Welcome to the sidebar Michael J. Larson, an occasional commenter who has decided he has more to say in his new blog, Taking a Left Turn in South Dakota. Larson teaches and coaches debate at Lennox High School... though of course, all views expressed are his own.
In his latest post, Larson notes that during her vaunted Twitter town hall yesterday, Congresswoman Kristi Noem received eight questions. Number she answered: none.
How did she have time to sit and contemplate all those tweeted questions (8) between all of her meetings (one she claimed started just minutes after the town hall started). That must be the reason she didn't respond to a single question! WHAT A JOKE!!!!! [Michael J. Larson, "What a Joke! (But More Importantly, I Joined the Twitterverse)," Taking a Left Turn in South Dakota, 2013.07.16]
Debate coaches have this nagging expectation that people answer the questions posed to them. Voters, you should too.
Fair warning: the South Dakota Blogosphere is now populated by two active debate coaches (here's the other one) and a former debate coach (that's me!). In addition, South Dakota has a Senate candidate who debated for Judy Kroll at Madison High School. The last MHS debater who ran for Senate was Karl E. Mundt. Could there be a debate conspiracy afoot to take over South Dakota?
We couldn't tell you if there were.
Mike's voice is a welcome addition to the blogosphere.
Since most debaters and their coaches like to argue for the sake of arguing, I doubt we'll ever be in a position to take over anything. I hope, however, we help change the size and shape of the boxes that people argue in.
Judy's former debater probably should talk to some of her recent graduates about constructing a link scenario that involves a Rounds or Nelson election, Somalia, and nuclear war ending in extinction. It wouldn't cost him any votes, and it would extremely entertaining.
Leo - Sounds like a great link story.
Twit Hall Meeting.
Always the voice of reason with a debate coach. We may like to argue, but the ones who learned anything from us know the arguments usually make really good sense. I will look forward to following Mr Larson, as I already do Mr. Lis (???).
First off, yes I know this comment has nothing to do with this story but I'd like to hear what Corey has to say about Detroit today. Because overwhelmingly I think to myself, Detroit: super Democrat majority on politicies...a hot bead of Union employees. Bankrupt.
South Dakota - ultra conservative majority, low taxes, low unemployment, surplus. Hmmmmmm
Leo, you are right about the arguing for the sake of arguing. I am used to dead silence in my classes, especially after some of my jokes.
The way I figure it, Mr. Weiland could talk to some of your former (and current) debaters to truly understand the moral implications through the lens of Ayn Rand or Emmanuelle Kant.
I have often wondered why they refer to the political debates as debates, because I have yet to see actual debates.
Jim, let's wait to compare SD to Detroit after 80% of our biggest industry (ag) dissapears and a 1/4 of population moves out in a 10 year span.
Just saying.
oh, there are more debaters out there than just those mentioned who are watching and waiting to weigh in on certain subjects.
This former debater and coach also desires answers to questions and integrity in a person's dealings.
http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-76718383/
Okay then, how about this one?
At what point are you actually going to take an examination of what is going on in this country and quit just being the party of "against whatever the majority is in this state?" Just saying.
There has to be some kudo's to states like ND, SD, NE on how they have weathered this economy.
Why would Ag disappear? Where would it go? Maybe the question is, "look what happens when you have a super majority of Unions and ridiculous pensions?" See what that will do to your city or State? Wait, it's happening.
just saying
today's oxymoron: weathered economy.
Robotics is set to transform the ag sector. The wealth will still be there. The farmhands won't be needed to share it.
James, this isn't a blog about Detroit. How about you start a blog and talk about Detroit all day?
But unlike Kristi Noem, I'll offer something like a response. Consider my Saturday post about the new Hutterite colony in Lake County. Community governed by socialist principles and benefiting from our socialist policies sees residents work really hard, grows so fast it can spin off a whole new community. Maybe Detroit should have acted more socialist!
Detroit also did really well when unions were strong. Working together has its benefits, just as is the case in the blogosphere where debate coaches and other interested parties help tell stories that matter to South Dakota.