More Bush-bashing from Madonna

Madonna is saying the current administration is a bigger threat to our safety than terrorism. At least that’s the way some people are reading an e-mail that the singer is sending to fans.

“I am writing to you because the future I wish for my children is at risk,” notes Madonna. “Our greatest risk is not terrorism and it’s not Iraq or the ‘Axis of Evil.’ Our greatest risk is a lack of leadership, a lack of honesty and a complete lack of consciousness.”

Madonna then goes on to slam the Bush administration. “Unfortunately our current government cannot see the big picture,” she writes. “They think too small. They suffer from the ‘what's in it for me?’ syndrome.”

The lengthy letter also spells out Madonna’s support for Wesley Clark, whom she calls the “American Dream” - the name of her latest album. “I've never aligned myself with a presidential candidate during the primary season,” she writes. “But this time, the stakes are too high, we have too much to lose and there is so much work to be done.”

Madonna’s support of Clark has elicited ridicule in some circles. “She’s the one who starred in ‘Swept Away’ so we should trust her judgment, right?” quips one Bush supporter, but another source says that Madonna is pressing her celebrity friends to throw their weight and their cash behind the retired general. “Don’t underestimate her will to make things happen,” says the source.

Morning-show merry-go-round

Diane Dimond won’t be saying "Good Morning, America."

The legal reporter -- who has been a hot property since she broke the Michael Jackson child abuse story and has had a string of scoops on the scandal -- was reportedly signing up with the ABC morning news show. That deal, says a well-placed source, will not happen, and Dimond is instead heading over to a rival program, NBC’s "Today." (MSNBC is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC.)

“It was almost a done deal, but ABC dropped the ball,” says a source. “They didn’t use Dimond enough. She had appeared on the show several times and, for example, was booked and ready to appear the day the legal charges were filed against Jackson. Then, at the last minute, the segment was cancelled. The legal papers sealing the deal between ABC and Dimond were never finalized, so she signed with NBC instead.”

Dimond will report for both NBC and Court TV, and another source says that Court TV, which has a relationship with NBC, was able to sweeten the deal for Dimond.

"I have great respect for GMA," says Dimond, "but it didn't work out between ABC and Court TV."

An ABC spokesman says, “Diane Dimond did terrific work for GMA and we think she’s a great reporter. Who knows what the future holds?”

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Notes from all over

Tom Cruise wowed the crowds at the UK premiere for “The Last Samurai,” pressing the flesh with fans for two hours and yakking on their cell phones with their friends and relatives.  . . .

Personal items that once belonged to John Belushi are up for auction by GottaHaveIt.com, and they seem to be the contents of the late comedian’s wallet. Going on the block are goodies such as Belushi’s various acting guild membership cards, an old lifeguard certification card, and an expired credit card (opening bid: $3,500).  . . .

Dennis Rodman, discussing Britney Spears’ failed marriage, offered this explanation as to why his marriage to Carmen Electra lasted only eight days. “Not enough cocktails,” he said on The View. “I got sober."

Jeannette Walls delivers the Scoop Monday through Thursday on MSNBC.com.

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