veteran Archives - Page 14 of 29

January 12 Evening Edition

WGN TV
— 12 Chicago mayoral candidates discuss policy at UIC Forum – MIKE LOWE
https://wgntv.com/2019/01/12/12-chicago-mayoral-candidates-discuss-policy-at-uic-forum/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— How mayoral candidates plan to raise $42 billion for pensions – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/mayoral-candidates-42-billion-pensions/
— Where 14 candidates for mayor stand on taxes and money — their full responses
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/chicago-mayoral-election-questionnaire-taxes-city-finances/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Selective shutdown? Trump tries to blunt impact, takes heat – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-bc-us–softening-the-shutdown-20190112-story.html
— Naperville beginning to feel the impact of government shutdown – Suzanne Baker and Erin Hegarty
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-impact-government-shutdown-st-0113-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— After medical emergencies, Schaumburg addresses carbon monoxide danger in hookah lounges – Eric Peterson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190111/after-medical-emergencies-schaumburg-addresses-carbon-monoxide-danger-in-hookah-lounges

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Expectations high for Pritzker – RICH MILLER
https://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/editorial/miller-expectations-high-for-pritzker/article_4c5e9211-34ae-5d20-ba9e-4502601ee141.html

HERALD & REVIEW
— GOP thinks it can work with Rauner – Rich Miller
https://herald-review.com/opinion/columnists/rich-miller-gop-thinks-it-can-work-with-rauner/article_b98cf82d-23c9-5017-897a-e01f69cd1bee.html

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Reasons for optimism in transition – Editorial
https://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20190112/our-view-reasons-for-optimism-in-transition

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Recreational Cannabis and Sports Betting Moving Forward – Greg Bishop
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=277676#.XDqLM1xKiM8

FOX ILLINOIS
— VP Pence’s pickle: How to bargain when no one speaks for Trump – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/pences-pickle-how-to-bargain-when-no-one-speaks-for-trump

FOX NEWS
— Trump border wall draws fire from media – Critics bash broadcast of Oval Office speech – Dan Gainor
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/trump-border-wall-draws-fire-from-media-critics-bash-broadcast-of-oval-office-speech

GOPUSA
— ‘New party, who dis?’ 29-year-old Ocasio-Cortez mocks aging Joe Lieberman, 76, for hoping ‘she’s not the future’ (DIERSEN: What are the demographics of those who will lead the organizations that you are a member of? From what I see, those who will lead the Milton Township Republican Central Committee, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and the Illinois Republican Party will be younger, minority, and/or female. Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs want those future leaders to get rid of Republicans like me who are older, White, and/or male.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=62377

WESTERN JOURNAL
— Pavlich Digs Up Video of Durbin Saying Proposed Wall Should Be Bigger – Randy DeSoto
https://www.westernjournal.com/pavlich-digs-video-democrat-saying-proposed-wall-bigger/

AMERICANS FOR LIMITED GOVERNMENT
— ALG urges OMB elimination of ‘non-essential’ federal employee designation after Congress unconditionally awards back-pay (DIERSEN: Are/were you non-essential? Since 1966, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always demonized me, denigrated me, and condemned me as being non-essential. Of course, they have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that they and what they do is essential.)
https://getliberty.org/2019/01/alg-urges-omb-elimination-of-non-essential-federal-employee-designation-after-congress-unconditionally-awards-back-pay/

THE HILL
— State budget planners will count on phantom revenue streams this year – ANDREW WILFORD
https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/425062-state-budget-planners-will-count-on-phantom-revenue-streams-this-year

— Ocasio-Cortez sparks debate with talk of 70 percent marginal rate – NAOMI JAGODA AND JULIEGRACE BRUFKE (DIERSEN: Have you paid your “fair share?” My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I have not. They stress that I avoided the draft, I worked for the IRS, I married someone who has always had income, we gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents. They shout that the federal government grossly overpaid me and that my retirement benefits are much too generous.)
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/425008-ocasio-cortez-sparks-debate-with-talk-of-70-percent-marginal-rate
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), a co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said she thinks “the fact that people are not paying their fair share is a problem and the millionaires and billionaires are the ones where that has to rest.”)

CBS NEWS
— Illinois denies permit for concert hosted by R. Kelly over security concerns
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/r-kelly-spring-break-jam-illinois-denies-concert-permit-over-security-concerns/

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump’s Wall Stance Upends Washington’s Usual Border Bargaining – Michael D. Shear
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/12/us/politics/trump-wall-border-security-debate.html

WASHINGTON POST
— ‘We will be out for a long time’ unless Democrats budge, Trump says, as shutdown enters 4th week – Mike DeBonis
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/we-will-be-out-for-a-long-time-unless-democrats-budge-trump-says-as-shutdown-enters-4th-week/2019/01/12/54400f02-1672-11e9-90a8-136fa44b80ba_story.html
— The government shutdown is disrupting retirement plans for some federal employees – Michelle Singletary (DIERSEN: In 1997, my Democrat GAO superiors used Republican-led budget cuts to justify forcing me to take their early retirement offer. During the 1980s and 1990s, they used Republican-led budget cuts to justify wasting my career.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/01/12/government-shutdown-is-disrupting-retirement-plans-some-federal-employees/

USA TODAY
— ‘Trump 2020’ flag rises again in Vermont after previous one was vandalized – Maleeha Syed
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/01/12/trump-2020-flag-rises-again-vermont-after-presidents-family-replaces-vandalized-one/2561130002/

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— End the shutdown! Hurting federal workers is nothing to be proud of, Mr. President. – Editorial (DIERSEN: What about those who viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, and viciously condemn government employees as being lazy, stupid, and grossly overpaid?)
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/End-the-shutdown-Hurting-federal-workers-is-13529194.php

CATO
— FROM THE ARTICLE: “Japan is refreshing its labor force from three often-neglected pools: the elderly, women and foreigners.” (DIERSEN: The federal government is America’s largest employer. It keeps its workforce “fresh” by getting rid of its employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who do not make 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.)
https://www.cato.org/blog/immigration-aging-populations

January 9 Evening Edition

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Jeanne Ives was among the speakers at Milton Township Republican Central Committee’s outstanding meeting Wednesday evening, January 9, 2019, at the Wheaton Bowl Banquet Hall. Meeting attendees included Almiron, Carlson, Caruso, Cooper, Corrigan, Crane, Dangelo, Elliott, Falbo, Fitch, Galvin, Holder, Keller, A. & C. LeVan, Lofgren, McGowen, Molitor, Monino, Muehlfelt, Nathwani, Quigley, Rash, Ryan, Shaw, Tatro, Walsh, Wehling, Wilson, C. & J. Zaruba, and Zay. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

ABC7
— Democrats firmly in control in Illinois as new House, Senate members sworn in – Craig Wall
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/democrats-firmly-in-control-in-illinois-as-new-house-senate-members-sworn-in/5039369/
— Federal workers brace for no pay, Trump stalks out of meeting with Democrats – Ravi Baichwal and Sarah Schulte
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/federal-workers-brace-for-no-pay-trump-stalks-out-of-govt-shutdown-meeting/5042119/
— Former Rep. Nick Sauer, R-Lake Barrington, charged in indictment after allegedly posting nude images of ex-girlfriend
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/former-gop-lawmaker-nick-sauer-charged-after-allegedly-posting-nude-images-of-ex-girlfriend/5041342/

NBC5
— Judge Sets Date for Jury Trial for Disgraced Former House Speaker Hastert A judge on Wednesday set a preliminary jury trial date of May 20
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Judge-Sets-Date-for-Jury-Trial-for-Disgraced-Former-House-Speaker-Hastert-504122821.html

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Trump says he has ‘absolute right’ to declare national emergency over border security
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/trump-says-he-has-absolute-right-to-declare-national-emergency-over-border-security
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-hating Ocasio-Cortez says Trump is a ‘racist’ and people should be ‘uncomfortable’
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/ocasio-cortez-trump-is-a-racist

WGN TV
— Democrat Michael Madigan re-elected speaker of Illinois House as lawmakers get sworn in – TAHMAN BRADLEY
https://wgntv.com/2019/01/09/illinois-house-senate-to-be-sworn-into-new-session/

WGN RADIO
— IL State Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady joins The Roe Conn Show
https://wgnradio.com/2019/01/08/il-state-senate-gop-leader-bill-brady-joins-the-roe-conn-show/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— House Speaker Michael Madigan vilifies Gov. Bruce Rauner as Democrats bolster their numbers in Springfield – Mike Riopell and Juan Perez Jr.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-legislature-madigan-cullerton-20190109-story.html
— One Democrat, Anne Stava-Murray, doesn’t vote for Madigan as Illinois House speaker – Mike Riopell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-michael-madigan-anne-stava-murray-20190109-story.html
— Former state Rep. Nick Sauer indicted in posting of sexual photos of others without permission – Emily K. Coleman
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-sauer-indictment-st-0110-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Madigan on joy ride after ‘four long years’ of Rauner’s ‘my way or the highway’ – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/madigan-rauner-house-inauguration-highway-cullerton-emanuel-senate/
— Democrats getting down and dirty with Trump – S. E. Cupp
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/democrats-trump-rashida-tlaib-nancy-pelosi/

DAILY HERALD
— New suburban lawmakers take their Springfield seats: What they want to do now – Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190109/new-suburban-lawmakers-take-their-springfield-seats-what-they-want-to-do-now
— Prompted by Lawlor case, Lake County Board might seek power to remove leaders – Russell Lissau
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190109/prompted-by-lawlor-case-lake-county-board-might-seek-power-to-remove-leaders

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— It’s been a bad decade for property taxes How much are you really paying as a share of your home or office market value? The Civic Federation has some educated guesses. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/its-been-bad-decade-property-taxes

WTTW
— New Class of Illinois Lawmakers Will Face Enduring Challenges – Amanda Vinicky
https://news.wttw.com/2019/01/09/new-class-illinois-lawmakers-will-face-enduring-challenges

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Rep. Skillicorn blasts gas tax increase lauded by Chicago mayor – DREW ZIMMERMAN
https://www.nwherald.com/2019/01/07/rep-skillicorn-blasts-gas-tax-increase-lauded-by-chicago-mayor/ajewklt/

HERALD & REVIEW
— New Illinois Legislature underway with big Democratic majorities – AP
https://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/video-new-illinois-legislature-underway-with-big-democratic-majorities/article_4257760c-f00a-5e0c-9335-dc06e000995b.html

SOUTHERN
— Santorum: Nobody wanted to work for Trump – CNN (DIERSEN: GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, 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. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.)
https://thesouthern.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/santorum-nobody-wanted-to-work-for-trump/video_86d116ae-3851-5288-b308-524080165695.html

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Members of the following groups to march in Geneva: 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 anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.kcchronicle.com/2019/01/09/activists-organize-womens-march-in-geneva/a35js3f/

OUR QUAD CITIES
— Rauner waged war on unions and lost Rauner hails Janus vs. AFSCME outcome as key victory in office – Mark Maxwell
https://www.ourquadcities.com/capitol-connection/rauner-waged-war-on-unions-and-lost/1693261390

NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Ives Labels Illinois GOP As “Ineffective” – JACLYN DRISCOLL
https://www.northernpublicradio.org/post/outgoing-state-rep-labels-illinois-gop-ineffective

FOX ILLINOIS
— Democrats say Trump walked out of shutdown meeting – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/dems-say-trump-walked-out-of-shutdown-meeting

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Illinois lawmakers weigh in on Trump’s national address
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/sen-dick-durbin-weighs-in-on-trumps-national-address

WJBC
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Conservative-basher Pat Brady says “Illinois people fed up with political party bashing.”
http://www.wjbc.com/2019/01/09/pat-brady-illinois-people-fed-up-with-political-party-bashing/

CHICAGO DAILY OBSERVER
— “Conservative” Jewish Commentators Trash Trump – Don Rose
http://www.cdobs.com/archive/featured/conservative-jewish-commentators-trash-trump/

CHICAGO NOW
— Rauner goes, Madigan stays, Illinois’ problems worsen – Dennis Byrne
http://www.chicagonow.com/dennis-byrnes-barbershop/2019/01/rauner-goes-madigan-stays-illinois-problems-worsen/

JEANNE IVES
— Six Years in Springfield
https://mailchi.mp/5bf72d62af06/six-years-in-springfield

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Ives blasts Lang for leaving before House term even begins – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511718311-ives-blasts-lang-for-leaving-before-house-term-even-begins

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Madigan Reserves Bill Numbers for High Priority Legislation
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/09/madigan-reserves-bill-numbers-for-high-priority-legislation/
— President Donald Trump’s Border Wall Address
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/09/president-donald-trumps-border-wall-address/
— Felony Charges Against Former State Rep. Nick Sauer
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/09/felony-charges-against-former-state-rep-nick-sauer/

— Tribune Article Increases Pressure on “Respondent in Discovery Jack D. Franks”
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/09/tribune-article-increases-pressure-on-respondent-in-discovery-jack-d-franks/
— Former State Senator Dan Duffy Returning to Legislative Arena as Lobbyist
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/09/former-state-senator-dan-duffy-returning-to-legislative-arena-as-lobbyist/
— Winnebago County Board Considering Requiring Administrator to Report to County Board, Rather Than to Chairman
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/09/winnebago-county-board-considering-requiring-administrator-to-report-to-county-board-rather-than-to-chairman/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— JEANNE IVES’ GOODBYE MESSAGE: GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/jeanne-ives-goodbye-message-god-bless-the-people-of-illinois.html
— THORNER: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OR ISLAMIC INDOCTRINATION IN TAXPAYER-FUNDED SCHOOLS?
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/thorner-religious-education-or-islamic-indoctrination-in-taxpayer-funded-schools.html
— DI LEO: THE WALL ISN’T JUST ABOUT IMMIGRATION; IT’S ABOUT EVERYTHING.
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/the-wall-isnt-just-about-immigration-its-about-everything.html
— THORNER/O’NEIL: MIDTERM ELECTION RESULTS DEMAND QUESTIONS AND SCRUTINY
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/thorneroneil-midterm-election-results-demand-questions-and-scrutiny.html

CAPITOL FAX
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Madigan blasts Rauner.
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/09/madigan-move-on-to-a-new-chapter-where-people-work-with-people/

TPM
— Eight House Republicans (including Kinzinger) Buck Trump, Vote For Bill To Reopen Gov’t Agencies – Cameron Joseph
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/eight-house-republicans-buck-trump-vote-for-bill-to-reopen-govt-agencies

GOPUSA
— If more minorities are arrested for smoking pot it must be racism
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=62081
— Democrat says Trump’s promise to protect Americans rooted in ‘xenophobia and racism and an anti-immigrant bias’
http://www.gopusa.com/democrat-says-trumps-promise-to-protect-americans-rooted-in-xenophobia-and-racism-and-an-anti-immigrant-bias/

FOX NEWS
— Ingraham: Trump Scored ‘Major Media Coup’ With Nat’l Address on Border Security
https://insider.foxnews.com/2019/01/08/laura-ingraham-president-trump-scored-major-media-coup-national-address

TOWNHALL
— New Poll: Yep, There’s a Crisis at the Border – Katie Pavlich
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2019/01/09/new-poll-yep-theres-a-crisis-at-the-border-n2538726

DAILY CALLER
— POLL: 79 PERCENT OF AMERICANS THINK BORDER IS IN ‘CRISIS’ OR IS A ‘PROBLEM’ – Amber Athey
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/09/politico-poll-border-crisis-problem-majority-americans-agree/
— HOUSE REPUBLICANS INTRODUCE BILL TO PAY EMPLOYEES WHO WORK DURING SHUTDOWN – Henry Rodgers
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/09/house-republicans-shutdown-pay-bill/

JUDICIAL WATCH
— The Nation Needs a Border Wall – Tom Fitton
https://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/in-the-news/tom-fitton-the-nation-needs-a-border-wall/

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Trump Storms Out of Shutdown Meeting with Dems as Negotiations Stall – JACK CROWE
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/trump-declares-shutdown-meeting-with-dems-a-total-waste-of-time/

THE HILL
— Trump rips Pelosi and Schumer after meeting: ‘Total waste of time’ – BRETT SAMUELS AND JORDAN FABIAN
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/424591-trump-rips-pelosi-and-schumer-after-meeting-total-waste-of-time
— Trump says emergency declaration coming without border deal with Dems – JORDAN FABIAN
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/424551-trump-says-emergency-declaration-coming-without-border-deal-with-dems
— GOP senators challenge Trump on shutdown strategy – ALEXANDER BOLTON
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/424577-gop-senators-challenge-trump-on-shutdown-strategy
— House votes to reopen Treasury Dept., IRS – JULIEGRACE BRUFKE
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/424621-house-votes-to-reopen-treasury-irs

POLITICO
— The House voted to reopen the IRS and other key portions of the federal government, part of a Democratic plan to ratchet up pressure on Republicans to end the 19-day shutdown. – BURGESS EVERETT, HEATHER CAYGLE and JOHN BRESNAHAN
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/09/trump-lawmakers-breakneck-shutdown-talks-1089201

CNN
— Trump’s TV speech and the Democratic response has this federal worker ready to look for a new job – Madeline Holcombe (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, employers and everyone else despise federal employees and federal retirees.)
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/09/us/government-employee-response-trump-address/index.html

REUTERS
— ‘My mortgage is due’ Some U.S. federal workers seek shutdown cash – Gabriella Borter
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-shutdown-fundraising/my-mortgage-is-due-some-us-federal-workers-seek-shutdown-cash-idUSKCN1P327A

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Storms Out of White House Meeting with Democrats on Shutdown – Nicholas Fandos and Michael Tackett
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/us/politics/government-shutdown-trump-senate.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump walks out of shutdown negotiations after Democrats reject wall money, calls meeting ‘total waste of time’ – Erica Werner, Sean Sullivan, Mike DeBonis and Seung Min Kim
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/shutdown-day-19-trump-comes-to-congress-as-gop-faces-unity-test-over-wall-funding/2019/01/09/8f3bfab8-1423-11e9-b6ad-9cfd62dbb0a8_story.html
— Trump won the night. Schumer and Pelosi lost. – Marc A. Thiessen
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-won-the-night-schumer-and-pelosi-lost/2019/01/08/890ce9d8-13bd-11e9-b6ad-9cfd62dbb0a8_story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “cracks show in his GOP support.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/as-trump-appeals-to-nation-for-wall-cracks-show-in-his-gop-support/2019/01/08/95e0b836-13a1-11e9-803c-4ef28312c8b9_story.html
— Having the most diverse Congress ever will affect more than just legislation – Kenneth Lowande, Melinda Ritchie and Erinn Lauterbach (DIERSEN: Democrats promote hatred against Republicans, and especially against Republicans who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, draft avoiders, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2019/01/09/having-the-most-diverse-congress-ever-will-affect-more-than-just-legislation/
— GAO Report: Government should do more to combat hunger in college Government Accountability Office spotlights food insecurity on campuses. – Nick Anderson
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/01/09/report-government-should-do-more-combat-hunger-college/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Walks Out of Border Talks, Calls Them ‘Total Waste of Time’ Hopes dim for immediate progress on ending partial government shutdown – Kristina Peterson, Rebecca Ballhaus and Natalie Andrews
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-says-bypassing-congress-still-an-option-on-wall-11547056461

TIME
— ‘Rent Doesn’t Get Furloughed.’ Federal Workers Are Missing Their First Paychecks As the Shutdown Drags On – MAHITA GAJANAN (DIERSEN: What about all that complaining that federal employees are overpaid?)
http://time.com/5497039/government-shutdown-workers-paycheck/

PBS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “In familiar refrain, Trump relies on fear to sell immigration message.”
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-oval-office-address-trump-seeks-a-nations-hearts-minds-and-fears

INSIDE HIGHER EDUCATION
— GAO Report Documents Food Insecurity Among College Students Federal agencies are not doing enough to help eligible students access federal food assistance benefits, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office. – Ashley A. Smith
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/01/09/gao-report-reviews-studies-student-hunger

FED SMITH
— Build a Wall? What Do Federal Employees Want? – Ralph R. Smith
https://www.fedsmith.com/2019/01/09/build-wall-federal-employees-want/

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— 25K Federal Employees Still Await Court-Ordered Payout From 2013 Shutdown – Eric Katz
https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2019/01/25k-feds-still-await-court-ordered-payout-2013-shutdown/154042/

January 6 Evening Edition

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Trump cites unlikely allies Clinton, Obama amid border wall showdown – Gregg Re
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/trump-cites-unlikely-allies-clinton-obama-amid-border-wall-showdown

ABC7
— US food stamp program could run out of funding if shutdown continues
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/food-stamp-program-could-run-out-of-funds-if-shutdown-continues/5025610/

WGN RADIO
— Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady: “We know Illinois needs stability” – CASERA (CASH) HEINING
https://wgnradio.com/2019/01/06/senate-republican-leader-bill-brady-we-know-illinois-needs-stability/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Ed Burke grew impatient waiting for his golden eggs to drop – Neil Steinberg
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ed-burke-grew-impatient-waiting-for-his-golden-eggs-to-drop/
— Trump’s dealmaking faces test in shutdown standoff – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trumps-dealmaking-tested-shutdown-standoff/
— Trump says he needs to deal with Dem leaders to end shutdown – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trump-government-shutdown-talks-democrats-border-wall/
— Rahm on ending federal shutdown: ‘Chisel away at the will of the Republicans’ – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/rahm-government-shutdown-wall-republicans-democrats-pelosi/

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Sports betting no panacea for Illinois – Editorial
https://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20190106/our-view-sports-betting-no-panacea-for-illinois

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “How Trump’s constant lying might forever damage the presidency.”
https://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/columnists/commentary-how-trump-s-constant-lying-might-forever-damage-the/article_7e2c4edf-9314-52f8-94be-96021af87e34.html

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Illinois Democrats have control — can they get work done? – AP (DIERSEN: Who has had control over you? While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, Democrat politicians had control over my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates. They focused on using Affirmative Action, Diversity, Inclusion, and budget cuts to get 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. They used the arguments that Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar, and Lee Daniels made in Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutan_v._Republican_Party_of_Illinois and https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/13/us/seeking-return-to-ways-of-patronage-in-politics.html) to waste my career and to get rid of me.)
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20190106/illinois-democrats-have-control—can-they-get-work-done

SOUTHERN
— Trump: ‘I may declare a national emergency’
https://thesouthern.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/trump-i-may-declare-a-national-emergency/video_96716741-fb8d-5f3a-bbd3-011f484bd671.html

FOX ILLINOIS
— Each side accusing other of giving no ground on shutdown – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/each-side-accusing-other-of-giving-no-ground-on-shutdown

CHEROKEE TRIBUNE LEDGER
— Illinois posted 9th lowest individual income tax rate in 2018
https://www.tribuneledgernews.com/extra/news/by-the-numbers-illinois-posted-th-lowest-individual-income-tax/article_e55dfa6c-8ca5-5f24-82da-23b8c27cb78d.html

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— New Kane County Board Member Attacks Health Benefits for Part-Time Colleagues
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/06/new-kane-county-board-member-attacks-health-benefits-for-part-time-colleagues/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— PROPOSAL WOULD MAKE ILLINOIS GAS TAX BURDEN THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION – Vincent Caruso
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/proposal-would-make-illinois-gas-tax-burden-the-highest-in-the-nation/

TOWNHALL
— Top Dem: Trump Can Use National Emergency Declaration, Military to Build the Wall – Julio Rosas
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/juliorosas/2019/01/06/top-dem-trump-can-use-national-emergency-declaration-and-military-to-build-the-wall-n2538580
— Cpl. Singh Was Laid to Rest. Guess Which Politicians Were Conveniently Absent. – Beth Baumann
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2019/01/06/cpl-singh-was-laid-to-rest-guess-which-politicians-were-conveniently-absent-n2538567

FOX NEWS
— Graham: As long as ‘radical left’ reflexively calls GOP racist, shutdown over border wall won’t end – Gregg Re
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/graham-leftists-who-want-to-abolish-ice-attack-border-patrol-make-shutdown-progress-impossible
— Trump cites unlikely allies Clinton, Obama amid border wall showdown – Gregg Re
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-cites-unlikely-allies-amid-border-wall-showdown-hillary-clinton-barack-obama
— Trump again threatens to declare state of emergency, says he can ‘relate’ to furloughed federal workers – Gregg Re
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-heading-to-camp-david-says-he-can-relate-to-furloughed-federal-workers-amid-shutdown
— Herman Cain: Dems Sound Like an Out-of-Tune Orchestra Playing the ‘Hate Trump’ Symphony
http://insider.foxnews.com/2019/01/06/herman-cain-democrats-sound-out-tune-orchestra-playing-hate-trump-symphony

BREITBART
— Donald Trump Vows Not to Bend in Shutdown Fight: ‘I Don’t Like Doing This, but We Have No Choice’ – Charlie Spiering
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/06/donald-trump-vows-not-bend-shutdown-fight-dont-like-doing-we-have-no-choice/
— Trump Quotes Obama, Clinton ‘Build a Barrier’ to Fight Illegal Immigration – Michelle Moons
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/06/trump-quotes-obama-clinton-build-a-barrier-to-fight-illegal-immigration/

NEWSMAX
— Robert De Niro: Trump Shows He’s ‘a Real Racist’ – Eric Mack
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/actor-robertdeniro-racism-whitesupremacist/2019/01/06/id/897034/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Border walls shown to work – ARTHUR HORN, Boca Raton, Fla.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/6/letters-to-the-editor-border-walls-shown-to-work/
— Sen. Richard Durbin: Trump has ‘made it clear he doesn’t care’ about shutdown consequences – David Sherfinski
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/6/richard-durbin-donald-trump-doesnt-care-about-gove/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Ann Coulter: Trump acting as if he wants to be impeached – Daniel Chaitin
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/ann-coulter-trump-acting-as-if-he-wants-to-be-impeached

CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
— Ocasio Cortez’s Wired Brain: Idiotic, Radical and Dangerous – Jim Clayton
https://www.conservativedailynews.com/2019/01/ocasio-cortezs-wired-brain-idiotic-radical-and-dangerous/

AMERICAN THINKER
— California admits it has no idea whether non-citizens voted in last primary – Monica Showalter
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/01/california_admits_it_has_no_idea_whether_noncitizens_voted_in_last_primary.html
— Democrat objections to border wall: dumb and dumber – Thomas Lifson
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/01/dem_objections_to_border_wall_dumb_and_dumber.html

EPOCH TIMES
— Trump Supporters Urge President to Stand Firm on Shutdown – CHARLOTTE CUTHBERTSON
https://www.theepochtimes.com/trump-supporters-urge-president-to-stand-firm-on-shutdown_2758462.html
— Hundreds Attend Funeral of ‘American Hero’ Gunned Down After Stopping Illegal Immigrant – DANIEL HOLL AND JANITA KAN
https://www.theepochtimes.com/hundreds-attend-funeral-of-american-hero-gunned-down-by-alleged-illegal-immigrant_2757865.html

WORLD NET DAILY
— POLARIZING POLITICS Lowell Ponte examines some terrifying possibilities in government (DIERSEN: Democrats have made it clear that they are going to use government to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries for once and for all that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.wnd.com/2019/01/polarizing-politics/
— THE 8 BIGGEST LIES OF 2018 Joseph Farah nails brazen untruths circulating amidst mainstream media
https://www.wnd.com/2019/01/the-8-biggest-lies-of-2018/

NEWS BUSTERS
— CNN Seeks to Improve Trust in the Media … Among Democrats – Nicholas Fondacaro
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2019/01/06/cnn-seeks-improve-trust-media-%E2%80%A6-among-democrats

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Durbin: “I Can’t Say That We’re Close” On Shutdown Deal Because Trump “Doesn’t Care” – Tim Hains
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/01/06/durbin_i_cant_say_that_were_close_on_shutdown_deal_because_trump_doesnt_care.html

THE HILL
— Trump pushing for steel barrier instead of concrete wall at border – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/424080-trump-says-hes-pushing-for-steel-barrier-instead-of-concrete-wall-at
— Trump’s idea to declare national emergency raises legality questions – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/424069-lawmakers-shoot-down-trump-idea-to-declare-a-national-emergency-to
— Border lawmakers press Trump to beef up existing security – RAFAEL BERNAL
https://thehill.com/latino/423974-border-lawmakers-press-trump-to-beef-up-existing-security

CNN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “The government shutdown makes Americans less safe.”
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/06/opinions/presidential-weekly-briefing-shutdown-vinograd/index.html

NEW YORK POST
— Democrats say Trump ‘doesn’t have the power’ to declare a national emergency – Mark Moore Janua
https://nypost.com/2019/01/06/dems-say-trump-doesnt-have-the-power-to-declare-a-national-emergency/

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— Houston mail carrier accused of pepper-spraying barking dog charged with animal cruelty – Jay R. Jordan
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-mail-carrier-who-pepper-sprayed-barking-13508916.php

WASHINGTON CITY PAPER
— Workers Impacted by Government Shutdown Stretch Groceries, Cut Dining – LAURA HAYES (DIERSEN: Since 1966, I have been impacted by the success that my Democrat superiors in the federal government had in wasting my career. Since 1997, I have been impacted by the success that my Democrat GAO superiors had in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” Since 1997, my Civil Service Retirement System pension has only been 41% of what my GAO salary was in today’s dollars.)
https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/food/article/21039749/workers-impacted-by-government-shutdown-stretch-groceries-cut-dining

BLOOMBERG
— Trump Renews Threat to Declare Emergency Over Border Wall – Mark Niquette and Justin Sink
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-06/trump-won-t-demand-concrete-wall-to-end-shutdown-mulvaney-says

FORBES
— The Best Places To Work In 2019 – Janice Gassam (DIERSEN: The federal government is not on this list. Because the federal government gives preference to its employees who are Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or veteran, it might be a better place to work for the employees who have the aforesaid demographics. But a big problem for the aforesaid employees is that virtually all federal employees have one or more of the aforesaid demographics. Therefore, if a federal employee has only one of the aforesaid demographics, they may very well be unhappy. One thing is certain. If you are a federal employee who is Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran, the federal government will waste your career and get rid of you if you do not make 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. Extremely few federal employees make the aforesaid promotion deadlines.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2018/12/07/the-best-places-to-work-for-2019/#626c8671528f

NEWSWEEK
— LINDSEY GRAHAM REJECTS ANY COMPROMISE WITH ‘RADICAL LEFT’ NANCY PELOSI IN DIVISIVE INTERVIEW – BENJAMIN FEARNOW
https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-nancy-pelosi-one-dollar-radical-left-border-wall-trump-1280872
— TRUMP HAS AUTHORITY TO USE MILITARY TO BUILD HIS WALL, HOUSE ARMED SERVICES CHAIR ADAM SMITH SAYS – BENJAMIN FEARNOW
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-border-wall-military-force-national-emergency-defense-department-1280819
— OCASIO-CORTEZ ACCUSES REPUBLICANS OF ‘HOSTAGE-TAKING’ WITH GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN – JASON LEMON
https://www.newsweek.com/ocasio-cortez-republicans-hostage-taking-government-shutdown-1280807

GUARDIAN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump asks “Is Mitt Romney the man to lead a Republican rebellion against Trump?”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/06/mitt-romney-republican-rebellion-trump

EXPRESS
— New migrant caravan heading for US set to be biggest yet
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1068122/migrant-caravan-us-mexico-border-honduras

January 4 Evening Edition

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— President Trump says he could declare ‘national emergency’ to build border wall
http://www.fox32chicago.com/facebook-instant/president-trump-says-he-could-declare-national-emergency-to-build-border-wall

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Decision by DuPage clerk on when her office will take over election duties could come next week – Suzanne Baker
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-election-merger-st-0106-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— CTA bus services losing riders in the last decade, data shows – Manny Ramos and Tanveer Ali
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/cta-busiest-route-continues-to-lose-riders-79th-street-bus-roderick-sawyer/

DAILY HERALD
— AP-NORC Poll: Immigration among the top concerns in 2019
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20190104/news/301049878/
— Help us amass a list of emails for local candidates – Editorial
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20190104/editorial-help-us-amass-a-list-of-emails-for-local-candidates

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— What City Hall corruption costs Chicago business As the Ed Burke scandal shows, the Chicago Way remains a drag on local commerce. – CLAIRE BUSHEY and BRIGID SWEENE
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/what-city-hall-corruption-costs-chicago-business
— For Pritzker and the rest of us: Now comes the hard part Something big needs to happen soon to fix Illinois’ finances—and it’s going to cost money. – RICH MILLER
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/rich-miller-springfield/pritzker-and-rest-us-now-comes-hard-part
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/news/pot-adjacent-companies-look-cash

HERALD NEWS
— Republican Navy veteran Matt Quigley announces 2020 run to unseat Lauren Underwood Constituent alleges voting misconduct by Underwood – ALEX ORTIZ
https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/04/navy-veteran-announces-2020-run-to-unseat-lauren-underwood/awnhrbs/

FOX ILLINOIS
— Newly-elected Michigan Dem uses vulgarity in vow to impeach Trump – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/connect-to-congress/newly-elected-michigan-dem-uses-vulgarity-in-call-to-impeach-trump

NPR ILLINOIS
— RNC Members Want To Block A Primary Challenge To Trump, But The Rules May Stop Them – TIM MAK
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/rnc-members-want-block-primary-challenge-trump-rules-may-stop-them#stream/0

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Legalized pot leads to more stoners on the road, studies show – W.J. Kennedy
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511715015-legalized-pot-leads-to-more-stoners-on-the-road-studies-show
— Skillicorn encourages state GOP to regroup – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511714459-skillicorn-calls-for-state-s-gop-to-regroup
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “It’s going to take leadership, and I vow to be a part of it,” Skillicorn said. “We must find the courage and resolve to overcome what few disagreements we really have, to focus our energy and efforts on being the change that senior citizens, college students, young families, veterans and those most vulnerable can believe in. The alternative is unthinkable.”)

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— State GOP chair calls for ban on lawmakers running tax-appeal firms – Glenn Minnis
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511715027-state-gop-chair-calls-for-ban-on-lawmakers-running-tax-appeal-firms

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Rodney Davis guarantees Democrats move to impeach Trump – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/central-illinois-republican-guarantees-democrats-move-to-impeach-trump/article_211ff7dc-1063-11e9-b6be-938b694150ef.html

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Village of Bolingbrook candidate Maripat Oliver provides false information in support of petition objections – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2019/01/village-of-bolingbrook-candidate-maripat-oliver-provides-false-information-in-support-of-petition-objections/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— REP. SKILLICORN: WHERE DOES THE IL GOP GO FROM HERE?
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/rep-skillicorn-where-does-the-il-gop-go-from-here-.html
— DEC 2018 JOBS REPORT SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/dec-2018-jobs-report-surpasses-expectations.html
— GOP SEEKING MCHENRY COUNTY BOARD VACANCY APPLICANTS FOR DISTRICT 3
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/gop-seeking-mchenry-county-board-vacancy-applicants-for-district-3.html
— BETRAYAL SPELLS DEATH KNELL FOR ILLINOIS GOP ORGS – Jack Koenig
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/letter-to-editor-betrayal-spells-death-knell-for-illinois-gop-orgs.html

DAILY CALLER
— REP. CHERI BUSTOS SAYS DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE TO GIVE TRUMP SOMETHING ON THE BORDER WALL – Nick Givas
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/04/cheri-bustos-democrats-border-wall/

BREITBART
— Pelosi: Amnesty for ‘Patriotic’ Dreamers Will ‘Make America More American’ – Tony Lee (DIERSEN: Trump-haters use “patriotic” as a derogatory term against those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/03/pelosi-amnesty-for-patriotic-dreamers-will-make-america-more-american/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— The shutdown has taken down E-Verify, the only ‘wall’ that actually works – Erin Dunne
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-shutdown-has-taken-down-e-verify-the-only-wall-that-actually-works

THE HILL
— Trump threatens to extend partial government shutdown for years – ALEXANDER BOLTON AND JORDAN FABIAN
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/423915-schumer-trump-threatened-to-keep-government-shut-down-for-years

HUFFINGTON POST
— Trump Claims Most Furloughed Federal Workers Are Rooting For Him On Wall Funding – Amanda Terkel
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-shutdown-furloughed-workers_us_5c2fc50ce4b0bcb4c25bab28

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Suggests Shutdown Could Last ‘Months or Even Years’ – Michael Tackett and Sheryl Gay Stolberg
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/04/us/politics/democrats-trump-meeting-government-shutdown.html
— Republicans Seek to Boost Small Donations, but a Fragmented System Stymies Them – Stephanie Saul and Rachel Shorey
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/04/us/politics/republican-campaign-donations.html
— McConnell Faces Pressure From Republicans to Stop Avoiding Shutdown Fight – Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Nicholas Fandos
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/us/politics/mcconnell-senate-republicans-shutdown.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump threatens shutdown of ‘months or even years’ over border wall, says he could declare national emergency to get it built – Seung Min Kim, Erica Werner and Josh Dawsey
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-urges-gop-lawmakers-to-stand-with-trump-in-shutdown-fight/2019/01/04/99519d06-103f-11e9-84fc-d58c33d6c8c7_story.html
— While federal workers go without pay, senior Trump administration officials are poised to get $10,000 raises. – Peter Whoriskey and
Lisa Rein
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/01/04/while-federal-workers-go-without-pay-senior-trump-administration-officials-are-poised-get-raises/
— Millions face delayed tax refunds, cuts to food stamps as White House scrambles to deal with shutdown’s consequences – Damian Paletta and Erica Werner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/millions-face-delayed-tax-refunds-cuts-to-food-aid-as-white-house-scrambles-to-deal-with-shutdown/2019/01/04/b5b58616-0fa3-11e9-8938-5898adc28fa2_story.html

FORBES
— Three Practical First Steps To Successful Diversity Hiring – Julia Li (DIERSEN: GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, 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. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2019/01/04/three-practical-first-steps-to-successful-diversity-hiring/

NEWSWEEK
— KOCH DONOR NETWORK WILL NOT SUPPORT TRUMP IN 2020, BUT WILL PROMOTE PERMANENT LEGAL STATUS FOR DREAMERS – DANIEL MORITZ-RABSON
https://www.newsweek.com/koch-network-wont-support-trump-2020-1278141

December 29 Evening Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Dems say pot bill will create social justice, but black leaders aren’t sold yet – Tom Schuba
https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/dems-say-pot-bill-legalization-will-create-social-justice-but-black-leaders-arent-sold-cannabis/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Government to furloughed workers: Ask landlords about doing chores to cover rent – Michael Brice-Saddler (DIERSEN: Employers, and just about everyone else, view the job skills that federal employees acquire as being WORTHLESS.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-government-shutdown-furloughed-workers-20181229-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: On Thursday, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management tweeted sample letters to help the roughly 800,000 affected workers negotiate with creditors and mortgage companies. One letter, meant for employees to send to their landlords, discussed a temporary reduction in rent payments and further suggests “the possibility of trading my services to perform maintenance (e.g. painting, carpentry work) in exchange for partial rent payments.” On CNN Saturday morning, Tony Reardon, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, called the suggestion about trading services for rent payments “laughable” and “unfortunate.” “I think it’s disgusting, candidly,” Reardon said on “New Day.” He added, “It’s wrong to treat human beings this way.”)
— What I learned by not drinking for 2 years – Andy Boyle (DIERSEN: Virtually all of my nastiest critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are/were heavy drinkers.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-sober-alcohol-drunk-booze-perspec-1231-20151230-story.html

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Trump, Democrats play the blame game in 2nd shutdown weekend – AP (DIERSEN: Who blames you and for what? Since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have blamed me for all the losses that Republican candidates have suffered in Wheaton, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois. They blame me even though I have never been a Milton Township Republican Central Committee officer, a DuPage County Republican Central Committee officer, an Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee member, or an IRP officer.)
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/national/trump-democrats-play-the-blame-game-in-2nd-shutdown-weekend

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— US government shutdown has few effects on Rockford area – Derrick Mason and Georgette Braun
https://www.rrstar.com/news/20181228/us-government-shutdown-has-few-effects-on-rockford-area

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Champaign begins certifying female-, minority-owned businesses – Adalberto Toledo (DIERSEN: GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, 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. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.)
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-12-29/champaign-begins-certifying-female-minority-owned-businesses.html

BELOIT DAILY NEWS
— WOMEN IN MILITARY, FEMALE VETERANS SHIFTING FROM GOP – AP
https://www.beloitdailynews.com/article/20181229/AP/312299973

NPR ILLINOIS
— Survey Finds The Public Lacks Knowledge Of State Government – SEAN CRAWFORD
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/survey-finds-public-lacks-knowledge-state-government#stream/0

FOX NEWS ILLINOIS
— Trump, Democrats play the blame game in 2nd shutdown weekend – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-democrats-play-the-blame-game-2nd-shutdown-weekend

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Anonymous Campaign Pieces against Jack Franks Critics Going Back to 2010 – Part 2
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/29/anonymous-campaign-pieces-against-jack-franks-critics-going-back-to-2010-part-2/
— Algonquin Township Road Salt Subpoena Reported by Northwest Herald
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/29/algonquin-township-road-salt-subpoena-reported-by-northwest-herald/
— Edgar County Watchdogs Seek $55,000 from Bank Thought to Have Algonquin Township Road District Account
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/29/edgar-county-watchdogs-seek-55000-from-bank-thought-to-have-algonquin-township-road-district-account/

FOX NEWS
— Trump blames Democrats’ ‘pathetic’ immigration policies for deaths of children at the border – Adam Shaw
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-blames-democrats-pathetic-immigration-policies-for-deaths-of-children-at-the-border

BLAZE
— While blaming Trump for government shutdown, Nancy Pelosi vacations at luxurious Hawaiian resort Meanwhile, Trump stayed in D.C. to work – Chris Enloe
https://www.theblaze.com/news/nancy-pelosi-is-vacationing-in-hawaii

BREITBART
— IRS Has More than 3K Handguns, 3M Rounds of Ammunition – Awr Hawkins
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/29/irs-3k-handguns-3m-rounds-handgun-ammunition/

HOT AIR
— Nancy Pelosi Vacations In Hawaii During Government Shutdown – BRENT SCHER
https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2018/12/nancy-pelosi-vacations-hawaii-government-shutdown/

TOWNHALL
— The Birthright Rip-Off Is Another Affront To American Citizenship – Jan Brewer
https://townhall.com/columnists/janbrewer/2018/12/29/the-birthright-ripoff-is-another-affront-to-american-citizenship-n2538236

LIFEZETTE
— The Worst Anti-Trump College Courses Offered in 2018 Fox News’ ‘The Ingraham Angle’ shared a shocking array of left-leaning classes, some supported by taxpayer dollars – Tom Joyce
https://www.lifezette.com/2018/12/the-worst-anti-trump-college-courses-offered-in-2018/

POLITICO
— On Democrats’ wish list: Tech help for a clueless Congress Advocates say reviving the Office of Technology Assessment would be one way to help Congress get a grip on the complex topics it is trying to tackle. – NANCY SCOLA
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/29/democrats-technology-congress-1074187

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— US retailers hope higher pay will buy more efficient workers – CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and ANNE D’INNOCENZIO (DIERSEN: How efficient are you? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes paint themselves as being far more efficient than I am. They hint/imply/argue/shout that they could put GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and send them out in far less time than it takes me.)
https://www.apnews.com/94aeb5b5c5fa48f7a0d6629ee51a8674

NBC NEWS
— Trump shirks blame for migrant child deaths in federal custody – AP (DIERSEN: Who blames you and for what? Since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have blamed me for all the losses that Republican candidates have suffered in Wheaton, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois. They blame me even though I have never been a Milton Township Republican Central Committee officer, a DuPage County Republican Central Committee officer, an Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee member, or an IRP officer.)
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-shirks-blame-migrant-child-deaths-federal-custody-n952976

NEW YORK TIMES
— ‘You Control Nothing’: House Republicans Brace for Life in the Minority – Carl Hulse (DIERSEN: In what ways are you a minority where you live – race, gender, age group, income level, net worth level, religion, national origin, political affiliation, veteran status, gun ownership status, length of time your ancestors have been in America, etc.?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/29/us/politics/house-republicans-minority.html

DAILY MAIL
— Trump issues executive order freezing pay for 2.1 million federal workers in 2019 as thousands remain furloughed under government shutdown The order issued Friday will block a 2.1% blanket pay raise scheduled for January It comes as 800,000 federal employees remain furloughed or working without pay due to the partial government shutdown The order has been met with intense backlash from workers’ advocates – MEGAN SHEETS
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6538411/Trump-issues-executive-order-freezing-pay-2-1-million-federal-workers-2019.html
— Data shows military women and female veterans are shifting away from the Republican party, despite veterans in general voting largely for the GOP in the midterm election Long seen as a bastion of support for the GOP, the face of the US military and its veterans is changing – and as that happens, perhaps so is their politics Both current and former female service members were more likely to vote in the 2018 midterm elections for Democrats than Republicans That margin was 60 percent to 36 percent, according to the data from VoteCast Men with military backgrounds voted Republican by roughly the same margin A record number of female veterans – four – were elected to the House, all as Democrats, and three won in political swing districts – STEPHANIE HANEY
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6537963/Female-veterans-defy-vote-trend-oppose-Trump-seek-office.html

December 25 Evening Edition

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Trump, Democrats at impasse on Christmas over border wall budget amid partial government shutdown – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/trump-democrats-at-impasse-on-christmas-over-border-wall-budget-amid-partial-government-shutdown

NBC5
— Here’s How Much Mayor Rahm Emanuel Made in 2017
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Heres-How-Much-Mayor-Emanuel-Made-in-2017-Report-503475401.html

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump: Government stays closed as long as Dems reject wall – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-border-wall-shutdown-20181225-story.html
— Chicago nixes next Women’s March amid growing rift over anti-Semitism claims against national group – Angie Leventis Lourgos
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-womens-march-chicago-global-march-womens-wave-20181225-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Tourists dismayed that Lincoln home in Springfield closed by fed shutdown – AP (DIERSEN: Which federal funding action has dismayed you the most? For me, it was the gutting of GAO during the 1980s and 1990s. The Democrats who ran GAO used that gutting to get rid of GAO 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.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/government-shutdown-lincoln-home-springfield-local-tourism/

FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump: Government stays closed as long as Dems reject wall – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-government-stays-closed-as-long-as-dems-reject-wall
— ‘Disaster for the economy’: Stocks plunge again on Christmas Eve after Trump attacks Fed – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/stocks-dow-jones-plunge-trump-attacks-fed-mnuchin

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Fox News’ Brit Hume claims Trump ‘blowing up’ conservative base: ‘I wonder if he understands’ – Douglas Ernst
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/24/brit-hume-claims-trump-blowing-up-conservative-bas/
— Second Guatemalan child dies in DHS custody after illegal border journey – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/25/second-guatemalan-child-dies-dhs-custody-after-ill/
— The crisis of America’s upper class – R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/25/the-crisis-of-americas-upper-class/

DAILY CALLER
— FOSTER INTRODUCES BILL PREVENTING PAUL RYAN FROM USING THE GYM DURING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN – Molly Prince
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/25/paul-ryan-gym-shutdown-foster/
— HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE LINING UP BEHIND WHAT COULD BE THE LARGEST EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT IN DECADES – Michael Bastasch
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/25/democrats-green-new-deal/

HOT AIR
— Jesus’ Flight From Herod Isn’t The Same As Refugees Fleeing War/Violence – TAYLOR MILLARD
https://hotair.com/archives/2018/12/24/jesus-flight-herod-isnt-refugees-fleeing-war-violence/

NEWS BUSTERS
— Joe Scarborough Slams Wall ‘Insanity,’ Won’t Stop Visa Overstays – Brad Wilmouth
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/brad-wilmouth/2018/12/24/scarborough-slams-wall-insanity-wont-stop-visa-overstays

LEDGER
— Bipartisanship: Another word for ignoring the base – Michael Shannon
https://www.theledger.com/opinion/20181225/shannon-bipartisanship-another-word-for-ignoring-base

THE HILL
— Electric car credits benefit the elite over the many – COLTER DEVRIES
https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/422732-electric-car-credits-benefit-the-elite-over-the-many
— Trump doesn’t blink on shutdown in Christmas comments – JORDAN FABIAN
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/422821-trump-digs-in-as-shutdown-enters-fourth-day
— Planned Parenthood discriminates against its pregnant employees — I’m not surprised – DR. GRAZIE POZO CHRISTIE
https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/422769-planned-parenthood-discriminates-against-their-pregnant-employees-im-not

CNBC
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Trump has unsettled Wall Street and Washington, and it will likely get worse.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/24/president-trump-has-unsettled-wall-street-and-washington.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters shout: “8-Year-Old Migrant Child From Guatemala Dies in U.S. Custody.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/25/us/guatemalan-boy-dies-border-patrol.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: The Pope should demonize, denigrate, and condemn individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that promote illegal immigration.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/25/world/europe/pope-francis-urbi-et-orbi-christmas.html

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters shout: “An 8-year-old migrant has died in U.S. custody on Christmas Day.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/an-8-year-old-migrant-has-died-in-us-custody-on-christmas-day/2018/12/25/b45d387a-0870-11e9-85b6-41c0fe0c5b8f_story.html

USA TODAY
— Shutdown stories: Federal employees share anxiety via Twitter – Carolyn Cerbin (DIERSEN: How have federal government shutdowns impacted you? I was a federal retiree during shutdowns in 2013 and this year. I was an IRS employee during shutdowns in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. I was a GAO employee during shutdowns in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995, and 1996.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/12/25/government-shutdown-federal-employees-share-stories-twitter/2411319002/

BURLINGTON RECORD
— Why the power elite continues to dominate American politics – Timothy M. Gill
http://www.burlington-record.com/ci_32349453/why-power-elite-continues-dominate-american-politics

ATLANTIC
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps use children as cannon fodder.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/12/asylum-approvals-children-have-plummeted-under-trump/578614/

NEWSWEEK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “DONALD TRUMP WAS A SERIAL FAILURE AND DADDY’S LITTLE WELFARE CASE.”
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-serial-failure-daddys-little-welfare-case-msnbc-1271072
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “ANOTHER GUATEMALAN MIGRANT CHILD HAS DIED IN GOVERNMENT CUSTODY.”
https://www.newsweek.com/ice-border-wall-child-death-migrant-1271196

SALON
— Federal workers furious as government shutdown continues Republicans have painted themselves into a corner – TOM BOGGIONI
https://www.salon.com/2018/12/24/federal-workers-furious-as-government-shutdown-continues/

FORBES
— Chick-fil-A Is Now McDonald’s Biggest Threat – Alicia Kelso
https://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciakelso/2018/12/20/how-chick-fil-a-positioned-itself-to-be-mcdonalds-biggest-threat/#2594ad9a1ae7
— Taxpayers Unprepared for Changes in Trump’s Tax Law – Lawrence Carrel
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lcarrel/2018/12/24/taxpayers-unprepared-for-changes-in-trumps-tax-law/#58eb1c1c7f63
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The biggest change is the repeal of deductions for state and local taxes. Going forward, an individual can only claim up $10,000 for all state and local sales, income, and property taxes together. For example, a small house in New Jersey may pay just property taxes of $25,000. But with the $10,000 cap, taxpayers are going to be shelling out a lot more to the tax man.)

BUSINESS 2 COMMUNITY
— Is Your Content Hated or Anticipated? – Kelly MicKey (DIERSEN: If you asked my critics/opponents, their operatives, and/or their dupes about the content of GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, what would they say?)
https://www.business2community.com/content-marketing/is-your-content-hated-or-anticipated-02150825
(FROM THE ARTICLE: I’m going to ask you an embarrassing question. Is your content, that stuff you’re putting out there for potential clients, is it hated or is it anticipated? Which is it? Well, here’s a few ways to find out. Let’s start with “who is it about?” If you find, look at your content, if you find it’s mostly about you, about your firm, about what you do, about who had joined the firm, about the services you offer, eh, there’s a likelihood it’s not going to be anticipated as much. You’re trying to sell something and if it’s not helping the client, it’s probably more likely on the hated side. The second question to ask is “what’s the value I’m adding?” What is the value of this content. Again, if it’s only about you and your services, the only value is they learn a little bit about what you offer. But I don’t think most people are going to see that as “boy, that’s a great value.” Think, instead, of what can you instruct the person on, how can you educate them about something, how can you make them a better consumer of services or more knowledgeable about what issues that might impact that. If you’re doing those kinds of things, it’s more likely to be anticipated. The third question, and the third place to look is, “is it missed?” Do people express appreciation to you? “Wow, I follow your content- it’s really helpful!” Do they open emails regularly? Do they express that kind of appreciation? If you miss a time or they miss something, they’re asking you about it.)

SPINOFF
— Bad news: The journalists who have to work on Christmas day – Alex Braae
https://thespinoff.co.nz/media/25-12-2018/bad-news-the-journalists-who-have-to-work-on-christmas-day/

December 24 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Border wall GoFundMe tops $16 million, but unclear how US would get money
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/border-wall-gofundme-tops-$16m;-unclear-how-us-would-get-money/4960322/
— Dow Jones plunges more than 600 points on Christmas Eve – AP (DIERSEN: How far down will the anti-Trumps drive the Dow Jones?)
https://abc7chicago.com/finance/dow-jones-plunges-more-than-600-points-on-christmas-eve/4960317/

NBC5
— Markets Plummet in Worst Christmas Eve Trading Day Ever The Dow Jones dropped by 653 points and the S&P 500 fell 2.7 percent, entering a bear market (DIERSEN: How far down will the anti-Trumps drive the Dow Jones?)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/Treasury-Secretary-Steve-Mnuchin-Bank-CEOs-Wall-Street-Markets-503428421.html

CBS2
— Profiting Off Presidency? Trump Biz Takes Hit Since Election
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/12/24/profiting-off-presidency-trump-biz-takes-hit-since-election/
— Tourists Dismayed That Lincoln Home Closed By Fed Shutdown – AP
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/12/24/government-shutdown-closed-lincoln-home/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made $554K in 2017 – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/tax-records-chicago-mayor-rahm-emanuel-made-554k-in-2017-1

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Dan Ryan family ‘shocked’ by Bill Daley proposal to rename expressway for Obama – Mitchell Armentrout
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/dan-ryan-family-rename-expressway-barack-obama-bill-daley-cook-county-board/
— Yes, Chicago voters, you can have it all and someone else will pay – Phil Kadner
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/yes-chicago-voters-you-can-have-it-all-and-someone-else-will-pay/
— Trump tweets he’s alone at White House, holds firm to views on border wall – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/government-shutdown-trump-border-wall-budget-democrats-senate-funding/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Shutdown means Lincoln home closed for tours weeks after Illinois’ 200th birthday – Mike Riopell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-federal-government-shutdown-illinois-lincoln-20181224-story.html
— Rahm Emanuel made $554K last year, his highest income as mayor – Bill Ruthhart
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-rahm-emanuel-tax-return-20181221-story.html

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Illinois Ag director Raymond Poe ready to enjoy retirement – Bernard Schoenburg
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20181224/illinois-ag-director-raymond-poe-ready-to-enjoy-retirement

NPR ILLINOIS
— For Evangelicals, A Year Of Reckoning On Sexual Sin And Support For Donald Trump – TOM GJELTEN
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/evangelicals-year-reckoning-sexual-sin-and-support-donald-trump#stream/0

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Republican lawmaker Tim Bivins wants to see more party leadership – Scot Bertram
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/republican-lawmaker-wants-to-see-more-party-leadership/article_2246fb18-0561-11e9-85ad-d70925af712f.html

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Women’s March leadership engulfed in racial and religious feuding – James Varney (DIERSEN: GAO hired me in 1980 when I was 31 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 when I was 22 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 when I was 18 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. If I was 31, 22, or 18 today, none of aforesaid would hire me.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/24/womens-march-leadership-engulfed-racial-and-religi/
— Help wanted: More employers are looking for people than people are looking for jobs – James Varney
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/23/job-openings-exceed-unemployment-data-labor-depart/

DAILY CALLER
— NYT REPORTERS ADVOCATE TRACKING GUN PURCHASES MADE WITH CREDIT CARDS – Amber Athey
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/24/new-york-times-track-gun-credit-card/
— COMEY, WARREN FALSELY CLAIM FEDERAL WORKERS WILL HAVE NO PAYCHECK THIS HOLIDAY – Virginia Kruta
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/24/comey-warren-claim-no-paycheck-shutdown/

RUSH LIMBAUGH
— Trump’s Populism and the Republican Base
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2018/12/24/trumps-america-first-doctrine-upsets-the-globalist-applecart/

BREITBART
— Border Wall GoFundMe Nears $16.5 Million, Anti-Wall Campaign ‘Nets’ $141,000 – Katherine Rodriguez
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/24/border-wall-gofundme-nears-16-5-million-anti-wall-campaign-nets-141000/
— Women’s March Organizer: ‘White Jews, as White People, Uphold White Supremacy’ – Robert Kraychik
https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2018/12/24/womens-march-organizer-white-jews-as-white-people-uphold-white-supremacy/
— Dow Falls 650+ Points in Worst Christmas Eve Trading Day on Record – Joshua Caplan (DIERSEN: How far down will the anti-Trumps drive the stock markets?)
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2018/12/24/dow-down-600-xmas-eve/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Sure enough, caravan migrants turn on their organizers – Monica Showalter
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/12/sure_enough_caravan_migrants_turn_on_their_organizers.html

TOWNHALL
— Did The NYT Just Suggest We Treat Gun Owners As Terrorists? – Matt Vespa (DIERSEN: Do you own firearms? I have owner firearms since I was in high school. Virtually all my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes oppose the Second Amendment and oppose those who own firearms.)
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2018/12/24/firearms-reporter-torches-nyts-mass-shootings-piece-in-one-tweet-n2538011

WORLD NET DAILY
— YOUR 10 CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP Larry Tomczak list accomplishments in the face of ‘unbelievable demonic opposition’
https://www.wnd.com/2018/12/your-10-christmas-gifts-from-president-trump/
— 1 MILLION GUN OWNERS REFUSE TO OBEY BAN Sources: No newly illegal pieces turned over to authorities
https://www.wnd.com/2018/12/1-million-gun-owners-refuse-to-obey-ban/

THE HILL
— Trump hands out lumps of coal to enemies on Christmas Eve – JORDAN FABIAN
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/422762-trump-hands-out-lumps-of-coal-to-enemies-on-christmas-eve
— Trump’s Fed feud roils markets, alarms Republicans – ALEXANDER BOLTON
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/422791-trumps-fed-feud-roils-markets-alarms-republicans
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Americans say “Countries that welcome refugees and immigrants are happier.”
https://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/421768-countries-that-welcome-refugees-and-immigrants-are-happier

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Blasts Fed as Mnuchin Bids to Reassure Investors President says Federal Reserve is ‘the only problem our economy has’ – Vivian Salama and Paul Kiernan
https://www.wsj.com/articles/treasury-secretary-works-to-calm-investor-jitters-11545665311

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps and those who want cheap labor glorify and praise those who come to America illegally.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/after-separation-at-border-a-family-celebrates-first-holidays-in-u-s-11545663600

MEXICO NEWS DAILY
— Another caravan on the way: 15,000 heading north but destination is Chiapas They plan to look for work on Maya Train or government’s reforestation project
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/another-caravan-on-the-way/

December 23 Evening Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Durbin poised to run in 2020: ‘Raising money and trying to lose some weight’ – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/durbin-poised-to-run-in-2020-raising-money-and-trying-to-lose-some-weight/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump’s reluctant backers sour on his leadership, policies.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/trumps-reluctant-backers-sour-on-his-leadership-policies/

NBC5
— Did Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin Admit to Running in 2020? “We now have reached a depth of dysfunction that I’ve never seen before in Washington,” – Daniela Prizont-Cado
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Did-Illinois-Sen-Dick-Durbin-Admit-to-Running-in-2020-503409241.html

ABC7
— Trump: Mattis out as of Jan. 1; deputy to be acting chief – CNN (DIERSEN: Have you been let go earlier than your “planned departure.” I had planned to retire no sooner than 2003 when I would be 55 years old and eligible for a regular Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension. But in 1997, when I was 49 years old, my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” Consequently, my CSRS pension is only 41% of what my GAO salary was in today’s dollars. In 1971, I wanted a successful career in the automotive industry. But EEOC ended all that when Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. That made me unemployed because Firestone had fired me for accepting that offer. I had to get a job fast because I had a financial hardship draft deferment to help support my mother and brother. Because of the aforesaid, I accepted a job offer from IRS.)
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-mattis-out-as-of-jan-1/4954503/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: President Donald Trump announced on Sunday he would replace Defense Secretary James Mattis at the start of the new year, two months earlier than Mattis’ planned departure. “I am pleased to announce that our very talented Deputy Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan, will assume the title of Acting Secretary of Defense starting January 1, 2019. Patrick has a long list of accomplishments while serving as Deputy, + previously Boeing. He will be great!” Trump tweeted. Mattis announced his resignation on Thursday with a letter saying his views were not aligned with Trump, who said Mattis would retire at the end of February. A source familiar with the matter said Trump was mad at the extensive coverage given to Mattis’ resignation and therefore was forcing him to leave earlier than he originally planned.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Americans promote anti-American activities.
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/response-to-viral-gofundme-page-seeks-ladders-to-defeat-border-wall/4943075/

DAILY HERALD
— Profiting off presidency? Trump biz takes hit since election – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181223/news/312239970/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “How history should guide a Trump impeachment inquiry.”
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/how-history-should-guide-trump-impeachment-inquiry

WBBM 780
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: Declining Illinois Population Likely To Set Off Congressional Remapping – CRAIG DELLIMORE
https://wbbm780.radio.com/articles/declining-illinois-population-likely-set-congressional-remapping

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Marijuana legalization a bad idea – Robert Gebhardt, Johnsburg
https://www.nwherald.com/2018/12/21/letter-marijuana-legalization-a-bad-idea/ad7mrpa/

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Rauner shouldn’t have run in the first place – Editorial
https://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-rauner-shouldn-t-have-run-in-the-first-place/article_be551d94-edf1-52ba-9487-b22bcdc93db4.html

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Lawmakers may gamble on a casino bill again – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-12-23/tom-kacich-lawmakers-may-gamble-casino-bill-again.html

MC HENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Northwest Herald Finally Recognizes Jack Franks Lies
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/23/northwest-herald-finally-recognizes-jack-franks-lies/
— “Franks was not immediately available for comment.”
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/23/franks-was-not-immediately-available-for-comment/

FOX NEWS
— President Trump, you must keep your promise to build the wall — You cannot buckle – Judge Jeanine Pirro
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/jeanine-pirro-president-trump-you-must-keep-your-promise-to-build-the-wall-you-cannot-buckle

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Dick Durbin says Dems want to keep out drugs and guns, doesn’t mention illegals – Valerie Richardson
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/23/dick-durbin-says-democrats-want-keep-out-drugs-and/
— Trump insists on steel slatted fence with funding counteroffer to Democrats – Valerie Richardson and Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/23/donald-trump-concedes-wall-funding-not-steel-slatt/
— Group that escorts migrant caravans to U.S. border draws scrutiny – AP
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/23/pueblo-sin-fronteras-group-escorts-migrant-caravan/

CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
— The Government Lost Billions More Bailing Out GM Than The $5.7 Billion Request For Wall Funding – Molly Prince
https://www.conservativedailynews.com/2018/12/the-government-lost-billions-more-bailing-out-gm-than-the-5-7-billion-request-for-wall-funding/

WORLD NET DAILY
— WAY TO FUND A BORDER WALL Lowell Ponte emphasizes ‘some kind of solution is desperately needed’
https://www.wnd.com/2018/12/way-to-fund-a-border-wall/
— MR. PRESIDENT, BUILD THE WALL! Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson slams Dems who ‘want power by any means necessary’
https://www.wnd.com/2018/12/mr-president-build-the-wall/

COLLEGE FIX
— Profs: Trump’s ‘anti-immigrant’ rhetoric harms health of Latino families
https://www.thecollegefix.com/profs-trumps-anti-immigrant-rhetoric-harms-health-of-latino-families/

CAMPUS REFORM
— Top 5 times higher ed cried ‘white supremacy’ this year – Celine Ryan
https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11676

NATIONAL REVIEW
— A Shutdown to Nowhere – Editorial
https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/12/government-shutdown-trump-border-wall-funding-fight/

NBC NEWS
— What could go wrong with the 2020 census? Almost everything, GAO says The company printing the forms went bankrupt, there aren’t enough workers, and field tests have been cut back. Then there’s the citizenship question. – Dartunorro Clark
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/what-could-go-wrong-2020-census-almost-everything-government-watchdog-n947761

WASHINGTON POST
— Which boxes to check? College hopefuls weigh race, identity and affirmative action. – Nick Anderson (DIERSEN: What if I had claimed Swedish ancestry? What is your national origin? During the 1840s and 1850s, all my ancestors immigrated to northeast Illinois from what is now Germany. Of course, needless-to-say, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always used that against me. In my defense, I stress that my grandfather on my father’s side fought the Germans during WWI, that my uncles on my mother’s side fought the Germans during WWII, and that my father would have fought the Germans during WWII if he had not been 4-F. Further, according to http://dna.ancestry.com, my ancestry is 33% Europe West, 28% Scandinavia, 24% Great Britain, 11% Ireland, 2% Europe East, 1% Finland/Northwest Russia, and 1% Italy/Greece. What if I had claimed Swedish ancestry?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/which-boxes-to-check-college-hopefuls-weigh-race-identity-and-affirmative-action/2018/12/23/d8458af0-f7d9-11e8-8d64-4e79db33382f_story.html

(FROM THE ARTICLE: Sabria Kazmi’s background defies easy classification. She has grandparents from Tennessee, Iraq and two countries in South Asia. So when the 18-year-old filled out her college application, she puzzled over what boxes to check. The task is all the more sensitive this year amid the mounting debate over the role of race and ethnicity in admissions. First, Kazmi came to white. Check. Then Asian. Check. Followed by Middle Eastern and Pakistani. Check, check. She found a blank space to write in her Bangladeshi roots. Kazmi, a high school senior in Northern Virginia, could have gone further because one grandmother is part Cherokee. But she stopped there. “I remember someone once telling me something like, ‘Oh, you should put Native American on your college applications. It will help you,’ ” Kazmi said. “I of course did not because it would not be fair for me to claim to have the same culture and to have faced the same obstacles as someone with a larger connection to their Native American ancestry.” The roiling national debate over affirmative action in college admissions has raised the stakes for these questions about identity. Hundreds of thousands of applicants are wrestling with whether and how to describe their race and ethnicity and what that information should mean to the gatekeepers reading their files.)

NEW YORK POST
— Dick Durbin blasts Trump’s ‘political insecurity’ – Marisa Schultz
https://nypost.com/2018/12/23/dick-durbin-blasts-trumps-political-insecurity/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Administration Warns Shutdown Could Last Into January High-stakes spending fight could extend into new Congress with Democratic House – Stephanie Armour, Natalie Andrews and Kristina Peterson
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-warns-shutdown-could-last-into-january-11545580036
— The Phony Shutdown War Trump and Democrats put political symbolism over policy substance. – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-phony-shutdown-war-11545593815

NEWSWEEK
— TRUMP HAS BEEN FORCED TO HIRE FORMER BUSH OFFICIALS AS HIS STAFF LEAVE, DESPITE PREVIOUSLY MOCKING THEM – TIM MARCIN (DIERSEN: Constructively, my Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates mocked me. GAO audits IRS. When I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, they did not want me to transfer, but failing that, they wanted me to transfer as a GS-4 Step 1 (currently $32,978/year) intern, that is, to suffer a $58,902/year (64%) pay cut in today’s dollars. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran. They viciously demonized, denigrated, and condemned the fact a) that I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880/year, b) that much of what IRS Revenue Officers do is similar to what GAO Analysts do, c) that I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, d) that I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and e) that I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. They were furious that I transferred with me almost 12 years of federal seniority, 30 days of unused vacation days, and 130 unused sick days.)
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-allies-suspicious-bushies-bush-family-hiring-conservatives-1269916

December 16 Evening Edition

NBC5
— Trump Tweets Sympathy for Ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Trump urged his Twitter followers to watch a recent Fox News interview with Blagojevich’s wife, Patti, and called the situation “very sad.”
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Trump-tweets-sympathy-for-ex-illinois-gov-rod-blagojevich-502885381.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— White House digs in on border wall demand, risking shutdown – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/white-house-border-wall-government-shutdown/
— Sen. Durbin: ‘The Republicans have no alternative to the Affordable Care Act’ – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/sen-durbin-the-republicans-have-no-alternative-to-the-affordable-care-act/

DAILY HERALD
— How tech workers are fueling a new employee activism movement – Jena McGregor (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors hinted/implied/argued/shouted that their employees who were Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or veteran wanted them to get rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20181215/how-tech-workers-are-fueling-a-new-employee-activism-movement

WILL
— In Trying To Replace Himself On Ballot, Critics Say Rauner ‘Cheated Republicans’ – BRIAN MACKEY
https://will.illinois.edu/news/story/in-trying-to-replace-himself-on-ballot-critics-say-rauner-cheated-republica

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Morrison, Ives urge rebuilding GOP after Rauner confesses election apathy – Robert Hadley
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511682716-morrison-ives-urge-rebuilding-gop-after-rauner-confesses-election-apathy
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The next step for the Illinois GOP should be to call for a leadership overhaul at the top, both Morrison and Ives suggested. “Sean Morrison holds a very important position as state central committeeman, so it’s within his power to put in new leadership at the head of IL GOP, and that’s what needs to be done,” Ives said in a telephone interview with the Prairie State Wire. On his web page, Morrison said the governor’s “betrayal and deception” were grounds for a shakeup, and he pledged to call a meeting of the GOP’s central committee to begin “rebuilding the party.”)

DAILY CALLER
— WE WATCH CNN’S TERRIBLE MEDIA SHOW SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO – Betsy Rothstein
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/16/cnn-terrible-media-show/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Time to finish the Wall – Editorial
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/16/editorial-time-to-finish-the-wall/
— Democrats defy Trump shutdown threat: ‘He is not going to get the wall in any form’ – Alex Swoyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/16/chuck-schumer-democrats-defy-trump-government-shut/

BREITBART
— Washington Post Op-Ed: Girl’s Death Shows Americans Are a Threat to Migrants – Neil Munro
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2018/12/16/washpost-op-ed-americans-threat-migrants/

NEWS BUSTERS
— Atlantic Mag Compares Trump to Sexist Dictators, Saw ‘Red-Faced Diatribes’ for Kavanaugh – Clay Waters
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/clay-waters/2018/12/16/atlantic-mag-compares-trump-sexist-dictators-saw-red-faced-diatribes

NEWSMAX
— WSJ: Shut Out Migrants Taking Jobs, Claiming Asylum in Mexico – Eric Mack
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/migrants-asylum-manufacturing-nafta/2018/12/16/id/894651/

CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
— Did Paul Ryan Propose Raising The Retirement Age To 70? – Brad Sylvester
https://www.conservativedailynews.com/2018/12/did-paul-ryan-propose-raising-the-retirement-age-to-70/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Ryan announced earlier this year that he will be retiring from Congress once his term is complete. He will receive an annual pension of about $85,000, according to Business Insider. Republican Bryan Steil was elected in November to fill Ryan’s seat in Wisconsin’s first congressional district for the 116th Congress. Ryan told CBS’s John Dickerson on “Face The Nation” that he plans to use his retirement to “hunt, fish, mountain climb and ski” with his family and hinted that he may remain active in political advocacy.)

THE HILL
— Vicente Fox blasts Trump over migrant girl’s death – JUSTIN WISE
https://thehill.com/latino/421622-vicente-fox-blasts-trump-over-migrant-girls-death

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, under the Democrats, society demonizes, denigrates, and condemns Whites, and especially Whites who are not successful. Are/were you successful? In the federal government, if you are White, you are NOT SUCCESSFUL unless you make 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. Extremely few White federal employees make the aforesaid promotion deadlines.
https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/421509-the-myth-of-white-supremacy

ABC NEWS
— Sen. Dick Durbin: Obamacare ruling ‘once again puts Republicans in Washington on the spot’ – KRIS SCHNEIDER
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sen-dick-durbin-obamacare-ruling-puts-republicans-washington/story?id=59839455
— Donald Trump slams Saturday Night Live after sketch imagining world without him as President
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-17/donald-trump-slams-saturday-night-live-after-comedy-sketch/10626034

WASHINGTON POST
— New report on Russian disinformation, prepared for the Senate, shows the operation’s scale and sweep The report, a draft of which was obtained by The Washington Post, is the first to study the millions of posts provided by major technology firms to the Senate Intelligence Committee – Craig Timberg and Tony Romm (DIERSEN: If true, the Russian efforts failed miserably in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, and in my precinct.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/12/16/new-report-russian-disinformation-prepared-senate-shows-operations-scale-sweep/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— With Migrants Stalled at U.S. Doorstep, Mexico Offers a Fresh Start Border city aims to fill thousands of manufacturing roles with Central American migrants and asylum seekers unable to enter U.S. – Santiago Pérez
https://www.wsj.com/articles/with-migrants-stalled-at-u-s-doorstep-mexico-offers-a-fresh-start-11544972421

MOTLEY FOOL
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/12/16/5-things-that-really-matter-when-investing-in-mari.aspx

LGBTQ NATION
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, you are demonized, denigrated, and condemned if you do not promote LGBTQ activity.
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2018/12/president-anti-lgbtq-hate-group-tired-people-calling-hater/

December 16 Morning Edition

NBC5
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Investigations Look at Trump’s Life From All Angles. Five people in Trump’s orbit have pleaded guilty to charges in the continuing Mueller probe.”
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Investigations-Look-At-Trumps-Life-From-All-Angles-502870181.html

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— White House prepares for government shutdown as GOP lawmakers struggle for alternative – Erica Werner, Damian Paletta, Lisa Rein
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-government-shutdown-spending-white-house-border-wall-20181215-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump has led a lot of organizations. Nearly all of them are now under investigation.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-oganization-investigations-20181215-story.html
— Sears gets Bankruptcy Court approval for up to $25.3 million in bonuses to top employees – Lauren Zumbach (DIERSEN: Working for GAO during the 1980s and 1990s was very similar to working for Sears today. Starting in 1989, to retain its employees who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or young, GAO used the extreme subjectivity in its pay-for-performance system to give bonuses to its employees who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or young.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-sears-bonuses-bankruptcy-court-1215-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Hoffman Estates-based Sears Holdings Corp., which filed for bankruptcy protection in October, said it needs to able to offer the extra cash to encourage key employees to stick with the company as it attempts to restructure, according to court filings. . .“Under these circumstances, it would be understandable if many key employees are asking themselves whether they should be seeking other opportunities,” Sears said in a court filing last month. However, the retailer “cannot afford this uncertainty — however understandable it may be,” according to the filing. The company has already “suffered significant employee attrition” in the past month, including the departure of the chief operating officer of its Sears Home Services business and five other employees who would have been eligible for bonuses, Sears said in a separate court filing this week.)
— ‘Saturday Night Live’: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro and Alec Baldwin return for ‘It’s A Wonderful Trump’ – Danielle Turchiano
https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-snl-it-s-a-wonderful-trump-20181216-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Petition challenges: Where 11 mayoral hopefuls stand in fight to stay on ballot – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/petition-challenges-11-chicago-mayoral-candidates-fight-to-stay-on-ballot/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Investigations look at Trump’s life from all angles.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/donald-trump-investigation-personal-life/

DAILY HERALD
— Kasich would prefer competing for presidency as a Republican – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181213/news/312139823
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: What are “favorable demographics?” Does your school district have “favorable demographics?”
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181215/butler-elementary-district-53-uses-teamwork-personalization-to-achieve-growth

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Rauner baffles to the end – Doug Finke
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20181215/statehouse-insider-rauner-baffles-to-end

BELLVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— In a year Republicans did well in Southern Illinois, why does the St. Clair County GOP struggle? – JOSEPH BUSTOS
https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article222944235.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Brennan said, however, she got “zero” help from the St. Clair County Republican Central Committee in her unsuccessful run for the county board. . .However, some Republicans point to issues within the local party itself as to why the GOP couldn’t gain ground in the county. Sources with ties to the party said most of the local efforts went toward pushing for the re-election efforts of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost and Gov. Bruce Rauner, which left little to no resources to help with the local races. Ed Cockrell is among the local Republican County Board candidates to say the local party didn’t help local candidates, such as with raising money or sending out mailers. . .Duane Henson, a Republican who ran for county clerk, and has served as a precinct committeeman, said some worked harder than him, and he worked harder than other candidates, but candidates who ran countywide all did about the same. “At the end of the day, we were all a couple thousand votes of each other,” said Henson, who chose to self fund his campaign. Henson wouldn’t comment on the leadership of the party. He did say he also has heard the suggestion of putting efforts into smaller races to develop candidates. “You focus on the smaller races and if you could get into some of the school boards and so forth and make some effective changes there, then you could get your message out and work your way up, (but) that takes several election cycles,” Henson said. Henson said there was brainstorming sessions among the candidates during the campaign and the party organized participation in parades leading up to the election. “Could we be better organized? Sure. I think there’s always room for improvement.” Party leaders however, are looking to see what can be done better the next go-around. “I know they’re doing a lot of analysis, some people who are a little higher up in party that me, have been discussing … what’s our path moving forward, what can we do different, what have we done wrong? You do that after anything,” Henson said.)

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://qconline.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-make-illinois-pot-law-model-for-nation/article_e4c6ca64-fbc4-5ebb-9c90-bba0cfbb7cb0.html

WAND TV
— Illinois cities receive $13.7M to reduce lead in homes – Jessica Dobson
http://www.wandtv.com/story/39650575/illinois-cities-receive-137m-to-reduce-lead-in-homes

NPR ILLINOIS
— High On The Highway: Challenges With Marijuana DUIs – MADELYN BECK
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/high-highway-challenges-marijuana-duis#stream/0

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Investigations undermine Trump presidency: ‘It weakens your friends and emboldens your enemies’- AP (DIERSEN: To get rid of me, my Democrat IRS superiors opened investigations of my expense vouchers in 1974 and my income tax returns in 1978. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/16/donald-trump-investigations-undermine-presidency/
— ‘Democrat spin machines’: Trump says one-sided news coverage should be tested in courts – Alex Swoyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/16/donald-trump-says-one-sided-news-coverage-should-b/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Rudy Giuliani: Any Trump payoffs to women were aimed at protecting his children and marriage – Caitlin Yilek
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/rudy-giuliani-any-trump-payoffs-to-women-were-aimed-at-protecting-his-children-and-marriage

BREITBART
— Bill: Lawmakers Must Pay Sexual Misconduct Settlements Out-of-Pocket – Penny Starr
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/15/bill-lawmakers-must-pay-sexual-misconduct-settlements-out-of-pocket/

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— PARENTS WHO TAKE CHILDREN THROUGH THE DESERT, NOT THE BORDER PATROL, ENDANGER THEIR LIVES – Daniel Greenfield
https://www.frontpagemag.com/point/272253/parents-who-take-children-through-desert-not-daniel-greenfield

AMERICAN THINKER
— Stop Equating Every Immigration Situation with the Holocaust! – Rabbi Aryeh Spero
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2018/12/stop_equating_every_immigration_situation_with_the_holocaust.html

THE HILL
— Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine): Nothing wrong with Republicans challenging Trump in 2020 – ALICIA COHN
https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/421576-gop-senator-nothing-wrong-with-republicans-challenging-trump-in

CNN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “His worst nightmare: Trump’s life under a legal microscope.”
https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/15/politics/donald-trump-robert-mueller-investigations-russia/index.html

ABC NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Investigations look at Trump’s life from all angles.”
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/part-trumps-life-investigation-59842548

NEW YORK TIMES
— Mulvaney Called Trump a ‘Terrible Human Being’ in 2016 – Maggie Haberman
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/15/us/politics/mulvaney-trump-terrible-human-being.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Americans are divided according to political party on their views of the economy and the Trump presidency, a new WSJ/NBC News poll found. – Aaron Zitner
https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-have-mixed-feelings-about-economy-trump-presidency-wsj-nbc-news-poll-finds-11544968800
— Fight Over Voter Data Roils Democrats Ahead of Election The party is trying to catch up with Republican efforts to collect and store voter data – Julie Bykowicz
https://www.wsj.com/articles/fight-over-voter-data-roils-democrats-ahead-of-election-11544899956

CLARION LEDGER
— Family breakdown explains social unrest – Star Parker
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/columnists/2018/12/16/family-breakdown-explains-social-unrest/2302739002/

TUCSON DAILY STAR
— Immigration Attitudes: Americans’ deep political divide creates fraught territory – Perla Trevizo
https://tucson.com/news/state-and-regional/americans-deep-political-divide-creates-fraught-territory/article_e3b280a2-fd6d-11e8-8fe0-57a88b1a7958.html

FOX 8
— South Carolina pastor defends decision to buy wife $200,000 Lamborghini SUV, says ‘not a penny’ was used from church (DIERSEN: If you might buy a new SUV, what might you buy? I might buy a new Jeep Cherokee Limited FWD ($30,950) with V6 ($1,745), Luxury Group ($1,195), Floor Matts ($220), Block Heater ($115), and Destination Charge ($1,495).)
https://myfox8.com/2018/12/14/south-carolina-pastor-defends-decision-to-buy-wife-200000-lamborghini-says-not-a-penny-was-used-from-church/

ATLANTIC
— America Needs to Restore Dignity of Work – Marco Rubio (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes look down on wage earners. I was a lowly wage earner 1964-1997. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997.)
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/12/help-working-class-voters-us-must-value-work/578032/

MOTLEY FOOL
— 2 in 5 Americans Spend More Money in Retirement Than Expected In doing so, they risk running out of savings down the line. – Maurie Backman
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2018/12/15/2-in-5-americans-spend-more-money-in-retirement-th.aspx
(FROM THE ARTICLE: We’re often told to expect our expenses to go down in retirement, and generally speaking, retirees do spend less than their nonretired counterparts. While the average working American over 40 spends $2,993 a month on discretionary expenses, the average retiree spends just $2,008, according to data from Global Atlantic Financial Group. That said, nearly two out of five retirees are spending more money during their golden years than expected, so they risk prematurely depleting their nest eggs and struggling to keep up with expenses in the future. If you’d rather not land in a similar boat once it’s your turn to retire, the solution is simple: Understand what sort of lifestyle your savings will buy you in the future, and save more before retiring if it isn’t enough.)

ROLLING STONE
— Paul Ryan Wants More Immigrants, as Long as They Look Like Him Ryan has championed a bill that would allow more Irish immigrants to come to America – PETER WADE
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/paul-ryan-irish-immigration-769807/

DAILY MAIL
— Paul Ryan under fire for rushing out more than 10,000 visas to Irish nationals before leaving office when refugees and asylum seekers are being detained and rejected from the border – MICHAEL NAM
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6500413/Paul-Ryan-attacked-rushing-10-000-visas-Irish-nationals-leaving-office.html