Free Republic

SPRINGFIELD — Country rock band Confederate Railroad has been barred from performing at an Illinois state fair because of its use of the Confederate flag, setting off a firestorm by southern Illinois fans who believe they’re under Chicago liberals’ thumb of political correctness. The band was scheduled to appear Aug. 27 at the DuQuoin State Fair , but Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration canceled the appearance last week. “This administration’s guiding principle is that the state of Illinois will not use state resources to promote symbols of racism,” Pritzker spokeswoman Emily Bittner said. “Symbols of hate cannot and will not represent...

A top Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon says he used fat he removed from patients in liposuction operations to power his 'green' 4x4 car.U.S. authorities have launched an inquiry into claims made by Dr Alan Bittner that the fat he had sucked out of patients in liposuction operations was turned into biodiesel.Bittner wrote on his website: 'The vast majority of my patients request that I use their fat for fuel -- and I have more fat than I can use.'Not only do they get to lose their love handles or chubby belly, but they get to take part in saving...

Bob Bittner coined the phrase “Easy as the breeze” serving up hits from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and the Beach Boys on WJIB. But times are not so easy now for the tiny Cambridge station, as Bittner was recently hit with huge hikes in the monthly fees he pays to play old-style hits over the air. Though WJIB-AM (740) has always turned a small profit, Bittner said, the fee hikes from music-licensing groups BMI and ASCAP have him looking for a new way to keep the station running. WJIB previously paid about $260 a month to BMI...