Redford Snubs Dubya

It's not easy being President of the United States, especially when Hollywood won't play ball. Clinton may have had plenty of A-list Tinseltown support, but poor old George W Bush is discovering that republicanism lacks that essential hip factor. This lack of street smart was brought painfully home to the President this week when Robert Redford refused an invitation from Bush's interior secretary Gale Norton to an ecology event, and did it in a way that left no confusion as to why. 'I thank you for your kind invitation to a condor release press event,' wrote Redford to Norton, 'and I hope you understand that I am not inclined to join such an event. Rather, I intend to use what time I have to focus on the devastating environmental repercussions of the agenda you and President Bush embrace, and the decisions you are now making in your current capacity at the Interior Department.' Redford goes on ram his point home, saying; 'Sadly, since assuming the Interior Secretary post, you have compiled an abysmal record of capitulating to big businesses at the expense of the nation's public health, public lands and wildlife.' So that's a 'No' then.