Lawrence.com

Rehnquist a 'weather weenie'

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist is now an official "weather weenie." Rehnquist was presented with a plaque by the Washington chapter of the American Meteorological Society honoring his interest in weather and climate.

The chief justice served as a weather observer in the Army Air Corps during World War II and described his service in North Africa in a talk to the weather group. Meteorologists use the term "weather weenie" as a good-humored description of people interested in the weather.

Helena Bonham Homewrecker?

Helena Bonham Carter is at it again. The British actress, notorious for breaking up the marriage of Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh, is now dating "Planet of the Apes" director Tim Burton � ending Burton's 10-year relationship with his fiancee and muse, Lisa Marie, the New York Daily News reports.

Marie, who has appeared in Burton's flicks, including "Planet of the Apes," "Sleepy Hollow," "Mars Attacks!" and "Ed Wood," is said to be distraught and furious over the affair, which caught her by surprise.

Shortly after the July premiere of "Apes," Burton grew distant. A month later, according to the News, he called Marie and said, "It's over." It apparently was the last Marie has heard from the quirky auteur.

Bush touts gentle virtues

Barbara Bush said the war against evil must not only be fought with force, but also with generosity, love and friendship.

Echoing the words of her son, President George W. Bush, the former first lady said the best way to support the country is for everyone to renew commitments to their communities and to each other.

The top priority right now for Americans is to be good parents, and "to not allow ourselves or our children to become prejudiced to a certain race or religion," she said in a speech Tuesday to about 750 American Red Cross volunteers and supporters.

Prejudice would make the horrible tragedies of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks even worse, she said.

Her $100-a-plate appearance helped the Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross raise money for victims of last month's attacks and for local needs.

It's the story that counts

Filmmakers don't need to avoid sensitive topics because of last month's terrorist attacks � so long as they tell a good story, said Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association of America. "I'm a great believer in making a movie that tells a story," Valenti said. "There are only about eight plot lines since the time of Sophocles and Euripides that still endure."

He said producers of the Arnold Schwarzenegger film "Collateral Damage," in which a firefighter confronts terrorists, responded to legitimate concerns when they postponed the opening from early October. But, he noted, Schwarzenegger's character eventually beats the film's terrorists.