Trouble with the truth

In his column in the Friday, June 13, Rapid City Journal David Rooks writes that his irritation with President Obama isn't about ideology as much as it is about truth.  He goes on to list a number of examples that are supposed to support his opinion.  He does this using political “spin” to decry “spin,” insert distortion for spin for more accuracy.  Of course, space requirements do not allow for foot notes or documentation to support the distortions, luckily for Mr. Rooks.

His accusations are more perception than evidence and therefore, to Mr. Rooks, they represent truth.  It is too bad he couldn't be more even handed in his criticisms when it relates to the ruling dictators or past dictators in South Dakota.  Mr. Rooks likes that term “dictator” so I thought I’d use it too even though I don’t believe we have any real dictators in the United States, even after I read David Rooks’ column.    

It's all about winning

This morning Bob Mercer’s post on Pure Pierre Politics suggested that Rick Weiland might want to consider dropping out of the political race for the retiring Tim Johnson's senate seat.  Mr. Mercer writes about the Weiland’s chance of winning the election and how the current mix of candidates actually helps Mike Rounds and hurts Rick Weiland’s chances.  Mr. Mercer makes the suggestion that former Senator Larry Pressler would be the “independent-Democratic” candidate with best chance against Rounds.

Apparently, politics is all about winning.  Issues and discussion aren't worth anything compared to winning.  The idea that the campaign itself would play an important part in our country’s politics appears to be passe'.   Perhaps this is another symptom or result of the polarization of American politics.    There should be more to our political discussion than just how Republican or conservative a candidate is or was or will be.  When does the discussion get around to what is good for the society and the nation, or does that ever make a difference?

Public service message regarding KXL

Friends,

President Obama and the State Department are wavering on one of the most critical decisions facing our climate -- whether to approve the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

That’s why groups from across the country are working to deliver 1 million comments to the administration, urging them to reject the Keystone XL pipeline between today and Earth Day.

Add your name to the list of nearly 1 million people speaking out against the Keystone XL pipeline.  

President Obama has said the right things on global warming, and has taken some critical steps, like doubling our cars’ fuel efficiency. And thanks in part to his strong leadership, our consumption of oil has dropped over 10% since 2007.

But the progress we’ve made would be undermined if we increased our dependence on oil from tar sands, which has the potential to add 240 billion metric tons of global warming pollution to our environment.

Now, that’s just unacceptable.

Join me, and add your name now. Let’s give President Obama 1 million reasons to reject Keystone.

Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act

The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, or CISPA, is a proposed law that would give companies unprecedented power to hand your personal information from the internet, including from private communications, over to government agencies without a warrant.
When CISPA first showed up last year, we successfully defeated it together-- so we need to remind President Obama again about this dangerous threat to our personal privacy.
I just signed a petition calling on President Obama to tell Congress he intends to veto CISPA. Will you join me?
https://www.aclu.org/secure/tell-obama-veto-CISPA

Safe or Free from Danger

Consider these two statements: 

1.  My child is safe in school.

2.  My child is not in danger in school.

Now expand consideration of the core of those two statements.  Is it better to be safe or not in danger?  In a free society, which condition is preferable?  To be able to come and go, when and where desired without the concern for personal safety would appear to be the better alternative.  An artificial level of security or safety derived from bullet proof glass, locked doors, and/or armed guards does not imply the desirable experience of freedom that many fellow citizens would like to believe they enjoy.  Not only that, but what safety measures are ever truly infallible.

The preference to be safe or free from danger should influence the discussions of what to do about gun violence, domestic violence, or violence of any kind that threatens any member of society.

Occupy Rapid City Continues

Occupy Rapid City has been gathering on a street corner in downtown Rapid City in public protest of issues of concern to the members of the group.   The focus for the every Saturday protests is a discussion that persists at the group’s first and third Monday meetings each month.  Some members believe that we should try to align the focus with the major issues of the original Occupy Wall Street group.  Others believe that many other issues are related to those original protests and therefore it is appropriate to bring these issues to the public’s attention.  Bringing issues to the public’s attention has always been a major objective of Occupy protests everywhere.

A local group consensus does exist about the necessity to continue the protests, even if we can’t agree on how we could narrow their focus.  Observers that stop by to engage us in conversation or argument often share curiosity that indicates a desire on the part of these observers to classify and or categorize the protest participants as members of groups that the observers have established opinions about.  The people that want to label the group are generally missing a point that our group has an established a consensus about.  We believe that we represent not just ourselves, but a majority of Americans, the 99%, in our concern for the need to address the issues stated or implied on the signs we display each weekend in protest.

We do not mean to suggest that the 99% are in agreement on these issues.  We do try to draw attention to issues that affect the majority of our fellow citizens.  Our goal is to get people to think about these issues and how they came to be issues.  Another consensus within the group is with regard to the relationship of many issues of concern in the United States and the ever increasing economic inequality.  We aren’t talking about getting hand-outs and freebies as some people might imply.  We are talking about the political and societal environment that has been manipulated and changed over time to favor a small portion of the population. 

The following two books are recommended reading for greater understanding and insight into the positions of the Occupy movement:

The Price of Inequality: How Today's Divided Society Endangers Our Future

Joseph E. Stiglitz

New York: W.W. Norton & Co., ©2012

Debt: the first 5,000 years

David Graeber

Brooklyn, N.Y.: Melville House, ©2010

A voice from the heartland with something to say

A while back I posted a guest editorial from Stephen Anderson.  His editorial took exception to negative letters he read in a magazine and he questioned the accusations that were being leveled at the Occupy movement.  Even though he wasn't exactly singing Occupy's praises he was at least being fair and honest about his observations.  A friend of mine has been in communication with Mr. Anderson and he shared with me the following video that Stephen sent to him.  The video records a speech Anderson gave at an event in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2008.  The speech was very timely then and it is still worth listening to now.  Mr.  Anderson continues to be a fair and honest observer of society and his style is articulate and entertaining.  Forty-five minutes isn't too long to give to this thought provoking verbal presentation. 

Governor Daugaard: Accept Federal Medicaid Funds

Last year, Governor Dennis Daugaard announced that he would not accept
new federal dollars to expand the state's Medicaid program.

By rejecting these funds, over 40,000 South Dakotans will be uninsured.

Tell Governor Daugaard to reverse course and accept federal Medicaid
dollars and protect the over 40,000 South Dakotans that would benefit.

That's why I signed a petition to Governor Dennis Daugaard, which says:

"Over 13% of South Dakota residents don't have health insurance,
including many children.

By rejecting Medicaid expansion funds from the federal government, you
are hurting over 40,000 South Dakotans who would benefit from it.

Please reverse course and accept the federal Medicaid dollars and help
South Dakotans in need."

Will you sign this petition? Click here:

http://signon.org/sign/governor-daugaard-accept?source=s.em.mt&r_by=831852

Thanks!

"United Urban Warrior Society" 3RD Annual " Thanksgiving on the streets.

"United Urban Warrior Society" 3RD Annual " Thanksgiving on the streets.

Public Event

• Thursday, November 22, 2012
• 11:30am

Rosevelt Park, Rapid City S.D.

• Every year U.U.W.S. (united urban warrior society) has spent our Thanksgiving Day with our Brothers and Sisters who live on the cold streets of Rapid City, S.D. We will be serving a full HOT dinner starting at Roosevelt Park at 11:30 am. Please join us, come out and help us feed the people! If you would like to bring a dish to share; you are more than welcome to do so! This event is sponsored by U.U.W.S. Black Hills, Sioux Falls & Hot springs S.D. Chapter's. This event and our Kids X-mas Party/Dinner are the only events that we ask donations for. We ask that people please send us coats, gloves, scarfs, sweaters, blankets, socks, stocking caps, winter attire Etc. For those who would like to donate cash we ask that you send a Walmart Gift Card instead, this way we can purchase food or Hygiene items such as: soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, even small back packs. If you would like to donate please send it to:   "United Urban Warrior Society"  P.O. Box 14  Rapid City S.D. 57709-0014. Phone number is 605-381-8612

Benefit Masquerade Pow-wow for Pe’ Sla

He Sapa O’nakijin -- Defenders of the Black Hills

A Benefit Masquerade Pow-wow for Pe’ Sla will be held on Friday evening, Oct. 26, 2012, from 7:00 - 10:00 PM at the Mother Butler Center, 221 Knollwood Drive, Rapid City, SD. 

A donation of $5.00 per person will be taken at the door. Children ages 10 and younger are free. Food will be available for $3.00 per plate. Donations of salads and desserts welcome. Drum groups wishing to donate their services for this fun and very worthwhile event are always welcome.

Everyone in the Area is invited!!!

[This is an alcohol and drug free event.]

South Dakota abortion law uses false information

South Dakota wants doctors to lie to women seeking abortion by forcing doctors to inform women that having an abortion increases their risk of suicide. As one of my family members committed suicide, I find this law to be not only demeaning to a woman's choice regarding pregnancy, but to the very real problem of suicide. The law is based on faulty, misrepresented information and is merely fear-mongering on the part of the lawmakers.

That's why I signed a petition to US Supreme Court, The South Dakota State House, The South Dakota State Senate, and Governor Dennis Daugaard, which says:

"Stop using lies and fear to attempt to control women's rights and women's health issues."

Will you sign this petition? Click here:

http://signon.org/sign/south-dakota-abortion?source=s.em.cp&r_by=831852

Thanks!

The Assault on America’s Civil Justice System

This is a public service posting:

 

The Assault on America’s Civil Justice System

                                      And Your Constitutional Rights

 

The regular second Tuesday of the month meeting of South Dakota Peace and Justice will investigate the long-term corporate propaganda campaign to convince Americans that they should give up their constitutional rights in the name of tort reform.  With three hundred and twelve million citizens in our country, it is easy for vested financial interests to find an occasional case where the system has been abused.  The case of the elderly woman who spilled scalding McDonalds’ coffee in her lap was not such an incident!

 

The multiple film festival winning documentary, Hot Coffee: Is Justice Being Served? will be shown.  This film looks at numerous cases that have been totally distorted, and the subsequent atmosphere thus created, which prevents our system of justice from redressing egregious damage to our citizens.  Local defense attorneys Mike Wilson and Jim Leach will lead a discussion following the documentary.

 

The general public is always encouraged to attend our free presentations.  We meet at the St. Isaac Joques Church, adjacent to the Mother Butler Center.  The church is located at 221 Knollwood , across the street from the Carmike 10 Theater.   The meeting starts at 7 PM and usually lasts about two hours. Coffee and light refreshment are served.  Please encourage anyone you know who is concerned about the continued erosion of our civil right by the emerging oligarchy in our country to attend.

 

 For further information contact Jim Petersen at 342-6245 or MaryJo Farrington at 716-5166.

 

Governor misinformed or misleading?

I heard and interesting story two weeks ago while engaged in the weekly Saturday Occupy Rapid City protest on a corner along Main Street in Rapid City.  The story was being related in a casual and conversational way, similar to discussing the weather or some other interesting incident of a less than cataclysmic importance.  When hearing this type of recounting of a seemingly innocuous happening some my reply, “That doesn’t surprise me.”

A delegation of visiting members of British Parliament and other British officials were visiting South Dakota in the early part of June.  On June 6 they were in Pierre where the story has it that one of the members of the group asked Governor Daugaard about the Occupy Movement in South Dakota.  In the story, the Governor’s reply was something to the effect that “we don’t have that in South Dakota.”   The Governor must get his news from Rapid City news sources where the activities of the Occupy Movement are not reported on unless it offends an entity like Duhamel Broadcasting.  In addition to the every Saturday protests in Rapid City, members of Occupy Rapid City have given their support to and participated in the protests by several groups in Rapid City since their local beginning in October of 2011.

It is a little hard for outsiders to track the local Occupy Movement since it does not have a hierarchical structure or an official organizational membership list.  However, there are several South Dakota Occupy Movement group websites that list members numbering from seventy or so to nearly on hundred.  There are also quite a number of people that post on these sites that appear to think of themselves as members of the Occupy Movement even if their names don’t appear on a group page membership list. 

It is obvious that participation has waned considerably from what it was during the first exciting days when it was new concept for a lot of people with, perhaps, less than realistic expectations.  Still it is less than accurate for the Governor to tell our British guests that “we don’t have that in South Dakota.”

Note:  Here’s a few other Occupy websites to check out http://occupyrapidcity.org/, http://www.occupybrookings.com/, http://www.facebook.com/OccupyOfRapidCity, and http://www.facebook.com/groups/occupyblackhills

Become a citizen co-sponsor

Become a citizen co-sponsor of the DISCLOSE Act of 2012 to end secret election spending.

The U.S. Supreme Court's disastrous Citizens United v. FEC ruling has unleashed a torrent of anonymous campaign spending into our political system. Corporations have been able to exert a massive influence on our electoral process without being subject to any accountability for that influence.

Progressive champion Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is fighting back by pushing Congress to pass the DISCLOSE Act. And he has asked the public to join him as citizen co-sponsors.

Become a citizen co-sponsor of the DISCLOSE Act of 2012 to end secret election spending.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/disclose_citizen_cosponsor/?r_by=42314-3451380-30XNMQx&rc=confemail 

South Dakota Peace and Justice hosts Occupy Rapid City panel

By Greg Olson with editorial and memory help by Clay Uptain

Tuesday night the monthly meeting of the Rapid City chapter of the South Dakota Peace and Justice organization hosted a panel of Occupy Rapid City members.  The focus of this meeting was ‘The Significance of the “Occupy” Movement in Contemporary America: A Discussion.’   The panelists were volunteers and each of them spoke from their own point of view regarding the Occupy Movement.  The panel was comprised of three noteworthy members of our Occupy Rapid City community and yours truly. Each panelist spoke from the heart about the Movement with emphasis on particular aspects that spoke specifically to them.  While these panelists generally share similar views they did not speak as representatives of the diverse membership of the Occupy Movement.

Clay Uptain spoke of his background as a criminal justice system professional and how the Occupy Movement’s worldwide significance and his interest in the spiritual and social aspects of what that means, not just for Rapid City, but for all of humanity.

Jim Petersen shared that he is a Veteran pilot and feels that the Defense budget is way out of proportion and that it needs a significant reduction. He also listed other issues that he felt continued to be of specific relevance to the Movement.  He elaborated on each of the items that he referred to and how they related to the essential central issues of the Movement’s Occupy Wall Street beginnings. One of the key issues he mentioned was that our country has slowly degenerated into a plutocracy. We are no longer a democracy. He also discussed the National Defense Appropriations Act that eviscerated the Bill of Rights and has put our nation under indefinite martial law.

Peggy Detmers related how her background made many of Occupy’s central causes important to her.  She has a background in biology and is currently working with a biochemist identifying toxins in our environment. She issued several challenges to the listeners to join in the activism of the Occupy Movement.  This call to action was well understood and has been historically shared by most if not all of those in attendance of this gathering of the local South Dakota Peace and Justice group.

For my part, I tried to express how the Occupy Movement provides a venue or outlet for the “frustrated” majority or for the percentage of the population that should be able to associate with the movement, “the 99%.”  At the same time the Movement has avoided the partisanships of political parties.  The Occupy Movement provides the bridge between many groups on issues that are important to all of us, regardless of political, religious, or other divisive group definition.

All of the panelists seemed to agree that the Occupy Movement was a continuing catalyst for activism as well as for civic and social responsibility.  Evidence of this belief can be observed in action; two Occupy Rapid City members are serving on a task force formed by the Rapid City Council that was successful in getting the City of Rapid City to formalize and update its procedures for where it keeps its money.  The effort deemphasized the reliance on big banks and financial institutions and focused on the city including more small and locally owned banks and credit unions.

Help Restore Our Civil Liberties

Friends-

We can put an end to a shocking assault on our civil liberties: Last year's National Defense Authorization Act included language that could allow the military to detain civilian suspects INDEFINITELY without charge or trial.

This year's NDAA could come up for a vote as soon as next week and we have a prime opportunity to reverse this travesty of justice.

Click here to fight back: Email your member of Congress right away:

http://act.demandprogress.org/letter/ndaa_next_week/?referring_akid=a6160083.1904117.lFZrva&source=auto-taf

Congressmen Adam Smith and Justin Amash will put forth an amendment to make it clear that the military does not have the power to arrest and indefinitely detain civilians without charging or trying them. Please urge your lawmakers to support their efforts and help us spread word far and wide.

Just click here to email your member of Congress right away.

http://act.demandprogress.org/letter/ndaa_next_week/?referring_akid=a6160083.1904117.lFZrva&source=auto-taf

Thanks!

Public announcement from Occupy Rapid City

Event Schedule:

The demonstration on Saturday May 12 will focus on the income disparity and corporate malfeasance that initially sparked Occupy. These issues have not gone away. From banks foreclosing on families by using fraudulent documents to Wall Street speculators creating a bubble in oil futures to the one percenters continue to lie, cheat, and steal in order to further enrich themselves. Meanwhile more and more Americans are struggling just to survive. There really is “too much month at the end of the money.”

Come on out this Saturday and stand with us. You will be glad that you did.


http://occupyrapidcity.org/

WOMEN UNITE – MARCH IN SOLIDARITY

WOMEN UNITE – MARCH IN SOLIDARITY

What:  A call to action to defend Women’s Rights with a March in Solidarity

Why: A nation-wide event to focus attention on current legislation and efforts that challenge rights of women and families.

When:  2:00 PM - Saturday, April 28, 2012

Where:  Meet at Memorial Park Band Shell and march through downtown Rapid City.

Who: Local citizens who wish to join with Americans from across the United States to tell members of Congress and legislators in all 50 states “Enough is Enough!” should attend. If you are troubled by the prevailing trend of laws, especially in South Dakota, that threaten women’s right, you are encouraged to participate. If you dislike negative campaign language and the anti-women rhetoric in the media, please plan to ‘march in solidarity’ with others that feel as you do.

Miscellaneous: Participants are asked to bring relevant signs that are appropriate for a family-friendly event.

More information can be found at www.unitewomen.org, on Facebook at Women Unite! (what is your link)? March in Solidarity or contact us.

In Western South Dakota, Contact: Holly Sortland at 605-786-5256

Occupy Rapid City to highlight Miss Representation

Guest post from Occupy Rapid City:
This Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 12:45 pm Occupy Rapid City will walk from Main Street Square to KOTA in order to shine a light on the role of the media in disempowering women. KOTA continues to broadcast Rush Limbaugh in spite of his documented attacks on women. He has repeatedly and infamously referred to any women who are politically active on equality issues as “femi-nazis.” He seems to think that the only appropriate role for women in the 21st Century is to remain barefoot and pregnant.
Not only does KOTA continue to broadcast Rush Limbaugh, but it also aligns itself with the one percent corporate interests in this country, rather than the ninety-nine percent of the rest of the population. The more general role of the corporate owned and controlled media locally and nationally in marginalizing and disempowering women was exposed in a recent showing in Rapid City of Miss Representation. This film highlighted the many ways that women are sexualized and distorted on a daily basis in our media culture. It is a documentary film by Jennifer Siebel Newsom and features interviews with Condaleezza Rice, Katie Couric, Nancy Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Geena Davis, Rachel Maddow, Margeret Cho, and Rosario Dawson. It documents how the media only wants to focus on trivial and sexualized aspects of women, instead of having an honest discourse on the issues that women are raising. One example in the film was the media’s focus on Sarah Palin’s legs and physical appearance instead of the substance of her political stances on the issues.
The recent local showing of this film was sponsored by PROJECT RESPECT.ORG, an organization that “works to combat sexual and gender based violence amongst South Dakota’s Native American youth by promoting healthy, responsible and respectful relationships.”
Proceeds from the event went to WAVI-Working Against Violence, Inc., an organization that “works to create a community free of domestic abuse and sexual assault through advocacy, education and support services.”


The following statement is by Jim Peterson of Occupy Rapid City:
As you may or may not be aware, the Occupy Rapid City group has weekly demonstrations every Saturday, beginning at noon at Main Street Square. The overarching theme is always corporate control of every facet of our lives, but a weekly emphasis is chosen based on a timely issue currently in the limelight. This Saturday, April 21, we will try to bring to the attention of the public/media the concerns depicted in the recently shown movie Miss Representation. More specifically we will try and connect the dots between the media and the objectification and degradation of women. We will meet as usual at the Square, at noon, with appropriate signs and then around 12:45 walk the two blocks to the KOTA studio to once again shine a light on Rush Limbaugh’s disgusting behavior, vis-à-vis women. The previous demonstration at KOTA was an appropriate response to a specific episode, but the bigger issues pointed out by Miss Representation need to be addressed also.
We would encourage every woman you know (and men !!) to join us for an hour or so this Saturday. The reality is that one short demonstration is not going to affect significant change, which is why Occupy groups step up continuously…. PLEASE take the time to join us and encourage all your friends and group members to do likewise. Signage which speaks to the points raised in the Miss Representation film would be most helpful and appropriate. If anyone has any questions have them call me at (605) 342-6245. Thanks for all that you do to make our community a better place……..Jim Petersen
###

For More Information:
Mary Ellen Uptain 605.341.0724
Jim Peterson 605.342.6245
Occupy Rapid City occupyrapidcity.org

Check out what's coming to the Elks Theatre in Rapid City

March film “Farmageddon”

POSTED BY HEARTLANDFILM ⋅ MARCH 18, 2012

Farmageddon – Movie Trailer from Kristin Canty on Vimeo.

Elks Theatre, 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 26. All seats $5.00.

Directed by Kristin Canty. Starring Linda Faillace, Mark McAfee and Joel Salatin.

Farmageddon is the story of a mom whose son healed from all allergies and asthma after consuming raw milk, and real food from farms. It depicts people all over the country who formed food co-ops and private clubs to get these foods, and how they were raided by state and local governments. Source: IMDb.com

A movie whose claims, if accurate, should give us all food for thought. – Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times

Kristin Canty’s Farmageddon is a plucky, grassroots, urban mulch pile of info-tainment. – Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine

89 minutes. 2011 release.


Additional note from Clay Upton:


Hello friends,


This Monday, March 26 we will be showing the film "Farmageddon." There will be a discussion panel afterwards. Jessica Miller, representing Dakota Rural Action, Dawn Habeck, representing Black Hills Milk, Shirley Frederick, representing Dakota Local Food Network, and Nisa Schwiesow, representing Breadroot Food Cooperative, will be the panel members. Nisa also has a CSA farm and is a permaculture certified organic gardener. She has been involved with sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica and on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Dawn and her husband John have a dairy farm in Bell Fourche, and now have retail stores in Rapid City and Spearfish. Shirley is also a member of Dakota Rural Action and is actively involved in other local community organizations. This promises to be a very informative evening. Please come out and join us. We look forward to seeing you there.