January 8 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Can Trump declare a national emergency in order to build his wall? – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-trump-national-emergency-wall-20190107-story.html
— New legislation would let Pritzker give agency heads a 15 percent raise, replace Illinois Tollway board – Mike Riopell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-legislature-tollway-agency-raises-20190107-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Speaker’s tone more relaxed — Madigan seems to enjoy new political landscape – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/speaker-mike-madigan-relaxed-lame-duck-rauner-defeat/
— Four ways to make our elections more fair – Madeleine Doubek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/madeleine-doubek-ballot-access-elections-petition-signatures/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: QUESTION: Who sides with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? ANSWER: Those who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-administration-civil-rights/

 

ABC7
— The most expensive real estate rentals in Chicago
https://abc7chicago.com/realestate/the-most-expensive-real-estate-rentals-in-chicago/5029068/
— Joe Biden expected to announce plans for 2020 election in coming weeks
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/joe-biden-expected-to-announce-plans-for-2020-election-soon/5028523/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Charges against Ald. Burke prompt calls to prohibit city council members from having other jobs – Mike Flannery
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/charges-against-ald-burke-prompt-calls-to-prohibit-city-council-members-from-having-other-jobs

 

WBEZ
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON CHICAGO TIGHTENS: City Council Receives F In Racial Justice, Says Center For Racial And Gender Equity – Susie An
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/city-council-gets-an-f-on-racial-justice-scorecard/af422579-de83-4765-a1ca-c23f7e497aab

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— ‘We have a big swath of people … who are just very concerned about putting food on their plates’: Government shutdown hits Chicago-area workers – MORGAN GREENE
https://herald-review.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/we-have-a-big-swath-of-people-who-are-just/article_4defd8e7-1a4a-5290-b418-67ee9784b1fe.html

 

WGEM
— Illinois officials propose gas tax increase
https://wgem.com/2019/01/07/illinois-officials-propose-gas-tax-increase/

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump to take over airwaves, and Democrats demand equal time – AP (DIERSEN: Will the Democrats pick Ocasio-Cortez to speak for them?)
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-to-take-over-airwaves-and-democrats-demand-equal-time

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump Sees Border Wall As Another Boost For U.S. Steel Industry – JIM ZARROLI
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/president-trump-long-fan-big-steel-wants-border-wall-be-made-steel#stream/0
— Pritzker Wants Higher Pay For His Cabinet – BRIAN MACKEY (DIERSEN: What do those who shout that government employees are overpaid have to say about this?)
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/pritzker-wants-higher-pay-his-cabinet#stream/0

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Truckers association warns against gas tax hike without debate – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/truckers-association-warns-against-gas-tax-hike-without-debate/article_2eb07d60-12c3-11e9-bf4a-6f952b3a8ef1.html

 

BREITBART
— Prime Time: Donald Trump Bets It All in Televised 8-Minute Address from Oval Office – Matthew Boyle (DIERSEN: Will the Democrats pick Ocasio-Cortez to speak for them?)
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/07/prime-time-donald-trump-bets-it-all-in-televised-8-minute-address-from-oval-office/
— 7 Points Trump Should Make in Oval Office Address About Border – Joel B. Pollak
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/07/seven-points-trump-must-make-in-oval-office-address-about-border/
— A Wall Stops Illegal Immigration, ‘Drones and Sensors’ Don’t – Kris Kobach
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/07/exclusive-kris-kobach-a-wall-stops-illegal-immigration-drones-and-sensors-dont/
— ‘Enough Is Enough,’ Time to Secure the Border – Mike Braun
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/07/exclusive-mike-braun-enough-is-enough-time-to-secure-the-border/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Pelosi, Schumer, and anti-Trump hysteria – Rick Hayes
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/01/pelosi_schumer_and_antitrump_hysteria.html
— Ending the reconquista of America’s Southwest – Fritz Pettyjohn
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/01/ending_the_reconquista_of_americas_southwest.html
— Mitt Still Does Not Get It – Christopher Chantrill
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/01/mitt_still_does_not_get_it.html

 

FOX NEWS
— Trump to make case for wall in primetime address; Illegals to get more benefits in California
https://www.foxnews.com/us/fox-news-first-trump-to-make-case-for-wall-in-primetime-address-illegals-to-get-more-benefits-in-california
— VIDEO: The true cost of illegal immigration and the ongoing border crisis
https://video.foxnews.com/v/5986981369001/

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— RNC won’t take further steps to protect Trump from primary challenge – David M. Drucker
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/rnc-wont-take-further-steps-to-protect-trump-from-primary-challenge

 

TOWNHALL
— Congressional Democrats Support Discrimination Against Jews? – Marina Medvin
https://townhall.com/columnists/marinamedvin/2019/01/08/congressional-democrats-support-discrimination-against-jews-n2538656
— Confirmed: Trump Impeachment Syndrome Is Definitely Real – Zachary Petrizzo
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/zacharypetrizzo/2019/01/07/confirmed-trump-impeachment-syndrome-is-definitely-real-n2538619
— No, This Is Not JFK’s Democratic Party – Pat Buchanan
https://townhall.com/columnists/patbuchanan/2019/01/08/no-this-is-not-jfks-democratic-party-n2538643

 

CONSERVATIVE REVIEW
— It’s as if the media ‘take their script from Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer’ – Jordan Schachtel
https://www.conservativereview.com/news/levin-its-as-if-the-media-take-their-script-from-nancy-pelosi-and-chuck-schumer/

 

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— OPPOSITION TO A BORDER WALL IS OPPOSITION TO PUBLIC SAFETY Open borders cost innocent lives. – Michael Cutler
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/272473/opposition-border-wall-opposition-public-safety-michael-cutler
— THE 2020 DEM PRIMARIES WILL BE DEFINED BY IDENTITY POLITICS Three white men on top and some struggling diverse candidates. – Daniel Greenfield (DIERSEN: What do you say to Whites who paint themselves as being champions for those who are anti-White? What do you say to men who paint themselves as being champions for those who are anti-men? What do you say to old people who paint themselves as being champions for those who are anti-old people? What do you say to Americans who paint themselves as being champions for those who are anti-American?
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/272449/2020-dem-primaries-will-be-defined-identity-daniel-greenfield
— THE ANATOMY OF TRUMPOPHOBIA Why NeverTrumpers should reflect on what makes Trump attractive to voters. – Bruce Thornton
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/272448/anatomy-trumpophobia-bruce-thornton

 

RUSH LIMBAUGH
— What Kind of Year Is It Going to Be?
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2019/01/07/what-kind-of-year-is-it-going-to-be/

 

DAILY CALLER
— AN UNDENIABLE REALITY — BORDER WALLS WORK – Dave Ray
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/07/border-walls-work/
— REP. BIGGS: IT’S TIME FOR THE PRESIDENT TO DECLARE A NATIONAL EMERGENCY ON THE BORDER – Rep. Andy Biggs
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/07/national-emergency/

 

NEWSMAX

— Pelosi’s Trump ‘Hate’ Fueling Wall Opposition – Jason Devaney
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/border-wall-tom-homan-ice-nancy-pelosi/2019/01/07/id/897205/
— NY Times: Migrants Seek Illegal Entry to US as a Last-Ditch Effort – Solange Reyner
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/migrants-illegals-asylum-border-wall/2019/01/07/id/897226/
— Coulter to Trump: Border Visit ‘Beyond Moronic’ – Cathy Burke
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/border-wall-government-shutdown-conservative-critic/2019/01/07/id/897230/

 

HOT AIR
— Liberals To Broadcast Networks: Don’t Air Trump’s Big Speech On The Shutdown And The Wall
https://hotair.com/archives/2019/01/07/liberals-broadcast-networks-dont-air-trumps-big-speech-shutdown-wall/

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— TRIBALISM? IT’S ALIVE AND WELL IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY Pat Buchanan asks: Are progressives inviting an eventual Balkanization of America? (DIERSEN: If you are a Democrat, you are a member of one or more of the following tribes: anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. The more of the aforesaid tribes that you are a member of, the more of a Democrat that you are.)
https://www.wnd.com/2019/01/tribalism-its-alive-and-well-in-democratic-party/
— WHY THE MITT ROMNEY CROWD HATES TRUMP Mychal Massie wallops ‘elitist cabal’ seeing globalist agenda crippled
https://www.wnd.com/2019/01/why-the-mitt-romney-crowd-hates-trump/

 

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE
— Trump Bites the Beltway Back The president is starting to take risks to keep his anti-establishment campaign promises. But is it too late? – W. JAMES ANTLE III
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/trump-bites-the-beltway-back/
— The Coming Balkanization of the Democratic Party – PATRICK J. BUCHANAN
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/buchanan/the-coming-balkanization-of-the-democratic-party/

 

INDEPENDENT JOURNAL REVIEW
— White House Slams Ocasio-Cortez’s ‘Ignorance’ After She Claims There’s ‘No Question’ Trump Is a Racist – Madison Dibble
https://ijr.com/ocasio-cortez-claims-theres-no-question-trump-is-racist/

 

CITY LAB
— Elizabeth Warren’s Housing Crisis Plan Hints at Reparations – KRISTON CAPPS (DIERSEN: To display a “Hate Has No Home Here” sign is to shout that you are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. The more “Hate Has No Home Here” signs that are displayed in your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, the fewer who will buy homes there who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.citylab.com/equity/2019/01/elizabeth-warren-housing-plan-redlining-racial-justice-reparations/579268/

 

THE HILL
— Democrats demand air time to counter Trump’s border speech – JORDAIN CARNEY (DIERSEN: Will the Democrats pick Ocasio-Cortez to speak for them?)
https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/424258-democrats-demand-air-time-to-counter-trumps-border-speech
— De Niro: Democrats ‘have to be more aggressive’ – JUDY KURTZ (DIERSEN: As Democrats get more aggressive, what do you predict they will do to the Republicans in your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois? What should Republicans do in their self-defense?)
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/424227-de-niro-democrats-have-to-be-more-aggressive
— GOP operatives dig for dirt against rising star O’Rourke – AMIE PARNES
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/424240-gop-operatives-dig-for-dirt-against-rising-star-orourke

 

CNN
— The geographic and demographic separation between the two political parties, and the two Americas, has reached a new peak in the House of Representatives. – Ronald Brownstein (DIERSEN: To “reach out” to those who will never vote for Republicans, will RINOs officially require Republican candidates and Republican party leaders to be a) anti-Trump, b) female, c) minority, and/or d) young? From what I see as a Milton Township Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999 and as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, the more of the following that you are, the harder that RINOs work to get rid of you: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, draft avoider, German American, and if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/08/politics/republicans-democrats-divide-party-demographics-districts/

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Americans oppose The Wall.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/opinion/editorials/trump-border-shutdown.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters ask “What happens when friends and allies can’t take the commander in chief at his word?”
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/opinion/editorials/trump-syria.html
— How to Dodge a Market Dip That Threatens Your Retirement The recent volatility in the stock market can make older investors feel vulnerable. Here are some strategies to make sure your money lasts as long as you do. – Tara Siegel Bernard
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/your-money/stock-market-retirement.html


— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: How About Free College For a Cut of Your Income? – Andrew Ross Sorkin
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/08/business/dealbook/education-student-loans-lambda-schools.html
— He Disparaged the Police on Facebook. So They Arrested Him. – Adam Liptak
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/us/politics/criminal-libel-laws-lawsuit.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: The Pope promotes illegal immigration.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/world/europe/francis-nationalism-immigration.html
— FRONT PAGE WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE: ‘I Love My Skin!’ Why Black Parents Are Turning to Afrocentric Schools While New York City schools are deeply segregated, some black families are choosing an alternative to integration. – Eliza Shapiro
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/08/nyregion/afrocentric-schools-segregation-brooklyn.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump’s government was a very bleak workplace for many. Then it shut down. – Avi Selk and Ellen McCarthy (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. The federal government has always been a “very bleak workplace,” and especially “bleak” for federal employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who did not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/trumps-government-was-a-very-bleak-workplace-for-many-then-it-shut-down/2019/01/07/bf46a872-1296-11e9-803c-4ef28312c8b9_story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “If Trump declares a state of emergency, he might actually cause one.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/01/08/if-trump-declares-state-emergency-he-might-actually-cause-one/
— The strongest case for giving Democrats airtime after Trump’s border wall address comes from abroad – Rick Noack (DIERSEN: Will the Democrats pick Ocasio-Cortez to speak for them?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/01/08/strongest-case-giving-democrats-airtime-after-trumps-border-wall-address-comes-abroad/

 

NEW YORK POST
— Pelosi, Schumer demand Dems get equal air time after Trump address – Joe Tacopino (DIERSEN: Will the Democrats pick Ocasio-Cortez to speak for them?)
https://nypost.com/2019/01/07/pelosi-schumer-demand-dems-get-equal-air-time-after-trump-address/

 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters argue that Trump is a racist. Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters make it clear that they are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-edit-racist-20190107-story.html

 

BOSTON GLOBE
— To build border wall as a national emergency, Trump would need to tap existing military budget – Paul Sonne
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2019/01/07/build-border-wall-national-emergency-trump-would-need-tap-existing-military-budget/n5nEMqwwt0Wgpy4OqmJJ4M/story.html

 

USA TODAY
— Software developer tops list of U.S. News & World Report’s annual best jobs rankings – Ben Tobin (DIERSEN: You will not find any of the jobs that I had on any such lists. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard 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.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/01/08/software-developer-tops-list-u-s-news-best-jobs-2019-rankings/2471576002/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: U.S. News draws data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify jobs with the greatest hiring demand to calculate the best jobs. Jobs are then scored using seven component measures: median salary, employment rate, 10-year growth volume, 10-year growth percentage, future job prospects, stress level and work-life balance.)

 

PARKERSBURG NEWS AND SENTINEL
— Marietta residents say ‘Hate Has No Home Here’ signs a message of inclusivity – MICHAEL KELLY (DIERSEN: To display a “Hate Has No Home Here” sign is to shout that you are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. The more “Hate Has No Home Here” signs that are displayed in your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, the fewer who will buy homes there who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/local-news/2019/01/marietta-residents-say-hate-has-no-home-here-signs-a-message-of-inclusivity/

 

USA TODAY
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “9 things you should know before Trump starts spewing lies in Tuesday address to the nation.”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/01/08/facts-donald-trumps-border-wall-address-nation-immigration-shutdown-column/2503981002/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Can’t Afford to Lose The cost of defeat would be higher for President Trump than for Speaker Pelosi. – William McGurn (DIERSEN: Anti-Americans want Trump to lose.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-cant-afford-to-lose-11546909031
— Lying Prices Keep America Hooked on Spending When politicians hide the cost of government, ‘free college’ and ‘Medicare for all’ sound like bargains. – Steve H. Hanke and Stephen J.K. Walters
https://www.wsj.com/articles/lying-prices-keep-america-hooked-on-spending-11546908833

 

YAHOO FINANCE
— Will 2019 Be The Year of the Millennial Homebuyer? – Maryalene LaPonsie (DIERSEN: To display a “Hate Has No Home Here” sign is to shout that you are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. The more “Hate Has No Home Here” signs that are displayed in your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, the fewer who will buy homes there who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/2019-millennial-homebuyer-182443146.html

 

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Trump Increasingly Likely to Invoke Emergency Powers to Fund the Wall – Matt Stieb
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/trump-considering-emergency-powers-to-fund-the-wall.html

 

DAILY AMERICAN
— News networks should not air Trump Wall speech without fact-checking first – Kurt Bardella (DIERSEN: What are your qualifications to be a fact checker? While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $96,403-$125,325, I increasingly worked as a referencer, that is, as a fact checker. That work required assuring the accuracy and support for each and every word, number, table, graph, chart, conclusion, opinion, and recommendation in GAO reports. I worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880. My other fact checking qualifications include my becoming a Forensic Accountant in 1997, a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a licensed CPA in 1981, a Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, and a CPA in 1979.)
https://www.dailyamerican.com/news/usa_today/news-networks-should-not-air-trump-wall-speech-without-fact/article_9471ded6-1062-598c-9b9d-99e1156891a4.html

 

NEWSWEEK
— JIMMY KIMMEL PLEDGES TO HIRE FURLOUGHED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES TO WORK ON ‘JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE’ – DONICA PHIFER
https://www.newsweek.com/jimmy-kimmel-pledges-hire-furloughed-federal-employees-work-jimmy-kimmel-live-1283142
— ANN COULTER BLASTS TRUMP’S ‘BEYOND MORONIC’ DECISION TO VISIT THE BORDER, COMPARES IT TO CANCER RESEARCH – CHRISTINA ZHAO
https://www.newsweek.com/ann-coulter-blasts-trumps-beyond-moronic-decision-visit-border-compares-it-1283046

 

GLOBE AND MAIL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Americans oppose The Wall.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-globe-editorial-how-trumps-wall-is-burying-the-middle-ground-of-us/

 

WORLD SOCIALIST WEB SITE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Americans promote illegal immigration.
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/01/08/immi-j08.html

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.