Last updated on 2014.05.18
I disagree with a great deal of Rep. Stace Nelson's (R-25/Fulton) politics... although when I check out the eight bills he has proposed this session, I'm surprised to find that there's not one that I absolutely oppose.
But when Rep. Nelson blasts his party bosses and the press in the papers, I can't help but love the guy. Literature like this guest column make me think that, for all the trouble he's faced in Pierre, Rep. Nelson is rather enjoying himself.
Wow. How about those spectacular stories recently about the "retired Marine" and modern day Rambo-Hulk Republican representative rappelling down the walls in the Capitol rotunda and running through the halls chewing out and threatening pasty-faced, slick-haired politicians for insults uttered to the vengeful behemoth during debates.
Reports from reliable rumors are that some of our elected representatives actually fainted at the sound of the giant's voice or upon a glimpse of this fierce war machine's visage. Subsequent to the speaker calling out the Highway Patrol, rumors on good source have it the governor considered activating the Army National Guard to deal with this rampaging juggernaut [Rep. Stace Nelson, guest column, Mitchell Daily Republic, 2012.02.08].
Rambo? Given some of the imagery here, the more fitting literary metaphor may be the original Shrek by William Steig.
Rep. Nelson offers his own downplaying account of the verbal fracas with Rep. Nick Moser (R-19/Yankton). He outlines the punishment dealt out by his party leaders, House Speaker Val Rausch (R-4/Big Stone City) and Majority Leader David Lust (R-34/Rapid City). He says Reps. Rausch and Lust have quietly acknowledged that they went too far:
These two do not have the individual authority to punish anyone and it is illegal for them to obstruct a legislator from representing and speaking on the floor during session. Only the House legislative body can punish someone (House Legislative Rules Chapter 6) and the speaker is required to allow every legislator to speak during debates (Joint Legislative Rules Chapter 1-4, and 1-5). As proof of their mischaracterization, and that their actions were retaliation, they have had to quietly rescind their illegal edict that I am forbidden from representing my district in session debate, I have not been removed from the Judiciary Committee, and the extra security they called for to enhance their illegitimate claims are gone. I have not fought the seat move, as I like it, because they actually moved me to one of the best spots in the whole House of Representatives [Nelson, 2012.02.08].
Rausch, Lust: you couldn't see Nelson's raspberry-response to a front-row seat coming?
Rep. Nelson then turns his fire on another anchor of the power structure against which he sees himself rebelling: the press, as embodied by the unnamed but clearly identified Bob Mercer:
Many folks who deal with Pierre often comment about the incestuous nature of Pierre politics where so many people are intertwined and interconnected. In this case, a reporter, who worked for a previous Republican administration, with reported continuing ties to establishment Republicans, helped out by weighing in with slanted reporting and followed up with an editorial hack job meant to finish the character assassination started in his slanted news story. The reporter knows, from repeated past corrections, that I am a retired federal agent having retired as an NCIS investigator and not a retired Marine. He also knew that the ominous pistol trophy on my desk for a couple days last session was from a friendly legislative charity pistol shoot that I organized in which I raised over $1,200 for the local Mitchell CASA program. But readers would not have believed the mischaracterization he helped peddle if he used those salient facts [Nelson, 2012.02.08].
Rep. Nelson clearly feels no need to curry favor with any of the major players in Pierre. That could be part of the reason the three of his bills that have reached committee have all been voted down. (Of course, we could be wrong: his bills may just be bad legislation.) That's definitely part of why I like him.
Now let's see if the new District 19 likes him.
Dear Stace,
FYI: Somebody referred to you as Rambo/Hulk and called your colleagues "pasty faced, slick haired politicians" and then signed your name to it. You might want to investigate this and find out who is ruining your good name.
Strangest lede graf I've ever read, Troy. Pure psychological projection. He can't get the press he'd like to have so he writes it himself and blames it on someone else.
Troy & Bill,
The grass roots see it differently. Of course those are considered selfish dumb-ass rednecks by Cory.
Yup. They will probably re-tweet the Rambo/Hulk baloney word for word, exactly as Stace intended. The man is a legend in his own mind.
This is a break up letter if there ever was one, and who didn't see it coming.
Kind of like one of those psychotic boyfriend/girlfriend things where the scorned go ballistic in public and create a scene to embarrass their partner, all the while not even realizing they were embarrassing themselves.
Just guessing that the people he wanted to read this letter are wondering why they should still vote Republican. Much in the same way a jilted lover's smears of an ex brings doubt to the next paramour.
And like any good breakup filled with drama there is the push to make people choose sides. Stace seems to be saying pick my side, the other side is evil.
Although, most of the time it just leads to their friends distancing themselves from both parties.
Stace's self reference to being the Hulk did give me plause (thanks for the new word Bill!)
So who is Dr. David Banner in this Hulk scenario? You know the smart, peaceful and caring person who would transform into the green monster.
Given Stace/Hulk's anger and rage at the Republican party, I think there is only one person who can be Dr. David Banner.
Ben Nesselhuf.
Think about it, have you ever seen the two of them photographed together? I didn't think so.
Jana: Hilarious. But I wouldn't say Ben who is an attack dog (might be in the job description and appropriate for the position. Not a criticism). Maybe former Dem E.D. cerebal Rick Hauffe who was the consummate "organization" guy who I think is a model for the position.
Jana, I think you are ignoring the substance in order to issue a personal attack.
Troy, haven't met either Ben or Rick, so I'll go with your thought that it is Rick. Sorry Rick for dragging you into this, but I did think that Dr. Banner was a really good guy.
Oh, dear. My peace-lovin', guitar strummin' buddy Rick's gonna go into apoplexy if he reads this. He might even throw his finger picks at you, Troy. LOL.
At the risk of demonstrating far too much of my geekhood, I wonder if Rep. Nelson sees himself as the Red Hulk http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_Ross#Red_Hulk or the more traditional Green Hulk.
Also, red frequently connotes communism, which I'm sure the good Representative abhors and green frequently connotes liberal causes, something a good Tea Party member would seemingly disdain. I am therefore, left to wonder why Rep. Nelson didn't self identify Ben Grimm/The Thing. After all yelling "It's Clobberin' Time" is just as good as "Hulk Smash" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thing_(comics)
Steve, c'mon. The lead, substance and intent of the Letter to Editor was a personal attack.
Colleagues: "pasty faced, slick haired politiciansâ€
Reporter: "continuing ties to establishment Republicans/slanted reporting /editorial hack job"
More imporant, Representative Nelson opened himself up to jokes by referring himself as Rambo and the Hulk. A characterization I had never heard before.
Finally, characterization of this as a "personal attack" coming from one who considers anyone who disagrees with you calling them a "New Ager, Mason" and the like is at best ironic.
Troy, what names did he personally attack?
Satire anyone?
Of note, Rep. Moser has admitted to numerous legislators that I in fact did NOT ever threaten him in an fashion.
Curious the issue of discussion is not that these two lied to the press, to the caucus, and abused their authority in such a gross fashion, but of my pithy satire of their insidious actions.
Good news? Folks from across the state have seen through the BS.
Back to the grindstone.
For Howard Dean it was The Scream. For Stace Nelson, cat strangulation will have to do.
I take strong exception to the criticism of Bob Mercer. He's an extremely hard-working reporter and with retrenchment at the SFAL, he's head and shoulders above anyone else attempting to cover the capitol. And since the advent of term limits in the Legislature, Bob is the closest thing we have to an oracle with decades-long institutional memory.
Would that all reporters covering the Legislature were as hard-working, skilled and knowledgeable!
Curious, Patrick: could a reporter provide more detailed coverage and institutional memory of state politics than anyone else on the beat and still be guilty of the bias and complicity with the powers-that-be that Rep. Nelson alleges?
I have a high estimation of Bob Mercer's ethics and professionalism. You're correct, a knowledgeable individual could perform as Rep. Nelson implies, but not the Bob Mercer I've followed all these years. Besides, I suspect Bob is "old school," and plays it straight down the middle, unlike the young folks populating the Main Stream Media today.
I agree with Patrick. Bob Mercer and I had numerous beefs during my Mickelson years but not once did I think he was unfair (I attributed his failure to write better stories to my inability to convince him of the real issues). When Bob called for information, I almost never took the call direct, tried to find out what he was digging about, gathered all the facts I could before hand, and then returned the call.
And the comment he is "Establishment" is a joke even though he did work for Janklow during his second term.
If Bob has a fault, he likes to "prick" those in power and keep the heat on. His inclination is not to support leadership. To get him to give favorable light to the "establishment" position, you have to work really hard. But if you do, you will get a fair hearing.
He also has a sixth sense with regard to what is "substance" and what is "personal."
Troy, please forgive me if I point out that your view, as a member of the Establishment, of Mercer's support for the Establishment could differ significantly from Rep. Nelson's view, from the outside the Establishment.
Bob Mercer carried the governor's water when he mislead this state regarding the budget last year. There was not $127 million reduction. In fact they passed a budget that had a $45 million suprlus based on conservative revenue estimates, and a Medicaid budget that has now been proven to be way over the needs. What could be the impact? The citizens vote for a 25% increase in sales tax.
"#4 Thing You Won't Hear at #CPAC: “Limiting government includes keeping it out of the bedroom.†@GovGaryJohnson.
A year ago SD was at 92% of a well funded pension plan while liabilities for retiree health care and other bennies was 67mil, 0% funded for the year. I'm sure the numbers don't look much better now. Oh well, Mercer squeaks, dogs bark and the world goes on.