Archive for December, 2008
“I’m kind of sorry, but blame the other guy” the latest episode in the soap opera that is Hot Springs politics
From the Dead Tree Edition of today’s Rapid City Journal:
Former Hot Springs Mayor Carl Oberlitner has written a letter to Hot Springs residents, apologizing for his part in a controversial golf course expansion project that divided the community.
Oberlitner was indicted by a Fall River County grand jury last May and charged with a Class 2 [...]
From the RCJ – Abortion donor identity suit back on
From the Rapid City Journal
The South Dakota Supreme Court has revived a state lawsuit that seeks to identify the secret donor who gave $750,000 to the failed 2006 effort to outlaw most abortions in the state.
and…
The Supreme Court says a trial should be held to determine if Hunt’s corporation meets the definition of a ballot [...]
Golden West dropping KSFY from Line up?
KSFY has been negotiating fees with several cable providers in the past few weeks, and Manning says the station has come to verbal or written agreements with every one except golden west. He says the other offers were more reasonable.
“Golden West has made offers that are substantially less than most of the market,” Manning said. [...]
Revolt of the RNC
In the face of rejection in 2008 at the presidential level, it sounds like the RNC is realizing that the party needs to get back to basic principles.
From the Washington Post:
Republican Party officials say they will try next month to pass a resolution accusing President Bush and congressional Republican leaders of embracing “socialism,” underscoring deep [...]
Are they paying for playing? Rapid City Journal doing series on it, but does that make it so?
So, are they paying for playing?
Are donors getting special favors from state government because of what they gave to whom?
Lee Breard seems to think so, as he’s continued his vendetta against state government after an election which found his ridiculous initiated measure 10 discarded at the ballot box. The Rapid City Journal seems to infer [...]
Is this developer’s ride coming to an ignoble end?
From the Rapid City Journal:
At least three banks have begun foreclosure actions in court against local businessman Doug Hamilton, claiming he defaulted on about $10 million in mortgages on numerous buildings, properties and mobile homes in and near Rapid City.
Court filings show Great Western Bank, Pioneer Bank & Trust and State Bank & Trust of [...]
Legislative Suggestion #1: Close the loophole in campaign finance with a “significant contributor” law.
I’m starting this feature as we approach session because… well, because it’s my soapbox, and I can do what I want.
As you might recall this past election, we had a major, major gap in South Dakota’s campaign finance laws exposed, and shamelessly ridden through like a pony by the South Dakota Conservative Action Council, who [...]
Jerstad to protect all against plumbers butt.
It’s good to see that one of our state senators has found a way to take her mind off of yelling at sex toy salespersons. The Argus Leader has the story today on how Sandy Jerstad is going to take on what sounds like “plumbers butt” at the state legislature:
State Sen. Sandy Jerstad, D-Sioux Falls, [...]
Shaking off the holiday cheer
If you didn’t notice – and you shouldn’t have, since you should have been ignoring the blogs and having family time – I took a few days off for Christmas. I did get the pre-requisite socks and underwear, and my wife spent more than I would have on a set of new speakers for my [...]
Merry Christmas from the SDWC!
As I sit here enjoying the fellowship of my family (and eyeing the leftovers from a standing rib roast). I wanted to wish you all Merry Christmas.
Whether you ackowledge the occasion as the celebration of the birth of Jesus or not, you have to admit that we wouldn’t be celebrating the season without him.
And just [...]
Why is a tax increase the end answer? No, you cut first, and then see where you sit.
First the Governor is talking about increasing property taxes. Now, Legislators are talking once again about increasing taxes? When will it ever end?
That panel balked at proposing a higher gas tax and endorsed bills to raise license plate fees and the excise tax when a vehicle is sold.
Democratic State Rep. Garry Moore of Yankton says [...]
An elected connection to Spearfish murder.
It goes to show you that you can’t choose your relatives:
The stepson of the Spearfish mayor is behind bars, charged with murder. Twenty-nine-year-old Shane Bell faces one count of first degree murder and another count of first degree attempted murder in the death of his girlfriend and her sister. Bell is the stepson of Spearfish mayor [...]
Prefiled bills on South Dakota’s new income tax, GF & P, and more.
Several pre-filed bills have found their way to the internet giving us a peek at what could become some of the contentious issues of the 2009 South Dakota Legislative session. A quick review:
Legislation on Game Fish & Parks kicks things off with a few measures filed by Legislators Betty Olson & Kent Juhnke at the [...]
He really didn’t say that, did he?
From Sibby Online:
Criminy – the Republican Party’s tent was big enough to cover a black man who endorsed and voted for a liberal Democrat, and the tent should be bigger? Sounds to me like the GOP has been too inclusive.
Er…..
(At this point, envision someone uncomfortably sidiling away from the utterer of an offensive, racially tainted [...]
Prepare for the change that is coming – Democrats maneuvering to install their own in the seats of power.
As we’ve been witnessing to a point in South Dakota where US Senator Tim Johnson’s son is applying for the US Attorney seat which is to be recommended by his dad, such empire and dynasty building isn’t an unusual phenomena that’s happening in Just South Dakota. As Democrats are coming back to the halls of [...]
Crazy days…… Posting will get better.
Aaaagh….
You may be noticing that posting has been light. It’s just been one of those weekends which has gone into this week. As the potheads…. er, legalization supporters went on the attack against me this AM (here and here), I just haven’t had time to ignore them sufficiently.
I’ve been trying to do the last minute [...]
SDMAC: Per Argus, Knudson is in.
SouthDakotaMac is reporting this AM that Dave Kranz’s column in the dead tree edition of the Argus has Dave Knudson announcing his intention of running for the GOP Nomination for Governor, as backed by former State Senator Barb Everist.
You know, I like Dave, and I like Barb. But I just don’t see this as the [...]
SDPB Year in Review recap. I wasn’t too bad, was I?
I’m rested and ready to blog again after my night in Vermillion serving as one of the panelists for South Dakota Public TV’s Focus Program “Year in Review.” And just like last year, it was a hoot.
For those of you concerned about the myth of human contribtions to global warming, I picked up Todd Epp [...]
A Christmas Wish for a young man – and a request of the SDWC Readers.
I’m as cynical as they come, but I was just made aware of a need that even touched my cold heart. And I’m hoping that the faithful readers of the SDWC might be able to help as well.
In the Brookings area there is a family who home schools their 5th grade boy. Unfortunately, this student [...]
Some perspective on Senator Johnson’s Dynasty Building
There was recently an interesting article on the Politico website which seems to cast some perspective on the impending “Johnson & Johnson” nomination of the next US Attorney, where Senator Tim Johnson’s son will be nominated for the position. In this article, it goes into depth on the political inbreeding and nepotism that represents Democratic [...]
