Illinois Review

EPA official forced to resign over boasting of "crucifying" big oil companies

Environmental Protection Agency official Al Armendariz was forced to resign Monday over being videotaped boasting about the Obama Administration's philosophy of "crucifying" big oil companies.

“I was in a meeting once and I gave an analogy to my staff about my philosophy of enforcement. And I think it was probably a little crude, and maybe not appropriate for the meeting, but I’m going to tell you what I said,” Armendariz says in the video.

“It is kind of like how the Romans used to conquer the villages in the Mediterranean — they’d go into a little Turkish town somewhere and they’d find the first five guys they saw and they’d crucify them. Then that town was really easy to manage for the next few years.”

Dems fundraise to recapture 5 Illinois House seats

CHICAGO - Sun Times' Abdon Pallasch reported Monday on a fundraiser Congressional Democrats held in Chicago over the weekend. The DCCC is targeting Illinois Republican House veteran Judy Biggert, as well as freshmen Joe Walsh and Bobby Schilling, with hopes of regaining the U.S. House majority and putting Nancy Pelosi back in as House Speaker in 2013. 

[U.S. Rep. Steve]Israel said the candidates themselves, especially those in Illinois have exceeded his expectations in raising money.

“They have out-raised the Republicans — that is not supposed to happen,” he said.

Iraqi war vet Tammy Duckworth has outraised freshman Tea Party favorite and incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh (D-Ill.) in the northwest suburbs. Former Rep. Bill Foster has outraised current Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) in the west suburbs. Cheri Bustos has outraised Bobby Schilling in northwest Illinois. In southwest Illinois, Brad Harriman has outraised Jason Plummer.

The Harriman-Plummer bid is to fill retiring Democrat U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello's open 12th CD seat.

Vetting questionnaire for Tim Johnson's replacement revealed

Jon Zahm has provided Cal Skinner with the candidate vetting questionnaire being used for those seeking to replace Tim Johnson.

The questionnaire is comprehensive. Questions include:

Back When He Was Still Funny

By Mark Rhoads -

If you can remember back a decade or so, there once was a time, before he was a talk show host, when Bill Maher was just a stand-up comedian who had some mildly funny routines.  For example he poked fun of his own mixed family heritage of a Jewish mother and Irish father. He would imagine a time when he might go to confession and say, "Bless me father for I have sinned, and I would like to introduce my attorney Mr. Cohen." It was a humor that many people could laugh at but it did not back then depend on any shared political viewpoint in order to "get" the joke.

If you think Chicago cigs should cost $100 a carton, you may be a Democrat

SPRINGFIELD - Sorry you smokers, you just don't get it. Adding yet another $1 per pack of cigs will be good for you.  Yes, that's it, it will be good for you that a carton of Marlboros will cost nearly $100 in Chicago with this tax hike, Governor Quinn says.

The thinking goes like this: Raising the price of cigarettes gives smokers incentive to quit and deters young people from starting. Since there’ll be fewer smokers, the costs of treating smoking-related diseases should also go down.

But the plan to essentially double the cigarette tax has raised questions about whether such a hike could indeed curb smoking, if it’s a sensible funding source as the number of smokers dwindles, and if it would simply drive smokers to buy cigarettes elsewhere.

“It makes sense from a public health perspective,” said Heather Eagleton a spokeswoman for the Illinois division of the American Cancer Society. “We are aware that it is difficult to quit ... and this may be the final push they need to quit.”

This time, we're told, cigarette smokers will pay more to help the state of Illinois catch up on the $8 billion in Medicaid bills its fallen behind on.  At one time smokers funded children's health care - that appealed to the guilt factor most smokers feel.  They, as bad people smokers, could make up for their nasty nicotine addiction by contributing to kids' health care. 

Cook County GOP's funding challenges continue

COOK COUNTY - Cook County is home to 40 percent of Illinois' voting population, and the county's political organization is key to building healthy competition that affects public policy.  Cook County's political party activity can make or break statewide candidates competitive outside the county's borders.

The past decade has been a tough one for the Cook County GOP. The leadership has changed hands five times, starting with the late Maureen Murphy to Gary Skoien, then Liz Gorman, Lee Roupas, Sig Vaznelis and now Aaron Del Mar. During that time two treasurers were listed on Illinois State Board of Election records - Maureen Murphy and Thornton Township GOP Committeeman Judy Diekelman. Diekelman resigned in at the September 15 2011 meeting and no treasurer is current listed.

With Cook County GOP's continuous shift in leadership since 2002, there's been waves of building the Cook County Republican Party, but overall, Cook County Democrats maintain advantage and control.

Kinzinger town hall in Ottawa Monday night

OTTAWA - Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) will host a town hall meeting to listen and discuss thoughts and ideas with residents from the Eleventh Congressional District about ways to make our nation energy secure, which will in turn lower the cost at the pump and create new jobs here at home. 

Monday April 30th - 7:00 pm CT - Ottawa City Hall - 301 West Madison St - Ottawa

Anti-bullying activist Dan Savage bullies Christian high schoolers

In the video below, you've got to roll your eyes at Liberal hypocrisy. Check out The Stir defending anti-bullying activist Dan Savage's verbal attack in the video below, while keynoting a high school conference last week.

Dan Savage, the writer and activist who launched the 'It Gets Better' project and has been outspoken about gay rights, caused a huge stir at the National High School Journalist Conference in Seattle when he openly bashed the parts of the bible that say being gay is "wrong." A number of kids walked out of the speech, some even cried, but Savage kept on going.

Then The Stir defended Savage's own public bullying activity and says he should not apologize, writing, "To those who walked out, I say this: Boo hoo. The truth hurts." That's bullying if you ask me.

New conservative women's network launches Saturday in Will County

Women concerned about their family budgets, their children's future and the country as a whole will be key in the upcoming election. But not only will they be voting, they're running for office and actively involved in campaigns. And now they're organizing a network among other Illinois women to make a difference in November.

Conservatives, Tea Party supporters and Republicans will be meeting Saturday in Will County. when United to Restore Freedom's Women Network will be encouraged by Congressman Bobby Schilling's wife Christie, State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris), Joliet Area Tax Day Tea Party's Deb Kraulidis and Illinois Review's Fran Eaton, among others. And we hear the energized Will County activists in the video below will be there, too. To find out more and get discounted advance ticket prices before Wednesday, go to http://anyvite.com/dbb7buckxg.

Obama's White House Correspondents Dinner speech

via Washington Post

Nerd Prom Review: The White House Correspondents' Dinner Unpacked

By Teri O'Brien -

This week we’ll unpack last night’s “nerd prom,” the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner where the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Kim Kardashian and George Clooney rubbed elbows with their fellow democrats, both elected and unelected, the latter sometimes called “journalists,” as well as few specimens of that rare species, Republicans.  As my Twitter followers know, Barack Obama’s routine was painfully predictable, but you might be pretty surprised at some of the jokes the evening’s headliner, Jimmy Kimmel, told about the One. 

Our guest, professional comedian and all-around funny guy Tim Slagle, will join us to give us his critique of both Barack Obama’s and Mr. Kimmel’s performances, and share a few of his insights about the issues of the day.

One Small Town, One Terrible Lesson

By John F. Di Leo -

Reflections on the anniversary of the liberation of Dachau…

For eleven centuries, it was just another town.

Founded in what is now southern Germany sometime before the early 800s A.D. (the first documented deed is dated 805), Dachau was home to merchants, farmers, millers, and brewers, like a hundred other towns in Bavaria for 1100 years. In the 1800s, it became known for its artists’ colony.

But all that was to be forgotten when the world learned of what had gone on near this town, in the twelve years from 1933 to 1945, when Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist Party ruled the country.

Atheists Ban Bibles One Step At A Time

By Mark Rhoads

If the decision by the Air Force to bow to pressure from miliary atheists by removing the Bible for a guest lodging checklist at Air Force-approved lodgingwere only an isolated incident, then one could feel some sympathy for the gun-shy professional bureaucrat Secretary of the Air Force who seems to fear lawsuits from atheists more than enemy missiles.  But this incident is one of several recent suspicious examples of how the Air Force has retreated from any semblance of a recognition of any place for faith including a decision last year to cancel an official ethics course for too many religious references.  So like the frog in boiling water, the days of Bibles anywhere in military facilities are dwindling one small degree at a time.

How the IL Congressional Delegation voted to keep student loan interest rate low

On Friday, April 27th, the House approved H.R. 4628, by a vote of 215-195.  The bill extends the current interest rate on federal student loans for one year.  It offers a fiscally responsible pay-for by taking money from one of the slush funds in President Obama's health care law.

The Illinois delegation split on this vote.  With Illinois Congresswomen Judy Biggert as the bill sponsor, Republican members Bob Dold, Randy Hultgren, Adam Kinzinger, Don Manzullo, Peter Roskam, Aaron Schock, John Shimkus and Bobby Schilling, as well as Democrat Dan Lipinski voted in favor of HR 4628.

Democrats Jerry Costello, Danny Davis, Luis Gutierrez, Jesse Jackson, Mike Quigley, Bobby Rush and Jan Schakowsky, as well as Republican Joe Walsh, voted against the bill.

And the Red Ink Flows Freely on the Red Line

by John F. Di Leo -

What Chicagoans now call The Red Line is a century-old commuter train, part of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). It runs all the way from Howard Street on the north to 95th Street on the south.

As Aliotta-Haynes-Jeremiah famously said of nearby Lake Shore Drive, it’ll take you “from rags on up to riches” in just fifteen minutes.  But unlike the scenic LSD, this train line can also give you a close-up view of some pretty rough neighborhoods, making some stations very dangerous. And the more dangerous a place is, the more you put off repairing it, until the cost of needed repairs winds up being as high as it can possibly be.

Chicago’s Mayor Emanuel (D, Wilmette) and Governor Quinn (D, Moscow) have announced that they’ll put off these repairs no longer. Announcing a billion dollar repair bill for the total CTA plan, they expect to spend some $86 million in 2012 on temporary fixes for seven of the Red Line’s north side stations alone.

IL GOP State Convention June 8th-9th in Tinley Park

The Illinois Republican Party's 2012 State Convention will be at the Tinley Park Convention Center June 8th-9th, with committee meetings Friday, a party Friday night and the delegate convention on Saturday.

Details are available at www.ilgopconvention.com .

Pentagon probes training course on Islam

The Pentagon is investigating whether military officials ignored complaints from senior officers about a course that was found to have inflammatory and inaccurate content about Islam.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey, ordered the inquiry on Tuesday (April 24), the same day he canceled “Perspectives on Islam and Islamic Radicalism,” a training course that asserted that Islam was at war with the West. The course had been offered as an elective at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va., since 2004. ...More HERE

Obama campaign reignites women's issue

The Obama campaign is continuing to focus on women's issues.  Here's their new campaign ad, which attacks Romney for his pro-life, pro-women, pro-baby girl, pro-girls' public policy positions.  Like it or not, the Obama campaign is doing its best to veer away from its disastrous economic policies to focus on easily spun arguments about social issues.

Conservative women should be compelled to respond to these ads and equip themselves to advance the message of women's true liberty and hope for our children and their future.  Here's the Obama Campaign's opening salvo. Pick out a segment and respond on IR:

Response to Liz Gorman

By Fran Eaton -

Liz, in response to your op-ed about my recent column in the Southtown Star, let me say that I wish you success in building the Cook County GOP through your positions in Orland township and on the county board. What is done - or not done - in Cook County affects the strength of the Republican Party throughout Illinois and beyond.

I, for one, would be delighted if one day you proved me wrong. And if that day ever comes I will be the first to say I was mistaken. Until then, however, there's a lot of work to do, and there's few in Cook County with as much power to do it as you.

However, elected officials attacking private citizens in order to cover their political failures is a tactic that's worn thin in the State of Illinois. The public no longer believes the endless excuses and aspersions from politicians of either party. We want results instead of rationalization. We want competence instead of corruption. We want leadership instead of political pragmatism.

Your Southtown-Star accusations are beneath someone in your position. Unfortunately, the hypocrisy and childishness exhibited in your op/ed only further proves the observations I made.

For the people of Cook County and the rest of Illinois, I sincerely wish you the best in your promise to grow the Republican Party. But I'll maintain my position until I see real results.

Prove me wrong Liz.

Stark Contrast - Taxes and the Economy (video)

WASHINGTON - As different as day and night, Congressman Aaron Schock (IL-18) has put together this focus on the stark contrast between Barack Obama's taxes and budget policy and the Republicans'.

Christie Schilling rejects notion of war on American women

MOLINE - Illinois 17th District Congressman Bobby Schilling's wife Christie says there's no Republican war on women in America, and she's willing to step into the public eye to defy those saying otherwise. In a recent interview, Mrs. Schilling addressed the so-called "war on women" from a personal perspective.

"There's no war on women in America," Mrs. Schilling told Illinois Review Thursday. "Bobby has elevated me throughout our marriage, taught our children to respect their mother and relied on my opinion on most major decisions.  I'll bet 99 percent of husbands look to their wives to do the same thing. Women have it very good in America."

Mrs. Schilling could be a powerful asset in what may be a tough election for her husband, who was first elected in the throw-out-the-incumbent election year 2010. His Democratic opponent in 2012, Cheryl Bustos, has already drawn in support from campaign muscles like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and pro-abortion women's PAC EMILY's List. 

Replying to the "Georgetown Letter" v. Paul Ryan

By Chris Robling -

Dear former professors and others who signed the “Georgetown Letter” to U.S. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan,

Your note brings sadness. I expect more from each and from all of you.  I think you were respectful, not condescending, to responsible points of view when I studied under you or your predecessors in the 1970s, and especially views sincerely espoused, even if they were at odds with your own.  It is certainly what we were taught.

Two recollections: Dr. Kissinger’s hiring and Farah Pahlavi’s speech at Gaston Hall.  Neither Fr. Henle nor Fr. Healy would abide – institutionally – the cursory, opportunistic, conclusory and, frankly, basely political denunciations these events provoked.  However, you strike the notes today that our presidents taught us then were countenanced neither by Christian hospitality nor by Jesuit praxis.     

Hultgren Applauds Farmers for Speaking Out Against Regulation

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement after the Department of Labor withdrew a proposal to ban children from working on farms.

“Family farmers spoke up on this issue, and the Administration heard them loud and clear. Illinois is losing farmers every year and had the original rule from the Department of Labor gone through, it would have been even more difficult to start an agriculture career in our state.

“As I stated last December with several other cosigners in a letter to Secretary Solis, ‘Training the next generation of farmers and ranchers is necessary to ensuring a stable food supply for our nation.’ For this reason, I’m very relieved to see that the rule was withdrawn, and I invite Illinois farmers to continue communicating with me when Washington is holding them back. This is how the system is supposed to work, and in this case, it did.”

Liberal Bias Starts in High School Economics Textbooks

Illinois-based teen group SOS Liberty's co-founder Charlie Kirk has an op-ed featured on Breitbart.com today -

All across the country, students are studying for Advanced Placement exams coming in the middle of May. Students in AP Economics are taught with Krugman’s Economics for AP by Margaret Ray and David A. Anderson, adapted from Paul Krugman and Robin Wells’ Economics (Second Edition). Our public education system is supposedly one without bias, a place where any student can come and learn without any form of partisanship. Instead, our classrooms are slowly becoming political lecture halls with teachers being pawns to further the doctrine of liberalism and “equality.”

Throughout the entire textbook, there are historical, factual, and statistical distortions. For example, Chapter 36 ("The modern macroeconomic consensus") contains 16 sweeping generalizations such as: “Nearly all macroeconomists now agree… There is now a broad consensus… Today, most macroeconomists believe… Almost all macroeconomists now accept…” (pp. 355-58). None of these assertions are backed up with even a single citation. If a student were to submit an essay with such disregard for basic evidence, it would ensure a failing grade.

Why Durbin should have voted against VAWA

WASHINGTON - Neither of Illinois' U.S. Senators voted against VAWA  - Mark Kirk is not able to be in DC, recoving from a stroke in January - but it's informative to know why U.S. Senator Dick Durbin should not have supported it. From Eagle Forum's Phyllis Schlafly -

The Senate just voted to reauthorize the so-called Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) through 2016.  Originally passed in 1994, VAWA is feminist pork that has already squandered over one billion dollars each year on programs that have done little or no good for real victims of domestic violence.  Instead, the funds been allocated on a highly political basis to fill feminist coffers and to lobby for feminist objectives and laws. Although every spending bill should be subject to rigorous auditing procedures in order to curb waste and fraud, VAWA has somehow ducked accountability for the money it doles out to radical feminist organizations.

Click here to read more about VAWA and the many reasons Eagle Forum has worked to reform this expensive, ineffective bill.

Although the bill passed the liberal-controlled Senate today, the good news is that 31 Senators voted against it.  Historically, very few legislators have had the guts to vote against the bill because of intense pressure and threats from the feminists and fear of appearing “anti-woman.” 

Schilling Supports Illinois' Students

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) this week voted in favor of a bill to prevent a scheduled July 1 hike in interest rates on Stafford student loans.  Under a 2007 law, the interest rate on these subsidized loans to undergraduate students was decreased from 6.8% to 3.4% through June 30, at which time under the law the interest rates will increase.  Without Congressional action, these interest rates will return to previous levels and double on July 1.

“As a parent, the increasing cost of tuition and students’ mounting debt are serious problems to me,” Schilling said.  “Also serious is the fact that once kids graduate from college, they enter a tough job market where about half of them are left jobless or are underemployed, in addition to starting out thousands of dollars in the hole.  Washington should work to ensure that all Americans, including these young men and women, have the opportunity to succeed, and that our economy is growing and creating new jobs for them to pursue.”

ACU Endorses Indiana's Mourdock for U.S. Senate

By Mark Rhoads -

The American Conservative Union on Friday endorsed conservative Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock over 80-year-old incumbent RINO Sen. Dick Lugar for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senator in the Indiana primary on May 8.  This should help to clarify that Lugar is flying under false colors when he makes clumsy claims that he is a conservative and Mourdock is not.  Lugar's clear record just does not support such claims.

Madigan: Illinois GOP will block cigarette tax hike

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan supports a cigarette tax increase to shore up Medicaid but is predicting Republicans will block the idea. The Chicago Democrat also said Wednesday that Gov. Pat Quinn plan to cut pension costs is "a good start."

Quinn proposes raising cigarette taxes by $1 a pack. It would raise about $670 million to help close a $2.7 billion Medicaid shortfall. But Republicans want more spending cuts.

Via PJStar.com

Gowdy challenges Sebelius' over HHS mandate (video)

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) challenges Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ claim of ‘balance’ over her HHS abortifacient mandate this week., Gowdy asked the secretary for the legal basis for the mandate and its constitutionality or Supreme Court precedence. She claims to have relied on discussions from her lawyers on the mandate’s constitutional basis, however she says there are no legal memos to back up her assertions.

H/T Fox Nation

Milwaukee Red Cross put on standby ahead of Chicago's NATO Summit "unrest"

By Nancy Thorner -

NATO will soon be meeting for a summit in Chicago, and tension from the event could be the reason for a possible evacuation. The Red Cross of Milwaukee was put on notice that their services may be needed, because the summit "may create unrest or another national security incident." What do you think is going on here?

CBS 2 News has obtained a copy of a Red Cross e-mail sent to volunteers in the Milwaukee area. It said the NATO summit "may create unrest or another national security incident. The American Red Cross in southeastern Wisconsin has been asked to place a number of shelters on standby in the event of evacuation of Chicago."

According to a chapter spokesperson, the evacuation plan is not theirs alone.

"Our direction has come from the City of Chicago and the Secret Service," she said.

Another Push for Gambling?

By Anita Bedell -

The Illinois General Assembly is nearing the end of the Spring session, and politicians and gambling interests are turning up the heat to pass a massive gambling expansion bill that includes a city-owned casino for Chicago, land-based casinos in Danville, Rockford, Park City, South Suburbs of Chicago, expansion of 6,000 more gambling positions at existing casinos, and slot machines at 6 racetracks.  The new pro-gambling group, Illinois Revenue & Jobs Alliance, is pushing for passage of SB 1849, which is on postponed consideration in the House. SB 1849 received 58 votes in the House last year and could be called for another vote at any time.

Teachers, Unions and Occupy Chicago Protest Scott Walker (video)

CHICAGO - EagNews.com's Jeremy Segal spoke with union members outside Governor Scott Walker's visit with Illinois Policy Institute in Chicago last Friday.

Update: Obama Administration backs off farm kids' work restrictions

Those of us who as kids drove a tractor, rode a plow or shoveled coal in a furnace know how hard work on a family farm teaches a strong work ethic, as Ghost of John Brown pointed out Wednesday in an IR column. When the Obama Administration's proposed to ban kids from most of the work they now do on Midwestern farms, the outrage was heard coast to coast.  So much so, the power-that-be withdrew their plans Thursday. So, back out in those fields, kids.

Under pressure from farming advocates in rural communities, and following a report by The Daily Caller, the Obama administration withdrew a proposed rule Thursday that would have applied child labor laws to family farms.

Critics complained that the regulation would have drastically changed the extent to which children could work on farms owned by family members. The U.S. Department of Labor cited public outcry as the reason for withdrawing the rule.

“The decision to withdraw this rule — including provisions to define the ‘parental exemption’ — was made in response to thousands of comments expressing concerns about the effect of the proposed rules on small family-owned farms,” the Department said in a press release Thursday evening. “To be clear, this regulation will not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration.”

Illinois Politicians Should Represent Taxpayers, Not Union Special Interests

From Americans for Prosperity, Illinois –

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today Americans for Prosperity – Illinois (AFP-IL) announced its support for SB 2988, legislation which will prohibit government unions from contributing campaign funds to the state constitutional officers with whom they negotiate their collective bargaining contracts. At a press conference with Senator Matt Murphy and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, AFP-IL State Director David From explained his support for the bill:

“Taxpayers should always take precedence over the demands of special interests – whether they be corporations or unions. Unfortunately, a loophole allows state officials to take large campaign contributions from the very government unions they sit across from at the negotiating table supposedly representing the interests of the taxpayers.”

Dold Encourages Local Participation in DEA Take-Back Day

WASHINGTON, DC – As a member of the Prescription Drug Caucus, U.S. Congressman Robert Dold (IL-10) is urging residents of the 10th District to turn in unused prescription drugs at local take-back days.  With the rising number of young people abusing prescription drugs, Dold is encouraging households to get rid of extra prescriptions.

“Far too many parents have seen their child become addicted to prescription drugs,” said Dold.  “I believe we must continue to raise awareness about the dangers of unused prescriptions in the medicine cabinet. I want to encourage everyone in the community to take your unused prescription medications to a local take-back day and properly dispose of these drugs.  As a member of the Prescription Drug Caucus, I will continue to keep you updated on steps you can take to protect your children.”

Failed War on Poverty Calls For 'Practicable' Reform, Part 2

By Nancy Thorner -

Bringing the welfare story closer to home, much money has been poured into the Southside of Chicago, yet it's not fit to live in, with out-of-control shooting in the area. 109 people have been murdered so far this year.

On April 6 Bill O'Reilly on his Fox TV show spotlighted violent crime in the Windy City with a "Watters' World Segment." During the exchange Jesse Watter related that Chicago is three times more deadly than any other city in the nation.  There was agreement in that money is not enough.  It's going to take family-to-family, block-to-block to not only bring the crime down but raise the value of life.

When asked by O'Reilly how Watter felt while waking the streets, Watter commented: "It's out of control. I was safe though. I said should I be scared? And they said we don't shoot white people, you're our biggest customer."

What if equal rights are too equal?

By Mark Rhoads -

Caution, you are now entering The Twilight Zone.  Some left wing ideas are too Orwellian even for George Orwell who wrote 1984 and Animal Farm.  One of the laws in Animal Farm was that "all animals are created equal but some animals are more equal than others." 

Today National Review is reporting this story: A boy was allowed to play for a girls field hockey team two years ago at a Long Island high school because the school could not discriminate against him due only to his gender.  But now he has been kicked off the girls varsity team because he dominated the play and is too much better than the other players!

AFP to Obama: "Stop Tanking America" (video)

Americans for Prosperity launched its "Stop Tanking America" petition drive Thursday with the following ad:

Amazon Tax law back on the table

MOLINE - With the Cook County judge's decision to throw out Illinois' 2011 Amazon Tax law, the discussion about internet tax acquisition is on the table once again. The judge's decision is likely to be appealed, but the law and its enforcement is now in limbo.

Last November, Illinois Policy Institute called for the suspension of the Affiliate Nexus law, and interviewed Moline businessmen affected by the law's passage. Brick and mortar businesses want the tax for all retail businesses, online businesses and free market orgs don't.

Arne Duncan supports schools teaching students how to protest (video)

Speaking at Al Sharpton's National Action Network conference, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan was asked about the appropriateness of schools teaching students how to protest, as well as bringing students to political protests. His thoughts are sadly unsurprising, given his boss' background as a community organizer:

It is disturbing that America's top educator (theoretically) would openly endorse utilizing children for political protests and having schools use valuable time teaching such tactics. It sends a signal to every school in America that it is appropriate and it will not be scrutinized by federal educational leaders.

H/T: Jeremy Segal

Personal PAC expanding its influence into the 38th Senate District

Democrat 38th State Senate district candidate Christine Benson (photo right) has friends in high places. For example, her brother is Chicago Democrat Congressman Mike Quigley, who ante'd up $5,000 for her campaign. Quigley's Democrat House colleague, Rep. Jerry Costello, also ponied up $5,000.

However, when it comes to outside money and influence, perhaps the most disturbing is the more than $5,000 in campaign contributions Benson has received (so far) from the left-wing Personal PAC?

As one of the most extreme organizations in the state of Illinois, Personal PAC has aggressively fought to legalize the gruesome partial-birth abortion procedure, and staunchly oppose the rights of parents to be notified when their children have any medical procedure connected to abortion.

While one would expect Personal PAC to buy elections in Chicago or the burbs, it seems a bit out of place for them to be "investing" in the 38th - a district that is currently represented by pro-life State Senator Sue Rezin, who succeeded conservative, pro-life Senator Gary Dahl.

So one has to wonder if Personal PAC is just doing their friend, Mike Quigley, a favor? Or do they really think they can sneak out a win in the rural, conservative-leaning 38th State Senate district?

Either way, Benson may have some explaining to do to the if the voters get wind of this.

By-the-way: records show that Benson has received support from Planned Parenthood as well.

New Trier GOP awaits County Chairman Del Mar's decision

NEW TRIER TOWNSHIP - The longer the new Cook County GOP chairman Aaron Del Mar (top right) delays in re-instating the former New Trier Township GOP Committeeman Bill Cadigan, (bottom right) the less likely it appears that Cadigan will return. 

New Trier Township is one of Cook County's most heavily Republican areas, it's the home township of U.S. Senator Mark Kirk and the base of 10th CD Congressman Bob Dold, who's facing a tough challenge in November. Dold's re-election campaign will lean heavily on the New Trier GOP, which is currently without a leader.

When Cadigan was appointed by then-Cook County GOP Chairman Sig Vaznelis to succeed retiring township committeeman Tolbert Chisholm, it was at the urging of a unanimously supportive New Trier GOP membership. Despite Vaznelis overseeing the New Trier meeting the night they expressed their united support for Cadigan, nearly two weeks passed before Vaznelis officially appointed Cadigan, in late October 2011.

How to Fund Pet Projects without Earmarks

By Ashe Schow -

Earmarks may be banned, but there are still ways lawmakers can secure funds for pet projects back home they can tout as a legislative accomplishments and reason for reelection. As we have seen, simply reinstating earmarks is out of the question because the practice has become toxic – especially in an election year. But for a handful of lawmakers, there is a creative workaround that allows funds to flow to those prized pet projects: a commemorative coin bill.

Every few weeks in the 112th Congress, lawmakers have introduced a new commemorative coin bill representing a national icon usually relevant to their district. It works like this: once approved by Congress and signed into law, the commemorative coins are minted by the Treasury, which is refunded the cost of the coins as they are bought by collectors. Here is the catch: on top of what the coin is worth (50 cents, $1, or $5) there is a surcharge, and all proceeds from the surcharge goes toward the icon featured on the coin.

Murphy pushes for public sector union campaign restrictions

SPRINGFIELD, IL--In an effort to further reduce the conflict of interest between politicians and special interests doing business with their offices, legislation was introduced to prevent government  employee unions from donating funds to candidates who may end up negotiating with them for raises and increased benefits.

The legislation, SB 2988, sponsored by State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine), was developed in conjunction with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Americans for Prosperity, a free-market advocacy group. 

Cartoon: The Safety Net

Romney hires first openly gay presidential campaign spokesman

This story from The Atlantic is stirring controversy among the very social conservatives Romney's trying to pull into the fold. Maybe Ric Grenell's an awesome campaign spokesman, but is this the smartest move for Romney right now?  And what's your reaction?

Romney's campaign wouldn't say whether Grenell's sexual orientation was considered prior to his hiring, but implied it was not considered relevant.

"We hired Ric Grenell because he was the best qualified person for the job and has extensive experience representing the U.S. Mission to the U.N.," Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said in an email. Romney has spoken up during the campaign on behalf of gay dignity, if not the contemporary gay-rights agenda. In a January debate, he said, "If people are looking for someone who will discriminate against gays or will in any way try and suggest that people that have different sexual orientations don't have full rights in this country, they won't find that in me."

Obama, Clooney...and you?

Imagine this ... Coming this morning from the Obama/Biden 2012 campaign -

Think about it: If you win a free trip to Los Angeles to meet George Clooney and the President, who will you bring with you?

It's a tough decision -- get ready; you might have to make it.

Plummer Advances to NRCC ‘Contender’

WASHINGTON - The National Republican Congressional Committee today announced Jason Plummer as a ‘Contender’ candidate, the important third step in the ‘Young Guns’ program. Founded during the 2007-2008 election cycle by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the ‘Young Guns’ program is a Member-driven effort that is the primary method for recruiting strong candidates for both open-seat and incumbent challenge elections. Plummer is running for Illinois’ 12th Congressional District.

“We are looking forward to working with Jason Plummer, who has already proven himself by meeting rigorous benchmarks in the ‘Young Guns’ program that will position his campaign for victory,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Jason Plummer’s dedication and experience positions him to advocate for pro-growth policies and fight the failed Democrat status quo in Washington. This will stand in stark contrast to the Democrats’ record of spending, borrowing and taxing that Illinois families know has failed.”

Get the scoop on Global Climate, Courtesy of Heartland Institute

Many of us talk about the travesty that is weather -- especially in Chicago.  Heartland Institute actually does something about it, and here it is (no better such conference anywhere in this galaxy):

The Heartland Institute is pleased to announce Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) will join more than 40 speakers, scores of scientists, and some 500 attendees at the Seventh International Conference on Climate Change, which runs from Monday, May 21 to Wednesday, May 23 at the Hilton Chicago hotel.

Sensenbrenner is vice-chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, which has jurisdiction over the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, NASA, NOAA, and several other federal agencies.

Cook County judge overturns Illinois' Amazon Tax Law

A big surprise coming out of Cook County today, overturning Illinois' Amazon Tax Law -

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Robert Lopez Cepero said in court Wednesday that the Illinois law violated the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution, which limits who a state can tax, and that the law conflicted with the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act, which prohibits some types of Internet-related taxes. He directed parties to draft an order reflecting his opinion.

The quick decision Wednesday was unexpected, even to officials of the Performance Marketing Association, said PMA Executive Director Rebecca Madigan. “The judge pointed out and agreed with us that the state overreached its boundaries in trying to regulate interstate commerce,” Madigan said.  “We…believe it paves the way for Internet marketing affiliates to get back in business in Illinois.”

However, the battle has just begun, said David Vite, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, which supports the law. “This is the first step in a very long battle,” Vite said. “We have seen local judges be overturned regularly on these kinds of questions.”

More about this on the Chicago Tribune.