Articles of interest to Illinois Republicans recently posted by ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago Business, Daily Herald, Suburban Chicago News, Suburban Life, Pioneer Local, Southtown Star, Rockford Register Star, Bloomington Pantagraph, Peoria Journal Star, Springfield State Journal Register, Belleville News Democrat, Southern Illinoisan, Illinois Review, Public Affairs, Champion News, Illinois Family Institute, Americans For Truth, Chicago Daily Observer, Tom Roeser, Capitalfax, etc.
Since January 1, 2005, GOPUSA ILLINOIS has brought 41,149 such articles and information on many upcoming events to its subscribers' attention each morning, free of charge, and without any advertising.
DAILY HERALD
-- Blagojevich has no golden parachute if impeached - Dan Carden (DIERSEN: But because Blagojevich has lots and lots of evidence to convict many Combine members, many political party leaders, many elected officials, many candidates, many campaign contributors, etc., I fully expect that they will get together and assure that Blagojevich will be OK financially. Maybe they will pay him $500,000+ a year to a) argue that there is no such thing as the "Combine," b) argue against returning to direct election of Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee members, c) badmouth conservatives as being kooks and extremists, and d) discourage people from reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS daily emails.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=267575&src=109
-- Blagojevich has no golden parachute if impeached - Dan Carden (DIERSEN: But because Blagojevich has lots and lots of evidence to convict many Combine members, many political party leaders, many elected officials, many candidates, many campaign contributors, etc., I fully expect that they will get together and assure that Blagojevich will be OK financially. Maybe they will pay him $500,000+ a year to a) argue that there is no such thing as the "Combine," b) argue against returning to direct election of Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee members, c) badmouth conservatives as being kooks and extremists, and d) discourage people from reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS daily emails.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=267575&src=109
-- Senators hear G-rated Blago tapes at impeachment hearing - John Patterson and Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=267416&src=109
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=267416&src=109
-- Committee assignments split DuPage County Board - Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=267565&src=2
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=267565&src=2
-- DuPage County: Candidates who filed this week for local municipal offices
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=267591&src=2
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=267591&src=2
-- Roskam, Kirk unchanged on stimulus package - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=267561
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=267561
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Dose of political courage can end corruption cycle Strong leaders will have to stand up to own party to do what's right - Joe Birkett
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/1400589,CST-EDT-open28b.article
-- Dose of political courage can end corruption cycle Strong leaders will have to stand up to own party to do what's right - Joe Birkett
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/1400589,CST-EDT-open28b.article
-- National media fail to follow the money - Carol Marin
http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/1400423,CST-EDT-carol28.article
http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/1400423,CST-EDT-carol28.article
-- Saddle up! - Nancy J. Thorner
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/1391229,CST-EDT-vox22.article
-- Not a pretty picture for our governor Tapes not exciting, but hearing his voice brought it all home - Mark Brown
http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/1400706,CST-NWS-brown28.article
-- Obama may boost foes of affirmative action He has suggested affirmative action should focus on economic disadvantage rather than race. - Cathy Young (DIERSEN: My liberal GAO superiors wasted my career because they had to give preference to minorities, to females, and to those who were younger than me. They retaliated against me and ultimately forced me to take early retirement at age 49 in 1997 because I complained about that reverse discrimination. My liberal GAO superiors were minority, female, had serious health, had serious financial problems, and/or had other serious problems. They and their spokespersons argued that I should be happy to pay the price of affirmative action because I was "born with a silver spoon in my mouth." As evidence, they pointed out that a) I am White, b) I am male, c) I was born legitimately and my parents raised me and did not divorce, d) I have good health, e) I am married, f) my wife has a college degree, g) we do not have children, h) I had 29 years of federal seniority at age 49, i) my wife and I own a home in safe and prosperous city - Wheaton, j) I have owned a Corvette since October 14, 1971, and k) I was not a veteran. It made no difference to them that a) my father died when I was 21, b) I worked my way through college, c) I was the first of my ancestors to graduate from college, or d) I passed the CPA and Certified Internal Auditor examinations on my first attempt. Their top priority was to force me, and others like me, out of GAO so that they could hire and promote young minorities and young females.)
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/1400588,CST-EDT-open28a.article
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/1391229,CST-EDT-vox22.article
-- Not a pretty picture for our governor Tapes not exciting, but hearing his voice brought it all home - Mark Brown
http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/1400706,CST-NWS-brown28.article
-- Obama may boost foes of affirmative action He has suggested affirmative action should focus on economic disadvantage rather than race. - Cathy Young (DIERSEN: My liberal GAO superiors wasted my career because they had to give preference to minorities, to females, and to those who were younger than me. They retaliated against me and ultimately forced me to take early retirement at age 49 in 1997 because I complained about that reverse discrimination. My liberal GAO superiors were minority, female, had serious health, had serious financial problems, and/or had other serious problems. They and their spokespersons argued that I should be happy to pay the price of affirmative action because I was "born with a silver spoon in my mouth." As evidence, they pointed out that a) I am White, b) I am male, c) I was born legitimately and my parents raised me and did not divorce, d) I have good health, e) I am married, f) my wife has a college degree, g) we do not have children, h) I had 29 years of federal seniority at age 49, i) my wife and I own a home in safe and prosperous city - Wheaton, j) I have owned a Corvette since October 14, 1971, and k) I was not a veteran. It made no difference to them that a) my father died when I was 21, b) I worked my way through college, c) I was the first of my ancestors to graduate from college, or d) I passed the CPA and Certified Internal Auditor examinations on my first attempt. Their top priority was to force me, and others like me, out of GAO so that they could hire and promote young minorities and young females.)
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/1400588,CST-EDT-open28a.article
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Blago makes Afghans feel less corrupt - Frank James
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/01/blago_makes_afghans_feel_less.html
(THE ARTICLE: Rep. Mark Kirk, an Illinois Republican, was on C-Span this morning discussing the economic stimulus plan when the host asked him whether the Gov. Rod Blagojevich story had "become a joke in his mind." "It has" said Kirk who then related an encounter he had in Afghanistan where he recently was deployed as a military reservist, the first member of the House to be militarily deployed in an "imminent danger area since 1942" he said. Kirk said he had a meeting with the Afghan government official who, after he learned he was a reservist, asked him what he did in civilian life. Kirk continued: "I said 'I'm a congressman.' "He said 'What state do you represent?' "I said 'The state of Illinois.' "And this Afghan minister started laughing. And he said 'You know, Afghanistan is a corrupt country but not that corrupt.' ")
-- Blago makes Afghans feel less corrupt - Frank James
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/01/blago_makes_afghans_feel_less.html
(THE ARTICLE: Rep. Mark Kirk, an Illinois Republican, was on C-Span this morning discussing the economic stimulus plan when the host asked him whether the Gov. Rod Blagojevich story had "become a joke in his mind." "It has" said Kirk who then related an encounter he had in Afghanistan where he recently was deployed as a military reservist, the first member of the House to be militarily deployed in an "imminent danger area since 1942" he said. Kirk said he had a meeting with the Afghan government official who, after he learned he was a reservist, asked him what he did in civilian life. Kirk continued: "I said 'I'm a congressman.' "He said 'What state do you represent?' "I said 'The state of Illinois.' "And this Afghan minister started laughing. And he said 'You know, Afghanistan is a corrupt country but not that corrupt.' ")
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Clarence Page promotes Obama and blasts Limbaugh
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0128pagejan28,0,3693235.column
-- Even jobless, governor can be bleepin' golden - John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-28-jan28,0,7604563.column
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0128pagejan28,0,3693235.column
-- Even jobless, governor can be bleepin' golden - John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-28-jan28,0,7604563.column
BEACON NEWS
-- OUTSTANDING: Catholics join to oppose "Freedom of Choice Act" - Christine Moyer
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1400941,2_1_AU28_CHOICE_S1.article
-- OUTSTANDING: Catholics join to oppose "Freedom of Choice Act" - Christine Moyer
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1400941,2_1_AU28_CHOICE_S1.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Because voters hold Republican candidates to much much much higher standards than they hold Democrat candidates, Diersen advises against seeking political office as a Republican if you have any "skeletons in your closet." However, with her promotion Aurora Township Trustee candidate David Luna, Gabriela Wyatt makes it clear that disagrees with Diersen.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1400947,2_1_AU28_LUNA_S1.article
(THE ARTICLE: Doubt cast on Aurora candidate's character - Andre Salles Two weeks ago, Aurora martial arts instructor David Luna pulled in enough votes at the Republican caucus to be slated on the ballot for Aurora Township trustee. But now, some of his fellow Republicans are asking questions about his past criminal associations, his present domestic issues and his future with the party. Specifically, Luna's past criminal record, including a murder charge when he was 20 (that was subsequently dropped), has raised some eyebrows. More recently, Luna went through an ugly divorce and has fallen behind on his child support payments. For these reasons, some believe Luna would be an embarrassing choice for the Republicans to put forward in April's election. Earlier this week, Michelle Whetstone, a former township trustee and longtime Republican, brought her concerns to Township Republican Chairman Bill Wyatt. Her hope, she said, is that Luna will step down from the ballot, as she does not believe he represents the best face of the Republican Party. Luna, a political newcomer, ran for trustee with the help of Wyatt's wife, Republican activist Gabriela Wyatt. He sees it as a way to reach young people, to help current and potential gang members turn their lives around. It's something he's dedicated much of his life to. He owns a martial arts studio in downtown Aurora and uses his former experiences with street gangs to warn children of the dangers of that kind of life. Luna is not shy about discussing his past. When he was 13, he joined a gang on Aurora's East Side. When he was 14, his best friend was murdered. He's been shot, and he's been there when others were shot. His 1991 first-degree murder charge, for the killing of Francisco Valdez, stemmed from a drive-by shooting. Police said he was a passenger in the car. He also was charged with attempted murder, armed violence, aggravated assault and aggravated battery. All charges were dropped one month later, though the option to reinstate them was granted. Luna has not been charged again in this case. Luna says all of this is behind him now, and he's asking for a chance to prove himself. "Kids are looking for someone to pull them out of the jungle," he said. "I've been there. I've been shot, my friend was murdered, my brother was murdered. Kids with gang problems, who are they likely to listen to?" Luna, the father of six who has been married three times, is similarly upfront about his domestic issues. He blames a volatile employment situation for his delinquency in child support payments. He said he is working to pay off his debt, even though the martial arts studio is his only current job. Wyatt said he stands by Luna. He was impressed with Luna's speech at the caucus, he said, and believes Luna would be a good addition to township government. "I sincerely believe he's trying to turn his life around," Wyatt said. Whetstone said she would not support Luna for trustee if he remains on the ballot. She blames Luna for not disclosing his past and present legal difficulties in his caucus speech and said she has talked with a number of other township Republicans who feel the same way. "If the information that has come to my attention is true, I would love for him to step down," Whetstone said.)
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1400947,2_1_AU28_LUNA_S1.article
(THE ARTICLE: Doubt cast on Aurora candidate's character - Andre Salles Two weeks ago, Aurora martial arts instructor David Luna pulled in enough votes at the Republican caucus to be slated on the ballot for Aurora Township trustee. But now, some of his fellow Republicans are asking questions about his past criminal associations, his present domestic issues and his future with the party. Specifically, Luna's past criminal record, including a murder charge when he was 20 (that was subsequently dropped), has raised some eyebrows. More recently, Luna went through an ugly divorce and has fallen behind on his child support payments. For these reasons, some believe Luna would be an embarrassing choice for the Republicans to put forward in April's election. Earlier this week, Michelle Whetstone, a former township trustee and longtime Republican, brought her concerns to Township Republican Chairman Bill Wyatt. Her hope, she said, is that Luna will step down from the ballot, as she does not believe he represents the best face of the Republican Party. Luna, a political newcomer, ran for trustee with the help of Wyatt's wife, Republican activist Gabriela Wyatt. He sees it as a way to reach young people, to help current and potential gang members turn their lives around. It's something he's dedicated much of his life to. He owns a martial arts studio in downtown Aurora and uses his former experiences with street gangs to warn children of the dangers of that kind of life. Luna is not shy about discussing his past. When he was 13, he joined a gang on Aurora's East Side. When he was 14, his best friend was murdered. He's been shot, and he's been there when others were shot. His 1991 first-degree murder charge, for the killing of Francisco Valdez, stemmed from a drive-by shooting. Police said he was a passenger in the car. He also was charged with attempted murder, armed violence, aggravated assault and aggravated battery. All charges were dropped one month later, though the option to reinstate them was granted. Luna has not been charged again in this case. Luna says all of this is behind him now, and he's asking for a chance to prove himself. "Kids are looking for someone to pull them out of the jungle," he said. "I've been there. I've been shot, my friend was murdered, my brother was murdered. Kids with gang problems, who are they likely to listen to?" Luna, the father of six who has been married three times, is similarly upfront about his domestic issues. He blames a volatile employment situation for his delinquency in child support payments. He said he is working to pay off his debt, even though the martial arts studio is his only current job. Wyatt said he stands by Luna. He was impressed with Luna's speech at the caucus, he said, and believes Luna would be a good addition to township government. "I sincerely believe he's trying to turn his life around," Wyatt said. Whetstone said she would not support Luna for trustee if he remains on the ballot. She blames Luna for not disclosing his past and present legal difficulties in his caucus speech and said she has talked with a number of other township Republicans who feel the same way. "If the information that has come to my attention is true, I would love for him to step down," Whetstone said.)
CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- Sizing up Illinois’ share of stimulus bill - Paul Merrion
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=32765
-- Sizing up Illinois’ share of stimulus bill - Paul Merrion
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=32765
SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Yearly Mexican remittances drop for first time - Julie Watson (DIERSEN QUESTION: Will Mexico use this as an excuse to send into America illegally even more of its citizens and even more of its illegal drugs?)
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1400499,012809MexicoRemittance.article
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1400499,012809MexicoRemittance.article
-- Senator Burris is a changed man - David Johnson
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/johnson/1400435,012809johnson.article
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/johnson/1400435,012809johnson.article
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Blagojevich on the line Senators hear, see governor’s recorded words - Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/blagojevich/x1278521583/Blagojevich-on-the-line
-- Springfield prepares for possible Obama visit Lincoln bicentennial might prompt president to come - Deana Poole
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x1996658276/City-prepares-for-possible-Obama-visit
-- Tapes show governor put himself first - Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x403281811/Our-Opinion-Tapes-show-governor-put-himself-first
-- Blagojevich on the line Senators hear, see governor’s recorded words - Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/blagojevich/x1278521583/Blagojevich-on-the-line
-- Springfield prepares for possible Obama visit Lincoln bicentennial might prompt president to come - Deana Poole
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x1996658276/City-prepares-for-possible-Obama-visit
-- Tapes show governor put himself first - Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x403281811/Our-Opinion-Tapes-show-governor-put-himself-first
PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
-- Is there no end to narcissism in Illinois politics? - Editorial
http://www.pjstar.com/opinions/x89870146/Our-View-Is-there-no-end-to-narcissism-in-Illinois-politics
-- Is there no end to narcissism in Illinois politics? - Editorial
http://www.pjstar.com/opinions/x89870146/Our-View-Is-there-no-end-to-narcissism-in-Illinois-politics
BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
-- Burris: Winfrey 'could care less about politics' - AP
http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/632672.html
-- Burris: Winfrey 'could care less about politics' - AP
http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/632672.html
NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Critics jump on DuPage County Board Member Jim Healy for proposing his own version of the long-debated committee assignments without giving his colleagues time to review them - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1400312,6_1_NA28_COUNTY_S1.article
-- Critics jump on DuPage County Board Member Jim Healy for proposing his own version of the long-debated committee assignments without giving his colleagues time to review them - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1400312,6_1_NA28_COUNTY_S1.article
-- State Representative Mike Connelly opens district office at 25W380 Chicago Avenue in Naperville
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1400463,6_1_NA28_CONNELLY_S1.article
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1400463,6_1_NA28_CONNELLY_S1.article
ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
-- A little shoe box could buy Blagojevich a helping hand - Bill McClellan
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/billmcclellan/story/B9D28F5AE9ACAAFF8625754C0009C4A4?OpenDocument
-- A little shoe box could buy Blagojevich a helping hand - Bill McClellan
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/billmcclellan/story/B9D28F5AE9ACAAFF8625754C0009C4A4?OpenDocument
CBS2
-- Senate Trial Day 3; Gov. Home From Media Blitz
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/senate.impeachment.blagojevich.2.919757.html
-- Senate Trial Day 3; Gov. Home From Media Blitz
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/senate.impeachment.blagojevich.2.919757.html
CAPITALFAX
-- Senate trial Day 2: FBI recordings - Bethany Jaeger
http://capitalfax.blogspot.com/2009/01/senate-trial-day-2-fbi-recordings.html
-- Senate trial Day 2: FBI recordings - Bethany Jaeger
http://capitalfax.blogspot.com/2009/01/senate-trial-day-2-fbi-recordings.html
ROTHENBERG POLITICAL REPORT
-- RNC Race Too Close to Call as Election Approaches - Stuart Rothenberg
http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2009/01/rnc-race-too-close-to-call-as-election.html
-- RNC Race Too Close to Call as Election Approaches - Stuart Rothenberg
http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2009/01/rnc-race-too-close-to-call-as-election.html
ACCURACY IN MEDIA
-- Wall Street’s Marxist Presidential Pawn - Cliff Kincaid
http://www.aim.org/aim-column/wall-streets-marxist-presidential-pawn/
-- Wall Street’s Marxist Presidential Pawn - Cliff Kincaid
http://www.aim.org/aim-column/wall-streets-marxist-presidential-pawn/
WORLD NET DAILY
-- The slobbering sycophants of the MSM - Burt Prelutsky
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=87266
-- The slobbering sycophants of the MSM - Burt Prelutsky
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=87266
-- What did president tell Supreme Court? Lawyer in eligibility case seeks records of secret discussions - Bob Unruh
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=87270
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=87270
FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- GRETA VAN SUSTERAN INTERVIEW: Gov. Blagojevich: 'I Know I've Done Nothing Wrong'
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,484104,00.html
-- GRETA VAN SUSTERAN INTERVIEW: Gov. Blagojevich: 'I Know I've Done Nothing Wrong'
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,484104,00.html
MSNBC
-- FROM THE ARTICLE: Rep. Peter Roskam is said to have gotten into a friendly back and forth with Obama over the funding for repairing the National Mall. The two know each other from their days together in the Illinois legislature. Roskam told the president, according to a GOP aide, that he won by rising above "Republicans" and Democrats," but that House Democrats are not living up to the Obama standard. They have written a bill that spends more on re-sodding the Mall than small business tax relief.
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/27/1763247.aspx
-- FROM THE ARTICLE: Rep. Peter Roskam is said to have gotten into a friendly back and forth with Obama over the funding for repairing the National Mall. The two know each other from their days together in the Illinois legislature. Roskam told the president, according to a GOP aide, that he won by rising above "Republicans" and Democrats," but that House Democrats are not living up to the Obama standard. They have written a bill that spends more on re-sodding the Mall than small business tax relief.
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/27/1763247.aspx
GOPUSA
-- Big Government: The Ever-Expanding Consumer of the American Dream - Bobby Eberle
http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/?p=857
-- Big Government: The Ever-Expanding Consumer of the American Dream - Bobby Eberle
http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/?p=857
USA TODAY
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH 5X7-INCH COLOR PICTURE OF OBAMA AND LAHOOD: Obama faces first test of bipartisanship pledge - David Jackson and Richard Wolf
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/executive/president/2009-01-27-obama-economy_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH 5X7-INCH COLOR PICTURE OF OBAMA AND LAHOOD: Obama faces first test of bipartisanship pledge - David Jackson and Richard Wolf
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/executive/president/2009-01-27-obama-economy_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
WASHINGTON POST
-- 2008: Year of infamy? - Jeffery T. Kuhner
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/04/year-of-infamy/
-- 2008: Year of infamy? - Jeffery T. Kuhner
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/04/year-of-infamy/
NEW YORK TIMES
-- Lawmakers Hear Blagojevich Tapes - Monica Davey (FROM THE ARTICLE: “It’s more visceral,” Senator Dan Cronin, a Republican, said of what he had heard. “It hits me right here in my stomach. It’s emotional. It makes me sick to my stomach to hear that that’s our governor engaged in government, public service. It’s just so shamefully disgraceful.”)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/us/politics/28illinois.html?_r=1&ref=politics
-- Lawmakers Hear Blagojevich Tapes - Monica Davey (FROM THE ARTICLE: “It’s more visceral,” Senator Dan Cronin, a Republican, said of what he had heard. “It hits me right here in my stomach. It’s emotional. It makes me sick to my stomach to hear that that’s our governor engaged in government, public service. It’s just so shamefully disgraceful.”)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/us/politics/28illinois.html?_r=1&ref=politics
WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- Illinois Senators Hear Blagojevich's Taped Conversations - Douglas Belkin and David Kesmodel (FROM THE ARTICLE: "It makes me sick to my stomach," Republican state Sen. Dan Cronin told reporters after hearing the conversations for the first time. "A lot of us are down here toiling, trying to help change the world, and the guy who holds the biggest stick and can exert the most influence over the process is consumed with this kind of stuff.")
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123306637575419479.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us
-- Illinois Senators Hear Blagojevich's Taped Conversations - Douglas Belkin and David Kesmodel (FROM THE ARTICLE: "It makes me sick to my stomach," Republican state Sen. Dan Cronin told reporters after hearing the conversations for the first time. "A lot of us are down here toiling, trying to help change the world, and the guy who holds the biggest stick and can exert the most influence over the process is consumed with this kind of stuff.")
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123306637575419479.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us
PHILADELPHIA BULLETIN
-- Blago's Shadow Reaches U.S. Capital - Joe Murray
http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/01/28/top_stories/doc497ffdfcd9d19799992633.txt
-- Blago's Shadow Reaches U.S. Capital - Joe Murray
http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/01/28/top_stories/doc497ffdfcd9d19799992633.txt
PROGRESS ILLINOIS
-- BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Local Minutemen Leader Faces Petition Challenge - Angela Caputo
http://progressillinois.com/2009/1/27/pulido-petitions-challenged
-- BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Local Minutemen Leader Faces Petition Challenge - Angela Caputo
http://progressillinois.com/2009/1/27/pulido-petitions-challenged
ILLINOIS COALITION FOR IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE RIGHTS
-- BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: 5th CD Petitions of Anti-Immigrant Candidate Challenged
http://icirr.org/en/node/3379
(THE OUTRAGEOUS PRESS RELEASE: Chicago, Illinois – On Monday, January 26, 2009, at 3:29 pm, Joshua Hoyt, as a private citizen and a constituent of the 5th Congressional District, filed a challenge to the nominating petitions of Rosanna Pulido, the anti-immigrant activist and founder of the Illinois Minutemen Project who is currently running for U.S. Representative for the 5th Congressional District. The following is a press release from Joshua Hoyt: Today the 5th District Congressional candidacy petitions of Rosanna Pulido, founder of the Illinois Minutemen Project, were challenged before the Illinois State Board of Elections. Her petitions were challenged in his personal capacity by Josh Hoyt, a voter in the 5th Congressional District and the Director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Ms. Pulido filed to run as a Republican candidate for Congressman on Monday, January 27th, 2009. The primary to choose Democratic and Republican candidates to replace outgoing Congressman Rahm Emanuel will take place on March 3, 2009. Mr. Hoyt is represented by attorney Thomas Jaconetty, an accomplished Illinois election law lawyer. Ms. Pulido is an infamously intemperate opponent of illegal immigration, gays, and the Catholic Church. http://icirr.org/sites/icirr.org/files/Pulidohate.pdf When Ms. Pulido testified before the Illinois House of Representatives this past spring she claimed, “If the Church succeeds in its mission it will destroy the United States of America.” http://icirr.org/node/2364 More recently Ms. Pulido has worked for the anti-immigrant group FAIR, denoted a “Hate Group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Josh Hoyt challenged the petitions stating that 516 of the 702 signatures were invalid, with many signers living out of the district, with entire sheets having no date of notarization, and with many mismatching signatures. “We are a nation of laws,” stated Mr. Hoyt, “and certainly our election processes should be a place where the rules are respected. If Ms. Pulido cannot follow our election laws and collect even 319 valid signatures then she should not be allowed to be on the ballot. We expect to conduct a vigorous petition challenge,” said Mr. Hoyt. “Our election laws are the law of the land, and we certainly would not want a candidate on the ballot who submits invalid signatures and notarizations.” Mr. Hoyt further commented, “For years Ms. Pulido has poisoned the immigration debate with her vitriol, preventing rational debate on reasonable solutions for our broken immigration system. Now it is clear that her demagoguery was only to build a platform for her political ambitions. That is our experience with the loudest voices on the anti-immigrant side of this debate – they are either bitter personal failures or else cynical bullies abusing immigrants in order to forward their own crass personal ambitions. Sometimes they are both.” “If Ms. Pulido’s has not followed the rules and does not have enough valid signatures to be on the ballot, then the 5th CD will be mercifully spared from her hateful rants in pursuit of her own political ambitions.”)
-- BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: 5th CD Petitions of Anti-Immigrant Candidate Challenged
http://icirr.org/en/node/3379
(THE OUTRAGEOUS PRESS RELEASE: Chicago, Illinois – On Monday, January 26, 2009, at 3:29 pm, Joshua Hoyt, as a private citizen and a constituent of the 5th Congressional District, filed a challenge to the nominating petitions of Rosanna Pulido, the anti-immigrant activist and founder of the Illinois Minutemen Project who is currently running for U.S. Representative for the 5th Congressional District. The following is a press release from Joshua Hoyt: Today the 5th District Congressional candidacy petitions of Rosanna Pulido, founder of the Illinois Minutemen Project, were challenged before the Illinois State Board of Elections. Her petitions were challenged in his personal capacity by Josh Hoyt, a voter in the 5th Congressional District and the Director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Ms. Pulido filed to run as a Republican candidate for Congressman on Monday, January 27th, 2009. The primary to choose Democratic and Republican candidates to replace outgoing Congressman Rahm Emanuel will take place on March 3, 2009. Mr. Hoyt is represented by attorney Thomas Jaconetty, an accomplished Illinois election law lawyer. Ms. Pulido is an infamously intemperate opponent of illegal immigration, gays, and the Catholic Church. http://icirr.org/sites/icirr.org/files/Pulidohate.pdf When Ms. Pulido testified before the Illinois House of Representatives this past spring she claimed, “If the Church succeeds in its mission it will destroy the United States of America.” http://icirr.org/node/2364 More recently Ms. Pulido has worked for the anti-immigrant group FAIR, denoted a “Hate Group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Josh Hoyt challenged the petitions stating that 516 of the 702 signatures were invalid, with many signers living out of the district, with entire sheets having no date of notarization, and with many mismatching signatures. “We are a nation of laws,” stated Mr. Hoyt, “and certainly our election processes should be a place where the rules are respected. If Ms. Pulido cannot follow our election laws and collect even 319 valid signatures then she should not be allowed to be on the ballot. We expect to conduct a vigorous petition challenge,” said Mr. Hoyt. “Our election laws are the law of the land, and we certainly would not want a candidate on the ballot who submits invalid signatures and notarizations.” Mr. Hoyt further commented, “For years Ms. Pulido has poisoned the immigration debate with her vitriol, preventing rational debate on reasonable solutions for our broken immigration system. Now it is clear that her demagoguery was only to build a platform for her political ambitions. That is our experience with the loudest voices on the anti-immigrant side of this debate – they are either bitter personal failures or else cynical bullies abusing immigrants in order to forward their own crass personal ambitions. Sometimes they are both.” “If Ms. Pulido’s has not followed the rules and does not have enough valid signatures to be on the ballot, then the 5th CD will be mercifully spared from her hateful rants in pursuit of her own political ambitions.”)
CONGRESSMAN PETER ROSKAM
-- VIDEO CLIP: Roskam on Trillion Dollar Spending Plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctLNSQTgVUc&feature=channel_page
-- VIDEO CLIP: Roskam on Trillion Dollar Spending Plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctLNSQTgVUc&feature=channel_page
ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Chairman Andy McKenna has announced that he will vote for Michael Steele to serve as the next Republican Party National Chairman. However, sadly, McKenna, Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar, George Ryan, Jim Ryan, Judy Baar Topinka, Bob Kjellander, etc., have all made it very clear by their words, by their actions, and/or by their inactions that a) they have a very low opinion of individuals and organizations that promote the IRP platform, b) they vehemently oppose returning to direct election of IRP State Central Committee members, c) they prefer people who are blindly loyal to them, and d) they prefer people who they can dominate. Further, the arguments that McKenna makes for his selection, including that Steele articulates an "inclusive message" that appeals to "Independents and Democrats," that those who don't agree with McKenna focus on "debating private differences," that "litmus tests for candidates do not move us forward," that Steele "will aggressively pursue a policy of outreach," and that those Republican candidates, elected officials, and party leaders who reject important planks in the IRP platform merely have "differences," all give great concern to Illinois Republican voters and Illinois Republican organizations that support the IRP platform. Those arguments are often used by Combine members, by Combine operatives, and by those who have a very low opinion of individuals and organizations that promote the IRP platform.
http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=5924
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Chairman Andy McKenna has announced that he will vote for Michael Steele to serve as the next Republican Party National Chairman. However, sadly, McKenna, Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar, George Ryan, Jim Ryan, Judy Baar Topinka, Bob Kjellander, etc., have all made it very clear by their words, by their actions, and/or by their inactions that a) they have a very low opinion of individuals and organizations that promote the IRP platform, b) they vehemently oppose returning to direct election of IRP State Central Committee members, c) they prefer people who are blindly loyal to them, and d) they prefer people who they can dominate. Further, the arguments that McKenna makes for his selection, including that Steele articulates an "inclusive message" that appeals to "Independents and Democrats," that those who don't agree with McKenna focus on "debating private differences," that "litmus tests for candidates do not move us forward," that Steele "will aggressively pursue a policy of outreach," and that those Republican candidates, elected officials, and party leaders who reject important planks in the IRP platform merely have "differences," all give great concern to Illinois Republican voters and Illinois Republican organizations that support the IRP platform. Those arguments are often used by Combine members, by Combine operatives, and by those who have a very low opinion of individuals and organizations that promote the IRP platform.
http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=5924
