Was anyone else a bit shocked last night when, in the midst of the Academy Awards, we were taken live to the White House to behold the First Lady assume the role of a presenter??!

It was very, very telling. A parable of our times.

For one thing, we watched the utterly seamless blending of the most serious office in the nation with one of the silliest. The princes of make-believe joined with the office of grave events. The jester and the Queen went on a date. Does anyone else see the problem here?

The Academy Awards can be a fun evening some times, a politically correct event other times, and always a rather incestuous affair as the world watches Hollywood give itself awards in a self-congratulating love fest. It is to be taken about as seriously as you take the lottery, as you take any soap opera. Then, suddenly, in the midst of the glitter and gloss, we have the First Lady—dressed for the occassion, looking like every other actress, taking the role of presenter with complete sincerity. In as smooth a transition as could be wished by any director, the world of global leadership blended with the world of sham, of pretend, of make believe.

I hope at the least you are very clear now how much Hollywood adores the Obamas. Given the prevailing political winds of Tinsel Town—as radical and preposterous as a set of views can get—the ease with which Michelle Obama took part in the evening ought to give you shudders. Who is influencing our nation's leaders?

But the additional shock provided us last night was the picture of how our country confuses politics and film making.

I can bet you that for the most part folks were charmed by the guest appearance of the President's wife at the Academy Awards. I wager that most folks were not troubled by the ease with which the First Lady became an acress/presenter nor saw in that a deeper reality exposed. The line between story-telling and truth telling was long ago abandoned. "Sincerity" is enough to convince us now, whether it be on the silver screen or from the White House. We are entertained by our leaders and led by our entertainers. All is one.