Dakota Today

A new day of American democracy opens today January 20, 2021

The long dark night of the Trump maladministration is finally over and the bright new day of the Biden administration opens for a new chapter in American democratic history. January 20, 2021.

*** Stay tuned--- Douglas Wiken

 

**Sure sign of Spring..or omen of next blizzard?

Too many times in the past years, the first blossoms of spring have ended up barely sticking out of snow or frosted with ice.  Same seems to have been true for Pamida..now Shopko..getting in a bunch of cold-sensitive plants.   I am hoping that the tulips in the photo below are true harbingers of nice spring weather and not omens of wet cold blizzard.

Very nice day in Winner, SD today.  Not much wind and 66F degrees or so.  Reliance weather radio is predicting rain and possible thunderstorms coming soon however.  In any case, grass is growing and will soon have to be mowed.

It is a Sunday and sabbath gas bags are in full wind mode of course.  Mostly what I am hearing is dispair over Trump and Trump Administration demonstrating dangerous ignorance and bravado in foreign affairs and promotion of truly idiotic economic policy which if enacted will greatly harm the very people who most strongly supported Trump in the last election.  But, nothing much new in that.  Some awareness from Democrats that they truly fowled up the last election....which has been obvious to many of us in the boondocks for months.  Those on the coasts and flying the friendly skies have been a bit slower or more reluctant in that direction.

*** Stay tuned for whichever way the wind blows and how fast and how hot or cold---- Doug Wiken

***Lazy, Hazy or is it just foggy day

This morning visibility was not good.  Fog blanketed the area and apparently it was over enough of SD that transportation was interrupted.  Some specialists did not make it into local hospital today.  For some of the patients wuo made it to town, the video system apparently worked.  I don't know any details at all about that, but weather was a factor for sure.

This evening, the setting sun is fiery red and  haze is evident even if Wiley Field weather shows clear skies.

Meanwhile in the "news", The HARPERS magazine that came today has a couple pages of type analyzing if Trump is really a populist.  The writer concludes that he is not even if he appeared to campaign as one.  That what we really have with the Trump administration is plutocracy.  Those who thought they were "forgotten" when they voted for Trump should already know that this Trump administration could care less about them and has not only failed to remember them, but also has forgotten everybody who isn't already obscenely rich and influential.

If we and the forgotten don't get a strong message to our congress critters, healthcare is threatened, education is threatened, world peace is threatened, and the economy will go bust, etc.

John Dean of the Nixon administration and Watergate testimony days, was on Charlie Rose a night or two ago.  He said that Nixon and Trump share arrogance.  Trump and Nixon differed in presenting it.  Nixon was basically shy.  Trump is not.  Nixon did not make his  arrogance grossly public, but it was apparent to his co-workers.  Nixon was well informed and experienced.  Trump flaunts his arrogance and ignorance.  Dean and others have noted that Nixon could look you in the eye and lie and lie.  Trump has been described by lawyers getting depositions from him as a liar..and a thief, a bully, and a crook.  His business dealings reek of arrogance, deceptioon and dishonesty.  Dean noted that Nixon's tendency to lie and not even regard it as a problem seems to be shared with Trump.   Nixon's arrogance and too skillful lying got him and the country into serious trouble.  Dean hopes that Trump will get his act cleaned up or the United States is in for another mess of trouble.  And if we don't see Trump's income tax records, we will not know who he is actually representing.  Congress is very remiss in not demanding those records immediately considering what appears to be a Russian connection to his election and administration members.

Trump is disgusting, but even more disgusting are the GOP) congress critters and voters who would criticize Obama and Clinton if they stepped on a sidewalk crack  but are blindly supporting the Trump Administration as it stumbles from one lie and deception to another often with both BS-smeared feet in their mouths.. Their hypocrisy and willing blindness and deafness to problems, lies, and deception is even more disturbing in many ways than is Trump himself.  By now they should know what he is and why he and his policies can be very dangerous both to the country and to the very Republicans supporting him as well.

*** Stay tuned for more "weather reports" on smoke and mirrors-- Doug Wiken

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*** Trump turned Election Day Nov 8, 2016 into November Fool's Day

The Trump upset resulted from a very misleading campaign by Trump and an incompetent nearly irrelevant campaign by Hillary Clinton.  In effect Trump turned the November 8, 2016 election day into November Fool's Day.

Many laborers voted for a man who stiffed laborers and contractors and who has employed alien labor.

Many Evangelicals voted for an apparent atheist who was divorced more than once and who has bragged about "grabbing pussy" and how women like to be so abused...especially if by somebody famous like Trump.

Rural residents voted for a man who wants to kill ethanol production and who knows nothing about agriculture or real rural America.

Some White and Black women voted for a man who has referred to women as pigs and often demonstrated contempt for them in general.

People convinced they were downtrodden and ignored voted for a man only accustomed to Luxury estates and expensive penthouse apartments.  They voted for a real estate baron who listens to nobody and ignores the down-trodden and anybody else who disagrees with him and never apologizes even for the most egregious statements.

Trump did better at fooling people than any April Fool's Day joke or gag that I have ever heard.  April Fool's day jokes last for a day, November Fool's Day will last for four years.  Certainly, we can have a little more belief in the "You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time."

Trump proved to be a master fooler of the electorate, and a master baiter of the press.

*** Stay tuned and stay observant---- Doug Wiken

 

*** Castrated, blind, lame yellowdog on life support (R)

This is a test of true blue Republican blood and credentials.  If you see TRUMP on a ballot it is actually an acronym for Castrated, blind, lame yellowdog on life support (R).  (I am not sure about that acronym, but have started reading a Dave Berry book and from that, I can see it is no problem.  There must be a language somewhere in the universe where the acronym is correct).  But back to the test.

If you are a certifiable true believer Republican, all you will see in the above is the (R) and you will know what to do even if TRUMP himself is claiming your vote will be stolen or dumped into a Ronald Reagan toxic waste dump.  The TRUMP poll watchers will absolutely KNOW who you voted for and you will be awarded within days by mail a CCRTBCM (Certificate of Certifiable Republican True Believer of Candidates and Mythology).  This and $10 will get you a couple loaves of bread, but more importantly, presenting it to a mental health facility will gain you instant permanent admission to a new living space with lots of agreeable company (if you live in South Dakota).

And, as you gnaw your way through two loaves of bread, you must remember that you have absolutely no excuse or reason to ever vote for any Democratic candidate even if their positions completely represent your best interests and mirror your actual thinking when that happens.  Your Republican God will never forgive you and you will be listed on the permanently damned and banned from state work (If you live in South Dakota).

*** Stay tuned even if you are partisanly deaf--- Doug Wiken

 

 

***Bill Clinton at 2016 Democratic Convention

I think Bill Clinton could sell ice cubes to freezing Eskimos.  He is a combination car salesman, insurance salesman, preacher, and master of political processes, image making, and pro at easy BS.  He is literally fun to listen to and watch compared to most politicians.  He exudes warmth and just a wee bit of self-deprecation.   In short, he did one heck of a job selling his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton as a capable candidate for the presidency.

And, I guess he might have some idea of what a good capable President must be and must not be.  He also knows his wife as someone who wants to make things better and "get 'er done" as soon as possible.  I am sure that both Clinton and Obama could say the sun would rise in the east tomorrow and hardcore GOP retrogrades would vehemently disagree and find another rock to crawl under, but perhaps I don't see many of the faults of the Clintons, Sanders, and the Democratic conventions.  But, whatever, Clinton is more fun and more informative in fewer easy words than most of the presidents who preceded him or followed him.   Below is a screen photo from SDPB-TV taken last night.  As Clinton said, for him, giving speeches is fun, but being President is real complicated and critical work.
Click image for slightly larger view.  Bill Clinton painted a good picture of his wife's abilities as shown by what she got done prior to their marriage and after.  Many of these accomplishments were some I had never heard and also some I had forgotten.  I was not particularly impressed with her selling of a Clinton Health plan  early in his administration however.  But, she has done many things as both a private citizen and public servant and also as a mother and perhaps overly tolerant wife. I am going to quit hammering on this and go watch and record more of the Democratic Convention humbug. celebration,  and  more important programs and  processes.  So far, it has been a welcome event compared to the dark and grossly negative GOP convention.

I still would prefer Bernie Sanders to Hillary, but Hillary is what we have and she is a marked contrast to Donald J. Trump.

I do have a few words of advice to the Democratic candidates, speakers and convention delegates.  Don't even mention Trump's name.  Use something like "The GOP candidate".  Make it as hard as possible for him to make his vicious kind of return attacks and name-calling  even as the knife in his campaign humbug is stuck in and twisted.  Also, no matter what Republicans say and media talkers say and apparently think, Trump's main appeal is his "Close the Border" kind of talk.  People will listen to that and ignore the ludicrous economic propaganda.  Many people including Hispanics who got here legally and speak English and function in legitimate business or work are not thrilled with millions of other Hispanics  and illegal aliens coming across the border and loading the local and state systems with otherwise unnecessary costs and expense as well as making it harder for them to get and keep work themselves.    Many people including lots of Democrats are appalled at our open borders and unfortunately indiscriminate immigration system.  Allowing lots of illegal aliens to enter easily also allows lots of threats to society, life and limb, economy, and political system to also get in here.  Ignoring this and spewing more of the pro-diversity clap trap which ignores costs will turn the election over to Trump no matter how well-qualified and able is Hillary Clinton. 

*** Stay tuned even if your tolerance for any political convention is only about 15 minutes at the most--- Doug Wiken

 

 

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*** Sen. John Thune provides more nonsense and the obvious

The Mitchell Daily Republic today ran another comment by John Thune in his latest election blather.  Thune's column is titled "Our national security must be top priority".   Obviously, national defense must be among top priorities but not just the only "top" priority.  He then appears to claim that President Obama does not take terrorism seriously as a threat to the US.  Thune claims Obama has not presented a comprehensive plan against ISIS.  Well, we all know that if Obama presented a comprehensive plan, Thune and other retrograde GOP talking mouths would be attacking Obama for leaking the big plan.  Thune laments that the GOP can't force Obama to take the ISIS threat seriously.  This is political garbage in search of a problem.

Thune's grand comprehensive strategy against terrorism is to increase funding for the military.  He claims this is opposed by Democrats in Congress.  So what?  The GOP has majorities in both houses and has trouble even putting a budget together.

We don't need more money spent on unneeded military weapons and more marching soldiers.  We need money spent on terrorism think tanks searching for ways to determine who are terrorists before they strike and not more spending on how to attack them after they do a terrorist attack of some kind.  Chasing terrorists in libraries and pizza shops after 9-11 did no good.  Focusing on the last terrorist act is unlikely to do much to stop the next terrorist act.

Thune does say one more obvious thing which I do agree with.  We must control our borders.  The US is not a nation if anybody who can walk can walk or drive can cross into the US across the US-Mexican border.  Unfortunately, both the GOP and the Democrats are complicit in not stopping illegal immigration.  The corporations supporting GOP retrogrades wants cheap labor.  Republican fundamentalists want devout religious Catholics voting for them and that means they won't oppose Hispanics jumping the border.  Democrats want cheap votes.  Hillary is a blatant example of this Democratic failing and nonsense.

As for constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion, there is no reason it needs to apply to non-citizens trying to enter the US illegally or legally.  Nor does it need to apply to groups adhering to religion which wants to destroy democracy and replace it with the same kind of despot control from which they escaped to the US.  It is Constitutional lunacy to twist parts of it designed to protect religion and also protect all of us from religious control of us and government into justification for an open door for our destruction as a democracy.  Allowing into the country those intent on turning the US into a religion-controlled country is a form of political suicide for us and our Constitution that has survived for hundreds of years.

Political correctness separated from common sense can be deadly and destructive.

**** Stay tuned and work to protect us from nonsense and duplicity--- Doug Wiken

** Trump and two words

It appears that Donald Trump pretty well has the GOP presidential nomination sewed up.  Here are a couple of words which may relate to his nailing down the nomination and his personna(s).

As for Democratic operatives reactions, the German "Schadenfreude" or "unseemly joy in the misfortune of others" or "to gloat"  seems to fit their reaction.  The last THE ECONOMIST had a Norwegian word which may relate to Trump and too many other of our "leaders". Apparently was applied to Henry Ford and his "ship of fools diplomacy attempts.."Stormannsgalskap" which means "madness of great men".  It seems it might apply to Trump whether or not he qualifies as a great man.

So much for smoke and mirrors..incidentally, the air in Tripp County is blue with the smoke from the tragic Canadian fires.  Irritates my eyes a bit, but as far as I know not much other danger around here.  The switch to north wind triggered a few drops of rain prior to the smoke moving in.

**Stay tuned for more words not to live by---- Doug Wiken

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Excuses from Rounds and Jackley

Almost like little kids claiming, "Mama, it wasn't we who ate all the cookies, it was the dog's fault.", Rounds and Jackley are making excuses for the EB-5 problems including apparent disappearance of millions of dollars.  Rounds blames it on the lax federal government not watching him and his administration closely enough.  Ironic that the insurance agent who attacks big government in all forms which don't directly benefit him and his industry now blames too small government for the EB-5 problems.

Jackley is even more interesting in his round-about excuse.  Wasn't he who failed to keep the dog out of the cookies.  Nope, it was South Dakota voters and legislators who hadn't passed legislation tough enough to stop and penalize EB-5 high jinks.  Of course, he only came to this conclusion after this years legislature shut down.  He also is apparently unaware of a few hundred pages of South Dakota law which would have put unconnected, non-influential people like us in jail for years for doing a pitiful fraction of the cookie eating.

This would all be funny or at least amusing if it were in a comic book or a novel, but these two graphically indicate the reason South Dakota has gone from having a reputation of cleanest government to a reputation for one of the more corrupt governments in the US.

Time to sweep Pierre clean again.

** Stay tuned.  Keep your hands clean.----- Doug Wiken

Sen. McConnell and "principle"

As you probably know by now, President Obama has made a nomination to the US Supreme Court to replace deceased Antonin Scalia.   You can read about it here  NY Times "Obama Chooses....."

And you can read about US Senator McConnell claiming partisan GOP inaction a matter of "Principle".

Now, after watching and hearing McConnell's rabid partisan opposition to President Obama over the last several years, I think McConnell knows about as much about "principle" as a whore knows about virginity.

Democrats of all shapes and colors and independents who actually care about the US Constitution should start letting Republicans in the Senate know that no Republican nomination to the US Supreme Court will ever be supported by any Democrat ever again if the GOP fails to now give this nominee a fair evaluation as per the US Constitution.

However,  am still hoping that a Supreme Court justice at some point will be nominated because he has a good science and technology background as well as a firm legal background.

*** Stay tuned and fire up your contempt for GOP double speak whether it comes from Sen. McConnell, or Sen. Marion Michael Rounds.--- Doug Wiken

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