Madonna shoots from hipin new anti-war video

Looks like Madonna’s going to make that anti-war statement after all.

Last year, the singer shelved her “American Life” video after worldwide controversy erupted when it was revealed that she planned to include anti-war images in it. Now, says a source, Madonna is planning to return to an anti-war message for her upcoming Re-Invention Tour.

The source says that Madonna and her dancers have been training with rifles, military style, and will “reenact battle scenes in a way that is meant to underscore the tragedy of war.”

“Madonna has very strong feelings about the war in Iraq,” says a source. “But last year, it was too controversial a thing to do — even for her. The climate has changed somewhat since then.”

Madonna’s spokeswoman says there will be “drill team choreography” in the tour — but denies that there’s any anti-war message.

Support for Scientology
Two prominent New York politicians are helping raise funds for a controversial program with links to Scientology.

Senator Charles Schumer and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney have written letters heaping praise upon the New York Rescue Detoxification Fund — a project that has been working with firefighters and other first-responders who have health problems as a result of 9/11.

The letters of support have shocked some, because the group has such close ties to to Scientology. The techniques used by the organization are based on the teachings of science-fiction writer and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, and the group has been heavily promoted by Scientology. And last year, after health-care professionals questioned some of the detoxification treatments, a New York firefighters union withdrew its endorsement of the group.

But Senator Schumer wrote a letter last month that’s being used to help raise money for the group. “I strongly urge you to support the New York Rescue Detoxification Fund and wish them all the success in their future endeavors,” Schumer wrote in a February 6 letter that was sent to the group’s community outreach director and is being sent to potential donors. A similar letter was written by Congresswoman Maloney two days earlier.

Senator Schumer’s office had no comment at press time, but a spokesman for Maloney tells The Scoop that despite the controversy that surrounds the program, “she thinks that if people who want to get out there and offer their help to rescue workers, that’s great.”

“This group’s detoxification process is virtually identical to the religious ritual known within Scientology as the purification rundown,” says cult expert Rick Ross, who writes about the controversy at CultNews.com. “Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Maloney now join Tom Cruise as ardent boosters and fundraisers for Scientology through what can be seen as a thinly-veiled program promoting its teachings.”

Notes from all over

Robin Williams wants people to know he’s not behind an anti-immigrant, isolationist diatribe that’s been attributed to him. A “Plan for Peace” has been making the rounds on the Internet, supposedly written by Williams — including suggestions such as “All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave.” “[Robin and I] have heard about this email,” his spokeswoman told The Scoop. They do not represent his views. . . . He definitely was not happy about this and anything you can do to fix it would be greatly appreciated before it spreads further.”  . . . Courtney Love told David Letterman that she and Nicole Kidman are feuding — but Kidman told Access Hollywood that she doesn’t know what Love is talking about.  . . . Designer Roberto Cavalli says that top models such as Gisele aren’t worth what they charge. “Not a single model is worth $30,000, not even Gisele,” Cavalli told the Brazilian mag Isto E Gente, according to our translator. “I’ve never worked with Gisele. She’s not my type. I prefer simpler people.” The designer also had mixed reviews for his sometimes-friend Naomi Campbell, who he claimed wanted cash to attend a party. “Naomi is my friend when she feels like it to be my friend,” Cavalli said. “When she wants to be my friend, I accept. She didn’t come to my party in Sao Paulo because she wanted to be paid for it. I don’t pay and that’s it. So, she didn’t come. She doesn’t know what she missed.”

Jeannette Walls Delivers The Scoop Mondays through Thursdays on MSNBC.com

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