On Thursday, May 29, popular actor and now enemy No. 1 of the Church of Scientology, will stand among the New York City Anonymous to protest the local Scientology Orgs as part of an ongoing movement to expose the abuses and criminal activity of organized Scientology.

Jason made headlines a few weeks back when a video was released with Beghe discussing the fraudulent claims of the Church, and how the organization created by pulp science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in the 50’s, has systematically created a criminal scheme to bilk its adherents of large sums of money.

Jason, best known for silver screen roles in such films as Thelma and Louise, Monkey Shines, G.I. Jane and recurring roles on TV hits such as “Chicago Hope,” “Melrose Place,” “Picket Fences” and “American Dreams,” has taken the internet by storm as he continues to speak out against his former faith.

Here’s more from the press release about Jason’s visit to the NYC protests tomorrow:

New York City, NY - Celebrity and former Scientologist Jason Beghe will be in New York City to assist locals of New York City with ANONYMOUS in protesting the abuses and fraud of Scientology. The event will begin on/around 5pm (EST) at Bryant Park New York City near the memorial Fountain in the park. From there, the event will travel up Broadway to Times Square and to the Organization of Scientology in New York City located at: 227 West 46th Street

About Jason Beghe - Jason Beghe is a noted film and television actor having appeared in roles on Chicago Hope, Melrose Place and various movies such as G.I Jane. Beghe was a Scientologist for many years and achieved the level of Operating Thetan Five (”OT-5″) in the church alongside an auditor level of class five (”C-V”).

About the Church of Scientology of New York - The Church of Scientology was founded by Science Fiction writer and novelist Lafayette Ronald Hubbard (”L. Ron Hubbard”) and has a presence in nearly every state in the United States of America and almost every nation in the European Union. The tenants of Scientology are based solely around the writings/lectures of L. Ron Hubbard.

I had the pleasure recently of meeting Jason and his lovely family, wife Angie and sons Bix and Bear. Jason is best described as candid, honest and passionate. Just as he firmly committed himself to becoming the best Scientologist he could be for ten years, Jason is now as equally committed to saving others from the fate of fraud and false claims perpetrated by the Church against its members and the public.

Jason told me he has every intention of seeing this through and is resolute is bringing truth and openness to this secretive group many consider a sinister cult. Jason, as the most public and well-known defector of Scientology, which has an active celebrity recruiting policy, has placed himself, his family and his career in harm’s way against a organization which has blood on its hands and a reputation for silencing its critics through financial ruin or illegal measures.

Jason really is a hero for standing up to the wrongs of the Church, and while I can’t speak for Anonymous, I can speak as a critic of Scientology’s policies. So with that in mind, thank you for standing with us Jason and thanks to the entire Beghe family for your support.

Below is a clip of NYC Scientology Org leader John Carmichael mishandling an opportunity to discuss his “faith” at a recent protest in NY:

Who’s busting out all over?  Hint…she’s a rather dreamy girl.

Answer after the jump!

But wait, there’s more…

Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett has come out in defense of a new art exhibit in Sydney, Australia, featuring nude photographs of twelve- and thirteen-year-old girls, saying the exhibit is “art” and efforts to shut it down “censorship”:

Blanchett joined 42 other leading arts figures from Down Under in signing an open letter slamming Mr [Kevin] Rudd [the Australian Prime Minister] over his criticism artist Bill Henson’s photographs of naked 12 and 13-year-old children.

Police shut down Henson’s exhibition at a Sydney art gallery last week and confiscated 20 of his photographs as part of an investigating into whether charges should be laid. [...]

“The potential prosecution of one of our most respected artists is no way to build a Creative Australia and does untold damage to our cultural reputation,” the mother of three said the letter, which was addressed to Australia’s environment minister and the premier of New South Wales state.

“We should remember that an important index of social freedom, in earlier times or in repressive regimes elsewhere in the world, is how artists and art are treated by the state.”

The letter is signed by Blanchett, whom Rudd visited in hospital only days after the birth of her latest baby in April and whom he invited to Canberra to take part in his national 2020 conference on Australia’s future. Other signatories include Nobel winning writer John Coetzee.

“We wish to make absolutely clear that none of us endorses, in any way, the abuse of children,” they said. “Henson’s work has nothing to do with child pornography and, according to the judgment of some of the most respected curators and critics in the world, it is certainly art.”

Since when are nude photographs of girls this young considered “art”?  We arrest people for taking photographs of children this young in a sexual setting, and sometimes even if they are in a non-sexual setting.  But if we label it “art” and put it in a gallery, suddenly that is okay?

I’m an artist myself, and I understand that there must be a certain amount of freedom for the arts to flourish and thrive.  But I’m also the parent of teenagers, and children this young should have their innocence preserved, not hung up on a wall, even if it is in an art gallery.  There is a reason why we have laws in place that make it illegal to take or possess photos of nude children and teenagers, no matter what the setting.

I know there will be someone come along and say, “What about naked photos of baby bottoms on things like greeting cards?”  I would say there’s a huge difference between an innocent little baby butt and a thirteen-year-old girl’s butt.  And there’s a reason why you don’t see nude photos of children on greeting cards at your local store.  You see little babies, but not children…and that’s because most people know it isn’t right.

Yes, there is a fine line to be walked here.  But in a day and age when simply owning a photograph of a nude teenager, in any setting, is enough for an arrest, labeling it “art” doesn’t make it any more correct.  I would wonder if Cate would offer up one of her children to be photographed nude.

Hollywood composer Earl Hagen died at his home on Monday.  He was not only featured as the whistler of The Andy Griffith Show theme, but he was a prolific composer of music for many classic television shows and an accomplished musician and composer outside of the small screen:

Hagen, who is heard whistling the folksy tune for “The Andy Griffith Show,” died at his home in Rancho Mirage, his wife, Laura, said Tuesday. He had been in ill health for several months.

During his long musical career, Hagen performed with the top bands of the swing era, composed for movies and television, and wrote one of the first textbooks on movie composing.

He and Dick Rogers were nominated for an Academy Award for best music scoring for the 1960 Marilyn Monroe movie “Let’s Make Love.”

For television, he composed original music for more than 3,000 episodes, pilots and TV movies, including theme songs for “That Girl,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”

Sad news, indeed.  The Andy Griffith Show is a staple at my house, and I’d rather watch it than 99.9% of the tripe on television today.  Just hearing the theme, with its familiar whistle, is enough to bring a smile to my face and my heart.  Mr. Hagen wrote music for many of my favorite shows, but the theme from TAGS is special to me.

Our prayers and condolences go out to his family.

Almost a year after taking a break from his Broadway hit musical 27 Heaven, bestselling multi media artist His Highness Ian Halperin has confirmed in an exclusive interview with Glosslip that he intends to take Broadway by storm this Fall, producing and directing two plays in the same night by a writer he says will make a ton of noise this year.

He’d only give her name to us as J.K., saying he’s been collaborating with her for months and described her as being the “new Jackie Collins” of Broadway. The only other details Halperin divulged was that legendary Broadway composer/guitarist Laurent Medelgi (Hairspray, Spring Awakening, Rent) has agreed to write the score. He will also perform in the show.

Halperin said the concept of having two short plays in the same night, by the same writer will change the way theatergoers see plays from now on.

“People are tired of sitting through a three hour play. The idea of two shorts, similar subject matter by the same writer, with the same cast in both will be a first. People will beat down doors to see this.”

After pressing Halperin he agreed to reveal the names of the plays - “Subconsciously Single” and “An Affairytale”. Sounds like his writer J.K.’s timing is perfect for New York in light of all the Spitzer and governor cheating scandals earlier this year.

And the saga continues…it would seem that Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson’s on-again/off-again/on-again romance is back on, but only if Papa Joe stays completely off the playing field:

”He did agree to go to [sister Ashlee's] wedding — keeping his promise to Jessica,” Romo’s Eastern Illinois alum chum told me. ”But he made it super-clear that if they were to give it another go, her dad had to seriously back off.”

Joe Simpson has long been seen as an overbearing presence, as he managed both his daughters’ careers. While clearly successful, Simpson has earned a reputation as being a guy extremely difficult with whom to work.

My source says Romo has told Jessica their renewed relationship is ”a trial thing,” dependent on Daddy Joe ”leaving them alone” and stifling his tendency to tell Romo how to run his life, career and endorsement deals.

It’s no secret that many people think Joe Simpson is a seriously creepy guy.  But come on…Tony Romo didn’t get to where he is in the NFL by being stupid in his business dealings.  I’m sure he has ‘people’ on his payroll who help him with his career decisions and endorsement deals…he doesn’t need unsolicited advice from a guy who looks and acts like a smarmy used car salesman.

I can’t say as I blame Tony…there’s nothing worse than a meddling busybody trying to worm their way into your life by continually telling you the “best” way to do things and meddling in your personal life.  It’s like that loud uncle at the Thanksgiving table who just doesn’t know when to shut up about your line of work, and who goes on and on until you want to shove his face in the sweet potatoes.

Ashlee, Jessica, a word of advice…ditch Papa Joe as your manager.  Now.  Before he sends your careers (and your personal relationships) totally down the toilet.  Jessica, if you were happy with Tony outside of your father’s interference, then you should think about that, because keeping daddy as a manager will be small comfort when you grow old alone.

Artist on Artist Scarlett Johansson - Debbie Harry
Actress and now songstress, Scarlett Johansson and Rock Hall Inductee and famous punker Blondie interview each other for a new series on MySpace: Artist on Artist.

The two gorgeous blondes discuss their mutual appreciation of one another, fan worship (Scarlett of Peter Falk and Blondie of Robert DeNiro), Scarlett’s new record, Anywhere I Lay My Head (a Tom Waits cover album) and a Blondie reissue of Parallel Lines, which coincides with tour to promote the album, one of their finest.

As I’ve mentioned before on this here blog, I am a HUGE fan of 80’s music a culture, which was heavily influenced by the greatness of Blondie. I am bummed they won’t be coming to Cleveland, but I encourage you to check the tour schedule for a concert near you.

Here’s one of my favorites - and I will be frightening the neighbors this summer with my own rendition of this classic. I might even break the internets and post it!

As for Scarlett’s debut, I gave it a decent listen and have mixed feelings. On one hand, she clearly has great taste in music. Tom Waits is classic singer/songwriter stuff and considering her very low, and gravely voice, Waits was a clever choice for Scarlett. She has a pleasant tone to her voice and with the right arrangement sounds pretty good, but she could use a vocal coach to help her.

While she isn’t “tone deaf” like I read some commenting at other sites, her range is quite limited and it shows in areas. I give the songs I heard, especially “Falling Down” a solid “B.”

With some practice, and good song choices, Scarlett could have a minor second career. I also like the behinds the scenes aspect of the video. The smiles that fade to sighs at the end say it all. Despite her inordinate beauty, I like Scarlett, she seems to have a fairly good head on her shoulders. She gets that it’s all a facade, even the fleetingness of beauty.

TMZ has released some more recordings of daddy Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, talking to son Nick while he’s cooling his heels in the pokey, and wow…I don’t know what the Hulkster’s been smokin’, but it must be gooooood stuff.

The snippet starts out talking about what I assume is a new tattoo Nick is thinking of getting:

NICK:  So, I’m, I dunno…should I get “grateful” and “awareness” under my wrist and then put “family first” on top?

TERRY:  You should get “grateful” and “awareness” right where I have it.

NICK:  Yeah, that’s where I’m gonna put it, but “family first”…should I put that underneath “grateful” and “awareness”, cause I’m afraid that if you look at the wrist from underneath it’ll say “grateful family” and the other one’ll say “awareness first”.

TERRY:  [bleeped]

So I guess Nick found something to think about in jail…what sort of lame, inane tattoo to get.  Better than thinking about what he did to screw up his life and that of John Graziano, which is such a downer, man.  Really heavy stuff.

Speaking of downers and heavy, Hulk then gets all like wow…all he needs is some blacklight:

TERRY:  All right…you ready for some heavy stuff, or you wanna keep talkin’?

NICK:  Yeah, yeah, gimme some heavy stuff, big dog.

TERRY:  All right.  Y’know that vibe, that, uh, you were on, y’know?

NICK:  Yeah.

TERRY:  That present, aware, that whole vibe you get yourself on?

NICK:  Mmm-hmm.

TERRY:  That’s, that’s just like a temporary vibe, y’know, that’s like you’re evading all those low vibes of worry and doubt and fear but you’re, before you became present, you know how you’re always worried and doubtful and fearful and all that?

NICK:  Mmm-hmm.

TERRY:  Where that’s your normal state?  Well, all of a sudden, that temporary high vibe that you get–

NICK:  Yeah.

TERRY:  That’s just a glimpse of your next stage, where you’re gonna be all the time.

NICK:  Yeah.

TERRY:  Y’know what I mean?  God is tellin’ ya that high vibe you felt when you woke up this morning and said you’re still livein’ [not a typo:  rhymes with "jivin'"]?  That’s who you really are and that’s where you’re gonna go.

NICK:  [bleeped]  God gave me a glimpse of being present, because that’s where He wants me to live all the time?

TERRY:  Right.

NICK:  Um…when…

TERRY:  And the more present you stay, the more you’re gonna…that glimpse is gonna  become your reality, y’knowwhutImean?

NICK:  Mmm-hmm.

TERRY:  Pretty soon you’re gonna live in that vibe all the time, and then once you get on that vibe all the time your dad’s gonna hit you with a bunch of other crazy sh*t and raise your level again.

NICK:  [laughs]

TERRY:  Y’know?  I’m, I’m, I’ll Bible-thump ya to death if you don’t watch out.  Dude, I’ll sit, I’ll sit across from ya and Bible-thump you for hours.

NICK:  I wanna do it every single day.

TERRY:  Dude, I got Jennifer over here to my apartment, and I used to sit her down for seven or eight hours at a time and read to her.

NICK:  [bleeped]

TERRY:  Be aware of where you are.  Become really present.  Look around.  Just don’t look, like I say, “Just don’t hear me, listen,” all right?  When you look around, just don’t look, y’know, don’t see the lights, see the shapes, the colors, be aware of the silence, the silent presence of each thing, be aware that the space around a thing…there may be a chair in the room, but there’s more space in the room than there is an object, y’know what I mean?

NICK:  Mmm-hmm.

TERRY:  Because, like, for every sound, the sound comes and goes, but it disappears into that huge emptiness…just think of how big emptiness is compared to a 747.  The 747 flies in the emptiness that’s twenty trillion billion times bigger than the plane.

NICK:  Mmm-hmm.

TERRY:  Is that too crazy for me to lay atcha?

NICK:  No, no.

TERRY:  Listen to the silence underneath the sounds.  The sound comes and goes but the silence is always there.  Touch something, anything, and feel it, acknowledge it as being, as a being in the now.

I would respectfully suggest that Terry spend a little more time actually reading the Bible, and not just thumping it.  Ain’t sayin’, just sayin’.

But wait, there’s more…

A reporter took the opportunity to interview Sharon Stone about the earthquake in China…because she was on the red carpet at Cannes, and where else would you ask this sort of question?

…first, I’m not happy with the way the Chinese are treating the Tibetans, because I don’t think anyone should be unkind to anyone else, and so I have been very, concerned, about how to think about what to do about that, because I don’t, like, that.  And then I’ve been, just, concerned, oh, how should we deal with the Olympics, because they’re not being nice to the Dalai Lama, who’s a good friend of mine.  And then all this earthquake and all this stuff happened, and I thought, ‘Is that karma?’, when you’re not nice the bad things happen to you?

She goes on to mention that she received a letter from the Tibetan Foundation, saying that they are going to go help and they wanted her to do a little sort of writeup about that.  This made her realize that sometimes you have to “put your head down” and help people who aren’t nice to you.

I’m sure the Chinese will take great comfort in the fact that Sharon Stone (who’s claim to fame involves lips of a different sort) believes that since she reached an epiphany, it’s now okay to go give aid and support to people who have suffered through a devastating earthquake and to assist their injured and help them bury their dead loved ones…because it’s nice to be nice.  Glad that she’s achieved the level of understanding that comes when you realize innocent people are hurting and need help.  Because, you know, it wouldn’t be okay to be unkind to the Chinese because they are unkind to others, right?  After all, nobody should be unkind to anyone else.  And Sharon certainly would never consider being unkind to people.

Wonder if she thinks the United States deserved 9/11 or if England deserved the 7/7 bombings as well?

Just remember that it isn’t about cookouts and car races and having an extra-long weekend, although there isn’t anything wrong with any of that stuff.

No matter your political affiliation or personal convictions, if you love and value the freedoms we have, take a moment today to remember and honor those who helped guarantee those freedoms.

We will not forget.