Author: @SoDakCampaigns

From the Lansing, Michigan newspaper, John Thune staffer Jon Lauck is getting some love this morning:

The center will host a free, public conference Thursday and Friday, bringing more than 30 presenters and 300 participants together to discuss the history, economy, culture and future of the nation’s geographical heart.

“The Midwest has been overlooked in scholarly studies and popular literature for a number of decades,” Whitney said. “There is a growing sense that the Midwest also has a rich history of innovation, producing statesmen, leaders and the values that helped define the United States and make it a great country.”

Whitney defines the Midwest as the area that ranges from the Rocky Mountains in the west to the Appalachian Mountains in the east and from the Ohio River north to Canada.

Among conference presenters is Jon Lauck, who is affiliated with the University of Iowa’s Public Policy Center and is an advisor to Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota. His books include: “The Lost Region: Toward a Revival of Midwestern History.” One reviewer called it “the definitive manifesto for a new midwestern historiography.”

‘He is leading a very small band of troubadors singing the praises of the Midwest,” Whitney said

Read it all here.

From Todd Epp at KSOO News comes his take on the latest Bosworthian wrinkle:

I’m calling to ask you to pray for our dear sister, Dr. Annette Bosworth,” the robo-call begins. “Annette is a woman of God who has used her medical training and skills to aid people in need in South Dakota and around the world.”

Waldron, who worked on former U.S. Congresswoman Bachmann’s short-lived 2012 campaign for the Republican Presidential nomination, filed two ethics complaints against the Minnesotan. Previously in 2006, Waldron was arrested on terrorism charges in Uganda and spent over a month in prison until intervention by the Bush administration.

Read it here.

On a personal note, is anyone interested in a GoPro Hero 3+ silver edition, that I’ve used probably twice in the last 8-12 months I’ve had it?

It’s pretty nifty and all, but it’s just ended up being one of those things that haven’t left my camera bag.  I’ve got everything with it, including a couple extra mounts, like the suction cup one.

If so, e-mail me privately. We can talk.

Rounds, Thune Call on USDA to Provide Immediate Assistance in Fight Against Avian Flu Virus 

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack, requesting assistance to contain the deadly H5N2 bird flu virus affecting poultry farms in South Dakota.

“While not harmful to humans, the bird flu virus has the potential to devastate the entire U.S. poultry industry,” said Rounds. “Already, more than 300,000 South Dakota turkeys have been destroyed. Agriculture is our number one economy in South Dakota, and our poultry farmers rely on exports to foreign markets. It’s important to combat the virus and keep foreign and domestic markets open to poultry products from South Dakota. I urge USDA to utilize its resources to contain this devastating virus.”

“The avian influenza virus could significantly damage the growers and processors of South Dakota’s 4.3 million turkeys as well as other poultry producers and egg-laying facilities. USDA needs to keep continued vigilance focused on containing the virus as well as assuring our trading partners that U.S. poultry products continue to be safe for human consumption,” said Thune.

Full text of the letter follows:

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April 28, 2015

 

The Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Vilsack,

As you are aware, six confirmed cases of the H5N2 bird flu have been found on South Dakota farms and as a result, more than 300,000 turkeys in the state have been destroyed. H5N2 poses no risk to humans or to public health, but due to the potential devastating effects the H5N2 could have on the entire U.S. poultry industry we strongly urge the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allocate all available personnel and resources to contain this deadly virus and to provide all assistance available to impacted states’ poultry industries.

Also, it is imperative that foreign export markets continue to be kept open, especially for turkey products. We strongly urge you to make certain that these markets remain open and that you redouble your efforts to ensure an uninterrupted flow of U.S. poultry products to foreign markets continues.

Agriculture is South Dakota’s number one industry and vital to South Dakota’s economy providing a $21.4 billion economic impact each year, directly or indirectly employing 122,000 South Dakotans, and generating 20 percent of the state’s economic activity.  South Dakota agriculture depends heavily on exports and the loss or reduction of foreign turkey product exports would be highly detrimental to that industry in our state.

As the USDA continues to take steps to contain this virus, please provide our offices with regular updates on the status of the outbreak and your efforts to contain and eradicate it.

Sincerely,

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So, how about that Democratic candidate for Congress that we were supposed to have a week or two ago?  Just like that new executive director for the Democrat party, we’re still waiting.