December 10 Evening Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— New laws will encourage old vices The proliferation of gambling and marijuana can have a deleterious effect on health. Both vices are addictive in nature. – Ned L. McCray, Tinley Park
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/12/10/21004979/sun-times-letters-legal-gambling-marijuana-illinois-recreational-pot-vices
(FROM THE LETTER: Most laws have an impact, one way or another, on a person’s job or his pocketbook. The new laws in Illinois, expanding legal gambling and the legal use of marijuana, will do the same. But they also will threaten our health and physical well-being. The new laws have been touted as answers to our state’s fiscal crisis, creating many jobs, but at what cost? History has shown that the proliferation of gambling and marijuana can have a deleterious effect on one’s health. Both are addictive in nature. Most forms of gambling are stacked against the participant; the odds are bad. Legalized gambling generally is a waste of time and money. Marijuana alters a person’s mood and introduces harmful substances into the lungs and body that can lead to dependency and the use of more powerful drugs. These two laws will do nothing to uplift society. They will be of harm to future generations.)

— After big first-year wins, Pritzker looks to health care, Chicago casino — and dumping Trump – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2019/12/10/21009932/pritzker-health-care-reform-chicago-casino-pensions-criminal-justice-trump-impeachment
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2019/12/10/21009906/heres-where-downtowns-first-pot-shops-marijuana-cannabis-recreational

ABC7
— Indiana prepares for possible influx of pot from Illinois and Michigan, considers decriminalizing small amounts – Sarah Schulte
https://abc7chicago.com/indiana-prepares-for-possible-influx-of-pot-from-illinois-michigan-in-2020/5745178/

NBC5
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/on-air/as-seen-on/High-Expectations-NBC-5-Breaks-Down-Cannabis-in-Illinois-in-New-Podcast–565994221.html
— Petition Challenge Filed in Race for Clerk of the Circuit Court – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/on-air/as-seen-on/petition-challenge-filed-in-race-for-clerk-of-the-circuit-court-565998411.html

CBS2
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/12/10/social-equity-system-to-level-the-recreational-pot-selling-field/
— Medical Marijuana Company’s Bid To Move To Bigger Location Advances In Tense Zoning Committee Meeting
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/12/10/cresco-labs-medmar-lakeview-medical-marijuana-dispensary-zoning-change-recreational-pot/
— Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx Faces Ballot Challenge From Rival Bob Fioretti
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/12/10/cook-county-states-attorney-kim-foxx-petition-challenge-bob-fioretti/

WGN TV
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://wgntv.com/2019/12/10/as-businesses-apply-for-right-to-sell-legal-weed-in-illinois-social-equity-a-top-concern/

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage County board seeking legal opinion on public comments after ‘Mexican’ remark – Robert Sanchez (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, under the Democrats, it is illegal to criticize members of protected groups. SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_group Constructiverly, protected groups include citizens of foreign countries, those who are in America illegally, those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, RINOs, Trump-haters, LGBTQers, abortion advocates, minorities, women, younger people, those who have financial problems, those who have health problems, veterans, non-Protestants, non-German Americans, drinkers, gamblers, stoners, criminals, etc.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20191210/dupage-county-board-seeking-legal-opinion-on-public-comments-after-mexican-remark
— Objections filed against two dozen suburban candidates – Jake Griffin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20191210/objections-filed-against-two-dozen-suburban-candidates

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Battles begin to remove opponents from March primary ballots Cook County candidates have a better idea of what the ballot will look like after a lottery yesterday, but many will have to duke it out to survive petition challenges in the weeks ahead. – A.D. QUIG
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/battles-begin-remove-opponents-march-primary-ballots
— Dems take final swipe at SALT cap before yearend Reps. Lauren Underwood of Illinois and Mike Sherrill of New Jersey are among the Democratic freshmen who ousted GOP incumbents in the 2018 mid-terms, partially because voters were angry to see their SALT tax break limited. – Bloomberg (DIERSEN: Trump should increase the $10,000 SALT cap to $20,000 for married filing jointly.)
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/dems-take-final-swipe-salt-cap-yearend
— Pot shop’s zoning scuffle sets the tone for other dispensaries Cresco Labs had a close call in winning approval to move its existing dispensary to a bigger space. Many aldermen say they intend to keep up the pressure on companies to bring in more minority partners. – A.D. QUIG
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/pot-shops-zoning-scuffle-sets-tone-other-dispensaries

WBBM
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://wbbm780.radio.com/media/audio-channel/palatine-will-be-among-the-communities-to-allow-recreational-marijuana

MEDILL REPORTS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/chicagos-illegal-drug-market-likely-to-thrive-in-the-wake-of-marijuana-legalization/

HERALD & REVIEW
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-to-start-taking-applications-today-for-new-marijuana-stores/article_8810ed4e-7408-5e3d-968c-4091fad466ed.html

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Keeping watch is a tall task – Jim Dey
https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/jim-dey-keeping-watch-is-a-tall-task/article_cea21dc5-743f-584a-a729-98ea64291404.html

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/michigan-allowed-recreational-cannabis-sales-last-week-a-month-before/article_0b25122e-bc9b-551f-b853-ed5ad944e300.html

JOURNAL GAZETTE TIMES COURIER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://jg-tc.com/news/state-and-regional/michigan-allowed-recreational-cannabis-sales-last-week-a-month-before/article_8f3e7776-5cf9-5a63-a8b2-bcdfa044df2f.html

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=295438#.Xe_ZASN_OM8

BUREAU COUNTY NEWS
— Patronage withers; there is hope for Illinois It’s a lousy way to hire the best people – Scott Reeder (DIERSEN: I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, DuPage County, and Illinois who focus on promoting patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation for complaining about the aforesaid. The aforesaid side with my Democrat superiors in the federal government.)
https://www.bcrnews.com/2019/12/10/patronage-withers-there-is-hope-for-illinois/asgmcql/

OAK PARK
— Everybody can get stoned – John Hubbuch
https://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/12-10-2019/Everybody–can-get-stoned/

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— IL-14: Catalina Lauf Blasts Tired Politicians’ Dirty Games
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/12/10/il-14-catalina-lauf-blasts-tired-politicians-dirty-games/
— IL-14: After Nearly Nine Months, House Democrats Throw Underwood and Casten Under the Bus on H.R. 1757
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/12/10/il-14-after-nearly-nine-months-house-democrats-throw-underwood-and-casten-under-the-bus-on-h-r-1757/
— Judge James Cowlin Announces Cameras, Recording Will Be Allowed in McHenry County Courtrooms
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/12/10/judge-jame-cowlin-announces-cameras-will-be-allowed-in-mchenry-county-courtrooms/
— Jack Franks’ Parade Driver Challenges Erik Sivertsen’s County Board Petitions
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/12/10/jack-franks-parade-driver-challenges-erik-sivertsens-county-board-petitions/
— Petitions of Mary McClellan’s Judicial Opponents Challenged by Cary Woman
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/12/10/petitions-of-mary-mcclellans-opponents-challenged-by-cary-woman/
— IL-06/IL-14: House Republicans Introduce H.R. 19 as Bipartisan Alternative to Partisan H.R. 3
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/12/10/il-06-il-14-house-republicans-introduce-h-r-19-as-bipartisan-alternative-to-partisan-h-r-3/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— “N-word” used by Mayor during Council Meeting, attempt made to keep us from recording meeting – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2019/12/n-word-used-by-mayor-during-council-meeting-attempt-made-to-keep-us-from-recording-meeting/

CAPITOL FAX
— Gray says objections likely the end of his campaign, claims he was defrauded
https://capitolfax.com/2019/12/10/gray-says-objections-likely-the-end-of-his-campaign-claims-he-was-defrauded/
— LRU finds millions diverted from or not spent by gun-related fund
https://capitolfax.com/2019/12/10/lru-finds-millions-diverted-from-or-not-spent-by-gun-related-fund/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— 2 St. Louis police officers fired over Facebook posts – AP
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/dec/10/2-st-louis-police-officers-fired-over-facebook-pos/

GOPUSA
— Chick-Fil-A’s Dan Cathy dishonors the memory of his father
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=80770
— Congressional Black Caucus: Record number of Africans at U.S.-Mexico border
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=80777
— Congress must stop subsidizing wealthy (electric) car buyers
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=80873

HERITAGE FOUNDATION
— Congress Should Reject Amnesty for Illegal Agricultural Workers – Daren Bakst
https://www.heritage.org/immigration/report/congress-should-reject-amnesty-illegal-agricultural-workers

ONE NEWS NOW
— Lesbian activist’s appearance reason enough to yank kids: Laurie Higgins – Bob Kellogg
https://onenewsnow.com/education/2019/12/10/lesbian-activists-appearance-reason-enough-to-yank-kids-higgins

COLLEGE FIX
— Professor asks the feds to investigate public university group that requires members to have ‘color’ – GREG PIPER
https://www.thecollegefix.com/professor-asks-the-feds-to-investigate-public-university-group-that-requires-members-to-have-color/

THE HILL
— Trump, White House rip Democrats over impeachment articles – BRETT SAMUELS AND MORGAN CHALFANT
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/473846-trump-white-house-rip-democrats-over-impeachment-articles

CBS NEWS
— Half of U.S. businesses make workers sign noncompete agreements – IRINA IVANOVA (DIERSEN: GAO audits IRS. I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old. I should write a book about my Democrat IRS superiors who a) had taken adverse actions against me, b) succeeded in getting GAO to force me to take a 21% pay cut ($19,568/year in today’s dollars) to transfer to GAO, and c) did not want GAO to assign me to audits of IRS.)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/half-of-u-s-businesses-ask-employees-to-sign-noncompete-agreements-and-half-of-them-are-low-wage-workers/

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump Wants to Take From the Poor and Give to the Wealthy.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/10/opinion/snap-food-stamps.html
— Navy Suspends Flight Training for Saudi Military Students in Florida About 300 students from Saudi Arabia have been grounded at three Florida bases in the wake of a shooting at a Pensacola Navy base that left three people dead. – Patricia Mazzei and Eric Schmitt
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/10/us/pensacola-florida-shooting-saudi-students.html

MOTLEY FOOL
— 8 Reasons You Shouldn’t Retire Early Can you fail at retirement? Absolutely. – Catherine Brock
https://www.fool.com/investing/2019/12/10/8-reasons-you-shouldnt-retire-early.aspx
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 1. Lower income potential on your savings. . .2. Tax implications of early withdrawals. . .3. Reduced Social Security benefits. . .4. The prohibitive cost of healthcare. . .5. Reduced flexibility to adapt to changing goals. . .6. Lower standard of living. . .7. Boredom. . .8. Difficulty reentering the workforce)

Author: David Diersen

The opinions that I express in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are based on experience that I have gained doing many things since 1948. I base my opinions on what I learned a) working for the federal government for almost 30 years -- Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, serving on the Executive Committee of the Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter 1983-1996, and being a union member while I worked for the Post Office and IRS; b) earning an MBA from Loyola in 1976, a masters degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, and a masters degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997; c) passing the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 and passing the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981; c) serving as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999, the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois Chairman 2005-2012, a member of the 2008 Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Platform and Resolutions Committee, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member 2003-2011, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster 2008-2010 and 2000-2004, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member 2001-2004; d) attending the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 IRP State Conventions as a delegate; e) being the subject of a nasty 4-page article in the February 1978 issue of Money Magazine; f) pursing litigation including Diersen v. GAO and Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange; g) being married since 1978; h) living in Crete 1948-1972, in University Park 1972-1976, in Chicago 1976-1978, and in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978; and i) being baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran. View all posts by David Diersen