Watching the recent Golden Globes telecast, many a social conservative must have felt like Joan Cusack's character in the movie "In & Out."

   You know - the scene where the jilted bride stands forlornly in the middle of the street in her wedding dress screaming, "Is everybody gay? Is this a 'Twilight Zone'?"

   Check it out: The gay cowboy drama "Brokeback Mountain" was the night's big winner, taking home Globes for best drama, directing (Ang Lee), screenplay and song.

   Philip Seymour Hoffman was named best actor in a drama for his portrayal of the homosexual writer Truman Capote in "Capote." His closest competition, by general consensus, was Heath Ledger as the sexually conflicted cowpoke in "Brokeback."

   Felicity Huffman was named best actress in a drama for her portrayal of a man awaiting a sex change operation in "Transamerica."

   About the evening's only red-state moments came with honors for the unambiguously hetero Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line," which won for best comedy or musical and for its leading actors Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.

   So, will the Globes affect the Oscar race? Yes and no.

   Don't be surprised when they announce the Oscar nominations Jan. 31 if "Walk the Line" is not a best picture nominee. It has fierce competition in "Brokeback," "A History of Violence," "Munich," "Good Night, and Good Luck" and "Capote." If "Walk the Line" tanks and the "Brokeback"-Hoffman-Huffman juggernaut continues to roll, Bible Belt America viewers could tune out the show, especially with conservative-baiting Jon Stewart as host. In fact, the March 5 Oscar telecast may be the least-watched ever.

   Here's my prediction: For the next six weeks, the war of words over right and wrong, straight and gay, inclusiveness and intolerance will overshadow the drama of the Oscars themselves. And it's going to be a long time before the dust settles.