Thorner: Dold and Neerhof team up in North Shore Republican contests

Monday, October 20, 2014

Dr. Mark Neerhof and 10th CD candidate Bob Dold

By Nancy Thorner – 

In a show of unity, Dr. Mark Neerhof, a Republican challenging incumbent Democrat Scott Drury in IL Representative District 58th, was joined by Republican candidate Bob Dold of the 10th District, who offered his enthusiastic support for “Dr. Mark”, in an evening reception on October 14 at the home of David and Kelley Delaney in Lake Forest. Bob Dold is running to reclaim the seat he lost to incumbent Democrat 10th District U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider in 2012, an office Dold held from 2011 – 2013.

Dr. Mark Neerhof, as a high-risk obstetrician, has been caring for pregnant moms and their babies on the North Shore for more than 20 years. Long a resident of the North Shore, married to his wife Betty for 26 years, Dr. Neerhof is an attending physician at North Shore University Health System and a Clinical Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine. The IL House desperately needs a doctor in the House, especially to deal with the problems inherent in Medicaid.

Bob Dold’s support of Dr. Neerhof

Bob Dold praised Dr. Neerhof for being a good listener and as one who has a good grasp on the issues facing Illinois. Present among the guests were Dold’s dad and mother, Bob Dold, Sr. and Judy Dold and Mark Neerhof’s wife, Betty. Dold noted how there is presently “no doctor in the House.”  Dr. Neerhof is urgently needed to deal with healthcare issues.

As to the question, “Is Springfield working?”, sorely missing in IL is a business friendly environment, to which Dold cited businesses cited who have picked up and left the state because of oppressive regulations, taxes, and corruption. Illinois is still down 170,000 jobs since the beginning of the recession in 2008. Quinn never meant for his temporary income tax increase to be short term, so hold on to your wallets in the coming year.

Believing the November election to be a crucial one, Dold is optimistic that Republican candidates will do well. Learning from Democrats who won races after the number of early votes had been counted, the Republican Party has taken note by following suit and has made an effort to increase the number of Republicans voting early for the upcoming November elections.  This election is all about turnout.

Gov. Quinn is not well liked by many Illinoisans, which may account for the very unusual happening of why so many Democratic heavy-hitters are coming to Illinois to campaign for Democratic candidates. Voting for Republican Bruce Rauner at the head of the ballot is needed to change the direction of Illinois.  It will also help other Republicans down on the ballot.

In reflecting upon the legislators sent to Springfield to speak for us, and whether those elected will really do so, Dold believes that better days are ahead for Illinois if principled candidates like Dr. Mark Neerhof are elected.  But Democrat House leader Mike Madigan doesn’t think so, who has given money to incumbent Scott Drury to buy his election.

“Dr. Mark” speaks:

“We don’t have a spending problem, we have a revenue problem at both the state and national levels.” Tax revenues have increased by 50% in Illinois over the last 10 years, but Illinois is deeply in debt with no end in sight. In questioning Governor Quinn as a “voice of reason”, Neerhof suggested that Quinn, when sworn into office, should have at the same time taken an oath to do no harm.

Governor Quinn as a voice for reason?  Consider that 1.3 million people have left Illinois in the last 15 years.  High taxes and regulations have driven jobs, competition and people from IL.  Illinois now has the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest.  Meanwhile, Medicaid represents 40% of the budget and will continue to increase rapidly. Over 40% of Illinoisans on Medicaid don’t even quality for the benefit.  Pension liability is astronomical and is stifling Illinois’ economic development. Shameful is that Illinois ranks 51st out of 50 states in providing care for handicapped individuals.

Neerhof in asking those present to support his campaign, requested that they do even more, “support a cause.”  This cause, which Dr. Neerhof holds as his own, involves a belief in limited government which encourages American freedom and free market capitalism. Instead of trying to bribe companies and people to locate in IL, the state should be having people and industry beating down its doors to get in. Education freedom must include vouchers and charter schools. Fairness must exist in our pension system, which merits transfer to a defined pension program. Healthcare freedom requires means testing individuals to help them purchase insurance that best suits their means.

As to what is required to win, Dr. Neerhof stressed the importance of voting, of spreading the word by speaking to friends and neighbors, and getting involved in making phone calls and knocking on doors for candidates.

Drury’s lawsuit filed against Dr. Neerhof to silence him

When Dr. Mark Neerhof was asked how he was doing in his race against Rep. Scott Drury, Neerhof revealed that he is being sued by his opponent, Scott Drury, for slander.  Rep. Drury is being represented by his dad in what the doctor called “a baseless lawsuit,” seeking a court ordered halt of Neerhof’s campaign and an additional $9 million.  Although the judge denied Drury’s request for an emergency injunction that would have effectively shut down Dr. Neerhof’s campaign, the final verdict will be  issued Monday, October 20.

The lawsuit originated from an independently-funded, third-party mailer that the Neerhof campaign had no knowledge of nor participated in in any way.  This mailer was sent out to voters in Democrat Scott Drury’s 58th IL District indicating that Drury was in support of the SB16 (School Funding Reform Act of 2014), which was passed by the top-heavy Democratic Senate in May of this year. If enacted SB16 would make sweeping changes in how the state funds education and its apportionment among school districts. Those school districts with higher assessed property values would receive much less state funding, while other districts (like Chicago) would receive a sizable increase in funding, in an attempt by the state legislators to provide greater equity among school districts across the state.  As Scott Drury’s District 58 includes a number of North Shore school districts that would receive big cuts in their funding if the bill were passed, Rep. Drury is adamant that he will be voting “No” on SB16 (A public hearing has not yet been held on the bill. The House — including Rep. Drury — will not be officially voting for SB16 until sometime in November, following the fall election.).

Dr. Neerhof related how is was unusual for an incumbent legislator to sue his challenger and offered these thoughts:

In that the core group of Republicans is growing in the IL House and Senate, with a good possibility that more Republicans will be elected in November, Democrats, seeing their control slipping away if more Republican legislators are elected despite having super majorities in both Houses, are determined not to allow this to happen.  Democrats have been in control of the IL General Assembly for decades; it has been their livelihood. They will pull out all the stops to win.

House Leader, Mike Madigan, has given Rep. Drury nearly a quarter of a million dollar for a cash advantage over Neerhof.

Of consideration: How does Rep. Drury explain away his campaign donations of $10,000  by “Illinois Stand for Children” and $14,000 by the Illinois Network for Charter Schools, both of whom support SB16?

Random thoughts:

• How to prevent fraud?  Not having to show an ID to vote is of big concern. This voting regulation passed by Democrats and upheld by the IL Supreme Court, applies only to the upcoming November election.

• Volunteer to be an election pollwatcher by visiting your County Clerk’s Office.  In Lake County, Clerk Willard Helander has Pollwatcher Credentials available for the Nov. 4th General Election. Check for information about becoming a pollwatcher in Lake County

• Three more votes per precinct in Illinois would have elected Bill Brady as governor in 2010 instead of Pat Quinn.  We have less than three weeks left to change the direction of our country and our state.

Monday, October 20, 2014 at 09:13 AM | Permalink

Thorner: Cook County judge delays decision on Drury’s (D – IL 58) lawsuit until after election

http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2014/10/thorner-cook-county-judge-delays-decision-on-drury-lawsuit-until-after-election.html#more

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Embattled State Rep. Scott Drury sues GOP opponent for defamation

By Nancy Thorner – 

Political races are known for their nastiness and purposeful slander here in Illinois, but a race in IL District 58 between Republican Dr. Mark Neerhof and incumbent Rep. Scott Drury has become a scandal in itself and an example of what a legislator will do who wants to hold on to his seat.

Last month, incumbent Democrat Rep. Scott Drury (D-58), sued his opponent, Republican candidate Dr. Mark Neerhof, and several others Neerhof suppporters for slander. Rep. Drury is being represented by his dad, seeking a court-ordered halt of Neerhof’s campaign and an additional $9 million.

Although the judge denied Drury’s request for an emergency injunction a few weeks ago that would have effectively shut down Dr. Neerhof’s campaign, the final verdict was to be issued on Monday, October 20. When before the judge, Drury’s lawyer asked for more time, as he hadn’t had a chance to renew the motion. The judge delayed making a determination of the “motion to dismiss” until November.  In essence, Drury’s lawsuit against Neerhoff has become a non-issue.

Dr. Neerhof said the lawsuit was baseless and emphasized how uncommon it is for an incumbent legislator to sue his political challenger.  If every legislator would sue for every purposeful slanderous statement (or half-truths) made against him/her by their opponent, the elections process would be caught up in litigation even before the voting public had a chance to evaluate the candidates.

“In that the core group of Republicans is growing in the IL House and Senate, with a good possibility that more Republicans will be elected in November, Democrats, seeing their control slipping away if more Republican legislators are elected despite super majorities in both Houses, are determined not to allow this to happen,” Neerhof said. “Democrats have been in control of the IL General Assembly for decades; it has been their livelihood. They will pull out all the stops to win.”

The lawsuit instigated by Drury against Dr. Neerhof’s campaign, originated from an independently-funded, third-party mailer that the Neerhof campaign says it had no knowledge of, nor participated in, in any way.

The mailer was sent out to voters in Democrat Scott Drury’s 58th IL District indicating that Drury was in support of the SB16 (School Funding Reform Act of 2014), which was passed by the top-heavy Democratic Senate in May of this year. If enacted, SB16 would make sweeping changes in how the state funds education and its apportionment among school districts. Those school districts with higher assessed property values would receive much less state funding, while other districts (like Chicago) would receive a sizable increase in funding, as an attempt by state legislators to provide greater equity among school districts across the state.

District 58 includes a number of North Shore school districts that would receive big cuts in their funding if the bill were passed. As such, Rep. Drury remains adamant that he will be voting “No” on SB16, although a public hearing has not yet been held on the bill.  The House — including Rep. Drury — will not be officially voting for SB16 until sometime in November, following the fall election.

Here are some facts to consider as to how Rep. Drury might vote on SB16 when House members do vote on the bill after the election.

• House Leader, Mike Madigan, has given Rep. Drury nearly a quarter of a million dollar for a cash advantage over Neerhof. Perhaps Speaker Madigan has assured Drury that he doesn’t have to vote with Democrats on this issue, as he has enough votes to pass SB16 without Drury’s “yes” vote?

• How does Rep. Drury explain away his campaign donation of $14,000 by the “Illinois Network for Charter Schools” ?

• How does Rep. Drury explain away his campaign donation of $10,000 by “Illinois Stand for Children” ?

Both of these organization support SB16 in keeping with:  Every child deserves an education system with funding equity and fairness.

Drury’s continuing lawsuit against Neerhof should be considered as malicious malfeasance and cannot be condoned by legislators, regardless of political party.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 01:52 PM | Permalink

Thorner: One-party monopoly: Status quo unacceptable in Illinois!

 

One-party monopoly

The one-party political monopoly here in Illinois must change. The status quo cannot remain. How many times can Illinoisans be snookered into believing that by awarding Democrats with their votes, who now have super majorities in both houses of the General Assembly, that things will be different this time around? As the idiom goes, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” This means that we should learn from our mistakes and not allow people to take advantage of us repeatedly.

Are things really all honky dory in Illinois as Governor Quinn would have us believe?

Here are facts about Illinois that were not manufactured to spin the truth, but which represent solid research by reputable organizations and government agencies. Illinois is in crisis.

Illinois is dead last of all 50 states in recovering from the Great Recession.

• Illinois work force suffered the largest monthly workforce loss in recorded state history in June of this year.

• Food stamp growth has outpaced new jobs in Illinois by nearly 2-to-1 in the past four years.

• Sky-high property taxes make home ownership a pipe dream and the job market is terrible. The bleeding is bad; on net, 1 person leaves Illinois every 10 minutes.

• Youth and minority workers have been hurt most by the state’s ongoing policy errors.

• The result of Illinois’ anti-business environment and tax-hiking ways is a recovery that is estimated to drag on for seven more years — and that’s just to get back to the number of Illinoisans who were working in January 2008.

Here are three candidates running for state office in northern Illinois who want to shake up Springfield. They deserve your vote.

Don Wilson — Challenging Democrat State Senator Terry Link, District 30.

Dr. Mark Neerhof — Challenging Democrat Rep. Scott Drury, District 58.

Leslie Monger — Challenging Democrat Rep. Carol Sente, District 59.

Let’s return Illinois to its once grandeur as the “Land of Lincoln” and to a state we can all be proud of to call home.

Nancy J. Thorner

 

Thorner and Ingold: CDC’s Ebola Failed Strategy Evolution

Friday, October 17, 2014

By Nancy Thorner & Ed Ingold – 

Dr. Tom Frieden appeared before an House committee today (10/16) to testify on CDC’s response to Ebola in America. It’s hard to say where his position comes from, whether a reflection of White House talking points, political correctness, or just a physician’s tendency toward self-deification (not unknown among bureaucrats either). When asked if he was being coached by anyone, he evaded the question.

CDC: Imposing travel restrictions on West Africa would inhibit humanitarian activities and strangle emerging economies.

FACT: Restrictions would be for non-essential travel. Humanitarian aid could continue, with the stipulation that returning workers would be subject to a three week quarantine. The“struggling economy” of West Africa consists primarily of oil, cacao and coffee. Nearly half of the world’s chocolate comes from this region. We are not proposing an embargo, just limits on non-essential travel. However travel restrictions might have a secondary effect on the quality of breakfast in

CDC: Travel restrictions would force people to take devious routes to the United States, making it harder to screen those at risk for Ebola and take necessary precautions.

FACT: Even without restrictions, there is a strong incentive for those at risk to bypass the existing screening procedure, or simply conceal signs of illness and lie on questionnaires. The alternative is to be denied access to US health care and face a long quarantine period. This has already occurred for the first domestic case of Ebola, where the person lied to gain entry, then went to the emergency room at the first mild signs of illness, rather than a local pharmacy (or bed) like the rest of us.

The prime directive to control the spread of disease is to isolate and eradicate. Travel restrictions are an essential ingredient for isolation. Every domestic case of Ebola requires the services of dozens of health care workers, monitoring of hundreds of persons potentially exposed to the disease, at enormous cost. Moreover health care workers are at the greatest risk of infection – Ebola is becoming known as “the nurse killer.” We cannot afford to import a single case of Ebola through carelessness, and screening is demonstrably ineffective. Congress should demand an account of these costs from the CDC.

CDC, the DNC and Democratic Congressmen: Republicans cut the budget of CDC by $500 million, making it harder to combat the Ebola epidemic here and abroad.

FACT:  The Sequestration cuts only discretionary spending (used to study duck sexuality and build treadmills for shrimp), and limits only increases in that spending. The actual budget was not cut, rather the CDC is getting a smaller increase than requested. The “Sequestration” was, in fact, proposed by the Obama, passed both houses of Congress and signed by the President. In the actual budget, Congress approved 50% more money for disease control than requested by the President – $176 Million v $135 Million. In actuality, Obama pushed for CDC cuts years before the Elboa outbreak As to Democrats blaming Republican for the spread of Ebloa on budget cuts, the GOP house passed a budget increasing DCD spending by 8-1/2 %. The phantom budget cuts are but a desperate measure by Democrats and have nothing to do with why CDC fumbled Ebola!

CDC: The protocols recommended for the protection of health care personnel are in place and effective.

FACT: Actually neither is true. Workers at Edison Hospital in Dallas were not properly trained nor equipped for Ebola treatment, and the published protocols are not effective. The “official” protocol calls for disposable surgical gowns, face masks and gloves. There is no head covering, respirators, leggings nor shoe covers (aside from “booties” intended to keep dirt from being tracked into treatment areas). Meanwhile, Dr. Frieden appeared in Africa wearing full HAZMAT gear, being hosed down with a chlorine solution for decontamination. While the “official” gear is disposable, it cannot be disinfected for safe degowning. Nor were the protocols being followed. The Nurses at Edison complain that they received no training and inadequate gear. They used medical tape for extra protection. When the second health care worker arrived for treatment, after being diagnosed with Ebola, she was accompanied by two workers in full HAZMAT gear and someone in street clothes carrying a clipboard. Some protocol!

There is no reason to panic, but at the same time we must insist that effective procedures be established and followed. There should be national standards for procedures, and a limit on non-essential travel to and from West Africa, both of which which can be imposed at any time by the HHS Secretary or President Obama. Secondly, we must get honest evaluations of the risks and progress as they develop, not Disney-ish star wishes. The only thing which will prevent panic is trust in the government we elect to protect us. It is abundantly clear that Dr. Frieden is no “war time consigliore.” The real experts reside in the military, for which command and control already exist for biological and chemical containment.

Friday, October 17, 2014 at 11:19 AM | Permalink

Thorner: Will Illinoisans be snookered into keeping the status quo?

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

By Nancy Thorner – 

The one-party political monopoly here in Illinois must change. The status quo cannot remain. How many times can Illinoisans be snookered into believing that by awarding Democrats with their votes, who now have super majorities in both houses of the General Assembly, that things will be different this time around? As the idiom goes, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” This means that we should learn from our mistakes and not allow people to take advantage of us repeatedly.

As Illinoisans go about their daily work and responsibilities with little time left over to delve into the real facts about their state, it is understandable why many Illinoisans know little about what is really happening in and to their state. What they know mostly comes from sound bites that represent a sanitized version of “what really is” by major news and TV networks and the print media.

Now that election time is here, our ears are being assaulted with campaign commercials that are mostly fashioned to take the other guy down. It is coming to a point where Illinoisans are proclaiming “enough is enough,” with many not knowing what to believe. Just what is the truth about Illinois? Is it really all honky dory as Governor Quinn would have us believe?

Here are facts about IL that were not manufactured to spin the truth, but which represent solid research by reputable organizations and government agencies.  Illinois is in crisis!:

• Illinois is dead last of all 50 states in recovering from the Great Recession. It ranks last in the U.S. in putting people back to work (since 2008 there are 290,000 fewer people employed in Illinois) and Illinois is still down 170,000 payroll jobs since the recession began in 2008.

• Illinois work force suffered the largest monthly workforce loss in recorded state history in June of this year. June’s workforce loss was worse than the worst month of the Great Recession. Overall, 21,700 Illinoisans gave up and left the workforce in June; in September 2008, 17,500 Illinoisans quit the workforce.  For the first six months of 2014, Illinois was dead last of all 50 states in private sector job creation, down by -18.1%.

• For the U.S. as a whole, the number of jobs lost during the recession has been regained (Not counted are the people who are looking for work or who have dropped out of the workforce!). The U.S. has 1 million more jobs today than in January 2008, the pre-recession peak, while Illinois is still down 157,000 jobs from pre-recession levels, with the biggest jobs gap in the entire country.

• Food Stamp Growth has outpaced new jobs in Illinois by nearly 2-to-1 in the past four years, yet Gov. Pat Quinn argues that Illinois has turned the fiscal corner and is on its way back, somewhat slowly, but that the recovery is real.

• Sky-high property taxes make home ownership a pipe dream and the job market is terrible. Reports tell of more companies leaving IL than moving in.  One in 4 says Illinois is the worst possible place to live in the entire U.S. From 1995  to 2010, Illinois lost more than 850,000 people to other states.  That’s after you offset the number of people who actually move in. The bleeding is bad; on net, 1 person leaves Illinois every 10 minutes.

• Youth and minority workers have been hurt most by the state’s ongoing policy errors. One policy mistake was the historic 2011 tax hikes, which dramatically slowed down job creation. Another mistake is having the highest minimum wage in the Midwest, a policy that has been proven to hurt employment among youths and minorities. Fewer than half of all adult black men can find work in Illinois, making IL the worst state in the Midwest. Illinois also has the worst employment rate in the Midwest for teenage workers age 16-19 and for Midwest workers 20-24.

• The result of Illinois’ anti-business environment and tax-hiking ways is a recovery that is estimated to drag on for seven more years – and that’s just to get back to the number of Illinoisans who were working in January 2008. Meanwhile, Illinois’ working-age population will have grown by more than 700,000. The Great Recession knocked 500,000 Illinoisans out of work from January 2008 to November 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ household survey.  Since then, only 200,000 Illinoisans have gone back to work.

Below are four candidates running for office in northern Illinois who want to shake up Springfield.  Honest and trustworthy, they recognize the pathetic condition of this state and, among other things, want to balance Illinois’ checkbook by restoring checks and balances in state government.

Don Wilson – Challenging Democrat in Democrat State Senator Terry Link, District 30.

Greg Bedell  – Challenging Democrat Rep. John D’Amico, District 15.

Dr. Mark Neerhof  – Challenging Democrat Rep. Scott Drury, District 58.

Leslie Monger  – Challenging Democrat Rep. Carol Sente, District 59.

Let’s return Illinois to its once grandeur as the “Land of Lincoln” and to a state we can all be proud of to call home.  Republicans do have the unique ability to turn what should be a victory into defeat.  I can understand why conservative Republicans, of which I am one, want the whole apple and find it reprehensible to choose between the lesser of two evils, believing that next time around a more acceptable candidate will be on the ballot.  Does the political history of Illinois support this line of thought?  Think before you vote to keep the status quo!  Can Illinois survive more years under the leadership of the status quo?

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Thorner: Confined D’Souza imparts advice important to the GOP

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

By Nancy Thorner – 

When celebrated conservative movie producer and author Dinesh D’Souza appeared via Skype at last week’s “Evening with Dinesh D’Souza,” hosted by Family PAC as detailed in Part 1, he shared details about his confinement in San Diego. He also discussed the sentencing, and the community service imposed upon him until the end of May 2015, and shared advice he wanted the GOOP to consider in the upcoming election:

• As to a perspective of the war we are in right now, this nation has the world’s best military with good assets and members.  If America’s military power were released, she could crush the enemy in one blow.  Instead there is pull back by the Obama administration.  Seeing America as the bad guy in the world, Obama wants to downsize our military.  Because of curriculum being taught at colleges and in schools, anti-Americanism has found its way into the American culture to its detriment.

• In a question about whether the Republican Party is losing long-held values like protecting marriage and life, D’Souza confirmed that since Roe vs Wade most individuals must know that a fetus is a developing human being that is killed through abortion.  Why then are many Americans fine with killing life within the womb?  It is the result of the sexual revolution.  The big shift came in the 60’s and 70’s.  People have made a calculated choice that life yet unborn is worth terminating to maintain the sexual revolution.  Democrats have found the abortion issue useful in convincing liberated women that they can abort a developing fetus, for any reason, without suffering any consequences, discounting the emotional consequences.

• As far as envy motivating Obama (covered in Part 1), Obama and his Left have perfected the shake down strategy as a ploy to redistribute wealth.  They are good at identifying successful people, such as found in Silicone Valley, taking 1/2 or more of their wealth.  This love fest will end when Silicone Valley entrepreneurs finally wise up to how Obama is using them.  Steve jobs turned against Obama at the end.

• Concerning the outreach of the Republican Party, individuals coming from the continent of Asia should be natural Republican Party members.  Many of them have values to the right of Pat Robinson.  Republicans should capture 70% to 80% of the Asian vote.  With Hispanics, they should win 40% to 50% of their vote.  Republican must communicate that their values are in line with those of Asian and Hispanic voters, but Republican remain clueless as ever.  They are out on fundraising mission and visiting places where they can be seen.

• Is the momentum on our side in November? to which D’Souza replied:  If it is, it isn’t because of anything that Republicans are doing, but because Obama’s policies are so bad.  But beware, Republicans have the unique ability to take the gift given by the other side and hand it back to them. Sometime Republicans must vote for the lesser of two evils, such for one who will protect life in the first two trimesters, in contrast to one who believes in abortion whenever (an allusion to Rauner and Quinn). Here is Rauner in his own words on the topic of abortion.

• To a question which addressed how Republicans would govern if they win the Senate in November, and whether some Republicans would push for amnesty given that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its financial resources are being used to sway Republican legislators, D’Souza surmised that Republican Party action might be the mark of a loser, and predicted that should Republicans win the Senate in November they will come together, as a winning party does, and become more unified.

• A question about the 40% of Illinoisans who depend on the public dole to live and who might also be worried about pensions being cut, D’Souza suggested that this moment in time be used in defense of how capitalism works. A moral attack by the right must be effectively made to show that Obama wants to weaken America through his policies that make it difficult for entrepreneurship to flourish.  Getting the message out is what D’Souza is doing through his movies.  His movies function as large megaphones which Republicans lack and need more of to be heard.  That said, even with ample megaphones, Republicans are not good at articulating their message, what they stand for, and how their ideas and policies would benefit this nation and its people, in contrast to those on the other side of the political spectrum.

With the conclusion of the formal part of the October 8th Family-Pac event, Paul Caprio shared a portion of a must-read document, “24 Principles of Conservative Leadership,” which he wrote and first presented in an “Address to the Town Hall Conservative Meet-up” on March 1, 2005, revised, May 1, 2013.  According to Caprio, absent adherence to the first principles, none of the others mean a thing:

Many have our convictions. . . but not the courage of their convictions.  Conservative leaders must be willing to speak truth to power. . . not simple to each other.

In reading the entire document, and in light of differences of opinion among conservatives that have been predominately aired by recent Illinois Review posts, #3 of “24 Principles of Conservative Leadership” seems to fit the occasion:

Know when to strategically retreat so that you can fight another day.  Pickett’s charge lost the Battle of Gettysburg. . . George Washington retreated many times, but won the war!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 11:05 AM | Permalink

Thorner: iPledge Sunday emphasized power in unity at the ballot box

By Nancy Thorner – 

Mobilizing and educating voters seems to be the name of the game and is essential for the midterm elections less than three weeks away. Last Sunday, October 12, iPledge Sunday 2014 took place in churches and homes from Washington, D.C. to across America, sponsored in Illinois by the Illinois Family Institute, a coalition partner of the noteworthy event, headed by  David E. Smith. Entitled, “The Rise of the Church,” iPledge Sunday was presented by a coalition of conservative and Christian organizations working together to mobilize and educate voters for the midterm elections, believing that there is power in unity to achieve common goals and impact the future of our nation.

On iPledge Sunday Christians from all 50 states gathered to listen to national leaders during the first hour of the October 12th event (6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time) via a live webcast broadcast. Grace Gospel Fellowship in Bensenville, served by Pastor John Kirkwood, was the host church of the live webcast broadcast (John Kirkwood is a weekly contributor for Clash Daily.  He also co-hosts the web’s most radioactive pod cast, Uncommon Show. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, David Barton of WallBuilders, pro-life activist Lila Rose, and others discussed “key issues” that are vitally important to the Body of Christ.

The second hour (7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Central Time Zone) was devoted to Illinois leaders.  Pastor Kirkwood was Emcee of the event.  Pastor Calvin Lindstrom of the Church of Christian Liberty in Arlington Heights and Pastor James Pittman of New Hope Community Church in Palatine discussed what people of faith must do to effectively engage our culture.  David E. Smith, as Executive Director of Illinois Family Institute, discussed current events, including the attack on natural marriage and new voter guide information for November.

As shared by David E. Smith in his e-mail invitation to watch the iPledge Sunday 2014 Webcast on Sunday, October 12:

With more than 75 percent of Americans calling themselves Christians, it’s time for the Church to rise up and take action to turn the tide in our nation?  We have the numbers and we have a voice.  If we are silent, we have no one to blame but ourselves for a Godless American.

It was appropriate that the plight of Christians today in Iraq would be spotlighted during the second hour of the i-Pledge webcast. Pastor John Kirkwood introduced Julianna Taimoorazy, president of the Iraqi Christian Relief Council located in Glenview, IL.  As an Assyrian Christian born in Tehran, she escaped Iran in 1989 because of religious persecution.  It was in 2009 that Taimoorazy founded the Iraqi Christian Relief Council.  Its purpose is to spread the news of the plight of the Iraqi Christians. Pastor Kirkwood noted that he himself is an Assyrian, whose grandfather came from Mosul.  As a Christian-born Assyrian in Tehran, Taimoorazy escaped Iran in 1989 because of religious persecution.  It was in 2009 that she founded the Iraqi Christian Relief Council; its purpose is to spread the news of the plight of the Iraqi Christians.

The Assyrian Christians still speak the unique language of Christ, Aramaic, which Ms. Taimooraz proceeded to demonstrate when she recited the “Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic. Not Arabs or Kurdish their faith has always been grounded in Christianity.  Modern day Iraqi Christians (Assyrians also known as Chaldeans and Syriacs), are descendants of the two great empires of Assyria and Babylonia.  When the Assyrian empire fell in 612 B.C the inhabitants were reduced to a small nation living at the mercy of their overlords.

As shared by Julianna Taimoorazy, the Assyrian Christians have suffered through the centuries, but Christian persecution has gotten worse since ISIS has become more powerful. Prior to 2003 there were about 1.5, 1.6 (million) Assyrian Christians living in Iraq. Today there are less than 400,000 left, 200,000 of whom are IDPs, internally displaced persons. Taimoorazy displayed a card bearing a symbol of a cross that ISIS places on the homes of Assyrian Christians warning them to leave or face death. According to Taimoorazy only five to 10 families have converted to Islam in Mosul. These families make up the only former Christians left in the city. The majority of Assyrian Christians would rather be homeless and live in parks and open areas than convert to Islam.  This account relates how ISIS forced the last Iraqi Christians to flee Mosel in July of this year.

In closing remarks, David Smith related how last March only 18% of Illinoisans turned out to vote and that it’s our duty to vote, for this is the very minimum we can do.  We are to pray in the weeks before the election for Godly leadership throughout this state and this nation.

A perfect finish to the event was the singing of “Rise Up O Man of God” by Bill Ward, member of Grace-Gospel Center, with Ward accompanying himself on the guitar.

SIGN THIS PLEDGE TO VOTE AS MANY DID ON IPLEDGE SUNDAY 2004!

Note these special events:

Peter LaBarbera made a brief appearance during the second hour at which time he announced an event that his organization, Americans for Truth, will be hosting on Saturday, October 25 at the Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights, IL, “Can You Be ‘Gay and Christian?” The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Michael Brown.  Check here for more information.

The “Black Robed Regiment” with Dan Fisher is being brought back by popular demand, sponsored by the Illinois Family Institute. Please check this link for information about the venues for the four performances.  Learn About the Preachers of the 18th Century!

Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Ebola Screening at Airports is Feel-Good Technology, Not Science

Monday, October 13, 2014

Ebola Screening at Airports is Feel-Good Technology, Not Science

By Nancy Thorner & Ed Ingold – 

As reported on Sunday, October 12, Ebola has spread in the U.S. The second American case of the deadly Ebola virus was confirmed in tests on a health care worker who treated the first individual stricken with Ebola, Thomas Eric Duncan, who died on Wednesday, October 8th at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Huston, Texas. This infection took place despite the use protective suits and face masks. Because of the strain the new infection imposes on their resources,the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital has placed their emergency room on “referral status.” This means they aren’t accepting any new emergency patients. All are being referred to other hospitals. Such chaos exists after only two Ebola cases.

In an interview with Neil Cavuto on Fox Business News, October 9, 2014, CDC Director, Tom Frieden, MD., insisted that a travel ban is not the right answer. “We don’t want to isolate parts of the world, or people who aren’t sick, because that’s going to drive patients with Ebola underground, making it infinitely more difficult to address the outbreak.” Using the analogy of forest fires, Dr. Frieden continued,“When a wildfire breaks out we don’t fence it off. We go in to extinguish it before one of the random sparks sets off another outbreak somewhere else.” Really? The prime method of fighting forest fires is to prevent their spread by creating fire breaks, even setting backfires. Without new fuel, forest fires quickly burn out. Fences work on fires, as would restricting all non-essential travel.

While WHO still soft-pedals the issue, it reports facts which can’t be dismissed.  According to experts in the WHO, Ebola can be spread by coughs and sneezes. It remains viable in air as long as it remains moist. By current definition, only diseases like influenza, which remains viable in air even when dry, are designated “airborn.” The CDC is parsing words on the definition of “direct contact.” Likewise the virus remains viable for several days on moist surfaces, clothing and body fluids. There is no solid evidence whether or not an asymptomatic victim is infectious. Not enough is known at present. The CDC is willing to assume that since we can’t prove victims are infectious before symptoms appear, there’s no need to be concerned.

America’s response, as of Saturday, Saturday, Oct. 11 to the Ebola epidemic in western Africa is to inspect all arrivals, at least by air travel (Screening has already been instituted at Kennedy International Airport for travelers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea), by a cursory inspection for certain symptoms (e.g., fever) and a supplementary questionnaire. We are told that this will virtually eliminate the possibility of Ebola spreading to the United States, negating the need to limit flights to and from the affected region. However it appears that public health officials, including the CDC, are simply repeating policies emanating from the White House rather than citing good science. It is a long-established principle that you cannot “inspect” quality into a system, that inspection merely alerts you to the presence of a problem. This is the fallacy of inspection.

This principle is rooted in the science of quality control.  Quality control began to take a much more scientific approach took form during World War I due to problems in procurement of vast quantities of materiel from a multitude of suppliers. The concept of statistical quality control arose from those efforts, with significant advances during and after World War II. Walter Deming (aka W. Edwards Demings) was a prime mover in this area, and played a key role in the re-development of manufacturing in Japan following the war. Deming’s work in Japan is responsible for their reputation for high quality after a rocky start.  His success there was met by skepticism in his home country, the United States, where quality control was dominated by tradition – If enough customers complain, we’ll fix it

One of the early facts uncovered by the scientific approach was you cannot achieve quality control by inspection alone. You cannot cull out bad products that so that only good products get shipped. How bad is it? Visual inspection will only detect 25% to 35% of bad products passing through the inspection station. Instrumentation helps a little, but human fatigue and inattention remain significant factors. Where stakes are high, as in the production of food and pharmaceuticals, three or more inspectors look at the same items in order to improve the odds of finding defects. On the other hand, 1% to 2% of good products will be rejected. Re-inspection of rejected items is costly because the percentage of bad product is much higher than in the normal production stream, and require much greater care and effort.

Under the principles developed by Deming and others, inspection is a tool to identify problems, not solve them. Once identified, the root cause of the problem must be identified and solved. If you don’t direct your main effort to solving the problem, you are fooling yourself, and confusing others. No conscientious manufacture would deliberately send products down the line in hopes that inspection would identify and cull the bad ones. That doesn’t mean it never happens.

There are multiple implications of these principles to screening airline passengers. Only passengers directly from affected countries will be screened. The potential for infections are much higher for these countries, hence more likely to be missed. Secondly, people will take indirect routes in order to bypass these inspections. Finally, inspections will be instituted at only five major air ports out of hundreds of potential entry points. The inspection itself will only identify potential victims by the presence of a fever (or other symptoms).

Since there are many causes for fever, the percentage of false identifications will be large, causing disruption to air traffic, not to mention the lives of those culled out of the crowd. The incubation period of Ebola is long, from five to twenty-one days (why not twenty or twenty-two?), so most people infected will pass through undetected, and possibly contact many people before the disease surfaces. The resources needed to respond to an active case of Ebola are enormous. A few dozen cases would overwhelm our system, much less hundreds of cases.

Under government procurement procedures, failing inspection leads to increased inspection levels (and higher cost), ultimately to disqualification of the supplier. In the proposed health screening procedures, there is no intervention plan, just a reaction.

In order to limit our exposure to a possible epidemic, non-essential travel to and from the afflicted regions be curtailed. There should be no casual travel or immigration. Contrary to the administration’s talking points, this has no effect on humanitarian aid, any more than our current ban on travel for political reasons. We would simply have to regulate such travel, and quarantine those returning. Such regulation would require a lot of resources for monitoring and a likelihood of treating subsequent infections. The cost and administration of these measures, and the even greater cost of failure, makes sending thousands of troops into harm’s way impractical.

Monday, October 13, 2014 at 09:30 AM | Permalink

Technorati Tags: Illinois Review

Thorner: Confined Dinesh D’Souza speaks to Chicago event via Skype

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Thorner: Confined Dinesh D’Souza speaks to Chicago event via Skype

By Nancy Thorner – 

It was with regret that Paul Caprio, head of Family Pac, shared the disappointing news that featured speaker, Dinesh D’Souza, was unable to be present at the night’s much anticipated Family Pac event, “An Evening with Dinesh D’Souza,” held at Harry Caray’s Chicago Sports Museum, Water Tower Place, in Chicago, IL on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Dinesh D’Souza first notified Paul Caprio last Saturday (Oct. 4th), telling Paul that he was unable to keep his commitment.  D’Souza then offered Ambassador John Bolton as his replacement. To this Caprio said no, believing it was important for D’Souza to be able to explain and answer questions as to why this country is exceptional. As Caprio related, “This country in in a time of great turmoil. We don’t have a liberal as president, we have a tyrant.” Furthermore, “Our Founding Fathers gave us a government with the understanding that it could be lost, it, but if this happens it will happen from within.”

Technology came to the rescue. Dinesh D’Souza appeared via Skype in a larger-than-life-image projected on a screen at the front of the banquet room. Two smaller TV sets were in place high up on either side of the big screen for easy viewing by all in attendance. After his remarks, D’Souza was able to answer a series of questions from audience members via Skype.

Probate sentence now in force

D’Souza was unable to personally attend the Family-Pac event because of alleged pressure from the Justice Department and President Obama. D’Souza’s was sentenced to confinement and probation for what amounted to a minor crime for breaking a campaign law.  D’Souza had arranged for straw donors to contribute to New York Republican Wendy Long’s failed U.S. Senate bid, a campaign finance violation.

The sentence had already been imposed as of Friday, October 3rd. Hear D’Souza speak about his felony sentence.  An agreement to delay D’Souza’s probationary sentence until January 1st, 2015 was not honored, so D’Souza’s sentence  was enacted immediately. The sentence includes eight months in a community confinement center, five years of probation, one day of community service a week during that probation (teaching English to new immigrants and illegal immigrants), and the payment of $30,000 for breaking campaign finance law during the 2012 election.

When appearing in Court for his verdict, D’Souza believed a jail sentence would be forthcoming of at least 18 months.  After all, the judge has given D’Souza a stern lecture up front. But mysteriously, the judge changed his mind. Instead of sentencing Dinesh to jail time and instead issued D’Souza a probationary sentence.

The night of the Oct. 8th Family-Pac event marked D’Souza’s 5th night spent with criminals at a community confinement center in San Diego, CA with bunk bed accommodations. D’Souza remains cautious, but he said he was not scared.  D’Souza described the containment center as not exactly a jail, nor is he in captivity, but he is restricted in his movements. Free during the day to write and work on his movies, D’Souza must check in again at night. Leaving the country is prohibited. This routine will continue for D’Souza until the end of May.

 D’Souza speaks via Skype

John McEnroe, Chairman of Family-Pac, in presenting introductory remarks prior to Dinesh D’Souza’s Skype appearance, described D’Souza as one who is willing to challenge liberal orthodoxy by speaking out with face-to-confrontations, such as when D’Souza challenged Bill Ayers, an unrepentant terrorist and President Obama’s long-time friend, about American exceptionalism on Megan Kelly’s Fox News TV show. D’Souza’s two movies were highly recommended to be viewed before the crucial November election: “2016:  Obama’s America” and “America:  Imagine a world without her.” To be noted is John Fund’s excellent review of D’Souza “America,” which was released this summer.

After expressing his regrets for not being able to appear in person, D’Souza directed this question to his captivated audience, “How did it happen?” D’Souza expressed how the America of today is a different America from the one he experienced when he first arrived from India at age 17 until the present time. It used to be that Republicans and Democrats agreed on goals, only disagreeing about the means to reach the goals. Present were common values that were embraced by both sides. Republicans and Democrats loved American and wanted it to succeed, believing that American was a good country, it was a force for good in the world, and it made the world a better place. This continuous, positive thread regarding the nature of America connected presidents, up to and including Democrat Bill Clinton.

Chicago, however, bears direct responsibility for the change that has taken place. We are now living in the Obama era, in Obama’s America.  Obama has taken this nation in a different direction. There are those who believe Obama is an amateur, a bungler, and a nincompoop.  As such efforts have been made to set President Obama straight on what really is and of consequences from past happenings. President Carter was judged as a nincompoop by D’Souza.  In calling The Shah of Iran a dictator, whoops, Carter got Komani!  But President Obama is not an amateur; he is smart and well informed.  When Obama said he wanted to remake America, he wasn’t kidding.

To D’Souza, the dangerous direction of this nation is the result of an incompetent President.  President Obama was elected in 2008 promising to 1) shrink America’s influence in the world; 2) reduce her military power; 3) shrink her economy; 4) reduce her standard of living; and 5) diminish the “American Dream.” Given these promises, Obama has succeeded in reducing this nation’s influence in the world. Whereas in the past nothing much happened without America first having a say so, this is no longer the world we live in. With this new America, Obama is good at redistributing America’s wealth to the rest of the world and also to those in our own nation.

Envy drives Obama

Through evaluating what the Left has to say about conservative Republicans, a window is opened up into the mindset of Obama. This, in turn, reflects why his supporters feel it is legitimate to brand conservative Republicans as greedy; war mongers; racist; sexist; haters of the environment, and not caring about the American people, when there is not a molecule of truth in any these statements.  For what drives the other side in unfairly branding Republicans as uncouth individuals is envy.  Envy also lives within the psych of President Obama.  As described by D’Souza: “Envy is the lowest desire and the most secretive of all human emotions.”  Envy differs from jealousy, as envy produces rage over being deprived of something that others are enjoying, such as, “Why do they have all this and not me?”  An individual filled with envy, not unable to improve himself, will proceed to pull other people down with him.

Obama came into office like a knight galloping on a white horse, but seething with self-hatred that was based on envy.  Society elevates the entrepreneur and those who can create things.  Obama, not being able to make or create new things — not even an i-phone or a website that works! — loathes entrepreneurship and the free market system.  It’s not that Obama isn’t talented, but his excellence shines forth as an organizer of public resentment.  Obama, without fail, tells the American people that the greedy CEO’s have stepped in and taken possession of some of your stuff, promising that with their vote he will confiscate some of their stuff and give it to you.  This has produced a deadly class struggle.

Are Republicans ready to fight?

Regarding Republicans, D’Souza finds them lacking the ability to advance their message in the public arena, having done a terrible job of reaching out and making the case. Granted, Republicans don’t have enough megaphones available to come close to the megaphones available to the Democratic Party. Even so, too many Republicans wrongly view politics as a fight involving gentlemen, when in truth Democrats are natural street fighters who fight aggressively and will do what it takes to win.

As a reminder to Republicans: “Our values and principles are appealing even today. Republicans stand for the principles of 1776, wishing to preserve the spirit of the American Revolution. The other party wants this spirit to just go away.”

Dinesh D’Souza believes the war is winnable.  He describes Americans as passive and sheep-like in allowing Obama to run amok.  Enjoined D’Souza: “We must all do more, give more, and sacrifice more.  It took 200 years to build this nation, but it won’t take 200 years to dismantle it, that is, if we allow it!”

Guests at the Family PAC event:

 

 

Left to right: Virg Cihla; RNC Committeewoman Demetra DeMonte and Dan Kinsella

Sandy Rios and the Hon. Chris Lauzen, Kane County Republican Chairman

Dan Patlak, Commissioner Cook County Board of Review and Dr. Jim Economos

Danielle Rowe, Director of Advocacy Outreach for IL Opportunity Project and Tom Morrison, IL State Representative, 54th District

Informed Choices banquet features Christian speaker, writer and comedian, Mike G. Williams

 

Comedian, speaker and writer, Mike G. Williams, celebrates life at Informed Choices banquet 

“Informed Choices” was established in1987 by two women in Wauconda, Illinois, originally as the “Tri-County Crisis Pregnancy Center,” to meet the emotional, spiritual and practical needs of women experiencing unplanned pregnancies. The Wauconda center relocated in 2001 to Grayslake, IL, while a satellite center in Crystal Lake, IL, was established in 1995. The central purpose of its ministry is to encourage young men and women to choose life during a pregnancy crisis. In 2013 there was a name change from “Tri-County Crisis Pregnancy Center” to “Informed Choices.”  After having serving the Tri-County area for 27 years, the organization’s annual fund event of Friday, Oct. 3 was the first time members and friends had gathered under the name of “Informed Choices.” Celebrated was the legacy of life.  Remembered was long-time friend for Life, Jack Roeser.

Along with FREE pregnancy testing and options counseling, the services of “Informed Choices” have expanded to include limited obstetrical ultrasounds with 80% choose life, parenting and childbirth classes, and post-abortion support. Sarah VanDerLip serves as Executive Director of “Informed Choices.”

Two sister organizations for “Informed Choices” were recently established, “Healthy Choices” for women and “Men’s Life” for men. As to the purpose of “Healthy Choices”, the ministry offers young women preventive care before a crisis presents itself. As shared by “Healthy Choices” Director Paulette Schaeffer, “Far too many teens confuse sex with love.”  “Healthy Choices” is able to bring truth and clarity to sexual risk avoidance programs.  Many teens don’t understand that they have a choice whether or not to have sex.  Classes are taught in health classes in both and public and private schools that life has value and that sex is worth waiting for.  Last year 2,700 middle and high school children were reached.  The goal during this school year is to increase the number of students receiving the message by 20%.

The counterpart to “Heathy Choices” for women is “Men’s Life” for guys.  Mark Putman is “Men’s Life” coordinator. “Men’s Life” was initiated last year.  Asked why the need for a “Men’s Life,” Putman likened it to closing a circle, where the circle, now joined, is complete.  Saving babies is important.  Mothers of babies had a place to go for help, while the minority of men were missed.  Men receive one-to-one consultations to help them navigate the issue, so they become accountable and understand their responsibility, ultimately to stop unplanned pregnancies.

Facts and goals of Informed Choices

Sarah VanDerLip, as Executive Director, shared these facts and goals of “Informed Choices.” Technology is the best way to reach young people.  Presently contact is 40% word by mouth and 20% via the Internet.  There must be more done to reach teens before they schedule an abortion of take the Morning After pill.  The “Informed Choices” website has been updated. Texting can now be done with a cell phone.  There is however a need for a good Search Engine, so “Informed Choices” appears on the first page of sites related to pregnancy when goggling.  Facebook possibilities must also be financed and set up.

Last year 1.2 million women made the wrong choice and ended the life of their child. Offering a legacy of compassion can make a positive difference.  “Informed Choices” is a place where young woman can seek help and not be judged as a single women.

The ability to communicate must be reclaimed, along with the vocabulary needed to combat the political rhetoric of pro-life vs.pro-choice, to enable women to make informed choices. Ultrasound has opened “a window to the womb.”   When a young woman comes to “Informed Choices” an ultrasound will be done for free, allowing God to be at work.

MIke Williams introduced

Sarah FanDerLip, as Executive Director of Informed Choices, introduced guest speaker Mike Williams.

Never having heard the name of Mike Williams, Thorner didn’t know what to expect. This lack of knowledge about Mike Williams as a nationally-known speaker, writer, and comedian could only be described as an unforgivable omission in Thorner’s life experiences!  Williams has recorded 13 CD’s, 4 DVD’s, and written 5 book. Mike can be heard daily on the SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s “Laugh USA.” He and his family live in the Dominican Republic where they direct a Spanish speaking abstinence training program and pastors’ college.  Married for 27 years, Mike and his wife have 4 children.

In research done to learn more about Mike Williams and his Christian brand of humor, Thorner highly recommends that you watch this youtube video, “Stupidity is a Gift, Part 1”. Do take the time to watch now and save to hear again and again whenever you are experiencing a stressful day.  Another stellar youtube video shows Williams with his guitar sharing his most requested song, “The Eagle Song.” Email here for direct questions about the items by Williams listed below.  All products are reasonably prices, many at $10.00, and would make thoughtful and excellent gifts for all occasions.

“Love Is Not A Three Letter Word” (For children over the age of 11); “Never stand Under A Flock of Angry Birds” (Speaks to teenagers); “Men Moved to Mars When Women Started Killing the Ones on Venus” (for the married); “Life Happens: Shut Up, Smile, and Carry A Plunger” (most popular of Williams’ Turkey Soup series); and “I Never Knew How Good Make Up Worked Until I saw You In The Morning” (CD reissued by popular demand).

There is good reason why organizations like Focus on the Family, Gaither Praise Gatherings and many other organization have Williams back to speak again and again. This reason became evident as Mike Williams started in on his comedy routine.

The funny side of Mike Williams

Without losing a beat, Mike Williams asked his audience why they thought he was here at the “Informed Choices Pregnancy and Parenting” event in Kildeer, IL, given his reputation as a stand-up comedy guy.  In keeping with his God-given sense of humor, Williams cited as reason number one: “Because I’m the only speaker this organization could afford.”  Followed by reason number 2:  “To celebrate the 792 lives that are alive in the name of Jesus because of your center.”  According to Williams, “God gave us humor as a gift.  God also allows stupidity as a gift.” Most of all, “God wants us to learn how to laugh.”  With humility Williams spoke of God’s blessing in allowing him to survive after flat-lining twice in a Butte, Montana hospital last year.

Writing about humor is difficult to do, as so much of what is funny becomes funny because of the gestures made and the modulation of the voice by the one dispensing the humor. Then too humor is also infectious, as it serves as a springboard for our own personable enjoyment as we participate in the laughter of those around us.

As such was the entertainment provided by Mike Williams whose antics and words kept his Informed Choices audience laughing throughout his comedy gig. There were many jokes about common ordinary things that when taken out of context became hilarious. One joke about Ex-lax promised to “work while you sleep”; another was a spoof about how batteries are required to have a label because some people might try to drink the fluid; and another spoke of a recent incident in Colorado where children have been prohibited from playing tag because it’s too dangerous. Just imagine, said Williams: “On Monday children could still play tag, and play they did. Then Wednesday morning came and there was no more tag.  Just think, whoever was hit last will now be hit for the rest of their lives!”  Williams also made much of a small sign he saw on a MacDonald’s drive-through window which displayed this rather made-for-humor message:  “We have menus in braille and picture menus for people who can’t read.”

As Williams mused:  It would be great if we could all laugh in the middle of a mess instead of years after it has happened.  It would certainly help stress levels go down.  Accordingly, Williams became the brunt of many of his jokes that concerned his weight and botched medical procedures.  In speaking about when he flat lined twice in Butte, Montana, last year, Williams shared this account:  The ER doctor in the room said, “Mr. Williams, you’re going to have to stop making the staff laugh.  We are trying to save your life.”  To which Williams replied:  I’m only trying to keep alive.” Replied the ER doctor:  “Then keep on with what you are doing, because your blood pressure is down.”  Williams blessed God for allowing him to live.

The serious side of Mike Williams

Finally the time came for Mr. Williams to explain what had really brought him to the Informed Choices event to be the featured speaker, and why he does 80 events a year all over the world, having first being asked by Dr. Dobson thirteen years ago to share with Dobson his humor and candid thoughts about his life.  Williams recounted the surprising, sordid facts of his very early life without regret or anger, but instead with heart-felt gratitude for how God had provided his birth mother, at the time it was needed most, with a Christian and Jesus-loving home in which to place her youngest son.

Williams described himself as a southside Chicago welfare kid.  Although all of us have parents, we don’t get to choose our parents or whether they will be good parents. Williams was the youngest of 5 children.  One of his siblings ended up in jail at age 17 for murder.  His mother decided to give young Mike away to her mailman, as the only Christian man she had ever met, asking the mailman to take her youngest child out of the hellhole he was living in.  The mailman informed William’s mother that he and his wife were too old to care for the child, but that his daughter and son-in-law had been praying to God for twelve years to give them a child.  So Williams quipped:  “So they got me!  Be careful of what you ask for.”  So Williams grew up in Harvey, Illinois, with a couple who loved God.  He was a rescue kid.

Continuing, Mike Williams related a happening as one having already benefited from the “tit” of a situation, about how he and his wife later on supplied the “tack” response, both of which were the result of God’s doing.  A jailed pregnant mother planning to have an abortion, found God through the prison ministry program. Giving her life to the Lord, she gave birth to her child.  Out of prison the mother saw a billboard about a pregnancy center and called for help, only to decide that she wanted to give up her child for adoption. The mother had done drugs during her pregnancy.  Receiving an out-of-the-blue phone call, Mrs. Williams was asked if she would be interested in the woman’s child. Asked Mrs. Williams, “How many want this child?”, to which the caller said, “You are my last call.  Without hesitation, Mrs. Williams replied, “We’ll take him”, even though at the time her husband Mike Williams was at Atlanta’s International Airport. So it was that Mike Williams and his wife took into their home, and later adopted, an eight-month-old bundle of joy to raise.

In conclusion

Following Mike Williams’ remarks, which were justly applauded with much enthusiasm, Williams took charge of the fundraising with all the vigor and enthusiasm he had displayed throughout his keynote presentation. His dedication to “Informed Choices” and its mission left no stone unturned in requesting those present to ask of Jesus what they might contribute. The cost to get one girl of boy through the Informed Choices program is $3.00 a day or $90.00 a month.

Informed Choices is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by IRS guidelines. Go here to donate and also to sign up for the Informed Choices E-News.

The Concerned Choices centers in Crystal Lake and Grayslake are accredited by the ECFA .  ECFA enhances trust in Christ-centered churches