January 1 Evening Edition

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— What are the following doing to discourage the sale and use of pot in Illinois, your county, your township/ward, and your municipality: a) Trump, b) the leaders of the Illinois Republican Party, c) the leaders of your Republican county/township/ward party organizations, d) the Republicans who represent you in the U.S. House, Illinois Senate, Illinois House, your county, your township/ward, and your municipality, e) your Republican Precinct Committeeman/Captain, f) the conservative, religious, education, healthcare, law enforcement, etc. leaders in your county, township/ward, and municipality, g) etc.? – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

ABC7
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://abc7chicago.com/business/legal-recreational-marijuana-sales-begin-in-illinois/5804233/

NBC5
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/governors-office-calls-first-day-of-legalized-cannabis-sales-an-historic-new-day/2195296/
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/history-made-first-legal-cannabis-sales-complete-as-dispensaries-open-in-illinois/2195119/

CBS2
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/01/01/long-lines-recreational-marijuana-chicago/
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/4348453-legal-weed-sales-underway-in-illinois/
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/4348313-pot-sales-now-legal-in-illinois/
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/4348499-smooth-first-day-sales-of-recreational-marijuana/
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/01/01/the-wait-for-legal-weed-is-over-as-marijuana-sales-get-started-in-illinois/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/turning-over-a-new-leaf-illinois-sees-first-legal-sales-of-recreational-marijuana

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/1/1/21043086/legal-weed-marijuana-live-updates-recreational-sales
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/1/1/21045390/renzo-mejia-first-recreational-weed-marijuana-illinois-dispensary-33

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/marijuana/illinois/ct-legal-weed-illinois-first-day-20200101-7cjmnsifxvhrxc4evr2alua7ue-story.html
https://www.chicagotribune.com/marijuana/illinois/ct-legal-weed-first-day-recreational-sales-20200101-fhtdvp4j6naphff6jmnnh6fkqy-story.html
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-park/ct-oak-cannabis-store-tl-0109-20200101-f6h3zshcezfnlm42jucbcngy6u-story.html
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-recreational-marijuana-sales-st-0102-20200101-bs4qmzlgmvab7l7hznruyshfwa-story.html
https://www.chicagotribune.com/marijuana/illinois/ct-liststory-illinois-legal-weed-20191219-vy7no4bg7vdwbcsa77f7lr4giy-list.html
— Bloomberg’s campaign ad spending tops $155 million – BILL ALLISON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-tns-bc-campaign-spending-20200101-story.html
— Dry January isn’t for everyone, experts say. Some drinkers need treatment. Others are trying Dry-ish January – Kate Thayer
https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-life-dry-january-cb-tt-20200101-24tkyxqn4rdarjx5mj7f6ezjce-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200101/got-my-legal-weed-recreational-marijuana-sales-start-with-enthusiasm
— Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie headlining Barrington Town-Warming – Bob Susnjara
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20191231/former-new-jersey-gov-chris-christie-headlining-barrington-town-warming
— The Great Divide: Congress, voters on immigration – Joe Guzzardi
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20200101/the-great-divide-congress-voters-on-immigration

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/marijuanacannabis/ringing-new-year-weed
— As our economy evolves, so does the hunt for a ‘good’ job – CLAIRE BUSHEY (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes, all of the jobs that I had were BAD JOBS that they would never stoop to take. 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.chicagobusiness.com/crains-forum-jobs-wages/shift-change

NORTHWEST HERALD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.nwherald.com/2020/01/01/photos-hundreds-line-up-for-legal-marijuana/dmcn3bt/

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.news-gazette.com/news/day-of-recreational-marijuana-you-can-tell-this-is-what/article_7d7e2b92-122c-5cdd-805a-e60e2a7da32b.html

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.rrstar.com/news/20200101/long-lines-excitement-high-for-first-day-of-legal-weed-in-rockford

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20200101/long-line-and-upbeat-camaraderie-mark-predawn-pot-sales-in-east-peoria
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20200101/marijuana-sales-go-smoothly-in-springfield
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20191231/peoria-medical-pot-facility-approved-for-recreational-sales-which-begin-wednesday
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20200101/luciano-just-as-with-legal-weed-peoria-celebrated-end-of-last-prohibition

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/photos-recreational-pot-sales-begin-in-illinois/collection_2798cd59-444e-507e-b601-67ad51d211a6.html

JOURNAL STANDARD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.journalstandard.com/news/20200101/todays-pot-shops-will-leave-old-timers-dazed-and-confused

HERALD & REVIEW
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://herald-review.com/news/local/photos-recreational-pot-sales-begin-in-illinois/collection_5c6f213d-7662-575e-a802-472d6e73e620.html#1

HERALD NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/01/01/hundreds-come-out-early-for-legal-marijuana-in-joliet/d7x6iqe/

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article238884078.html

GALESBURG REGISTER MAIL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.galesburg.com/news/20200101/hundreds-line-up-before-dawn-to-purchase-pot-in-canton

QUAD CITY TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://qctimes.com/it-s-the-end-of-prohibition-recreational-marijuana-sales-began/collection_0b97a4ef-5e91-5c11-b122-e50f4e45d010.html#1

TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.mywebtimes.com/2020/01/01/the-prohibition-has-ended-on-marijuana/admqzp4/

LINCOLN COURIER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.lincolncourier.com/news/20200101/first-in-line-for-adult-use-cannabis-this-is-something-thats-going-to-go-down-in-history

LASALLE NEWS TRIBUNE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.newstrib.com/2020/01/01/the-prohibition-has-ended-on-marijuana/admqzp4/

DECATUR DAILY
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.decaturdaily.com/business/illinois-sees-first-legal-sales-of-recreational-marijuana/article_5093bb03-9a85-5e51-a987-dd9e3b9a4909.html

SOUTHERN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://thesouthern.com/news/local/with-lines-hundreds-deep-southern-illinoisans-celebrate-legal-marijuana-sales/article_6de09443-0b7f-5f01-87e3-3a606a7d62ee.html

ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/long-lines-in-collinsville-greet-first-day-of-recreational-weed/article_ebd288a9-5650-50e5-a0cb-5b6faec24180.html

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/01/01/wisconsin-residents-visit-illinois-first-day-legalized-marijuana/2786716001/

FOX ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://foxillinois.com/news/local/sunny-side-marijuana-dispensary-gearing-up-for-recreational-sales-tomorrow

WIFR
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Legal-Cannabis-Sales-566624891.html

WSPY
— Petition Challenges Dropped Against Republican Primary Candidate in 14th Congressional – Tyler Bachman
http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/petition-challenges-dropped-against-republican-primary-candidate-in-th-congressional/article_e90d69de-2c9e-11ea-bcac-b351db8e7e8f.html

WILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://will.illinois.edu/news/story/first-day-of-legal-recreational-cannabis-sales-draws-hundreds-to-cu-dispensaries

WGEM
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://wgem.com/2020/01/01/lines-formed-outside-dispensaries-for-sale-of-recreational-marijuana/

WAOW
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://waow.com/2020/01/01/people-begin-camping-out-ahead-of-legal-marijuana-in-illinois/

WRAL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.wral.com/recreational-use-of-marijuana-is-now-legal-in-illinois-and-retailers-are-ready/18862747/

WGLT
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.wglt.org/post/patrons-look-make-history-peorias-first-legal-recreational-cannabis-customers#stream/0

WSIL TV
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://wsiltv.com/2020/01/01/three-dispensaries-set-to-open-in-southern-illinois-selling-recreational-marijuana-wednesday-morning/

WSBT
— Indiana man caught going 103 in 55 mph zone with marijuana purchased in Illinois – Stefanie Dyga
https://wsbt.com/news/regional/indiana-man-caught-going-103-in-55-mph-zone-with-marijuana-purchased-in-illinois

BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/01/01/legal-recreational-weed-goes-on-sale-and-chicagoans-line-up-for-blocks-in-the-cold/

CHICAGO REPORTER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.chicagoreporter.com/a-moral-argument-and-course-of-action-for-legalized-marijuana-in-2020/

EVANSTON NOW
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://evanstonnow.com/story/business/bill-smith/2020-01-01/83986/legal-weed-draws-a-crowd-for-first-day-of-sales

EVANSTON ROUNDTABLE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://evanstonroundtable.com/Content/Default/Community-Updates/Article/Hello-2020-Large-Crowds-Greet-Opening-of-First-Recreational-Marijuana-Dispensary-in-Evanston-/-3/225/17372

WASHINGTON TIMES
— The president counts on black voters for a second term – Allan H. Ryskind
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jan/1/president-trump-needs-to-count-on-black-voters-for/

AMERICAN THINKER
— A new year needs a new renaissance…against Islam and leftism – Diana Mary Sitek
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/12/a_new_year_needs_a_new_renaissanceagainst_islam_and_leftism.html

BREITBART
— Hollywood Rings in the New Year Hating Trump: ‘Kick His Ass in 2020’ – HANNAH BLEAU
https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2020/01/01/hollywood-rings-in-the-new-year-hating-trump-kick-his-ass-in-2020/

NEWSMAX
— House Democrats Would Have Impeached Lincoln – Rod Blagojevich 
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/trump-impeachment-abraham-lincoln-rod-blagojevich/2020/01/01/id/948017/

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Roseanne Barr praises Trump for protecting Jewish Americans, says Jews should arm themselves – Frieda Powers
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2020/01/01/roseanne-barr-praises-trump-for-protecting-jewish-americans-says-jews-should-arm-themselves-870909

THE HILL
— Rapid turnover shapes Trump’s government – MORGAN CHALFANT (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, there was very little turnover because the agency was almost always under hiring and/or promotion freezes.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/476083-rapid-turnover-shapes-trumps-government

CBS NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/where-is-marijuana-legal-in-2020-illinois-joins-10-other-states-legalizing-recreational-pot-2020-01-01/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— ‘Hate Crime’ Is Only a Step Away From Thoughtcrime   Punishing people, even criminals, for ideas is inimical to the American tradition of free speech. – Myron Magnet
https://www.wsj.com/articles/hate-crime-is-only-a-step-away-from-thoughtcrime-11577905525

USA TODAY
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/01/01/cannabis-illinois-legal-weed-sales-start-jan-1/2789415001/

DAILY MAIL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7843017/Illinois-sees-legal-sales-recreational-marijuana.html

MARIJUANA MOMENT
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Illinois Lieutenant Governor Buys Marijuana On State’s First Day Of Legal Sales – Kyle Jaeger
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/illinois-lieutenant-governor-buys-marijuana-on-states-first-day-of-legal-sales/

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.