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Posts published by “caheidelberger”

Make a Stand for Free Market Ranching: Support Tony Dean Grassland!

Mr. Kurtz brings to my attention commentary on another good bill Thune and the Republicans are holding hostage for the sake of more tax cuts for the wealthiest 1%. Well-traveled George Wuerthner at New West observes that S. 3310, the…

Sorry, Tea Party: Noem Going Washington

All Kristi Noem ever had to offer the Tea Party was looks. Don't expect her to really change anything in Washington. She's already going Washington: Noem has picked an experienced Washington insider as her chief of staff. As Mr. Woodring…

Spend More on Kids and Teachers, Get Higher Math Scores? Maybe!

In the conversation about our schools not producing enough smart kids, I mentioned Stanford economist Eric Hanushek's contention that per-pupil spending doesn't correlate with educational outcomes. Former Madison Superintendent John Sweet challenges this contention, suggesting we look at spending in…

Thune Flack: Herseth Sandlin Doesn’t Buy Groceries

I was going to leave this alone, but some Republicans just can't win with class. The Thune campaign successfully backed sock puppet Kristi Noem against Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. They got someone nice and Palin-y in the chute to run…

Enbridge Oil Spill: Safety Measures Only Work If You Pay Attention

I'm reading the latest Plains Justice report on the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline and its threat to the land and water of the Northern Plains. The report includes this alarming timeline of the big Enbridge pipeline spill in the…

Thune to Food Safety: Drop Dead

Senator John Thune joined 24 fellow Republicans yesterday to vote against S. 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act. The New York Times maps the Senate votes: U.S. Senate vote on S. 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act, 2010.11.30.Source: New York…

Lake Herman Ice Check: Seven Inches!

For lunch, I stepped out of the office and chopped a hole in the lake. Punching holes in Lake Herman: another guy compulsion About twenty feet from shore, the ice on lovely Lake Herman was a whole hand thick, at…

SD, US Not Producing Enough Smart Kids

My well-read wife hands me this report from The Atlantic that includes data on how South Dakota students compare with their U.S. and international counterparts in posting high scores on standardized tests. The good news: South Dakota has more kids…