Tag: cannabis

C-SPAN
— WATCH CPAC LIVE: Conservative Political Action Conference
https://www.c-span.org/networks/?channel=c-span-3

WGN RADIO
— Illinois State Senate GOP leader Bill Brady on the Governor’s budget address – MARY SANDBERG BOYLE
https://wgnradio.com/2019/02/27/illinois-state-senate-gop-leader-bill-brady-on-the-budget-address/

ABC7
— Mayoral race shows change has arrived, political expert says – Ravi Baichwal (DIERSEN: As Democrats gain power, the future is bleak for individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries in Chicago, Illinois, America, and the world that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/mayoral-race-shows-change-has-arrived-political-expert-says/5160143/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: And perhaps no community more than Chicago’s LGBTQ members celebrated as intensely with Tuesday’s outcome – the advent of a pair of African American women now vying for Chicago’s top spot. It brought a smile to the face of Rick Garcia. He started Equality Illinois a generation ago, seeking simple non-discrimination laws to protect the LGBTQ community. “All of the hard work, of many people over decades, came to fruition because both of these candidates,” he said. “One is lesbian and one has a strong record on LGBTQ rights. We haven’t seen that in a long time. There’s always somebody there who isn’t just with the community.” That undeniable political muscle was on display especially as you look the vote totals in wards 44, 46, 48 and 49 where the LGBTQ community is well represented, and had higher than average voter turnout — signaling again that they — with the African-American community — ought to have outsized roles in determining whether Toni Preckwinkle or Lori Lightfoot becomes the next mayor of Chicago.)
— DuPage County sheriff initiates plan to take more guns off the street – John Garcia
https://abc7chicago.com/dupage-county-sheriffs-plan-to-take-guns-off-the-street/5159842/

NBC5
— A Lori Lightfoot Victory Could Mean Broader Acceptance For LGBTQ Community (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, those who promote LGBTQ activity, their operatives, and their dupes get rid of you.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/A-Lori-Lightfoot-Victory-Could-Mean-Broader-Acceptance-For-LGBTQ-Community-506460431.html

DAILY HERALD
— Naperville mayoral challenger questions intent of incumbent’s opposition research – Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190227/naperville-mayoral-challenger-questions-intent-of-incumbents-opposition-research
— FRONT PAGE WITH COLOR PHOTO OF MAZZOCHI: Mazzochi defends timing of her departure from COD board – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190227/mazzochi-defends-timing-of-her-departure-from-cod-board
— Why I must explain myself as a reporter like I explained my dad the farmer – Burt Constable
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190228/constable-why-i-must-explain-myself-as-a-reporter-like-i-explained-my-dad-the-farmer

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Here’s how much more south suburban homeowners pay in taxes Property tax rates in the south suburbs are about twice what they are in western and north suburbs. We looked at comparably priced homes in several locations to see what that means in the dollars a homeowner pays. – DENNIS RODKIN (DIERSEN: How much value has your home lost? How much have your real estate taxes gone up?)
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/heres-how-much-more-south-suburban-homeowners-pay-taxes
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A home in south suburban Flossmoor sold last week for about 50 percent below what the sellers paid for it in 2006, a common enough story in Chicago’s slowly rising real estate market. Here’s what’s not so common: In that same stretch of 12 years, the home’s property tax bill went up by 40 percent. The dollar amounts are different—the sale price of the house on Braeburn Avenue went down by more than $500,000, while the taxes went up $6,700 between the 2006 and 2018 tax bills. But the criss-cross paths of prices and property taxes, with one going down while the other goes up, is a painful truth of the Chicago housing market that is most acute in the south Cook County suburbs. Tax rates in south Cook County municipalities are, on average, about twice those in western and northern towns. “The taxes are outrageous,” said Felicia Johnson, the D’aprile Properties agent who represented the buyers. “They’re absolutely the reason it was on the market so long. It’s a beautiful house. It’s gorgeous.”)

WBEZ
— Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Grills Cohen About Potential Trump Crimes – Dave McKinney
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/illinois-congressman-grills-cohen-about-potential-trump-crimes/e7ef7fa5-fac1-43eb-910c-42d3a1e9bcb2

HERALD NEWS
— Bolingbrook officials releases photos of attack on mayor’s home, property – FELIX SARVER
https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/27/bolingbrook-officials-releases-photos-of-attack-on-mayors-home-property/ah2yrzq/

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Lawmaker pushes for ‘non-discriminatory’ textbooks that highlight LGBT contributions – Peter Hancock (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, those who promote LGBTQ activity, their operatives, and their dupes get rid of you.)
https://www.rrstar.com/news/20190227/lawmaker-pushes-for-non-discriminatory-textbooks-that-highlight-lgbt-contributions

NORTHWEST HERALD
— McHenry County Board member becomes 3rd person to file civil suit over ‘defamatory’ campaign flyers – KATIE SMITH (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents know all about the lawsuits that I have filed.)
https://www.nwherald.com/2019/02/27/mchenry-county-board-member-becomes-3rd-person-to-file-civil-suit-over-defamatory-campaign-flyers/avvgcjb/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— I am voting for Jim Langfelder – Rosanna Pulido, Springfield
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190226/letter-i-am-voting-for-jim-langfelder
— Stormy Daniels to appear in Springfield
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190227/stormy-daniels-to-appear-in-springfield

— Walmart is getting rid of greeters, worrying those with disabilities – AP (DIERSEN: What has caused you to worry? During the 1980s and 1990s, the Democrats who ran GAO got rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who they had not promoted to GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40. That worried me because my Democrat GAO superiors a) had forced me to take a $19,203 (26%) pay cut in today’s dollars, that is, a downgrade from GS-12 Step 5 to GS-9 Step 10, to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, b) had kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 (1986-1988) of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, c) had gotten rid of my mentor in 1987 who had hired me, gotten me assigned to audits of IRS in 1986, and promoted me in 1986, d) had not promoted me beyond GS-13, e) had always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, and f) had given me unfair performance expectations and appraisals. They forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old.)
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190227/walmart-is-getting-rid-of-greeters-worrying-those-with-disabilities

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Progressive Income Tax Ads Start in Illinois – Cole Lauterbach
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=280224#.XHfJVJh_OM8
— Local Opposition to Graduated Income Tax – Doug Jenkins
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=280303#.XHfKDJh_OM8

FOX ILLINOIS
— Rep. Rodney Davis weighs in on Cohen testimony
https://foxillinois.com/news/connect-to-congress/rep-rodney-davis-weighs-in-on-cohen-testimony

NPR ILLINOIS
— New Americans Grapple With Identity And Country In ‘The Good Immigrant’ Editorial (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats and RINOs shout at immigrants, and at everyone else, that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things who should be gotten rid of once and for all. Ever-increasingly, Democrats and RINOs hint/imply/argue/shout that they have used, are using, and will use immigrants to get rid of Republicans once and for all.)
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/writers-who-are-first-or-second-generation-immigrants-share-stories#stream/0

— An Illinois Law Aims To Help Homeless Students — Is It Enough? – LEE V. GAINES
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/illinois-law-aims-help-homeless-students-it-enough#stream/0

WGLT
— Davis, LaHood Vote Against Gun Background Checks Bill – RYAN DENHAM & BRAKKTON BOOKER
http://www.wglt.org/post/davis-lahood-vote-against-gun-background-checks-bill#stream/0

WGEM
— Illinois State Rifle Association to host town hall on gun rights
https://wgem.com/2019/02/27/illinois-state-rifle-association-to-host-town-hall-on-gun-rights/

WBAY
— More kids using vape pens to smoke pot, police warn – Sarah Thomsen
https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Investigators-urge-parents-to-be-aware-of-vape-pens-being-used-to-smoke-pot-506459781.html

ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY
— Watchdogs & Analysts: Pritzker’s “Structurally Out Of Balance” Budget May Threaten Illinois’ Credit Rating
https://illinois.gop/%ef%bb%bf%ef%bb%bf-watchdogs-analysts-pritzkers-structurally-balance-budget-may-threaten-illinois-credit-rating/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— HOW MUCH WILL PRITZKER’S ‘FAIR TAX’ COST YOUR FAMILY? – Orphe Divounguy
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/how-much-will-pritzkers-fair-tax-cost-your-family/

CAPITOL FAX
— Calculate your ‘fair share’ under a progressive income tax
https://capitolfax.com/2019/02/28/calculate-your-%e2%80%98fair-share%e2%80%99-under-a-progressive-income-tax/

GOPUSA
— Prostitutes demand meeting with Kamala Harris, question her commitment to decriminalization
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=65819

FOX NEWS
— CPAC 2019 events begin
https://video.foxnews.com/v/6008315968001/#sp=show-clips
— At CPAC, conservatives warn of ‘radical’ Dems embracing socialism, Trump impeachment – Alex Pappas
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/meadows-jordan-at-cpac-warn-of-radical-dems-embracing-socialism-trump-impeachment
— Michael Cohen hearing becomes platform for Dems to float sensational Trump theories – Alex Pappas (DIERSEN: I should write a book about the platforms that the Milton Township Republican Central Committee, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, and Illinois Center Right Coalition gave operatives and dupes who work for my critics/opponents to demonize me, to denigrate me, and to condemn me.)
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/michael-cohen-hearing-becomes-platform-for-dems-to-float-sensational-trump-theories

WASHINGTON TIMES
— How conservatives learned to stop worrying and love the Trump – David Sherfinski
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/27/cpac-learns-love-donald-trump/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Mike Lee blasts GOP and Democrats for ‘shifting away’ from Constitution at CPAC – Daniel Jativa
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/mike-lee-blasts-gop-and-democrats-for-shifting-away-from-constitution-at-cpac

— Rep. Adam Kinzinger’s report from the border: More drugs, more human trafficking – Anna Giaritelli
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/rep-adam-kinzingers-report-from-the-border-more-drugs-more-human-trafficking

CONSERVATIVE REVIEW
— How the asylum invasion allows the cartels to flood us with criminals – Daniel Horowitz
https://www.conservativereview.com/news/asylum-invasion-allows-cartels-flood-us-criminals/

BREITBART
— Watch Live: Breitbart News Daily with Alex Marlow Live from CPAC 2019 – Amanda House
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2019/02/28/watch-live-breitbart-news-daily-with-alex-marlow-live-from-cpac-2019/
— Facebook Whistleblower: Staff ‘Deboost’ Unwanted Content – and I Saw Same Code Used on Conservatives – Lucas Nolan
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/02/27/facebook-whistleblower-staff-deboost-unwanted-content-and-i-saw-same-code-used-on-conservatives/
— Facebook Whistleblower Never Saw ‘Deboost’ Code Applied to Far-Left Publishers – Charlie Nash
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/02/27/facebook-whistleblower-never-saw-deboost-code-applied-to-far-left-publishers-like-young-turks/
— University of Wisconsin Hosts Event Comparing Migrant Crisis to Nazi Era – Alana Mastrangelo
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/02/27/university-of-wisconsin-hosts-event-comparing-migrant-crisis-to-nazi-era/
— Financial Blacklisting: Chase Bank Withdraws Service from Independent and Conservative Figures – Allum Bokhari
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/02/27/financial-blacklisting-chase-bank-withdraws-service-from-independent-and-conservative-figures/

FREEDOM’S JOURNAL
— SMOLLETT LIES EXPOSE A CULTURE OF LYING TO — AND ABOUT — THE POLICE – Larry Elder
https://freedomsjournalinstitute.org/latest-news/opinion/smollett-lies-expose-a-culture-of-lying-to-and-about-the-police/

ONE AMERICA NEWS NETWORK
— CPAC To Counter Leftward Drift Of Today’s Political Agenda
https://www.oann.com/cpac-to-counter-leftward-drift-of-todays-political-agenda/

TALKING POINTS MEMO
— After Three Hours, One GOP Rep. Broke Ranks And Asked Cohen A Real Question – Kate Riga (DIERSEN: QUESTION: What do many, if not most, if not virtually all people do? ANSWER: They find out who has the most religious, government, political, and/or financial clout. Then, a) they glorify and praise the aforesaid, b) they pander to the aforesaid, c) they serve as operatives and as dupes for the aforesaid, and d) they give money to the aforesaid. I should write a book about the aforesaid, their operatives, and their dupes in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois.)
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/after-three-hours-one-republican-broke-ranks-asked-cohen-real-question
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Amash also asked more about how Cohen says that Trump speaks in “code,” basically relaying his desires and marching orders through implication rather than directness.)

NATIONAL REVIEW
— The Left’s Next Target: Noncitizen Voting – JEFF DUNCAN
https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/02/noncitizen-voting-the-lefts-next-target/

ROLL CALL
— Democrats to reintroduce Dream Act on March 12 with TPS and DED protections – Lindsey McPherson (DIERSEN: Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/democrats-to-reintroduce-dream-act-with-tps-and-ded-protections-march-12

UPI
— Cohen calls Trump ‘con man,’ tells House he regrets ‘misplaced loyalty’ – Nicholas Sakelaris and Danielle Haynes (DIERSEN: It would be very interesting if any of the operatives or dupes who work for my critics/opponents would turn on my critics/opponents like Cohen has turned on Trump. Those operatives and dupes a) ended my TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairmanship in 2012, b) ended my Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee membership in 2011, c) ended my Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) webmaster service in 2010 and 2004, d) ended my Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) Steering Committee membership in 2007, e) ended American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board membership in 2004, and f) ended my GAO employment in 1997. They almost succeeded in getting ICRC to censure me in 2006. They succeeded in defeating my bid to serve as MTRCC Treasurer in 2004.)
https://www.upi.com/Cohen-blasts-Trump-in-blunt-House-testimony-Im-ashamed-of-my-misplaced-loyalty/6461551267664/

MCCLATCHY DC
— CPAC 2019: Conservatives rally the base against AOC and Democratic socialism – DAVID LIGHTMAN
https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article226806334.html

NBC NEWS
— Why the pay gap for black women isn’t shrinking fast enough As we celebrate strides African-American women have made, particularly during Black History Month, the wage gap still holds many of these women back. – Renee Morad
https://www.nbcnews.com/know-your-value/feature/why-pay-gap-black-women-isn-t-shrinking-fast-enough-ncna977236

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “The ominous history surrounding President Trump’s Fourth of July rally White nationalists have long used the holiday to advance their dreams of a white country.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/02/28/dark-side-president-trumps-fourth-july-rally/
— FEBRUARY 15, 2019 FLASHBACK: When the next Democratic president grabs ‘emergency’ powers, blame Trump By going along with his phony emergency declaration, Republicans are giving permission to the next White House occupant — of either party — to do the same. – Rick Wilson (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters hint/imply/argue/shout that “the next Democratic president” will use emergency declarations to get rid of Republicans once and for all.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/02/15/when-next-democratic-president-grabs-emergency-powers-blame-trump/
— Pentagon says it will delay, but not cancel, other projects to fund Trump’s wall – Erica Werner and Paul Sonne
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/pentagon-says-trumps-wall-demands-wont-cancel-other-construction-projects/2019/02/27/ce38f9d8-3ad3-11e9-a06c-3ec8ed509d15_story.html
— White House bans four journalists from covering Trump-Kim dinner – Philip Rucker and Josh Dawsey (DIERSEN: I should write a book about activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, their operatives, and their dupes who claim to be religious, conservative, and/or Republican who have banned me from and/or thrown me out of their events. They a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid. They blame me for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-bans-four-journalists-from-covering-trump-kim-dinner-because-of-shouted-questions/2019/02/27/36e1d26c-3a8d-11e9-a2cd-307b06d0257b_story.html

— Republican focus on discrediting Cohen leaves little time to defend Trump – Rachael Bade (DIERSEN: Who discredits you? Who defends you? I should write a book about those who have focused the most on discrediting me. The book would be lengthy and include past and present officers, members, and employees of the City of Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, Illinois, federal government, Milton Township Republican Central Committee, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Illinois Republican Party, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Center Right Coalition, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter, GAO, IRS, and Post Office. They include past and present activists, candidates, elected officials, major donors, political consultants, and defendants in lawsuits that I have filed who claim to be religious, conservative, and/or Republican. If I were to write a book about those who have defended me, it would be very short. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes viciously destroy those who defend me.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/republican-focus-on-discrediting-cohen-leaves-little-time-to-defend-trump/2019/02/27/33d8f67c-3ace-11e9-aaae-69364b2ed137_story.html

NEW YORK POST
— CNN didn’t disclose Democratic Party ties of questioners in Sanders town hall – Ruth Brown (DIERSEN: Government is nasty. Politics is nasty. Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs are nasty. Are you a Republican? I am. What ties do you have to the Republican Party? To discredit me, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes stress a) that I am only a Republican Precinct Committeeman, b) that I am NOT a chairman of any Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) committee, c) that I am NOT a MTRCC officer, d) that I am NOT a DuPage County Republican Central Committee officer, e) that I am NOT the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee member for the 6th Congressional District, f) that I am NOT an IRP officer, and g) that I am NOT the IRP National Committeeman. To discredit me, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes hint/imply/argue/shout that those who hold the aforesaid offices and everyone else in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois despise me if not hate me.)
https://nypost.com/2019/02/27/cnn-didnt-disclose-democratic-party-ties-of-questioners-in-sanders-town-hall/

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Limit on state and local tax deduction will hit 11 million taxpayers, Treasury finds – Jim Puzzanghera
https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/wires/business/limit-on-state-and-local-tax-deduction-will-hit-11-million-taxpayers-treasury-finds/

USA TODAY
— Just two cities are in recession. Who’s unhappy? Elmira, New York and Danville, Illinois – Paul Davidson
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/02/25/recession-elmira-new-york-danville-illinois-struggle-amid-us-boom/2920710002/#
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/02/26/cannabis-may-coming-mall-near-you-such-products-go-upscale/2873136002/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— U.S. Employers Resume Fight for More H-2B Visas for Foreign Workers Businesses say crash of government web portal for permit applications underscores need to raise visa caps – Louise Radnofsky and Lalita Clozel
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-employers-resume-fight-for-more-h-2b-visas-for-foreign-workers-11551307841
— A Day of Jarring Images for President Trump TV viewers could choose between Trump as a peace-seeker with North Korea’s leader—or a con man as portrayed by his former lawyer Michael Cohen – Gerald F. Seib (DIERSEN: Every time that I am in the Wheaton Bowl Banquet Hall, I have to suppress “jarring images” of nasty vicious operatives and of nasty vicious dupes who work for my critics/opponents who have viciously demonized me, viciously denigrated me, and viciously condemned me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails from the podium in that room.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-day-of-jarring-images-of-president-trump-11551305650
— Trump: Democrats Did a ‘Terrible Thing’ by Scheduling Cohen Hearing During Summit – Vivian Salama
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-democrats-did-a-terrible-thing-by-scheduling-cohen-hearing-during-summit-11551345832
— Inside the Investigation That Led to Prostitution Charges Against Robert Kraft How a tip on suitcases led authorities to a monthslong investigation that uncovered a network of spas that were allegedly fronts for prostitution – Andrew Beaton (DIERSEN: In your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, how many spas are fronts for prostitution?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/inside-the-investigation-that-led-to-prostitution-charges-against-robert-kraft-11551272401
— Pressure grows in competitive market for workers to figure out future career paths on their own time and dime – Lauren Weber (DIERSEN: What did you do to qualify yourself for better paying jobs? I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/employees-pushed-to-keep-learning-new-skills-as-workplace-evolves-11551279600
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Lifelong learning has become a mantra in American corporations as employees face pressure to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving workplace. Employers, politicians and educators are hammering the message that people need to continuously upgrade their skills because of advancing technologies. Even companies that invest in employee training expect workers to figure out their future career path, and some want workers to retrain themselves on their own time and dime. “We’ve put huge emphasis on shifting responsibility to the individual,” said Tim Munden, who oversees employee training as chief learning officer at Unilever PLC, which provides employees with resources such as online classes. “There’s no way on earth we can send people to enough training courses to make the shift we need to adapt to the world around us. People need to take that on themselves.” Employers say the self-starter model offers better odds that people will take initiative to keep themselves employable by absorbing skills they’re actually interested in. But self-directed learning can be a heavy lift for workers in an economy where the signals are difficult even for experts to parse, said Andy Van Kleunen, chief executive of the National Skills Coalition.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump Base Wants Immigration Compromise His backers are the likeliest to support a wall-for-DACA deal.”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-base-wants-immigration-compromise-11551312588

CBS ALBANY
— You Paid For It: Pricey cars gathering dust – Greg Floyd
https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/you-paid-for-it-government-vehicles-sitting-unused
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Some ritzy rides that you are paying for are sitting idle. A handful of taxpayer funded cars have normally been provided to some senior members of the NYS Senate. This year there is a twist – the Democrats who are now in control of the Senate don’t want the cars. We found the five expensive cars tucked away deep under the Empire State Plaza, covered in dust. There are two top of the line Ford Taurus Limiteds, and one 2017 Ford Explorer Limited, the priciest of the Explorers. There is a 2017 Chevy Tahoe Premier, again a top of the line vehicle. There is also one other older Tahoe. These cars were all purchased when Republicans controlled the Senate, but now the Democrats have grounded these cars. Democratic Senator David Carlucci says just because something has been done a certain way for years, that doesn’t mean the practice has to continue. Even many rank and file Republicans say they have concerns about the purchase of the pricey cars.)

MAC STRATEGIES GROUP
— Media Training (DIERSEN: Based on how they have treated me and how they have treated my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, far too many activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who state that they are religious, conservative, and/or Republican need a tremendous amount of media training. Far too many of them blame me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems. Far too many of them a) do NOT keep diersen@aol.com on their press advisory and press release lists, b) do NOT want me to know about their press conferences and other events and activities, c) do NOT want me to promote their events and other activities, d) do NOT want me to attend their press conferences and other events, e) do NOT want me to ask questions at their press conferences and other events, f) do NOT want me to speak with other reporters or anyone else at their press conferences and other events, and g) do NOT want me to report on their press conferences and other events and activities. Far too many of them blame me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for all the losses that Republican candidates have suffered in Illinois since 2000. Far too many of them hint/imply/argue/shout that I am NOT a legitimate reporter or journalist. Far too many of them talk and/or act like they have been advised that the more that you demonize, denigrate, and condemn Diersen and his GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, the money and votes that you will get.)
http://www.macstrategiesgroup.com/our-services
(FROM A RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Working with the media is an integral part of any communications and advocacy program. Relationships with reporters shouldn’t be viewed as combative, but instead, interdependent. The media can help amplify your message and communicate to a wider-reaching audience, while media professionals are often times seeking an expert source for information. Our media training team (featured in the picture here), includes Emmy and Peabody-award winning former journalists, regularly prepares clients for press conferences, editorial board appearances and live interviews to help them feel more comfortable when speaking with reporters and answering questions on the record.)

FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— GAO growing cyber staff even if Congress doesn’t revive Tech Assessment office – Jory Heckman
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/hiring-retention/2019/02/gao-growing-cyber-staff-even-if-congress-doesnt-revive-tech-assessment-office/

DAILY MAIL
— ‘Have you taken a trip to the Hanoi Hilton yet?’ Meghan McCain trolls Trump after president mocks ‘Da Nang Dick’ Blumenthal saying ‘I have now spent more time in Vietnam than him’ – even though both men avoided the war – ARIEL ZILBER (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who have punished me the most for my seeking and getting a) four student draft deferments 1966-1970 and b) a financial hardship draft deferment 1970-1971. Most of them were my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government. But some are/were religious, conservative, and Republican activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, and political consultants.)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6753589/Meghan-McCain-trolls-Trump-president-mocks-Da-Nang-Dick-Blumenthal-Vietnam-claims.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Meghan McCain, co-host of The View and daughter of late Senator John McCain, hit out at President Trump on Wednesday. She reacted to Trump’s tweet in which he mocked Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. Trump has repeatedly referred to Blumenthal as ‘Da Nang Dick’ over the Democratic senator’s false claims that he served in Vietnam. ‘I have now spent more time in Vietnam than Da Nang Dick Blumenthal,’ Trump tweeted on Wednesday. Meghan McCain replied: ‘Have you taken a trip to the Hanoi Hilton yet?’ The Hanoi Hilton is where her father was held captive by the North Vietnamese after his plane was shot down during the war. Trump has slammed Blumenthal for his claims about serving in Vietnam – even though Trump himself received multiple deferments and avoided service.)