September 25, 2026

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Chicago Secret Service make extensive preparations for President Trump’s upcoming visit to Medinah.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-secret-service-make-extensive-preparations-president-trumps-upcoming-visit-medinah-country-club-presidents-cup/19867787/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DD: Democrats protest against Trump’s upcoming visit to Chicago area for golf tournament.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/09/24/protest-trump-presidents-cup-medinah-golf-tournament
— CPS enrollment drops again amid low birth rates and immigrant fears. Enrollment had stabilized — even increasing briefly — with an influx of immigrant students in 2023 and 2024. But the trend proved short-lived. CPS enrollment has been on the decline for more than two decades.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2026/09/24/chicago-public-schools-enrollment-drops-by-more-than-11-000-accelerating-long-term-downward-trend
— Chicago School Board member Jessica Biggs faces scrutiny over 2018 CPS firing as she runs for board president. Biggs was fired from her job as principal of Burke Elementary and put on the Chicago Public Schools’ “Do Not Hire” list in 2018. Now, with that employment ban overturned, she’s running for the school board’s top position. DD: When my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire when I was 49 in 1997, they constructively put me on everyone’s do not hire list. My critics/opponents side with my Democrat GAO superiors.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-school-board/2026/09/23/chicago-school-board-member-jessica-biggs-faces-scrutiny-over-2018-firing-as-she-runs-for-presidents-seat
— DD: According to my critics/opponents, “You can’t tell Diersen what to do.” Of course, I take that as a badge of honor. According to my critics/opponents, I never was a journalist, I am not a journalist, and I never will be a journalist a) because I do not have a degree in journalism, b) because no one has paid me for what I have done as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, c) because all the money needed for my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters and for my www.gopillinois.com website comes from my Civil Service Retirement System pension, my Social Security, and my retirement savings, d) because either my newsletters nor my website are paywalled or contain any advertising or donation requests, e) because I do not claim to be nonpartisan, f) because I fully disclose that I am conservative Republican, and g) because I fully disclose that I have been an elected Republican Precinct Committeeman since 2000. My critics/opponents ignore/dismiss/belittle/badmouth the fact a) that I worked for GAO as an Analyst for almost 18 years 1980-1997, b) that what GAO Analysts do is very similar to what journalists do, and c) that during my last 11 years at GAO, my salary increased from $118,984/year to $154,682/year in today’s dollars.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/09/24/trump-media-ban-journalists-ap-cnn-ms-now-politico-jacob-sullum

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— GAO: ICE is wasting tens of millions of dollars on ‘uninformed’ detention projects.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/24/ice-is-wasting-tens-of-millions-of-dollars-on-uninformed-detention-projects-report-finds/
— Prosecutor at center of ‘Broadview Six’ scandal retires. DD: My critics/opponents side with my Democrat GAO superiors who forced me to retire when I was 49 in 1997. I should write about my critics/opponents.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/24/prosecutor-at-center-of-broadview-six-scandal-retires-says-boutros-ordered-grand-jury-transcript/

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage County suspends early voting due to technical problems.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260924/local-politics/dupage-suspends-early-voting-due-to-technical-problems/
— DD: Homelessness increases because the Democrat Party platform destroys traditional marriage and family.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260924/editorials/daily-herald-opinion-the-challenge-of-engagement-communities-consortium-combines-various-resource/

WBEZ
— DD: Democrat and RINO leaders have always encouraged citizens of foreign countries to claim asylum in America. Democrat leaders because they will vote for Democrats. RINO leaders because they want cheap labor.
https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2026/09/25/now-nearly-impossible-asylum-chicago-immigration-court
— CPS enrollment drops again amid low birth rates and immigrant fears. Enrollment had stabilized — even increasing briefly — with an influx of immigrant students in 2023 and 2024. But the trend proved short-lived. CPS enrollment has been on the decline for more than two decades.
https://www.wbez.org/education/2026/09/24/cps-enrollment-drops-again-amid-low-birth-rates-and-immigrant-fears

STATELINE
— Don Tracy blames state leaders for rising costs during Freeport campaign stop.
https://www.mystateline.com/news/don-tracy-blames-state-leaders-for-rising-costs-during-freeport-campaign-stop/amp/

SHAW LOCAL
— Darren Bailey to make gubernatorial campaign stop in DeKalb Oct. 3.
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2026/09/24/darren-bailey-to-make-gubernatorial-campaign-stop-in-dekalb-oct-3/
— 2026 Election Questionnaire: Stephanie Trussell, Illinois State Representative, 42nd District.
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/election/2026/09/25/2026-election-questionnaire-stephanie-trussell-illinois-state-representative-42nd-district/

NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: Democrat leaders and their mainstream news media ever-increasingly paint everything as being bad and blame Trump for that.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-09-25/as-election-enters-its-final-stretch-some-republicans-are-distancing-from-trump

DURBIN
— Durbin, Reed, Peters Release GAO Report Detailing Reckless Expansion Of Immigration Detention Under Trump. Senators release damning findings on rushed efforts to expand unsuitable immigration detention facilities, including Alligator Alcatraz and Guantánamo Bay.
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-reed-peters-release-gao-report-detailing-reckless-expansion-of-immigration-detention-under-trump

BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— Existing City Curfew Laws Enforced Largely In Black And Latino Communities. While some alderpeople push for tougher curfew laws, many parents and teens say the current approach is unfair and ineffective. DD: What is your municipality doing to stop Democrat teen takeovers?
https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/09/24/existing-city-curfew-laws-enforced-largely-in-black-and-latino-communities-data-shows/

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Pritzker’s data-center tightrope
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2026/09/25/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-815/
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/09/24/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-602/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

CHRIS LAUZEN
— Lauzen Calls for In-depth Public Debate for Kane County Treasurer.
https://f1bb82a4-e6d5-4ea0-9f9c-6f411a52fdad.filesusr.com/ugd/4de132_5375c69df77f4071953dd3635df2f881.pdf

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— DuPage County Republicans: Here’s who’s on your Nov. 3 ballot.
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/dupage-county-republicans-here-s-who-s-on-your-nov-3-ballot
— Two DuPage Democrats Pushed Bill That Would Have Barred Suburbs From Clearing Homeless Encampments.
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/two-dupage-democrats-pushed-bill-that-would-have-barred-suburbs-from-clearing-homeless-encampments

CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Technical problems halt early voting in DuPage.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_2a29ca8e-306d-4d51-a0b5-81a4961e0d9c.html

ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY
— Chairman Grogan on Early Voting Being Suspended in DuPage County.
https://x.com/ILGOP/status/2103173487716450380

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Which Chicago CTA stations have the highest crime rates.
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicago-cta-crime-rates-dangerous-stations/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— Dabrowski Tells Bailey to ‘Unite Republicans’ – After Skipping GOP Unity Breakfast Himself.
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2026/09/dabrowski-tells-bailey-to-unite-republicans-after-skipping-gop-unity-breakfast-himself.html

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Is the Illinois Environmental Council Engaging in Pay to Play?
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/09/24/is-the-illinois-environmental-council-engaging-in-pay-to-play/
— Lauzen Calls for Debates with Opponent in Quest for a Second Term as Kane County Treasurer
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/09/24/lauzen-calls-for-debates-with-opponent-in-quest-for-a-second-term-as-kane-county-treasurer/
— Electric and Gas Assistance for Lower Income Families, Can Apply Starting October 1st
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/09/24/electric-and-gas-assistance-for-lower-income-families-can-apply-starting-october-1st/
— Why People Should Vote “No” on Home Rule/County Executive Referendum, Plus Early Voting Locations
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/09/24/why-people-should-vote-no-on-home-rule-county-exective-referendum-plus-early-voting-locations/
— Hypocrisy in Politics? Oh, My
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/09/23/hypocracy-in-politics-oh-my/
— State Rep. Jeff Keicher on Artificial Intelligence
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/09/23/state-rep-jeff-keicher-on-artificial-intelligence/
— Independent Candidate for Governor Releases Real Estate Tax Relief Plan (with Critique)
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/09/23/independent-candidate-for-governor-releases-real-estate-tax-relief-plan-with-critique/
— An Election Cartoon
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/09/22/an-election-cartoon-2/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— The stories that got them banned: Trump lists ‘reporting incidents’ in letters to three news outlets. DD: I should write about the articles that I included links to in my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters that caused my critics/opponents to have their operatives and their dupes take big adverse actions against me for. My critics/opponents blame me and blame my newsletters for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems. My critics/opponents destroy those like me a) who they cannot manipulate or dominate, b) who refuse to glorify or praise them, c) who refuse to pander to them, d) who refuse to serve as one of their operatives or dupes, e) who refuse to cover up their wrong doing, and/or f) who refuse to give them money.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/24/stories-got-banned-trump-lists-reporting-incidents-letters-three-news/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote socialism. To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4741494/trump-anti-socialist-ad-paid-us-government/
— The Right doesn’t need to remake itself. It just needs courage. DD: Sadly, in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, in Wheaton, and in the Wheaton Warrenville School District 200, fewer and fewer and fewer promote conservative principles like I do.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/faith-freedom-self-reliance/4739789/the-right-needs-courage-nettr/

BREITBART
— Trump Immigration Crackdown Pushing Illegal Aliens Out U.S. Banking System.
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/09/24/trump-immigration-crackdown-pushing-illegal-aliens-out-u-s-banking-system/amp/

CENTER SQUARE
— GAO: ICE sunk $20M into abandoned detention center expansions.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_f5ce180c-0612-459b-9e56-5ae5c3f002ee.html

COLLEGE FIX
— University of Chicago reverses, won’t cancel ‘controversial’ Tim Pool event. The cancellation attempt follows the school’s long history of denying a Turning Point USA chapter, despite the school’s professed commitment to free speech.
https://www.thecollegefix.com/u-chicago-reverses-wont-cancel-controversial-tim-pool-event/

FOX NEWS
— Team USA golfers welcome Trump’s expected Presidents Cup visit, share pride in representing America.
https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/team-usa-golfers-welcome-trumps-expected-presidents-cup-visit-share-pride-representing-america
— Mamdani-backed socialist arrested at anti-Netanyahu protest outside UN. The socialist-backed candidate was reportedly among 80 to 100 demonstrators arrested for blocking a roadway Thursday.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mamdani-backed-socialist-house-nominee-arrested-anti-netanyahu-protest-outside-un
— Joe Rogan warns of rise of socialism after guest describes escape from USSR.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6405557349112

HEARTLAND INSTITUTE
— Socialism’s Long March Through America’s Public Schools. DD: My parents sent me to Missouri Synod Lutheran grade schools. That put me on track to earn a job-related bachelor’s degree, three job-related master’s degrees, six job-related professional certifications, and a job-related professional license.
https://heartland.org/opinion/guest-booking-opportunity-heartland-institutes-chris-talgo-on-the-socialist-long-march-through-americas-public-schools/

HOT AIR
— We Overestimate the Progress Made in Stamping Out Wokeness.
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2026/09/24/we-overestimate-the-progress-made-in-stamping-out-wokeness-n3819309

NEWSMAX
— Socialist Indoctrination Machine Is No Joke. DD: I escaped socialist indoctrination by majoring in business, accounting, and finance. That enabled me to earn six professional certifications (accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting), and a professional license (CPA).
https://www.newsmax.com/kenbuck/capitalism-government-indoctrination/2026/09/24/id/1270497/

TOWNHALL
— America First Policies Are Restoring the American Dream of Homeownership for Hispanic Families. DD: According to my critics/opponents, a) University Pary was developed to help non-Whites and b) my buying a new townhome there denied a non-White family from buying it.
https://townhall.com/columnists/alfonso-aguilar/2026/09/25/america-first-policies-are-restoring-the-american-dream-of-homeownership-for-hispanic-families-n2683485

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote socialism. To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6110237-trump-government-ad-criticism/
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6110148-younger-voters-negative-capitalism/

ABC NEWS
— DD: To get more votes from voters who are liberal/moderate, minority, female, younger, non-rich, LGBTQ, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or have ancestors who had not been in America for a long time, Democrat leaders ever-increasingly shout at them that their problems are caused by voters who are conservative, White, male, older, non-poor, heterosexual, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time.
https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/trump-administration-moves-limit-fixes-systemic-racism-schools-136743667

CBS NEWS
— Trump’s expected Presidents Cup visit prompts (Democrat) protests at Medinah Country Club.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/medinah-country-club-protest-president-trump-visit-presidents-cup/

NBC NEWS
— Republican candidates increasingly distance themselves from Trump. DD: As anti-conservatives ever-increasingly move into Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, Wheaton, Wheaton Warrenville School District 200, and my precinct, more and more and more in the aforesaid distance themselves from conservatives, if not banish conservatives.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/republican-candidates-distance-trump-rcna599690

NEWSWEEK
— Melania Trump Says She Had ‘Beautiful Childhood’ Living Under Communism. DD: All you have to do to advance under communism is to be a communist. All you have to do to advance under Democrats to be a Democrat. I have always been a Republican. I worked for the Democrats who ran the federal government for almost 30 years. To advance, I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree, three job-related master’s degrees, six job-related professional licenses, and a job-related professional license. None of my Democrat coworkers who my Democrat superiors promoted over me came close to doing that.
https://www.newsweek.com/melania-trump-says-she-had-beautiful-childhood-living-under-communism-12480724

NEW YORK TIMES
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote socialism. To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/25/opinion/democrats-young-voters-joy-mamdani.html
— Meta’s smart glasses are the latest in a line of products to raise eyebrows over privacy. That’s not stopping other companies from creating similar devices. DD: I should wear these glasses to document threats made against me by hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters while I deliver Republican election materials.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/24/technology/personaltech/meta-glasses-wearables.html

USA TODAY
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote socialism. To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2026/09/25/democrats-dsa-candidates-problem-midterms/91810550007/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/democrats-cant-shake-dsa-problem-090458505.html
–DD: Ever since my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire when I was 49 in 1997, my critics/opponents have hinted/implied/argued/shouted it was because I am an extremely bad person and even worse things.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personal-finance/2026/09/20/too-old-to-hire-workers-early-retirement-layoffs/91680065007/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— U.S. Government Airs Pro-Trump, Anti-Communism Ad. The unusual ad, which says it was paid for by the U.S. government, aired on Fox News in major TV markets. DD: Democrats constructively own the mainstream news media. Under socialism, they would officially own it.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/u-s-government-airs-pro-trump-anti-communism-ad-39cd8227

FORBES
— DD: Democrat and RINO employers use Affirmative Action and DEI a) to not hire Republicans and b) to get rid of their Republican employees.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/karadennison/2026/09/24/companies-that-dropped-dei-have-nothing-to-show-for-it/

BLOOMBERG
— Trump-Xi Summit Goes Big on Pomp But Small on Substance.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-25/trump-xi-summit-goes-big-on-pomp-but-small-on-substance

DESERET NEWS
— DD: Under capitalism, UIC in 1966, NIU in 1969, Loyola in 1972, DePaul in 1976, and IIT in 1992 admitted me even though my patents were Republicans and I have always been a Republican. Under socialism, if my parents and I had not been socialists, they would not have admitted me. The Democrats who ran the Post Office in 1966, IRS in 1971, and GAO in 1980 hired me because they could not find a qualified Democrat who was minority, female, younger, or veteran and who would take the job. They got rid of me because I refused to become a Democrat. Working for Democrats is like working for socialists.
https://www.deseret.com/politics/2026/09/25/new-poll-finds-two-thirds-of-democratic-voters-favor-democratic-socialist-candidates/

PEW RESEARCH
— DD: From what I see, the more of the following that you are, the more likely that you are receiving welfare or you will receive welfare: not raided in a traditional family, liberal/moderate, non-Republican, non-White, female, younger, LGBTQ, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German American, have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time, and/or noncitizen.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-demographics-of-racial-inequality-in-the-united-states/

LOS ANGELES PROGRESSIVE
— JD Vance Wants to Pay Parents to Stay Home—but With Child Care Money. His $9,000-per-child proposal sounds pro-family until you look at the working and single parents who already depend on those federal funds. DD: According to my critics/opponents, I was tremendously privileged because my stay at home mother raised me and my parents sent me to Missouri Synod Lutheran grade schools. My critics/opponents use that to outrageously/disgustingly/falsely/unethically hint/imply/argue/shout that my parents were filthy rich. They ignore/dismiss/belittle the fact that my mother never attended high school, that neither of my parents attended college, that my father was only the first of my ancestors to earn a high school diploma, that he almost always worked second jobs to pay the family’s bills, that he never earned more than $75,000/year in today’s dollars, that he died suddenly when he was 47 and I was 21, and that I had to work my way through college.
https://www.laprogressive.com/labor-social-justice/pay-parents-to-stay-home
— DD: To get more votes from voters who are liberal/moderate, minority, female, younger, non-rich, LGBTQ, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or have ancestors who had not been in America for a long time, Democrat leaders ever-increasingly shout at them that their problems are caused by voters who are conservative, White, male, older, non-poor, heterosexual, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time.
https://www.laprogressive.com/racism/affirmative-action-needs-to-continue

AXIOS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly crow about their success in promoting socialism.
https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/socialism-opinion-polls-midterms

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

GREAT BRITAIN NEWS
— Illegal migrants who have arrived under Labour now outnumber entire British Army.
https://www.gbnews.com/news/migrant-crisis-illegals-arrived-labour-outnumber-british-army

BUSINESS STANDARD
— Disney’s fired CEO returns to settle scores with Bob Iger in his new memoir. DD: I should write about my Democrat superiors who took the most/biggest adverse actions against me. I would focus on my Democrat Post Office superiors who a) disallowed my sick leave requests in 1968 and 1969 and b) forced me to resign in 1969. I would focus on my Democrat Firestone Store boss who fired me when I told him that I had accepted a job offer from Oldsmobile in 1971. I would focus on my Democrat IRS superiors who a) got rid of the IRS manager who had promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974, b) disallowed my travel vouchers in 1974, c) disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and d) made it clear that they would never promote me to GS-13. I would focus on my Democrat GAO superiors who a) forced me to take a $23,699/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS in 1980, b) delayed my promotions to GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13 and made it clear that they would never promote me to GS-14, c) kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, d) got rid of the GAO manager in 1987 who had arranged my transfer from IRS in 1980 and was finally able to assign me to audits of IRS and to promote me to GS-13 in 1986, e) always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance, and f) forced me to retire when I was 49 in 1997.
https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/disney-s-fired-ceo-returns-to-settle-scores-with-bob-iger-in-his-new-memoir-126092401532_1.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Chapek rejects any personal responsibility for his ouster. He places all blame on a “relentless” sabotage campaign by the man who handpicked him for the job, his predecessor and eventual successor, Robert A Iger.)

DAILY MAIL
— Socialist candidate for Congress arrested protesting Netanyahu at the United Nations.
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16158895/Socialist-arrested-protesting-Netanyahu-United-Nations.html

Author: David Diersen

The opinions that I express in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are based on experience that I have gained doing many things since 1948. I base my opinions on what I learned a) working for the federal government for almost 30 years -- Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, serving on the Executive Committee of the Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter 1983-1996, and being a union member while I worked for the Post Office and IRS; b) earning an MBA from Loyola in 1976, a masters degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, and a masters degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997; c) passing the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 and passing the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981; c) serving as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999, the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois Chairman 2005-2012, a member of the 2008 Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Platform and Resolutions Committee, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member 2003-2011, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster 2008-2010 and 2000-2004, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member 2001-2004; d) attending the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 IRP State Conventions as a delegate; e) being the subject of a nasty 4-page article in the February 1978 issue of Money Magazine; f) pursing litigation including Diersen v. GAO and Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange; g) being married since 1978; h) living in Crete 1948-1972, in University Park 1972-1976, in Chicago 1976-1978, and in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978; and i) being baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran.