James Hirsen
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2002

John Forbes Kerry is taking the first step toward a 2004 presidential bid.

The U.S. senator is filing the necessary papers to establish an exploratory campaign committee. He's also cozying up with some heavy hitters in Hollywood.

As far back as March of 2001, NewsMax reported that Kerry had already informed the all-important Tinseltown brigade that he would run for prez. Kerry whispered the announcement at a pre-Oscar gathering at a posh estate in Beverly Hills.

Included among left-leaning party pals were Kate Hudson, Russell Crowe, Julian Schnabel and Miramax chief Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein's apparently a perennial favorite of Dems. In the past, he supported Bill, Hill and Al.

According to Seth Gitell of the Boston Phoenix, Kerry recently went to the Bel Air home of Lawrence Bender Bender is the producer of such feel-good films as "Pulp Fiction" and "Good Will Hunting." Despite his professed devotion to campaign finance reform, Kerry was apparently sniffing out some campaign cash.

The Left Coast Report contends that no amount of groveling at Hollywood's feet is going to turn this JFK into another JFK. Brother Ted, maybe, but JFK – no way.

Dannii Minogue's Singing the Border Blues

Dannii Minogue, sister of Kylie Minogue, told British magazine GQ that she didn't like the multitude of Asian immigrants coming into her hometown of Queensland, Australia.

"Even some street signs are in Asian," Dannii protested.

The singer also criticized British Prime Minister Tony Blair for allowing crime to explode in her current stomping grounds of London.

"This country is in an appalling state. I feel sorry for people … who are afraid to let their children walk down the street."

When the reporter suggested that the root problem was poverty, Minogue disagreed. "These people aren't poor. They have satellite dishes … they wear Nike trainers."

Dannii's comments have prompted the Anti-Nazi League to label her a racist and accuse her of hypocrisy because she herself immigrated to England. Her comments have also been posted on the web site of a controversial anti-immigration political party.

The Left Coast Report says the race baiting and PC situation has gotten so bad, you're liable to be called a xenophobe if you try and order an English muffin.

Tonya Swings From Rink to Ring

Tonya Harding, one of the champs of TV's "Celebrity Boxing," is going pro.

You heard it right. The former figure skater and alleged knee-banging accomplice is set to enter the world of professional boxing.

Harding's debut will take place in February in Memphis. The plan is to put her on the undercard of a Mike Tyson match.

Apparently, Harding is going to try and bridge the gap between celebrity and pro boxing, something Don King's been trying to do for years.

The Left Coast Report points out that this is the same Tonya who arranged for the hammering of Nancy Kerrigan's knees, clobbered her boyfriend with a hubcap and reshaped Paula Jones' nose. Isn't political consulting more up her alley?

Lou Rant

Ed Asner's not one to sit back and let others have all the fun slamming America. He recently launched into a tirade of his own.

It seems that Asner has better sources at his disposal than the U.S., the U.K. and Israel combined. Appearing on CNN, the former sitcom journalist gave his assessment on a potential nuclear threat from Iraq.

"I think that the idea of Iraq being a nuclear threat is poppycock," Asner said, being careful to use the technically appropriate word. "And if they are a nuclear threat, then they'd have to borrow atomic bombs from Israel."

The stalwart leftist actor explained that America's interest in deposing Saddam was merely because the dictator is a person of color.

"There's total Islamic fascism. I also think that there is a strong streak of racism, and whenever we engage in foreign adventures our whole history in regime change has been of people of different color."

The Left Coast Report thinks someone better tell Asner that his ideas, kind of like his communication skills, seem to be, uh, what's the term? Oh yeah, poppycock.

Pearl Slam

Looks like Eddie Vedder of the group Pearl Jam is getting political again.

Vedder actively campaigned for Green Party candidate Ralph Nader in the past. This time he's tossing some trash at GW.

The group's new album, "Riot Act," contains a spoken-word ditty called "Bush Leaguer." The lyrics attack the president in a less than impressive manner.

"He's not a leader/ he's a Texas leaguer. … Drilling for fear/ makes the job simple/ born on third, thinks he got a triple."

This is a group that made songs about teens dying and then quit recording for a while, following the actual death of nine fans at a European rock festival.

The Left Coast Report suggests, with tunes like this, Vedder might think about starting a new group – Hurl Jam.

J.Lo's Love Does Cost a Thing

The wires have been chock full of stories about the upcoming hitching of serial bride Jennifer Lopez to Ben Affleck.

But according to Star magazine, J.Lo's got her legal staff working overtime.

Lopez apparently plans on presenting Affleck with a prenuptial agreement. The contract that the singer/actress wants her beau to sign will put him on the hook for around five million bucks, should he veer off the straight and narrow after the two are wed.

If J.Lo's track record is looked at in detail, though, Ben's attorneys may ask for the provision to run both ways.

The Left Coast Report knows Hillary's got to be asking herself, "Why the heck didn't I think of that?"

Sundunce

Robert Redford recently wrote an editorial, which the Los Angeles Times dutifully published. The piece claimed that the Bush administration showed a lack of leadership in not reducing the nation's dependence on fossil fuels.

"Prolonging our dependence on fossil fuels would guarantee homeland insecurity," Redford wrote. He added, "If you are worried about getting oil from an unstable Persian Gulf, consider the alternatives: Indonesia, Nigeria, Uzbekistan."

The actor/director praised San Francisco's $100-million bond initiative, which earmarks money for solar panels, wind power and energy efficient public buildings.

"American rooftops can be the Persian Gulf of solar energy," Redford lectured.

The Left Coast Report has a suggestion for a new energy source. Why not harness all of the hot air coming out of Redford's mouth?

The Left Coast Report is put together by James L. Hirsen and the staff of NewsMax.

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