HERE IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA, IT'S HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

I receive e-mails from people all over the United States and other countries. But this first story is about what people here in the Los Angeles area are going through. Especially in the San Fernando Valley part of the Los Angeles area. 120 sticky degrees in Chatsworth yesterday. All the way down to a "cool" 96 degrees in Thousand Oaks, but because of the humidity, it feels hotter than that. And it's expected to remain this way through the Labor Day holiday. In a front page Los Angeles Daily News story today, suggestions are made to their heat exhausted readers. Like, "Buy a direct flight to Anchorage, Alaska, where yesterday's (Thursday's) temperature was 67 degrees." Other suggestions include, "Put on a hat and wear light, loose-fitting clothing. Drink lots of water. Forget jogging, and take up A/C couch aerobics."

Okay. I live in the San Fernado Valley and that means I'm living in this heat. Because of a bad motorcycle accident a number of years ago, I had to give up a daily 3-mile jog that I was religious about doing. So I walk religiously. And tend to pray it'll get cooler. I wear a cap, light, loose-fitting clothing and I drink lots of water. But I gotta tell ya...By the time I get back home after my 3-mile walk, I feel like I've spent an hour in a sauna. When I walk into my cool apartment, what seems like a river of sweat ends up on my rug.

The reason I'm telling you this is because I don't think we should use heat as an excuse to stop moving, exercise wise. Most of us weigh too much. Including me. It's easy to stop doing what we know is good for us. And because misery loves company, I hope to see you walking and sweating in the San Fernando Valley today. When we look in the mirror six months from now, we're gonna be proud of ourselves.

IT'S ALSO HOT IN WASHINGTON:

President Bush is obviously feeling the heat. From big campaign contributors that happen to be financial institutions. Institutions that are sweating bullets because of all these home foreclosures. Oh, you thought it was just the home-owners who are being affected by these foreclosures? Do you remember what Deep Throat said in the film, "All The President's Men"? Follow the money!!!

President Bush is reported to be laying out plans that would result in the helping of people who are in this big mess. That goes against what he supposedly stands for. Government handouts, etc. But when it's the money people who need help? That's different. Oh, we'll be told these moves will be for "the little guy", but those of us who have been paying attention will know better.

AND SPEAKING OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION:

Here are a couple of stories for you to contemplate during this Labor Day weekend.

(1) An eleven-page story in this week's Newsweek that's titled, "Into Thin Air". A fascinating story about the search for Osama bin Laden and what has happened when our troops got close enough to capture and or kill bin Laden. The "roadblocks" that have been put up will make you furious and or make you want to cry if you believe (as I do) that the capturing and or killing of Osama bin Laden should be mission number ONE in this most inept "war on terror" being waged by this most inept President of the United States. The blame for the "roadblocks" are shown to be because of political considerations and fearful career officers who wouldn't let experienced warriors do the job they know how to do best. And that's letting nothing get in the way of an assassination attempt on a guy who's responsible for the murder of more than 3000 of our citizens on 9/11. President Truman once said, "The buck stops here!" President Bush likes to refer to himself as "The Decider". If he's been in agreement with some of the things you'll read about in this Newsweek story, when you get to the end, while putting the magazine down, you'll be shaking your head.

Here's the second story. We've all heard the stories about innocent civilians who have been killed in Iraq and how that problem has been a big problem in getting civilians to cooperate with us. Military leaders have told the leaders in Washington that many civilian casualties could be avoided by using a new nonlethal weapon that's been developed. It's a ray gun that uses energy beams instead of bullets. When people are hit with a "beam", they won't be killed or maimed, but what the people will do is decide that they should leave the neighborhood or to stop interfering with legitimate military business. The ray gun is whacha call a bonafide deterrent, folks. Military leaders have been begging for these ray guns, but the Pentagon has refused to issue them because they're afraid that the gun will be referred to as a "torture device", which it isn't!

Yo, Mr. Decider! Show some damn leadership and order the use of these ray guns so that we can begin to win the "hearts and minds" in Iraq.

A STORY ABOUT A MAN WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE PRESIDENT:

Fred Thompson has finally decided on an announcement date. Next Thursday, Fred Thompson will officially announce that he is a candidate to be our next President of the United States. There's an issue about reruns of "Law & Order" episodes in which Fred Thompson appears. FCC regulations mandate that TV stations must provide a political candidate with airtime equal to that of his or her opponents, but the rule has never been imposed on cable networks. TNT would damn near have to go out of business if they stopped running Law & Order repeats because as late as yesterday, 9 of their 24 hours were devoted to repeats of that show and TNT says they won't stop showing repeats.

NEW FILMS:

There aren't many new films opening this weekend. There's good buzz about the "Halloween" remake that opens today. The L.A. Daily News' Bob Strauss ends his review with, "In general, director Rob Zombie crafts a well-paced clear story while building genuine suspense. Kind of a treat, overall, and who expected that?"

I plan to see "Halloween" and "Superbad" this weekend.

EDITOR'S NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TUESDAY: (We're taking Monday off because it's a holiday) I'll tell you about a reader who says she has the answer to the question, "How do you mend a broken heart?" and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

STAY COOL AND HAVE A TERRIFIC LABOR DAY WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!

USE A CELLPHONE WHILE DRIVING AND GET A TICKET?!?

And at the risk of upsetting a lot of people, I say, why is this possible new California law, if passed, affecting drivers who are only under the age of 18? A law that in addition to covering the use of cellphones while driving, would also include using a pager, text-messaging device or laptop.

Apparently, the thinking is that drivers between the ages of 16-18 are more distracted and therefore dangerous on the roads when doing other things while driving, so they've been targeted. If Governor Terminator signs this bill when it reaches his desk, violators would be hit with a $20 fine on the first offense and a $50 fine for additional offenses, but no violation points would be placed on their driving records.

And drivers aged 18 and above aren't distracted and therefore dangerous while using these devices while driving?

Recently, while using a cellphone, I suddenly realized I was getting close to a freeway exit I was going to have to take. I'm talking to my friend on the cellphone, the voice on my navigation system is telling me that two tenths of a mile from now I'm going to have to exit to the right and I realize that I need to change two lanes before I take that exit. Hell, I felt distracted and dangerous!!! Oh, I successfully made the turn while nodding affirmatively to other drivers who were giving me middle finger salutes.

People, people, people....None of us should be using cellphones while driving! Okay, if you're on a straight stretch of freeway and you know you won't need to turn or exit anytime soon, I'll give us a reluctant okay on that, but....Are you making sure you haven't slowed down in your lane (especially the fast lane) to the point of making that part of your driving dangerous and extremely aggravating to the drivers behind you?!?

And that's if you're just using a cellphone! You think you're not distracted and dangerous if you're text-messaging someone while you're driving?

Or using a laptop while driving?

Again...this possible new California law has to be signed by Governor Terminator before it becomes law and he seems to be undecided! What is the debate here? And why is this possible new law only for drivers under the age of 18?

I gotta tell ya something folks. I honestly feel I'd feel safer next to a person on the freeway who'd been drinking that I would be if I found myself next to a person who was typing on his or her laptop while driving.

Buuuut...As the comedian Dennis Miller might say, "That's my opinion. I could be wrong."

In this case, I don't think so, but I'd love to know what you think. E-mail me at scottstjames@sbcglobal.net.

WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT LARRY CRAIG IS PRETTY CLEAR:

You've heard of this Larry Craig guy, right? Idaho Republican Senator Larry Craig? The anti-gay rights guy who was recently arrested for doing some kind of coded foot tap while he was in a men's room stall. The guy he was tapping to, tapped him back by showing Senator Craig his badge. And this was after Senator Craig had shown the officer his business card. Doncha just hate it when your Senatorial card gets trumped by a badge when all you want to do is have a little fun in the men's room?

Yo, Senator! Does the saying, "Get a room!" mean anything to you?

But seriously, folks....This is another case of one these phony family values guys preaching, preaching and preaching some more while secretly getting their kicks by (in some cases) doing tricks.

Senator Craig, for once in your life, do the right thing. Leave the Senate and hang with whoever you really want to hang with. The people who elected you will be happy and who knows? Maybe you will be, too.

AND NOW A STORY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY SCARY:

Did you hear about this surfer who was attacked by a shark in Monterey Bay near San Jose a couple of mornings ago? A 24-year old guy was surfing with 6 other people when the shark attacked him from behind. California State Parks spokesman Loren Rex said, "He screamed and started punching the shark while trying to get away from the shark. Then the shark took him down under the water. Witnesses saw a lot of thrashing and some blood coming up. Other witnesses saw the shark let him up before biting him one more time." This victim (who was not identified) was given first aid by surfers before being airlifted to a hospital where he's being treated for multiple bite wounds.

Gang, imagine something for a second. You're in the water and you've suddenly been pulled under the water by a shark! Is that visual burned in your brain? Now...How bad is that day you're having today?

TELEVISION STUFF:

I've said it before and I'll say it again. That Sunday night tripleheader on Lifetime is soooo good!!! Yesterday, I watched the most recent episodes of "State of Mind", a show that just gets better and better, same deal with "Side Order of Life" and (what was) the season finale of "Army Wives". "Army Wives" is the biggest hit that Lifetime has ever had and I can hardly wait for their new season to begin. "Army Wives'" season finale was a 5-hankie episode that ended with a cliffhanger situation involving a soldier who looks like he's ready to be a suicide bomber.

A television heads-up! It looks like tonight's episode of "Mad Men" on AMC at 10 might be something special. This is another great show that's on cable!

EDITOR'S NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: I'll tell you about a reader who says she has the answer to the question, "How can you mend a broken heart?"...I'll tell you about a terrific story in the new Newsweek that points out the absolute incompetence involved by the Pentagon while brave warriors try to capture or kill Osama bin Laden...and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

SUICIDE!!!

How often have you heard someone say, "I'm gonna kill myself!"?!?

How often have you said it!

When we say it, it's usually after we've done something stupid, right?

Like dating someone who wasn't "right" for you, but you kept doing it because you thought (hoped) that something would change for the better in the relationship. When pretty much nothing changes, more often than not, you make the decision to "leave" and then tell a friend or two, "I'm gonna kill myself!" Your friend nods knowingly, orders you another drink and you wake up the next morning with a terrible hangover.

But sometimes...the reason you leave the person is because it's their idea, an idea you don't agree with and when after constant attempts to get that person to change his or her mind, you give up and walk away with your heart feeling broker than broken. The Bee Gees once had a hit song titled, "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?" and that's a question that feels impossible to answer if you're the one with the broken heart. Lemme have a show of hands here. How many of you have great answers to that question when it's someone else whose heart has broken? Pretty much all of us, right? But when it's us, man, there ain't enough booze in the world to eliminate that pain. Pain that causes us to do stupid things. Like call the person and hang up when they answer. Follow them. Hang around their house with the intention of knocking on the door, but after several hours, going home. And sometimes... people try to kill themselves because of a broken heart.

Is that what happened to actor Owen Wilson?

We don't know, because first of all, Wilson, or anyone close to Wilson has never said he went to the hospital because of a suicide attempt. A call log at the Santa Monica Police Department stated that the reason they had been called to Wilson's address is/was because of a suicide attempt.

Was it? We might never know, because there isn't a cop anywhere who can't tell you about spousal abuse calls that are denied once the police arrive and it's the same deal with suicide attempts.

Here's what we do know. Owen Wilson recently broke up with a woman.

Here's something else we know. He will not be appearing in "Tropic Thunder", a film that will star Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr.

Other projects that the highly bankable actor is scheduled to participate in? We don't know and might not know until Wilson comes up with an answer to the age old question; How do you mend a broken heart?!?

SPEAKING OF FILMS:

In yesterday's blog, I told you about a Hollywood premiere and party for the film, "Balls of Fury" this past Saturday. A premiere and party that star Christopher Walken did not attend. I speculated that the reason Walken didn't attend was because maybe he felt like some viewers did. That the film was/is, "Balls of Dumb". That prompted a nice e-mail from Michelle Shildkret who was writing on behalf of NBC Universal to see if there was a way she might get me to change my "Balls of Dumb" line to something else. Like, I dunno. Maybe "Balls of Fun"? She sent me exclusive preview clips from the film and I watched them late yesterday morning. One was a cute scene about a cricket that made me smile and the other was a few scenes showing Christopher Walken doing what he often does. And that's being the guy who will be remembered most when the film has ended. Scenes that also made me smile.

"Balls of Fury" opens today. The L.A. Daily News' Bob Strauss gave it a so-so review but thought that Walken was worth the price of admission. The New York Times' A.O. Scott thought that Walken was terrific, but that the film was "terrible".

REALITY SHOWS THAT AREN'T:

Do you watch so-called reality shows? Do you believe that what you're watching is real? If your answer is "Yes!", you're not alone. The hocus-pocus shown in many of these reality shows is so believable that many are convinced that certain political strategists used the same techniques to get certain unqualified candidates elected. But that's another story for another time.

I bring up the subject of reality shows because we're going to be seeing a lot more of them because of a potential strike that would force a lot of your favorite dramas and comedies to discontinue production.

I've always known that most of these reality shows involving "peril" of some kind were b.s. because a network was involved, national sponsors were/are involved and to suggest that something bad might happen to any of the participants is something that won't ever happen because of potential huge lawsuits. In the latest issue of Back Stage West, several former participants in reality shows are quoted and they tell stories about scenes that are shot over and over again and about all the scripted dialogue that is used.

So...The next time you watch a "reality show", ask yourself this question; "Reality as opposed to... what?!?

EDITOR'S NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: We'll tell you about a proposed law that if enacted, would prohibit some drivers from using a cellphone, pager, text messaging device or laptops while driving...We'll describe a shark attack that just happened...We'll tell you about another one of those "holier than thou" guys who got arrested in a restroom...And anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?

WHAT'S WRONG WITH ACTOR OWEN WILSON?!?

Yesterday we talked/wrote about seeing the film "Wedding Crashers" on cable this past weekend. A delightful comedy starring Owen Wilson that made a ton of money.

Owen Wilson has been involved in several film projects that have done well and he was nominated for an Oscar for a screenplay he co-wrote for "The Royal Tenenbaums". Until recently, he was dating actress Kate Hudson.

On the surface, Owen Wilson is a guy who appears to be living the good life. I mean, the maximum version of the good life.

Who was it who once said, "Appearances can be deceiving"?

Sunday, sometime around noon, Wilson was taken to a hospital. The National Enquirer and Star magazine reported that Wilson had sliced his left wrist and had taken a bunch of pills.

An attempted suicide?

But a witness who saw the ambulance outside of Wilson's house said, "These guys were kind of taking their time taking a stretcher out of the ambulance, then they went into the house." A man named Geoffry White said that and lives directly across the street from where Wilson lives.

Does the reaction that White describes sound like how professional ambulance people would be reacting if they thought they had an attempted suicide on their hands? A situation that might mean that how fast they were could be the difference between life and death? And not that this should make any difference, but the fact that Owen Wilson is a world famous celebrity?

You get my drift?

In statements that have been released by Wilson and his publicist, nothing about an attempted suicide has been mentioned. And until Wilson or a member of his family does say something like that, all references to a suicide are irresponsible with a capital I!!!

But still...I couldn't help but think that while I was watching "Wedding Crashers" that Wilson is an actor who can show sadness with his eyes and facial expressions better than any actor I can think of right now. And that made me wonder if what I was seeing was acting.

Because we live in an "Enquiring minds want to know" time in our lives, for better or worse, we'll find out if Wilson's been "acting".

Meanwhile, it would be nice if the gossip vultures can respect the statement that Wilson released; "I respectfully ask that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time."

Get well soon, Owen.

ONE OTHER ENTERTAINMENT RELATED STORY:

There was a big premiere of new film this past Saturday afternoon in Hollywood. A film that I think is scheduled to open this coming weekend. "Balls of Fury". I think that all we need to know is that the film's biggest star, Christopher Walken, avoided the premiere. People who have seen "Balls of Fury" say it's really, "Balls of Dumb".

AND WHILE CHRISTOPHER WALKEN SECOND GUESSES HIS DECISION:

We'll do some second guessing of our own.

CBS' decision to hire Katie Couric? So far, a bad decision. I understand the thinking behind wanting to appeal to younger viewers and to make the newscast seem to be "lighter". But like with younger radio listeners who long ago switched to FM, younger news watchers long ago switched to cable. If CBS wanted an attractive change, why didn't they steal Leslie Stahl from their own "60 Minutes"?

NBC's decision to hire Keith Olbermann to be part of their Sunday night NFL Pre-Game show? No doubt about it. Olbermann's former starring role as an ESPN anchor with Dan Patrick tells us he knows a lot about sports. The fact that he's a bit of a "loose cannon" adds potential spice to this hire which could mean a positive difference in the ratings. I don't watch exhibition anything sports wise, so I didn't see what apparently happened this past Sunday. Several e-mail writers have complained to me about Olbermann (apparently) doing some Bush and Limbaugh bashing on what is supposed to be a sports show.

Well...I'm the first to support the bashing of President Bush and talk radio's number one Kool Aid dispenser, Rush Limbaugh, because they both deserve it! But...on a sports show?!?

Wrong venue, Keith. Wrong hire, NBC. Didn't you learn from what happened when Disney hired Limbaugh to be on Monday Night Football?

NOW HERE'S A GUY WHO MIGHT BE A PROPER HIRE!!!

How many Presidential debates have we had? Seems like a....Well, if you're like me, it seems like too many, right?

But maybe there's a method to this madness, because there's an underdog on the Republican side who I think deserves a second and third look. That would be former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee. I wish he'd dial it down a bit on the religion thing, but his tax proposal, his war on obesity proposal and several other proposals have me saying, "Hmmmmm..."

EDITOR'S NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: What's UN-real about so-called "Reality shows" and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

ATTORNEY GENERAL ALBERTO GONZALES HAS RESIGNED!!!

This blog is written early in the morning here in Los Angeles. By the time you read this, more information than I have here, might be known.

But here's all we need to know. U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has submitted his letter of resignation. We're told that an official announcement will be made later today.

Short Commentary: General Gonzales is another one of those "loyal" guys that President Bush gave an important job to. In fact, Bush wanted Gonzales to end up as a member of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Those of us who have been paying attention choose to laugh instead of cry because of the absurdity of it all. Watching Gonzales "testify" recently in congressional investigations about why U.S. Attorneys were fired or about anything else, showed us one constant. General Gonzales had the lousiest memory in the history of mankind or he was a liar. Yeah, that's the kind of guy we need on the U.S. Supreme Court, right? Or for that matter, as our U.S. Attorney General.

Two words: Good riddance!

ORDER IN THE COURT! HERE COMES THE JUDGE!

Okay, I'm dating myself. The above is a line from an old hit record, a line I'm reminded of because of what Michael Vick has to do today. Face a judge, state a plea and hope the judge accepts his plea. Vick is admitting that he helped kill six to eight pit bulls and that he supplied money for gambling on the fights. He said he didn't personally place any bets or share in any winnings.

If I'm Judge Henry Hudson, the question I'm asking after reading Vick's gambling plea is, "If you supplied money for gambling on the fights and didn't share in any winnings, why?!?"

It's obvious that Vick is trying to save his NFL career by staying as far away from the gambling
issues as he can because the gambling thing could get him banned for life from the NFL.

We're told that the only ruling Judge Hudson will make today is on the issue of Vick's plea. To accept or reject it. If Judge Hudson accepts it, he is expected to announce sentencing in the next couple of months or so.

Basically, what Vick and his lawyers have decided to do is admit to having made a mistake and hope that Judge Hudson will show some mercy.

St. Louis reader/listener Lauren Barnes responds to the "mistake" issue with this e-mail: "Michael Vick's 'peeps' are saying he knows he made a mistake. ARE THEY KIDDING ME? I know I've made a mistake when my checkbook doesn't balance. I know I've made a mistake when I bring home lite beer accidentally. What this coward did was NO mistake. What this coward did took an extraordinary amount of resources to keep going and to keep covered up. No, no! NOTHING about this entire endeavor was a mistake. It was all intentionally, and methodically done!"

ENTERTAINMENT STUFF:

The film "War" took in $10 million this past weekend. I saw it Friday. When I left the theatre, I found myself wondering what other critics might have thought of "War". When I got home, I realized that there were no reviews, because the film wasn't shown to critics prior to it being released. More than 90% of the time, that's the kiss of death, because usually, the people who made the film think it's lousy. I didn't think it was lousy, lousy. What little dialogue there was, wasn't bad. The acting was pretty much one-note and cheesy. I'm still not sure what was going on story wise, but other than that, it was a fine film.

I did see a couple of films on cable this weekend that I highly recommend.

"Wedding Crashers". What a delightful film this is! It stars Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Christopher Walken, Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher and some terrific supporting actors. Wilson and Vaughn star as professional "wedding crashers" who go to weddings for the free food, booze and a chance to pick up vulnerable women. Their "plans" get interrupted because both guys end up "falling" for two women. Rachel McAdams is one of them and she's so adorable, you want to reach through the screen and hug her. Isla Fisher plays screwy and adorable so well, that guys everywhere figure to be saying, "Oh, if I could only find someone like her! Christopher Walken plays the father of the McAdams character and once again, Walken owns his role. It's no mystery why Christopher Walken is in so many films. This guy can play anything! "Wedding Crashers". Fun film!

"The River King", also on the cable circuit now, is a film that makes you think. And think and think. It stars Edward Burns, Rachelle LeFeure, Jennifer Ehle and Thomas Gibson. This whole film is about whether or not a young boy committed suicide or was murdered and you can't take your eyes off this film. "The River King". Don't turn it on unless you have the time to get "involved".

A FILM HEADS-UP:

Be on the lookout for the new Jodie Foster film, "The Brave One" which is due to debut a couple of weeks or so from now. Foster plays a female vigilante and the buzz on this film is good.

EDITOR'S NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: I'll tell you about an underdog Republican presidential candidate who might be worth a second and third "look", a developing sad (if true) story about actor Owen Wison annnd...Anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

THREE BLIND BLONDES! SEE HOW THEY RUN!

Someone once said, "Justice is blind!"

Well, there was some interesting justice involving three blind blondes yesterday.

One was the daughter of fame who has wandered blindly through life while getting by on her charm and who her daddy is. That would be Nicole Richie, who served 82 minutes in jail for driving under the influence of drugs. She was arrested after witnesses reported seeing her car driving the wrong way on a freeway in Burbank. By the time the California Highway Patrol arrived, Richie was parked in the car pool lane. Driving the wrong way on a freeway and then parking in the car pool lane?!? Girls just wanna have fun, huh? Why only 82 minutes of jail time instead of the 4-day sentence she had been given? A jail overcrowding problem.

Another blind blonde receiving interesting justice is an actress who actually has some legitimate talent, but she's been doing her darndest (recently) to seemingly be trying to prove to people that she's a walking and driving train wreck! That would be Lindsay Lohan who's currently in rehab (again) and who received a 1-day jail sentence for her latest highly publicized problems. She also got hit with 10 days of community service and 36 months' probation. Lohan's small jail sentence was also attributed to the jail overcrowding problem. But why did Paris Hilton serve the amount of days she served and Richie and Lohan didn't? It's because Richie and Lohan weren't on probation when they were busted. Both women face jail sentences of 120 days if either were to violate their probations.

The third blind blonde received merciful justice of another kind. That would be Lauren Jones who was the star of the new Fox reality show "Anchorwoman" that debuted on Wednesday. The show was cancelled by Fox yesterday. Now if there was some real justice to be had, it would be to figure out a way to put the Fox executive in jail who green lighted this piece of television garbage.

NEW MOVIES THAT ARE OPENING THIS WEEKEND:

As usual, there's a number of new films that will make their debuts today. I don't see a potential monster hit in any of them, but I've picked three to mention. "Nanny Diaries" starring the (in my opinion) very overrated Scarlett Johansson is a film that looks like it will go straight to DVD after about two weeks.

"Resurrecting The Champ" looks like it might be an interesting film. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Hartnett, Alan Alda, Kathryn Morris and Teri Hatcher. It's directed by Rod Lurie, a guy who strikes me as possibly being a bit of a "head case", but he always seems to provide us with interesting work.

The new film "War" is not the type of film I would usually go to, but something tells me this film might not be what I would ordinarily think it is and I mean that in a good way. It stars Jet Li and Jason Statham and I'm going to see it today.

MONDAY WILL BE MICHAEL VICK'S SENTENCING DAY:

We're told that when Michael Vick stands before a man who everyone regards as a tough judge, Vick will plead guilty to the charge of interstate commerce for the purpose of dogfighting, but he will not plead guilty to having ever killed dogs or to gambling on a dog fight.

Short Commentary: Well...If this is true and the judge accepts this plea, I go back to what I surmised yesterday. About this being a first offense, etc. and that maybe...this will be what will keep Vick out of jail. I must emphasize though that this is a BIG "maybe"! Hey, look at the way justice was handed out here yesterday.

EDITOR'S NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

MONDAY: I'll tell you what I think about the film "War", some thoughts about Karl Rove and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!

WHEN GOOGLE CRASHES, THE JAMMER WITH THE HAMMER BURNS!!!

This blog was late yesterday. Because of time deadline requirements, a taped version of yesterday's blog was unable to reach internet stations that wanted to broadcast it.

What happened is one of those "nightmare" situations that people working with deadlines dread dearly. Google's server crashed. And I sat here and burned.

When things were finally back to normal, the blog I had written appeared without the final three stories and ending. What happened to that text? It was lost in the wilderness of cyberspace.

Oh, well. Another adventure.

Hopefully, things will be back to normal today.

PEOPLE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT THE CONVICTED CRIMINAL, ELVIRA ARELLANO:
A lot of Letters to the Editor about Ms. Arellano have appeared in many newspapers as well as editorials. Except in the Los Angeles Times. Short Commentary: Hmmmm.

I'd like to share an interesting e-mail from Lauren Barnes in St. Louis. "What took the Feds so long to deport fugitive from justice Elvira Arellano? I was kind of feeling Arellano was swiftly deported once she was found. I didn't know she had been out on the lecture circuit. Here's what I do know! Had I committed Social Security fraud, I'd never see the sun shine. Had I not allowed my kids to learn English, they would no doubt have been taken from me."

YESTERDAY I SUGGESTED THAT WE IGNORE HIM, BUT HE MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE:

I couldn't ignore President Bush for one day! I mean, in a speech yesterday, he used the example of Vietnam as the reason we shouldn't leave Iraq. What the heck do he and Vice President Cheney know about Vietnam? Oh, was his speech about how to avoid military service to our country? If so, I apologize. I must have missed that part.

DOGFIGHTING IS A SPORT?

New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury is defending Michael Vick. Marbury says that dogfighting is a sport and he compares it to hunting. Of course the problem is that dogfighting is illegal and hunting isn't, but when you're sticking up for your friends, we tend to (sometimes) throw logic out the door.

Vick will officially plead guilty next Monday. What kind of penalty will the judge impose? I don't pretend to know, but probation of some kind along with a large fine and a ton of hours of community service wouldn't surprise me. Most folks think that Vick will be sentenced to prison for a year to a year and a half, but I believe this is a first offense that we're talking about. But...if part of what he's admitting to has to do with torturing and killing dogs after they fought, then mercy for Vick will be highly unlikely.

NEWS ABOUT A REAL SPORT:

Did you hear about what baseball's Texas Rangers did yesterday? They scored 30 runs against the Baltimore Orioles. That hadn't been done in 110 years. Which means all the Rangers' players should take steroids tests today, right?

TELEVISION STUFF:

Yes, "Anchorwoman" is as bad as the critics said. I watched it on Fox last night. The woman who is being featured (the Anchorwoman), isn't anywhere near the show stopper (looks wise) that I thought she'd be. The stuff she does isn't really that much different than a lot of other fame seeking bozos do on those other badly acted "Reality" shows. But because this is television news she's playing around with, she should do what all other news anchor wannabes do. Be an intern.

David Kronke is the Los Angeles Daily News' Mayor of Television and in his column today, he makes it very clear that he's unhappy about the decision to hire Ryan Seacrest to be the host of the Emmys which will be on Fox, September 16. Kronke seems to imply that Seacrest was hired by default because, "Usually, of course, they announce the host much earlier. Usually, of course, they get someone funny. Usually, of course, they recruit someone who won't look so out of place as the TV academy 'celebrates' 'excellence' within its ranks. And getting the host of a reality competition show seems like a smack in the face of all the scripted programming that will be honored that night." Short Commentary: Tell us what you really think, David!

We'll close with a story about real actors. If you didn't see Tuesday night's episode of "Damages" on FX, you still have a chance to because it's repeated often. There is a scene in this episode that is absolutely riveting. Glenn Close and Tate Donovan doing a negotiation scene. Gang, that's acting done at the highest of levels! BRA-VO!!!

EDITOR'S NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: I'll tell you why you shouldn't believe that Karl Rove will no longer be a Bush advisor and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?

INSTEAD OF BASHING BUSH, MAYBE WE SHOULD SIMPLY IGNORE HIM!!!

It's easy to be a Bush basher. On both sides of the aisle. The loyal to the Democratic party side because the other guy is a Republican. The loyal to the Republican party side, because President Bush is the strangest "Republican" lifetime Republicans like me have ever seen.

The party of fiscal responsibility is being led by a guy who acts like an insecure frat boy who's trying to impress the college homecoming queen by spending money he doesn't have to win her affection.

Iraq? He should have listened to his daddy. Quagmire, baby! Like his infamous, "Bring it on!", they did! And the quagmire warning? It is!

Three people have recently come back from Iraq. U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and Senator John Warner, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee.

All three say our troops are doing a great job. But the Iraqi government isn't using the U.S. military buildup to reach a political solution to end the war. The problem? The failure to compromise. If that sounds familiar, all we have to do is go back to the beginning of this ill advised venture when our (then) top General said we needed several hundred thousand more troops to help accomplish what the Bush administration wanted accomplished. Instead of agreeing with our General or coming up with a compromise of some kind, our General was fired. The latest advice? Get some different Iraqi political leadership. Quickly! To no one's surprise, this advice is being ignored by the Bush administration.

On or about the 11th of September, U.S. Ambassador Crocker and the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus will issue a progress report.

Exactly what they'll say we don't know, but know this! If the report is favorable regarding our mission, it will be praised by the Bush administration. If the report is unfavorable, based on previous experiences, it will be ignored by the Bush administration.

If that happens, the temptation to be a "Bush Basher" will be front and center, but my feeling is that we should take the high road. A little more than a year from now we'll be done with this crowd. Instead of being a basher or a decider which is what President Bush claims to be, let's be what Bush is and be an ignorer. For the next 14 to 16 months, let's hope the time flies fast and ignore the guy we voted into office because he seemed like he'd be fun to have a beer with.

ELVIRA ARELLANO IS SAYING SOMETHING THAT MOST PEOPLE AGREE WITH:

Elvira Arellano is the convicted criminal who was in this country, illegally, twice. She had a child while she was here, she stole a Social Security number while she was here and a couple of days ago, instead of getting a prison sentence, she was deported for the second time. While most law abiding citizens disagree with her way of doing business, Ms. Arellano has been saying something that is resonating with her detractors. She keeps talking about Mexico being "her country". According to letters to the editor in the major L.A. newspapers and e-mails written to me, law abiding citizens are saying, "We hear you, Ms. Arellano. Mexico is your country. Stay there!"

TELEVISION STUFF:

I want to give a shout out to reader/listener Patrick K. Gallagher of Long Beach who wrote me a very passionate e-mail about television and films. His thoughts about films are for another time, but he agrees with our praise of FX's terrific new television series, "Damages", starring Glenn Close. Tuesday nights at 10 and repeated throughout the week. Great show!

Lifetime made a couple of minor schedule changes with their Sunday night tripleheader. "State of Mind" has moved from 9 to 8, "Side Order of Life" has moved from 8 to 9 and "Army Wives", while staying on at 10, will show its season finale this coming Sunday. "Army Wives" has already been renewed for next season and I'll be shocked if "State of Mind" and "Side Order of Life" aren't also renewed.

I've seen both episodes of David Duchovny's new show "Californication", Monday night at 10:30 on Showtime. It's not for everyone, but I like it and it's now on my "must watch" list. Mary Louise Parker's "Weeds" precedes "Californication" at 10. I love Parker and think she's one of the sexiest women on the planet, but I don't have the same favorable opinion of "Weeds" that most other critics do.

There's a brand new show on Fox tonight called "Anchorwoman" that's being savaged by critics which means that I'll watch it!

Speaking of Fox, we'll close with a quote from "American Idol" judge, Paula Abdul, who, according to the tabloid Globe, was asked, "If someone had a gun to your head and you had to sleep with fellow American Idol judge Randy Jackson or Simon Cowell, who would you choose?" Paula Abdul's reply was, "I'd have to pick Randy because Simon would be too busy yelling out his own name during sex!"

EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time, sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: I'll tell you what I think of "Anchorwoman" and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

MICHAEL VICK IS GOING TO JAIL!!!

I'm having a hard time coming up with something new to add to this Michael Vick business.

After his early denials to the owner of the Atlanta Falcons and to the Commissioner of the NFL, Vick has done a complete about face and decided to enter a plea of guilty which is part of a "deal" he's made with prosecutors. A deal, I believe, the judge in this case can choose to accept or reject.

The way things stand now, most folks believe that Vick will receive a sentence of a year to 18 months in jail, of which at least 85% would be served because this is a federal penalty. There's also a possibility Vick could face state charges in Virginia, charges that could result in additional jail time. Vick's plea, which will officially be made next Monday, has nothing to do with possible charges in Virginia.

Will he ever play in the NFL again? That's a question a lot of people are wondering about because the NFL hasn't said what their position will be.

We know they're angry, because they believe that Vick lied to them. Same deal with the owner of the Falcons.

A question I keep getting asked is, "Is there that much money in the dog fighting business?!?" The feeling being that if there isn't, why on earth would you risk your NFL career on something like this?

I don't know the answer to the money question, but I'm inclined to doubt it. Risking one's career on something reckless? The world is full of people who have done that!

Short Commentary: I'm a guy who has owned and or lived with at least 7 dogs. I loved every one of 'em. In fact, I've often said I tend to like dogs more than people. I've never known a dog who wasn't loyal. If Michael Vick was indeed responsible for the torture and merciless murder of dogs, I'm inclined to not care what the judge decides to do to him.

SPEAKING OF LAWBREAKERS:

Oh, the bleeding heart baloney I'm hearing and reading regarding Elvira Arellano, who was deported back to Mexico. The biggest baloney is the wailing about how immigration officials and cold hearted people (like me, perhaps?) are responsible for separating families!!!

Upholding the law is apparently not an issue with these baloney b.s.-ers.

First of all, Elvira Arellano is damn lucky she wasn't sentenced to prison before she was deported. After being deported the first time, she came back, stole a Social Security number had a kid, played the "child" sympathy card and hid out in a Chicago church. When she was arrested the other day and deported again, here came the "You nasty law enforcers are breaking up the family!" crowd. Here's what's off the charts laughable about that! Elvira Arellano's 8-year old son was given a choice, not by the court, but by his mother! He could return to Mexico with her or he could stay in Chicago with the Reverend who's made a name for himself by allowing lawbreakers to hide out in his church. Elvira Arellano's son chose to not be with his mother.

Meanwhile, a lot of people are wondering if maybe it's time to remove the tax exempt status of churches who decide to harbor criminals.

I received a number of responses to yesterday's commentary about this subject, but I have time to read only one and this came from a brother blogger whose title is, Beer Can Politics.
"Spot on commentary about facts surrounding the fugitive from justice Elvira Arellano. My only concern is what took the Feds so long to deport her? She was hiding in plain sight in the church in Chicago and traveled all the way to LA and gave speeches before they nabbed her. But, a deportation is a deportation. And hopefully our laws will continue to be enforced."

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:

In case you hadn't heard, Joe Mantegna will take the place of Mandy Patinkin on CBS' "Criminal Minds". I've never met Joe, but I like his work. A lot. I say that even though he beat me out for the lead role in a small film about a couple of brothers and an airplane. Am I bitter? No! Have I forgotten about it? Not yet.

A lot of changes are being made on Fox's "24". The latest is the addition of Janeane Garofalo, who will play a government agent who is part of the team investigating the latest trouble Jack Bauer is in.

"Vanilla Deluxe" has a new job. That would be Ryan Seacrest who will host the Emmy Awards on the 16th of September. Like "American Idol", the Emmy Awards will be shown on Fox.

RADIO TIP FOR TONIGHT:

For those of you in the Los Angeles area, I'll be making my 5th Tuesday night appearance with Joe McDonnell on his KLAC sports talk show from a little after 9:30 to close to 10. I've had a lot of fun working with Joe and his partner Tim and if you get a chance, I hope you'll check us out. KLAC is 570 on the AM dial. If you're not in LA you can still listen online at http://www.am570radio.com/pages/streaming.html

EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: What some U.S. Senators want the Iraqi government to do and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

THE ARREST OF THE CRIMINAL ELVIRA ARELLANO, TEACHES US SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD DEMAND THAT OUR LEGISLATORS CHANGE!!!!

And what would that be, Scott?!?

If your parents are here illegally when you are born then YOU are here illegally as well!!! No more automatic citizenship to children unless their parents are LEGAL citizens of America!!!

Oh, I've said this before, but what prompts my bringing it up again is yesterday's arrest of Elvira Arellano outside a church in Los Angeles. Ms. Arellano's first entrance to the United States was in 1997. She was caught at the border and deported. Several days later she got past the border and was here until 2002 when she was arrested and convicted of using a false social security number at her job. That's identity theft, folks. In other words, that could have been you whose life was made miserable because of her illegal activity. Why it took until last summer (which would be about 4 years later) for an immigration judge to order Ms. Arellano to present herself for deportation, is a question that definitely needs answering, but we know what happened after Ms. Arellano got that order from the judge. She went to a church in Chicago where she was given refuge by the Reverend Walter Coleman. Ms. Arellano gave birth to a boy who is now 8 after she arrived here illegally. Who's the father? Another question to (perhaps) be answered at another time. Ms. Arellano says she went to the Chicago church to prevent being separated from her 8-year old American born son. The Chicago Reverend Coleman said, "We always knew it was a possibility that she would be arrested. She was hopeful the country would have the wisdom and the humanity to let her state her case."

Short Commentary: Oh, Ms. Arellano has already stated her case. She entered this country illegally twice. She got a job after stealing a Social Security number, a crime she was convicted of. She was ordered deported and defied that order by hiding in a church. When the Reverend Coleman suggests that this country (America) should have the wisdom and the humanity to let her state her case, he's implying there's something the rest of aren't seeing or are too stupid to understand. Not true, Reverend. For you see, like the old song once said, "I Can See Clearly Now!" Ms. Arellano is another criminal who's trying to game the system by playing the "child" card. Instead of sending her to jail where she belongs for having stolen that Social Security number, the judge in the case showed big time compassion by merely ordering Ms. Arellano deported. And no, she wouldn't have been separated from her child unless she wanted to be, because the child could have gone back to Mexico with her.

SPEAKING OF TRUTH THAT CAN COME BACK TO BITE YOU:

One thing about the internet....If you've ever said or done anything in the past that you hope won't be discovered, fuh-git about it! Because the internet doesn't fuh-git about it.

Have you seen that You Tube footage showing what Vice President Dick Cheney said about Iraq in 1994? In essence, Mr. Cheney very eloquently stated a passionate case for staying out of Iraq. In other words, he was agreeing with the first President Bush who had the wisdom to understand the quagmire possibilities which have now turned to reality because of our decision to go there under the Bush II administration.

The hope here is that a reporter who is willing to make the guarantee of asking one question is allowed to visit with Vice President Dick Cheney. The Vice President would be shown footage of what he said in 1994 and the one question would be, "Mr. Vice President, what made you change your mind?" If the Vice President's answer was, "You'll have to ask the President.", the reporter's response should be, "I promised to ask one question and I'm keeping my promise. Please answer the question I asked."

A NICE WEEKEND FOR THE FILM, "SUPERBAD":

"Superbad", the teen comedy that got some good reviews, also made some good money this past weekend. More than 31 million dollars. The Nicole Kidman/Daniel Craig film, "The Invasion", was a disappointment at the box office. 6 million dollars.

I saw "The Invasion" Friday afternoon. This is a Nicole Kidman film. Oh, the new James Bond guy, Daniel Craig is also in the film, but it's Kidman's film. Can anyone name the last film in which Kidman was the headliner that was a hit? She's a good actress, buuuut...

I liked the chemistry between Kidman and Craig. I liked it a lot. I also liked the young boy who played Kidman's son. Other than that? To me, it was just another movie. Not bad, not particularly good.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: A little television talk and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

REGGIE WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN HIS FREEDOM! IF WE'RE AS COMPASSIONATE AS WE CLAIM TO BE, IT'S TIME TO GIVE HIM WHAT HE WANTS!!!

Here in the Los Angeles area, we see and deal with lots of celebrities. We have Lindsay, we have Paris, our Mayor. You get the idea. And a good number of you have become sick of our celebrities. Especially those who can't seem to stay out of trouble or to keep their pants on.

And then there's Reggie. Some of you outside of Los Angeles might have heard of him. Maybe most of you.

Reggie's an alligator who was dumped into the Machado Lake after his owner woke up one day and realized Reggie had gotten too big for the San Pedro backyard he was living in. Truth be known, Reggie's former owner might have worried about becoming Gator food one day, but in the still of night, Reggie was dumped into the lake. And Reggie stayed there for almost two years. He's a sneaky gator 'cause it was only by accident that one day, someone said, "Whaaat?!?" and called the authorities.

Because no one else saw Reggie and some good gator trackers were brought in to see and to capture Reggie without success, a lot of folks got to thinkin' we had some kind of Loch Ness Monster on our hands. In other words, a fable.

No, Reggie wasn't a fable. He was just slick.

The day Reggie wasn't as slick as he had been, was the day he got caught. And he wasn't happy about it.

Because Reggie had become more than an alligator who might in other circumstances be shot and or killed by scared citizens after he (Reggie) had done some terrorizing of his own, folks in these here parts didn't quite know what to do with him after they captured him.

In addition to celebrities, we have a lot of bright people here and one of those bright people suggested that Reggie be taken to the Los Angeles Zoo where entrepreneurs (in this case, zoo officials) could do what these kinds of folks always do with celebrities. Figure out a way to make money off of them.

Well, these bright folks forgot how Reggie had become a celebrity. He's cunning, he's slick, he's sneaky. He's Reggie! And less than a week after being in his new home, sometime around midnight, Reggie scaled the fence and took a little freedom walk.

There's a lot of public park area around the zoo and just imagine for a second that you and a date might have been doing a little late night drinkin' at the park 'cause...Well, 'cause you had some other things on your mind for you and your date to do later and all of a sudden you see Reggie walkin', or slitherin' toward you. You think maybe at that point you're deciding to never have another drink or impure thoughts regarding future companions?

It turns out that after tracking Reggie's wet trail, Reggie was heading in a direction that made some folks think he was looking for the Harbor Freeway. Zoo officials found Reggie near a loading dock by the education building and when they attempted to wrap him up and bring him back to captivity, Reggie let it be known that he was more than a little annoyed.

Reggie is now back in the Los Angeles Zoo, in a more secure exhibit space. People can now gawk at Reggie and take pictures of L.A.'s newest celebrity. Who knows? Maybe Reggie will even smile for the camera.

No creature likes being in a captive state, folks. You wouldn't like it. I wouldn't like it. I can't imagine a lion liking it. Or an elephant. But for better or worse, those creatures, after a while seem to get used to it.

Reggie was free when he was in Lake Machado and after less than a week at the zoo, he scaled a fence to become free again.

If we are as compassionate as we like to think we are, it's time to do the right thing here. Take Reggie on another trip. Oh, he'll be annoyed at first, but when he sees what happens after you let him go, in a place where other alligators live, play and survive, he'll probably be happy to give you one last....smile for the camera.

IF YOU'RE WONDERING ABOUT NEW FILMS THAT OPEN TODAY:

The reviews are pretty strong for the new teen comedy, "Superbad" and the reviews are mixed for the new Nicole Kidman/Daniel Craig thriller, "The Invasion". I'm going to try to see "The Invasion" sometime this weekend.

TV SHOWS THAT ARE HOT, HOT, HOT:

If you haven't checked out "Damages", Tuesday night's on FX, you're missing out on some terrific television! I thought the first episode of Showtime's "Californication" wasn't anywhere near as bad as a lot of critics thought it was. I'm definitely watching the second episode Monday night. Have you checked out "Rescue Me", Wednesday night's on FX? Is there a more tortured lead character on television than the character played by Denis Leary? The Sunday night tripleheader on Lifetime that ends with "Army Wives" is also still good television.

In fact the best television is on cable now!

I HATE TO END WITH A DOWNER, BUT...

Are you following this home mortgage business? The continuing China toy thing? And now we learn the Bush Administration wasn't aware of some IRS regulations that will keep Homeland Security officials from vigorously cracking down on illegal immigrants?!?

What were we thinking when we elected these people, folks?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

MONDAY: If I see it, I'll tell you what I thought of "The Invasion" and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!

30 YEARS AGO, ELVIS LEFT THE BUILDING! FOREVER!!!

If you were a fan of "The King", you know where you were when you heard the announcement that he had died. I had a job as the morning radio host on KKSS, a station in St. Louis. I was also programming that station. On the afternoon of August 16, 1977, I was walking down the hall when I heard the news.

Elvis Presley is dead?!? Hell, he had gained a bunch of weight, but....Dead?

In 1969, Elvis began what would be a non-stop record setting series of concerts at The International in Las Vegas. It was actually The International Hotel, but people called it, "The International". I wasn't there opening night, but I was there opening week and I saw him often. I spoke with him (very briefly) only once. I never had the opportunity to interview him on the air, but Elvis was very nice to me. I don't know how many times I saw him sing (it was many), but every time except twice, I brought a date and I was given the first and second seats, center stage. My dates sat in the first seat. Those seats weren't that great because you had to strain your neck to see the action, but Elvis looked out for my "action" by kissing every date I brought while he was singing. Dates who (then) never even knew I was alive for about a day and a half until they remembered who was responsible for her getting that kiss.

Thank you, Elvis!

Oh...the two times I didn't bring a date? The first time was when I'd made one of those last minute decisions to go. Unfortunately, the plane landed late, I arrived at the hotel late, the show was about to start, the place was packed and just when I thought I wouldn't be able to get in, I was told to, "Follow that person right there!" A table was brought out and placed in the center of the lower level. Everyone else was almost finished eating and the show was about to start. My food was brought to me and I gobbled it down while Sammy Shore did his opening act thing.

Memories.

The other time when I didn't bring a date was a special show sponsored by RCA that I flew out for from St. Louis with Ralph Stieferman, a guy who was a skirt chasing buddy of mine. Elvis had gained a lot of weight, he was doing a lot of rambling on stage, but Ralph had never seen Elvis and he thought the show was great.

A few weeks later, Elvis was dead.

Since then, a lot of books have been written and movies have been made.

I only know what I saw!

Elvis, thanks for the memories. And long live The King!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't forget! You can HEAR this blog! The links to the stations broadcasting today's blog can be found at the bottom of my links section which is to the right of what you're reading now. It's the last links.

A new blog is written every morning. Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: We'll tell you about some new films that will be opening, why you should catch up with FX's hot new show, "Damages" and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaaat?!?"

TOYS MADE IN CHINA FOR THE U.S. COMPANY "MATTEL" COULD SERIOUSLY HARM YOUR CHILDREN!!!

American corporations love outsourcing. It allows these corporations the opportunity to make tons of money of top of the huge profits they'd make if they were paying American workers!

Case in point; How's that having to deal with people in India when you have a problem with your computer working out?

Well maybe, just maybe, this latest outsourcing maneuver will backfire enough to force a major American company to think again about the overall advisability of outsourcing. Especially if these latest problems cause this American company to come dangerously close to having to go out of business.

The company I'm referring to is Mattel, a company that sells toys for your children to play with.

Toys that are made in China and have been discovered to contain lead paint.

Off the charts cheap labor resulting in toys containing poison for our kids. As Don King might say, "Only in America!"

And it gets better. Toys made by cheap labor in China containing magnets that have been swallowed by American kids.

More on that in a minute. The toys made for the American company Mattel by cheap laborers in China that have contained lead paint include "Sarge" cars and characters such as "Dora the Explorer", "Big Bird" and "Elmo". If we now know about these toys, the odds are pretty good that there are others.

These magnets put into toys made for the American company Mattel by cheap Chinese laborers? They include Polley Pocket dolls and Batman action figures. Once again...If we know about these toys, there are bound to be others.