The South Dakota Standard
@sdwriter26.bsky.social
The South Dakota Standard provides news and commentary from a progressive perspective. Join the discussion. https://www.sdstandardnow.com/contact
“Farmers can lay the blame for their financial stress on President Trump.” — John Tsitrian www.sdstandardnow.com/home/farm-bu...
Farm Bureau: Farmers will lose $32 billion in ‘27. Will it help Dems in Nov.? — The South Dakota Standard
Framing everything newsworthy in the politics of an off-year election this Fall, I read that another year of losses are likely to descend on row crop farmers in this country. According to an America...
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Here we are in 2026 and this song is just as relevant now as it was when it was created. ‘Stop, Hey What's That Sound’ Buffalo Springfield Released December, 1966
The Mitch McConnell business reminds me that when Dorothy Parker was notified that President Calvin Coolidge was dead she said: "How can they tell?"
4fuxake@blueheartedly1.bsky.social · 4w agoAOC on Mitch McConnell's absence.
“Today is a National Day of Action. It’s time for Americans to take action, too. There is an opportunity to do so in Sioux Falls tonight, one of more than 135 such gatherings in the nation.” www.sdstandardnow.com/home/candlel...
Candlelight vigil for ICE victims set in Sioux Falls tonight — The South Dakota Standard
Today is a National Day of Action . It’s time for Americans to take action, too. There is an opportunity to do so in Sioux Falls tonight, one of more than 135 such gatherings in the nation. A cand...
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Got the chance to see these talented players in action today! It was great having the @wnba.com at Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center for All-Star Weekend. 🏀
Every “journalist” at this dinner should hang their heads in shame.
“Everyone — Democrats, moderate Republicans and independents — should get behind Brian Bengs’ effort to unseat Mike Rounds. The power of people needs to be taken back from the power of party.” — Nancy Turbak Berry www.sdstandardnow.com/home/politic...
Political parties don’t work — and that’s why Bengs is the best choice — The South Dakota Standard
George Washington was no fan of political parties. In his Farewell Address , he warned that although parties may “now and then” serve popular ends, they are likely to be used to defeat the public i...
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“Dancing around the issues with a jitterbugging style may well lead to his political undoing, a not altogether terrible outcome.” — John Tsitrian www.sdstandardnow.com/home/lets-do...
Let’s do the Toby Doeden jitterbug. He’s got all the moves. — The South Dakota Standard
Toby Doeden has been fast-talking around the issues for months now. So quickly and deftly does he change positions that listening to him talk is like watching the lady above jitterbugging her way arou...
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The president of the United States is a moron. Yes, I am well aware you knew that, but just in case. Thank you for your attention in this very important matter.
“Many will likely discover what others have learned before them. Penny-ante betting on sports, politics, or absurdities might be entertaining. But there’s nothing fun about speculative market trading that puts your financial future at risk.” — Rick Kahler www.sdstandardnow.com/home/the-rea...
Here are the real winners — and losers — in online betting markets — The South Dakota Standard
Let’s start with the disclosure: I enjoy betting—though I’m too frugal to ever risk more than maybe 20 bucks. Recently I’ve wagered on World Cup soccer games, and I’ve admitted in previous columns to ...
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“I really have a problem with anyone who wants to lead major decisions and resources that may affect me and the people I love when their idea of a good leader is the worst leader I’ve ever seen outside of a straight-up dictator.” — Dani McQuillen www.sdstandardnow.com/home/want-to...
Want to save South Dakota? Help stop Doeden — The South Dakota Standard
I voted today. If you asked me 10 years ago if I would be a registered Republican doing whatever I could for damage control, I would have told you no way, but here we are. Honestly, I was origin...
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“In some quarters, malarkey still sells. As to reality? Please. It’s Trump’s world. Its inhabitants don’t need no stinkin’ reality.” — John Tsitrian www.sdstandardnow.com/home/another...
Another busted Trump promise: ‘We’ll pay off the national debt.’ — The South Dakota Standard
The first time President Pinocchio promised that we’ll pay off the debt was when he ran in 2016. Actually, he said he’d get it paid down in eight years, but voters put a kibosh on that ti...
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He’s been gone for 45 years, but Harry Chapin’s music and message live on. www.sdstandardnow.com/home/want-a-...
Want a boost? Listen to Harry Chapin’s “Taxi” … and so many others — The South Dakota Standard
Harry Chapin’s music still gives me a lift. Which makes the boost I gave him mean even more to me. Chapin, a celebrated songwriter and singer, has been dead for 45 years, but he and his music haven...
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“When the voter does everything right and an election worker does something wrong, the voter should win. “That is not the case in South Dakota.” www.sdstandardnow.com/home/usps-in...
USPS inefficiency is harmful to voters . . . and democracy — The South Dakota Standard
When the voter does everything right and an election worker does something wrong, the voter should win. That is not the case in South Dakota. The recent Mayoral run-off election in Sioux Falls i...
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“It now appears that the agency’s communications have been politicized. Instead of taking an apparently informative email at face value, retirees will be well served to fact-check anything the Social Security Administration sends.” www.sdstandardnow.com/home/fact-ch...
Fact-checking the Social Security Commissioner’s email — The South Dakota Standard
A client called me last week wanting to know how to claim a $7,500 tax refund he thought he'd missed. His question was based on an email sent in early July to Social Security recipients from Frank J....
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Doeden is a political newcomer who is learning hard lessons. Whining about a bad poll doesn’t help. www.sdstandardnow.com/home/doeden-...
Doeden blasts unfavorable poll. As usual, he’s all rhetoric, no substance — The South Dakota Standard
A just-released KELO-commissioned poll conducted by Emerson College , shows incumbent Larry Rhoden way, way ahead of Toby Doeden as we head into the Republican primary runoff for the gubernatoria...
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“Toby, you do NOT sound like a statesman, you do NOT sound like a politician, you DO sound like what is commonly called a ‘political hack.’” — Rick Knobe www.sdstandardnow.com/home/toby-do...
Toby Doeden a problem-creator, not a problem-solver — The South Dakota Standard
The Republican runoff election for governor is Tuesday, July 28. ALL taxpayers are paying for an election over 200,000 voters can’t participate in. Outrageous . I drafted the lett...
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Politicians usually pay a steep price for their sexual indiscretions. But not Donald Trump. His own party just looks the other way. www.sdstandardnow.com/home/politic...
A long history of politics, power, scandal — and the exception to the rule — The South Dakota Standard
Politics is about power. It’s the power to inspire, to persuade, to be at the head of a movement. The most effective politicians are able to lead people, craft legislation and impact the city, county...
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“So, it’s been clear enough that foreign visitation to the U.S. has dropped off since Trump was inaugurated in 2025, but this year it looks like Americans are pulling back on vacation travel plans as well.“ — John Tsitrian www.sdstandardnow.com/home/trumps-...
Trump’s economy = not so hot tourist season, locally and nationally — The South Dakota Standard
So far the tourist season in the Black Hills region has been not so hot. Visitation to our largest National Park Service sites – the Badlands (-27% in June) and Mt. Rushmore (-9% in June) – has be...
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“So, make your choice before 5 p.m. Monday. Are you willing to be a temporary Republican to help your state — or should you remain a dedicated Democrat to give your party its best chance to elect a governor in more than half a century?” www.sdstandardnow.com/home/many-sd...
Is becoming a short term Republican to beat Doeden your best choice? — The South Dakota Standard
What’s the best option for Democrats, independents and people who belong to other political parties in the South Dakota Republican Party gubernatorial runoff? Should they stand by and watch Gov. La...
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“We’re still here. We aren’t going anywhere America. You’ve had 250 years to erase us. You haven’t succeeded and you never will. “How do I know this? I know because our children feel safe enough to sing.” www.sdstandardnow.com/home/the-bat...
The Battle of Greasy Grass at Little Bighorn … and children’s voices — The South Dakota Standard
Lakota youth lazily swung their legs over the back of the flatbed truck carrying them to the corrals where their horses grazed. As they bumped along the grassy road, they sang in their traditional L...
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“‘Serves them right’ might be the knee-jerk reaction to their current plight, but political judgement notwithstanding, a rural economy in financial distress is ultimately harmful to the rest of the country. Farmers need help.” www.sdstandardnow.com/home/farmers...
Farmers are hurting thanks to Trump’s apocalyptic screw-ups — The South Dakota Standard
Trump’s farm policy screw-ups are getting expensive. Another federal cash bailout, this time to the tune of $11 billion, was announced in June, effectively demonstrating once again that farmers can’...
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“As I’ve often said, my American patriotism is very complicated and different as a Native person. “It’s very strong. When people sing ‘This Land is Your Land,‘ I think that it is and has been for centuries. More than 250 years for sure. I love this land.” www.sdstandardnow.com/home/a-nativ...
A Native perspective on patriotism and Trump’s outrageous lies — The South Dakota Standard
As I’ve often said, my American patriotism is very complicated and different as a Native person. It’s very strong. When people sing “This Land is Your Land,” I think that it is and has been for c...
sdstandardnow.com
He's still much better at sports than he is at presidenting. #FIFA-Fiasco
Dr. Mar@boldnewme.bsky.social · 2mo agoAmerica didn’t just lose a World Cup match. We lost credibility. A President personally intervened with FIFA over a disciplinary decision and created the appearance that political power could influence the rules of the game. The reputational cost was far greater than the sporting cost.
“For Vance to praise a president who resigned rather than face an impeachment and trial in the U.S. Senate, and to dismiss as innocuous Nixon’s behavior while president, is suggestive of the vice president’s view on how an administration might operate.” www.sdstandardnow.com/home/vances-...
Vance’s dismissive take on Watergate reveals lack of character, morality — The South Dakota Standard
Vice President JD Vance has provided the country with a guiding touchstone on ethical principles for holding public office. A Golden Age of presidential success may be found, Vance suggests, in the ...
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“I am going to keep writing. I know we can get out of the whirlpool. It will not be easy. It may get messier. It WILL take lots of effort from each of us. We The People.” — Rick Knobe www.sdstandardnow.com/home/partisa...
Partisan battles don’t serve the nation or We the People — The South Dakota Standard
My last few columns have received a lot of comments. It surprises and pleases me to have so many folks reacting to my writing. Most of the comments make me smile. Some don’t. There are some...
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This reminds me that there are more of us, than there are of them. Let's never forget how much power we have, especially now.
