Julia Child grew up to become not only a pioneer in bringing French cuisine to everyday people but a leader of foodies everywhere.  Turns out, she was not only an accomplished author of many cookbooks and a chef who managed to make fine cuisine attainable to the masses, but before she became famous as a gourmet she also worked for the OSS (the precursor to the CIA) in WWII:

Operatives, stationed around the world, are believed to have studied military plans, helped form propaganda against the enemy and worked to infiltrate enemy ranks.

Child, whose books and TV show introduced French cooking to the American public, applied for the spy post after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Then age 28, documents show she revealed to her future employers that she’d lost her previous job in the furniture industry after she could not get on with her boss.

She worked as a research assistant and file clerk, then worked directly for OSS chief Gen. William J. Donovan. She also was involved in a project to develop a shark repellent, to stop sharks from exploding underwater mines.

Later, she was posted to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where she met her husband Paul Cushing Child, also an OSS operative. She moved with him to France and later trained in French cuisine and opened her famed cooking school.

She wasn’t the only one…there were other famous people on the list:

– Acclaimed movie director John Ford, whose skill as a videographer qualified him to manage wartime spy photography.

– Chicago lawyer [Arthur] Goldberg, whose early legal work with labor unions made him an attractive spy candidate to rally European labor unions to help with the war effort, years before President Kennedy appointed him to the Supreme Court.

– And [Arthur] Schlesinger, who spent much of his time with OSS working in London as an intelligence officer and writer on the political staff, producing reports on political activities.

“His understanding and familiarity with the political history of European countries, achieved by years of study and firsthand observation … admirably qualify him for this responsible work,” one OSS official wrote about Schlesinger, who became a noted historian and one of Kennedy’s closest advisers.

The records show that Ford left his successful Hollywood life as a movie director to become a secret agent in 1941, later rising to serve as [Chief William J.] Donovan’s chief adviser. He was cited by his superiors for bravery, taking a position to film one mission that was “an obvious and clear target.” He survived “continuous attack and was wounded” while he continued filming, one commendation in his file states.

Ford already had won three of his four Academy Awards for films directed before joining OSS, including “The Grapes of Wrath.”

Long before Lawrence Tisch took over CBS, he had a fascination with breaking secret codes, working on them as a hobby in his home, one OSS record shows. Tisch was hired as an OSS agent to work on cracking enemy codes because of his skills.

Other names include Red Sox catcher Moe Berg; actor Sterling Hayden; John Hemingway, son of Ernest Hemingway; and Kermit Roosevelt, grandson of President Teddy Roosevelt.

It makes me wonder if any of the current crop of Hollywood stars would be likely to help behind the scenes if their country needed them to.  (What am I saying…we can’t even get many of them to help in front of the scenes and/or go entertain the troops, certainly not like Hollywood stars have done in the past.)  I’m sure there are a few who would want to help, but sadly I believe that the majority would not.  Either there wouldn’t be enough press to follow them around and record their good deeds done so unselfishly, or they’d be too busy packing their bags for another country, since this one stinks so bad they can’t stand to live here one more second, and they repeatedly tell you so with no fear of being shot on sight for speaking out against the government.

Hey, for any of you stars who think America is such a horrible place to live, I hear there’s a great country just south of Russia you might check out.  Well, as long as you don’t mind loss of basic freedoms, mortar holes, bleeding babies, and crying mothers, plus I’m sure they’ll rebuild the homes and businesses in another decade or so.

You were totally asking for a Barack-Roll.

Paris Hilton, still miffed at being featured in a campaign ad, came out with her own form of rebuttal.  And of course, animal hoarder Paris had to feature one of her poor little furry creatures at the end.

(This is not meant to be an endorsement of McCain, Obama, Paris, Yoda or Bea Arthur.)

On about every site I’ve been to, the talk is about Presidential hopeful Barack Obama.  Not for his stance on foreign policy or taxes, but because he was spotted out and about over the weekend riding a bike in what some so-called pundits have described as cheezy, less-than-fashionable clothing:

Barack Obama ditched the campaign trail for the bike trail last weekend, offering onlookers a rare peek into the Democratic nominee’s casual-wear closet.

It wasn’t a pretty picture: ill-fitting jeans, a tucked-in golf shirt, black-and-white socks and a helmet that could make Michael Dukakis blush.

“Please tell me he isn’t wearing dark socks,” commented one of many Internet fashionistas who weighed in on Obama’s recent ride along Lake Michigan with his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Sasha, 7, and Malia, 9.

“Barry is politically correct, wearing a nice helmet,” noted another, tongue firmly in cheek.

I am outraged.  Completely shocked, appalled, and disgusted.

No, not at what Obama has on, but at the people who even begin to care.  Forget the war in Iraq or soaring gas prices or the jobless rate…Obama has on dad jeans!

Come on…he looks like many other suburban dads that I see out every weekend, doing weekendy things like riding bikes and going to Home Depot and fighting the crabgrass.  So what if he’s wearing dad jeans and socks with reinforced heels?  If he was standing up, you wouldn’t even see the heels of his socks; and while I admit the dad jeans are a bit embarrassing, I could think of worse things he could be wearing:

But wait, there’s more…

John McCain States His Opposition To Gay Marriage To Ellen Degeneres

Barack Obama is poised to win the Democratic bid for presidential nominee, and in all likelihood will secure that nomination, despite the lack of interest in a few hillbillies in a few states who shall go unmentioned. This is ultimately the way it should be, and if there is any justice in this world, Barack Obama will go on to win the presidency of the United States.

It’s not that I have anything against Hillary Clinton, other than her being a shrew, it’s just that I don’t feel she has the charisma to unite the nation and create the necessary changes needed to take this country to the next level of greatness.

It occurred to me the other day that not only could Barack’s win as President create a whole new dynamic for the United States, but also a whole new dynamic for the world at large. Imagine the message this will send to the entire world.

Barack’s ability to transcend his race to become our leader will show the world one’s skin color really ISN’T a barrier to fulfilling your dreams. That’s not to say people should vote for Barack simply because he’s black, but rather because he’s capable, qualified, and prepared to take the necessary measures to secure our future. The fact that he’s black, is to me, a real bonus. If ever there were a time when I could say worst of racism history were behind us, will be the day Barack becomes President of the United States. Think about that.

As for John McCain, well, he’s a fine man and all and he’s certainly has many tremendous qualities, including bravery, candidness and experience — but apparently, as is illustrated above, he’s still clinging to notions that just aren’t in line with the future. I like him, I really do. But I do NOT like his stance on gay marriage, because it implies that we are still a backwards-thinking country.

At the end of the day we are all humans with the same inalienable rights. Allowing religious sentiment and archaic doctrine to dictate what’s best for all people is the EXACT opposite of what the country was founded on: separation of church and state.

Unless someone can explain to me the negatives of allowing two loving couples to commit their lives to one another and enjoy the inherent benefits of a monogamous lifestyle under the eyes of the law, then I see no reason why gays shouldn’t be afforded the right to be married.

That’s not the only reason I won’t vote for McCain, but it’s an important one. Thanks Ellen for allowing us to know what lies in McCain’s heart BEFORE it’s too late.

This is an opinion piece solely at the discretion of this writer and does not necessarily represent the opinion of Glosslip itself.

Hothead Alec Baldwin has not ruled out a run for governor of New York, provided he doesn’t have to speak to any tweenaged girls in the process:

“There’s other things I want to do [besides acting],” he tells Morley Safer on “60 Minutes” this Sunday. “In a matter of weeks, I’m going to be 50.” Bombastic Baldwin was thinking of running for governor two years ago before he lost his temper and left a voice mail for his daughter Ireland, then 11, calling her “a rude, thoughtless little pig.” Given a chance to apologize for calling Kim Basinger’s lawyer, Judy Bogen, a “300-pound homunculus with a face like a clenched fist,” Baldwin replied, “I was being kind, Morley.”

You know, Alec often seems to be missing that little chip that most people have in their brain that says, “Hey, perhaps you shouldn’t say that,” but sometimes that quality can be quite refreshing.  Most other actors would be backpedaling so fast that they’d get muscle cramps, but not Alec.  I’ve got to remember that insult.  Well, as soon as I find out how to pronounce “homunculus”.

My personal favorite insult is “slack-jawed mouth-breathing knuckle-dragging monosyllabic troglodyte.”  Feel free to use it, Alec.  Just not at your daughter.  (Oh stop, it’s a joke…GlossLip was one of the very few sites to stick up for the man.  I like Alec, I just don’t always like his actions.)

But Governor? Frankly, I like Alec best when he shuts up and looks cool.  But if California can have the Governator…?  Wonder if he’d rename the Governor’s Mansion “The Inner Sanctum” and be chauffeured in a cool retro taxi?  (Just keep Penelope Ann Miller away, puhleeze.)

UPDATE: This story seems to be lame. Busted. Not true, but at least I didn’t delete it like those goofballs at Daily Kos. According to Huffington Post, Kantor did NOT call Hoosiers the N word, but did admit saying someone was “sh*t” but that someone was the Senior George Bush Whitehouse. Don’t disagree there. Our apologies Mr. Kantor, carry on.

Schweet, the political season has officially begun when sneaky crap like this starts making the rounds. Color me fooled.

Glosslip just got this tip from a posting on the Daily Kos revealing some less than savory words from Hillary’s current political advisor, Mickey Kantor about Indiana Hoosiers being “sh*t” and calling them white n*ggers. The video appears to be from the Clinton/Gore campaign circuit.

Sweet, maybe it’s ok to call white people names, but only if you are running for President. Looks like another advisor’s going to bite the dust. Watch what you say people in politics, it has a way of coming back to haunt you.

[hattip: Western Anons]

Versatile actor John Cusack has decided to pour his anger over the Iraq war into a new film aptly titled, “War, Inc.”

Cusack helped write the screenplay, and the cast is pretty diverse including Academy Award winners Ben Kingsley and Marisa Tomei, and singer/actress Hilary Duff.

Targeting the very political aspects of the war, Cusack is pointed in his criticism and uses the film to capture the anger many feel about being railroaded into a war very few support, but with a wink as it were. Here’s more from the article:

“I think the movie should be kind of offensive,” Cusack told Reuters about the film, which will be released in New York and Los Angeles theaters on May 23. “I’m shocked at how much good reaction we’re getting.”

“Sometimes with a serious, somber movie, even though they’re great and well intentioned, it just doesn’t allow you to be outraged because you just get depressed,” he said. “This allows you to actually feel like, ‘Let’s do something subversive.”‘

In the movie, Cusack plays a hit man hired by Tamerlane to assassinate a Middle Eastern oil minister who plans to lay an oil pipeline through Turaqistan, thwarting the company’s plan for sole proprietorship of the country.

“(The movie) was just a reaction to the war and all the insanity behind using the 9/11 attacks to make an imperial land grab in the Middle East,” he said. “We really wanted to channel our outrage a little bit into something creative.”

We are huge Cusack fans in our house. From his early days starring in teen flicks like “Better Off Dead,” “Say Anything” to his great work in “High Fidelity,” and “1408″ — I think Cusack has matured into one of the greatest actors of my generation, and he’s dead sexy too.

Cusack, like so many in Hollywood these days, is trying to take a stand, although he’s putting a humorous spin on a very unfunny subject. There is a method to his madness, and like Robert Altman’s immensely popular film, “M.A.S.H” set during the Korean war, Cusack wants his humor to have some bite:

We’re trying to raise awareness with it. It is funny and it is bizarre and a little disturbing,” she said. “But really at the end of the day it’s looking at what (our country is) doing, and it’s not right.”

And with U.S. presidential elections looming, Cusack hopes his movie will spur “some kind of resistance of the spirit.”

“There’s hopefully an exuberance to the movie because I think being subversive should feel good,” Cusack said. “It should be fun to throw a brick.”

The trailer looks great, and it reminds me how Cusack was able to capture a lovable quality even when playing a hired assassin in “Gross Pointe Blank.” I highly recommend that movie as well. John’s like a sexy Tom Hanks or something.

(hattip: Maura)

As we told you yesterday exclusively, world famous biographer Andrew Morton was scheduled to appear on the hugely popular syndicated Joey Reynolds Show out of New York’s WOR station.

The podcast is now available and what a great show! Joey and Andrew discussed his controversial book on Tom Cruise, including the Cruise attack on Brooke Shields, his position in Scientology, celebrity as activists, celeb worship, Stanley Kubrick, Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Winston Churchill, Fidel Castro, Monica Lewinsky, Islamic fundamentalism, Barack and Hilary, His Highness Hollywood and perhaps the coolest thing they mentioned: GLOSSLIP.com. This is a great interview and these two forces of nature make for good radio - and now video!

Another fabulous best-selling writer and filmmaker, Ian Halperin, who was also a featured guest on Joey’s show last week, was in the studio filming the interview live and we have that footage. Above is part 1 of 4 - exclusive to Glosslip.

The two Scientology expose authors, who were reported by Gawker.com to be in hiding three months ago, have now resurfaced in New York and have been spotted together severals times during the last week.

Morton meets world famous illusionist The Amazing Kreskin backstage in the WOR greenroom.

Front right: Halperin’s assistant Allison, Andrew, Joey, Ian and Sean at Reynold’s New York studio

I knew my impassioned speech about Will Smith being drawn into Scientology by his celeb friend Tom Cruise would upset people. I understand this, and while my intention wasn’t to hurt anyone, I freely accept the consequences for my actions. This is what rational and honest people do.

What we are seeing now in this new wave of criticism confronting the Church of Scientology is exactly what separates their organization and mindset from other established religions around the world. In fact, if you look throughout history, ALL religions have had some sort of critical eye placed on them and at various points in history, these religions are forced to confront this criticism in one of three ways: either accept it and address it, ignore it and go the way of the dinosaurs, or do as Scientology has done and go on the defense and attack your critics by using any illegal, subversive or sinister method possible.

Religions, by their very nature, attract criticism. Anytime an organization creates a hierarchy and then dispenses rules on how humans should live and conduct themselves from on high, people are going to have a visceral reaction. They will either accept these rules and model the behavior because it provides effective tools for living a happy and prosperous life, or if the rules offered make them feel constrained, oppressed or violated, they will move on. Healthy religions, like faith, are dependent on free-will. Without free will then it isn’t faith, it’s brainwashing.

Let’s take a look at the world’s best known and followed religions and see how they’ve assimilated into an ever-evolving society throughout human history. This will be a cursory look - so don’t expect an in-depth analysis.

But wait, there’s more…