Hello, South Dakota! Anybody home?

[High Plains]

Our fair state is getting its reputation dragged through the mud thanks to those yahoos in Pierre.

People are talking about boycotting Sturgis over the abortion thing.

I think that may be what it takes.

Anyone there?

Wicasa?

Sarah Lee?

Anyone else?

Is this state forum dead?

[liberalhistorian]

1. I sure hope it isn't dead; I know

there are some great and intelligent people here.

It's not just the ridiculous abortion legislation, either. There's that crazy "medical conscience" bill, and the "intellectual diversity" nonsense, as well.

[High Plains]

2. Well, I'm here, at least virtually.

I have family in Huron and am registered to vote there, but don't actually reside in South Dakota.

I kind of like the idea of a loudly-announced Sturgis boycott over the abortion issue.

[hfojvt]

15. hey that is my hometown

sorta. I was there last summer, but I only visit once every ten years since 1986. Even my fundie cousin, who was from Nebraska but surprisingly got a preaching job there, quit his job and moved. Only my ex BiL remains and a few former teachers like Mssrs Wendt, Peters, and Reimer.

[sarahlee]

3. Here from time to time

This fall and winter have been really hard on me 'cause of some personal and (lack of) job stuff.

I am sending this suggestion out to all my friends and networks.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=217x3294

[High Plains]

4. Does anyone think Rounds can be persuaded not to sign?

[liberalhistorian]

5. I think the very real threats of

a statewide economic boycott, particularly targeting the tourism statewide as well as the Sturgis bike rally in August, might very well make him seriously hesitate. Tourism is one of the most important economic statewide industries next to agriculture and ranching, and the boycott of the bike rally would be an especially hard, crippling economic blow.

Not that I want that to happen, mind you, because that hurts everyone in the state and not just the nutball fundies pushing this, but it's one of the few real power levers we have and it just might make him think twice about signing it. That and the fact that it'll be a horrendous, huge expense for the state to defend it up to the Supreme Court, where it is most certainly headed.

[sarahlee]

7. Make sure you check out

Abortion-rights advocates threaten to boycott S.D.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x517459

Keeping info dated in the Choice Forum at
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=217&topic_id=3294&mesg_id=3294

Could use some help keeping them kicked and updated.

[sarahlee]

6. Boycott Info

Abortion-rights advocates threaten to boycott S.D.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x517459

Keeping ideas and contact info dated in the Choice Forum at
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=217&topic_id=3294&mesg_id=3294

[sarahlee]

8. Message from Grassroots South Dakota

I just watched Governor Rounds on ABC this morning announce his intent to sign the abortion ban law. Shocked? Yes, South Dakotans are shocked. The reality that our state legislature and governor's office have been hijacked by out-of-state interest groups left many complacent voters stunned.

"What can I do?" they cried.
"Tell me what to do, and I'll do it!" they insisted.
"I wrote e-mails to the legislature all week!" they hailed.
"What fools we look like in South Dakota!" they wailed.
Do it? Do it? You know what to do South Dakotans. It is time to take our legislature back - away from people with this personal agenda. An agenda paid for with out-of-state funds. An out-of-state agenda that does not address the pressing issues facing our state like 9,000 more people without health insurance this year, emergency response to extreme weather, education of our children, how to make-up for federal cuts to Medicaid and student financial aid, our water needs. No, our legislature did not deal with South Dakota issues. They dealt with putting down women, and we paid them to do it.

How can this be changed? If you ever considered running for office, get a petition now. If you know a good progressive, encourage him or her– insist it is time to run for office. Now is the time to take back our congress and governor's office.

Grassroots South Dakota's outrage - take back our congress!

You are not alone. Grassroots South Dakota will help progressive candidates get elected. Here are the resources we offer to progressive candidates.

Trained Campaign Management Skills

Members trained at Camp Wellstone last summer are ready to help progressive candidates with the nuts and bolts of running a successful campaign. We also have an experience and successful political pollster and strategist on the GRSD board to help plan a winning message. Contact us! [e-mail]

A Network committed to Progressive Issues and Candidates

GRSD has 957 people on our e-mail contact list and over 5,000 current addresses on our mailing list. We have volunteers ready to make phone calls, help with mailings, organize fund raisers, develop marketing materials, and knock on doors to help progressive candidates get elected. Contact us! [e-mail]
Paid media for Progressive Messages

GRSD has reserved the billboard on Louise Ave. across from the Empire Mall for September and October of 2006 to promote candidates. Plans for a television ad campaign is in the works. Contact us! [e-mail]

Help us take back our government,

Lisa, Sheila, Jim, Becca, Deb, Sheldon, Lance, Pauline, Becky, Sharon, Marc and Linda at Grassroots South Dakota


Looking for more information on the happeings this legislative season? Here are some links of interest.

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=SPECIALSECTION09


Find out what legislative district you live in!

http://gis.state.sd.us/website/LRC/lrc_Map/viewer.htm

[liberalhistorian]

9. I would very seriously consider running

for office here in SD, but I've only been a resident for nine months and am just beginning to get involved with the Pennington County Dems. I don't think the five years I spent in Aberdeen as a child would really count for much, lol.

[LastKnight]

10. a south dakotan says hi from minnesota...

im in college... so im not on the ground at home anymore but im still a SDakotan, i still vote at home and such. i dont keep up with the home turf news like i should but still... im here as much as time allows me.

[sarahlee]

12. You can still help

Encourage your friends still at home to circulate and sign the petition. I just posted an encouraging article here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=178x679

and it has the info for places to pick up Petitions - and the website where you can order a copy to circulate if none of the other places are near by.

[brianmckenna]

13. Why SD has no money

Google southdakotagov.info and see why South Dakota has no money.

[existentialist]

11. Not dead.

For what it's worth, not only did my state representative vote against the enacted law, but he's circulating the referendum petition along with his campaign for re-election.

I strongly believe that we can win with a referendum. If we do that makes a court challenge unnecessary, and Supreme Court review impossible because the law never comes into effect to be challenged.

Also, whoever contributes to the campaign against the referendum and how much they contribute becomes a matter of public record, and we can expose how much out of state money is coming into the state to push this thing.

[Iris]

14. How is this going?

I read an article recently that said there's been a lot of backlash (against the pro-force-birth freaks)

[residentfan]

16. Move the State Capital?

Perhaps the state capital needs to be moved to Sioux Falls..allow some of those legislatures to see some real folks, rather than wheat fields and cattle. :)

[newyawker99]

17. Hi residentfan!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: