September 26 Morning Edition

ABC7
— President Trump intends to pick conservative Amy Coney Barrett as Supreme Court nominee – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-intends-to-tap-barrett-for-supreme-court-sources/6575998/
— As Fair Tax Amendment vote approaches, some Republicans accuse governor of intimidation Illinois is 1 of only 8 states with a flat tax – Sarah Schulte
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/some-republicans-accuse-governor-of-intimidation-over-fair-tax-amendment/6566931/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Team Pritzker’s new threat to raise everyone’s taxes – Editorial
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-pritzker-tax-graduated-illinois-20200925-7xdknnlvcnhk5a4bacf6t2ip6e-story.html
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot, labor leaders call for congressional help on Chicago’s coronavirus revenue hole – JOHN BYRNE
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicagolori-lightfoot-labor-letter-congress-aid-package-20200925-z77eijtvwfa6tc2bydyhxx5qp4-story.html
— Demonstrators call for justice outside Lake County Courthouse during Kyle Rittenhouse extradition hearing – KARIE ANGELL
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/ct-lns-rittenhouse-vigil-st-0926-20200925-ipbtzclhgfgj3pyb3sivtmqx7i-story.html
— A look in the mirror: We vote for candidates who reflect us – JEFF SCRIMA (DIERSEN: Those who are the following vote for candidates who are the following: anti-law enforcement officers, anti-Trump, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-heterosexuals, anti-married people, anti-non-poor people, anti-gun owners, anti-Christian, anti-Protestant, anti-Italian American, anti-German American, anti-draft avoiders (except Joe Biden and Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. How many of the aforesaid are voters in your precinct, in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, in your county district, and in your county? How many of the aforesaid are candidates on ballots in your precinct, in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, in your county district, and in your county? What percent of the yard signs being displayed in your precinct, in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, in your county district, and in your county are a) for Democrat candidates and b) for Republican candidates?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-commentary-politics-mirrors-20200925-lgi7vfqk35dnffx6g23mzphjsy-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker’s income tax battle heats up with warnings of tax hikes, verbal exchange of ‘scare tactics’ vs. ‘a number of lies’ The flurry of rhetoric came after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s warning of a potential 20% tax increase if voters reject Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated income tax proposal. – David Roeder and Sam Charles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/9/25/21456006/illinois-income-tax-juliana-stratton-big-increase-ahead-amendment-fails
— Madigan tells House panel to start the probe without him: ‘I have provided all of the answers I can give’ Madigan’s letter to the committee appears to be his most substantive response yet to the bombshell bribery case against ComEd. – Jon Seidel
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/9/25/21456958/speaker-mike-madigan-investigative-panel-commonwealth-edison-comed-durkin-house
— Lightfoot defends using electronic billboards to display #SayHerName message honoring Breonna Taylor Some aldermen criticized the mayor, saying the billboards are for public service announcement and safety alerts. “It’s a political statement,” said Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st). – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2020/9/25/21456133/mayor-lightfoot-criticized-over-breonna-taylor-billboard-message

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Republicans blast Stratton for tax hike comments – Doug Finke
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200925/republicans-blast-stratton-for-tax-hike-comments

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Six University of Illinois administrators and a campus Jewish organization quickly criticized a newly-adopted Illinois Student Government resolution calling on the UI to divest from its own police department and those of Champaign and Urbana, as well as corporations it said are contributing to human-rights violations. – Debra Pressey
https://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/sharp-criticism-follows-ui-student-government-action/article_1fe71d31-1fa6-5ab2-99eb-61414d08e85d.html

SUBURBAN LIFE
— ‘We must address the effects of climate change’ Students rally in Hinsdale against environmental racism – JOSHUA WELGE (DIERSEN: If I ran of a government or for a political office, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would shout that my father worked for a chemical plant in Chicago Heights for 28 years that dumped pollution on Blacks.)
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2020/09/26/we-must-address-the-effects-of-climate-change-students-rally-in-hinsdale-against-environmental-racism/an22ty3/
— Photos: Hinsdale for Black Lives Matter strike against environmental racism – ERICA BENSON
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/lists/2020/09/26/ab2e677985a74fe294dc34eaf6c77ea3/index.xml
— James Doe v. Dennis Hastert jury trial set for February 2021 – KATIE FINLONE
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2020/09/25/james-doe-v-dennis-hastert-jury-trial-set-for-february-2021/awy3mfo/

WSIL TV
— Locals protest over Breonna Taylor case – Denise Turner
https://wsiltv.com/2020/09/25/locals-protest-over-breonna-taylor-case/

CHICAGO PATCH
— Gov. Pritzker Pledges Racial Equity, Activists Hear ‘Lip Service’ Pritzker’s public pledge to deliver equity in Black community is “hypocritical lip service” without action, activist says. – Mark Konkol (DIERSEN: How soon will Pritzker issue an executive order a) to officially take income, assets, and opportunities away from Republicans in Illinois and b) to give that income, that wealth, and those opportunities to Blacks in Illinois?)
https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/gov-pritzker-pledges-racial-equity-activists-hear-lip-service

CENTER SQUARE
— Nearly half of all Illinois statehouse seats uncontested – Greg Bishop
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/nearly-half-of-all-illinois-statehouse-seats-uncontested/article_02a02cc0-ff70-11ea-a38b-2f785c785f92.html

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Trump Nominates Amy Coney Barrett Over Howls of Rage from RBG Worshippers – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2020/09/trump-nominates-amy-coney-barrett-over-howls-of-rage-from-rbg-worshippers/

FOX NEWS
— Pro-Trump crowd in Illinois (Northbrook) opposes Trump-bashing ‘Coronavirus Death Scoreboard’ “You don’t see the Republicans attacking other people,” a student organizer says – Joseph A. Wulfsohn
https://www.foxnews.com/us/pro-trump-crowd-in-illinois-opposes-trump-bashing-coronavirus-death-scoreboard

BREITBART
— Facebook Censors Tucker Carlson for ‘False News’ – ALLUM BOKHARI (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, all government and political news and commentary is false except for the government and political news and commentary that they put out or bless. I should write a book about my critics/opponents and their many efforts to censor me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2020/09/25/facebook-censors-tucker-carlson-for-false-news/
— Poll Shows Majority Turn Against Rioters, Media – JOHN NOLTE
https://www.breitbart.com/law-and-order/2020/09/23/nolte-poll-shows-majority-turn-against-rioters-media/

THE HILL
— Ending the Hyde Amendment is no longer on the backburner – DESTINY LOPEZ (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote abortion.)
https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/518332-ending-the-hyde-amendment-is-no-longer-on-the-backburner
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-hater says “Trump furor stokes fears of unrest.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/the-memo/518363-the-memo-trump-furor-stokes-fears-of-unrest?rnd=1601075935

POLITICO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled conservative-hating conservative-hater says “Why the right-wing has a massive advantage on Facebook.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/26/facebook-conservatives-2020-421146

CNBC
— Trump Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett ensures abortion fight for election’s final day – Tucker Higgins
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/25/trump-supreme-court-pick-barrett-ensures-election-fight-over-abortion.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-hater asks “Will Amy Coney Barrett Cost Republicans the Senate?”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/25/opinion/amy-coney-barrett-scotus.html?searchResultPosition=7
— How to Predict Merit Aid in a Strange College Application Season Students may have no test scores, altered grades and compromised extracurricular activities. So how will colleges dole out the discounts? – Ron Lieber
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/25/your-money/merit-aid-SAT-optional.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— On Being Black and Conservative The Heritage Foundation’s president on the racial progress she’s experienced, the problems that remain, and becoming a target of Fox host Tucker Carlson. – Nicole Ault
https://www.wsj.com/articles/on-being-black-and-conservative-11601061892
— If the nominee is Amy Coney Barrett, Democrats should resist the urge to target her for her faith. – Peggy Noonan
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-truth-about-people-of-praise-11600990129

DETROIT NEWS
— Google’s search business targeted in US antitrust case – David McLaughlin and Gerrit De Vynck (DIERSEN: Google continues to refuse to treat www.gopillinois.com as being a news website.)
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2020/09/25/googles-search-business-targeted-us-antitrust-case/3529515001/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Barr has been a key ally in Donald Trump’s crackdown on technology giants. The U.S. president has railed against internet companies for allegedly censoring conservative viewpoints online.)

BUSINESS INSIDER
— The US can afford to pay reparations to Black Americans — as long as it sells some federal lands – Rashawn Ray (DIERSEN: How strongly do Democrats blame you for the problems that Blacks have? The more of the following that you are, the more that Democrats blame you for the problems that Blacks have: law enforcement officer, Trump supporter, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, heterosexual, married, non-poor, gun owner, Protestant, German American, draft avoider, and if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/why-use-federal-lands-pay-reparations-slavery-2020-9

WEEK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters ask “Is Facebook growing too close to Trump?”
https://theweek.com/articles/939431/facebook-growing-close-trump

MANAGEMENT CONSULTED
— Accenture Careers (DIERSEN: Democrats and RINOs use up-or-out to get rid of Republicans, and especially to get rid of Republicans who are law enforcement officers, Trump supporters, conservative, patriotic, White, male, older, heterosexual, married, non-poor, gun owners, Protestant, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://managementconsulted.com/accenture-careers/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The competitive environment, the up-or-out promotion schedule, and the sheer size of the company ensure a high rate of turnover. This means that Accenture jobs are frequently available, in a variety of roles as well as office locations. These jobs are posted at multiple forums, but you can be sure to find some at Glassdoor and Indeed.)

VANCOUVER SUN
— NDP, Liberal and Green parties have subtly different plans to keep people safe while campaigning – Lori Culbert (DIERSEN: Of course, ever-increasing, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes hint/imply/argue/shout that because of the pandemic and because of my terrible demographics (old, overweight, White, male, type-2 diabetic, Trump supporter, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, heterosexual, married, non-poor, gun owner, Protestant, 100% German American, my ancestors have been in America since 1844, and owner of six American nameplate cars and one SUV), I should NOT do anything to help elect candidates and b) I should resign as a Republican Precinct Committeeman. Nevertheless, yesterday, I finished hand-delivering door-to-door the following to all 150 homes in my precinct a) that had at least one Republican or Independent voter and b) that had no Democrat yard signs: joint candidate piece from the Milton Township Republican Organization, sample ballot, literature from the 14 Republican candidates on the ballot in my precinct who provided campaign literature, and my GOPUSA Illinois business card. Six of the aforesaid pieces had to be folded to fit inside the envelopes provided by the DuPage County Republican Central Committee. The envelopes had on them a) mailing labels provided by the DuPage County Election Division for each individual Republican or Independent voter and b) my return address label.)
https://vancouversun.com/news/politics/bc-election/dont-pet-voters-dogs-or-sneeze-on-campaign-literature-a-few-of-the-b-c-party-covid-tips-for-staff

(FROM THE ARTICLE: The three main parties supplied their safety plans to Postmedia, and there are obvious similarities around mask-wearing, social distancing, handwashing and staying home when sick. But there are also differences. At the NDP camp, workers from different parts of the campaign are “bubbled” and not allowed to interact with their fellow party workers. That is not only a drag for the Smith brothers, but for senior bus staffer Marie Della Mattia and her daughter, Emily, who works at NDP headquarters. The NDP says its rules are based on guidelines from WorkSafeBC and Henry’s office: At headquarters, staff work in small cohort teams that arrive and eat at different times while those on the bus sit in spread-out seats and hand sanitize after every stop. On Thursday, the party issued new protocols for journalists, which includes an online form that asks for symptoms and collects contact-tracing information. The Liberals’ safety plan includes many of those same elements, but also details minimizing the number of workers in campaign offices, prohibiting the public from entering the offices or requiring appointments, and using plastic or shower curtains barriers when physical distance cannot be maintained. The Liberals also have rules for canvassing, which includes limiting physical contact with doorbells and railings, hand-sanitizing between each house, never going into voters’ houses, and never petting their dogs and cats. Campaign material should be carried in a plastic bag, workers must “take every possible precaution to avoid sneezing” on it, and it should never be handed directly to a voter. Liberal events should have no more than 50 people, ideally be held outside, provide masks and sanitizer and, when possible, have assigned seating, the party says. In its safety material, the Green party acknowledges that “COVID-19 has created a situation where campaigning is going to look very different.” For starters, canvassers should wear gloves and, this year more than ever, respect a voter who isn’t interested. “Canvassers must understand that the public may not be comfortable with this type of activity at their place of residence. Team members will need to be polite, respectful and sensitive to people’s comfort levels,” the Green material says. Only team members in the same household bubble should travel in a car together. If additional people must be in the car, roll the windows down. In campaign offices, door handles, printers and sink taps must be cleaned several times a day, and Green party volunteers should avoid using common coffee pots, kettles or microwaves — which could make for some tired and hungry volunteers. Even when it comes to donations, the rules have changed. The Green party would prefer “contactless” transactions, presumably e-transfers, or old-fashioned cash can be dropped into a container with a slot on top.)

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.