Thune: Thankful for Bravery of Vaccine Volunteers  

Thune: Thankful for Bravery of Vaccine Volunteers  

“There have been a lot of quiet heroes this year, Mr. President. And the people who volunteered for vaccine trials should be high on the list.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the ongoing negotiations in Congress on an additional COVID-19 relief package and expressed the urgent need for relief for the American people. Thune also thanked the COVID-19 vaccine trial volunteers who have bravely put themselves on the line for the sake of this country and recognized the many other quiet heroes who have kept the country running throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rep-Elect Taylor Rehfeldt gets her first COVID-19 Vaccination live

Republican Representative-elect Taylor Rehfeldt was live on facebook today at Sanford Medical receiving her first COVID-19 vaccination, and broadcast it to show that it’s no big deal, and perfectly safe when the vaccinations become available to the general public.

(In case you’re wondering, Taylor is a Nurse Anesthetist, so she’s on the front-line of health care in South Dakota). From Facebook:

Release: AG RAVNSBORG JOINS SECOND MULTISTATE LAWSUIT AGAINST GOOGLE

AG RAVNSBORG JOINS SECOND MULTISTATE LAWSUIT AGAINST GOOGLE

PIERRE, S.D. —  Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg today joined with 37 other attorneys general in a bipartisan coalition suing Google LLC for anticompetitive conduct in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act.

The states allege that Google illegally maintains its monopoly power over general search engines and related advertising markets through a series of anticompetitive exclusionary contracts and conduct. As a result, Google has deprived consumers of competition that could lead to greater choice, innovation, and better privacy protections. Furthermore, Google has exploited its market position to accumulate and leverage data to the detriment of consumers.

“After more than a year of investigation, and distinct from yesterday’s announcement, this suit takes direct aim at Google’s anticompetitive conduct and behavior,” said Ravnsborg. “South Dakotans deserve a free and competitive marketplace, Google has not provided that.”

The states’ complaint is consistent with the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on October 20, which alleged that Google improperly maintains its monopoly power in general search and search advertising through the use of exclusionary agreements.

But the state’s filing asserts additional allegations and describes Google’s monopoly maintenance scheme as a multi-part effort. The lawsuit alleges that Google:

  • Uses exclusionary agreements and other practices to limit the ability of rival general search engines and potential rivals to reach consumers. This conduct cements Google as the go-to search engine on computers and mobile
  • Disadvantages users of its search-advertising management tool, SA360, by promising that it would not favor Google search advertising over that of competing search engines such as Bing. Instead, Google continuously favors advertising on its own platform, inflating its profits to the detriment of advertisers and
  • Discriminates against specialized search sites – such as those that provide travel, home repair, or entertainment services – by depriving them access to prime real estate because these competing sites threaten Google’s revenue and dominant

The attorneys general argue that more competition in the general search engine market would benefit consumers, for example, through improved privacy protections and more targeted results and opportunities for consumers. Competitive general search engines also could offer better quality advertising and lower prices to advertisers.

The attorneys general expand on the U.S. DOJ’s allegation that Google’s anticompetitive conduct continues. As explained in the complaint, the company seeks to deploy the same exclusionary contracting tactics to monopolize the emerging ways consumers access general search engines, such as through their home smart speakers, televisions, or in their cars. In so doing, Google is depriving consumers of competitive choices and blocking innovation.

The states also go further than the U.S. DOJ in explaining how Google’s acquisition and command of vast amounts of data – obtained in increasing part because of consumers’ lack of choice – has fortified Google’s monopoly and created significant barriers for potential competitors and innovators.

The attorneys general ask the court to halt Google’s illegal conduct and restore a competitive marketplace. The states also seek to unwind any advantages that Google gained as a result of its anticompetitive conduct, including divestiture of assets as appropriate. Finally, the court is asked to provide any additional relief it determines appropriate, as well as reasonable fees and costs to the states.

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in conjunction with a Motion to Consolidate seeking to combine the states’ case with the pending U.S. DOJ case.

The states’ investigation was led by an executive committee made up of the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah. The executive committee is joined by South Dakota, as well as the attorneys general of Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico.

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Release: AG RAVNSBORG AND 10 STATES FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST GOOGLE FOR ANTICOMPETITIVE PRACTICES AND DECEPTIVE MISREPRESENTATIONS

AG RAVNSBORG AND 10 STATES FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST GOOGLE FOR ANTICOMPETITIVE PRACTICES AND DECEPTIVE MISREPRESENTATIONS

PIERRE, S.D. — Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg announced today that the State of South Dakota has joined a multistate coalition of 10 states in a lawsuit against Google for multiple violations of Federal and State Antitrust Laws, including anticompetitive conduct, exclusionary practices, and deceptive misrepresentations in connection with its role in the multibillion-dollar online display advertising industry. Google’s monopolization of online display advertising includes an anticompetitive agreement with Facebook, misrepresenting customers, suppressing competition and harming consumers in violation of antitrust and consumer protection laws.

The internet has revolutionized the way people consume content. This has also changed the type of ads that companies can buy to reach consumers, including online display ads. In addition to representing both the buyers and the sellers of online display advertising, Google competes directly against the   buyers and sellers they separately represent, all while operating the largest exchange of these products. Google’s exchange results in billions of ad impressions every day.

“Unfair trade practices can impact South Dakotans even when they don’t realize they are the target,” said Ravnsborg. “As attorney general I utilize my consumer protection division to watch out for the well-being of our citizens, and this case allows us to shine a light on these unfair, deceptive, and damaging business actions.”

Today’s lawsuit alleges that Google monopolized, or attempted to monopolize, products and services used by advertisers and publishers in online display advertising. The complaint also alleges that Google engaged in false, misleading and deceptive acts while selling, buying and auctioning online display ads. These anticompetitive and deceptive practices demonstrably harmed publisher’s ability to monetize content, increased advertiser’s costs to advertise and directly harmed consumers.

Please click here to read the lawsuit.

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Possible dark money group promoting 2023 legislative redistricting… right after 2021 legislative redistricting.

Not every proposed ballot measure ends up being on the ballot.  And that’s probably a good thing because a lot of bad ideas end up getting filtering out, such as a recent ballot measure which wanted to legalize everything from prostitution to pipe bombs.

The most recent proposal is a ballot measure which was thrown in front of the Legislative Research Council for review from a group calling themselves “Drawn Together.”

2022CAKnudsonHeidepriemBrownRedistrictingLRCcomments by Pat Powers on Scribd

I had to do a double take, as “Drawn Together” was an adult cartoon on Comedy Central with a lot of sexual themes/taboo subject matter, as you can review yourself per Wikipedia.   Might not be the name I’d pick for a ballot measure committee, but to each his or her own.

According to the letter and the attached ballot measure language,  the non-cartoon “Drawn Together” group proposes redoing legislative districts right away in 2023, right after the legislature finishes doing them in 2021. Why? If I were a guessing person it would be because Democrats want a do-over, and know they can’t get anyone elected the normal way, and they believe redrawing the lines will magically change their fortunes.

Which it wont.

As you can read above, as noted by the LRC, the measure chases after after state legislative seats while utterly ignoring how congressional districts are drawn, or might be in the future. Which is where drawing weird district lines can actually be cited with examples.

Anyway.

One thing I did notice when trying to dig into this organization – aside from the name-alike cartoon – while the group has a website, a facebook page that’s been in place for 10-12 months, and appears to maybe paying an attorney (at least there’s that appearance according to the LRC letter), I cannot find a statement of organization, or any campaign finance filings with the Secretary of State under their name of “Drawn Together SD.”  In addition, there does not appear to be the proper disclaimer under law for a ballot committee.

So this group that’s been around since last January, and does not appear to be providing organizational disclosure through the state, campaign finance disclosure through the state, or using state required disclaimers for a political or ballot committee organization.

Yet they want to re-write the state constitution where it comes to how we draw legislative districts.

That being said, and without actually saying “Paid for by X group,” I do note that the ballot group shares an address with the South Dakota League of Women Voters, and kind-of/sort-of alludes to the fact that they’re behind the whole thing.

Which if that’s the case, and they’re operating it under their 501(c)(4) political umbrella, it leaves me to ask why is the League of Women Voters acting as a dark money group to push a ballot measure in South Dakota. And who is footing the bill?

Maybe a question that everyone else should start asking as well.

Americans for Prosperity Announces 2021 Legislative Agenda: South Dakota’s Pathway to Prosperity

Americans for Prosperity Announces 2021 Legislative Agenda: South Dakota’s Pathway to Prosperity

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Americans for Prosperity-South Dakota (AFP-SD) today announced their 2021 legislative agenda: South Dakota’s Pathway to Prosperity. AFP-SD will advocate for legislation in three key policy areas that will make South Dakota a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Click here to see AFP-SD’s 2021 Legislative Agenda

AFP-SD State Director Don Haggar issued the following statement:

“We are excited to launch our 2021 legislative agenda to help drive long-term solutions to South Dakota’s greatest challenges. During this year’s legislative session, we hope to make important strides in reforming our criminal justice system, expanding educational opportunities for students, and reducing burdensome licensing requirements preventing South Dakotans from reaching their full potential. We stand ready to work with anyone to take our state to the next level and improve lives across the Mount Rushmore state.”

AFP-SD’s Pathway to Prosperity Focuses on Three Policy Areas:

  1. Removing Barriers to Opportunity
  2. Improving Education for ALL Students
  3. Reforming our Criminal Justice System

For further information or an interview, reach Victoria Garcia at [email protected]

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org

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Former State Senator Lynne DiSanto now offering life coaching services. Really.

From Facebook, former State Senator Lynne/Lyndi/Lyn DiSanto is announcing that she’s taking on clients as she hangs out her shingle to provide …private life coaching services:

Most of you probably don’t know this about me, but my education is as a therapist (counselor) and I’ve worked on the side for many years providing private life coaching, with mostly women. I have am starting this new year with THREE SPOTS available, (im usually full) and figured I’d use this page to let people know about them.

and..

**A message for the haters: if you believe my children from different fathers, divorces, or family conflict is a reason people shouldn’t want to life coach with me…let me explain something. My life, the ups and downs are why I am effective. My struggles help me to help others, not the opposite. I wear my scars with honor, not shame.

(From Lyn Seeks Truth, Facebook December 8th)

Read that here.

… um. ok.  I’m not sure what a reasonable person can say, or how to react to that news gem.

Aside from that I don’t think people are probably critical because of her struggles.  They’re more likely critical because she’s exhibited traits and behavior that make her appear to be an awful human being.

(See arrest for false assault accusations, encouraging conspiracy theories in a child’s disappearance, earning a no trespassing order in conjunction with cyberbullying a person, and that’s just the past year or two. I’m not even close to her “all lives splatter controversy” and wanting government to drug test people for being poor, elderly or disabled.)

According to Tony Robbins, “A life coach is someone professionally trained to help you maximize your full potential and reach your desired results.”

I can’t imagine what potential someone is seeking if they’re getting counseling from DiSanto to achieve desired results. Unless her entire program is “don’t do this” by her own example.

Then she might actually have a valuable life lesson to impart.

Thune: Senate Republicans Continue to Fight for Additional Relief Funding as First Batch of COVID-19 Vaccines are Distributed

 

Thune: Senate Republicans Continue to Fight for Additional Relief Funding as First Batch of COVID-19 Vaccines are Distributed

“We can pass additional relief legislation this week. In the words of the majority leader, let’s get this done.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune’s speech.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the recent distribution of the first COVID-19 vaccines and celebrated that 100 million Americans are expected to be vaccinated by March 2021. Thune highlighted the significant progress that has been made, but he noted that Congress’s work toward providing additional COVID-19 relief is not over. He encouraged his Democrat colleagues to join Republicans to pass a bipartisan relief bill for the American people before Christmas.