Page 1 Consider (10/04)

Better Late Than Never: An obituary about Eliot Fremont-Smith, a former book critic for The New York Times and The Village Voice, referred incorrectly to the title character of Gore Vidal’s novel "Myra Breckinridge," an example of the type of book that Fremont-Smith reviewed but that his predecessors had largely shied away from. The character is a transsexual, not a transvestite. (The error also appeared in Fremont-Smith’s review on Feb. 3, 1968.) (NYT)

(That's Roger Herren displaying his "ass of a decade" in the film adaptation of Gore Vidal's novel, above.)

Playing With Fire: You know him as the fireman with the dick of death who caused such a scandal the annual FDNY benefit calendar was permanently scrapped because it caused five-alrm fire . To his parents he's just plain ole Mike. Now comes word that Michael Biserta will be doing a photo shoot for his personal calendar on Oct. 7 in New York City. Michael is working with On Display Men to produce his frequently requested all-Michael 2008 calendar. Somebody call 911! The calendar will be available by late October 2007 at OnDisplayMen.com and MichaelBiserta.com.

Little Bird: That other Kenneth, over at QueerSighted, tried not to gush when he interviewed the fabulous Annie Lennox and failed miserably. (QueerSighted)

Child Protective Studio: The film studio distributing “The Kite Runner,” a tale of childhood betrayal, sexual predation and ethnic tension in Afghanistan, is delaying the film’s release to get its three schoolboy stars out of Kabul -- perhaps permanently -- in response to fears that they could be attacked for their enactment of a culturally inflammatory rape scene. (NYT)

No Complaint Dept.: Foreign soccer and rugby stars sure like getting naked for a cause. (OhLaLa)

Tonya Harding Redux: Former Northern Colorado backup punter Mitch Cozad was sentenced to seven years in prison Tuesday for stabbing a rival in what prosecutors said was a brutal attempt to take over the starter's role. (Just one thing, though: Has anyone questioned Jeff Stone?) (AP)

Many a Child Left Behind: Fearing that uninsured children in the United States would get health care coverage, President Bush did what any sensible person would do: he vetoed a bill that would have increased the number of children being cared for to 60 million. (NYT)

Charm School Dropouts: It seems hate crimes run in this family. Two sisters, Melissa Gaboury, 16, and Meghan Gaboury, 18, of St. Albans, Vt., are being charged with a hate crime for spray painting anti-gay slogans and slashing the tires of the vehicles belonging to two men joined in a civil union, police said yesterday. (AP)

Apt. 666: A second man died a week earlier in the same D.C. apartment where cops found the body of gay nightlife impresario Dean Johnson, the Daily News has learned. (NYDN)