Left Set to Attack Patricia Heaton's Group

THE LEFT COAST REPORT
A Political Look at Hollywood

It seems that lefties have been struggling to find some aspect of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' pristine career that would give them some negative traction.

They may have found what they've been looking for in the judge's spouse, Jane Sullivan Roberts.

Mrs. Roberts has been involved with an organization called Feminists For Life (FFL). This is the same organization that Patricia Heaton is affiliated with. In fact, the actress is featured on the group's Web site and literature.

A spouse's views are not normally considered relevant when assessing an individual's job suitability, but that's not stopping the media from piling on Judge Roberts' wife.

The Los Angeles Times recently ran a piece with a headline that read "Supreme Court Nominee's Wife an Anti-abortion Voice."

One Boston Globe article was titled "Wife's Role in Women's Group Now in Focus."

And the New York Times had a piece called "Anti-Abortion Advocacy of Wife of Court Nominee Draws Interest."

The media and their buddies on the left are focusing on Mrs. Roberts' Catholic faith and her participation in FFL. 

The Los Angeles Times breathlessly disclosed that Jane Roberts "lends her name, money and professional advice to a small Washington-based organization — Feminists for Life of America Inc."

Mrs. Roberts was a member of FFL's board of directors from 1995 to 1999.

She's in good company with her involvement. The group's current Honorary Chair is none other than "Everybody Loves Raymond's" Patricia Heaton.

Heaton refers to FFL's members as "compassionate, intelligent, reasonable people who are fun and life-affirming."

She responds to the attention from the mainstream media by focusing on the benefits. "Love that we are getting all this free press," Heaton tells Left Coast Report.  

"Many more people will be able to find a place where they are comfortable supporting women and life ... and discover that women deserve better than abortion," she adds.

Meanwhile the Left and the mainstream media are attempting to arouse the anti-life base by besmirching Judge Roberts' wife.

The Left Coast Report wonders if, when Souter was up for confirmation, anyone investigated the views of his mother.

Hollywood Plots Against Regis Philbin?

Regis Philbin is a virtual American institution.

Purportedly, though, there's a plot afoot to oust him from his morning show position. 

Along with sidekick Kelly Ripa, Regis co-hosts the successful A.M. program "Live With Regis & Kelly."

The National Enquirer reports that a dossier is being prepared so that network execs can get rid of Regis because they think he's too old.

There's apparently even a mole on the staff of the morning show so that "every single mistake Regis makes" can be documented, according to an executive who's close to the show.

It may be that the suits at ABC want to appeal to the highly coveted 18-49 demographic.

The alleged front-runner to replace Regis is Tom Bergeron, co-host of the recent "Dancing with the Stars" smash.

Buena Vista Television is denying the story.

In Hollywood air-kiss style, BVT said, "We adore Regis."

The Left Coast Report thinks Regis may be better off hopping over to CBS, where 68-year-old Bob Schieffer took over for 78-year-old Dan Rather.

CIA Movie for Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro recently visited the Dominican Republic.

The "Godfather II" and "Raging Bull" Oscar winner made the trip in order to prepare for his role as director and star of "The Good Shepherd," an upcoming movie about the history of the CIA.

DeNiro will play James Wilson, one of the CIA's founders.

Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie will also star in the film.

De Niro has filed for permits from the Foreign Ministry and plans to begin shooting the film in December 2005.

Reportedly, what will be filmed in the Dominican Republic are scenes that depict Central America and Cuba.

One part of CIA history that has particular relevance to our times has to do with the damage that was done to our intelligence capabilities by the Senate's Church Committee and the House's Pike Committee hearings that took place in the mid-1970s.

Will De Niro include in his film a segment on the "work" of these committees, which left our counter-intelligence capacity totally hamstrung by prohibiting the gathering of intelligence from some not-so-nice informants?

Will he include any scenes where lefty characters are shown denouncing in typical fashion American intelligence activities?

The Left Coast Report conveys the admonition "Don't hold your breath."

Auf Wiedersehen to Michael Jackson?

Michael Jackson is supposedly looking to move far away from his California Neverland home, according to German newspaper reports.

Jackson seems to be focusing his house-hunting efforts on the capital city of Berlin and the town of Potsdam.

Folks may recall that Berlin was the place where Jackson dangled his infant son, Prince Michael II, over a hotel balcony.

Shawn Andrews, a Jackson family adviser, recently told the Berliner Morgenpost that the singer is contemplating a European relocation.

"He is a fan of Germany and has fallen in love with the city of Berlin," Andrews is quoted as saying.

Andrews indicated that "the Jackson family also really likes the city of Potsdam."

Bild, another German newspaper, reported that Jackson is already looking for a house in Potsdam.

The Left Coast Report relays that there's no word yet on which German city has the best dangle rating.

ABC's Madame Hillary Prep

In what looks like the most patent attempt to massage people's minds since Ashlee Simpson used the acid reflux alibi, ABC is set to launch a new political drama a la "The West Wing." 

With this particular TV series, though, the prez will be wearing pastel pantsuits and matching pumps.

The slated show is called "Commander-In-Chief," and it will feature the statuesque Geena Davis as the first female president of the United States.

The elegant Natasha Henstridge ("Species" and "The Whole Nine Yards") has joined the cast as well. Henstridge will portray an aide to Donald Sutherland's Speaker of the House character.

The network is displaying an unprecedented commitment to the series. Promo ads for the fall debut have already started.

If Left Coast history is any indication, the show will remain on the air regardless of which direction the ratings winds blow. 

The Left Coast Report notes that Hollywood will try just about anything to help Hillary land the Oval Office gig and Bubba grab the First Gentleman spot.

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