Which way?

The first time a state legislative panel has gone this far in carrying out a statutory process for closing a state facility isn’t a pretty one. Whether intended or not, one Illinois town has been pitted against another after Gov. Rod Blagojevich in June proposed moving about 140 Illinois Department of Transportation positions from Springfield three hours south to Harrisburg.

It was easy to see the tension during a lengthy public hearing in the state Capitol building Thursday night. A packed committee room literally was divided. Harrisburg residents sat on one side in purple T-shirts encouraging people to visit the southern Illinois town. Springfield state employees sat on the other side in lime green T-shirts saying the move is the “wrong way.” More supporters and opponents overflowed to the floor below, where they sat in folding chairs lined up in two more hallways and watched the committee hearing on giant screens.

The dilemma facing the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, the panel overseeing the process, is muddled. Facts have been complemented, and sometimes contradicted, by politics and emotions in the past few months.

Union-backed employees repeatedly have shared personal stories, including having to leave a grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease in a nursing home, forcing a teen-age son who lives between his mother’s and father’s homes to decide between the two and challenging people with disabilities who have support networks and medical experts in Springfield. The governor's office has said employees can choose to stay in Springfield and take jobs with equal pay and equal benefits, although the employees are skeptical.

Harrisburg officials said they feel left out and overshadowed by Springfield. “We’re depressed, not stupid,” said Harrisburg Mayor Valerie Mitchell.

They’re both victims, one set to lose either way. The motivation behind the move is the most contentious point, particularly whether the idea is rooted in economics or in politics.

GOP legislators representing the Springfield area allege the governor’s proposal was retribution for supporting a measure that would allow voters to recall elected officials, a measure perceived to be directed at the governor. Local officials list various state-owned facilities in Springfield that have space and could house the division. “We can move them a block or two and not 200 miles,” said Rep. Raymond Poe, a Springfield Republican, during the hearing.

The administration refutes the allegation and says the move is intended to give a boost to an economically depressed area of the state.

Sen. Christine Radogno, a Lemot Republican, said this proposal fails to consider economic development through private investment or tourism funding. Having spent the morning in Chicago at a leaders’ meeting about a statewide capital plan that would encourage such development, Radogno said during the hearing: “Guess what. It ain’t happening. It is so dysfunctional, the governance of this state, that we’re reduced to talking about economic development in terms of moving jobs around.”

“I want to help you,” she said to local Harrisburg officials, “but I’m not sure that, just again, moving government jobs around should satisfy us that we’re doing adequate economic development. That’s not economic development.”

Secretary of Transportation Milton Sees testified that it all started because of the need to replace old carpet nearly two years ago. Rather than continue to pay for an expensive lease to a California owner to house the Division of Traffic Safety, the department looked for ways to save money once the lease expired. Shortly after, Sees said the governor directed him to find a division that could serve in a stand-alone facility and relocate to an economically depressed area of the state. The focus shifted from finding space in Springfield to determining whether the Division of Traffic Safety could relocate to southern Illinois, eventually leading to Harrisburg. “They are starving for jobs, literally,” Sees said.

The transportation department already signed a contract to purchase space in the Harrisburg facility for $812,000, using money from the state’s dedicated Road Fund. IDOT’s chief counsel Ellen Schanzle-Haskins added that the department could break that lease at any time with five day’s notice. She also said the purchase is frozen until after the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability issues a recommendation, due September 11. The recommendation, however, is not binding. The governor could move the positions, anyway.

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Out with a bang

Illinois is closing out July in style and gearing up for more politics in August. The same day Gov. Rod Blagojevich unveiled a “compromise” capital plan to fund road and school construction projects throughout the state, his office was sued along with Senate President Emil Jones Jr.’s office for not releasing budget-related details. And the governor’s idea to transfer nearly 150 positions from Springfield three hours south to Harrisburg is the subject of hours of testimony opposing the idea, although southern Illinois folks like the idea of an economic boost. (More on that in the next post.) And after all that in one day, the condition of state government is unlikely to change any time soon.

I write “compromise” in quotes because there’s no deal on the capital plan without all parties on board. Although the governor’s office made a gesture to compromise by getting rid of the revenue source that House Speaker Michael Madigan ruled out — expanded gaming — it’s clear that the governor’s revised proposal still lacks support from House Democrats. The new version reduces the spending amount from $34 billion to $25 billion. So, yes, the casino-less proposal satisfies three of four caucuses, but those three caucuses were on board in the first place.

House Democrats’ concerns about the first plan still stand. Most prominently, they still don’t trust the governor to fairly distribute the capital funds. House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, a Chicago Democrat who represented the speaker in today’s meeting and in previous leaders’ meetings, reiterated Madigan’s stance: House Democrats won’t get on board unless the spending side of the capital plan is crystal clear. Steve Brown, Madigan’s spokesman, said specific line items are an “absolute requirement.” In an e-mail after the meeting, Currie echoed: “Assuming we could reach agreement on the revenue side — a big assumption — we would definitely want line-item allocations and some way to guarantee that dollars allocated are actually spent.”

Her kicker: “So I think we continue to be on a very steep uphill climb.”

The governor’s revised revenue ideas still lack consensus. House Democrats repeatedly have questioned the wisdom of the first revenue source: selling off all or part of the Illinois Lottery to the private sector. The state asset generates money for public education and has been estimated to be worth more than $10 billion, leading some to question why the state would sell it rather than revamp it and maximize its value. Proponents say the private sector could be more efficient and aggressive in managing the lottery’s potential.

Currie said, however, that privatization also could negate the original intent and appeal. “The lottery was originally sold as a way to help education, so buying a losing lottery ticket still helped the kids. Take away education, and people may feel they’ve been bamboozled.”

The governor’s proposal does include a “lockbox” for capital investments and lottery proceeds for education. And supporters of the lottery lease say the upfront cash and the ongoing state share of the profits would ensure that public schools would receive at least the same amount under the public-private partnership.

The other funding idea includes transferring higher-than-expected revenues from two state taxes, the motor fuel tax that goes into a dedicated Road Fund and the sales tax on gasoline that goes into the general revenue fund. Currie said her caucus could consider using “excess” revenues from the motor fuel tax (a.k.a. Road Fund) if the administration proves that the money would go directly to capital construction projects. Transferring excess revenues from the state sales tax on gasoline (a.k.a. general revenue fund) is a different story. “Diversions from GRF — which, essentially, is what taking gasoline sales taxes really is — could be a very tough sell,” Currie said. Without support from House Democrats, a capital plan is unlikely to advance.

Another lawsuit
Two nonprofit groups supporting limited government are suing Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Senate President Emil Jones Jr. for denying access to budget-related documents.

The Illinois Chapter of Americans for Prosperity based in Chicago and Judicial Watch Inc. based in Washington, D.C., filed suit in Sangamon County. They allege that both offices repeatedly denied requests under the Freedom of Information Act to release information about how a lump sum of $1.7 billion was spent in fiscal year 2008. In a Statehouse news conference Thursday, the two groups justified their suit by citing newspaper reports about questionable grants doled out by individual legislators. They’re asking the court to require Blagojevich and Jones to release information about specific uses of the money.

They’re targeting so-called member initiatives that distribute state grants to local nonprofits or units of local government, and so on, and the grants aren’t subject to competitive bidding processes or to legislative debates. Projects often are lumped together in a single dollar amount and lack specific descriptions of how that money would be used.

Jones’ office says its attorneys are reviewing the suit and don’t have a comment. I’m still waiting for a response from the governor’s office.

Joe Calomino, director of the Illinois Chapter of Americans for Prosperity, said the group did not sue House Democrats or Republicans because they released detailed information about money issued for member initiatives.

The group, which publishes an online blog called Pork Report, also is behind legislation that would create a Web site to track all money spent on all districts, all state contracts, all state employees and all tax credits to improve government transparency. It was intended to serve as a one-stop shop for taxpayers. The measure was unanimously approved by the House but stalled in the Senate.

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WellPaying Contributor to Blagojevich Back in the News

Cross posted from ICPR's blog, The Race is On:

A couple of years ago, reports in the Tribune, Crain's, and the State Journal Register linked five bundled donations to Gov. Blagojevich's campaign with the All Kids health insurance program and the contract to manage it. New reports out today suggest that pattern may be repeating itself, this time in Florida.

Today's news report indicates that WellCare is "the biggest campaign contributor to Republican state House candidate Will Pruitt " and that "Pruitt received 20 separate $500 contributions, the limit for individual contributions, from WellCare Health Plans Inc. and its subsidiaries: WCG Health Management, Comprehensive Logistics, Comprehensive Health and Healthease."

If that sounds familiar, it should. On Nov. 21, 2005, WellCare made 5 separate $20,000 donations to Gov. Blagojevich's campaign. Those donations, made through subsidiaries including WellCare Health Plans Inc and WCG Health Management, came less than a week after the Governor signed into law his All Kids insurance program.

WellCare also hired Blagojevich protégé John Wyma in August of 2005; in January, 2006, another WellCare subsidiary, Harmony Health Care, hired Wyma, and has retained Wyma ever since.

At the time they hired Wyma and made the $100K in donations to the governor's campaign fund, Harmony Health Care held a $99M contract with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. That contract grew to $110M n FY07, $150M in FY08, and $162M in the current fiscal year. That's almost a two-thirds increase in their contract value in just three short years.

There may be more. According to Forbes, WellCare is under investigation by the FBI for possible Medicare fraud in Florida and Illinois. The company has acknowledged errors in both states.

Is there a pattern of bundling donations through subsidiaries to win state contracts? Either way, it's time to cut the connection between campaign money and state contracts.

To comment, please visit ICPR's blog.

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Chicago aldermen: Who's got what

With a hat-tip to Newsalert. The Sun-Times lists the campaign fund totals of all Chicago aldermen. Ranging from between $8 Million to $0. The man on top is Ald. Ed Burke of the 14th.

Last year when I covered the municipal elections on my own blog, I noted in this post at that time...

Why does Burke have over $6.5 million in his campaign fund when he doesn't even have an opponent?

Ultimately he did have an opponent whom he failed to keep off the ballot and that election turned into what might referred to in wrestling as a "sqaush" match. That race was incredibly one sided.

Still I have to wonder why should an alderman have $8 million in their campaign fund? I suppose for a local office even in a city the size of Chicago to be able to either win or hold a seat shouldn't require that much money, unless we go back to that post at Newsalert...

Very interesting.With $8 million that substantially more money than Mayor Daley's got. Alderman Burke has never had a real campaign opponent. Why would so many connected individuals contribute money to a single Alderman? Here is the proof that Ed Burke is the real boss of The Chicago Democratic Machine. He slates the judges and controls Chicago's tax code. Burke passes out the money and it appears many people want to give him some money.

So all that money has little to do with his position as an alderman. Perhaps it might be his role as the chair of the city council finance committee? Perhaps it might be related to his role as a Democratic committeeman?

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 31, 2008

MCCAIN CAMPAIGN
-- VIDEO CLIP: "Biggest celebrity in the world" TV ad
http://www.johnmccain.com/videolanding/celeb.htm

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- FRONT PAGE WITH COLOR PHOTO OF MCCAIN: McCain ad fights rival's celebrity head-on Campaign swipes at media, likens Obama to pop culture stars - Jill Zuckman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-mccain31jul31,0,4335927.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Beyond outrageous lyrics from Obama's friend Ludacris
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/obama_ludacris_bff.html
(FROM THE POSTING: As if Barack Obama, presumed Democratic nominee, weren't popular enough with the kids. A loyal Swamp reader points out that Illinois-born rapper Ludacris has just released a new song about Barack Obama, his favorite politician and maybe Best Friend Forever based on the lyrics. The Obama campaign said Ludacris should be ashamed of the lyrics, which they called offensive, not only to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and likely Republican nominee John McCain (R-Ariz.), but also 'all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear.' A former Clinton aide also quickly got in on the act, calling on Obama to denounce the song. Among the jewels of wisdom: On special perks: 'Said I handled his biz and I'm one of his favorite rappers, well give Luda a special pardon if I'm ever in the slammer. Better yet put him in office, make me your vice president.' On Hillary Clinton: 'Hillary hated on you, so that (expletive) is irrelevant' On Republicans: McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed, Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped The video is sure to ruffle a few feathers, especially among those who are already trying to paint Obama as little more than a celebrity trying to ride his hype to the White House. Lyrics after the jump.)
-- Spotlight's glare bares missteps too - Eric Zorn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-zorn-31-jul31,0,5439617.column
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: John Kass pulls out all the stops to promote dogs and to promote dog owners
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-31-jul31,0,1439584.column
(DIERSEN: As a mailman 1966-1969 and as a Republican precinct committeeman and Republican campaign volunteer since 1999, I have walked up to the front doors of homes tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of times. Far far far too often I have been greeted by bored, unhappy, frustrated, and angry dogs who seem to want to escape from their owners.)
-- Mexico farm source of salmonella outbreak, U.S. finds - Annys Shin
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/health/chi-salmonella-peppers1jul31,0,998469.story
-- Debate over raids widens Study showing a dip in illegal immigrant numbers questioned - Nicole Gaouette
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-immigration-reportjul31,0,3900462.story
-- FROM THE ARTICLE: Wheaton College also ranked No. 1 in the survey for great "town-gown relations." DePaul University is the only other Illinois school to earn a No. 1 ranking, in the category "Great College Towns."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-best-campus-eats_both_31jul31,0,6313677.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Gov: I'm still not a target of feds BGA lawyer: Court filing seems to argue otherwise - Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/1083488,CST-NWS-watchdog31.article
-- Peraica giving back donations Points finger at foe - Eric Herman
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1083678,CST-NWS-peraica31.article
-- Possible Republican VP pick Tim Pawlenty mum in Chicago - Abdon Pallasch
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/mccain/1083484,pawlenty073108.article
-- The silent treatment is childish, Mr. Madigan - Editorial
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1083557,CST-EDT-edit31.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Mary Mitchell blames all African American problems on whites, again
http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/1083748,CST-NWS-mitch31.article
-- Rove's attack on Sen. Obama is rife with misinformation - Vincent Rossmeier
(Not posted as of 8:00 AM)
-- Why is spending others' money virtuous? - Jacob Sullum
(Not posted as of 8:00 AM)

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- Hastert joins DC lobbying firm - AP
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=30408
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Since Hastert's hiring, some of his former conservative supporters expressed dismay at his joining a firm whose Web site touts a diversified workplace in which "gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals enjoy an atmosphere of inclusion and respect," enrich the firm and enhance its service.)

HERALD NEWS
-- Illinois House Republicans outline goals for future - Patrick Ferrell
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1083784,4_1_JO31_GOPAGENDA_S1.article

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- "Get off your a**, black people, get out and vote!" Ludacris raps - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/come-on-black-p.html (Includes video clip)

REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- Michelle Obama's College Thesis: An Early Exercise In Blame and Anger - Daniel T. Zanoza
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/07/michelle-obamas-college-thesis-an-early-exercise-in-blame-and-anger.html
THE THESIS: http://www.scribd.com/doc/2305083/PrincetonEducated-Blacks-and-the-Black-Community?query2=copy%20michelle%20obama%20doctoral%20thesis

TOM ROESER
-- Big question: How will older white Democrats react to a young liberal black presidential candidate?
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24699

MCCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
-- Part 1 - Candidates Cruising with Family PAC - Cal Skinner
http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2008/07/part-1-candidates-cruising-with-family.html

AMERICANS FOR TRUTH
-- VERY SAD: Nudity Fills San Francisco Streets again as Cops Look on and Do Nothing at ‘Up Your Alley’ Street Fair Police-protected sadistic celebration reveals continuing lawlessness in America’s ‘gay-est’ city - Peter LaBarbera
http://americansfortruth.com/news/nudity-fills-san-francisco-streets-again-as-cops-look-on-and-do-nothing-at-up-your-alley-street-fair.html

HUMAN EVENTS
-- Let It be Romney, Please! - Bay Buchanan
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27760

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- Why Obama Should Pick Hillary - Lanny Davis
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121745984626098717.html?mod=hps_us_inside_today

AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY
-- VIDEO CLIP: Obama Lectures Americans to Give Up SUVs, Then Hops in One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEwDG7hjlgQ

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Obama links McCain to 'reckless' GOP economics - Mike Glover
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5isOFwdbq0tsqatW6vJpkDRTI1gMgD928AMN00
-- Obama's convention crowd: Biggest phone bank ever - Nedra Pickler and Ron Fournier
http://www.mercurynews.com/elections/ci_10045994?nclick_check=1

CNS NEWS
-- Freddie, Fannie Funded Jesse Jackson’s Pet Projects - Keriann Hopkins
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=32803

ABC NEWS
-- New McCain Ad Mocks Obama 'Celeb' Status - David Wright
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/new-mccain-ad-m.html
-- Did Obama Accuse McCain of Running a Racist, Xenophobic Campaign? - Jake Tapper
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/did-obama-accus.html

USA TODAY
-- In fundraising ranks, a gender gap is showing - Fredreka Schouten
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-07-30-gender_N.htm

NEW YORK TIMES
-- McCain Tries to Define Obama as Out of Touch - Jim Rutenberg
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/us/politics/31campaign.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Because Obama is so outrageously anti-Republican, anyone who does anything to help elect Obama is shouting to the world that they are not a Republican
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/us/politics/31repubs.html?scp=1&sq=obama%20lasker&st=cse

WASHINGTON POST
-- Obama: They're Trying to 'Make You Scared of Me' - Jonathan Weisman
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/07/30/obama_theyre_trying_to_make_yo.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/30/AR2008073003310.html
-- Ludacris Provides Obama With More Unwelcome Help - Laura Yao
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/30/AR2008073002960.html

NEWSWEEK
-- McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy - Andrew Romano
http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/07/30/mccain-s-savvy-ad-strategy.aspx
-- The Techie in Chief The terrorists have laptops in their hideouts. Can America afford to have a leader who is just learning how to use one? - Anna Quindlen
http://www.newsweek.com/id/148980

ASSOCIATED CONTENT
-- Ludacris Pro Obama Rap Song Stirs Controversy Another Scary Obama Friend? - Mark Whittington
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/917683/ludacris_pro_obama_rap_song_stirs_controversy.html?cat=33

RENEW AMERICA
-- Obama's reparations policy - Michael Gaynor
http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/gaynor/080730

NEWS BUSTERS
-- Nets Agitated by McCain's 'Nasty' & 'Childish' Anti-Obama 'Attack' Ad - Brent Baker
http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2008/07/30/nets-agitated-mccains-nasty-childish-anti-obama-attack-ad

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
-- OUTSTANDING: Tide of illegal immigrants now being reversed Border crackdown and tough economic times in the US are seen as reasons. - Gail Russell Chaddock
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0731/p01s03-ussc.html
(DIERSEN: Illegals and those who exploit them are conflicted. Driving the American economy down helps elect Obama, but it also discourages illegal immigration.)

THE HILL
-- McCain uses Obama’s celebrity against him - Sam Youngman and Aaron Blake
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/mccain-uses-obamas-celebrity-against-him-2008-07-30.html
-- OUTSTANDING: Targeted Dems forge deal on immigration - Jared Allen and Jack Kucinich
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/targeted-dems-forge-deal-on-immigration-2008-07-30.html
-- Republicans issue Biggert poll after opponent outraises her - Joey Michalakes
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/republicans-issue-biggert-poll-after-opponent-outraises-her-2008-07-30.html

HAWAII STAR BULLETIN
-- Obama notes ‘tragic’ US past American history's "sad" aspects require action, the senator tells cheering journalists - Laurie Au
http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/28/news/story05.html

SNOPES
-- Obama The Patriot - Removes American Flag From His Plane
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/airplane.asp

BLOOMBERG
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Who volunteers to help a candidate, an elected official, or a political party says a lot about that candidate, that elected official, or that political party leader. How that candidate, that elected official, or that political party treats that volunteer says a lot about that candidate, that elected official, or that political party leader.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=a3_wNVMltqiQ&refer=home

BOND BUYER
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Roskam requests the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to "investigate if there are fundamental differences in the treatment of different classes of bonds by rating agencies that cause some classes to suffer from 'undue circumstances'" and to "consider the extent to which retail investors could be disadvantaged by a single ratings scale."
http://www.bondbuyer.com/article.html?id=20080730YPQL1GAV

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- Who works against your GOPUSA Illinois Editor? - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
Your GOPUSA Illinois Editor transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980. My anti-conservative GAO superiors wasted my career, stopped me from being assigned to studies of IRS except 1986-1988, and forced me to take early retirement in 1997. Starting in 1990, my anti-conservative GAO superiors assigned me to studies of financial industry issues. Starting in 1992, I took graduate finance courses in the evening at the Illinois Institute of Technology and earned a masters degree in financial markets and trading in 1997. If my anti-conservative GAO superiors had not wasted my career and forced me to take early retirement, they might very well have assigned Roskam's request to me. In 1979, I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt. In 1981, I passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt. I earned a bachelors degree in management from NIU in 1970, an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and a masters degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980. I am one of only a very few Republicans in the 6th Congressional District who have lots of experience working for the federal government -- 3 years with the Post Office, 9 years with IRS, and 17 years with GAO. Sadly, anti-conservatives continue to denigrate me and denigrate my abilities and ascribe bad judgment and evil motive to everything I do -- they work hard to limit my role in political and government organizations and they discourage people from reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS daily emails. Even though I am the GOPUSA Illinois Editor, the Chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, served as a steering committee member and officer of the Illinois Center Right Coalition, and I am a member of the American Association of Political Consultants, they continue to argue that I am neither a journalist nor a conservative leader and that GAO was justified in forcing me to take early retirement. Some argue that if they could control the content of GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, the Illinois Republican Party would be in a much better condition than it is today. They would keep out of the emails anything that does not promote them or promote the individual candidate(s) they are currently promoting. Given my life history and everything I have done, especially everything I have done since 2000, I argue that anyone who works against me is either an anti-conservative or a dupe of an anti-conservative.

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Das Bull

I finally got a chance to take a look at the new McCain attack ad that plays on the celebrity status of Barack in an attempt to convey a 'more sizzle than steak' image of our Democratic nominee. Something struck me as especially odd about the piece, but I had to watch it a few times to get at what it was. If you haven't seen it, watch it now and see if anything comes to mind.

It finally dawned on me as if I was hit upside the head with some schnitzel. Despite the gratuitous images of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, it is another celebrity altogether with whom the ad attempts to link Obama.

The opening of the piece - the chanting German crowds, the camera angles, all of it - looked like an updated version of old Hitler newsreel footage. Watch it a couple of times and you realize (at least I do) that this is no coincidence. On its surface, the ad is a routine 'don't believe the hype' piece. But the real subtext of this commercial is to implant a 'cult of personality' message by shamelessly invoking Nazi parallels.

I'll admit to having reservations about my belief that McCain supporters would stoop to such a tactic, but my doubts were quickly allayed when I did a search on the Google for 'Obama Hitler'. It took all of .19 seconds to find a slew of results including this gem by a writer for the National Review. In whining about the fact that McCain simply can't get any attention from the media, she talked about how much attention Barack's acceptance speech at the convention will likely generate. Apparently having no rational way of trying to make a point, she blurts out:

To me, this is evocative of something Leni Riefenstahl might have documented.

For those who miss the somewhat obscure, and inflammatory, reference, Leni Riefenstahl was, among many other things, the cinematographer of the Nazi propaganda film "Triumph of the Will", a film that purely coincidentally contains the rally footage from the 1934 Nuremburg Congress that was evoked by my watching the McCain ad.

But don't think that the vitriol is is limited to your Republican media outlets. Continuing this year's wacky pastor parade comes Pastor James David Manning, who crosses the line of reason and decency by such lengths that the line is just a blur in the rearview mirror of his crazymobile.

You have got to watch this one to believe it.

The fact that one can find so many variants of this message is simply beyond the pale. And given that they're playing the Hitler card and it is only July, who knows what else they'll trot out between now and November. (Can you imagine if they find out about Barack's '666' birthmark?)

But keep in mind, that even in a Presidential campaign, Godwin's Law still applies. And under Godwin's Law, McCain's a loser.

To read or post comments, visit Open House

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ICPR SAYS NO TO MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR SPENDING WITHOUT PAY-TO-PLAY REFORMS

Cross posted from ICPR's blog, The Race is On:

The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform urges legislative leaders to insist Gov. Blagojevich accept limitations on pay-to-play contracting as part of any new multibillion-dollar capital plan.

Gov. Blagojevich has called legislative leaders to a meeting Thursday to negotiate a capital construction program, reportedly in the range of $20 billion to $34 billion.

“House Bill 824, now sitting on the governor’s desk, would ban businesses with state contracts from making campaign contributions to the officeholder awarding the contract,” said Cynthia Canary, Director of ICPR. “The governor should sign HB 824 and give the public some confidence the billions of dollars in news spending would be done fairly and would not be directed at the wallets of the businesses contributing to his campaign fund.”

In the first 30 days after the General Assembly passed HB 824, the governor’s campaign committee actively solicited contributions from businesses with state contracts and collected at least $250,000 from state contractors in that short period of time, according to a Chicago Tribune investigation.

“The governor claims he wants billions in new infrastructure spending to create jobs and to guard against a bridge collapse as happened in Minneapolis last year,” Canary said. “But after years of headlines about contracts that look more like pay-to-play than legitimate state business, taxpayers have to wonder whether his top concern is bridge safety or building up his campaign treasury.

“If he would sign the bill to discourage pay-to-play and stop soliciting money from people doing business with the state, he would give the public reason to believe those new construction dollars would be spent fairly,” she said. “Legislative leaders should insist HB 824 is signed into law before giving the governor the ability to award billions in new spending for bridges, roads, and other projects.”

Read more...

State contractor: Stop me before I give money to the governor again

Cross-posted from ICPR's blog, The Race is On:

Illinois campaign finance disclosure reports tell who gave how much to whom, and when, but they don't tell why. And “why” is the most interesting question. For Today's Trib story, reporters John Chase and David Kidwell called some donors – all with state contracts -- and asked that question. Some of the answers were surprisingly candid.

One contractor with more than $40 million in road construction contracts said he wished Gov. Blagojevich would sign pending legislation prohibiting contributions by contractors: "I'd like to see it signed because it will save me money. We won't have to contribute anything. I wouldn't even have to entertain the idea of supporting him . . . or her or anyone."

The legislation aimed at pay-to-play politics (House Bill 824) has been sitting on the governor's desk for 30 days. During those 30 days, the Blagojevich campaign committee has collected “more than a quarter of a million dollars from people who do business with the state,” according to that same Tribune story by Chase and Kidwell.

The governor has another month to go before he acts on HB 824, but he may be more interested in a different deadline – January 1, 2009. That’s the effective date of HB 824, if it becomes law with his signature or an override of his veto. He has at least five more months to ask state contractors for campaign contributions and five more months for reporters to ask state contractors why they give. All the more reason to urge him to sign it now , without making any changes.

It also is worth noting that very few people currently give to Illinois state politicians. A few years ago, we estimated the number of donors who give large donation -- $10,000 or more -- at less than one half of one tenth of one percent of all people in Illinois. That tiny pool of donors accounts for most of the money raised by candidates for state office. But why do they give?

To comment, please visit ICPR's blog.

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 30, 2008

ABC7
-- Republican National Committee creates Obama Facebook site - Ben Bradley
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6295387 (Includes video clip)
(FROM THE ARTICLE: "I think a lot of Americans don't know a lot about Barack Obama, and legitimately, the Republican National Committee is getting the information out," said Pat Brady, Sen. John McCain's campaign deputy co-chair. Among those listed as "friends" on Obama's fake Barackbook page is convicted fundraiser Tony Rezko. Click on his name and viewers are told that Rezko was among Obama's first political supporters and that Rezko sold Obama a piece of land next to his Hyde Park home. Another click in the friend column, and you'll find an unflattering mug shot of William Ayers, the 60's radical-turned-distinguished professor, who Obama has said is just a casual acquaintance. "There's nothing new here. It's stuff people have known for a long time -- probably some information in there they don't want to be on the Web," Brady said. "Apparently, John McCain picked up on the Internet about as quickly as he picked up on the fact that the economy is going south and the war in Iraq is a complete blunder," said Alexi Giannoulias, (D) Illinois Treasurer. Giannoulias said he is proud to call himself a friend of Barack Obama but isn't thrilled about seeing himself in the "friends" column along with old stories about questionable loans he made before being elected. "They're trying to throw everything they can against the wall and see what sticks," said Giannoulias. "What they're trying to do is an overall strategy to make Obama look like another Chicago politician -- though somewhat different in who he is but not what he is," said Paul Green, political analyst.)
-- OUTRAGEOUS: Sharpton defends Jackson - AP
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6295022

NBC5
-- 'Price Is Right' Host Urges Support For Pet Sterilization Ordinance
http://www.nbc5.com/news/17031072/detail.html?dl=mainclick (Includes video clip)
(DIERSEN: I delivered mail for the Park Forest Post Office 1966-1969.)

CBS2
-- DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, McCain should promise to cut off all federal funds for Chicago if Chicago does not stop promoting illegal immigration
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/immigrant.rights.hearing.2.783169.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The hearings are being praised by immigrant rights activists nationwide who have long watched Chicago's approach to immigrants. "It's always been seen as a place that's been more open and friendly to immigrants," said Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda, a professor at the University of California at Los Angeles and former Chicago immigration activist. "This particular announcement is a further step in making immigrants feel that their rights are going to be protected." Chicago, which was declared a sanctuary to immigrants in 1989, has had the highest participation nationwide in annual immigrant rights rallies. In 2006, more than 400,000 marched in the streets and Mayor Richard Daley addressed the crowd. Last year, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., sponsored the failed DREAM Act, a bill designed to facilitate citizenship for young illegal immigrants who planned to attend college or join the military.)
-- Bob Barker Lobbies Council For Pet Neutering Law Barker Says The Movement Is Sweeping The Country
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/bob.barker.pets.2.783053.html (Includes video clip)

DAILY HERALD
-- Blagojevich and bridges: Sincere or Sensationalizing - John Patterson
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/310
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Outrageously, Bush let stand all kinds of outrageous Clinton executive orders. But outrageously, Obama says, "We need to review Bush's executive orders."
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=224288
-- IRS pledges better collection of business taxes
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=224131
(DIERSEN: I collected delinquent payroll and other taxes for IRS 1971-1980 and I audited IRS for GAO 1986-1988.)
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DIERSEN HEADLINE: TRAGIC: Teen and preteen births increase in DuPage County as more people who reject conservative values move into DuPage County to take advantage of the prosperity and safety that conservative values bring forth.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=224270
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Navarette outrageously tries to argue that he is a centrist
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=224129
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Elgin Area School District U-46 wastes more taxpayer dollars promoting Spanish
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=224239

WIRED
-- OUTSTANDING: Dave Ressler's love of Corvettes is exceeded only by the depth of his pockets, as logical an explanation as any for his paying $1 million (TO CHARITY) for the very first ZR1, which has rolled off an assembly line into his driveway.
http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/07/corvette-zr1-no.html (Includes video clips)

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- OUTSTANDING: Corvette still an American classic - Jill Ciminillo
http://searchchicago.suntimes.com/autos/research/ciminillo/1078416,JC072908_corvette.article
-- VERY SAD: Peraica donors include felons - Eric Herman
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1081478,CST-NWS-peraica30good.article
-- VERY SAD: Ozinga's firms owed $59K in taxes Campaign says tally is small compared to 'tens of millions' paid - Abdon Pallasch
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1081110,CST-NWS-cong30.article
-- Women voters aren't warming to 'cool' Obama - Carol Marin
http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/1080942,CST-EDT-Carol30.article
-- Bob Barker asks Chicago City Council for pet control legislation Retired host of 'The Price is Right' urges aldermen to OK ordinance requiring neutering, spaying - Fran Spielman
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1079813,pets072908.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Mark Brown shamelessly panders to dog owners and to the dog industry
http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/1081177,CST-NWS-brown30.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Chicago Sun-Times shamelessly panders to dog owners and to the dog industry
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1080939,CST-EDT-edit30a.article
-- Gov may dump Chicago casino It could be dropped to pass capital program passed - Dave McKinney and Rummana Hussain
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1081163,CST-NWS-gov30.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Those who want to kill Christians and especially to kill American Christians are overjoyed: Greeley calls Bush and Cheney "war criminals."
http://www.suntimes.com/news/greeley/1080837,CST-EDT-greel30.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats say you personally benefited from slavery and from "Jim Crow segregation laws." Yesterday, Democrats apologized on your behalf. How much will Democrats make you pay in reparations?
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1080867,sorry072908.article
-- Bailouts, feminism, liberal deceit: Where does it end? - Thomas Sowell
(Not posted as of 6:30 AM)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Indictment of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens adds to bleak GOP prospects in November - Andrew Taylor
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-stevens-indictment,0,522517.story
-- Obama hopium helps you forget several unpleasant facts - John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-30-jul30,0,915294.column
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: RNC video clip helps explain a) why all Diersen's ancestors left what is now Germany in 1840s and 1850s, b) why Diersen's grandfather fought Germany in World War I, c) why someone like Hitler could come to power in Germany, d) why Diersen's uncles Paul and Otto fought Germany in World War II, e) why Diersen's father would have fought Germany in World War II if he had not had full blown diabetes since he was 14 years old, f) why so many Germans blame all their problems on America, and g) why no one should support Obama. Diersen hopes that the Milton Township Republican Central Committee changes the name of its "Oktoberfest" fundraiser to "Americafest."
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/rnc_obama_ad.html
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: McCain and Obama both say they oppose "quotas" but only McCain says he opposes "preferential treatment" on the basis of "race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0730pagejul30,0,346308.column
(REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM: FROM PAGE 75: "Finally, because we are opposed to discrimination, we reject preferences, quotas, and set-asides based on skin color, ethnicity, or gender, which perpetuate divisions and can lead people to question the accomplishments of successful minorities and women.")
http://www.gop.com/images/2004platform.pdf)
-- FRONT PAGE: Governor steps up fundraising Contractors' donations flow as reform bill sits - John Chase and David Kidwell
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-blagojevich-secret-fundraisijul30,0,5230757.story
-- Chicago aldermen put off decision on pet neutering idea - Hal Dardick
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/07/alderman-turn-t.html
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Chicago Tribune shamelessly panders to dog owners and to the dog industry
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0730edit1jul30,0,6221288.story

BELLEVIEW NEWS DEMOCRAT
-- Blagojevich urges (TAX INCREASES TO PAY FOR) state repairs Says there will be room to compromise - AP
http://www.bnd.com/news/state/story/414688.html

SUBURBAN CHICAGO NEWS
-- Sauerberg touts background in medicine - David Gialanella
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/genevasun/news/1078756,2_6_2_TC30_SENATE_S1.article
-- DuPage County Election judges get pay raise - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1080980,6_1_NA30_COMMISSION_S1.article

HERALD NEWS
-- Ozinga touts benefits of wind energy - Patrick Ferrell
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1081071,4_1_JO30_OZINGA_S1.article

SAUERBERG CAMPAIGN
-- OUTSTANDING: Sauerberg calls on Stevens to resign
http://sauerberg2008.com/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=4330

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
-- Hastert rallies troops for Oberweis 'Democrats are on the wrong side of this issue' - Brenda Schory
http://www.kcchronicle.com/articles/2008/07/26/news/local/doc488afe0012fe0958522088.txt

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Let's All Apologize to Each Other for Every Crime - Mark Rhoads
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/lets-all-apolog.html

CHAMPION NEWS
-- Is anyone actually falling for Tom Cross’ latest charade? - Doug Ibendahl
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1108
-- July 27 radio program audio clip posted: Guest: Dr. Victor Davis Hanson
http://www.championnews.net/talk/podcast.html
(THE POSTING: Last Sunday, Special Guest Dr. Victor Davis Hanson joined John, Cathy and Doug. Dr. Hanson is one of the premier military historians of our time. He has written or edited 16 books, the latest entitled A War Like No Other. He is a Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution and Professor Emeritus at California University.)

TOM ROESER
-- Chicago Weak in Review
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24697

CBS NEWS
-- House Republicans Don't Defend Stevens - Patrick O'Connor
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/29/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4305510.shtml

EYEBLAST TV
-- The Media 'Swoon' Over Obama's Iraq Trip
http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx?RsrcID=32741

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
-- Obama's Women Problem - Dick Morris
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/07/obamas_women_problem.html

POLITICO
-- FROM THE ARTICLE: The conservative National Review called for Stevens’ resignation. Democrats across the country called on their Republican opponents to return Stevens’ campaign contributions. Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk, a Republican, used Stevens’ indictment to demand passage of legislation that would deny congressional pensions to members convicted of felonies.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/12162.html

CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY
-- CQ Politics’ Top 10: Democrats’ Cash Domination Extends to Open-Seat Races - Greg Giroux
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002929041&parm1=5&cpage=1
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 7. Debbie Halvorson, Democrat, Illinois’ 11th ($917,000). Halvorson, a state senator, entered the race shortly after Republican Rep. Jerry Weller said that he would not seek re-election in a mildly Republican-leaning district that includes a mix of suburbs, exurbs and rural territory south and west of Chicago. She’s facing a determined Republican challenger in Marty Ozinga, a concrete company executive who has been aggressively raising money ever since he was named by local Republican officials in late April to replace the original Republican nominee, who had withdrawn. In this year’s second quarter, Halvorson collected as much from political action committees as she did from individual donors. She also received some funds from a pair of joint fundraising committees, Blue Illinois 2008 and Women Lead Victory Fund 2008, that distributed funds to her campaign, as well as to others. CQ Politics Rating: Leans Democratic)

MERCURY NEWS
-- Obama inspires uncertainty - Richard Cohen
http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_10039541

WASHINGTON TIMES
-- Obama lionized across the Pond - Adrienne Washington
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/30/obama-lionized-across-the-pond/

NEW YORK TIMES
-- As a University of Chicago Professor, Obama Enthralled Students and Puzzled Faculty - Jodi Kantor
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/us/politics/30law.html?em&ex=1217476800&en=648af7fff4c9fb65&ei=5087%0A
-- Teaching Law, Testing Ideas, Obama Stood Apart - Jodi Kantor
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/us/politics/30law.html?bl&ex=1217563200&en=cf4c01662516e342&ei=5087

GAINESVILLE SUN
-- Media are shameless sycophants for Obama - Edward B. Harmon
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20080729/NEWS/673577282&title=Edward_B__Harmon__Media_are_shameless_sycophants_for_Obama

CHARLESTON CITY PAPER
-- How the neoconservatives gave Obama the world - Jack Hunter
http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A49218

USA TODAY
-- McCain to stop in Wisconsin's Racine 'bellwether county' Thursday, August 31 - AP
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-07-29-McCain-Wisconsin_N.htm

FORBES
-- Blagojevich urges lawmakers to OK construction plan - Jenny Song and Deanna Bellandi
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/29/ap5267354.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- McCain gets an earful A voter asks: Can't you give us conservatives more to get excited about?
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-trailmccain30-2008jul30,0,3412636.story
-- Obama meets with key women The Democrat reaches out, bringing up sexism against Clinton in the primary. McCain vows not to raise taxes. - Peter Nicholas and Mark Z. Barabak
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign30-2008jul30,0,2605442.story

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
-- DIERSEN: Sadly, McCain says he wants to "work closely with Democrats" when he should be saying that he wants to advance the Republican Party platform. Sadly, Bush, America, and the world have suffered greatly because Bush abandoned certain important planks in the Republican Party platform so that he could "work closely with Democrats."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/29/MN0I121CI9.DTL
-- FROM THE ARTICLE: On how (McCain) would handle sanctuary cities like San Francisco: "I would push for federal action to carry out a federal responsibility. And a federal responsibility is immigration . . . If you have secure borders and you have a temporary worker program that has to do with tamper-proof biometric documents . . . you address the issue of the 12 million people who are here illegally, and you don't have to worry about all that."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/29/MN0I121CI9.DTL&type=politics

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- Race and gender preference giving: The Obama Principle - John Fund
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121727978607291025.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

NATIONAL REVIEW
-- John McCain said that he supports the Arizona Civil Rights Initiative. This is a big deal, and Sen. McCain is to be roundly congratulated. - Editors
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZDY5ZWZiNDlhYjlhOWUxYjM4OGM4ZjFkNGY3MjM4Yjk
-- BAMN v. America: No Power to the People Blocking the democratic process, By Any Means Necessary. - Roger Clegg
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=M2I5MWViY2ZiZjkxYzJhZDIxYTcxMTM2ODIxOTcxODc

HUMAN EVENTS
-- McCain should pledge to Make English Official Language - K.C. McAlpin
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27513&keywords=McCain+English

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- McCain casts himself as Washington outsider - Mosheh Oinounou
http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/07/29/mccain-casts-himself-as-washington-outsider/

HUFFINGTON REPORT
-- Connerly's Anti (RACE AND GENDER PREFERENCE GIVING) Measure Could be a Win-Win for McCain - Earl Ofari Hutchinson
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/earl-ofari-hutchinson/connerlys-anti-affirmativ_b_115586.html

THE CONSERVATIVE VOICE
-- Obama's referendum on White America - Stephan Andrew Brodhead
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/33549.html

AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION
-- BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: McDonald’s sponsors gay pride parade
http://boycottmcdonalds.com/detail.aspx?id=106
(FROM THE POSTING: McDonald's sponsored the 2007 San Francisco Gay Pride parade with a television commercial. In the ad, a McDonald's official (Darwin Choy) brags that it is "a company that actively demonstrates its commitment to the gay and lesbian community." The commercial is available at boycottmcdonalds.com and was originally posted on YouTube by the McDonald's employee. After AFA exposed it, it was removed by the McDonald's employee. The parade was broadcast on San Francisco Channel KORN-TV4 and sponsored by McDonald's. The pictures below were taken from the parade.)

THE HILL & DENVER POST
-- DIERSEN: IF I WERE A HISPANIC, I WOULD TELL OBAMA TO TAKE HIS $20 MILLION RACE BAIT MONEY AND STICK IT: Allen: Hispanics embrace Obama’s $20 million outreach & Mulkem: Dems pursue Latino votes
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/hispanics-embrace-obamas-20-million-outreach-2008-07-29.html
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_10036444

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- If anyone from the Wheaton area is attending the McCain Town Hall Meeting in Racine tomorrow, Thursday, July 31, please let me know at diersen@aol.com or 630-653-0462 - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
-- OUTSTANDING: Wheaton League of Women Voters proposal fails - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
(THE ARTICLE: Happily, the Wheaton League of Women Voters motion for a "study to consider the establishment of a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence" failed at the June 13-18 biennial LWV meeting in Portland, Oregon. Sadly, obviously, individuals, organizations, and countries that want to harm if not destroy America favor the proposal. If America is destroyed, which individuals, organizations, and countries will protect the LWV?)

Read more...

Coroner Candidate Dave Bachmann Ahead of Curve on Pill Disposal

Based on narcotics being left in the house after his mother died, Dave Bachmann, Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Coroner. came up with the idea that deputy coroners could pick up unused pills after people passed away. (Some are outright illegal to possess after a patient’s death.)

He floated this idea on McHenry County Blog last September.

Since then, the Fox Rive Grove Police have started the practice and the Chicago Tribune had an article by Ray Hood on the idea last Thursday.

The headline:

To avoid water contamination, officials hold medicine-collection drives
Flushing old pills no longer considered safe

“On Saturday, Cook County will hold its first medicine collection drive in the south suburb of Midlothian, joining Will, Kendall and other counties in the Chicago region in providing a safe way for residents to toss out their old prescription drugs,” the story said.

Continuing,

“Chicago officials reacted swiftly in April after testing performed for the Chicago Tribune showed trace amounts of many common household medicines in the water supply, which serves 7 million people in the city and suburbs.”

The Illinois EPA is encouraging such efforts.

Posted first at McHenry County Blog.

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 29, 2008

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
-- Phyllis Schlafly Gets Lifetime Achievement Award from Family PAC - Cal Skinner
http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2008/07/phyllis-schlafly-get-lifetime.html

DAILY HERALD
-- Roskam slams illegal immigration practices - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=224030
(FROM THE ARTICLE: From the U.S.-Mexico border, U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam said Illinois' lax laws are drawing a flood of illegal immigrants to the Chicago region. "We are becoming a magnet for illegal immigration," Roskam said from Nogales, Arizona in a telephone conference with district residents Monday night. Roskam singled out an Illinois law that bans employers from using the E-Verify system, which is intended to help businesses certify if an employee is a legal resident. "It creates in (illegal immigrants) the expectation that if you make it to Illinois you are home free," Roskam said of the ban.)
-- Cook County state's attorney candidates trade claims of tainted donors - Rob Olmstead
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=224027
-- DuPage lawmaker Bob Biggins pleads guilty in DUI case - John Patterson
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223903
-- FRONT PAGE IN DUPAGE EDITION: U of I a top 20 party school; Wheaton College 'stone-cold sober' - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223876
-- Battle over proton cancer therapy center goes to court - Jack Komperda
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223989
-- Addiction to wasting money? - Scott Frillman, Antioch
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223009&src=
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Tim Belter of Arlington Heights blasts the Bible, Christians, America, etc.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222984&src=

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Obama's lopsided media coverage - Nancy J. Thorner, Lake Bluff
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0729vplettersbriefs0jul29,0,2537900.story
-- McCain steps back from 'no new tax' pledge, gets rebuked by conservative anti-tax group - Charles Babington
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-mccain-taxes,0,3911758.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Sadly, just about all federal employees are Democrats. Doesn't that indicate massive discrimination against Republicans?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-justice-politics,0,352289.story
-- Businesses owe IRS $58 billion in taxes supposedly withheld from employees' paychecks - Jim Abrams
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-uncollected-taxes,0,177540.story
(DIERSEN: I collected delinquent payroll and other taxes for IRS 1971-1980 and I audited IRS for GAO 1986-1988.)
-- State Rep. Bob Biggins pleads guilty to Springfield DUI charge License will be suspended for 6 months; he must pay about $1,200 in fines
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-legislator-dui_29jul29,0,4148647.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Obama's to-do list: Select running mate, take vacation - Lynn Sweet
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/1079339,CST-NWS-sweetside29.article

CBS2
-- Michelle Obama Hopes To Attract Clinton Supporters - Dorothy Tucker
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/michelle.obama.womens.2.782143.html (Includes video clip)

NBC5
-- Michelle Obama Woos Women's Vote Obama Outlines Husband's Agenda
http://www.nbc5.com/politics/17019526/detail.html?dl=mainclick
-- AS THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT PARTY'S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: State Pays $21M Plus In Unemployment Initial Benefits Sent To 32,284 People This Month
http://www.nbc5.com/politics/17012820/detail.html?dl=headlineclick

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- Columnist Novak has brain tumor - AP
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=30351

WBBM780
-- Michelle Obama With Christie Hefner, Jan Schakowsky, and Paula Wolff Court Female Voters Downtown
http://www.wbbm780.com/Michelle-Obama-Courts-Female-Voters-Dowtown/2680650

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Teen births increase in DuPage County as more people who reject conservative values move into DuPage County to take advantage of the prosperity and safety that conservative values bring forth.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1078811,6_1_NA29_TEENPARENTS_S1.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Jim Ryan blasts money-driven political races, civic ignorance, and No Child Left Behind and praises Ruscitti for advocating more civics education
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1078814,6_1_NA29_CHAMBER_S1.article

WHEATON LEADER
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats constantly shout that "People’s Resource Center food pantry serves 2,000 DuPage families each month." What the Democrats are really outrageously shouting is: "DuPage County voters should elect Democrats because thousands and thousands of people are starving in DuPage County because of failed Republican leadership."
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/wheaton/homepage/x518447448/-Dine-out-for-food-pantry

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- Illinois GOP 'Agenda for Action' more wish list than blueprint - Editorial
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/07/28/opinion/132477.txt

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- AS THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT PARTY'S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: More people turn to food pantries Even some who have jobs feel economic pinch - John Reynolds
http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x390641101/More-people-turn-to-food-pantries

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- While legislators fight, people are losing their homes - Rich Miller
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/miller/1078647,072908miller.article

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- OUTSTANDING VIDEO CLIP: Obama as Messiah - John Ruskin
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/obama-as-messia.html
-- Biggins pleads guilty, sentenced to six-month driving limitations - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/biggins-pleads.html
-- McCain's Opportunity to Provide a "Change We Can Believe In" - Dan Proft
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/mccains-opportu.html
-- Forte-Scott mailing takes area GOPers by surprise - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/forte-scott-mai.html

CHAMPION NEWS
-- Illinois Senate Republicans and "Priorities of Government" - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1101
-- When Average Salary Is Not Average – How Teachers Total Compensation Dwarfs Other White Collar Workers - Bill Zettler
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1104
-- Top 100 Paid Teachers 2007 Salary and Total Compensation - Bill Zettler
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1103

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Berkowitz w/ Peraica on Daley, Devine, Alvarez and torture cover-ups
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/07/better-than-chicago-foxs-conaty-and.html

REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- Do Ask, Do Tell - U.S. Military: Medical Truths, More Reasons To Exclude Open Homosexuality From Military Medical Logical That Cannot Be Denied - Donna Garner
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/07/do-ask-do-tell---us-military-medical-truths-more-reasons-to-exclude-open-homosexuality-from-military.html

TOM ROESER
-- Barack Obama’s Chaotic Family Background Could Lead Some to Ask: Who is this Man? Does it Impact on Voters’ Insecurity About Him?
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24695

HUMAN EVENTS
-- Obama Rejects English Language Assimilation - Phyllis Schlafly
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27549

THE HILL
-- For Obama, ‘It’s the trust, stupid’ - Sam Youngman
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/for-obama-its-the-trust-stupid-2008-07-28.html

USA TODAY
-- McCain gains on Obama in poll - Jill Lawrence
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-07-28-poll_N.htm
-- HOW MUCH CREDIT WILL THE MEDIA GIVE REPUBLICANS FOR THIS?: Drop in homeless count seen as 'success story' - Wendy Koch
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-07-28-homeless_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
-- Obama and McCain blast White House's economic oversight - David Jackson
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-07-28-economy_N.htm

WASHINGTON POST
-- Obama and the DNC Target Hispanics in Swing States A $20 million plan Obama and the DNC Target Hispanics in Swing States
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802786.html

WASHINGTON TIMES
-- Evangelicals warn against McCain-Romney ticket Huckabee backers least flexible - Ralph Z. Hallow
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/29/evangelicals-warn-against-mccain-romney-ticket/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Mr. Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, was the favorite of evangelical voters in the Republican presidential nomination contest earlier this year and won more delegates per dollar spent than any other candidate in either party. Other well-placed Christian conservatives say that although many evangelical leaders could accept and work for a McCain-Romney ticket, Mr. Huckabee's supporters tend to be "rabid" in their views against Mr. Romney because of his faith: They do not regard Mormonism as a Christian denomination. The McCain campaign will say officially only that the choice hasn't been made and that the wealthy former governor of Massachusetts is just one of several options for the Republican ticket. In conversations with The Times, several Republican officials close to the McCain campaign also played down anti-Romney sentiment among conservative evangelicals. They cited an online poll of evangelicals by 2000 presidential primary candidate Gary Bauer that found Mr. Romney is the top vice-presidential choice of born-again Christians.)

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Columnist Robert Novak diagnosed with brain tumor - Denise Lavoie
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hARDjD1P35QtMHYn3ehO30A-onYQD92744P81
(FROM THE ARTICLE: House Republican Whip Roy Blunt, of Missouri, said Novak's record of reporting and commenting on American elections "has never failed to demonstrate keen insight and a peerless political acumen." "I want to join the many wishing Bob all the best as he confronts this challenge and a speedy recovery as he looks to resume his work," Blunt said in a statement. Cyrus Freidheim, publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times, said Novak's work has been a "source of great pride" at the newspaper. "Sometimes terse, never dull, always insightful, Bob has been on top of the inside workings of Washington politics for decades. Our profession and his many fans worldwide wish him a speedy recovery. We look forward to his return," Freidheim said.)

ABC NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Republican National Committee launches fake Obama Facebook page. Will McCain condemn it?
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/barack-obamas-f.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- Obamanomics Is a Recipe for Recession - Michael Boskin
http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB121728762442091427.html

FORBES
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: "It's the economy, stupid" Democrats and their allies drive America's economy down to elect Obama
http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/07/28/economy-obama-mccain-biz-beltway-cx_bw_0728econ.html

NEW YORK TIMES
-- Did Obama Overstay? - Dan Schnur
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/did-obama-wear-out-his-welcome/?ref=opinion

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- Barack Obama's religious predicament - Don Frederick
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/07/barack-obama--3.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Obama, speaking to the Unity convention of minority journalists Sunday in Chicago, discussed his campaign's challenge in responding to Internet-fueled rumors that he is a Muslim. "This is a classic example of a no-win situation," Obama said. "I have repeatedly said I'm not a Muslim, but this whole strategy of suggesting that I am is indicative of anti-Muslim strategy that we have to fight against.")
-- Democrats: Bush most reckless spender in White House history
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/07/deficit-balloon.html
-- Robert Novak diagnosed with brain tumor The longtime columnist, known in part for his role in the Valerie Plame scandal, says he is suspending his work and will begin treatment soon. - Johanna Neuman
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-novak29-2008jul29,0,6960764.story

SCRIPPS NEWS
-- The press is in love with Obama - Dan K. Thomasson
http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/35053

ATLANTIC ONLINE
-- Affirmative Action Reax - Chris Bodenner
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/07/affirmative-act.html

CHRONICLE MAGAZINE
-- What’s Really Eating Obama/Wright? - Julia Gorin
http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/?p=677

AMERICAN SPECTATOR
-- Captain McCain - R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13603

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
-- Known Unknowns About Obama - Richard Cohen
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/07/what_has_obama_accomplished.html

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Lifetime Ratings for Illinois Congressmen and Senators
http://www.acuratings.org/2007all.htm#IL
96.17 - Manzullo (District 16)
96.00 - Roskam (6)
93.24 - Hastert (14)
87.97 - Shimkus (19)
86.40 - Weller (11)
72.46 - LaHood (18)
67.89 - Biggert (13)
65.71 - Johnson (15)
56.79 - Kirk (10)
37.02 - Lipinski (3)
33.73 - Costello (12)
27.00 - Bean (8)
13.09 - Emanuel (5)
5.36 - Gutierrez (4)
3.68 - Rush (1)
3.18 - Davis (7)
3.07 - Jackson (2)
1.89 - Schakowsky (9)
0.00 - Hare (17)

6.45 - Durbin
7.67 - Obama

Read more...

State Rep Annazette Collins reports $110K in contributions; apologizes for not telling anyone

Cross-posted from ICPR's blog, The Race is On:

State Rep. Annazette Collins, D-Chicago, has agreed to issue an apology for filing inaccurate and incomplete disclosure of contributions to her election campaigns from 2005 through 2007, and her campaign committee will pay a fine of $20,000 to the Illinois State Board of Elections.

After the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) questioned why the Collins committee reported no contributions or expenditures for three years running, Collins acknowledged that her campaigns had received more than $110,000 in contributions and had spent more than $120,000 during those three years.

The public apology and fine are part of a settlement agreement between the Friends of Annazette Collins political action committee and ICPR, which lodged a complaint against the committee earlier this year. The State Board of Elections recently voted to accept the settlement agreement.

After ICPR and Redfield lodged a complaint with the Illinois State Board of Elections, the Collins committee filed 18 amended reports revealing $110,301 in receipts and $120,794 in expenditures from 2005 through 2007.

“Illinois has no restrictions on who can give or how much anyone can contribute to campaigns, but the law does require candidates to tell the public the amounts and sources of their campaign money and details of how it is spent,” said Cynthia Canary, Director of ICPR. “It is a weak system that has been made even weaker by a history of timid oversight by state authorities.

Under terms of the agreement signed by her attorney and accepted by the Illinois State Board of Elections, Collins has 30 days to issue a public statement acknowledging the negligence by her committee. The statement will include an admission that voters did not have the important campaign finance information that they are entitled to by law, an apology for any confusion they may have caused, and a commitment to complete and accurate finance reports in the future.

To view the settlement agreement and ICPR’s original complaint, go to www.ilcampaign.org.

To comment, please visit ICPR's blog.

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 28, 2008

REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM
-- FROM PAGE 75: "Finally, because we are opposed to discrimination, we reject preferences, quotas, and set-asides based on skin color, ethnicity, or gender, which perpetuate divisions and can lead people to question the accomplishments of successful minorities and women."
http://www.gop.com/images/2004platform.pdf

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Obama, McCain spar over Iraq timetable and affirmative action - John McCormick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-campaign-obama_28jul28,0,6666589.story
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Obama's UNITY appearance coincided with his renewed efforts to appeal to minority journalists and media. A week ago, his campaign named a new "communications director for African America media" and is also appointing similar outreach specialists at more local levels. At UNITY, organizers reminded conference participants that his appearance was being broadcast nationally and they should maintain "professional decorum." Before Obama arrived, a panel discussed the question of journalistic objectivity, including whether journalists should clap for politicians in public. As it happened, Obama received a standing ovation from much of the audience at the start and end of his appearance. One journalist was also overheard wishing him luck, while another exclaimed, "He touched me!" as she left the ballroom.)
-- McCain backs effort to ban affirmative action in Arizona; Obama calls the move disappointing - Christopher Wills and Kevin Freking
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-candidates-affirmative-action,0,6804804.story
-- McCain endorses measure in home state banning preferential treatment based on race - Kevin Freking
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-mccain-campaign,0,5928506.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Illegals and exploiters of illegals rally in Postville, Iowa. Participants in counter-rally include Rosanna Pulido
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-immigration-protestjul28,0,6708196.story
(PICTURE CAPTION: Rosanna Pulido of Chicago is part of a counter-rally. No disorder was reported.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Dennis Byrne discusses Roskam's concerns with the Housing Bill
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0728byrnejul28,0,4711888.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- ENTIRE FRONT PAGE WITH 8X10-INCH COLOR PICTURE OF OBAMA: On The Home Front: Obama faces tough questions on affirmative action, salve reparations and those Muslim rumors as he returns to Chicago after world tour - Abdon Pallasch
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1077461,CST-NWS-unity28.article
-- McCain shifts into reverse Says he's against affirmative action, but in 1998 sang a different tune - Kevin Freking
http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/1077751,CST-NWS-aff28.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Mary Mitchell argues that anti-conservative "UNITY" journalists did not throw Obama any "soft balls"
http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/1077462,CST-NWS-mitch28.article
(FROM THE COMMENTARY: Earlier, an NPR editor asked panelists whether it was appropriate for journalists to clap for Obama -- and the question uncorked a mounting frustration among many black reporters. "The total duality of it gets to me," said Les Payne, a member of the panel. Payne is a founding member of the National Association of Black Journalists and an editor at Newsday. "There's no question that mainstream journalists completely adore McCain and cover him favorably," Payne said. "Now it is: You cannot do what we do routinely . . . and have been doing for a century," he said. "You have been writing favorable stories about [President] Bush for eight years. This is a serious problem and one of the reasons why this organization was founded," he said. But no respectable journalist wants to be viewed as a "lapdog" instead of a "watchdog." Obama was forced to tiptoe around prickly questions about reparations, immigration, and whether he went too far in correcting a lingering misconception among some voters that he is a Muslim.)
-- Outside look at Obama shaped by omissions Controversial New Yorker cover is brilliant satire -- too bad the accompanying article missed the boat - Laura Washington
http://www.suntimes.com/news/washington/1077247,CST-EDT-laura28.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: 1,000 illegals and exploiters of illegals protest against America in Postville, Iowa. OUTSTANDING: 75 Americans counter protest.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1077418,CST-NWS-swim28.article
-- Is McCain poised to back into presidency? - Robert Novak
http://www.suntimes.com/news/novak/1077236,CST-EDT-novak28.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Lichter argues that "the press follows power" when he should be acknowledging that "the press promotes the candidates it wants elected."
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1077759,CST-NWS-bush28.article

DAILY HERALD
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PICTURES: Back in Chicago, Obama chides McCain on affirmative action - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223728
-- McCain no fan of quotas Candidate backs Arizona initiative to bar (race and gender based preference giving) at state and local levels - AP
(Not posted as of 6:00 AM)
-- Obama world trip leaves personal controversies behind - Chuck Goudie
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223753
(FROM THE ARTICLE: "Thank you so much. I extend greetings from my pastor. He's like my priest. His name is Jeremiah Wright." With those words, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama introduced himself at a Christian church in northern Israel. No one in attendance had ever heard of the Rev. Wright or his race-baiting and America-bashing comments. Few people even recognized Barack Obama. That is because it was January 2006, not July 2008. It was during Mr. Obama's first political pilgrimage to the Middle East that he delivered a warm message from his pastor in Chicago. I was 10 feet from Obama when he mentioned Rev. Wright that day in Fassouta near the Lebanese border, but I hadn't heard of him either and since forgot that Obama had carried such a greeting 6,500 miles from his Chicago pastor. It was only while researching for Obama's second trip to Israel that the quote jumped at me like a squirrel walking over hot coals.)
-- VERY SAD: Hundreds gather in small Iowa town to protest immigration raid - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223779&src=110
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Six Flags promotes religious separatism
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223680
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Boys are falling further behind in everything except math and science, nevertheless, the Daily Herald focuses on encouraging more girls to take more math and science courses
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223568
-- It's time to say no to Democrats - Ryan Melchin, Hoffman Estates
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222962
-- Liberal favoritism in the news media - Dan Kuttner, Aurora
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223460
-- Praise for stories on casinos, gambling - State Sen. Kirk W. Dillard, Hinsdale
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223456
-- Township costs less than county would - Andrea Koshaba, Elk Grove Township trustee
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222672&src=
-- Obama wrong on us speaking Spanish - Paula Coughlan, Elburn
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223242&src=

ABC7
-- Barack Obama back in Chicago after world trip
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6289807 (Includes video clip)

NBC5
-- Obama Speaks To Journalists In Chicago
http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=279946 (Video clip)

CBS2
-- Obama Addresses UNITY '08 Convention In Chicago Obama: Talking to Voters About American Economy is First Order of Business - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/obama.unity.journalists.2.780986.html (Includes video clip)

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Abdon Pallasch argues that "Minority journalists don't hold back against Obama"
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1077427,072808obama.article

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- DuPage County: State's attorney Birkett leads in fundraising
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1077600,6_1_NA28_FUNDS_S1.article
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Illinois State Board of Elections last week released updated campaign finance reports for candidates seeking local offices in November. How's how much money elected DuPage County officials reported they have in their campaign coffers as of June 30. State's Attorney Joe Birkett leads, with $96,713, while County Board member Brien Sheahan is nearly $4,000 in the red. The list includes only officials who are up for re-election in November. Name Office Amount Joe Birkett state's attorney $96,713 Chris Kachiroubas circuit clerk $66,820 Fred Bucholz recorder of deeds $63,533 Paul Fichtner County Board, Dist. 1 $53,591 Yolanda Campuzano County Board, Dist. 1 $44,962 Marsha Murphy Forest Preserve, Dist. 1 $31,952 Debra Olson County Board, Dist. 4 $10,143 Pat O'Shea County Board, Dist. 2 $7,105 Mike McMahon County Board, Dist. 3 $5,952 Jim Zay County Board, Dist. 6 $5,596 Wally Brown Forest Preserve, Dist. 3 $4,661 Jim Healy County Board, Dist. 5 $4,011 Carl Schultz Forest Preserve, Dist. 5 $3,866 Pete Siekmann Coroner $1,896 Grant Eckhoff County Board, Dist. 4 $1,835 Brien Sheahan County Board, Dist. 2 ($3,848))

BEACON NEWS
-- Sauerberg tries to get recognized in Senate race - David Gialanella
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1077234,2_1_AU28_SENATE_S1.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrat plan to drive the American economy down to elect Obama has its downsides
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1077438,2_1_AU28_KCTALK_S1.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Puerto Ricans eschew assimilation
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1077231,2_1_AU28_PUERTO_S1.article

SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN
-- Labor unions a little late with their contributions - Kurt Erickson
http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/07/27/opinions/guest_columns/25223893.txt

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Obama Noise and the Polls - Mark Rhoads
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/obama-noise-and.html

REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- Barack Obama's Position On Abortion Monstrous - Dr. Frank Joseph
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/07/barack-obamas-position-on-abortion-monstrous.html

AMERICAN SPECTATOR
-- Barack Hubris Obama - John Tabin
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13599
(FROM THE ARTICLE: It's possible that Obama forgets that he still needs to be elected because a competitive general election is totally unfamiliar to him. In Chicago, where the Republican Party barely exists, the winner of the Democratic primary automatically wins the general election. During the 2004 race for U.S. Senate, the Illinois GOP was in full meltdown and failed to field a serious candidate, settling instead on the buffoonish perennial election-loser Alan Keyes; Obama easily crushed him. Indeed, even in primaries Obama has had an amazingly easy time of it. In his first election to the state senate, he played Chicago hardball and got all his opponents kicked off the ballot by challenging their petition signatures. He faced no serious opposition in his reelection campaigns. In the 2004 Senate primary, his most formidable opponent, Blair Hull, lost his considerable lead in the polls when his ex-wife's allegations of domestic abuse became public, clearing the path for Obama. Until he ran for president, Obama's toughest race was the one he lost, for Bobby Rush's seat in the U.S. House.)

USA TODAY
-- McCain sides with ban on affirmative action - David Jackson
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-07-27-mccain_N.htm

BLOOMBERG
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: ANTI-CHRISTIANS OVERJOYED: Pro-abortion, pro-homosexual activity, pro-socialism Obama having success bamboozling "young evangelicals"
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a2ZeHlUH_N7A&refer=home

ABC NEWS
-- McCain Reverses Himself on Affirmative Action
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/mccain-reverses.html

MCCLATCHY
-- Obama says McCain flip-flops by opposing affirmative action - William Douglas
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/45699.html

NEW YORK TIMES
-- A Hug for Obama, a Handshake for McCain - John Harwood
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/us/politics/28caucus.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

WASHINGTON TIMES
-- My concerns for America Obama sowing socialist seeds in young people - Jon Voight
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/28/my-concerns-for-america/
-- McCain: Obama aims to win vote, not war Rhetoric rises with 100 days to go - Stephen Dinan
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/28/mccain-obama-aims-to-win-vote-not-war/
-- San Francisco's sanctuary nightmare - Editorial
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/28/san-franciscos-sanctuary-nightmare/

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
-- Despite some stumbles, things looking up as McCain comes to California - Carla Marinucci
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/27/MN4111VKKQ.DTL

WORLD MAGAZINE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Compassionate Conservatism v. Social Justice
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/14229

WORLD TRIBUNE
-- Obama abroad: 'Ich Bin Ein Globalist' - John Metzler
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2008/mz0368_7_25.asp

UNITY JOURNALISTS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD
http://www.unityjournalists.org/

POLITISITE
-- Where are the Conservative Journalists?
http://politisite.wordpress.com/2008/07/24/where-are-the-conservative-journalists/

NEWS BUSTERS
-- Four Times More Journalists Identify as Liberal Than Conservative - Brent Baker
http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2008/03/19/four-times-more-journalists-identify-liberal-conservative

MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER
-- JUNE 25, 1997 FLASHBACK: Liberals Rule Newsrooms
http://www.mediaresearch.org/cyberalerts/1997/cyb19970625.asp
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Newspaper staffs have become even less conservative over the past eight years, a poll for the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) found. Last fall, ASNE polled 1,037 journalists at 61 papers of all sizes. Released in April, The Newspaper Journalists of the 90s report discovered: -- "In 1996 only 15 percent of the newsroom labeled itself conservative/Republican or leaning in that direction, down from 22 percent in 1988" when the ASNE last conducted a comprehensive survey. Those identifying themselves as independent jumped from 17 to 24 percent while the percent calling themselves "liberal/Democrat" or "lean" that way held steady, down one point to 61 percent. -- The bigger the paper, the more liberal the staff: "On papers of at least 50,000 circulation, 65 percent of the staffs are liberal/Democrat or lean that way. The split at papers of less than 50,000 is less pronounced: still predominantly liberal, but 51-23 percent." -- "Women are more likely than men to fall into one of the liberal/Democrat categories," as just 11 percent said they were conservative or leaned that way. Minorities "tend to be more liberal/Democrat," with a piddling 3 percent of blacks and 8 percent of Asians and Hispanics putting themselves on the right. The least liberal: 20 percent of those 50-plus in age were conservative or leaned that way. Ideological imbalance isn't a concern, however, to ASNE which believes skin color and sex has the most impact on reporting. The poll plugged in three groups as responders were asked "How would you describe your newspaper's commitment to...." The three: "ethnic and race diversity," "gender diversity," and "fairness on sexual orientation." So how did the media establishment react to this latest evidence that reporters overwhelming view the world through a liberal prism? The poll numbers led a media think tank leader to pen an article titled, "The Myth of the Liberal Slant.")

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 27, 2008

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- Which individuals, organizations, and countries are working the hardest to elect Obama? - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
Which individuals, organizations, and countries are working the hardest to elect Obama? Those that:
-- want America to appease if not surrender to terrorists?
-- blame all problems that the world has on America?
-- blame all problems that liberals and moderates have on conservatives?
-- blame all problems that minorities have on whites?
-- blame all problems that females have on males?
-- blame all problems that younger people have on older people?
-- promote class warfare and redistribution of wealth?
-- promote promiscuity, abortion, and homosexual activity?
-- promote illegal immigration, amnesty, more guest worker programs, more mass immigration?
-- promote further erosion of Second Amendment rights?
-- promote moral relativism and the abolition of the death penalty?
-- reject the principle of individual responsibility and promote dependency on government?
-- reject the rule of law and believe that the end justifies the means?
-- want everyone to speak languages other than English, especially Spanish?

COURIER NEWS
-- Can minority journalists resist applauding Obama? - Jesse Washington
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1076646,3_1_EL27_A5OBAMA_S1.article
(FROM THE ARTICLE: CHICAGO -- When Barack Obama ascends the stage at the Unity journalism convention today, fresh from an exhaustively chronicled overseas tour, he will face a surprisingly divided audience. Not on the subject of whether Obama should be president -- members of the four minority organizations that comprise Unity are largely Democratic. But many at the quadrennial gathering differ on whether the underlying current of enthusiasm for Obama's historic candidacy should be constrained or allowed to spill forth on live television. In addition to race, the issue boils down to questions of human emotion, empathy vs. ethics, and whether a group that has experienced its own share of prejudice can resist responding to Obama's powerful oratory and potent symbolism. "This is not a pep rally," said Tonju Francois, a producer for CNN en Espanol and board member of the National Association of Black Journalists. "I don't want to say it's offensive, but the idea that just because he's a black candidate, somehow our journalistic ethics would go out the window . . . I think we need to behave." So does Unity. In an e-mail sent to the 6,800 conference attendees, the organization advised that "every effort should be made to maintain professional decorum during the event, especially since it will be broadcast to millions of people.")

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- A media crush on Obama? - Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0727chapmanjul27,0,6581531.column
(FROM THE ARTICLE: I came into the office the other day, wearing an "Obama 2008" cap, a "Yes We Can" button, a "Team Obama" T-shirt, carrying an "Obama for Change" tote bag filled with Obama bumper stickers, made a stop at the Obama altar in the newsroom, strewed some rose petals, chanted a few hosannas, lit a votive candle and had a sudden thought: Is the news media's love affair with Barack Obama getting out of hand? John McCain and his campaign staffers have a sneaking suspicion it is. They put out a video with footage of journalists acting gooey about the Democratic candidate, to the strains of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." According to the campaign, "The media is in love with Barack Obama." McCain's people say that like it's a bad thing. If there are some journalists who are taken with Obama, it's not surprising. One of the unfortunate things about the American press corps is that it is made up of people. Many people in other walks of life have been attracted to Obama, moved to vote for Obama, even enthralled by Obama. So you would expect some people wearing press badges to be susceptible to the same kind of reactions.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: "It's the economy, stupid." Andrew Leckey fails to acknowledge that Democrats and their allies are driving the American economy down to elect Obama.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/chi-ym-election-0727jul27,0,1071822.story
-- McCain vs. Obama World - Clarence Page
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0727pagejul27,0,4540624.column
-- AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY'S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: Illinois ranks 43rd for number of black male students graduating from high school, report finds - Carlos Sadovi
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-black-male-educationjul26,0,44126.story
-- FEBRUARY 29, 2004 FLASHBACK: Steve Rauschenberger rich in legislative savvy - John Chase and Liam Ford
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/nearnorthwest/chi-0402290354feb29,0,4175908.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Misspellings, grammar errors put county mag on ice $24,999 for 'positive press' for Stroger - Mark Konkol
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1076365,CST-NWS-mag27.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Deborah Douglas Demonizes Americans
http://www.suntimes.com/news/douglas/1076233,CST-EDT-douglas27.article

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Obama's great-uncle recalls liberating Nazi camp - Carla Johnson
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1076463,072708obamauncle.article
(DIERSEN: During the 1840s and 1850s all my ancestors immigrated legally to America from what is now Germany. My grandfather John A. Diersen fought against Germany in World War I. My uncles Paul Balgemann and Otto Balgemann fought against Germany in WW II. My father John R. Diersen would have fought against Germany in WW II if he had not had full blown diabetes from age 14.)

DAILY HERALD
-- FROM THE ARTICLE: Conservative Republicans were vehemently opposed to the bill, particularly the help for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Critics charge the companies enjoy lavish profits in good times and wield their outsized political clout to resist regulation while depending on the government to bail them out should they falter.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223675&src=110

CBS2
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Illegals, those who promote illegal immigration, and those who exploit illegals complain about Iowa ICE raids
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/raids.immigration.iowans.2.780854.html
-- Blagojevich Calls On Bush To Sign Housing Package Legislation Will Bring More Than $500 Million To Illinois
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/blagojevich.bush.housing.2.780643.html

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Greg Hinz promotes Obama and his "road trip"
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=30318
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Darlene S. Heslop of Elmhurst blasts media bias that favors Democrats
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=30333

BEACON NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Six Flags promotes religious separatism
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1076572,2_1_AU27_SIXFLAGS_S1.article

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Bush told Schock fundraiser crowd he plans to sign bill for Africa - Karen McDonald
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x1346893475/Bush-told-Schock-fundraiser-crowd-he-plans-to-sign-bill-for-Africa

DES MOINES REGISTER
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: ILLEGALS AND THOSE WHO EXPLOIT THEM OVERJOYED: Gutierrez declares war on conservatives, on Republicans, on Americans
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/NEWS/807270337/1001
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Bush administration tried to score political points by ordering unusually harsh penalties for hundreds of undocumented workers swept up in an immigration raid here, an Illinois congressman said Saturday. "I think they're kowtowing to the most xenophobic, anti-immigrant heart and base of the Republican Party because there's an election coming up," Rep. Luis Gutierrez said. The Chicago Democrat made the allegation in an interview after an emotional meeting with about 100 people at St. Bridget's Catholic Church.)

CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER
-- Media need to get back in balance for election coverage - Editorial
http://www.cleveland.com/editorials/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1217061043229130.xml&coll=2

WICHITA EAGLE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Christina M. Woods argues that if you do not support Obama, you are a racist
http://www.kansas.com/news/story/475581.html

THE NEW REPUBLIC
-- What the University of Chicago right thinks of Obama - Jason Zengerle
http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=86dd0277-c6ee-4e3c-83e9-0bb468c5c40d&k=62088

MIAMI HERALD
-- VERY SAD: McCain, Obama hold similar views on immigration Rivals John McCain and Barack Obama both claim to be champions of immigration reform, which could be an issue for each in his respective party. - David Lightman
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/campaign-2008/story/619064.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: ''The presidential race is obviously a problem,'' said Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for Federation for American Immigration Reform, which wants stronger measures against illegal immigration. His group plans to promote candidates for Congress and local offices who oppose any kind of legalization for undocumented workers. They hope to create a grass-roots groundswell that will make it difficult for comprehensive legislation leading to citizenship for illegal immigrants to succeed next year. . . ''Senator McCain has always been totally committed to amnesty. He fooled people into thinking he had learned his lesson,'' said John Vinson, the president of the American Immigration Control Foundation, which advocates getting tough on illegal immigration.)

FORT MYERS NEWS PRESS
-- Florida Republican National Committeeman Paul Senft: "What Obama stands for is redistribution of wealth"
http://news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/NEWS0107/807270408
(DIERSEN: How many Americans who have a net worth of less than $200,000 want government to redistribute to them money from those who have a net worth of over $200,000? How many Americans who have a net worth of less than $150,000 want government to redistribute to them money from those who have a net worth of over $150,000? How many Americans who have a net worth of less than $100,000 want government to redistribute to them money from those who have a net worth of over $100,000? How many Americans who have a net worth of less than $50,000 want government to redistribute to them money from those who have a net worth of over $50,000?)

FLORIDA TODAY
-- Political parties gear up in Brevard - Jessica Raynor
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080726/BREAKINGNEWS/80726028/1006/news01
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A crowd of Republican supporters gathered under the Wickham Park Pavilion on Saturday to pay homage to all things conservative. The event included a series of morale-boosting messages from state and local candidates, while hundreds of people ate hot dogs, ate hamburgers and browsed candidates’ tables. “I think the Republican Party in the United States of America is alive and strong and will be victorious in November,” said John Anderson, chairman of the Brevard County Republican Party. “I think the Republican Party in Brevard County is alive and well and will be victorious in November - mostly because all politics are local.” The annual Republican picnic was sponsored by the Brevard County Council of Clubs and the Brevard County Republican Executive Committee, and aimed to garner a conservative consensus on Republicans candidates this fall. Many of those who attended wore campaign T-shirts emblazoned with slogans that centered on God, family and the Second Amendment. At one point, a line formed to cast ballots in a “straw poll,” to gauge the level of interest in the Republican candidates. The candidates present went up to a microphone to give short stump speeches, like Rep. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne.)

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
-- The National Rifle Association is selling a yard sign plastered with the slogan: "I'm a bitter gun owner and I vote."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5909551.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- With Obama in Europe, Bush raids Illinois for $700 GOP G's - Andrew Malcolm
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/07/bush-fundraiser.html
-- On the campaign trail: Bush is not for public viewing - Johanna Neuman
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/07/on-campaign-tra.html
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Obama is a liberal Democrat. Outrageously, just about all main stream media (MSM) journalists act like they are on Clinton's or Obama's payroll. Outrageously, just about all MSM journalists deny that they are liberal. Outrageously, just about all MSM journalists deny that they are Democrats. But what they do not report, what they do report, and how they report it shows that they are both liberal and Democrat. Needless-to-say, all journalists should be required to declare if they are liberal or conservative. Needless-to-say, all journalists should be required to declare if they are Democrat of Republican. Your GOPUSA Illinois Editor is a journalist who is CONSERVATIVE and REPUBLICAN. It is obviously unethical to deny that you are liberal when in fact, you are liberal. It is obviously unethical to deny that you are a Democrat when in fact, you are a Democrat. Unethical people should not be allowed to claim that they are journalists. Some say that they are conservative Democrats and some say they are liberal Republicans, but that makes no sense. There are two approaches to solving problems -- the liberal approach and the conservative approach. The Democrat Party exists to advance liberal approach. The Republican Party exists to advance conservative approach. If you favor the liberal approach, you should be a Democrat. If you favor the conservative approach, you should be a Republican.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/07/media-politics.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: All of this prompted Investors Business Daily to publish a trenchant op-ed by William Tate that reported on his examination of Federal Election Commission records for donations by journalists. You'll never guess what he says he found -- 235 journalists donating to Democrats while only 20 gave to Republicans for a total of $225,563 to Democrats and $16,298 to the GOP-inclined. That's small potatoes moneywise in terms of the nearly $1 billion collected so far in this election cycle. But Tate sees a valuable built-in bias among Democratic journalists for candidates of their party. Last summer Bill Dedman at MSNBC did a massive research project, examining political donations by journalists over several years and found a similar overwhelming number of Democratic journalists (125 of 143 political donors while only 16 gave to Republican candidates and two others were bi-. At these emotional times of presidential campaigns, certain to grow even more intense before Nov. 4, bias is often in the eyes of the beholder. Those same donation figures could also be used to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Republican journalists are a whole lot stingier than their liberal colleagues.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Los Angeles Times outrageously argues that the MSM does not favor liberal candidates because MSM Clinton supporters have been tougher on Obama than on Clinton or on McCain
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-onthemedia27-2008jul27,0,6802141.story

DETROIT FREE PRESS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Limousine liberals and those who want government to make them limousine liberals give money to Obama
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/NEWS07/807270617/1009/NEWS07
-- 100 years later, General Motors and America go hand in hand From little-known contributions to the iconic, the automaker helped the country grow - Katie Merx
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/BUSINESS01/807270539

NEW YORK TIMES
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Liberals despise automobiles, especially American nameplate automobiles, especially Corvettes. However, limousine liberals like limousines.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/fashion/27cars.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

HAWAII REPORTER
-- Young Republicans are Pillars of Republican Party - Rachel Hoff
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?e02bb029-b510-495a-a228-0dd5617fa83e

Read more...

BEACON NEWS
-- Oberweis hosts Family Fun Fest fundraiser - Elizabeth Filpatrick
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1075651,2_1_AU26_OBERWEIS_S1.article

ABC7
-- More suburbs expected to repeal gun bans - Andy Shaw
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6287904 (Includes video clip)

CBS2
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Mary Mitchell and Clarence Page deny liberal bias exists in the media
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/minority.journalists.unity.2.780360.html (Includes Mike Flannery video clip)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Durbin's competitor Sauerberg claims an edge - Armanda Erickson
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/by_amanda_erickson_predicting.html
-- Schock in awe of Bush visit - Rick Pearson
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/07/bush-takes-spec.html
-- Motorists to pay freight Report: Emergency response also at risk - Richard Wronski
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-railroad_26jul26,0,7233418.story
-- Stop spending state money on member initiatives - Christine Radogno
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0726vplettersbriefs0jul26,0,6015903.story
-- Race may not decide the race - Paul West
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/race_may_not_decide_the_race.html

DAILY HERALD
-- DuPage County: Democrat candidates question campaign financing - Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223583&src=
-- Bias in coverage of Jackson, Obama - Randall Rossi, Grayslake
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222723&src=

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
-- Halvorson networks Washington, D.C. - Edward Felker
http://daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=424597

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Michelle woos gays and lesbians - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/michelle-woos-g.html
-- College of DuPage should go one step further, let's see salaries - Adam Andrzejewski
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/salary-transpar.html

CHAMPION NEWS
-- Politics, Markets and America’s Schools - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1099
-- Wisconsin GOP going all out for McCain while Illinois GOP waits for next disaster - Doug Inbendahl
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1100

REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- Do Ask, Do Tell / U.S. Military To Launch Media Blitz vs. Obama Plan to Have Homosexuals Openly Serve In Military - Dan Gura
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/07/do-ask-do-tell-us-military-to-launch-media-blitz-regarding-homosexuals-in-military-by-dan-gura.html

AMERICAN RENAISSANCE
-- Why Obama Will Win - Jared Taylor
http://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2008/07/why_obama_will_1.php

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
-- Hastert Sticks By His Guy, Oberweis - Reid Wilson
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/the_scorecard/2008/07/hastert_sticks_by_his_guy.html

NATIONAL JOURNAL
-- Latinos Lining Up Behind Obama Insiders Predict Grim Outcome For Republicans In Congress - Amy Harder and Mary Gilbert
http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/pn_20080725_8079.php

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- BAMN: The Far Left's War on Direct Democracy - John Fund
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121702588516086143.html

NEW YORK TIMES
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Schock fundraiser a "smashing success"
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/us/26bush.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: BEYOND TRAGIC: Statistics show that anti-conservatives are having success in destroying America's moral values, and therefore, destroying America
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/opinion/26blow.html?scp=1&sq=blow%20middle&st=cse

WASHINGTON POST
-- Conservatives Ready To Battle McCain on Convention Platform - Michael Shear
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/07/07/ST2008070700054.html
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Wilson and Plame say "We have long argued that responsible adults should take Novak's typewriter away. The time has arrived for them to also take away the keys to his Corvette." But when will they call for responsible adults to take away Ted Kennedy's Oldsmobile keys?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/25/AR2008072502889.html

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Bush travels to Illinois for private fundraiser
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i_f6QlcJVrUasGmrIIl1QL-0ZNBgD92520LG0

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- Arrogance Will Not Help Get Obama Elected - Susan Estrich
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,391473,00.html

CNN
-- McCain source: VP announcement not settled
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/25/veep.talk/

STATESMAN
-- Beware of the crisis in Latino assimilation - Rich Lowry
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/07/14/0714lowry_edit.html

WASHINGTON TIMES WEEKLY
-- Is Obama ashamed of America? - David Limbaugh
http://www.americasnewspaper.com/

CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY
-- CQ Shifts Ratings For Three IL Races (8th, 11th, and 13th Congressional Districts) - Josh Kalven
http://progressillinois.com/2008/07/25/cq-updates-rankings

GOPUSA
-- Bush Should Strip Sanctuary Cities Of Federal Funds - Michael Reagan
http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/mreagan/2008/mr_07251.shtml

DER SPIEGEL
-- No. 44 Has Spoken - Gerhard Sporl
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,567919,00.html
(CHRIS MCNEIL: Please find below an article I read in Der Spiegel, Germany's most read newspaper. This author (and many authors I have read in European papers) seems to have already anointed Barack Obama our next President. I heard on 560am this morning a tape of someone at the Berlin rally shouting, "He is my new messiah." How does this play in Peoria, as the old saying goes? In my opinion, it doesn't play well here. From my experience, the American people usually bristle at the idea of American politicians pandering to foreign powers; they object to politicians being coronated into office; and they certainly will not like hearing about Obama canceling a trip to visit our wounded soldiers at a German hospital during the trip. It is also important to note that while Barack has gathered the world's media to Berlin, and has skipped his way through the Middle East, John McCain has been quietly GAINING ground in all the national polls as well as the local state polls. The candidates are now tied in Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan, and Colorado. This tie did not exist before this globe trotting trip. We may be witnessing the first real mistake of team-Obama: while they have been showing off to the world press, and making reporters swoon (including Katie Couric, Charlie Gibson, and Brian Williams), McCain has been hammering away at his town hall meetings in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Hampshire, Louisiana and Michigan. Each day Obama stays in old Europe, John McCain is battling it out -- talking to folks like us. This was a good week. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. SOURCE: http://www.chrismcneil.org/opinion)

SATIRE
-- Robert Novak Drives to Top of McCain VP List
http://smithismyrealname.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/07/robert-novak-dr.html

Read more...

The Heat is On

Well, it looks like the last few weeks have gotten the better of my blogging duties. Apparently, the frequent pop-ups in my head that I should write about one subject or another, never quite made it from my brain to my keyboard.

In any event, I hope that everybody has been enjoying summer so far. And while most every day seems to bring some form of political news ripe for commentary (Hey, let's deploy the National Guard in Chicago! Oh, I never discussed it with anybody first? Oops.), I'll leave that task to others for now.

But as the summer sun continues to beat down on us all, the heat continues to increase on the Governor to sign the pay-to-play ban bill sitting on the his desk. There was little doubt that the recent campaign fundraising disclosures were going to result in renewed attention being given to the issue, and today's SJ-R editorial does not disappoint. While there have been countless editorials from papers around the state supporting the bill, this one does a very good job at crystallizing the present issue. Give it a read.

IN ESSENCE, Blagojevich is saying he won’t sign a law that will apply only to his office because it’s not strong enough. That logic rocks our system, though not in the way Blagojevich has promised.

If Blagojevich were serious about ridding Illinois government of “pay-to-play” contracting — or even the appearance of it — he would have voluntarily stopped taking donations from contract-holders long ago. That would have meant his campaign would be $238,500 lighter this year, but it also would have demonstrated real resolve to end pay-to-play.

And there is absolutely nothing that would stop Blagojevich from signing this bill, then working with the General Assembly later to add more reforms.

Ethics legislation is an ever-evolving beast. There is no single, perfect ethics bill that will stand for decades unchanged. And to be successful, ethics legislation must come from collaboration, not from one person or entity dictating what the laws should say. The Blagojevich administration’s perpetual demand for the perfect has set up obstacles for what would be solid reform.

I hope to crank the blogging up somewhat in the near future, there really are some interesting things going on (both big and small), but in the interim, I hope that everybody is enjoying the summer.

To read or post comments, visit Open House

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Abboud Reports $13,755 Available for Campaign as of July 1st; Paying Canvassers

I haven’t seen it anywhere else, so I decided to take a look at what the campaign finance figures were for the 16th congressional district.

You know, that’s the three-way race in which Democratic Party candidate Robert Abboud and Green Party candidate Scott Summers are challenging incumbent Republican Don Manzullo.

Come to find out, Abboud, from the rich enclave of Barrington Hills in the far southeastern corner of the district, had only $13,755 at the end of June. And, the committee owes $91,569.

The committee raised $40,796 during the last three months, but spent $91,324. That pretty much wiped out the April 1st beginning balance of $64,283.

Abboud has loaned his campaign $63,395.

I looked at what he is spending his campaign money on and found it interesting that he is paying Loves Park’s Marianna Anderson to canvas. And she's not the only one.

That pretty much means that Abboud has not found volunteers in the Rockford area willing to do the same work for free. She seems to be getting about $84 per day.

As I looked down the alphabetical list of expenditures, I found more Rockford canvassers:

Nicholas Brener, Ryan Denk, Dave Fernandez, Daniel Grams, Cole Hubbard, Dan Koteski, Jason Looney, Mike Olson, and Larry Standfield, although Fernandez appears to live in DeKalb now.

Abboud has also paid Chicago’s Nick Crnkovica and Kristen Trigg for canvassing.

From Crystal Lake, Eric Howanietz is being paid to canvas.

It’s interesting that the Abboud campaign treasurer did not know the addresses of a good number of the canvassers. For James Nicolos there is not even a home town.

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 25, 2008

CBS2
-- FROM THE ARTICLE: State Rep. Jim Durkin says it's unlikely Thursday's speech in Berlin will help Obama here in the U.S. "I don't think so. It's hundreds of thousands of people cheering him on who are anti-American," Durkin said. "The country's had anti-American sentiments for years." . . . McCain's Illinois co-chair, Rep. Jim Durkin, said recent polling here in DuPage County showed McCain and Obama in a dead heat. While better than they expected, any Republican needs to win big here to have any hope of winning statewide.
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/barack.obama.europe.2.779488.html (Includes Mike Flannery video clip)

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: FRONT PAGE WITH A 10X7.5-INCH COLOR PICTURE OF 200,000 GERMAN OBAMA WORSHIPERS: Chicago Sun-Times argues that Americans should worship Obama because foreigners worship him. QUESTION: Why do foreigners worship Obama? ANSWER: Obama has convinced them that he will put the interests of their countries ahead of America's interests.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/1074187,CST-NWS-sweet25.article
-- VERY SAD: ILLEGALS AND THOSE WHO EXPLOIT THEM OVERJOYED: Mexico lifts criminal penalties for illegals - AP
http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/1066491,mex072108.article
-- 'Chicago is legendary inside the FBI' A look back at some of the office's most important cases (John Dillinger, George Ryan, etc.) on its 100th anniversary - Natasha Korecki
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1074167,CST-NWS-Fbi25.article
-- Gov is a joke - John Cox, Near North Side
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/1073890,CST-EDT-vox25.article
(THE LETTER: Funny editorial, but even talk show hosts need to have some modicum of integrity and an ability to understand issues ["Suggesting new career for bumbling gov is no easy job," July 18]. I really do hope our children ultimately find your piece funny as well, when they grow up and contemplate what kind of state and country we leave them, given the political leadership we put in office. We take junior congressmen who have alderman fathers-in-law and little experience (none actually managing anything) and put them in an important office where management is key. Come to think of it, maybe you should re-examine your editorial position on the presidential race as well in light of the mistakes of the current governor. Putting into the presidency someone who has never worked in the private sector, let alone ever occupied a management position with any hint of responsibility, would seem to be repeating the same mistake.)
-- OUTRAGEOUS: Chicago continues to enforce gun ban Says court ruling doesn't apply - Mark Konkol
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1074188,CST-NWS-guns25.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Jordan Smith wants Americans to use more illegal drugs
(Not posted as of 6:30 AM)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: POLL: 66% of Hispanics favor Obama, 23% favor McCain. Outrageously, Obama blames all problems on Americans, on Republicans, and on conservatives. Outrageously, Obama is succeeding in getting Hispanics to blame all problems on Americans, on Republicans, and on conservatives.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-latino-votersjul25,0,1084688.story
-- Latinos in Illinois: 1.9 million, 15% of the population, 708,000 eligible voters
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-latino-voters-boxjul25,0,385605.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Chicago Tribune to pander even harder to minorities
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0725mcnultyjul25,0,992615.column
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Blagojevich's plan to stay in office and to avoid conviction includes giving more and more health benefits to anyone who will stay in Illinois or come to Illinois, even though that is bankrupting Illinois. Blagojevich is counting on at least one thankful member of his jury to say he in innocent. George Ryan's plan to avoid conviction included ending the death penalty. George Ryan counted on at least one thankful member of his jury to say he in innocent. QUESTION FOR JIM THOMPSON: George Ryan's plan did not work. Will Blagojevich's plan work?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0725edit2jul25,0,1629176.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Obama promoting Chicago Tribune tries to excuse media fawning over Obama
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0725edit1jul25,0,1235959.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Government incentives discourage saving for retirement
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-dupage-living-facility_both_jul25,0,4020018.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats blame Illinois' bad weather on Republicans
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/green/chi-climate-impact-25-jul25,0,230255.story

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Jim Watson meets with Obama in Iraq - Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x518445929/Lawmaker-serving-in-Iraq-meets-with-Obama
-- AS THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT PARTY'S DOMINATION OF ILLINOIS INCREASES: Unemployment up in all Illinois cities - AP
http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x1346892265/Unemployment-up-in-all-Illinois-cities
-- Enough ethics rhetoric, sign the bill - Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x1542099724/Our-Opinion-Enough-ethics-rhetoric-sign-the-bill
-- Things going the wrong way for ‘maverick’ McCain - Ann Coulter
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x2043516331/Ann-Coulter-Things-going-the-wrong-way-for-maverick-McCain

DAILY HERALD
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Government incentives discourage saving for retirement
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223268&src=2
-- Secret Service wants more money for candidates
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223324
-- Welcome phone call from Roskam - Kalid Hassoun, Addison
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223142&src=

BEACON NEWS
-- AS THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT PARTY'S DOMINATION OF ILLINOIS INCREASES: Jobless rate soars 42% in Fox Valley In June, 83,700 unemployed: Local workers sidelined as the economy keeps slipping - Rowena Vergara
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1074379,2_1_AU25_JOBLESS_S1.article

COURIER NEWS
-- Is Elgin noise law racist? Do minorities make more noise? - Steven Johnson
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1074084,3_1_EL25_A1NOISE_S1.article

SUBURBAN LIFE
-- DuPage County Board passes clean air resolution
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/lombard/news/x1346891961/County-Board-passes-clean-air-resolution
-- Schillerstrom Pay-to-play - Paige Winfield
http://blogs.suburbanchicagonews.com/winfield/2008/07/paytoplay.html

CHICAGOIST
-- Interview: Judy Baar Topinka
http://chicagoist.com/2008/07/24/interview_judy_baar_topinka.php

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- Lisa Madigan blasts guv's budget cuts - Greg Hinz
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=30318

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- Public won't likely get a chance to see President Bush - Mike Riopell
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/07/24/news/doc4887ca5b6a7b6999242975.txt

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Peoria Journal Star blasts Bush and Schock and promotes Callahan
http://www.pjstar.com/opinions/x2109422920/Our-View-Anticipating-Bushs-encore

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
-- Syverson calls for Senate action on cuts He also would like colleagues to vote against a pay raise - Aaron Chambers
http://www.rrstar.com/news/x469165995/Syverson-calls-for-Senate-action-on-cuts
-- Some wonder why Bush is stumping for first-time congressional candidate - Karen McDonald
http://www.rrstar.com/news/x1542099767/Some-wonder-why-Bush-is-stumping-for-first-time-congressional-candidate

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Government workers make driving in Chicago dangerous - Carl Segvich, 11th Ward Republican Committeeman, Chicago
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/opinion/letters/1071963,072408forum.article

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
-- Durbin Cruising - Reid Wilson
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/2008/07/durbin_cruising.html

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- McCain visits German restaurant -- in Ohio - Tom Raum
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE2JCSH5p9r2GBkQWS9TWAMzmuvQD924GPNO0
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: OUTSTANDING: Roskam and Manzullo vote against the AIDS bill
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gHnhfp1uX2D5HnbFctDHrIZGY8SwD924GUIO0

USA TODAY
-- FROM THE ARTICLE: Barack Obama is betting he can win votes at home by proving he can win hearts abroad.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-07-24-obama-germany_N.htm
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: What percentage of journalists are non-White? What percentage of those who employ journalists say non-White journalists should get preference?
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-07-24-diversity-media-unity_N.htm

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- Media Love of Obama Doesn't Equal Victory - Susan Estrich
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,389902,00.html

INDIANAPOLIS STAR
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Because Obama is so vehemently anti-Republican, anyone who claims to be Republican who does anything to help elect Obama is mentally ill and/or a Democrat
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/NEWS0502/807250411

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Outrageously, Obama blames all problems on Americans, on Republicans, and on conservatives. Outrageously, Obama is succeeding in getting Hispanics to blame all problems on Americans, on Republicans, and on conservatives.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/5905184.html

DALLAS VOICE
-- VERY SAD: LGBT Dems to number 300-plus at convention ’08 caucus, including 20 Texans, may be largest, most diverse ever - Lisa Keen
http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_9447.php

WASHINGTON POST
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Washington Post promotes one side of the Novak Corvette story
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/24/AR2008072402099.html?hpid=moreheadlines

LOS ANGLES TIMES
-- Valerie Plame-Wilson slams Bob Novak for hitting pedestrian
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/07/novak-pedestria.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The lawyer who stopped Novak half a block away -- and who does not believe the columnist's claim that he had no idea he'd hit anyone -- turns out to be an Obama Democrat. David Bono, a partner at Harkins Cunningham, contributed $2,000 to the Obama campaign in May during the frenzied primary run against Hillary Rodham Clinton, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.)

Read more...

Blagojevich & Jones: Dumbest Budget Cuts Ever

The screws are turning on Governor Rod Blagojevich for cutting funding for substance abuse treatment and prevention by $110 million, or 48%, as well as Senate President Emil Jones for standing behind the cuts.

Mike Flannery reports for CBS-2 Chicago in a piece entitled "Truth in Politics: Dumbest Budget Cut Ever?"

One of the governor's cuts was $55 million in funding for drug- and alcohol-treatment programs that the federal government would have matched penny-for-penny. The cut has forced programs across the state to shut down and many of their tens of thousands of clients are likely to end up in jail, costing taxpayers far more.

At an Alsip site called "A Safe Haven," women trying to kick addiction to drugs and alcohol get enough help that their children can live with them, even if they've previously been taken away. Beginning Monday, though, all 120 of the women and kids there will have to leave.

followed by

Anthony Cole, vice president of the Haymarket Center, said, "It means you're gonna have increased homelessness, increased people committing crimes, increased neglect and abuse of children, increased burden on Cook County Hospital, increased burden on mental health institutions, because where else can these people go?"

Haymarket got a letter from the state Wednesday; their award-winning addiction-treatment center is losing nearly $4 million.

Come next Monday, they'll be forced to close half the beds in the detox unit. Recovering cocaine user Porcha James said she is thankful she and her son are already in.

"Without Haymarket and places that provide treatment or recovery, I and my son of 12 would be homeless, I would probably be selling drugs or doing lots of other illegal activity," James said.

And here's the kicker:

According to a University of Chicago study in 1994, up to 80% of the state's prison population committed crimes related to substance-addiction; $1 spent on addiction-treatment saves at least $7 by reducing crime, child abuse and diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

The Illinois House voted to restore most drug- and alcohol- treatment money, leaving it up to the Illinois Senate to keep the funding in place, but the Senate President Emil Jones has indicated he won't bring senators back until after the November election.

See Cal Skinner's story below about the sorry state of the Cook County Jail, because that's where the people turned away from drug addiction programs are likely to end up. Via the already overcrowded homeless shelters perhaps.

Despite his on-the-record statements, I think President Jones is way too smart and cares far too much for his community to let that happen. But the clock is ticking.

Read more...

Part 5 - Pervasive Problems at Cook County Jail - Access to Medical and Dental Care

This is the fifth installment of what was contained in the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division report about Cook County Jail. It concentrates on prisoner access to medical and dental care.

How about sick call?

Here’s how bad access to medical care is. And, this is from July 25, 2007, six months after Dart was sworn in as sheriff:

One of the investigators brings to the attention (page 56) of the medical staff that a prisoner has “requested medical treatment (several times) for staples and sutures left in his scalp and sutures that had been left in his arm.”

No response from the medical types.

Now get this next sentence:

”He reportedly was placed in lock down for ten days for making repeated requests for medical care. It is inappropriate to punish inmates for requesting medical care.”

Dental care?

One dentist for 9,500 prisoners.

Extractions only (page 57). Twenty-five percent resulted in chronic infections (inflammation/disease of the bone or dry sockets).

The jail has lost its accreditation (page 58) from the National Commission on Correctional Health.

With that loss went the incentive to measure performance of the medical system.

And mental health care?

Not too high on the priority list when budget cutting time comes (page 59).

Tomorrow: Suicide and fire prevention.

Previous stories:

Part 1 - Pervasive Problems at Cook County Jail - Sheriff Tom Dart's Goals

Part 2 - Pervasive Problems at Cook County Jail - 2007 Complaints of Physical Abuse to Inmates

Part 3 - Pervasive Problems at Cook County Jail - Causes of and Cures for Physical Abuse

Part 4 - Pervasive Problems at Cook County Jail - Medical Care

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 24, 2008

CBS2
-- Truth In Politics: Dumbest Budget Cut Ever? Governor Cuts Funding To Money-Saving Drug- And Alcohol-Treatment Centers - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/truth.in.politics.2.778704.html (Includes video clip)

ABC7
-- Group tries to keep Hillary's pres. candidacy alive - Andy Shaw
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6282893 (Includes video clip)

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
-- Bush visit planning goes into overdrive Workers behind the scenes scramble to make president's fundraiser a memorable event - Scott Hilyard
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1816443594/Bush-visit-planning-goes-into-overdrive
-- Who will foot bill for Schock fundraiser? Costs for Bush visit will be paid with proceeds from the event - Karen McDonald and Leslie Fark
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1816443600/Who-will-foot-bill-for-Schock-fundraiser

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Campaigns are the news, not just Obama - Editorial
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1072423,CST-EDT-edit24a.article
-- Why guys have a man crush on Obama - Jewel Woods
(Not posted as of 6:00 AM)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Constitutional Convention: Politics Explained Push for same comes amid call for change - Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-constitutional-convention-24jul24,0,5833120.story
-- Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) voted against the (Housing) bill, his office said, in part because he fears that Gov. Rod Blagojevich will control the money. "Do you want Rod Blagojevich to be your landlord?" Roskam asked.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-illinois-housingjul24,0,1043362.story

DAILY HERALD
-- Greenberg blasts Bean over campaign cash
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222988&src=4
-- Problem gamblers need more help, lawmakers say - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223070&src=5
-- DuPage County Fair kicks off with some new additions - Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=223033&src=2
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: If Sunday is "Latino Day" at the DuPage County Fair, which day is Asian Day, Black Day, White Day?
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222589&src=2
-- OUTSTANDING: Positive word for GM, American cars - Jerry Lundby, Carol Stream
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222799&src=
(THE LETTER: Reports on TV and in the press in recent days do not bode well for the future of General Motors. I offer a more positive note for General Motors and American-made cars in general. I first learned to drive a Model T Ford at age ten on the prairies of North Dakota. Out of loyalty to American workers and to American-made products, in my 84 years I have never purchased a foreign brand car. My most recent purchase in 2003 was a six-cylinder Buick Century with 42,000 miles on it. I have since added over 40,000 more miles in travels around the country. On a recent trip to Connecticut we carefully measured the miles per gallon and was pleased that we got 33.8 miles per gallon on the highway. In the print media and on TV I see dealers of newer foreign made cars boasting of 29 to 31 miles per gallon. My present Buick with its 80,000-plus miles is getting better miles per gallon on the highway. If we are concerned about preserving a manufacturing base which must be there for the future security of America and are concerned that working class Americans can continue to have a sustainable standard of living then perhaps more of us need to take these issues into consideration when we purchase our next automobile. Cheaper is not necessarily better.)

PIONEER LOCAL
-- DuPage Democrats hope to turn tide in their favor - Jim Jaworski
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/clarendonhills/news/1071107,em-WEBbluefest-072308-s1.article
(THE ARTICLE: In DuPage County, Democratic candidates are hoping to scoop up a few seats in the November election. Democrats held their first Blue Fest at Arabian Knights farm in Willowbrook Saturday, and local candidates, many running for the first time, hoped to use the event to drum up support in a county that does not have a single Democrat serving on the County Board. All, of course, express optimism about their chances, with many pointing to the February primary, when 23,000 more people voted on a Democratic ballot than a Republican one. Rifat Sivisoglu, a business professor at Elmhurst College, is running for a District 1 seat on the County Board, which includes a portion of Elmhurst. He said he recognizes the difficulties in running against an incumbency that has complete control of the board, but he said he hopes to use that as an advantage. "It's been a long time since civics class, but I thought there was supposed to be a choice," he said. "There is a reason we have a government in place and not a dictatorship. They have a monopoly government." Gary Nowak, an Elmhurst banker running for state Representative in the 46th District, said the national tide is clearly in the Democrats' favor. He likes to talk about national issues as well as local issues. "A lot of the larger solutions start in the state legislature," he said. All of the Democratic candidates insist this is their year. Republicans do not seem very concerned. State Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-24, said the county will stay strongly conservative in November. "I think voters in DuPage look to the east and see a Todd Stroger type of government is not what they want in Wheaton," he said Monday. As for the increased Democratic ballots in February, Dillard said the primary was an aberration. The last presidential election in 2004 showed 22,000 more Republican voters in the county and 11,000 fewer Democrats, he said. "(The 2008 primary) was a phenomenon, with a Republican primary that was basically over and a favored son running on the Democrat's side," he said. "That does not translate in a general election.")
-- Roskam leads funds race; Morgenthaler hits half mil - Josh Singer
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/schaumburg/news/1071793,sc-6thfinances-072408-s1.article
-- Schaumburg Township Republicans making a comeback - Matt Kiefer
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/schaumburg/news/1071591,sc-gopdemd2-072408-s1.article
-- Crespo and Froehlich vow to seek Cook County sales tax repeal - Matt Kiefer
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/schaumburg/news/1071707,sc-cctaxrepeal-072108-s1.article
-- Lyons Township Republican Party seeks judges for Election Day - Jennifer Zimmerman
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/westernsprings/news/1070981,ws-judge-071708-s1.article

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Kristin McQueary argues that Jesus wants the Democrats to take over America's health care industry
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/mcqueary/1071965,072408mcqueary.article

HERALD NEWS
-- CenterPoint's political contributions under attack - Bob Okon
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1072202,4_1_JO24_CENTERPOINT_S1.article

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Senators agree on one point: They won’t be in session soon Budget mess likely to last for months - Ryan Keith
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x544092943/Senators-agree-on-one-point-They-won-t-be-in-session-soon

MACOMB DAILY JOURNAL
-- Months of budget uncertainty remain
http://www.macombjournal.com/news/x2060713121/Months-of-budget-uncertainty-remain

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- McCain and Viagra - Jill Stanek
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/new-stanek-wn-3.html

CHAMPION NEWS
-- July 20 - The Hawkeye State GOP
http://www.championnews.net/talk/podcast.html
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1082.
(THE ARTICLE: Guest Steve Scheffler joined Jack, John, Cathy and Doug to discuss how dedicated Republicans are advancing the ball in Iowa. Long a respected conservative activist in the Hawkeye State, last weekend delegates chose Steve to be the new Republican National Committeeman from Iowa at that state's GOP Convention. The group also discusses the major differences between the Iowa GOP's State Convention and the shameful affair run by the Illinois GOP last month in Decatur. More on that topic can be found here: )
-- Republicans can win with "Truth in ‘08" - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1096
-- Justice for Sale in Illinois - Jeff Ferguson
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1090

AMERICANS FOR TRUTH
-- Biased Media Polls Promote Homosexuals in the Military - Peter LaBarbera
http://americansfortruth.com/news/biased-media-polls-promote-homosexuals-in-the-military.html

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
-- Media Ignores Press Conference Announcing McDonald's Boycott -- No Bias Here - Daniel T. Zanoza
http://www.illinoisfamily.org/news/contentview.asp?c=33981

REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- Did Dobson's Tacit Support of McCain Doom Huckabee's V-P Chances? - Daniel T. Zanoza
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/07/did-dobsons-tacit-support-of-mccain-doom-huckabees-v-p-chances.html

POLITICO
-- GOP unfairly branded racist - Douglas MacKinnon
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11995.html

BAY AREA REPORTER
-- Hundreds of LGBT delegates headed to Denver - Lisa Keen
http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3184

LOS ANGLES TIMES
-- 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy is reexamined Lawmakers review the 1993 law that prohibits gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military. - Vimal Patel
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-dontask24-2008jul24,0,311755.story

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- McCain & Obama: A Tale of Two Flip-Floppers - Karl Rove
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121685888325079319.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

-- Voter Unease With Obama Lingers Despite His Lead Poll Finds Background, Experience Are Advantages for McCain - Gerald Seib and Laura Meckler
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121684823498078481.html?mod=djemalertNEWS

USA TODAY
-- Poll indicates narrowing attitude on racial divide - Susan Page and William Risser
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-07-23-Race-poll_N.htm

NATIONAL STRATEGIES INC.
-- Steve Rauschenberger, Former President of the National Conference of State Legislatures, Joins NSI's Legislative Practice
http://sev.prnewswire.com/banking-financial-services/20080723/NYW06223072008-1.html

AOL & WORLD NET DAILY & LOS ANGLES TIMES & POST CHRONICLE & WJLA & CBS NEWS & WASHINGTON POST
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Liberals blast a 77 year old white male conservative who drives a black 2004 Corvette, Robert Novak, over an accident
http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/07/23/columnist-bob-novak-involved-in-hit-and-run/
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=70370 (Includes video clip)
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/comments_blog/2008/07/as-far-as-the-b.html
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212160002.shtml (Includes video clip)
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0708/537957.html (Includes video clip)
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/23/politics/politico/main4286279.shtml
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/07/23/ST2008072302188.html
(DIERSEN: How different would the reports and comments have been, if the same accident had occurred, but the driver was a young minority female liberal who drove a 2004 foreign nameplate car?)

Read more...

Blagojevich's Lost Fundraiser

Cross posted from ICPR's blog, The Race is On:

October 24, 2007, was a busy day in Illinois. The newspapers were full of stories about Comptroller Dan Hynes' new Open Book website making it easy to track campaign contributions AND state contracts. The U.S. 7th Circuit Court ruled against former Gov. George Ryan's appeal of his criminal conviction. And it appears that Gov. Rod Blagojevich held a campaign fundraiser. It was a big fundraiser, apparently; so big that maybe in all of the excitement he just forgot about some of the donations.

Last Monday, Friends of Blagojevich filed an amendment to its disclosure report for the last half of 2007. The amendment cleaned up some of the listings and reshuffled some of the donations. It also disclosed for the first time six donations that had been left off the earlier report.

What did they forget? A $10K check from Destefano & Partners. A Destefano Partners had a contract with the Capital Development Board for $3.5M in FY08. That's up from $520 (yes, that's five hundred and twenty dollars) in FY07 (Destefano Partners has a contract worth $1.6M in FY09. FY07 was an unusual year for the firm, which had about $500K per year the previous three years).

Friends of Blagojevich also forgot a $5K check from the Capitol Avenue PAC. The PAC is associated with the principals at Government Consulting Solutions, a lobbying firm whose offices are on West Capitol Avenue in Springfield and whose lobbying activities involved the Office of the Governor, IDOT, DNR, DCEO, and the Liquor Control Board, in addition to the General Assembly.

The Governor's PAC also forgot a $5K check from Eight LP, a $500 check from Heritage Builders, a $5K check from 315 W. North Ave LP, and $10K check from Parsons. All of these checks were received on October 24. That same day, Friends of Blagojevich received another 40 or so donations that were reported on the original disclosure form, including a separate $1,000 check from Capitol Avenue PAC.

Friends of Blagojevich also forgot to report a $1K check from Boeing, received on September 7. But I can't see that anything interesting happened that day.

Maybe when you're raising money as fast as the Governor, some things just get lost.

To comment, please visit ICPR's blog.

Read more...

Mexican Consulate Sets Up Shop in Harvard; Drawns Demonstrators; Voter Registration

Harvard’s Ev Evertsen has this lead in before his wife Diane’s Field Report for Sunday:

“As Diane states below, the best was saved for last. The D-50 Superintendent stated that no registration of voters was being conducted at the school - we have taped evidence to the contrary.

“The Mexican Consulate was issuing documents to illegal aliens on American soil - last time I checked, this is serious violation of federal law - we have credible taped testimony to confirm that.

“After you have read Diane's report remember one thing, our borders and ports of entry are NO more secure now then they were before 09/11.

“We could deport every illegal alien in our country and they could be back in very short order because your elected officials have let you down.

“Find candidates for office who will deploy our military on OUR borders and we ask you get to work to have them elected. People in Illinois need to get up from behind their keyboard and start pounding on doors to educate the public about what happened in this small town of 9,000.

“Representatives from a third world country were able to break federal law on U.S. taxpayer property!

“We informed the appropriate authorities but nothing was done to stop it!!!!!

“Why? We need to work harder to elect HONEST people who will defend our country before they approve spending your tax dollars in foreign countries. Just how much money did our Congress just approve to be GIVEN to Mexico?

“In additon to what Diane reports below, more will come out after we complete our dialogue with people in D.C.

“In the meantime we do know that the Illinois Center for Immigrant Refugee Rights and LULAC and Pedro Enriquez of the Illinois Migrant Council (a listed affiliate of the National Council of the Race), D-50 representatives, and pastor Dan Larsen of the Woodstock were all present while laws of the United States were violated.”

Here is the field report on last Sunday, written by Diane Evertsen:

Field Report: July 20, 2008;
Mexican Consulate, Harvard, IL

“The fourth and final day for the Mexican Consulate to use public property in their efforts to provide ‘passports and government identification’ to Mexican Nationals in the United States. And a beautiful day it was.

“The usual parade of SUVs drive in past the large banner at the road which announces that the Mexican Consulate is here.

“Again, papers and hands go up to hide their faces from our ever-vigilant camera and many of the foreign nationals entering onto our public property seem less than thrilled to find they are the focus of our attention.

“We have noted a particular fondness for tinted windows on vehicles which arrive; these are the folks who roll their windows up quickly as they approach our cameras. One man in a green van with Wisconsin license plates wanted to know if we were going to burn his house down. The absurdity of the question indicates the stupidity of the questioner.

“The four-day visit by a foreign government was, in fact, very insightful.. It brought home the reason dessert is the last course of a meal: you always want to save the best for last.

“And did we ever!

“APPLE PIE:

“Our very convivial group of Patriots enjoy each others’ company; while sitting under sun umbrellas with coffee and doughnuts the conversation is lively and lighthearted.

"How delightful that a young girl stops by for conversation. Her opener is:

“‘Why are you guys doing this?’ Our response is that we want the laws of the United States enforced, and anyone here illegally should be deported. Her response to that was, ‘So you guys think Mexicans are lazy?’ (From what planet did that come?!)

“I must give great credit to this girl, though; she decided to come up to us and speak. She was very civil, very polite; she told us her name, she’s 14 years old and lives in Marengo and that she‘s 100% Mexican.

“She has at least one brother (18) and her parents have been here illegally for at least 18 years. She tells us that her father was in the school to ‘get his papers to be legal.’

“We respond that he couldn’t get ‘legal’ in the school because there was no one from the US Government in there to give him documents.

“She mentioned that the father had gone to court before to ‘get legal’ and tried to make a point that they (the parents) are just here to work.

“We responded that we feel they must leave because they have broken the law, impressing upon her that it is not her fault that her parents have engaged in illegal activity. As she said goodbye and walked away a short time later, it saddened me to think that her parents had so used and exploited their own child and continue to lie to her (and probably her brother as well). She now has an inkling of the truth and it’s a lot for a 14-year-old to think about.

“ALA MODE:

“Later on in the afternoon, a chubby-faced male with an ICIRR vest on stopped by on his way out the driveway, and asked if we were all registered to vote.

“If any of us were not registered to vote, he would be happy to register us, because that’s what he was doing - he’s a voter registrar. I think we were all so stunned by this fabulous act of kindness that it rendered us speechless.

“We decided we’d check back with him when he returned, just to see how much longer he’d be there registering ‘voters.’ Fortunately for the Mexican nationals who were there to get ‘passports and government identification offered by the Mexican Consulate of Chicago’ we found he’d be there until they closed up for the day at 3:00 pm. (Just in time to make sure everyone could get to church.) More fortunate for us, it’s all on tape.

“Summing up, let’s look at the numbers:

“Approximately 100 cars per day (to be confirmed after we decipher the pictures and hours of tape)

“Approximately 200 Mexican Nationals ‘served’ each day

“4 days = 800+ total

“License plate numbers are being uploaded.

“I don’t know about all of you, but I can hardly wait to thank the school board at their meeting Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm in the Board Room at the High School (1101 North Jefferson Street). Hopefully they haven’t rented that building out to the Chinese Consulate of Chicago to perpetrate more fraud - and maybe American CITIZENS will actually be able to use the bathrooms if they choose to do so. Hey, it could happen!!

“Also, not to be forgotten, the fine folks at Castle Bank who sponsored this event should receive your appropriate thanks. They’re good enough to provide an 800 number - feel free to call them: Head office: 800-990-5713; Harvard office: 800-952-6441. Let us know if they say, ‘Your call is important to us . . .’

“Again, a HUGE thank you to all who took part, encouraged us on, made calls and asked questions. This is not the finish; the ball has just begun to roll here, and we’ll continue to push it. So, stay tuned, boys and girls; same bat time, same bat channel!”

Posted first on McHenry County Blog, along with stories about two other days' activities on the Mexican Consulate on tour and demonstrators following it:

A report of Friday's activities: Mexican Consulate Sets Up Shop at Harvard Jr. High

A report on Saturday's activities: The Harvard Report on the Mexican Mobil Consulate - Part 2

Lots more pictures in these two reports, all of which can be enlarged by clicking on them.

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Wingnut Alert!

I love the Illinois Family Institute.

No, really. Any time Rod Blagojevich has me wondering why I'm a Democrat, or whether my life has a purpose, all I have to do is open up one of the e-mails from IFI, and suddenly I'm renewed.

Take today, for instance. Today's e-mail had the catchy title "Illinois Library Pulls Porn DVD."

PORN? In our libraries? Shocking.

So, I read through the article, expecting to find out that "Behind the Green Door" had somehow slipped onto the shelves of the Bloomington Public Library. But nowhere in the article was the name of the film mentioned.

Only when I read the comments did I find that some other reader had also done some digging, and determined that the offending title was....

Shortbus.

I know, odd name for a porn flick, right?

As it turns out, Shortbus is an independent Canadian film from 2006 that was nominated for 11 independent film awards and won six.

About the film:

"Numerous New York City-dwellers come to the exclusive club Shortbus to work out problems in their sexual relationships. Rob and Sophia are a happily married couple, except for the fact that she has never experienced sexual climax. This irony follows her to work, because she is a couples counselor who frequently has to deal with the sexual issues other couples have. Two of her patients are Jamie and James, a gay couple who have been monogamous for five years and counting. James wants to bring other men in to the relationship, and his own history with depression may hint at an ulterior motive. Ceth (Pronounced like Seth) may be the perfect addition to their family, but Caleb, a voyeur from across the street, may have his own ideas about that. Sophia visits Severin, a dominatrix with secrets of her own to reveal."

Now, I can understand why the Illinois Family Institute would find any mention of monogamous gay couples offensive. And while the film was unrated in the U.S., it was rated "R" in Canada and given similar ratings in every other country where it was released.

Every other country except Singapore, where it was banned. You know Singapore -- where they don't have jury trials, beating someone with a cane is considered justice, executions are an everyday occurrence, and state-sanctioned censorship is okee-dokee.

Congrats to the IFI and Bloomington library for joining Singapore. Fantastic company.

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 23, 2008

DAILY HERALD
-- DuPage Democrats blast GOP for taking cash from local businesses - Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222643&src=2
-- DuPage County may ban BYOB at strip clubs - Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222710&src=2
-- State legislators back off from NIU cancer center criticisms - Jack Komperda
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222682&src=2
-- Free publicity for Peraica ends with tax re-vote - Rob Olmstead
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222725&src=1
-- Cook County: Should state's attorney select IG when one of the candidates is a donor? - Rob Olmstead
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222716
-- The bias of news media is obvious - Steven Zahareas, Schaumburg
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222457&src=
-- Let's elevate the presidential debate - Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222539
-- Is McCain zeroing in on running mate? - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222648

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- 'I'm doing a damn good job' Now keep paying that county sales tax - Mark Konkol
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1069530,CST-NWS-county23.article
-- Our kind of nanny-state town - Editorial
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1069578,CST-EDT-edit23a.article
-- Another 220,000 reasons governor should sign ethics bill - Editorial
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1069577,CST-EDT-edit23b.article

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Media's guilt plays well for Obama and McCain - John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-23-jul23,0,1832802.column
-- Cook County Board rejects sales tax increase repeal - Hal Dardick
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/07/cook-county-boa.html
-- McCain mocks Obama, media Questions why all eyes on his rival - Elizabeth Bumiller
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-mccain23jul23,0,4663609.story
-- Procure Treatment Centers Inc. sues NIU over plans to build proton therapy facility University sued over how it won state's OK to build - James Kimberly
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-proton-competition_both_23jul23,0,3856730.story

CBS2
-- Vanity Fair Spoofs New Yorker With McCain Cartoon - Jay Levine
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/vanity.fair.cartoon.2.777458.html (Includes video clip)
-- Bid To Repeal Cook County Sales Tax Hike Fails - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/county.sales.tax.2.776848.html (Includes video clip)

SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN
-- Money may show who's interested in being Illinois' next governor - Mike Riopell
http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/07/22/breaking_news/doc488659cda968f360771767.txt

BEACON NEWS
-- Oberweis' energy solution: Produce more, use less - Linda Schweitzer
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1069773,2_1_AU23_OBERWEIS_S1.article

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- DuPage County candidates renounce some campaign cash Local Democrats decry 'pay-to-play' - Jennifer Golz
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1069447,6_1_NA23_DEMS_S1.article
-- No more Monday blues? Four-day work week making more sense to employers - David Sharos
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/business/1069356,6_3_NA23_FOURDAY_S1.article
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In Will County, auditor Steve Weber's office has been testing out 10-hour shifts, four days a week with workers taking either Friday or Monday off. Weber said that, so far, 60 percent have preferred Fridays, which could affect holidays down the road. "With a lot of Monday holidays anyway throughout the year, people could pick up an extra day off," Weber said. "We talked about this program thoroughly as a staff, and at this point, we plan to continue indefinitely. The staff's only concern was that they didn't want this to be a 'summer-only' experiment, and it's not." Weber's office has attracted national attention. He has received numerous calls from nearby counties and government agencies as far away as Georgia who have asked about the four-day week. During the week of July 14, he received a call from Jim Rasins, his counterpart in DuPage County, who told Weber he was interested in possibly starting a similar program.)

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Richardson to address Democrats here At county chairmen’s brunch on Governor’s Day - Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x209775847/Richardson-to-address-Democrats-here
-- Ethics bill would ban one way governor has raised cash - Christopher Wills
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x1346890295/Bill-would-ban-one-way-governor-has-raised-cash

COURIER NEWS
-- Blagojevich sits on ethics bill while raising money - Christopher Wills
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1069921,EL23_BLAGO_WEB_072308.article

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Parents vindicated for questioning mental health screening process - Fran Eaton
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/eaton/1069080,072308eaton.article

LAKE FOREST NEWS SUN
-- McCain garners endorsements of local vets
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1069031,5_1_WA23_ENDORSE_S1.article

CHAMPION NEWS
-- Elected Illinois Republicans keep passing up opportunities to rebuild their party - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1091

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Berkowitz w/State Rep. Candidate Stratton (R-Glencoe)
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/07/jeff-berkowitz-some-people-characterize.html

BUSINESS LEDGER
-- Challenges to DuPage economy not readily apparent, group says
http://www.thebusinessledger.com/Home/Archives/CommentaryViewpoints/tabid/86/newsid415/423/Challenges-to-DuPage-economy-not-readily-apparent-group-says/Default.aspx

JUDICIAL WATCH
-- Corruption Probe Doesn’t Stop Blagojevich's Cash Flow
http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2008/jul/corruption-probe-doesn-t-stop-gov-s-cash-flow

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
-- Our Biggest Bias: A Big Story - Clarence Page
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/07/our_biggest_bias_a_big_story.html

WASHINGTON POST
-- Is McCain's Age Showing? Tongues Wag Over Flubs - Howard Kurtz
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/22/AR2008072203201.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- News Coverage Of Obama Irks McCain Team - Elizabeth Holmes and Rebecca Dana
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121677550831675803.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

FOX NEWS
-- What Could Jesus Learn from Barack Obama? - Greg Gutfeld
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,388581,00.html

CNN
-- With ethnic vote so crucial, usual rules don't apply
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/22/unity.candidates/

REUTERS
-- McCain says Obama would rather lose a war than lose an election - Jeff Mason
http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/07/22/mccain-says-obama-would-rather-lose-a-war-than-lose-an-election/

NEWSWEEK
-- Why Won’t Juan Come to the Phone? McCain's Hispanic outreach chief is both loved and loathed. -Jessica Ramirez and Holly Bailey
http://www.newsweek.com/id/147770

VANITY FAIR
-- Is the Media Trying to Elect Obama? - Dee Dee Myers
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2008/07/is-the-media-trying-to-elect-obama.html

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State Contractors Continue to Contribute to Gov. Blagojevich

Cross posted from ICPR's blog, The Race is On:

It is still business as usual for Gov. Blagojevich, the only statewide officeholder taking campaign contributions from companies with state-paid contracts awarded by his office or agencies under his control.

Yesterday, the Blagojevich campaign committee filed campaign disclosure reports for the first half of 2008, and we have found dozens of contributions from people and businesses connected to state contracts. In a preliminary look through his report, we found 70 that appear, on their face, to be from businesses or employees of businesses that have FY09 contracts from agencies under his control worth more than $50,000. Those donations total $238,500. That's about 22% of his itemized individual donations, or 12.6% of all the contributions to his campaign.

We did not look too closely for parent, sibling, or subsidiary businesses with contracts, or for people for whom the campaign did not provide occupation and employer information, so the numbers with contracts could be higher.

Of course, we're interested in these contributions by contractors because House Bill 824 awaits action by the Governor. If signed into law, HB 824 would prohibit large state contractors from making contributions to the political committee of the officeholder awarding the contract. Passed without any dissent by the General Assembly, HB 824 would limit pay-to-play opportunities in state contracting.

If you want to do your own searching, we recommend the Comptrollers' contractor search site. (http://www.wh1.ioc.state.il.us/QuickTake/Contracts/index.cfm). Its Open Book service is terrific. But because new campaign reports were just filed with the State Board of Elections, it may be a bit out of date today. Give it a week or so go catch up. The contractor search page is updated daily, and covers most of the statewide officers (some agencies, like the Illinois Finance Authority, are not included, but most are).

Here are some of the highlights of what we found:

Alfred Benesch and Company has $17M in FY09 contracts, up from $7.5M in FY08. That includes $12.4M with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and $4.6M with IDOT. The company gave a single $5K check on June 27 and employees gave another $19,500 over the course of the six month disclosure period.

Burns + McDonnell Engineering has $14.4M in FY 09 contracts, up from $5.1M in FY08. That includes $12M with ISTHA and $2M with IDOT. The company gave $15K on June 4.

Civiltech Engineering has $7.5M in FY09 contracts, up from $5.1M in FY08. That includes $4.6M in ISTHA and $2.8M in IDOT. The company wrote a $10K check on June 17.

V3 Companies of Illinois has $9.5M in FY09 contracts, up from $4.9M in FY08. Nearly all of the money is with ISTHA. The company wrote two checks: one for $4K on April 7 and a second for $10K on June 17.

Entran has $1.9M in FY09 contracts, down from $2.4M in FY08. Nearly all the FY09 contracts are with IDOT. The company wrote one check for $13,750 on June 20.

Let us know what you see!

To comment, please visit ICPR's blog.

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 22, 2008

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- Pat Brady, the newly elected Illinois Republican Party National Committeeman, speaks at outstanding Lisle Township Republican Organization monthly meeting; attendees include Bowler, Carlin, Cassioppi, Connelly, Curran, Dillard, Filipello, Fisher, Heap, Jorgensen, Krajewski, Meyer, Ossyra, Prueter, Redick, Schultz, Stock, and Wozniak - Liz Martinez
www.gopillinois.com
(THE ARTICLE: DuPage County Lisle Township Republican Organization (LTRO) held an outstanding meeting Monday evening, July 21, at the Lisle Hilton. LTRO Chairman Mike Prueter conducted the meeting. Pat Brady gave an outstanding presentation. Attendees included Mike Bowler, Dave Carlin, Gerry Cassioppi, Mike Connelly, John Curran, Kirk Dillard, Lynda Filipello, Jay Fisher, Bob Heap, Ann Jorgensen, Brian Krajewski, Carl Lofgren, Jim Meyer, Rachel Ossyra, Jeff Redick, Carl Schultz, Rick Stock, and Joe Wozniak, Jr. & Sr. )

CBS2
-- Republicans Hoping For A Grand Old Party In Minnesota Party Looks To Boost McCain's Presidential Bid - AP
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/gop.national.convention.2.775768.html (Includes video clip)

DAILY HERALD
-- Foster finds border security needs enhancement while on fact-finding mission - Jim Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222416&src=5
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Foster's Republican challenger, dairy magnate Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove, said his opponent's plan would give illegal border crossers a new road to hop on once they cross into the states. He added that the solution isn't as complex as Foster is painting it to be. "Enforce our laws. It's really that simple," Oberweis said in a telephone interview. "If we enforce our laws against companies that are taking advantage of people here illegally (by employing them), we will end the economic incentive for people to break those laws.")
-- Blagojevich still pulls in contributions - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222495&src=109
(FROM THE ARTICLE: On the Republican side, House Republican Leader Tom Cross had nearly $1.1 million in the bank, but a spokesman said much of it would go to retaining and winning seats in the legislature. DuPage County Chairman Robert Schillerstrom had $462,338 on hand in late June, which included a noticeable $374,970 fundraising effort in the first half of the year. DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett, who lost in bids for attorney general and lieutenant governor, raised $63,782 and had just $96,713 as of June 30.)
-- GOP light on funding for coming races - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222436&src=1
-- Where problem gamblers live A disproportionate number of those who ban themselves from casinos live in towns with casinos - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222396
-- Democrat cries foul over Algonquin parade ban - Charles Keeshan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222413

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rick Pearson and John Chase report fundraising by Birkett, Blagojevich, Cross, House Republican Organization, Hynes, Jones, the Madigans, and Watson
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/07/potential-gov-c.html
-- Governor's funding solid But campaign cash can't compare to '04 - Rick Pearson and John Chase
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-blagojevich-campaign-cash-22jul22,0,266954.story
-- Rep. Foster travels to U.S.-Mexico border - AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-fosterimmigration,0,1675505.story
-- New DuPage County tech park looking for tenants 3 years after opening, much of it unoccupied - Joseph Sjostrom
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-dupage-tech-park_22jul22,0,847623.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Gov raises $1.9 million for war chest Potential foes report healthy balances - Abdon Pallasch
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1067640,CST-NWS-camp22.article

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Opposition to constitutional convention growing - Rich Miller
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/miller/1067041,072208miller.article

SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN
-- Southern Illinois candidates report fundraising figures - Kurt Erickson
http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/07/22/front_page/25170980.txt

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
-- NIU says proton project 'on time, on budget,' Central DuPage Hospital project not needed - Johathan Bilyk
http://www.kcchronicle.com/articles/2008/07/21/news/local/doc4881c1d2858f0745274901.txt
-- Foster visits Mexican border - Kate Thayer
http://www.kcchronicle.com/articles/2008/07/22/news/local/doc488568c6a4a94642620330.txt

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
-- Rep. Wait, challenger about even in cash on hand - Aaron Chambers
http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x2043513954/Rep-Wait-challenger-about-even-in-cash-on-hand

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
-- Race on for political funds Krupa, Gordon money strategies differ in battle for 92nd District, disclosures suggest - Ryan Keith
http://www.pjstar.com/news_state/x2109422078/Race-on-for-political-funds

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- Rep. Sommer reports $9,000 for November election - Mike Riopell
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/07/22/news/doc48857e1d7422c790008241.txt

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Lawmakers disclose fundraising status - Ryan Keith
http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x2043513937/Lawmakers-disclose-fundraising-status

JOURNAL GAZETTE TIMES COURIER
-- Lawmakers report fundraising numbers - Kurt Erickson
http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2008/07/21/news/doc488546fb75d55179680159.txt

SAUK VALLEY
-- Oberweis stresses diversification necessary to reduce oil costs - Chase Castle
http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2008/07/18/news/local/b5349eb9cca8b3b56d27abd80842b47f.txt

SUBURBAN LIFE
-- Central DuPage Hospital named to most-wired hospital list for fourth year
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/winfield/lifestyle/x1346889261/CDH-named-to-most-wired-hospital-list-for-fourth-year

TIME MAGAZINE
-- Never Underestimate McCain, But . . . - Michael Grunwald
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1825337,00.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- Why Jesse Jackson Hates Obama - Shelby Steele
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121668579909472083.html?mod=hps_us_at_glance_opinion

TOM ROESER
-- With a Super Cargo of TV Anchors and 200 Other Media, Obama Goes Overseas with Full Trappings of a Papal Visit
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24680

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Attention Caputo's Shoppers: the ethanol boom

A sign at the Caputo's in South Elgin.

Ought to have copy to Durbin and Obama's letter on keeping out Brazilian ethanol.

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 21, 2008

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: AP blasts McCain for under-using the Internet. Hopefully, whoever on the McCain campaign team is responsible for monitoring Illinois political news reads GOPUSA ILLINOIS daily emails.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jToYl4VM056rpaR6sL22kAaygw7QD921S9980
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Blogs have been buzzing recently over McCain's admission that when it comes to the Internet, "I'm an illiterate who has to rely on his wife for any assistance he can get." And the 71-year-old presumptive Republican nominee, asked about his Web use last week by the New York Times, said that aides "go on for me. I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself." . . . "John McCain is an outlier when you compare him to his peers," Fox says. "On one hand, a U.S. senator has access to information sources and staff assistance that most people do not. On the other, the Internet has become such a go-to resource that it's a curiosity to hear that someone doesn't rely on it the way most Americans do." McCain spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan presented a somewhat updated picture when contacted by The Associated Press on Friday: "He's fully capable of browsing the Internet and checking Web sites," Buchanan said. "He has a Mac and uses it several times a week. He's working on becoming more familiar with the Internet." That's a good thing, says Tobey Dichter, CEO of Generations on Line, a group that helps bring seniors - including the 106-year-old Robinson - into the digital age. "He needs the self-empowerment" of going online himself, says Dichter. "There are too many people surrounding John McCain who are willing to print an e-mail for him" _or do a search on his behalf, like the aides who, he says, show him the Drudge Report. "But that cheats him of an opportunity to let his own mind take him to the next link," says Dichter. "If he doesn't know what links are available, he will only get exactly what he's asking for, and nothing more." . . . McCain may be in "digital denial," as Dichter calls it, but his family sure isn't: His wife, Cindy, has been seen scrolling away on her Blackberry, and daughter Meghan, one of his seven children, blogs from the campaign trail on McCain Blogette. As for McCain's Democratic rival, Barack Obama is 46, and thus in an age group where fully 85 percent of Americans are plugged in. A CNN clip available on YouTube shows him so engrossed with his Blackberry while crossing a street that he bumps into the curb. McCain's frank admissions of his offline state have led to discussion of whether being wired is a qualification for leading the free world. One aide, Mark Soohoo, defended the senator's lack of wiredness at the Personal Democracy Forum in New York in June by assuring the panel: "John McCain is aware of the Internet." One blogger opined last week that all the fuss is silly. McCain, wrote Newsweek's Andrew Romano, hasn't become computer literate because he hasn't needed to. "When aides are responding to your messages and briefing you on every imaginable subject, the incentive to get online sort of disappears," he wrote.)
-- Obama v. McCain: Is media playing fair in campaign coverage? (ABSOLUTELY NOT) - David Bauder
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iIHbNjxgyh98CZcVL1vYRM6JBVNQD9220LG85

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Charles Keating and Lincoln Savings & Loan: McCain's own Tony Rezko Arizona senator received rebuke by ethics panel - Charles Pallasch
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1065734,CST-NWS-prez21web.article
http://media1.suntimes.com/multimedia/prez072108.pdf_20080721_01_14_53_68.imageContent
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: OUTRAGEOUS: ANTI-AMERICANS OVERJOYED: Teresa Puente urges Americans to waste their time by learning a second language
http://www.suntimes.com/news/puente/1066097,CST-EDT-puente21.article

ABC NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: OUTSTANDING: Rosanna Pulido speaks out against illegals being allowed to use churches to avoid deportation
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=5412769&page=1 (Includes video clip)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- GOP counting on convention planning, venue to lift McCain's prospects in November - Beth Fouhy
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-republican-convention,0,6856583.story
-- University of Chicago PhD Thomas Frank blasts Republicans - James Warren
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-magazines-0721jul21,0,3756542.story
-- Anxiety, then separation New to the scene, Obama finds political baggage piles up quickly --and tends to stick around - Rex Huppke
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-obama-thinkjul20,0,2216946.story
-- Turning election into popularity race Movement seeks to skirt Electoral College, ensure presidency goes to candidate with most votes nationwide - Stevenson Swanson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-electoraljul21,0,5711183.story
-- Fixing Springfield - Dennis Byrne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0721byrnejul21,0,7206843.story
-- Wheaton pastor dismissed after disorderly conduct, battery charges filed Reverend Andre Allen agreed to plea bargain saying he misrepresented himself as a Schaumburg gym employee - Lisa Black and Russell Working
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-wheaton-minister-both-21-jul21,0,2824045.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats working hard to attract to Park Ridge people who lack education and/or job skills and/or have severe health, financial, and/or other problems
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-park-ridge-pads-both-19-jul21,0,6910191.story

DAILY HERALD
-- Illinois must help problem gamblers (DIERSEN: NOT EXPANDING GAMBLING WOULD BE A GOOD FIRST STEP) - Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=221996&src=
-- Gambling with addiction Illinois falls short in help for addicts, despite reaping billions from gambling losses - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=221600&src=3
-- It will be a dark night in Chicago if National Guard arrives - Chuck Goudie
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222179
-- Sign bill putting an end to pay-to-play - Jan Kay, Wheaton
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=221841&src=

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- About 10,000 rock out for U.S. troops It was a good day to support the troops Lt. Dan Band, Beatles tribute bring area residents together - Ron Pazola
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1065728,6_1_NA21_DAN_S1.article
(FROM THE ARTICLE: It was a good day to support the troops. Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band showed that they could really rock as they participated Saturday in the third annual Operation Support Our Troops Illinois Rockin' for the Troops concert at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. This was the third time that Sinise, the star of TV's "CSI: NY," performed at the benefit concert. Sinise, who played bass guitar, was joined by Chicago-area musicians who have played throughout the country at other charitable venues and concerts for troops. The group covers songs from bands including Bruce Springsteen, Linkin Park, Aretha Franklin and Jimi Hendrix. Rainy clouds turned to sunny skies as the afternoon made way for vendors, children's activities, a World War II display and a Windy City Skydivers parachute jump. About 10,000 people came out for the day's activities. Barb Timmons of Glen Ellyn waited for a shuttle bus at the DuPage County Complex that took her to Cantigny. "This is the second time I've heard Gary in concert," she said. "His band plays a lot of '80s music. They really put on a good show." Other groups performed earlier in the day. When Beatles tribute band American English took the stage, Cantigny flashed back to the 1960s. People held up their hands and gave each other peace signs. They embraced, held hands and swayed back and forth as the Beatles' sound-a-likes belted out "All You Need Is Love." A color guard honored the troops overseas and acknowledged military veterans in the audience. Meanwhile, longtime radio disc jockey Dick Biondi of WLS-FM 94.7 signed autographs and posed for photographs with his fans. "It's an honor and a privilege to be here today and participate in an event like this that does so much to support our troops," said Biondi, sporting a necktie with the U.S. flag on it. Later in the evening he introduced comedian Tom Dreesan, who was followed by Sinise and his band. "Gary really rocks," said Dan Dwyer of Wheaton, just before Sinise went on stage. "He's one rockin' dude who knows how to have fun and knows how to make his audience have fun, too.")
-- Newest appellate judge Ann Jorgensen ready for challenge DuPage County's chief judge moves up to the next level - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1065740,6_1_NA21_JORGENSEN_S1.article

BEACON NEWS
-- Unlike McCain, many seniors depend on the Web - Jocelyn Noveck
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1065995,2_1_AU21_SENIORS_S1.article

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- State Capitol Notebook
http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x1542096462/State-Capitol-Notebook

ABC7
-- Wheaton Church ousts pastor Andre Allen after arrest
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6275891

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
-- Sauerberg takes on Durbin - Kate Thayer
http://www.kcchronicle.com/articles/2008/07/20/news/local/doc48830d1e68ec9474976146.txt

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Governor accuses Hospital of violating the Law - Rosanna Pulido
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/governor-accuse.html

REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Gregg Jackson and John Haskins blast Romney, but who do they want McCain to pick for Vice President and why?
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/07/what-you-would-get-in-a-vice-president-romney.html

BLOOMBERG
-- Obama to Arabs Is Just an American With a Muslim Middle Name - Caroline Alexander
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=awWOetcOnZuU&refer=us

AFP
-- New 'Obama One' Boeing 757 takes a bow
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jEv7-FZeIhHRjfWMbbCbC553bGYA

UPI
-- Obama's campaign staff dwarfs McCain's
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/07/20/Obamas_campaign_staff_dwarfs_McCains/UPI-41971216589712/

CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY
-- Will Chicago's Seamy Politics Hold Back Obama? - Edward Epstein
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=weeklyreport-000002921694

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- McCain Reports $16 Million Spent on Media in June Heavy Advertising Comes as Democrats Lead Polls, Funding - Mary Jacoby and T.W. Farnam
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121660657026669417.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

NEW YORK TIMES
-- McCain and Obama Agree to Participate in Rick Warren Megachurch Forum on August 16 - Jim Rutenburg
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/us/politics/21church.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin
(DIERSEN: Wheaton's Mayor Gresk has invited McCain and Obama to participate in a forum in Wheaton. Hopefully, McCain and Obama will accept the invitation.)

-- After 2000, McCain Learned to Work Levers of Power - David Kirkpatrick
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/us/politics/21mccain.html

INDIANAPOLIS STAR
-- Auto industry in candidates' headlights Low-cost loans touted as Obama and McCain visit Michigan plants - Justin Hyde
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080721/BUSINESS/807210322/1003/BUSINESS

BALTIMORE SUN
-- Inauguration tickets selling fast in Illinois - Jim Tankersley
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/obama_white_house_inauguration.html

BOSTON HERALD
-- DNC rides Obama coattails National panel's fund-raising rises with candidate's - Brian Mooney
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/07/18/dnc_rides_obama_coattails/

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 20, 2008

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- BEYOND BEYOND BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: 10,000+ come to Wheaton on Saturday, July 19, to show their support for America's troops and veterans, but the anti-American anti-Republican ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Daily Herald, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and other members of Obama's campaign team do not report it - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
More than 10,000 outstanding Americans came to Wheaton's beautiful Cantigny Park on Saturday, July 19, to show their support for America's outstanding troops and veterans. But beyond beyond beyond outrageously, the anti-American anti-Republican ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Daily Herald, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and other members of Obama's campaign team has not reported it, at least, as of this morning. The 10,000+ outstanding Americans paid $25 each to attend the outstanding concert to raise funds to support America's outstanding troops and veterans. Outstanding performers included American English, Dick Biondi, Greg Brown, Cisco Cotto, Tom Dreesen, John Howell, Brant Miller, and Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. The third annual "Rockin' for the Troops" concert was organized by Operation Support Our Troops Illinois (www.osotil.org). WIND 560 AM, 94.7 WLS FM, and many delicious food vendors were there. $1,500 "Two Star" sponsors included Congresswoman Judy Biggert, Milton Township Republican Committee, and U.S. Senate candidate Steve Sauerberg. $500 "One Star" sponsors included DuPage County, DuPage Federation of Republican Women, GOPUSA ILLINOIS, Lisle Township Republican Organization, and Naperville Area Republican Women's Organization. Attendees included Bob Earl, Chris Hage, Liz Martinez, Steve Sauerberg, and May Yurgaitis.

CBS2
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: CBS2 outrageously argues that "Soldiers (Were) Overjoyed To Meet Obama In Kuwait"
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/barack.obama.kuwait.2.775213.html

CONGRESSMAN PETER ROSKAM
-- OUTSTANDING: Roskam statement on illegal immigrant raids in Chicagoland suburbs - Matt Vriesema
http://www.roskam.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=97948
(THE PRESS RELEASE: Congressman Peter J. Roskam (R-IL) today released the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and local law enforcement officials conducted raids netting 48 illegal immigrants in Illinois' 6th Congressional District and surrounding communities, most with criminal records: “This week’s illegal immigrant raids are another stark reminder of the failed policies of the Blagojevich Administration - policies that have encouraged illegal immigrants to flock to our state. Illinois is home to more than 550,000 illegal immigrants. Only three states have larger illegal populations, all of which are southern border states - California, Texas and Florida respectively. “While other states have taken proactive steps to discourage illegal immigration and promote the rule of law, Illinois has blocked many common sense tools to curb illegal immigration. Just last year, the Department of Homeland Security filed a lawsuit against the state of Illinois and the Blagojevich Administration for blocking the use of any employee verification program, including E-Verify. “Illegal immigrants flock to Illinois because the Blagojevich Administration has created an open-door policy that turns a blind eye to employers that hire illegal workers. “First and foremost we must secure our southern border and remove the magnets that attract so many illegal immigrants to our state – jobs. E-Verify is a common sense tool that should be required in Illinois, not discouraged or banned.” Forty-two of the 48 illegal immigrants arrested in the raids have criminal records for crimes including aggravated battery, drunk driving, drug possession, burglary, theft and domestic battery – many or the arrestees are also affiliated with local gangs.)

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: 18th Congressional District: John Birch replaces Demetra DeMonte on the Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x469163110/Bernard-Schoenburg-Questions-arise-in-wake-of-Christian-Co-fundraiser
(FROM THE SCHOENBURG ARTICLE: The new member of the Republican State Central Committee from the 18th Congressional District says he’s a strong backer of state Rep. AARON SCHOCK, R-Peoria, for the U.S. House, even though he defeated Schock’s campaign manager for the central committee post. Pike County GOP Chairman JOHN BIRCH got the nod, winning the votes of 13 of 20 GOP county chairs in the 18th at a meeting last weekend. Sangamon County GOP Chairman TONY LIBRI wasn’t at the meeting, but Libri’s votes went to STEVEN SHEARER, Schock’s campaign manager. The weighted vote was 48,465 for Birch and 32,366 for Shearer. “I’m behind Aaron 100 percent,” Birch said. “I think he’s a new rising star, and I think he’ll be a fine congressman.” Birch said he was an early endorser of Schock during the GOP primary and got other county chairs to go along as well. On the state central committee, Birch replaces DEMETRA DeMONTE of Pekin, who was recently elected at the GOP state convention to the Republican National Committee. She had the job briefly after the retirement earlier this year of longtime member MARYALICE ERICKSON of Peoria.)
-- Governor gets budget blame - Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x2050102554/Our-Opinion-Governor-gets-budget-blame
-- A completely pointless special session - Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x390634935/Statehouse-Insider-A-completely-pointless-special-session

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Obama & McCain: Networks love a sweet story even without jelly filling - John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass_bd_7-20jul20,0,1502931.column
-- Pastor Andre Allen ousted from Wheaton church for arrest - AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-pastorousted,0,2861924.story
-- Change: A matter of convenience - Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0720chapmanjul20,0,158989.column

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Biggert's re-election: certainty or surprise? Kristen McQueary
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/mcqueary/1063074,072008mcqueary.article

DAILY HERALD
-- FRONT PAGE: Illinois casinos beat the odds with tighter slot machines - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=221651 (Includes video clip)
-- FRONT PAGE IN DUPAGE EDITION WITH COLOR PHOTO OF ALLEN: Wheaton's Second Baptist Church votes to oust Reverend Andre Allen - Melissa Jenco and Justin Kmitch
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222152
(FROM THE ARTICLE: After three hours of heated debate, Second Baptist Church in Wheaton voted Saturday to oust the Rev. Andre Allen as its pastor. . .In order to dismiss him, the church's bylaws stipulate that the full congregation - roughly 275 members - must take a secret-ballot vote. The vote was conducted during a three-hour, members-only meeting Saturday evening, with police presence from both Wheaton and Glen Ellyn. About two hours into the meeting, an altercation from within spilled outside onto the church grounds, sending police rushing to break it up and calm church members. No arrests were made. Allen's wife Denise left the church shortly after, visibly distraught and needing assistance to walk across the street to the family's home. Less than 10 minutes later, paramedics responded to the home but did not take Denise to the hospital. Jarrett later said she had "fallen ill." Allen also left the church during that time and returned to his home. He did not speak to reporters nearby and did not return calls seeking comment. The meeting ended less than an hour after Allen's departure. Several church members looked emotional as they pulled out of the parking lot but declined comment, as did family members at Allen's home. Jarrett said the vote was close but he would not go into detail about the exact numbers or what took place during the meeting. He said Allen will remain part of the church, just not as its leader. "He has done a lot of good work in this community and this church and we will not forget that," Jarrett said. Allen's Nov. 2 arrest was not his first. He was also arrested more than a decade ago for similar charges of touching two women in a provoking or insulting manner at a fitness center in a Holiday Inn in Lisle. He was found guilty of one misdemeanor and placed on court supervision. The conviction was later expunged from his record but three law enforcement officials close to the case have confirmed the details. Friday, another woman filed a police report saying Allen had touched her inappropriately during a meeting in a church office. But the alleged incident took place in 2001, making it too late to pursue prosecution. Second Baptist Church leaders will meet within a week or two to decide how to proceed in the wake of Allen's dismissal. In the meantime, they will bring in counselors to assist their members. Assistant Minister Henry Gordon will preside over services this morning.)

BEACON NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: TRAGIC AND OUTRAGEOUS: Democrats having success bamboozling people into being excited about Obama
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1064451,2_1_AU20_VOTE_S2.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: TRAGIC AND OUTRAGEOUS: Democrats having success bamboozling people into registering to vote for Obama
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1065058,2_1_AU20_VOTE_S1.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: TRAGIC AND OUTRAGEOUS: 13th Congressional District: Beacon News promotes Democrat Scott Harper
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1064883,2_1_AU20_BIGGERT_S1.article

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Blagojevich's Best Friend Froehlich responds (kind of) - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/blagojevichs-bf.html
-- VERY SAD: Harvard Jr. High transforms into Mexican consulate - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/mexican-consula.html

REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- Barack Obama: Dems choose B.O. over Hillary: But will choice leave Party holding its nose in November? - Daniel T. Zanoza
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/07/dems-choose-bo-over-hillary-but-will-choice-leave-party-holding-its-nose-in-november.html

WASHINGTON POST
-- The Audacity of Vanity - Charles Krauthammer
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/17/AR2008071701839.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

MERCURY NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Mercury News outrageously argues that Obama is "shifting toward the center"
http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_9939610

POLITICO
-- It’ll only get worse after Bush - Jeremy Lott
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11877.html

NATIONAL POST
-- VERY SAD: MORAL RELATIVISTS OVERJOYED: For sinners, pressure is off Wheaton College professor and author Alan Jacobs explores cultural, social history of the evil hanging over all of us - Charles Lewis
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/story.html?id=665023

ARIZONA CENTRAL
-- Candidates cringe at aides' gaffes - Dan Nowicki and Ronald J. Hansen
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/election08/articles/2008/07/20/20080720gaffes-side0720.html

CATHOLIC EXPLORER
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: The Catholic Explorer promoted a Tom Hogueisson in 2006. Is this the same Tom Hogueisson who was a) in Matthew Ristau's (age 31, Glen Ellyn) car when he struck a Chicago police officer with a vehicle during a traffic stop and fled the wrong way onto the Eisenhower Expressway during Friday's afternoon rush hour, b) was shot in the torso by an officer and remains in Stroger Hospital, and c) was charged with heroin possession?
http://www.catholicexplorer.com/explore4325/atd/the-profile-of-aids-in-am.shtml
(FROM THE 8/31/06 ARTICLE: Tom Hogueisson paused after rinsing soap off a vehicle during an Aug. 25 fund-raising car wash for two organizations sponsored by the Wheaton Franciscans, Canticle Place in Wheaton and Our Kids Matter. The resident of the 12-unit home for those afflicted with HIV/AIDS briefly described what it’s like to live with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The former schoolteacher openly stated, “I’ve had AIDS since 1983. I’ve come a long way, since I’ve had AIDS 23 years . . . It’s not over. The crisis isn’t over just because there’s a cocktail. Your quality of life is much better, but there’s nothing really positive about being (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) positive.” Advances in medicine, however, have afforded him the opportunity to live, when 80 of his AIDS-afflicted friends died from complications from the disease. The idea of fighting for his life has been about more than simply taking medicine to slow progression of the disease, it has been about maintaining his well-being. AIDS, including the ability to afford housing, maintain employment and minimize healthcare costs, complicates the social, physical and emotional aspects of life. Hogueisson said he considered himself one of the lucky ones, because he was able to find sanctuary at Canticle Place, the only DuPage County residence focused on taking in those with HIV or AIDS. “It saved my life. When I came here, I weighed 110 pounds. I was very sick. I was on my way out,” said the man who believed he was about to die until seven years ago when he moved to Canticle Place. Speaking of the benefits of the facility, he said, “It allowed me to heal and to get healthy and to find purpose again.” Since then, Hogueisson has gained at least 50 pounds and bolstered his immune system. A faithful member of the Catholic Church, he said his spiritual life has improved as well as his perspective on life in general. Reflecting on the years before he moved to Canticle Place, he said his elderly parents were unable to care for him, and he was too sick to work due to the symptoms of AIDS, including fatigue and stomach problems. His plight appeared bleak, he said, until he discovered the welcoming hands of staff members at the DuPage County facility. He described the community of friends he has found at Canticle Place as a “godsend.” Speaking of the 13 other residents at Canticle Place, he said, “We all took different ships to get here. But we’re all in the same boat.” While the residents of Canticle Place have the opportunity to live in a facility that takes into consideration all of the challenges of those with HIV/AIDS, not all of the more than 500 DuPage County residents—based on statistics from the Illinois Department of Health—living with HIV/AIDS have the same luxury of affordable housing and support, pointed out Jeana Stewart, co-director of Canticle Ministries, another ministry of the Wheaton Franciscans. The ministry provides various supportive services to those at-risk or already infected with HIV as well as those within the population that are undiagnosed with HIV, a virus that causes AIDS.)

LOUISVILLE COURIER JOURNAL
-- 1978: The year our times began - Kenneth Baer
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080720/OPINION04/807200406
(DIERSEN: 1978 Diersen events include contributing money to the Republican Party for the third year in a row, being denied advancement opportunities by IRS because I was not a female or a veteran and because I complained about the discrimination, being the subject of a 4-page hatchet job in the February issue of Money magazine, marrying Karen Gassner from Chicago, selling my Outer Drive East condominium, buying 1017 East Harrison in Wheaton, renting out my townhome in University Park, buying a new 1978 Chevette and new 1978 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royal in Glen Ellyn, storing my 1972 Corvette at my mother's home in Crete, working for IRS as Collection Division Special Procedures Staff Advisor, finally winning my 1974 grievance against IRS (GAO Decision B-180010.11), defending my Loyola University graduate business courses and my DePaul University graduate accounting courses in Tax Court and winning a split decision, and taking the Becker CPA review course.)

Read more...

The Dark Knight--and my critique of an idiotic Chicago Reader review

It measures up to the hype.

Last night, Mrs. Marathon Pundit and I drove to the nearest multiplex to see the latest Batman film, The Dark Knight. It's a masterpiece. I could do a full-blown review, but I don't think many people come to my blog for movie appraisals. Also, unlike a certain film reviewer--I'll get to him later--I don't take myself so seriously.

Chicago has never looked better--or more menacing--in this film. Oops, did I say Chicago? I meant Gotham City. But most of The Dark Knight was filmed in Chicago, much of it inside and outside the old downtown post office in the city's West Loop. I used to work across the street from the art-deco monolith.

Did you like the car chase scene from The Blues Brothers on Lower Wacker Drive? Well, I guarantee you'll enjoy the one in this movie better. (By the way, how did they get that 16-wheeler down there?)

The late Heath Ledger is fabulous as The Joker, and I sound like a homer here, but watching an Australian play a killer clown with a Chicago accent was worth the price of admission for me.

Why so serious? That's one of the best lines from The Joker.

But now it's time for a sour note, albeit one that also has a Chicago accent. A couple of times in the film, The Joker is called a terrorist--an accurate epithet.

J.R. Jones is the chief film critic of The Chicago Reader. Here is the opening paragraph in his Dark Knight review:

As the Bush era drags on, I seem to be developing an irrational hatred of summer blockbusters, those gas-guzzling, road-hogging, radio-blasting Hummers of the entertainment business. The fact that they get worse and worse and still make tons of money doesn't say much for the national character. New York Times columnist Frank Rich recently conjured up an image of Americans flocking to the movies this summer to escape their woes, as if we were all dust bowl farmers hoping to banish the Great Depression from our thoughts with flickering images of Clark Gable and Mickey Mouse. But while our leaders are waging preemptive wars, torturing innocent people to death, tossing out habeas corpus, and gutting the Fourth Amendment, we probably don't need to escape as much as the rest of the world needs to escape from us.

More...

Lest anyone miss the connection to 9/11 and the so-called War on Terror, Nolan has (Note...I edited a bit out for people who haven't seen the movie) an overhead shot shows a building that covers an entire city block collapsing into rubble. The Dark Knight may be a state-of-the-art popcorn movie, but its Gotham City is a fun-house-mirror image of America, its democratic institutions crumbling and its people perched between anarchy and totalitarianism.

Whoah! Who got up on the wrong side of The Daily Kos? Sometimes, J.R., it's just a movie. Let me repeat, sometimes, it's just a movie. Of course you probably call movies "cinema."

In his loathsome review, Jones issues a spoiler alert, but he apparently isn't aware, or just doesn't care, that people sometimes skim articles. Readers skim my blog posts. Jones gives away the ending of The Dark Knight. Sorry Jones-ey, but the world isn't hanging on every one of your words.

Why so serious?

Let me use my best Chicago accent to issue my opinion on Jones:

What a douchebag!

To comment on this post--serious responders only--please visit Marathon Pundit.

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Part 1 - Pervasive Problems at Cook County Jail

When former State Rep. Tom Dart took office as Cook County Sheriff, he issued a press release full of reform goals.

Here are three ideas I extracted from a Sun-Times article on Dart’s statement:

• “Faith-based groups to increase mentoring for inmates to reduce recidivism,”


• "Installation of “a comprehensive video surveillance system at Cook County Jail,” and


• ”An internal hotline so employees can report suspected corruption?”

Public officials don’t usually spend money on prisoners. Their opinion is usually “they deserve anything they get” and it’s usually backed up by their constituents.

(The rest of the story is here.)

I’ve been reading the Justice Department's letter to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger concerning its Civil Rights Division’s investigation of the Cook County Jail.

Suicides, inappropriate beatings by guards, taunts about future rapes. I’ll quote parts of some of the findings to give you a sense of the inhumanness of the institution.

Since preventing rape in prison was my “social cause” of the 1990’s, let me start there.” (The case below was not on Dart’s watch, by the way.)

”Pedro S. was arrested on a sex charge brought by his niece. While in the intake area three officers who had read the charge began taunting him, yelling threats in Spanish, and asking if he knew what was about to happen to him. [Emphasis added. From what I learned while serving on Tom Johnson’s and Tom Dart’s Prison Reform Committee, typically, sex abusers get sexually assaulted in prison.]

"The officers struck him many times and called him a ‘f------ Mexican‘ …Because the officers threatened to kill Pedro if he said anything about the incident, he did not seek medical attention …released four days later (he) immediately saw a doctor and reported the incident to the Chicago Police Department. Medical records confirm that Pedro’s injuries included a broken rib and damage to his jaw and knee.”

There were five reported cases of sexual assault on the first five months of Dart’s watch, however (page 24).

There are lots of pre-Sheriff Dart abuses cited, but, even though he was undersheriff at the time, I don’t think it’s fair to hold him responsible.

Tomorrow: Cases cited by the federal report after Tom Dart took office as Cook County Sheriff.

Posted first on McHenry County Blog.

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 19, 2008

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- Questions for the Illinois McCain Campaign - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
-- When and where will the Illinois McCain Campaign office(s) be opened?
-- Who is coordinating the McCain Campaign in each of the Illinois counties, townships, wards, and precincts? Where is their contact information available?
-- When will McCain campaign materials be available, what types and quantities will be provided, who do you request them from?
-- When is the next time McCain will be in Illinois?
-- Dillard has blasted Republicans who are critical of his efforts to elect Obama. What is the Illinois McCain Campaign's position on Dillard?

DAILY HERALD
-- Birkett critical of governor's offer to Chicago State Police don't have the funds to bail out city, he argues - Christy Gutowski
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222090&src=109
-- Suburban gang members targeted in federal immigration raids - Barbara Vitello
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222007&src=2
-- FRONT PAGE IN DUPAGE EDITION WITH COLOR PHOTO: New allegations arise against Wheaton pastor Andre Allen - Christy Gutowski
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222054
-- Task force to study nuclear power issues in Illinois - Russell Lissau
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222011&src=3
-- OUTSTANDING: McCain pledges to help auto industry rebuild - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=221974
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: OUTSTANDING: Elephants, the symbol of the Republican Party, at the Kane County Fair
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222084
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Sadly, Rev. Michael M. Boland, Administrator, President and CEO, The Catholic Charities, Chicago, argues what Democrats, Socialists, Communists argue, namely, that government, rather than churches, charities, and families, should do more to help the poor. The bigger the role that government has in helping the poor, the smaller the roles that churches, charities, and families have.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=222049&src=

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Birkett to Blagojevich: Stop picking on Chicago cops - Frank Main
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1063240,071808birkett.article
-- The Obama we don't know: deli man Behind the stump speech: summer jobs, college debt - Lynn Sweet
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1064437,CST-NWS-sweet20.article

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Wheaton church to consider dismissing pastor Reverend Andre Allen is accused of posing as gym employee and fondling women - Russell Working
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-wheaton-pastor-spat-web-19jul19,0,6881574.story
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-wheaton-pastor-spat_both_19jul19,0,3494561.story

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Birkett rips Blagojevich on Chicago crime problem - Frank Main
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1064097,071908birkett.article

HERALD NEWS
-- VERY SAD: Latinos suing police all across the U.S.A. - Gregory Tejeda
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=B5xwMGRTmwKFBDAf7RGANrjUCz8UPCmcGZkwlCz5SvYdPhf5pu&bbParentWidgetId=B7ms1mob79K8APhm0mQV9KX

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- Ridiculous to say lawmakers in prison areas favor crime - Editorial
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/07/18/opinion/doc48800b8c8b84e072668476.txt

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
-- Only journalists benefit from this state government - Aaron Chambers
http://www.rrstar.com/news/columnists/x379992310/Only-journalists-benefit-from-this-state-government

QUAD CITIES TIMES
-- 71th House District: Lawrence Bruckner having town hall, Hampton program
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=396285

PIONEER PRESS
-- 58th House District: Stratton is man for Springfield - Nancy Thorner, Lake Bluff
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lakeforest/news/forum/1057390,Lf-letters-071708-s1.article

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Illinois 2008 Republican National Convention delegate list made public - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/il-2008-rnc-del.html
-- Radio Silence on the Illinois Jobless Rate - Curt Mercadante
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/radio-silence-o.html

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Real Clear Politics’ Tom Bevan: "If election held today, Obama wins with less than 300 electoral votes."
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/07/real-clear-politics-tom-bevan-if.html

AMERICANS FOR TRUTH
-- What If McDonald’s Followed the Advice of Its "Gay" Ally? - Peter LaBarbera
http://americansfortruth.com/news/what-if-mcdonalds-followed-the-advice-of-its-gay-ally.html

CHAMPION NEWS
-- Illinois House Republican plan needs more octane - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1088

JUDICIAL WATCH
-- VERY SAD: Obama and McCain Court Radical Mexican Separatist Group - Tom Fitton
http://www.judicialwatch.org/

BLOOMBERG
-- Obama's Illinois Mentor Emil Jones Revels in "Political Godfather" Role - Kim Chipman
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=anw8dtE3kyvA&refer=home

ABC NEWS
-- McCain Hedges on Whether Obama Is a Socialist - Jake Tapper
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/mccain-hedges-o.html

NEW YORK TIMES
-- The Buzz About a McCain-Romney Ticket - Michael Cooper and Michael Luo
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/us/politics/19romney.html?_r=1&oref=slogin (Includes video clip)

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- The End of White Flight For the First Time in Decades, Cities' Black Populations Lose Ground, Stirring Clashes Over Class, Culture and Even Ice Cream - Connor Dougherty
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121642866373567057.html?mod=home_we_banner_left

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
-- Congressman Kirk Looks Strong - Reid Wilson
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/2008/07/kirk_looks_strong.html

THE HILL
-- Romney: Obama is ‘extraordinarily naïve’ - Klaus Marre
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/romney--obama-is-extraordinarily-nave-2008-07-18.html

KANSAS CITY STAR
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Because the Democrat Party platform is so outrageously anti-religious, it is outrageous that "evangelicals" even consider supporting Obama
http://www.kansascity.com/255/story/710631.html

PHILADELPHIA EVENING BULLETIN
-- VERY SAD: Obama Blames Conservatives For Wife's Public Image Woes - Joe Murray
http://www.thebulletin.us/site/index.cfm?newsid=19859343&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=576361&rfi=8

MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL STAR TRIBUNE
-- Republican thaw: McCain and Romney make peace with money and words - Jim Kuhnhenn
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/25633914.html?location_refer=Gophers

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Abboud Reports $13,755 Available for Campaign as of July 1st; Paying Canvassers

I haven’t seen it anywhere else, so I decided to take a look at what the campaign finance figures were for the 16th congressional district.

You know, that’s the three-way race in which Democratic Party candidate Robert Abboud and Green Party candidate Scott Summers are challenging incumbent Republican Don Manzullo.

Come to find out, Abboud, from the rich enclave of Barrington Hills in the far southeastern corner of the district, had only $13,755 at the end of June. And, the committee owes $91,569.

The committee raised $40,796 during the last three months, but spent $91,324. That pretty much wiped out the April 1st beginning balance of $64,283.

Abboud has loaned his campaign $63,395.

I looked at what he is spending his campaign money on and found it interesting that he is paying Loves Park’s Marianna Anderson to canvas. And she's not the only one.

That pretty much means that Abboud has not found volunteers in the Rockford area willing to do the same work for free. She seems to be getting about $84 per day.

As I looked down the alphabetical list of expenditures, I found more Rockford canvassers:

Nicholas Brener, Ryan Denk, Dave Fernandez, Daniel Grams, Cole Hubbard, Dan Koteski, Jason Looney, Mike Olson, and Larry Standfield, although Fernandez appears to live in DeKalb now.

Abboud has also paid Chicago’s Nick Crnkovica and Kristen Trigg for canvassing.

From Crystal Lake, Eric Howanietz is being paid to canvas.

It’s interesting that the Abboud campaign treasurer did not know the addresses of a good number of the canvassers. For James Nicolos there is not even a home town.

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