Commentary: October 2007 Archives

After blasting Kathy Griffin at the Emmy’s, and physically threatening Vanity Fair columnist Christopher Hitchens on a MSNBC new show, Bill Donohue and his Catholic League have set their sites on fellow instrument of the Devil, Britney Spears. The troubled songstress has upset the leader of the self proclaimed “largest Catholic civil rights organization" in the United States by featuring some sexy snaps in the CD booklet of her new album Blackout. The shots, were taken by renowned photographer Ellen Von Unwerth, whose work has been extensively featured in magazines such as Vogue and Vanity Fair. The erotic images show Spears rocking a saucy pose in a confessional and sitting on a hunky priest’s lap. Heresy indeed.

“This is all the puzzle pieces coming together. This girl is crashing,” said Catholic League president Donohue, in an interview with New York’s Daily News. “She’s not even allowed to bring up her own kids because she’s not responsible enough. Now we see she can’t even entertain.” Harsh words for a man in the forgiveness business.

Over the last month, on his website, Donohue has attacked Halloween costumers and haunted house owners, David E Kelley and his Boston Legal show, Cold Case, the now notorious yet utterly harmless “Chocolate Jesus” art exhibit, and the film Elizabeth: The Golden Age for their unfavorable depiction of the Catholic Church. And another Catholic leader said Britney was the one doing the “bottom of the barrel” stunts! We’re glad that minor issues such as AIDS, poverty, and global warming aren’t distracting Donohue from doing “Gods” work.

Unlike James Blunt, who sung about the beauty he saw in a red triangle on Sesame Street, Donald Trump doesn’t seem to be able to see beauty in anything that doesn’t have long legs and big tits. Recently Trump, who’s no oil painting himself, criticized Angela Jolie for being less than a perfect 10.

"Angelina Jolie is sort of amazing because everyone thinks she's like this great beauty. And I'm not saying she's an unattractive woman, but she's not beauty, by any stretch of the imagination," said Trump about the child-rescuing U.N. Goodwill Ambassador on a recent episode of Larry King Live. Digging the hole deeper, the mogul explained, "I really understand beauty. And I will tell you, she's not -- I do own Miss Universe. I do own Miss USA. I mean I own a lot of different things. I do understand beauty, and she's not."

On an earlier episode of the CNN chat show, the duo had joked about not finding Rosie O’Donnell sexually attractive. As if O'Donnell, who came out in 2002 after a guest appearance on the sitcom Will & Grace, and married former Nickelodeon exec Kelli Carpenter in San Francisco in 2004, would even be interested in either of the old codgers. Though O’Donnell’s marriage license was later voided by the California Supreme Court, the couple live happily together with their four kids (three of them adopted).

Talking of real beauty, O'Donnell has worked tirelessly raising over $60 million for her For All Kids Foundation which gives grants supporting early childhood care and education. The quick-witted comedienne had the last laugh at Trump and King's expense though, telling audiences on the pro-gay rights True Colors tour, “As you can imagine it was devastating to me. It’s been a goal of mine for many years to give a bald billionaire and a toad a boner.”

Clearly King and Trump have no concept of inner beauty – or inner ugliness for that matter. As for the Daily Mantra, the comb-over king may have the cash, but in our world James Blunt clearly trumps him, with beauty both inside and out. Check out this Sesame Street clip and we’re sure you’ll agree.

Photo of Rosie O'Donnell on the True Colors tour courtesy of the Ken Phillips Publicity Group.