Received word from a legislator that Stace Nelson has a letter in the Pierre Capital Journal the "scorched" Bob Mercer. Mercer has this on his Pure Pierre Politics web site:
First, in the interest of disclosure, Rep. Stace Nelson, R-Fulton, took this reporter to task in a letter to the editor that was published Monday.
Looks like the Aberdeen News also ran the editorial:
How about that "retired Marine" and modern day Rambo-Hulk rapelling down the Capital rotunda and rampaging the halls, threatening pasty-faced, slick-haired politicians for insults uttered during debates? Reliable rumors are representatives actually fainted at the sound of the giant's voice or a glimpse of the fierce war machine's visage! The Speaker called out the highway patrol, and rumors were the governor almost activated our SDANG to deal with the berserk juggernaut!
I was as surprised as everyone to find this contrived menace was this career law enforcement officer, retired NCIS Investigator and your duly elected representative!
Reality? Another legislator and I had a minor disagreement regarding the legislator's inappropriate comments toward me during debate and his anger toward me for helping put his voting record online at http://www.SDRepublican.org.
No threats were made, and it was an un-newsworthy incident. The discourse was intentionally blown out of proportion and mischaracterized to facilitate retaliation for my reporting misconduct of tampering and obstruction of legislator's bills and my removal from the ag committee because of my opposition to the massive foreign dairy they are trying to force on Hanson County. Rausch and Lust immediately reported they "punished" me by edict that I was not welcome in the Republican caucus, my "seat" was moved, it was reported I was being removed from Judiciary, and I was forbidden to speak during session!
Reality? Only the House body can punish someone (House Rules Chapter 6), and the Speaker is required to allow every legislator to speak during debates (Joint Rules chapters 1-4 and 1-5). As proof, they had to quietly rescind their illegal edict that I am forbidden from representing my district in session, claims of removing from judiciary, and the extra HP security was canceled.
Many despise the incestuous nature of Pierre politics. Too many people are intertwined and interconnected. In this case, a reporter, who worked for previous Republican administrations, helped weigh in with slanted reporting and followed up with an editorial job to finish the character assassination. The reporter knew I am a retired NCIS investigator and not a retired Marine. The ominous pistol trophy on my desk? A legislative charity pistol trophy I won raising $1,200-plus for Mitchell CASA program.
Readers would not have believed the mischaracterizations peddled though absent such salient facts.
The real issue? I don't play party politics or take orders on voting. I refused to turn a blind eye to misconduct simply because they were registered Republicans. I vote and speak on the issue on the merits, which is often contrary to the way they order, and which often helps defeat or pass legislation against their wishes.
In three recent conservative voter report cards, I was ranked at the top of the whole Legislature. They were near the bottom.
Regardless of petty political attacks, I will never sell out my duty to you the folks I love and serve. Questions? Rep.Nelson@state.us.sd.
God bless and Semper Fidelis.
Vauu, I need more time to read this all, but great site! I put it in my favourites sites!
Posted by: Quum | February 08, 2012 at 06:38 AM