Even If They Don't Win The Oscar, The Nomination SHOULD Be Enough

In each of the 24 Oscar categories there can be only one winner...of a golden statue, that is. The remaining "Losers" get the customary Oscar gift basket. This year's gift basket (why its called a basket, what with so many items I do not know) is valued at over $85,000. Let me be the first to say "WHOA!" In the last few months we've seen two global catastrophes--the earthquake in Haiti and the earthquake in Chile. The world seems to be falling apart and all the Oscar "Losers" will get Gift Baskets that, when all baskets combined, reach a value of over 8 million dollars. So the question is, why can't the academy forgo these ridiculous gift baskets and make charitable contributions in the nominees' name?! I'm all for celebrating the best that the film industry has to offer but, when so many other people in the world are without basic necessities, it just doesn't seem right to be celebrating these achievements with a mountain of "swag".

Just so it can be understood how ridiculous these gift baskets are, I've included a complete list of all the items in the gift baskets.

* Gourmet artisan chocolate creations from Chocolatines by Sweet Endeavours that will sweeten the bitter Oscar loss with a 16-piece Contempo Collection, Chocolate-dipped Bacon, Matcha Sesame Bark, Mini Lux Turtles and Diamond Collection Champagne Ganache


* Fancy Feast's "Celebrate the Moment" gift package including a FlipCam Mino, Tiffany crystal-studded cat collar and an assortment of Fancy Feast Appetizers for Cats


* HGTV Green Home Mattress Collection by Serta


* The Oral-B Pulsonic slim & sleek electric toothbrush


* $4,000 limited edition (only 125 made) luxury Leather Travel Bag from Victorinox, makers of the Original Swiss Army Knife


* Private island vacation at the Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Clay


* $45,000 private & exclusive use of an African Safari Lodge from Premier Tours (includes four nights at the luxurious Lion Sands Private Game Reserve in South Africa for up to 8 adults and 8 kids, all meals prepared daily by a private chef, daily private game drives in open safari vehicles and guided nature walks)


* $14,500 four-night resort stay in a seaside suite with breakfast in bed at the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel in the Principality of Monaco


* DeLea Signature Perfume Oil


* A $7,000 three-night all-inclusive rustic getaway to Winvian Luxury Hotel in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut (2009 "losing" nominees Ron Howard and Frank Langella redeemed last year)


* AG Hair Cosmetics deluxe Colour Savour gift set


* Ideeli.com special access online shopping cards


* Professional dog studio photography package from Otis & Lucy (Paris Hilton is a fan)


* BlueFox Extreme Bluetooth headset


* An "Exclusively Scandinavian Gift Basket" from The Scandinavian Company (items from the line can be found in Heidi Klum's closet)


* A year's supply of Altoids Smalls


* The Pig Board from Snout a Pig


* Modern Meditations - Rock Goes Zen CD sets


* Ila DUSK personal security alarm


* iFLY indoor skydiving experience


* Eco-friendly certified carbon free SoHo Ultra-Quiet personal shredder from GoECOlife


* Herbalife Nutritional Products including Shake Mix and Best Defense immune booster supplement


* The Fifth Agreement by don Miguel Ruiz


* Assortment of all-natural designer dog toys, bowls and leashes from Petprojekt


* Wellness WellBites and Pure Rewards all-natural dog snacks from Wellpet


* WooLoot waterproof tourmaline sport watches


* Fashion-forward costume jewelry from MILLIANNA Jewelry


* La Peau Couture Organic Wrinkle Diminishing Serum (priced at $499 per jar)


* Slimware portion-control plates (used by body-conscious Hollywood stars such as Rene Russo, Kristin Chenoweth, Emily Procter and Ashlee Simpson)


* 10 personal training sessions from Huntley Drive Fitness (where previous nominees Melissa Leo and Jason Reitman train)


* One week all-inclusive fitness bootcamp from Live In Fitness Enterprise (former Oscar nominee Angela Bassett just finished the Red Carpet Bootcamp Program)