February 15 Morning Edition

GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER
— LIVE STREAMING: Governor Rauner Delivers the Budget Address, Wednesday, February 15, 2017, 12:00 p.m.
https://www.illinois.gov/gov/Pages/RaunerLive.aspx

 

NBC5
— Rauner Still ‘Frustrated’ Ahead of Wednesday’s Budget Address  “I am the most frustrated person in the state that we haven’t been able to work with the General Assembly to get a balanced budget passed,” Rauner said. “We need to pass it now.” – Tom Schuba and Mary Ann Ahern
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/rauner-budget-address-facebook-live-413773753.html

 

CBS2
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Rauners say “Gov. Rauner Blamed For Contract Impasse With AFSCME.”
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/02/14/gov-rauner-slammed-for-contract-impasse-with-afscme/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— ‘Frustrated’ Rauner to push for ‘grand bargain’ in budget address – Tina Sfondeles
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/frustrated-rauner-to-push-for-grand-bargain-in-budget-address/
— Rauner asks court to reject Lisa Madigan state worker motion – Tina Sfondeles
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/rauner-asks-court-to-reject-lisa-madigan-state-worker-motion/
— Toddler and man killed, woman wounded in North Lawndale shooting while woman was on Facebook Live – Sam Charles, Andy Grimm and Jordan Owen
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/police-two-dead-including-toddler-in-north-lawndale-shooting/
— Big money in final days of presidential race – Shia Kapos
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/kapos-big-money-in-final-days-of-presidential-race/
— “Straight White Men” homes in on oppressive ambition – Hedy Weiss (DIERSEN: How bad are your demographics?  My demographics are terrible: Trump supporter (I have been a Trump supporter ever since he won the nomination and especially since he won the election.), Protestant (I was baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran.), conservative, Republican (A contributing member of the party since 1976 and a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999.), American, White, male, older (I was born in 1948.), non-poor, gun owner, German American (I am 100% German American.), ancestors have been in America for a long time (My ancestors have been in America since 1844), former federal employee (I was a federal employee for almost 30 years 1966-1969 and 1971-1997.), retired federal employee (I have been a retired federal employee since 1997.), former union member (I was a union member for almost 12 years 1966-1969 and 1971-1980.), American-nameplate car owner, childless, petless, etc.)
http://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/straight-white-men-homes-in-on-oppressive-ambition/
— Nobody wants to give up those deplored federal handouts – John Stossel
http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/opinion-once-they-have-them-people-fight-to-keep-subsidies/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps promote abortion.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/opinion-being-a-good-catholic-in-age-of-trump-is-complicated/
— Northwestern University fraternity ordered to cease social activities – Stefano Esposito
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/nu-fraternity-ordered-to-cease-social-activities/
— Big election change coming—but don’t get hopes up too high – Mark Brown
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/brown-big-election-change-coming-but-dont-get-hopes-up-too-high/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Mike Pence’s delayed knowledge of Flynn’s fibs hint he is outside Trump’s inner circle.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-mike-pence-trump-inner-circle-20170214-story.html
— Home for new and expectant single moms expected to open this year in Wheaton – Bob Goldsborough
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/wheaton-glen-ellyn/news/ct-wheaton-group-home-20170214-story.html
— Embattled NU fraternity suspended amid reports of drugging, sex assaults – Genevieve Bookwalter and Robert McCoppin
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/news/ct-evr-evanston-sae-suspension-tl-0216-20170213-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats encourage people to come to America illegally, to stay in America illegally, and to bring others to America illegally.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-devon-resource-center-preview-met-20170214-story.html
— Rauner cracks wise into hot mic before Facebook Live appearance – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-valentines-day-met-story.html
— $9 million cut from domestic violence programs, Rauner administration blames ‘confusion’ – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-illinois-budget-domestic-violence-20170215-story.html
— Readers react: New Trier’s civil rights seminar  (DIERSEN: Joseph A. Morris comment on the “Helicopter parents” letter: “Professor Ebner writes, “I taught American history at colleges and universities in New York City and Illinois for 40 years.  Never did I encounter criticism from parents — or administrators — about the design of courses I offered or the content of their subject matter.” Mr. Ebner’s stunning admission — that for 40 years no one paid any attention to what he was doing in his classrooms — explains how and why American higher education has gone to hell in a handbasket in the last 40 years, setting the stage for infectious political correctness and related boobery to pass from the colleges to the high schools.” Morris comment on the “Inquire, commit, serve” letter: “Ms. Koerner writes: “Now, more than ever, our young people need to be reading and hearing authors like Colson Whitehead and Andrew Aydin.” At the ceremony held in New York City last fall just days after the national election, as the prestigious national book award was presented to Mr. Whitehead, the honoree said, “We’re happy in here; outside is the blasted hellhole wasteland of Trumpland. Be kind to everybody, make art and fight the power.”  Will he convey a similarly objective, politically-neutral, uplifting, and dignified message to the students of New Trier High School? Andrew Aydin’s day job is as the “Digital Director and Policy Advisor” to Congressman John Lewis (D-Georgia) in the latter’s office on Capitol Hill;  before that he was employed on the Lewis campaign staff in Georgia. I suspect that the number of paid Republican political operatives who will be paid by New Trier High School to grace the Seminar Day can be counted on zero fingers, and I suspect, further, that the disparity is no accident. Odd that Ms. Koerner doesn’t swell with gleeful anticipation of the visits by others among the Seminar Day’s speakers, such as Monica Trinidad (who organizes boycotts of ballet companies featuring Jewish artists because she doesn’t want to “dance with Israeli apartheid”); and the “poet” whose nom de plume is “John the Author” and whose oeuvre includes “poetry” such as the following stirring anthem to racial tolerance and what education can accomplish, an exhortation that no doubt embodies what Ms. Koerner imagines to be the school’s lofty goals to “inspire, commit, and serve”: “Not graduate from back, Give back, nigga, Tell them get back, nigga”.”  Morris comment on the “Mandatory seminar” letter: “Mr. Sloane of Glendale Heights may or may not have learned to read in the feeder schools that serve the upscale New Trier Township High School, but it is puzzling that he wonders “if the high school is focusing on the fight for equal rights in the 1950s and 1960s” when the title of the Seminar Day program is “Understanding Today’s Struggle for Racial Civil Rights” (emphasis added).  The word “Today’s” is probably a dead giveaway that the aim of the program is not a retrospective on the history of half a century and more ago.  Another dead giveaway of the aim of the program is the insertion of the word “Racial” which, of course, undermines the fundamental American proposition that “rights”, civil and otherwise, belong to individuals and not to races.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-readers-react-new-trier-s-civil-rights-seminar-20170214-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Teaching news literacy can make students better citizens – Editorial  (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who focus on discouraging everyone from reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170214/discuss/170219396/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner set for his most important speech ever – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170215/BLOGS02/170219937
— Here’s a way to stop Illinois’ fiscal shame spiral – MICHAEL BELSKY
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170215/OPINION/170219938

 

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Don’t look for a miracle from Gov. Rauner’s budget speech – Editorial
http://thetelegraph.com/opinion/96816/our-view-dont-look-for-a-miracle-from-gov-rauners-budget-speech

 

BELOIT DAILY NEWS
—  Some University of Chicago students and faculty are vowing to protest the appearance of a former manager of President Donald Trump’s run for the White House. – AP
http://www.beloitdailynews.com/article/20170215/AP/302159914
— PHOENIX FACES ARIZONA LAW THAT BARS SANCTUARY-CITY STATUS – AP  (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, Illinois law should bar sanctuary-city status.)
http://www.beloitdailynews.com/article/20170215/AP/302159939

 

  1. LOUIS TODAY
    — Rauner’s 3rd budget likely to be shelved like the first 2 – AP
    http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/rauner-s-rd-budget-likely-to-be-shelved-like-the/article_ab2cdadf-77c1-5255-9737-4f9d5c82cbd3.html

 

METROPOLITAN PLANNING COUNCIL
— The persistent problem of segregation in Chicago’s public schools – Alden Loury  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the fewer minorities that were your classmates, the more that Democrats demonize you, denigrate you, and condemn you are being a racist and even worse things.)
http://www.metroplanning.org/news/7395/The-persistent-problem-of-segregation-in-Chicagos-public-schools#.WJz6Wk-HQNU.twitter

 

CHICAGO REPORTER
— Chicago’s lax enforcement of minimum wage hike leaves workers in the lurch – Melissa Sanchez  (DIERSEN: I ask my critics/opponents, are you paying your operatives and your dupes at least the minimum wage?  Operatives and dupes for my critics/opponent talk and act like they have severe financial problems and like they will do just about anything for money.)
http://chicagoreporter.com/chicagos-lax-enforcement-of-minimum-wage-hike-leaves-workers-in-the-lurch/

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— DuPage County Municipal/County Intergovernmental Committee sets legislative priorities for 2017 – Louie Torres
http://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511082343-dupage-county-municipal-county-intergovernmental-committee-sets-legislative-priorities-for-2017

 

UPSTREAM IDEAS
— Why Illinois Is The Worst Place In America To Own A Home
http://upstream-ideas.com/upstream-ideas/ideas/why-illinois-is-the-worst-place-in-america-to-own-a-home

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— NEW ILLINOIS STATE REP STEVE REICK FOCUSES ON STATE TAX REFORMS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/02/new-illinois-state-rep-focuses-on-state-tax-reforms.html

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump counsel was warned Flynn could be blackmailed – Dave Boyer  (DIERSEN: If you “could be blackmailed,” you should not seek or hold a government or political office.)
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/feb/14/trump-counsel-don-mcgahn-was-warned-michael-flynn-/

 

PUBLIUS FORUM
— Democrats Demanding that Immigration Officials Stop Deporting Illegals Convicted of Violent Crimes – Warner Todd Huston
http://www.publiusforum.com/2017/02/14/democrats-demanding-immigration-officials-stop-deporting-illegals-convicted-violent-crimes/

 

FREEDOM’S JOURNAL
— PAWNS OF LIBERALS – Walter E. Williams  (DIERSEN: Democrats crow about their success making individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German American, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
https://freedomsjournalinstitute.org/latest-news/opinion/pawns-of-liberals/

 

GOPUSA
— Democrats are now ‘Party of Hate’
http://www.gopusa.com/dems-are-now-party-of-hate/

 

NEWSMAX
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Some anti-Americans falsely claim to be “pro-family.”
http://www.newsmax.com/US/los-angeles-mayor-eric-garcetti-deportation-family/2017/02/14/id/773528/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Now You Can Wear A Puzzle-Piece Pin To Show How Bad You Feel About Being White – JIM TREACHER  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats make it clear that to be Democrat is to be anti-White.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/14/now-you-can-wear-a-puzzle-piece-pin-to-show-how-bad-you-feel-about-being-white/
— Chaffetz Sent Fake Invoice For Paid Protester Hours – PHILLIP STUCKY  (DIERSEN: How much money per hour do anti-Trumps pay protestors in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois?)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/14/chaffetz-sent-fake-invoice-for-paid-protester-hours/

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Some Illinois veterans will have access to free child care while attending doctor appointments or job interviews. (DIERSEN: Government is nasty.  Politics is nasty.  My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would bring this article to my attention and stress I should be gotten rid of a) because I avoided the draft with student draft deferments 1966-1970 and a financial hardship draft deferment 1970-1971 and b) because my wife and I gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents.)
http://pilotonline.com/news/military/veterans/program-to-provide-free-child-care-to-some-illinois-veterans/article_92a28df4-1452-5363-84f1-91f89802d183.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps a) glorify and praise foreign countries and their citizens and b) demonize, denigrate, and condemn America and its citizens.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/business/economy/immigration-productivity-economists.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/opinion/sanctuary-cities-in-name-only.html
— Liberal Activists Join Forces Against a Common Foe: Trump – YAMICHE ALCINDOR
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/us/politics/protesters-resist-trump.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: For Tech-Savvy Students, Apathy to Current Events Is a Thing of the Past. – Elizabeth Harris  (DIERSEN: To keep up to date with current news and commentary on government and politics, read GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/nyregion/social-media-schools-politics-civics.html
— Who’d Want to Limit Retirement Plans? House Republicans – Editorial
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/opinion/whod-want-to-limit-retirement-plans-house-republicans.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump’s toxicity has Republicans running away from their constituents.”  (DIERSEN: Anti-Trump constituents are toxic.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/republicans-are-running-away-from-their-constituents/2017/02/14/3fc4dd66-f2f0-11e6-a9b0-ecee7ce475fc_story.html
— GAO Report lists ‘high risks’ needing Trump’s attention – Joe Davidson  (DIERSEN: I worked for GAO for almost 18 years, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $94,610-$122,991.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/02/15/report-lists-high-risks-needing-government-attention/
— Trump is dividing American Jews over domestic politics, not Israel – Sarah Posner  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats try to get Jews to join Muslims against Christians.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/02/15/trump-is-dividing-american-jews-over-domestic-politics-not-israel/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— In Trump Age, Taking a Different Tack on Workplace Diversity – JOHN SIMONS  (DIERSEN: To promote workplace diversity is to get rid of employs who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-trump-age-taking-a-different-tack-on-workplace-diversity-1487080801
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, the WSJ sides with foreign countries and with their citizens AGAINST America and AGAINST America’s citizens.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/seeking-their-own-refuge-sanctuary-cities-go-to-court-1487116166
— A Generation Living for Likes  Only 19% of surveyed college students agreed that “I am open about my emotions on social media.” A full 73% said they always try to appear happy. Laura Vanderkam reviews “The Happiness Effect” by Donna Freitas. – LAURA VANDERKAM  (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes either are liked or want to be liked by those individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-generation-living-for-likes-1487115843
— Your Blueprint for Career Advancement Needs Updating  How to take a more regular, active role in making your professional life as good as it can be – SUE SHELLENBARGER  (DIERSEN: What have you done to advance your career?  Aside from working hard, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 33.  To advance their careers in the federal government, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates focused on promoting Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion, that is, they focused on getting rid of federal employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/your-blueprint-for-career-advancement-needs-updating-1487086846
— Colleges, Faced With Funding Cuts, Target Tenure Trims  GOP state lawmakers and schools look to winnow longtime faculty positions with fewer job protections – Douglas Belkin
https://www.wsj.com/articles/colleges-faced-with-funding-cuts-target-tenure-trims-1487068202

 

VOICE OF AMERICA NEWS
— U.S. Ethics Office Calls for Investigation of Trump Aide’s Comments  (DIERSEN: I should write book about elected officials and party leaders in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who misuse their position.  Most commonly, they misuse their position by demonizing, denigrating, and condemning a) those who do not pander to them, b) those who fail/refuse to serve as one of their operatives or dupes, and c) those who do not give them money.  Those who attended the January 19, 2017 Wheaton Chamber of Commerce State of the City address saw such misuse of position at the end of the program.)
http://www.voanews.com/a/us-ethics-office-calls-for-investigation-of-trump-aide-conway-comments/3725496.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In the letter, OGE Director Walter M. Shaub, Jr. encouraged the White House to punish Conway if necessary. “These facts, if true, would establish a clear violation of the prohibition against misuse of position,” Shaub wrote. “Therefore, I recommend that the White House investigate Ms. Conway’s actions and consider taking disciplinary action against her.” Shaub also noted in his letter that Conway’s actions are almost identical to an example used during ethics training about what not to do while employed by the White House. “I note that OGE’s regulation on misuse of position offers as an example the hypothetical case of a Presidential appointee appearing in a television commercial to promote a product,” he wrote. “Ms. Conway’s actions track that example almost exactly.”)

 

USA TODAY
— Millennial drivers are highway hazards, survey shows – Bart Jansen  (DIERSEN: I have been driving since 1964 and I have never caused an accident.)
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/02/15/millennial-drivers-highway-hazards-survey-shows/97888336/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Millennial drivers are the worst. That’s not just their elders talking. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found 88% of drivers 19- to 24-years-old acknowledged engaging in risky behavior such as texting while driving, running red lights or speeding during the previous month, according to a report released Wednesday.)

 

SAN FRANCISCO GATE
— Congressman’s staffer injured during protest at office – AP
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Congressman-claims-staffer-injured-during-OC-10933082.php
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Rep. Dana Rohrabacher said a 71-year-old staff member was knocked unconscious Tuesday while protesters gathered at his Southern California office. Rohrabacher is a conservative Republican who has voiced support for some of President Donald Trump’s actions. He released a statement that said his longtime district director, Kathleen Staunton, fell and hit her head when a protester yanked open the office door as she was leaving.)

 

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC PRESS
— Deportation Fears Depress California Dream Act College Aid Applications  (DIERSEN: Nothing should be done that encourages people to come to America illegally, to stay in America illegally, or to bring others to America illegally.  Anti-Americans use Dreamers to encourage people to come to America illegally, to stay in America illegally, and to bring others to America illegally.)
http://sfpublicpress.org/news-notes/2017-02/deportation-fears-depress-california-dream-act-college-aid-applications

 

U.S. & WORLD REPORT
— Students, Faculty Oppose Ex-Trump Campaign Manager’s Visit  Some University of Chicago students and faculty are vowing to protest the appearance of a former manager of President Donald Trump’s run for the White House. – AP
http://www.usnews.com/news/illinois/articles/2017-02-15/students-faculty-oppose-ex-trump-campaign-managers-visit

 

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Breitbart Blames Priebus for All of the Trump Administration’s Problems – Ed Kilgore  (DIERSEN: Who blames you and what do they blame you for?  My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes blame me for all of their problems, for all of your problems, for all of my problems, and for all of everyone’s problems.)
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/02/breitbart-wants-priebus-to-die-for-d-c-s-sins-against-trump.html

 

MANAGED CARE MAGAZINE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: To promote LGBTQ activity is to promote STDs. Democrats focus on promoting LGBTQ activity, that is, Democrats focus on promoting STDs.
https://www.managedcaremag.com/archives/2017/2/far-over-stds-have-made-comeback
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates in the United States are at record highs, and many experts fear they will continue to climb because of meager funding of public health clinics and diminished sex education in schools. Throw the repeal of large chunks of the ACA and the end of federal government funds for Planned Parenthood into the mix, and a bad situation will only get worse, say some experts. “It’s a perfect storm that would allow more people to become infected” as education that could help prevent the spread of STDs falters and the places where people can go to be tested dwindle, says John Steever, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics and a member of the faculty at the Adolescent Health Center of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. The cost of STDs is enormous for those infected but also for society as a whole. The direct cost of treating STDs is almost $16 billion per year, according to the CDC. That is more than twice the CDC’s annual budget. The cost of STD care “is the magnitude of a natural disaster every year,” says Supriya Mehta, an associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. The CDC estimates that, at any given time, more than 100 million Americans have an STD. Roughly 20 million new cases occur each year, with half of those affecting young people between the ages of 15 and 24. In addition, one quarter of sexually active adolescent females have an STD. Blacks and men who have sex with men also tend to have a higher prevalence of STDs.)

 

GQ
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Congressional Republicans Are Scared of Holding Town Halls Now For Some Reason.”
http://www.gq.com/story/republicans-are-ducking-town-halls

 

BLOOMBERG
— The Political Assassination of Michael Flynn – Eli Lake  (DIERSEN: Who are the political assassinators in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois?  I should write about political assassinators in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois.)
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-02-14/the-political-assassination-of-michael-flynn

 

MONEY MAGAZINE
— Get a Look Inside Ivanka Trump’s $5.5 Million D.C. Home – Colleen Kane
http://time.com/money/4670427/get-a-look-inside-ivanka-trumps-5-5-million-d-c-home/

 

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
— Should Journalists Be Required to Earn a License in Order to Practice Journalism? – Sean Stroh  (DIERSEN: When it serves their purposes, my critics/opponents hint/imply/argue/shout that I am NOT a journalist.  My critics/opponents hint/imply/argue/shout that you are a journalist ONLY IF YOU ARE PAID TO BE A JOURNALIST. In my defense, I stress that I have served as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, that thousands of Republican activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. across Illinois regularly read GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, that since 2004, those emails have gone out each and every morning, that since 2015, those emails have gone out each and every evening too, that since 2004, those emails have included links to almost 262,000 articles and information on many upcoming events, that much of what I did for GAO for almost 18 years, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $94,610-$122,991, is very similar to what journalists do, that my wife and I have enough income and net worth that I do not need to be paid for what I do as your GOPUSA Illinois Editor, nor do I want to be paid for what I do for you as your GOPUSA Illinois Editor, he who pays the piper calls the tunes, and I do not want anyone to call my tunes.)
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/columns/critical-thinking-should-journalists-be-required-to-earn-a-license-in-order-to-practice-journalism/

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.