Free Republic

Former president George W. Bush hits town Nov. 19 for a private speaking engagement sponsored by the Turnaround Management Association. Ironic, given all the criticism he took during his presidency for not turning things around on certain issues -- not that the current president has, either. Turnaround Management members are consultants who help "troubled companies in the recovery process." (Crain's Chicago Business is also a sponsor of the event.) The 43rd president is stepping in at the last minute for former GE CEO Jack Welch, who recently was hospitalized with a staph infection. Chicago organizers are thrilled with the turn...

Calls the project a "labor of love." ~~~~ Infamous Hollywood screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, 64, known for such sordid films as Basic Instinct and Showgirls, has undergone a conversion and now will be writing a new film on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Eszterhas has been one of Hollywood's most influential screenwriters, writing lucrative blockbuster films, such as Flashdance, Jagged Edge, and Basic Instinct, and raking in million-dollar paychecks. Known for living the full 'Hollywood lifestyle', Eszterhas gave it up to move home to Ohio with his wife and children in the late 1990s. In 2001, faced with throat cancer resulting from...

The Marines at Camp Lejeuene are maintaining a stony silence during Obama's speech on his plans to withdraw combat brigades from Iraq by August 31, 2010 and all troops by the end of 2011. The contrast of the enthusiasm the military had for President Bush and this occupant of the White House is stunning.

You won't hear executives at MSNBC chanting "yes we can." The network that they cobbled together as a TV version of the left-wing screed Air America is in the ratings dumper. Advertising dollars that have never been easy are getting thinner. Since the inauguration of Barack Obama, Bill O'Reilly and the Fox News Channel have owned prime time -- although O'Reilly has owned prime time for years. One night last week, for example, O'Reilly scored 3.5 million views compared to Olbermann's 1.4 million. Keith Olbermann may need to go back to sports. MSNBC is in big trouble without Bush to...

Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island

Tickets to be made available beginning 10 a.m. today at city hall, the Midland chamber, the George W. Bush Childhood home and Kent Kwik locations. ### Midland city officials are working feverishly with White House officials to schedule what Mayor Wes Perry is calling “one of the most incredible events Midland has ever had.” That event, a “Welcome Home Rally for President and Mrs. George W. Bush,” is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, in Centennial Plaza, downtown Midland. Free tickets can be obtained beginning 10 a.m. today at Midland City Hall, 300 N. Loraine; the Midland Chamber of Commerce, 109...