Sibby Online

Memorial Day

Today we honor those who have fought for our freedom. I would like to point out one who fought as an American soldier in Vietnam. After returning he came back and is now a New Soldier…an anti-American one (note the upside flag on the cover of John Kerry's book). We should be disgusted at the mockery John Kerry performed on those we honor today.

No wonder his supporters hide who they are and what they stand for, as they campaign for Stephanie Herseth this weekend. Note they have also provided donations for Herseth. For more on the character of these liberals (including their anti-American position), make sure to check out the following post, and also note the updates I have added.

More BS from Daily Kos

The far-left liberals at Daily Kos have an update from Sioux Falls. Again, they have linked to Sibby Online. This time making a false accusation that I stole dcinsd’s user status. This is typical of liberals…blame Republicans for things that are bad…take credit for the good that Republicans create.

I have been taken their crap about not allowing comments on Sibby Online, but these guys don’t even identify who they are. What are they scared of? OK, I know...letting South Dakota find out the truth about who and what Herseth represents. I say screw them.

UPDATE: The joke is on you sdindc. Show your feathers. I bet they are chicken. I also titled the post BS. For you liberals...it means Bull Shit in South Dakota. It's when liberals think they have a user status (among other things).

Another UPDATE: Who is "reef the dog"? Could be what police use to bust dopers. Anyway...speaking about lobbying and dogs..Daschle is married to a dog.

More Updates: Now I am being accused of hating freedom because I don't provide a forum for their comments. I am being accused of not allowing dissent. The Kosacks are also attacking us for pointing out their presence and even accused us of being racists. I suggest they talk to the Tom Daschle people about intolerance toward outsiders and stifling dissent. Here is a quote from his campaign:

“I am committed to running a campaign that the people of South Dakota can be proud of. We don’t need negative attacks from third party groups,” said Senator Daschle. “If we don’t stand up to these groups and say ‘stay out of South Dakota,’ there will be negative ad after negative ad and we will have failed the people of South Dakota. I hope John will join me in doing the right thing.”

John Thune and his campaign refuse to ask their Washington friends to stay out of South Dakota. Last week, Thune’s campaign manager told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader “Thune would not be asking conservative allies to stay away from South Dakota.” [Argus Leader, April 15, 2004]. Earlier this year, columnist Bob Novak reported that Thune was “no longer telling such outside conservative groups as the Club for Growth, the National Rifle Association and Right to Life to stay away from South Dakota.” [Bob Novak Column, 2/28/2004]. This represents a change for Thune who in 2002 asked all third party groups to stay out of the race.

Instead of whining about dissent, these liberal outsiders can do something about it while they are here…tell the South Dakota Democrats that democracy requires free and open discussion of the issues.

What a Day

Yesterday was a busy day. First the Mitchell Daily Republic ran my Op-ed disclosing the truth about a Daschle ad. Now I am hearing false accusations that John Thune is paying for Sibby Online. I am not some far-left liberal who lives off other people’s money through big government. I work and can afford the $80.55 to run the site.

Approximately 1,000 Daily Kos liberals have visited Sibby Online since yesterday afternoon. I provided them with a South Dakota welcome. We should welcome these people to SD, but they should be honest about who they are and what they represent. But that is not their intent as evidenced by this comment made by one on the Daily Kos web site:

I just watched the debate too. I'm flying out with a crowd from DC. I grew up as a Republican in Massachusetts, and I've also lived in Maine. So what kind of suggestions do you have for me. I'm very clean cut, of course. The last thing I'd want to do is hurt Herseth. I'll keep my mouth shut on gay marriage--I hope I don't have to answer questions on that anyway, because I wasn't clear on her position, and I pray that the PATRIOT act doesn't come up. Anyway, I'd be very grateful for any suggestions.

I have a suggestion...just be yourself.

Speaking about those who misrepresent who they are...lets not forget about another far-left liberal who has now endorsed Stephanie Herseth…Tony Dean. If you read my Tony Dean index, you will find that he is anti-property rights and is not looked upon kindly by the west river ranchers. His anti-ag positions should lead one to conclude that Herseth is no farmers’ daughter. You would be a fool to bet the farm on her.

Daily Kos found Sibby

The liberal web site Daily Kos has a post that links to this post. Note I added a special welcome just for them. The link is in the comments section, the second one about being attacked. What whiners.

Update: Now Kos thinks we are scared. So I updated my post.

Another UPDATE: I got this from the Daily Kos comment section regarding South Dakota Republicans. I think Tim Johnson may have learned his Taliban speech from these guys:

squeal.

Make them squeal like scolded children. Oh the moral outrage! I've had it. Make them squeal, make them outraged, make them cry uncle. Do something "too wrong" to them so that they squeal with moral outrage until they go horse. Reach out and touch them too hard. Touch them and make them worse so all can see their true colors. Let them squeal in pain when they see their political incompetence exposed for all to see.

Then kick da bums out. It's about time.

Then another piles on:

To see them laid waste before you, and to hear the lamentations of their interns. I love the smell of Republican blood on Election night.

Oh Stephanie...your supporters from out of state are so...I need some help here with the description.

More comments from Daily Kos:

I'm working for the DCCC out there in SD, and my buddy and I were outside logging in cars when two Republicans drove up to take the pictures you're seeing on the website now.

Today, we were coordinating the fleet and found a ton of "Daschle doesn't speak for me" bumper stickers on our cars.

It is important to remember the following things:

The voters here don't care if people come in from out of state. After the Johnson-Thune race, they're used to it.

It is hypocritical of the Republicans to criticize Stephanie for being helped (indirectly due to McCain/Feingold--we aren't allowed to talk to the Herseth campaign) by evil out-of staters, as the Republicans are bringing in even more people than we are. Of course our people are better, so I think they're just jealous.

The republicans in SD are getting desperate; when Tim Johnson made an ill-advised statement referring to the "Taliban wing of the Republican party" that compared him to Saddam Hussein last year, there were protests calling on STEPHANIE to apologize.

--In short, it will be close, but we'll win.

A response to that comment carries a warning:

Perhaps you and your friends may not mind "if people come in from out of state" to promote Stephanie Herseth, but I've been speaking to an increased number of voters in rural areas as of late and something like that could negatively influence voters if the out-of-state DCCC campaigners do not present themselves properly. There will obviously be loosely defined guidelines which they must adhere to, but the bus-riders must keep in mind that they are campaigning in a state which leans heavily towards the Republican party regardless of which political party our Senators may affiliate themselves.

OK...now one of them comment about my web site:

That blog is NASTY. My browser cache feels dirty and needs a shower as a result of having gone there.

P.S. The SD GOP webpage is priceless, too. Everything on there is negative! How emblematic.

They wonder why I don't have comments? And negative...I already know liberals are hypocrites. Nasty doesn't come close to the "screw them" response from Kos regarding the four Americans who were murdered, torched and hung from a bridge in Iraq. He may view me as attacking him, but he said it. This is the kind of characters who are coming to South Dakota and work on Herseth's campaign!

Another no apology

Today's Mitchell Daily Republic editorial is also saying no to Johnson's attempt to apologize:

Sen. Tim Johnson said something he shouldn’t have, and after a day’s reflection, he apologized.

Sort of.

It wasn’t the old-fashioned or traditional apology, which expresses regret without qualification. Instead, the senator said, “If any Republicans were offended, I apologize.”

Close, but no cigar.

Not an apology

(Editor's note: Frequent visitors need to check updates at the bottom of this post)

Sorry…but Tim Johnson did not apologize…he continued to attack Republicans specifically John Thune. Let me explain.

First, Greg Belfrage is in agreement, as far as the lack of sincerity goes, and has found this quote of Tim Johnson’s from 2002:

”Congressman Thune spends a lot of time talking about values. But his use of Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaida terrorists in campaign ads sadly smacks of desperation and reveals, more and more, that what he really values most is winning elections - no matter what the cost.

Here is Johnson’s explanation from today’s David Kranz Argus Leader report:

"This was a flip remark at an informal gathering," Johnson said. "I should have been more precise about who attacked me without causing the confusion. In this case it was the Republican Senate Campaign Committee and their operative who came into South Dakota and ran the same ads against me that they did against Max Cleland."

Now it looks like Johnson is saying he was referring to DC Republicans instead of South Dakota Republican John Thune. But wait…Kranz continues:

Johnson staff members were not able to identify the specific ad to which he was referring.

An ad late in his 2002 Senate campaign against then-Rep. John Thune ran on most state television stations. It included a picture of Johnson and Saddam Hussein.

Ryan Nelson, who was associated with the Thune campaign in the 2002 and is again in 2004, disputed Johnson's contention.

"In no way did we compare Tim Johnson to Saddam Hussein. We questioned his judgment in voting against missile defense systems 29 times," he said.

The ad showed a picture of Saddam and criticized Johnson for votes in Congress against missile defense.

Now Kranz is trying to pin the blame back on John Thune…who just happens to be running against his college buddy Tom Daschle. Note he used someone from the Thune campaign to explain that Johnson’s accusations are false, instead of finding an expert to give that point more credibility (as he often does for Democrats). Kranz also provides Johnson (in his time of regret) an apportunity to attack Larry Diedrich:

"What you are seeing is the last week of politics going on. You've got a candidate out there trying to find some kind of hook," Johnson said, referring to Diedrich.

Johnson made an even sharper attacker against Diedrich and his supporters via a KELOLAND link from Greg Belfrage:

And even though protestors want an apology from both Johnson and Stephanie Herseth, Johnson says his remarks aren't part of this year's campaign and shouldn't reflect on Herseth's character. Johnson says, "I think the people who will try and smear her because of this should be ashamed of themselves.”

Remember my sword and shield analysis on the Democrats strategy regarding negative campaigns. Johnson clearly used the sword Sunday, now he his using the shield by blaming John Thune for something that happened in 2002 (which is a false accusation)... except now he sometimes refer to National Republicans. Has the spinning confused you yet?

It is now relevant for Tom Daschle to explain his position on this. His opponent is being blamed in Johnson's so-called apology. He too is using the “negative campaigning” card against John Thune. He has also blamed John Thune for ads run by people who he claims support Thune. Now one of Herseth’s supporters clearly used a negative comment during a campaign rally in which Daschle also participated in. The hypocrsiy here smells so bad that it makes me sick. It is up to the media to get to the bottom of this sword and shield hypocrsiy of the Democrats and expose it to the general public. It is free speech and democracy that is at stake. We need an open and honest discussion on this negative campaigning wildcard that the Democrats use. Gee...I am starting to sound like Randell Beck.

UPDATE: Jon Lauck also has analysis on the so-called apology.

Jason Van Beek also has analysis on Herseth's campaign. I believe his analysis supports my premise above.

I also got the phone message that negatively attacked Larry Diedrich. It had no disclaimer.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Hold the presses! The Argus Leader editorial board says Johnson's apology not good enough. WOW! I did say I was starting to sound like Randell Beck...didn't I. (You can't see my tongue in my cheek, because I am hiding behind my computer screen.)

UPDATE Three: Here is analysis describing apology as tepid. DVT seems to be saying maybe more or less tepid regarding Daschle's response.

Belfrage on to something

On yesterday’s Straight Talk, Greg Belfrage argued that Tim Johnson’s reference to Republicans being a part of the Taliban was an attack on Christian conservatives. I have found a Jerry Falwell column that supports this premise:

Those who adhere to biblical Christianity are remarkably similar to those who adhere to the Taliban – the brutal fundamentalist Islamic militia that enacted the age of terrorism in America. That's the message being heralded by Democrats in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 suicide attacks that rocked our nation.

According to a report in Newsweek, Democratic Party officials plan to smear fundamentalist Christians who back the Bush administration by actually linking us to the Taliban. The Newsweek account said that top party strategists "are planning a daring assault on the most critical turf in politics: the cultural mainstream."

Today’s Argus Leader has a David Kranz report that also supports this premise:

"I think the people who are most offended are the ones who it was most directed at, the Christian fundamentalist wing of the Republican Party," Burns said. "That wing of the Republican Party is going to be voting for Diedrich anyway. I don't look for it to have a big impact."

If this is directed at Diedrich supporters, then what about this statement from Johnson’s office:

Johnson could not be reached for comment, but no apology will be forthcoming from the senator, said Julianne Fisher, Johnson's communications director.

She said Diedrich and other critics needed to be aware of what Johnson went through in 2002 during his re-election campaign.

"This is certainly not directed at Larry Diedrich, but at the outside groups that came in two years ago and attacked his patriotism and his religious faith," Fisher said. "He has no intention of apologizing."

Talk about spin. Of course this was directed at Diedrich, or does the Johnson people think Diedrich is not a Christian. Also notice the attack on outside groups. When will Kranz bring up the Minnesota Kerry supporters coming to South Dakota on Memorial Day weekend?

What Johnson demonstrated was the truth about the ideology of the Democrat party at the national level. They are part of a far-left liberal anti-Christian and anti-American movement that has created a conflict that we refer to as the culture war. That is now being fought in South Dakota. The far-left liberals are sending in their troops on this weekend as I mentioned above.

Here is another point. Note my post on the disconnect of the liberal media to the general public regarding beliefs in God:

According to Pew, about 60 percent of the general public believes it is necessary to believe in God to be a truly moral person. Among journalists, however, only 15 percent share that view.

Like 85% of the liberal media, Johnson also believes God is not important enough to voice your religious beliefs in the public square. As the far-left Democrats attack Christians for being intolerant to the level of being terrorists, it is they who are the intolerant ones.

I have posted the phone numbers of the three South Dakota Democrats who want to lead South Dakota in this culture war. Call them and tell them what you think about their positions. Talk to others about what they stand for and urge them to vote. These are very serious times in American…including South Dakota.

UPDATE: DVT has an important comparison of the Kranz report to the one in the Rapid City Journal.
SDP is back from vacation and also weighs in.

Another UPDATE: DVT has alot MORE.

Tim Johnson’s hate speech draws fire

As I noted this morning, the Herseth campaign took a huge turn to the negative as it stands silent after Tim Johnson used hate language in reference to Republicans at a Herseth rally in Sioux Falls last night.

DVT has a very interesting and detailed analysis. Make sure to read all of his links.

The Washington Times is also reporting on this and quoted Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y., the chairman of the GOP's House campaign organization:

"Stephanie Herseth holding a rally where the senator (Johnson) she says she hopes to emulate compares political opponents to some of the most notorious murderers in history is a betrayal to all South Dakotans," Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y., the chairman of the GOP's House campaign organization, said.

"Her continued refusal to demand an apology for these comments can only mean that she accepts them and their hateful message."

I called Tim Johnson’s office and asked for a definition of a Republican Taliban. I have yet to get a response. I also called the Herseth office and a staffer said Herseth does not stand behind the comment. When I asked if she was going to ask Johnson for an apology, the staffer couldn’t answer. I said Diedrich is challenging Herseth to do so. The staffer wanted to know where I got that, so I referred her to the South Dakota GOP web site. I told her I was covering this on by web site and wanted Herseth’s statement. I have not received one. I also asked the same from Daschle’s campaign. They only took my phone number. I have not received any calls back.

Here is a MP3 file with the audio that is causing the firestorm:
Note the cheers and applause.

After playing it -- hit the [back key] to return to the web site.

Download johnson_at_herseth_rally.mp3

"how sweet it's going to be on June 2 when the Taliban wing of the Republican Party finds out what's happened in South Dakota."

KELOLAND upset with Herseth

KELOLAND TV is reporting their displeasure with a Herseth ad:

Stephanie Herseth may approve of this ad, but KELOLAND TV General Manager, Mark Antonitis does not.

"We do not want to be used for either sides advantage. We are not interested in promoting one view or the other. We're interested in in finding the truth," said Antonitis.

Looks like war to me

(Special Note to the Daily Kos visitors: Welcome to South Dakota. Make sure to let the people of South Dakota know what you stand for. It is about time the masses here find out Herseth's true colors. Then when we go to the polls, we can say screw them.)

(Special Note to Kos: We are not scared. If your so brave show South Dakota your liberal colors.)

Now the Republican party is countering the Democrats invasion of South Dakota with one of their own. Things could really heat up. Which side is going to push the fence riding Stephanie Herseth off that fence of moderate independence?

A Sibby Online reader has issued a challenged regarding intellectual honesty on this. Let me clarify my previous post. I do not have a problem with liberal Democratic activists coming to South Dakota…but the South Dakota Democrats (with the help of some media) have voiced a problem with conservative outsiders coming to South Dakota.

I welcome the Million Mom March (all 2,000 of them) to South Dakota and thank Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle for voting in support of their May 2000 march. I welcome them pointing out John Thune’s opposition to further regulate gun shows. If the NRA comes to South Dakota to inform us about the same issues…the liberals will say…negative ads and John Thune is behind it! That is outrageous (if I may rob a phrase).

The only thing I ask is that they are identified and are honest about what they stand for. The Kerry supporters should wear their Kerry shirts with Herseth stickers attached. The Pelosi supporters should do the same.

Now even Daily Kos is promoting Herseth and the South Daktoa invasion. Let the people of South Dakota know what the Daily Kos stands for…remember the screw them post, which was in response to four Americans murdered, torched and hung from a bridge in Iraq? Can Herseth maintain the moderate independent propaganda that she is spreading after all of this?