The Indivisible Group out of Rapid City seems to be trying to nominate themselves as maintaining the longest sustained outrage of any liberal group in the state. In recent weeks, they’ve been yowling on about Rapid City Republicans sponsoring events that they have an interest in, particularly the Family Heritage Alliance, because apparently they think Christians aren’t allowed to espouse their views against abortion and same sex marriage.
Today, they’ve picked a new target of outrage. An outrage so outrageous, they cannot deny their outright outrage! And today, we find their outrage directed at State Representative Lynn DiSanto, because she posted a meme on Facebook that she thought was funny:
A Republican state lawmaker faced calls to apologize Tuesday after she shared an image on Facebook depicting protesters being hit by a vehicle under the caption, “All Lives Splatter.
and..
“To put up a meme that pretty much encourages violence and possibly murder, that’s inappropriate. She’s a community leader and an elected official,” said Lori Miller, a spokeswoman for Indivisible Rapid City. “Not only is she inciting violence, she is targeting a certain race of people.”
So, as opposed to protesting hunger in America, or human trafficking, or anything of any substance, they’re pouncing on the outrage of a Facebook meme?
In case you’re wondering, this is the meme that has them cowering and running for their press release boiler plate:
I’ve strongly disagreed with DiSanto on things in the past, but trying to gin up outrage over a silly Facebook meme about idiot stick figure protesters who block the roads? Come on.
It’s not my cup of tea for social media. And seriously, everyone knows that running over people is bad. And you’re probably going to go to jail if you do it. But most our mothers at one time or another said something to the effect of “get out of the road before somebody runs you over.”
If “Eternally Outraged” Rapid City is actually worried about people taking their calls to action from stick figures on Facebook cartoons, I suspect they’re running out of things to be outraged about, because it’s right towards the bottom of the barrel of public concerns.
I know Congresswoman DiSanto personally and there isn’t a racist or violent bone in her body. We have the same wry sense of humor and neither of us is thin skinned so the “Eternally Outraged” had better choose an easier target. She’s out of their class.
There is absolutely no way you share this and aren’t at least partially racist. People are dead and she’s laughing at that. As her friend you need to call her out on this. At its best it’s a racist comment as its worst it endorses murder.
“ALL” is the key word here, LT; there are specific “. . . Lives Matter” groups, including (gasp!) “Blue”. How do you equate racism with all. People like you look for every nuance to be offended, so did you note the stick figures are white?
I don’t think she should have posted this as it was going to do absolutely no good to her or anyone, but the over-reaction needs to be called out too.
Maybe you should be a little less free about calling someone a racist for absolutely anything that you find offensive.
Oh please Libby……..if it was a cartoon of Donald Trump, you would probably be laughing your head off.
there were highly publicized incidents of road-blocking protesters having no compassion on emergency vehicles and ambulances trying to do their jobs in saving peoples lives, rushing people to hospitals, etc. there’s little nobility here to defend on either side of the roadblocking question.
Well let’s start with the fact that she isn’t in congress, she is in the state legislature. So why don’t you tell us how well you know her again.
This is going to be a somewhat unpopular opinion here, but I do think there’s a good reason to be outraged with her. Here’s my reasoning.
First I doubt she’s a racist and I doubt she wants anyone to die. She probably posted this as a “joke”, but it wasn’t very well thought out and was in very bad taste, especially after the death and injury of folks the other month is Charlottesville.
I strongly believe that the majority of people in both political parties are good people and have common sense, however, I do believe as we’ve seen over the last few months that there are both left and right wing extremists who would like to do nothing more but harm one another.
By being a public official and posting this, I believe whether intentional or not, joke or not, it legitimatizes the view points of some of those people. The same would be true if a Democrat in the state posted some sort of Antifa propaganda urging violence. She should more than likely just apologize, be more cautious of what she posts online, and then move on. The quicker she gets ahead of this, the better off she’ll be.
Just my two or four cents.
The facebooks are the Devil. The Devil, I would say, if there were a Devil, or Ms. DiSanto’s god.
There is a Devil. I doubt if Ms. DiSanto would say she worships the Devil, and I don’t think you are in a position to judge her heart, grudznick.
Malachi,
I agree and I ride the hard lefties case as it is with Antifa. This only fuels the flames and is from a state legislator who should set a better example. We need to work together on solving the challenges we face not be looking for more ways to divide us.
We’re the Eternally Outraged as Outraged over the Black Lives Matter folks who were advocating cops were pigs and fry them like bacon?
So much for FREE SPEECH.
Republicans and/or all citizens are not allowed to go to forums unless the announced speaker is a liberal.
No way can they go and listen to both sides of any particular argument.
No hitting like or reposting anything…
That is all (sarcastic in nature)
Free speech doesn’t mean freedom from criticism.
What this does is show again the divide between our varsity and the JV. Think Noem, Jackley, Thune, Dusty, Daugaard, Mickelson, etc., would post stuff like that?
We’re not so far down the road that we can’t still expect common sense, intelligence, manners and decency from our elected officials.
I rather look at cartoons, than selfies.
Every elected official takes an oath to affirm that they will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office to the best of their ability. Using social media to joke about something similar in which a woman died is not very smart. This woman does not appear to be very intelligent considering she knows what she posted would upset many people. If you are an elected official, maybe you should not joke about people dying in a public forum? Just a thought.
As a South Dakota State Representative, she is to serve and represent all South Dakotans. Her Facebook post clearly states the contrary. DiSanto is just one example of how the citizens of South Dakota are not being served by our Legislature. I am working on changing that.
Just to clarify: an elected official from South Dakota posted a meme that clearly references Heather Heyer’s murder at a Charlottesville protest. And this is supposed to be funny? It doesn’t even qualify as satire.
You can tell a lot about a person by what they find humorous.
You can tell a lot about a state by who they elect to represent them.
You can do better than this, SD.
VR the vehicle in the meme is an SUV.
The vehicle in Charlottesville was a Dodge Challenger.
If you can’t tell the difference between an SUV and a Challenger you might think it “clearly references” the incident in Charlottesville.
Most of us know the difference.
According to her employer she has been fired. She was slated to be the featured speaker at a fundraiser for a domestic violence shelter, the board is meeting tomorrow to discuss if her presence should be welcomed. The snowflakes win!
I am not a member of RC Indivisible. I am someone who a year ago was a member of the Republican Party…I voted for Mrs. DiSanto. I am very much disturbed by her post. It was juvenile, unethical, and hateful. She knows better. I am the constituent that first called her this evening about this matter. She stated it was a joke, meant to be funny. It’s not a joke, it’s not funny. Had someone posted this meme and made it about gun owners she would have called them out and ruined their lives. I hope she understands that while you have the right to free speech you are not free of it’s consequences. Democrats and Republicans have the right to protest. And with a permit can use some roadways to march. This would be a horrible thing to happen to anyone, no matter your party.
Well said and thank you!
This is exactly right. As a republican in the box elder district I am ashamed she is our elected official. Violence is Violence and i am starting to regret voting for Trump and the rest of the republicans I had voted for.
Here’s a tip; the police have been called to clear the highway, it’s unlikely anybody obtained a permit to block traffic. It’s a sign, you know?
Sounds like you need grief therapy. Didn’t realize a funny, stupid whatever meme could have such a devastating effect on a person. I highly recommend a therapy dog.
recovering republican you might have a different view if your injured or dying loved one was in an ambulance blocked by a line of protesters stopping traffic.
It is time for people to stand up against this constant attack against our rights. They are our rights in the Bill of Rights. It states we have freedom of speech, to protest, and the right to assemble for that purpose. Why are rights only important to bullies and whiners? If you are wondering what happened to America, this is it. Only some people have rights. We can’t let everyone have them because then we won’t feel special. It is scary and sickening that the people hurting America are the same ones crying about lawlessness. Take a look at yourself. Are you for American rights or are you for yourself?
When the local press covers the events protested in Rapid City by various groups, there are people who post threats to the participants such “I should have got my big white truck”, which I take as a threat of running them over. This not funny or a joke. These SD citizens are exercising their rights to peacefully protest as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment. Or is this only reserved for the Repubilicans in SD? This article reinforces that if someone disagrees with the republican establishment, they don’t have the right to protest without threat of violence or without being ridiculed for taking stand. It is time people in this state take a stand against the the hate and violence as advocated by this meme.
When the local press covers the events protested in Rapid City by various groups, there are people who post threats to the participants such “I should have got my big white truck”, which I take as a threat of running them over. This not funny or a joke. These SD citizens are exercising their rights to peacefully protest as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment. Or is this only reserved for the Repubilicans in SD? This article reinforces that if someone disagrees with the republican establishment, they don’t have the right to protest without threat of violence or without being ridiculed for taking stand. It is time people in this state take a stand against the the hate and violence as advocated by this meme.
Do you think it’s okay for people to block Interstates during peak traffic hours? Without a permit?
No. But on the other hand, I also don’t think anyone protesting by blocking an interstate during rush hour should be murdered by a kook operating a 2 ton wrecking ball. If you’re doing something illegal, you should be arrested and (possibly) charged with a crime. It’s not a capital offense to protest, right?
Same should apply to cows. If they are mingling and blocking the road like the ignorant animals they are, we should be able to simply blast our vehicles right through them. They have no rights, they are just stupid animals.
As a resident of South Dakota, I find this to be quite disturbing but hardly surprising. I’ve noticed a certain trend with public servants and elected officials: a complete disconnect with their constituency. The Constitution is now toilet paper to anyone with an (R) next to their name, dressed in impunity. People have gotten so obsessive and defensive about party politics, and it is going to ruin our country. We have lawmakers worried more about Nazis than the people that the Nazis hurt, and kill in this case.
depending on what he’s done, it can be popular and trendy to make phil jensen the latest poster-face for bad politics. but run against him in his district, get beaten and then prove he isn’t connected to his constituents.
Perhaps people shouldn’t be protesting in the streets and blocking traffic? They have the right to assemble….they don’t have the right to impede or harm others in doing so.
So arrest them. Vigilante murder isn’t the answer.
Horrible judgement on her part and her (former) employer agrees. Now it’s time to get her out of the House.
I agree with Indivisible Rapid City’s outrage over this, although I fail to see “All Lives Matter” as being a racist position. At the same time I find it hypocritical of them to defend the ideology of those who run over people with trucks who are standing on sidewalks.
it’s like the local code pink of old, the occupy-rapid-city of old, in a new configuration. generally the same few dozen active people and a loose group of affiliates.
1) Meme’s are powerful and not contemplating how they can be interpreted is an error in judgment. But, its not an error of judgment that calls for her wholesale denigration as a person or declaration of being unfit for office. It was stupid but who hasn’t been stupid on occasion?
2) Not only is Representative DiSanto’s explanation plausible, her explanation is significantly more plausible than those most viciously attacking her (that she is advocating violence against people who protest). This going to the extreme and being outraged over an error of judgement is over-the-top.
3) I guess DiSanto is finding out her “friends” aren’t such good friends. The silence is deafening except to the degree she has been thrown under the bus. Think about it her only real defender out of 50 posts between these two threads is Anne Beal (and she has done a good job defending her). Anyone who thinks these people have their backs probably should reconsider their “friendship” because it obviously goes one way.
Not a word from her “friends” on this blog, the liberal nutblog, or blogs run by her friends. Nada. Zip.
Well, I’m going to be the friend she obviously doesn’t have even though we have never met.
The meme was open to multiple interpretations, my first reaction was not positive to it, and it was extremely stupid to post for a host of reasons. But, I accept her explanation and apology. I think I’ve said a few things on here I’ve had to apologize for. 🙂
I hope this is a lesson to everyone with regard to both being careful about what one says on social media (we need to realize social media often comes across like a cannon instead of a pop gun) and realizing all of us in a moment of bad judgement might make a decision we wish we could take back so we extend the benefit of the doubt when someone messes up. And, such consideration shouldn’t be extended to only those we agree with because the measure of mercy we extend will be the measure we will be served and being merciful to our friends is no merit.
P.S. It is also interesting that some of the people beating her up are doing so anonymously, people who we can’t look back and see if they’ve said something similarly stupid.
It is just too easy to destroy someone anonymously from behind a computer screen. Anne, I have always appreciated you but today you are proving my respect for you.
Anne is defending her beliefs that running over people is ok….she isn’t defending that she had a lapse in judgement and should be forgiven. Those are two different things. Why would anyone align themselves with someone who supports injuring protesters who are delaying drivers? Just goes to show you value party over country.
You are anonymously misrepresenting what Anne said. You are either profoundly stupid or a brazen liar.
I think you are both because I can so easily read what she wrote but I also think you are a coward.
Troy, I don’t know Lynn and I am not a friend of Lynn’s, but I am 100% behind her. People should quit snow-flaking out over a cartoon.
Troy, I don’t know Lynn and I am not a friend of Lynn’s, but I am 100% behind her. People should quit snow-flaking out over a cartoon. My goodness.
I see a little hypocrisy there Troy. This is nothing compared to what Lora deals with on a regular basis.
The USA has hurricanes, fires, droughts.
Is this really the the main outrage in SD?
Lynne has represented all South Dakota well in the State legislature.
Error in judgement and sharing yes.
Freedom of speech is a right given to all. Ones opinion either positive or negative should not be forced on another.
Lynne should not have posted what she did, but some of the responses are also errors in judgement. Lynne apologized.
John 8:7
Jesus words-
Let anyone without sin cast the first stone.
This was not a sin, it was a joke.
I voted for Lynne DiSanto.
I still support her and WILL Vote for her again!
Can you name a past or present public servant that has not made a mistake, or offended someone. Please inform us all. How quickly we criticize others while ignoring or hiding our own actions
Anne and Tara, having fun?
Yes, and are you having fun Anonymous?
Now that I have sat back, read comments, and had a chance to think about this, I can mow see that the meme was not about racism nor violence…it was about promoting safety. Seems that the left is guilty of psychological projection yet again.
This situation shows that many people, especially those on the left are very hypocritical when it comes to freedom of speech. We have had many people including celebrities and even politicians like a state Senator in Missouri say they wish Trump was assassinated. Then, where is all the outrage on the left when people threaten the life of a sitting President. This shows the left is only cares about freedom of speech when it concerns their own agenda.
Nice spin Sibby but no cigar.
Do we not have a constitutional right of freedom of speech in this Country anymore? Sure, was Rep. DiSantos meme distasteful? Maybe. But does that mean she should be fired from her job for expressing her opinion? Unless you believe what she did is criminal like the State Senator from MO. If we continue this nonsense, then our 1st Amendment right will continue to be jeopardized because of this culture of political correctness.
Freedom of speech is guaranteed. I don’t see anything in the constitution about freedom from consequences, though.
Do we not have a constitutional right of freedom of speech in this Country anymore? Sure, was Rep. DiSantos meme distasteful? Maybe. But does that mean she should be fired from her job for expressing her opinion? Unless you believe what she did is criminal like the State Senator from MO. If we continue this nonsense, then our 1st Amendment right will continue to be jeopardized because of this culture of political correctness!
Ok Tara made a good point…did that State senator from MO ever resign? Her actions were way worse than Ms. DiSantos.
No she didn’t.
She was censured by the Mo. legislature. Don’t think that will happen in this case.
Tara,
Do you realize nobody has said she didn’t have the right to post this so its not a free speech issue?
And, yes, people can be fired for what they say. The right to speak doesn’t mean there are no consequences for your speech. The right to speak only means the government can’t censor your speech.
Of course it is free speech issue Troy. She is allowing the left win by shutting down her fb pages. She didn’t do anything wrong. Lynn, don’t let those snow flakes intimidate you. Fight back.
Ms. DiSanto did not apologize for having posted it. She said she was sorry people misinterpreted it. There’s a difference.
It may have been meant as a joke, but it also calls for murdering people by running them down with a vehicle. This is the terrorism tactics used by ISIS in Europe, and we have no problem with calling it out as such when they do it. People have been suggesting it as a tactic to be used against protests here in the US, not just against protests that spread into the street including legal permitted protests, but also against protests that are staying out of the street on sidewalks or in parks where they are not blocking traffic. People have suggested that cars jump the curbs and plow into these groups, including here in Rapid City, in comments on Facebook, on blogs, and on news stories.
I would point out that Rapid City has a decades long tradition of protests and rallies by people on both sides of issues. Protests were held in the Baken Park area for years against Planned Parenthood and the last few years has seen a regularly scheduled one by the federal courthouse for freedom of religion that I think is sponsored by some of the area churches. The local GOP has sponsored at least one rally in support of President Trump during the last year. Ask yourself if you would feel if a car purposely trying to run people down at any of these is appropriate, and then consider this meme again in light of your reaction.
You really need to take a deep breath and calm down.
Of all the troubles in the world THIS is what really gets you upset?
Nazis generally get me upset, yes. People getting run over for standing up to Nazis gets me rather twisted as well. Mocking those who died speaking out against Nazis also rustles my jimmies.
Funny part is, most of the world was also rather miffed at Nazis about 75 years ago. Lest we forget?
Have you ever played Call of Duty? I think this goes deeper than a stupid meme. Just look at the 3 Republican people that got bashed all to hell in the last week. Nice.
Lynne and Tara
I apologise for my reference of the word sin. I was not implying that the action was a sin. Just trying to get the stone throwers to examine their own acts first.
I am sorry that Lynne parted ways with her employer, I have been down that road before.
A good friends advice was better things are in your future than your past. Lynne Thank you for all that you do for South Dakota and the people in your district. Keep pressing Onward.
OP, thank you. You sound like a wonderful person. I am not worried about Lynne, out of something bad comes something good. I am not sure how this goes, but when one door closes another one opens? This may be a blessing in disguise. I do not believe she is a bad person, just an honest one. Your are going to be fine Lynne.
The left and the people on Cory’s blog assume defending the cartoon means you agree with the egregious act of running over and killing a peaceful protestor in Charlottesville.
Your response, and hers, has been tone deaf.
When the Republican softball team was shot the left was crickets. When this poor woman was run over, this blog and the right was crickets.
Condemn violence from both sides at all times and start showing some sensitivity.
Enquirer: I agree. The protesters and counter-protesters have much to learn from the protesters who have made in this country (ala the civil rights protesters). Those today are mostly just spoiled brats having temper tantrums. There capacity to communicate a cogent thought is virtually (not figuratively) nil.
Happy Camper: The failure to respond to everything as if it is the end of the world is not condoning. In fact, since most of these nuts (both sides) only want attention, I think saying little is often best. I don’t attribute the shooting of the Congressman to anybody but the nut job who shot him and he is dead. I also don’t attribute the use of a vehicle as a weapon to anybody but the driver who has been arrested and charged. Since I don’t attribute the above incidents to anybody but a nut job, I’m not going to respond as if it is part of some larger narrative which needs to be condemned from high heaven.
Troy, the race-baiters of the cultural Neo-Marxist hard left that Cory and Indivisible Rapid City is involved with are promoting violence and working to eliminate the free speech of those they disagree with. Cory has shut down my free speech simply because I take the position that both sides are wrong. Cory wants a fight.
HC is right, we need to expose their real agenda. They don’t care about people of color, they are only using them for political fodder. Sadly, this is one of their results:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/07/10/permanently-disabled-baton-rouge-officer-sues-black-lives-matter-for-2016-ambush-shooting/?utm_term=.286c2c37fb6b
Steve,
I’ve never once asserted and there is a single THINKING liberal whose concern for the poor is sincere. Yes, many of those who don’t give policies much thought are sincere. But, those who think should have asked a long time ago what are the results. If they had, they’d advocate new policies but don’t. Thus, I find them insincere and there are some who actually hate poor people, minorities, etc.
But you can and must condemn violence when it is a response to free speech. Free speech is the only reason we are different, more advanced, and more free than other cultures.