As sure as winter turns to spring (sometime, I guess... geez it's cold), publicists flood my e-mailbox with quotes from Academy Award nominees. Just once I'd like to see one from someone who got snubbed.

Anyway, here are a few of today's diplomatic Oscar nominees:

“It is such a thrill to be recognized in this category with these remarkably talented women.  I was with my parents and my dog when I got the news and we were all overjoyed- although I'm not sure my dog knew what was going on. This is a great day to be an actress!"- Anne Hathaway, best actress nominee for Rachel Getting Married.

“I still feel like the little brown skinned girl from Central Falls, Rhode Island who dreamed the biggest dream.  And how great that all of my fellow actors were recognized with this incredible honor.” - Viola Davis (Doubt), Best Supporting Actress Nominee.

“This is the fourth time I've been nominated for Best Original Screenplay, and once again I'm honored and delighted that the quality of writing I and my actors work so hard to achieve has been recognized and respected by my fellow Writers in the Academy.”
- Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky

"I am so thankful, so humbled, by The Academy for the nominations they have given our film - I'm so proud of our screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, Sean Penn and Josh Brolin and our incredible team, Danny Glicker, Danny Elfman, Elliot Graham, and our amazing producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen. These nominations ensure that Harvey Milk's legacy will live on." - Gus Van Sant (Nominee/Achievement in directing for Milk)

“It is very special because of this movie. I am happy Milk received so many nominations and that people are paying attention. The subject matter is so timely and important right now because of what is happening in California with Prop 8. When I think about my life a few years ago, being happy just to feed my kids, never in a million years would I have imagined I would be up at 5 in the morning getting phone calls saying I was nominated for an Academy Award. There is no reality to it.” - Josh Brolin (Nominee/Performance by an actor in a supporting role for Milk.)

"I'm ecstatic! Thank you to the Academy from the cast and crew here in
Mumbai where the film was made and where it's being premiered tonight.
It feels like you've given us a billion nominations!" - Danny Boyle, best director nominee for Slumdog MiIllionaire.

“I'm extremely happy to have been nominated. And very fortunate. Playing Hanna Schmitz will always remain one of the biggest challenges I've ever been blessed with. I'm genuinely thrilled not just for myself but for the wonderful Stephen Daldry and David Hare. These nominations are a testament to their unwavering commitment to this film. And I'm also very happy for all the people in Germany whose hard work on The Reader has been rewarded by these nominations. Surely (the film's late producers) Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack are smiling down on us today!” - Kate Winslet, Oscar nominee for Best Lead Actress in The Reader.

“This nomination is such an unexpected honor and I am grateful to the Academy for the recognition. I’ve been awed by the work of my fellow nominees this year and am truly humbled to be in their company. Having been an actor for many years now, I am moved by the fact that something like this can happen at this point in my career, particularly for a film that has meant so much to me.” - Richard Jenkins, best actor nominee for The Visitor.