District 24 Republican House Candidate Mike Weisgram is kicking off his campaign, as I found promoted on former State Legislator Tad Perry’s facebook this afternoon:
Weisgram has a facebook page up for his campaign effort, which you can find at: https://www.facebook.com/MikeWeisgramHD24/
This just popped up on Twitter. But unfortunately, it’s a fake twitter account, and illustrative of a problem with the social media platform:
If you look at the “Alex Jensen for Sioux Falls” account at https://twitter.com/AlexJensen4SF, it looks fairly authentic. But it’s not. In fact, it’s what some might call a “deep fake.”
In speaking to people with the Alex Jensen for City Council campaign, not only is it not the candidate, but the fake twitter account has actually blocked Jensen himself (as supplied to me by the candidate):
So Jensen, whose real twitter account is @byalexjensen, is finding his twitter account not just being spoofed by someone hoping to capture traffic, with the above tweet, it seems that it’s being used for some fairly dirty tricks.
In fact, if you saw just the tweet at the top of the page, you’d have no idea. You have to click into the account to realize that the account is fake, with a very minor notation claiming that it’s “parody,” which I’m told might have only recently been added.
Nevermind it’s not indicative of parody, it’s a duplication of the original account, down to the photograph, which is going to be protected by copyright for the photographer. If it’s parody, as they claim, why do they have to block the real Alex Jensen, and duplicate his content down to the picture? Especially when you can’t see their claim of “parody” when they tweet.
The account duplication is a move from something that might be able to pass as parody into a realm of dirty tricks. And one that doesn’t reflect very well on the person (or people) running it.
Looks like Democrats are dancing the Time Warp! Because in the past couple of weeks, they’ve erased 2019 and any on-line evidence of Paula Hawks like she and her Executive Director Stacey Burnette didn’t exist.
From the Internet Archive/Wayback Machine, here’s what the South Dakota Dem’s website looked like earlier this year (May 8, 2019):
And here’s what it looks like today, live on the internet (From SDDP.org):
July 26, 2018 web stories, with Tornberg, Joe Lowe, and Bill Nibbelink at the helm steering the ship. Sounds like South Dakota Democrats hoping for “the good old days,” and wanting to forget all about Paula Hawks’ tenure as chairwoman.
Or it could be that the party owes the web developer money, and this is what happens when you don’t get things handled.
I’d been watching this for the past week or so, thinking that this might have been just a momentary glitch. But… it just doesn’t seem to be going away, and appears to be the new normal.
The South Dakota Democrat Party… wishing they could turn the clock back to 2018. But then again, they weren’t doing so hot then, either.
Any interested attorneys? Unfortunately, I suspect the fairly generous leave policy is going to change for any new applicants. – editor PP
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Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners Jean Bender, Chairman Dean Karsky, Vice Chairman Jeff Barth, Commissioner, Gerald Beninga, Commissioner Cindy Heiberger, Commissioner
Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners Accepting Applications for State’s Attorney
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2019
The Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners is currently accepting applications for State’s Attorney. Candidates must be duly licensed to practice as an attorney or counselor at law by the Supreme Court of South Dakota and a resident of Minnehaha County. The State’s Attorney’s Office is comprised of approximately 60 staff members responsible for the prosecution of adult and juvenile crimes as well as the civil representation of Minnehaha County. The Office has a budget of over $5 million.
The selected candidate will complete the current State’s Attorney term. The position is up for election in 2020 with the new term beginning early 2021.
Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume by 5 p.m. on December 27th to: Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners
Commission Office 415 N. Dakota Avenue Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Questions regarding the process should be directed to Carol Muller, Commission Administrative Officer, at 605-367-4206.
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Charlie McGuigan, Chief Deputy Attorney General under AG Jason Ravnsborg won a nice award this week at the National Association of Attorneys General Conference. As noted on Facebook:
Congrats to Charlie, and the SD AG’s office!
Update… here’s the release:
SOUTH DAKOTA CHIEF DEPUTY McGUIGAN RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Chief Deputy Charles McGuigan was recognized by the National Association of Attorneys General 2019 Senior Staff of the Year Award winner at an event in Washington, D.C.
McGuigan began his career with the South Dakota Attorney General’s office in 1991. During his tenure with the office he has worked on Indian law, water, oil and gas, mining, wildlife, air quality, solid waste, hazardous waste, nuclear energy, public lands, and forest management. He has served as the Legislative Director for the office since 1995. He has also leant his expertise to NAAG by serving on the Strategic Planning Committee and the Conference of Western Attorneys General by taking on the role of legal director.
“Charlie’s abilities and skills are an invaluable part of what makes our office successful,” said Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. “I cannot think of a more deserving recipient for this honor.”
-30-
So, Democrats had an election this past weekend, where they made Vice Chair Randy Seiler the official captain of The Titanic, after former captain (Chairwoman) Paula Hawks and her Director Stacey Burnette unmoored that lifeboat and got out while the getting was good…
And just when South Dakota Democrats were chatting themselves up with the media to try to put a happy face on their sad state of affairs, it sounds like at least one member of the media got the dems to overshare.
Because among other things, we found out that the new dem leadership isn’t exactly sure what they stand for, and they’re running the party on loans:
The following are interviews with each of the newly–and officially–elected members of the leadership for the South Dakota Democratic Party.
Marcia Bunger, treasurer of the Democratic Party in S.D.Why are you a Democrat in South Dakota? “I am a Democrat in South Dakota because I want to think for myself.”
What does the Democratic Party stand for? “While I don’t know everything that the Democratic Party stands for, I do know that we are here to insure inclusivity across all walks of life, which includes not only an open caucus, but also those individuals registered to vote Independent to vote in our primaries.”
When do you anticipate the past financial difficulties to be done? “As to an exact date that still is yet to be determined. We obtained a bank loan to repay past due accounts, which has been termed out three years.
and…
Nikki Gronli, vice-chair of the Democratic Party in S.D.Why are you a Democrat in South Dakota? “In America’s most difficult times, the Democratic Party has put in place programs that help all Americans get back on their feet. We are the party that fights for the improvement of all lives. We value all people regardless of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, or physical and mental ability. America does better when all Americans have financial stability.”
When do you anticipate the past financial difficulties to be done? “The past debts have been taken care of by taking out a short term loan.”
SD Dem’s new Vice Chair – “America does better when all Americans have financial stability. The past debts have been taken care of by taking out a short term loan.”
SD Dem’s new Treasurer – “We obtained a bank loan to repay past due accounts, which has been termed out three years.”
I’m sure this is going to end well for them.
Noem Seeks Public Input for District 19 Senate Nomination
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem is seeking public input for a District 19 Senate vacancy. The opening was created after current State Senator Stace Nelson announced his resignation effective December 10, 2019.
“State legislators are a critical part of our state government. I look forward to working with the folks in District 19 to find a qualified, dedicated public servant to not only represent this district, but focus on making our state stronger for the next generation,” said Noem.
Those wishing to be considered for the appointment, or to offer nominations, should email Rachel Graves at [email protected]. Nominations should include the candidate’s name, current physical address, telephone number, and relevant background information. All nomination materials must be submitted by December 20, 2019.
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AFP-SD to Host 2020 Legislative Agenda Kick-Off Events
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.— Americans for Prosperity-South Dakota (AFP-SD) will host two events to kick-off its 2020 Legislative Agenda. The events will be hosted in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, with RSVPed press invited to each event. Specific legislative agenda items for 2020 will be presented at the events.
SIOUX FALLS:
WHAT: AFP-SD’s 2020 Legislative Preview
WHEN: Tuesday, December 10th, 5:30PM – 7:30PM
WHERE: Holiday Inn City Centre
100 W. 8th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
RAPID CITY:
WHAT: AFP-SD’s 2020 Legislative Preview
WHEN: Thursday, December 12th, 5:30PM – 7:30PM
WHERE: Holiday Inn in Rapid City Rushmore Plaza
505 N. 5th St., Rapid City, SD 57701
NOTE:
These events may be streamed from the AFP-South Dakota facebook page.
These events are free to attend, including a free buffet! AFP does ask that you register ahead of time. (Availability may be limited) You can do so using these links:
Sioux Falls: https://americansforprosperity.ivolunteers.com/Events/AFP-SD-Legislative-Preview-Sioux-Falls
Rapid City: https://americansforprosperity.ivolunteers.com/Events/AFP-SD-Legislative-Preview-Rapid-City
If you want to listen to the audio of Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken scolding Sioux Falls City Councilor Theresa Stehly for her bad behavior on Facebook (11 months ago) that is the basis for her attempts to counterpunch on the issue, here it is:
TenHaken never did block Stehly, but he got her attention.
I had to laugh over the latest story on elected officials blocking people on Facebook. Because after a big negative wave about the topic crashed down on Sioux Falls City Councilor Theresa Stehly, she went into full meltdown mode, and threw a “hail mary” pass trying to divert the focus on to Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken:
.. yeah. “Just in case something should happen” to Theresa? Apparently she’s afraid of being “Epsteined” over blocking people on Facebook. LOL.
So, with Stehly’s transmittal of this year old e-mail to the Argus, did she bring down a rain of fire on her arch-enemy, Mayor TenHaken? Well, no:
And when Stehly said the mayor threatened to block her, TenHaken made a rare appearance in the comment section of Sioux Falls Politics, though he didn’t address others who accused him of blocking them from commenting on his posts.
“There are no mean emails, voicemails, or the like here,” he wrote. “I am embarassed (sic) that city politics gets pulled down to this level.
As opposed to her taking any bark off of the mayor, or diverting the subject off of her, literally, the entire story is about Stehly’s antics causing the Sioux Falls Politics site to have to take a breather, and being scolded for her behavior, as they rehash the whole “Theresa blocks people on Facebook story.”
Leaving us all to talk about that time Theresa Stehly tried to shift focus off of her blocking voters on Facebook… only to have people be reminded again that she blocks voters on Facebook.
At this rate, she’s going to beat herself in the upcoming Sioux Falls City Council race without her opponent having to lift a finger.