Category: Uncategorized

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

Gov. Daugaard Invites Nominations For District 34 House Seat

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard is asking the public to nominate candidates to fill the vacant seat in the State House of Representatives from District 34.

The vacancy, which will be filled by gubernatorial appointment, is due to the death last month of Rep. Dan Dryden. Rep. Dryden’s current term began in January 2015 and ends in early January 2017, prior to the next legislative session. The Governor’s appointee will serve until the end of that term.

In addition, Rep. Dryden was a candidate for reelection to the State House this fall. Under South Dakota law, Dryden’s name will remain on the November ballot. If Dryden is reelected, it will create a vacancy for the term that begins in January 2017, which would also be filled by gubernatorial appointment. Gov. Daugaard would plan to appoint the same person for both vacancies.

“Rep. Dryden was an outstanding legislator and his sad passing has left a void,” said Gov. Daugaard. “I’m asking the public to help identify an appointee to complete Rep. Dryden’s term. I also want the voters to understand that, if Rep. Dryden is reelected, I would intend to appoint the same person to serve in the upcoming legislative term.”

District 34 includes western Rapid City, generally including the areas west of Mt. Rushmore Road, Dinosaur Hill, and “the gap” on West Main Street, and including sites such as Camp Rapid, Canyon Lake, the Sioux San Hospital, West Middle School, and Southwest Middle School. A district map can be found athttp://www.sdlegislature.gov/img/Legislative_Districts/34.pdf.

Those wishing to be considered for the appointment, or to offer nominations, should contact Grace Beck in the Office of the Governor at 605-773-3661. Nominations should include the candidate’s name, current address, telephone number and relevant background information.

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