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I picked up my daughter from school at DSU yesterday. While on the way home, I heard constant tapping from her and meowing from her phone. So much so I had to ask her what on earth she was playing.

Her response? “PolitiCats.”

It’s one of those games that as evidenced, you have to tap on constantly to earn “votes,” as well as campaign cash.

You use the cash to purchase a higher level of voter support, as well as campaign staff, teamsters, and any number of other facets to the game, as you run elections ranging from class president to… well, actual president.

As one website notes about the addictive game…

Players will need to hire and maintain a campaign staff, with roles that range from intern to videographer, volunteers, and even “old cat ladies”. You can also sign endorsement deals with celebrity cats, advance a platform, and even unlock “legendary” cats like Garfield. With the game being in the ‘Clicker’ genre, players are simply tapping on the screen to have their avatar cat give its speech. As this is accomplished, players will see support and donations float up from the crowd, and the background change to indicate successful bids. Every so often, the cat is engaged in debate with a rival, and players must out tap the AI opponent, within a set amount of time.

Read that here.

It’s a mindless diversion, with a bit more insight into the political process than you might expect from a phone game you tap on to play.

And in the 2016 South Dakota election cycle, given the level of candidates that Democrats are bringing to bear, it might actually be more challenging than the real thing.

The game is available for both android and iPhones (I’m playing it on my iPad).

The officer involved shooting that recently took place in Aberdeen has been investigated and justified by the Attorney General’s office. And as part of the report, you’ll note that State Representative Dan Kaiser, a sergeant in the Aberdeen Police Department, was present at the incident and came upon the scene as he was assisting his fellow officer who had the suspect pinned on the ground, after the man attempted to commit “suicide by cop.”

Thankfully, none of the officers were injured seriously.

It’s a scary episode, and a good reminder of the risks that police officers face on our behalf on a daily basis. And why #BlueLivesMatter.

Here’s the release from the Attorney General’s office, and the report.

Attorney General’s Office Releases Officer Involved Shooting Summary

PIERRE, S.D – Attorney General Marty Jackley and the Division of Criminal Investigation today released the summary into the shooting of Ehkhu Poe on August 14, 2016, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation at the request of the Aberdeen Police Department.

The incident occurred on August 14, after a call to service near the intersection of S. Marshall St. and 4th Ave. SE in Aberdeen.

“It is my conclusion as Attorney General that Officer Ty Reinke was justified in firing his weapon and using lethal force. I would like to thank the Aberdeen Police Department and the Officer for their service and complete cooperation in this investigation,” stated Attorney General Jackley.

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AberdeenPDOISfin16 by Pat Powers on Scribd

This is real.

Thune Bill Would Address Shortcomings in the Veteran Suicide Crisis Line
“In their time of need, we need to be there to answer their call, too, which is why these reforms are so important.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act, legislation that seeks to address shortcomings in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) that were identified by the VA Inspector General (IG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The bill would improve the VCL, which can be a critical lifeline for veterans and their families, by developing a documented process that would improve the responsiveness and performance of the VCL. The bill would also require the VA to develop a plan that would ensure every phone call, text message, email, or other form of communication received by the VCL and its backup centers is answered by a live person.

“Our nation’s veterans answered the call to duty, making remarkable sacrifices to protect our country,” said Thune. “The events and stress these men and women experience during their service to the country can leave invisible wounds. In their time of need, we need to be there to answer their call, too, which is why these reforms are so important.”

In July 2007, the VA’s Suicide Prevention Program started the VCL as a telephone suicide crisis hotline for veterans, families of veterans, and military personnel. The VA’s goal is to answer 90 percent of VCL calls within 30 seconds. However, a recent GAO report found that during a five-month review in fiscal year 2015, some calls weren’t routed to VCL backup call centers until after 60 seconds. A secret GAO review also found the VCL’s text messaging services left more than 25 percent of text messages without a response.

U.S. Rep. David Young (R-IA-3) introduced the House companion to the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act on June 7, 2016.

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From the No on Amendment V campaign Facebook page:

Senate Dems Block Zika, National Defense Funding Again
“This well-established pattern of choosing politics over the health and safety of the American people is both cynical and dangerous.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after Senate Democrats today blocked funding for veterans benefits, combating the Zika virus, and the Department of Defense for the third time this year.

“Despite the fact the Zika virus currently poses a significant public health threat to an increasing number of Americans, especially would-be mothers, Senate Democrats have chosen to filibuster this important funding for the third time. They would rather see funds go to a far-left special interest group than to fighting the virus, and are even willing to risk benefits for our nation’s veterans by blocking the bill,” said Thune.

Senate Democrats today also blocked a must-pass bill that allocates funds for the Department of Defense necessary for the fight against ISIS.

Thune said: “Senate Democrats today also blocked critical funding for our troops, even as our nation faces increased threats to the homeland and our men and women in uniform continue to head to the Middle East. This well-established pattern of choosing politics over the health and safety of the American people is both cynical and dangerous.”

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It has been shot after shot at Jay Williams lately. From USA today:

South Dakota Sen. John Thune is giving $2 million from his well-funded campaign account to help other Republicans as his party fights to keep control of the Senate this fall.

Thune, part of the Senate Republican leadership team, ended the second quarter with nearly $12.5 million in cash on hand as he runs for a third term. His opponent is Jay Williams, a Yankton Democrat, who ended June with $23,930 in the bank.

and…

Bob Burns, a retired political science professor from South Dakota State University, called Thune’s donation “a good allocation of his campaign funds.”

“He would seem to have a surplus of campaign funds in light of the nature of the race he is dealing with in 2016,” Burns said.

Read it here.

Go read North Dakota’s SayAnythingBlog and Rob Port’s outstanding story on the pipeline protest taking place over the Dakota Access pipeline, and how it is being installed along a route that already has a pipeline in it. 

Kind of takes the wind out of protester’s sails, doesn’t it?

Had an interesting chart passed my way today.

Someone went through, and charted out the sources of all the funding that Rick Weiland has mustered to hide party labels on the ballot, and to create a primary system that shuts out Independents and third party candidates from the November election.

So, who is footing the bill?

John Timmer and De Knudson are the only donors identified on their pre-primary report (1.3%), and fully 92.2% of it comes from undisclosed donors. 76% of all donations are coming from out of state entities.

What do you think? Why do all these out-of-staters want to hide party labels on the ballot, and to shut down indy candidates from appearing on the November Ballot?

Skin In The Game: @SenJohnThune told colleagues today he is giving $2M from his own campaign acct to the NRSC. He’s in cycle but w no race

— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) September 7, 2016