THE BOOK OF LEVI

That biblical concept of "an eye for an eye" means that the punishment must fit the crime. The modern incarnation of that idea must be "a book for a book."

Word is that Levi Johnston, left, is working on a tome purporting to spill secrets about Sarah Palin's family. This news comes just as Palin is preparing for the Nov. 17 release of her book "Going Rogue." Despite Johnston telling CBS' "The Early Show" this week that he's not going to say all the things he could about his almost-mother-in-law, he expects she'll have some things to say about him. So his handler, Tank Jones (yes, Tank. Dude!), says that a book about the Palins is in the works.

First, though, Levi has to pose next month for his Playgirl pictorial, leading to speculation on whether or not he'll display his hockey stick.

Palin, responding to the CBS interview, said that the network "should be ashamed for continually providing a forum to propagate lies. Consider the source of the most recent attention-getting lies -- those who would sell their body for money reflect a desperate need for attention and are likely to say and do anything for even more attention."

Yet the more Johnston does, the more Palin can respond. And vice versa.

Which brings to mind another old saying: You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

KIM ODE