August 15, 2023

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT LEANING SOURCES

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Democrats say “Migrant families kicked out of Rogers Park motel for missing curfew are sleeping in tents.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/8/14/23832262/migrant-families-kicked-out-of-rogers-park-motel-for-missing-curfew-are-sleeping-in-tents

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Brandon Johnson’s unconscionable treatment of Dr. Allison Arwady – Editorial
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-editorial-alison-arwady-brandon-johnson-20230814-4bycmi45q5gjjc3pn3mvmcx3ze-story.html

— 50 years after its opening, Lincoln Mall memories come flooding back for fans of Matteson retail outlet – Mike Nolan (COMMENT: Many blame Lincoln Mall for the decline of the Park Forest Plaza. Many blame the Park Forest Plaza for the decline of downtown Chicago Heights.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-matteson-lincoln-mall-50th-anniversary-st-0813-20230811-n7ghusqyv5bt7aoa6kd7qgq37a-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Sears, which at that point was on a massive expansion program, closed its store at the outdoor Park Forest Plaza and relocated to Lincoln Mall.)

FOX32
— Firearms Trade Association sues Illinois AG Kwame Raoul over new gun law
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/firearms-trade-association-sues-illinois-ag-kwame-raoul-new-gun-law
— Democrats acknowledge that “2 mass shootings reported just hours apart in Chicago.”
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1263808

CBS2
— Democrats ever-increasingly push more pot.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/illinois-cannabis-cup/
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/video/you-can-help-crown-a-winner-for-the-illinois-cannabis-cup/

NBC5
— Democrats say “Mayor Brandon Johnson addresses the controversial firing of Chicago’s top doctor Allison Arwady.” To be forced to retire is to be fired. In 1997, when I was 49 years old, my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” that expired on September 30th of that year. If I had not taken their “offer,” I would not have been eligible to take regular retirement until I was 55 in 2003. In 1998, my attorney filed a lawsuit in Washington DC against them charging them with political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation. (SEE: https://gopillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/DiersenGAOFifthAmendedComplaint.pdf ) But in 2000, the lawsuit was transferred to Chicago. If my 7th Amendment rights had not been denied, that is, if I had been allowed to present my evidence to a jury, I would have proved to a jury that my Democrat GAO superiors constructively fired me so that they could give my Black subordinate my job and my preferred corner office which what exactly they did. They made it extremely clear that if I did not retire, they would have made my next 6 years a living hell for me. They hinted that if I did not retire, their living hell for me might have been somewhat less hot if I happily agreed to be transferred to a different audit group and if I happily agreed to work for my coworkers and subordinates a) who had less job-related work experience than I had, b) who had less job-related education than I had, c) who had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or d) who were not a licensed CPA like I was. That is, they hinted that their living hell for me might be somewhat less hot if I happily agreed to be dramatically downgraded. They had assigned me since 1990 to their group that audits federal financial industry regulators. I had just completed the requirements for a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT. My Democrat GAO superiors had taken many adverse actions against me since I transferred from IRS where I had worked for almost 9 years. Those adverse actions included keeping me off audits of IRS 1980-1985 and after 1988. They would not have taken those adverse actions against me if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, younger, or a veteran.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/local/mayor-brandon-johnson-addresses-the-controversial-firing-of-chicagos-top-doctor-allison-arwady/3207186/

WGN RADIO
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision. Democrats ever-increasingly run America. Anticipate/expect that because of the decision, Democrats will ever-increasingly do even more to discriminate against Republicans, and especially against Republicans who are conservative, White, male, older, non-poor, married, gun owner, Christian, Protestant, Italian American, German American, those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time, etc.
https://wgnradio.com/news/political-news/ap-biden-administration-urges-colleges-to-pursue-racial-diversity-without-affirmative-action/

SOUTHERN
— Democrats ask “Will Mitt Romney face a ‘dogfight’ with Republicans in 2024 over his Trump criticism?” I should write a book about those Romney promoters in Wheaton, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois a) who blame me and blame my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters the most for Romney’s problems and b) who have taken the most/biggest adverse actions against me. In my defense, after Romney won the presidential primary in 2012, I did lots to help him win the general election.
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2023/08/14/will-mitt-romney-face-a-dogfight-with-republicans-in-2024-over-his-trump-criticism/

WSIL
— Democrats acknowledge that “Many Americans wrongly believe exposure to marijuana smoke is safer than tobacco.”
https://www.wsiltv.com/news/health/many-americans-wrongly-believe-exposure-to-marijuana-smoke-is-safer-than-tobacco-study-finds/article_ea6e41c4-b1b9-5073-a196-024c0ace1911.html

WAND TV
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.wandtv.com/news/national/biden-administration-urges-colleges-to-pursue-racial-diversity-without-affirmative-action/article_c41913ca-5efa-5c7c-8402-0acd5d7090a8.html
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote more abortion.
https://www.wandtv.com/news/illinois-law-blocks-police-from-using-license-plate-readers-to-track-abortion-patients/article_5f11aa78-3ae7-11ee-af73-53744a2c83c5.html

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/ap-biden-administration-urges-colleges-to-pursue-racial-diversity-without-affirmative-action/

ELMHURST PATCH
— Democrats blast “Ex-GOP Official.”
https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/black-bikers-elmhurst-frightened-ex-gop-official

CAPITOL FAX
— Democrats say “Morning briefing.”
https://capitolfax.com/2023/08/15/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-127/
— Democrats say “Afternoon roundup.”
https://capitolfax.com/2023/08/14/afternoon-roundup-141/
— Democrats say “Two days after it was signed into law, group files federal lawsuit against state’s Firearm Industry Responsibility Act.”
https://capitolfax.com/2023/08/14/two-days-after-it-was-signed-into-law-group-files-lawsuit-against-states-firearm-industry-responsibility-act/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT LEANING SOURCES

WIREPOINTS
— Illinois ‘anti-doxing’ bill becomes law – the latest attack on free speech – Mark Glennon
https://wirepoints.org/illinois-anti-doxing-bill-becomes-law-the-latest-attack-on-free-speech-wirepoints/

CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Multi-occupancy genderless bathrooms are now legal in Illinois. – Andrew Hensel
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_72f51d42-3aef-11ee-a559-9be65471f74d.html
— California leads 20 state coalition (including Illinois) to block bans on some gender care for minors – Kenneth Schrupp
https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_21d5d286-3ad0-11ee-b183-0b366bdc4ea1.html

IBENDAHL ON POLITICS
— Trump’s GOP challengers are wasting their time, and ours
https://ibendahlonpolitics.com/2023/08/14/trumps-gop-challengers-are-wasting-their-time-and-ours/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— Pritzker Buys Time with Defeat over Caulkins’ Assault Weapons Ban Challenge, but DeVore’s TRO and Challenge Against the Ban Continues
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2023/08/gov-jb-pritzker-buys-time-with-defeat-over-caulkins-assault-weapons-ban-challenge-but-devores-tro-and-challenge-against-the-ban-continues.html

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT LEANING SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Biden encourages colleges to skirt Supreme Court ruling that bars affirmative action in admissions – Dave Boyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/aug/14/biden-encourages-colleges-skirt-supreme-court-ruli/
— Global monitoring networks, some of them taxpayer-funded, suppress conservative news media – Susan Ferrechio
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/aug/14/global-monitoring-networks-some-them-taxpayer-fund/
— Trump, 18 associates indicted in Georgia election probe – Dave Boyer and Tom Howell Jr.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/aug/14/georgia-grand-jury-hands-indictments-donald-trump-/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Will the Illinois legislature override Pritzker’s veto of nuclear power bill? – Breanne Deppisch
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy-environment/daily-on-energy-will-the-illinois-legislature-override-pritzkers-veto-of-nuclear-power-bill
— Biden administration urges colleges to diversify despite Supreme Court ruling – Jeremiah Poff
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/education/biden-administration-colleges-diversity-legacy-admissions
— Biden and Democratic cities accuse each other of failing – Zachary Faria
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/biden-and-democratic-cities-accuse-each-other-of-failing

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Inside Biden’s Nearly $1 Billion Migrant Housing Plan. Free housing, medical care will only embolden illegal immigrants. – Joseph Simonson
https://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/inside-bidens-new-migrant-housing-plan/
— From ‘Defund the Police’ to ‘Send in the Troops’: Anti-Cop Democrats Beg National Guard To Stop Crime in Their Cities – Thaleigha Rampersad and Andrew Stiles
https://freebeacon.com/politics/from-defund-the-police-to-send-in-the-troops-anti-cop-democrats-beg-national-guard-to-stop-crime-in-their-cities/

BREITBART
— ‘Dismayed’ NYC Parents Outraged as Mayor Eric Adams Builds Migrant Camp on Children’s Soccer Fields – JOHN BINDER
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2023/08/14/dismayed-nyc-parents-outraged-mayor-eric-adams-builds-migrant-camp-soccer-fields/

COLLEGE FIX
— Catholic law school trains students as activists, ignores nuance – MAGGIE KELLY
https://www.thecollegefix.com/catholic-law-schools-teach-activist-goals-not-legal-controversies/

DAILY CALLER
— Don’t Fall For The Left’s ‘Rebranding’ Of ESG – GAGE KLIPPER
https://dailycaller.com/2023/08/14/esg-corporate-wokeness-rebranding/
— Trump Indicted In Georgia Election Interference Case
https://dailycaller.com/2023/08/14/trump-indicted-georgia-election-interference-case/
— ‘Disinterested At Every Level’: Laura Ingraham Blasts Top Democrats For Decline Of Major Cities
https://dailycaller.com/2023/08/14/disinterested-laura-ingraham-blasts-top-democrats-decline-major-cities/

DAILY SIGNAL
— The Bill Comes Due for Blue Sanctuary Cities – Jarrett Stepman
https://www.dailysignal.com/2023/08/14/the-bill-comes-due-for-blue-sanctuary-cities/

DAILY WIRE
— Biden Administration Issues Racial Diversity Guidance For College Admissions Post SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ban – Brandon Drey
https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-administration-issues-racial-diversity-guidance-for-college-admissions-post-scotus-affirmative-action-ban
— Federal Workers In San Francisco Urged To Work From Home Due To Crime. “Maximize the use of telework for the foreseeable future.” – Mairead Elordi
https://www.dailywire.com/news/federal-workers-in-san-francisco-urged-to-work-from-home-due-to-crime

EPOCH TIMES
— Trump, 18 Others Indicted in Georgia 2020 Election Case – Janice Hisle
https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/us/georgia-grand-jury-returns-indictment-in-trump-2020-case-5455188

FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
— The Folly of Outsourcing Border Security – Michael Capuano
https://www.fairus.org/blog/2023/08/14/folly-outsourcing-border-security
— Migration Group Questions Biden’s Parole Program
https://www.fairus.org/blog/2023/08/14/migration-group-questions-bidens-parole-program

FOX NEWS
— Arkansas the latest state to remove controversial AP African American studies course from schools. The move came after Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed legislation that would ban ‘critical race theory and indoctrination’ in the classroom. – Joshua Q. Nelson
https://www.foxnews.com/media/arkansas-latest-state-remove-controversial-ap-african-american-studies-course-schools

HOT AIR
— Sanctuary and endless victimhood – ED MORRISSEY
https://hotair.com/ed-morrissey/2023/08/14/sanctuary-and-endless-victimhood-the-amiable-skeptics-featuring-adam-baldwin-n571061
— Upstate NY county tells Mayor Adams to stop sending illegal aliens after sex assaults in Buffalo – KAREN TOWNSEND
https://hotair.com/karen-townsend/2023/08/14/upstate-ny-county-tells-mayor-adams-to-stop-sending-illegal-aliens-after-sex-assaults-in-buffalo-n571028

LEGAL INSURRECTION
— Trump Indicted on 13 Counts in Georgia 2020 Election Probe. 18 others have been indicted, too. The prosecutors described the indicted as a “criminal organization.” – Mary Chastain
https://legalinsurrection.com/2023/08/trump-indicted-on-13-counts-in-georgia-2020-election-probe/

NATIONAL REVIEW
— The Harm of ‘Wokeness’ Surfaces in Medicine – GEORGE LEEF
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/the-harm-of-wokeness-surfaces-in-medicine/
— How Eric Adams Has Vindicated Immigration Restrictionism – RICH LOWRY
https://www.nationalreview.com/2023/08/how-eric-adams-has-vindicated-immigration-restrictionism/

NEWSMAX
— When Culture Decomposes Everyone Loses – Bill Donohue
https://www.newsmax.com/billdonohue/crt-gender-moms/2023/08/14/id/1130695/

ONE AMERICA NEWS
— Democrats Switching To GOP As Party Moves To Far Left – Nathaniel Mannor (COMMENT: The following ever-increasingly move to the left: a) Illinois Republican Party, b) DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and c) Milton Township Republican Organization. I should write a book about that.)
https://www.oann.com/video/oan-contribution/survey-report-dems-switching-to-gop-as-party-moves-to-far-left/

TOWNHALL
— One NY County Is Refusing More Migrants After This Happened – Julio Rosas
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/juliorosas/2023/08/14/one-ny-county-is-refusing-more-migrants-after-this-happened-n2626978

WESTERN JOURNAL
— Chicago Democrat Tears Into Cackling Kamala for Touting Democrat Success Despite Rampant Crime, Gangs, Illegals: ‘Not a Laughing Matter’ – George C. Upper III
https://www.westernjournal.com/chicago-dem-tears-cackling-kamala-touting-dem-success-despite-rampant-crime-gangs-illegals-not-laughing-matter/
— Biden Set To Make Illegal Aliens Comfortable with New Housing as Part of $40 Billion Emergency Funding Request to Congress – George C. Upper III
https://www.westernjournal.com/biden-set-make-illegal-aliens-comfortable-new-housing-part-40-billion-emergency-funding-request-congress/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT LEANING SOURCES

THE HILL
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4151787-biden-administration-releases-diversity-guidance-for-universities-after-supreme-courts-affirmative-action-ban/

ROLL CALL
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://rollcall.com/2023/08/14/biden-administration-offers-more-guidance-on-college-admissions/

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote transgenderism. How successful have Democrats been in promoting transgenderism in your county, in your township, in your municipality, and in your school district?
https://apnews.com/article/transgender-gender-affirming-care-health-texas-630f0a8ff873c33b7258cf0c3f6a2859

CNN
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/14/politics/affirmative-action-guidance-biden-administration/index.html

CNBC
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/14/biden-administration-issues-college-guidance-after-affirmative-action-ruling.html

YAHOO
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://news.yahoo.com/biden-administration-urges-colleges-pursue-154324189.html

REUTERS
— Democrats crow that “Biden administration tells US Supreme Court to review social media laws.” My critics/opponents want to silence me, and to do that, they hint/imply/argue/shout that GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters are full of misinformation and advocate extreme causes. I should write a book about my critics/opponents. Better yet, I should sue them.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-administration-tells-us-supreme-court-review-social-media-laws-2023-08-14/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Supporters of the laws, passed in 2021, have argued that social media platforms have silenced conservative voices, while advocates of content moderation have argued for the need to stop misinformation and advocacy for extremist causes.)

MSN
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-administration-releases-diversity-guidance-for-universities-after-supreme-court-s-affirmative-action-ban/ar-AA1fgjv8
— Corporate wokeness is becoming a deeply sinister threat to our freedom – Emma Webb
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/corporate-wokeness-is-becoming-a-deeply-sinister-threat-to-our-freedom/ar-AA1ffOek

CBS NEWS
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-administration-advises-colleges-on-how-race-of-students-can-be-admissions-factor/

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-08-14/biden-administration-urges-colleges-to-pursue-racial-diversity-without-affirmative-action
https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2023-08-14/education-department-doj-outline-ways-colleges-can-use-race-in-admissions

NEWSWEEK
— Democrats ask “What Does the Loss of Affirmative Action Mean for Black Students?” Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.newsweek.com/what-does-loss-affirmative-action-mean-black-students-1819260

NEW YORK TIMES
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/14/us/biden-affirmative-action-diversity.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/14/us/college-applications-admissions-essay.html
— Democrats decry that “Arkansas Warns School Districts Not to Offer A.P. African American Studies.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/14/us/arkansas-college-board-advanced-african-american-studies.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/08/14/affirmative-action-college-admissions-guidance/

USA TODAY
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/08/14/affirmative-action-ban-biden-tips-diversity-colleges/70588312007/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Another Progressive Double Standard. Chicago threatens to defile Jane Byrne Park. – James Freeman
https://www.wsj.com/articles/another-progressive-double-standard-15f87fab
— More Americans Are Ending Up Homeless—at a Record Rate – Jon Kamp and Shannon Najmabadi (COMMENT: Democrats ever-increasingly do everything that they can to destroy traditional marriage and to destroy the traditional family.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/homelessness-increasing-united-states-housing-costs-e1990ac7
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/colleges-can-still-consider-race-in-admissions-within-limits-biden-administration-says-a5602004
— No Catholics Need Adopt. A Massachusetts couple is denied a foster child because of religious views. – William McGurn
https://www.wsj.com/articles/no-catholics-need-adopt-massachusetts-foster-care-family-children-marriage-obergefell-df672535

FORBES
— Democrats ever-increasingly a) run America and b) promote more hatred against Republicans.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardfowler/2023/08/14/as-attacks-on-america-expand-the-congressional-black-caucus-fights-forward/

CREATORS SYNDICATE
— If I had not been denied my 7th Amendment rights in Diersen v. GAO, I would have presented a jury with many examples in which my Democrat GAO superiors gave bigger pay increases to and promoted over me my Democrat coworkers who were female and a) who had less job-related work experience than I had, b) who had less job-related education than I had, and/or c) who had fewer job-related professional certifications and licenses than I had. It is called political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination.
https://www.creators.com/read/susan-estrich

POLITICO
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/14/biden-administration-college-admissions-guidance-00111060

PBS
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/biden-administration-urges-colleges-to-pursue-racial-diversity-without-affirmative-action

INSIDE HIGHER EDUCATION
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/admissions/traditional-age/2023/08/14/biden-administration-issues-guidance-affirmative-action

EDUCATION WEEK
— Democrats ever-increasingly make it clear that they reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-administration-outlines-how-colleges-can-pursue-racial-diversity-after-court-ruling/2023/08

VOA
— Democrats acknowledge that “More US-Bound Migrants From Former Soviet Republics Arrive in Mexico.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3KsF_hvgfc

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.