The Senate* passed Senator Stace Nelson’s useless “build a wall” resolution Thursday (thank goodness that’s over), but only after striking almost every instance of the now meaningless word “wall.” The only remaining occurrence: reference in the 22nd of 26 Whereas clauses (Stace’s original had 31) expressing support for a “wall system in strategic locations is necessary to securing the border,” which is a far cry from whatever Trump’s words might have literally meant among an electorate that took words seriously.
Patheos still takes words seriously, and Senator Nelson’s hyperbolic words about the “black wind of death” blowing our border of Mexico catch their notice as a symptom of the cancer of Trumpist falsehood infecting our nation:
To show how the president’s “invasion” epidemic is metastasizing nationwide and infecting lawmakers in state legislatures, read this alarmingly inventive quote by South Dakota state Sen. Stace Nelson, a conservative Republican.
In what the Sioux Falls Argus Leader described as an “impassioned” speech this week in the state Legislature, Nelson claimed the southern border is so “porous” that it allows “terrorists” to breach it and “threaten a black wind of death to race across this nation from coast to coast.” (ponder the phrase “black wind of death” for a moment and consider why he chose the word “black.”)
In any event, the “black wind of death” would include the two kids who died in our custody, apparently [Rick Snedeker, “Think There’s a ‘Crisis’ at Our Southern Border? You’re Not Thinking,” Pathoes: Godzooks, 2019.01.12].
Senator Nelson’s SCR 4 is Trumpist shouting that deceives the public and shuts down normal practical problem-solving. There is no national-security crisis at the border. There is no invasion. There is no wall or wall system or that will make America’s real problems go away. Our problems our not without; they are within.
Related Reading: My weekly newsletter from the George W. Bush Presidential Center includes a link to the Center’s page on immigration policy. That page leads with this statement from President Bush:
At its core, immigration is a sign of a confident and successful nation. Immigrants’ talent and hard work and love of freedom have helped us become the leader of the world [President George W. Bush, quoted in “Immigration,” George W. Bush Presidential Center, retrieved 2019.01.12].
You know America’s in trouble when a liberal blog cites President George W. Bush as an authority.
Correction 17:08 CST: Senator Nelson reminds me that his Legislative theatrics get to distract the House from real problem-solving as well. I regret the error and the waste of my legislators’ time.
@CAH The lines between the war toilet and DFP have blurred to the point you and Pat may now be considered modern day Rosenkrantz & Gildenstern. Very lazy, and WRONG writing. SCR has not passed the Legislature, and you perpetuate out of context misquotes. Here is the actual recording of the debate, you will have to scroll forward to the correct part http://sdpb.sd.gov/SDPBPodcast/2019/sen03.mp3
Shame on you Nelson, take a look at your own immigrant family at the breakfast table.
I’d think if one were going to make many of his points about civics lessons, one would know that John Thune and Mike Rounds are Senators, not Congressmen, and would therefore be sure to use their correct title.
Well, the Trumpists fart into the “black wind of death” and the prime farter of SCR 4 shows here up for a little after potty. That stink you smell coming through the electrons of the first comment on this thread is the anal emission of a coward and a fool. The SD Senate did pinch it off mid-poop, as Cory noted, and they almost pinched it off to match the position of Speaker Pelossi, which is that border security is important and necessary, and that Democrats have agreed to exactly the amount of money as Trump asked for and Republican Senators passed through regular order. What they won’t agree to is money for a wall that hasn’t been planned and justified through the normal order of business, and which was added at the last minute because Trump himself is a coward and a fool.
Stace did a great job in getting the SD Senate to synchronize their anal emissions in the form of SCR 4. Congratulations on that. Now go do something useful for real people, not the coward in the White House.
Now that there’s a resolution for the wall, the next order of business should be a resolution against tunnels under the border. Nothing gets the job done like a good old resolution.
Sen. Nelson ~ When two bloggers as different as Cory and Pat agree that you’re off base, ignoring them in favor of your own ego is symptomatic of mental neuroses. Go to the VA, get off those pain pills (We know you have chronic pain but really, man. You’ve been on ’em way too long.) and ask for some counseling. It’s free ‘ya know.
Nothing exposes a pretense like making a literary reference when one hasn’t the vaguest idea of what is being referenced. First of all, the characters from Hamlet are spelled Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two schoolmates of Hamlet sent by Claudius to spy on Hamlet. Just who is playing Hamlet in this real life farce? Or could the reference be to the satire “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”? In any case, Denmark isn’t the only place emanating the stench of rot.
Fear, bullying, and propaganda are well understood by the right wingnuts.
“. . . after all, it’s the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it’s always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it’s a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.” — Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials
Now let’s accomplish real business, like that anti-nepotism bill.
Since 9-11, the terrorists in America have a distinctly Nelsonish pastey white hide and affinity for American made AK-15ish type of terroristic, ammosexual appurtenances. Phony kristians be thy name.
@David Newquist Nothing exposes a petty internet social medial troll, like their being triggered over a mispelled word. My love for the bard is immortalized in SD Legislative record. Your ugliness shall only last the life of CAH’s wallet to perpetuate your comments herein.. At some point the snowflake movement always meets the wall of reality.
Ironic or ignorant? Screeching that the resolution is irrelevant even as you folks frantically peck out personal attacks and protests..
The Resolution led the discussion across SD and even outside the borders. Which is why it was brought, and why you gnash your teeth and wail in the darkness..
Mitchell Republic- PIERRE, S.D. — Two days after Republican Gov. Kristi Noem said in her State of the State address that the federal government has “(failed) to adequately secure our southern border,” South Dakota state senators have passed a resolution voicing support for the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
On Thursday, Jan. 10, senators voted 28-5 to pass
Koo98 reports the same.
“Life … is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.”
El Rayo X,
Landmines prevent tunnels.
Signs prevent people from stepping on landmines.
The only thing “immortalized in SD legislative record” is the absence of intellectual competence and integrity and the corruption it engenders.
If anyone wants to discuss the facts surrounding this border wall proposal, here they are in graph form:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/01/11/us/politics/trump-border-crisis-reality.html
This resolution isn’t designed to do anything. It’s designed to get Sen. Nelson into the news. Mission accomplished.
You see, Sen. Nelson wants to run for the US House in 2020 when Dusty Johnson runs for the US Senate seat Mike Rounds will vacate. It’s not a bad aspiration for him because any Republican in SD who runs for an open seat has a puncher’s chance or better.
My prediction for the 2020 US House race: Rorschach will beat Stace Nelson in a 3-way race by just over 1%
Nelson is just a Putin puppet doing the Russian government’s work… just like trump. Nelson is just trying to distract to keep South Dakotan’s from knowing about the treason at the highest levels of government from the top down.
“In the days after President Trump fired James B. Comey as F.B.I. director, law enforcement officials became so concerned by the president’s behavior that they began investigating whether he had been working on behalf of Russia against American interests, according to former law enforcement officials and others familiar with the investigation.
The inquiry carried explosive implications. Counterintelligence investigators had to consider whether the president’s own actions constituted a possible threat to national security. Agents also sought to determine whether Mr. Trump was knowingly working for Russia or had unwittingly fallen under Moscow’s influence.” New York Times
Where are the pesos? Mexico was supposed to write a check for 8 to 10 billion as a down payment. Where are the pesos?
Life is like a decent play, spoiled by a lousy actor.
Stace Nelson, could you please respond to the factual data published by the N.Y. Times in the link posted by Anne?
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/01/11/us/politics/trump-border-crisis-reality.html
That NY Times information seems to indicate that your position on a wall (or whatever term you prefer) and your resolution in support thereof are both based on untrue claims about immigrant crime, such as terrorism. Can you please clarify – does this information show your claims to be false? If not, can you direct us to a more accurate source with the correct statistical information?
And if you do not respond to this inquiry can we safely assume that you are unwilling or unable to source your claims and have been caught spreading a falsehood?
We know of 4000 terrorists who actually turned out to be 6 real terrorists with nearly 700 aliases a piece.
Stace Nelson – mfi makes another point specifically about terrorists at the southern boarder that I request you please address. This also seems to suggest that you are spreading untrue information. Perhaps you were mislead by some source?
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/fact-check-did-u-s-catch-4-000-terrorists-southern-n954796
This report states
There are several additional articles listed on a Google search that make the same factual point, including another addressing mfi’s statement.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/only-six-immigrants-terrorism-database-stopped-cbp-southern-border-first-n955861
Can you please address this information provided by mfi in your response to my earlier request for information?
Thanks for clarifying your public representations and statements. As as above, if you do not respond to this additional inquiry can we safely assume that you are unwilling or unable to source your claims and have been caught spreading a falsehood?
Can anyone point out to me how Sen. Nelson’s responses on this thread are in any way rational or coherent? I am flummoxed that a state official could respond this way. But then, it is the age of Trump.
Stace maybe right that our discourse on the left has coarsened. The dolts on the right just keep upping the ante and we likely lower our standards and give back what we have been enduring from the right.
Until we succeed in seating a liberal in a major
elective office we are stuck with antics by rednecks like him Kristie Thune Rounds.
When competent fire breathers like Warren, Harris, Teachout, Klobuchar are elected, like HRC, Gore were, and the corrupt right, fossil fuel billionaires and Trumpists are brought to account, goodness will surface. Robert Reich warns that Wall Street Democrats too are dangerous. This has to be the people’s government to survive. Free health care, higher education, wealth distribution and diversity are the goals. War, militarism, violence and stupidity can be eliminated. The ice is melting people.
Hillary Clinton called out Nelson’s boy clearly. No denying the facts. Now, both Nelson and trump want to build Putin’s wall.
https://twitter.com/joshtpm/status/1084126128757985280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1084126128757985280&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftalkingpointsmemo.com%2F
Much more like Wayne and Garth than Shakesapeare.
Party on, Stace.
Find one location where all sides agree that a physical barrier is needed. Then address security at a port of entry with technology and people. Maybe throw in some more monitoring and extra border security personnel. Then both sides can declare victory and move on. Don’t try to solve everything right now.
In other words, instead of trying to score a touchdown and spike the football, both teams need to pick up a first down and then punt the football to change the field position.
I agree. Don’t try to solve everything right now. Let’s solve the one thing we all agree is a problem: the federal shutdown. Pass a clean funding bill for every agency. Write paychecks to federal employees. Pay the contractors in full. There is not one reason to refuse to do so.
The problem is that the current definition of compromise is that the other side agrees to your position, instead of finding a small win for each side.
Unfortunately the best time for a clean bill is prior to the start of the fiscal year, not after continuing resolutions and shutdowns have happened. Otherwise, it is difficult for the other side to give up perceived leverage.
Get ‘em back to work! All the tens of thousands of Federal workers are making the ski slopes overcrowded on weekdays, which are the designated domain days of retired people. Do something for seniors, President Trump.
DFP needs a better script writer or participants that take direction. It seems when the going gets tough, certain miscreants drop off the face of the internet until the subject changes to one more favorable to them.
We know who these turkeys are. Nothing kills a fun post faster than human kick balls running for cover.
Trump’s Great Diversion Can’t Last Much Longer
“The political battle over the border wall is essentially a diversion, and from Trump’s perspective, it has already served its purpose.”
https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/trumps-great-diversion-cant-last-much-longer?utm_source=facebook&utm_brand=tny&utm_medium=social&utm_social-type=owned&mbid=social_facebook&fbclid=IwAR3OoTZY2-OVNKM2G1eR3aatPGuMUJORWNhPE0SB0FBrUrrQYPzp9J3583I
I agree with Dr. McT. There are ways to do that, but you have to use and honest and open process to do it right. Promotional lying is not a away to get something built, though maybe in the corrupt world Trump came from, it did. Well, the US ain’t a corrupt Gotham, and Trump and his ever-changing crew of amateurs aren’t up to the task of governing. Trump’s priority never was border security. His priorities were campaigning, lying and licking Russia’s behind.
Promoting, corruption and lying don’t get things built in a democracy. That takes an autocracy, something the Republican Senate seems willing to give Trump. Look at the borehole project. Look at the sewage ash project. Look at the Oahe Irrigation Project. When people get a chance to weigh in on projects, the lies get exposed and the promoters look like fools. The projects differ, the people doing the lying are different, but when you aren’t honest with the public, or with yourselves, it ain’t gonna happen.
Of course, all this is beyond South Dakota’s leaders, who regularly fall for and participate in lying, corruption and promoting awful development projects. That’s why they can vote for an anal emission, a fart in the “black wind of death.”
If we’re going to name incompetent duos, let’s not leave out Bill and Ted. They at least created a future where people were excellent to each other, a goal a lot politicians seems to not care about.
Where’s Rufus when we need him?
Yes, if there is a need for a wall, it should be easy to show why that is a good investment of taxpayer funds. If technology can work better and/or cheaper, it should be easy to demonstrate this also.
I think Congressional Democrats can live with targeted and merit-based wall-building with technology and people instead of this no-wall/only-wall discussion that continues the shutdown. Unclear about Congressional Republicans, but it looks like some can live with that too….just a matter of getting the right people to say yes in public to provide cover.
Tarzan and Jane only needed one word to direct their elephant to do any task needed. Ungawa. Maybe someone can teach wingnuts that word and get Drumpf to do something useful.
What will really be interesting is whether Senate leadership allows a bill that is approved by all Democrats, only some Republicans, but an overall majority of the Senate, to end the shutdown. That would still represent a majority of Americans, but would not follow the current modus operandi.
It would be beneficial if both the House and the Senate approved a deal with a veto-proof margin, and then Pres. Trump could say he didn’t sign it but the shutdown would end.
Seriously, how does a wall or fence or barrier prevent any immigrant from overstaying their visas? Wish Drumpf used this much effort to keep Russia out of our elections.
Stace:
#1: do not compare me to DWC. I am far superior. He hasn’t given your bill anywhere near as much press as I have.
#2: Good grief, really? You’re going to drag the House into your theatrics as well? Barf. Oh well. I’ll correct above.
#3: everything else I said is pretty accurate. Needless, racist, Trumpist.
Here’s what needs to happen to end this shutdown.
Congress has already passed several spending resolutions that will open the government, but Mitch won’t act on them. The public can go around Mitch.
There are 22 republican senators up for re-election in 2020, public pressure needs to be applied to those running for re-election and reminded that citizens will remember the longest government shutdown in American history and will vote accordingly.
Nothing should get the attention faster then the next election cycle.
If Nelson and the rest of the South Dakota republican party want to be of use, they can pass a resolution demanding that Mexico pay for Trump’s wall, after all that was one of Trump’s first promises.
Democrats never should compromise on Trump’s wall, it has been proven repeatedly that a wall serves absolutely no purpose.
If Trump builds his $5.7 billion wall the next generation of immigrants will tear it down.
Anne’s link to the
Follow up to comment at 17:27:
Anne’s link to the New Yorker tells us the truth of what is happening with Trump.
Trump doesn’t give a tinkers damn about border security, he cares only about protecting himself from the onslaught of congressional investigations and the release of the Mueller report.
Nelson not only fell for Trump’s diversionary tactics he is promoting them. You’d think a cop would know better.
If Republicans can show that a wall can be effective as part of an overall design or at specific locations, and be cost-effective, then Democrats interested in opening the government should listen.
If a wall by itself is too expensive, or if tariffs make a steel barrier too expensive, or the plan just doesn’t work, then Republicans who are interested in actual border security should listen to other approaches.
This probably has to occur below the leadership level, because everyone is dug in at the moment up at the top.
And Great Gaia Almighty, Stace, don’t come accusing me of inaccuracy and falsehoods when you and Donald Trump are the ones faking a crisis to support an already failed campaign promise to prop up one man’s ego and several ignoramuses’ destructive and un-American xenophobia.
My blog defends this country and its values. SCR 4 hurts America.
I have seen no solid statistics to justify holding American citizens hostage to appease Trump and to appease every dipstick that supports him. If you support not paying federal workers and irrevocably damaging our country, then perhaps you can work for free Stace..What bunch of fecel matter, oops fecal..but you’re the intelligent one, right?
The Black Wind Of Death? Stace’s purple prose only adds to his comical demeanor. Here’s what a top expert from the border thinks about this foolhardy wall venture: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumps-border-wall-waste-time-money-retiring-border/story?id=44978156&cid=share_facebook_widget&fbclid=IwAR1MdJb9HqGACHXxFE0vs-JZnDgpPgxOxtoag8_d0iouoF413tM9O8Zx7mM
And Stace, you should listen up, Marine. Here’s what the Mayor of a Texas border town just said about the Wall: https://truthout.org/articles/mayor-of-texas-border-town-trumps-wall-is-pointless/
https://discover.larouchepac.com/2019_nbw_class_2
It would be nice if our state legislature paid attention to real South Dakota issues such as funding tech education (and all education) with a fair, non-punitive tax, funding early education, address the reimbursement for nursing homes, and work to improve government accountability and oversight.
Stace – re-enlist. Go fight a real war. Fighting your phantasies can only result in phantom glory. You need more of the real thing to satisfy your desire. You will NEVER find satisfaction in beating your dreams.
I’m right here Kal Lis
The wall works and Jim Acosta proved it.
Jim Acosta is a CNN commentator and doesn’t have any credibility.
The wall doesn’t work Jason.
Jason, Please provide proof that landmines are effective on tunnels.
costa described the scene at the southern border as “tranquil” Thursday afternoon where part of a physical barrier is already in place ahead of President Trump’s visit. The White House correspondent, who often butts heads with Trump, showed the steel slats at the McAllen, Texas, area of the border in a video posted to Twitter and said that he did not see any sort of activity “resembling a national emergency situation.”
Proved Drumpf/Jason is a liar and that is all he proved.
Drumpf/Jason/Drumpf’s Russian supporters are getting beyond desperate if they call this proof of the barrier working.
Ladders are ancient tools and technology. A ladder is featured in a Mesolithic rock painting that is at least 10,000 years old, depicted in the Spider Caves in Valencia, Spain.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladder
http://juanitajean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Screen-Shot-2019-01-10-at-9.40.17-AM-768×487.png
Here’s Jason’s barrier after a visit from a person with a saw.
http://juanitajean.com/a-saw-a-damn-saw-thats-all-it-took-a-damn-saw-like-you-have-in-your-garage/
I don’t get how the Russia/NRA party of wingnuts expects terrorists to buy all the guns in America they want if they aren’t given a priority entrance pass. You are either for the 2nd amendment or you are against it.
I mean, really, wingnuts don’t want terrorists to fly but they are allowed to buy all the weapons they can pay for. NRA has seen to that.
The NY Times article by Bret Stephens published in today’s Minneapolis Star Tribune discusses Israel’s various walls and fences and other protective measures against their real enemies, not weaponless refugees.
“Israel’s border with Egypt is marked by a tall and sturdy “smart fence” packed with electronic sensors, but not a wall. And Israel’s longest border, with Jordan, stretching some 400 kilometers (about 250 miles), has fencing that for the most part is primitive and minimal.”
Yet Israel is faced with real enemies dedicated to its destruction. So what does a modern, intelligent nation do to remain safe in such dangerous conditions?
“Two ways: close cooperation with neighbors where it’s possible and the use of modern technology and effective deterrence where it’s not.”
Note that antagonizing neighbors and building walls are not part of the recipe. Recently Israel has been blowing up Hamas tunnels dug under the sections of the border marked with a concrete wall.
“Israeli experience also suggests that the best way to protect a border is to rely on the tools of the 21st century, not the 12th. Walls only occasionally provide the most reliable security. They can be dangerous for providing the illusion of security.”
The entire article is here: https://goo.gl/XCZrtX
Those walls are on stolen occupied territories. We should be ashamed of ourselves for allowing our taxpayer dollars to fund such apartheid.
mfi, I read today that the number of American hunters has dropped substantially over the last few years. It’s reported by NPR to be down to about 5% of people over age 16.
https://www.npr.org/2018/03/20/593001800/decline-in-hunters-threatens-how-u-s-pays-for-conservation
So you are right, the NRA needs all the terrorists they can get, whether home grown or imported. New recruits are necessary to build and sustain a membership consisting of non-hunters that buy guns because they fear our government, their neighbors, and defenseless ethnic groups designated as the punching bag of the day by political propaganda. You know, the weaponless men women and kids “invading” from the south.
By the way, no response yet from Nelson to the inquiries about the validity of the sources debunking his claims. Perhaps his silence speaks louder than words.
http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,899502,00.html
It looks like Nelson may be admitting the spread of false statements about a terrorist threat from the southern border. I imagine he is busy with legislative activity, but he did find the time to make several comments about his resolution before you and others at DFP provided credible sources that his claims of terrorist threats were false propaganda.
Thanks, Bear. I see on the news today the NRA is still being investigated for coordinating with three right wing senate campaigns, two in 2018 and another in North Carolina in 2016. Of course it is illegal and with Ollie North involved in running the NRA, nothing would surprise me.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/01/nra-republicans-campaign-ads-senate-josh-hawley/
Hunting as a family was a time honored rite of passage for my brothers growing up. None of us hunt anymore. Except for an occasional whistle pig or skunk around the barnyard. My sons never picked up the habit. I can’t even get them to learn the intricacies of growing veggies.
As for Nelson, I think he was aware he was losing the argument and I doubt if it will bother him much. Tomorrow brings its own set of problems and disagreements.
Wait. Nelson and Novstrup may have a point about terrorists. They have taken over part of Manhattan and enforce Sharia Law jut like Novstrup fears.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/muslim-community-patrol-nyc/
Uh…maybe not. Dang it. Another false alarm.
Nelson and jason are Mexicans. Aeromexico will give them a discount if they do their DNA https://crooksandliars.com/cltv/2019/01/aeromexico-trolls-americans
That’s rich, Jerry. Of course, they only showed people from dental deprived Texas and Arizona. People in CO love to go to Mexico. I know several people who’ve moved to Mexico. It’s easy now with Social Security automatic deposits and worldwide ATM machines. I’ve left some DNA in Mexico, myself. Two of my best friends are there right now for a Dead and Company four day, three concert party at a Riviera Maya, all inclusive resort on the beach. Today’s temperature – 78.
As further proof that walls work, all you have to do is look at the Great Wall in China. China has relatively few Mexicans if any at all.
Speaking of dental, you can go to Mexico and get your teeth fixed while on vacation. The money you save from dental work there will more than cover your vacation…if you need something like crowns or bridges. Seriously, dentists in South Dakota do pretty dang good and so do the dentists in Mexico…they just don’t charge you as much for the same services. Been there to the Riviera Maya and then south into Belize, what adventures! The cenote springs and caves all along the coastline there, lucky pals you have.
Good one, Roger.
I get trivia e-mails all day long and a question today was, “What country has the most people traveling to other countries.” Answer – China.
Shhhhhhh, Jerry. Don’t say nice things about Mexico. Nelson’s off work for the weekend. I don’t know about any Mexican blood in the Fulton Fomenter but I’ve spent enough time in Milwaukee and Chicago to know that there’s a whole lot of Polish blood in that big ol’ bull bunny. He’s got the look.
Drumpf fired 10 undocumented workers at New York golf course, some had worked there undocumented for years.