Usama Dakdok dulled Aberdonians’ wits for nearly three hours Tuesday night with his bigoted faux-informed screed against Islam. But all I need to know about the latest Klan meeting hosted in our fair city is this screen cap from Ken Santema’s video of Tuesday’s event:
Dakdok’s meeting isn’t just a nonfactual rant against one major world religion. That Donald Trump banner at the front makes clear Dakdok’s Tuesday show, his encore tonight, and the previous Ron Branstner meetings hosted by the anonymous “Americans First, Task Force” are political rallies intended to influence a federal election. As such…
- The Eagles Club cannot donate use of its meeting hall for this meeting. A corporation like the Eagles Club cannot make a contribution, either cash or in-kind, to influence a federal election.
- The Keep South Dakota Safe PAC, formed by Jessica Carroll and Amanda Hubbs to fan xenophobia in Aberdeen, reported no hall rental on their pre-general campaign finance report filed Tuesday. Wielding $130 from unitemized individual contributions and $1,500 from Paul Meyers of Meyers Tractor Salvage, KSDSPAC incurred $687.19 in advertising expenses and spent $64.48 on a meal. Their report, filed the same day as the first Dakdok talk, shows no hall rental fee, either paid or incurred.
- Bonus: KSDSPAC’s first pre-general report may violate SDCL 12-27-22, which requires that PACs (and candidates!) submit their pre-general report with a complete accounting of all financial activity up to the fifteenth day before the general election. This year, that’s next week Monday, October 24. KSDSPAC filed its pre-general report on Tuesday, October 18, at 13:59 CDT, four hours before the first Dakdok meeting started. Therefore, if KSDSPAC passed the hat Tuesday night, or if they pass it tonight, or if they paid any bills Tuesday or pay any bills tonight or over the next four days, their pre-general report wins them a Class 1 misdemeanor charge. (Of course, if KSDSPAC reads this and thus becomes aware of any omission or inaccuracy, they have three days to file an amended statement. You’re welcome, Jessica and Amanda.)
- Of course, since KSDSPAC is flying the Trump banner, South Dakota Codified Law may be irrelevant. Instead, KSDSPAC may need to spend the weekend reviewing the Federal Election Commission’s Guidance for Nonconnected Committees.
But hey, these xenophobes’ political ringleader can’t even agree to respect the outcome of a democratic election. Why should we expect them to respect or grasp the far more complicated rules of campaign finance law?
Right wingers not playing by the rules? Say it ain’t so.
Seems to be pretty prevalent in your state, Master. But I’ve got “Cantaloupes
Calves” Kingbat.
In Deadwood the VFW has a Benghazi banner saying to never forget. Is this against the rules for them?
Interesting question, Sandy. My initial thought is, no, no rule prevents the VFW from displaying a banner that reminds viewers of a historical event. “Never Forget Benghazi” on face is not more provocative or political than “Remember the Alamo.”
Of course, if the VFW does not also have banners saying “Never Forget Beirut” (241 U.S. soldiers killed) or “Never Forget Oklahoma City” (six soldiers, eight federal law enforcement agents killed), then one might question whether the VFW is favoring one politically charged incident to influence a federal election and whether the VFW, a federally chartered non-profit, can make such a statement.
Okay, here’s where my wonkiness comes out:
The Fraternal Order of Eagles is a nonprofit organization, but it’s not a 501(c)(3) public charity. Technically, it’s a 501(c)(10) “domestic fraternal beneficiary society”. As such, the restrictions on its political activity aren’t as as strict as those of a charity.
Even within the more stringent legal restrictions, a 501(c)(3) charity can do things like hold candidate forums (public education events), as long as all candidates are given equal opportunity to participate. If all candidates are invited and only one or some accept, the event may still be held. The educational/informational opportunity isn’t being restricted by the organization; it’s being affected by the candidates’ choice.
Think about the various candidate forums held by service clubs like Rotary and Lions. If John Thune were to decline to attend a Rotary debate, Jay Williams could still debate an empty chair without Rotary risking its tax exemption. [Rotary might have to be able to demonstrate that it didn’t “stack the deck” by issuing an invitation for a time when a candidate would be unable to attend.]
Anyone concerned by the Trump banner at the event held in the Eagles hall could address those concerns by having the Eagles invite the Clinton campaign to hold a similar event under the same conditions (e.g., time, duration, costs, etc.).
Interesting point about the corporate distinction, Michael!
I’m not worried about the non-profit status here. But I am wondering if sponsoring a Trump rally, providing a thing of value (a room) would constitute a reportable campaign contribution.
As far as the “Never forget Benghazi” banner at the VFW, that would depend on under which of the 25 types of tax exempt definitions the VFW group is recognized (likely 501(c)(19)), the perceived partisan political content (as opposed to issue-based educational or informational content) of the speech, and the relative financial investment the VFW group makes in any perceived political statements as a percentage of its overall activities.
Cory:
It would not be a reportable campaign contribution if it were an event held by the Eagles in furtherance of its mission. It would also not be a reportable campaign contribution if the Eagles hall is typically available to other groups on the same terms as it was made available to the group in question. It would also not be a reportable campaign contribution by the Eagles if it were an event not contracted by or officially connected to the campaign.
The potential legal difficulty is for the group “Americas First, Task Force”. If it is recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS and is engaging *primarily* in partisan political activity if it’s a 501(c)(4), its tax exemption might be questioned by the IRS.
I am a veteran but the VFW is still just a bar with patrons that may or may not be veterans of those wars. Veterans are probably the easiest to influence regarding matters of their perceived national security because they went to service. Most of us think that a party that has laid claim to matters of national security should be trusted. The history proves otherwise though and veterans refuse to see that. In the last 8 years, while fighting obstructionism from these same republicans, Obama has managed to provide more services to the veterans that were left on the steps of VA hospitals by these republican zealots. Republican in mass, starting with John McCain, started a campaign against the advancement of the G.I. Bill for education. This bill had not been changed or improved since the Vietnam War of which he was in. Shameful neglect of the veteran by this congress was only changed by the dynamics of President Obama, the Democrats and a few Republicans that were actually Republicans. The VFW should be able to do as they will in these cases but we should view that place with the sadness of those who do not know they are being played while sipping tonic and gin.
Cory:
A minor misstatement in my earlier post:
It would also not be a reportable campaign contribution by the Eagles OR THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN (CAPITALIZED words added) if it were an event not contracted by or officially connected to the campaign.
Thanks, Michael. As far as I know, the “Americans First, Task Force” exists as no more than a Facebook pseudonym. The only documented organization behind the Dakdok/Branstner Klan meetings is the KSDSPAC.
Can you please elaborate a little more about Mr. Dakdok’s speech? Can you please share with us the things that Mr. Dakdok taught or said to prove that he is a bigot and a liar? What do you know about this one major world religion? Can you share more about this one major world religion, “Islam” ?
Rather than relying on my interpretation, Gloria, feel free to view Dakdok’s 2.75-hour speech yourself:
http://sodakliberty.com/2016/10/20/video-usama-dakdok-presentation-american-first-task-force-october-18/
…and tell us what you think about the motivation for, accuracy of, and effect of his rhetoric.
I watched the video and I found out that what is given in the Qur’an is evidence that he is Satan, for example in Qur’an 1:1, Allah stated that “he is the god of the worlds” and according to the Bible in 2 Corinthians 4:4 the god of the world is Satan. Allah in the Qur’an 15:23 stated that he is “the proud”, and in Qur;an 13:23 Allah says he “does not love the proud”. And in Qur’an 16:29 and 39:60, Allah said that “hell is the place of the proud,” but at the same time in Qur’an 2:34 and 7:13, Satan was also “a proud”, therefore we have to believe that Allah is Satan, especially when we compare this to the Bible we see that the God of the Bible stated that He is “meek and lowly in heart” as it is written in Matthew 11:29. We also find from that study of Mr. Dakdok that Allah is a seditionist as it is written in Qur’an 25:20 and 22:63 and Satan is a seditionist as it is written in Qur’an 7:27. Also we learn from the seminar that Allah is a seducer as it is written in Qur’an 11:34 and Satan was a seducer as it is written in Qur’an 15:39 and 38:82,83. Allah in the Qur’an is abominable (unclean) as stated in Qur’an 10:100 and 6:125 and Satan also has the same description in Qur’an 5:90. Allah was wrathful in Qur’an2:59 and 7:162 and Satan also was wrathful in Qur’an 8:11. Allah caused the forgetfulness in Qur’an 87:6,7 and Qur’an 2:106 and Satan also had the same description in Qur’an 6:68 and 58:19. Allah is the source of revelation Qur’an 21:7 and Satan is also the source of revelation in Qur’an 6:121 and 22:52. Allah is a misleader Qur’an 4:88 and Satan was also a misleader, Quran 28:15. Compare this to what the Bible states about the Lord, our God in Proverbs 3:5,6 of the Bible where the scripture states “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Allah is a glamorizer, Qur’an 27:4 and 35:8, and Satan also a glamorizer in Qur’an 6:43 and 16:63. Allah is a “the schemer” in Qur’an 86:13-17 and 68:45, and Satan also is a schemer, Qur’an 4:76. Allah is a deceiver in Qur’an 3:54, 4:142, 13:42, 7:99. I was amazed that Satan was never described in the Qur’an as a deceiver even though the word deceiver was mentioned it 23 times, but I was glad that Mr. Dakdok mentioned what is written what is written in Revelation 20:10, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Allah is also the criminalizer in Qur’an 17:4 and 17:16, and Satan was also a criminalizer in Qur’an 24:21 and 2:268. Mr. Dakdok also talked about Allah from the Qur’an where we found that he was the source of the hate and the emnity as it is written in Qur’an 5:14, and Satan has the same description in Qur’an 5:91. Also we learned from Mr. Dakdok that Allah and Satan were conspirators as it is written in Qur’an 19:83 and 17:63,64. And once again, I was glad to hear Mr. Dakdok mentioning what was said in the Bible in James 1:13-14, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” I was amazed that Allah in the Qur’an desires to fill hell with his people as it is written in Qur’an 11:119 and 32:13, and I praise God through the truth of the Holy Bible in 2 Peter 3:9, where we read “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This is only the first portion of his seminar and if you want me to summarize the rest of his seminar, I can do so. I do not think you have attended or watched Mr. Dakdok’s teaching because if you had, you would never have called him a bigot and a liar. I would advise and encourage you to watch his video and educate yourself about the ” second largest great religion of the world” as you stated. Mr. Dakdok is one of the smartest theologians and scholars of Islam and I could not find why you opposed his teaching. Maybe you should give him a call sometime and talk to him personally. He is a very humble man and I’m sure he would love to talk to you. His email and phone number are available on his website http://www.thestraightway.org .
Bored already. I’m not Muslim and have no desire to be. I have no desire to have Dakdok come browbeat me for no good reason. He has little truth and no practical solutions to offer.
Get a grip Gloria, nothing to worry about any more than Protestants bitching about Catholics and their view of each other’s Book and mysterious ways. Live and let live, stop being so scared of yourself. Smile and let the goodness shine rather than the ugliness of hate and fear. Mr. dakdok is just another in a long line of fake nothings that stir up folks like yourself that have nothing to do but whine. Go fishing or something productive, take a walk and smell the crisp air of the fall. No one is asking you to date a Muslim so calm down.
People like Gloria would change their tune on abortion rights if the rapists in her community were Muslims – perhaps the kind that seed illegitimate colored anchor babies all over town to breed the next generation (an army in fact) of secret undercover Islamic terrorist operatives – to live amongst us only to surface in the year 2035 to take over America and initiate the apocalypse – and then use the aggregate power of all the other gods combined to successfully prevent the rapture.
In this bizarre sci-fi scenario, you can bet she’d be killing those Satan spawn babies! (totally different attitude on abortion rights).
I know it’s a crazy way to make a point, but I think the point is legitimate.
In order to perpetuate the wars in the Middle East, we have to have something that will convince the people paying for those wars that it is for something other than what it is really for, oil. Pretty simple sales game when you think of it. Create a need and you have the market.
The kooks like dakdook stand and deliver the hate narrative from the media that provides the footage that promotes the fear. 12 or so folks get snuffed on tee vee by sword carrying criminals and the fear begins to take hold. So called Christians have fallen for this in the past as well. In similar times, great armies were formed to go for the riches of this same Muslim religion in the name of Crusades to capture and plunder their great wealth of riches and knowledge. Remember, during those early times, we in the western world were still crapping in the streets causing great plagues while these Muslim folks were developing great mathematical advancements and living in a society that ran clean water and disposed of their human waste in manners we still use to this day. Christianity believed at the same time that only priests should be educated and that learning to read and write was forbidden unless you were royalty. If ya keep them dumbed up, they will follow, still working today as we see in Aberdeen. The great American experiment of democracy had all the religions and those who were not in the least religious living here and fighting for the democracy we share today. Dakdok is just another kook that blasphemies the Book for his own pockets. He cares nothing about anything other than the God of money that is paid willingly by the bedwetters.
To the male or female or confused person identifying as Gloria. “You poor lonely soul. We love you.” Your ADHD doesn’t define you or your choices. You’ve been partially radicalized by fear and your cognition is a little bit impaired. The medicine you’re taking is helping though. Read this and chill for the day. The Straight Way may be misleading you for monetary gain but it’s you personally we’re focusing on. This will help all you who find fear in Islam.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/why-were-living-in-the-age-of-fear-w443554
The article Porter links rocks. It explains how Dakdok makes his living and achieves his fourth-tier fame. It is also far more rational, intelligible, and useful than whatever “Gloria” is piling atop Dakdok’s sliding heap of slime.
Did Dakdok have an explanation for Drumpf’s amazingly tiny fingers?
I don’t understand what you mean by boring. Is is boring that we now know that Muslims worship Allah, who is Satan as we read in the Qur’an and the Bible. I thought you said that Mr. Dakdok is a bigot and a liar, but upon investigating his video I found that he’s not a bigot but that he’s truthful. Do feel like it is boring to learn that Allah is Satan, and if we look to what else Allah said in the Qur’an, like all Christians are infidels as written in Qur’an 5:72, 73? Is it boring that Allah commanded his Muslim believers not to take the Jews and Christians for friends as is written in Qur’an 5:51, or is it boring when Allah orders the Muslims to engage in war with the Jews and Christians as it is written in Qur’an 9:29. Is it boring that Allah ordered the Muslims to terrorize the Jews and Christians in Qur’an 33:26-27? Is it boring that Allah ordered the Muslims to behead the infidels as it is written in Qur’an 47:4? Maybe it is time for the Americans to learn the truth about the Qur’an, Allah (Satan), and the self proclaimed prophet Muhammed who stated, “I have been commanded to engage in war against people (Americans) until they say, “There is no god except Allah, and Muhammed is the messenger of Allah.” So instead of calling people like Mr. Dakdok bigots or liars, we need to educate ourselves about Islam.
“we need to educate ourselves about Islam.” Heal thyself
I think the persons identifying as ele and Gloria are the same person and the chances that it’s really Ron Branstner are very high.
I am thinking of becoming a Muslim after reading Glor…er..ele..dagone it, Ron’s post. I still think that dakdok is a kook, but that is how I roll. I hope to see more of his chatter to learn more about his nonsense. Very positive stuff and at least as heartwarming as reading the Christian Book on same topics. Ron probably is not much for history but if he were, he would know about the alliances between Muslims and Jews http://www.soundvision.com/article/muslims-and-jews-a-historical-surprise
Of course, who could forget the great times of the Spanish Inquisition. Tell us Ron, who were the participants in that dust up and why? Save ya the trouble https://www.britannica.com/topic/Spanish-Inquisition
Gloria, when people want to learn about Christianity, they don’t call me, the atheist. They call a pastor.
Wouldn’t we learn more about Islam from practitioners of Islam, like some of the teenagers participating in the protest across the street, rather than from a non-Muslim like Dakdok?
Besides, Dakdok’s a bigot and a liar (Obama a Muslim? No.), and sitting and talking with bigots bores me, since I can pretty much predict where the conversation will go. That’s not a learning situation.
And on top of all that, Gloria, I find the practical import of Dakdok, the Eagles, and KSDSPAC possibly violating campaign finance law far more significant than and utterly ignored by your amateur Quranic citations. Care to address campaign finance?
Gloria, sorry to bring this up to you as well, but here goes. In Iran, there in the Iranian parliament sits a Jewish representative. Yup, and get this about Christians in Iran https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Iran So what the hell is the kook dakdok talkin bout? Iran is certainly a country that has more Muslims than any other religion, so what gives? How can the kook dakdok have any credibility regarding matters of Islam? Short answer, he does not. He just fools you because he knows he can. Show him that you are not to be insulted by the preaching of lies and hate. Here is an article from Israel on Jewish representation in the Iranian parliament http://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-iranian-mp-lauds-countrys-religious-freedom/
Believing that another religions’ God is your Satan is totally within the guidelines of religious freedom in the U.S.
However, for thousands of years, there has only been one condition that has allowed for peace between religions – when their higher minds stopped demonizing each other for any period of time.