Illinois Review

Men with Broken Hearts

Sniff...sniff. Just listen to these tear-jerking lyrics to "Men With Broken Hearts" by Hank Williams. The closing passage is what the Sun-Times reports Governor Blagojevich quoted as he closed a eight minute speech at a prayer breakfast yesterday.

Blagojevich surfaced Wednesday at a Springfield prayer breakfast that was not disclosed by his staff. In an eight-minute speech, the governor did not address Ata. But, perhaps offering a glimpse into his current mind-set, Blagojevich closed by invoking the lyrics of an obscure, 1950s Hank Williams song, "Men with Broken Hearts."

"'You never stood in that man's shoes or saw things through his eyes or watched with helpless hands while the heart inside you dies,' "Blagojevich said." 'So help your brother along the way no matter where he starts because the same God that made you made him too, these men with broken hearts.'"

Rauschenberger vs. Obama: Round 5

Just when Rich Miller and the other lefties and Obama-philes thought it was safe to come out, former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger speaks again about Obama's years in the Illinois General Assembly. This time on the Illinois GOP Network's blogtalkradio program.

You can see round 1 (here), round 2 (here), and rounds 3&4 (here).

Rezko Said to Invoke Kjellander in Ploy to Unseat Patrick Fitzgerald

by Chris Robling

Following up on my previous post (here), I'd like to expand on my thoughts.

The relationship between Fitzgerald and the Bush administration has long been the nexus of speculation, anger and frustration.

Recommended by Senator Peter Fitzgerald, no relation, to President Bush, Patrick Fitzgerald has relentlessly prosecuted both Democrats and Republicans practicing official corruption.

A New York City native and distinguished terrorist-prosecuting assistant U.S. attorney there, Patrick Fitzgerald had few – if any – known Chicago ties before assuming his post in 2001. 

Speaker of the U.S. House Denny Hastert opposed Fitzgerald’s nomination. Numerous budding big-firm litigators, as well as some elected officals, had been rejected by Senator Fitzgerald in frustration over the myriad ties between all elements of Chicago’s legal fraternity. Senator Fitzgerald became convinced that Illinois corruption was beyond the ability of any local to overcome. Hastert, in effect, preferred that Chicago’s next U.S. Attorney come from that pool of applicants. 

The White House staff assists the President in making such appointments. It would normally defer to the senior senator of the President’s party, and send over the appointee for Senate advice and consent. However, the split between Illinois’ Republican senator and the head of the legislative branch, Speaker Hastert, delayed for a year the President’s nomination of Patrick Fitzgerald. It has been reported widely that Senator Fitzgerald ultimately prevailed over Speaker Hastert, with whom he was having other disputes, viz. the Lincoln Presidential Library, by personally and emphatically appealing to President Bush.

Frustrated biz owners vent in Schaumburg

SCHAUMBURG -- Small business owners in the northwest suburbs expressed their concerns for the skyrocketing cost of doing business in Illinois Wednesday afternoon as House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Republican members Dennis Reboletti and Randy Ramey as well as GOP House candidate Anita Forte-Scott listened. 

There was no polite attempt to hide the business owners' frustration.  They are ready for change, and have been for a while, they said.

"What are you going to do to turn things around here in Illinois?" the state lawmakers were asked as employers ranging from day care center owners to real estate agents to kitchen remodelers vented about high gas prices, Illinois' increased minimum wage and rising employee taxes.  These costs that have cut into their business revenues to the point that some have been forced to drastic cutbacks in their businesses.

The conversation, some feared, is a sign of the times, as consumer optimism diminishes and the "R" word is bandied around.

Miller Uni-Bombs Rauschenberger

by John Ruskin

Rich Miller - the Ted Kaczynski of the Illinois blogging world - seems to have gotten his feathers ruffled by none other than former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger. Miller opined today on recent statements Rauschenberger made to the Wall Street Journal about his time with Barack Obama in the Illinois Senate.

Writing from a secret location on his pay-me-to-read-me blog, Miller rabidly took after Rauschenberger as left-wing madmen are prone to do when their hero kings are shown to have no cloths. So intimidated was Miller that he even went so far as to read Rauschenberger's mind; and ascribe certain "emotions" to Rauschy's factual/historical recitation.

What a journalistic paragon Miller has become.

You can read Rich's screed here - that is if by reading it you aren't violating any of Miller's many copyrights and/or have paid him his $350/yr. subscription. Rich's poodle Rob Nesvacil (aka NW Burbs) also commented on his own, "Miller Lite", blog here.

Roskam Notes Tax Freedom Day

Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam (R-6th) hailed Tax Freedom Day in an email where he wrote:

Dear Friend,

From January 1st to April 22nd  (113 days), 100% of the income the average American earns will go to pay federal, state, and local taxes in 2008.

Therefore, today is “Tax Freedom Day,” the day on which the average American will start working for anything besides taxes.

To put this into perspective, Tax Freedom Day in 1910 was January 19th, when taxes were just 5% of a person’s income. Now, Tax Freedom Day is three months later, and taxes are nearly 31% of an individual's income.

Kjellander & Rove Worked to Fire Fitzgerald

by Chris Robling

The Chicago Tribune just posted a story (here) from its coverage of the U.S. District Court, where assistant U.S. attorney Carrie Hamilton told judge Amy St. Eve that admitted felon Ali Ata, who yesterday plead guilty to corruption charges, would testify to conversations with defendant Tony Rezko in 2004 about Illinois Republican National Committeeman Robert Kjellander allegedly working with White House advisor Karl Rove “to have [U.S. Attorney Patrick] Fitzgerald removed.”

St. Eve did not rule on the government’s motion for Ata to testify. Ata's plea agreement depends on truthful testimony and full co-operation with the federal government.

The attempt to remove Fitzgerald was allegedly mounted "so individuals who have been cooperating in this investigation will be dealt with differently," Hamilton told St. Eve, according to the Tribune.

Developing....

Saving Schools in America

by George Dienhart

Bill Bennett wrote a recent op/ed piece detailing why Catholic Schools are important. You can read it here. It is a well thoughtful and relevant piece, written about the Wichita model of Catholic Education. The Wichita model moves the burden of tuition from the families attending the school, to all the parishes that feed the school. Essentially, any Catholic family that wants a Catholic education is given that opportunity under the Wichita model.

While this would cause people to give more to their parish, the pay offs to society at large are far greater. A study by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute estimated that 300,000 students left Catholic Education to go back to Public schools in the 90’s. This was not due to dissatisfaction- quite the contrary as the Catholic Schools have about a 90% approval rate among attending families. This exodus occurred because of school closings. Many of these students were from inner city neighborhoods, forcing these children to move from safe venues of education, to inner city schools that teach nothing but hopelessness and fear. This was bad for society as a whole.

Central Illinois Homeschool Conference

by Susan Ryan

If you are interested in homeschooling or already homeschool, please consider coming to the Central Illinois Homeschool Conference in Bloomington on Saturday, May 17th.

If you want to attend a small conference with an eclectic mix of homeschooling parents, you've come to the right place! The Central Illinois Homeschool Conference is pleased to offer a variety of sessions about different homeschool styles, legal issues, and what to do about college. Whether you're a parent new to homeschooling or you've been homeschooling for years, we have sessions to meet your needs. Although we do not have the facilities to accommodate children, nursing babies are welcome, as well as high school students who are interested in attending sessions.

During "lunch and learn" -- which is included in your conference fee -- our speakers will be hosting tables to discuss their particular homeschooling topics in more depth. The early registration deadline for the Central Illinois Homeschool Conference is Wednesday April 30th. I have a particular interest in the conference listed above since it's in my neck of the woods, but there is also another homeschool conference June 5-7th in Naperville.

Check them out!

Again we ask, "Impeach Blago"

Illinois Review agrees with Cal Skinner's call for the impeachment of Governor Blagojevich. We've been asking for the proceedings to begin for months...Impeach Blago.

• "Impeach Blago" hits the web July 07, 2007
• Reason #11 to "Impeach Blago" July 08, 2007
• Time for drastic measures July 15, 2007
• In case you missed it...Somebody needs a spanking July 15, 2007
• Citizens to Impeach Blago just getting started July 18, 2007
• Impeach or Recall - Just Get Rid of Blagojevich Nov. 07, 2007
• Blago one-finger salutes the IL GA yet once again Nov. 17, 2007
• Business coalition sues Governor Dec. 05, 2007
• Madigan would rather play House than impeach Rod Feb. 16, 2008
• Impeach Blagojevich...please March 02, 2008

For social issues conservatives only . . .

If you're one of those conservatives that doesn't care about social issues, skip this posting.  Don't waste your time.

If you're still reading, it means you care about moral issues.  Get ready to make a phone call to your U.S. Congressman and Illinois Governor Blagojevich.  If you don't want to make that call, skip this posting.  Don't waste your time.

Where did Ata's money come from?

Yesterday's incredible revelation -- that former Blagojevich aide Ali Ata pleading guilty to the feds' charges that he lied when he told the feds he received nothing in return for his generosity to the governor's campaign fund -- begs more questions to be asked and answered.

Where did Ali Ata get the money he gave to Blagojevich and Rezko?

In his guilty plea agreement, Ata explained how he met with Tony Rezko and Governor Blagojevich, handed Rezko a check for $25,000 after which the Governor expressed appreciation and spoke about a possible position within the administration. 

Ata's plea agreement suggests the governor's involvement in inappropriate, unethical, if not illegal, campaign activity.

Abortion as art sport

by Jill Stanek

In search of taboos to breach for breach's sake, the liberal artistic community is finally dredging the bottom of the barrel: abortion.

Interesting that it took them longer to mock abortion than crucifixes. You likely missed the comedy video sketch Damon Wayans of WayoutTV.com posted last week called "AbortionMan." So I'll describe it for you, or you can view it at YouTube.

In "AbortionMan" a young woman calls her boyfriend to tell him she's pregnant....

[T]he sleazy guy hangs up the phone and calls for AbortionMan to rescue him from the plight of progeny....

It's Impeachment Time

by Cal Skinner

As the only state representative since the memory of anyone in the Illinois bill drafting agency called the Legislative Reference Bureau, as of 1974, to file an impeachment resolution, I think it's time for another one. The Ali Ata guilty plea agreement implicates the governor seriously enough to merit the filing of and serious hearings on an impeachment resolution, in my opinion.

The Dishonors Awards

by John Ruskin

In case you missed them, the Media Research Center held their 2008 Annual Gala DisHonors Awards. Some of them are hilarious. Some will make your blood boil. All of them will remind you just how pathetic the "Left" can be. Check out the winners here. 

Obama's Big State Problem

by Mark Rhoads

So far, Barack Obama has done poorly in big states Democrats must win to total an electoral vote majority in November.  Half of the population of American and half of all the electoral votes are found in just the eleven most populous states.  Obama has won so far just two of the most populous states--Illinois and Georgia--and leads in a third, North Carolina.  Hillary Clinton has won eight of the most populous states--California, Texas, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and New Jersey.  Ohio carried for George Bush in 2000 and 2004. 

In both Florida and Ohio, where older voters are a big factor, McCain's tougher fall opponent would be Hillary Clinton and not Barack Obama.  As John Kerry found out in 2004, Ohio will be the most critical state that Democrats must move from the Republican column to the Democratic column to gain an electoral majority.  Democrats ran a near-perfect campaign in Ohio in 2004 and still lost by more than 100,000 votes because Karl Rove changed the previous normal rules and boosted voter registration in the super-suburbs.  Obama's campaign has also been good at registering new voters.  From the standpoint of the Electoral College, Barack Obama stands less of a chance than Hillary Clinton of winning Ohio in the fall. 

Preparing for a Constitutional Convention

by John Bambenek

One of the chief arguments against a constitutional convention is the statement that there has been no preparation for the upcoming question that will be on the ballot in November.  In 1968 and in 1988, preceding the question being on the ballot there were several committees, organizations and legal groups that produced numerous reports on various aspects of the constitution and what the advantages and disadvantages are of several reforms. None of this preparation has been present for the upcoming 2008 vote, it is true to a small degree.

Largely, the preparation for a constitutional convention has been done by the same two individuals (with the valued assistance of many other individuals) who are pushing for a yes vote on the con-con question: myself and Bruno Behrend.  We've been talking about this for years, identifying the flaws in the current constitution, the reforms that are sorely needed in Illinois to stem corruption and ways to truly empower the voters to make their voices heard. Admittedly, this is a less than ideal situation.

In addition to a book we've written that will be coming out in May called "Illinois Deserves Better: The Ironclad Case for an Illinois Constitutional Convention", we've written a draft constitution which we think covers the deficiencies in the current constitution, reforms those aspects of the constitution that assist corruption and truly empowers the voters.

You can view our work at http://www.myillinoisconstitution.org and comment on each section of our draft constitution individually. It is time to open up the political process to the public so that we can truly participate in the governing process and that should start with the drafting of our new constitution (or the amendment thereof).  Feel free to leave comments and feedback, we want to know what you think.

Prospect Heights Proposes Lawsuit Reform

Congrats to Prospect Heights City Council for unanimously passing a resolution calling on the Illinois legislature to pass long-overdue lawsuit reform. Joining Illinois Review in its applause is a coalition of organizations, including the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, the Illinois Civil Justice League, and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

The resolution was introduced by Alderman Richard Hamen. It urges Springfield lawmakers to "enact meaningful, comprehensive lawsuit reform to protect our country's employers, workers and consumers."

Coalition spokesman, and Illinois Review contributor, Curt Mercadante commented on the action, noting that:

"Illinois' reputation for lawsuit abuse is compounding an already unfriendly business climate. Comprehensive lawsuit reform starts at the municipal level where employers live and operate their business. We applaud Alderman Richard Hamen for introducing this resolution, and we are encouraged by the city council's efforts to bring this important issue to the attention of our state legislators."

Fact is, the state's worsening legal climate has long been an issue of concern for Illinois employers. According to a recent Harris survey Illinois ranked among the worst states in the country (46th out of 50 states) for lawsuit abuse. According to the Harris survey, 88% of respondents say that the number of frivolous lawsuits is a problem.

Gay "Day of Silence" Scheduled for Later This Week

by David E. Smith (Illinois Family Institute)

The annual "Day of Silence" (DOS) will be taking place nationally this Friday, on April 25th (some schools will hold DOS activities on other days).

This annual event is sponsored by the radical pro-homosexual Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and is intended to highlight perceived or real discrimination allegedly suffered by homosexuals. Participating students remain silent for the school day as an act of protest.

In addition to being silent, the participating students and teachers hand out cards that describe the harassment, discrimination and prejudice that homosexual, bisexual and transgender people supposedly face every day.

28 House Dems sponsor state universal health care plan

Last week, the Illinois House moved forward legislation that would make Illinois the first state in the nation to adopt a Canadian-style "single-payer" health-insurance system.  With an 8 to 4 vote on State Rep. Mary Flowers' HB 311, the Democratic-controlled Health Care Availability and Access Committee sent the discussion to the House floor. 

House members say the passage of HB 311 is a "long shot" for various reasons. The most sobering is that they consider this a shot at all.  If it weren't for the Blagojevich/Madigan Democratic family feud and the fact that Blagojevich's budgets and irresponsible spending has put the state in such financial chaos, the radical liberals who lead our Illinois legislature and sit in the Governor's chair would be pushing us all into a full-blown socialistic state -- right here in the heart of the Midwest.

I’ll meet your air strike and raise you 12 thermonuclear devices…

by George Dienhart

While I find it interesting that Hillary Clinton has suddenly started pandering for the Jewish vote, It is the manner in which she is pandering even more interesting. It is positively Clintonian. No, it has nothing to do with Bill’s “shenanigans” with the opposite sex; it is Clintonian in the other way. First, let us look at what Hillary said- “their (Iran’s) use of nuclear weapons against Israel would provoke a nuclear response from the United States.” This is strong talk for someone that had earlier positioned herself as an anti-war candidate. She then went further- “if you were the subject of an unprovoked nuclear attack by Iran, the United States, and hopefully our NATO allies, would respond to that.”

Now, I am all for a tough stance against Iran, but why has Hillary seen the light? That is where the pandering comes in. The Jewish demographic leans heavily Democratic, and she needs to lock down every voter she can. That has to be expected. The fact that she offered to Nuke Iran, while dragging along NATO for the ride, was more than a bit surprising- until I put some thought into it. This is typical Clinton foreign policy. Do nothing about a situation then act surprised when it backfires. Let police agencies handle what would be considered acts of war in times that are more sensible. Let Osama run wild, payday will come on someone else’s watch. This continuation of the Clinton Doctrine would mean the end of Israel.

Obama's gang violence weakness

National Campaign Fund's ExposeObama.com is promoting exposure of this anti-Obama ad. 

The National Campaign Fund's address is the law offices of the group's Treasurer John Lacy, co-founder of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association, affiliated with California's Proposition 13 movement, the American Conservative Union and Young America's Foundation.

How the Government Spends Taxpayers' Money

by Phyllis Schlafly

Are you having a hard time paying your bills, making your mortgage payments, or putting your kids through college? You need to know how much of your hard-earned income the government is skimming off and diverting into handouts to immigrants and illegal aliens.

You can read the depressing details in the new 70-page document called "The Economic and Fiscal Impact of Immigration" written by Edwin S. Rubenstein. A Manhattan Institute adjunct fellow with a mile-long scholarly resume, he has been doing financial analysis ever since he directed the studies of government waste for the prestigious Grace Commission of 1984.

The bottom line, which you need to know for your own bottom line, is that U.S. taxpayers are giving more than $9,000 a year in cash or benefits to each immigrant, a third of whom are illegal aliens. That's $36,000 for each immigrant household of four.

The Emerging Definition of Sen. Obama

by Mark Rhoads

dis·in·gen·u·ous 
[dis-in-jen-yoo-uhs] –adjective
lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity; falsely or hypocritically ingenuous; insincere: Her excuse was rather disingenuous. (From Dictionary.com based on Random House Dictionary 2006)

Several weeks ago we saw one classic example of Sen. Barack Obama being disingenuous when he figuaratively threw his grandmother on the tracks to stop the runaway Rev. Wright train.  A few days ago we saw another good example when Obama labored to somehow say that he should no more be required to disown early support from University of Illinois Prof. (The Mad Bomber) William Ayers who is just a Hyde Park "neighbor," than he should apologize for remarks by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) who he also "knows" and is a friendly with.

Besides, Obama complains that he, Sen. Obama, was only eight years old (Obama was actually between nine and thirteen) when Ayers was planting bombs to protest Viet Nam policy so how could he, Obama, be associated with that?  Here's how, because Obama was about 35 years old in 1995 when he chose to have an organizational meeting for his first state senate campaign at the home of The Mad Bomber and Bernadine Dohrn.

The Call for a Constitution Convention

The discussion about a Constitution Convention has been going on for a few months on Illinois Review.  Monday's post "Constitution convention debated in DuPage" raised the issue again this week. 

Here's more information on the topic, in case you missed it:

• Can a Constitutional Convention Fix Illinois' Broken Government? by John Bambenek
• On the Road to an Illinois Constitutional Convention by John Bambenek
• IL CON-CON on way to November 2008 ballot
• Recall Could Be One Useful Tool in the Tool Box by Mark Rhoads
• Potential Issues in a New Constitutional Convention -- a You Tube on Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference's discussion on the issue in Chicago earlier this year

Another controversial Obama connection emerges

by Jerry Holbert

WAVE's April 18 Ground-shaking newscast

Louisville Kentucky's WAVE TV 3 news crew went through the April 18 4:37 AM (CST) 5.2 earthquake on the air during their morning news show.

Gotta say they handled it pretty well . . . having felt the jarring of just one of the at least 15 aftershocks all the way up in the Chicago area.

Feeling the building you're in suddenly begin to shake is stunning and would leave non-professionals speechless. . . this segment is a keeper.

Rauschenberger vs. Obama: Rounds 3&4

Unlike some Illinois Republicans, former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger seems to have the courage to consistently tell the truth about our own Barack Obama. Along with appearances on Fox News (here) and Jeff Berkowitz (here), Rauschenberger was quoted today in a Wall Street Journal (here).

In it, Rauschenberger notes:

"Barack was one of the smartest people I ever worked with, but he was more interested in moving up," says Republican Steven Rauschenberger, who served with Mr. Obama in the state senate. "I never thought he was very engaged in the state senate, because he didn't think that much of it."

Rauschy seems not to care about a possible appointment in an Obama administration. He takes after the junior senator on radio as well - here: Download pi4-17.mp3

Illinois Republican Party: No Outside Views Allowed

by Lee Newcom

Could someone please explain to me why the Illinois Republican Party staff is making phone calls to county chairmen telling them not to allow people to speak who (gasp) may have ideas other than genuflecting to current leaders?

Constitution convention debated in DuPage

There is no intellectually sound reason to vote "No" on this fall's ballot question as to whether Illinois should hold a Constitution Convention, local radio talk show host Bruno Behrend (right in photo) told a DuPage County-based conservative group Saturday morning.

Behrend didn't hesitate to express his disdain for the state's current version, the result of Illinois' fourth Constitutional Convention held in 1970. 

"The Illinois Constitution is an unmitigated piece of poop," Behrend told a monthly meeting of the TAPROOT Republicans. "Opening the Constitution for reform will force a long overdue political change in Illinois."

Behrend's comments were countered by political commentator Dan Proft (left in photo) in an hour-long discussion moderated by TAPROOT President Dave Diersen.

"Our political class ignores the constitution," Proft said.  "We need to change the personnel -- the judges, the executive officer, the lawmakers. Holding a Con-Con is the wrong remedy for Illinois' political ills."

Family Breakdown Costs Illinois Taxpayers Nearly $2 Billion Annually

by David E. Smith (Executive Director - Illinois Family Institute) 

First-Time Research Reveals Staggering Annual Taxpayer Costs for Divorce and Unwed Childbearing. Costs Taxpayers at Least $112 Billion a Year

In first-ever research, a new report quantifies a minimum $112 billion annual taxpayer cost from high rates of divorce and unmarried childbearing. It identifies national, state, and local costs which account for more than $1 trillion in the last decade. This landmark scholarly study, entitled "The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing: First-Ever Estimates for the Nation and All 50 States," was released on April 15th at the National Press Club by four renown policy and research groups -- Institute for American Values, Georgia Family Council, Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, and Families Northwest.

"This study documents for the first time, that divorce and unwed childbearing-besides being bad for children-are also costing taxpayers a ton of money," said David Blankenhorn, president of the Institute for American Values. "Even a small improvement in the health of marriage in America would result in enormous savings to taxpayers," he continued. "For example, a 1 percent reduction in rates of family fragmentation would save taxpayers $1.1 billion."

A richness of embarrassments

by George Dienhart

What exactly was Jimmy Carter doing this week? Here's a partial list:

• Showing his anti-Semitism (again)
• Undermining the U.S. Government (again)
• Throwing a wrench into the Middle East peace initiative (again)
• Coddling sworn enemies of the United States (again)

Anyone else see a pattern here? Jimmy Carter is the ex-presidential equivalent of a cutter. After a life of political failure, he is back on the world stage negotiating a peace accord for the Middle East. He is willing to put his own ego and need for attention above the need of his county. He was bad as a president, but he is a disgrace as an ex-president.

How Pope Benedict XVI's visit affected one area pastor

So delighted to hear this morning from longtime friend Father Tim O'Malley, who responded thusly to a query from IR about his thoughts on Pope Benedict XVI's visit last week:

Preaching this past Sunday was made easy by the visit and speeches of Pope Benedict XVI.  For starters it finally felt good to be an American.  Americans are beat up so often by Americans, that it took Pope Benedict to remind us of all the good things that we do.  The oft-repeated invocation '"God bless America" finally rang true when this churchman raised it with all his heart and strength while speaking on the grounds of the White House.  Someone had to come from Rome to tell us what we know.

Test Drive Freedom's Journal Magazine

by Eric M. Wallace, PhD

On behalf of Freedom’s Journal Magazine, we extend our sincere thanks to those who have purchased subscriptions to our bi-monthly on-line publication (FJM). In a time when many conservatives (especially black conservatives) have been tempted by Obama’s articulate, yet empty rhetoric and the color of his skin; there still exist those, like the writers, editors and publisher of FJM, who will not abandon conservative principles, no matter the coercion or temptation to do so.

We at FJM appreciate your stand with us, and believe together our efforts make it possible to be the “political voice of conservative reform, which sets the standard for black conservatism.” Neither charm nor charisma is ever a substitute for sound principles. Nor are empty platitudes and promises a solid foundation to build upon.

Calls for right to bear arms raise editors' eyebrows

Okay, call it self-promoting, call it boasting, but really, it's simply delight. 

This morning I got an email from the Southtown Star's commentary editor telling me that Saturday's Always Right column has stirred the biggest reaction to a column they've received since Daily Southtown and Star merged four months ago.

If you missed Saturday's column, "Strict gun control laws do nothing to prevent violent crimes," it was a call for more freedom in Illinois to protect oneself from criminals.

Thanks to all you terrific gun rights' advocates out there who wrote in.  The effort you all showed has definitely drawn the attention of my Southtown bosses, who, while allowing me to exercise the First Amendment, also bestowed permission to defend the Second.

See also last week's IR post "Nine Tough Women uphold Second Amendment"

What is the "Day of Silence" and who is behind this effort to indoctrinate American youth?

by Colleen Nolan (State Director, CWA of Illinois)

Day of Silence begins April 25 in schools that have chosen to promote this politically motivated and biased day. This day is sponsored by a central organization of adults outside the school, the GLSEN, (Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network) organization. It is not originally motivated within the school by the students.

I called up a high school on the southwest side of Chicago that is honoring the day by allowing gay students to remain silent during classes, even to the point of getting out of class assignment if they wish. When I approached the school to talk to a school administrator, I asked the question that all students and parents should ask the school before permitting this day, "Has your school had any public reports of physical abuse or bullying from any proclaimed homosexual student this year?" The school administrator said no but they were still going to allow Day of Silence.

A Riddle

by Eric Wallace

What is greater than God,
More evil than the devil,
The poor have it,
The rich need it,
Heroic men and women fear it,
And if you eat it, you'll die?

(once you know the answer see if you can add to the list)

Truckers cry, "Don't tase me, bro!"

by Rick Beisada

"Don't tase me bro," seems to be the fervent cry of our truckers pulling into the fuel stations these days... if they can still afford to operate. Diesel fuel, the cheapest fuel to refine, has skyrocketed in price, paralyzing the trucking industry as liquid fuel started selling for prices equivalent to a king's ransom. The robber barons of the oil industry have set themselves up as the new silent partners of the truckers...the last American heroes of the highway.

McHenry Co Coroner Lantz Called in “Angel of Death” Case

by Cal Skinner   

Last weekend, Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Coroner Dave Bachmann asked some tough questions here and here about the role or lack thereof played by opponent incumbent Republican Coroner Marlene Lantz in the Woodstock Residence patient death cases.

The story of Chicago Tribune reporters Carolyn Starks and Jeff Long touched on the role of the McHenry County Coroner:

“Sam Amirante, the attorney for Marty Himebaugh, a licensed practical nurse who worked at the home, said the death certificates of the four residents in the indictment indicate they had natural deaths (saying) the next step...is to ask a judge to dismiss the indictment...

Illinois' earthquake wake up call

This weekend's Downstate earthquake continues to rumble the Midwest. Over the past few days, 15 different afterquakes have registered with the U.S. Geological Survey. Almost 100 years ago, there was a series of earthquakes originating in the New Madrid fault:

Jack Cafferty, for once, is right

by Mark Rhoads

Southern Illinois politicians used to be very fond of the sage axiom "Even a busted clock is right twice a day." I am not normally a fan of Jack Cafferty at CNN who is often a tiresome windbag. But when he is right, he's right. Supposedly ethnic Chinese in Los Angeles are demostrating support for the current Beijing party line in demanding that Cafferty and CNN apologize for Cafferty's recent characterization of Chinese political leaders as the same old gang of "thugs and goons" who have led the Communist regime for almost sixty years. Now there are apologists for American businesses who see profit in China who have previously jumped all over me for my condemnation of Chinese Army killings in Tibet on March 15-16. They will no doubt jump again.

The KKK revival: xenophobes, homophobes and Christian evangelicals?

The Ku Klux Klan, banned in America for eleven years until the U.S. Supreme Court overruled the ban in 1882, has experienced a recent surge in membership, this Oklahoma news segment reports:

A troubling February 2007 Christian Science Monitor story on the same topic lumps racial bigots, advocates for legal immigration, traditional marriage supporters and Christian Evangelicals into one despicable group of sub-human beings contributing to the KKK's modern day revival. The story was prompted by an Anti-Defamation League report revealing...

Republicans outlawed the KKK

by Michael Zak, Republican Basics

On this day in 1871, the Republican-controlled 42nd Congress passed and the Republican President, Ulysses Grant, signed into law the Ku Klux Klan Act. The law banned the KKK and other Democrat terrorist organizations. President Grant then deployed federal troops to crush a Klan uprising in South Carolina.

Eleven years later, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned most provisions of the Act. Though legalized, this original version of the Ku Klux Klan soon faded. Why? Because as Democrats regained control over southern state governments, they could oppress African-Americans openly, without need of sheets.

Republicans today would benefit tremendously from appreciating the heritage of our Grand Old Party.

When the Law Is An Ass

by Cal Skinner

So, I'm watch ABC World News Friday night and what pops up but the Illinois case of Alton Logan, the man who was falsely convicted of murder in Illinois, even though an attorney, Dale Coventry—read “officer of the court”—knew Logan was innocent.

The problem was the attorney couldn't tell anyone because of attorney-lawyer confidentiality.

Day 59: 11th Congressional District County Chairman Still Slumber

by Lee Newcom

Because of my ongoing series poking a justifiable stick-in-the-eye at the 11th Congressional District Republican County Chairman, for not appointing a Republican congressional candidate to the ballot, for now 59 days, I am getting some emails and comments about "the" candidate.  Sorry folks, there is NO candidate.  Until the county chairman appoint one, no one that is the supposed person to be picked, has been.  The Democratic candidate for Congress, Debbie Halvorson, who should be held accountable daily for her willingness to see people die just so she and Nancy Pelosi can have power, is not being challenged.  She has the field to herself, along with a fringe Green candidate.

Strict gun control laws do nothing to prevent violent crimes

From Saturday's Southtown Star "Always Right" column

It's scary to go dress shopping in Illinois these days. After all, it has been 11 weeks, and still no arrest has been made in the tragic Tinley Park Lane Bryant store massacre. All we know is that the perpetrator was attempting to rob the Brookside Marketplace clothing store on a cold Saturday morning. He forced six women into the store's back room, tied them up and made them lay on the floor. Lying there, the heroic store manager secretly dialed 911 for help. Audio tapes of the 911 call indicate the robber heard the operator's voice, panicked and began shooting each defenseless victim in the back of the head.

After shooting all six, the killer escaped through the store's back door, just as the 911 operator alerted a Tinley Park police officer in an adjoining parking lot. Before the officer could respond, the devastation had taken place. Just yards away from him, five women were killed, and one, shot in the neck instead of the head, lay critically wounded.

To this day, a dangerous man with nothing to lose from killing again remains on the loose.

And south suburban women remain defenseless.

The rest here...

Barack Obama: An Idea We Just Can't Afford

by Matt Gauntt

Great ideas come up all the time that just can’t be afforded.  Capping the Eisenhower Expressway (caution, large file), a bridge across the Gibraltar Straight, and high-speed rail all come to mind.

In the great tradition of the Democrat Party, a Savior awakes from the great plans to bring us not just one idea that can’t be afforded, but a whole plethora of ideas that not only can we not afford, but could bankrupt the Country.  Let’s just call it what it is – Socialism.

Much has been made in the last couple of weeks about Barack Obama’s whining about tough questions related to his questionable friends.  However, I think a much more important group of hard questions are out there just waiting to be asked regarding his questionable policies.  Sure, questionable friends are a trouble, but questionable policies, now THAT is real trouble.

I expect Democrats to ask for money to support their programs, but the sheer magnitude of the pleas for money to fund the programs that Senator Obama is advocating is clearly breathtaking.

So, let’s abide by what Senator Obama asked for.  He criticized Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos for focusing on “personal issues” instead of policies.  OK Senator, here we go.  Be carefully what you ask for.

In the order in which the Senator lists the issues on his website, let’s examine them.

Bloomington Community College Moves Forward on Baseball Stadium

by Cal Skinner

Mike Thiessen is the deal maker for Heartland Community College's minor league baseball stadium in Normal, Illinois.

This started out as a “we investors will pay for the stadium” deal, but you can imagine what is happening with public money there.

Hey, if you don't ask, you won't get, right?

“We’re starting to see who has got what interest and what they are willing to bite off in terms of their financial commitment,” Thiessen told Bloomington Pantagraph reporter Randy Reinhardt.

Financial Services Forum note

by George Dienhart

Cross-posted at Raw Meat for a Red State.

I ran across this at the excellent Politico website-

'On average, (Financial Services) Forum CEOs saw an 88% chance of recession this year with one out of three members putting that chance at 100%. ... The survey also showed that Forum CEOs believe that the turmoil in credit markets has not yet fully run its course.' But they gave the Fed good marks. They peg overall 2008 real GDP growth to just under 1% (0.92%).

***Rising protectionist sentiment and higher tax rates were seen as significant threats to growth.

The asterisks are part of the Politico piece. I did not add them. The Politico is a non-partisan publication. When they covered this forum, they did so in a fair and balanced manner. If the Politico reported that the top concerns were protectionism and higher taxes, then it is a good bet that those were the main points of conversation. They are also nearly guaranteed to accompany a Democratic president.

To translate- we now have an economy that will grow slowly (the 1% forecast above) over the course of the year. This means we most likely are not in a recession. The economy is growing, and will grow modestly throughout the year. The problem begins next year.  After a Dem is potentially elected president. Both Hillary and Obama have rather grandiose spending plans, and neither will extend President Bush’s tax cuts. Both plan new spending to roll out their visions for health care.  Both have spoken out against free trade agreements. This behavior is exactly what would be categorized as “Rising protectionist sentiment”.  Both would willingly throw the nation into a recession in order to pander to voters. Either would be a disaster as president.

Congressman Tancredo challenges Pope on immigration agenda

A 2008 Republican presidential candidate, Colorado's Congressman Tom Tancredo voiced his concern yesterday on the U.S. House floor about Pope Benedict XVI coming to lobby President Bush for an "Open Borders" immigration policy.

H/T Evert Evertsen