THE COLDEST PEOPLE IN HOLLYWOOD 2004

I love this...aside from being yet another catty who's hot and who's not list (which are usually compiled by people who wouldn't know heat if they were leaning on a gas stove), this simply tells the truth: who in Holywood is the furthest from hot. I was pleasantly surprised to see the man you love to hate at number one:

1. MICHAEL MOORE
Well, the results of the Presidential election are in and the controversial documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 did not derail a second Bush term. Michael Moore’s box office smash did two things: it mobilized like-minded Americans in a bid to vote a Democrat into office, and it galvanized the opposition in a bid to re-elect Bush. Bush won.

There are a lot of Democrats out there that would just like to say – thanks a lot! MICHAEL! (sp)

And now Michael’s alleged “limousine liberal” ways are being exposed in a new documentary entitled “Michael Moore Hates America.” (Incidentally, “Michael Moore Hates America” received a coveted "Thumbs Up" from Roger Ebert when it was reviewed on his program.) The film (hitting theaters in limited release) features regular schlub Mike Wilson who seeks out Moore in an effort to question the controversial filmmaker’s techniques. All Wilson wants is to interview Michael – and ala “Roger and Me,” Moore completely disses the young filmmaker, evading his request for an interview and berating him at a public event. In one particularly damning sequence, Wilson exposes that in Bowling for Columbine the sequence in which the gun is received from the bank was completely stage-managed. The bank employees reveal how Michael set up the entire scene.

“Michael Moore Hates America” takes a hard look at Moore’s methods while dissecting the documentary form itself. It’s a doc that tackles ethical issues when reality gets in the way of a political agenda – and all the while the film remains highly entertaining. Kind of like Michael Moore’s movies…

But, hey, look on the bright side; no Presidential candidate endorsed by Michael Moore has ever won an election. So, Michael, why not endorse a Republican in 2008, just to see what happens? You never know, it might work! But do we really need a sequel to Fahrenheit 9/11?

Ouch! Break it off in him why don'tcha?

Informal exorcism at St. Paul Cathedral prompts investigation

I don't approve of what the rainbow sash catholics are trying to do, but the reaction by fringe catholics on the other end of the spectrum (pun intended) is downright creepy.

Courageous Crooners: U2 Dismantles An Atomic Bomb

U2's new album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, is as stromg of a record as it's predecessor and just as much of a return to the band's 1980's form. I have noticed that all of U2's album covers in the 1980's were in black and white, while their 1990's work was computer-based color - a fitting descrription for their music in each decade respectively. The band has intentionally returned to the black and white photos and the simple, non-electronic sound of their most artistically fertile period.

Fittingly, U2 has returned to Christian themes in their lyrics. Never ploddingly simple like Creed (please) or obvious like your average wimpy CCM band (this is not "worship music", thank you Merciful God in Heaven above), this band continues to ponder their (and our) purpose in the world.

A priest in the "Charismatic Episcopal Communion" (don't ask me, I have no idea what that is) and noted Christian writer has given his seal of approval to the new disc in National Review, that bastion of traditionalist conservative discourse. It's a nice read.

Stevens Creek Elementary School-Contact

Just in case you wanted to tell the principal what you think of her.

Declaration of Independence Banned at Calif School

This seems like a personality conflict between a bitchy principal and an earnest young male teacher. At the risk of sounding sexist - a risk I will gladly take - I've had several female bosses go out of their way to prove to their male subordinates and supervisors that they have balls. Ultimately, it doesn't work. I recall being mother-henned by a woman named Lisa Achord who was my supervisor at the now-defunct United Companies motgage, loan and sausage packing plant. The job was tedious as hell but she made it more so by being an all-around unplesant individual. She was a young professional - 23 or 24 if I recall correctly - and the department was well stocked with grizzled veterans whom she couldn't control and personal friends whom she didn't want to alienate. So that left me.

One day, she made two mistakes. The first involved the ashes on my forehead as it was Ash Wednesday. As she wasn't of the faith, she questioned my leaving the building at lunch (which was okay the day I was hired, but SHE was getting heat about productivity so all bets were off) and then did an "okay whatever" brushoff. Don't EVER shush me, brush me off or dismiss me with the wave of your hand. Alright, I said to myself, I'll remember that. It was still on my mind a few minutres later.

Anyone who knows me well knows l like to talk. The job I did was pulling microfilm - TONS of it daily - and I would chat with my co-workers while doing it. I can concentrate and talk at the same time, something I've proven for years in radio. So I proceeded to pull microfilm and make small talk with carolyn, one of the vets of the floor. At that, Lisa raised her voice and bellowed, "Darren, GET BUSY!"

That was the last straw. An idiot could have done that job but my problem was I wan't an idiot. So I bolted. See you later. Hopefully I won't. As a matter of fact, fuck this job and fuck you.

Turns out, she continued to lose more control of that department and was ultimately fired. She'd never heard of the peter principle but she embodied it - because she had no grasp of people she easily drove them away. I've had subsequent female bosses who weren't bad but I've had one or two who were afflicted with the same inherent lack of confidence and misguided overcompendsation. A power-obsessed woman supervisor is almost as bad as TV's big fat obnoxious boss. I've known many women who proved that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, because when it comes to beautiful ladies - and Ms. Achord wasn't unattractive, even if she did affix her makeup with a trowel - their honey can paralyze a man.

You must be saying, "Okay, D., you've worked for a couple of bitches...what does that have to do with the Declaration of Independence?"

When reading the story referenced in the above headline, one must realize that teachers and especially principals are the biggest control freaks on the planet, and not without good reason. Their authority is always being challenged by a student body whose only real goal is to get an A with the least amount of work and most amount of fun. Look, my own Coach from days of yore is now principal of my high school and he fired my old math teacher - who was in his 80s - for not wearing a tie! Educators sometimes need to come off this control trip, which is what it is - discipline is another matter entirely.

As I see it, this is the handiwork of a liberal control freak principal trying to show her insurgent Christian male (and thus threatening, according to leftist dogma) employee who is boss. In the process, she's acting like a complete idiot. Unlike my previous work environments, there's no honey that can be applied to the situation in California. It is the work of an irrational mind, brainwashed by years of PC indoctrination at the hands of the NEA. The principal's behavior is rooted in malignant narcissism. Now the rest of the country will have to get involved to expose her as the bitch she really is.