[This Just In]

I must disagree w/your comparison between the Academy Awards and Free Republic. The motion picture industry claims that it produces films for ALL audiences, whether these films are based on facts, or fiction. The Academy claims they are open to all points of view, and is not bias. What could be further from the truth.

Free Republic, on the other hand, is a news forum. It's audience is mainly conservative, and Free Republic even states this on it's home page, "Free Republic is the premiere online gathering place for independent grass-roots conservatism....."

It's like comparing apples to oranges with regard to the criteria for which awards are given.

WRT Mr. Gibson "getting over it...", I don't recall him shedding crocodile tears over not making the Academy cut. He's been in the business/game for a number of yrs. and knows how things work, I would venture to guess. I would imagine that he understands how the machine works, and what makes it tick, being part of that machine himself. I am grateful that despite the herd mentally in Hollywood, he stepped out of that mindset and took a chance, and was greatly rewarded for his efforts.

[Military family member]

The analogy between the two holds. Both sets of awards are given by the members themselves. Outside groups have little if no influence on who is going to get either nominated or the actual winners.

The Academy awards are by the industry, for the industry; therefore, the Academy determines the rules.

I don't every remember seeing or reading anything claiming that the Academy had a policy that stated it "produced films for ALL audiences, whether these films are based on facts, or fiction."

The academy does not produce films; studios and others with money produce films. The Academy promotes the science and craft of making films.