Archive for September, 2010

I saw this on TV the other day and the first words that popped into my head were, that’s Dusty Johnson. Nerdy(Sorry Dusty if you read this) and fast talker. If you have met Mr. Johnson, you know exactly what I am talking about. After viewing this commercial, you can be confident this is what you are getting. No gimmicks here.

And the worst….

As a democratic candidate, you do not use the relative of one of the most despised politicians in Bill Janklow in your ads to help you. Scott, you are doing your best to alienate both sides of the aisle. How can anyone trust you?

I was thinking about this today while mowing the lawn and I thought I would share my thoughts on this. I am curious on what Adam thinks as well, but here are my predictions for the South Dakota Statewide Elections as well as the local Aberdeen elections. I am going to include percentages in these numbers.

US House
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D 50.2%
Kristi Noem, R 49.8%
This will be a repeat of the 2004 Senate election, where we won’t know until the next morning. We could even have a recall on this.

Governor
Dennis Daugaard, R – 65%
Scott Heidepriem, D – 35%

Secretary of State
Jason Gant, R – 55%
Ben Nesselhuf, D – 45%

State Auditor
Steve Barnett, R – 53%
Julie Bartling, D – 47%

State Treasurer
Rich Sattgast, R – 60%
Tom Katus, D – 40%

School of Public Lands Commissioner
Jarrod Johnson, R – 62%
Bob Pille, D – 38%

Public Utilities Commissioner
Dusty Johnson, R – 61%
Doyle Karpen, D – 39%

District 2 House
Two are elected. I won’t do percentages in this
1. H. Paul Dennert, D
2. Elaine Elliot, D
3. Lana Greenfield, R
4. Norbe Barrie, R

District 2 Senate
1. Jim Hunstad, D

District 3 House
1. Dennis Feickert, D
2. David Novstrup, R
3. Issac Latterell, R
4. Tim Even, D

District 3 Senate – Rematch from two years ago – The Battle of the Als
1. Al Novstrup, R
2. Al Hoerth, D

The Baseball Project is a side project with Steve Wynn of Dream Syndicate, Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey of R.E.M., and Linda Pitmon who once drummed for Zuzu’s Petals. I’m not familiar with all their work, but they contacted Craig Finn, of The Hold Steady (best bar band in America) to write and sing a song about his favorite and hometown team, the Minnesota Twins. The result is “Don’t Call Them Twinkies.” Since the Sox are done for this year, I’ll be a Twins guy until they’re done. So please don’t call them twinkies.

Enjoy Finn killing it for the Twins.

Adam Feser

The GOP not only shut down the repeal of DADT, they also shut down the Dream (development, relief, and education for alien minors) Act. Never mind that it should be in their wheelhouse and is supported by the Pentagon. That doesn’t matter because it deals with immigration, and we all know even sensible policy doesn’t matter to Republicans when it comes to immigrants.

Joe Pace has a great explanation of just why it should be a conservative home run. Basically, it’s fiscally responsible, pro military, and pro states’ rights.

The act is intended to provide a path to citizenship for those minors that were brought to America by their parents, have been in America at least five consecutive years, have good moral character (no criminal record), and have completed high school (and they must prove each of these things). If these criteria are met, the person then must complete either two years in the U.S. military or two years in college. If they accomplish this, they can apply for permanent residency, which would allow a them to eventually become citizens. If they commit crimes at any time, they are subject to deportation. It’s a novel idea: instead of punishing minors for the actions of their parents, we provide them an opportunity to work hard, keep their nose clean, and be rewarded.

The Department of Defense is a fan of the legislation. They even include it in their strategic plan to keep the military strong.

As Pace points out, it costs over $23,000 to deport someone. If you consider the 2.1 million eligible immigrants (though 825,000 could take advantage), there is a great amount of savings in not seeking deportation. Instead of spending that money to deport these people, it allows them the chance to pump money into universities and serve the military. It also creates taxpayers because they won’t have to be a part of the underground economy (also reducing welfare costs).

Finally Pace makes a states’ rights argument (though I think it may be a little weak). States can decide whether or not universities can offer in-state tuition to immigrants. Currently federal legislation creates stiff penalties for doing so.

Bizarro McCain (the one that hates old McCain) is one of the leaders of the opposition, though he supported the measure before and even used the same tactics to try and pass it. I guess those damn minors are horrible law breakers because of their parents’ actions. We must punish the ten-year-old who so horribly broke our laws by having parents drag him or her over.

As one sixteen-year-old high school student, brought illegally by her parents at a young age, puts it:

If the Dream Act passes, it is like a door that opens for me and I would say, ‘Yeah, I am going to go to college’. If the Dream Act comes true, it would be like a real dream.

Enjoy yet another solid policy sacrificed in the name of an election.

Adam Feser

The backwards policy that requires homosexuals to hide that fact in order to serve their country survived a vote to repeal it. American heroes apparently don’t have the right to be gay.

The vote went down party lines. It’s always great to see Republicans supporting only those troops they deem normal. Perhaps they should change their version of the ribbons to “Support the troops, unless I have some personal problem with them, in which case screw the troops.” The only thing they’ll have to live with is knowing they are still supporting gay troops that are good at hiding it.

It’s amazing to me that someone who is willing to fight and possibly die in service of America can only do so as long as they hide their sexuality. We’re have tons of troops deployed, many have been more than once, yet we find it necessary to kick people out for the arbitrary reason of their sexuality. That makes perfect sense. Straight soldiers can go ahead and talk about their significant others at home but gay soldiers best not let slip anything so horrible.

Over 13,000 heroes have been discharged since 1993. And there are no doubt thousands and thousands more that keep their identity hidden in order to continue serving. But it’s so important that we, what? I’m still not sure why it exists. Is it because it’s scarier serving with gays than it is to deal with enemy fire? “I know that person could help save lives and such, but that person likes people of the same sex.” I just can’t imagine that being a real statement.

There may yet be some ways to overcome the vote. Let’s hope so.

Enjoy Republicans being, yet again, on the wrong of history.

Adam Feser

Sorry I haven’t posted in a bit. I had a busy weekend and am still basking in the glow of a Husker domination. There is definitely one important thing that happened last Thursday (while I was at a Titus Andronicus/Free Energy concert) that needs posting.

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert had been going back an forth since Glenn Beck’s rally about how they each were going to make a huge announcement. Last Thursday they finally made good on their boasts and each announced a rally to take place at the National Mall in D.C. on 10/30/10. Jon’s is to restore sanity to our country and Stephen’s (always the satirist) is to “keep the fear alive.”

Jon’s clip is amazing. I especially like the signs. “I disagree with you, but I’m pretty sure you’re not Hitler.” That’s a sentiment I wish I heard more of in American politics. “I’m not afraid of Muslims/ Tea Partiers/ Socialists/ Immigrants/ Gun Owners/ Gays, but I am scared of spiders.” That’s another little doozy.

“Take it down a notch for America.” How great is that?

Stephen’s character, of course, cannot abide by the return of reason to the process. (After all, reason is just one letter away from treason.) What will happen to the people employed in the panic-inducing market? What would there be for talking heads to do if they weren’t trying to convince you a community center is actually a terrorist training ground?

Hurry up an book your hotels, because if you don’t, your kids will be gay.

Enjoy restoring sanity.

Adam Feser

It looks as though the Tea Party has, yet again, managed to lose a seat that they should have (or at least could have) picked up. They nominated Christine O’Donnell in Delaware. Her odds are not good.

O’Donnell has tested 26 points lower than Mike Castle (the nominee she toppled) against Chris Coons (the Democratic nominee). It amazes me that Delaware Republicans are willing to lose this seat in the name of extreme conservatism, but I am thankful for it.

When Republicans gains this November are more modest than they hoped, both Republicans and Democrats will have the Tea Party to thank.

Enjoy T Magic looking like a phenom.

Adam Feser

I don’t know about the rest of the readers out there, but I am growing tired of the traffic battle. Both campaigns are trying to ‘one up’ each other on who they can get on traffic violations. The newest revelation by our friend David Newquist is a blockbuster. To everyone…LET IT GO! Lets keep it to the issues.