February 13 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Trump acquitted in 2nd impeachment trial; 7 Republicans vote to convict – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-acquitted-senate-votes-57-43-at-impeachment-trial/10336167/
— IL leaders weigh in on Senate vote after former President Trump acquitted in 2nd impeachment trial – Ravi Baichwal
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/il-lawmakers-weigh-in-on-2nd-impeachment-trial-verdict-/10337328/
— Illinois’ Black, Latinx residents getting fewer COVID-19 vaccines, early data shows – Chuck Goudie and Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel, Ross Weidner and Jonathan Fagg
(DIERSEN: One could argue that the right thing to do is that all those in Illinois who are members of Group A should give their place in line to those who are members of Group B. Members of Group A are White, male, older, heterosexual, married, healthy, non-poor, non-veteran, citizens of America, Republican, conservative, Trump-supporters, Christian, Protestant, Italian American, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. Members of Group B are minority, female, younger, LGBTQ, non-married, non-healthy, poor, veteran, citizens of foreign countries, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, Independent, RINO, liberal, moderate, Trump-haters, non-Christian, non-Protestant, non-Italian American, non-German American, and/or those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time.)
https://abc7chicago.com/health/black-latinx-getting-fewer-covid-19-vaccines-early-il-data-/10334705/

NBC5
— McConnell Votes for Acquittal, But Then Says There’s ‘No Question’ Trump Is Responsible for Riot – Kevin Breuninger
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/money-report/mcconnell-votes-for-acquittal-but-then-says-theres-no-question-trump-is-responsible-for-riot/2437659/
— Coronavirus in Illinois: 2,092 New Cases, 53 Deaths, Nearly 80K Vaccinations Reported Saturday. Illinois’ seven-day positivity rate dropped under 3% Saturday
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/coronavirus-in-illinois-2092-new-cases-5-deaths-nearly-80k-vaccinations-reported-saturday/2437542/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Trump claims his movement ‘has only just begun’ after acquittal in 2nd impeachment trial
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/trump-claims-his-movement-has-only-just-begun-after-acquittal-in-2nd-impeachment-trial
— Pelosi blasts McConnell and ‘cowardly group of Republicans’ in Senate after Trump impeachment acquittal – Marisa Schultz
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/pelosi-blasts-mcconnell-and-cowardly-group-of-republicans-in-senate-after-trump-impeachment-acquittal

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The Senate did not convict former President Donald Trump on a House charge he incited insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6. The vote was 57-43, short of two-thirds needed. – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-trump-impeachment-trial-20210213-o7pq5z4hvrazxiyhwdnhqk22oy-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-hater says “The impeachment acquittal does profound damage to our democracy.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/steve-chapman/ct-column-trump-senate-impeachment-acquittal-chapman-20210214-ksaxesviarblvmowy5v4vijujm-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters say “Acquitting Trump was a sad and terrible day for democracy.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/2/13/22282067/donald-trump-impeachment-acquittal-senate-republicans-editorial

DAILY HERALD
— Does a new day dawn beckon beyond Madigan? – Editorial
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20210213/editorial-does-a-new-day-dawn-beckon-beyond-madigan
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters promote Kinzinger.
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210213/a-lot-of-opportunity-to-get-things-done-kinzinger-pledges-bipartisanship-going-forward
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Hate-filled Trump-hating Illinois lawmakers react harshly to Trump’s acquittal.
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210213/illinois-lawmakers-react-harshly-to-trumps-acquittal

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Who’s getting vaccinated? The state finally reveals its data, and it shows Illinoisans most affected by COVID are far less likely to have gotten the shot. – STEPHANIE GOLDBERG, A.D. QUIG, ALLY MAROTTI
(DIERSEN: One could argue that the right thing to do is that all those in Illinois who are members of Group A should give their place in line to those who are members of Group B. Members of Group A are White, male, older, heterosexual, married, non-poor, non-veteran, citizens of America, Republican, conservative, Trump-supporters, Christian, Protestant, Italian American, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. Members of Group B are minority, female, younger, LGBTQ, non-married, poor, veteran, citizens of foreign countries, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, Independent, RINO, liberal, moderate, Trump-haters, non-Christian, non-Protestant, non-Italian American, non-German American, and/or those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time.)
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/health-care/whos-getting-vaccinated

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— McLean County GOP chair: Country needs to move forward after Trump acquittal – KEVIN BARLOW
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mclean-county-gop-chair-country-needs-to-move-forward-after-trump-acquittal/article_0aa70466-c0e0-5505-84cf-604d26e65c22.html

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Rockford area Republicans: Rep. Adam Kinzinger is out of touch with local GOP – Corina Curry
(DIERSEN: What percent of the Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains in Illinois, in your county, and in your township/ward support Kinzinger?)
https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/02/13/rockford-area-republicans-kinzinger-out-of-touch-with-local-gop/4468976001/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger may be gaining nationwide attention because of his impeachment vote and newly announced Country First movement, but some Republicans back home say this latest round of rhetoric may be causing local GOPs more harm than good. State Rep. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, took to Facebook Thursday to call Kinzinger “a political embarrassment,” adding that the Republican congressman’s newly formed political action committee Country First should be called “Adam First.” “I don’t think he’s in touch with what mainstream Republicans are really saying,” Chesney said. “The area that I take greatest exception to is that while he’s been on his media blitz trying to talk about conservatism, the congressman is always the last one to attend the Lincoln Day dinner and the first one to leave. “He’s listening to a D.C. crowd rather than listening to what Republicans are saying.” On a Tuesday media call, Kinzinger said he created his Country First video and website about a week ago as a way to express what he felt was happening — “kind of my mourning for the Republican Party” — and give people a place to take action if they agreed with him. “The outpouring of support has been incredible,” Kinzinger said. Kinzinger wouldn’t say how much money has been raised thus far. He said raising money wasn’t the goal. “It’s about building a movement, and my goodness it’s shown that there is a real desire out there for something different.” Rockford Republicans state Sen. Dave Syverson and state Rep. Joe Sosnowski also said that the congressman’s Country First message, which says that the “Republican party has lost its way,” doesn’t ring true with them or the Republicans they work with in Boone and Winnebago counties. “I don’t think splitting up the party is the answer,” Syverson said. “Who doesn’t want country first? That sounds almost like ‘Make America Great Again.’” Kinzinger’s actions and statements of late are actually the cause of some of the dissension in the today’s Republican party, Syverson said. Syverson said he heard from many Rock River Valley Republicans in recent weeks who are concerned over Kinzinger’s stance on the impeachment. He said he tells those voters to call Kinzinger’s office. “If you feel you disagree with him on something, let him know,” he said. Sosnowski said Kizinger’s message of focusing on what’s best for the country and de-escalating the rhetoric and political in-fighting are admirable and valuable goals. “I disagree with his approach,” Sosnowski said. “It’s a conflicting message. He’s talking about de-escalating the rhetoric yet he’s attacking fellow Republicans. … It seems contradictory.” Sosnowski also said the local Republican platform — pro-business, pro-family, less government — remains strong and stable. “I think our principles are still very much there,” he said. “They haven’t disappeared.” Back in his state house district, Chesney said he believes Kinzinger is in “a super minority” of Republicans, and that Kinzinger’s message of lack of leadership and forgotten values isn’t what Stephenson County Republicans are talking about in carpool lanes and coffee shops. “I don’t believe that’s anywhere close to reflective of where we’re at as a party,” said Chesney, who also serves as Stephenson County’s GOP chair. “I think there’s certainly an autopsy to discuss what worked and what didn’t work in Trump’s presidency, but that’s not what he’s doing. “He’s trying to implode the entire party.” Also during Tuesday’s press call, Kinzinger readily denied rumors that he might be using the impeachment as a catapult to statewide office. “People that speculate that don’t know me,” he said. “I don’t have any plans for anything higher in Illinois. … As always, I’ll put the caveat that I’m not going to rule anything out because Jan. 5 and Jan. 7 are two very different days in this world.”)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats blame Republicans for all the problems that everyone has.
https://www.rrstar.com/story/opinion/2021/02/13/cultural-responsiveness-support-academic-success-all-students/6741040002/

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— Biden Is a Trojan Horse, but who’s at the helm? – Alan Webber
https://www.daily-journal.com/opinion/webber-biden-is-a-trojan-horse-but-whos-at-the-helm/article_ef4924b0-6bbc-11eb-bd0e-67108c1d8051.html

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— House GOP members criticize Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker over tax incentives freeze – TIM KIRSININKAS
https://www.bnd.com/news/politics-government/article249218830.html

ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
— Missouri Sens. Blunt and Hawley vote to acquit Trump; final vote 57-43, clearing the former president
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/missouri-sens-blunt-and-hawley-vote-to-acquit-former-president-donald-trump/article_88ba769e-d13f-5e61-b86d-06b769f592c6.html

DETROIT NEWS
— Calhoun County GOP censures Rep. Meijer over impeachment vote – Melissa Nann Burke
(DIERSEN: What percent of the Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains in Illinois, in your county, and in your township/ward support Kinzinger?)
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/13/rep-meijer-censure-calhoun-county-gop-republican-impeachment-vote/4472858001/

HERALD PALLADIUM
— Berrien County Republican Party leaders vote to censure Upton. Congressman stands by impeachment vote after third censure. – TONY WITTKOWSKI
(DIERSEN: What percent of the Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains in Illinois, in your county, and in your township/ward support Kinzinger?)
https://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/berrien-county-republican-party-leaders-vote-to-censure-upton/article_3ead8556-e09f-5276-943a-6f3dd94ba19d.html

NPR ILLINOIS
— After Voting To Acquit, McConnell Torches Trump As Responsible For Riot – BARBARA SPRUNT
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/after-voting-acquit-mcconnell-torches-trump-responsible-riot#stream/0

WAND
— Illinois lawmakers react to Acquittal – Katelyn Eddington
https://www.wandtv.com/news/illinois-lawmakers-react-to-acquittal/article_ac103846-6e46-11eb-a21b-0b106b8599d9.html

WSPY NEWS
— Kinzinger Explains Vote to Strip Congresswoman Who Supported Conspiracy Theories of Her Committee Assignments – Brandon Grossi
(DIERSEN: What percent of the Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains in Illinois, in your county, and in your township/ward support Kinzinger?)
http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/kinzinger-explains-vote-to-strip-congresswoman-who-supported-conspiracy-theories-of-her-committee-assignments/article_c564fd40-6d65-11eb-bcec-4f6c37dfaefc.html

CHICAGO NOW
— Biden gives Illinois corruption a break – Dennis Byrne
http://www.chicagonow.com/dennis-byrnes-barbershop/2021/02/biden-gives-illinois-corruption-a-break/

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Paul Schimpf Announcing for GOP Nomination for Governor
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2021/02/13/paul-schimpf-announcing-for-gop-nomination-for-governor/
— GOP Fundraising Pitches Have Disappeared
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2021/02/13/gop-fundraising-pitches-have-disappeared/
— New Biden Immigration Rules & the Fence Around Capitol Hill
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2021/02/13/new-biden-immigration-rules/
— IL-16: The Challengers to Adam Kinzinger thus far
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2021/02/13/il16challengers021321/
— Indiana May Offer Bribes to Relocate Across State Line
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2021/02/13/indiana-offer-bribes-to-relocate-across-state-line/
— Commentary on Another Conservative Rapper from Commenter
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2021/02/13/commentary-on-rap-from-commenter/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Crain’s Chicago Business: Illinois’ public corruption most hurts its low-income residents
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/daily-links/daily-news-headlines-for-feb-13/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— 57-43: Senate acquits Trump on impeachment charge of inciting Capitol riot – Dave Boyer and Alex Swoyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/feb/13/senate-acquits-trump-second-impeachment-trial-char/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Republicans put Facebook on notice for Trump ban – Nihal Krishan
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/republicans-facebook-reinstate-trump-ban-antifa

GOPUSA
— Biblical Worldview — The Best Way To Ward Off Pro-Socialism Craving
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=106396

AMERICAN THINKER
— Book Burning, Name Calling, And The Democrats Praetorian Guard – Vince Coyner
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2021/02/book_burning_name_calling_and_the_democrats_praetorian_guard.html

BREITBART
— Poll: Majority of Republicans Want Donald Trump to Stay Active in Politics – HANNAH BLEAU
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/02/13/majority-republicans-want-donald-trump-stay-active-politics/

TOWNHALL
— Cruz Reveals the Savage (and Hilarious) Questions Senators Had for Impeachment Witnesses – Beth Baumann
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2021/02/13/cruz-these-are-the-ridiculous-questions-senators-wanted-to-ask-during-the-impeac-n2584692

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Conservative Student Groups Must Let Go of the Past Such groups can absolutely face the challenges of today with tactics of the past, but not by clinging to leaders of the past. – Eric Lendrum
https://amgreatness.com/2021/02/12/conservative-student-groups-must-let-go-of-the-past/

THE HILL
— Senate votes 57-43 for Trump acquittal – JORDAIN CARNEY
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/538750-senate-gop-acquits-trump-for-second-time?rnd=1613244454
— Kinzinger calls for people with info on Trump to come forward – JULIEGRACE BRUFKE
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/538745-kinzinger-calls-for-people-with-info-on-trump-to-come-forward
— Trump conviction vote exposes GOP divide – JONATHAN EASLEY
(DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, those who hate Trump are anti-law enforcement, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-heterosexual, anti-traditional marriage/family, anti-non-poor people, anti-gun owners, anti-Christian, anti-Protestant, anti-Italian American, anti-German American, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/538785-trump-conviction-vote-exposes-gop-divide

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-hater says “Republican Acquittal of Trump Is a Pivotal Moment for the Party. The vote, signaling how thoroughly the party has come to be defined by the personality of one man, is likely to leave a blemish on the historical record.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/us/politics/trump-impeachment-republicans.html?
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-hater says “Donald Trump’s Impeachment Legacy: Violent Extremism. Whether or not Mr. Trump is convicted, the extremism that flourished under his administration is embedded in our politics.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/us/politics/donald-trump-impeachment.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-hater says “Trump’s Republicans, Brought to Their Knees. They stand for nothing. The Senate trial proved that.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/opinion/sunday/trump-republican-impeachment.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters say “Trump Is Acquitted by the Senate” and “7 Senate Republicans (Cassidy, Burr, Romney, Collins, Murkowski, Sasse, and Toomey) vote ‘guilty,’ the most bipartisan margin in favor of conviction in history.”
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/02/13/us/impeachment-trial#7-senate-republicans-vote-guilty-the-most-bipartisan-margin-in-favor-of-conviction-in-history

ARIZONA CENTRAL
— ‘Tribalism is a hell of a drug.’ Trump impeachment trial reopens GOP battle lines even as he is acquitted. – David Jackson
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/13/trump-impeachment-trial-reignites-gop-battle-even-he-acquitted/6738664002/

NEWSWEEK
— GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger Says Republicans Get Elected on ‘Steady Diet of Fear’ – BENJAMIN FEARNOW
(DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will hate-filled Republican-hating Republican-haters harm Republicans and say that Kinzinger wanted them to do that?)
https://www.newsweek.com/gop-rep-adam-kinzinger-says-republicans-get-elected-steady-diet-fear-1569101

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Senate Votes to Acquit Trump in Impeachment Trial
https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/trump-second-impeachment-trial-2021-02-13

FORBES
— Is The Stock Market About To Crash? – Jonathan Ponciano
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanponciano/2021/02/12/is-the-stock-market-about-to-crash/

INQUISITER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: The hate-filled Trump-hating Kinzinger “Yearns For Republican Party That Isn’t Crazy.”’
https://www.inquisitr.com/6479859/adam-kinzinger-republican-party-crazy/

LGBTQ NATION
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, those who promote LGBTQ promote hatred against individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that do not promote LGBTQ and especially against those that are law enforcement, Trump supporters, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, heterosexual, married, non-poor, gun owners, Christian, Protestant, Italian American, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/02/trump-avoids-impeachment-conviction-people-outraged/

ADAM KINZINGER
— Rep. Kinzinger Statement on Senate’s Acquittal
(DIERSEN: From what I see, Kinzinger will ever-increasingly seek to lead a coalition of the following to destroy the Republican Party once and for all: individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are anti-law enforcement, anti-Trump, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-heterosexual, anti-traditional marriage/family, anti-non-poor people, anti-gun owners, anti-Christian, anti-Protestant, anti-Italian American, anti-German American, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402607

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.