ROBERT REDFORD - REDFORD DELIBERATED ABOUT SHAKING BUSH'S HAND

Hollywood liberal ROBERT REDFORD only agreed to receive his 2005 Kennedy Center Honor from U.S. President GEORGE W. BUSH after he was assured it was a recognition "above politics". The staunch Democrat was less than thrilled about shaking Republican leader Bush's hand at the high-profile event, but decided to attend for his family's sake. He says, "It was tough, but you have to shake his hand. You go through the motions because everybody's taking the high road. "I was assured beforehand that this was an honour above politics, and I said, 'If that's the case, OK, I'll have to bite it.' "It really was about my family and giving my kids and especially my grandkids a chance to see, firsthand, how a place like the White House operates."