While he wasn’t well enough to explain to Republicans why he has never voted in a Republican primary, convalescent ‘Congressional explorer’ Toby Doeden bravely mustered enough strength to arise from his sick bed long enough to explain to a supporter that he’s just sure that someone will try to bribe him to stay out of the congressional race.

If you hadn’t heard, someone was supposedly offering money to get Kari Lake not to run for Senate in Arizona. The latest speculation was that it might have even come from the Trump Team. It’s all rather murky.

But of course, the paranoid conspiracists and ultra-right facebook addicts that make up Doeden’s core supporters had to know – has he been approached with a bribe to get out of the race?

And of course, Toby (or the people chained to a desk to write on his behalf) are saying not yet, but I’m sure it’s coming!

“I 100% haven’t been approached, yet. I reckon it’s because we are an exploratory committee at this point. One way or the other, I’m sure this offer will be made at some point..”

Er.. yeah. You betcha. I’m suuuuurreee that’s going to happen. (That was sarcasm)

Someone must have mixed his aspirin with his coca-cola to addle him to this degree. If anyone is going to make a donation, there are two far more likely scenarios.

#1 – Local residents might donate a couple of gas cards to get him on the campaign trail and out of Aberdeen to save the community the embarrassment of being associated with him. As in “please, we’d like to help you leave town for a while…“

#2 – State political blog writers might send him money to stay in the race, because this stuff is absolute comedy gold. But then again, most of us don’t do this for the money, so that’s less likely to happen.

Yep – going with #1. His neighbors will likely want to encourage this clown’s away travel. Far, far away.

The announced Democrat in the race for Congress, Zach Kovach has filed his latest FEC Report for his committee “Friends of Zachary Kovach.” And in reading, it’s clear Zach needs to find some more friends.

Friends of Zachary Kovach 2023 YE by Pat Powers on Scribd

$880 raised, $2572.78 spent, a negative $1302.76 cash on hand, with 390.02 owed.

It’s tough enough trying to run a campaign from another state, where he’s located in Colorado, but doing so when it’s doing nothing but costing him money, I kind of feel bad for him at this point. Not enough to send him money mind you. But jeez. This is not looking like it’s going in a direction that will bring him success.

Might be time for Zach to cut bait before it gets more expensive.

Also filing their year end report is US Senator Mike Rounds, who is not set for a race until 2026:

Rounds for Senate 2023 YE FEC by Pat Powers

Rounds puts up $57,363.05 in fundraising against $92,926.54 in expenses, leaving him with $1,504,246.74 in the bank as seed money for his next race.

Wow. Congressman Dusty Johnson put up big fundraising during the last quarter of 2023.

Dusty Johnson YE 2023 FEC by Pat Powers on Scribd

South Dakota’s Congressman put up a whopper of a fundraising quarter where he added a very strong $662,787.93 in donations, along with $21,800 from another committee, and $60,555.35 in interest to add up to $745,143.28 to the positive. Against which the committee had $139,780.20 in expenses.

Leaving Congressman Johnson with ending cash on hand of $3,881,425.26 going into the 2024 campaign season.

Those are strong fundraising numbers, and it will only get better with the possibility of an dumpster fire of an opponent.

Thune, Peters Demand Answers From TSA on Delayed PreCheck Enrollment Expansion

“We are concerned with TSA’s implementation of the TSA Modernization Act’s language aimed at expanding enrollment opportunities in areas which – due to geographical or other circumstances – lack accessible enrollment options.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) today called on Transportation Security Administrator (TSA) David Pekoske to prioritize expanding the PreCheck program to individuals in underserved areas without accessible and secure enrollment options. The senators also noted that reports citing security breaches from CLEAR, an airport membership program that fast-tracks airline passengers though security checkpoints, underscore the need for TSA to ensure enrollment service providers are held to the highest security standards.

“It is crucial that other transaction authority (OTA) agreements reached by TSA fully reflect congressional intent to expand PreCheck enrollment opportunities in new communities, particularly those in rural areas, through the use of innovative technologies and methods,” wrote the senators. “We are concerned that entities operating under OTA agreements are instead duplicating services already provided under the Universal Enrollment Services (UES) program. We are also concerned about reports of serious security breaches by CLEAR and request more information regarding how TSA is ensuring that CLEAR and other OTA providers maintain the highest security standards before executing OTA agreements with TSA.”

Thune previously authored the TSA Modernization Act, the first reauthorization of the agency in its history, which brought greater stability to the agency’s leadership and put new security assets in place to better protect travelers and minimize delays.

Full letter below:

Dear Administrator Pekoske:

We write regarding the future of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program and TSA’s progress toward expanding enrollment in a secure manner, consistent with the TSA Modernization Act. It is crucial that other transaction authority (OTA) agreements reached by TSA fully reflect congressional intent to expand PreCheck enrollment opportunities in new communities, particularly those in rural areas, through the use of innovative technologies and methods. We are concerned that entities operating under OTA agreements are instead duplicating services already provided under the Universal Enrollment Services (UES) program. We are also concerned about reports of serious security breaches by CLEAR and request more information regarding how TSA is ensuring that CLEAR and other OTA providers maintain the highest security standards before executing OTA agreements with TSA.

We recognize your strong commitment to expanding PreCheck given how essential the program is to improving aviation security and the efficiency of screening checkpoints. However, we are concerned with TSA’s implementation of the TSA Modernization Act’s language aimed at expanding enrollment opportunities in areas which – due to geographical or other circumstances – lack accessible enrollment options. As you know, Section 1937 of the TSA Modernization Act directs TSA to enter into OTA agreements to provide enrollment services in a way that is additive – not duplicative – of enrollment services provided under UES.

Unfortunately, it appears that OTA agreements reached by TSA duplicate the enrollment services provided by UES. For example, many of the locations where these services are provided through OTA agreements appear to be in close geographic proximity to enrollment centers provided under UES. Additionally, the enrollment services provided through OTA do not appear to utilize novel approaches or technologies, such as mobile or remote enrollment, which could greatly expand access to TSA PreCheck for Americans. Effectively, the enrollment services provided through the two existing OTA agreements still leave rural communities and other underserved areas without an accessible enrollment option, in contravention of the intent of the TSA Modernization Act.

We are also aware that CLEAR has been authorized to provide OTA enrollment services despite having recently undergone a TSA probe due to numerous reports of security breaches at airports where CLEAR provides services under the registered traveler program. Based on the major security threats outlined in these reports, we have serious concerns about CLEAR’s viability as a provider of enrollment services pursuant to their OTA agreement without a full TSA investigation of these reports or documentation of actions both CLEAR and TSA have taken to address these issues.

We believe that TSA should use the OTA agreements awarded in accordance with Section 1937 to focus solely on expanding PreCheck enrollment opportunities – especially through the use of new technologies – to communities who lack accessible enrollment options rather than duplicating enrollment services already provided under the UES program. We also believe entities providing services under OTA should be held to the highest security standards to keep the traveling public safe.

Accordingly, we respectfully request that you respond in writing to the following questions within 30 days:

1. What criteria does TSA use to review and approve proposed new enrollment centers under OTA agreements?
2. Has TSA considered other methods, including new technology, to expand enrollment in PreCheck, particularly to rural and other underserved areas, using OTA agreements? If so, can you describe those methods?
3. Has TSA made progress in working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to develop secure methods of biometric identification for use in a remote PreCheck enrollment option?
4. Has TSA worked with other federal partners to consider leveraging additional security information, such as security clearance investigations, to inform or supplement other enrollment pathways?
5. How is TSA working to ensure that new enrollment centers established pursuant to OTA agreements are not duplicative – geographically or otherwise – with enrollment services provided under UES?  What criteria does TSA use to establish new centers?
6. Can you describe how enrollment services provided through OTA agreements interact with such services provided under UES, specifically as they relate to online renewal enrollment services for PreCheck?
7. What actions has TSA taken in response to reports of serious security breaches by CLEAR?
8. Has TSA taken the reported security breaches by CLEAR into account as part of its continued oversight of CLEAR as an OTA provider? If so, what actions has the agency taken in response, and what measures has CLEAR taken to remedy its vulnerabilities?

Thank you for your attention to these issues, and we look forward to working with you to keep the national aviation system secure. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our staff.

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SD Legislature Supports Securing Southern Border
Resolution of Support Passes Moments after Gov. Noem’s Address 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, the South Dakota Legislature passed HCR 6010 acknowledging the need to protect our borders and affirming South Dakota’s support of the defense of the Southern Border.

This resolution passed overwhelmingly moments after Governor Kristi Noem briefed a joint session of the South Dakota Legislature to inform legislators on how the invasion of our Southern Border is impacting South Dakota.

“The national security crisis happening at the Southern Border affects every state, including South Dakota,” said Governor Noem. “I am glad that the Legislature sees the severity of this matter and agrees that we need to take action to secure our borders.”

Governor Noem’s full border address to the joint session of the South Dakota Legislature can be found here.

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Dusty Johnson, Smith, Costa, and Panetta Launch Ag Trade Caucus 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Adrian Smith (R-NE), Jim Costa (D-CA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) announced the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Agricultural Trade Caucus to advance and promote policies vital to U.S. agriculture, including boosting agricultural exports, facilitating food and agriculture trade, and knocking down unnecessary trade barriers.

As co-chairs of the caucus, the members released the following statements:

“Ensuring access to international markets for ag products is essential for South Dakota producers,” said Johnson. “I look forward to working with the co-chairs to help booster America’s ag exports to retain healthy demand for our farmers and ranchers.”

“American agriculture producers have the capacity to feed and fuel the world, and robust engagement on trade opportunities is vital to unleashing this potential,” said Smith. “Increasing—and maintaining—market access for our first-class products through rules-based trade strengthens our economy, increases economic security with our allies, and benefits consumers worldwide. I thank my fellow co-chairs for joining me in this effort to advance bipartisan trade policy.”

“Representing the breadbasket of the world, access to global markets is critical to our economy,” said Costa. “As Co-Chair of the Agricultural Trade Caucus, I look forward to working together to promote trade policies that will ensure American farmers remain competitive on the global stage.”

“Congress needs to be more active in promoting trade agreements that will keep American producers competitive and empower them to feed the world,” said Panetta. “The bipartisan Agriculture Trade Caucus was founded to ensure the farmers and ranchers in our districts and throughout the country are prioritized in our nation’s overall trade agenda. Together, we are committed to ensuring new trade agreements are enforceable, high-standard deals that ensure fairness and expand new markets for the immense bounty our country produces.”

The new bipartisan Congressional Agricultural Trade Caucus will work to solidify support for trade policies that benefit farmers, ranchers, producers, rural communities, and all those along our food and agricultural supply chains. The caucus will support education and engagement opportunities for members of Congress to promote policies which boost international competitiveness, increase market access, address non-tariff barriers to trade, improve supply chains, and reestablish U.S. global leadership on trade.

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I just got word that Congressional Explorer Toby Doeden who had been booked to speak to the Brown County Republicans on Thursday… and whom we found out appears to have not voted in a Republican Primary during the last 20 years (in case you needed a reminder)..

..has suddenly taken ill, and can no longer speak to the group of Republicans who regularly do vote in the primary.

Please keep Toby in your thoughts and prayers as he combats this serious illness which prevented him from conversing with the Republicans who were planning to attend tomorrow.

Hopefully it’s not COVID, because as he told us earlier, the vaccine is a plot by Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.

(He might have to get over to the local vet for some Ivermectin.)

I was just remarking to myself that as opposed to last sessions lunacy of State Senator Tom Pischke complaining that it violated the constitutional rights of rapists to be taken out of the classroom, as well as the goofy stuff he did that got him expelled from the Republican Caucus, that Tom has been fairly benign this session.

And not an hour later, I received an e-mail asking me “who will sign onto the Pischke chemtrail bill.”  Spoke too soon.

2024 South Dakota Legislature
Senate Bill 215
Introduced by: Senator Pischke

An Act to prohibit the intentional release of polluting emissions into the atmosphere by cloud seeding, weather modification, excessive electromagnetic radio frequency and microwave radiation and providing enforcement and penalties for violations.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 34A-1:

Terms used in this Act mean:

(1) “Cloud seeding,” a type of weather modification that attempts to change the amount or type of precipitation by dispersing chemicals such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, and dry ice into the air by means of aircraft or ground generators;

(2) “Stratospheric aerosol injection,” proposed method of solar radiation modification that would introduce aerosols into the stratosphere to create a cooling effect by reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the earth, mimicking what happens naturally during a volcanic eruption;

(3) “Weather modification,” the act of altering or manipulating the weather; and

(4) “Xenobiotic,” foreign to life.

Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 34A-1:

Any person may report a suspected aircraft, balloon, drone, facility, or other delivery system used for weather modifying applications, cloud seeding, or any atmospheric experimentation involving the release of polluting emissions detected by the public, law enforcement, first responders, or state officials to the county sheriff’s office in the county in which it was observed or suspected. If the county sheriff finds the reported evidence worthy of investigation, the sheriff shall investigate further and may report supporting evidence of violative activity to the Governor’s office.

Section 3. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 34A-1:

The Governor or the sheriff in the county where reported shall immediately issue a cease-and-desist order upon the discovery of weather engineering, cloud-seeding, or any other polluting atmospheric activity, where an agency, public official, department, office, program, or member of the public produces evidence to the Governor or sheriff that the activity involves a polluting emission. The cease-and-desist order has the weight of a court order and any violation is punishable under law.

The Governor may call upon the adjutant general of the South Dakota National Guard to identify and notify any aircraft, drone or other facility releasing aerosol emissions, electromagnetic radiation, or other pollutants into the atmosphere that they are required to cease and desist. The aircraft, drone or other facility must be ordered to land at the nearest available airport to be investigated for violative activity.

The Governor may call upon the state law enforcement to investigate instances that may be in violation of this Act. The Governor may call upon the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for environmental studies to investigate if and what chemicals may have been dispersed in violation of this Act.

Section 4. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 34A-1:

Where an activity that the Governor or any sheriff has deemed hazardous has been approved, explicitly or implicitly, by the federal government, the Governor or the sheriff shall issue a notice to the appropriate federal agency, foreign state, or international body that the hazardous activity cannot lawfully be carried out within or over the state of South Dakota, pursuant to the Tenth Amendment. Government agencies or projects, universities, public or private entities, and armed forces operating within or above the state of South Dakota must meet all the requirements of this Act.

Section 5. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 34A-1:

No person may engage in a polluting atmospheric activity or use an unmarked or unidentified aircraft or other vehicle or facility to carry out a weather engineering, cloud-seeding, or other hazardous atmospheric activity. A violation of this section is a class 6 felony, except that a fine of five hundred thousand dollars may be imposed.

Section 6. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 34A-1:

The Governor and each county sheriff shall encourage the public to monitor, measure, document, and report incidents that may constitute cloud seeding, stratospheric aerosol injection, weather modification, or other environmental polluting activities.An individual who presents evidence of a polluting atmospheric activity shall e-mail or otherwise write and send any of the following to the county sheriff, or to the Governor’s office:

(1) Evidentiary photographs, each separately titled as an electronic or hard-copy document, with the respective location from which, and if the content is from other than a measuring device, the direction in which, the photo was taken, with its time and date;

(2) Independent precipitation analysis reports, photography, videography, audiography, microscopy, spectrometry, metering, and other forms of evidence shall similarly be submitted in writing to the county sheriff, to any state office, or any state public official; or

(3) Videography of activity involving release of polluting emissions.

A public official who has received submitted information and has reason to suspect violative activity based on evidence presented by an individual or an agency must, directly or through a designee, report in writing within twenty-four hours all documentary and supportive evidence to the county sheriff for enforcement. The county sheriff may request assistance from state law enforcement to investigate possible violative activity as well as the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for technical assistance and analysis of pollutants as needed.

A report to the county sheriff or Governor of polluting atmospheric emissions shall trigger investigation of the source and contents of the emissions, without limitation. Where the emissions are harmful to humans or the environment, per primary scientific study, enforcement must ensue.

A report to the county sheriff of excessive electromagnetic radiation or fields in any part of the spectrum, including without limitation microwave or maser, infrared, light or laser, ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, or report of intense mechanical vibration, noise, or other physical agent, with evidence, including possible photography, videography, audio recordings, measurements of the agents, or other detection, must result within two hours of receiving the report in emergency measurements of peaks and averages over time with the appropriate, calibrated meter and forensic detection devices at the reported location.

Where professional metering and monitoring equipment is needed but not owned by the state, the sheriff shall partner with state universities or colleges and their experts for investigative activity, so as to provide evidentiary findings that would qualify as scientific expert testimony.

Section 7. That a NEW SECTION be added:

Weather engineering or atmospheric experimentation involving the release of xenobiotic agents or electromagnetic radiation at hazardous levels requires enforcement as follows:

(1) The sheriff’s immediate communication of the requirement of the owner or operator of each facility or infrastructure deploying or releasing the specific agent to produce records of the operations of any site where xenobiotic agents or excessive levels have been detected, and convey the records to the sheriff;

(2) The sheriff’s immediate order to cease operations of the facility; and

(3) The sheriff’s evaluation within twenty-four hours of the owner’s or operator’s performance in causing the cessation of all operations.

Section 8. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 34A-1:

The sheriff shall immediately require the owner or operator of each tower, antenna, other facility or infrastructure to produce records of the extant operations at sites where excessive xenobiotic electromagnetism and fields, mechanical vibration, or other physical agents are, or have been detected, specifically:

(1) Radiofrequency or microwave radiation, including maser, of signal strength metered at the reported, publicly accessible location in excess of negative eighty-five dBm for any frequency or channel band specified by a transmitting entity’s FCC transmission license;

(2) Extreme-low-frequency alternating current electric fields in excess of 1 volt per meter;

(3) Magnetic fields in excess of one milliGauss;

(4) Ionizing radiation in excess of 0.02 milliSievert per hour;

(5) Laser or other light with harmful effects; or

(7) Any vibration, noise, saser, sonic weapon, or other physical agent exceeding building biology guidelines.

The owner or operator must convey the records to the sheriff within twenty-four hours.

The sheriff shall immediately order a cessation of operations of all antennas and other deployments of energy or vibration emitted from the measured structure or facility. The sheriff shall evaluate within twenty-four hours the owner or operator’s performance in causing the cessation of all operations. The sheriff shall refer suspected criminal activity to the state’s attorney for prosecution.

So, in addition to the other goofy measures that have been proposed, now South Dakota legislators are going to be tasked with the burning questions on chemtrails, xenobiotic electromagnetism, and cloud seeding, as Tom demands that Sheriffs be tasked with investigating “sasers” and sonic weapons.  And the National Guard will be called out to investigate whether those planes going over are conducting “Stratospheric aerosol injection” as they try “weather modification.”

Every day with the South Dakota Legislature is an adventure..