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West River Radicals Deem Daugaard Pro-Gay Betrayer

Black Hills blogger Bob Ellis bleats that Governor Dennis Daugaard has betrayed the Republican Party by criticizing Senator Phil Jensen (R-33/Rapid City). To support this claim, Ellis points to a letter to the editor in which Glenn T. Freeman of Kadoka accused the Governor of issuing a "pro-gay rant" in the March 20 Rapid City Journal.

Whoa—if anyone in South Dakota is making a "pro-gay rant," I want to hear it!

Roll the tape, and let's review what Governor Daugaard said in response to Senator Jenson's controversial statement in defense of the Ku Klux Klan against government civil rights enforcement. First, here's the statement Senator Jensen made:

Jensen goes so far as to say that businesses should have the right to deny service based on a customer's race or religion – whether that's right or wrong, he says, can be fairly addressed by the free market, not the government.

"If someone was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, and they were running a little bakery for instance, the majority of us would find it detestable that they refuse to serve blacks, and guess what? In a matter of weeks or so that business would shut down because no one is going to patronize them," he said [Daniel Simmons-Ritchie, "Phil Jensen: South Dakota's Most Conservative Lawmaker?"Rapid City Journal, 2014.03.16].

...and here's the Governor's response, four days later:

Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard on Wednesday distanced himself from Jensen in a statement released to the media.

“I found his comments to be completely out of line with South Dakota values," he said. "I don’t agree with him and I haven’t talked to anyone who does” [Daniel Simmons-Ritchie, "Governor Distances Himself from State Senator's Ku Klux Klan Remark," Rapid City Journal, 2014.03.20].

And here's Glenn T. Freeman's interpretation of the Governor's text:

Daugaard's anti-business, liberal, pro-gay position clearly shows Republican insiders shift to the left. Our political party has deserted many of the faithful.

Daugaard is unique. I cannot recall any previous governor who has so brutally used the bully pulpit of South Dakota's highest office to seek political destruction of elected fellow Republicans [Glenn T. Freeman, letter to the editor, Rapid City Journal, 2014.03.28].

Hmm... the context and the headline make clear that the Governor was addressing Senator Jensen's KKK remark. Only the most extreme gay panic can lead Freeman and Ellis to interpret the Governor's response to Jensen's buffoonery as a "brutal" "pro-gay rant." I'd better not invite Freeman and Ellis over for hot dogs; they'll probably cry rape!

As I've noted with disdain before, Governor Daugaard's criticism of Senator Jensen feels more like a political safety dance than any flowering commitment to civil rights for homosexuals. The Governor offered no commentary on Senator Jensen's holy anti-gay crusade during the Legislative session; only after legislators went home did he hazard even muted criticism of the session's headline-grabbing but abortive homophobia.

Glenn T. Freeman and Bob Ellis are hearing things. Governor Dennis Daugaard has never issued a "pro-gay rant". His criticism of Senator Phil Jensen is far from "brutal"... and not being brutal in response to Jensen's retrograde politics betrays principles more important than the planks in the Republican platform.

26 Comments

  1. chris 2014.03.31

    KKKake Boss?

  2. larry kurtz 2014.03.31

    DD's hypocrisy is lost on his own party: racism is the GOP's operating manual since Lee Atwater.

  3. Jerry 2014.03.31

    Mr. Freeman is just another bigoted, racist old white man that hears voices that do not exist. I think Daugaard should be called out for allowing some 36 South Dakotans to die unnecessarily with his malpractice of not allowing the Medicaid expansion. I can only guess what knuckle draggers like Ellis and Freeman would say about him if he would have the courage to challenge them.

  4. Tim 2014.03.31

    Jerry, I won't hold my breath waiting for Daugaard to muster the courage to challenge the radical right in his party and I hope you don't either, we would get mighty blue in the face waiting.

  5. owen reitzel 2014.03.31

    Freeman is just another example of a Teabagger trying to make Daugaard and Rounds into Democrats. Which is BS. They're Republicans pure and simple.
    If you want change vote Democrat

  6. John Tsitrian 2014.03.31

    When I was writing a bunch of pro-choice stuff at RCJ during a big upcoming vote on the issue ('08? Somewhere in there), one of those letter writers sent me a drawing of a little guy standing in judgement before a towering god-like figure. My name with an arrow pointing at the little guy was part of the pic.

  7. Bill Dithmer 2014.03.31

    I went to school with Glenn's kids, so that would make it over 40 years ago. I have seen this man disrupt, interrupt, and completely corrupt public meetings in that time.

    Once at a meeting where we were trying to get information on how to control the grasshoppers he stood up and started arguing with the expert. No, not about the hopper problem, he wanted to argue about the government sending someone out to try to help. Finally the government man rolled up his sleeves, looked at Glenn and told him to either set down and shut up or he was welcome to step outside so they could get things straightened out so he could do what he came for.

    The expert got through the meeting without any more interruptions. It's hard to believe that Glenn ran a successful hospitality business for many years.

    So much for the integrify of KOA.

    The Blindman

  8. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.31

    The Rapid City Journal on nearly a daily basis prints these tea party letters, most are full of exaggerations and name calling, and how President Obama is ruining America.

    These letters coupled with their stalwart conservative columnist, George Will, Thomas Sowell, et al., keep the local tea bags stirred up.

    The RCJ is the print version of FOX "News" for these non-RiNO's.

    To be blunt, the Journal editorial sucks, big time.

  9. Tim 2014.03.31

    RC, couldn't agree more, you might recognize my writing as Shorty. RCJ has always leaned right, but seems they are leaning so far right these days somebody will have to prop them up to keep them from falling over.

  10. Roger Cornelius 2014.03.31

    Hey shorty, I do recognize your name and writing, welcome to Madville Times and keep coming back and sharing.

    Since Kevin Woster left and held a requiem for Mt. Blogmore, the Journal's editorial content has gone to hell.

  11. Tim 2014.03.31

    I didn't know KW went to TV until I found this site. I miss blogmore, had some good discussion there. I like this site, finally found a place that isn't right wingnut craziness. Cory is doing a good job with his blog.

  12. larry kurtz 2014.03.31

    Brand new: Published on Mar 31, 2014
    Rep. Grijalva, the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, talks about the importance of Native American opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline proposal, which would heavily impact tribal territory.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94a1UavseOU&feature=youtu.be

  13. Ryan Gaddy 2014.04.01

    The Governor should be applauded for standing up for the safety of citizens. . . Gays are people too. . . and a lot of "Gay Bash" violence has recently erupted in Rapid City. I'm not gay, I have plenty of friends that are, and my Mother is a Lesbian. . . So . . . Fuck the "Republican" agenda. . . at least on this issue. . . IF standing up for what is right makes you a TRAITOR, then I'll be the first to denounce the republican party. However, if it's about the core value of good people, doing hard work, not depending on welfare, being able to enjoy life without fear. . . then I'm a damn republican. . . Religion or not. . . You need to let God sort out punishment for gays. . . not be supporting public beatings because some guy in a club kissed another guy. . . That's like kicking your ass for kissing a girl. . . ITS FUCKING LUDACRIS!!! Bravo Governor. . . Now maybe you should help these sick kids get CBD Oil as your next "Stand Up for the little guy" campaign ;)

  14. James P 2014.04.01

    Going back in time to the original ultra-right article by Jensen: he was chastized for projecting an economic philosophy of absolute free-market enterprise that cannot exist within our mixed public/private economy. If that were possible, and moon cheese tasted sharp, then he would have been correct- the majority of folks would NOT visit the bakery. In sum, he received far more attention than he ever deserved. As a Rapid City native, I feel he needs to return to KS, or wherever he came from, because he does not represent myself or much less anyone I know out here except for a slim hyper-polarized minority. It's as tragic that he was chastized and given national spot light, as it is tragic he uses a SD zip code, but I never gave him a second thought until now. Well done to the author who followed up with the subsequent hateful ramblings, as I was unaware but not surprised to read such nonsense. Thank you.

  15. Roger Cornelius 2014.04.01

    Ryan,

    When "God sorts out punishment for gays" will that punishment be different than those that don't love their neighbors, commit murder, commit adultery, beat their wives and children, or child predators.

    How does the punishment for sin differ from one sinner to another? Remember that the Bible said homosexuality is a sin, not God or his son.

  16. Ryan Gaddy 2014.04.01

    Rodger, I'm not a big religious guy. . . I'm speaking on a Republican level. . . The hipocracy in church doctrine is INSANE. I think people are people. . . and the people that go to the grave being assholes. . . will be dealt with accordingly. Bible was written by man. . .to control and command. . . a blind follower will always fall back to "God in infalable" . . . It's impossible to take that away from someone. But beating gay men and lesbian women. . . that's a matter for the Judicial System before God will handle it. . . as far as I'm concerned.

  17. Bree S. 2014.04.01

    Agreed, Roger. If Jesus never mentioned it, then maybe Christians should quit worrying about it. If Christians spent a little more time worrying about what Jesus did say ("Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.") and less time worrying about what Jesus NEVER said the world would be a saner place. At the very least, if you're not homosexual then it isn't your sin, so why do you care? The only reason to care about other people's actions that do not cause harm is because you are a controlling busy body who wants to force his/her will on other people. Perhaps we shouldn't hinder the children of God from approaching him, what does it accomplish to tell people they will burn in a nonexistent Hell?

  18. Bree S. 2014.04.01

    Ryan, where are you getting this nonsense about "beating gays." I thought the post was about not selling them cabbage and TVs.

  19. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.04.01

    Bree, I think this is the most I've ever agreed with you!

    And the earth is still spinning. Imagine that. ;-)

  20. Roger Cornelius 2014.04.01

    Bree, there is no way I can approve on that, thank you.

  21. Roger Cornelius 2014.04.01

    Bree,
    Typo alert!
    The last sentence should state, there is no way I can Improve on that.

  22. Steve 2014.04.18

    Let's ask ourselves, why does believing in traditional marriage make you a hater, extremist & against freedom yet when people for same sex marriage can scream and yell at people that believe in traditional marriage and that's not considered hate, extreme or against freedom for those people to express their point of view? Is it free speech or free speech so long as it doesn't offend me? Is it tolerance or tolerate me? You can offend anyone unless you offend me? This seems very hypocritical for individuals that seem to believe in the freedom to speak out. Actually every argument for same sex marriage is actually an argument for something else (tax reasons = flat tax), (inheritance of retirement=getting rid of SS), (hospital visits=guests lists)...as far as I see the US Constitution says NOTHING about marriage so it is up to each state to decide what they define as marriage, and before I get people telling me that discriminates, let's get real; states discriminate by age: here in SD two people are allowed to get married at the age of 16, ND doesn't recognize marriage until the age of 18. So if two people got married in SD at 16 and moved to ND then ND wouldn't acknowledge their marriage. There are women only gyms that don't let men in, that's discrimination by gender. There are race and gender based colleges that don't allow other genders or races but that's not considered discrimination, whys that? To end this all I ask: is it tolerance or tolerate me?

  23. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.04.19

    Steve, it's one thing to believe in traditional marriage. It's another to force your tradition on everyone by law and deny fellow citizens equal rights. Go ahead, speak out... but expect the same intensity of criticism that you offer me. There is no hypocrisy there. I don't have to tolerate (i.e., let stand without criticism, let be written into law) wrong ideas.

    The Constitution says nothing explicit about airplanes, smokestacks, or uranium, but states don't get a free-for-all in regulating such matters; they still have to regulate within the framework of the national interest and all citizens' Constitutional rights. Same-sex spouses should enjoy the same legal protections as opp-sex spouses with regards to taxes, retirement benefits, inheritance, and whatever else we've tangled government into with respect to recognizing marriage.

  24. Nick Nemec 2014.04.19

    Steve, I believe in traditional, opposite sex marriage, for me. If some others want to have a same sex marriage it's no skin off my nose. In fact it might be a good thing for all of society, it promotes stability when people can enter into long term committed relationships with some other person, and stability is good for business, good for society.

  25. Steve 2014.04.19

    Personally, I don't care what two people do in their bedroom. You'd need a police state to try and stop people from doing what they want to do in their beds. My argument is that it is not a federal issue. It's up to each state to decide, opinions don't trump the 10th amendment. And if your saying people shouldn't be denied by law to marry, then I'd say get the state govt out of the marriage business too that doesn't mean involve the federal govt. A same sex couple can get married at a Unitarian church or JOP. Nothing stops two people from exchanging rings, joining property, and moving in together. There are polygamy laws too, but what stops a guy from buying a big house, moving a bunch of women in and having children with all of them...I guess a police state. I actually live next door to two guys in a same sex relationship. Their nice people and I don't lay awake at night wondering what their doing over there, because I don't care. As far as you talking about smoke stacks and stuff. Every state has their own version of the EPA, dept of Ed, etc. if you think there needs to be a federal dept for all these things then you must think your state is too stupid. And if you believe the people at the federal depts are so much smarter, those people come from the states; their not born in an incubator near the potomac. I'll finish by saying this opinions don't trump the 10th amendment.

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