August 2, 2024

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Democrats say “Some Republicans (Pat Brady and Chris Sununu) call on Donald Trump to tone down divisive comments after NABJ interview.”
https://abc7chicago.com/post/republicans-call-donald-trump-tone-down-divisive-comments-after-nabj-convention-interview-chicago/15134714/
— Democrats say “DNC credentials 200 social media influencers for convention; United Center preparations underway. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reportedly under consideration to be Kamala Harris’ running mate.” My critics/opponents take adverse actions against me to curry favor with the Democrat news media.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/dnc-credentials-200-social-media-influencers-create-content-2024-chicago-convention-united-center-preparations-underway/15133932/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Democrats say Pritzker has been interviewed twice for Harris VP slot.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/08/01/gov-j-b-pritzker-interviewed-twice-for-kamala-harris-vp-slot-source-says/
— Democrats acknowledge: “Wealth in Chicago’s Black and brown communities was eroded intentionally by discriminatory policies.” Democrats run Chicago.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/08/02/the-color-of-wealth-chicago/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Democrats say “VP contender J.B. Pritzker met twice with Kamala Harris’ vetting team.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2024-democratic-national-convention/2024/08/01/jb-pritzker-vice-president-contender-kamala-harris-vetting
— Democrats ever-increasingly run America and make it clear that they are going to get rid of Republicans once and for all. Consequently, more and more and more Republicans buy firearms and ammunition for their self-defense.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2024/08/01/guns-second-amendment-violence-politics-bg-money-donors-jb-pritzker-vp-letters
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote more abortion.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/womens-reproductive-rights-chicago-abortion-providers-brace-new-clients-seeking-care-after-iowa-ban-takes-effect/15133455/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Democrats run Illinois. Democrats acknowledge that “Illinois ranks last at keeping rich people from moving out.” The more money that you earn/have, the harder that it is for Democrat and RINO leaders to manipulate/dominate you. My federal pension is only $65,165/year and my Social Security is only $2,935/year, but still, no one can manipulate/dominate me. That said, the less money that you earn/have, the easier that it is for Democrat and RINO leaders to harm you. They removed me from the Illinois Republican Party State Convention Platform and Resolutions Committee this year. They ended my service as the Republican fundraiser for Wheaton Independence Day parades and fireworks in 2021, a role that I had since 2005.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/illinois-ranks-last-keeping-rich-people-moving-out
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A chart in the report shows Illinois with the worst record of retaining people who make $200,000 or more per year and, probably just as unsurprising, Florida with the best. For every $200,000-plus earner who leaves Florida, two and three-quarters move in. The lost income in Illinois from all out-migration, not just high earners, was about $9.85 billion in recent years, according to earlier IRS data. Based on individual tax returns filed in 2021 and 2022, the IRS reports about $19.38 billion in adjusted gross income left the state and about $9.58 billion moved in, for a net loss of $9.85 billion.)
— Democrats say “The one-hour delay that preceded Donald Trump’s July 31 appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists was not because of audio problems, as Trump later claimed, but because the former president objected to the group’s plan to fact-check his remarks in real time.” During the almost 18 years that I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO, I often worked as a fact checker, and especially during my last 11 years as a GS-13 Step 1-10 Analyst, currently $115,439-$150,075/year.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/donald-trump-nabj-interview-stalled-over-fact-checking-axios

SOUTHERN
— Democrats say “Trump’s comments on Jewish Democrats, second gentleman Doug Emhoff spark criticism.”
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2024/08/01/trumps-comments-on-jewish-democrats-second-gentleman-doug-emhoff-spark-criticism/
— Democrats say “JD Vance is having a rocky rollout” and ask “How much does it matter to voters?”
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2024/08/01/jd-vance-is-having-a-rocky-rollout-how-much-does-it-matter-to-voters/
— Democrats say “Trump doubles down on false racial attacks on Harris, Republican senators squirm when confronted about it.” When Trump was asked about Harris and DEI, what if Trump had responded that Biden would not have picked Harris for Vice President if Harris had been White, male, older, Protestant, German American, and/or if her ancestors had been in America for a long time? But Democrats would have responded that Trump would not have picked Vance if Vance was older, Protestant, or had a wife who was White.
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2024/08/01/trump-doubles-down-on-false-racial-attacks-on-harris-republican-senators-squirm-when-confronted-about-it/

WGLT
— Democrats say “Changing population is changing the political landscape in Illinois.” Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly a) bring into Illinois those who have demographics that vote for Democrats and b) drive out of Illinois those who have demographics that vote for Republicans. How successful have the Democrat and RINO leaders in your county, township, and municipality been in doing that?
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2024-08-01/changing-population-changes-politics-in-illinois

WGME
— Democrats say “An Illinois congresswoman on Tuesday introduced a bill she says would “constitutionally” define gender as “male and female.” Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., proposed the Defining Male and Female Act two days before the Biden administration’s new Title IX regulations took effect. The regulations broaden the law to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity.”
https://wgme.com/news/nation-world/illinois-congresswoman-floats-bill-constitutionally-defining-gender-as-male-and-female-mary-miller-republican-title-ix-biden-harris-lgbt-gender-identity-transgender-sports-sex-discrimination

ILLINOIS TIMES
— Democrats say “Sheriff defends hiring process.”
https://www.illinoistimes.com/news-opinion/sheriff-defends-hiring-process-18872044

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Full-court press for Pritzker as VP – SHIA KAPOS
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2024/08/02/full-court-press-for-pritzker-as-vp-00172434
(FROM THE NEWSLETTER: JIM EDGAR’s VOTE: Former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar said he’ll be voting for Kamala Harris for president come November. “I just worry about [Donald Trump] getting to be president again. I think there are a lot of negative ramifications,” he told Playbook. “You have to put the country ahead of partisan politics, and to me there’s no choice but to vote for somebody other than Trump.” Edgar’s decision isn’t a complete surprise. He voted for Biden in 2020, and he didn’t vote for Trump in 2016, either.)

CAPITOL FAX
— Democrats say “Morning briefing.”
https://capitolfax.com/2024/08/02/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-339/
— Democrats say “Afternoon roundup.”
https://capitolfax.com/2024/08/01/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-132/
— Democrats say “For third time, former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar won’t be voting for Donald Trump” Illinois has far too many people who say that they are Republicans, but who talk and/or act like they are Democrats. I should write a book about the aforesaid. I would focus on those who have taken the most/biggest adverse actions against me.
https://capitolfax.com/2024/08/01/for-third-time-former-republican-gov-jim-edgar-wont-be-voting-for-donald-trump/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WIREPOINTS
— Illinois’ Stupidest Bill of the Year Signed Into Law – the Falsely Labeled, Unconstitutional ‘Worker Freedom of Speech Act’ – Mark Glennon
https://wirepoints.org/illinois-stupidest-bill-of-the-year-signed-into-law-the-falsely-labeled-unconstitutional-worker-freedom-of-speech-act-wirepoints/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Chicago Teachers Union funds 3 in 5 Chicago aldermen, with big bucks to Socialists. – Perry Zhao
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicago-teachers-union-funds-3-in-5-chicago-aldermen-with-big-bucks-to-socialists/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Kamala Harris backed using ‘lists’ of gun owners to send police door-to-door to seize firearms. – Kerry Picket (COMMENT: Sooner or later, Illinois Democrat leaders will get rid Illinois Republicans who have FOID cards. I have always been a Republican. I have had an FOID cars since I was 20 years old in 1968.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/aug/1/kamala-harris-backed-using-lists-of-gun-owners-to-/
— The media are in love with Kamala Harris, and they’re telling everybody. Reporters assist presumed Democratic presidential nominee in burying her record of leftism and failure. – Tim Murtaugh
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/aug/1/media-are-in-love-with-kamala-harris-and-theyre-te/
— Harris owns Biden’s disastrous record. – Scott Walker
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/aug/1/harris-owns-bidens-disastrous-record/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Pritzker says America deserves better after Trump calls Harris ‘fake’ – Greg Bishop
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3108635/pritzker-says-america-deserves-better-after-trump-calls-harris-fake/
— Sanctuary cities exporting migrants to red states would face payback under new bill. – Anna Giaritelli
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/3107319/sanctuary-cities-migrants-burgess-owens-bill/
— Young men are falling behind. – Ben Rothove (COMMENT: I met my outstanding wife at a Presbyterian singles event. She is Catholic. I am Missouri Synod Lutheran.)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/3108033/young-men-falling-behind/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Church is one of the best possible places to find a future spouse.)
— How Trump can reshape his messaging on DEI after NABJ interview goes off the rails. – Peter Cordi (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have absolutely no problem with the following and they actually applaud it: My Democrat GAO, IRS, and Post Office superiors wasted my career and forced me retire when I was 49 in 1997 because I was Republican, White, male, non-veteran, Protestant, 100% German American, my ancestors had been in America since 1844, I complained about political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and national origin discrimination, and I became an active member in a class action lawsuit when I was 40 in 1988 that charged them with reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation.)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/presidential/3108110/trump-messaging-dei-nabj-convention/

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— The Secret Service’s CYA Operation
https://amgreatness.com/2024/08/01/the-secret-services-cya-operation/

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Lib media outlet twists itself into knots to explain why illegals aren’t taking ‘black jobs’ as Trump said. – Frieda Powers
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2024/08/01/insider-lib-media-outlet-twists-itself-into-knots-to-explain-why-illegals-arent-taking-black-jobs-as-trump-said-1476787/

BLAZE
— Chicago mayor fawns over Kamala Harris, implies ‘racism’ governs the US in bizarre rant about Trump. – CORTNEY WEIL (COMMENT: Democrat leaders who are Black and/or female ever-increasingly promote hatred against Republicans who are White and/or male.)
https://www.theblaze.com/news/chicago-mayor-fawns-over-kamala-harris-implies-racism-governs-the-us-in-bizarre-rant-about-trump

BREITBART
— Kamala Harris Championed Allowing Illegal Aliens to Become Lawyers in California. – JOHN BINDER
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/08/01/kamala-harris-championed-allowing-illegals-to-become-lawyers-in-california/
— Kamala Harris Wanted to Ban Plastic Straws in 2020. – Wendell Husebø
https://www.breitbart.com/2024-election/2024/08/01/kamala-harris-wanted-ban-plastic-straws-2020/

CONSERVATIVE  HQ
— The Communist History of Kamala Harris – George Rasley
https://www.conservativehq.com/post/the-communist-history-of-kamala-harris

DAILY WIRE
— Trump Called Racist For Standing Up To Obnoxious, Hostile Black Journalists. – Matt Walsh
https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-called-racist-for-standing-up-to-obnoxious-hostile-black-journalists
— Biden-Harris Admin Paid Consultants Millions To Help Military Implement Race-Based Hiring, Combat Resistance to DEI. – Spencer Lindquist (COMMENT: Democrats want everyone in the military to be Democrats who are liberal, minority, female, younger, LGBTQ, unmarried, non-Protestant, non-German American, have ancestors who have not been America for a long time, and/or are citizens of foreign countries.)
https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-biden-harris-admin-paid-consultants-millions-to-help-military-implement-race-based-hiring-combat-resistance-to-dei

FEDERALIST
— Biden-Harris Admin Strike Plea Deal Allowing 9/11 Plotters To Avoid The Death Penalty. – Shawn Fleetwood
https://thefederalist.com/2024/08/01/biden-harris-admin-strike-plea-deal-allowing-9-11-plotters-to-avoid-the-death-penalty/
— Nasdaq Exempts Chinese Business Partners From Woke Politics It Forces On Americans. – Charles Gasparino  (COMMENT: The Democrats and RINOs who run the federal government use the following to not hire Republicans, to not retain Republicans, and to get rid of Republicans: Affirmative Action, DEI, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, national origin discrimination, up-or-out, budget cuts, and reorganizations. I should write a book about that.)
https://thefederalist.com/2024/08/02/nasdaq-exempts-chinese-business-partners-from-woke-politics-it-forces-on-americans/
— Teachers Union All-In For Destroying Student Learning Fawns Over Harris. – Angela Morabito
https://thefederalist.com/2024/08/02/teachers-union-all-in-for-destroying-student-learning-fawns-over-harris/

FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
— House Passes Resolution Condemning the Biden-Harris Administration’s Failure to Secure the Border. – Carlos Montero
https://www.fairus.org/blog/2024/08/01/house-passes-resolution-condemning-biden-harris-administrations-failure-secure

FOX NEWS
— Harris fumed at Americans for saying ‘Merry Christmas’ before illegal migrants got protections. Harris has supported multiple pathways to citizenship for illegal immigrants. – Adam Shaw
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/flashback-harris-fumed-americans-saying-merry-christmas-before-illegal-migrants-protections
— Kamala Harris played key role in helping man become 1st illegal immigrant with law license. – Michael Lee (COMMENT: I should write a book about my critics/opponents who have ignored, dismissed, belittled the most my becoming a licensed CPA when I was 32 years old in 1981.)
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kamala-harris-played-key-role-helping-man-become-first-illegal-immigrant-law-license-report
— Ohio purging hundreds of noncitizens from state voter rolls amid 2024 election audit. Ohio officials say more illegal voter purges may come before Election Day. – Anders Hagstrom
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ohio-purging-hundreds-non-citizens-from-state-voter-rolls-amid-2024-election-audit

LEGAL INSURRECTION
— “How Dare We Speak Merry Christmas. How Dare We?” – Enraged Kamala 2017. Unearthed video going viral. “In just seven seconds, you get the complete Harris, and it’s not pretty.“ – William A. Jacobson
https://legalinsurrection.com/2024/08/how-dare-we-speak-merry-christmas-how-dare-we-enraged-kamala-2017/

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Trump Is Right about Illegal Immigration and Black Jobs – PETER KIRSANOW (COMMENT: Since I was 13 years old in 1962, my critics/opponents have demonized me, denigrated me, and condemned me for my taking jobs that they say should have been given to Blacks. I did yard work 1962-1964, delivered newspapers 1962-1966, washed dishes 1964-1966, cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966, delivered mail 1966-1969, worked on an automobile assembly line in 1970, sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971, pumped gasoline 1971-1972, collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980, and audited federal agencies 1980-1997. They stressed the many unemployed Blacks in Chicagoland and especially in the south suburbs. In 1997, my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire early so that they could give my job and my preferred corner office to my Black subordinate. My critics/opponents who never took jobs like the ones I took make it very clear that they would never stoop to take the jobs that I took. While I worked for the Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, many, most, and at times, virtually all of my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and/or subordinates were Black. Many, most, if not virtually all of my critics/opponents have never worked for Blacks, never worked with Blacks, or supervised Blacks.
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/trump-is-right-about-illegal-immigration-and-black-jobs/

NEWSMAX
— Vance Slams Harris in Arizona as Failed ‘Border Czar’ – James Morley III
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/jd-vance-kamala-harris-border/2024/08/01/id/1174886/

ONE AMERICA NEWS
— “Phantom Voters” Registered In Key Swing States Could Cost Trump The 2024 Elections. – Lindsey Adams
https://www.oann.com/video/oan-contribution/phantom-voters-registered-in-key-swing-states-could-cost-trump-the-2024-elections/

PJ MEDIA
— Of Course Kamala Harris Was A DEI Hire. – Matt Margolis (COMMENT: If Harris had been any of the following, Biden would not have picked her for Vice President: White, male, older, Protestant, German American, and/or if her ancestors had been in America for a long time.)
https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2024/08/01/of-course-kamala-harris-was-a-dei-hire-n4931246

TOWNHALL
— The U.S. Is Being Invaded on Two Borders. – Jeff Davidson
https://townhall.com/columnists/jeffdavidson/2024/08/02/the-us-is-being-invaded-on-two-borders-n2642869

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

NEWSWEEK
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly crow about their success in making America dependent on their illegals.
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-deportation-plan-labour-workforce-1933321

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Democrats say “Trump Elevates False, Fringe Attacks on Harris to Center of His Campaign. Rivals and critics have for years accused Kamala Harris of shifting her personal identity for political advantage, with those attacks escalating dramatically online since she became the Democratic standard-bearer.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/us/politics/trump-harris-race.html
— Democrats say “Trump Is ‘Weird,’ Vance Is ‘Creepy.’ Finally, the Democrats Start Name-Calling.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/31/opinion/trump-vance-weird-creepy.html
— Democrats say “The Harris Electorate. We examine who plans to vote for her.” Harris voters, that those who hate Trump, are overwhelmingly: minority, female, younger, LGBTQ, non-Protestant, non-German American, have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time, are in America illegally, have less money than others, have health problems, and/or are boozers, gamblers, stoners, and/or criminals.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/02/briefing/the-harris-electorate.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Democrats say “Trump and allies unleash attacks on Harris’s gender and racial identity. The Republican nominee is leaning into his ugliest political instincts and finding a conservative ecosphere willing to go along.” When Trump was asked about Harris and DEI, what if Trump had responded that Biden would not have picked Harris for Vice President if Harris had been White, male, older, Protestant, German American, and/or if her ancestors had been in America for a long time? But Democrats would have responded that Trump would not have picked Vance if Vance was older, Protestant, or had a wife who was White.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/08/02/trump-attacks-harris-race-gender/
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly use problems in Venezuela to justify more illegal immigration from Venezuela.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/08/01/venezuela-crisis-migration-maduro-democracy/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/31/mexico-venezuela-migrants-elections-protests/33bdc430-4f89-11ef-9728-3037305a6b0f_story.html
— Democrats say “The Washington Post’s Workforce Demographics.” Soon, if not already, 100% of federal employees will be Democrats who are minority, female, younger, veteran, unmarried, LGBTQ, non-Protestant, non-German American, have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time, citizens of foreign countries, etc.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/pr/2024/08/01/workforce-demographics/

USA TODAY
— Democrats say “Asked about aging and the presidency, Trump falsely claims Harris did not pass bar exam. The claim that former prosecutor Kamala Harris didn’t pass the bar exam came up in 2020 when she was a presidential candidate. Trump repeated it again Wednesday without acknowledging she passed (ON HER SECOND ATTEMPT). I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt when I was 30 in 1979. Only about 20% of those who take the examination pass all its four parts on their first attempt. I became a licensed CPA in 1981. My critics/opponents have always ignored, dismissed, and/or belittled the aforesaid. I should write about my critics/opponents who stress that others got better scores on the four parts of the examination than I did.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/07/31/trump-claim-kamala-harris-did-not-pass-bar-exam/74623417007/

DESERT SUN
— Democrats ask “What is a ‘DEI hire?” and say “Diversity initiatives take election spotlight.” My Democrat Post Office, IRS, and GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were extremely unhappy, if not angry, when I was hired. They got even more unhappy, if not more angry, when IRS promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974 and when GAO promoted me in 1986. My Democrat superiors did everything that they could to waste my career and get rid of me. All the Democrats who they promoted over me a) had less work experience than I had, b) had less education than I had, c) had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or d) had no professional license like the one I had. They all were minority, female, younger than me, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or had ancestors who had not been in America for a long time.
https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/nation/california/2024/08/01/what-are-dei-initiatives-california/74533206007/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Democrats ask “What Type of Voter Are You?” and say “Take Our Poll to Find Out.” Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly a) bring into America those who have demographics that vote for Democrats and for RINOs and b) get rid of those in America who have demographics that vote for Republicans. How successful have the Democrat and RINO leaders been doing that in your county, township, and municipality?
https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/election-2024-quiz-poll-ideology-7533f46b

FORTUNE
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly use DEI to get rid of Republicans.
https://fortune.com/2024/08/02/dei-getting-more-poopular-survey-diversity-equity-inclusion/

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Election 2024: Trump 49%, Harris 44%
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/biden_administration/election_2024_trump_49_harris_44

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.