Bush's Simpler New Life Has No Talk of 'L Word' (Legacy)

(NEWSER) - Former President Bush is gradually reentering life as a private citizen in Texas, Newsweek reports, but he's doing it gingerly and on his own terms. While many Texans agree that Dubya's still the friendly, aw-shucks guy they sent to Washington eight years ago, he's definitely keeping clear of dissent. “He is in home territory for sure,” a Texas historian said. “He doesn't enjoy naysayers and critics and opposition. Never has. And right now, he needs that nurturing cocoon that he is in.” More»

And public money can foot the bill to do it

(NEWSER) - President Bush wants to limit access to his new Dallas home by putting up a gate on a public street, the Dallas Morning News reports. City officials must approve the plan, but it seems the Bushes' Preston Hollow neighbors are willing to go along with it. "It's great the Bushes are moving here, and it's great that they're doing whatever they need to do," one said. More»

He didn't intend to harm former First Couple, officials say

(NEWSER) - Secret Service agents have busted a man for driving his muscle car erratically onto the lawn of former president George W. Bush. He and wife Laura were home at the time but were never in any danger, officials said. The driver made no threats against the Bushes and apparently did not intend to harm them, reports MSNBC . The Bushes live on a gated public street in the Preston Hills section of Dallas and have constant Secret Service protection. The former First Couple "appreciates the work of the Secret Service and Dallas Police Department in responding to the incident," said a Bush spokesman. More»

First lady felt weight of the world lifted upon return to Texas

(NEWSER) - Laura Bush felt a weight lift when she returned to Texas after 8 years in Washington, free of the rigors of protecting America in the post-9/11 era, the former first lady tells Politico . “I didn’t really realize how stressed we were and how vigilant we were—that hypervigilance—until we came home and I wasn’t so stressed anymore," Bush says. "I almost stood straighter, just without that weight of worry.” More»

Ex-president pops up at women's college hoops game in Waco

(NEWSER) - In his first public appearance since Barack Obama’s inauguration, George W. Bush took in a women’s basketball game Wednesday at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, about 25 miles from their Crawford ranch. Bush received applause when he and Laura walked onto the court, and seemed to almost tear up while the national anthem was played, the AP reports. More»