Wednesday, February 12, 2003

Boo-Freakin'-Hoo-Ha: Sean Penn went all pouty and poor-me yesterday, claiming he lost a lucrative role because of his busybody and utterly fruitless trip to Iraq. Steve Bing, the producer of the movie says the actor is "irrational and irresponsible." He also seems to be a bit malnourished but we guess that's a look.

Colin's Scoop: There's certainly some self-righteous sniffing going on this morning over Colin Powell's scooping the world press with news of the latest bin Laden tape. There's even the implied suggestion that he (gasp!)reveal his sources. Ari Fleischer must have found it hard not to smile when he told a clearly miffed White House press corps, "I don't think it surprises anybody that people are able to hear and see and find information about things that are newsworthy."

Say Wha? The highly unpleasant lefty scribe Eric Alterman, frantic to flog a book so unreadable we've forgotten the title (something about the media not being left) tells Esquire magazine that the country would be better off if Rush Limbaugh had gone deaf. Nice, really nice. Good thing for John Kerry that he's a democrat or Alterman might have something equally hideous to say about Kerry's prostate cancer. Andrew Sullivan has his usual choice words on the subject.

Fox, The Lone Wolf: Whatever Fox News' political slant one has to hand it to them for chutzpah and fearless gut judgment on what people really want to see. They've picked up what Michael Jackson's peeps say is a simultaneous video shot alongside Michael Bashir's telling documentary and they haven't even seen the footage (they say). Apparently Fox took the same approach to airing the bin Laden "call to arms" audio yesterday in its entirety and provided a translator to walk us through the gobbledygook. The trouble with bin Laden's appearances is that we always need someone to translate the English version as well. And, to those who fear there are hidden signals in bin Laden's statements that shouldn't be aired - an enemy who has to depend on an American TV translator to communicate with its forces needs to upgrade their equipment. How's two tomato cans on a string for starters?

We've Been Mugged! The new and improved Lucianne.com coffee mugs have arrived as well as our awesome new polo shirt. Click on that flat-chested 'T'(we've had several suggestions for enhancing it but never mind) temporarily floating next to our Must-Reads and have a look. We can't get them to you for Valentine's Day quite but one doesn't need an excuse. What could be more appropriate to drink a hit of Joe from while reading the World's Wake-Up Call Website?

-Your Happily Mercantile LComStaff