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Jihad Jane Fonda James Hirsen
THE LEFT COAST
REPORT
Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories): 1. Jihad Jane Tinseltown's anti-war activists are emboldened thanks to the election results and recent polls. Celebrity rabble-rousers are coming out to announce to the nation that they were right all along about the war in Iraq. They've even enlisted someone who has a knack for giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Standing at a recent rally in Washington, D.C, positioned near a memorial for the United States Navy and appearing alongside Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, was none other than Jane Fonda.
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Fonda declared, "I haven't spoken at an anti-war rally in 34 years because of lies about me that were used to hurt the anti-war movement." She added that "silence is no longer an option" and thanked the crowd for standing up to a "mean-spirited, vengeful administration." During the Vietnam War, Fonda earned the moniker Hanoi Jane. She publicly proclaimed that American POWs were being treated just fine when they were actually being brutally beaten and tortured. Many soldiers, sailors and marines have contempt for Fonda and are steadfast in holding her accountable for her past and present rhetoric and behavior. Pizza aficionado and reporter dude Sean Penn sees things differently. "She's a high-profile, outspoken American," Penn explained. "She's one more voting American with a conscience who is against this war." Nancy Pelosi dreamer Rep. Maxine Waters warned, "Those people who would try to undermine her [Fonda's] credibility will fail. We welcome her back to the peace community." 2. Tom Cruise's Confab With Scooter Libby and Richard Armitage The trial of Scooter Libby has taken an odd Hollywood turn. According to recent testimony given by Craig Schmall, the CIA official who prepared the daily morning briefings, Libby met with Tom Cruise and then-girlfriend Penelope Cruz in June 2003. Cruise and Oscar nominated Penelope were reportedly in the nation's capital to bring attention to Germany's treatment of Scientology. Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage also had a private meeting with Cruise, which took place a day earlier than Libby's encounter. Cross-examination of Schmall failed to reveal whether or not at any time during the meeting Cruise jumped on any of the furniture.
3. Academy Rules Hurt Brad Pitt's Oscar Dreams When it comes to film credits, the battle over Oscar rules has just begun. Brad Pitt was not nominated this year for Best Actor for his role in "Babel." But since he is credited with co-producing "The Departed," which has been nominated for Best Picture, Pitt would have had a shot at the coveted statuette.
When the official Best Picture nominations of "The Departed" and "Little Miss Sunshine" were announced, some nominees were "to be determined." "The Departed" had listed Pitt, Graham King and Paramount head Brad Grey as producers. "Little Miss Sunshine" had listed five producers. But the Academy doesn't always accept the names listed for producer credit. It turns out that Pitt and Grey were left out of the producer credits by the Producers Guild of America when the group nominated "The Departed" for its top award. Instead it listed King as the movie's sole producer. The PGA's take on who is and isn't a noteworthy producer is key, because the Academy now uses the guild to determine which producers are eligible for its Best Picture award. Grey, who packaged the movie as an agent before he came to Paramount, had challenged the PGA decision. But an Academy panel of filmmakers upheld the PGA ruling. No word yet on whether Pitt will contest the exclusion of his name by the PGA.
Pitt apparently had high hopes having followed the Charlize Theron-George Clooney formula for snagging an acting Oscar. Pitt had uglied up for his role in "Babel" but unfortunately was passed up. 4. Holy Tom Cruise! Reports, which are sure to upset Christians and Scientologists alike, are indicating that Tom Cruise has been anointed by leaders of the organization to which the actor is devoted, Scientology. The faith founded by L. Ron Hubbard is apparently looking at Cruise with messianic eyes. Scientology leader David Miscavige predicts that, in the future, Cruise will be worshipped for his efforts to raise the profile of the religion. "Tom has been told he's Scientology's Christ-like figure," a source told the UK Sun. "Like Christ, he's been criticised for his views. But future generations will realise he was right." The Left Coast Report says rumor has it Katie Holmes, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Jenna Elfman, Greta Van Susteren, Kirstie Alley and Lisa Marie Presley are looking into how they too can obtain divine status. 5. Hollywood's Revolving Rehab Door Tara Conner is coming out, Isaiah Washington is going in and Lindsay Lohan is somewhere in between. It's the Big R, the latest Tinseltown rite of redemption. It's rehab, and it's working famously. Conner just finished a rehab stint. She's probably polishing her tiara right now and readying herself to go back to full-time beauty queening, thanks to a reprieve she received from The Donald himself. The rumor mill for the reigning Miss USA, though, continues to grind but not necessarily to the crowned one's detriment. As the result of her short-lived scandal, Conner has actually become more famous than most of her predecessors.
A rep for the Miss Universe organization denied a report that the rehabilitated Conner would attend a party celebrating her return at the very same nightclub where she allegedly drank alcohol and engaged in other activities that were inconsistent with her royal duties. Meanwhile "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington entered a rehab treatment program as part of a self-flagellation and job retention campaign following his use of a gay pejorative at the Golden Globes. Washington reportedly agreed to cough up an apology and head to rehab after meeting with some ABC television suits. Now if you consult the Complete Book of Hollywood Etiquette, you'll find that the use of certain words is much more egregious than other kinds of bad Hollywood behavior like sporting the same dress to an event as your red carpet rival or wrapping a Prius around a telephone pole at 3:00 a.m. At the Globes, while denying a previous report that he had used the f-a-word to refer his co-star T.R. Knight, Washington said the offending word loud and clear into a very large microphone. After the incident almost cost him his job, the actor issued a carefully worded statement, which read in part, "With the support of my family and friends, I have begun counseling. I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again." As Conner and Washington exit and enter rehab facilities, party-holic Lohan remains half in, half out. The "Mean Girl" actress reportedly returned to work last week on her upcoming movie "I Know Who Killed Me" (about a woman with dual personalities) but continues to undergo treatment at, no joke, the Wonderland Center, which is located in the Hollywood Hills.
Wonderland offers services to kick addictions including alcohol, drugs, gambling, eating, and even shopping. The facility is pure Hollywood. Its Web site boasts, "In our residential programs our clients live in beautiful homes on a 3 acre private gated estate and enjoy the services of a gourmet chef, nutritionist, fitness trainers, yoga instructors and spiritual guides." Lindsay's mom, Dina Lohan, told People magazine that her daughter was in "an outpatient program" and would be there for a "week or two." The pampered rehab treatment also afforded Lindsay the opportunity to watch her TV faves on plasma. "I'm fine. Nothing to worry about," Lohan told OK magazine by phone. "I'm actually watching American Idol at the moment and laughing so hard!" The Left Coast Report wonders who'll be starring in rehab next.
Editor's Notes:
The Left Coast Report is put together by James L. Hirsen and the staff of NewsMax — The Left Coast Report Archives Get your FREE copy of James Hirsen's new book 'Hollywood Nation' — Click Here Now.
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