We've spent $400 billion on a war that's a lie, 45 million Americans don't have health insurance and poverty is rising in the U.S. But, who am I? Some kind of bore? What about Star Jones being fired from "The View?" Well, I don't plead to be 100% political... Since being in Los Angeles covering the LA Film Festival and having access to free wireless Internet in my hotel room at the new Angeleno, I've indulged in some great morning television while working. Bring on the fluff and the cultural diversions!!!

First there's "Live with Regis and Kelly" followed by "The View." I was completely shocked, like many adherers to the sassy morning talk show, when Star Jones made her -- apparently -- unscripted announcement that she was leaving the show, which caught even Barbara off guard. The surprise -- for those of you who have missed all the gossip columns/shows -- apparently did not sit well with ABC execs or Ms. Walters, who announced the following day that Star would not return.

I couldn't help but think back to about two years ago when a very different looking Star showed up at the NYC premiere for "The Woodsman." The party was quite an a-hem, Glittering affair, with Mariah Carey in attendance (no photos of Miss Carey!) and producer/hip hop mogul Damon Dash working the mic onstage and even giving out free pairs of shoes from his clothing line (I grabbed some too, thanks for the swag!) Exiting out as I was entering in though, was Star Jones looking rather sparkly herself, and she gave me a pose. I seriously doubt she knows indieWIRE, so I couldn't pull the usual, "May I have a picture for indieWIRE?" routine that seems to work most of the time I do iPOPs at parties. But, she did it just the same... And she asked if I'd take her pic with her then new husband Al Reynolds, which I of course totally obliged since their wedding was famous for all its sponsorships -- reportedly made available due to her casual brand name references made on "The View."

Well, she's gone, and I'll miss seeing her on those occasions I can actually watch. Aside from the folks at ABC and ardent "View" onlookers, her dismissal may just seem a bleep in the realm of Pop Culture, but what the hell -- sure beats the hell out of Congress' latest gay marriage and flag burning antics. What a way to run a superpower...