few. I am not going to financially support anyone who makes such outrageous comments about the President or our Military. Not that my staying home would harm them in any way, but it sure makes me feel better.
I agree wholeheartedly...
February 24, 2007 - 22:16 ET by Peter LVnot a penny to these morons...you speak for many!
I so agree, it can all be don
February 25, 2007 - 09:04 ET by USA4freedomI so agree, it can all be done without some kind of jab at the president. In one quick move you have wiped out half of your audience. My wife who likes that show tells me, she was just reading a tell a prompter I told her I don’t care, if she or that writer is so without freedom how the hell did her little ugliness and the idiot write, and put on TV that kind of crap. That is the reason I read so... much in the last few years. My wife watching the Redford film about Africa (while I read). After the movie two talking heads chat about political films that the actors and the directors demand, are being resisted.. by the "money guys". That is because we (the people) don’t support them, and those..."money guys" are responding to that odd thing called Supply and Demand.
America is best described by one word, freedom... Dwight D. Eisenhower
Hollywood is boorish at best on a good day.
February 25, 2007 - 08:20 ET by CTYou are not alone!
Miss Ferrera would love North
February 24, 2007 - 22:20 ET by UnsaneMiss Ferrera would love North Korea, I am sure. Or Iran, where she wouldn't even be as free to choose her wardrobe as she is under the "oppressive dictator" Bush.
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
That's for sure. She wouldn
February 24, 2007 - 22:53 ET by Scout FinchThat's for sure. She wouldn't be "Ugly Betty" hiding behind a burqa! Then again, she could be "Burqa Betty"! The spin-off!
Burqa Betty Good one Scout
February 25, 2007 - 07:11 ET by BAUHAUSBurqa Betty
Good one Scout. :)
America's A Bush Hater What A Shocker
February 24, 2007 - 22:27 ET by emjem24There's so much to say here but I will try to keep it pithy. Here are my observations about this low-class, distasteful excuse for an "American":
1. She's an actress whose sole knowledge comes from her high school American History class (and we all know that liberals own the public education system...I should know I've worked with them)
2. She hangs out with all the "hip" liberals and that's where she gets a lot of her "wit"
3. "Ugly Betty" is just another television show that a minor segment of the American public pay attention to. I saw the promos and I thought the premise of being mean to somebody who wears glasses and is chunky unoriginal, uninsightful, and mean-spirited (where was this show when I was in school?)
4. This statement was said at yet another awards show...which most normal people tune out anyway
5. Where have all your freedoms to be a complete dumba#$ gone, America? I don't see you on the terror watch list, tapping your phones, or stifling your completely uncalled for remarks (but I'd be willing to videotape for a live E! broadcast to reveal how truly dumb you are in real life (is LA where the real people live?)
6. America Ferrera is the Latina version of Jennifer Aniston....doesn't know much and will never know much except how to memorize and say lines
I think that about does it...
The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer. Air Force Motto
emjem says: When your brain's stuck on liberalism it self-destructs.
Even cleaned up, she is sti
February 24, 2007 - 22:31 ET by 1sttofightEven cleaned up, she is still ugly.
I strongly disagree with that
February 24, 2007 - 22:50 ET by AtheistRepublicanI strongly disagree with that assessment.
Fatty
February 25, 2007 - 12:49 ET by BBallleaperSorry, but she's no prize. But I won't criticize someone for how they look. They can't help it. But being overweight and pudgy, we'll that she can help! If she'd just SHUT HER MOUTH she could lose weight and GAIN respect!
You could have predicted ever
February 24, 2007 - 22:57 ET by balboaYou could have predicted everyone's response to this post, right down to the last insult. Guess you can't watch this show now, either.
Actually I couldn't watch the
February 24, 2007 - 23:04 ET by AtheistRepublicanActually I couldn't watch the show before hand, it is unbearable.
I don't find it that great, e
February 25, 2007 - 00:29 ET by balboaI don't find it that great, either. I think she's a good actress, but the show is not my thing.
It's actually a shameless rip
February 25, 2007 - 01:00 ET by Scout FinchIt's actually a shameless rip-off of "The Devil Wears Prada" by Lauren Weisberger. And not as funny, IMHO.
Naw........I can still watch
February 24, 2007 - 23:45 ET by Scout FinchNaw........I can still watch it. I usually have a book in my hands while my family watches TV. It's my husband who actually enjoys her program. I won't put money in the pockets of people I think are using their positions to promote ideas to which I'm not agreeable. Like purchasing movie tickets or CD's. But I won't object to airing something on TV that I don't agree with. That's when I'm most engrossed in my book anyway.
Sorry, Bal, have to disagree
February 25, 2007 - 06:50 ET by Chicago RepublicanSorry, Bal, have to disagree with you if you are implying that there is no substantive critique of her comments, just insults. Not true - read Unsane's or emjem's posts above.
When people refer to Bush as a "dictator" or say that he is "eroding civil liberties" its just idiotic and factually incorrect. I hate to keep repeating myself, but GWB doesn't even shut down media outlets that leak information in a treasonous fashion. I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said "I wasn't using my civil liberties anyway". What an intellectually bankrupt thing to say. What civil liberties have you lost? If you're referring to the NSA's foreign surveillance program, unless you are in the speed dial of a know terrorist, you're phone conversations are of no interest to anyone in government. What else? Suspension of Habeus Corpus? How many American Citizens are in Gitmo or elsewhere, being held without charge? Provide me some names, please. Its all Hate Bush Hysteria that's really wearing thin on some of us, even those who think he's less than a stellar president on most fronts.
**************
Support the Spread of Open Society and Capitalism around the World. Do it for the Children.
Its all Hate Bush Hysteria
February 25, 2007 - 07:13 ET by Jack BauerIts all Hate Bush Hysteria that's really wearing thin on some of us, even those who think he's less than a stellar president on most fronts.
Exactly Chicago . The only coherent, joined-up thinking about President Bush comes from conservatives critiques of his missteps on many issues.
It's just that we don't think he's Hitler; or that in his remaining 19 months in office has any plans crown himself King, declare martial law, set up concentration camps for lib***ls, hang the editor of the NY Times.
And for a start, everyone who knows anything about the President knows that his illegal-immigration policies bear a striking resemblance to lefty Democrat policies.
The nexus where BIG UNIONS converge with BIG BUSINESS in their desire to import millions of poor, uneducated serfs to serve their combined agendas.
Ugly Hollywood
February 25, 2007 - 08:33 ET by CT"...set up concentration camps for lib***ls, hang the editor of the NY Times..."
But entertaining to contemplate none the less.
Only if Geraldo At Large c
February 25, 2007 - 08:42 ET by Jack BauerOnly if Geraldo At Large covered it on Fox.
Or O'Reilly's Unresolved Problems segment.
That'd be amusing.
Cheap labor now. Big union
February 25, 2007 - 12:58 ET by dahliatraversCheap labor now. Big union dues down the road. Compounded by politicians of all stripes who have deluded themselves that they are picking up a big voting block.
sure dahlia -- long term, t
February 25, 2007 - 13:31 ET by Jack Bauersure dahlia -- long term, in an advanced industrial society, there's nothing more expensive than illegally importing uncontrolled numbers of "cheap" non-skilled labor.
The same percentage of straig
February 25, 2007 - 09:18 ET by Roger the ShrubberThe same percentage of straight men watch "Ugly Betty" as would go willingly to a Cher concert. I guess we could have predicted you would be one of them. Or is "Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" up there in your top ten movies of all time, crammed in between all those Meg Ryan classics?
So, Betty is not only ugly, s
February 24, 2007 - 23:29 ET by MikeBSo, Betty is not only ugly, she is stupid, too. Pity. Perhaps she is an understudy for Helen Thomas? She has at least two of the necessary prerequisites for the position.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
The Republican's will be bett
February 25, 2007 - 00:12 ET by mostlymoderateThe Republican's will be better off with Dubya and Cheney gone as well. You might not think so now, but wait until the Republican's get a TRUE conservative in office. Only then will I call myself a Republican again. I think the one thing that put me over the edge was when Bush wanted to give the Port's away to some Arabs. Or was it when he declared, "all major combat operations have ended" on a NAVY destroyer. Oh wait, it was when he wanted to give amnesty to some illegal aliens. THAT was the one.
Like I said before, Bush is probably a great guy. If I was in the military I wouldn't speak-out at all against the guy. However, I am NOT in the military and think the Republican's can do better.
a dubious proposition
February 25, 2007 - 00:56 ET by tumbler_2007Dear Mostly,
I know you have every right to your opinion; and you could be right. You could be wrong as well.
Bush and Cheney aren't perfect. Yet they've held sway during one of our country's most difficult eras, carrying on well with very little help from the left and its captive media. You will likely never again see an American president treated more unfairly and viciously by the opposing party. They've been brutal to W every foot of the way. But he came through exceptionally well considering a shameless lack of support.
He kept his promise to the people who elected him by lowering taxes; leading our economy into a new era of growth and prosperity. His achievements are still not credited to him; even having cut our deficit by half! -- You, who call yourself moderate are acting niggardly in saying we'll have a better time ahead without him. It's possible; but when will we have a greater Leader? Not better than Bush, anytime. He and his administration have probably set a new course for the Supreme Court; also an accomplishment that may prove Bush a brilliant President in time.
We are lucky to have had W during these years following 9-11; since there hasn't been another tragedy brought here to our shores. Bush accomplished that for America, setting up the Patriot Act and modifying our homeland defense very swiftly and successfully. His opponents have never once tried to help. They only did their damndest to drag him down. Why? Just because they hate him. They've disgraced themselves and history is going to realize it, sooner than anybody thinks.
Can Republicans hope for much better in the near future? I wouldn't call anyone "better" because in any case, the new ones won't have such a daunting task to perform compared to the tasks Bush took on. It's easy to criticize, so you have the easy task; just like those idiot talking heads. If I thought you could carry the heavy responsibilites I might take your opinion more seriously. You may hope for somebody better in the future; but he/she won't be half the President George W Bush was for two stunning terms in office-- without ever receiving any appreciation. Only disrespect and obstructions. We'll never know how great he would have been with any kind of co-operation from all our citizens; the Democrats and the news media. I know he excelled without the help of his detractors. He truly excelled.
Tumbler, I will agree that
February 25, 2007 - 01:05 ET by mostlymoderateTumbler,
I will agree that G.W. Bush has been the victim of unscrupulous insults from the left. The way he is treated by the left boggles my mind. It makes me sick to hear left-wingers talking so "trashy" about our commander in chief.
I also think this President was in Office when the country had one of the worst things ever happen on American soil: 9-11. I do admire him for getting through that.
I also want you to know that, again, I will support G.W. Bush until he is done in the Oval Office. Who knows, maybe he will even surprise me these next few years. Maybe he has saved the best for last. I guess when you were alive during the Reagan year's you learned what a wonderful Republican could really be like. We need another Reagan. Someone that believes maybe what this President does, but also gets most of them done :-)
mostelymoderate, you have as much understanding of the Ports
February 25, 2007 - 13:47 ET by acaiguanamostelymoderate, you have as much understanding of the Ports as you demonstrate on pretty much all the issues you insist on comment here about.
First, it wasn't a 'Port' that 'Bush' wanted to 'give' away to 'some' Arabs.
Aside from the fact that you cannot even understand the difference between terminals and their management and Ports and their management...
That makes debate with you an undertaking of teaching you about air.
It's everywhere, air. You can't see it but sometimes you can feel it.
Get it?
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
Ports of call
February 25, 2007 - 13:50 ET by dagdaUnder Clinton we already had major terminals run by the Chinese Communist Army. The Dubai people were running our terminals very efficently in the Middle East. They were not as big a risk to security as the Longshoreman's Union is.
Our real problem, then, is not our strength today; it is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow. Dwight Eisenhower
So to "teach" us that "ugly p
February 25, 2007 - 00:30 ET by muh-oonSo to "teach" us that "ugly people have value too" they hire a hot actress and make her look ugly with makeup, fake teeth, bad hair and glasses? Thank you Hollywood for helping me see through my ugly prejudices.
Right arm, muh-oon. Too bad
February 25, 2007 - 00:47 ET by Scout FinchRight arm, muh-oon. Too bad irony is lost on Hollywood.
who?did she make it through h
February 25, 2007 - 02:09 ET by buddycwho?
did she make it through high school? was it a california high school?
If our country is so oppressi
February 25, 2007 - 03:20 ET by Right Wing Attack DogIf our country is so oppressive, she should change her name, grab mom, dad and the rest of her relative's that are suffering so much and go back to Honduras, that great bastion of freedom, where they came from.
Seriously, I wonder if folk
February 25, 2007 - 03:39 ET by ckc1227Seriously, I wonder if folks like her have any clue at all how stupid they sound to most of us who are outside of the entertainment groupthink? You know, real Americans.
Reminder: Don't forget to pay your taxes. 12 million illegal immigrants are counting on you.
Well, well, well... hmm... ya
February 25, 2007 - 06:18 ET byWell, well, well... hmm... ya know, looks, but no brains.
All too often, that's how it is in Hollywood.
(8^) <---- Ugly Betty... hehe
.
February 25, 2007 - 07:28 ET by BAUHAUS.
ugly betty is right
February 25, 2007 - 09:08 ET by blackrain4xmasUntil President Bush is gone, too many Americans will continue to use him as a catalyst for their denial of world realities. Put a Democrat in the White House after pulling out of Iraq, and see what happens:
-they'll have to market to the American people, a third invasion of Iraq
-they'll have just as much luck finding UBL as Clinton and Bush
-all the world's problems won't magically go away.
The only chance too many people have at facing reality is to remove the parasol that they use to block out the sun and hide in the shade.
Wow, using an awards show app
February 25, 2007 - 12:25 ET by rimskyWow, using an awards show appearance to make an anti-American, Bush bashing, and generally stupid statement How original!
BTW, how many of these damn awards shows are there these days.. Spirit Awards? Never head of it. OYE!
The self-absorbed, self-lovin
February 25, 2007 - 13:27 ET by kathleenirishThe self-absorbed, self-loving, self-congratulatory narcissists of Hollywood will continue to create more award shows until they are a daily event. This may already be the case, actually. I caught a couple of minutes of the introduction of this cultural phenomenon, "The Spirit Awards" last night. Sarah Silverman was using her mouth to represent a talking vagina. I took a pass on the rest of this garbage. What passes as "art" these days is amazing. What Hollywood tries to pass onto us is equally amazing. It's not hard to boycott the Academy Awards tonight. A catatonic coma is more tempting.
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
Spirit Awards
February 25, 2007 - 13:32 ET by dagdaThe Spirit Awards honor independent film makers. Oscars generally favor big studio productions. The Spirit Awards have been around since 1984. This year's top winner was Little Miss Sunshine with 4 awards.
Since it has been around for at least 22 years, it is hardly a newcomer to the awards scene.
Our real problem, then, is not our strength today; it is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow. Dwight Eisenhower
All it takes is a little bit
February 25, 2007 - 12:35 ET by Johnnyboy792All it takes is a little bit of fame and already she's an authority figure. I might remind you Ms. Ferrera, that until your big break came along, your entire life experience was waiting tables. This doesn't exactly prepare you for a life of politics !
Why don't we check in
February 25, 2007 - 13:20 ET by kathleenirishWhy don't we check in with the blogger who just got 4 years in prison in that bastion of freedom, Egypt, for "disrespecting" Islam, hmm?, girlie-who-pretends-to-be-'ugly'-but-we-all-are-relieved-to-know-really-isn't, you know Egypt, one of the dozens of countries where the word 'freedom' has no meaning, you total dope! Boy, what courage you have to spit on Bush and by extension this country, the one where idiots like you can say and do almost anything you like because someone else died for you. Oh, and your family came here to savor that freedom from where? If Hollywood was destroyed in an earthquake tonight it would be no loss.
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
Now, explain to me again why this twit is important?
February 25, 2007 - 13:49 ET by acaiguanaNow, explain to me again why this twit is important?
If an illiterate High Schooler can get on TV, can I get on TV?
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
Hollywoodheads
February 25, 2007 - 13:58 ET by kiwikitTheir lack of intelligence is obvious, expected and not worth comment. What amazes me is how they're driven by ratings and yet feel free to slam half their audience. How many in the US feel that our President is a martyr who's being slammed in the back by liberals 24/7 and yet insists on fighting back and doing his job to assure our safety. How many of those will avoid the products of anyone who publicly throws the arrows at President Bush. She'll do anything to get a job including calling herself 'ugly' but doesn't seem to realize that future jobs depend on a large part of the public's liking her as a person. Her hateful remarks makes that highly unlikely. I for one, never spend a dime or minute on anyone who's dissed my country or my President. I'm not alone. When's the last time Baldwin did anything significant other than blowing off his mouth?
I regret that I have never se
February 25, 2007 - 15:23 ET by 10thAmendmentI regret that I have never seen her show making it difficult to turn off.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.