August 25 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Illinois COVID Update: IL reports 4,451 cases, 40 deaths; mitigations could return, Pritzker says. 6 Illinois regions, 3 in Chicago area, under threshold for available ICU beds. – Jessica D’Onofrio, Karen Jordan
https://abc7chicago.com/covid-illinois-cases-coronavirus-governor-pritzker-update/10974437/
— 1,500 Americans may still await evacuation from Afghanistan, Blinken estimates
https://abc7chicago.com/biden-afghanistan-speech-taliban-kabul-airport-us-military/10974079/

CBS2
— Gov. JB Pritzker Again Warns Schools That Defy Mask Mandate Could Face State Sanctions; ‘Am I Really Going To Do That? Yes’
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/08/25/gov-jb-pritzker-school-mask-mandate-warning-sanctions-illinois-state-board-of-education/

FOX32
— World leaders, Republicans press Biden on extending Kabul evacuation deadline – Mike Flannery
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/world-leaders-republicans-press-biden-on-extending-kabul-evacuation-deadline
— Pritzker, Chicago reporter clash over COVID-19 ‘misinformation’ – Nic Flosi
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/pritzker-chicago-reporter-clash-over-covid-19-misinformation

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— US estimates about 1,500 Americans may still await evacuation from Afghanistan – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-aud-nw-us-evacuation-afghanistan-20210825-mal43j5kzjegpebwhu6wrtiahi-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Stranded in the White House. The Biden administration wants to portray the Afghan disaster in the best light. But it cannot do that by denying that some Americans — we don’t know how many — are currently stranded in Afghanistan. – Byron York
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/8/25/22641586/afghanistan-american-military-withdrawal-byron-york-stranded-americans

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage County spending $220,000 to use three lobbying firms
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210825/dupage-county-spending-220000-to-use-three-lobbying-firms-

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Illinois Republicans have reason for concern, optimism heading into 2022 – BRENDEN MOORE
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/watch-now-illinois-republicans-have-reason-for-concern-optimism-heading-into-2022/article_097fd238-bb8c-572a-8eaa-b58825fdd530.html

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Looks like Dems hold winning hand on redistricting – Jim Dey
https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/jim-dey-looks-like-dems-hold-winning-hand-on-redistricting/article_23169626-bd57-5811-b1b3-4247c18015a4.html

WILLIAM J KELLY
— Newsmax reporter William J. Kelly requests interview with Mayor Lightfoot
https://www.williamjkelly.org/news/newsmax-reporter-william-j-kelly-requests-interview-with-mayor-lightfoot

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— FEDERAL COURT ORDERS DEPOSITION OF CHICAGO MAYOR’S OFFICE REP IN LAWSUIT AGAINST RACIST INTERVIEW POLICY
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2021/08/federal-court-orders-deposition-of-chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoots-office-representative-in-lawsuit-ag.html
— ILLINOIS ATTORNEY THOMAS DEVORE PLEADS FOR HELP TO FIGHT PRITZKER
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2021/08/illinois-attorney-thomas-devore-pleads-for-help-to-fight-pritzker-.html
— ILLINOIS LAW SAYS “UNLAWFUL” TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS TO HEALTH CARE
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2021/08/illinois-law-says-unlawful-to-discriminate-against-conscientious-health-care-objectors.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Pritzker to Amy Jacobson: “You come in here with a political agenda and you spread misinformation”
https://capitolfax.com/2021/08/25/pritzker-to-jacobson-you-come-in-here-with-a-political-agenda-and-you-spread-misinformation/
— COVID-19 roundup: Kids; Schools; IDES
https://capitolfax.com/2021/08/25/covid-19-roundup-kids-schools-ides/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— About 1,500 Americans stuck in Afghanistan, State Department says – Ben Wolfgang
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/aug/25/about-1500-americans-stuck-afghanistan-state-depar/

FOX NEWS
— Jesse Watters: Trump killed terrorists, Joe Biden takes orders from them. ‘This is going to dog Joe Biden for the rest of his term,’ the co-host of ‘The Five’ says. – Angelica Stabile
https://www.foxnews.com/media/jesse-watters-trump-killed-terrorists-joe-biden-takes-orders-from-them
— White House in chaos struggles to keep Biden on time. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy calls Biden’s failure to take questions ’embarrassing’ – Jessica Chasmar
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-chaos-biden-on-time

GOPUSA
— The Fight Over Identity – Ben Shapiro
(COMMENT: Democrats do not want Americans to see themselves first as being Americans. Instead, Democrats want Americans who are a) minority to see themselves first as being minorities, b) female to see themselves first as being females, c) younger to see themselves first as being younger, d) LGBTQ to see themselves first as being LGBTQ, e) Democrat to see themselves first as being Democrat, f) Trump-haters to see themselves first as being Trump-haters, g) moderate/liberal to see themselves first as being moderate liberal, h) non-Christian to see themselves first as being non-Christian, i) non-Protestant to see themselves first as being non-Protestant, j) non-Italian American to see themselves first as being non-Italian American, k) non-German American to see themselves first as being non-German American, l) those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time to see themselves first as being those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time, and m) those who have financial, health, and/or other problems to see themselves first as being those who have financial, health, and/or other problems.)
https://www.gopusa.com/the-fight-over-identity-2/

BREITBART
— Poll: Only 24 Percent Believe Joe Biden’s Deadly Afghan Withdrawal Is Going Well – WENDELL HUSEBØ
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/08/25/joe-biden-deadly-afghan-withdrawal/
— Rep. Tom Tiffany: Afghan Refugee Crisis Raises Security Concerns About Vetting Process – REP. TOM TIFFANY (R-WI)
https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2021/08/25/exclusive-rep-tom-tiffany-afghan-refugee-crisis-raises-security-concerns-about-vetting-process/

BLAZE
— 15 studies that indicate natural immunity from prior infection is more robust than the COVID vaccines – DANIEL HOROWITZ
https://www.theblaze.com/op-ed/horowitz-15-studies-that-indicate-natural-immunity-from-prior-infection-is-more-robust-than-the-covid-vaccines

NEWSMAX
— New Illinois Congressional Map Could Eliminate Kinzinger’s District – Sandy Fitzgerald
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/illinois-congressional-map-democrats-kinzinger/2021/08/25/id/1033685/
— Trump: Biden Creating ‘Single Most Catastrophic Border Disaster in History’ – Ted Hesson and Dave Graham
https://www.newsmax.com/headline/biden-immigration-trump-border/2021/08/25/id/1033781/
— Poll: Florida Republicans Want DeSantis to Seek Presidency – Theodore Bunker
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/poll-florida-desantis-republican/2021/08/25/id/1033782/
— Rep. Dan Crenshaw to Newsmax: Biden Foreign Policy on Side of ‘Appeasement’ – Charles Kim
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/crenshaw-taliban-biden-afghanistan/2021/08/24/id/1033649/

FEDERALIST
— In Illinois, Tanning Salons Now Get More Oversight Than Abortion Facilities. In Illinois, tanning salons and barbershops face stricter scrutiny than abortion facilities. – Amy Gehrke
https://thefederalist.com/2021/08/25/in-illinois-tanning-salons-now-get-more-oversight-than-abortion-facilities/

PJ MEDIA
— With His Credibility Shattered, Biden Will Now Look for Scapegoats and Villains – RICK MORAN
(COMMENT: I should write a book about those who blame me and blame my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters the most for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems.)
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/rick-moran/2021/08/25/with-his-credibility-gone-biden-will-now-look-for-scapegoats-and-villains-n1472598
— Woke Mob Puts Out Hit on Notre Dame’s Leprechaun – ROBERT SPENCER
https://pjmedia.com/culture/robert-spencer/2021/08/25/woke-mob-puts-out-hit-on-notre-dames-leprechaun-n1472627

COLLEGE FIX
— Valparaiso University replaces ‘divisive’ Crusaders nickname with Beacons
https://www.thecollegefix.com/valparaiso-university-replaces-divisive-crusaders-nickname-with-beacons/

NATIONAL REVIEW
— It’s Dawning on the Democrats: Biden-Harris Will Drag Them Down – CHARLES C. W. COOKE
https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/08/its-dawning-on-the-democrats-biden-harris-will-drag-them-down/
— Larry Elder Is Not on the ‘Far Right’ – DAVID HARSANYI
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/larry-elder-is-not-on-the-far-right/

EPOCH TIMES
— No Americans Have Been Rescued Outside of Kabul: Pentagon – ZACHARY STIEBER
https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_breakingnews/no-americans-have-been-rescued-outside-of-kabul-pentagon_3965583.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— On Last Days of Evacuation, U.S. Tries to Reach Remaining Americans
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/25/world/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-biden-news

WEEK
— The House seat of one of the GOP’s ‘most prominent’ Trump critics (Kinzinger) is on the chopping block – BRIGID KENNEDY
https://theweek.com/republicans/1004151/the-house-seat-of-one-of-the-gops-most-prominent-trump-critics-is-on-the

COLDWELL BANKER
— FOR SALE: 1040 Golf Lane, Wheaton – $1,575,000
https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/il/wheaton/1040-golf-ln/pid_42945321/

WHEATON PATCH
— Wheaton To Host 20th Anniversary September 11 Commemoration Ceremony
https://patch.com/illinois/wheaton/amp/29814144/city-of-wheaton-wheaton-to-host-20th-anniversary-september-11-commemoration-ceremony

CAPITOL FAX
— SEPTEMBER 11, 2004 FLASHBACK: Wheaton: Alan Keyes’ Patriot Day speech warmly received – Dave Diersen
https://capitalfax.blogspot.com/2008/09/gopusa-illinois-daily-clips-september_11.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Over 500 came to Wheaton’s beautiful Memorial Park on Saturday, September 11, 2004, to meet Alan Keyes and to hear his remarks concerning Patriot Day and his campaign. Alan was warmly received by the crowd which gave him several standing ovations during his 20-minute speech. State Senators Kirk Dillard and Peter Roskam served as Master of Ceremonies. Senator Dillard introduced the elected officials and candidates who were on the band shell stage with Alan while he gave his speech — State Senator Raymond Soden, State Representative Randy Hultgren, State Representative Candidate Roger Jenisch, DuPage County Board Commissioner Debra Olson, DuPage Coroner candidate Peter Siekmann, Illinois GOP State Central Committeeman Ron Smith, Milton Township Assessor Jim Gumm, and Milton Township Trustee Don Sender. The band shell stage is the same one that Bob Dole gave a speech from immediately after he walked in Wheaton’s 1996 Independence Day Parade — CNN broadcast that speech live. Senator Dillard recognized event attendees including DuPage County Auditor Jim Rasins, DuPage County Regional Superintendent of Schools Darlene Ruscitti, DuPage Regional School Board Trustee Tim Whelan, and District 89 School Board Trustee Howard Levine. He recognized the event’s sponsors — State Farm Insurance Agent Mark Prutzman, Oberweis Dairy, John Cox, All Star Printing, himself, Randy Hultgren, Debra Olson, Pete Siekmann, Tim Whelan, Don Sender, and Diersen Consulting. Senator Roskam gave some remarks concerning September 11 and he introduced Alan. Apparently, even though the Daily Herald, the Wheaton Leader, and the Wheaton Sun had been asked to cover the event, the only reporters who covered the event were Rich Samuels with WTTW’s Chicago Tonight and Dave Diersen with GOPUSA.com. Samuels and Diersen made VHS recordings of Alan’s speech. Event photographers included Matt Ferguson and Don Sender. The free event provided attendees with a great opportunity to enjoy great food, to meet their neighbors, to meet their elected officials, and to meet candidates who will appear on November 2 ballots in DuPage County. On July 5 last year, 200 attended a similar event in Wheaton’s Prairie Path Park, including Jack Ryan, Jim Oberweis, Andy McKenna, Chirinjeev Kathuria, and John Cox. Attendees at this year’s event enjoyed hot dogs and Polish sausages personally handed out by Debbie Malek from her cart. Debbie normally locates her cart at Cross and Wesley Streets at the southeast corner of Wheaton’s Adam’s Park, across the street from Wheaton’s Public Library. All the hot dogs and sausages were paid for by State Farm Insurance Agent Mark Prutzman. In its September 12, 2004 edition, the Daily Herald ran a major front page story on Debbie that included six pictures and quotes from Ron Smith. Attendees also enjoyed Oberweis ice cream and flavored milk personally handed out by Jim Oberweis and Sandy Rios from an Oberweis truck. Attendees enjoyed Jays potato chips provided by John Cox, salads and desserts that attendees brought to the picnic or were purchased with cash contributions, and soft drinks and ice paid for by the sponsors. Event costs included $180 for a $1 million insurance policy required for City of Wheaton and Wheaton Park District permits. The many people who helped make the event successful include Karen Diersen, Mark Prutzman, Bill Hogan, Mark Stern, and Gary Muehlfelt. Attendees included Rod McCulloch, Peter LaBarbera, Frank Penn, Richard Johns, Robert Gordon, George Kocan, Robert Sandberg, Leonard Sanchez, Lori Carlson, Richard Russo, Steve Carlson, Keith Carlson, Jason Hinkle, Mark Klage, Patrick Ryan, and Dr. Bob Krzyzewski. Alan will again be speaking in DuPage County on Friday, October 8, at 6:30 PM, at the Milton Township Republican Central Committee’s Viva Oktoberfest fundraiser at the Carlisle Banquet Hall in Lombard. Tickets are $45 or $400/table of ten.)
— SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 FLASHBACK: Nalepa gives keynote address at Wheaton’s 2005 Patriot Day picnic; Birkett, Brady, Fortner, Furstenau, Hultgren, Kathuria, Oberweis, Poe, Rauschenberger, Roskam, Rutherford, Wallace, Wegman, Zaruba, and many others attend – Dave Diersen
https://capitalfax.blogspot.com/2008/09/gopusa-illinois-daily-clips-september_11.html

(FROM THE ARTICLE: Wheaton’s 2005 Patriot Day picnic in Memorial Park honored the individuals who lost their lives as a result of terrorist attacks against America and showed support for America, for its war on terrorism, and for its military and law enforcement personnel. I had the honor of introducing the event’s master of ceremonies — nationally-known conservative activist, Fox News Channel contributor, and Culture Campaign President Sandy Rios. Wheaton Second Baptist Church Pastor Andre Allen gave the invocation. Korean War veteran Ron Smith led the pledge of allegiance. Harry Newman sang the National Anthem. Rios read President Bush’s 2005 Patriot Day proclamation, introduced the elected officials and candidates, and thanked the event sponsors. DuPage County Board Member Bob Heap spoke about DuPage’s implementation of 9/11 recommendations. 9/11 Families for a Secure America founder Peter Gadiel gave an outstanding speech about lessons learned from September 11, 2001. West Point graduate and USO board member Jim Nalepa gave an outstanding Patriot Day address. Newman concluded the program by singing “We still have heroes.” Attendees enjoyed delicious Debbie Malek hot dogs and Polish sausages courtesy of State Farm Insurance Agent Mark Prutzman, delicious pork sandwiches courtesy of State Representative Ray Poe, delicious Dr. Bob Rauschenbergers courtesy of State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, delicious Jays Potato Chips courtesy of John Cox, delicious ice cream and flavored milk courtesy of Jim Oberweis, and delicious soft drinks and bottled water courtesy of Charinijeev Kathuria. All Star Printing provided event flyers and DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom and Kane County Recorder Sandy Wegman covered the $385 cost of event insurance. The picnic provided attendees with a great opportunity to meet and speak with veterans, law enforcement officials, fire department officials, elected officials, and candidates. Many elected officials attended including State Senators Bill Brady, Carol Pankau, Rauschenberger, Peter Roskam, and Dan Rutherford; State Representatives Randy Hultgren, Roger Jenisch, and Poe; County officials Joe Birkett, Fred Bucholz, Heap, Gwen Henry, Gary King, Debra Olson, Jim Rasins, Darlene Ruscitti, Brien Sheahan, Pete Siekmann, Penny Wegman, Sandy Wegman, Tim Whelan, Jon Zahm, and John Zaruba; Township officials Sal Falbo, Moon Kahn, Gary Muehlfelt, and Leonard Sanchez; Municipal officials Alan Bolds, Jim Carr, Liz Corry, Mike Fortner, Dick Furstenau, and Howard Levine. Many candidates attended including congressional candidate Roskam; gubernatorial candidates Birkett, Brady, Oberweis, and Rauschenberger; Lieutenant Governor candidates Kathuria, Poe, Eric Wallace, and Wegman; Secretary of State candidate Rutherford; State Senate candidates Furstenau and Hultgren; and State Representative candidate Fortner. Former DuPage County Recorder Rick Carney and Mrs. Illinois Kaili Harding and her husband who graduated from West Point and served in both Afghanistan and Iraq also attended. By tomorrow, when I know how many of each type of food and beverage was served, I’ll have a better estimate of the number of the hundreds of people who attended. The many attendees included David Carlin, Dennis Driscoll, Bob Grahm, Joyce Hundhausen, Mark Klage, Jim Leahy, Bruce Mitroff, Mark Stern, Rick Veenstra, and Winston Waller. DuPage County is the second most populous county in Illinois and Wheaton is its county seat. Why didn’t the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Wheaton Leader, or the Wheaton Sun report on Wheaton’s Patriot Day event? Generally, the liberal media does not report on an event unless it can use that reporting to harm conservatives, that is, harm people who support the Republican platform. The vast majority of the attendees at Wheaton’s Patriot Day picnic were conservative Republicans — why didn’t more Democrats and RINOs attend? A number of Democrats told me that they would not attend because they are Democrats and because their attendance might be misinterpreted as support for President Bush. Attendance would have been even greater if fewer Democrats didn’t argue that Republicans have highjacked Patriot Day to promote the Patriot Act and President Bush’s policies in Iraq; if Blagojevich, Durbin, Hynes, Madigan, Obama, Quinn, or Topinka had helped sponsor event or confirmed that they would attend; if more Democrats and more RINOs shared the attitude toward patriotism and toward Patriot Day that Republicans have; if the Daily Herald had promoted the event like it promoted Naperville’s event; if there were not so many other competing events; and if the temperature/humidity had been lower.)

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.