December 19 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE: How Chicago became a key hub in El Chapo’s massive U.S. drug operation: Chicago twin testifies in historic trial – Jeff Coen
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-el-chapo-trial-chicago-drug-dealer-testifies-20181217-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Some who are anti-religious promote devil worship.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-satanic-temple-statue-springfield-dupage-meeting-prayer-1219-20181218-story.html
— Get used to it, America: We’re no longer No. 1 – Noah Smith (DIERSEN: Anti-Americans and America-haters vote for Democrats.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-china-economy-growing-fast-trade-war-trump-1219-20181218-story.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PICTURE IN THE NAPERVILLE SUN: Voters to choose in contested races for districts 203 and 204, College of DuPage boards – Suzanne Baker
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-candidate-filing-last-day-st-1219-story.html
— Elon Musk unveils underground tunnel, offers bumpy rides to VIPs – AP (DIERSEN: Have you driven in “soul-destroying traffic?” I did 1966-1968 when I commuted to/from my parents’ home in Crete and classes at UIC, first in a 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint and then in a 1968 Oldsmobile 442.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-elon-musk-boring-tunnel-debuts-20181218-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Elon Musk unveiled his underground transportation tunnel on Tuesday, allowing reporters and invited guests to take some of the first rides in the revolutionary albeit bumpy subterranean tube — the tech entrepreneur’s answer to what he calls “soul-destroying traffic.”)

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— The political war for your right to health care – Phil Kadner (DIERSEN: If I sought a government or a political office, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would demonize, denigrate, and condemn the fact because I am a federal retiree, my wife and I pay only $6,000/year for $24,000/year worth of health, dental, and vision insurance.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/affordable-care-act-obamacare-medicare-for-all/

 

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE: Rules Committee: Where thousands of Illinois bills go to die – Jake Griffin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181219/rules-committee-where-thousands-of-illinois-bills-go-to-die
— Lawlor re-emerges after rehab stint and quitting politics – Jake Griffin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181218/lawlor-re-emerges-after-rehab-stint-and-quitting-politics
— Hot races taking shape in several DuPage school districts – Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181218/hot-races-taking-shape-in-several-dupage-school-districts
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Wheaton Warrenville 200 Of three board members with expiring terms, only Chris Crabtree, a former District 200 teacher who won her first term in 2015, is vying to keep her seat. Incumbents Jim Vroman and Jim Gambiani did not file to seek re-election. But newcomers Susan Booton of Wheaton, Dave Long of Winfield, Harold Lonks of Winfield and Mary Yeboah of Wheaton all entered the race, setting a field of five candidates for three seats. . .College of DuPage Four candidates are seeking two 6-year terms on the College of DuPage board. Incumbents Alan Bennett and Joe Wozniak are not seeking re-election, leaving newcomers Annette Corrigan of Wheaton, Marc Incrocci of Darien, Dan Bailey of Wheaton and Maureen Dunne of Naperville to compete for the seats.)

 

WBBM 780
— Illinois Opponents Of Gas Tax Hike Invoke ‘Yellow Vest’ Imagery – CRAIG DELLIMORE
https://wbbm780.radio.com/articles/illinois-opponents-gas-tax-hike-invoke-yellow-vest-imagery

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Nearly 187,000 use automatic voter registration – Doug Finke (DIERSEN: Did you register for the draft? I did in 1966 when I was 18 years old. I was classified 1-A notwithstanding the fact that my eyesight could not be corrected to 20/20, I had partial red/green color blindness, and I had Osgood-Schlatter disease (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osgood%E2%80%93Schlatter_disease).)
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20181218/nearly-187000-use-automatic-voter-registration

 

HERALD NEWS
— Townships, what are they good for? Government bodies provide services despite some negative headlines – ALEX ORTIZ
https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/17/townships-what-are-they-good-for/amykuv2/

 

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Their numbers growing, Latinos gain clout in new Congress – AP (DIERSEN: How much clout do those who share your demographics have a) in the world, b) in America, c) in Illinois, d) in your county, e) in your township/ward, f) in your municipality, and in your precinct? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, in Wheaton, and in my precinct are overjoyed that those who share my demographics are doomed. I should write a book about those who share my demographics who demonize, denigrate, and condemn those who share my demographics to curry favor with individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are 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, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Their-numbers-growing-Latinos-gain-clout-in-new-13467581.php

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Abortion Foes Take Public Funding Fight Back To Illinois Supreme Court – BRIAN MACKEY
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/abortion-foes-take-public-funding-fight-back-illinois-supreme-court#stream/0

 

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Republicans raise alarm over apparent attempt to sideline Madigan’s 19-year-old challenger Krupa – Glenn Minnis (DIERSEN: What had you done by the time you were 19 years old that demonstrated your potential? According to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes, by the time I turned 19 years old in 1967, I had demonstrated nothing. They would stress that I had done yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; and delivered mail since 1966. They would stress that I had requested and obtained draft deferments. They would not stress that UIC had accepted me in 1966, that I had bought a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint in 1966, or that I had bought a new 1968 Oldsmobile 442 in 1967.)
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511684787-republicans-raise-alarm-over-apparent-attempt-to-sideline-madigan-s-19-year-old-challenger-krupa

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Federal government shutdown could affect 6,200 employees in Illinois – Greg Bishop (DIERSEN: I was a federal employee in Illinois 1966-1969 and 1071-1997.)
https://www.ilnews.org/news/statewide/federal-government-shutdown-could-affect-employees-in-illinois/article_4ea98834-02f9-11e9-8c89-73b300f53810.html

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Free Exercise of Religion on Display in the Capitol
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/podcast/the-free-exercise-of-religion-on-display-in-the-state-capitol-spotlight-125/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Spiritual Warfare: Standing Strong – David E. Smith
https://illinoisfamily.org/faith/spiritual-warfare-standing-strong/
— Religious Freedom is on Display in State Government
https://illinoisfamily.org/video/religious-freedom-is-on-display-in-state-government/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Fight for change, but don’t succumb to cynicism in the meantime (DIERSEN: What change do you fight for? I fight for getting the Illinois Republican Party (IRP), the DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and the Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) to back candidates who can and will defend and advance a) the IRP platform, including its traditional family, right to life, immigration, and Second Amendment planks, b) the Republican Party platform, including its illegal drugs and equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks, and c) the MTRCC resolution against video gambling. Previously, I fought for TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois and the Illinois Center Right Coalition to do the aforesaid.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/18/fight-for-change-but-dont-succumb-to-cynicism-in-the-meantime/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— VERY TROUBLING: Trump businesses shun E-Verify system, hire illegal immigrants Only 5 out of 565 companies sign up for service – Stephen Dinan and S.A. Miller
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-washington-times-daily/20181207/281479277493400
— Democrats say wealthier households need tax break Plan to roll back state and local limits – David Sherfinski (DIERSEN: According to anti-Republicans, you are wealthy if you itemize your deductions and you pay more than $10,000 a year in SALT taxes.)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-washington-times-weekly/20181210/281517932200391

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— BOYCOTT-HIT CHICK-FIL-A FLYING HIGH IN FAST-FOOD RANKINGS ‘They are doing in 6 days what other chains can’t do in 7’ (DIERSEN: Should I write a book a) about those individuals, those organizations, those companies, and those governments that are boycotting me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and b) about why they are boycotting me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails?)
https://www.wnd.com/2018/12/boycott-hit-chick-fil-a-flying-high-in-fast-food-rankings/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Hall of shame: Advertisers sign up for boycott of Tucker Carlson for telling the truth on illegal immigration – Thomas Lifson (DIERSEN: Should I write a book a) about those individuals, those organizations, those companies, and those governments that are boycotting me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and b) about why they are boycotting me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails?)
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/12/hall_of_shame_advertisers_sign_up_for_boycott_of_tucker_carlson_for_telling_the_truth_on_illegal_immigration.html

 

TPM
— Fox News Slams Carlson Boycott: We Won’t Be Silenced By ‘Agenda Driven Intimidation’ – Nicole Lafond (DIERSEN: Should I write a book a) about those individuals, those organizations, those companies, and those governments that are boycotting me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and b) about why they are boycotting me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails?)
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/fox-responds-carlson-wont-be-silenced-agenda-intimidation

 

CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
— IHOP Boycotts Tucker Carlson But Not Saudi Arabia – Peter Hasson (DIERSEN: Should I write a book about those individuals, those organizations, those companies, and those governments that are boycotting me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails?)
https://www.conservativedailynews.com/2018/12/ihop-boycotts-tucker-carlson-but-not-saudi-arabia/

 

BREITBART
— State Department Pledges $10 Billion to Develop Central America, Southern Mexico – Penny Starr
https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/12/18/state-department-pledges-10-billion-to-develop-central-america-southern-mexico/

 

LIFEZETTE
— Many Border Migrants ‘Are Not Legitimate Asylum Seekers’ – Kathryn Blackhurst
https://www.lifezette.com/2018/12/many-border-migrants-are-not-legitimate-asylum-seekers-says-homan/

 

ROLL CALL
— Here Are the House Members Who Have Skipped Votes This Lame-Duck Session Most of the absentees are members who lost re-election, ran for another office or are retiring – Lindsey McPherson
https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/members-whove-skipping-votes-lame-duck-session
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Peter Roskam, R-Ill., who lost his re-election bid, missed 10.)

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: As Facebook Raised a Privacy Wall, It Carved an Opening for Tech Giants Internal documents show that the social network gave Microsoft, Amazon, Spotify and others far greater access to people’s data than it has disclosed. – Gabriel J.X. Dance, Michael LaForgia and Nicholas Confessore
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/technology/facebook-privacy.html
— FRONT PAGE: Addicted to Vaped Nicotine, Teenagers Have No Clear Path to Quitting – Jan Hoffman
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/health/vaping-nicotine-teenagers.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— ‘A Feudal Regime’: How Gangs Extort Mexico Extortion is becoming more pervasive across Mexico and Central America, where organized crime groups are regulators of a corrupt underground ecosystem – Santiago Pérez (DIERSEN: Of course, anti-Trumps use this to justify granting mass asylum requests.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-feudal-regime-how-gangs-extort-mexico-11545215400
— Teen Vaping Has Created Addicts With Few Treatment Options Concentrated doses of nicotine prompt higher rates of addiction than cigarettes. With few treatment options for teens, the FDA plans public hearings. – Betsy McKay
https://www.wsj.com/articles/surge-in-teen-vaping-gives-rise-to-nicotine-addiction-11545142195

 

BLOOMBERG
— Americans Earning Over $200,000 Are Flocking to These Neighborhoods Everyone knows wealth is concentrating. This is where the rich are going.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-12-18/these-are-the-neighborhoods-attracting-america-s-richest

(FROM THE ARTICLE: Cook County, Illinois Cook County, which includes the county seat of Chicago, is home to the No. 1 and No. 7 fastest-growing concentrations of $200,000-plus households. No. 1 is, ironically, the area around where the Cabrini-Green public housing projects once stood. Cabrini-Green was notorious for violent crime, poverty and de facto racial segregation until its demolition beginning in the 1990s at the behest of the Chicago Housing Authority. Even back then, authorities fretted that redevelopment plans might displace low-income families. They were right to be worried. Two decades later, the area’s concentration of $200,000-plus households has skyrocketed from zero to 39 percent. For some of the longtime residents who remain, the neighborhood’s transformation has been isolating. . .About 20 miles to the north, Cook County has another top 10 neighborhood: the Glen, in the suburb of Glenview. Converted from what used to be Naval Air Station Glenview, the planned community has hundreds of families living in condos, town houses and single-family homes that go for as much as $2.5 million each, according to realtor Margaret Ludemann.)

 

USA TODAY
— ‘Unscrupulous politicians’ blamed for worst year on record for journalist killings – Kim Hjelmgaard (DIERSEN: I should write a book about politicians and others who have demonstrated the most hated of me.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/12/18/more-journalists-killed-2018-than-any-other-year-record-driven-unscrupulous-politicians/2346797002/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “The hatred of journalists that is voiced, and sometimes very openly proclaimed, by unscrupulous politicians, religious leaders and businessmen has tragic consequences on the ground and has been reflected in this disturbing increase in violations against journalists,” said Reporters Without Borders’ Secretary-General Christophe Deloire. “Amplified by social networks, which bear heavy responsibility in this regard, these expressions of hatred legitimize violence, thereby undermining journalism, and democracy itself, a bit more every day,” he said.)
— Retail workers tested positive for drugs at the highest rate last year, Quest study shows – Paul Davidson
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/12/19/drug-testing-workplace-retail-had-highest-rate-positives-tests/2315373002/

 

AUSTIN STATESMAN
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Texas marijuana advocates set sights on 2019 legislative session – Bob Sechler (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Who does not want Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee (SCC) member Bob Grogan to appoint me to the 2020 IRP State Convention Platform and Resolutions Committee, like IRP SCC member Ron Smith appointed me to in 2008? ANSWER: Those who reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and/or Second Amendment planks in the 2016 IRP Platform. Those who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.statesman.com/news/20181213/texas-marijuana-advocates-set-sights-on-2019-legislative-session
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The 2018 platform of the state’s Republican Party is among their evidence. It includes a plank calling for civil, instead of criminal, penalties for possessing small amounts of pot, as well as one calling for expansion of the Compassionate Use Act “to allow doctors to determine the appropriate use of cannabis to certified patients.” In addition, Gov. Greg Abbott for the first time recently voiced support for reducing penalties for some pot possession — albeit not all the way to a mere civil offense. Abbott, a Republican, said during his successful re-election campaign against Democrat Lupe Valdez that he’s open “to talking to the Legislature about … reducing the penalty for possession of 2 ounces or less from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class C misdemeanor” because he doesn’t want to see “jails stockpiled with people who have possession of a small amount of marijuana.”)

 

PACIFIC STANDARD
— A LEGISLATIVE BATTLE LOOMS OVER ARIZONA’S REPRESSIVE LGBT EDUCATION LAWS It is one of seven states with laws that prohibit the promotion of homosexuality and that expressly forbid teachers of health and sexuality education from discussing LGBT issues in a positive light—if at all. – RIKER PASTERKIEWICZ & SABIA PRESCOTT (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Who does not want Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee (SCC) member Bob Grogan to appoint me to the 2020 IRP State Convention Platform and Resolutions Committee, like IRP SCC member Ron Smith appointed me to in 2008? ANSWER: Those who reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and/or Second Amendment planks in the 2016 IRP Platform. Those who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://psmag.com/education/the-education-legislation-battle-coming-to-arizona

 

NEW YORKER
— The Search for Anti-Conservative Bias on Google – Sue Halpern
https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/the-search-for-anti-conservative-bias-on-google

 

CATO
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.cato.org/blog/new-cato-report-border-wall-wont-stop-drug-smuggling-marijuana-legalization-has

 

SOCIALIST WORKER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Socialist workers say “HEY TRUMP, DON’T HOLD US HOSTAGE FOR THE RACIST WALL.”
https://socialistworker.org/2018/12/19/hey-trump-dont-hold-us-hostage-for-the-racist-wall

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.