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Coronavirus Proclamation Worth Defying: Another Kristi Noem Day of Prayer

You can tell a leader is running out of ideas when she tells everyone to pray:

[Governor Kristi] Noem also proclaimed Wednesday a day of prayer, noting this week’s significance for Christian and Jewish faiths.

“Another weapon that we have, that many of us during this week of Holy Week rely on, is the power of prayer,” she said [Stephen Groves, “Noem: Stronger Orders Necessary to Delay Hospital Surge,” AP, 2020.04.07].

Kristi Noem poping
Not your job, Kristi.

I tire of Kristi pretending that she is a pastor, first because didn’t elect her to be a pastor, and second because she’s worse at pastoring than she is at governing.

First, as I’ve had to say to sloppy South Dakota theocrats many times, elected officials have no right to use their public positions to promote any particular religion. Quite the opposite: in representing all the people, not just the Christians and Jews, elected leaders have an obligation to remain publicly neutral, if not absolutely mute, about religion. They must not affirm belief or disbelief. Any statement to the contrary improperly gives a place of privilege to the elected officials’ clique of believers and excludes citizens of differing beliefs.

Such exclusion is all the more inappropriate during a pandemic. Beating coronavirus requires solidarity. Declaring another Day of Prayer creates another instance in which the Governor parades her own particular get-me-into-Heaven piety while nonbelievers and theists who find public displays of piety on the sidelines, unable to participate meaningfully or with integrity in a public activity proclaimed by the Governor.

Second, prayer is not a weapon. Those who engage in prayer should not mistake it for a sword they can wield against anything. Prayer does not damage or destroy, and prayer spoken or thought to do so is not prayer. Prayer is not something believers do; prayer is something God does in believers.

Governor Noem proclaims that “it is fitting and proper at this time to urge all South Dakotans to join together to pray….” No, Kristi, it is never proper for a governor, a mayor, or any other democratically elected official to urge every citizen to pray. It is never proper for you, as an elected official, to use your elected position to urge citizens whom you know do not share your faith to act as if they did. It is proper for you and every other elected official to focus on implementing public policies that include and serve all citizens and make a practical difference in fighting the coronavirus.

21 Comments

  1. Buckobear 2020-04-08 09:30

    I’ve noticed that every pic of kristi that appears in the local Rapid City fish wrapper (except for her “official”pic) shows her with a look of abject panic and confusion in her eyes. A classic “deer in the headlights” portrait.

  2. Donald Pay 2020-04-08 09:33

    Cory says: “Second, prayer is not a weapon. Those who engage in prayer should not mistake it for a sword they can wield against anything. Prayer does not damage or destroy, and prayer spoken or thought to do so is not prayer. Prayer is not something believers do; prayer is something God does in believers.”

    Well, God damn. And here I got up Wednesday and wished for the death of Republican misleaders from the highest to the lowest. How many people will die because Republicans refuse to allow a sane way during the coronavirus outbreak to vote? Trump, of course, in a hypocritical rant tells us he hates mail-in absentee ballots because they are subject to fraud. Oh, by the way, Trump just voted in the Florida primary BY MAIL-IN BALLOT. Yes, I pray for Republican leaders’ utter destruction and death, I don’t care what Cory says.

  3. Ann Dvorak 2020-04-08 10:38

    It is too bad that Cory Heidelberger took the time to take exception to our Governor’s call to prayer. Statistically, scientifically, objectively, prayer changes things–look it up. Calling upon God to help in a time of crisis is a good thing. Governor Noem did not say how to pray or to suggest punishing those who do not pray, but she is acknowledging that this pandemic and these circumstances are beyond any of us–and certainly beyond the attempts of the government to figure it out on their own. Instead of criticizing, I invite you to take the essence of this declaration of a day of prayer to heart: reach out to God as you know Him, find common ground with others (even those you disagree with politically or religiously), and fight fear with faith.

  4. Loren 2020-04-08 10:54

    If I’m not mistaken, did not Kristi want us to pray for rain? Or was it to get the rain to stop. Well, which ever it was, IT WORKED. The rain either started or stopped. I can’t remember which. In the mean time, does anyone else have a suggestion? :-)

  5. dave 2020-04-08 11:19

    why does Kristi tag the white house in her tweets for south dakotans? what is she jonesing for?

  6. Cory Allen Heidelberger Post author | 2020-04-08 12:37

    It is too bad, much more bad, Ann, that the Governor made a religious statement but did not take time to spotlight how Muslims, atheists, and others not of her religious persuasion could be equal partners in a statewide day of… of what? contemplation? meditation? why not stick with practical action?

    The pandemic is not beyond any of us. There are plenty of practical things we can do to respond to it. If there are elements of the pandemic that are beyond public policy, the Governor should waste no time discussing them. Let the pastors and imams handle the spiritual care for their parochial flocks, and let the Governor focus on leading everyone, without religious privileging.

  7. mike from iowa 2020-04-08 12:56

    If you, as alleged governor, have to waste your time praying to an alleged supreme being not named drumpf, it is patently obvious she is clewless and unfit for the job. That is not being a leader. It is a clewless fool looking to place blame on someone else for her failings.

  8. jerry 2020-04-08 13:37

    dave, Secretary of the Navy slot is open for a dimwit like GNOem, she can then kibbitz with Heather Wilson, another loser. Maybe that is what she is signaling an, SOS (same old $#: ), to the other liar in chief.

  9. Donald Pay 2020-04-08 13:42

    I agree with Cory in this disagreement with Ann. My Jewish friends are about ready to begin Passover, but they are changing things up a bit to make sure the “11th plague” passes them by. Generally, it is a time of large family gatherings, but that will be for next year. There is a lot we can do, mostly by keeping to our own houses. Pray there, if you wish. I know I’ll be praying that the Easter Bunny comes. But you don’t need political leaders to lead you in prayer.

  10. jerry 2020-04-08 13:44

    Where the hell is that check we were all praying for? Is it just me, or did someone forget to mail those rascals out.

  11. jerry 2020-04-08 14:00

    By copying to trump, GNOem is signaling she is all in on the fraud of not accurate test results or no testing, just to open the economy up sooner than safely. This isn’t about the health of the citizens, it’s all about the benjamins.

    “Three months into the coronavirus epidemic, the Trump administration has yet to devise a national strategy to test Americans for the deadly disease — something experts say is key to blunting the outbreak and resuming daily life.

    In the absence of a national plan, several states are developing their own testing systems, but the emerging picture varies widely. States with more money and robust medical sectors have devised comprehensive plans, while others lag far behind.

    The White House, meanwhile, is still debating which types of tests should be sent to which regions and how much to focus on testing Americans to see who may have developed immunity to the disease.” Washington Post 4.8.2020

    Guess which one we are. No amount of praying is gonna do anything when there is so much preying by the crooks and liars.

  12. Jason 2020-04-08 16:18

    Jerry:
    Don’t expect those checks to arrive anytime soon. We live in a failing state. Our social safety net is in shreds. Neither party gives a care about regular folks. I am waiting for Pelosi and Schumer to offer up another stimulus plan that actually helps ordinary people.

  13. jerry 2020-04-08 18:16

    Even if Pelosi and Schumer offer one up, Moscow Mitch already said it would be to much. He did so without even seeing anything. As you know, there is no plan.

    “This week, there were technical glitches with the system amid the flurry of demand. Some banks are still awaiting guidance from the Treasury on promissory notes clarifying the terms under which the loans are valid, a person familiar with the situation told CNBC. The Treasury did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Still, some banks viewed the announcement of more funds positively, believing it would reassure small business owners that the system would have enough money to cash their checks, even as it works through the technical issues, that person said.

    Nonetheless, initial challenges may be a point of debate in any proposal to add to the program.

    A spokesperson for Sen. Chuck Schumer said in a statement to CNBC, “Senator Schumer has not heard from Senator McConnell, and [the small business committee’s ranking member] Senator Ben Cardin D-Md has not heard from Senator Rubio.”

    Sens. Cardin, Schumer and others issued a release Tuesday urging that a portion of the small business lending program be reserved for companies without relationships to banks. In an effort to expedite the process of delivering loans, some banks have hoped they can prioritize those with whom they have existing relationships.

    But Schumer and other Democratic senators warned that some companies may get left behind.

    “Without proactive and sustained outreach, we can expect that underserved communities will be disproportionately harmed – just as they were during the Great Recession when minority business enterprises suffered a precipitous decline in the proportion of SBA-backed loan approvals,” they said.” https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/07/coronavirus-senate-could-push-through-more-small-business-aid-within-days-rubio-says.html

    The Democrats have pushed and pushed for funding, but the republicans only want to put judges in place. So then when you go to declare bankruptcy, the judge can make it hard on you or deny it…without a pound of flesh.

  14. John 2020-04-08 20:18

    Perhaps this weekend our faux pastoral governor will partake of the common cup at Smithfield “foods”. Meanwhile the rest of us have to settle for a COVID pork chop. That ought to do well for Smithfield, the Sioux Falls, pork producers, and SD economy.

    Good thing the SD governor didn’t over-react to the pandemic. Rather, it’s hard to tell that she acted at all.

  15. John 2020-04-08 20:34

    Kristi’s not alone — meat packing virus spreaders are shutting down. Where’s the recalls? Sure, cooking will kill the virus — but handling the pre-cooked package and meat can still transmit the virus.
    https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/08/business/meat-plant-closures-coronavirus/index.html

    Big hat tip to these rightwing governors who under reacted and damaged their economy and ag sector. As if this was not foreseeable . . ..

    Enjoy your Easter ham and side of COVID19.

  16. grudznick 2020-04-08 21:25

    Mr. John, on any given Sunday one should take care with your sausages and eggs. If you don’t want to eat a heavy, gravy-laden brunch this coming Sunday, have them package up your share and have it delivered to me. grudznick will bring home your bacon.

  17. Donald Pay 2020-04-08 21:36

    Regarding the checks, you really think the grifter President is going to make good on that promise? I’m not counting on anything but pennies because Trump will drain money into his LLCs before he gets around to cutting us in on the crumbs.

  18. Debbo 2020-04-09 00:17

    I never could find the place in the Gospels where Jesus instructed his followers to use the government to promote their faith.

    Can anyone help me with that? Ann? Klueless Kristi? Anyone?

  19. Debbo 2020-04-09 14:22

    Today’s Strib has an article about Minnesota’s neighboring states of Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota, none of which have stay home orders. The online version of the article includes a less than flattering photo of Klueless Kristi. (Does she do her own makeup? It’s certainly on thick enough!)

    “According to data compiled by the New York Times, Minnesota has the lowest per capita number of coronavirus cases in the country, at 21 per 100,000 residents. By comparison, North Dakota has 33, Iowa has 37 and South Dakota has 45. Although far too few tests are available in each state for a fully accurate accounting, Minnesota’s aggressive actions are proportionally paying off.”
    is.gd/nZYWqf Paywall, but you may be able to see the photo.

    The issue is Dakotans and Iowans coming into Minnesota and contaminating us!

    Funny thing. ND has issued a rule that Minnesotans entering ND must self-quarantine for 14 days. Think Fargo and Grand Forks. I think Gov. Burgum is just feeling peevish because his GOP masters are being too bossy.

  20. Debbo 2020-04-14 14:36

    “Unqualified” is perhaps the kindest thing one can say about Drooling Dunce’s appointees.

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