GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 2, 2008

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Illinois Democrats face off in rare impeachment fight - Ryan Keith
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jrJPXftW3ARUaHT629hSlfIW2X9QD91LJE1O7

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- DIERSEN ASKS HOW MANY MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS WOULD OBAMA GIVE WRIGHT AND PFLEGER THAN BUSH GAVE THEM? Obama promises faith-based initiative - Mike Dorning
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-faith-based-webonly-jul02,0,2892982.story
http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/obama_backs_faithbased_service.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Pulido biased on McCain - Rafael Rivadeneira, Elmhurst
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/1030940,CST-EDT-vox30.article
(THE LETTER: As one of the 200 or so Hispanic Republicans who attended the Hispanic Voices Reception for McCain at the Drake Hotel recently, I need to set the record straight on some of Rosanna Pulido's misguided statements to the media and on various blogs. It is clear she heard what she wanted to hear and saw what she wanted to see -- and not what was actually said or done. To the AP, she says: "He's one John McCain in front of white Republicans. And he's a different John McCain in front of Hispanics." McCain said nothing to this group of Hispanic leaders that he hasn't or wouldn't say to anyone else. While his comments -- such as his recognition of the sacrifices Hispanics have made on behalf of this country in the war on terror as well as in previous wars -- were geared toward the Hispanic audience, he was not different to us. He did not make special, behind-closed-door promises, and he certainly did not wink, as Pulido has said. The proof is in the Pulido pudding: If they wanted to keep this event secret, they could have kept Pulido, who heads the Illinois Minuteman Project, from attending this private affair. They knew her agenda, yet she was welcomed. Because of this, I find statements and sentiments like Pulido's -- that McCain is different to Hispanics than to white people (and presumably blacks, Asians, and other groups) -- outrageous and typical of the race-baiting rhetoric that is often at the heart of the immigration issue. While I, as a conservative and proponent of immigration reform, am on record as saying that we need to secure the borders before comprehensive immigration reform can be effective, the idea that we can round up millions of illegal aliens (which, incidentally, includes illegal Irish, Canadians, and many other non-Hispanics), bubble wrap them, and FedEx them back home is unrealistic. Not to mention expensive. Though you'd never know it from people like Pulido, Hispanics care about more issues than immigration. Thank God that Sen. McCain knows this -- which is why he also spoke eloquently about the many topics we care deeply about, the ones that make many Hispanics at home with the Republican Party. His words on winning the war on terror, lowering taxes, defeating the drug cartels, enacting free-trade agreements, protecting the unborn, reducing the need for foreign dependence on oil, as well as his stance on immigration reform should make every Hispanic thrilled to vote for Sen. McCain in November.)
-- Soaring taxes lead to sore taxpayers - Carol Marin
http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/1034993,CST-EDT-Carol_02.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Greeley reiterates his hatred of Bush, his hatred of Republicans, his hatred of Americans, and his hatred of America
http://www.suntimes.com/news/greeley/1034720,CST-EDT-greel02.article

DAILY HERALD
-- Cook County sales tax goes up And county's border businesses are preparing to take a hit - Rob Olmstead
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=214001
-- Peraica denies flip-flop on gay rights amendment - Rob Olmstead
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=214254
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Even though, were it not for America, Mexico would be in far far far worse condition than it is today, Reuben Navarrette blames Mexico's problems on America
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=214205

HERALD NEWS
-- Does Obama hold the cards? Obama is set to take Illinois in November, but will his predicted win help local Democrat candidates get the vote or hurt their chances? - Editorial
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1035293,4_1_JO02_ELEXTRENDS_S1.article

BEACON NEWS
-- Residency of inmates a point of contention - Matt Hanley
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1035278,2_1_AU02_PEREZ_S1.article

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Top Democrats' feud endangering vital legislation - Editorial
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/opinions/1032611,6_4_NA01_EDITORIAL_S1.article
(THE EDITORIAL: THE ISSUE: The state stands to lose more than $9 billion in federal funds unless it passes its capital projects bill soon. OUR VIEW: And that would be a tragedy for state taxpayers. If the bill is not passed soon Illinois is in danger of losing more than $9 billion in federal aid that would lower by that amount the money that needs to come from the state to carry out the projects. This is a case, we believe, where local Republicans have every right to hold the governor and the House speaker responsible for the fate of this bill and Illinois taxpayers need to do so as well. Blaming the Democrats is a very Republican thing to do. But in state government these days it's not always just a political knee-jerk reaction. Often that blame comes with a very large grain of truth. In an article in Monday's Sun local Republicans took off on Democratic leaders in Springfield over the $34 billion state capital projects bill that is, in the words of state Rep. Jim Meyer, R-Naperville, being "held hostage" in a battle between House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Rep. Joe Dunn, R-Naperville, said that both Blagojevich and Madigan are too "worried about who's going to be the next governor, and arguing whether this governor or the next governor should get this money." State Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale, said that if the bill passes, one of the big winners would be Naperville. Projects important to our area include widening Route 59 and capital projects for Metra. The bill includes about $100 million for the former and billions for the latter. The bill also revives the state's school construction grant program, which would provide money to fund the expansion and renovation of Naperville Central High School and the construction of Metea Valley High School - big ticket items for taxpayers in School Districts 203 and 204. The bill has cleared the Senate but has been tabled in the House. As long as Blagojevich and Madigan are using this as a bargaining chip in their feud, and other Democrats in the House let them, there probably isn't much that Republicans - or editorials for that matter - can do. Except point out that if this doesn't pass by the expiration date in September the state loses $9 billion in federal highway funds, important capital projects in Illinois will have been done a great deal of harm. And that would be a tragedy.)

CBS2
-- Sales Tax Hike In Effect; Will Shoppers Revolt? Taxes In Chicago Now 10.25 Percent, Highest In Nation
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/cook.county.tax.2.760949.html (Includes video clip)

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Obama's at home with highest sales tax in U.S. - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/obamas-at-home.html

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
VERY SAD: 2008 Chicago Gay Pride Participants - David E. Smith
http://www.illinoisfamily.org/news/contentview.asp?c=33944

CHAMPION NEWS
-- The defense of marriage can and must be improved - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1053
-- State GOP Convention in Decatur: Just more proof that Republicans need the power to directly elect (Part 2) - Doug Ibendahl
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1063

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Berkowitz w/State Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Wauconda)
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/07/better-than-fox-chicago-sunday.html

FRONT PAGE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Fred Barnes promotes LaHood as a "Uniter"
http://frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=84CC4E19-ABAB-4A85-9B18-295399120903
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Uniter. Ray LaHood of Illinois says his favorite time in the House was when he co-chaired four "bipartisan summits" that brought together Republican and Democratic House members, with their spouses and children, at a retreat outside Washington. The first in 1995 drew 200 members, 150 spouses, and 100 kids. "Those are the kinds of things where people develop relationships beyond Congress," he said. The idea was to spur bipartisanship, which LaHood says is "the only way to get things done." But the last summit was held in 2001. LaHood and his Democratic co-chair tried to organize a fifth one in 2003, but "the sentiment to do a big retreat was not there." LaHood's district is famous, having been represented by Abraham Lincoln, Everett Dirksen, and Bob Michel. His face became well known when he presided over the House impeachment of President Clinton. Elected in 1994, he says, "I don't like being in the minority. It's no fun." But that's not why he's leaving. "Frankly, I'm 62 and I want to get out of the rat race.")

NATIONAL REVIEW
-- Courage Under Fire General Clark misses the point. - Kathleen Parker
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NzU4NzNmNzY2ZjQ3MWMxODJiZjRiYjk4YTMzY2VmOTg=
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A few months ago, when the Rev. Jeremiah Wright first came to national attention, Obama was nearly demure when he said: “I can no more disown (Wright) than I can disown my white grandmother.” He may not have disowned his white grandmother, but Obama didn’t exactly paint a sympathetic — or loving — portrait of her either. He essentially threw her under the bus, saying that she had made racist remarks while he was growing up, a statement that served only to highlight Obama’s own remarkable transcendence. After several weeks of balancing his professed love for Wright with the controversial statements of his chosen father figure and spiritual mentor, Obama eventually left his church of 20 years. But why then, after all those years, did Obama finally find the door? What changed was the degree of his self-interest. As long as Wright was helping Obama burnish his bona fides within the African-American community, it didn’t matter that the minister’s rhetorical flights of fancy bordered on paranoid, racist delusion. Only when Wright became a potential obstacle to Obama’s ambition - by saying that Obama was simply behaving as a politician - did Obama show Wright the underside of that very busy bus. Clark is right that getting shot down doesn’t qualify one to be commander-in-chief. But it is relevant to wonder with whom one would rather share a foxhole.)

NEW YORK TIMES
-- DIERSEN ASKS HOW MANY MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS WOULD OBAMA GIVE WRIGHT AND PFLEGER THAN BUSH GAVE THEM? Obama Seeks Bigger Role for Religious Groups - Jeff Zeleny and Micael Luo
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/02/us/politics/02obama.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: FOR DECADES, BY LAW, AMERICANS HAVE GIVEN HISPANIC AMERICANS PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT, NEVER-THE-LESS: VERY SAD: Alberto R. Gonzales blames Hispanic Americans' problems on racism
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/sunday/commentary/la-oe-gonzales2-2008jul02,0,6158247.story

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- DIERSEN ASKS HOW MANY MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS WOULD OBAMA GIVE WRIGHT AND PFLEGER THAN BUSH GAVE THEM? Obama to expand Bush's faith based programs - Jennifer Loven
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jqqqF79sCN4HSE6uVrPQVBQpYZVwD91L2DFO0

REUTERS
-- DIERSEN ASKS HOW MANY MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS WOULD OBAMA GIVE WRIGHT AND PFLEGER THAN BUSH GAVE THEM? Obama courts evangelicals with stress on faith - John Whitesides
http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKN0126054220080701

MSNBC
-- Down the ballot: GOPers are worried - Mark Murray
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/27/1171681.aspx

NEWSWEEK
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Fareed Zakaria promotes illegal immigration, amnesty, more guest worker programs, and more mass immigration
http://www.newsweek.com/id/34552

WINDY CITY TIMES
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Homosexual activity promoter Greg Harris says that the Chicago Tribune is a "Republican" newspaper
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=18806

WURFWHILE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: If you want to advance the Democrat Party platform which is liberal, you run as a Democrat. If you want to advance the Republican Party platform which is conservative, you run as a Republican. Liz Chaplin is running as a Democrat, so therefore, sadly, she wants to advance the liberal Democrat Party platform.
http://www.wurfwhile.com/blog/2006/09/21/dupage-republican-kirk-dillard-supporting-partisanship-over-progress/

GEORGE KOCAN
-- LETTER TO THE DAILY HERALD EDITOR: Of What Are They Proud?
www.gopillinois.com (7/2/08 News Clips page)
(THE LETTER: Yet again I have had to endure a story on a “pride parade” in your newspaper. As usual, it was not journalism but cheerleading. About what, I wonder, do these persons have to be proud? And why does a Unitarian Universalist Church make a special effort, marching in a “Pride Parade,” to welcome all these “proud” persons? What do these “proud” persons have that normal persons lack? Such parades typically feature half-naked marchers in grotesque costumes performing or simulating unspeakable acts in public. Are these the kinds of things that serious congregations want included in their religious services? Why is sodomy a source of pride? I would think that any rational person would react with disgust at the very thought of sodomy--but not these marchers. Are they proud that male sodomites enjoy a life expectancy of 42 years? Are they proud of what they have done to the Catholic priesthood in America? Are they proud of their role as vectors in AIDS, syphilis, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases? Are they proud of busting into Catholic Churches and disrupting their services? Are they proud of their rate of domestic violence, which exceeds that of normal persons? Are they proud of a higher than normal anal cancer rate? Are they proud that the great religions of the world have condemned sodomy? Are they proud of suppressing free speech in Canada and Europe and in legally lowering the age of consent? Well, are they?)

NEWS NET 5
-- What Does Your Car Say About You? Vehicles Can Show Need For Control Of Image - Craig Clough
http://www.newsnet5.com/automotive/16709812/detail.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Kenny said that drivers of sports cars such as the Corvette are seeking power and control, but mostly control. "You will find that Corvette owners are more sensitive and refined than you would think. They're not into hoarding it over other people the way that the Hummer owners are," said Kenny. The other emotional need that can be fulfilled is a desire for immortality. "They get real upset if the paint job gets scratched. That's very upsetting to a Corvette owner. They want these things to last forever, and they want to last forever," said Kenny. "They're never going to sell it. In fact, a lot of Corvette owners, when they buy a new Corvette, they keep the other one." . . . They and the Ford Mustang have been traditionally identified as the poor man's Corvette because of their cheaper price, but Kenny said it is more complicated than that. "The difference is that people who own those muscle cars actually do have an impulse control problem," said Kenny. "Corvette owners have it under control. They do not get speeding tickets. They do not wreck their cars. But the Camaro and Firebird owners, those people are much more likely to be weaving in and out of traffic.")

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- OUTSTANDING: Only 2 days until Wheaton's Independence Day parade Republican participants include: Birkett, Bucholz, Eckhoff, Fortner, Hultgren, Kachiroubas, Olson, McBride, Milton Township Republicans, Muehlfelt, Sauerberg, and Roskam - Dave Diersen
http://www.wheatonjaycees.org/fourth/2008/index2.html
Please come to Wheaton on July 4 and watch its outstanding Independence Day parade. So far, Republicans Joe Birkett, Fred Bucholz, Grant Eckhoff, Mike Fortner, Randy Hultgren, Chris Kachiroubas, Debra Olson, J.R. McBride, Milton Township Republicans, Gary Muehlfelt, Steve Sauerberg, and Peter Roskam have registered to participate. Many thanks to Joe Birkett, David Carlin, Roger Claar, Kirk Dillard, Grant Eckhoff, Mike Fortner, Gwen Henry, Randy Hultgren, Gary King, J.R. McBride, Debra Olson, and Phil Suess for sponsoring the Chicago Highlanders. Many thanks to Mary Jo Arndt, Michael Connelly, Bob Larsen, Darlene Ruscitti, Tim Whelan, and John Zaruba for sponsoring Cub Scout Pack 64. Many thanks to All Star Printing for printing parade flyers.