Free Republic

-- Ayelet Waldman e-mailed a few writer friends asking them to donate signed books she could auction as an "instant library" at a Barack Obama fundraiser hosted by Alice Waters in Berkeley on Sept. 26. She's received hundreds, from the likes of Stephen King, Ann Packer, Khaled Husseini, Jodi Picoult, Jonathan Lethem, Anne Tyler, Steve Martin, Jamie Lee Curtis and others.

Sorry for the vanity post but I wanted to give many of you an insight as to what's happening in downtown St Paul on the eve of the RNC. The area around Xcel Enegy Center has been walled off to foot and motor trafic. I approached one of the checkpoints from the W 7th St (or western side). There is A LOT of security present...plainclothes Secret Service, local cops, wildlife/game officers (yes, they're armed too)and a lot of National Guard. Groups of St Paul police are patrolling the perimeter on some really huge horses. Helicopters are constantly flying over downtown...

I thought it would be fun to compile a list of self-important celebrities who promise to move to Canada/England/Russia etc. when McCain wins the election. If anybody knows of any that I’ve forgotten, drop me an email at celebrity@wmbriggs.com and I’ll add them. Please include a verifiable link. More on this in a moment. You might recall quite a few actors, actresses and sundry entertainers made similar promises to emigrate when Bush won his second term. Not one of them did what they promised they would do. I even remember getting an email from a pal of mine when Bush...

Barack Obama's campaign has been seriously frightened by John McCain celebrity-mocking ads. Those celebrities were virtually nowhere to be found for most of the Denver convention. While the Obama machine may control the inside of the convention, outside these celebrities are clearly out of control – again.

The 7 Most Retarded Ways Celebrities Have Tried to Go Green By David Knight With the threat of global warming looming, it's more important than ever that all of us appear to care about the environment. Maybe no one works harder on this than celebrities, who make it a point to show up in the papers every now and then with their latest eco-friendly gesture. We would applaud them for this, if it wasn't for the fact that the gestures are often mind-blowingly retarded.

CassieThe Plume Feather Vest from the Olsen twins’ Elizabeth and James line is flying off the rack and out of the stores. Starlets like Rihanna, Cassie, Amerie, and Aubrey O’Day are wearing this ultra hip piece with skinnies. Aubrey O'Day

Somewhere in between the stories about Americans staying home due to high gas prices, shortening their grocery lists to avoid paying too much at the register, fighting serious illnesses or dealing with crumbling families, there is a real tragedy being wholly overlooked by society: Since the Bush tax cuts, rich liberals have been grieving and despairing over the fact that Uncle Sam isn’t taking more of their money. One example of this is Chris Kirkpatrick, former ‘N Sync star and contestant on the CMT reality show Gone Country. Asked about his finances, Kirkpatrick assured us of his financial comfort, saying:...

Menswear-inspired blazers and tuxedos are a favorite staple of the celebs wardrobe. These pieces are preppy and edgy, projecting a rock n’ roll vibe. Mary Kate Olsen, Anne Hathaway, Nicky Hilton

The latest trend on the red carpet is disco-inspired lavish jumpsuits. A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow and Maggie Gyllenhaal prefer them to evening gowns. Gwyneth Paltrow was a trendsetter of sky-high heels when she promoted Iron Man, and another trend she gave birth to is silky jumpsuits.

(English-language translation) Police in Glendale County, Arizona confirmed yesterday that 44-year-old Glendaly Vigoreaux Echevarría, daughter of the late [Puerto Rican] TV producer Luis Vigoreaux and actress Lydia Echevarría, was found dead by her husband Paul Hacker in their home on Frier Drive in Glendale, Arizona. According to Glendale Police report PD 08-77459 signed by Sergeant Jim Toomey, agency detectives are investigating Glendaly Vigoreaux's death as a suicide, as confirmed by the autopsy performed by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. The report indicated that officers responded to a call on Tuesday, July 15 at 9:58 AM from the residence of...

5. John F. Kennedy, Jr.- July 16, 1999 Jfk2 John F. Kennedy, Jr., son of the 35th president, died along with his wife Carolyn Bessette when their plane crashed into the Atlantic en route to Martha’s Vineyard. Kennedy was piloting his Pipier Saratoga II HP on a dark and hazy night when the crash occurred. It is believed that Kennedy, who had not yet been qualified for instrument flight rules conditions, was likely disoriented by the conditions.

Don’t get me wrong. I have no objection to anyone choosing to be a vegetarian, a Vegan, or pro-Ana for that matter. Short of cannibalism by murder, everyone should eat — and not eat — whatever they want to.I was married to a vegetarian and was a vegetarian, myself for five years — after my divorce. I even wrote an article in 1986 regarding my ignored suggestions to McDonalds and Burger King that they could get customers like me in — who wasn’t frequenting their fine establishments because nothing was offered for my wife — by putting veggie patties...

Striped bikinis never go out of fashion. They are a classic, and ideal for a glamorous poolside look. Kelly Brock Kim Kardashian

A posh pet shop that has peddled dogs to Paris and Britney is headed to court over some sick puppies. A fraud and false advertising lawsuit against Pets of Bel Air claims animals the store said were from private breeders actually came from puppy mills and were less than healthy and hardy.

March 10, 2008 In Defense of Celebrities By David Gibberman I never thought that anyone would have to defend celebrities. But I've noticed an increasing disconnect between what we know must be true about celebrities and how they're portrayed in the media. For example, we know that most celebrities are committed to combating global warming. So why do we keep hearing only about the few celebrities who compound the problem by driving gas-guzzling limousines, flying in private planes, and owning multiple mansions? Worse, why do we keep hearing only about the few celebrities who think that they can buy their...

I am one of those people who actually thought Britney and Kevin would make it. I mean, what's not to work: young, immature, rich too fast, talentless Louisiana small town girl, meets two timing, scum bag, cigarette smoking loser and fall madly in love for the entire world to see in their underwear on Hawaii's beaches. It's the stuff romance novels are made of. But, I digress. Back to the point of the article. I believe that Britney, Paris, and Lindsay are uniquely positioned to be future world leaders and here's why:

Right after that, a documentary against the Iraq war and GITMO are announced in a second award category. Is this outrageous, or is it me? Having the military introduce a film on same sex issues given the don't ask don't tell policy, and then have it followed by anti Iraq war, anti WOT films is political and using the troops as pawns IMHO. Quote from the winner: Let's hope we move this country away from the dark side. . .

Normally, I wouldn’t think of endorsing a presidential candidate. After all, who would care what I think? But faced with the stampede of celebrity endorsements for various candidates, I figured I know at least as much about politics as these luminaries. Why shouldn’t I endorse someone? Of course, the decision to announce an endorsement is freighted with responsibility. How is one to choose? At this stage of the game, the options have narrowed. Many worthy candidates have already dropped out. Former senator John Edwards’ (D-N.C.) plan to sue America into prosperity offered the promise of riches to every undeserving sloth...

(below: "The United States Of Halliburton") (below: "This Child Left Behind") (below: Cheryl 'one square' Crow at right) (below: Mark Ruffallo - "My Bush Is Pro Choice") (below: Stephanie Miller) (below: John C. Reilly) (below: Arianna Huffington) (below: Debra Messing) (below: Jamie Lee Curtis) (below: Maroon 5 band members)

January 8 - Yvonne De Carlo, actress (Lily on the "Munsters"), age 84 January 10 - Carlo Ponti, producer ("Doctor Zhivago") and husband of Sophia Loren, age 94 January 14 - Darlene Conley, actress (Sally Spectra on "Bold and the Beautiful") age 72 January 16 - Ron Carey, actor (Ofc. Carl Levitt on "Barney Miller") age 71 January 17 - Art Buchwald, columnist for the Washington Post, age 81 January 19 - Denny Doherty, singer in the original Mamas and the Papas, age 66 January 20 - Sen. George Smathers, former U.S. Senator and confidant to several Presidents, age 93...