Here at Intermission we have watched the state of entertainment decline to reality television and lip-singing on S.N.L. The city of jazz was severely damaged by a force of nature and Johnny Carson of “Tonight Show” fame left us. And so, I ask, what is the state of entertainment? While this question might seem of minor consequence, it truly reflects the current status of our world.

The state of entertainment is a sorry one. When the American people come home to lose themselves in television only to find fake reality shows; when UGGs can still be found on the feet of women (even in the summer); when Intermission has to run two two-star movies in the same week; our culture’s fall into Limbo, oh wait . . . the Catholic Church says that doesn’t exist anymore so we’re okay, is inevitable.

At one time, American culture was celebrated around the world as a leader of creative expression. Yet, its strength, as that of our economy, is a shadow of what it once was. Intermission believes that it can be better, that it should be better, and that YOU will make it better.

In 2006, only you can prevent the destruction. It is a vital part of the War on Terror. As the world stops respecting our entertainment, our way of life, its citizens begin to be distrustful of our democratic tendencies.

Turn off your television. Netflix and XBox can supply hours of entertainment without having to worry about how you feel horrible for the contestants on “The Biggest Loser,” particularly in the couples edition. Besides, all of your favorite shows (even if they aren’t anyone else’s favorite, i.e. the cancellation of “Arrested Development”), come out in the DVD box set version which features no commericals. Bonus, you don’t have to wait a week between episodes.

Watch independent films. I’m not saying that you need to watch those movies that are so “artistic” that you can’t even follow the storyline. But, if movies like “Good Night, and Good Luck” have taught us anything, it’s that in this age of ditigal entertainment it is only getting easier to see good independent films.

Support Live Music. With concert ticket prices skyrocketing due to easy scalping via the internet, this request might be the hardest. The music industry has been a hard thing to love over the last few years. Screw-ups like prosecuting 10-year-olds over Napster and the Sony debacle have left me wishing that they were in Limbo (Sorry, that whole situation just cracks me up). Live 8 concerts and my own experience at Vegoose (see Intermission on Nov. 4, 2005) prove that I can hate the industry and still support the music.

The terrorists are winning in America. They are teaching our children fear. Terror is destorying our efforts to create democracies overseas, democracies that will secure our safety and protect the rights of people around the world. You, the American people must do your part. You must preserve what is left of American culture, your culture. God bless you all. God Bless the United States of America.