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By Susannah Meadows
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The arrest last week of anti-abortion activist James Kopp, wanted for the 1998 murder of abortion doctor Barnett Slepian, was a political plus for Attorney General John Ashcroft. The FBI's key step: cracking Kopp's ingenious use of the Internet. "He did something I'd never seen before," said a bureau official.
For two years through three countries, Kopp used aliases, false passports, fake licenses and disguises. Investigators believe he fled first to Mexico, where the trail went cold. By tracking suspected associates, the Feds found a New York couple, Dennis Malvasi and Loretta Marra, who they believed were aiding Kopp. Bugs in their apartment picked up references to a common Yahoo e-mail account allegedly used by Marra and Kopp. To avoid detection, the two communicated by leaving messages in a "draft" folder--without actually sending them.
When the Feds subpoenaed the account, they found e-mails revealing a plan to sneak Kopp from France back into the United States. French police, acting on an FBI tip, nabbed Kopp while, authorities say, he was picking up a package from Marra and Malvasi (whom the Feds arrested later).
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For Ashcroft the bust was "a positive story," showing he'll enforce the law despite his opposition to abortion, says a Justice official. The next test: persuading the French to extradite Kopp to the United States, where he could face the death penalty. NEW YORKBloomberg at the Starting Line It's clear: billionaire media mogul Michael Bloomberg intends to run for mayor of New York next year. He's stepped up high-profile charity work and hired political advisers. Last week he made the requisite pilgrimage to Israel. During a trip organized by AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobby, Bloomberg, who recently joined the GOP, met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "Am I running? Probably," he told his new friends. "Will I win? Not a chance." Back home, aides said a polygraph test cleared him of a 1997 sexual-harassment allegation. Did Bloomberg want to discuss it? Not a chance. CONGRESSJust Winging It How to get attention for your languishing tax-cut plan? Try slipping it into a "West Wing" episode. That's what the Congressional Progressive Caucus did when its American People's Dividend proposal, a $300 rebate for all working Americans, failed to gain traction in the House and Senate--or in the media. At a strategy dinner about a month ago, California Rep. Barbara Lee suggested that the hit show's executive producer, Lawrence O'Donnell, a former staff director of the Senate Finance Committee, might find the plan interesting. Lee called O'Donnell, and what do you know: in an upcoming scene the progressives get a nod, says a "West Wing" spokeswoman. But it's a bittersweet victory for the caucus, which has seen its rebate co-opted by Sen. Joseph Lieberman, without credit. That's fodder for another episode. ((((((THE BUZZ))))))Testing, Testing. T1, T2 ... T1, T2. Arnold Schwarzenegger's next role? Could be Governor of California, if the Republican decides he likes the part. He's been thinking about it, but could he be a legit Running Man in 2002? Here's what people are saying in print, on air and online:
The Terminator
Arnie's celebrity status could wipe out the Dems' dominance over state GOPers, who've 'self-destructed with infighting.' (N.Y. Times)
End of Days
Power crisis could jolt voters into saying hasta la vista to Gov. Davis. But does Arnie have skills to light up the Golden State sky?
Predator
The guy's a Fast Action Hero, sez Premiere. Among the allegations: He groped T2 costar Linda Hamilton (he's not commenting; she denies it)--a mild charge 'compared to what he's going to see later on ... TV ads.' (L.A. Times)
Junior
Would take 'a lot of heavy lifting' for voters to think Arnie could follow in Reagan's footsteps. (Wash. Post) Ah-nuld, the Great Communicator? That's about as unlikely as one of his flicks. BASEBALLWild Boys The long winter's over, but two players are in for a chilly reception if they don't get on track:
RICK ANKIEL
PITCHER, ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Worst day at office: Oct. 3; throws five wild pitches in third inning, breaks 110-year record.
Spring flings: Still juusta bit outside: 13 walks in 6 1/3 innings.
Self-help mantra: "It's something you have to battle."
Paging Dr.... Harvey Dorfman.
Prognosis: Could test limits of the high strike.
CHUCK KNOBLAUCH
LEFT FIELD, N.Y. YANKEES
Worst day at office: June 15; makes three throwing errors at second, removes himself from game.
Spring flings: After seven bad throws in three days, shipped to left.
Self-help mantra: "You've got to accept what's going on."
Paging Dr.... Melfi? Has reportedly worked with counselor; details are vague.
Prognosis: Good; yet to hit any sportscasters' mothers in the face. TRANSITIONArtist of Buttoned-Down Cool More than anyone except Duke Ellington--who had a half-ironic attitude toward highbrowdom--pianist and composer John Lewis, who died last week at 80, helped make jazz a capital-A Art. He wrote for and played on Miles Davis's buttoned-down "Birth of the Cool" sessions in 1949. His Modern Jazz Quartet wore tuxedos and played concert halls; its music reflected both bop and Bach. Some folks--even Milt Jackson, the MJQ's soulful vibraphonist--had a problem with this. But in the junkie-jazz era of the 1950s, musicians wanted some respect, and needed a sense of pride. And nobody ever said John Lewis couldn't play his tails off.--David GatesGray Lady ISO Sexy New Readers First, color pics. Now, The New York Times will run personals on Sundays. Could the newspaper get any crazier? Some ads we'd like to see: RUSSIADrinking Alone Hearing voices? It's just the vodka talking. In Russia, there's a chatty vodka cap that toasts and giggles when it's turned--the more times you hit the bottle, the more the "little vodka spirit" slurs its speeches. The 14-phrase repertoire--from "Let's pour!" to famous Russki drinking songs--cheerfully demands inebriation. For only $5, comrades also buy a handy excuse: the vodka made me do it.
EASTER EGG HUNT I'd Like My Eggs Very Large This Easter, the eggs are particularly incredible and edible. Chocolatiers are offering fabulous, ostrich-size eggs. Maribel Lieberman, of Lunettes et Chocolat in New York, says the big eggs have a way of announcing fertility and spring. "Small eggs are fine for children, but the big egg is the flag of Easter." A half dozen: OSCARSHanks Thanks It may be a tad early for PERI to make its '02 picks--but, hey, we batted 1,000 this year and we're feeling cocky. Our very early line:
Best actor: Tom Hanks, a gangster in "Road to Perdition"
Supporting actor: Jude Law for "Perdition" or Ben Kingsley, a thug in "Sexy Beast"
Best actress: Nicole Kidman for musical "Moulin Rouge" or Meryl Streep for "The Hours" or "Adaptation"
Supporting actress: Jennifer Connelly for "A Beautiful Mind" or Julianne Moore for "The Hours"
Best pic: "Beautiful Mind." Contenders: "Rouge," "The Hours," "Possession," "Perdition" and "The Shipping News."SOUVENIRSGone Shoppin' Don't know about the tax cut, but W's sure bolstering the economy in Crawford, Texas. In the 681-population town near his ranch, the coffee is shipping Bush T shirts and the gas station is opening a new gift shop. CONVENTIONAL WISDOMSpecial T-Ball Edition In the best move of his presidency, Dubya has Hall of Famers to White House, where he plans T-ball field on South Lawn for tykes. But only after drilling for oil.
C.W. A-Rod + $252 million man is greatest SS ever. Rangers lament: Too bad he can't pitch, too. Bosox - Spring injuries, strife mean Yanks get free pass to playoffs. Too bad Pedro can't bat, too. Crybabies - F. Thomas, Sheffield whine that eight figures is not enough. That's Big Hurt. Gooden + Drugs cost Dr. K the Hall but unlike sad Strawberry, he goes out with class. High Strike = CW sez: Forget high strike zone and work on high ticket prices, corporate plug pollution. Toe Nash + Obscure, weird-named Devil Ray prospect might be "The Natural." If he stays outta jail.
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