Category: Uncategorized

State Representative Michael Clark is receiving some press recently as a result of his bill to protect Free Speech on University Campuses, a measure that’s being opposed by the South Dakota Board of Regents:

“This bill protects free speech on college campuses, it removes the idea of the free speech zones and informs staff and teachers and the students of their right and responsibilities regarding free speech,” the bill’s primary sponsor, state Rep. Michael Clark, said in a phone interview with The College Fix.

Clark said he filed House Bill 1073 this month after seeing free speech come under attack at campuses in other states across the country. While noting that South Dakota hasn’t had such problems, he said it’s important to take action to ensure speakers can come to campus and speak without violence or the threat of violence.

“I’m trying to stop this before it actually becomes a huge problem,” Clark said.

and…

The bill does allow universities to “maintain and enforce reasonable time, place and manner restrictions,” but notes that such measures must “employ clear, published, content, and viewpoint-neutral criteria, and provide for ample alternative means of expression.”

and..

However, the head of the South Dakota Board of Regents, which oversees six public universities, said in a statement provided to The College Fix that the bill addresses issues that have arisen in other states and is not needed in the state.

“There is no problem in South Dakota that this bill will solve. The Board of Regents already established system-wide policies that safeguard First Amendment rights of students, employees, and private visitors,” said Mike Rush, executive director and CEO of the Board of Regents.

Read that here.

You might be reading this, wondering “Why is this needed?”  Or sticking your head in the sand just like the CEO of the board of regents, claiming “The Board of Regents already established system-wide policies that safeguard First Amendment rights.”

If that’s the case, then why are there stories like this:

A professor at the University of South Dakota is refusing calls to cancel the screening of a controversial documentary that depicts brutality against Muslim women.

The “Honor Diaries” is scheduled to be screened at the university’s annual women and gender conference on April 10. But another screening of the film that was supposed to take place Sunday didn’t happen for reasons unknown, and there is pressure from some staff and faculty members to cancel next month’s showing.

Miglena Sternadori, a professor of media and journalism and the women and gender studies coordinator, is refusing to bow to that pressure, saying the film depicts issues that are relevant to the women and gender conference.

“It’s just the wrong thing to do to censor a movie,” she said.

Read that here.

Or this….

The Foundation for Individual Right in Education, or FIRE, has taken note of USD’s policies, and has given the university a “red” designation.

This means that USD has at least one policy that “clearly and substantially restricts free speech.” According to FIRE, there are two policies that warrant a “red” label at USD.

The first resides in the Student Handbook under Guidelines for the Awareness and Prevention of Acts of Cultural Insensitivity and Bullying at USD. Specifically, section five states: “Using university property (i.e. the USD internet server) to bully other students (cyber bullying) or express feelings of hatred via Facebook, Twitter, email or other forms of social media is not allowed.”

and…

The second red light policy lies in USD’s Free Speech Policy, which outlines areas where free speech is allowed. The policy states that the Muenster University Center, Muenster University Center Courtyard and the I.D. Weeks Library Courtyard are the only areas where free speech is allowed.

Much like hate speech codes, free speech zones have come under legal scrutiny. The University of Cincinnati’s speech zones were recently ruled unconstitutional in federal court.

Beyond the legal issues, there’s a principle at stake: the principle of free thought and free inquiry.

Read that here.

When the Argus Leader writes about censorship at USD, and the University of South Dakota’s own student newspaper cites areas of concern where there are issues with the freedom of speech, it might be time to critically evaluate who to believe in this debate over whether the measure should be passed.

Do you take the word of the people on campus who are citing real and existing instances of censorship and the infringement upon free speech at one of our Universities?

Or the University system’s CEO who doesn’t want the measure passed, and would be responsible to report to the legislature on how they implement it?

I know who I believe.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Local Pastor Michael Boyle Seeks District 19 House Seat

Parkston, S.D. (Jan. 11, 2018) – Local Pastor Michael Boyle of Memorial Baptist Church in Parkston, South Dakota has announced his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representative’s seat in District 19.

Pastor Boyle has a passion for families and children. He has been active with the Family Heritage Alliance’s annual Ministry Leader’s Capitol Summit and as a community volunteer at the children’s home in Parkston and is a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer. In his announcement he said that he has been deeply concerned over the decline in traditional family values and increase in government growth.

“South Dakota has a proud Conservative heritage of strong families, working hard, and living within our means, but in recent years these basic values of our heritage are being ignored and it has hurt everyday working South Dakotans as a result,” said Pastor Boyle of his reasons for running. Pastor Boyle who is the President of the Ministerial Association in Parkston stated that his concerns are shared by others within the faith community.

Pastor Boyle with his wife Isabel, is a father of six children, from ages four to thirteen, said he is also concerned about the effect recent legislation has had on rural school districts. “We must be focused on our children, our future, and the legacy we’re leaving for them,” Pastor Boyle said regarding his focus on education.

Pastor Boyle who has served his community, said his years of experience as a volunteer and working within the faith community are the sort of hands-on approach he believes the people of District 19 are looking for in a candidate. “Our society and state need strong moral leadership now and we are not getting it.”

“I’m excited for the possibility to work for the people of District 19 and represent the values so many of us were raised on,” said Pastor Boyle.

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An anonymous source provided South Dakota War College a copy of the letter sent by Gene Abdallah to Attorney General Marty Jackley declining his nomination to the Parole Board.  And you can read it for yourself:

As you’ll note, the health matters Abdallah cited are not simple matters, especially when one is 81, causing him to understandably decline serving.

We certainly wish Gene the best in his recovery.

Anne Hajek Recommended by Attorney General Jackley to Board of Pardons and Paroles

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today the recommendation of Anne Hajek of Sioux Falls, S.D. to the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Hajek will fill the vacancy left by Don Holloway, effective January 23, 2018.

“Anne’s legislative and local government experience, along with her strong sense of fairness and concern for public safety, will serve South Dakota well,” said Jackley.

“I want to extend my appreciation to Don Holloway for his dedicated service on the Parole Board. He too has dedicated his life to public service and has been a strong leader in protecting our communities,” added Jackley.

Anne Hajek has dedicated numerous years to public service, including being twice elected to the Sioux Falls City Council, and the Minnehaha County Commission and one term in the House of Representatives where she served on the House Judiciary Committee. Anne practiced law in Sioux Falls for 24 years, and prior to that was an educator and school counselor. She brings a diversified background to the Board.

The Board of Pardons and Paroles is a nine member appointed board charged with the authority to make decisions of parole, the revocation of parole, and parole policy and procedures. Three of the board members are appointed by the Governor of South Dakota, three are appointed by the Attorney General, and the remaining three are appointed by the South Dakota Supreme Court.

This appointment is subject to final confirmation by the South Dakota Senate.

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From a release:

Sheriff Candidate Faces No Incumbent Challenger

Aberdeen, S.D. (Jan. 16, 2018) – With only 70 days remaining to turn in the minimum 30  required Republican voter signatures to be put on the ballot for the Brown County Sheriff position, Dan Kaiser is the only candidate currently listed by the Brown County Auditor’s office to be placed on the ballot for the June 5^th primary.

Some are speculating that current Brown County Sheriff, Mark Milbrandt, may be considering stepping down from his position to retire. If Sheriff Milbrandt were to be re-elected again, he would be 69 years of age when his term expires in four years.

In a press release statement, Sheriff Candidate Dan Kaiser said, “Whether I face a challenger or not, I believe I bring the right experience to tackle the issues we face today in Brown County,  serving 15 years in local law enforcement protecting our families and 8 years in Pierre forming policies to improve our lives as our State Representative.”

Dan Kaiser will be on the June 5^th primary ballot for Sheriff in Brown County, and is currently serving his last term in Pierre as the District 3 State Representative.

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From Facebook:

Independent Candidate George Hendrickson has filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run for the US House of Representatives:

Hendrickson for House by Pat Powers on Scribd

His candidacy notes his top issues are as follows:

My top issues

• Citizen legislators: Our founders intended citizens, not political pros, lawyers, lobbyists, or people with gobs of money, to represent the people.

• Consolidation and reform of bureaucracies: Must simplify IRS 74,000 pages of code and a socialized medical program that had 2,000+ pages and was passed without members being able to read it first

• Continuity of governance: Require all government employees – including elected officials – to be subject to the laws they pass (including health care and retirement/pension provisions)

• Constitutional integrity: Return power to the states where citizens have access to their representatives who live with them

• Cannabis: One of the most glaring examples of government interference with individual rights to access remedies for those facing medical conditions and disabilities

You can read it all here.

If he’s successful in collecting enough signatures to get on the ballot, Hendrickson would face the victor of the Republican Primary and Democrat Tim Bjorkman in the November election.

Noem: Free Speech is Not Optional on College Campuses, It’s a Right

Sioux Falls, S.D. – Rep. Kristi Noem today endorsed H.B.1073, which would protect free speech on South Dakota’s college campuses.

“More and more, we’re seeing certain voices – often conservative or Christian voices – purposely silenced on our college campuses,” said Noem. “While these are places where the free expression of ideas should thrive, college campuses, including some in South Dakota, are showing a growing intolerance toward free speech. Given the rising level of censorship and the concerning limits placed on student’s exposure to differing perspectives, it’s important the legislature act to permanently protect intellectual diversity on taxpayer-funded campuses. Free speech in these places is not optional. It is a constitutional right students are entitled to.”

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Republican candidate for State Treasurer John Haeder is on Facebook today with a challenge to raise $500 this week to fund his campaign activities in seeing the GOP Nomination for his office. From Facebook:

Josh Haeder for State Treasurer

We are working hard to spread our message across South Dakota. The message is simple, we must protect your tax dollars from cyber threats, work to return even more unclaimed property and create a financial education program that can help our people get started down the right financial path.

This isn’t about politics for us, it’s truly about making a difference and working everyday on behalf of all of you every day. Setting realistic expectations and accomplishing the goals we’ve set out to achieve. Our work ethic and passion for this office will help win this race.

Your support means everything to our campaign and we are asking for your help. We’ve set a goal of raising $500 online by Friday to help put gas in the tank as we travel the state. Can you pitch in $10, $20 or $50 today? Your support is greatly appreciated, visit joshforsd.com today to get on board and help us continue to spread our proactive message.

From the Argus Leader, reports are coming in that former State Legislator Gene Abdallah is withdrawing his name from consideration for the Board of Pardons and Paroles:

Gene Abdallah, a former U.S. Marshal and state highway patrol superintendent, said poor health would prevent him from serving in the position.

and..

Abdallah, whom Attorney General Marty Jackley appointed to the board last year, maintained in his withdrawal letter to Jackley that he never made inappropriate comments during his time in office, despite allegations otherwise.

“My friends have encouraged me to fight back against these nasty attacks. If I were younger and in good health, nothing could keep me from the challenge,” Abdallah wrote. “I also want to thank you for standing by me when false attacks were leveled against me by a person who was motivated by political gain.”

Read it all here.

Attorney General Jackley is appointing Anne Hajek in Abdallah’s place.