I can’t report this without giving my political detractors an opening to distract from the main issue by dinging me as a sore loser. But I also can’t not observe what a lazy legislator Al Novstrup is. After sixteen years in the Legislature, after being invited by his policy-obsessed opponent to discuss one new policy proposal every day from October 1 through election eve, and fresh off an election victory that should surely inspire a legislator to look forward to working on specific solutions to specific problems, Al Novstrup says he hasn’t thought of any specific legislation to work on:
Novstrup said he hasn’t thought about any specific legislation for next year, but expects education and nursing home funding to be prime issues.
Drew Dennert and Perry both said the use of E-30 fuel in state vehicles will be a topic of discussion. That’s fuel with a 30 percent blend of ethanol.
Perry favors E-30 because, he said, it doesn’t hurt vehicles nor affect gas mileage much. Plus it benefits farmers, he said.
Dennert said he’s working on a couple bills for the upcoming session, one of which would require pre-primary reporting of campaign finances for candidates [Elisa Sand, “GOP Flexes Muscle in Local Legislative Races, Including District 1 Win,” Aberdeen American News, 2018.11.08].
Now I know I’ve only held my current job for nigh on four months, so I’ve just got pudding for brains, but I feel like if I walk into my office after lunch here and my boss asks, “Hey, Cory, what are you going to work on this afternoon?” and I reply, “Gee, I dunno,” she’s going to give me hard skunk eye… and I will deserve it! The proper answer to the question, “I’m helping in Class X, I’m scripting a presentation on Y, and I’m going to put up a blog post on Z” (yeah, I get to blog a little at work—my job rocks!).
The voters, in the person of the press, just asked Senator Novstrup what he’s going to work on next. His lazy shrug shows Al Novstrup isn’t going to Pierre to represent the voters; he’s going to Pierre to let Governor-Elect Noem and the GOP elites tell him what to do, keep his seat warm, and keep his belly full.
Never mind losing; if you’re represented by a lazy legislator like that, you should be sore, too.
You certainly will find out who the true believers are.
Got to go with the O’Jays again because this is true-
keep gettin’ all these visits from my friends
Yeah, what they doin’ to me?
They come to my house again and again and again and again, yeah
So are they there to see my woman?
I don’t even be home, but they just keep on comin’
What can I do to get on the right track?
I wish they’d take some of these knives out my back
We know who they are.
“Novstrup said he hasn’t thought about any specific legislation for next year.”
That’s just pathetic. He should feel ashamed and the voters ought to feel duped.
I’ve got an idea for Novstrup and it is quick and simple to prepare. How about a resignation letter? Let someone with ideas and a sense of civic pride have the opportunity to do the job you don’t want to do.
See, Cory, you think Senators should actually work for a living in Republican South Dakota. No, oh, no. The test of a true Republican State Senator is learning how to walk around with that Legislative badge, smiling, eating free lunch bought by a lobbyists and being a lackey for lobbyists and leaders who tell you what legislation to put your name on and vote for. Really, Cory, someone has to represent the non-entities of the state, and Al is a perfect representative for those folks who never have an original idea. There are a number of those folks in Pierre. In my day we called them “ciphers.”
There are many directions this blogging could take. Instead of mocking Mr. H for being a sore loser we could ask him to consider the reasons that once again he did not best Mr. Novstrup. Should Mr. H change, or is he demanding the people around him and his neighbors should change and conform to him? Or, we could analyze the differences between the Senator and the former candidate ourselves, and compare our lists.
Or, we might suggest that Mr. Novstrup, being wily and experienced in the legislatures, is quietly working on refining his law bills for the next sessions and doesn’t want to tip his hand just yet. Perhaps, we might rightly reason, Mr. Novstrup is deeply researching the issues his constituents have brought to him so he can vet their merits and craft good statutes to address those policies for the citizens he serves from District number 3.
I’d think most of those who ran would be pretty dang tired after the race and just want to take a break. . .
Debbo and mike, after thinking it over and all those times I said “you don’t have a voice here in South Dakota just because you don’t live here” that in a way you are like felons who have lost the right to vote. I can understand your desire to have your voice heard but being you don’t have a vote in our state you have a sense of loss much like the felon. Its as if you have lost a right and you are angry over that loss. I understand. There are lots of states reconsidering allowing felons to vote again. Maybe you could get someone to petition the state to allow outta staters to vote in our South Dakota elections. Just an idea.
OldSally, Debbo and Mike are exercising their First Amendment rights. Fortunately, there’s nothing you can do about it. Nothing.
Oh Rick, I know they are. I have no issue with them expressing their opinion anymore. Just like a felon they have the same right to speak.
Mr. Rick, there are numerous out-of-staters who have the ability here to express their opinions, but the blogging is not a right it is a privileged doled out by Mr. H. You can say what you want on the street corner here in South Dakota, but Mr. H provides a courtesy service to his out-of-state bloggers so that there is more activity on these links. The IM number 26, “the Right to Blog”, hasn’t been filed with the State Secretary Mr. Barnett yet. I’m sure it will be.
Thank you Rick. I’ve found the best way to deal with the whining lot here is simply ignore them. I used to read everything they wrote, but discovered that they consistently have nothing of value to offer. It makes discussion here much more worthwhile and interesting.
The less new legislation the better.
Why do politicians think there needs to be new laws every year?
Note, Jason, that several of my proposals involved repealing bad laws and removing regulations that restrict liberty. Yours is a cheap generalization used to excuse lazy legislating.
I didn’t look at your prposals. I will be happy to go through each one with you. Just start the thread and I will be there.
OS, stop being a jerk. Almost every argument, you evade the main issues—here, that Al Novstrup is a lazy legislator waiting for the leadership to tell him what to do—and start making ad hominem attacks on other commenters to distract us from the facts and arguments you either cannot refute or are too lazy to refute. Debbo is this, Mike is that—you deride my friends instead of making the effort to engage with issues honestly.
Al Novstrup is lazy. People who run for office, and especially incumbents who have been in Pierre for 16 years, should have a clear vision of legislation they’d like to pass. If Jason’s critique has any merit, then Republican Al should have a laundry list of excessive South Dakota regulations he’d like to repeal. I outperform Al even at being an honest conservative, in that I can think of more laws I’d vote to repeal (food tax, I&R paperwork, government intrusion on women’s health care) than he can.
It’s almost as if Al’s the out-of-stater, somehow so distracted by whatever else he does with his life that he isn’t aware of specific issues in South Dakota that he could fix with specific legislation.
The acrimony between Cory Heidelberger and Al Novstrup is sufficiently well-established so as not to need additional development. The disappointment several of us feel with Al Novstrup is probably also sufficiently public. I don’t think we’re going to uncover new learning in either of those two directions.
However, this might be new: For the people who like Al Novstrup and voted for him… what are the positives that you thought Al would bring to the table? Or what was it that scared you in Cory? Maybe someone could enlighten us as to what good they thought Al would bring or what harm they avoided by voting against Cory.
Cory is right. I moved from South Dakota to Wisconsin 17 years ago. I could give several example of bills I would introduce. Al is lazy, a cipher.
Maybe Novstrup figures as long as he is a shoe-in because of the ‘R’ trying to gain legislative favor for his enterprise not only is cheaper than hiring a lobbyist, but also pays for swell lunches and some pocket jingle.
Kudos, Donald Pay. I just read Madison, Wisc had a 93% voter turn out rate. Awesome.
The criticism of out-of-state criticism is that after a while things change like Porter’s story from the Stone Age (1974) is relevant only historically contrasted by the wonderful police department I see today (in a different SD town). Granted he has relatives like others who don’t live here but you’ve lost a day to day understanding and that word Porter used is apt, hygge (coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment), someone at DWC is quoting a 68% happiness with where South Dakota is going. Hey, if you got your hygge somewhere else (Minnesota), why are you trying to force your hygge on somebody else’s hygge. I don’t mean this in a smart-aleck way, but if this is an unacceptable place, then move, otherwise start accepting there are many things that aren’t going to change (or very slowly). A friend right now wants his job to be something else – “it could this” – but it isn’t and he grinds that rut back and forth in a state of dispair – then get a new job and stop making yourself miserable but the loop repeats to the point of craziness – accept and deal with reality.
Cory, you are giving him one day. . . and then you attack. Your attacks change nothing but make people’s attitudes harder against your “great” ideas.
That 3 month job you have isn’t in sales is it?
Sure, OldSarg, if you are lazy and a cipher, you would be in a haze, but for a good representative one day after an election that you won, should be when you go to work for the people who elected you. Most people running for office, especially non-ciphers, know what issues are important to their constituents. During a campaign many issues bubble up. If you are paying attention and really want to serve the people you supposedly represent, you would have a list of those issues that people have brought up to you. Al could care less about the people in his district. He is waiting for the leaders and lobbyists to give him his marching orders.
Here’s what I can tell you about being from out-of-state. I have a brother and many friends in South Dakota. I hear from them. I read on-line news and blogs (not just this one) from South Dakota every day. I have an account on the LRC legislative website that allows me to follow the Legislature fairly well, and I do that every day of session. No, it’s not like being in Pierre, but neither is being in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen and Rapid City like being in Pierre during session. I think I’m probably more up on SD political and legislative news than 90 percent of South Dakotans. Plus I would put myself in the top 1 percent of South Dakotans and former South Dakotans in knowing the state’s history, especially the political history of the last 40 years.
I have sympathy for the “out-of-state” argument, however, because it’s based in progressive movements in the Republican Party that largely influenced how South Dakota Constitution was written, and why the state decided that the initiative and referendum were necessary. I was constantly working against many out-of-state interests (mining companies, nuclear and solid waste corporations, corporate hog farms) that most Republicans were taking money from. In this regard, I was happy to provide the first tip off that out-of-state interests were working with Governor Daugaard to site a nuclear waste borehole in South Dakota.
So, when we think about out-of-state comments here, let’s keep things in perspective. Governor Janklow was working to bring out-of-state nuclear waste to South Dakota. He successfully brought out-of-state sewage ash from the Twin Cities to South Dakota in a scam that ended up on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Not just out-of-state, but foreign mining companies laid waste to the Black Hills and left a Superfund Site, thanks to both Governor Janklow and Governor Mickelson. Out-of-state corporate hog farms were welcomed to South Dakota by Governor Mickelson, who also would have welcomed New Jersey’s garbage if South Dakota residents didn’t stop him through initiatives and referendums. That’s a pretty sad history of hand jobs provided to rich, out-of-state interests. And it’s continued on since I left the state. Rounds and Daugaard, certainly, have played footsie with lots of out-of-state, even foreign, boondoggles, including the failed packing plant, the “gorilla project,” and the Gilt Edge Superfund scam with Agnico Eagle Mines.
Now let’s tote up the comments on Dakota Free Press from out-of-state posters against the massive, corrupt efforts by in-state elites and Republican Governors. I think you see that comments here from out-of-state folks are far, far less damaging to South Dakota than the efforts of South Dakota’s own elected official and the elite who support all of these out-of-state boondoggles.
I am happy to have had something to do with ferreting out the borehole issue from out-of-state, even as I worked on waste, mining, and other issues when I was in-state. If Daugaard had his way, the borehole would have been foisted on South Dakota with zero opportunity for local people to weigh in. So, this out-of-state person will continue to comment and, if I come across anything that I think South Dakotans need to know, I’ll pass it on, because I think South Dakotans really should control the future of their state, not the out-of-state interests Republicans court.
Donald,
You didn’t mention selling the Cement Plant to a company from Mexico. I am not sure of all the details of that, yet I am not sure that was a great move.
Valid issues are always important Donald I was personally thinking about the South Dakota bashing that is mostly pointless. I do want to say I’ve learned a lot in the last three days I never watch South Dakota television so didn’t see the ads. It does take vigilance and we’re missing the checks and balances of two parties, but the Democrats are going to have to accept who is electable (and why) even if they are subject to ridicule as DINO’s, Republican Lite, or whatever by those farther to the left the state is so conservative that’s just the way it is being pragmatic is sometimes necessary. Take care – ttyl – in the spring like Porter said – or maybe next week who knows – it’s cold stay warm.
For those who go to compilations of legislative stances of politicians like Vote Smart for information on proposed legislation, here is what comes up on Novstrup:
“Al Novstrup has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2018 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.”
In a statement on legislative priorities, he says:
“My top priorities are open government and fair taxes. The people own the government. The people have a right to see the checkbook of the government. The government should work for the people and not the other way around.
“Taxes should treat everyone fairly. Currently the property tax system is broken as some tax payers are paying more than their fair share due to laws passed by the legislature.”
South Dakota has provisions in its codified laws that give officials the authority to keep government business secret. And unlike other states which have freedom of information provisions for obtaining information, South Dakota has none. Novstrup limits his comments on open government to budgetary matters, although he never protested when Janklow refused to tell the state treasurer how much money he received from credit card banks or where it was deposited. Government agencies, particularly law enforcement, keep their proceedings secret when they wish. There is no fully open government in South Dakota.
Phew, we dodged a bullet on that borehole. I mean if we would have obtained actual scientific data, who knows what would have happened…
Meanwhile, the Union of Concerned Scientists just came out with a report calling to preserve nuclear.
“Kimmell said the IPCC report “reminds us that we are running out of time” and face “hard” choices. “Preserving the capacity of safely operated nuclear plants or ensuring that this capacity is replaced with zero carbon alternatives is an imperative that cannot be ignored,” he said.”
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/UCS-calls-for-policy-to-preserve-nuclear?feed=feed
We probably need to expand both nuclear AND renewables, but at least it is a start.
Happy Camper,
Yeah, I agree about bashing South Dakota. Mostly, I love the state, and any bashing I do is out of frustration that it could be better, not because I hate the state or the people in it. We had to leave SD to make a living and to escape the discrimination against Indians that Liz faced. I am bitter about that. So, we escaped to one of the most liberal places in the US, somewhere that we felt comfortable, and where employers paid a living wage. It’s not nirvana here, either, especially during the eight years that Walker and the Republicans wrecked the state. That’s coming to an end, I hope, with Tony Evers as our next Governor.
I think you are right about electability. Certainly Daschle started out much more conservative than he ended up. McGovern was actually pretty good at keeping in touch with local Chambers of Commerce, doing their bidding in DC, even though he was a classic liberal. Pressler, though, started out much more liberal than he ended up. I think Sutton, while he wasn’t my kind of Democrat, is the kind of person who would have made a good Governor for SD.
But if I were a liberal SD Democrat, I would still be pushing my positions and issues as hard as I could.
Don said, “Mostly, I love the state, and any bashing I do is out of frustration that it could be better, not because I hate the state or the people in it.”
I echo that verbatim. That’s why I come here to DFP and why I just can’t quite give up. I think of the families in the several small towns I lived in throughout the state, and I want them to thrive, not just survive.
I want those small towns to keep their cafes, their community centers and their sense of community.
I want the artists among them to be supported and appreciated.
I want the livestock and grain farm families to be decently and fairly rewarded for their hard work.
I want the folks who prefer specialized markets like organic or artisan foods to have sustainable, accessible markets for their food.
I want schools to be sufficiently funded that they can nurture students in a variety of interests, not only the 3 Rs or STEM.
I want the benefits of diversity of opinion, skin color, culture, gender, political views and more to be celebrated and used to benefit everyone.
I want a state government that is crystal clear, functions for the benefit of all citizens and treats them with respect.
I want South Dakotans to have first rate health care so they don’t suffer or go bankrupIt.
I want them to enjoy a fair tax system that pays for their needs and more.
That’s why I continue to comment about South Dakota’s politics. That’s the purpose of government. I’ve spent my life trying to help people have better lives because it’s in my bones to do so. I can’t not try to help and I won’t stop. I will, however, try to tone it down when I’m feeling frustrated with election outcomes.
I do love you South Dakotans, even the stubborn ones, and I’m sorry I came down on you pretty hard. I apologize.
The people (substitute koch bros here) own the government- (every single wingnut is a dues paying member of ALEC) and push ALEC’s favorite corporate written legislation to benefit the people (substitute koch bros here, again).
My point about the outta staters comments isn’t that I don’t believe they should have an opinion it’s that if they want something to change here in South Dakota or they want to bitch about this election or that election then come here and be a part of it. To stand on the sidelines and trash where we live is wrong and doesn’t need to be tolerated but beyond that it’s the tone. Most of you do not discuss, you attack. It’s not about an exchange of ideas or philosophy its all bullying. No, not all of you but a large number on this blog post simply to call others names. Other commenters are not civil in any manner and that hurts all of us. People actually read this blog and when they read these comments they are under the impression it is people in this state acting like this. Sure, I know I can get out of hand. I will make more of an effort to be nicer in the future. This is a great state. It’s a lot of a heck nicer than any state I can even think of. We welcome everyone.
Relatives? I have an aunt (my Mother of blessed memory’s sister) and her husband and others are buried in Yankton. I will still gripe about how much better South Dakota could smell if there was more than one party stinking up the place with corruption and cronyism. And then there are the hawgs that roll around in the slop that are just happy as pigs in ???? with the stench they have become used to. They don’t appreciate neighbors letting them know about it because it hurts their widdle feelers and gives them a sad, for about three seconds then back into the dung heap.
Old Sarg, when you say “we welcome everyone,” I think you reflect the attitude of most South Dakotans I know. And “everyone” includes refugees and migrants, whether with papers or without. We trust our law enforcement to protect us from people who want to do us harm, whether such miscreants have papers or not. As for those who just want a better life and want to work and live in South Dakota, or those who have faced hardship from medical problems, economic difficulties, domestic violence, or similar misfortune, most South Dakotans I know would welcome them to our state and do everything we can to give them needed assistance in getting on their feet and making a better, safer life.
Tell us OldSambarsteakwithasideoftigerfries- why you tolerate the intolerable conditions that keep people from moving to South Dakota. Surrounding states do everything better than you. Have you no pride in yourself or your state?
Are you striving to be Northern Mississippi permanently? Do you envy, love, aspire to be part of corrupt one party rule? Doesn’t it bother you that pols in your state have robbed the state grant monies with virtually no accountability. Are you okay with Pa killing Ma and the little ones because the state did not bother to keep an eye on grant monies? What the flying flock is wrong with YOU!!!!
I do recognize, however, there are those among us in South Dakota that seek to stoke hatred and fear of other groups of people, primarily in an effort to exploit that hatred and fear for financial or political reward. Sometimes it works, as can be seen in the era of Trump, but as a whole I contend that most South Dakotans care for their fellow human beings and that left to their own devices, free of hateful or misleading propaganda, would support public policies that benefit all.
One day? OS, we’ve just come off a nine-month campaign, during which Al was invited to debate several policy issues, during which he had many opportunities to listen to the voters, hear their concerns, and tell them what he thinks the Legislature could do about those concerns. Al’s failure to derive any concrete policy ideas that he can cite to a reporter off the top of his head the day after winning the election, while I published a new policy every day from October 1 through November 5, says pretty clearly that Al is a lazy hanger-on, not really trying to think of ways to help his constituents, just waiting for orders from leadership and another helping of free oysters.
People from out of state appear to have more concrete and positive ideas for making South Dakota a better place than Al and OS do. Lazy insult artists both.
David notes Al’s repeated claim that the property tax system is “broken.” Novstrup said it in our 2016 contest and this year. I’ve heard him say he recognized the system was bad back when it was concocted by the task force on which he sat but apparently wielded little constructive influence ten years ago. That’s ten years Al’s had not only to think of and propose a plan but to use his relationships and vaunted leadership position in Pierre to drive a conversation, gather expert testimony, and propose a solution.
Al has proposed no solution.
Ten years, lots of talk about a problem, but no solution.
That’s more than lazy. That’s feckless. That’s dishonest (saying one cares about a problem but not doing anything about it).
I don’t have to give anyone a pass for that poor performance.
Debbo lists more things she loves about South Dakota and practical local problems we really need to do something about than supposedly more local OS has espoused during his entire tenure in this blogs comment sections.
Debbo could probably come up with a handful of specific policies addressing some of those problems on the spot, if asked by a reporter, and she’s not even running for office.
“We welcome everyone” should also include the apparently many ex-pats who cannot be here physically, whose job and family demands have taken them elsewhere but who still love their home state more, I think, than the typical American who moves to another state (I really do believe South Dakota ex-pats’ attachment to their home state and fellow South Dakotans is uniquely intense), but are here in spirit and intellect, still willing to share their thoughts and ideas from other places.
Welcoming everyone should include welcoming our loyal friends and family abroad into our discussions of the place they still think of as home.
Cory, it’s your site. You can do what you want but you are also guilty of throwing nasty names at people just to hurt them. Look, if we were to meet I promise you we would get along fabulously. I can be a lot of fun! But when you also say things such as “Lazy insult artists” you denigrated yourself. You of all people don’t need to do that. You are clearly very bright and a quick thinker but to lower yourself to the level of just throwing insults hurts you. The election is over. There is another one in two years. If you want to win I promise I can introduce you to the people who can teach you how to win. There is an actual method and I will help you if you stop insulting anyone that still loves the country. You may not like him but I just sat down yesterday and talked to Frank Farrar and the man is brilliant. We discussed this exact topic. Yes, I know you side on the left with a large socialist tendency but you are still an American and are allowed free thought so I respect that. I like the fighter, the man that gets back up, the bloodied, scarred warrior. You can do it without the nastiness but to win you need to make some changes. The advantage you have is your diverse background. You can have a strategic vision if you step back from the personal confrontations allowing yourself to actually see. You are a natural leader. You just need the chance to lead. Let me help. Hell, everyone on here would help you.
Old Sarg,
You visited with Frank Farrar about the taxation of agricultural property? I would like to hear what his solutions are.
OldSarg
2018-11-09 at 21:00
Over-dramatize much?
https://tinyurl.com/y8h3h9x5
Just a subtle reminder that the last decent iowa 4-5th District Congressman was a wealthy Democrat who sided with the lesser haves. From 1980.
Bedell was a multi millionaire fishing tackle owner/developer from Spirit Lake, iowa who gave much back to his community.
The property tax system can’t be fixed. The reason is simple. There is no income tax to take the pressure off the property tax. You can re-jigger the property tax any way Al can’t think of, but it will not provide a long term solution. The property tax fix is similar to the school aid formula fix and the teacher wage raises. There are many ways to re-jigger all these things, but without an additional revenue source you can’t take the pressure off the property tax for very long, you can’t boost funding for education and you can’t raise teacher salaries. I could go into the comparative history of why this is true, but I’m from out-of-state, and I wouldn’t want to clog South Dakotans’ brains with too many facts.
Al’s befuddlement is probably indicative of what should be quite obvious if you know the facts. Any property tax revision that doesn’t include new revenue is just going to be, at best, a 2-5 year solution, a patch on a failing tax structure.
But you can legalize marijuana. The bill in North Dakota would have passed or been much more likely to pass but it called for the removal of past criminal convictions it simply went way too far. It was a poorly conceived bill they should have split those issues. Yes, a new revenue source is needed hopefully the law will change at the federal level or SD will be at the tail end of that lost income stream.
I would tend to agree with OldSarg at the 21:00 mark. I know something about him rubs Cory (and others) the wrong way, but there is some good in him. Although he disagrees with Cory politically, he still likes Cory and is sorry about the recent lack of success in upending Novstrup. Although condescending, at least he is trying to wish some good toward those who disagree with him.
I disagree with Cory politically too, but I still like him. I have never really felt that sentiment from those who form the rank and file community at Dakota Free Press. Rather, I get berated and ridiculed for a nonconformist opinion. Something sinister crops up in this community on a regular basis. I don’t think it’s unique to DFP. I think it’s happening in a larger scale around the United States in the liberal party. From Antifa to universities to mainstream media (the liberal ones anyway), everything is slanted to withhold civilities from those who disagree.
Even if some people deserve that, I still think it’s wrong. I try to be reasonable here. I know that sometimes he’s argumentative, but once in a while Old Sarge tries to be reasonable too. Maybe he was trying to do so in that last post, but it’s lost on this community who would rather just use him for their punching bag.
Pointless argument is silly, but the community would be stronger if it engaged those who disagreed rather than dog piling them.
Timoteo, when was the last time a liberal organization edited a videotape to make it appear an innocent person was selling baby parts for cash, or giving bad advice to fake pimps and prostitutes or trying to ruin the life and career of a Black lady who toiled helping farmers get AG loans until Breitbart destroyed her reputation?
Give me just one example.
Donald Pay, I’m so happy – even though I’m a SD resident – that Walker got the boot. My parents were born and raised in Ashland, Wis., but most of my relatives live in Wisconsin. They agree with you that Walker ruined Wisconsin. In early September, I visited my aunt who lives near Milwaukee. I viewed on TV several of Walker’s campaign attack ads on Evers and they were nasty. Nastier than Noem’s attack ads. So, congratulations, things will get better!
Mr. Mike, I will acknowledge that some people who hold conservative political views act inappropriately. It is wrong for them to do so.
Can you acknowledge that some people who hold liberal political views act inappropriately?
The problem happens on both sides of the aisle.
No, the problem does not happen on both sides. We aren’t talking inappropriate behaviour. We are talking criminal acts to impugn people’s livelihoods and reputations.
The “both sides of the aisle” trope does not hold up. (BTW, this is not berating or impugning, Timoteo, this is disagreeing.)
There is no liberal equivalence to that James whatever who creates the fake videos Mike is referring to.
Adam@ claimed Democrats were guilty of very bad behavior, but gave no examples. The right openly advocates violence, threatens journalists, physically attacks and even kills those who disagree, organizes lying hate speeches against Muslims and various POC, etc.
Both sides DO NOT do it.
Democrats/liberals/progressives do not. The Anti-facists are just that, but not Democrats, liberals or progressives. Nor do any of those 3 encourage the anti-fascists. As US citizens, we should all be anti-fascists because that’s counter to our constitution. However, we should not be violent about it.
In addition, we should be opposed to any attempts to limit rights based on race, gender, skin color, age, income, location, etc, because that also runs counter to our constitution which state we are all to have equal rights. Only the right has worked very hard to limit rights based on the list above.
Both side DO NOT do it.
Democrats do not collude with Russia by having secret meetings with Pootie as GOP senators, including SD’s Thune, have done and as the GOP’s Insane Imbecile in the WH continues to do.
Some folks are concerned about the image of fairness so they say “both sides do it.” Others aren’t willing to do a little research to verify what is really happening, so they just shrug and say, “both sides do it.” Still others have unknown reasons. And there are righty floggers who know better, but are determined to make up something to denigrate Democrats, so they say, “both sides do it.” Or even follow Insane Imbecile’s lead and call legitimate protesters “mobs” and try to make them sound dangerous.
But the fact is, Democrats/Left/Liberals/Progressives DO NOT do it.
Like how the left tried to destroy Kavanaugh because they disagreed with him politically?
It -does- happen on both sides, and it’s wrong on both sides. Nobody should be personally attacking someone else based on a political belief, including the readers of this forum.
Nope. Kavanaugh the rapist? That wasn’t “trying to destroy.” That was Congressional testimony. And the testifier, Dr. Blaise (?) was the one who received death threats on herself and her entire family, had to leave her work and move her family to a secure location.
What happened to Kaveman? He’s on SCOTUS.
Try again. You had that one just opposite.
Debbo, don’t be so nasty. Be a lady.
There’s nothing nasty there OS. Be a gentleman.
Kavernmouth is/was/will always be unfit to be a justice of the Supreme Court. He lied under oath (perjury) to the Senate during his hearings. He lied under oath in the rape hearing (perjury) and should never have been confirmed. There is no guarantee of a lifetime appointment for perjurers unless you are a wingnut.
Defending perjurers and criminals like Drumpf is not a good look for wingnuts in South Dakota. You lose any credibility you may have had with outside posters and I’m gonna guess many instate posters as well.
Excellent job reminding wingnuts both sides aren’t morally equivalent when it comes to nasty stuff, Debbo. Maybe you should give Oldsinusoidalcityslicker lessons on how to treat ladies. Or kick him in the nads. I’m sure I wouldn’t care which.
Rick,
I don’t have a problem with out-of-state people celebrating Scott Walker’s demise. He’s been a cancer on Wisconsin’s body politic for a long, long time. Before he wreaked Wisconsin, he was the Country Executive in Milwaukee County. He wreaked Milwaukee, too. Milwaukee is starting to come back under Democratic Party leadership. And he tried to wreak the US government with his aborted run for President. Let’s hope he goes to work for ALEC, where he can wreak that.
Timoteo, You have received quite a bit of feedback on your comments. I had been working on a longer post asking you many of the same questions, but given the various comments during my writing hiatus I will instead focus on just one area that you raised in your response – the Kavanaugh controversy. I have asked others on this blog, such as Old Sarg and Jason, but they have no answers, or at least were not inclined to respond to my inquiry, and I have looked online for answers, but found nothing specific, just generalized complaints, so I will ask you if you can identify any specific bad behavior of Democrats in the Senate or other leadership positions that has drawn so much right wing criticism.
In the Kavanaugh example you raised, I may be incorrect, but wasn’t Kavanaugh’s problem that one or more private individuals (with no public declaration of political affiliation that I saw) accused Kavanaugh of both criminal and highly immoral sexual misconduct? I don’t recall any particular Democratic Senator, spokesperson, or identified democratic group making any independent allegations or accusations against Kavanaugh – can you point to any? And when someone is nominated for the SCOTUS or any other public position, would you agree that any sworn allegation of criminal or immoral behavior are both newsworthy and ought to be considered and investigated by the leadership of the Senate before any confirmation decision?
Likewise, wasn’t the decision to hold public hearings on Dr. Ford’s allegations of attempted rape by Kavanaugh an appropriate decision by the Republican leadership, with their majority and control of the committee holding the hearings, rather than a decision by the minority Democrats? Same for the FBI investigation on the Ford allegations and whatever other allegations the FBI was authorized to investigate – wasn’t this a decision by Republicans, subject to President Trump’s veto or approval? Surely, you don’t fault the Democrats for the Republican response to the call for hearings and investigations when the Republicans were in total control of the committee and whether the FBI would investigate further?
Finally, while many Democrats acknowledged that they accepted as true Dr. Ford’s sworn testimony about Kavanaugh’s actions, surely you do not suggest that revealing one’s reaction to sworn testimony is somehow negative or unfair conduct, or an intentional smear deserving of public debasement by the President, Republican Senators, Kavanaugh himself, and/or right wing media? And shouldn’t journalists, left leaning or right leaning, report the public opinions by our country’s leadership?
Bottom line, what specific behavior do you rely upon by Democrats to support your supposition that they “tried to destroy Kavanaugh because they disagreed with him politically?”
https://www.newsweek.com/brett-kavanaugh-perjury-lied-oath-hearing-1147604
Patrick Leahy does not make accusations lightly and he takes his job seriously.
Don’t tell me both sides perjured themselves under Senate testimony because wingnuts did not extend the courtesy of hearings or an up or down vite to Merrick Garland.
bcb, maybe some people think the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee were too tough on Kavanaugh (I can’t believe I’m still reacting to this, but he’s still on SCOTUs, so yes, I will).
I watched that whole Judiciary Committee meeting (all of them) and of course I believed Dr. Ford, but what put me off Kavanaugh was his own behavior. The Democrats asked no inappropriate questions and demonstrated no improper behavior, but the judge did. It’s clear from his behavior and his attitude and his smart-a** answers to their reasonable promptings to “answer the question” that he has not the demeanor nor smarts nor non-partisan ethical scruples to be a SCOTUS justice. He has only party loyalty and Trumpian protectionism to recommend him. And there’s nothing ethical about that.
And My God, RBG, please get well and STAY WELL.
“From Antifa to universities to mainstream media (the liberal ones anyway), everything is slanted to withhold civilities from those who disagree.”
What seems to be happening in this cultural war is a collision between science and leftist beliefs. Hard science is moving forward so rapidly and could push forward the social sciences, they are coming together like never before. Evolutionary biology, cognitive psychology, etc, but what they are finding does not fit the current liberal narrative. They’ve been forced underground to what they call the Intellectual Dark Web because the institutional gatekeepers find their message unacceptable. Some very interesting people like Eric Weinstein, Steven Pinker, they believe in science not political correctness. It reminds me of the conversation Cory started on race being a social construct. Seems like it is to some extent, but there are measurable biological differences. Weinstein gives the example of chess players. There is only woman in the top 100 players. He’s a mathematician so he’s saying that is not all cultural. They see social justice warriors who lack a thorough understanding of science are creating much of the political upheaval by pushing their false narratives. Science rules, facts matter, not what makes the left (or the right) or any political group feel good. He can be a little bit hard to follow, but he’s another guy that won’t stand for science to be pushed aside in favor of a leftist narrative that goes against the facts even though they are constantly attacked by the left. “Let us tweak what we say about biology just a little bit. No!” We have to have truth placed above acceptable political narrative or he thinks we will lose it all. His interview below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUl7-SvntQ4
Donald, interesting observation on the inherent brokenness of our property tax system. It sounds like you’re saying that “tax reform” in South Dakota, without serious consideration of an income tax, is really a shell game, in which we take the unfair burden off one group and simply shift it to some other group that hasn’t been making noise in Pierre for a while. Then we hold on until that new group realizes it’s getting hosed, then placate them with another shift to turn off the political heat from that direction.
What you report, HC, is not fact at all, but it is a favorite conspiracy theory on the right. There is no biological difference from one generic human brain to the next, regardless of skin color or gender. White supremacists/Nazis are especially fond of that one, but it’s just silly.
OS, I don’t criticize Al (which he brands as “name-calling” to deflect real discussion) just to hurt him. I don’t give enough of a darn about Al personally to want to hurt him personally. If I wanted to hurt someone personally, if I were that kind of a jerk, I wouldn’t waste my time writing a blog. I’d go up to Al and hurt him personally.
But I don’t do that. I never do that, because that kind of malicious, personal violence is wrong.
I criticize Al because of the things he says and does publicly.
I call him dishonest because he uses words to win votes that do not square with his other statements and actions, and because he has never apologized for spreading the lie that Sharia Law controls Dearborn, Michigan.
I call him racist because his advocacy of racial profiling and banning refugees from South Dakota is racist.
I call him harmful to Aberdeen’s economic development because his support for the racist anti-immigrant rallies makes us look like an unwelcoming community and makes people not want to move here.
I call him lazy because his response to the above question, after an busy election year, coupled with his failure to understand and properly explain to constituents the particulars of 2018 HB 1275, a bill he co-sponsored, indicate he isn’t working as hard as a legislator should at the job we taxpayers pay him to do.
The goal of my criticism is not to make Al feel bad. The goal of my criticism is either to get Al to stop saying and doing dishonest, racist, harmful, and lazy things or to get voters to hold him and other politicians accountable for being dishonest, racist, harmful, or lazy.
Timoteo, on the “both sides” point, can you honestly say that I have engaged in the same kind of personally and professionally destructive attacks that Al Novstrup and the SDGOP have launched against me?
Can you identify situations where I have behaved as dishonestly as Al Novstrup, making up facts and not apologizing and retracting those harmful lies when proven wrong?
Can you identify situations where I have been unable to respond to a simple question about my priorities at my job?
Can you identify situations where I have expressed a desire to keep an entire race or class of people out of South Dakota?
If we’re going to preach both-side-ism, we need to do some from a basis of concrete examples. And if we can prove any both-side-ism, we must resolve to root out the bad actors on both sides, not excuse all behavior and stick with our partisan preferences.
Okay, let’s all see who understands exactly what she is saying: “There is no biological difference from one generic human brain to the next, regardless of skin color or gender. White supremacists/Nazis are especially fond of that one”
Debbo claims there is no difference “regardless of skin color or gender”. “Skin and gender” That is what Debbo sees. She does not see the person. She sees “skin color or gender”! I guess when you are not a racist you always differentiate by “skin color or gender”.
It’s actually genius: She can name anyone who differentiates people, humans (and tall men dressed as bunnies) based upon their pigment and sex but everyone else is a racist. . .
Here are the ideas that win! Take this feller as an example. He ran against a 15 term Republican, in a totally red district and just beat him. How in the hell did he do it? Glad to tell you how Harley Rouda defeated Dana Rohrabacher.
“My wife Kaira and I have worked hard to raise our four children. We’re involved in our community and Orange County charities that help the homeless; protect victims of domestic violence; support veterans, reduce gun violence, advance educational opportunities, strengthen human rights and protect our environment.
But in Washington, too many politicians only care about themselves and their special interest campaign contributors. That’s why they’ve done nothing to reduce the cost of health care and prescription drugs, fix our crumbling roads and bridges, or make college more affordable.”
Kitchen table stuff. Even if we don’t want to admit it, Republicans and Democrats all talk about the same things and all want solutions to what is going wrong with this country.
You still don’t recognize “description” OS?
Okay.
Robin said, “And My God, RBG, please get well and STAY WELL.”
Yes indeed! Actually she is up and back to work. Whew!
Oh Deborah, now I think we’re getting somewhere. Men and women are different biological beings: “Researchers have discovered almost 100 major differences between male and female brains.” Do your own google you’re operating on an old false narrative. DNA even reflect what part of the world people are from it’s about biology, evolution. You fell in love with the social poetry of your time, but it’s just not true.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hope-relationships/201402/brain-differences-between-genders
Former Calif wingnut Rackerfracker wanted Putin’s affection and approval, not every Dem wants to be in bed with Vlad the impaler.
In fact Deb it was research on the hippocampus back in 1991 by Simon LeVay that proved a biological difference between gay and straight men and helped end discriminatory positions mainly by hardline Republicans. That part of the brain is the same size in gay men and women, SO denying differences is equality discriminatory.
Regarding a state income tax for South Dakota, I think by spring we will see the ag community start the continuing downward trend. We are seeing it right now in the prices and how the trump tariff’s along with the trade war is working, it ain’t. There will be more pressure to fund our already over extended state government so, there can be only two ways to fix it. Tax a higher burden on ag land or make the tax more equal. Looks more and more like equality will win the day with an income tax to save the family farm.
I agree with you Jerry. Nobody wants to pay more taxes but a state income tax shouldn’t be pulled off the table.
I hear people complaining on how high their taxes are and I’d like to ask how they could be lowered. If somebody has an idea where we don’t have to raise property taxes or have a state income tax I’d like to hear it.
Owen,
Your wish is my command. How can we lower property taxes without a state income tax. Well to be honest I believe the large percentage of property tax revenue goes to fund local governments (schools and counties). So we give counties and by extension schools the right to collect income tax. This would allow some tax relief to agricultural businessmen and businesswomen. I do not want the State of South Dakota to be able to tax income. For many decades, the Republicans have not wanted the State to have an income tax, well I concur. I don’t want them to collect income tax either, ever. It would be a preferred system to have the control locally so if there is a difference of opinion on implementation, rates, etc. we will have the discussion with our neighbors. Now before anyone claims school districts don’t collect income tax let me tell you about 2/3 of schools in Ohio do. It can be done. What gets me upset the most is the mindset; ‘that just because we have never done something a certain way that it will not work’ and/or that we have always done it this way so that is the way it will be – forever’.
My point was that an income tax is coming, more sooner than later. Has to be.
Robin, thanks for your comment on the Kavanaugh matter. After no responses to repeated questions about the specifics of their complaints about Democrats behavior relating to the Kavanaugh nomination, it seems the only reasonable explanation is that Timoteo, Old Sarg, Jason and others who seek to demonize Democrats are just like Al Novstrup, fresh out of ideas.
Their inability to articulate even a single specific improper act by Democrats pertaining to this controversy shows that they are either useful idiots spreading false propaganda based on talking points rather than facts, or they are intentionally spreading lies to advance whatever political cause they think that justifies lying, under an ends justifies the means rationale. If the former, I would think that simple reflection on their lack of ability to articulate or find online specific factual support for this nonsense might cause them to reflect on what they post and reconsider such factually unsupported claims, such as “the left tried to destroy Kavanaugh because they disagreed with him politically.”
But, like Novstrup, they seem to be out of ideas and can do nothing more than repeat propaganda that they have heard or read from other dupes or right wing liars, like Trump and his apologists. When challenged, or even simply questioned, they retreat to the faux safety of silence, burying their opinions in the sand like the mythical frightened ostrich. This reality should give anyone pause as they read posts from these folks. Any presumption of their good faith unfortunately has dissipated in the wind of excess bloviation.
I’m talking about *intelligence* HC, intelligence.
Amen, Brother bcb.
“Democrats behavior relating to the Kavanaugh nomination” there was no evidence that any of the accusations were even close to true. What you are doing barecreek is no different than what they did in the south when they would hang the Black man for an accused rape still without evidence. The report is out. Read it. https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/judiciary-committee-releases-transcripts-of-kavanaugh-interviews
You owe America an apology for your lies about a good man you and your ilk tried to hang.
OidSonofawhiskerbiscuit-Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahashahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
You were serious? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Old Sarg, thanks for your response to my inquiry. If you think believing Dr. Ford’s sworn testimony constitutes a factual showing of wrongdoing by Democrats, however, it appears that you are confused, starting with the mistaken idea that sworn victim/eyewitness testimony does not constitute “evidence.” Here is an explanation to help you out:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence
As has been pointed out to you numerous times, sworn testimony from a victim/eyewitness constitutes direct evidence of a crime, or as stated in the explanation, “direct proof of the truth of an assertion.” Direct evidence is considered by many the most convincing evidence of an alleged crime, and, as was pointed out to you previously, is sufficient by itself to support a jury’s finding of criminal guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in most American jurisdictions.
Whether you, or any individual Republican or Democrat, choses to believe the sworn testimony of Dr. Ford or any other witness is a personal decision that depends on your assessment of credibility. Just like it is your right to reject Dr. Ford’s sworn testimony as incredible, it is right of others, including Democrats, to decide to accept her sworn statements as the truth. Neither you nor any Democrat deserves condemnation for the credibility choice you make.
For you to assert there was “no evidence,” then, is an untrue statement and reveals either your lack of understanding of what constitutes evidence or a deliberate lie. And if your attack on Democrats is because they believed her sworn testimony, then it is you who owes America an apology. Got anything else, or are you, like Novstrup, “all out of ideas?”
Old Sarg, by the way, thanks for the link to the transcripts. I had not seen these before and look forward to reading them. I may have a couple additions to my earlier comments when i finish considering the transcripts.
So if I understand what you’re saying Francis the counties could enact an income tax on everybody but farmers?
Am I wrong?
So it continues to be true that both sides do not do it. Only Pootiepublicans behave so abominably.
Old Sarg, I have reviewed the transcripts you linked. Here are my initial comments:
First, all questioners names were redacted, but it appears that the interviews were conducted entirely by the Republican Senators or their staff. Democrats objected to the 2nd two interviews taking place before the FBI investigation was complete and it appears Democrats asked no questions.
The 9-17-18 interview pertained to Dr. Ford’s allegations and, surprising, contained several admissions by Kavanaugh that corroborated her testimony, even though Kavanaugh denied the alleged attack. Corroborating admissions included:
– Kavanaugh was evasive when asked if he knew Ford, yet admitted he recalled her name. p.6:10-22 (page 6, lines 10 through 22)
– He admitted that he couldn’t “rule out” being at parties where Ford was present. P. 7:1-4
– He admitted frequently attending parties with Mark Judge. P.9:14-21.
– He admitted that there was drinking at these parties and that at times there were no parents present. P.10:2-19
– He admitted partying with girls from Holton Arms School. P.10:20-25, p.11:1-1-2.
– He equivocated about having a sexual encounter with any girl from Holton, denying only sexual intercourse. P.11:18-25.
– He admitted going to parties in suburban Maryland homes (where Ford alleged the assault occurred). P.12:8-13.
– He admitted drinking at these parties but evaded answering how much he typically consumed, although he denied blacking out. P.14:8-24.
These admissions constitute evidence that corroborates part of Dr. Ford’s testimony by placing Kavanaugh in the general area at the time period in which the attack was alleged, showing a relationship with Ford and girls from Ford’s school, and documenting that he drank at these parties.
The other two transcripts of 9-25 & 26-18 address allegations by other individuals against Kavanaugh and as noted, were conducted by Republicans over Democrats’ objections. The accusers are not claimed to be of any particular political party nor acting at Democrat’s behest. In two transcripts Kavanauigh testifies that he wants the Senate to conduct public hearings, hence, Democrats cannot be faulted for these hearings.
Old Sarg, these transcripts are very helpful in documenting that Senate Democrats did nothing wrong or objectionable. Thanks for posting the links.
The obvious retort from wingnuts would be, Well we got Kavernmouth confirmed when Obama couldn’t get Garland confirmed.
Somewhere in America that would be considered a true statement.
Owen,
No everyone would have to pay income tax if they pay federal income tax.
The only people to lose control and act out in insulting and abusive ways at the Blasey Ford hearing were Senators Grassley and Graham and Brett Kavanaugh. The Democrats were very circumspect about Kavanaugh’s work as a character assassin for the W. Bush White House and about the Republicans withholding 90 percent of the documents recording that work. As for the evidence concerning Kavanaugh’s alcohol-fueled behavior in high school and college, members of the press are stilling chasing down witnesses to interview. It’a not over.
David,
Your above statement is ignorant.
The Senators were very hostile. I can post the link if you want.
I will be glad to discuss alcohol drank by people under 21 since the age was changed to 21.
Are you up for this?
I watched it too. Dr. Newquist is correct.
You’d think all this alleged nastiness by Democrats would at least have motivated Al to think up a bill to curtail First Amendment rights, to require pre-registration to attend and testify at Legislative hearings, to fund greater security for the Capitol…
…dang! Even for baloney with which I disagree completely, I can think up more policy responses in a minute than Al can in an entire election season. It must wear on Al to wait for leadership to tell him when he can open his mouth… and if it doesn’t wear on him, well, that only speaks more to his lack of fitness for office.
OK Deb those two things are probably are quite similar or even the same if that even matters. In the short run men and woman are motivated by quite different things but intelligence rises above those obvious differences unless we are in denial. One very interesting thing is “Total Recall” about 100 people on Planet Earth who can recall everything that has ever happened to them, a part of their brain is 7 times larger than the rest of us. The redhead of Taxi is one of them. My point is that biology and brain makeup does matter you might enjoy this about these people with special abilities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWiUYbUAHNw
That redhead on Taxi had a couple other lobes that were bigger than most. She kept trying to show them off in the movie ‘Perfect’ with Jamie Lee Curtis. Not that I personally witnessed these things myself.
Oh, like Mike from Iowa is in denial. For fun you might want to watch Joe Rogan he talks with no political correctness. I know we should be respectful of one another in one way but it’s just as good the other.
And I don’t get here every day, bcb, so sometimes I’m a little behind the conversation (my fault). But these days, who can keep up? But thanks for your notes.
I’m glad to hear it, Debbo. I hadn’t heard, but I’m not surprised that she’s back on the bench. Can’t help feeling a bit concerned for her.
Yep, you’re just a sore loser. At least you, kind of, admit it.
You’re still not a legislator….hope that sinks in each and every day. Especially with your hateful and super biased anti-Noem and group writing.
Who’s the legislator of District 3? Well it sure ain’t Corey. LOL
Steve Pearson,
Such childish comments …
You still aren’t an adult and you will NEVER be one.
Just in!! Steve Pearson has his hair now styled like Al Novstrup. The Novstrup look is taking over the legislature, even dummy Goodwin has gone full Al. Let the nothingness continue,
Debbo, were you able to vote for Cory?
I could have written in Cory’s name for any number of offices and those votes would have counted, which would be your next question before you move the goal posts and whine they wouldn’t count in South Dakota.
I bet you could Debbo, I mean mike. . . Now I understand why you take the whole trans issue so seriously. I hope they let you pick the bathroom of your choosing day-to-day. . . How do you want folks to address you, cis, Debbo, mike? What would you like?
No. But Cory welcomes my comments. 😁
Mike, this is what OS does when he’s got nothing of real substance. Of course that’s why his complaints about residence are so frequent.
But how is it that he’s not also complaining about the entire legislative SDGOP going Out Of SD to get orders for their SD legislative agenda? Poor OS. Wait. He’ll cook up a good one for this. More Pretzel Logic. 😆😆😆
I take the whole trans issue seriously because they are human beings and yer just a wingnut troll. And possibly a Lakota culture expert.
Steve, spike the ball in my face all you want; your cheap chest-thumping insults don’t disprove a word I said about Al’s laziness and slavish following of the elites in Pierre.
Also non-refutatory: OS’s tiresome resort to attacking other commenters on unrelated issues. Martians could be sending in comments, and that wouldn’t change the facts and evaluation I’ve offered about Al. He’s just a lazy legislator.