Follow-up on that Val-Kilmer-required-to-kowtow-for- a-permit story:

Of course they did. That's what this was all about: shame-faced ritual apology to some officials who had their feelings hurt. First off all, you have to love the concept of "neighbors" when applied to a 5,000-acre ranch. Anyone wants to pop next door for a cup of sugar, they have to bring a canteen and a bedroll. Second, if you're so offended by a "neighbor's" comments that you block his application to do whatever the heck he wants with his property, then you're a vindictive little jerk. Third, Kilmer's comments in Rolling Stone may have been misconstrued, but they were still ill-advised, and I understand why the President removed him from the upcoming movie about Afghanistan.