Johnson Requests Briefing on Chinese Drones

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and twelve members of Congress asked the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to brief members of Congress on the risk Chinese-manufactured drones pose to America’s food supply and what the agencies are doing to protect American agriculture.

Johnson has been outspoken in Congress and as a member of the Select Committee on China to secure our food supply from foreign adversaries and has advocated for more oversight of foreign purchases of U.S. farmland.

Shenzhen DJI Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. (DJI) is a Chinese Military Company, linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), that makes thousands of drones, many of which are used in the United States. These drones operate on Chinese military software, firmware, and hardware, posing a significant risk to American agriculture and safety.

“The risk of these DJI agricultural spray drones being manipulated to carry out an attack in the United States cannot be ignored,” the members wrote. “Relying on our greatest strategic adversary for technology critical to the success of our agricultural production endangers the resiliency of our food supply.”

DJI’s advanced surveillance drones use LiDAR sensors and multispectral cameras which DJI states can collect and interpret crop data that is “impossible for the human eye to see.” The CCP’s access to this data and software gives them an unprecedented ability to control our agriculture supply chain.

The letter was sent by Reps. Mark Alford (R-MO), Ben Cline (R-VA), Neal Dunn (R- FL), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Michael Guest (R-MS), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), and Robert Wittman (R-VA).

Read the full letter here.

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The Davison County Republican Party has apparently drank a heaping helping of the election conspiracy kool-aid, as this past week they went on the attack against the Davison County Commission for looking to combine the vacant office of County Auditor and County Treasurer.

According to recent media reports about the merger, which would place Davison County on the same footing as Hughes and Brookings Counties in reducing administrative overhead and seeking efficiencies:

Reider believes combining the office would create a cohesive office and one that would save the county money. He said the priorities from taxpayers and citizens tell him as a commissioner to be efficient and effective in leading the county. He said he’s confident the county would maintain checks and balances between its requirements with the state and how the offices are managed, and if the county didn’t believe in it, it wouldn’t advance further.

“We’re monitoring our offices all the time, we want the right people doing the right job. … When I visit with business leaders, they say when you lose positions, you should consider restructuring and that’s especially true with leadership,” Reider said. “It’s what businesses must do to stay effective and efficient and quite frankly, we are county business.”

Read the entire story here in the Mitchell Republic.

Efficiencies in government? Reducing administrative overhead?  Sounds like everything the Republican Party has always advocated for, doesn’t it?   Well, when you’re dealing with roving bands of election conspiracists with a terminal case of paranoia, by gosh they want to keep as many administrators as they can, according to the e-mail that went out from the Davison County GOP Leadership in response:

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From: Davison County Republicans <davison[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 7, 2024 11:14:34 AM
To: Davison County Republicans <davison[email protected]>
Subject: Your Presence and Input is Requested!!!

Davison County Commissioners Kill the Auditor position!

• Commissioners claim combining the Treasurer and Auditor will be more efficient and save money.
  • Truth:  They have NOT provided any objective quantitative or financial data/cost benefit analysis (PROOF) to back up this claim.  
• Combining TWO FULL-TIME jobs into ONE adversely affects the ability and effectiveness to cover the duties of BOTH FULL-TIME occupations.
• Doubling the workload into one position means the auditor duties would be delegated downward to an appointed employee.  
• Commissioners claim the Treasurer/Auditor will be an elected position, but taxpayers/voters will have no say in who performs the auditor duties.  
  • Your vote for an INDEPENDENT Auditor will be ABOLISHED.
  • Commissioners are jeopardizing Davison County financial and election integrity.  CRITICAL IN THIS ELECTION YEAR!
• This consolidation sets the stage for at least 3 other things to happen:

1. 1. Increasing pay for the consolidated Treasurer/Auditor.
   2. Hiring 1 or 2 additional full-time employees (in addition to replacing the Deputy Auditor who resigned effective 9/2/2024).  
   3. A tax increase to pay for the salary increase and salary and benefits for the additional position(s).

• Segregation of duties is a fundamental accounting principle critical to prevent embezzlement and fraud.  It is widely acknowledged within the accounting arena and specified by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). 
• Combining the Treasurer and Auditor clearly presents a conflict of interest and increases the risk of fraud or other illegal actions.  It’s like the fox guarding the henhouse!  
• The Auditor MUST remain INDEPENDENT, NOT subservient to the Treasurer!!  

YOUR help is needed!!

Come to the County Commission meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, before 11:00 a.m. at the Davison County Fairgrounds, to voice your opposition against this unethical, if not illegal, action)

*FYI-Sonja presented a powerpoint laying out a comparison of the costs of the machines versus hand counting. This information was obtained through a FOIA request that she made and paid for. In addition, this information was also obtained from the SD SOS office. 2019-2020- 

 

They spent $35,024.65 on election equipment and resources(this did not include the cost to hire poll workers) alone but hand counting would cost $5100!!!!!  Where is the transparency and facts for why they want to do this???? 

 

See Sonja’s pdf powerpoint attached!!****

 

CONTACT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

County Commissioners Contact information can be found at this link (https://www.davisoncounty.org/commission/) and the agenda here (https://www.davisoncounty.org/agendas-minutes/commission-agenda-and-minutes/).

 

We love living in Davison County but that comes with a responsibility to hold our elected officials accountable as they work for us, the citizens.

 

God bless all of you and God bless America!

Sincerely,

Larry, and Sonja

Well, God Bless America, and throw in some manufactured hand-counting claims that don’t exist in the real world.   If this was a school district, I suspect they’d be all over that claiming they can combine every job and that the Superintendent can do everything including school nurse and janitor. But, suggest eliminating a job the election goofs want to control, and it’s suddenly eeeeleeeegaaallll!!!

Two counties I’ve lived in for most of my life – Hughes and Brookings – have managed to consolidate these jobs long ago without the earth ending. Not sure why the Davison County Republicans are suddenly clutching their pearls and demanding that taxpayers pay for two positions when one will do.

But this is the new version of Republican conservatism. It’s ok to spend the money if election conspiracists say so.

Democrats Can’t Outrun Their Record on the Border
By Sen. John Thune

Four years ago, President Biden and Vice President Harris campaigned against the border security policies of then-President Trump. Soon after taking office, they set about dismantling these effective policies despite their team being warned that doing so could result in a surge of illegal immigration. That surge came, and it was Vice President Harris who was put in charge of handling the administration’s response. But it wasn’t much of a response.

Now President Biden and Vice President Harris are trying to claim they have been strong on border security all along, but the data tells a much different story. This administration has overseen three record-breaking years of illegal immigration at the southern border. Ten million illegal immigrants have crossed the border illegally during this administration. Included in that number are suspected terrorists, gang members, criminals, and 1.9 million known “gotaways” who have entered the country without being apprehended, which the chief of Border Patrol has called a “national security threat.”

Additionally, the Biden-Harris administration’s lax implementation of our asylum system is undoubtedly a “pull factor” for many migrants. In many cases, individuals who show up at the border claiming asylum are simply released into the country with court dates as far as a decade into the future. As we learned in June, this administration also gave de facto amnesty to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants whose cases were closed without resolution. Then there are the government-funded flights to cities around the country, guaranteed shelter in a number of cities, and, in California, illegal immigrants can get taxpayer-funded health care.

The effects of this crisis are not limited to the southern border alone. In fact, every state has virtually become a border state in one way or another. Here in South Dakota, law enforcement can trace illegal drugs in our communities to the southern border. Police in New York City recently revealed that illegal immigrants make up 75 percent of arrests in midtown Manhattan as the city deals with an influx of illegal immigrants. And many of us have seen the tragic stories of Americans killed by illegal immigrants who should have never been in our country in the first place.

A crisis has raged at the southern border for much of the Biden-Harris administration. On more than one occasion, the Biden-Harris administration has turned its back on border security, and their Democrat allies in Congress have voted against meaningful border security policies time and again. Try as the Democrats might to change their tune in an election year, the American people can see what’s happening with their own eyes, and they know that this administration’s disastrous record on the border is to blame.

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Protecting our Resources
by Congressman Dusty Johnson

BIG Update

Shenzhen DJI Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. (DJI) is a Chinese Military company, linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), that makes thousands of drones, many of which are used in the United States. These drones operate on Chinese military software, firmware, and hardware, which could pose a significant risk to American agriculture and safety.

I’m concerned about the amount of information that China has access to in American agriculture and our food supply chain. I’ve been raising awareness on China’s purchases of American ag land, and I’ve advocated for increased oversight and prohibition of these purchases. With one decision, China could leverage its access and detrimentally impact our food supply. These DJI drones give them a unique opportunity to do so. I joined twelve other members in requesting a briefing from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency about the risk they pose to our food supply.

China is our biggest foreign adversary, and America cannot continue to allow unprecedented access to our data.

BIG Idea

I’ve been a champion on the Select Committee on China for rebuilding America’s manufacturing base. With that in mind, I visited with Jeff of Dakota Adventure Supply (DAS) and stopped by one of their manufacturing facilities to see where the magic happens. We Stitch Stuff has a wide range of work, from manufacturing products for DAS, Binder Lifts for paramedics, and repairing equipment for Heiman Fire Equipment.

It’s always encouraging to see a local business making high quality products for other local businesses. These businesses have a tremendous impact on our local economy and make fantastic products unique to South Dakota.

Johnson and the We Stitch Stuff team

BIG News

My team and I closely monitored the Black Hills fire throughout the week. I’m grateful for the firefighters and first responders who have been working to keep people safe and contain the fire. Even though it is mostly contained now, check here for up-to-date safety information if you’re in the area: https://www.pennco.org/publicsafetyhub.

I’ve been an advocate for proper forest management, and a fire like this is a reminder that a healthy forest is a managed forest. Managing the forest decreases the risk and slows the growth of wildfires, protecting our families and preserving the habitat for generations to come.

Safer Communities
By: Gov. Kristi Noem  
September 6, 2024    

We recently celebrated the graduation of 20 new law enforcement officers in South Dakota. This graduation was unique because it included the first ever tribal-focused law enforcement training put on by a state, rather than by the federal government. Eight tribal law enforcement officers immediately began protecting and serving their communities.

I was particularly touched by their families who were in attendance. As I looked at the pride beaming from their families, I realized why these new officers accepted this calling: they want their families to grow up in safe and prosperous communities. And they are willing to be the boots on the ground to ensure that happens.

That graduation was a very honorable day. Those men and women stepped up to serve the public – and the public will look to them for what is right and what is wrong. On their toughest days, their oath as a law enforcement officer will be what gets them through. They will show compassion and empathy to people on their hardest days, and they will keep a steady hand when hard times are in front of us.

We respect law enforcement because they are the ones who protect our Freedoms here at home. Earlier this year, I released an ad for Freedom Works Here to recruit law enforcement officers to South Dakota. We’ve already made South Dakota the Freest state in America – and with more law enforcement officers, we’ll make it the safest, too.

Too many other states and cities have a different story to tell. In New York City, more than 2,500 officers resigned last year – 43% more than five years prior – meanwhile, murders are up 23% from five years ago. And 63% of Americans view crime as an “extremely” or “very” serious problem, the highest percentage ever recorded.

Calls to “defund the police” have turned into actual budget cuts in far too many communities. And the Biden-Harris Administration has even made this a reality for tribal communities here in South Dakota, as they have consistently underfunded tribal law enforcement.

But we must not be afraid because of threats to public safety. At that law enforcement graduation, I quoted Paul’s words in 2 Timothy to those new officers: “God has not given us a spirit of fear – but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

These officers have tremendous power in their new roles. And they will use that power with love. And they will make decisions with the sound mind that their training provides them to serve the people of their communities with excellence. I am so proud to have them protecting and serving our communities.

 After the graduation, I met with tribal leaders from six of our state’s tribes to discuss next steps to improve public safety in tribal communities. We talked about how to increase the amount of tribal law enforcement officers coming through our state academy. We also discussed the benefits of Mutual Aid Agreements like we just signed with the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Our conversations are turning into real solutions.

 I will continue to push for meaningful action from Washington, D.C. – both from Congress and from the Biden-Harris Administration. They need to do their part to keep our tribal communities safe, including closing the wide-open Southern Border. Until those common-sense actions are taken, South Dakota will continue to do our part. And we will celebrate landmark days like this law enforcement graduation.

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Jackie Diedrich, former Brookings County Republican Party Chairwoman who was also heavily involved in her former husband Larry’s run for Congress, passed away this week at the age of 66.

Her obituary is available here.

Please keep her family in your thoughts.

Well, no wonder this event was secretive when it was first announced.

The Doeden Dumpster fire is burning hotter tonight with the announcement of exactly who is headlining his $250/person conservative dinner. The secret dinner isn’t so secret now, with a change in date from September 27 to October 1.

An increase in the main sponsorship cost from $17,500 to 20,000 is coming with the announcement of who will be headlining this hot mess:

At $250 a head… who is that?  For South Dakotans, he is the GOP nominee for Governor in North Carolina. And he is just a quote machine.

When Rolling Stone actually has an article titled “N.C. GOP Nominee Mark Robinson’s Most Reprehensible Comments,” you know that Toby is going for the hottest garbage fire he can create at his inaugural event:

In Facebook posts, Robinson has repeatedly denied the Holocaust. In one 2018 post, he wrote that “this foolishness about Hitler disarming MILLIONS of Jews and then marching them off to concentration camps is a bunch of hogwash.”

Oh God. Robinson has also had choice words about the role of women:

“I absolutely want to go back to the America where women couldn’t vote,” Robinson said. “Do you know why? Because in those days, we had people who fought for real social change, and they were called Republicans.

You can read the article here.

Guess this is not going to be a rally in favor of Amendment E.

Robinson possibly also has a porn scandal brewing, which you can read about here, if you’re so inclined.

The bottom line is that aside from the $250 cost per ticket, actual Republicans should not just avoid being associated with this event – they should run away as quickly as possible.

An article today at SD News watch discusses the possibilities of the 2026 Gubernatorial race, and how well heeled two of the front runners are as we tick away the days until that campaign begins:

Johnson’s campaign committee total of more than $4.6 million puts him 18^th among current U.S. Congress members. That’s unusually high for a South Dakotan whose re-election race is deemed “solid Republican” by nearly every national prognosticator.

and..

“I’m never going to be scared of a primary,” Dusty Johnson told News Watch last fall. “Anybody who thinks that by acting in a certain way they can gain a free pass doesn’t understand modern politics. At some point, you just go do the right thing and figure out what that means politically later.”

and..

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, who ran a competitive but unsuccessful gubernatorial primary against Noem in 2018, is strongly considering taking another run at the job in 2026.

His campaign committee total of about $400,000 pales in comparison to Dusty Johnson’s $5 million, a source of consternation but not panic for the 53-year-old Sturgis native who previously served as South Dakota’s U.S. attorney.

“I’m focused on being attorney general,” Jackley told News Watch. “Other politicians may raise money and campaign (early), but I have a busy job. And I think the best politics that I can do is to perform in that job the best I can. I’ve shown that I can raise money in a short period of time, and it’s primarily local money. I’m not going to be controlled by anybody.”

Read the entire story here.

Just remember.. only 61 days until November 6th – the day Campaign 2026 begins.

Indiana Ethanol Producers Association Joins American Carbon Alliance

URBANDALE, Iowa (Sept. 6, 2024) – The American Carbon Alliance (ACA) announced today that the Indiana Ethanol Producers Association has officially joined its coalition. The ACA continues to gain momentum as ethanol trade associations across the country unite in support of carbon capture initiatives.

“We are excited to welcome the Indiana Ethanol Producers Association into our alliance,” said Tom Buis, CEO of the American Carbon Alliance. “Their commitment to advancing ethanol production and promoting cleaner energy solutions aligns perfectly with our mission to create a sustainable energy future for the United States. Together, we will drive forward the innovation and infrastructure necessary to achieve our goals.”

The Indiana Ethanol Producers Association has been at the forefront of promoting bioethanol production in the state. Their efforts have made Indiana a leader in offering consumers a variety of low-cost, environmentally friendly bioethanol fuel options.

“The Indiana Ethanol Producers Association is proud to be part of the American Carbon Alliance,” said Tim Phelps, spokesperson for the Indiana Ethanol Producers Association. “As we look to the future, the role of carbon capture and ethanol production is more crucial than ever. By joining this alliance, we are reinforcing our dedication to enhancing Indiana’s agricultural economy and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable environment.”

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I was on the Internets last night perusing facebook, and I stopped short, because I had noted a GOP political ribbon for the Dakota’s I had never seen before that belongs in my collection of South Dakota Republican Convention ribbons.

And I missed buying/bidding on it, when it had sold only 4 days before. Aaarrrghh…

In 30 years of collecting, I have never seen this before.  “Territorial Republican Convention, Watertown, Dakota 1888.”  And in very, very nice condition as well. That is just beautiful.

The downside? Harrison and Morton.  Because it’s a jugate ribbon. 

– From Wikipedia; jugate consists of two portraits side by side to suggest, to the viewer, the closeness of each to the other.   3 portraits are a trigate piece. And there’s a couple valuable SD versions out there.

The presidential and vice-presidential candidate portraits (they won that year) make it an expensive item especially coming from a sparsely populated territory.  Darn it. 

It went for $700 which is waaay up there for a SD textile piece, and it’s the presidential portraits which make it a national level – and expensive – collectible. I’ve bought most of my SD convention ribbons for well under $100, as they’re such a niche item, and more people are into buttons than ribbons, which actually came before the invention of buttons.

An 1888 Dakota Territory convention ribbon would have looked darned nice along with my other convention ribbons that I’ve collected over the years.

Some look like the day the ink was stamped onto silk. Others have taken a tougher path into my collection of South Dakota related campaign textiles. I manage to chase down one or two of these every few years. They’re a hard find, but they’re out there, scattered to the wind waiting to come home to South Dakota and my collection.

More fun than finally getting that piece is the chase for it.

But now that I know that it’s out there and exists – the hunt it on!