Author: David Diersen

ABC7
— TRUMP SAYS HE HAS INSIDE INFORMATION ON HACKING – CNN
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-says-he-has-inside-information-on-hacking/1682068/

NBC5
— How to Get Tickets for Obama’s Farewell Speech in Chicago  A public ticket distribution will take place at McCormick Place on Jan. 7, according to the White House. Tickets are free, and one ticket per person will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis.- Tom Schuba  (DIERSEN: What do you say to “Republicans” who rarely, if ever, criticized Obama, but who viciously criticize Trump?)
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/How-to-Get-Tickets-for-Obamas-Farewell-Speech-409324595.html

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Chicago paid $670,000 in 2016 over lawsuits alleging open records violations – Gregory Pratt
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-chicago-foia-violation-lawsuits-met-20170101-story.html
— Pension plans no longer a sure thing – Terry Savage
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/success/terrysavage/tca-pension-plans-no-longer-a-sure-thing-20161223-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Very few workers today will get pensions. Most company defined-benefit pension plans were changed long ago into 401(k) plans, where your eventual checks will depend on the amount you contributed and the performance of the investments you chose. But for millions of union workers, part of the attraction of paying union dues over a lifetime of work was the promise of a pension. Many of those pensions are so-called multi-employer plans, which cover workers for unrelated employers in the same industry. Now, as a result of years of mismanagement, bad investments or bad assumptions on returns, some funds are running out of money to keep their pension promises to union workers. Pension defaults or cuts now appear likely because of a law passed as part of the 2014 omnibus spending bill designed to keep the government from shutting down. The Kline-Miller Multiemployer Pension Reform Act allows union pension plans to appeal to the Treasury Department to cut pension benefits — even for current retirees — if the plan trustees can demonstrate the cuts are a solution to extreme hardship.)
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: The work workout  These office moves can fight off unhealthy effects of sitting all day – Kenny Kline  (DIERSEN: I sit 10+ hours each and every day putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/success/inc/tca-try-a-mini-workout-at-work-20161228-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PHOTO OF CRONIN: Merger, mosquitos, money: Cronin on the issues facing DuPage – Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170102/news/170109907/
— How St. Charles native Mark Vargas’s tie got mixed up with Trump, Mexico – James Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170102/news/170109906/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “I’m an American of Mexican decent, and I’m also a Republican,” Vargas said. “It was serendipitous this election that I got connected with President Fox.”  Fox’s use of the tie inched Vargas toward a goal made as a student at Judson University in Elgin. Watching the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks he decided to stick his neck out in the name of service to his country. He landed an internship with former U.S. Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert, followed by work on businessman Ron Gidwitz’ 2006 gubernatorial campaign. Then he moved to Washington, D.C., gambling that the $72 in his checking account wouldn’t run out before his luck did. He scored a job interview at the Pentagon for a position that would involve spending most of his time in Iraq. There was only one question during the interview: why did Vargas want the job? He gave a response he’d been thinking about ever since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. “I believe we’re waging the battle of my generation in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq,” Vargas said. “One day, I want to look back and say that I was a small link in bringing stability to a war-torn country.” Vargas got the job, and spent 2008 through 2010 helping create Iraq’s version of a chamber of commerce.)
— Suburban faith leaders share messages of peace, unity – Madhu Krishnamurthy  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, “faith leaders” talk and act like they are operatives or dupes for the Democrat Party.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170101/news/170109918/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: With minority religious communities facing backlash and the country’s deep political and social divisions, the theme for this year’s event was “Breaking Down Walls: Stories of Hope.” “No matter who we are, you have chosen each and every one of us to love and protect one another,” said Gemma Guenther of DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church. Audience members spontaneously joined in singing as the Midwest Ismaili Choir performed “We Are The World.” The sounds of classical Indian string instruments and melodic chanting of meditation hymns set a serene atmosphere of calm.)
— We spend less as we age – Scott Burns  (DIERSEN: My aunt is spending $230 a day to live in an assisted living facility.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170102/business/170109963/

QUAD CITY TIMES
— Illinois makes reintegration easier for cons – Editorial  (DIERSEN: What about reintegration of former federal employees?  I was a federal employee 1966-1969 and 1971-1997.  From what I see, people view cons much more favorably than the view federal employees.)
http://qctimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/guest/other-view-illinois-makes-reintegration-easier-for-cons/article_7012d0d6-435b-548b-bb6c-298f68f34aae.html

WSIL
— For Trump, the 1980s still hold relevance – AP  (DIERSEN: What did you do during the 1980s? I worked for GAO. I got assigned to audits of IRS for 3 years and got promoted to GS-13.  But then, my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in getting rid of the GAO manager who had hired me, who had gotten me assigned to audits of IRS, and who had promoted me to GS-13. I became an active member in a class action lawsuit that charged GAO with reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation.  I earned an master’s degree in accounting from DePaul, passed the Certified Internal Auditor Examination on my first attempt, and became a licensed CPA. I served as an officer and then as a director of the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants.  My wife and I sold 1017 East Harrison in Wheaton, had 915 Cove Court built in Wheaton, and filed lawsuits concerning that home.  My wife and I gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents.  We frequently went on short vacations after her business trips to luxury golf resorts across America.  We owned a 1978 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale, a 1978 Chevy Chevette, and a 1972 Chevy Corvette.)
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/34164658/for-trump-the-1980s-still-hold-relevance

WJBD RADIO
— Republican Senators Offer Strong Words Against Russia, Putin – ABC Radio  (DIERSEN: Who says “strong words” against you?  I should write a book about the strong words that my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have said against me.  Between 2004 and 2012, the aforesaid operatives and dupes talked and acted like my critics/opponents had promised them lots of money, a new home, a new car, a sweetheart job, a sweetheart contract, favorable legislation, and lots more if they succeeded in a) ending my TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairmanship, b) ending my Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee membership, c) ending my service as the Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) webmaster, d) ending my Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee membership, e) ending my American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board membership, and f) defeating me in bid to serve as MTRCC Treasurer.)
http://www.wjbdradio.com/world-news/2017/01/01/republican-senators-offer-strong-words-against-russia-putin

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— In Illinois Gridlock And Rise Of Trump, Third Party Candidate Sees Opportunity For 2018 – BRIAN MACKEY  (DIERSEN: What do you say to Democrat plants, to Libertarian plants, and to Green plants?  There are no Republican plants.)
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/illinois-gridlock-and-rise-trump-third-party-candidate-sees-opportunity-2018#stream/0

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— County board member urges Governors State to bar illegal immigrants – Michael Carroll
http://willcountygazette.com/stories/511063288-county-board-member-urges-governors-state-to-bar-illegal-immigrants

METRO EAST SUN
— Meier says state will never stop bleeding population without job growth – Glenn Minnis  (DIERSEN: Democrats run Illinois. Those Democrats only want employers that are anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://metroeastsun.com/stories/511061297-meier-says-state-will-never-stop-bleeding-population-without-job-growth

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— GOP seeks uniformity on illegal immigrant student policies – Michael Carroll
http://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511063279-gop-seeks-uniformity-on-illegal-immigrant-student-policies
(FROM THE ARTICLE: An Illinois legislator wants to see the state adopt a uniform, transparent and fiscally sound policy on the question of illegal immigrant students attending state universities. State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) said publicly funded universities in Illinois lack a uniform standard on accepting illegal immigrants, leading to a patchwork of policies that may be unfair to legal residents of Illinois. “Who it’s unfair to is our own students who cannot attend,” Ives recently told DuPage Policy Journal. “I think that we had a flight of students leaving our state for other universities that give them a better deal.” Illinois State University reported that it had 49 students who identified themselves as not in the country legally during the fall 2016 term. The number of illegal aliens who applied to become students in fall 2017 is 79. The university stresses on its website a core value of diversity. “Undocumented students … who apply to Illinois State are treated identically to any other U.S. citizen or permanent resident,” the university’s policy states. Illegal immigrants who want to study at the university may also be eligible for the in-state tuition rate; they will be asked to complete an affidavit when applying for that tuition rate, according to the university website. However, Illinois State University policies on need-based financial aid and state departmental scholarships are more nuanced. The school is prevented from handing out state or federal funds based on need to illegal immigrants, but those students can freely apply for state scholarships if they meet certain minimum requirements, according to the university website. Ives said she is uncertain if a new state law would need to be passed to create a statewide policy on whether illegal immigrants should be allowed to attend publicly funded universities. Taxpayers are already footing the bill for illegal immigrants to get primary and secondary education — through 12th grade — and Ives thinks state fiscal policies need to be realistic. “We have no budget, and we’re really broke,” she said of the state’s continuing fiscal crisis. Meanwhile, Chicago, a self-identified sanctuary city, seems to encourage illegal aliens to attend publicly funded colleges, Ives said.)
— Edgar County Watchdogs: DuPage County flouted advance-notice law on ballot referenda – Carol Ostrow
http://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511058385-watchdog-group-dupage-county-flouted-advance-notice-law-on-ballot-referenda

SANGAMON SUN
— Rauner implored to take tougher stance in battle with AFSCME – Vimbai Chikomo
http://sangamonsun.com/stories/511061812-rauner-implored-to-take-tougher-stance-in-battle-with-afscme

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— KNIGHT: POLITICAL CORRECTNESS DIES HARD
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/01/knight-political-correctness-dies-hard.html
— RHOADS: CELEBRATE TRUMP-PENCE INAUGURATION WITH ILLINOIS STATE SOCIETY
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/01/rhoads-you-can-still-come-to-inauguration.html

TOWNHALL
— Corrupt Politician Exposed: Citizens Demand Sanctuary in Their Own Country – Arthur Schaper  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps make it clear that they a) want to fill America’s cities with illegals and b) want to drive out of those cities those individuals, organizations, and companies that are Protestant, conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://townhall.com/columnists/arthurschaper/2017/01/02/corrupt-politician-exposed-citizens-demand-sanctuary-in-their-own-country-n2266088
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The phrase “sanctuary city” should be redundant. Cities should be sanctuaries for citizens. Period. The surrounding walls of a community kept inhabitants safe from marauding tribes in the Middle Ages. To this day, Vatican City has its ancient surroundings. Israel has a fence, with a cement wall in key sections, to protect their citizenry from Islamic terrorists and West Bank agitators. Those cities are safe, or at least safer. American citizens, though, are finding less safety in their cities. In California, there are at least 35 sanctuary cities in the lawless sense: illegal aliens can live and work in these areas, and not worry about local enforcement cooperating with federal immigration authorities to deport them. How has this policy worked out? Ask Maria Espinoza of the Remembrance Project, and the thousands of American lives lost to illegal aliens—murderers, drunk-drivers, rapists, etc. who found safe haven on American streets. “Sanctuary cities” are Orwellian nonsense writ large. There is no safety, there is no security, and they undermine the very concept of city, which exists to serve and protect … citizens. In urban centers across the country, the very concept of “city” has been notoriously abused. Chicago, along with Los Angeles and New York City, have brazenly announced their sanctuary city status. Windy City Mayor Rahm Emanuel comforted the illegals in his midst that he would do everything possible to shield them from deportation. It’s too bad many of the residents (legal or not) get shot by gang bangers and mafia interests.)
— White Male Survival Guide 2017 – Katie Kieffer  (DIERSEN: What do you say to Whites who demonize, denigrate, and condemn Whites to curry favor with those who are anti-White?  What do you say to males who demonize, denigrate, and condemn males to curry favor with those who are anti-male?  What do you say to older people who demonize, denigrate, and condemn older people to curry favor with those who are anti-older people? I should write a book about the aforesaid in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois.)
http://townhall.com/columnists/katiekieffer/2017/01/02/white-male-survival-guide-2017-n2266079
(FROM THE ARTICLE: China got it wrong: 2017 is not the year of the rooster—it’s the year of the white male. 2017 is the year the white man takes back his worth. Black Male Supremacists. Unheard of. Brown Male Supremacists. Unheard of. Because it’s only trendy for American elites to bash white males. Especially white males who never owned slaves; white males who never “stole” land from Native Americans or Mexicans; and white males who never hired an unqualified male over a qualified female in the workplace. How do white men handle the hatred hurled their way? Good question. I’ve prepared a short survival guide for white men who wish to reclaim their dignity in America. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday  “Mayday” is an international radio call signal to denote distress. Elitist comments like the following seven examples help illustrate the distress in which white males find themselves.)

FOX NEWS
— Charlie Sheen’s Trump death wish: How Twitter is turning political debate toxic – Howard Kurtz
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/02/charlie-sheens-trump-death-wish-how-twitter-is-turning-political-debate-toxic.html

NEWSMAX
— Let’s All Pray Trump Can Maintain the Courage of His Convictions – Denis Kleinfeld  (DIERSEN: What do you say to my churchgoing critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who pray that I lose the courage of my convictions?)
http://www.newsmax.com/finance/deniskleinfeld/donald-trump-investors-reality-stock-market/2017/01/01/id/766365/

PUBLIUS FORUM
— Dear Baby New Year, THIS is What Liberals Have in Store For You in 2017 – Warner Todd Huston
http://www.publiusforum.com/2017/01/01/dear-baby-new-year-liberals-store/

GOPUSA
— A Silent March for the Dead of Chicago
http://www.gopusa.com/a-silent-march-for-the-dead-of-chicago/

BLAZE
— Top Senate Democrat: We will work to undermine, slow down Trump Cabinet confirmation hearings – Chris Enloe
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/01/01/top-senate-democrat-we-will-work-to-undermine-slow-down-trump-cabinet-confirmation-hearings/

BREITBART
— SEIU Cuts Budget by 30 Percent Following Trump Victory – LEE STRANAHAN
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/01/02/winning-seiu-cuts-budget-30-response-trump-victory/
— Washington Post’s Fake News of Russian Vermont Power Plant Hack – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/31/washington-posts-fake-news-russian-vermont-power-plant-hack/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Trump Versus the Blue Wall in Washington – G. Murphy Donovan
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/01/trump_versus_the_blue_wall_in_washington.html

FEDERALIST PAPERS
— Trump is Shortening Inaugural Day Ceremonies; Here’s Why… – C.E. Dyer
http://thefederalistpapers.org/us/trump-is-shortening-inaugural-day-ceremonies-heres-why

POLITICO
— Black pols plan Trump resistance  ‘Our community is counting on us as the last line of defense between Donald Trump and the worst of what America could offer,’ one African-American lawmaker says. – HEATHER CAYGLE
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/african-american-lawmakers-trump-resistance-233040

CNN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “How Trump made hatred profitable for Milo Yiannopoulos.”
http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/02/opinions/milo-yiannopoulos-and-trump-profitable-hate-ben-ghiat-opinion/

NEW YORK TIMES
— Mar-a-Lago, the Future Winter White House and Home of the Calmer Trump – MAGGIE HABERMAN
http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/01/us/trump-mar-a-lago-future-winter-white-house.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats and RINOs demonize you, denigrate you, and condemn you if you do not promote Islam.
http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/01/business/media/anti-muslim-vitriol-brands-promote-inclusion.html
— Why Corporations Are Helping Donald Trump Lie About Jobs – Editorial  (DIERSEN: Democrats and RINOs run America. They only want employers and employees that are anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/02/opinion/why-corporations-are-helping-donald-trump-lie-about-jobs.html
— The Best Time to Retune Your Career? It’s Probably Right Now – Kevin Granville  (DIERSEN: What would “New York Times reporters and columnists” have advised me to do at the start of a) 1981 through 1997 concerning my GAO career and b) 1972 through 1980 concerning my IRS career?)
http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/01/business/best-time-to-retune-career.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: January is the big month for buying gym memberships. The excesses of the holiday season leave many of us looking to make improvements in our lives — a search that often leads straight to the elliptical machine. But what about your job and career? How have those been working out? Many people spend most of their waking hours at work or thinking about work. In the dim chill of a Monday morning in January, the prospect of another year at a job that fails to satisfy can be daunting, if not downright depressing. Is it time to ask for a raise, or to look for a new job altogether? Or do you just want to be happier where you are? You’ve come to the right place. New York Times reporters and columnists have tackled these topics in recent years, asking the questions you may have now, and are ready with answers.)

NEW YORK POST
— ‘That’s never happened’: Button maker sells out of Trump merchandise – Carl Campanile  (DIERSEN: How fast is Trump merchandise selling in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois?)
http://nypost.com/2017/01/02/thats-never-happened-button-maker-sells-out-of-trump-merch/

USA TODAY
— Applause for NYPD move to allow turbans for Sikhs in uniform – Melanie Eversley  (DIERSEN: What is the next move?)
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/12/30/applause-nypd-move-allow-turbans-sikhs-uniform/95988158/

THE NEW YORKER
— INTELLECTUALS FOR TRUMP  A rogue group of conservative thinkers try to build a governing ideology around a President-elect who disdains ideology. – Kelefa Sanneh  (DIERSEN: Many, if not most, if not virtually all Republicans voted for Trump because he promised to defend and advance the Republican Party platform.)
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/01/09/intellectuals-for-trump
— THE TRUMP-ERA CORPORATE BOYCOTT  For decades, we held corporations responsible for labor practices and environmental records. Now we target them for real or imagined political messages. – James Surowiecki (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, corporations a) pander to the Democrat Party and b) talk and act like they are operatives or dupes for the Democrat Party.)
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/01/09/the-trump-era-corporate-boycott

AMERICAN PROSPECT
— How Dwindling Union Power Helped Usher In Trump – ALAN DRAPER
http://prospect.org/article/how-dwindling-union-power-helped-usher-trump

FED SMITH
— GSA Lowers Mileage Reimbursement Rates for 2017 – Ian Smith (DIERSEN: Do/did get your mileage reimbursed?  The Post Office reimbursed me for the miles that I drove my 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint, my 1968 Oldsmobile 442, and my 1969 Dodge Charger SE delivering mail in Park Forest 1966-1969.  IRS reimbursed me for the miles that I drove my 1962 Chevy BelAir collecting delinquent taxes in Chicagoland 1972-1980.)
http://www.fedsmith.com/2017/01/02/gsa-lowers-mileage-reimbursement-rates-for-2017/

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES
— Rosie O’Donnell-Donald Trump Feud Update: Comedian Calls President-Elect ‘Mentally Unstable’ – SUMAN VARANDANI  (DIERSEN: Democrats always hint/imply/argue/shout that non-Democrats are mentally ill.)
http://www.ibtimes.com/rosie-odonnell-donald-trump-feud-update-comedian-calls-president-elect-mentally-2468292