From Twitter:
From Twitter:
You just have to wonder if some people just shouldn’t be allowed to go to the national convention..
Who’s the Real Republican? Casey Murschel Claps Back at Jon Hansen’s Gatekeeping
Supporting Freedom Amendment G is True GOP – SDSU Poll Shows 77% of Voters, Including 66% of Republicans, Say No to Forcing Rape Victims to Give Birth, Which is Current Law in SD
Sioux Falls, SD…Former Republican State Representative and chair of the newly formed Republicans for Freedom Amendment G, Casey Murschel, today released the following statement in reply to Representative Jon Hansen who charged in a statement emailed to South Dakota media yesterday that Murschel “might be registered ‘Republican’” but is “as much of a far left liberal as it gets.”
Statement by Casey Murschel:
“Right to Life official and State Legislator Jon Hansen says he represents all Republicans when he says South Dakota’s total abortion ban must stand and charges that I am not a real Republican.
Who put Jon Hansen in charge of deciding who is Republican enough? I don’t recall the voter registration form asking if Jon Hansen gave me permission to register as a Republican. I am not claiming to speak for all Republicans. Our intention as Republicans for Freedom Amendment G is to show how Freedom Amendment G is consistent with Republican support for smaller government and individual liberty. We reject the current ban and the extremist view that women who have been raped should be required by law to give birth. That is not the view of most real Republicans.
I and my group, Republicans for Freedom Amendment G, intend to prove that the numerous surveys showing large majorities of Republicans nationwide and here in South Dakota are against requiring a woman who has been raped to give birth, and are in favor of a more moderate Restore Roe approach, are accurate and reflect the real Republicanism in which I and they believe. We shall see, in the campaign on Freedom Amendment G, and in the election returns this November, which of us better understands and represents what South Dakota Republicans, and particularly Republican women, really want.”
SDSU December 2023 Poll on AbortionLibertarian Party of South Dakota Nominates Candidates and Affirms Ballot Issue Positions
PIERRE, S.D. – The Libertarian Party of South Dakota gathered for its annual convention Saturday in Pierre. The convention marked a significant moment for the party as they nominated several candidates and took official stances on November’s ballot issues.
Gideon Oakes of Keystone was nominated for the S.D. Public Utilities Commission, while Josh Dennert and Tamara Lesnar were nominated for District 1 House seats, and Greg Zimmerman for District 8 House.
“We are thrilled to nominate such dedicated individuals who embody our values of individual liberty and limited government,” said Tracey Quint-Isburg, State Chair of the Libertarian Party of South Dakota.
Oakes, 39, is a Keystone-area business owner and volunteer EMT who has worked in the technology and logistics sectors throughout much of his career. He and his wife, Mary, have three children.
He said his candidacy offers voters a better choice for an office he believes desperately needs a fresh perspective.
“The three current commissioners have a combined tenure of 48 years — almost half a century,” Oakes said. “I think most South Dakotans believe elected office should be a calling, not a career.”
Oakes further differentiated his candidacy by pointing out his Republican opponent’s history as an advisor to Xcel Energy immediately prior to being appointed to the PUC in 2011, as well as his Democratic opponent’s support of Biden Administration policies.
“The question voters get to decide is whether they want a commissioner that represents the utility industry, one that represents big government, or one that represents the people,” Oakes said.
Oakes said his top priorities as a PUC commissioner will be encouraging the security and redundancy of utility infrastructure components, continuing expansion of access to terrestrial broadband and being a staunch advocate for utility customers and landowners.
“South Dakotans are resilient. Our infrastructure should be as well,” Oakes said. “From day one, I will work with our utility providers to help ensure that we can always rely on critical services in the times we need them the most.”
In addition to nominating candidates, the LPSD also took official positions on several upcoming ballot measures, including voicing opposition to Amendment H, which would restructure South Dakota’s elections in a manner similar to California’s top-two primary system.
The party also took a stance supporting the repeal of SB 201, highlighting their continued opposition to eminent domain for private commercial gain. On the issue of recreational marijuana, the party declared its support for IM29, emphasizing personal freedom and the economic benefits of legalization.
“The LPSD remains committed to advancing policies that promote individual freedom and fiscal responsibility,” added Quint-Isburg. “We believe our positions reflect the values and priorities of South Dakotans who want a government that respects personal liberty.”
For more information on the Libertarian Party of South Dakota, please visit https://lpsouthdakota.org. Learn more about Gideon Oakes at https://electoakes.com.
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Merrick Garland’s Contempt for Congress
By Congressman Dusty Johnson
I joined Governor Noem for her Tribal Public Safety Crisis Summit on Monday for a conversation to find solutions to the violent crime crisis on Indian reservations. Local Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents were participating in the event but were told by Department of Justice (DOJ) officials that they could not be at the summit if I was present. Attorney General (AG) Merrick Garland’s Deputy gave this directive. Garland’s rules and regulations prevent FBI officials from having policy conversations with members of Congress outside the DOJ’s official briefing process. In obedience to their boss, these local FBI officials drove circles around the block and hid in the hallway until I left the building. This was absurd.
The purpose of Governor Noem’s summit was to bring federal, state, local, and tribal community leaders under one roof to discuss ways we can work together to ensure tribal law enforcement officers have the resources needed to stop violent crime and protect those living on reservations. Indian country is in a public safety crisis. Between 2022 and 2023, violent crime rates on the Cheyenne River Reservation increased 55%, while Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and Lower Brule Sioux Tribe both saw an increase of more than 30%. People are dying. The federal government is failing Indian country, and we must do better.
Throughout my time in Congress, I have been an advocate for more federal dollars to be allocated to tribal law enforcement agencies. I commend Governor Noem for organizing and hosting this summit and look forward to turning the tides towards safer communities on our Indian reservations. We need to work together to find solutions, but we can’t do that if we can’t all come to the table.
For some reason, the FBI agents could brief the Governor, local law enforcement, South Dakota’s Attorney General, tribes, and my own staff, but not a sitting member of Congress. Garland’s out-of-touch rules and regulations from bureaucrats prevent progress and innovation from happening at the local level. I sent a letter to AG Garland requesting an explanation for the FBI’s refusal to brief the room while I was there. We need addition and multiplication, not subtraction and division. Preventing myself or the FBI from being at the table simultaneously does a tremendous disservice to all who attended, those in Indian country, and the people of South Dakota.
AG Garland’s policies resulted in a ridiculous display on Monday. I hope his unreasonable DOJ policies are stripped soon, so we can keep our citizens safe.
Sitting in a hotel room in Boston, and just watched the debate. The local news had a college prof commentator on who immediately called Biden’s debate performance an “unmitigated disaster.”
In Massachusetts.. hard left Massachusetts.
Wow. This was not a good night for Biden.
The Shad Olson S**t Show looks like his court case will continue though at least August, as motions were granted in the case this week:
He is charged with domestic abuse aggravated assault/strangulation, for an incident in February of this year.
and..
The judge granted all motions heard including a motion of discovery for tangible evidence, a motion to disclose witnesses, a motion for expert testimony, and a motion for investigation.