Bush Hits Lecture Circuit—in Canada

(NEWSER) - In his first speech as a former president, George W. Bush declined to offer any criticism of his successor. "He deserves my silence," Bush told a group of business leaders in Calgary, reports the Toronto Globe and Mail. “I want the president to succeed. I love my country more than politics.” Bush also said he planned to write a book about his 12 toughest decisions, the AP notes, though he didn't specify what they were. More»

(NEWSER) - George Bush is officially ready for his new job: speech-maker. Now signed up with the Washington Speakers Bureau, Bush plans to make at least 10 speeches around the world in the next year. The first—"A Conversation With George Bush"—will be March 17 in Calgary to business leaders, reports Politico. But his ambitions on the lecture circuit go far beyond a simple “conversation,” as his promotional materials show. More»

Federal spending is rising at slowest rate since '50s, report finds

(NEWSER) - Republicans are trying to fool the country into believing that they are the party of fiscal responsibility, President Obama told a fundraiser yesterday. "I’m running to pay down our debt in a way that’s balanced and responsible. After inheriting a $1 trillion deficit, I signed $2 trillion of spending cuts into law,” he told donors in Denver. "My opponent won’t admit it, but it’s starting to appear in places, like real liberal outlets, like the Wall Street Journal," he quipped. "Since I’ve been president, federal spending has risen at the lowest pace in nearly 60 years. Think about that.” More»

Actor reveals inspiration to Ellen DeGeneres

(NEWSER) - We all know Keith Richards inspired Johnny Depp’s Pirates of the Caribbean character, and yesterday on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Depp revealed the inspiration behind his version of Willy Wonka. “I imagined what George Bush would be like incredibly stoned,” he said. “And thus was born my version of Willy Wonka." He also noted that Edward Scissorhands was inspired in part by a dog he once owned. See the video at the Huffington Post . More»

Nazir Ahmed denies comments

(NEWSER) - A British lord has allegedly offered $16 million to anyone who can capture President Obama and George W. Bush, prompting his suspension from the Labour party "pending investigation." The comments—which Nazir Ahmed denies making—followed a US offer of $10 million for the capture of Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, who Washington believes was behind 2008's Mumbai attacks. "If the US can announce a reward of $10 million for the (capture) of Hafiz Saeed, I can announce a bounty of £10 million (for the capture of) President Obama and his predecessor," Lord Ahmed reportedly said last week in Pakistan. More»