The Decorum Forum

• Senator Harry Reid - "Taxation Is Voluntary"

  Is there any reason to believe a word this man says about anything? [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 9:08pm EST
  

• The Sarah Palin Thanksgiving Turkeys Reprise.

  "
  
  This is both funny... and scary. Gobble, gobble." [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 11:41am EST
  

• Here kitty kitty kitty

  Sometimes one has to wonder how our country got into the mess we're in. And how is it that geographical location can determine the same location's political sanity.
  
  In some California communities, it is now against the law to de-claw your cat. Doing so can land you in jail' [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 1:02am EST
  

• Marking time at NextYearsNews.com

  At NextYearsNews.com (accessible only to those in good with their higher power) I saw the following news release, dated January 7, 2011:
  
  PIERRE (So. Dak.) 7 JAN 2011 (by IP Staffwriters) -- I. B. "Sweet" Jehrken credits B. T. Marking for inspiring his astounding run -- and landslide win [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 12:17pm EST
  

• The Gay American Idol and the First Amendment

  Okay, so this immensely popular fellow from American Idol, Adam Lambert, did a highly sex-charged performance at the American Music Awards last night. Gay sex-charged. The performance included "dance" moves that included simulated oral sex and tongue-to-tongue lip locks with Lambert's fellow (fellow) dancers.
  
  Public simulated sex acts (gay [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 11:35pm EST
  

• Yesterday's News Day After Tomorrow

  The ever-so-timely Sioux Falls Argus Leader is just now figuring out that Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin has some issues to deal with now that the Democratic Party allowed her to vote against the House Health Care reform bill. Read all about it, (as if you haven't already) here.
  [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 10:50pm EST
  

• Gun Control in Chi-Town

  The folks over at reason.com have an interesting little tidbit about the folks in Chicago who made the decision to outlaw handguns for their citizens. You can read it here.
  
  I suppose nobody should be surprised elected officials who banned handguns in Chicago don't think the law' [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 10:41pm EST
  

• Cloture vote on Health Care Reform tonight...

  Why in the world would ANY Senator not want to even DISCUSS the Senate bill? That's what the vote is about. Shall we have a discussion? Come on, people. This is where the rubber meets the road. [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 2:47pm EST
  

• Hmmm...

  
  I wonder what Rick Weiland is up to these days?
  I've still got his old logo over here.' [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 11:09am EST
  

• Okay, the decision to have trials for terrorists in non-military courts?

  Yea? Or Nay. What is the opinion on the Forum? I'll start. I think it's good in some cases, not in others. Depends on the nature of the evidence. And I'll admit that there is a part of me that feels some of those boys should have been shot on [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 11:30am EST
  

• Considering the "opt-out" public option. Calling all candidates.

  It sounds like states may have a choice as to whether they want to participate in a public health insurance program if Congress passes (and Obama signs) a health care reform bill with an opt-out clause.
  As best I can tell, the states will have this option after a [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 8:09am EST
  

• Madville Times's straw poll shows SHS up the creek without a paddle.

  Of course there are scientific polls being taken surely, but the one Cory has here is pretty interesting. How far off can it be, Dems? Heidelberger's nut graf: "The number I'd worry about if I were sitting in 331 Cannon or the Sioux Falls office: only 11% of'" [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 9:40am EST
  

• Well, Stephanie, whatcha gonna do, sister?

  CLICK ON THE CARTOON TO ENLARGEENLARGEENLARGEENLARGEENLARGEIT. [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 8:56am EST
  

• Ok, troops, let's review. This is how you stage a protest.

  [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 8:27pm EST
  

• Hey Facebookers, wanna see how welcome outsider ideas are in greater Red Owl, South Dakota?

  
  On a post below, "Jingles" invites me to come see the progress on the new bridge out Red Owl way.
  Not sure I'd much enjoy the company, rd.
  I'm just sayin... [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 7:28pm EST
  

• Grapes of wrath

  The exchange following Bill’s posting regarding Sam Hurst’s views prompted me to write about some things I think about a lot. I was raised on a ranch in the northeastern corner of Wyoming. From the time I was five until I was 25, whenever I wasn’t in school or church [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 12:02pm EST
  

• Alright then, no more complaining.

  Bitch, bitch, bitch. Government this, congress that, judicial activists blah blah blah. But when it comes time to actually do something about it, Forumpians, only a very few of us are even interested, judging by the Sabato poll at right. Oh well. We'll just have to leave it to the' [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 7:46am EST
  

• It's a laccolith.

  

  
  

  Thanks to That One Guy, we now know that the object below is actually a micro version of the whole Black Hills formation. And that it's also know as "Green Mountain" or "Little Sundance Dome." I like the latter, so as not [...]

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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 7:26am EST
  

• Would Marking's approach work?

  Ok, Kevin Woster seemed a little impatient with Mr. Marking yesterday.
  I bet we can do better.
  BT, I see how your idea would allow a majority of SD voters to guide your vote on legislation from other states, but how would you use your process to develop [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 1:53pm EST
  

• Any geologists out there? What is that thing?

  
  CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE
  Yesterday, we drove to Gillette, Wyo. to help celebrate my wife's aunt's 90th birthday. On the way home as we went by Sundance mountain, I started wondering how all of that looked from the top... you [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 7:58am EST
  

• Great discussion today on Meet the Press about education reform.

  Any time you see Al Sharpton and Newt Gingrich on the same side as Barack Obama, it's probably time to pay close attention.' [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 11:05am EST
  

• Holy smokes! Hurst Hammers Herseth.

  Read this.
  Excerpts:
  

  By recent accounts Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin is exasperated with the base of her party...maybe a little angry, but mostly exasperated. Not with everyone, just those unwieldy populists. Those "liberals" who don't understand politics in the real world.

  
  

  She is choking on the bone of incumbent' [...]

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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 4:02pm EST
  

• Great post on alternative energy by Cory today.

  Check it out. Thanks, Cory! Super.
  Here's his lede:Think big: Ned Hodgman at Understanding Government points us toward a Nov. 2009 Scientific American article that lays out a plan to power the planet entirely with renewable energy and eliminate fossil fuels by' [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 11:09am EST
  

• You should only use the dictionary when you know I'm right

  Politicians play fraudulent word-games to avoid responsibility for their actions. For example, check out this ABC interview from September 20 between George Stephanopoulos and President Obama (entire transcript here):
  
  STEPHANOPOULOS: "I don't think I'm making it up (that you're going to raise taxes). Merriam Webster's Dictionary: 'Tax: a'" [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 10:11am EST
  

• One of the Funniest Bits I've Ever Seen

  The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cThe 11/3 Projectwww.thedailyshow.com
  Daily Show
  Full EpisodesPolitical HumorHealth Care Crisis [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 12:49am EST
  

• Just When I Though Powers was Smarter than Sibby

  Powers proves me wrong. Over at South Dakota War College, Pat has a piece on "The Coalition for Cures Not Cloning." They've done a Chicken Little press release opposing a non-existant initiated measure that would supposedly open a huge loop-hole in the state's existing cloning ban.
  
  The release [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 12:16am EST
  

• Let the feeding begin

  Ya just gotta love Democrats. Really. Over at South Dakota Watch/Middle Border Sun, Todd's got a piece called How Do You Solve A Problem Like Stephanie? The cannibalism has begun.
  
  Apparently (and not surprisingly) the left wing of the party wants to dump the poor girl for her' [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 11:41pm EST
  

• These stops are wrong

  I am, as far as I know, the only person on Earth under a court order to avoid public advocacy in opposition to a certain public policy. (One assumes I could take a public position in favor of that public policy.) This precludes me from publishing some facts. All facts [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 11:30pm EST
  

• Clever editing

  Some clever editing is not uncommon in newscasts in order to slant something one way or another. Bill pointed this out with the John Stewart piece here.
  
  I commented that it wasn't real uncommon for other "news" organizations, however deplorable. Bill asked for examples.
  
  Remember the white' [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 10:35pm EST
  

• Stephanie Herseth writes:

  Dear Bill;
  
  Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts regarding H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
  
  H.R. 3962, a broad health care reform bill, passed the U.S. House of Representatives on November 7, 2009, [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 8:37pm EST
  

• But they're raising rates as fast as they can

  A very long time ago, when I was an editor at the Rapid City Journal, the publisher called a staff meeting that included all departments. That was a very rare thing. In the meeting, the publisher described the rising cost of newsprint, declining circulation and declining advertising rates. As a [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 12:26pm EST
  

• More piggery

  I got a call from a young woman I know after she saw the “This takes my breath” post below. She said she had been travelling north on Highway 79 between Hermosa and Rapid City on Tuesday and had been harassed in exactly the same manner as the two unfortunate [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 11:12am EST
  

• This woman is brain dead.

  She doesn't even know how to walk OFF of a stage let alone onto one.
  ' [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 10:49am EST
  

• For Bob Ellis

  Listen to this (embedding was not allowed).
  
  Then read this. [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 11:06pm EST
  

• Some thoughts on Veterans Day

  I’ve been listening to Veterans Day programming on Public Radio today. It’s hard not to be affected by veterans’ stories, especially amidst the dramatic radio production flair that makes these programs show business. Today’s programming has been excellent, and I’ve had the, ...er..., luxury?, yeah, the luxury, of being able [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 9:28pm EST
  

• This takes my breath

  I got a phone call today from some folks who got busted yesterday. They were driving from the Shrine of Democracy to Rapid City. Their crime was having California plates. A Highway Patrolman harassed them for about five miles, pulling alongside, pulling ahead, dropping back, trailing them, finally stopping them [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 6:31pm EST
  

• Since every time ...

  Since every time I get arrested I have to change careers, I've been photographing small-town middle school athletic events recently.
  
  Tuesday I shot 7th/8th grade girls basketball in Belle Fourche, who hosted Newell. The shot at left was taken as the final buzzer sounded.' [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 4:15pm EST
  

• [Update: Nov. 12] ...

  [Update: Nov. 12] So, it turns out this was a hoax. Apparently this cougar has been killed in several states. Click here.
  
  My daughter sent the picture and this story:
  
  "Here is a photo of a cougar killed 5 miles west of Hermosa," [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 2:52pm EST
  

• Ever wonder why people don't trust Fox News?

  Watch this.The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cSean Hannity Uses Glenn Beck's Protest Footagewww.thedailyshow.comDaily Show
  Full EpisodesPolitical HumorHealth Care Crisis' [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 11:10am EST
  

• So, is Hasan an Islamic terrorist? And was the massacre at Fort Hood a jihadist attack?

  I heard this on the tube this morning: "Not all Muslims are terrorists, but the vast majority of terrorists are Muslim." It reminds me of something I've heard regarding alcohol. "I don't get in trouble every time I drink, but every time I've gotten in trouble, I've been drinking."
  The [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 9:11am EST
  

• Thad thinks trade sanctions might be less than totally successful

  Having met Thad Wasson and his family, and having immediately liked them all, it's been fun watching Thad devote quite a little energy and time to developing a public persona. His blog is beginning to provide a picture of the man. His website adds some information.
  
  What' [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 11:26pm EST
  

• AMA Reverses Marijuana Position

  The American Medical Association, the nation's, largest, oldest and most respected medical organization today reversed it's position on medical marijuana in a report released today. Read it here.
  
  I wish the Pat Powers of the world would take a peek. Now that the AMA has determined that marijuana [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 1:32pm EST
  

• What's up with this?

  
  Fivethirtyeight.com has an interesting overview of the participation of women in government. At first it looks like an inditement of the Republican party, but as per the chart here, the problem is bigger than that. What gives, Forumettes? [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 8:12am EST
  

• This one's dedicated to Stephanie Herseth Sandlin:

  [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 12:11pm EST
  

• On Fascism...

  
  Great comment from "interested party" on Blogmore this morning that warrants repeating and discussion here:
  "Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each:[...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 10:01am EST
  

• About the weapon

  The weapon Hasan used in the Fort Hood slaughter was an FN 5.7, according to news reports. It's an unusual gun. Semi-automatic pistol that shoots a center-fire .22 caliber bottle-neck cartridge that looks more like it belongs in a long-distance rifle. It's an unusual round for a handgun -- intended [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 12:47am EST
  

• Check it out. George is wearing a Tea Party hat!

  Don't give up before the surprise ending... Here's a link for Cory. Anyone else having trouble viewing this vid?
  [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 9:11am EST
  

• Now here's an interesting feller...

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  He's no Thad Wasson, but Mr. Marking's musings are a good read. Check him out. Oh, yeah, and Stephanie Herseth... is she running? You could have fooled me. [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 10:30am EST
  

• Remind you of anybody?

  [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 10:31am EST
  

• Well, this is (...ahem...) perplexing...

  
  
  
  
  
  As per Sanborn's request, I published some of my darling wife/partner's "Fat Lady" drawings (see below), and in the process, noticed that there was some Leonardo DaVinci style backwards handwriting there on the pencil sketch. I was assuming it was some [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 10:00am EST