Thou Shalt What?? Ralph Reed's Flack Writes a Little Blue in a Red State

As she was leaving, a clerk asked if she was on the store mailing list. When she said she didn't know, he asked for her last name.

"Uh, Bush," she replied.

"Oh, yeah!" said the clerk.

The rest of the first family is keeping a zipped lip about their gift lists, although we do know Laura Bush has already finished shopping: She went online for the twins, and the president might be sporting a new sweater. They all head up to Camp David today, where they'll join the rest of the Bush clan for a children's pageant on Christmas Eve and church services and dinner on Christmas Day. On Dec. 26, the first family (including Barney, Miss Beazley and Willie the cat) fly to the Crawford, Tex., ranch until New Year's Day.

THIS JUST IN . . .

Holiday Travel Woes Edition:

Victoria Osteen , wife of televangelist Joel Osteen , was asked to leave a Continental flight Tuesday after disobeying orders from a flight attendant. The Osteens and their two children were headed from Houston to Colorado for a ski trip, according to the FBI, and other passengers had to wait more than an hour for the family's luggage to be removed.

50 Cent performed for 5,000 fans in Toronto on Tuesday, but without most of his G-Unit crew, who were barred from the country because of legal problems. The rapper mocked police at the concert, and his fans booed in support.

HEY, ISN'T THAT . . . ?

Harriet Miers , calling around on her cell and searching the Old Ebbitt Grill on Tuesday for a tardy dining partner . . . who turned out to be Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison , rushing into the restaurant and apologizing profusely for being late. They then sat down to what gawkers reported looked like a very cordial meal.