Oscars are not a political platform

I never requested nor do I desire for Sean Penn to be my moral compass. I respect his work as an actor, and I'm sure he is deserving for his award for best actor. However, what I don't like or appreciate is when any actor or actress, for any reason, chooses to use their acceptance speech as a political platform. When I go to the movies, I like to do so for a couple hours of entertainment.

Sean Penn and others have done a great job providing that for me over the years. I like them as actors and performers.

However, what their political opinions are or are not is immaterial to me. I don't care. I don't want to know about it. I don't want to hear about it when one wins an award for something that is unrelated. Stick to the basics: discuss your appreciation for the role, what it has done for you as an actor or actress, and thank whomever helped you achieve it.

I don't care about what your views are about anything in this venue. Keep your comments on these matters to yourself. The Oscars have been pandering to actors and actresses with their pet causes, and have allowed them to use this venue as their bully pulpit.

Clint Eastwood got shut out of the Oscars and nominations not because of the merits with "Gran Torino," but rather because his moral compass and political beliefs are not commensurate with that of Hollywood. This is completely unacceptable. The Academy of Arts and Sciences should take a quick, swift, and unwavering approach to anyone in the future that attempts to do this: The moment one word comes out of any ones mouth that is unrelated to the award, the mic goes off, the broadcast goes to commercial, and the actor or actress is escorted offstage. This garbage needs to stop.

Some may critique my position and say this is a free-speech issue. Anyone should be able to say anything at anytime. Here is my response: If I am receiving a business award for salesperson of the year, I'm not going to give a presentation about my experiences as a graduate student writing a master's thesis about riding along with the police. The context is off. It's not relevant. Simply put, it's wrong.

Marc Bulandr

Barrington Hills