With Spearfish electing a Christian fundamentalist mayor, with Rapid City and Meade County insisting on unconstitutional public prayers on the taxpayers' dime, and with Rapid City school superintendent threatening to take Rev. Hickey up on his invitation to teach Bible classes in public schools, I gotta thank the Higgs boson that I still have the liberal media to fight for us secular humanists—

What's that, Wolf?

Speaking live to a survivor of the deadly tornado in Moore, Okla., [CNN anchor Wolf] Blitzer declared the woman “blessed,” her husband “blessed,” and her son “blessed.” He then asked, “You’ve gotta thank the Lord, right? Do you thank the Lord for that split-second decision?”

Oh no.

But as she held her 18-month-old son, Rebecca Vitsmun politely replied, “I’m actually an atheist.” A flummoxed Blitzer quickly lobbed back, “You are. All right. But you made the right call,” and Vitsmun graciously offered him a lifeline. “We are here,” she said, “and I don’t blame anyone for thanking the Lord.” Nicely done, Rebecca Vitsmun [Mary Elizabeth Williams, "Tornado survivor to Wolf Blitzer: Sorry, I’m an atheist. I don’t have to thank the Lord," Salon.com, 2013.05.22].

Oh yes!

I just got invited to join a Facebook group of atheists, agnostics, and other freethinkers. (It's a closed, secret group, so we can hide from the FSB our plot to break Pussy Riot out of Putin's gulag and bring them here for a concert at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.) I worry about hanging without atheists, since I know they can be a cranky lot. But it's nice to hear a fellow non-believer, standing amidst the horrific wreckage of her community, able to keep her calm in the face of the thoughtless prejudice of a newsman and a nation. The lucky Ms. Vitsmun is a model of how to politely but firmly state our differences.

Governor Dennis Daugaard got at least one Minneapolis reporter to come watch him conduct his publicity stunt in the Mall of America Monday. "Daugaard was there to pitch and persuade, not talk to the media," notes reporter Lee Schafer, who then reports on the folks Labor Secretary Pam Roberts made sure were available to talk to the media:

Daugaard stood just a few feet from the kiosk, as TV cameramen from Sioux Falls stations hovered nearby, greeting people who were rounded up by his staff. One by one, the governor made a personal pitch for each visitor to live and work in South Dakota.

...“This is one we really want to get back,” said Pam Roberts, cabinet secretary of the Department of Labor and Regulation, walking up to greet a young woman standing next to me. Before Roberts could introduce her, the woman stuck out her hand and said, “Hi, I’m Nicole Stengle.”

Stengle does sound like a perfect Dakota Roots target. She grew up in Pierre, and has a degree in industrial engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Her work experience includes positions at the 3M Co., and she has worked for the last 2 ½ years at Target.

Stengle had just a moment to talk before the governor was ready to see her, but I got a sense of her dilemma. She likes her career opportunities in places like the Twin Cities, with large, stable employers like Target. And she very much likes her home state.

Maybe Sioux Falls one day will have a good opportunity, she said, as “Sioux Falls is where most of my good friends have migrated to” [Lee Schafer, "S.D. Sends Governor Recruiting at the MOA," Star Tribune, 2013.05.15].

Stengle isn't dragging down Mines' graduate salary average cashiering at Target; she's a Compliance Business Partner, which sounds important. It's at least important enough that when she looks at our glittering bastion of business and culture, Sioux Falls, a place filled with most of her good friends, the best she can say is "Maybe... one day...."

Schafer likens the Governor's mall time to a visit from Santa Claus (note: the Governor stood the entire time, allowing no lap-sitting... which might have improved turnout). Like me, Schafer also wonders about the efficiency of the stunt:

With a $200,000 campaign and the cost of flying the state’s plane to Minnesota to have the governor chat up mall visitors, Dakota Roots would not appear to be paragon of government efficiency, but I decided not to bring that up with a governor who appeared to be so thoroughly enjoying his hour at a shopping mall [Schafer, 2013.05.15].

Come on, Lee! We like the Minnesota press for asking questions the South Dakota media doesn't. But you get half-credit for at least mentioning this apparently inefficient expenditure of South Dakota resources.

If Daugaard's trip was about getting big-city press, the presence of one Minneapolis reporter amidst the Sioux Falls camera crews suggests even that plan failed. Let's hope his corporate recruiting meetings produced more results.

My friend Jana is lit up over what Seth Tupper said. The Mitchell Daily Republic editor tells Stephanie Herseth Sandlin not to run in 2014, and Jana smells sexism.

Let's give Seth a close reading and run the sexism check.

Tupper says he doesn't like politicians who overuse family talk to hide their real motives. He takes SHS at her word when she says she loves her family. O.K., no foul for stating the obvious.

He interprets her other public statements ("...working moms deserve an effective voice in policymaking") and current "unofficial media tour" as signs that she still loves and is conflicted about balancing the two. O.K.

Tupper then critiques SHS for political "fence-sitting." That's nothing that harsher critics on both sides of the aisle haven't said, and that's nothing sexist. That's simply an honest assessment of the cautious center-conservative tendencies that make Lefties cranky and gave Righties a pass to vote for the clueless but more reliably crony-conservative Kristi Noem.

Tupper then praises SHS for positioning herself well for a comeback:

She’s lived and worked in the state. She’s spent time being a mom. All of that makes her more grounded and more qualified to serve, in my opinion [Seth Tupper, "Don't Run, Stephanie," Mitchell Daily Republic, 2013.05.09].

Jana's sexism critique isn't going there, but I'll ask: is it sexist to suggest that a woman is better qualified for public office because she's a mom? Is a mom of three a better Congresswoman than a mom of one? A bit more broadly, if all other things are equal, does a parent deserve your vote before a non-parent?

Tupper then "steps in it," as Jana says. He ties SHS's political fence-sitting to her trail-ballooning statements on I love family time but I love to serve, too. He tells her to pick which words she means more:

But I’m a little bothered by her use of the old “I want to spend time with my family” routine. If she’s going to say that, she’d better mean it. She owes that to her son, who will someday grow up to read her comments. If she now goes off to spend months campaigning and six years working a breakneck schedule as a senator, voters and her son are going to have a hard time believing her [Tupper, 2013.05.09].

Presumptuous, yes, presuming to speak for some possible future version of an adorable little boy. But sexist? Tupper's not blind to the possibility:

I know how sexist that sounds. If Herseth Sandlin’s husband, himself a former member of Congress, got back into politics, nobody would question his commitment to his family or his son. In a more equitable world, men would have to agonize over such things just as much as women.

But we don’t live in that world. We live in reality. And that’s why I say this to Stephanie Herseth Sandlin: Don’t run.

If time with your son and your family is really so important to you that you would consider forgoing a Senate race, show it by temporarily making a sacrifice on their behalf. When your son is a little older, you’ll still be a viable candidate, and you’ll be even more respected for having honored your family above your ambition.

Or, if you’ve already decided to run, stop talking so much about the importance of family time. It’ll look insincere later when you’re spending nearly every ounce of your time and energy trying to win an election.

Tupper walks on thin ice (and here I go out after him). I know anti-SHS Mitchell chauvinist piggery when I hear it... and I don't think Tupper's there. He does not base his critique on a personal belief that women are better off barefoot, pregnant, and fixing pot roast for us mighty hunters. He bases his critique on Herseth Sandlin's own words.

To test Tupper for sexism, imagine applying his words to Mr. Sandlin in the same situation, not just the hypothetical where he would up and run (and hey, there's a thought: get Max back in the game by bringing his political experience to bear on South Dakota office?), but the hypothetical where prior to running he would make prominent his talk about loving his family and wanting to spend lots of time with his son and not being sure if he can balance those desires with his urge to get back into politics. In that hypothetical, every word Tupper wrote would appear to apply just aptly to Mr. as to Mrs.

Tupper is really saying, "Poop or get off the pot." That advice may not be good, what with over ten months before any final decision is necessary. Herseth Sandlin, like every mom, has a lot on her plate. She is fully entitled to take her time weighing the pros and cons of running for any office in 2014, just as is any man.

And Tupper is entitled to question her public statements about that decision-making process, just as he would question any man making similar statements... right, Seth?

Once again, the South Dakota media drop Madison into a black hole. On Tuesday, the AP reported that two South Dakota students, Pierre Riggs senior Tessa H. Myren and Sioux Falls Washington senior Micah C. Shaffer, are among this year's class of 141 Presidential Scholars. KSOO noted the two award winners as well.

But there are three Presidential Scholars from South Dakota this year. Amy Shan from Madison is also headed to Washington, D.C., in June to receive a medal from President Barack Obama for being awfully darn smart. Usually each state gets two Presidential Scholars, one gal and one guy, but apparently South Dakota's applicants this year were impressive enough to win one of the at-large scholar slots. Well done, Amy!

Worth noting: like the last two Presidential Scholars from Madison, Amy Shan is a Bulldog debater. Micah Shaffer also has debate points under his belt. Way to represent, debaters! (And Pierre Riggs, how about getting that debate program going again?)

There I am in the paper again, acting like I know stuff. Gale Pifer writes a hefty feature for the Madison Daily Leader on technology's impact on the news business. Publisher Jon Hunter lets him print some of my observations on the role of blogs in your daily news diet:

Heidelberger readily admits his "Madville Times" is biased, slanted toward a "more liberal viewpoint. But everybody is biased. Every newspaper makes editorial choices. Editors and reporters pick stories that they think are important," said Heidelberger. "We impose an unfair expectation on newspapers, that they hide such political preferences in their reporting. Blogs labor under no such fakery. My biases and agenda are out in the open for everyone to see. Readers can take my reporting with as many grains of salt as they see fit.

"We'd be better off if newspapers and journalists went back to declaring their allegiances. Let Fox News drop fair and balanced and just say, 'Sure, we're Republicans'," he said.

Heidelberger believes blogs "fill a void with state news analysis. The mainstream press and the Internet offer lots of commentary on national issues, but very few thoughtful writers dedicate their efforts to analyzing state and local issues."

Heidelberger said that until newspapers, television and radio do more detailed reporting, "people will turn to online media to get those things they currently are not getting from the mainstream media" [Gale Pifer, "News Business Changes with Technology," Madison Daily Leader, 2013.05.02].

Permit me to amend the record: that last modified quote came from a paragraph I titled "Hope". I wasn't speaking about a lack of detailed reporting, but about a media-market demand filled by blogs:

People turn to online media to get things they don't get from the print and broadcast media. They turn to the Madville Times because, according to the occasional thank-you notes I get, the Madville Times gives them hope. I hear from South Dakota Democrats, progressives, and thinkers who read the Madville Times because the blog gives them comfort to know they are not alone. The blog gives them inspiration to see someone speak up against the powers that be. The blog gives them hope that maybe we can find the people, the resources, and the courage to change what needs to be fixed about South Dakota [CAH, e-mail to Pifer, 2013.04.13].

But whether you're seeking hope or detail, Hunter follows up by telling Pifer that all that online stuff is mostly crap:

"Most people still want facts," Hunter added. "When they want news about a local event, for instance, they'll go to the media they come to trust. People know that much of what is put on talk radio, blogs or Facebook is rumor or opinion, not fact" [Pifer, 2013.05.02].

Hmmm.... I'm sure I've mentioned a rumor or two... but I humbly suggest that darn near every post on this blog is rooted in fact hyperlinked whenever possible to the original sources. I also offer a comment section that allows curious and informed readers to challenge my opinions, correct my facts, and improve the story by submitting verifiable facts of their own. In that regard, I provide Madison and South Dakota with better access to facts, analysis, and opinion than anything the Madison Daily Leader has done online or in print since the beginning of the Information Age.

Nonetheless, it's still fun to get in the paper.

*   *   *

Pifer's article mentions that the Leader "intends to offer a new paid site which would have all of the content. Hunter expects the new electronic version to be a hit with those who seek warmer climates in the winter." I predict big clunky PDF of the printed broadsheet that still won't have a comment section, a sensible little "Like" button, or a decent editorial.

SDFACT is the South Dakota group working to end South Dakota's embarrassing status as the last state in the Union not to treat cruelty to animals as felony. (North Dakota left our cheese standing alone last week.) SDFACT is all SD, grassroots South Dakotans trying to do right by our critter pals.

When Tri-State Neighbor's Barry Amundson mistakenly conflated SDFACT's South Dakota efforts with the oft-maligned Humane Society of the United States, SDFACT's Shari Kosel corrected him, and Amundson quickly struck the false line from his article. That's decent journalism.

But Big-Ag lobbyist WNAX runs without compunction the preferred industry narrative that animal cruelty laws are the doings of bogeyman outsiders, not your conscientious South Dakota neighbors. I quote in full to make clear WNAX's nefarious misrepresentation of the discussion taking place in South Dakota about animal cruelty:

South Dakota is the only state in the nation that doesn’t have a felony charge for animal cruelty. That has prompted the Humane Society of the United States to push for more restrictions.

South Dakota Legislators however didn’t pass any penalty this session.

Senate Ag Committee Chair Shantel Krebs of Renner says she’s working with the State Vet r [sic] in reviewing state law on that issue and will meet next month to begin that process.

Krebs says South Dakota needs to stay ahead of the curve to avoid attacks from activist groups who may launch a ballot initiative.

She says some type of compromise can be reached on animal cruelty penalties that avoid making it a felony. She says South Dakota shouldn’t have to follow what other states are doing ["South Dakota Officials Reviewing Animal Cruelty Laws," WNAX, 2013.04.26].

For the umpteenth time:

• Shari Kosel is a South Dakotan.
• SDFACT is made up of South Dakotans.
• The discussion happening with lawmakers and state officials is happening because Shari Kosel and other South Dakotans pushed for it.
• Shari Kosel and SDFACT are not "attacking" South Dakota; they are "attacking" the sociopathic violence that drives certain individuals to torture and slaughter pets.
• The Humane Society of the United States is not involved in SDFACT's effort to make animal cruelty a penalty.

WNAX may be Big Ag's Big Friend, but on this issue, WNAX is not a friend of honest journalism.

I can't tell if the Black Hills Pioneer is in the tank for mayoral candidate Dana Boke or current mayor Jerry Krambeck. In the Spearfish paper's Saturday coverage of Wednesday's public forum, reporter Heather Murschel catalogs many of Boke's implied charges against Krambeck:

• "...she wants to bring a fresh perspective to city government, make the overall operations more transparent, and to provide a 'voice' for area residents."
• "...when someone holds an elected position for too long, they oftentimes get too 'comfortable' and tend to not see the bigger picture anymore."
• "Boke said she would be an advocate for the city, encourage growth and lead without bringing an agenda to the table."
• "Referring to how she would garner support of city council members, it will be to not  'strong arm' them to get things done."

Murschel does not supply details of how the current administration has become "comfortable," fails to see the big picture, brings an agenda to the table, or "strong arms" council members... but then neither did Boke.

Murschel does not balance this laundry list of attacks—studiously gentle, nameless, and implied as they were—with the pointed attacks Krambeck lodged against Boke:

• "My opposition in this election has never voted in a municipal election."
• "She's never attended a city council meeting until her petition carriers turned in her petitions."
• "[She's] never attended a city committee meeting, and that's where all the discussion and debate is heard."
• "It's hard to hear a voice that's never spoken in city hall."
• Krambeck takes offense at Boke's calling him and oligarch and alleging that Spearfish city government is corrupt and selfish.
• Krambeck calls Boke a snollygoster.

So sort that out for me: the local paper gives inches to the challenger's attacks on the incumbent but does not mention the incumbent's attacks on the challenger. Is the Black Hills Pioneer trying to promote the challenger's anti-status-quo campaign slogans and prevent the mayor's counter-attacks from getting legs? Or, operating on the assumption that people don't like negative campaigning is bad, is Murschel trying to hang Boke with all of her attacks while keeping Krambeck's more blunt and personal attacks from public view?

Either way, readers of BHP's Saturday coverage aren't getting the full picture of the debate dynamic that emerged between Krambeck and Boke in their only shared public appearance last week.

Bob Mercer calls the 2013 Legislature a "session of accomplishment" of which South Dakotans can be proud.

The folks at the Yankton Press and Dakotan, writing from a little more distance from Pierre, disagree, calling the 2013 session a "lost winter." Here's what the Yankton paper finds lacking in our Legislature's proud performance this year:

• The Legislature still strings K-12 education along with unreliable one-time money instead of restoring the cuts Governor Daugaard imposed two years ago.
• The Legislature refused to expand Medicaid, thus rejecting the social good and infusion of federal dollars that would have come with it.
• The Legislature declined to expand prenatal care.
• The Legislature ignored the public and the experts in the field by passing the school gunslinger bill while rejecting a measure to take guns away from the mentally ill.
• The Legislature allocated itself an increase in funding that is more money per legislator than it allocates in state aid for each K-12 student.

Even the two signature bills of the session, the omnibus criminal justice system reform (Senate Bill 70) and the omnibus economic development/education plan (Senate Bill 235) don't bear the alabaster gleam of great legislation. SB 70 was hurried along, insulated from amendment. It also bears the unpleasant backdoor restraint of the ballot initiative. Senate Bill 235 manages to implement some reasonable education and community development policies, but it comes at the price of our continued addiction to corporate welfare.

I have to agree with the Yankton paper over Mr. Mercer: the Legislature got some work done, but it's hard to see how we come home from Pierre cheering lustily for this year's performance.