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THE LEFT COAST REPORT: A Political Look at HollywoodBy James Hirsen July 16, 2002 A NewsMax Report Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories):1. Dispensable Dad Syndrome 2. Blame it on the Cosa Nostra 3. Now She Tells Us 4. No No Minogue 5. Arab Rap 6. Hey Jude 1) DISPENSABLE DAD SYNDROME Following the no-pop trend in Hollywood, Sandra Bullock tells The Star that she’d love to be a mom but would prefer to skip the daddy part. Like others in the entertainment world who are bent on redefining the family, Bullock says, “I am not the marrying kind, but...

ANTI-AMERICANISM EMPLOYS A SET OF CLICHÉS as predictable and stale as the conventions of supermarket romance. Every time, for example, the United States acts forcefully abroad to protect its interests, you can bet the farm some pencil-neck in America or Europe will whip out the charge that America once more is acting like a "cowboy." This charge is usually tossed off with the smug assurance that acting like a cowboy is about the most horrible thing one could do. The ignorant masses might think that the cowboy myth is about qualities such as the courage to risk one's life for...

<p>"Let's roll." By now, Todd Beamer's two-word battle cry is as much a part of our national lexicon as Franklin Roosevelt's "date of infamy," John F. Kennedy's "bear any burden," or Ronald Reagan's "tear down this wall." Mr. Beamer's words, captured by a cell phone as he led Flight 93's passenger revolt on September 11, have inspired and redefined a nation. They have been quoted by presidents and prime ministers, reproduced on bumper stickers, plastered on the side of buildings, emblazoned on fighter-jets and stenciled on bombs.</p>

Drug Warning Police warn all male party-goers and unsuspecting pub regulars to keep alert and stay cautious when offered a drink from any woman. A new date rape drug on the market called "beer" is used by females to target unsuspecting men. The drug is generally found in liquid form and is now available almost anywhere. "Beer" is used by female sexual predators at parties and bars to persuade their male victims to go home and have sex with them. Typically, a woman needs only to persuade a guy to consume a few units of "beer" and then simply ask ...

Chastity or at least some coyness about sexual availability -- is in vogue among a group of female pop artists who are bucking the age-old marketing mantra that "sex sells." "Sex is so intimate, and when you give yourself without a strong type of commitment, something's lacking," says Rebecca St. James, 23, an Australian-born pop vocalist for the Nashville-based ForeFront Records. "There's hurt." Pop star Jessica Simpson, 21, has been especially open about her decision to delay sex until marriage. Her song "Heart of Innocence" talks about what she plans to bring to her wedding night. Her virginal status has ...

So, here I sit, enjoying FreeRepublic on my lunch hour. Chatting about topics as disparate as stem cells, the new thunderbird and lesbian shakespeare. Being a multimedia person, I also have my headphones on, and I am listening to the news on my local talk radio station. And what to my wondering ears should appear? A soundbite from Europe. The president, post papal meeting. I fear I must paraphrase: "Frankly, I don't care what the political polls say. I do care about people's opinions. Especially opinions from someone as... learned as the Holy Father."

Well, Rush was right again. I wake up this morning, turn on the local news, and there's the slug being interviewed by Angela Pace (local reporter). He pulled the standard "Bush is a hypocrite and he did something bad and I've got evidence and I'll be coming forward before the election" line. The CNN bit from last week wasn't mentioned. Juanita Brodderick wasn't mentioned. All Angela said was that Flynt had told her what he planned to bring forward. No further info. Disgusting. URL for CBS Columbus: http://www.wbns.com E-Mails: jcardenas@wbns10tv.com (News Manager) cau@wbns10tv.com (News Story Questions) tgriesdorn@wbns10tv.com (VP and General ...

So. Home from work on Thursday. The wife has left for choir practice. I check the answering machine, no blink, so no messages. I proceed to my delightful turkey pot pie dinner. Afterward, as I review my stepson's homework, he asks, "did you check the answering machine?" I allow as how I have indeed checked, but there was nothing. Not so, insists the boy. Mom checked earlier, and Ben Stein called. Yeah, right. But he was right! I check the machine, and, sure enough, the familiar voice issues forth: "Hello. This is Ben Stein. I'd like to talk to you ...