Tag: federal

ABC7
— Illinois education secretary explains what school funding bill will do
http://abc7chicago.com/education/illinois-education-secretary-breaks-down-school-funding-bill/2357616/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— ALL OF THE FRONT PAGE: Chicagoans face another big property-tax hit in new school deal – Lauren FitzPatrick, Fran Spielman, and Tina Sfondeles
http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/aldermen-off-the-hook-deal-empowers-cps-board-to-hike-property-taxes/
— Cost of latest planned tax CPS tax hike? $83 for home valued at $200k – Sam Charles
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/new-cps-levy-could-bring-in-up-to-148-million/
— The price Chicago must pay for a past failure of courage – Editorial
http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-the-price-chicago-must-pay-for-a-past-failure-of-courage/
— Why Rahm Emanuel joined forces with Lisa Madigan on police reform – Fran Spielman
http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/lisa-madigan-to-file-lawsuit-seeking-court-oversight-over-cpd/
— CPS board to hike property taxes thanks to new school deal – Lauren FitzPatrick, Fran Spielman, Tina Sfondeles
http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/aldermen-off-the-hook-deal-empowers-cps-board-to-hike-property-taxes/
— Details still being sorted out in new state scholarship program – Mark Brown  (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod.  Because my parents did that, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always demonized, denigrated, and condemned a) my parents as being filthy rich and b) my brother and me as being born with silver spoons in our mouths, as having always been privileged, and as being filthy rich.)
http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/brown-details-still-being-sorted-out-in-new-state-scholarship-program/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— West Chicago Public Library denies request to remove gay pride book – Robert McCoppin  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats encourage children to engage in LGBTQ activity.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-gay-pride-childrens-book-west-chicago-library-met-20170829-story.html
— The Democratic silence on antifa is dangerous – John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-antifa-kass-met-0830-20170829-column.html
— FRONT PAGE WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE IN THE NAPERVILLE SUN: Advisory board recommends doubling sales tax, tossing property tax abatement – Erin Hegarty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-sales-tax-raise-naperville-st-0830-20170829-story.html
— Students question dress codes in District U46: ‘It’s basically telling us to hide ourselves’ – Rafael Guerrero
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-u46-dress-codes-st-0827-20170829-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who promote LGBTQ activity do everything that the can a) first, to get rid of those who oppose the promotion of LGBTQ activity, and b) then, to get rid of those who do not promote LGBYQ activity.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/huppke/ct-nashville-statement-lgbt-huppke-20170830-story.html
— In Illinois, a big day for little people – Editorial  (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always painted themselves as being Robin Hoods and champions for “little people.”)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-illinois-school-funding-reform-0830-20170829-story.html
— As Congress ponders Harvey relief, resentment lingers over resistance for Sandy aid – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-harvey-storm-relief-20170830-story.html
— More women are saying no more to sexual harassment – Caryn Ward
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-harassment-clinton-trump-0831-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Some suburban educators relieved, others troubled by school funding overhaul – Madhu Krishnamurthy
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170829/some-suburban-educators-relieved-others-troubled-by-school-funding-overhaul
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: While some businesses get tax breaks, others get new tax  Rebates helped grow business in Downers Grove, where sales tax revenue has now dropped – Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170830/while-some-businesses-get-tax-breaks-others-get-new-tax
— Kane County official wants to review employee medical leave – James Fuller (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my coworkers and subordinates took far more sick days than I did.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170830/county-official-wants-to-review-employee-medical-leave

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Illinois’ political map rigging takes back seat to Wisconsin, others – BGA  (DIERSEN: In retrospect, with benefit of hindsight, in 2015, I should have filed a lawsuit to stop the redrawing of my DuPage County Milton Township Precinct 9 borders.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170829/NEWS02/170829860/illinois-political-map-rigging-takes-back-seat-to-wisconsin-others

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— University of Illinois lecturer John Bambenek’s tool follows money that funds hate groups – Julie Wurth
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-08-30/ui-lecturers-tool-follows-money-funds-hate-groups.html

STATELINE
— Debate Rages After Gov. Rauner Vetoes ‘Wage Gap’ Bill  Some say bill is wrong approach to closing wage gap between men and women – Raquel Martin  (DIERSEN: As everyone knows, private sector employers a) want cheap labor and b) viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, and viciously condemn government employees as being overpaid. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 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.mystateline.com/news/debate-rages-after-gov-rauner-vetoes-wage-gap-bill/801297553

MADISON RECORD
— Kyle McCarter: Rauner is ‘the best Republican Democrats have ever had’ – Ann Maher
https://madisonrecord.com/stories/511200480-mccarter-rauner-is-the-best-republican-democrats-have-ever-had
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Calling Gov. Bruce Rauner “the best Republican Democrats have ever had,” fellow GOPer State Sen. Kyle McCarter believes the sanctuary state bill signed into law yesterday will negatively effect the governor’s re-election hopes. “This is not just bad policy,” McCarter said of Rauner’s adoption of the Trust Act. “It’s bad politics.” The “sanctuary state” measure in Senate Bill 31 limits the role local and state police can have in enforcing federal immigration laws. While Rauner touts the Act as one that will improve “connectivity between immigrants and law enforcement, making Illinois safer for all residents,” critics like McCarter say it shows the governor “is not committed to protecting the citizens of Illinois but criminal Illegals.” Leading up to Rauner’s action yesterday, McCarter addressed criticism he faced for not backing his fellow Republican. McCarter said that party loyalty can only go so far. “You can’t overlook what’s right and wrong, and you can’t defend what’s wrong as though it’s right just because your party leader says this is the way it is,” McCarter said in a Facebook post. “We all need to be held accountable.” In a radio interview with radio hosts Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson at AM 560 in Chicago on Tuesday morning, McCarter said he was concerned about “my party” and its brand being tainted, or at least “confused.” He said that within the congressional district he is considering taking a run at – the 15th Congressional District currently represented by Republican John Shimkus – a majority in the 33 counties of the southern Illinois district voted for President Trump. “His immigration policy was one of the reasons they voted for him,” McCarter said. “I think this is going to negatively effect Rauner’s election.” When asked whether Rauner might face a primary challenge, McCarter said he wasn’t sure it was a practical idea as any rival would run against “a very wealthy man.” But he also said that primaries are good because they make candidates better, forcing them to focus on what they stand for. In a final segment of the radio program, Proft turned to an article in a news outlet Proft established – Prairie State Wire – that examines state contracts totaling $16.88 billion amassed for clients of Nancy Kimme, a Republican, whom he described as a “longtime inside player.” Kimme had served as chief of staff to the late Judy Baar Topinka, who passed away shortly after being elected state comptroller in 2014. After Topinka’s passing, Kimme turned to lobbying, and according to Proft, had worked out of the governor’s office under the “previous regime” before a staff shakeup in July. Proft asked McCarter about Rauner’s promise to “shake up” Springfield and turn around Illinois, as in his version of “draining the swamp.” “Unfortunately, Republicans in Illinois dwell in the swamp as well,” McCarter said. “It’s not just a home for Democrats. Cultures of corruption don’t change overnight, no culture does…typically what happens when it does change, you have spectacular principled leaders and it’s those leaders that stand strong and can really move culture in the right direction.” McCarter said he “knew the reality” of how things work in Springfield when he had asked a state agency director about employment for someone he knew. “I had asked a director one time in this administration if there was a place to provide a job to a man who was unjustly treated by the previous administration, and one of best workers we had in the state,” McCarter said. “And he told me he couldn’t do anything about that, but he told me that I should go to the firm of Nancy Kimme…I thought that was just a little odd.” Proft said, “The agency director couldn’t do anything but the shadow government could, if you wanted to enlist them at a price.” “Exactly,” McCarter said. “That is disappointing and shows you the depth of this culture of corruption.”)

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: At Bradley University, anti-Trumps promote hatred of Trump supporters.
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20170829/speaker-at-bradley-warns-of-threat-from-far-right-extremists

QUAD CITY TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Quad City Times a) encourages people to come to America illegally, b) encourages people to stay in America illegally, and c) encourages people to bring other people to America illegally.
http://qctimes.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-on-monday-rauner-got-it-right/article_6da4b397-ab4f-55c1-988b-ea857f9d6cf4.html

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: At Bradley University, anti-Trumps promote hatred of Trump supporters.
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/community-comes-together-to-talk-rise-in-hate-crimes-and-groups-in-the-country/801047412
— Trump embraces law and order agenda  Reverses Obama curbs of military gear for police – STEPHEN COLLINSON AND LAURA JARRETT  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps promote hatred of police.)
http://www.mystateline.com/news/politics/trump-embraces-law-and-order-agenda/800674004
— Democrats prepare to fight Trump’s transgender military ban – JEREMY HERB  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote LGBTQ activity.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/democrats-prepare-to-fight-trumps-transgender-military-ban/801245402

WESTERN SPRINGS PATCH
— State Rep. Bellock To Host Property Tax Forum In Western Springs  The forum will be held Sept. 6 at Western Springs Village Hall. – Andrea Earnest
https://patch.com/illinois/westernsprings/state-rep-bellock-host-property-tax-forums-western-springs

CHICAGO NOW
— Berkowitz interviews w/featured guests of the annual Paul Caprio Family-Pac Boat Cruise
http://www.chicagonow.com/public-affairs-with-jeff-berkowitz/2017/08/watch-berkowitz-interviews-wfeatured-guests-of-the-annual-paul-caprio-family-pac-boat-cruise-on-cable-and-the-web/

WIRE POINTS
— A Particularly Disastrous Day For Illinois And Rauner (Mr. Rauner, That Is) – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/a-particularly-disastrous-day-for-illinois-and-rauner-mr-rauner-that-is-wirepoints-original/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Finally, on Monday, Rauner signed the Trust Act. People I respect who have studied it  closely (I haven’t) split on it’s legal importance. Some say it makes Illinois a “sanctuary” state while some say it just codifies court rulings and has symbolic importance only. But even that symbolic importance is huge. Many opponents of sanctuary cities, who comprise much of Rauner’s base, are absolutely livid and they don’t really give a damn whether it’s just symbolic. Rauner’s support is now getting national attention and derision. The bottom line is that both Illinois and Rauner lost big time on Monday, and it wasn’t just because of politics, spin, or Rauner’s bad communication skills. On the subject of communication, yes, Rauner’s staff has long shared blame and the recent turmoil in his staff left a void. But the primary failure is Rauner’s own. He’s seems forever unprepared. Though usually directionally correct, he gets facts wrong, exaggerates and sometimes just doesn’t know. He contradicts himself from one day to another. Platitudes suffice for arguments. Since he’s unquestionably smart and a true workaholic, he has no excuse for appearing to be so lazy about substance. Ironically, while his conservative base wobbles, the narrative prevails that right wing nutjobs now dominate his staff. Among other reasons why that’s false is that First Lady Diana Rauner, by all credible accounts, is the most powerful person on the team. I don’t know her but those who do say she’ smart, opinionated and driven, though less charitable synonyms aren’t uncommon. Most importantly, she’s a liberal Democrat and she pushes for liberal Democratic policies. To her and to her fellow party members in the General Assembly, I say this sincerely: Touché. You had an extraordinarily successful Monday, on both policy and politics.)

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Lawmakers should consider the theater instead of statehouse – Dan McCaleb
https://www.ilnews.org/opinion/mccaleb-lawmakers-should-consider-the-theater-instead-of-statehouse/article_09ace25a-8cc9-11e7-b8fc-072f14f4171d.html

ILLINOIS HOME PAGE
— Indians: KKK supporters show up at peace rally – Jennifer Jensen
http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/local-news/kkk-supporters-show-up-at-peace-rally/801083338

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— First Amendment Trumps Defamation – Palin Defamation Case Dismissed – KIRK ALLEN  (DIERSEN: Who believes that can/should defame you? My critics/opponents in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout. Because they have that clout, they believe that they, their operatives, and their dupes can/should defame me. They stress the lawsuits that I have filed and that I have lived in Wheaton, Milton Township, and DuPage county only since 1978. They stress that I am no longer the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, a GAO employee, an IRS employee, a Post Office employee, etc. They stress a) that 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, 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 $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) that my Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) that my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/08/first-amendment-trumps-defamation-palin-defamation-case-dismissed/

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— West Chicago Library Votes to Retain Age Inappropriate Picture Book – Thomas Madison  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats encourage children to engage in LGBTQ activity.)
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/west-chicago-library-votes-retain-age-inappropriate-picture-book/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: On August 28th, the West Chicago Public Library Board voted 6-1 to retain the homosexuality-celebrating picture book This Day in June. IFI thanks you for your support in emailing the library director Benjamin Weseloh to share your concerns about this book. There were roughly 80-100 people in attendance, and 90 percent of them were pro-LGBT supporters of the book. Unfortunately, this is usually the case when book controversies arise. Those who seek to normalize disordered sexuality are far more passionate, tenacious, and bold than are those who oppose the normalization of sexual deviance. The Left seems to care far more about promoting lies to young children than conservatives do in protecting them from lies. Those community members who had the wisdom and courage to oppose this troubling picture book needed much more verbal support at the meeting. IFI is disappointed in the absence of local community support for those brave men and women. We know significant opposition to this book exists because of the hundreds of messages that were sent to the director, but emails alone are insufficient if real change is to occur. Sometimes people are unable to make meetings, but often emailing concerns represents indefensible cowardice or surrender. The supporters of the book came out strongly against IFI, explicitly attacking us and making numerous spurious statements. The most obviously false statement was that IFI is a hate group. IFI’s positions on homosexuality no more constitute hatred of persons who believe differently than does disapproval of polyamory or polygamy constitute hatred of polyamorists or polygamists. Leftists are either unable to understand this distinction or unwilling to admit it because they know that fallacious ad hominem attacks work. The most startling remarks made in support of the book were that the content was not sexual. This is a complete denial of reality and a reminder that people will pervert the truth to suit their own lifestyles. The book is specifically intended toward “helping” children recognize and accept the diversity of sexual preferences. It features men kissing men and women kissing women. Since when is romantic kissing or even simply kissing romantic partners not a sexual act? Some of the board members noted the importance of the library representing the diverse views found in its community. The speciousness of this claim is revealed in the absence of books on a host of topics. This absence is due—at least in part—to librarians imposing their moral views through the purchasing process. When they impose their views, it’s called responsible text selection. When conservatives want purchases to reflect their views, leftists call it censorship and book-banning. We were disappointed not only in learning how the board members voted but also in learning that regardless of their votes, the book would have stayed on the shelf. According to the parliamentarian, the policy of the board is to let the library staff decide for themselves the quality of material, so last night’s vote was a non-binding vote. The board’s policy is reflective of the American Library Association (ALA), the far-leftist organization that wanted children’s computers to have access to pornography) and which actively promotes homosexuality and the “trans” ideology. Should unelected library staff whose training comes through the highly politicized and leftist field of library science be granted such near-absolute autonomy?Ultimately, if community members want to see this inappropriate book moved to a restricted area—as it is in other local libraries like Downers Grove—or removed altogether, they will either have to convince the staff to move or remove the book, or West Chicagoans must elect better board members to change board policy. West Chicago Public Library employee Joan Happel posted this celebratory announcement on Facebook, “The library director’s decision is to keep the book where it is! That decision was never in question.” Happel evidently finds nothing problematic about a picture book for young children whose author said this: “When I wrote this story, I wanted Pride to be featured as realistically as possible. I wanted to see drag queens, guys in leather, rainbows, political signs, the Dykes on Bikes—everything you would see at Pride. I didn’t want any of it to be watered-down or sugarcoated. Lots of people have asked me, “Do you think that’s appropriate for children?” And my answer always is YES.” Unfortunately, numerous libraries throughout the country and in Illinois are using public monies to promote the normalization of homosexuality and the “trans” ideology. The battle against dissenting views—including Judeo-Christian views—continues. Those relatively few brave souls who step up to oppose deception—especially deception that harms children—need many others to come alongside them. IFI wonders how many area pastors showed up to make statements about this book. Here is a breakdown of how the West Chicago Library Board voted and their respective term expiration years.)

GOPUSA
— Trump to Rogue Nations: Take Back Your Criminal Aliens!
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=29460
— Berkeley mayor: I absolutely believe in free speech, but cancel this speaker
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=29449

FOX NEWS
— The SPLC smear machine is being funded by liberal billionaires — why? – Fred Fleitz
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/08/29/splc-smear-machine-is-being-funded-by-liberal-billionaires-why.html

WORLD NET DAILY
— RUSH LIMBAUGH ERUPTS ON ‘LEFTIST FREAKS’ AT SPLC  ‘All you have to do is disagree with them and you are called a hater’ – BOB UNRUH
http://www.wnd.com/2017/08/rush-limbaugh-erupts-on-leftist-freaks-at-famous-group/

CNS NEWS
— Racial Lies and Racism – Walter E. Williams
https://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/walter-e-williams/racial-lies-and-racism

AMERICAN THINKER
— Apple’s Tim Cook: Smart on tech talent – and a dinosaur on everything else – Monica Showalter
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/08/apples_tim_cook_smart_on_tech_talent__and_a_dinosaur_on_everything_else.html

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— ANTIFA DEMANDS THE U.S. BE DESTROYED  But few high-level Democrats are willing to denounce these terrorists. – Matthew Vadum
http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/267741/antifa-demands-us-be-destroyed-%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0-matthew-vadum

THE HILL
— Media’s casual ‘Hitler’ slander of Trump harms struggle against hate – RABBIS MARVIN HIER AND ABRAHAM COOPER  (DIERSEN: Government is nasty.  Politics is nasty. My most vicious critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in DuPage County, and in Illinois have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I have always been a Nazi. They stress that I am a) a Trump supporter, b) 100% German national origin, c) baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran, d) conservative, e) Republican, f) American, g) White, h) male, i) older (currently 68), j) non-poor, k) a gun owner, l) my ancestors have been in America since 1844, m) etc.)
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/media/348404-medias-casual-nazi-comparisons-grossly-insult-endanger-jews
— Sanders is the most popular political leader in America – BRENT BUDOWSKY
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/national-party-news/348519-opinion-sanders-is-the-most-popular-political-leader

POLITICO
— Trump to seize populist mantle for pitching messy tax overhaul – BEN WHITE and TARA PALMERI (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I am undeservedly filthy rich and that I should pay more taxes.)
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/29/trump-tax-overhaul-populism-242134

HUFFINGTON POST
— Taking the Fight Against White Supremacy into Schools – Adam Sanchez  (DIERSEN: Democrats run public education in America.  Democrats are anti-Trump, 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 (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/taking-the-fight-against-white-supremacy-into-schools_us_59a57043e4b0d6cf7f405040

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Corporate World Recruits Generals – Vanessa Fuhrmans  (DIERSEN: Non-veteran White males who are seeking a job with the federal government should be advised that with only rare exceptions, a) the longer that you are a federal employee, the less likely that private sector employers will hire you, b) your career will be wasted and you will be gotten rid of if you do not make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40, c) you will be expected to help your superiors and supervisors get rid of their employees who are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran, and d) virtually everyone despises if not hates federal employees, former federal employees, and federal retirees.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/generals-bring-battlefield-expertise-to-the-business-world-1504008002
— Nafta Talks Target Stubbornly Low Mexican Wages – Dudley Althaus  (DIERSEN: All my critics/opponents, all their operatives, and all their dupes have always a) wanted cheap labor and b) demonized me, denigrated me, and condemned me as being overpaid.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/nafta-talks-target-stubbornly-low-mexican-wages-1503999002
— Those Who Commute Deserve a Salute  Your daily grind brings prosperity to me—and the world. – James Bruce  (DIERSEN: What was your longest and shortest commutes in terms of time and/or distance?  Getting to and from the Loop from University Park 1973-1974 was the longest commute for me in terms of time and distance. SEE: http://www.gao.gov/products/463866  Getting to and from the Loop from my Outer Drive East condo 1974-1978 was the shortest commute for me in terms of time and distance.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/those-who-commute-deserve-a-salute-1504045410

USA TODAY
— Illinois attorney general in end run around Trump sues for court oversight of Chicago PD – Aamer Madhani and Kevin Johnson
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/08/29/illinois-attorney-general-end-run-around-trump-sues-court-oversight-chicago-pd/613043001/
— About 80% of Hurricane Harvey victims do not have flood insurance, face big bills – AP  (DIERSEN: How much do you pay for insurance? My wife and I pay lots of money for health, dental, vision, life, home, auto, appliances, etc. insurance.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/08/29/hurricane-harvey-houston-flood-insurance-damages-claims/611910001/

CHARLESTON GAZETTE MAIL
— Who defines what is a hate group? – Star Parker (DIERSEN: Who would come to my defense if the anti-Trumps succeed in shutting down www.gopillinois.com and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails because they include links to articles posted at the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) website at https://illinoisfamily.org/ and at the Americans for Truth About Homosexuality (AFAH) website at http://americansfortruth.com/ (SEE: http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/08/family-institute-smeared-as-one-of-32-illinois-hate-groups-along-with-neo-nazis-and-skinheads.html  Constructively, while I served as the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman 2005-2012, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes treated TAPROOT as being a hate group because I invited IFI and AFTAH leaders to speak at TAPROOT events.)
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/daily-mail-syndicated-columnists/20170830/star-parker-who-defines-what-is-a-hate-group-daily-mail

STARS & STRIPES
— Pentagon expands policy to upgrade vets’ bad paper discharges – NIKKI WENTLING  (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors gave me a bad paper discharge. It would be great if they would issue a statement that they 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, 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 $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980 a) because I have always been a Republican, b) because I complained about patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation, and c) because in 1988 when I was 40 years old I became an active member in a class action lawsuit that charged GAO with reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation.)
https://www.stripes.com/news/pentagon-expands-policy-to-upgrade-vets-bad-paper-discharges-1.485038#.WaaQ7BHxZZI
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Defense Department on Monday issued a sweeping policy change to afford more leeway to veterans seeking upgrades to their other-than-honorable discharges. A memorandum dated Aug. 25 instructs the Army Review Boards Agency — the office charged with changing military records — to give “liberal consideration” to veterans looking to upgrade their less-than-honorable discharges, or “bad paper,” because of mental health conditions or traumatic brain injury, sexual assault or sexual harassment and outlines what should be considered when deciding an upgrade. In 2014, former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel had ordered the Army Review Boards Agency to give consideration to veterans looking to upgrade their less-than-honorable discharges because of post-traumatic stress disorder. The new memo expands on Hagel’s order after years of veterans asking for government recognition that troops are, in some instances, affected by service-related mental health conditions that change their behaviors and lead to disciplinary problems. “This new guidance is something that veteran advocates should be really excited about – it’s what we’ve been asking for from the Pentagon for years,” said Kristofer Goldsmith, an Iraq War veteran who has fought for 10 years to change upgrade procedures. “This memo is filled with signals that there may yet be hope for the thousands of veterans who have been unfairly suffering the effects of bad paper.”)

MILITARY
— Pentagon: More Vets Can Apply for Review of ‘Bad Paper’ Discharges – Amy Bushatz (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors gave me a bad paper discharge. It would be great if they would issue a statement that they 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, 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 $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980 a) because I have always been a Republican, b) because I complained about patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation, and c) because in 1988 when I was 40 years old I became an active member in a class action lawsuit that charged GAO with reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation.)
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/08/29/pentagon-more-vets-can-apply-review-bad-paper-discharges.html

FEDERAL TIMES
— BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: OPM security clearance backlog tops 700,000 – Michael Peck
https://www.federaltimes.com/management/hr/2017/08/29/report-opm-clearance-backlog-tops-700000/