While a mixed bag of celebrities took to the Emmy Awards stage to bash President Donald Trump Sunday night, actor Nicolas Cage visited the U.S. Coast Guard’s Aviation Training Center (ATC) in Mobile, Alabama, a few days after Hurricane Irma gutted Florida as well as parts of Georgia and South Carolina. Nicolas Cage praised the USCG personnel for their traditional heroic efforts on the high seas while also emphasizing the agency’s search and rescue feats during Hurricane Harvey (Texas and Louisiana) and Hurricane Irma.

Mobile’s ATC is also the base where Florida Gov. Rick Scott visited to conduct assessments before Hurricane Irma carved through his state. Command staff parlayed their expertise and resource allocations regarding search and rescue operations’ planning and preparedness.

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According to the Reagan Reports on Sept. 18, 2017, “The stunning impacts of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma demonstrated that millions of Americans don’t prepare for emergencies until it’s too late.” From my sources, which were boots-on-the-ground, many citizens were ill-prepared for what both hurricanes brought to households and businesses.

“The stunning impacts of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma demonstrated that millions of Americans don’t prepare for emergencies until it’s too late.”

Despite the purported loose preparedness of citizens, public safety assets sewed up loose ends. OpsLens staff discussed those features on their most recent podcast.

Supplementing hordes of law enforcement officials, firefighters, paramedics, and National Guardsmen were various water and airborne vessels, upon which were significantly trained lifesavers proudly wearing the patch representing the U.S. Coast Guard. The phrase “rescue diver” goes hand-in-hand with members of the USCG.

In Mobile, Alabama, filming his latest project, “Between Worlds,” Cage decided to recognize the courageous duty of the maritime members of our armed forces on Sept. 15, 2017 … mere days after Hurricane Irma plowed through Florida.

So hard-hit were the Florida keys that the United States Coast Guard Sector Key West was evacuated and relatively destroyed. On September 18, the Department of Homeland Security published a bulletin announcing the return of “only essential personnel” to pick up what is left of the USCG’s Key West station. After saving countless lives from hurricane ravages, the men and women of the USCG will head home to assess and rebuild their own quarters.

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One shining star upstages snowflakes. As Nicolas Cage ceremoniously held hands and rubbed shoulders with USCG members at their aviation hangars teeming with assets, self-aggrandizing big-screen bigwigs politicized the 69th Emmy Awards show, holding no punches. Begrudged presenters and recipients’ testy acceptance speeches were largely composed of invective maligning President Trump and U.S. policies.

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I suspect this year’s look-at-us show is similar to previous ones, only increasingly rife with postulations espousing social justice seasoned with anti-this and anti-that…under the guise of gratitude for cinematographic work.

I dedicated my police career to rubbing elbows with givers who expected nothing in return.

I’ve always been one for the underdog. I dedicated my police career to rubbing elbows with givers who expected nothing in return. In-the-shadows operatives define the phrase “unsung heroes,” and I find it awe-inspiring that the U.S. Coast Guard crews navigate via aviation and maritime modes to ensure national security, including massive search and rescue operations. Most of their feats we do not hear about. And USCG personnel seek no stage to present their good deeds.

It was Nicolas Cage who heard fact-based stories stemming from heroic deeds performed by police officers and firefighters during the downfall of the Twin Towers on 9/11, ultimately leading him to play the role of Port Authority Police Department Sergeant John McLoughlin, a 9/11 survivor depicted in Oliver Stone’s “World Trade Center” movie. He speaks about how he was inspired by the stories he heard in a video posted on YouTube.

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The Emmys’ embarrassment. From a comedic standpoint, I admit Alec Baldwin’s impersonation of President Trump rocks my ribcage. The nuances are spot-on. Yet, however hypocritical it may sound, I do not condone the sly barbs Mr. Baldwin directs at President Trump. During his acceptance speech after receiving a glistening Emmy for his mantle, Baldwin said, “At long last, Mr. President, here is your Emmy.”

That snide remark skewers the pre-President Trump TV series “The Apprentice,” and its spinoff, “Celebrity Apprentice,” twice nominated but without scoring an Emmy. Not everyone can be a winner in showbiz and, clearly, some get off on glibly shedding light on that factor … ultimately looking like a loser holding an undeserved prize.

No fan of President Trump, Baldwin is candid about his responsibility to use “Saturday Night Live” cameos to jab, taunt, and mock the U.S. commander-in-chief. I wonder what karma is bringing his way.

Speaking of jabbing, taunting, and candor, some “stars” on the Emmy platform went directly for the jugular. After harsh words were spoken by Jane Fonda and repeated by Lily Tomlin, take note of Dolly Parton’s facial expressions seemingly telegraphing the Oh-crap-I’m-in-the-middle of this nasty blizzard:

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And Twitter’s “Polish Princess Hanna” colorized the politics of the Emmy Awards:

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Then there is this year’s Emmys host, Stephen Colbert, who, along with several award presenters and recipients, took swipes at President Trump. Here is a collage of President Trump oppositionists:

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In a nutshell, Joy Villa tweeted what I, and clearly others, have been opining about stardom politicizing entertainment venues and grandstanding under the guise of “just kidding” or just blatant condemnation:

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Heck, even former White House press secretary Sean Spicer had some Emmy airtime at the podium, among the crowd and overhearing what they had to say about President Trump:

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Although these so-called stars traverse all over the globe to “act” for mega-millions, the moral compass seems under foot. Respect is increasingly disrespected. Grace and humility are out the window.

Respect is increasingly disrespected. Grace and humility are out the window.

Notwithstanding how one may feel about another, reasons stimulating adverse feelings can become the impetus for arrogance fueled by enormous ego and clauses of entitlement warmed by the flashes of Hollywood. It is a cocktail blend of equal parts psychopathy and narcissism. I’ll decline that potion, and I’ll even pass at sitting at that sort of table since nothing healthy is being served there.

Nevertheless, as stars play likable Hollywood characters for millions of fans to adore, a captivated audience overhearing political angst does not bode well for a country whose patriotism is a bulwark peppered with freedom of speech, albeit unfiltered and selfish.

Via “Fox & Friends” the morning after the Emmy Awards aired, “Political Cowboy” Chad Prather corralled some of the thoughts I had composed for this piece:

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Incidentally, the latest Emmy Awards (aka Trump Roast) performed poorly (very lackluster) in the ratings game. Let me guess: President Trump is a scoundrel who caused the entire affair?

“Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out,” said Jim Rhon, personal development guru. I wonder how many celebrities chronically pointing the finger elsewhere are feeling the box-office pinch lately? I wonder how much longer the National Football League execs will permit rich players to denounce American values and culture while fans fan away and seats go unfilled? I wonder how much longer “The View” stays on the air before their lopsided tirades are spectator-less?

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As for my opinion, the award goes to Nicolas Cage. Thank you for keeping it real, for extending your personal time and handshakes to many in the field of public safety and national security, while also making some bad-a** movies without resorting to punking cheap political propaganda.

Don’t you just admire when someone’s noteworthy super-influence is put to good use?

I wonder how many bales of cocaine the U.S. Coast Guard will reel in this week, before and after the pattern of messes generated by the string of hurricanes.

Perhaps most apropos are President Trump’s own words regarding one of America’s best assets: “No brand has improved more than the United States Coast Guard.” There are myriad articles out there chronicling the heroism and lifesaving feats of the USCG.

I invite you to peruse their marvelous performances throughout disasters … and extend personal gratitude as Nicolas Cage has selflessly done.

Don’t you just downright admire when someone’s noteworthy super-influence is put to good use?

Stephen Owsinski is a retired law enforcement officer whose career included assignments in the Uniformed Patrol Division and Field Training Officer (FTO) unit. He is currently a senior OpsLens contributor, a researcher and a writer. This article is from OpsLens and is used with permission.

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(photo credit, homepage and article images: U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile Nicolas Cage)