January 8 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Illinois lawmakers react to Iran missile strike – Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/5825486/
— McConnell says Senate impeachment trial will go forward without decision on witnesses – MARIAM KHAN
https://abc7chicago.com/mcconnell-says-senate-impeachment-trial-will-go-forward-without-decision-on-witnesses/5825831/

NBC5
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Ever-increasingly, Illinois pot pushers, that is, Illinois Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, make it clear that they want everyone in Illinois to be a big time stoner. To push pot on an individual, on an organization, on a company, on a government, and/or on a country is to destroy that individual, that organization, that company, that government, and/or that country.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/recreational-cannabis-supply-shortage-happened-as-expected-experts-say/2197953/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Come hell or high water, if there’s war with Iran, Trump’s done – John Kass
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/john-kass/ct-donald-trump-iran-kass-20200108-fho5rdzrxfbufa5wj7u4lfx6aq-story.html
— ‘Late Show’ mocks popularity of Illinois legal weed with ‘Pottillo’s’ sketch – TRACY SWARTZ
https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-illinois-weed-legal-late-show-stephen-colbert-20200108-qmkj4xztlzb5ngnmzj6w3fnhqy-story.html
— Republicans criticize proposals for property tax relief in task force’s draft report – JAMIE MUNKS and DAN PETRELLA
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-property-tax-task-force-20200108-ra5wolc2dbbqfcze2al65zerfe-story.html
— Coalition of labor, social service and religious leaders named to push Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated-rate income tax plan – RICK PEARSON (DIERSEN: What do the members of this coalition think of those who share your demographics?) 
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-jb-pritzker-graduated-income-tax-supporters-20200107-thwqottkn5flpctf2unmxzqwhm-story.html
— Democratic leaders tap freshman state Rep. Celina Villanueva to replace ex-Sen. Martin Sandoval, who quit amid corruption probe – Dan Petrella
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-martin-sandoval-replacement-celina-villanueva-20200108-dksb4nz7x5eqnbsu2acny2lo7a-story.html
— Is the big tent of Democrats too big, as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says? Only to small minds. – Clarence Page (DIERSEN: I should write a book about how Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, and RINOs use the Republican Party’s BIG TENT policy a) to drive Republicans out of the Republican Party, and especially Republicans who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time and b) to destroy the Illinois Republican Party, Republican county party organizations, Republican township party organizations, and Republican ward party organizations.) 
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/clarence-page/ct-column-ocasio-cortez-democrats-page-20200107-bbvieuuvzfaljnihwpr2weh52a-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Ever-increasingly, Illinois pot pushers, that is, Illinois Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, make it clear that they want everyone in Illinois to be a big time stoner. To push pot on an individual, on an organization, on a company, on a government, and/or on a country is to destroy that individual, that organization, that company, that government, and/or that country.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/1/7/21047099/buying-weed-dispensary-illinois-guide-how-to
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/1/7/21056178/pot-illinois-impacts-outdoor-recreation-recreational-cannabis-program

WGN RADIO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Ever-increasingly, Illinois pot pushers, that is, Illinois Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, make it clear that they want everyone in Illinois to be a big time stoner. To push pot on an individual, on an organization, on a company, on a government, and/or on a country is to destroy that individual, that organization, that company, that government, and/or that country.
https://wgnradio.com/2020/01/07/its-only-been-7-days-why-are-some-chicago-weed-dispensaries-closed/

WTTW
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Ever-increasingly, Illinois pot pushers, that is, Illinois Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, make it clear that they want everyone in Illinois to be a big time stoner. To push pot on an individual, on an organization, on a company, on a government, and/or on a country is to destroy that individual, that organization, that company, that government, and/or that country.
https://news.wttw.com/2020/01/07/how-safe-are-legal-marijuana-vaping-products-illinois

CHICAGO NOW
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Ever-increasingly, Illinois pot pushers, that is, Illinois Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, make it clear that they want everyone in Illinois to be a big time stoner. To push pot on an individual, on an organization, on a company, on a government, and/or on a country is to destroy that individual, that organization, that company, that government, and/or that country.
http://www.chicagonow.com/hippy-shakes/2020/01/everybody-must-get-stoned-the-search-for-legal-weed/
— Why Iran Is Our Enemy – Denise Williams
http://www.chicagonow.com/uncommon-sense/2020/01/why-iran-is-our-enemy/
— You Hate Trump – Denise Williams
http://www.chicagonow.com/uncommon-sense/2020/01/you-hate-trump/

CENTER SQUARE
— With 62,000 awaiting applications, Illinois State Police work on FOID automation, but other options remain – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/with-waiting-applications-illinois-state-police-work-on-foid-automation/article_16401024-318a-11ea-a285-bf74e438e901.html

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Christians, the Church, and the State – Laurie Higgins 
https://illinoisfamily.org/religious/christians-the-church-and-the-state/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump wins record support from GOP voters – Jennifer Harper
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jan/7/inside-the-beltway-trump-wins-record-support-from-/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Ever-increasingly, Illinois pot pushers, that is, Illinois Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, make it clear that they want everyone in Illinois to be a big time stoner. To push pot on an individual, on an organization, on a company, on a government, and/or on a country is to destroy that individual, that organization, that company, that government, and/or that country.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jan/7/marijuana-sales-in-illinois-surpass-10-million-in-/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Trump’s new constituency: Ex-cons – Paul Bedard (DIERSEN: Who would rather not hire you? Of course, my critics/opponents would much rather hire an ex-con than hire me. Of course, further, my critics/opponents would much rather hire someone who is 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 than hire me.) 
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/trumps-new-constituency-ex-cons
(FROM THE ARTICLE: First, President Trump pushed for cutting sentences on nonviolent criminals. Then, the White House put its stamp of approval on letting former jailbirds get a shot at federal jobs through the just-signed Fair Chance Act. As a result, Trump has a new MAGA constituency: ex-cons.)

AMERICAN THINKER
— Minority Leaders Must Speak Out against Jew-Hatred in Their Communities – Rabbi Aryeh Spero
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/01/minority_leaders_must_speak_out_against_jewhatred_in_their_communities.html

BREITBART
— Tucker Carlson: ‘Even Spies Seeking to Undermine’ U.S. Can Secure Birthright Citizenship for their Children – JOHN BINDER
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/01/07/tucker-carlson-even-spies-seeking-to-undermine-u-s-can-secure-birthright-citizenship-for-their-children/
— New York May Give Automatic Voter Registration to Illegal Aliens with Driver’s Licenses – JOHN BINDER
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/01/07/new-york-may-give-automatic-voter-registration-to-illegal-aliens-with-drivers-licenses/

DAILY CALLER
— ‘I Hate This’: Rand Paul Slams Trump’s Iran Escalation – JUSTIN CARUSO
https://dailycaller.com/2020/01/07/rand-paul-slams-trump-iran-i-hate-this/

DAILY SIGNAL
— How the Left Manipulates Language to Defeat Conservatives – Rachel del Guidice (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, all information is misinformation except for the information that they put out or bless. My critics/opponents focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate. I should write a book about my critics/opponents.)
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/01/08/how-the-left-manipulates-language-to-defeat-conservatives/

NEWSMAX
— Don’t Look for Trump to Appease Iran – Patrick Murray
https://www.newsmax.com/patrickmurray/soleimani-baghdad-jcpoa-churchill/2020/01/07/id/948654/

PJ MEDIA
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Ever-increasingly, Illinois pot pushers, that is, Illinois Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, make it clear that they want everyone in Illinois to be a big time stoner. To push pot on an individual, on an organization, on a company, on a government, and/or on a country is to destroy that individual, that organization, that company, that government, and/or that country.
https://pjmedia.com/trending/illinois-legalized-pot-sales-nearly-halted-over-supply-problems/

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Michelle Malkin: 18 sellout Republican governors opt for more migrants as sleeper cell fear ramps up – Michelle Malkin (DIERSEN: What do you say to RINO politicians who ever-increasing dump those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time? What do you say to RINO politicians who ever-increasingly promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation for opposing the aforesaid?)
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2020/01/08/michelle-malkin-18-sellout-republican-governors-opt-for-more-migrants-as-sleeper-cell-fear-ramps-up-873368
(FROM THE ARTICLE: My plan to “Keep America Great” is very simple: 1) Stop exporting American soldiers to countries that hate our guts. 2) Stop importing people from countries that hate our guts. When I voted for Donald Trump in 2016, I thought this was the plan. The “America First” champion rightly assailed Barack Obama for recklessly endangering the lives of our soldiers to pursue politically driven endless wars. President Trump promised to build an effective wall on the southern border. He enacted tough travel restrictions, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, on visitors from countries whose terror-coddling governments pose national security threats. Yet, here we are at the dawn of 2020 with thousands of U.S. troops headed back to the Stone Age Middle East maw, Mexican drug cartels on the loose while our Border Patrol hands out diapers to illegal immigrants and refugees from around the world — including nearly 1,400 welcomed just last year from the very high-risk countries the Trump travel ban was supposed to block — transforming the nation without the consent of the governed. The leaky block list includes Syria, Iraq and Iran, which launched multiple missiles at U.S. airbases late Tuesday in retaliation for our deadly airstrike last week that killed Quds General Qassem Soleimani. Now, we are on heightened alert here in our homeland with authorities nervous that Hezbollah sleeper cells (which I’ve documented since writing “Invasion” in 2002) might strike from within. Some of you still wonder why I write so frequently and vehemently about our failed immigration and entrance policies. It’s because nothing matters more right now to the survival of our country than the right to determine who gets in and the ability to enforce it. As I reported last year, thanks to an executive order signed by Trump in September, local communities were given the explicit opt-in rights to stem the lucrative tide of refugees coming largely from Third World countries and jihadist breeding grounds. This Wednesday, religious “charities” that profit the most from this multi-billion-dollar racket will be in court to assert blanket, open-borders veto power over the people. The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland will hear arguments from vested refugee resettlement interests who oppose Trump’s order requiring government contractors to obtain written consent from all localities and states in which they plan to resettle refugees. The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Church World Service and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service — three of the nine State Department partners who resettle all refugees — argue that the federal government should prioritize family reunification of foreign refugees over local control. Translation: Americans come last. The lawsuit assails the White House executive order for threatening “to systematically dismantle the organizations — including Plaintiffs — that have spent decades developing networks, expertise, and resources to carry out the American ideal of welcoming refugees.” Those “resources” come from you and me: Tax subsidies that constitute the vast majority of these nonprofit activists’ budgets. Over the past decade, according to an analysis by immigration researcher James Simpson, the three plaintiff groups have raked in the following amounts from the federal refugee resettlement program: –Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services: $471.6 million (94% from of its budget). –Church World Service: $433.3 million (72% of its budget). –Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society: $186.1 million (54% of its budget). The refugee resettlement contractors, in turn, spread their massive wealth — from both public and private sources — to a galaxy of subcontractors looking to register Democratic voters, fill their pews and recruit new clients and constituents. The “Interfaith Immigration Coalition” holding a protest event after the hearing on Wednesday to support the refugee pipeline includes: Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach; Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd; U.S. Provinces; Daughters of Charity; Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries; Franciscan Action Network; Interfaith Immigration Coalition; Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Leadership Conference of Women Religious; National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd; National Council of Jewish Women; Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Rise for Refuge; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Institute Leadership Team; T’ruah; The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; The United Church of Chr! ist; and We Are All America. Thanks to pressure from these groups with bottomless budgets and clout, 18 Republican — yes, Republican — governors are also standing against Trump and self-determination in favor of increased refugee settlement, including: Doug Ducey of Arizona, Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, Eric Holcomb of Indiana, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Brad Little of Idaho, Mike Parsons of Missouri, Larry Hogan of Maryland, Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Bill Lee of Tennessee, Gary Herbert of Utah, Jim Justice of West Virginia and Phil Scott of Vermont. The names must be named and the sellouts must be shamed, especially as war breaks out on all fronts. What’s the point of sending young American troops to fight enemies “over there” if we are welcoming them by the tens and hundreds of thousands over here?)

NEW YORK TIMES
— Tucker Carlson Dissents as Right-Wing Media Weighs Trump’s Iran Strike Cracks in the conservative commentariat as the White House struggles to form a clear narrative. – Michael M. Grynbaum
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/07/business/media/tucker-carlson-iran-trump-media.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Blue State Redistribution High-tax states are losing people, money and seats in Congress. – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/blue-state-redistribution-11578443075
— The Christian Case for Trump It’s myopic to focus on his personal behavior when important moral issues like abortion are at stake. – Eric Metaxas
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-christian-case-for-trump-11578441391
— Iran Fires Missiles at U.S. Forces in Iraq More than a dozen missiles target two bases where U.S. troops are stationed, in attack Tehran says is vengeance for killing of top Iranian general – Gordon Lubold, Nancy A. Youssef and Isabel Coles
https://www.wsj.com/articles/stampede-at-funeral-procession-for-iranian-commander-kills-35-11578390888
— Two McDonald’s Executives Allege Racial Discrimination Suit from two black executives comes as new CEO works on company culture – Heather Haddon
https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-mcdonalds-executives-allege-race-discrimination-11578441939

FORBES
— Deepfakes And Beyond: Who Wins If Social Media Platforms Are Regulated? – Clyde Wayne Crews Jr. (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, all information is misinformation except for the information that they put out or bless. My critics/opponents focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate. I should write a book about my critics/opponents.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/waynecrews/2020/01/07/deepfakes-and-beyond-who-wins-if-social-media-platforms-are-regulated/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Intolerance and the silencing others seems to be the desire of many when it comes to social media and purported harmful speech and misinformation. There are endless eruptions over bias and hate speech online, from alleged slanted search results on Google to Twitter abuse.)
— Five Questions Your Real Estate Agent Legally Cannot Answer – Heather Senison (DIERSEN: How do realtors respond when they are asked these five questions concerning homes for sale on your block, in your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, and in your county?) 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/heathersenison/2020/01/07/five-questions-your-real-estate-agent-legally-cannot-answer/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 1. What kind of people live in the building or neighborhood? . . . 2. Is this a good place to raise a family? . . . 3. Is this a safe neighborhood? . . . 4. How are the schools here? . . . 5) Can you show me a neighborhood with a large “X” population ?)
— Gender Pay Reporting And The Need For Transparency – Frank Mollerop (DIERSEN: If I had not been denied my 7th Amendment rights in Diersen v. GAO, I would have presented a jury with many examples in which GAO paid its employees who were female and/or minority who had less work experience, less education, and/or fewer professional certifications and licenses higher salaries than its employees who were male and White.) 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/01/07/gender-pay-reporting-and-the-need-for-transparency/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Ever-increasingly, Illinois pot pushers, that is, Illinois Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, make it clear that they want everyone in Illinois to be a big time stoner. To push pot on an individual, on an organization, on a company, on a government, and/or on a country is to destroy that individual, that organization, that company, that government, and/or that country.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/01/08/marketing-tips-for-new-cannapreneurs/#33af51782106

MOTLEY FOOL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Ever-increasingly, Illinois pot pushers, that is, Illinois Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, make it clear that they want everyone in Illinois to be a big time stoner. To push pot on an individual, on an organization, on a company, on a government, and/or on a country is to destroy that individual, that organization, that company, that government, and/or that country.
https://www.fool.com/news/2020/01/07/illinois-reports-nearly-11-million-in-pot-sales-in.aspx

TIMES STANDARD
— This won’t help get you into law school – DENNIS BEAVER (DIERSEN: Back in the 1970s, IRS encouraged its Revenue Officers to take graduate business, accounting, and/or law courses.)
https://www.times-standard.com/2020/01/07/you-and-the-law-this-wont-help-get-you-into-law-school/

NEWSWEEK
— WHAT U.S. STATE POPULATION CHANGES MEAN FOR AMERICAN ELECTIONS – SHANE CROUCHER (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who have worked the hardest to drive conservatives out of my precinct, out of Wheaton’s West District, out of Wheaton, out of Milton Township, out of DuPage County, and out of Illinois. I would focus on those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout. I would focus on those who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican.) 
https://www.newsweek.com/us-state-population-electoral-college-2020-census-elections-1481019

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Nikki Haley Calls Democrats Terrorist-Lovers – Ed Kilgore
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/01/nikki-haley-calls-democrats-terrorist-lovers.html

MICHIGAN LIVE
— OCTOBER 2018 FLASHBACK: Who uses marijuana? A look at the demographics of pot users – Julie Mack (DIERSEN: What percent of pot smokers, booze drinkers, and gamblers 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? What percent have severe health, financial, and/or other problems? What percent blame their problems on those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time? What percent are wards of the state or are on track to becoming wards of the state? I expect that the aforesaid percentages are very high.)
https://www.mlive.com/news/erry-2018/10/8e043e1adb3057/who-uses-marijuana-a-look-at-t.html

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.