HOPE, FAITH & CHARITY

I just became aware of a new organization called H.O.P.E. that has a program to bring relief to a sadly forgotten class of victims. Tsunami survivors? Nope? Iraqi children wounded in the crossfire of war? Naw ... Mudslide victims in California? Nope, they've got to look for "HOPE" elsewhere.


No, H.O.P.E. (Horrified Observers of Pedestrian Entertainment)is "an association of entertainment and media professionals, students, journalists, and citizens that are fed up with the face of popular culture and mainstream entertainment" who are dedicated to bringing "quality to the world of entertainment while working outside of the traditional network, record label, and studio structure." They're not a right-wing "Let's Beat on the Dixie Chicks" bunch who believe Sean Penn and Barbra Streisand are the gravest threats to democracy. H.O.P.E. is taking on the more serious issues of annoying celebs and talentless pop singers who suck regardless of their political views.

And H.O.P.E. is putting their money where their proverbial mouth is. They don't just make fun of Paris Hilton and Britney whatzername. They've actually set up a CD exchange for disgusted ex-Ashlee Simpson fans. That's right, you can send them your old Ashlee CDs and get some good music -- Elvis Costello, The Ramones, X, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Aretha Franklin, Mr. Bungle and Ray Charles are among those named -- in exchange.

I wonder if tsunami victims can send in Ashlee Simpson CDs in exchange for, say, sanitary drinking water ...