Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Former presidents at play:

What's GEORGE W BUSH's biggest regret as president? That he didn't privatize Social Security. That's what he told an audience in Chicago last week. Not a word about the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan.
   As for the economy, Bush said he's glad he supported the bailout known as TARP, saying he didn't wanna be a president overseeing a depression greater than the Great Depression.
   He told the group he has "zero desire" to be in the limelight. "You're not going to see me giving my opinions in the public arena until I start selling my book. I'm going to emerge then submerge."
   His book, "Decision Points," comes out Nov 09, the Tuesday after the election.
   Oh, and what's he proudest of in his presidency? "That I kept the country safe amid a real danger."
   Editor's note: Yeah, well outside that 9/11 thingie. That was just a blip on the old radar. (Maiman)

Other regrets George Bush had about his presidency (Maiman):

   --Military strategy based on reruns of "F Troop"
   --Never got to fly first class in Air Force One
   --That time he forgot to call bin Laden back
   --Bake sale in front of the White House failed to stimulate economy
   --Never got to hold "town hall" tortures and executions after regular "town hall" meetings
   --No one in Tibet ever threw snow shoes at him
   --Never going to Tibet
   --Forgetting to flip all them charts right-side up
   --Running for office (Sorry, that's the voter's biggest regret about George Bush's presidency)
   --Not doin' it with Condoleezza Rice

Bid'ness is Bid'ness:

A recent Harris Poll survey finds that when advertising emphasizes a product is "Made in America," it has results.
   --61% of Americans say they are more likely to purchase something when the ad touts it is "Made in America" But... break it down by age:
   --75% of U.S. adults 55 and over say an ad emphasizing a product is "Made in America" would make them more likely to buy that product
   --as would two-thirds of those 45-54
   --and three in five of those 35-44.
   This number drops considerably for the youngest Americans, with just 44% of those ages 18-34 saying an ad emphasizing a product is "Made in America" would make them more likely to purchase it while over half say it would make them neither more nor less likely to do so. (Kaye)

Let's all feel sorry for LINDSAY LOHAN. Although a judge ordered her to stay in rehab at the Betty Ford Center last Friday, People magazine got ahold of the actress's probation report, which says "she can not afford to continue to pay for the treatment program and she needs to work."
   How much is the 90-day stay? How about $63-thousand. She's already been there for 30 days; Judge ELDEN FOX says she'll have to stay until "at least" Jan 03.

Sidebar: Top Celebrity Rehab Centers:

In case you were wondering, from Us Weekly magazine, ranked from priciest to least expensive:
   --Beau Monde, Newport Beach, CA: $80 grand a month
   --Wonderland Center, Los Angeles, CA: $80 grand a month
   --Passages, Malibu, CA: $57,550 a month
   --Promises Treatment Center, Malibu, CA: $48 grand a month
   --Cirque Lodge, Sundance, UT: $29,850 a month
   --The Caron Foundation, Wernersville, PA: $24 grand a month
   --Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage, CA: $21,000 a month
   --Crossroads Treatment Centre, Antigua: $19,500 for 29 days

Tube Talk:

OPRAH WINFREY has lined up some major musical guests for her final season. MICHAEL JACKSON's parents, KATHERINE and JOE will appear together for one show. That may also be the episode that includes the first ever interviews with Michael's children PRINCE, PARIS and BLANKET.
   BARBRA STREISAND is booked for November 16th. She'll chat with Oprah, and perform on the show. And, RICKY MARTIN is scheduled for November 2nd. He'll talk about raising his twin boys and coming out as a gay man. (Marino)