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Anti-Abortion Fervor Exposes Anti-Asian Sentiment in SD Legislature

South Dakota's anti-abortion legislation is bad enough. When it takes a racist turn, it's worse.

House Bill 1162 seeks to make it illegal to abort a fetus because of the fetus's sex. Like other abortion laws on South Dakota's books, the law insults women by declaring abortion a crime but refusing to recognize women's responsibility for committing that crime.

But the laws backers are going further and insulting a specific group of women: Asian-American women. During House debate on HB 1162, Rep. Stace Nelson (R-19/Fulton) argued that we need to ban sex-selective abortions to check the evil cultural tendencies of South Dakota's burgeoning immigrant population:

Speaking in favor of the bill, Stace Nelson, a Republican state representative running for the US Senate, hearkened back to his time living in Asia as a Marine. "Many of you know I spent 18 years in Asia," Nelson said. "And sadly, I can tell you that the rest of the world does not value the lives of women as much as I value the lives of my daughters" [Molly Redden, "GOP Lawmaker: We Need to Ban Sex-Selective Abortions Because of Asian Immigrants," Mother Jones, 2014.02.25].

Rep. Don Haggar (R-10/Sioux Falls), proud papa of HB 1162 prime sponsor Rep. Jenna Haggar (R-10/Sioux Falls), jumped on the evil-Asian bandwagon:

Don Haggar, another Republican state representative, warned that the values Nelson observed in Asia had already taken root in South Dakota. "Let me tell you, our population in South Dakota is a lot more diverse than it ever was," Haggar said. "There are cultures that look at a sex-selection abortion as being culturally okay. And I will suggest to you that we are embracing individuals from some of those cultures in this country, or in this state. And I think that's a good thing that we invite them to come, but I think it's also important that we send a message that this is a state that values life, regardless of its sex" [Redden, 2014.02.25].

Shivana Jorawar of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum says this anti-Asian stereotyping has been going on in anti-abortion crusades for years. She testified yesterday before Senate Health and Human Services to ask South Dakota not to go down this racist path. She said South Dakota has seen its Asian population grow 70% in the last decade, and these new residents deserve better than legislation and legislators who stigmatize them with false stereotypes.

In an interview yesterday, Jorawar told me that there is no evidence to support the racist claims supporters are using to push HB 1162, or even that sex-selective abortions are happening in South Dakota. Jorawar says HB 1162 could cause doctors to engage in racial profiling: make sex-selection abortions a crime, fill doctors heads with false fears of anti-girl sentiment among Asian immigrants, and doctors may subject Asian women to greater scrutiny and interrogation when they come for gynecological exams. Such baseless suspicions could have a chilling effect on Asian immigrants' willingness to seek medical care.

Lena Tran, a USD student and one of 10,000 Asian-South Dakotans, told Senate Health and Human Services she is "horrified" her Legislature would go down this racist road. She asked Senate Health and Human Services not to subject people like her to more racial profiling. Senate Health and Human Services almost obliged: two conservative Republicans, Senators Blake Curd of Sioux Falls and Bruce Rampelberg of Rapid City, joined the committee's lone Democrat, Jim Bradford of Pine Ridge, in voting no. Three Republicans voted aye... but Senator Deb Soholt walked out before the vote, leaving the committee in stalemate.

When Senator Soholt returns to the committee room Wednesday, Senate HHS will have to consider the prospect of yet another abortion law provoking yet another lawsuit. Arizona banned abortions to select for sex or race last year. Jorawan's organization is working with the ACLU and NAACP to overturn that law with a discrimination lawsuit, saying it unfairly stigmatizes minority women. South Dakota's HB 1162 does not address race-selection in abortion, but Jorawan says the racist rhetoric already on the record in favor of HB 1162 demonstrates a legislative intent to discriminate that would support a civil rights lawsuit.

Senate Health and Human Services reconvenes Wednesday at 10 a.m.

113 Comments

  1. Jerry 2014.03.04

    These republicans cannot help themselves with their collective hate. They simply hate all women, with a particular disdain for women of color and in that group, Asian women have now taken the top shelf. They also hate white working poor folks of both genders and continue to persecute them with their denial of healthcare coverage for them. They call themselves Christian.

  2. mike from iowa 2014.03.04

    Good thing these morality rules don't apply to pols,because I'm guessing a large number would fail the tests and then their lord and saviour would have to smite them with their very own jawbones. Like Jerry Reed once intoned,Lord Mr Lord I just wish that you could see,what your senseless take on morals has become. It seems your contribution to man,to say the least got a little out of hand. Lord,Mr Lord what have you done?

  3. Jessie 2014.03.04

    oh criminy, it just doesn't end.

    anything to indicate this is yet another of those pre-paid, pre-written, one-size-fits-all-state-legislatures bills coming out of ALEC?

    these guys have no shame.

  4. Nick Nemec 2014.03.04

    Bradford is the committee's lone Democrat.

  5. owen reitzel 2014.03.04

    Abortion is legal and to spend this much time and effort with these terrible laws is wrong.
    You have the same people who are 2nd Amendment supportors who go nuts when you try to pass common sense gun regulation to help save lives and yet they try to pass these types of law.
    Seems a little bit hypocritical to me.

  6. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.03.04

    Incredible, Nick, the fartage of which my brain is capable. Thanks for the proofreading—error corrected!

  7. Becca Pivonka 2014.03.04

    AGGGHHHH!!!!! Diversity! Squash it! Squash it!

  8. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.03.04

    There's a weird Jedi mind trick, Becca. The backers of HB 1162 think they are promoting diversity by protecting little babies of color from murder. But they are branding minority women as inherently more murderous than good Christian white women. Yeesh.

  9. Becca Pivonka 2014.03.04

    Hmm, it is an interesting view they have. Especially in my own experience, I do not personally know any non-white women who have had abortions, but know 3 white, Catholic women who have.

  10. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.04

    Cory it's not that they are branding minority women as inherently more murderous than good Christian white women. They are branding minority women as inferior intellectually to determine what is right for their bodies, and their lives.

    But either way it's a cowards way of forcing their beliefs on a portion of our population that doesn't have the financial means to fight back.

    And it is still " mind rape" either way.

    The Blindman

  11. Rep Stace Nelson 2014.03.04

    Come on people, don't buy off on an ignorant distraction from a real issue. The culture idiotic idea of favoring boy heirs over girls goes back thousands of years in most cultures. It has taken a worse turn in Asia because of the China 1 child per family law: http://www.allgirlsallowed.org/gender-imbalance-china-statistics

    Pointing out the problem of "gendercide" is not racism, ignoring it or defending it is a problem of sexism.

    @Owen Reitzel I cannot think of a more important issue that I could spend my time on than working on ways to protect unborn children. The legislature works half days 1/4 of the time the entire session, we have plenty of time to take up this important issue. Please point to me the magic gun free zones that actually work to protect people from the evil that men will do.

    I hate women Asian women? really? http://stacenelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/christmas.web_.jpg

  12. Jana 2014.03.04

    Jenna is just trying to get her merit badge to fit in with the CPAC gang. She's feeding her own ego and aspirations as the next pretty face to be a token voice for the old scared white party ala Sarah Palin.

    That she would think there is a problem in South Dakota around people who would choose an abortion based on gender is cruel and a spit in the face of women in South Dakota for her even thinking that.

    Ask her to name two.

    Jenna...thanks for your service...please remember who you represent. It's not who you have been representing. Enough with dragging your ideological cult views into our state.

    Hi...my name is Jenna...I'm not a witch. Ladies and gentlemen...let me introduce our very own Christine O'Donnell.

  13. owen reitzel 2014.03.04

    Abortion is legal Stace. Actually I'm not pro-abortion but I am pro-choice. I think you're trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist.
    My question is what about the child after it's born? You should be for Daugaard expanding Medicaid to families that can't afford insurance. You should be for the ACA which is a Heritage Foundation plan.

    I don't think your last paragraph was meant for me Stace. I know you don't hate Aisan women.

  14. Porter Lansing 2014.03.04

    The hate these politicians exhibit is reprehensible. I will never again set foot in South Dakota and I will tell everyone that mentions the place why I'm BOYCOTTING SOUTH DAKOTA. Hoping it withers and blows away. Stick that in your teacup and dunk it, conservative pigs.

  15. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.03.04

    Rep. Nelson, where's the evidence this cultural practice takes place in South Dakota?

  16. Richard Schriever 2014.03.04

    So - it's Asian CULTURE then that's the culprit - right Stace? Just like you said. The fact that Asian women are the literal embodiment of Asian culture - well - that's not their fault - right?

  17. Loren 2014.03.04

    Stace, once gain you and the GOP find a SOLUTION in search of a PROBLEM! Show me where you need this bill in SD to protect anyone, living or unborn!

  18. Jerry 2014.03.04

    Nope Owen, that may have been directed at me. The proof of Mr. Nelson's hate is the way he leads the votes to disrespect women, all women. Show me a different side and I will not make the claim, but until I see that republicans along with Mr. Nelson continue to lay siege on women's rights, they will always be proven haters.

  19. mike from iowa 2014.03.04

    Rep Nelson,who died and left you in charge of women's reproductive lives? Why do you so called smaller gubmint advocates feel the need to regulate ovaries when you won't put any meaningful restrictions on guns? Where in SoDak codified law does it tell you it is okay to force your religious beliefs on the populace? Why not force wealthy women to jump through the same hoops you shackle poor women with? Why not sponsor restrictive legislation on males above the age of puberty? You wingnuts obviously don't trust a woman to decide for herself,how in good conscience can you trust raging libidos of young and old men? How does this bill pass constitutional muster on racial profiling? At what point in your life did you decide you hate women?

  20. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.04

    Well, there they go again, Republicans attempting to circumvent Roe vs Wade and shame women, all women.

    Is the Asian culture of sex preference of a child so deeply rooted in South Dakota that it require this type of legislation.

    Just like SB128, Republicans are once again trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist.

    Damn! I'm starting to like Pat Powers, or at least share his disdain of Stace Nelson!!!

  21. Rep Stace Nelson 2014.03.04

    @Owen Slavery was legal and upheld by SCOTUS. Did not make it right. We address emerging problems all the time. There is ample evidence across the world that this IS an ongoing problem. Happy to earn your ire doing my best to protect the lives of unborn baby girls.

    @Richard Schriever Point to me where I said that? I didn't. Your words, not mine. I spent 18 years in Asia, love the culture, love the people, my Christmas card proves that.

    @Loren I sat through testimony in Judiciary, several years ago, where women testified they were coerced into getting abortions against their will. This bill addressed a long standing culture bias for male heirs that is now being manifested in the murder of innocent baby girls. Plenty of empirical evidence in the world if one opens ones eyes to see.

    @Jerry I wear your ignorance as a badge of honor. Please feel free to tell everyone you know that I in fact spoke for and voted for a bill to keep baby girls from being murdered, for being baby girls.

  22. Jerry 2014.03.04

    Saint Stace, you shall never be sir. Your kind of ridiculous politicians only show how shallow you are. Indeed wear my so called ignorance as a badge, not of honor, but of truth.

  23. Rorschach 2014.03.04

    Imagine how upset Rep. Stace Nelson would be if gun dealers started questioning people about why they want to buy that shiny gun. "That's none of your business!!!!" he would answer. "It's my constitutional right" he would yelp. The thing about constitutional rights is you don't have to explain to anybody why you want to exercise them. That's freedom - distilled down to its essence.

    It would be nice if people like Rep. Nelson respected other people's constitutional rights as much as they demand their own.

  24. Donald Pay 2014.03.04

    This is normal for the Legislature---fix a "problem" that isn't and ignore the ones that are. You've got Communist Chinese money buying up the Legislature and the permitting process on uranium mines, a Governor that is playing footsie with folks who want to use South Dakota as a nuclear waste dump, and all these guys can think about is fixing a non-existent problem while spewing racist reasons, thus showing us who they are.

    "Asians" are from, oh, probably over a thousand distinct cultures, but, yeah, we lump them into one category, because we don't want to actually learn anything about that diversity. Since we lump everyone together we can attribute mostly fictional attributes of some of them to all of them and adding it all up brings us to the nonsense number of 1.1 percent of South Dakotans.

    So, we think the "1 child policy" applies to all these diverse people, who are now citizens of the US, and that magically causes abortions. Really, these folks are nuts.

    Finally, they don't even understand the "1 child policy," as they have a false understanding of it.

    But I can't think of anymore appropriately crazy legislation to pass the totally crazy South Dakota Legislature.

  25. Bill Fleming 2014.03.04

    Stace, I think your bill, if passed, would be unconstitutional. You would have to have a ban for every genetic condition, not just one, otherwise it's not equal protection. Besides, how would you propose to enforce it?

  26. Bill Fleming 2014.03.04

    For further insight in this issue and other social issues, I recommend reading Jared Diamond's new book, "The World Until Yesterday." Lots of insight there about how human beings have managed conflict resolution, war, child birth, child rearing, old age, etc. It would be great if every legislator read it before presuming to know what's good for us and what isn't.

  27. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.04

    A short time ago I was visiting with a female friend and the subject of HB1162 came up. She posed the most interesting comment/question I have heard in sometime. I'll have to paraphrase it.

    She asked what really drives the Stace's and other anti-woman activists, and then answered her own question."You know it is quite likely that these men have had their wives or daughter get an abortion. Maybe it's guilt that makes them want to legislate womens bodies".

    She went on to add, "you know men don't always know when women have had an abortion, I know women that have had an abortion and never told the man".

    How many of these grandstanding anti-women Christians made their wives or daughters get an abortion and than went to church on Sunday to praise the Lord? It is likely higher than we will ever know.

  28. Troy 2014.03.04

    There are cultures in this world that place greater and lesser value on individual life and/individual rights. Nelson pointing that out is factual as difficult as it may be for those from those cultures.

    While it can be acceptable to call a spade a spade and point out there are places with abhorrent cultural values (placing greater value on people of a particular gender), I don't agree with linking immigrants collectively or individually with the culture in which they have roots.

    Reading Nelson's words and its description, I find nothing offensive. And, as Haggar makes it clear that he finds it good we are inviting people of different cultures, it is wholly appropriate to say what we don't like as American's/South Dakotans in other cultures, including placing greater value on people of the male gender.

  29. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.03.04

    Yeah, Troy, and you Americans all talk loud and smell bad from eating beef.

  30. larry kurtz 2014.03.04

    Omaha, Minneapolis and Denver clinics offer medical services that southern Dakota doesn't bless.

  31. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.03.04

    Roger, I can't trade in unknowables.

    What I do know is that women have a right to abort a fetus growing inside them. I know that Stace and his colleagues want to abridge that right until it is unexercisable. They are trying write into law grounds for delaying, interrogating, and shaming all women who might seek an abortion to the point where those women are too intimidated to exercise their right.

  32. SDBlue 2014.03.04

    Rep. Nelson, as a South Dakota woman, I have had enough of the GOP trying to make my medical decisions for me. Roe v. Wade gave me the right to make my own decisions, and Republicans like you have been trying to take those rights away ever since. I prefer you use your time in the legislature protecting our environment from KXL and uranium mining. I prefer you spend your time advocating for Medicaid expansion, more money for our schools and raising the minimum wage. I prefer you spend your time changing laws which allow a person who kills another, while texting and driving, to serve more than 4.5 years. I prefer you spend your time changing the laws that continually allow those with multiple DUI's behind the wheel of a vehicle. Your time could be spent so much more effectively if you would drop your incessant obsession with a woman's reproductive rights.

  33. mike from iowa 2014.03.04

    I believe there is a Chinese saying that says,if you a save a person's life,you are responsible for that person. Rep Nelson,are you willing to take responsibility for all those babies you decided have to be born? Or does your obligation end when you go home for the day?

  34. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.03.04

    Rep. Nelson, I'd like to volunteer to assist you with writing the bill which restricts males' reproduction. I'm thinking vasectomies for men who forces spouses/girlfriends/insignificant others to abort a fetus.

    After all, you are right that most cultures, including ours, values the female less than the male. In such cultures the male exerts a high level of control over the female, such as you are attempting to do here.

    Therefore, because your concern is about stopping any abortions of female fetuses, but not controlling women's right to control her own body, it follows that the male who fertilized the egg ought to be first in line to be penalized. That would be a fine law to diminish the number of aborted female fetuses.

    So, can I help? Please!

  35. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.04

    What Deb said!!!

    Come on Stace, be a man and take responsibility for men.

  36. Ellen 2014.03.04

    If Sen. Soholt votes nay tomorrow morning, can the senate sponsor attempt a smokeout on the Senate floor, or can smokeouts only occur in the house of origin?

  37. Nick Nemec 2014.03.04

    A smokeout can occur in either house.

  38. Donald Pay 2014.03.04

    Rep. Nelson's solution to "gendercide" is really what causes the problem of "gendercide." If you want to discourage baby girl deaths, give women power over their own reproductive lives.

    Cultures in which males are more powerful than females and which use that power to control the norms of reproduction tend to devalue girls and favor boys. By giving females power, and, most importantly, power over their own bodies and the right to control their own reproductive lives, a society decreases gendercide.

    Want to end gendercide? It's simply. Assure that each female can control her own body and her reproductive life.

  39. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.03.04

    Well said, Don.

  40. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.03.04

    Rep. Nelson, I'm sure you have plenty to do so I don't expect you to respond tonight. I'll be sure to check in tomorrow to read it.

  41. grudznick 2014.03.04

    Ms. Geelsdottir, why don't you just write the bill and post it here? Mr. H could submit it as another Madbill, and you don't even need Mr. Nelson to help. From what I read if you have him on your bill it will be tabled out of course.

  42. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.04

    Deb,

    Don't hold your breath. Stace won't respond to your challenge, remember he's far too busy writing self-serving proclamations and what not.

    If he does respond with a clear and concise proposed bill, I will be the first to apologize and maybe even consider voting for him.

  43. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.04

    This is so interesting. On the one hand you have women who, as far as we know, have no relationship to the people that want to control their uterus and bodily funtions. These women have committed no crimes, yet they continue to be treated as if they, and their chosen medical provider are potential criminals. Not actual criminals mind you but it seems "people of interest. "

    The people that want to control what these women do with their bodies also want limited liability for their legal actions. Here in lies the rub.

    Like it or not Stace, Rev Hickey, and Jenna, that clump of cells, that zygote, that embryo that you are so interested in is 100% owned by the woman whoes body it is in. Even if it is your wife, your daughter, or your new girlfriend in Pierre "HER BODY IS HER OWN."

    If you want to do anything between a womens legs please ask for permission, otherwise it's still just rape. If not, except the financial responsibility for your actions, don't just walk away with your bible under your arm. In some cases that responsibility might last for the rest of their lives. But if you want to assume the power you must also assume 100% of the financial responsibility for the lives you have effected.

    Remember your God just might be a woman. She might be Asian, she could be Native American, she could be Black, or my goodness a mut. If that doesn't scare you I guess nothing will.
    The Blindman

  44. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.03.04

    That's the other essential part of this Blindman, responsibility for what their law creates. This makes complaints about unfunded government mandates look silly and petty.

    I wonder how anyone can push a bill like this while nothing happens to the perpetrators of that child abuse horror in Aberdeen.

    The people proposing these measures have a lot of work to do to write an honest bill.

  45. Angry Woman! 2014.03.04

    Hey! Here's a WONDERFUL idea! KEEP YOUR GOVERNMENT OUT OF MY VAGINA! EH? Good idea, huh?!

  46. grudznick 2014.03.04

    Hi, Ms. Angry Woman. We are good with keeping everything out of your vagina. You may continue, ma'am.

  47. grudznick 2014.03.04

    Mr. Dithmer, my Goddesses are definitely women of bizarre ethnicity. And they are insaner than most.

  48. mike from iowa 2014.03.05

    http://www.themudflats.net/archives/42202

    An extreme rw wingnut on the Fairbanks,AK borough assembly demanded a local food store remove Ms magazine from their shelves because of the magazines support of women's reproductive rights. This tool doesn't think the gubmint needs to be your parent,he has that covered for you. SoDak-you are not alone having super silly wingnuts in bad places.

  49. mike from iowa 2014.03.05

    Well stated,Bill D. One small correction,if I may. You meant accept the financial responsibility,not except. They already make exceptions to protect themselves from liability.
    Wingnuts are so concerned what goes on inside a woman's body,one wonders what the fascination is about. Maybe they remember a time when they had every basic need taken care of before they were born and pine for those days when they weren't responsible for their actions. I firmly believe where wingnuts shove their heads nowadays is a poor substitute for where their heads came from originally. No wonder they're contentious.

  50. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.05

    Thanks Mike. It seems like sometimes there is a failure to communicate between my talking and what this new fangled machine types.

    The Blindman

  51. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.05

    Mike are you saying that wingnuts suck from the inside out?

    The Blindman

  52. mike from iowa 2014.03.05

    Bill D-I actually meant they have their heads up their arses,but your way works well,too.

  53. Rep Stace Nelson 2014.03.05

    Wheeweeeee! I find it amazing that people who claim they are for minorities, for women's rights, for women, can do the mental gymnastics to twist their logic into thinking that advocating for the wholesale murder of unborn minority and female babies is an honorable cause.

    Happy to stand tall in defending both unborn minorities and baby girls.

  54. mike from iowa 2014.03.05

    It is neither wholesale or murder. Abortion is LEGAL and constitutional. It is not "on demand" which would bolster your idea of wholesale. In SoDak it is more or less a privilege of the wealthy who are excused,by abundance of resources,from jumping through all the hoops you narrow minded,women hating pols decide to throw in front of the less fortunate,just because you can! Still no word on who you expect to pay for all these babies you decided have to be born. Does your responsibility for your reckless decisions end when you go home at night? Do you check your conscience at the statehouse door and then retrieve on your way out the door?

  55. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.03.05

    ...and if it were murder, Mike, we'd have bills advocating life sentences for aborting mothers and doctors.

  56. Jenny 2014.03.05

    I wonder what would happen if any daughters of the so-called "pro-life" zealots ever came home and told their parents that they had had an abortion. Would they still love them or disown them? I shudder to think how some of them would respond.

  57. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.05

    "Happy to stand tall in defending both unborn minorities and baby girls."

    No Stace what you are really happy about defending is your implied right to control women and their bodies while hiding from the consequences of your actions.

    I've got news for you people. If your god didn't want women to have a say in what happens in their body's, she would have never given them the ability to speak. Right now you are trying to demote women to dog status, set, stay, lay down, roll over, cook, clean, "have babies."

    Fortunately women do speak and it's not just "yes sir and no sir," but "no I wont, no you cant, and I have a home vasectomy kit here waiting for you when you get home tonight." If you folks aren't carful the next sound you're libel to here is "touch it and die." There are a lot of strong women out there like Angry Woman. Now that was speaking while standing tall not bent over or laying down.

    Just something to think about the next time you vote or run for office.

    http://grooveshark.com/s/Long+Time+Gone/qbwL8?src=5

    The Blindman

  58. owen reitzel 2014.03.05

    queston still hasn't been answered as to what happens to the babies after they're born.
    Republicans have cut SNAP and Republicans are against the ACA and expanding Medicaid.
    Nothing is being twisted. A women's right to choose is legal.

  59. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.05

    Stace Nelson, as predicted, blew it again.

    He had a forum to answer a few direct questions that are or should be a part of the abortion debate.

    1. Who accepts full financial responsibility for fetuses that are forced to be born? Stace's answer, "he's happy to stand tall in defending both unborn minorities and baby girls.
    2. Deb offered a direct challenge for Stace to offer legislation compelling men to accept responsibility for their role in pregnancies. Stace had nothing to offer.

    Excuse me all to hell Mr. Nelson, but when are you going to start answering some questions? Each and every time you ignore constituents is a reflection on your ability or inability to lead.

    Stace, there is a reality that should be setting in, and that is that a two bit state representative that wants to be Senator is not going to over turn Roe vs. Wade. Even if you are elected to the senate, God forbid, you can not change that law.

    So, what is there left for to do? You play games with women's liberties in the statehouse, playing to that demented bunch of tea partiers, all in an effort to be manly.

    Don't hand us that self-serving platitude that you care about the unborn, if you did, you would also care about the children that are here now. Children that need more food, children that need better healthcare, children that need modern schools and education systems, and the list goes on.

    Have you no shame Mr. Nelson? As a legislator you are in a position of leadership to correct the wrongs this state does to its children, yet you prefer to demean and shame women and legislate "their" rights. Damn you!

  60. mike from iowa 2014.03.05

    Cory,I believe some states tried that tactic before. Think bible belt(aka as tornado alley). Must be some cause and effect there.

  61. Rep Stace Nelson 2014.03.05

    @Roger et al Really? I am one of the few elected officials that even takes the time to read what you folks have to say, try and interact as time allows, and have an inability to lead? Hog crap! The only constituent posting on here is Owen, and I answer his questions real time. I have attempted to answer questions as time permitted, despite even some of the nastiest personal attacks.

    I would challenge all of you to take a long look at your own intolerance before pointing fingers my way for doing the right thing for defenseless innocent babies.

    If you think I am wrong on the issue, please.. feel free to write letters to the editors, tell your neighbors, that I have fought consistently to protect the unborn. I'm good with that.

    Have a nice day, off to a meeting I am late for.

  62. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.03.05

    I wish you had responded to my question, Rep. Nelson. Is it because I no longer live in SD? I can tell you factually that SD is full of women who want to hear your answers to my questions. I'm referring to the citizens you are campaigning to represent.

    I appreciate that you do comment here, and I have no problem treating you respectfully, as I am certain you have noticed.

    I've written a simple, direct and pertinent question. I'm asking you, as a political candidate, to respond in kind.

    What are your plans for controlling the sexual behavior of males who impregnate women, then vanish? What penalties will they be faced with? How will you be "Happy to stand tall in defending both unborn minorities and baby girls.", in regard to the males?

    Thank you.

  63. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.03.05

    Troy Jones, you've been a vocal supporter of limiting a woman's right to control her own body. You say you've lobbied for your cause and I believe you.

    It seems a perfect fit for you to work with Rep. Nelson in writing a bill to address the males' role of impregnating women. You've told us you are "not soft on impregnators." Are you in? You could make a difference. You and Rep. Nelson could play an active role in reducing the number of abortions.

    Are you in?

  64. Jessie 2014.03.05

    Representative Nelson,

    When you propose legislation that affects all SD women, you cannot say you will only respond to commentors from your own district. Any SD resident has both the right and the duty to call your attention to issues they find important. Especially so when you try to overturn the law of the land to promote your own viewpoint.

    Do you recognize a woman's right to choose (Roe v Wade) as the law of the land? Simple question. Please do me the courtesy of a simple answer. Thank you.

    Jessie

  65. Douglas Wiken 2014.03.05

    CBS-TV this morning in their "more news" time besides filling the air with celebrity and sports trash had a few minutes on a Chinese researcher with a lot of equipment and resources working on determining what genes determine high intelligence.

    This is the real drive for Republicans trying to control women's vagina and uterus is that they are scared to death of more intelligent people in the voting population who would never ever consider supporting GOP mythology.

  66. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.05

    Well you heard it here first Stace Nelson has officially backed out of the US Senate race. " The only constituent posting on here is Owen, and I answer his questions real time."

    Really Stace? Are you saying that while writing laws that have a profound effect on over half of the citizens of this state you only represent the unborn and the far right in your home district? Do you deny the fact that you use this and other blogs to try to springboard your senatorial candidacy?

    Like it or not when you declare for US senate your views on every subject will come with tough questions. You can no longer separate your present elected office from the one you are seeking. It has never been done before in the history of politics, Why would that strategy work now?

    Folks, Stace is done as a candidate. If he is already stating that he will not represent all the people, but only certain ones, as the mood strikes, his run is toast.

    What the hell ever happened to military integrity? There's none here. Makes you wonder if there ever was.

    The Blindman

  67. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.05

    Well you heard it here first Stace Nelson has officially backed out of the US Senate race. " The only constituent posting on here is Owen, and I answer his questions real time."

    Really Stace? Are you saying that while writing laws that have a profound effect on over half of the citizens of this state you only represent the unborn and the far right in your home district? Do you deny the fact that you use this and other blogs to try to springboard your senatorial candidacy?

    Like it or not when you declare for US senate your views on every subject will come with tough questions. You can no longer separate your present elected office from the one you are seeking. It has never been done before in the history of politics, Why would that strategy work now?

    Folks, Stace is done as a candidate. If he is already stating that he will not represent all the people, but only certain ones, as the mood strikes, his run is toast.

    What the hell ever happened to military integrity? There's none here. Makes you wonder if there ever was.

    The Blindman

  68. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.05

    owen reitzel,

    As you have read on Stace's most recent comment, he has pretty much told the rest of us here on Madville to go to hell. In Stace's mind you are the only constituent he is responsible to and that he answers your questions in real time.
    Owen, as Stace's sole constituent here, would you do us the courtesy of asking him some of the questions we have been asking and that he consistently fails to respond to?

    Stace has used that tea party trick of accusing those that challenge him to exam their own intolerance. For one thing, I don't have to do that, I'm not running for the U.S. Senate.
    The intolerance I do exhibit is against public officials continually attempting to legislate the rights of citizens. We have had to deal with the intolerance of these "leaders" in the past few months regarding Native American voting rights, SB128, abortion laws, etc.
    These, and more, have all been aggressive acts of intolerant legislators to usurp basic human rights that have already been defined by the Constitution or federal legislation.

  69. Angry Woman! 2014.03.05

    Alright, c'mon. As a woman, I tend to get a little worked up when the government decides my body is something they need to legislate. Plain and simple, government has no place is saying what a woman can/cannot do to her body. She wants an abortion? Ok. She wants to give her child up for adoption? Ok. She wants birth control readily available regardless of income level? Ok.

    Ultimately, it *is* her body and she can make up her mind about it. It is not up for legislation. I understand this point of view opens up a whole new can of worms about reproductive rights legislation (more so on a national level), but we needn't delve into it.

    Stace Nelson says he supports this because he values the lives of women - I tend not to believe it. Sorry, buddy. Oh hey, Stace, and since I AM part of your constituency, riddle me this, bro: Is my right to reproductive choices, really up to you?

  70. Jenny 2014.03.05

    I respect Stace taking the time to comment on here. He has a right to his opinion and as a legislator to write up bills he believes in. I think everybody needs to calm down a bit. Women's right to an abortion is not going to end anytime soon. Sheesh, didn't know there were so many pro-choicers in South Dakota!

  71. Rep. Stace Nelson 2014.03.05

    @Deb Please do a FOIA request to NCIS for information on how many Rape/Sexual assault cases & prevention classes I gave over my 15 years with NCIS. After that, show me who has done more to defend women's rights. Show me anyone on here in an Oscar nominated documentary fighting for those rights even after I retired. You know I am about personal responsibility, I became a daddy at the tender age of 18 1/2.

    @Jessie First off, it is not my bill and I did not "propose it". #2 have you written me and I haven't responded? I attempt to respond to every person, I am only batting about 90% this session due to lack of time. Roe v. Wade is not a law, it is an interpretation by SCOTUS and is subject to laws of this state which I have attempted to improve to ensure the lives of innocent unborn children.

    @Bill love the goofy over the top dramatics. Gave me a chuckle after a long day.

    @Roger Shhhh! The libertarians in SD think I have done a great job of fighting for their rights (so have babies these last 4 years)!

    @angry See me post to Deb. Defended your reproductive rights for a looong time. Don't support the misguided idea that you have the right to kill a separate life with separate DNA, brain waves, etc, which is a separate life.

    If anyone else has a question, please address them to my email address which I link to my remarks here so people can contact me as I do not have a lot of time to monitor each entry on here.

  72. Ellen 2014.03.05

    I personally know a lot of white male legislators who have a 100% anti-choice voting record. They all have daughters. Many legislators make "off the cuff" comments when they think no one will remember. They aren't truly "pro-life" and many are racist. I would bet my farm that all of them couldn't get their daughter to the abortion clinic fast enough if god forbid she was raped by a black man.

  73. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.05

    " I think everybody needs to calm down a bit. Women's right to an abortion is not going to end anytime soon. "

    Your absolutely right it wont. But the only reason that wont happen is this. To go for it all in one shot would be political suicide.

    No they go at it in bits and pieces, slowly trying to take the rights women now have by writing legislation that is camouflaged to look like one thing, but open to just enough interpretation to maybe have a shot in court.

    At this point every woman should be pro choice to protect the further erosion of their rights. You never know what might be next on the bible thumper's list. Every man should be pro choice so they dont have to sleep outside when it's -20.

    The Blindman

  74. Rep. Stace Nelson 2014.03.05

    @Ellan Clearly we have never met. My sister is half black, my nephew is black, and I love them both dearly. My grandson Noah is 1/2 Mexican, 1/4 Japanese, 1/4 German/Danish, and all I asked of my daughter when she told me was for her to have my grandchild. Happy to break the stereo type that many on the left have of a conservative Republican.

  75. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.05

    Stace you were working to stop the atrocities commented against womem and are to be commended for those efforts. We are talking about the taking away of a woman's rights.

    Tha's like saying "all you black people have had enough play time we're going to put you back on the auction block and get some value out of ya."

    Over the top? Wouldn't that depend on whether it's your rights that are being taken or your the one trying to take those rights?

    The Blindman

  76. Jessie 2014.03.05

    Representative Nelson,

    "#2 have you written me and I haven't responded?" I have asked a question in this blog forum you are clearly participating in. Do you require some other form of communication?

    "Roe v. Wade is not a law, it is an interpretation by SCOTUS and is subject to laws of this state ..." I added the reference to Roe v. Wade so there would be no confusion about my query. Clearly I was not successful in that attempt. So I ask again. Do you recognize that a woman's right to choose abortion is lawful in the United States of America?

  77. Jessie 2014.03.05

    To the blog participants in general.

    Representative Nelson stated: "Roe v. Wade is not a law, it is an interpretation by SCOTUS and is subject to laws of this state ..."

    Did I miss something here? Since when are rulings by the US Supreme Court mere interpretations? Since when are they subject to state laws? Help me out here folks, I've clearly missed some momentous sea-change in constitutional law.

  78. Dana P 2014.03.05

    I applaud every single comment that I've read, specifically talking about women's rights and freedoms. And isn't it pathetic that in 2014, we STILL have to talk about this? And continue to fight and defend women's freedoms and privacy? What is worse is that we have a representative who has no interest in listening to South Dakotans - whether it is on this blog OR in elections. The voters of this state have twice voted, exactly the way the majority of the commenters on this blog are articulating. Legislators should abide by the wishes of the voters - but in this state? Jeez.

    But no. no, no, no. Rep Nelson apparently, does not believe in democracy. He does not believe he should do what the voters have asked for. Rep Nelson wants it both ways. He can't say that he stands up for women, yet, wants the government to intrude on their privacy and freedoms. He can't sponsor/support bills that take away women's freedoms, then in the next breath, say that he stands up for women.

    For the first time in a long time, Rep Nelson didn't mention his service during a discussion. So I will. Thank you for your service, Stace. Your service defended the rights, freedoms, and privacy of Americans. That does include the freedoms and privacy of women. Even if that means you don't agree, you still need to stand for these freedoms.

  79. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.03.05

    Rep. Nelson has apparently chosen to avoid answering my direct and clear questions. He repeatedly quotes talks, workshops, etc, he has been a part of.

    So? Firefighters start fires. Foster parents molest children. Celibate priests father children. On and on.

    I'm only making these speculations because, despite my repeated requests, Rep. Nelson is cowardly refusing to answer my question. That's so politician-ish. But not Congressman-ish.

    I am concluding, based on evidence provided by Rep. Nelson, that he is just another, run-of-the-mill, politician. I'm disappointed. I always hold out hope for a genuine civil servant. Sigh.

  80. SDBlue 2014.03.05

    I noticed Rep. Nelson never addressed my remarks either. Maybe he just doesn't like talking to South Dakota women. Republicans like him are not pro-life, they are pro-birth. As for Rep. Nelson's remark about intolerance, I find it completely intolerant that the GOP has no interest in a child's education, housing, food or future once they are brought into this world. It makes the GOP feel good to thump their chests and say they stand for the child, when in reality, it is just political pandering to their base. I find their hypocrisy quite appalling.

  81. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.05

    So we have many comments from Stace to many of us here and still no answer to some basic questions.

    I don't know why he bothers reading these comments when all he can do is spit out the same non-answers.

    Pat Powers must be right for once.

  82. mike from iowa 2014.03.06

    So Rep Nelson has added Super Duper Highest Adjudicator above the Supreme Court to his resume and has decided,all by hisself,that the law of the land-Roe v Wade- is simply an interpretation subject to nullification by South Dakota Imperial Laws.
    Checks and balances haven't been a wingnut strong suit,check their fiscal policies for ample evidence. Ignoring one third of the gubmint is not a good idea,especially when your side has stacked the judiciary and still can't get desired results. Only in America can one argue that taking away rights from women is giving women more freedom. Must be from attending all those conservative arts schools that teach up is down,black is white,in is out,etc.

  83. Rep Stace Nelson 2014.03.06

    @Bill This is where you and I disagree. I believe in our US Constitution, I believe we are all endowed by our creator with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I believe that of every innocent child.

    @Jessie Roe V. wade, like any court decision, is NOT written in stone and is subject to laws being passed that address shortcomings of previous laws that were overturned. Abortion is immoral and an affront to God. Happy to confirm that I have done everything legally possible to get rid of it.

    @Dana We are NOT a Democracy, the USA is a Constitutional Republic. That being said, both my previous district and my current district, overwhelmingly voted FOR the total abortion ban. So, I have been faithfully, and happily, working to pursue my constituents wishes. A conceived baby is NOT your body. It is a separate being with rights to life separate of your designs.

    @Deb I answered your question. You cannot defeat the answer so you get ugly and disrespectful. I have ample evidence of combating exactly what you asked about, even to the point of being in an Oscar nominated documentary proving as such. I have bills in the legislature where I have attempted to make SD rape laws tougher on rapists. NONE of that fits your intolerant views of me so you have depart from a civil conversation and resort to juvenile disrespectful comments.

    @SDBlue Empty stereo typical intolerant rhetoric. I built this and helped get thousands of $$ for these kids: http://www.angelichouse.org/ I am on the BOD and am a volunteer for the First Circuit Court CASA, and I spent a career working to protect children from pedophiles.

    @Roger Let me know when you get responses from other candidates and other elected officials on here and we will compare the depth of their responses..

    Have a nice day. If any further responses are requested, address them to my state email Rep.Nelson@State.SD.US

  84. Rorschach 2014.03.06

    I don't know what your batting average is for responding to e-mails, Rep. Nelson. Your batting average for passing bills as the prime house sponsor is 10% this year. Just one out of 10. That's not so impressive for a Republican in a legislature that is more than 2/3 Republican.

  85. Jessie 2014.03.06

    As it appears that Rep. Nelson has left this particular arena, I'd like to sum up what I (or we?) have been left with.

    He denied being the proposer of the bill. Ok, yes, that dubious honor goes to Jenna H. But he is clearly listed as a co-sponsor and spoke in support of it in open committee. To me that smacks of sophistry, but I'll let it go.

    His most recent statement in which he supports the US Constitution and then quotes from the Declaration of Independence, a document having no legal standing within US law is a disturbing indication of his knowledge of the workings of federal government and US history.

    "Roe V. wade, like any court decision, is NOT written in stone and is subject to laws being passed that address shortcomings of previous laws that were overturned." This logic is convoluted at best but he appears to be saying that state laws can address the shortcomings of laws that SCOTUS declares unconstitutional. As Roe v. Wade is held constitutional I'm at a loss to know what point he was trying to make here.

    Next, by at long last bringing God into this discussion, he shows that he is trying to legislate his religious beliefs into a law governing us all.

    And after all this I'm still left with my two questions, one for the forum in general (did this come from ALEC?) and one for Rep. Nelson (does he recognize that Roe v. Wade is established law?) I guess some things must remain unanswered.

    Did he even realize what a hornet's nest he'd stepped in when he entered this forum? Tsk, tsk.

  86. larry kurtz 2014.03.06

    Anonymous people attacking Rep. Nelson: you are cowards.

  87. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.06

    " I believe we are all endowed by our creator with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." What you are saying amounts to " unless you are a woman." You can deny all you want but by your own language you want to take all three of those rights from the women in this state.

    By your logic all laws that you dont like are subject to your own particular brand of interpretation. Well guess what, some of us just hate what has been passed through our sc when it comes to the fourth amendment to the constitution. Where do you stand on search and siezure? Would that be any time for any reason, like the power you threw around on bases while working as a policeman for NCIS?

    We might as well get to these things now so we know if you truly stand for and with the people or for the control of the people.

    The Blindman

  88. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.03.06

    Nope, no answers. Like I said earlier, I am disappointed. Damn.

    I wonder, do some of you think Rep. Nelson seriously believes he is giving straight answers to straight questions?

    I don't think so. I think he knows he's avoiding, obfuscating, being disingenuous. Prior to this, deeply lacking exchange, I had respect for Rep. Nelson, even when I disagreed with him, which was frequent.

    My guess is that most citizens are with me in wishing and hoping for politicians we can respect and trust. The only person in Congress whom I trust at this time is Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts. She speaks from her fundamental beliefs, even in the face of political advice to the consequences. There are certainly a few others, but none that pop into my head at this moment.

    I trusted McGovern, Wellstone, Cuchinich, even Barry Goldwater! I didn't like McCain, but I respected him . . . until he ran for pres and became just another, personal integrity-free politician.

  89. SDBlue 2014.03.06

    So Rep. Nelson, it appears you personally are an advocate for children. Then why do you align yourself with the party that does not give a damn about them unless they are in the womb?

  90. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.06

    In all seriousness, after reading Stace Nelson's comments here on Madville and elsewhere, I have come to the conclusion that his understanding of government and legislation is limited. His being an elected representative and senatorial candidate are irrelevant, there are far too many politicians in office that have limited abilities to interpret our laws and Constitution. Nelson is so off track in what he thinks laws are and what public opinion is.

    The reasons being for his not answering questions are simple, he doesn't have the answers. How could he when he has tunnel vision coupled by grandiosity?

    If you understand the Bill of Rights and the Constitution and have respect for our laws, Pierre politicians would not have to deal with perpetual social legislation that flies in the face of citizens.

    And when Nelson offers legislation it something ridiculous like honoring Ron Paul and getting it hoghoused because he did not follow a simple process.

    I don't know about the rest of you, but I am skeptical of having a senator that leads the charge in banning whatever he doesn't like or believe in.

    There is not much hope for Stace, when he cannot recognize the basic rights of women. The next time he reads the Constitution, it would help him to know that the "all men are created equal", actually includes women.

  91. Jessie 2014.03.06

    Roger,

    He can read the Constitution all he wants; he won't find that phrase in it. That's from the Declaration.

  92. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.06

    You're right Jessie, my oops!

  93. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.07

    First, I have an admission to make. For a long time I have been describing myself as "pro choice. " I know now that what I really am is "pro woman." Let me explain.
    I have never said " man I sure wish someone would get an abortion that's the kind of thing I could get into." No, it's always been about a woman's right to control her own body.
    Me, no ovaries, no uterus, absolutely no chance of getting pregnant and haveing to make a decision like that. Why should it matter to any woman how I feel one way or another, not my body.
    To be truthful, the only person that should have a say in that choice is the one that has to live with that decision no matter what it is. The rest of us can only give support and it doesn't make a damn bit of difference if you are a man or a woman.
    Let me give you an analogy of what's about to happen. Legislating what a woman can or can't do with their body is no different then this. A woman goes to her obgyn, it doesn't mater for what. She is escorted from the waiting room to the examining room where she is met by her doctor, a priest, rabbi, an Indian spiritualist, and me The Blindman.
    She explains to the doctor what is wrong, or what she needs. Then the other four people in the room that are neither her or her medical professional take a vote on what she wants.
    Legislating a woman's rights away would be no different than that example.
    I finally understand what the anti group is all about. It's confused. Stace said, "A conceived baby is NOT youy body." Here's where the confusion starts. For aproximitly nine months, it is just that, and then it is born and then it's not. By their actions it sure looks like they loose interest at the exact moment of birth for that separate life while wanting to control that of the woman when it is a part of her body. Hypocrisy is the word that comes to mind.
    I'm not pro abortion, I'm not pro choice, I'm pro woman!
    The Blindman

  94. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.03.07

    I love you Blindman. Will you marry me?

  95. SDBlue 2014.03.07

    The Blindman is a very wise man. Bravo!

  96. joseph g thompson 2014.03.07

    I don't want to impose my beliefs on anyone. For those of you who believe that giving birth is entirely a woman's choice I have a question. If a woman decides to terminate the pregnancy and the male wishes her to have the "child", should the man' desire to have the "child" have any standing? If the woman decides to have the "child" and the male prefers termination of the pregnancy, should the man be required to pay "child" support since the decision is entirely the woman's?

  97. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.07

    " If a woman decides to terminate the pregnancy and the male wishes her to have the "child", should the man' desire to have the "child" have any standing?" NONE

    " If the woman decides to have the "child" and the male prefers termination of the pregnancy, should the man be required to pay "child" support since the decision is entirely the woman's?" YES

    joseph , you ask the same question every time. Sense the woman is the only gender that can get pregnant, she has complete say. If a man wants to through his sperm around a one sticks to an egg he can't just prance away as if nothing happened. The man through his sperm makes up half the DNA. However the woman not only makes up the other 50% of the DNA, she also runs all the risk that a pregnancy poses, while the man risks nothing.

    If it was any other way men would run around firing their sperm shooters without any fear of retribution. Well what do you know it's like that now and yet men still want complete control of women's bodies.

    The Blindman

  98. joseph g thompson 2014.03.07

    Thank you Blindman

  99. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.03.07

    I'm with Bill on the comparison of father's and mother's rights. The pregnant woman is in a unique situation, with a unique burden the man does not share; the woman thus deserves unique rights.

    I agree with Bill's assessment that the fetus really is part of the woman's body until it is delivered. It's an unusual part, but still a part in a way that allows the woman to claim autonomy thereover. We cannot force any woman to breastfeed a child outside the womb; we similarly cannot force a woman to continue providing sustenance to a child inside the womb.

  100. Dana P 2014.03.07

    If only Mr. Nelson put as much time and effort into supporting services/tools/education that would prevent unwanted pregnancies in the first place, the need for or use of abortion services would decline. What a concept!

    I would also encourage Mr. Nelson to read up on history of countries that have made abortion illegal. Specifically, Romania under the leadership of Nicolae Ceausescu. (mid to late '60's through the 80's) Restricting access to safe abortion in Romania caused a dramatic increase in maternal mortality. Thousands of women died, as a direct result making abortion illegal. Thousands. THAT doesn't sound very pro-life to me.

    Or as Mr Nelson might say, "there will be casualties as we take the hill".

  101. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.07

    I promise this is my last post. This thread has been taken off life support, the meat wagon is backed up to the back door of hospital and the arrangments have been made. It's time to let it go.But first a personal story.

    THE THREE DOLLAR MAN

    I would like to tell you a story about a dysfunctional family. This family started on a rocky slope and has continued to degrade for the last four years.

    The names have been changed to protect the terminally stupid, the morally bankrupt, and the egos of all involved.

    First there were two young people that fell in lust. Lets call them Wang Game Boy Hoover, and Latisha Little Gril Simpson. When they found out that they were expecting twin boys, they decided to get married. After the twins were born they continued to do the things they did before that time and to the union another boy was born.

    Sometime before the last of the kids were born Wang and Latisha decided that they no longer liked one another. Both went their separate ways and agreed to hate and despise one another tell death would they part. I might add here that they seem to be doing a pretty good job of that.

    Latisha started a new life, a couple of times, and moved to another state to live with the three boys..

    Wang stayed in about the same place and started A couple of new relationships of his own.

    Now Latisha has full time employment but still needed help financially to raise the kids so she went to the government to see if she could get Wang to pony up some money to help support his boys. Everyone agreed to this arrangement except for Wang, who thought that his parental responsibilities had expired when he was no longer granted matrimonial privileges.

    Meanwhile Latisha's help from the government has continued to be less and less and if it were not for the fact that she lived with her parents she would be on the street.

    Wang went for a few years paying less and less, and many times none at all for child support. He never called or went to see any of the boys. No birthday presents, Christmas presents, not even a card. But he did have time on FB to say how much he missed the boys and how much he was paying to support their mother. He bragged about these imaginary payments to all his friends and helped them to understand that he was being screwed.

    Now we come to present times. Wang decided that instead of paying child support he would quit his $22.50 an hour job and live off of unemployment. At the time of this writing he owed over twenty thousand dollars to Latisha and the boys.

    Last week a check came in the mail for Latisha from the government that handles these types of things in child support cases. It was Wang's last and forced attempt at child support. The amount was for $3.00. Yes you heard me right. Just so there is no misunderstanding the amount was three dollars.

    I know all of these people real well. Latisha is 27 but would like to live life like she was 17 again, but she cant because she has the three boys.

    Wang is thirty something and would just like it to all go away so he could get on with his life of riding ATVs, playing Xbox and going on mini vacations a couple of times a year with his new Girlfriend and her kids.

    He doesn't seem to think he needs to give up any of the following things.

    Sperm donor
    Egomaniac
    Woman controller and abuser from his grandmother to his wife's mother
    Child separation specialist
    Natural born asshole

    Sense he comes from one of the major corn producing states I have come up with the perfect name for people like Wang. He is a "DICK HEADED CORN FUCK."

    This has been the story of the THREE DOLLAR MAN, as told from the pulpit of THE CHURCH OF BILL.

    The Blindman

  102. mike from iowa 2014.03.07

    Bill D-I certainly wish you'd say what is on your mind. Don't hold back nothing. Most of us here could use extra wisdom and insights,imho.
    OTOH,if this story had come from run of the mill,wingnut politician,I might be inclined to tell them that South Dakota beans sure work up a blow.
    This is the only blog I visit where pols of the wingnut persuasion will venture into the flak pattern for their share of abuse. Cowards in Texas and Alaska,where ass-hattery is an art form,habituate only friendly skies to get buttered-up. I hope everyone keeps sharing their thoughts and opinions. Makes the world (in my case NW iowa),a better place.

  103. mike from iowa 2014.03.07

    Dana P- Mr and Mrs Ceaucescu were aborted by firing squad,as seen on tv,back when. I don't normally agree with the death penalty,per se,but in that instance it seemed right and proper.

  104. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.07

    Deb I'm sorry I dont keep up with the post the way I use to.

    Belinda says no, but to check back later.

    The Blindman

  105. SDBlue 2014.03.07

    I can relate to your story a bit, Bill. I divorced over 20 years ago. I gave my ex a choice between me, his son and his daughter, or Jack Daniels. He chose Jack. He didn't want to pay child support. He said he didn't think it was right he had to pay me to care for his children since I chose the divorce. As soon as I garnished his wages, he quit his job and became self-employed. For the next 15 years, collecting child support was like getting blood from a turnip. Maybe the GOP could so something about dead-beat dads, instead of trying to control women and their choices.

  106. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.03.07

    My loss Blindman. I will check back later.

    I like the way Belinda thinks.

  107. Hammer 2014.03.10

    Hilarious how Nelson brags about how he values lives, without even mentioning the genocide and killing of Indians by whites. You're white Nelson...own up to the shameful history of "your" people...

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