Category: Uncategorized

A new South Dakota website has been created in the spirit of disclosure.. but this time it’s not disclosing high government secrets, rather something this website has written about on occasion – the University of South Dakota’s “woke” culture, and how it has a tendency to go a bit overboard sometimes.

The “Woki-Leaks South Dakota” website bills itself as “Exposing the Social Justice Crusade at USD,” and already has several articles up addressing what they see as a serious problem in Vermillion. For Example:

The first thing to know is that USD’s official values of “diversity and inclusiveness” do not mean what most people think they mean. According to USD’s Woke activists – and to the University itself[1] – advancing “diversity and inclusiveness” means accepting that the United States is a systemically racist and oppressive society in which “the privileged” (e.g., White, straight men) enjoy unfair advantage, and “the marginalized” (e.g., racial minorities, women, sexual minorities) are continually held back and disempowered.

and..

To force students, faculty, and staff to comply with their wishes, the activists are stating openly that they and their administrative allies should be given the power they need to, as they put it, “Manage the varied internal and external forces (‘the perfect storm’) that seek to disrupt [diversity and inclusion] efforts or constrain the inclusive environment we aim to foster on USDs campus.”[7] In other words, anyone not on board with the Woke is an enemy, and the activists ought to be given the power to “manage” them.

Read the entire article (What “Diversity and Inclusiveness” Really Means at USD: Power for the Woke) here.

(Given the degree of footnoting on the site, I have a suspicion that this might be coming from an inside academic)

The website urges to advocate wokism reform for USD…

It is completely inappropriate for the University of South Dakota to embrace Wokism, Social Justice ideology, critical race theory, intersectionalism, or any other narrow political doctrine as an official University belief system – period. USD needs outside help to reform itself at this point. The University of South Dakota is a publicly-funded institution. It should be, and is, accountable to citizens and their elected political leaders. Fortunately, South Dakota lawmakers and Governor Noem have already demonstrated that they are willing to act to protect intellectual diversity and free speech at the university. If they see the citizens of South Dakota stand up and demand change, reform will be possible. The following are things you can do to help make sure that USD reembraces common sense, moderation, and political neutrality – and that Wokism does not take over additional state universities.

Read that here.

… and in particular, urges people to follow legislation designed to prevent political bias and indoctrination at USD and other state universities.

You can follow the website here at Woki-Leaks South Dakota.

Pam (Merchant) Cole is apparently leaving her position as Executive Director at the South Dakota Democrat Party at the end of February, according to the Rapid City Journal:

“Pam’s efforts and passion for the party got us through a challenging time and put us on the right path going forward. I’m grateful for her dedication and wish her well in her future pursuits,” said Senate Minority Leader Troy Heinert.

Read that all here.

I know I can speak for many members of the South Dakota Republican Party that after trimming their legislative numbers to 3 Democrat State Senators and 8 Democrat State Representatives, we’re very sorry to see her go.

She was a “valuable” contributor to the success of the SDGOP’s efforts.

From Facebook:

“Pennington County, SD – Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom and South Dakota Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Rick Miller are pleased by the decision of Circuit Judge Christina Klinger on the legal challenge to Amendment A. Today the Hughes County judge agreed with Sheriff Thom, Col. Miller, and South Dakota citizens who overwhelmingly voted to pass Amendment Z in 2018 to protect our state constitution.

“The judge’s ruling today solidifies the protections that were sought in the previous passing of Amendment Z.” Sheriff Thom continues, “It is an honor to defend our state constitution, and I appreciate the judge ruling in our favor today.”
Additionally, the judge ruled that the process to modify the constitution was improper as it was a revision to the constitution rather than an amendment.

“I am pleased with the court’s decision today, though I realize that the Supreme Court will likely have the opportunity to address our constitutional concerns on their merits,” says Col. Miller.

The plaintiffs’ arguments focus on the unconstitutional drafting and proposal of this issue as a constitutional amendment. First, they cite this clause in Article XXIII Sec. 1. of the South Dakota Constitution: “A proposed amendment may amend one or more articles and related subject matter in other articles as necessary to accomplish the objectives of the amendment; however, no proposed amendment may embrace more than one subject.”

Second, the pleadings emphasize that Amendment A is a Constitutional Revision rather than a Constitutional Amendment, and thus was passed via an unconstitutional process.

Given that this matter faces additional litigation given the likelihood of an appeal to the South Dakota Supreme Court, neither Sheriff Thom nor Col. Miller will be making further comment.”

BREAKING: State Representative Chris Karr (R-Sioux Falls) has tested positive for COVID-19. He is the second state legislator to test positive since the SD legislative session started.

— Austin Goss (@AustinGossSD) February 8, 2021

Joe Sneve at the Argus Leader has some of the same information I’d gotten wind of earlier:

Circuit Court Judge Christina Klinger in a decision issued Monday ruled that Constitutional Amendment A violates the state Constitution on two grounds: It violates single subject rule, meaning it encompassed more than one topic; and it conflicts with language in the Constitution that provides for its modification.

Read Joe Sneve’s story here.

I am hearing early reports from a good source that Amendment A legalizing recreational marijuana has been declared unconstitutional, and is being considered a Constitutional revision and not an amendment by the circuit court.

I’m hearing the election contest was thrown out as not a proper challenge.. and Amendment A violates single subject rule.

More to come, as the decision is just being digested now by all parties concerned.

This will be big news for the next few days.

ADVISORY: Gov. Noem to Deliver Special Address to South Dakota Legislature 

Governor Kristi Noem will deliver a special address to the South Dakota legislature on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 2 pm CT/1 pm MT. The speech will take place in the chamber of the South Dakota House of Representatives. Governor Noem’s speech will focus on revised revenue projections.

WHAT: Gov. Noem to deliver Special Address

WHEN: Tuesday, February 9, 2021 – 2:00 pm CT/1:00 pm MT

WHERE: South Dakota State Capitol – House of Representatives

STREAM LINKS: Facebook.com/govnoem OR SD.Net

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I haven’t seen a release on it, but the Secretary of State’s website today reflects a change in the composition of the State Board of Elections.

For the Senate Majority Leader’s appointee, out is Rick Knobe, who seemed to spend more time on whatever goofy thing he was supporting at the moment, and in is John Lake, a former Republican State Representative/State Senator who was a genuine and thoughtful legislator.

Good pick!

Governor Noem Signs Twenty-Six Bills into Law

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed twenty-six bills into law:

• SB 1 codifies legislation enacted in 2020.
• SB 2 modifies the duties of the Code Commission.
• SB 7 permits a government agency to qualify as a victim for purposes of restitution in criminal cases.
• SB 8 revises various provisions related to banks and trusts.
• SB 9 revises various provisions related to bank trust departments and trust companies.
• SB 11 revises provisions regarding highways and bridges.
• SB 12 updates a reference to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names standards manual.
• SB 13 revises a statutory cross reference in the written waiver of right to a parole hearing or appearance.
• SB 14 limits time children in need of supervision are held in detention under certain circumstances.
• SB 15 revises the voting requirements necessary for the board to grant or deny parole or recommend clemency.
• SB 16 revises the requirements of setting discretionary parole dates by the board.
• SB 19 corrects errors in statutory cross-references in certain provisions regarding healthcare.
• SB 21 revises contracting procedure options for certain highway construction contracts.
• SB 23 corrects a technical error concerning a cross-reference relating to certain reporting requirements for the building South Dakota programs.
• SB 25 removes an incorrect cross-reference in provisions regarding elections.
• SB 26 modifies the type of candidates that may use a joint petition.
• SB 37 updates certain citations to federal regulations regarding pipeline safety inspections.
• SB 38 corrects technical errors in and makes stylistic revisions to certain provisions regarding public utilities.
• SB 67 corrects a cross reference relating to sheriff’s compensation.
• SB 69 corrects certain provisions with incorrect cross references regarding county road district boundaries.
• HB 1004 repeals the registration requirement for medical assistants.
• HB 1005 repeals the emergency medical technician-student status license requirement.
• HB 1006 revises certain provisions regarding the practice of chiropractic.
• HB 1012 updates references to certain federal motor carrier regulations.
• HB 1036 corrects technical errors in certain code cross-references regarding the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.
• HB 1060 directs certain persons to notify funeral directors of communicable diseases or conditions.

Governor Noem has signed twenty-eight bills into law this legislative session.

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It was announced today that Northern State University’s homecoming moniker of over 100 years is being dropped due to a spate of political correctness, where there are some who find the term “Gypsy Days” offensive, according to media reports:

Justin Fraase, vice president for enrollment, communications and marketing, said that since his arrival on campus four years ago, and even before, outside groups have made comments on social media and sent letters and emails about discontinuing the use of Gypsy Days.

and…

While the decision to shift to “homecoming” was made internally, Downs said there was a push from outside groups. Until hearing from them, Downs said, he hadn’t thought of Gypsy Days as offensive.

and..

Selecting a new theme, Fraase said, should be a process that involves the community, alumni, faculty and staff with the idea that it would be inclusive.

Read it all here.

Since the Snow Queen festival is held annually in Aberdeen where NSU is based, they could consider renaming the homecoming as NSU “Snowflake” Days.

Just a thought.  I’ve also heard Hawaiian Day is popular on some campuses.

Oh, and Jackrabbits – we might make light of the controversy, but don’t think the forces of political correctness aren’t eventually coming for South Dakota’s largest institute of higher education.

Earlier this month, the South Carolina Republican filed an amendment to an appropriations package that would prohibit a certain type of federal funding “to any school to celebrate Hobo Day,” which raises an obvious question: Is there a scourge of government-funded hobo bacchanalias?

Not exactly. In 2018, Norman introduced a bill identifying a lone culprit, South Dakota State University. “Not only is this celebration derogatory and negatively stereotypical, but it’s absolutely wasteful — plain and simple,” he said in a release announcing the bill, which attracted no co-sponsors.

Read it here.

*sigh*