Not On My Watch

A good if somber speech from the president last night from Fort Bragg. If you told George W. Bush on the deck of the aircraft carrier two years ago that he would have to convince his fellow Americans that the war is still – still! – worth fighting, he and his staff would be dumbfounded. Still, it was impressive when Bush ticked off the countries from which the insurgents are flowing: Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia. If only this president could bring down the boot on the Saudis to clean up their backyard or lose their pampered status but this is the tragic blind spot of this president. Although there is good news in Iraq, the carnage from the insurgency drowns it out. One part of the speech struck a wrong note: for some reason, I hate when politicians give out web site addresses. It seems jarring and not very presidential. And why does the America Supports You Web site seem like a Band-Aid on a major chest wound? Does this administration think that we need more yellow ribbons on the back of SUVs? Clearly, we need more troops, better armor, a secure Iraqi border and some better PR. And don’t forget luck.

Run, Katie, Run

Attention all People, US magazine and In Touch staffers: don't make any vacation plans for the last weekend of the summer.

With a psycho-boyfriend melting down before our very eyes, Katie Holmes is going to cancel her engagement to Tom Cruise and head for the hills. The bug-eyed Runaway Bride from Georgia can breathe easy as every tabloid and infotainment show calls the overwhelmed actress the New Runaway Bride when she comes to her senses and flees for her life. Her publicist will announce that the engagement is off on the Saturday of the Labor Day weekend and although Katie and Tom remain friends, she is enjoying some quiet time in the Rain Forest or serving as a medic in Iraq.

You have been warned: Labor Day weekend. Get those photographers and cheesy headlines ready.

Must-Watch Character: Drama

There are quite a few pleasures on HBO's feather-light sitcom Entourage. Along with a never-ending parade of lithe LA beauties, Jeremy Piven's Raptor-like agent Ari, there is Kevin Dillon's Drama. Dillon plays the older and slightly more experienced actor brother to the main star's Vincent. Drama came to Hollywood sooner, landed some roles on a grade-C cop show and is now struggling to find work and not appear to glom off his red-hot younger brother. You can see the frustration and the sheer desperation in his eyes, his walk and hear it in his voice as he tries to revive a mediocre career that might be replaced with a new job that could easily be titled "trim coordinator." He is desperate and charming: during one episode he was convinced he wasn't getting roles because he has skinny calves. For the rest of the show, he checks out every waiter/surfer/gym trainer for their leg muscles.

Kevin Dillon's Drama. Funny and one character that makes me smile when he walks on screen. Check out Heaven Help Us from a billion years ago to see this guy in action.

Game Rover

Did Karl Rove play the Senate and House Dems like a piano with his speech in NYC the other day? He told the conservative audience that while conservatives wanted action after 9/11, some liberals wanted to offer therapy, self-reflection and lay the blame with the US. A sweeping generalization but not without a grain of truth, all in all.

Senate and House Dems responded with indignant fury at the Bush Mastermind's remarks and demand Rove's resignation. In their outrage, they remind journalists and their constituents that they voted for the war on terror, the liberation of Iraq and their support for the men and women in uniform.

Brilliant, Karl.

Got Clipboard?

Scene: Lafayette Street on a sunny spring day at lunchtime.

Characters: Phil, co-worker Rob, Environmental Guy and Cute Environmental Gal both holding clipboards.

Action: Phil and Rob walk down Lafayette Street to buy some lunch. Nice, earnest-looking Environmental Guy holding clipboard asks about our concerns for the environment.

Phil: I HATE the environment. Pave it right now.

Environment Guy: (Laughs and lets Phil and Rob pass by).

Phil and Rob buy their lunches at separate stores and Phil returns to the office alone.

Cute Environmental Gal: (Pointing to Environmental logo on her chest) Hi, can I ask you to --

Phil: Sorry, baby. I say pave the environment.

Cute Environmental Girl looks at Environmental Guy in disbelief.

Environmental Guy: That's the guy.