Moody County Commissioner Sorry-Not-Sorry for Sex Crack at Public Meeting
By Cory Allen Heidelberger on 2019-08-09
Today’s non-apology apology comes from dirty old man and rookie Moody County Commissioner John Schiefelbein, who somehow thought making a sex joke about police body cams during Tuesday’s commission meeting was appropriate. The Moody County Commission called a special meeting this meeting to address “Commissioner Conduct.”
Seated facing the rest of the commission but with his back to the television camera and anyone else in the audience, Commissioner Schiefelbein let Commissin Chairman Rick Veldekamp drag him toward this feint of contrition:
Chairman Veldkemp: I asked Tom what he would need one for?
Schiefelbein: Then I said the word ‘sex’ to you and the whole room picked up on it and there was laughter.
Commissioner Schiefelbein (yellow shirt) recalls people laughing at his sex crack; Chairman Veldkamp does not laugh. Screen cap, KELO-TV, 2019.08.09.
…Veldkemp: That’s what we wanted to arrive at, whether you felt that was an appropriate thing to say?
Schiefelbein harkens to the good old days. Screen cap, KELO-TV, 2019.08.09.
Hey, John! Note from HR: when you are called into the office by your colleagues to answer for misconduct, the sentence, “It was wrong,” should be followed immediately by, “I’m sorry,” and then a respectful and contrite silence. It should not be followed by your lament that “we’re so sensitive” and your fond recollection of the old days—
—which… wait—what old days? Tell us, please, in what year was it appropriate to joke about sex from the head table or podium or what-have-you of a public meeting? Did Joe Foss do that when he made speeches in the Legislature? Did Abraham Lincoln do that when he debated Stephen Douglas? Did Pericles crack up the Ecclesia with ribald remarks on his fellow Athenians sexual practices? In what good old day, John, would your public sex joke have been appropriate?
Even if we can identify some good old day when such vulgarity was appropriate, the press has covered other male county officials who have learned the hard way that the freewheeling sex-joke days that they think once existed have long since passed. How does one miss that pretty public memo that using one’s public office to joke about sex is not appropriate?
I don’t think Commissioner John Schiefelbein is that stupid. I think he knew from whatever news he watches that sexual harassment is not the right thing to do. And he did it anyway, just to show what kind of a man he is.
And if that’s the case, well, Mr. Back-to-the-Camera, Mission Accomplished.
Haha! Funny! Except you are an old angry white male caught with pants down, in an unaccountable elected position of power in a red neck state. “In this day and age, we’re so sensitive. Years ago nothing would be said, but we’re living in a different world….”
Years ago you beat up people with long hair. ect ect
Accountability means, for example, paying for the cost (trillions) of climate denial Exxon foisted on the world. Apologies don’t come with “but….”
Debbo
2019-08-09 20:27
Of course he’s not sorry. Of course he’s angry that he was expected to act as an adult. What a jackass.
Certain Inflatable Recreational Devices
2019-08-09 21:00
What we’re witnessing is the transformation of a time when some crap can be tolerated to a time when it simply ien’t.
Gone are the days when a person stopped for doing 80 on I-90 will be advised to “get a room in Oacoma” rather than being arrested for DUI, despite the presence (known to the HP trooper) of a 12-pack of empties on the floor of the passenger side. Yes, this happened to me, in about 1985.
Soon, gone will be the days when city council and county commission members will be able to toss off inappropriate jokes about female hysteria.
grudznick
2019-08-09 22:31
Bob, I think I was following you that trip and they didn’t stop me, which is good because I had all the good luggage in my trunk and the girls were riding in my car because it was nicer. I was glad to have you running interference that night. It was early in our honeymoon period.
Porter Lansing
2019-08-09 22:40
A pig is a pig. Grudznick’s God let’s him determine who’s a sinner and who’s not. That’s not what the Christian God wants.
-from Dakota War College
grudznick
August 8, 2019 at 9:31 pm
Please note that Ms. Geelsdottir is a purported woman of god, living a lifestyle of sin.
~ What church do you go to, grudz? Manure Pit of the Self Consumed Swine?
grudznick
2019-08-09 22:47
I do enjoy that my bloggings sink in with you late at night, Mr. Lansing as you cuddle your remaining goats. The Christian god drowned in a bowl of cereal, Bob and I agree on this. And yes, grudznick gets to determine. Kind of like Messrs. Howie and Haugaard think they get to, only grudznick is not insaner than most.
Debbo
2019-08-09 23:22
Porter, you and the rest of DFP knows I don’t read the lonely, mean and hateful old man who calls himself grudznick due to shame. I decided to see what he was being a pig about. Can you imagine my laughter to read that my ignoring him led to a complete and total “goat getting” as he’s even surrendered goats to me on a blog I don’t frequent. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 It’s just too funny! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 🤣
The pleasure has been all mine and since it is so thoroughly enjoyable, I shall return to skipping his comments. It really is so much fun. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ryan
2019-08-10 08:03
I dont think anybody should touch anybody else without permission. I also don’t think anybody should talk about other people in sexual or vulgar ways unless they know that person is comfortable with such talk. But this seems a bit like commotion over nothing. If he literally just said the word sex and everyone is acting like he’s a friggin sexual deviant, this hyper p.c. culture is off the rails.
Sexual harassment? Really? Just saying the word sex in public is now harassment? Pssshhhhhh. Pretty weak.
Porter Lansing
2019-08-10 08:37
Good morning, Ryan. Hoping you had a pleasant summer. It’s about over, where I live. The big ‘ol honey locust tree over my deck is starting to turn gold. What’s on your mind, these days. What’s important in Ryan World? Immigration? Healthcare? Guns? Local politics? Any thoughts on this fine Saturday?
Ryan, the commissioner didn’t just say the word “sex” in public.
For example, if the commission were discussing law enforcement efforts on human trafficking, and a commissioner said, “The county needs to take more action against men who force women into the sex trade,” or if the county nurse talked about holding workshops on “the health risks of unprotected sex,” that’s not harassment, that’s just policy discussion of sensitive issues.
Schiefelbein wasn’t discussing policy. He was making a snide comment pertaining to the private sexual activity of another commissioner, a fellow elected official. He was, to use your words, talking about other people in a sexual or vulgar way. Even if the other commissioner was comfortable with that talk, the comment was made in a roomful of commissioners and members of the public. Even if the two commissioners are pals and joke about each other’s sex lives often, those jokes don’t belong in a public meeting, in the courthouse, or in any workplace.
Ryan
2019-08-11 00:52
Hi porter. Things sound fantastic on your end, happy to hear it. I did have a pleasant summer so far, thanks. Only got to fish a couple times, but life in Ryan World is very busy, in an exhausting but fulfilling way. I have a lot on my mind these days, but not much you’d be interested in, I’m sure. All very subjective. Odd series of unsolicited questions, but since you asked: 1) the most important aspect of Ryan World is family. 2) the issue of immigration is a huge problem in this country, and not because people are immigrating here, but because of our embarrassing response to it lately. America is not as fragile as many republicans seem to think – or pretend to think when it suits their cause – so I think we should welcome all non-hostile folks with open arms. The “system” can handle it and our communities are better for it. 3) universal healthcare for all would immediately relieve one of the top 3 stressors in most people’s lives. I’m 100% for it and fine to help foot the bill, and that’s coming from someone who has been fortunate enough not to need really any medical attention for several decades, so I’d definitely be supporting others more than benefiting personally, at least so far. 4) I own two guns. One purchased to kill deer and one inherited. They’re cool cuz bolt action rifles are just fun and the 270 kicks like a mofo, but I’m sorta indifferent honestly. Haven’t fired either one in 10 years at least. It’s heartbreaking when I see these recent mass shootings you’re probably alluding to, but I’m a dad and a sentimental guy anyway. The news talks about a lot of death unrelated to guns, too, and some of those stories get to me just as much. I wish I had an answer, but something has to change. We could ban all guns tomorrow but there’s a billion in the US already. Probably closer to 2 billion. That’s crazy. We could do better background checks but these nuts keep passing them and most own their guns legally. I really am stumped. 5) statewide I think our AG is embarrassingly unqualified, our governor is staggering unintelligent, and many of our legislators are good people trying to do good things but are stymied by close-minded fools who I frankly can’t believe are allowed
to make any important decisions. As for the political situation in my own burg, no strong opinions to report.
Ryan
2019-08-11 01:04
Cory, I admit I misread part of the quote, or rather misunderstood identities. I thought the guy who said sex was answering the question about himself as a joke answer to why he might need a body cam. It is 25% more inappropriate because he was answering about somebody else. That misunderstanding is why I scoffed at it being harrassment. Still doesn’t seem like anything worth more than a unamused groan from those in attendance.
Understandable, Ryan: KELO’s reporting of the commissioners’ Friday-morning recap of what was actually said on Tuesday isn’t perfectly clear. We don’t have the actual Tuesday incident on tape… which makes me think maybe commissioners should all wear body cams.
But a groan isn’t enough. This isn’t just a stand-up routine where performers try out jokes, shrug off the bombs, and work on new material. This is a public meeting of elected officials who need to understand the rules of conduct. The commission properly reconvened in public session to teach Schiefelbein a much-needed lesson.
Haha! Funny! Except you are an old angry white male caught with pants down, in an unaccountable elected position of power in a red neck state. “In this day and age, we’re so sensitive. Years ago nothing would be said, but we’re living in a different world….”
Years ago you beat up people with long hair. ect ect
Accountability means, for example, paying for the cost (trillions) of climate denial Exxon foisted on the world. Apologies don’t come with “but….”
Of course he’s not sorry. Of course he’s angry that he was expected to act as an adult. What a jackass.
What we’re witnessing is the transformation of a time when some crap can be tolerated to a time when it simply ien’t.
Gone are the days when a person stopped for doing 80 on I-90 will be advised to “get a room in Oacoma” rather than being arrested for DUI, despite the presence (known to the HP trooper) of a 12-pack of empties on the floor of the passenger side. Yes, this happened to me, in about 1985.
Soon, gone will be the days when city council and county commission members will be able to toss off inappropriate jokes about female hysteria.
Bob, I think I was following you that trip and they didn’t stop me, which is good because I had all the good luggage in my trunk and the girls were riding in my car because it was nicer. I was glad to have you running interference that night. It was early in our honeymoon period.
A pig is a pig. Grudznick’s God let’s him determine who’s a sinner and who’s not. That’s not what the Christian God wants.
-from Dakota War College
grudznick
August 8, 2019 at 9:31 pm
Please note that Ms. Geelsdottir is a purported woman of god, living a lifestyle of sin.
~ What church do you go to, grudz? Manure Pit of the Self Consumed Swine?
I do enjoy that my bloggings sink in with you late at night, Mr. Lansing as you cuddle your remaining goats. The Christian god drowned in a bowl of cereal, Bob and I agree on this. And yes, grudznick gets to determine. Kind of like Messrs. Howie and Haugaard think they get to, only grudznick is not insaner than most.
Porter, you and the rest of DFP knows I don’t read the lonely, mean and hateful old man who calls himself grudznick due to shame. I decided to see what he was being a pig about. Can you imagine my laughter to read that my ignoring him led to a complete and total “goat getting” as he’s even surrendered goats to me on a blog I don’t frequent. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 It’s just too funny! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 🤣
The pleasure has been all mine and since it is so thoroughly enjoyable, I shall return to skipping his comments. It really is so much fun. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I dont think anybody should touch anybody else without permission. I also don’t think anybody should talk about other people in sexual or vulgar ways unless they know that person is comfortable with such talk. But this seems a bit like commotion over nothing. If he literally just said the word sex and everyone is acting like he’s a friggin sexual deviant, this hyper p.c. culture is off the rails.
Sexual harassment? Really? Just saying the word sex in public is now harassment? Pssshhhhhh. Pretty weak.
Good morning, Ryan. Hoping you had a pleasant summer. It’s about over, where I live. The big ‘ol honey locust tree over my deck is starting to turn gold. What’s on your mind, these days. What’s important in Ryan World? Immigration? Healthcare? Guns? Local politics? Any thoughts on this fine Saturday?
Ryan, the commissioner didn’t just say the word “sex” in public.
For example, if the commission were discussing law enforcement efforts on human trafficking, and a commissioner said, “The county needs to take more action against men who force women into the sex trade,” or if the county nurse talked about holding workshops on “the health risks of unprotected sex,” that’s not harassment, that’s just policy discussion of sensitive issues.
Schiefelbein wasn’t discussing policy. He was making a snide comment pertaining to the private sexual activity of another commissioner, a fellow elected official. He was, to use your words, talking about other people in a sexual or vulgar way. Even if the other commissioner was comfortable with that talk, the comment was made in a roomful of commissioners and members of the public. Even if the two commissioners are pals and joke about each other’s sex lives often, those jokes don’t belong in a public meeting, in the courthouse, or in any workplace.
Hi porter. Things sound fantastic on your end, happy to hear it. I did have a pleasant summer so far, thanks. Only got to fish a couple times, but life in Ryan World is very busy, in an exhausting but fulfilling way. I have a lot on my mind these days, but not much you’d be interested in, I’m sure. All very subjective. Odd series of unsolicited questions, but since you asked: 1) the most important aspect of Ryan World is family. 2) the issue of immigration is a huge problem in this country, and not because people are immigrating here, but because of our embarrassing response to it lately. America is not as fragile as many republicans seem to think – or pretend to think when it suits their cause – so I think we should welcome all non-hostile folks with open arms. The “system” can handle it and our communities are better for it. 3) universal healthcare for all would immediately relieve one of the top 3 stressors in most people’s lives. I’m 100% for it and fine to help foot the bill, and that’s coming from someone who has been fortunate enough not to need really any medical attention for several decades, so I’d definitely be supporting others more than benefiting personally, at least so far. 4) I own two guns. One purchased to kill deer and one inherited. They’re cool cuz bolt action rifles are just fun and the 270 kicks like a mofo, but I’m sorta indifferent honestly. Haven’t fired either one in 10 years at least. It’s heartbreaking when I see these recent mass shootings you’re probably alluding to, but I’m a dad and a sentimental guy anyway. The news talks about a lot of death unrelated to guns, too, and some of those stories get to me just as much. I wish I had an answer, but something has to change. We could ban all guns tomorrow but there’s a billion in the US already. Probably closer to 2 billion. That’s crazy. We could do better background checks but these nuts keep passing them and most own their guns legally. I really am stumped. 5) statewide I think our AG is embarrassingly unqualified, our governor is staggering unintelligent, and many of our legislators are good people trying to do good things but are stymied by close-minded fools who I frankly can’t believe are allowed
to make any important decisions. As for the political situation in my own burg, no strong opinions to report.
Cory, I admit I misread part of the quote, or rather misunderstood identities. I thought the guy who said sex was answering the question about himself as a joke answer to why he might need a body cam. It is 25% more inappropriate because he was answering about somebody else. That misunderstanding is why I scoffed at it being harrassment. Still doesn’t seem like anything worth more than a unamused groan from those in attendance.
Understandable, Ryan: KELO’s reporting of the commissioners’ Friday-morning recap of what was actually said on Tuesday isn’t perfectly clear. We don’t have the actual Tuesday incident on tape… which makes me think maybe commissioners should all wear body cams.
But a groan isn’t enough. This isn’t just a stand-up routine where performers try out jokes, shrug off the bombs, and work on new material. This is a public meeting of elected officials who need to understand the rules of conduct. The commission properly reconvened in public session to teach Schiefelbein a much-needed lesson.
By the way, Schiefelbein’s a Democrat; Veldkamp’s a Republican. We have here a Republican teaching a Democrat about sexual harassment.