Jockstrip: The World As We Know It

THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY

World leaders from President Bush to British Prime Minister Tony Blair are demanding Osama bin Laden be brought to justice.

But what would happen if the man who has been called "The World's Most Wanted" were captured and tried in a U.S. courtroom for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks? In a special presentation of its documentary series "The System," Court TV joins forces with ABC News to take a look at how bin Laden might be prosecuted -- and defended -- in an American courtroom.

"Osama bin Laden On Trial" will premiere next Thursday, Nov. 29 (at 10 p.m. ET/PT). It'll be hosted by Court TV anchor and former judge Catherine Crier.

The one-hour program will also feature well-known attorney, author and Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz, who will discuss what the defense strategy might be, and former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder Jr., who will discuss how the prosecution might approach the case.

Also appearing will be a wide range of noted legal experts, from defense attorneys F. Lee Bailey and Ron Kuby to former federal prosecutors Ronald Goldstock and Matthew Fishbein.

THINGS WE DON'T UNDERSTAND

The White House is defending the cancellation of its annual Christmas tours to the public, and dismissed suggestions that it sends a mixed message to the American people about returning to their normal routines.

"It's a fact that the president regrets very much, but unfortunately, and the president noted this last night, evil does not take time off for the holidays," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said. "... The White House is (still) a target of terrorist activities, of course. And therefore, the same precautions that have been put in place since the (Sept.) 11th remain in place."

The suspension of public tours of the executive mansion following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will remain in effect during the holidays. Fleischer said the cancellation was recommended by the Secret Service, which is charged with protecting the president and the White House complex.

Fleischer emphasized the move was not inconsistent with the administration's long-standing position that Americans should return to their normal routines following the Sept. 11 attacks that killed some 4,000 people. He said it would be difficult to prescreen visitors into what President Bush has commonly referred to as "the people's house."

NEWS OF OTHER LIFE FORMS

This year's official White House Christmas tree is an 18-foot Concolor fir, grown in the mountains of central Pennsylvania. The fir has soft silvery-blue foliage with a distinctive citrus aroma. It will stand in the Blue Room and be decorated with miniature replicas of historic houses designed by artists from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

TODAY'S SIGN THE WORLD IS ENDING

The Los Angeles Times reports about 100 students at the Agassiz Middle School in Fargo, N.D., were all set for a field trip last Friday to see "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" when the trip was called off due to protests by a handful of parents and a local radio announcer.

The objectors said the movie's depiction of witchcraft made it an inappropriate activity for a public school to sanction. Since many people regard witchcraft as a religion, they reasoned, the trip would violate the separation of church and state.

It was not reported whether the objecting parents or the radio personality had actually seen the movie before deciding what was in it, but the suggestion reportedly was made that if the school went through with the field trip it might have been on the receiving end of legal action.

"It's a little bizarre," said Fargo School Superintendent David Flowers. "We believe we were on firm ground. But (the school) made the decision ... that they would just as soon not be embroiled in a controversy."

(Thanks to UPI Hollywood Reporter Pat Nason)

AND FINALLY, TODAY'S UPLIFTING STORY

Volunteers at Nino's Restaurant in New York City are getting Thanksgiving dinner in order for the uniformed relief workers who'll be working around the clock at Ground Zero this Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Owner Nino Vendome said with the help of Perdue Farms --- which donated 1,000 turkeys -- the restaurant expects to serve turkey and trimmings to 3,000 to 7,000 police officers, firefighters, sanitation workers, security officers, excavation specialists and other relief workers.

In addition, 1,000 uniformed officers will be able to take a turkey home to their families.

"We are very thankful for Perdue Farms and others helping us take care of our heroes on the front lines," said Vendome. "Today by donating 1,000 turkeys, Perdue is taking care of our heroes' families as well."

Nino's, a small restaurant open in lower Manhattan for nearly 30 years, has served as a Ground Zero relief center since Sept. 13. It has been open every day, all day and all night, serving nearly half a million free meals to uniformed officers.

"We've made a commitment to keep our doors open until our city is rebuilt, healed and up and running," said Vendome.

(To donate food, time, or money to the Nino's Restaurant 911 Fund, a non-profit corporation operating exclusively to feed and comfort Ground Zero relief workers, please call Nino's Restaurant at 212-431-5625. Donations also may be mailed to 145 East 57th St., Eighth Floor, New York, NY 10022.)

Jockstrip is taking the Thanksgiving holiday off. It will return Fri., Nov. 23.