Over the past two years, America has seen some of the most concerning attacks on freedom in our history. Governments seized previously unimagined power over our day-to-day lives. Churches were forced to close, forsaking freedom of religion. Big tech and government alike attempted to police speech, something that is supposed to be free for all. And though the Supreme Court seems poised to advance the right to life of all people, renewed attacks on that right are only just beginning. 

Amid all this, the right that exists to defend all other rights is also under assault. 

Yes, I’m talking about the 2^nd Amendment, our right to keep and bear arms. The Biden administration is attempting to erode this essential right that the founding fathers passionately supported. He has signed executive orders and pursued legislation to strip law-abiding citizens of their rights, and he has promised to do worse. 

Since I became governor, I have enhanced South Dakota’s protections for 2^nd Amendment rights. The first bill I signed as governor was constitutional carry, also known as permitless carry. Every law-abiding citizen should have the 2^nd Amendment rights guaranteed. 

Consider these quotes from the founding fathers, each pointing to an early understanding of what it meant for the individual right to bear arms: 

“A free people ought to be armed, but disciplined;”

— President George Washington’s first message to Congress in 1790, a year before the 2^nd Amendment was ratified 

“No freeman shall ever be debarred from the use of arms within his own lands or tenements.”

— Thomas Jefferson, in drafts of Virginia’s constitution 

Even Alexander Hamilton — whose reimagined popularity on Broadway falsely paints him as a liberal — passionately advocated for the right to self-defense. At the time of the American Revolution, the militias fighting against the British Army were armed with their own muskets and rifles. Hamilton, in Federalist No. 29, asserts that an armed and well-regulated militia would be a check on government tyranny. Under that same principle, a militia today would be armed by the individuals themselves — unlike the U.S. Military branches, which are themselves an instrument of the government. 

We must remember that those continental soldiers were fighting an overbearing national government – the British – who was trampling their rights. They kept and bore their own personal arms into battle. In doing so, they built the freest country this world has yet known. 

I promise to defend that freedom our founders won for us. That is why we continue to look for ways to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens in South Dakota. In 2020, I blocked bills proposing unconstitutional red-flag laws to strip citizens of their right to bear arms. The following year, I signed “stand your ground” legislation, and I further protected your right to purchase guns and ammo during emergency declarations. This year, I repealed all concealed carry permit fees for state residents, which is necessary to remain in good legal standing in other states with stricter gun laws. It won’t cost you a penny to exercise your 2^nd Amendment rights. 

I’ve taken these actions because the 2^nd Amendment is important to South Dakotans. A study this year found we are in the Top 10 states for gun ownership, and we are the number one state for the percentage of residents who get a hunting license (about 1-in-5 South Dakotans get licensed each year). 

Our focus is on protecting the right to protect yourself, your family, and your property, as Thomas Jefferson asserted. Unfortunately, opponents outside of our state fail to understand what successful protections look like. One anti-gun group gave South Dakota an “F” rating because we strengthened our “stand your ground” law. That same group gave Illinois an “A-” despite the state having higher gun death rates per capita.  

As Governor, I will always fight to protect your rights and strengthen them. Individual rights are guaranteed in our Constitution, and the Second Amendment exists to protect the rest. As folks continue to look to South Dakota as an example of liberty, we will continue to be a sanctuary for the 2^nd Amendment, as well.  

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If you saw this in the shopper paper, you’d think there was a Republican event this weekend.

But, it isn’t. They might claim to be a “Republican Party All Candidate Forum,” but that’s pretty false advertising. Not to mention that they don’t have a disclaimer with it. This is an event sponsored by one of the fringe groups that’s popped up this year. Not that you can tell, since they won’t use their own name.

And they finally got around to noting who they actually are in an e-mail sent to candidates this morning, an e-mail where they seem to have an expectation that candidates are planning on showing up:

The event is actually sponsored by the local chapter of the “Patriot Ripple Effect.” Not they they’d put that in the paper.  They also use the snakey tactic of saying it’s an opportunity to meet primary candidates for Governor, US and State Representatives, etc.”  But they don’t really tell you who is and isn’t coming.

Somehow I doubt Kristi Noem or John Thune have confirmed they’re going to be there.  And in fact, I notice I’m on there as one of the candidates in the e-mail that went out today. But, I didn’t see where my invite to speak for 7 minutes came into my e-mail box.  (Must have gotten lost on the Internets.)

Not sure why they have to be sneaks or snakes about any of it. If they want to have their own thing, it’s a free country. But why the deception?  Why the false advertising, and hiding their identity in their advertising?  The big takeaway from this is that a group who has to pretend to be the Republican Party is trying to deceive people into thinking they are having a GOP event. When it couldn’t be farther from the truth.

If they have to trick people and hide their name, I think I’d tell candidates to stay away from this mess.

I know I’ll be passing on my opportunity for 7 minutes of fame.

As delegates (or at least my wife is, and I have a race),  we’re starting to see things from the candidates who are running at the Republican Convention. I recently received notes from Steve Barnett for Secretary of State, and Marty Jackley, candidate for Attorney General.

And today, I received a letter from Monae Johnson. Among the spelling and grammatical errors (voter rolls nor voter roles), it includes a survey asking my opinion on “voter fraud.”

But it’s also asking about abortion and vaccine mandates. That seems a little far ranging for the SOS.

I don’t seem to recall that the Secretary of State is doing many abortion and vaccination procedures. Unless things have really gotten crazy in Pierre.

Monae Johnson for SOS Letter and survey by Pat Powers on Scribd

Stay tuned.

Hearing reports of the Lincoln Day Dinner in Vermillion last night, where Dusty Johnson made a last minute appearance right in the middle of Congressional Candidate Taffy Howard’s speech. I’m told Dusty proceeded point out Taffy’s misinformation versus his legislative record, how the NRA endorsed him in the race, and how he yesterday he passed two bills out of committee in comparison to Taffy’s record, where she passed zero bills this year, zero bills the year before, and zero bills the year before that.

As I’m told, after she was completely owned, she packed up and left pretty quickly after the dinner was over. I suspect that was a long drive back to Rapid City. Are they going to have any debates in that race? Because those might be pretty entertaining.

Also hearing Bruce Whalen’s speeches are getting crazier and crazier, and may have alluded to pelting Anthony Fauci with stones thrown from a sling. If that’s correct, someone needs to get a hook and yank him off the stage, because he’s embarrassing the GOP at this point.

It’s getting pretty bad at some of these events where you go to see what kind of theater of the bizarre will be play-acted, versus going to support Republican candidates. It will be a good thing to get the goofballs off the stage.

What on earth?  As bad as things are, this might be the most messed up thing I’ve heard, and I go looking for stories of the off-beat.

In Aberdeen, someone may have hired a private investigator to call a councilwoman’s babysitter, asking about her kids, regarding “city council matters.”

In a printed statement distributed to the council Monday at the end of the regular meeting, Langer said she was told on May 9 by her former babysitter that the care provider was contacted by a private investigator.

“The questions ranged from when they were with adults, to whom they are with and where. (The babysitter) was told this information was being gathered for potential city council matters,” Langer’s statement read.

and..

The issue is the latest conflict within the council. In recent weeks, campaign material issued by Andy Schaunaman that claimed that Aberdeen was just “one vote” from hiring a “liberal city manager” sparked controversy.

Read the entire story here.

This literally might be one of the worst things I’ve read about in a long time.

I don’t care if it involves a Republican, Democrat, or other political affiliation. If you’re so messed up, you send a private investigator out to ask about an elected officials kids over “city council matters,” the problem might be with you, and you belong nowhere near politics. Because you’re a pretty short step away from being a stalker.

If you recall, a day or so ago, District 2 House candidate Jake Schoenbeck released a nice endorsement from Governor Kristi Noem that will likely be appearing in mailboxes:

Thanks Gov. @KristiNoem! pic.twitter.com/tmQRpd9luG

— Jake Schoenbeck (@JakeSchoenbeck) May 17, 2022

And yesterday, his fellow District 2 House Candidate John Sjaarda mailed out a different postcard, touting the endorsement of a number of politicians that have little or nothing to do with his district:

I’m not sure what the common thread is here. Most of the House members endorsing him opposed impeachment, although Sjaarda claimed ignorance when asked about it by the Argus.  Although I do see Aylward voted in favor of it.   So, that’s not it.

A couple of them used to represent a small portion of what is now District 2. But… not the others?

Kind of a head scratcher.

You know, the Governor supporting an up and coming candidate is one thing, considering she’s the most popular Republican in South Dakota among Republican voters. Just not seeing that Tom Pischke or Rhonda Milstead are going to compel a similar sense of “we need this guy.”

Endorsed by randoms.

District 9 State Senate Candidate Mark Willadsen had been the recipient of a donation from Convention of States this election, but after seeing some of their attack ads against candidates, he said thanks, but no thanks. And also hinted that they are dead to him:

Hearing from a few people as well that Convention of States made a grave miscalculation this election, and that they probably shouldn’t bother to show up at the next session, as it’s going to be a long time before people forget their attack ads.

If you recall the message from “Conservative” Hillary Clinton Donor Liz May, people who changed over to be Republicans are a serious problem in South Dakota elections.

However, this morning, Conservative State Representative Kevin Jensen had a different message:

While Conservative Hillary Clinton donor Liz May hates party switchers, Kevin Jensen says bring them on and switch now, because “you can always switch back.”

Kind of getting a mixed message here.

Well, that campaign went south fast.

After her campaign sent out a campaign letter, which attacked teachers, referring to them as tyrants, and others, Rapid City School Board Candidate Janyce Hockenbary suddenly developed amnesia. In addition to being an awful person.

At a Tuesday school board candidate forum hosted by Elevate Rapid City, Hockenbary publicly denied writing the letter. In a follow-up interview attempt with the Journal after the forum, Hockenbary avoided saying who actually wrote the letter, but that she approved it.

And..

When asked who wrote the letter, she replied, “I do not know.”

She said she approved the letter “in an email.” She declined to answer any additional questions from the Journal about who the email came from and walked away from the interview.

Read the entire story here.

You know, with that sudden onset amnesia, she should make sure she doesn’t have a more serious underlying condition. She should probably go see a physician.

But good luck finding a doctor who wasn’t exposed to one of those awful tyrant teachers she spends so much time complaining about. (Maybe someone’s got some essential oils laying around.)