INTERVIEW WITH ARLENE PECK. By Rachel Rosenberg

The one and only, Arlene Peck with Michael Lerner and Pat Boone on her worldwide famous show ":WOW! IT'S ARLENE PECK"

Photo: Arlene with Israeli President Moshe Katsav.

Q: You interviewed thousands of celebrities from all over the world. Which star or celebrity was the most sophisticated one?

Arlene: Hmmm, sophisticated.. How about the ones with amazing karma.. minds.. Elie Weisel.. oh, and Rabbi Meir Kahane. We traveled to prisons in upstate New York setting up Jewish discussion groups like the one that I started at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. Steve Allen was an interesting guest and one of my favorite is Ed Asner. Although we begin every show with my introduction of him that I have never agreed politically with anything he's ever done or said. Yet, personally, he's a doll! Gloria Allred is a longtime friend and never dull. I interviewed Dr. Edward Teller from the Manhattan Project many years ago and still remember the interesting comments he made to me. The same for my all time favorite, Prime Minister, Yitzhak Shamier. who never lacked in telling it like it was. Years ago, I interviewed BiBi Netanyahu and found him so powerful that I wrote a column and said, "That man will be Prime Minister one day"Annie Pollard, Jonathon's ex-wife was also an interesting woman. She stayed as a guest at my home years ago and I found her history fascinating. Walid Shoebat, who is now a big power in the media was a former terrorist, who now has turned into a major supporter of Israel. I have the proud distinction of having him on my show as the first time he 'went public' . People thought I was crazy to have a 'terrorists' on my show. The world should have more of the Walids of the world.

Photos from L to R: #1. Arlene with William "Captain Kirk" Shatner. #2. Arlene with Debbie Reynold.

Q: Is it true the majority of superstars are vain?

Arlene: Not the ones I know. Probably because I usually only invite those my show those that I like. Now, if you want to discuss which ones are normal...

Q: What do you think of this mambo-jumbo shallow "RED CARPET" deal? Those super stars parading like peacocks? Silly or effective?

Arlene: Actually, since I've achieved the dubious status that when I attend these events now, instead of standing outside, I'm walking down it to go into the dinner inside, I rather like it.

Q: In your opinion what is "silly," what is "funny," what is "intriguing" about celebrities?

Arlene: My opinion doesn't differ whether they are celebrities or friends. If they are interesting...and have something to talk about besides their next movie, or past book deal...then I usually find that intriguing.

Q: How do you catch all those celebrities who appear on your TV talk show?

Photos from L to R: #1.Arlene with Sidney Poitiers. #2. Arlene with Jean Claude Van Damme.

Arlene: I don't.. they 'catch' me.

Q: Who was the most obnoxious one?

Arlene: I can't remember too many.. I stood two feet from Yasar Arafat in Rome at a press conference and found him so slimy that I wanted to take a shower after I left the room. I also sat right behind Leah Rabin once and it was like a black cloud hanging over us.

Q: And the most fun to interview?

Arlene: Probably Ed Asner...especially because we don't think alike and feel no hostility when we 'get on each others case' It's turned into a form of 'banter' at this point. Eric Braden, the soap star on , I don't even remember, where he's played "Victor" for the past thirty years was a verrrry sexy man.

Tête-à-tête with Monica Crowley*

Valerie Constand talks to the Queen of the American Media.

MONICA CROWLEY : "SIMPLY, ONE OF AMERICA'S BRIGHTEST, PRETTIEST AND MOST MESMERIZING WOMEN! ABSOLUMENT!!" Maximillien de Lafayette

I wanted to learn more about her and about what she thinks, what she likes, and what she does for fun. Very uncomplicated things I wanted to know about her and about what surrounds Monica Crowley. Candidly, I did not think much about the questions. They came to me spontaneously. I thought very straightforward and honest chat with Monica will do the trick. I am not a political scientist nor an award-winning writer. I just wait for the right moment and right reason to talk, even though my brain is thinking constantly. With Monica Crowley, I had to re-examine my thoughts because she is bright and I did not want to make a fool of myself. But, one thing I did not do; looking for the right questions, because I was convinced that the answers of Monica, in fact, any of her answers would be right and fascinating, and that’s is more than enough and more than perfect for me. I learned a lot of things and stuff about Monica Crowley, the last 3 days or so. Some are lovely and many others are lovelier…Politics is not the only thing Monica talks about, thinks about or deals with. She loves French cuisine, Italian specialties, traditional American food, a great bottle of Bordeaux, champagne of course and…milk! Monica is fond of Pop music, show tunes, jazz and opera, poetry, literature, philosophy. Her favorite writers and poets are Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Dickens, Tocqueville, Gitta Sereny. Her favorite book is Albert Speer: His Battle with Truth, by Gitta Sereny.

Photo: Monica with Duran Duran.

She has a lot of things on her mind, and of course two huge wishes: Her own TV show (the one she is dreaming out) and President Bush winning the presidential elections in November. She does not have to worry about that. She will get her show one day, and President Bush will stay in The White House. No sweat. But Monica is wise and patient. She told me: “But hope springs eternal.” She is single. She is beautiful. She is down-to-earth, and I loved everything I heard about her. To be completely honest with you, I have one or two confessions to make. Number one: some of the fancy-ritzy questions I asked Monica were the product of my boss, Mr. de Lafayette, our Editor-in-Chief who wrote the article/essay about Monica, Number two: I had to go and read one chapter from her book to acquaint myself with the highly intelligent Monica Crowley. Mr. de Lafayette warned me “She is bright, this woman, ask the right questions. She is not Jennifer Lopez or Mae West.” Well, here I am with some candid questions I came up with…without really putting too much effort. I have already told Monica, this is not an interview. It is simply a candid chat. And gracefully Monica agreed.

WACJ: Hi Monica. We are not going to follow any systematical or logical order in our chat. We will talk about whatever comes to our mind. A pele mele, a pot-pourri of everything ? Is it OK with you?

Monica: A pele mele is fine with me.

WACJ: Honestly, what success means to you?

Monica: Success means achieving what you set out to achieve while remaining true to yourself and your values. Not compromising. Working hard while staying happy. It's not always an easy balance, but if you can strike it, there lies success.

WACJ: In your case, in you own life, what was the biggest “Success” you have ever had, besides being famous?

Monica: The biggest success I ever had was having former President Richard Nixon answer a letter I sent to him when I was 21 years old. I had no contacts, no money, nothing. But he saw potential in that letter and answered, and then offered me a job. It changed my life.

WACJ: Was it a stroke of luck, perfect timing, right time in the right place or “YOU”. Your talents, your visions, you hard-work?

Monica: Luck and timing are always part of the success equation, but it's hard work above all that matters.

WACJ: Do you believe that destiny is part of our DNA. We are born lucky or unlucky? You know, every single thought or shadow of thought existed before, is currently existing and will always exist. It is a consecutive and intra perpetual participation in the cosmic order of things?

Monica: I don't believe we are born lucky or unlucky. I think we make our own luck, and when an opportunity presents itself, we can either choose to risk it and take it or not .

WACJ: Have you ever tried to change or influence your fate or your expectations? And if so, tell me how?

Monica: Only through hard work and perseverance have I tried to change an outcome. It doesn't always work, but at least I stay true to myself that way!

WACJ: What was the most satisfying compliment (s) you have ever received?

Monica: The most satisfying compliment I ever received came from my old boss, President Nixon. He told me, "You know how the real world works."

Photo: Monica Crowley in Israel.

WACJ: And the one (s) you gave? To whom?

Monica: The most satisfying compliment I ever gave was to President Nixon. During his last years, I told him that history would regard him more kindly than his contemporaries had. I think that gave him some comfort.

WACJ: And the harshest criticism you faced?

Monica: The harshest criticism came early in my media career when folks thought I was a bit too young and unseasoned to be offering commentary on national events. I had to prove myself every day.

WACJ: Are you fun, Monica?

Monica: I am a lot of fun! Republicans ALWAYS have more fun!

Photo: Monica in the Dead Sea.

MONICA CROWLEY ENJOYS ARTS, MUSIC, CINEMA AND THE FINEST THINGS WITH MODERATION...

WACJ: What do you do for fun, Monica?

Monica: I enjoy films, music and singing, museums, ice skating, shopping (!), dining...

WACJ: What scares you most in life?

Monica: Random acts of terrorism scare me most.

WACJ: What was the most beautiful thing, object, site you have ever seen? Why?

Monica: The most beautiful thing I have ever seen: the Dead Sea in Israel. It just shimmers. Close runners up: seeing and hearing opera for the first time, and the Alaskan wilderness.

WACJ: Were you surprised we contacted you?

Monica: I was surprised!

WACJ: I am on your side. You know. But, will you allow me, just for a few minutes, to be extremely frank? I do not want you to think for a second that I am bringing this subject to be gossipy. But I want to know about how you felt when a certain lady by the name of Gloria R. Lalumia said about you: “Monica could see ending the Cuba embargo, but not the one against Iraq.” How do you comment on that?

Monica: The Cuban embargo is clearly now a failure in terms of failing to remove Castro from power. He has survived 10 American presidents. Lifting the embargo will facilitate a transition to democracy and free markets there. In Iraq, the embargo was punitive and necessary to keep Saddam Hussein from expanding his arsenal. Castro was a mere thorn in our side; Hussein was a regional and global threat.

Photo: Monica in Israel.

MONICA: I think I can make powerful points with facts rather than insults.

WACJ: And how about this: (According to Lalumia) “My head was spinning!! And it continued! The Ego started on conservation again exclaiming "We can hit a cave with a missile from 4,000 miles away and yet we can't get a car to get 70 miles a gallon??" Crowley tried to make up for her earlier gaffe by proclaiming that although she wasn't much of a "tax person," she could see a sin tax on SUVs and domestic drilling."

Monica: This quote attributed to me is completely wrong. I've no idea what she means here. I am against all new taxes.

WACJ: Monica, this disturbed me a lot, for I know it is not accurate. This what Lalumia who does not appear to like you much wrote: “Anyway, what I had stumbled upon was a repeat of O'Reilly with an opening segment involving a "wish list" for 2002. Joining The Ego along with Ellis was Monica Crowley, PhD. Monica has been around awhile, but has seemed to take a backseat to Anne Coulter and the late Barbara Olsen in the hierarchy of blonde conservative irritants. Whereas Coulter fancies herself a "constitutional lawyer" and Olsen's anti-Clinton "literary" projects were funded by rightwing organizations (and BOTH are/were rabid and fact-challenged), Crowley has thus far never reached their level of viciousness.” How do you reply to this?

Monica: I try to never be vicious or vitriolic when making my arguments. I think I can make powerful points with facts rather than insults.

WACJ: In May 20, 2003, at a school symposium, called something like “ Inside The White House”, you were present along with Joe Klein, David Gergen, William Leuchtenberg and Sidney Blumenthal. One of the attendees made this remark: “It should be noted that Crowley is a leggy blonde who Bill Maher likes to ogle. Basically, she's a nicer, more balanced. ” Do you remember this? What is your take?

Monica: I try to never be vicious or vitriolic when making my arguments. I think I can make powerful points with facts rather than insults.

WACJ: Monica, is it true what you have said this: “On one occasion when he (President Richard Nixon) was extremely frustrated that President Bush had not taken his advice to increase substantially the amount of aid given to the democratic forces in Russia, he once ordered me to call Gen. Brent Scowcroft, Bush’s national security adviser, and inform him that Nixon would never again furnish any advice to President Bush on anything. Now, knowing that--that Nixon was just reacting to Bush’s refusal to consult with him or to act on his advice, I did not execute the order. And Nixon never followed up. And as I’m sure Mr. Ehrlichman will attest, Nixon always followed up on orders that he wanted executed.” Do you still believe this?

Monica: I do still believe this. Nixon was a complex man who tended to vent his frustrations. His staff soon learned when he was venting, and when he was not.

Monica: If you can't stay true to who you are, how can you possibly enjoy your success?

WACJ: Explain to me what do you mean when you said: “I think that once politicians leave the arena and have no intention of ever going back, most go through a transformation. Their political characters often change.”

Monica: I mean that they tend to reflect on their lives and careers and re-evaluate what they accomplished and what they failed to do. Many times they mellow. The end of life brings a more introspective period.

WACJ: What people first notice about you? Monica: I think people first notice my frazzled energy!

WACJ: And what do you notice first about people? Monica: I notice people's sense of confidence first.

WACJ: Two professions or kinds of people were not looked upon with respect and trust during the times of most illustrious monarchs and civilizations founders like Darius the Great, Hannibal, Napoleon, Cromwell, Hamurabi…those two kinds were merchants and politicians. Later, Shakespeare added lawyers… now, you worked for politicians, you are surrounded by lawmakers and lawyers and media bosses, radio station owners who could be considered as merchants. Do you compromise? Monica: I try to never compromise. If you can't stay true to who you are, how can you possibly enjoy your success? Life is too short to sell yourself and your soul down the river.

And this was Monica Crowley, the author, the political wizard, the “historian with a heart”, the woman of the world, the diva of American media, the “intellectual teaser”, the women larger than life, “the leggy blonde”, and your kind of a gal…

From Paris, Valerie Constand

End of the interview.

* Syndicated article. Courtesy of the World Art Celebrities Journal http://www.worldartcelebritiesjournal.com . Originally printed in Paris and London.

Arlene Peck is an internationally syndicated columnist and television talk show hostess. She travels extensively worldwide, reporting to her audience about political events, social happenings (Cannes Film Festival, London event for the Variety Club, etc.) and "must see" spots. If there is a place to see and be seen, she'll write about it for her international audience. Arlene's syndicated column is read weekly by millions and her television show ("Wow! It's Arlene Peck!") can be seen throughout Southern California every Monday night. Arlene Peck was born in Atlanta, Georgia and currently resides in Marina Del Rey, California. She has been a syndicated columnist since 1976, when she traveled to Russia and was picked up by the KGB for smuggling prayer books into the country. After she completed her diary of adventures, her career as a journalist began. Arlene writes a weekly newspaper column in the internationally syndicated newspaper The Post & Opinion. Her television show -- "Wow! It's Arlene Peck!" -- can be seen weekly on Monday nights on most cable stations, and has been shown for the past ten years throughout southern California. Her show consists mainly of celebrity interviews, but also contains political guests and humanitarian issues. Arlene has traveled to the Middle East more than twenty-five times, and has covered wars and conflicts in Beirut and Gaza, where she spent five weeks in June, 1982. She also returned in 1993 for "Operation Accountability," where she accompanied the Israeli Defense Force as a representative of the media. Arlene's interviews have ranged from Presidents, Prime Ministers, Nobel Prize winners, Penthouse Pets of the month and many others.

______________________

GLORIA LORING: HER LIFE, BOOKS, MUSIC AND STARDOM.

READ THE ARTICLE AND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

She did it all with class, beauty, intelligence, style, talent, unique creativity, guts and warmth. And she excelled in everything she accomplished. Grande Dame Loring is a published author, a national speaker, a world-class actress, an international celebrity, a star of the American cinema and television, a leading figure of the American theater and concert halls, a singer, a composer, a lyricist, a songwriter, a producer, a certified yoga teacher, a member of Who's Who in America and The World Who's Who of Women and a humanitarian. This woman is almost 99.99% perfect. This is the kind of people who create and shape the greatness of a nation. This is the vintage of noble souls, warm hearts and bright minds who make the sun rise and shine over the hills, the prairies and the faces of people we love...And this is the kind of human beings who at every dawn, make the wild roses bloom in the valley and on the landscape of the human psyche.

FEATURE ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

70 WAYS TO HAVE FUN AND HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP. In our busy lives, time can often seem in short supply so it's important that couples make the most of their time together. Here are some suggestions...Read full article

INTERVIEW WITH HIZBULLAH OPERATORS IN LEBANON AND IRAQ.

AL QAEDA NEW ATTACKS TARGETS

Iraqi militants

LEBANON AND IRAQ- They explained to us what they want, how they will fight America and Israel, and how they will destroy Zionism and American Imperialism! They admitted that they fear Mossad and the Israeli agents who infiltrated many Arab and Muslim countries and particularly Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. They mock the CIA and their “powerless and idiot” agents in the Near East. .Full story

SPECIAL REPORT ON TERRORISM

_________________

WHY MOVIES STARS, CELEBRITIES AND ORDINARY WOMEN POSE NAKED?

Brigitte Bardot: "Animals walk around naked and they have more loyalty than men. I have never been betrayed by my pets. But I have been cheated so many times by men and women who were fully clothed..."Josephine Baker: " I will strip by the name of God, if I have to feed those orphans...". WHY SOME WOMEN STRIP IN PUBLIC AND WHY STARS POSE NAKED? For one million reasons. And it has nothing to do with money, as many ingenious minds and rednecks believe or imagine. Kate Moss does not need to pose naked to make money. She appeared in full armored clothes on major glossy magazines covers. And she earns zillions, just by holding a product or looking at the camera. She does it because it is part of the fabric of the business. Almost 88% of stars and celebrities, including university professors, anchorwomen, women-wrestlers, top executives and moms posed in the nude at one time in their lives and careers for pragmatic, incomprehensible reasons, fantasy, celebrity quest, notoriety exposure... Read full article and see photos

EVE WORLD

1-The 100 most powerful women in the World. Listed by name, country and age. 2-Women authors of the year and books to remember. 3-Women celebrities and stars of the year. From the most talented, luckiest to the most boring... 4-Queens of the ring. 5-The 100 most outstanding Jewish women of the year. 6-Women billionaires. The richest women in the world. 7-The 100 top models of the year. From the classiest to the outrageous... 8-The greatest female singers-entertainers from the cotton fields days to present. The WORLD WHO'S WHO OF FEMALE AMERICAN SINGERS.9-All time femme fatales and divas of the film noire. 10-FASHION MAIN PAGE: America's best and worst dressed women. 11-HEALTH: 60% of women consider breast ops. 12-EVE FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA. 2006 WORLD HAUTE COUTURE & FASHION: Galliano Captivates Paris. 13-LONDON HIGH DRAMA AND HOT DESIGN FASHION. 14-MOST POLITICALLY INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN THE WORLD. 15-WOMEN ROYALTY OF THE WORLD. HEIRESSES OF THRONES. 16-MOST POLITICALLY INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN THE WORLD.17-MOST POWERFUL WOMEN IN AMERICA.