Just who the hell is the HFPA, anyways?

I was watching the Golden Globes and my girlfriend asked me, "Who the hell is this 'Hollywood Foreign Press Association' anyways?"

And I realized that I hadn't a clue.

Wanting to learn more, I wandered onto their site, where I found the goals of the HFPA to be:

To establish favorable relations and cultural ties between foreign countries and the United States of America by the dissemination of information concerning the American culture and traditions as depicted in motion pictures and television through news media in various foreign countries.

To recognize outstanding achievements by conferring annual Awards of Merit, (Golden Globe (R) Awards), serving as a constant incentive within the entertainment industry, both domestic and foreign, and to focus wide public attention upon the best in motion pictures and television.

To contribute to other nonprofit organizations connected with the entertainment industry and involved in educational, cultural, and humanitarian activities.

To promote interest in the study of the arts, including the development of talent in the entertainment field through
scholarships given to major learning institutions.

I also found the following story, which coming from a member of the foreign press, ain't looking so good:

TheStar.com - Awards boost industry myth