Tag: cannabis

ABC7
— Illinois GOP chairman calls for Ives to take controversial ad off the air – Michelle Gallardo (DIERSEN: Democrats and RINOs want Rauner and his supporters to do more to demonize, to denigrate, and to condemn Republicans as being White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, sexual harassers, bigots, and even worse things. One could ask which Rauner supporters are leading his administration’s efforts to drive out of the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) those who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the IRP platform.)
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/ill-gop-chairman-calls-for-ives-to-take-controversial-ad-off-the-air/3030306/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Appearing at Saturday’s gala for Equality Illinois, Gov. Rauner did not directly address the ad, but his presence and a $25,000 donation to the state’s LGBTQ civil rights organization did the talking. “Diana and I believe that fairness is in the DNA of the State of Illinois. The proof of that is in your work,” said Gov. Rauner at the gala. The governor was just one of nearly 100 elected officials at the event, which has become a veritable who’s who of Illinois politics. “LGBTQ equality is not a partisan issue. What we hope to hear from our speakers and our leaders is ‘We stand with you. Your full equality is consistent with the values of Illinois. We won’t go back,'” said Brian Johnson with Equality Illinois. Ives campaign stands by the ad, insisting that the commercial represents and quote, “a fair and accurate representation” of Rauner’s policy choices. It remains to be seen, whether pressure from the state’s republican leaders will change their minds. For now, a 30-second and 60 second version of the ad continues to run.)

WGN TV
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats and RINOs want Rauner and his supporters to do more to demonize, to denigrate, and to condemn Republicans as being White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, sexual harassers, bigots, and even worse things. One could ask which Rauner supporters are leading his administration’s efforts to drive out of the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) those who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the IRP platform.
http://wgntv.com/2018/02/03/political-ad-at-center-of-controversy/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Governor Rauner speaking tonight at the Equality Illinois Gala, did not address it publicly. Some have labeled it transphobic , sexist and racist. The chair of the Illinois Republican Party called on Ives to take the ad down and apologize immediately. All of this comes as Gov. Rauner made his first appearance ever at the annual Equality Illinois Gala. Rauner and his wife donated 25-thousand dollars to be platinum sponsors. The organization supports Civil rights work for the LGBTQ community. Mayor Emanuel and several Democratic candidates for governor were among the politicians packing the Hilton’s grand ballroom. Governor Rauner did not stop to answer questions from reporters and he was heckled a bit during very brief remarks. A spokesperson for the Ives campaign says Ives is traveling downstate today, and She is not pulling the ad, because she is not intimidated by Gov. Rauner and what she called his paid party mouthpieces.)

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PHOTO OF IVES: Suburban backers stand by Ives after controversial ad – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180203/suburban-backers-stand-by-ives-after-controversial-ad
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Suburban Republicans backing primary challenger Jeanne Ives in her bid to unseat Gov. Bruce Rauner are defending the Wheaton lawmaker who faces intense criticism for a television ad that state party leaders and Rauner allies have denounced as racist and homophobic. Lawmakers on Saturday stood by their endorsements of Ives amid the backlash over the statewide ad that began airing this weekend, but suggested the spot would provide campaign fodder for her opponents who cast Ives as a divisive social conservative and a longshot in the March primary. . .State Rep. Barb Wheeler, a Crystal Lake Republican, called the ad cringe-worthy and ridiculous. She said Ives still has her vote, but urged her messages to stick to what Wheeler considers her political strengths as a fiscal policy wonk. “I have been in the General Assembly with her since 2013. And if I believed in my heart of hearts that she was a racist or a hater, I wouldn’t have supported her in the first place,” Wheeler said. “She is right on the issues. I don’t always agree with the way she messages.” Wheeling Township Republican Committeeman Ruth O’Connell argued the ad appeals to Ives’ conservative base. “It is going to create talk, and the ad will bring the attention to the voters, and I think a lot of them care about the issues she covered in the ad,” she said. . .The Ives’ campaign dismissed Schneider’s statement, calling the Illinois GOP an arm of Rauner’s campaign because the organization is almost entirely funded by Rauner, a wealthy former private equity investor. “Rauner betrayed Illinois conservatives. He and his paid-for mouthpieces don’t like his betrayals being illustrated and his radical left-wing social agenda being exposed,” campaign spokeswoman Kathleen Murphy said. Rauner signed a bill last year making it easier for transgender people to change the gender listed on their birth certificates. He has not signed a bill on restroom access for transgender individuals. The release of the ad comes as Rauner and Ives battle for endorsements in the suburbs. The Cook County Republican Central Committee votes on Monday on who to back in the gubernatorial race. . .State Rep. Tom Morrison, a Palatine Republican, said the ad was “jarring,” but meant to “stimulate conversation.” “That’s what campaigns are about,” said Morrison, an Ives supporter. “It’s discussing candidates. It’s discussing issues, and I think this ad will spark some discussions on specific bills cited in the ad.”)
— 10th District GOP hopefuls differ on term limits – Russell Lissau
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180203/10th-district-gop-hopefuls-differ-on-term-limits
— Debate over drug rehab plan heads to Wheaton city council – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180203/debate-over-drug-rehab-plan-heads-to-wheaton-city-council

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Fact check: Does the GOP memo show the FBI spied on the Trump campaign? – Glenn Kessler (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, anyone who gets paid to be a fact checker should be required to disclose their qualifications. No one pays me, that is, I have enough money that I do not have to ask anyone for money. Nevertheless, while I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $96,403-$125,325, I increasingly worked as a referencer, that is, as a fact checker. That work required assuring the accuracy and support for each and every word, number, table, graph, chart, conclusion, opinion, and recommendation in GAO reports. I worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880. My other fact checking qualifications include becoming a Forensic Accountant in 1997, a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a licensed CPA in 1981, a Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, and a CPA in 1979.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/factcheck/ct-fact-check-gop-memo-20180203-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Who should pay the price of Affirmative Action (AA), Diversity, and Inclusion? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that the more of following that you are, the more that you should pay the price of AA, Diversity, and Inclusion: citizen of America, White, male, older, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, rich, gun owner, draft avoider, German American, and if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/schmich/ct-met-black-history-mary-schmich-20180202-story.html
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: The tea costs $60, but the weed is free: Cannabis capitalists exploit loopholes by ‘gifting’ the drug – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-free-marijuana-loopholes-20180201-story.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD IN THE NAPERVILLE SUN: Naperville park director’s pay is $50K more than Fox Valley, others – Erin Hegarty (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents viciously demonize, denigrate, and condemn federal employees and retirees as being grossly over-compensated. My ending GAO salary in today’s dollars was $125,325. My Civil Service Retirement System pension is $51,864. In my defense, 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.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-mcgury-park-district-salary-st-0202-20180202-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A recently approved 3 percent raise for Naperville Park District Executive Director Ray McGury locks him in as the highest paid park director in the area with a base salary of $207,618. McGury, hired to lead the park district in 2008, is also set to collect $5,634.28 a month in pension payments from the 21 years he spent with the Naperville Police Department, according to the Naperville Police Pension Fund board. In addition to his base salary, McGury was also approved for $10,000 in deferred compensation and $7,200 in auto allowance for 2018. The parks director has been receiving the car allowance and deferred compensation in those amounts since 2015.)
— New van to provide mobile veterinary services in DuPage County – Gary Gibula (DIERSEN: Of course, this will encourage low income people a) to move to DuPage County, b) to stay in DuPage County, and c) buy more pets. One reason why I can afford to spend 10+ hours each and every day and thousands of dollars each and every year to put GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and send them out free of charge and without any advertising is that neither my wife nor I have never had a pet.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-dupage-mobile-spay-neuter-vehicle-st-0126-20180202-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: DuPage County officials are thrilled that their animal care and control department soon will make use of a new mobile spay and neutering van. The 26-foot conversion vehicle will be outfitted with a number of features to allow veterinary services to be provided at remote locations, similar to a bookmobile or bloodmobile. “This is going to be a game-changer that allows us to save more animals and better serve the community,” said Dr. Barbara Hanek, administrator veterinarian. With ongoing concerns about pet overpopulation, a mobile spay and neuter vehicle can serve low-income residents who may not have the ability to drive to the animal care facility at the county campus in Wheaton. “Also, our spay and neuter program is free of charge for DuPage residents who qualify,” said Kristie Lecaros, humane initiatives and special projects manager. Valued at $250,000, the van is made possible by a donation from the Brooks McCormick Jr. Trust for Animal Rights Law and Policy, which will be honored at the Feb. 27 county board meeting. “We’re an open admission shelter in the county,” said Brian Krajewski, chairman of the board’s animal care and control committee. “That means we take in every animal and try to find them a home. But we also do education, and this new van will help us to get out to many events, highlight animal rescues, and help us do some medical procedures like feral fixes, where we spay and neuter, microchip and vaccinate for rabies.” Free spay and neutering is available for all pets in DuPage County households where the owner has an Illinois LINK card that indicates low-income assistance. Officials said the van will be delivered in May. One side of it opens to reveal cages that may contain pets available for immediate adoption. Inside, the van will have two surgical tables, countertop work space and veterinary pharmacy supplies. “It’s also going to have a dental unit and an x-ray machine,” Hanek said. “We don’t even have an x-ray machine here at the main building. That’s a $50,000 piece of equipment right there.” The donation of $300,000 and a statement were facilitated by volunteer Amanda Yancey. “The Brooks McCormick Jr. Trust for Animal Rights Law and Policy is a progressive think-tank for national animal welfare,” the donor wrote. “… Amanda has seen the improvements at DuPage County Animal Care & Control. To further the momentum, the exciting possibility of a specialty veterinary vehicle is seen as revolutionary for the animals of DuPage and beyond.” Hanek said veterinary medicine at shelters has shifted from a philosophy of addressing overpopulation with euthanasia “to now using more proactive measures like targeted spaying and neutering. That’s what this new van will help us do.” Hanek met with Kane County animal control officials who demonstrated the use of geo-coding to map locations throughout the county prone to feral and stray animals. “From that data, we can then determine the most effective areas where we can target our spay and neuter van,” Hanek said. “We want to be more proactive to provide our services in the areas where they’re needed.” A veterinary surgeon has been designated for the van, which will travel to a remote location at least once a week, officials said. “We should be able to do up to 30 spays and neuters per day,” Hanek said. “It all depends on the amount of time, whether it’s neutering a male cat versus spaying a large dog.” All pets under treatment are implanted with a microchip to identify the animal and the owner. Walk-ins may obtain microchips for their pets for $30. The goal is for police departments to be able to scan a chip and return the animal to its owner. “We also are very indebted to other rescue groups that have helped us in the past,” Hanek said. “With the new vehicle, we now can come out and do procedures for them. The whole idea is to fill a void for pet owners who can’t afford veterinary care and to lessen the burden on the animal shelter system.” DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin is an animal enthusiast who has two dogs, two cats and a horse, all spayed and neutered. “I think this is a great idea,” he said. “You’ve got to take the services to the neighborhoods, which is a much more effective way to get to the overpopulation of feral cats and other animals, particularly low-income areas. I encourage all the residents to participate and start looking out for the van.”)

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Man poses as Water Division employee in Wheaton burglary – Taylor Hartz
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/man-poses-as-water-division-employee-in-wheaton-robbery/

QUAD CITY TIMES
— 3 Life Changes That Will Impact Your Taxes – Maurie Backman (DIERSEN: If there was no marriage penalty, instead of $10,000, the SALT cap would be $20,000 for married filing jointly.)
http://qctimes.com/business/investment/markets-and-stocks/life-changes-that-will-impact-your-taxes/article_6bd0d449-3a57-593e-b70d-8a54208ef0a3.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Like it or not, taxes are a part of life, so it stands to reason that when things change in your life, your taxes might follow suit. Here are three significant milestones that could end up impacting your taxes — ideally for the better. 1. Getting married  Getting married can have a huge effect on your taxes because once you tie the knot, you’re eligible to shift your status to married filing jointly. This not only changes your standard deduction, but determines the marginal tax bracket you ultimately fall into.)

HERALD & REVIEW
— Ives short on cash, but full of fight – RICH MILLER
http://herald-review.com/news/opinion/miller-ives-short-on-cash-but-full-of-fight/article_297e65d2-25e1-51e2-803b-4fca51857b9c.html

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— All signs are positive – if you’re wealthy – DON WOOTEN (DIERSEN: If you are not struggling, that is, if you are wealthy, what do your critics/opponents attribute that to?)
http://qconline.com/opinion/columnists/all-signs-are-positive—if-you-re-wealthy/article_82b5117f-1845-5283-8117-044c2272f25f.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: I meet folks who are struggling to keep themselves afloat by working two or three part-time jobs (no wonder unemployment figures are low). Some who can no longer afford health insurance, thanks to repeal of Obama’s individual mandate. People who haven’t the means to care for their elderly, sick relatives. Others whose poverty has made Dollar General stores the fastest-growing retail chain in America. The growing number of those without a home; women forced to choose between caring for their children or working several jobs to feed them.)

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Rauner promotes business-friendliness during trip to local brewery – Jaymee Toler (DIERSEN: One could ask about employee-friendliness. Are/were you an employee? I was 1964-1997.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/rauner-promotes-business-friendliness-during-trip-to-local-brewery/951123966
— Abortion is a focus of early action in legislative sessions – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/abortion-is-a-focus-of-early-action-in-legislative-sessions/950976761

WJBD RADIO
— Illinois Governor Candidate Stands by Ad Blasted as ‘Racist’ – AP
http://www.wjbdradio.com/local-news/2018/02/03/illinois-governor-candidate-stands-by-ad-blasted-as-racist

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Focus on economic growth, control of pension crisis needed in Illinois, Batinick says – Glenn Minnis (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Rauner and his supporters focus on driving out of the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) those like me who are involved in politics to defend and advance the IRP platform. Ever-increasingly, Rauner and his supporters focus on driving out of the IRP those like me who support the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and the rest of the planks in the IRP platform.)
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511327637-focus-on-economic-growth-control-of-pension-crisis-needed-in-illinois-batinick-says

FOX NEWS
— Paul Ryan calls to ‘cleanse’ the FBI – Mike Emanuel (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who fear/believe that Rauner and his supporters want to cleanse the Illinois Republican Party of all its members who support the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform? What do Trump and Pence have to say about that?) |
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/30/paul-ryan-calls-to-cleanse-fbi-backs-surveillance-memo-release.html

DAILY CALLER
— Answer Facebook’s Attacks Against Freedom Of Speech — Complain, Sue, Compete – Alan Keyes (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the anti-conservative Facebook is succeeding in a) stopping people from visiting websites, b) stopping people and organizations from sending and reading emails, and c) stopping organizations, activists, candidates, elected officials, etc. from publishing and maintaining websites. Ever-increasingly, everyone talks and acts like anti-conservative Facebook is the internet.)
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/04/answer-facebooks-attacks-against-freedom-of-speech-complain-sue-compete/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Lately Facebook appears to be making particularly aggressive moves against freedom of speech by conservatives. Particularly targeted are those who express views that offer facts and reasoning which contradict the specious Constitutional jurisprudence that demands respect for various gender claims, and equal public regard for a variety of sexual practices. Yet these demands deny or disparage God-endowed unalienable rights, attributes of humanity (like the sexual distinction for purposes of procreation) that are necessarily antecedent to all human laws and constitutions. Moreover, as the term “unalienable” plainly requires, people retain such rights no matter what human laws or edicts purport to gainsay them. . .Such are the forces now at work at Facebook and other such social networking businesses, whose commerce is, or else includes, communication. They mean to suppress speech that challenges any prejudices not their own. But isn’t the United States still governed by its laws and Constitution? Aren’t businesses that accommodate public exchanges and conveyances still subject to the Civil Rights Act? Instead of just publicizing Facebook’s growing abuses, isn’t it long past time for the victims of its attacks on free speech to seek such justice as that law provides? . . . Two things are urgently needed: 1) An avalanche of formal complaints to appropriate Civil Rights Offices if the US Government, and attendant lawsuits against Facebook’s attacks on freedom of speech; and 2) promotion of a competitive alternative(s) to Facebook committed to respecting the logic and purpose of the U.S. Constitution’s enumeration of freedom of speech in the Bill of Rights, as well as the Ninth Amendment’s language prohibiting any construction of the enumeration of rights that denies or disparages rights retained by the people. These latter include, foremost of all, the God-endowed, unalienable rights whose surrender entails the loss of humanity itself.)
— There’s A Newfound Hatred Of Silicon Valley – Eric Lieberman
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/03/newfound-hatred-of-silicon-valley/

ONE NEWS NOW
— On McCabe: Retirement w/ benefits? That’s justice? More needs to be done than just allowing disgraced federal officials to retire with full benefits. – Chad Groening (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who claim to be conservative and/or Republican are overjoyed that my Democrat superiors in the federal government disgraced me. My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. My Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974. My Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://www.onenewsnow.com/politics-govt/2018/01/31/on-mccabe-retirement-w-benefits-thats-justice

BLAZE
— State legislatures hit with flurry of Republican abortion bills – Teri Webster
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/02/03/state-legislatures-hit-with-flurry-of-republican-abortion-bills

AMERICAN THINKER
— IL Governor Rauner’s conservative challenger making waves – Rick Moran
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/02/il_governor_rauners_conservative_challenger_making_waves.html
— Riot erupts following Charles Kirk lecture at Colorado State University – Rick Moran
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/02/riot_erupts_following_charles_kirk_lecture_at_colorado_state_university.html

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— FBI unpopular among Republicans: Poll – Joel Gehrke
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/fbi-unpopular-among-republicans-poll/article/2648039

COLLEGE FIX
— Professor: Former VP Dick Cheney not qualified to speak at Cornell – DAVE HUBER
http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/41579/

THE HILL
— Ryan calls for a ‘cleanse’ of the FBI – BRETT SAMUELS (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who fear/believe that Rauner and his supporters want to cleanse the Illinois Republican Party of all its members who support the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform? What do Trump and Pence have to say about that?)
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/371429-ryan-calls-for-a-cleanse-of-the-fbi
— Polls swing toward GOP, easing fears of midterm disaster – ALEXANDER BOLTON
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/372101-gop-growing-optimistic-about-midterm-chances

NEW YORK TIMES
— A ‘Blue’ Florida? There Are No Quick Demographic Fixes for Democrats – Nate Cohn (DIERSEN: Because members of the following groups vote for Democrats, Democrats want to flood your precinct, your municipality, your township/ward, your county, Illinois, and America with them: anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, 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 longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/upshot/a-blue-florida-there-are-no-quick-demographic-fixes-for-democrats.html
— Who’s Able-Bodied Anyway? The 400-year history of how we talk about the deserving versus the undeserving poor. – Emily Badger and Margot Sanger-Katz (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, employers talk and act like they do not want hire, retain, or promote those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, draft avoiders, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/03/upshot/medicaid-able-bodied-poor-politics.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fsunday

NEW YORK POST
— The GOP memo proves the ‘deep state’ is real – Michael Goodwin
https://nypost.com/2018/02/03/the-gop-memo-proves-the-deep-state-is-real/

USA TODAY
— Protestors chanting Nazi slogan storm crowd outside Charlie Kirk speech at Colorado State University – Nick Coltrain
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/02/03/protestors-chanting-nazi-slogan-storm-crowd-outside-charlie-kirk-speech-colorado-state-university/303489002/

ON TOP MAGAZINE
— RNC Backs Trump’s Ban On Transgender Troops – CARLOS SANTOSCOY
http://www.ontopmag.com/article/37309/RNC_Backs_Trumps_Ban_On_Transgender_Troops