Tag: marijuana

There is ever-increasing pressure to remove me from the 2024 Illinois Republican State Convention Party Platform and Resolutions Committee because I am the GOPUSA Illinois Editor. They do not want me to be an “insider.” They want to impose big restrictions on me. Any “leak” of committee information would be blamed on me. How should I react to that? See my comments and article at the end of this newsletter.

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT LEANING SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— MAY 20, 2016 FLASHBACK: Illinois Republicans divided on same-sex marriage, abortion at party convention – RICK PEARSON (COMMENT: Needless-to-say, I will sue anyone who has hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I provided Pearson with any information let alone “inside” information for this article.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/05/20/illinois-republicans-divided-on-same-sex-marriage-abortion-at-party-convention/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Tensions were on display between social moderates and conservatives Friday as the state GOP convention opened and Republicans sought to assemble a new platform. Along a hallway at the Peoria Civic Center, a vendor sold hats, shirts, buttons and signs featuring the phrase “Make America Great Again,” along with images of the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, real estate baron and former reality TV star Donald Trump. Inside a cramped meeting hall, however, tensions were on display between social moderates and conservatives over same-sex marriage and abortion as they sought to put together a new platform. The two issues, long contentious in an internally divided state GOP, were at the forefront Friday at the opening of the Illinois Republicans’ every-four-years state convention, a prelude to the Republican National Convention in July. For the Illinois GOP, the November election presents a chance to build on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2014 victory, upend Democratic majorities in the legislature and re-elect U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk for a second term. Kirk, facing a difficult election fight against Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth, has supported same-sex marriage. But as the state GOP’s platform committee sought to remove previous language defining marriage as between one man and one woman, committee members were heavily lobbied by social conservatives and members of the state’s Republican congressional delegation, including U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton. Following nearly three hours of discussion, the committee voted 10-7 with one abstention on new language that also recognizes “non-traditional families are worthy of the same respect and legal protections as traditional families.” But the committee’s approval does not avoid the prospect of a floor fight when it is presented to the full state convention Saturday. Conservative family advocates already were promising major opposition. Pat Brady, former state GOP chairman and a member of the panel, said it was time for the party to move beyond the issue after state laws and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex marriage. “It’s a reflection of the committee of the reality of being too strident in not recognizing marriage beyond those with a man and a woman. And it’s an effort to appeal to younger people,” said Brady, whose support for same-sex marriage helped lead to an early end of his tenure as head of the state’s Republicans. Earlier in the day, conservatives on the platform committee pushed back against an effort to make the party’s plank against abortion more inclusive, rejecting language recognizing that some support the procedure in “limited circumstances.” “Why can’t we be more receptive to those who agree with most of our core principles?” asked Ryan Higgins, a platform committee member representing the northwest and west suburban 8th Congressional District. “It’s a beacon,” he said of the inclusive language. “C’mon over, we want you.” But Dave Carrabotta, a committee member from the north suburban 9th Congressional District, countered that language calling abortion allowable in certain, even unspecific circumstances (such as when rape, incest or the life or health of the mother is involved) would open the door to wider exceptions. “You give an eighth of an inch,” Carrabotta said, “the game is over.” Jan Klaas, a panel member from northwestern Illinois’ 16th District, argued against the language, saying the party’s duty wasn’t to attract votes but to do what was “right” by strongly opposing abortion. With the inclusive language deleted, the committee recommended restating a call for the Supreme Court’s landmark abortion-rights ruling Roe v. Wade be overturned, as well as provisions requiring hospital surgical standards at abortion clinics, which has been used in other states to limit availability of the procedure. Other parts of the proposed platform included provisions backing changes in workers’ compensation, civil liability damage award limits, term limits and making the drawing of legislative districts less political — all part of Rauner’s legislative agenda, which Democratic lawmakers have opposed during a stalemate that’s kept the state without a full budget for nearly 11 months. The proposed platform also presses the Democratic-led General Assembly to approve a “true balanced budget every year” and said its failure to do so jeopardizes the education of the state’s children. Beyond that, the platform includes calls for elected and appointed public officials to serve “honestly, ethically and with integrity,” urges passage of a voter identification law, and opposes Democratic efforts to enact a graduated-rate state income tax to replace Illinois’ current flat tax. Another committee, meanwhile, recommended a slate of 12 at-large delegates to join state Chairman Tim Schneider and the state’s two Republican National Committee members as delegates to the national nominating convention in Cleveland. Among the delegates selected was Todd Ricketts, of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs. If approved at the state convention on Saturday, Ricketts would be pledged to vote for Trump on a first ballot even though he was a major player in Our Principles PAC, an anti-Trump super political action committee. Ricketts was an early backer of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s unsuccessful White House bid.)
— FRONT PAGE: 6 months after Illinois ended cash bail, jail populations are down as courts settle into new patterns – MADELINE BUCKLEY
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/04/29/6-months-after-illinois-ended-cash-bail-jail-populations-are-down-as-courts-settle-into-new-patterns/
— Thornton Township residents gather to organize against Tiffany Henyard – JESSE WRIGHT
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/04/28/thornton-township-residents-gather-to-organize-against-tiffany-henyard/
— COMMENT: Democrats ever-increasingly push pot and LGBTQ.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/04/29/column-chicago-queer-owned-dispensary-sway-washington/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— MAY 21, 2016 FLASHBACK: Illinois Republican Party takes stance on marriage – Chris Kaergard (COMMENT: Needless-to-say, I will sue anyone who has hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I provided Kaergard with any information let alone “inside” information for this article.)
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2016/05/21/illinois-republican-party-takes-stance/29174372007/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: PEORIA — Illinois Republicans will remain the party of “marriage between one man and one woman.” Meeting in Peoria, delegates to the state GOP convention voted overwhelmingly to retain a plank in their platform of guiding principles calling for that stance instead of a proposed change that touted the benefits of the traditional, nuclear family and First Amendment religious freedoms while declaring that diverse opinions were welcomed and “that non-traditional families are worthy of the same respect and legal protections as traditional families.” Though that proposed language change cleared the party’s platform committee 11-7 after a lengthy meeting Friday, opponents successfully sought a floor debate and vote on an issue by the full contingent of delegates at what was billed as the highest-attendance GOP convention in state history with 968 credentialed attendees. Supporters of the traditional-marriage status quo position argued their position represented a consensus of the party at its last convention in 2012, but also insisted that enshrining that position was critical to the party’s success at the ballot box. “Our platform distinguishes ourselves from the Democrats,” state Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, said in arguing that downstate members of the GOP needed such language to compete against the conservative Democrats they often face in elections. “We have to hold those seats and we have to pick up seats.” State Rep. Peter Breen, R-Lombard, also told the audience that there was little support among rank-and-file Republicans for adjusting the language in the platform. “There’s no groundswell out there amongst Republicans to change the definition of marriage,” he said. “It’s a core Republican principle across the country.” Party chairman Tim Schneider had to twice call for calm and a respectful exchange of ideas as proponents of newer language were interrupted by jeers, boos and shouts of, “Go home!” however. But Ryan Higgins, the state’s central committeeman from the suburban 8th Congressional District, said that rejecting the proposed newer language also gutted the most requested addition to the platform, which would have emphasized the need for protections for religious liberty, and said that the recommended alterations were being misinterpreted. Elisha French of Galesburg agreed, noting that the issues in the debate over marriage have changed since 2012. He told the convention that, “The (battle) line has been moved while we have been talking.” Demetra DeMonte, the longtime Tazewell County GOP volunteer who was re-elected as one of two Illinois representatives to the Republican National Committee, applauded the final result. “I was very happy to vote for the amendment,” she said. “I thought it was necessary, and I’m pleased that it won overwhelming and is now part of our party platform.” The process the proposals for a marriage plank went through satisfied Mike Bigger, the Stark County resident who chaired the platform committee and serves as the state party’s secretary. “I thought (with) an issue that was that divisive, it was critical that it come to the floor and let the delegates actually vote,” he said. “I’ve never at a convention before seen that happen. The majority spoke and it was clear and resounding. We passed the right platform — the platform the party wanted — and I’m totally happy with it.” Schneider and a host of others throughout the afternoon in the Peoria Civic Center ballroom urged the crowd to unify behind GOP candidates in the fall — regardless of any intra-party disagreements — for the betterment of the party. “United, the possible is possible. Divided, the possible is impossible,” Schneider said. Other speakers during the convention’s general assembly portion for all delegates included Gov. Bruce Rauner, state Comptroller Leslie Munger and U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, and Adam Kinzinger, R-Channahon, though all stuck to familiar themes they’ve invoked at other public appearances, often word for word. Many early speakers avoided referencing GOP presidential nominee-in-waiting Donald Trump by name, until DeMonte predicted his victory in the fall and drew cheers, chants and waving signs from some members of the crowd.)
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote more abortion.
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/state/2024/04/29/how-abortion-views-could-impact-elections-in-illinois-in-2024/73206862007/

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— MAY 21, 2016 FLASHBACK: Republicans Hold State Party Convention in Peoria – Matt Witkos (COMMENT: Needless-to-say, I will sue anyone who has hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I provided Witkos with any information let alone “inside” information for this article.)
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/republicans-hold-state-party-convention-in-peoria-05-22-2016-013738105
(FROM THE ARTICLE: PEORIA, ILL (WICS)—Republican leaders and delegates have come together to discuss their strategy for this year’s general election. Governor Bruce Rauner getting nearly 1000 people on their feet when he addressed the Illinois Republican Convention. “Now is the time come together. Now is the time to unite up and down the ticket,” said Governor Rauner. “This election cycle is critical we’ve got to pick up seats against Mike Madigan’s Democrats and the Chicago political machine,” he added. The republican leader not endorsing presidential Republican candidate Donald Trump. Still urging the crowd to vote Republican. “This is the year we take back the White House. We control Congress and we are going to restore the prosperity and pride of America. This is our year for republicans to come back into power,” said Governor Rauner. After the governor Congressmen’s Mike Bost and Darin LaHood got on stage. Bost putting a Trump sticker on in front of the crowd. “Donald Trump. Donald trump is so much better than Hillary Clinton,” said Bost. “We have a nominee and that’s Donald Trump and we have to support that nominee,” said LaHood. Tyler Falconburg and Susan Petty were there supporting Trump. “He’s little bit rash and rough around the edges but he does speak his mind and people do love that about him. “I look forward to working with all of them to get the man elected and take it in Illinois. The 41st Republican National Convention is July 18-21st in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the first time the city has hosted since 1938.)

ABC7
— Israel supporters show up at pro-Palestinian encampment at Northwestern, resulting in standoff – Tre Ward
https://abc7chicago.com/northwestern-encampment-standoff-ensues-between-israel-supporters-pro-palestinian-demonstrators-calling-for-gaza-cease-fire/14740968/
— Chants of ‘shame on you’ greet guests at White House correspondents’ dinner shadowed by war in Gaza – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/white-house-correspondents-dinner-chants-of-shame-on-you-greet-guests-at-annual-event-shadowed-by-war-in-gaza/14739869/

CBS2
— Pro-Palestinian demonstrators, Israel supporters stand off on fourth day of protests at Northwestern University – Shardaa Gray
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/pro-palestinian-demonstrators-israel-supporters-stand-off-on-fourth-day-of-protests-at-northwestern-university/
— Carjackers hold woman unloading groceries at gunpoint, flee with vehicle (COMMENT: Chicago today, your municipality tomorrow.)
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/carjacking-chicago-woman-unloading-groceries-north-albany/
— Chicago Police search for man who attempted to kidnap 15-year-old girl at bus stop – Beth Lawrence
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-police-search-attempted-kidnapping-bus-stop/

WGN9
— People in support of Israel counter-protest pro-Palestinian encampment at Northwestern University – Andrea Medina, Andrew Smith
https://wgntv.com/israel-hamas-conflict/people-in-support-of-israel-counter-protest-pro-palestinian-encampment-at-northwestern-university/

FOX ILLINOIS
— Utah GOP opts to challenge incumbent state leaders with convention votes – BRIAN MULLAHY
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/utah-gop-opts-to-challenge-incumbent-state-leaders-with-convention-votes-spencer-cox-donald-trump-mitt-romney-phil-lyman-republican-party-orrin-hatch-jason-walton-brad-wilson-jon-curtis-truth-social-maga-economy
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A marathon Utah Republican Party convention finally ended close to midnight—six hours later than planned—and in the end, incumbents were left fighting more than sleep. State Rep. Phil Lyman soundly beat Gov. Spencer Cox in the GOP delegate vote, 68% to 32%, a margin that would have been enough to knock Cox out of the race altogether, had the governor’s campaign not collected more than 28,000 signatures to ensure his place on the primary ballot.)

SOUTHERN
— Trump and DeSantis meet to ‘bury the hatchet’ after 2024 primary fight – Rachel Scott, Will Steakin, and Hannah Demissie
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2024/04/29/trump-and-desantis-meet-to-bury-the-hatchet-after-2024-primary-fight-sources/

WSIL TV
— Trump and DeSantis meet in Miami for first conversation since Florida governor dropped out of GOP primary – CNN
https://www.wsiltv.com/news/trump-and-desantis-meet-in-miami-for-first-conversation-since-florida-governor-dropped-out-of/article_b8408d5c-faed-5578-9b39-2c4954fcf9d1.html

WAND TV
— Utah GOP picks Trump-backed mayor as nominee to replace Sen. Mitt Romney, but primary foes await – AP
https://www.wandtv.com/news/national/utah-gop-nominates-lyman-for-governors-race-but-incumbent-cox-still-seen-as-primary-favorite/article_aee9e5a2-5fd9-5524-8f18-82db4b809562.html

LAKE & MCHENRY SCANNER
— Chicago man accused of shattering window, stealing high-end car from dealership in Crystal Lake. (COMMENT: Crystal Lake today, your municipality tomorrow.)
https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2024/04/28/chicago-man-accused-of-shattering-window-stealing-high-end-car-from-dealership-in-crystal-lake/

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning Briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2024/04/29/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-278/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT LEANING SOURCES

WIREPOINTS
— Traumatizing Chicago robberies, violent crimes at six-year high – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://wirepoints.org/traumatizing-chicago-robberies-violent-crimes-at-six-year-high-wirepoints/
— Floundering Illinois wind energy program blamed partly on (you guessed it) climate change – Mark Glennon
https://wirepoints.org/floundering-illinois-wind-energy-program-blamed-partly-on-you-guessed-it-climate-change-wirepoints/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT LEANING SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— No end in sight to protests as Columbia lets deadline lapse, vows not to bring back police – Valerie Richardson
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/apr/28/no-end-sight-protests-columbia-lets-deadline-lapse/
— Some want to prevent a civil war, Democrats want to provoke it. All in the name of saving democracy. – Don Feder
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/apr/28/some-want-to-prevent-civil-war-democrats-want-to-p/

NEW YORK POST
— Biden’s secret weapon for November: using federal agencies to ‘get out the vote’ FOR HIM – Tarren Bragdon (COMMENT: Virtually all federal employees are Democrats.)
https://nypost.com/2024/04/28/opinion/bidens-secret-weapon-for-november-using-federal-agencies-to-get-out-the-vote-for-hi/
— ‘Pro-Palestine’ protests really ARE seeking a ‘final solution’ – Editorial
https://nypost.com/2024/04/28/opinion/the-pro-palestine-protests-real-do-seek-a-final-solution/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Groupthink and its consequences in today’s academia – Tyler Asbell
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2024/04/groupthink_and_its_consequences_in_today_s_academia.html
— Women Forced to Compete Against Men? Just Say No! – Brian C. Joondeph, M.D.
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2024/04/women_forced_to_compete_against_men_just_say_no.html

AMERICAN WIRE NEWS
— NYC hotel in trendy location quietly gets converted into migrant shelter – Chris Donaldson
https://americanwirenews.com/nyc-hotel-in-trendy-location-quietly-gets-converted-into-migrant-shelter/

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Whites are having fewer and fewer and fewer children. Why is that?
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2024/04/28/elon-musk-throws-wrench-into-great-replacement-theory-pointing-to-glaring-problem-1455648/

BREITBART
— Biden’s DHS Keeps Detention Space Unfilled as Criminal Illegal Aliens End Up in American Communities – JOHN BINDER
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/04/28/joe-bidens-dhs-keeps-detention-space-unfilled-criminal-illegal-aliens-end-up-american-communities/

DAILY CALLER
— DeSantis, Donald Trump Discuss Détente In Miami
https://dailycaller.com/2024/04/28/ron-desantis-donald-trump-detente-miami-florida-washington-post/

DAILY SIGNAL
— 6 Reasons Chinese Nationals Are Illegally Crossing California’s Southern Border – Virginia Allen
https://www.dailysignal.com/2024/04/28/6-reasons-chinese-nationals-illegally-crossing-californias-southern-border/

DAILY WIRE
— AOC Praises Columbia Protest Encampment After ‘Student Leader’ Said ‘Zionists Don’t Deserve To Live’ – Ryan Saavedra
https://www.dailywire.com/news/aoc-praises-columbia-protest-encampment-after-student-leader-said-zionists-dont-deserve-to-live

EPOCH TIMES
— Drag Queen Leads Children in ‘Free Palestine’ Chant at Queer Storytime for Palestine. The drag queen is a Jewish Humanities Professor at the University of Arizona who has appeared on Saturday Night Live. – Alice Giordano
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/drag-queen-leads-children-in-free-palestine-chant-at-queer-storytime-for-palestine-5638702

FOX NEWS
— Trump, DeSantis meet privately for several hours in Miami. Meeting marks first time they have spoken since DeSantis ended presidential bid in January. – Paul Steinhauser, Greg Wehner
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-desantis-meet-privately-several-hours-miami
— Illegal migrants aren’t seeking asylum yet they’re welcomed in – Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif) Issa joins ‘Fox News Live’ to discuss the migrant crisis’ impact on San Diego, California.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6351941598112

LEGAL INSURRECTION
— ‘American Privacy Rights Act of 2024’ Sneaks In Quotas. In the name of preventing bias, APRA imposes quotas. And it imposes them everywhere. – Stewart Baker
https://legalinsurrection.com/2024/04/apra-is-a-quota-bill/

TOWNHALL
— Rules for Republicans – Alan Joseph Bauer
https://townhall.com/columnists/alanjosephbauer/2024/04/29/rules-for-republicans-n2638329
— It Was Only a Matter of Time Before We Saw Something Like This at These Pro-Hamas Rallies – Matt Vespa
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2024/04/28/it-was-only-a-matter-of-time-before-we-saw-signs-like-this-at-these-pro-hamas-rallies-n2638380
— NYT Complains About Biden’s Lack of Interviews – Sarah Arnold |
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2024/04/28/nyt-issues-scathing-rebuke-over-bidens-lack-of-interviews-n2638373

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT LEANING SOURCES

THE HILL
— Democrats and RINOs ever-increasingly promote more mass/illegal immigration.
https://thehill.com/opinion/4627011-biden-should-choose-legal-pathways-over-new-restrictions/
— Campus protests expose differences in red and blue America
https://nxslink.thehill.com/view/6230d8bab246d104952d7f0bkyav1.jar/e3081893

CNN
— Ford just reported a massive loss on every electric vehicle it sold – Chris Isidore
https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/24/business/ford-earnings-ev-losses/index.html

MSN
— New York state to study slavery reparations
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/new-york-state-to-study-slavery-reparations/ar-AA1lLeDq
— PwC now allowing White interns to apply with them again after DEI fiasco, conservatives blaming Democrats (COMMENT: Public accounting firms were not interested in me after I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 when I was 30 years old not only because I was “too old,” but because I was a White male. Because of the aforesaid, they ignored/dismissed/belittled the fact that I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, that I had almost earned a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul, and that I had worked for IRS since 1971, the last 5 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 Levels, currently $97,079-$110,020/year in today’s dollars.)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pwc-now-allowing-white-interns-to-apply-with-them-again-after-dei-fiasco-conservatives-blaming-democrats/ar-AA1naFwF

NEW YORK TIMES
— College Protests Over Gaza Deepen Democratic Rifts. Scenes of chaos unfolding on campuses across the country are stoking internal divisions and carry political risk as a major election year unfolds. – Katie Glueck
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/28/us/politics/college-protests-israel-democrats.html
— Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters ever-increasingly promote hatred against Trump.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/28/us/politics/trump-trial-words.html
— Democrats ever-increasingly push more pot.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/28/us/politics/earl-blumenauer-congress-marijuana.html

LOS ANGLES TIMES
— College protesters want ‘amnesty.’ At stake: Tuition, legal charges, grades and graduation – Jocelyn Gecker
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-04-28/college-protesters-want-amnesty-at-stake-tuition-legal-charges-grades-and-graduation

USA TODAY
— Anti-Americans and America-haters ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/28/migrant-bus-operation-in-mexico/73438134007/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Journalists Have Inside Information. – Jared Diamond (COMMENT: Should I write a book about my critics/opponents who since 2000 have hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I have negligently/intentionally shared inside information in my GOPUSA newsletters? Better yet, should I sue them? I would focus on those who have hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I have negligently/intentionally shared inside information that I have gained as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999, the Milton Township Republican Organization webmaster 2000-2004 and 2008-2010, a delegate to the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Conventions, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman 2005-2012, the Republican fundraiser for Wheaton Independence Day parades and fireworks 2005-2019, and a member of the IRP State Convention Platform and Resolutions Committee in 2008 and 2024. I would focus on my critics/opponents who have blamed me and have blamed my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters the most for defeats that Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct have suffered since 2000 including Jim Ryan and Peter Roskam. Again, should I sue them?)
https://www.wsj.com/sports/journalists-inside-information-gambling-4e560bc6

LINKED IN
— What are the best practices for handling conflicts of interest in journalism? (COMMEMT: Full disclosure. Since I became the GOPUSA Illinois Editor in 2000, I have always fully disclosed everything that might impact the decisions that I make to include and not include links to articles in my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters and any comments that I make on those articles. That includes that I am conservative, Republican, and a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999. That includes that I served as the Milton Township Republican Organization webmaster 2000-2004 and 2008-2010, a delegate to the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Conventions, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman 2005-2012, the Republican fundraiser for Wheaton Independence Day parades and fireworks 2005-2019, and a member of the IRP State Convention Platform and Resolutions Committee in 2008 in 2024. That includes my employment history, education, professional certifications, and professional license. That includes my demographics including that I am White, male, older (born in 1948), non-veteran, Protestant, German American, and my ancestors have been in America since 1844. Further, no one manipulates me or dominates me. I am no one’s operative or dupe. I do not glorify and praise people. I do not pander to people. I do not cover up their wrongdoing. I do not give them money.)
https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-best-practices-handling-conflicts-interest-journalism
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 1. The first step is to identify any potential conflicts of interest that may affect your reporting. . .2. Disclose relevant conflicts The second step is to disclose any relevant conflicts of interest to your editors and audience. You should be honest and transparent about any factors that may affect your objectivity or integrity as a journalist. You should inform your editors of any potential conflicts before you start working on a story, and seek their guidance and approval on how to proceed. You should also inform your audience of any relevant conflicts in your story, either in a disclaimer, an acknowledgment, or a footnote. This way, you can show your respect and accountability to your readers and viewers.)

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Comments for the next GOPUSA Illinois Editor – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

Politics is nasty/vicious. I have served as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000. Based on my experience doing that, my comments for the next GOPUSA Illinois Editor include:

— You will be blamed for all the defeats that Republican candidates in Illinois suffer and especially defeats suffered by candidates on ballots in your precinct.
— All your decisions to include or to not include links to articles in GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters and all your comments on those articles will be criticized if not demonized, denigrated, and/or condemned.
— Ever-increasingly, distorted/misleading/false statements will be made about you and about your newsletters.
— Your motives and judgment will be ever-increasingly demonized, denigrated, and/or condemned.
— You will be expected to if not forced to be happily manipulated/dominated by, to glorify and praise, to pander to, to serve as an operative or dupe for, to cover up the wrongdoing of, and/or to give money to a) the leaders of the Illinois Republican Party, your Republican party organization, your Republican township/ward party organization, and/or the candidates who they support in primary races and/or b) those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout where you live.
— Those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout where you live will ever-increasingly take more/bigger adverse actions against you.
— The more that you promote the following planks in the Republican Party platform, the faster that you will be destroyed: personal responsibility, traditional marriage and family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, and/or equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving).
— You will be insulted/threatened/slandered/labeled for negligently/intentionally “spreading inside information.”
— All your accomplishments in life will be ignored/dismissed/belittled if not demonized, denigrated, and/or condemned.
— If you do not have a degree in journalism, that will be stressed.
— If you are conservative, Republican, White, male, older, non-veteran, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time, you will be ever-increasingly painted as being a White supremacist, Nazi, KKK member, hater, racist, sexist, bigot, and even worse things.
— Ever-increasingly, you will be “kept out of the loop” and your phone calls will not be taken or returned.
— Ever-increasingly, your critics/opponents will ever-increasingly discourage everyone from reading your newsletters.
— Because you are a messenger that brings bad news, you will be shot.
— Those who come to your defense will be destroyed.
— You and your reputation will be destroyed.

There is ever-increasing pressure to remove me from the 2024 Illinois Republican Party State Convention Platform and Resolutions Committee because I am the GOPUSA Illinois Editor. They do not want me to be an “insider.” They want to impose big restrictions on me. Any “leak” of committee information would be blamed on me. How should I react to that?