ALL THE NEWS THAT'S FIT TO SPOOF ANOTHER `IDOL,' ANOTHER VOTE CONTROVERSY.

Byline: STEVE YOUNG

Broward County heard from: In what might end up as the biggest voting controversy in ``American Idol'' history, 3,000 votes from Katharine McPhee's parents' house in Sherman Oaks went to Pat Buchanan.

Cold cash: Federal investigators searching the home of Louisiana congressman William Jefferson found $90,000 in cash in his refrigerator freezer. While officials are thinking the cash in the freezer may be an indicator of bribe-taking, they have no idea how the 90 pounds of rancid meat got in his safe-deposit box.

It's not my fault: In a scientific breakthrough, researchers have identified the gene that causes people to blame someone or something other than themselves for anything that goes wrong. I was supposed to list this item in my column last week but, um, my dog ate it.

Digging Hoffa: While the FBI's excavations have failed to find the body of former Teamsters chief Jimmy Hoffa, the teams have reportedly turned up what they believe to be the remains of magician David Blaine's lifeless career.

Identity theft: Social Security numbers and other personal data belonging to more than 26 million veterans were stolen from the home of a Veterans Affairs employee. Since this may be bad news for those who have bravely served our country, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly have no reason for concern.

Maybe it was kissing disease: Boo-boo, the chicken that was saved from drowning by mouth-to-beak resuscitation more than three months ago, died this week. Per Boo-boo's request, he was cremated ... then served, extra crispy.

I don't remember making that call: The National Security Agency's listening in on Americans' telephone conversations has had unexpected repercussions, as the White House's phone bill listed $300 billion in overcharges. The federal budget office complained that the phone bill is so confusing that officials thought the possibly illegal wiretaps were included in the regular monthly charge.

What about using frequent flyer miles? Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa has budgeted $200,000 for travel expenses for himself and his staff, which is as much as six times the budget of former Mayor James Hahn. Villaraigosa swears the exorbitant transportation costs are due to the rise in gas prices, meals not included in plane trips, and most importantly, extra baggage for hair gel.

A convenient opportunity: Al Gore's new movie, ``An Inconvenient Truth,'' seeks to spread the word on global warming. If successful, Gore's supporters see this as a potential effort to recharge his presidential hopes in 2008. The Republican National Committee has pledged to sell out every screening.

We owe you big: To every man or woman who ever donned the country's uniform, thank you!