Well-timed victory for 'Hurt Locker'

While countless scores of Americans prepared their Sunday to view the Academy Awards, millions of Iraqi voters participated in the quintessential rite of self-governance in electing their national leaders. An amazing 62 percent of eligible voters braved some violence to engage the process, which should rightfully shame those of us too lazy to vote here.

How fitting that Hollywood would shock the entertainment world by bestowing its Best Picture award upon "Hurt Locker," a low budget yet powerful, long-overdue salute to the unquestioned bravery, dedication and ultimate sacrifice of America's military, most certainly responsible for Iraqi freedom.

Even more telling while quite predictable, the same cast of agenda-driven, left-wing media elites previously bent upon demonizing, vilifying and crucifying our previous Washington administration with mindless, caterwauling rants of "Bush lied, people died," now scurries for the Thesaurus to modify their talking points. Desperate to credit the Obama administration with the undeniable successes borne of Iraqi democracy, these same shameless purveyors of pop culture blather will now somehow craft their own version of "Mission Accomplished."

There's a deep-seated, poignant lesson to be learned here, America. Pay attention to it.

William G. Parrot

McHenry