August 24 Morning Edition

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— QUESTION: When Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, and RINOs have news of interest to Illinois Republicans, who do they give that news to first?  ANSWER: The Democrat news media in Illinois. Ever-increasingly, the Democrat news media in Illinois serves as the chief communicator for both the Illinois Democrat Party and the Illinois Republican Party. – Dave Diersen
https://gopillinois.com 

 

NBC5
— Several Rauner Staffers Hired Only Weeks Ago Fired, Quit – Mary Ann Ahern (FROM THE ARTICLE: Some speculate that perhaps some of the former Illinois Policy Institute staffers left on their own, upset that Rauner plans to sign an Immigration bill on Monday that conservatives oppose.)
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Rauner-Fires-Staffers-Hired-Only-Weeks-Ago-Sources-441583733.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Gov. Bruce Rauner fired several key staffers Wednesday night who were hired only six weeks ago, multiple sources tell NBC 5. The shakeup comes after a lingering controversy over a political cartoon from the Illinois Policy Institute, the right wing think tank Rauner has turned to in his staffer overhaul. Some reports say Rauner’s chief of staff, Kristina Rasmussen, may be out, but are still not confirmed. Sources tell NBC 5 perhaps Rauner’s entire communications team and his general counsel are all out. Sources confirmed Michael Lucci, Rauner’s deputy chief of staff for policy, Diana Rickert, Laurel Patric and Britany Carl, who once compared abortion to Nazi eugenics in a controversial blog post, were all out. Lucci, Rickert, Carl were fired, sources said, while Patrick resigned. It’s believed Rickert wrote the vexing “white male” press release from Tuesday and Patrick sent it out. Former staffers say Rasmussen would have signed off on it. Attempts to reach the Rauner team have been unsuccessful. Whether all were fired or quit is not clear. Rasmussen and several other staffers came to the governor’s office from the Illinois Policy Institute. Rauner had been out of town for several days this week, taking his daughter to college, and the staff released a press release on the cartoon many lawmakers labelled racist. Among the comments from the Rauner team was “as a white male” he would no longer comment on the controversy. Rauner later released another statement saying the previous one “did not accurately reflect my views.” Some speculate that perhaps some of the former Illinois Policy Institute staffers left on their own, upset that Rauner plans to sign an Immigration bill on Monday that conservatives oppose.)

 

CBS2
— Governor Bruce Rauner Ousts Top Staff Aides
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/08/24/governor-rauner-fires-tops-aides/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rauner ousts new communications team after ‘white male’ flap – Tina Sfondeles  (FROM THE ARTICLE: A spokeswoman for the lieutenant governor’s office offered no comment on the resignations but said that she would be assisting with media calls.)
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/sources-rauner-ousts-new-communications-team-after-white-male-flap/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A day after crafting a controversial statement citing Gov. Bruce Rauner’s position as a “white male,” the governor’s new communications staff has been ousted — with more exits on the way, according to multiple sources. Sources said the staffers — hired in July after a staff purge and series of protest resignations — were asked to resign; one was asked to stay but chose to resign. Sources say that includes former Illinois Policy Institute staffer Diana Rickert, who served as the governor’s deputy chief of staff for communications; Laurel Patrick, communications director; and Brittany Carl and Meghan Keenan, both communications specialists. And multiple sources said exits of high-level staffers are also on the way. A spokeswoman for the lieutenant governor’s office offered no comment on the resignations but said that she would be assisting with media calls. Late Tuesday night, Rauner scrambled to undo the damage from a statement his newly revamped communications office issued earlier in the day, with Patrick writing that the governor would not offer an opinion on a cartoon some deemed racist — because he is “a white male.” The story was picked up on national wires, which undeniably painted the governor in a negative light. Hours later, Rauner released a statement saying the comment “did not accurately reflect” his views. “I can understand why some people found the cartoon offensive. And I believe we should do more as a society and a nation to bring us together, rather than divide us,” the governor said in the statement. The communication staffers’ exits mark a cap to a dizzying spell of public flaps for the governor since he directed a staff takeover in mid-July — including the firing of his “body man” on his first day for sexist and racially insensitive tweets; criticism over the right leanings of his high-level staffers; a clarification by email of his comments on Charlottesville and a highly criticized national interview on Fox News. Carl, too, came under fire when an online post revealed she argued that abortion is being used “to rid the world of disabled and other “unwanted’ persons” — comparing it to Nazi Germany. The negative headlines come as Rauner is seeking re-election — and he is considered a vulnerable Republican governor, despite the vast wealth he has to support his campaign. In a critical blow to his campaign, Mike Zolnierowicz resigned as Rauner’s top political lieutenant in July. News of the exits spread throughout the political realm on Wednesday night. One senior Republican operative called the ousting a sign the governor has realized he made a “mistake.” “The governor and First Lady have finally admitted they made a colossal mistake in hiring these right wing ideologues,” the operative said. “One can only hope for the sake of our state government they will make better choices in the future.” The Rauner administration shakeup began on July 10 when Rauner unexpectedly fired his chief of staff, Richard Goldberg. Goldberg was swiftly replaced by Kristina Rasmussen, former president and CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute. That sparked the exits of at least 20 employees, many of whom left because they didn’t believe in the direction the governor was taking in hiring members of the conservative think tank. The shift came after Rauner vetoed a state budget that included an income-tax hike, only to see his veto overridden with the help of several Republicans. The governor has defended his hires. In July, Rauner said he was working to assemble “the best team in America.” He also declared “change happens” and described criticism of his staff shakeup as “political spin baloney.” “I am always looking for the most talented team I can possibly have, the most talented people who will serve the best interests of all the people of Illinois,” Rauner said in downstate Auburn on July 21. The governor said the transitions were “just part of a process.” The governor continues to be fielded with questions about whether the hiring of Illinois Policy Institute staffers to high-level positions, such as his chief of staff and policy head, meant a signal to the right. He has denied the shift, saying he calls the shots. Multiple emails sent to Patrick went unanswered on Wednesday. The Sun-Times last received a response from Patrick on Tuesday night. Questions about the controversial statement went unanswered. And emails sent Wednesday night to Patrick were returned with an automatic reply — directing media inquiries to two other state employees. Calls made to Rickert, Patrick and Rasmussen were not returned Wednesday night. The cartoon by the conservative think tank depicted a black child in a Cubs cap begging for money for school from a wealthy white man. The cigar-smoking man was showing one pocket empty and the other stuffed with tax-increment financing money. Legislators decried the cartoon as racist on the Illinois House floor last week, and the think tank later removed it from the institute’s website.)
— Italo Balbo’s honorable name being questioned unfairly – Dominic DiFrisco, President Emeritus of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans
and Lou Rago, President of the Italian American Human Relations Foundation
http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/letters-italo-balbos-honorable-name-being-questioned-unfairly/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner ejects new communications team after ‘white male’ storm – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170824/BLOGS02/170829945/illinois-gov-rauner-ousts-new-communications-team
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Barely a month after firing his chief of staff and communications aides, Gov. Bruce Rauner appears to be in the process of doing the same thing again. Numerous Springfield sources say the new team Rauner brought in last month—most of them from the libertarian Illinois Policy Institute—are heading for the exits after an embarrassing situation this week in which Rauner retracted a statement put out via staff saying he couldn’t comment on an allegedly racist cartoon posted by the Institute because he was a “white male.” Rauner spokeswoman Laurel Patrick did not answer calls and her email was automatically directed to other officials who did not respond. But among those reportedly on the hit list are chief of staff Kristina Rasmussen, who insiders say authorized the “white male” statement, and communications director Diana Rickert. Word of the second shakeup became instant political fodder for Democratic gubernatorial hopeful J.B. Pritzker. “In a move straight out of the Trump playbook, Bruce Rauner has reportedly fired his communications team, who were just 37 days on the job,” the Pritzker campaign said in a statement. “There is a problem that no amount of staff changes can fix, and his name is Bruce Rauner.” If the turnover is as widespread as it appears—and as of this writing, the administration has yet to confirm these actions or describe their extent—the changes will throw Rauner’s re-election effort into chaos. One top Republican operative had a three-letter response when I emailed him about the matter last night: “WTF.” All of this occurs as Rauner is attempting to hold Republican votes and sustain his veto of a school funding bill that top Democrats dearly would like to override. Expect lots more fallout today.)

 

CLTV
— 3 Rauner staff members dismissed, 1 other resigned
http://cltv.com/2017/08/23/3-rauner-staff-members-dismissed-1-other-resigned/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner blames press team for ‘white male’ statement, says aides weren’t ‘good fit’ – Rick Pearson, Monique Garcia and Kim Geiger
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-staff-shakeup-met-0825-20170824-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner held a conference call with staff members Thursday morning to announce the departure of his new communications team, saying they were “good people trying to do good work” but ended up being not a “good fit.” According to one person who was on the call but who was not authorized to speak publicly about it, Rauner told aides “the intensity of the battle is going up” and he wanted to address the staffing rumors because he expected them to continue, the source said. “The reality is in addition to the enemies on the other side of the aisle (Democrats), we have enemies in the media and enemies who should be on our side, some of them former members of the administration,” the source recounted Rauner as saying. Rauner said talk of departures by his chief staff, Kristina Rasmussen, and chief legal counsel Dennis Murashko were just “rumors.” The source said Rasmussen also was on the call and told staff she “couldn’t wait to see all of their smiling faces.” Rasmussen, policy chief Michael Lucci and most of the communications team joined the Rauner administration last month from the Illinois Policy Institute, a think tank with a free-market message that aligns with the governor’s worldview and has spent years developing a public relations infrastructure via newspapers, radio and the internet. Rauner confirmed the communications team shakeup in a statement released Thursday. “Diana Rickert, Laurel Patrick, Meghan Keenan and Brittany Carl have submitted their resignations to the Office of the Governor,” a statement said. “We are grateful for their hard work on behalf of the people of Illinois and wish them all the best going forward.” Rickert, Keenan and Carl are alumni of the Policy Institute. Patrick previously had worked for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Later, during a morning appearance in Naperville to sign legislation regarding pensions, Rauner said the departures were “by mutual agreement.” He also said the communications team’s departure was “all the changes there are.” The departures come as Rauner is trying to move past the issue of a controversial political cartoon posted by the Policy Institute and clean up a statement his relatively new communications office sent out. The background: The cartoon showed an African-American child panhandling for money from a suit-wearing white man with a cigar in a commentary on Chicago’s use of tax increment financing districts and school funding. Lawmakers from both political parties said the cartoon was offensive, and the organization took it down. Rauner had tried to avoid the issue, saying he hadn’t seen the drawing. Rauner’s administration put out an initial statement Tuesday noting the cartoon was removed. “And the governor — as a white male — does not have anything more to add to the discussion,” the statement read. Rauner sent out a new statement Tuesday evening, though the governor stopped short of saying he found the cartoon offensive himself. “Earlier today an email went out from my office that did not accurately reflect my views. I can understand why some people found the cartoon offensive. And I believe we should do more as a society and a nation to bring us together, rather than divide us,” the statement read in part. “It is not my place to comment on every cartoon or picture that comes from people outside the governor’s office or to tell people how they should feel.” On Thursday, the governor put the blame for the controversial statement about the cartoon on his former communications team, saying he did not “have knowledge” of the statement before it went out and it was not approved by him or his chief of staff. Rauner said it was drafted by Rickert, and sent out by Patrick. Rauner declined to say if he believed the cartoon was racist, repeatedly saying “I understand why some people are upset by it.” “My job is not to comment on every cartoon, every political statement that comes from outside our administration, and I will not do that. What I will do is fight every day for justice, fairness, equality,” Rauner said. Asked by reporters about the Illinois Policy Institute’s involvement in his administration, Rauner downplayed the influence. “A very tiny fraction of our administration is from that organization, and they in no regard, in no regard, does that organization speak for me or my administration, and I do not lean on them for any particular issue or policy,” Rauner said. The think tank was aligned with many of Rauner’s goals and he had given it more than a half-million dollars before becoming governor. The Rauner administration turmoil started last month when he dumped his chief of staff Richard Goldberg after lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto of a state budget and tax hike package as some Republicans broke ranks and joined Democrats. That went a long way toward ending a two year budget stalemate and decreased Rauner’s leverage to win his economic agenda Democrats oppose. Rauner decision to part ways with Golberg led to a big wave of departures that rid his administration of what was left of the mainstream Republican operatives the governor had borrowed from former U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in winning the governor’s office in 2014.)
— Pawar wants to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day – Rick Pearson (DIERSEN: Did your ancestors immigrate to America, and if so, from what country and when?  All my ancestors immigrated to northeast Illinois from what is now Germany during the 1840s and 1850s. According to anti-Americans like Pawar, if your ancestors immigrated to America, the longer that they have been in America, a) the more of a White supremacist, hater, racist, sexist, bigot, and even worse things that you are and b) the more that you have benefited from your ancestors’ discrimination against indigenous peoples, minorities, and woman, and c) the more that you should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-ameya-pawar-holiday-20170824-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Illinois abortion advocates promote Planned Parenthood of Illinois.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-planned-parenthood-welch-exec-qa-0827-biz-2-20170823-story.html
— Halloween candy crush creeps along with campaign ads – Charles Selle
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/opinion/ct-lns-selle-campaign-cash-st-0824-20170823-story.html
— Living in fear of the internet mob – Bloomberg
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-internet-mob-online-comments-20170823-story.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Dems hunt for a winning economic plan  Centrists scramble to tamp down left’s influence on party – Evan Halper
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-democrats-economic-plan-20170824-story.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE: What age is too young for a smartphone? ‘Wait Until 8th’ pledge asks parents to delay tech for kids – Kate Thayer
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-cellphones-wait-until-8th-grade-smartphones-met-20170823-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Rauner’s communications staff quits amid controversy over cartoon – Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170824/rauners-communications-staff-quits-amid-controversy-over-cartoon
— Roskam wants to change law used to convict Hastert – Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170823/roskam-wants-to-change-law-used-to-convict-hastert

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Another shakeup for Rauner communications staff
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170824/another-shakeup-for-rauner-communications-staff

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner: “I disagree with the characterization of turmoil,” blames Madigan, dodges questions on cartoon
https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/24/rauner-i-disagree-with-the-characterization-of-turmoil-blames-madigan-dodges-questions-on-cartoon/
— Rauner tells staff that three have resigned
https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/24/rauner-tells-staff-that-three-have-resigned/
— Looch gone? – Pritzker campaign responds *** Wednesday night massacre?
https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/23/wednesday-night-massacre/
— Pritzker trolls Rauner with Craigslist job ad
https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/24/pritzker-trolls-rauner-with-craigslist-job-ad/
— Gov. Rauner’s Naperville event
https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/24/live-video-gov-rauners-naperville-event/
— DGA responds *** Rauner finally announces staff resignations
https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/24/rauner-finally-announces-staff-resignations/

 

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Pritzker’s people pounced: “In a move straight out of the Trump playbook, Bruce Rauner has reportedly fired his communications team who were just 37 days on the job. The rash move comes after the failed governor had to publicly rebuke his own staff yesterday after they said “as a white male — [Rauner] does not have anything more to add to the discussion” on the racist IPI cartoon. “There is a problem that no amount of staff changes can fix and his name is Bruce Rauner,” said Pritzker communications director Galia Slayen. “This governor has no moral compass, no vision, and no loyalty. Churning through staff faster than we can say Scaramucci is not going to change the fact that Bruce Rauner is entirely incapable of leading this state.” – Natasha Korecki
http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/illinois-playbook/2017/08/24/politico-illinois-playbook-rauner-purges-new-staff-pawar-wants-indigenous-peoples-day-to-replace-columbus-day-rahm-open-to-removing-balbo-monument-222037

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— 4 Resign From Illinois Governor’s Office After Cartoon Flap  Four members of Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s communications staff have resigned weeks after being hired in the wake of the Republican’s inconsistent response to a political cartoon that critics call racist.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois/articles/2017-08-24/4-resign-from-illinois-governors-office-after-cartoon-flap

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps use an illegal woman who “takes refuge from deportation in Humboldt Park church” a) to get Rauner to sign SB31 and b) to condemn Trump and his supporters as being White supremacists, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/275693626-story

 

DNA CHICAGO
— Nazis, Torch-Wielding Marchers Not Welcome At The University of Chicago, President Robert Zimmer Says – Sam Cholke  (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will Zimmer say that members of the following groups are NOT WELCOME at the University of Chicago: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170823/hyde-park/nazis-torch-wielding-marchers-not-welcome-at-u-of-c-president-says

 

WBEZ
— Gov. Rauner Says He’ll Sign Trust Act, But Chicago Not Included in Law
https://www.wbez.org/shows/morning-shift/gov-rauner-says-hell-sign-trust-act-but-chicago-not-included-in-law/bd86cb3d-9783-486e-89c4-d8cddcf71994

 

WAND TV
— Ives wants county property tax investigated – Joe Astrouski
http://www.wandtv.com/story/36203726/lawmaker-wants-county-property-tax-investigated

 

BLOOMINTON PANTAGRAPH
— Biss pushes higher taxes for rich at Bloomington town hall – Derek Beigh  (DIERSEN: According to Democrats, you are rich if you are not on welfare.)
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/government-and-politics/elections/biss-pushes-higher-taxes-for-rich-at-town-hall/article_e486b9dc-6861-5c19-aa42-82bfcbe77414.html

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Shimkus on a legislative roll – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-08-23/tom-kacich-veteran-congressman-legislative-roll.html

 

ROCK RIVER TIMES
— Ratings agency says state should borrow to pay down bills  (DIERSEN: One could argue that borrowing to pay bills is “an act of bankruptcy.”)
http://rockrivertimes.com/2017/08/23/sp-credit-illinois-loan-bond/

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— LGBTQ Legislation Nears Looming Deadline – RACHEL OTWELL  (DIERSEN: If you promote LGBTQ activity, you promote the destruction of the traditional family.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/lgbtq-legislation-nears-looming-deadline#stream/0
(FROM THE ARTICLE: LGBTQ rights activists say two pieces of legislation should be signed by the governor. Both passed the General Assembly unanimously. One would ban the “panic defense” in the murders of LGBTQ people. Another would allow transgender individuals to change their birth certificates without the necessity of sexual reassignment surgery. Mike Ziri is the director of public policy for Equality Illinois. He says not every transgender person can afford the surgery, or even desires it, “We’re hopeful the governor will sign this and continue our proud tradition of LGBTQ civil rights in Illinois.” The deadline for the governor to act is next week. The governor did recently sign a measure the organization supports. Equality Illinois is celebrating the passage of what’s been called the “LGBTQ Public Service Bill.” The idea is that it will encourage people in that community to be better represented on boards and commissions under the Governor’s Office. Those who apply will have the option to acknowledge their sexuality and gender identity on application forms. ”That helps when it comes time to advancing policies that are inclusive, affirmative and fair and representative of the diversity of the great state of Illinois,” says Ziri. In a press release from Equality Illinois the organization also explains the new law by saying it, “Adds the new data about sexual orientation and gender identity to an existing annual report to the General Assembly of the demographic data of individuals who apply for boards and commissions and for those who are appointed.” It takes effect January 1, 2018.)

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps shout that if you support Trump, you are a White supremacist who should be killed figuratively, if not literally. Of course, this encourages Trump supporters to buy more firearms and to buy more ammunition for their self-defense.
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/poll-3-think-trump-discouraged-white-supremacists/797015407
— Transgender military ban coming soon  Pentagon awaiting instructions after July tweets – CNN
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/wsj-transgender-military-ban-coming-soon/796986014

 

CHICAGO ARGUS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who want Rauner to lose in 2018 want him to sign SB31. Those who want Rauner to lose in 2018 are Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs. Their candidate is JB Pritzker.
http://chicagoargus.blogspot.com/2017/08/will-gov-rauner-commit-political.html

 

CHEROKEE LEDGER NEWS
— For struggling rural Illinois, regulations and taxes limit options to rebound – Jacob Bielanski
http://www.tribuneledgernews.com/extra/news/for-struggling-rural-illinois-regulations-and-taxes-limit-options-to/article_92493cb3-9b22-55ed-b57c-fa755801d9b7.html

 

WILLIAM J. KELLY
— Kelly blasts Rauner for signing sanctuary state bill
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/kelly-blasts-rauner-for-signing-sanctuary-state-bill
— JANUARY 16, 2013 FLASHBACK: Illinois sheriff Mark Curran compares U.S. immigration law to Nazi Germany
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGGXrHZB2gQ&feature=share

 

PUBLIUS FORUM
— ESPN Pulls Asian University of Virginia Announcer Because His Name is Robert Lee – Warner Todd Huston
http://www.publiusforum.com/2017/08/23/espn-pulls-asian-university-virginia-announcer-name-robert-lee/

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— 14 (13 GOP) County Board Members Boycotting Special Meetings on Patronage Hiring & Valley Hi Give Franks Victory
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/08/23/14-county-board-members-boycotting-special-meetings-on-patronage-hiring-valley-hi-give-franks-victory/
— The Nanny State at Work
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/08/23/the-nanny-state-at-work/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Target’s Dangerous Policy Leads to More Victims, Another Arrest – Tim Wildmon
https://illinoisfamily.org/homosexuality/targets-dangerous-policy-leads-victims-another-arrest/

 

GOPUSA
— Bill de Blasio mulls removal of Christopher Columbus statue  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps made it clear that they are anti-White and/or that they pander to anti-Whites. Anti-Whites are racists.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=29230
— Kaepernick supporters call for boycott and demand that NFL hire QB
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=29218
— Why Stop at Reassessing Confederate Monuments? What About the Kennedy Brothers?
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=29191
— Army not changing Confederate base names … for now
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=29072

 

FOX NEWS
— Republicans should target Democrats, not their own party – Newt Gingrich  (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who claim to be Republican, but who have worked harder against me than against any Democrat. These Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, and RINOs include past and present leaders of the Milton Township Republican Central Committee, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Illinois Republican Party, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Center Right Coalition, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter, etc. These Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, and RINOs include activists, candidates, elected officials, major donors, political consultants, etc. in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and Illinois.)
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/08/24/newt-gingrich-republicans-should-target-democrats-not-their-own-party.html

 

THE BLAZE
— Kids are only ‘transgender’ because the adults in their lives make them that way – Matt Walsh (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-males demonize, denigrate, and condemn males.)
http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/matt-walsh-kids-are-only-transgender-because-the-adults-in-their-lives-make-them-that-way/

 

DAILY CALLER
— John Kelly Is Starting To Control What The President Sees, Just Like Chiefs of Staff Before Him – Thomas Phippen (DIERSEN: What would Rauner say if you asked him if he reads GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails?  Of course, those around him who are Democrats or Democrat plants, Libertarians or Libertarian plants, Greens or Green plants, or RINOs DO NOT WANT RAUNER TO READ GOPUSA ILLINOIS EMAILS.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/24/john-kelly-is-starting-to-control-what-the-president-sees-just-like-chiefs-of-staff-before-him/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: CNN says that “Everyone Who Voted For Trump Is A White Supremacist By Default.” That will encourage Trump supporters to buy more firearms and more ammunition for their self-defense because anti-Trumps have vowed to get rid of White supremacists.
http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/23/cnn-everyone-who-voted-for-trump-is-a-white-supremacist-by-default/
— ESPN Won’t Say Whether It’ll Pull Pundit Sharing Name With Infamous Nazi Off Of Airwaves – David Hookstead
http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/23/espn-wont-say-whether-itll-pull-pundit-sharing-name-with-infamous-nazi-off-of-airwaves/

 

NEWSMAX
— Soaring Healthcare Costs Could Be Lethal to Your Retirement Savings
https://www.newsmax.com/Finance/StreetTalk/healtcare-retirement-funds-costs/2017/08/24/id/809484/
— Sears to Close 28 More Kmart Stores as Revenue Plunges 22 Percent
http://www.newsmax.com/Finance/Companies/sears-kmart-stores-revenue/2017/08/24/id/809489/

 

CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN NEWS
— BAD NEWS FOR LESS GOVERNMENT EVERYWHERE – Kent Kellar
http://conservativerepublicannews.com/2017/08/23/bad-news-for-less-government-everywhere/

 

CHRISTIAN POST
— Will Trump Agree to Protect Dreamers in Exchange for More Funding for His Illegal Immigration Campaign? – Shiena Bernardino  (DIERSEN: What are your demographics?  Which of your demographics are “protected?” Ever-increasingly, the following demographics are NOT protected: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.  Ever-increasingly, those who have the aforesaid demographics are demonized, denigrated, and condemned by anti-Trumps as being White supremacists, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.)
http://www.christianpost.com/news/immigration-reform-news-2017-will-trump-agree-to-protect-dreamers-in-exchange-for-more-funding-for-his-illegal-immigration-campaign-196531/

 

ONE NEWS NOW
— Black leaders: Trump is no divisive ‘driver’ of racism – Michael F. Haverluck (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps drive racism.  Anti-Trumps shout at minorities that Republicans are White supremacists, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.)
https://www.onenewsnow.com/church/2017/08/23/black-leaders-trump-is-no-divisive-driver-of-racism

 

WESTERN JOURNALISM
— Average Folks Made McDonald’s Successful And Elected President Trump  Ray Kroc showed us the way. President Trump is our start. – Fred Weinberg
http://www.westernjournalism.com/average-folks-made-mcdonalds-successful-elected-president-trump/

 

THE HILL
— Axelrod warns: Talk of removing Trump a ‘very dangerous road’ – MALLORY SHELBOURNE  (DIERSEN: Those who have declared war on Trump have declared war on all those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/347727-axelrod-warns-talk-of-removing-trump-a-very-dangerous-road
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “President Trump revived the McCarthy era.”
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/the-administration/347731-president-trump-revived-the-mccarthy-era

 

HUFFINGTON POST
— Retirement: What Are Your Blind Spots? – William Borton (DIERSEN: What do you know about retirement? I have been getting a Civil Service Retirement System pension (current, $50,856/year) almost 20 years.)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-are-your-blind-spots_us_599e0588e4b0cb7715bfd31e

 

CBS NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps want Kasich a) to run against Trump and b) to demonize, to denigrate, and to condemn Trump and all his supporters as being White supremacists, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/when-presidents-get-primary-challenges/

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Anti-Trumps crow over their success in forcing a foreign language on America.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/23/insider/savoring-the-spanish-of-my-youth-as-the-language-marches-on.html
— Donald Trump’s Identity Politics – Thomas B. Edsall  (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps are anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/opinion/donald-trump-identity-politics.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump asks “Is Free Speech an Absolute Right, or Does Context Matter?”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/books/review/free-speech-hate-charlottesville.html
— Even With Affirmative Action, Blacks and Hispanics Are More Underrepresented at Top Colleges Than 35 Years Ago – JEREMY ASHKENAS, HAEYOUN PARK and ADAM PEARCE  (DIERSEN: Democrat employers use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to not hire and to get rid of Republicans, and especially Republicans who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/24/us/affirmative-action.html
— A Hunt for Ways to Combat Online Radicalization – Farhad Manjoo (DIERSEN: Those who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors USE THE INTERNET TO TURN EVERYONE AGAINST THOSE WHO ARE Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/23/technology/a-hunt-for-ways-to-disrupt-the-work-of-online-radicalization.html
— Trump Takes Aim at the Press, With a Flamethrower – Jim Rutenberg  (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes side with the Democrat news media against me.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/23/business/media/trump-takes-aim-at-the-press-with-a-flamethrower.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Joe Arpaio Is Still a Polarizing Figure.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/23/us/sheriff-joe-arpaio-pardon-president-trump.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A journalist who hates Trump says “We’re Journalists, Mr. Trump, Not the Enemy.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/opinion/trump-journalists-enemy.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— A Nazi salute, KKK hoods and Trump: Time and New Yorker magazine covers after Charlottesville are jarring – Callum Borchers
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/08/17/a-nazi-salute-a-kkk-hood-and-trump-magazine-covers-after-charlottesville-are-jarring/

 

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps crow that “Amid mounting bipartisan concerns, debating Trump’s mental health becomes cottage industry.” Anti-Trumps are moral relativists who believe that their end justifies their means.  Anti-Trumps are disciples of Saul Alinsky.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/08/23/amid-mounting-concerns-presidents-mental-health-more-complicated-than-citing-narcissism-erraticism/490096001/
— Post-Charlottesville, Confederate monuments begin to fall across the U.S. – Sarah Toy
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/08/23/post-charlottesville-confederate-monuments-begin-fall-across-united-states/595393001/

 

NEW YORK POST
— Kelly claiming role as gatekeeper to Trump – Mark Moore  (DIERSEN: Who are the gatekeepers for those who have the most religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois?  How do those gatekeepers treat you?)
http://nypost.com/2017/08/24/kelly-claiming-role-as-gatekeeper-to-trump/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats want immigrants because they vote for Democrats. RINOs want immigrants because they want cheap labor.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-ellis-island-model-still-works-1503528467
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Good Riddance to Steve Bannon – Karl Rove  Who says “good riddance” about you? Those who say “good riddance” about me are Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs.  They are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors. They a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/good-riddance-to-steve-bannon-1503530777

 

NPR
— Anti-Trumps say “Trump’s Fractured Relationship With Congress Causes GOP Dread.”
http://www.npr.org/2017/08/24/545628293/trump-s-broken-relationship-with-congress-causes-gop-dread

 

LATINO USA
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: “Two Chicago Universities Establish Generous Scholarships for Undocumented Students,” that is, two Chicago universities a) encourage people to come to America illegally, b) encourage people to stay in America illegally, and c) encourage people to bring other people to America illegally.
http://latinousa.org/2017/08/22/two-chicago-universities-establish-generous-scholarships-undocumented-students/#new_tab

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.