By Kevin Woster

Sure, I’m guessing nobody will nominate them for married couple of the year.

Hillary and Bill, that is.

But they’re still together, after some pretty rocky highways. Meanwhile, I’m working - quite successfully, I think - on Marriage No. 2.

So I’m slow to judge other people on this subject.

Former President Bill Clinton laughed with boyish delight Sunday morning when Tim Russert showed him a film clip of his wife’s response to a pretty tough question - in which she joked (I think) about straightening him out, and also appeared to disagree with him on the subject of using torture to get key information to prevent terrorists attacks. The former prez admitted to having seen her school-principal’s look before in their marriage.

Oh, I’ll just bet he has.

Bill Clinton beamed like a 16-year-old when he blurted out l “I love her” and giggled at her comment. I tend to think he does love her, despite a history of philandering that might indicate otherwise.

And she apparently loves him, despite his past self-indulgent ways.

I know you can argue, as some do, that it’ s all pragmatic show, that there’s little between them save a conniving agreement based on power seeking and mutual ambition.

Maybe.

But it looks like love to me.

By Kevin Woster
As I write this, I feel achy and out of sorts, slightly dizzy and a bit feverish.

I thought at first it was just the hangover from a busy week, or perhaps the flu. But now I wonder if I have “Bush-Clinton fatigue.”

I read about the ailment in this morning’s Journal, in an AP story under the headline: “Will voters suffer from Bush-Clinton fatigue?” Among other things, it points out that 116 million Americans have never known a White House without a Bush or Clinton as president or vice president.

The speculation is that some voters might feel a bit puny about the prospect of going back to a Clinton after a Bush after a Clinton after a Bush, Bush.

My first thought there is, stock up on the ibuprofen. I think there’s a better than even chance we’ll elect the first woman president of the United States next year.

I’m prepared to live with that. But just in case, I’m going to stay current on my flu shots.

By Scott Aust

The award for weirdest negotiating tactic goes to the Rapid City library, which suddenly decided not to renew its contract with Pennington County for another year citing a need for adequte funding, yet not bothering to say how much they need or how much they intend to charge county residents.

See that story here.

The number thrown around last year was $70 for county residents to get a library card at the Rapid City library, but the library hasn’t said whether that’s what the fee will actually be next year.
Should be interesting to see what happens the next few months.

Neil Fulton

Gov. Mike Rounds just announced Pierre attorney Neil Fulton will be his new chief of staff, starting in November. He’s now a partner at the May, Adam, Gerdes & Thompson Law Firm in Pierre. He’s a lobbyist, and his law practice focuses on “state and local government liability issues.”

The stats:

Age: 36.
Hometown: Miller
College: B.A. from Yale University in 1994.
Law School: University of Minnesota ( summa cum laude and class valedictorian).
Family: Wife Molly and their son Cael.

By Kevin Woster

Journal contributing columnist Alan Aker came on pretty strong in his Sunday piece about Sen. Tim Johnson’s position on the Bush tax cuts.

“He lied, and I can prove it,” Aker wrote, referring to a comment Johnson made on “tax breaks that benefit only the wealthiest Americans.”

Aker then went on to point out that other U.S. citizens benefitted as well, including those with moderate and low incomes. Which is a fair point. He then went beyond fair and got a little wacky in saying that Johnson’s remark was “a vicious, gratuitous attack on President Bush….”

Geez, Alan, you need to keep a better eye on politics, if you think that was vicious and gratuitous…..

But it was inaccurate. The Bush tax breaks don’t benefit “only” the wealthiest Americans. They certainly benefit them a lot - in ways that folks in my salary range and below (yes, that category does exist, believe it or not) can only dream about. But they benefit other income groups as well.

So, was it a lie? And if so, was it a lie by Johnson, or by his staff?

My guess is that someone on the staff wrote that comment, which was a response to an e-mailed query by our own Bill Harlan. It’s possible it was just careless sentence construction. It’s possible that a staffer just wasn’t as thoroughly informed on the tax cuts and their effects as he or she should have been.

And it’s possible that it was just the run-of-the-political-mill hyperbole that goes on every day in the D.C. rabbit hole.

I suppose it’s also possible that it was an intentional lie.

What does it look like to you?

By Bill Harlan

The State Children’s Health Program, or “SCHIP” (prounced ESS-chip), a federal health-insurance program for kids, expires Sunday. Democrats in the House, including Stephanie Herseth of South Dakota, want to add $35 billion. President Bush wants to extend the current program. Herseth spoke out against the president. See the AP story here.

I had an interesting conversation with a couple of Republicans up in Lead during the recent Homestake lab celebration. One adamantly opposed the entire program. The other thought the money should be more sharply focused on families that he thought really needed it.

On Friday a “bipartisan coalition” in the House and Senate announced the plan to increase SCHIP by $35 billion over five years (from $25 billion to $60 billion), according to a press release from Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. That would add 4 million kids to the 6 million already on the program.

How to pay for it? A South Dakota-like solution! Raise the federal cigarette tax from 39 cents to $1 per pack. Couple that with South Dakota’s own cigarette-tax increase and some smokers here might switch to crack to save money.

Still, shouldn’t ALL children have health insurance?

SCHIP gets a vote in the House today, if they haven’t voted already.. Then it goes to the full Senate.

By Bill Harlan

In light the fact — or the speculation — that a new form of abortion ban will be introduced to the 2009 Legislature, I thought this Christian Post Reporter story headlined “Pro-Family Summit Faces Opposition” online was interesting. The relevant excerpt:

Leslee Unruh from the National Abstinence Clearinghouse shared about her group’s new and successful way to ban abortion in South Dakota by framing the debate as a feminist issue.
“We’re not saying ‘abortion is wrong,’” she said, according to the Times. “We’re taking women by the hand and saying ‘let us help you.’ The days of standing by abortion clinics with pictures of dead babies, that’s over.”

I’m not sure what Leslee meant by “succuessful,” though she and others certainly made it clear that banning abortions is an ongoing struggle that they’ll continue. One way to further “frame” abortion bans as “feminist” would be to allow exceptions for rape, incest and health of the mother — a measure I’d guess would pass in a statewide vote.

But enough of my speculation. Now it’s your turn.

By Kevin Woster

Look for Sen. Tim Johnson to do just that soon, probably in October.

Johnson returned to South Dakota in late August for the first time since his brain hemorrhage last December. It wasn’t a surprise that he picked Sioux Falls for the big event, a combination campaign rally and welcome home - you pick the order of priority.

But he has to come West River, soon. And I hear it’ll be next month.

I’m guessing the West River swing will be followed in relatively short order - probably before Thanksgiving, certainly before Santa shows up - by his official campaign announcement.

And I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t walk a bit, with the help of a cane, for both appearances.

By Bill Harlan

The Blogmorite known as “Michael” might be in for some Tally’s pie. Back in June we asked for predictions on who Gov. Mike Rounds will appoint to fill the state House vacancy left in District 32, after now-Mayor Alan Hanks resigned. “Michael” predicted Brian Gosch, and at least one Blogmore insider says that’s who it is.

No word from the governor’s office yet. Stay tuned.

IT’S OFFICIAL. CLICK HERE. bh

*”Michael,” you win pie at Tally’s. E-mail me at bill.harlan@rapidcityjournal.com

By Bill Harlan

Just when you thought the political topic would change, tomorrow the Rapid City Planning Commission is set to discuss a tax-increment financing district for the new Wal-Mart at Highway 16 and Catron Boulevard. (Oct. 4 meeting.)See Scott’s story. Nearby homeowners oppose the TIF. So do others. Let the debate continue.

And how fortuitous Kevin W. raised health care a couple of posts ago. Note this NYT story about Wal-Mart’s new health insurance. Hmmm. I think I might look good in a blue vest ….

A sign and handy receptacle outside the polling place
at Blessed Sacrament Church is perhaps a fitting image
for the final Cabela’s topic.

By Bill Harlan

It’s semi-official. The debate is over. The people have spoken. The Cabelas 30-acre incentive wins in a 59.5 percent near landslide. See Scott Aust’s story.

Use the comment button below to give us your post mortem. A victory for prosperity? A blow to ma-and-pa retailers? Both? Neither?

Here’s mine. I’ve noticed a theme around town in the past four or five days during conversations about the Cabela’s deal. Even people who aren’t completely sold on economic incentives for big-box retailers thought it would be kind of cool to have a Cabela’s here. I also noted a certain restlessness about keeping things moving — i.e., growing — in Rapid City. And if it’s a retailer, at least it’s a retailer with a waterfall and stuffed animals. (Overhead in 2009 near a Rapid City Cabela’s animal display:”Mommy, is that a REAL stuffed giraffe? No, honey. That’s just Don Frankenfeld. He likes to stick his neck out for a cause.” (Just KIDDING Don! :) You fought the fight.))

From Scott A: I hope Harlan doesn’t mind that I’m bogarting his post, but I just wanted to add that Don F and Fred Weishaupl were gracious and kept their senses of humor over at the courthouse as results came in.

From Harlan: Glad you added that, Scott. I don’t know Fred, but in the interest of full disclosure, as I’ve disclosed before, Don’s a friend. You can count on his sense of humor, twisted though it is. If you haven’t read his last Cabela’s limerick — comment number 17 or so — I recommend it.

By Kevin Woster

Before the final word on Cabela’s lands this evening (Yes, I voted, but I didn’t wear my Cabela’s cap into the polling place…), how about taking a moment to ponder Hillary’s latest health-care plan?

Good idea? Bad?

Likely to end up being as successful as the earlier version?

Plus or minus for her campaign?

And, the bonus question, does it increase or decrease the chances that Denise Ross will be buying dinner at Botticelli’s after the 2008 presidential primary?

By Bill Harlan

The Cabela’s election in Rapid City is tomorrow — my first election as a city resident after our 7-year stint in Black Hawk. I spent time over the weekend with friends on both sides of the issue. I’m tipping toward a vote, which I’ll reveal only at my new polling place at Blessed Sacrament Church. (Hmmm. Does this mean The Big Guy* will be looking over my shoulder?).

See Scott Aust’s story for an analysis, not to mention the 180 or so RapidReplies. Here on the Mount, I thought it appropriate to offer a deeper, more thoughtful limerical analysis of the issue:

There once was a deal for Cabela’s
opposed by some gals and some fellas,
They were miffed at the TIF,
And the land? It’s a gift!
But who ELSE will display stuffed gazellas?

Poet’s note: The TIF isn’t part of the vote, which is only about the decision to give Cabela’s some land. I invite the Mount’s improvements on this theme.

*Or The Big Gal or The Higher Power of Undetermined Gender

By Bill Harlan

A Blogmorite brought to our attention this item in a mass mailing from the pro-Cabela’s camp. The flyer is in Q&A form:

“Q. How will the taxpayers be paid?
Cabela’s has agreed to pay Rapid City $21,890,841, which includes the above costs, related fees and interest. …”

There’s more, but this excerpt is the key part. Doesn’t the “$21,890,841″ come from property taxes earned by the TIF? (Yes, the flyer tells us it does.) And didn’t the Rapid City, not Cabela’s, call for the TIF? (The flyer itself also tells us this a few grafs later.) So how has Cabela’s “agreed to pay” the city? I don’t get it.

From Scott A. :According to a Sept. 7 (according to our online archive date, anyway) Journal Forum piece by Kevin Rhodes, Cabela’s real estate director, that figure is the value of the TIF plus the interest, all of which is generated by the property taxes Cabela’s and others in the district will pay. Part of the agreement between Cabela’s and the city last June was that Cabela’s would agree that the city could use a TIF to get its money back. At least that’s the way I’m interpreting things.

What prominent South Dakotan was a member of the Camden 28?

By Bill Harlan

I was watching a new PBS “POV” documentary called “The Camden 28,” which is a sympathetic look at Vietnam war protesters who broke into a draft board in New Jersey and destroyed draft records. All 28 were acquitted in a 1973 trial — partly because of anti-war sentiment and partly because the FBI actually helped them break into the place then arrested them. Supreme Court Justice William Brennan later called it “one of the great trials of the twentieth century.”

The Camden 28 weren’t as famous as say the Chicago Seven, but I remembered the case because, fresh back from Vietnam, I was interested in the subject. The POV documentary definitely has a “point of view” (hence, the name of the series), but even if you disagree with its conclusion — that the break-in was heroic — you might find the issues raise interesting. (Attention Blogmorite Bob Newland: It’s a case of your beloved “jury nullification”!)

I found the film so interesting I watched the credits roll to the end, only to discover that University of South Dakota law professor Frank Pommersheim, who has become one of the nation’s top experts on Indian law, was one of the Camden 28, along with his wife, Anne Dunham. (They were married just before the trial). They were interviewed but weren’t in the film I saw.

“It’s not something I wear on my sleeve,” Pommersheim told me last week. (I was interviewing him for a column on a different subject. The Camden 28 were not bomb-throwing Weathermen. Many were Catholic lefties, including some priests.

The film poster raises the central question, how far would YOU go to protest a war you thought was unjust? How far SHOULD you go? And does this case strengthen Bob Newland’s argument that juries should be allowed to throw out the law and judge cases by what they think are higher moral standards?

Tony Chan of the National Science Foundation

By Kevin Woster

It was happy times Thursday at the roundtable discussion organized by Sen. John Thune at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

National Science Foundation Assistant Director Tony Chan was in town with a couple of other NSF folks for Thune roundtables at Mines and up at Homestake. It was Chan’s first visit to Lead, but he was in Rapid City once before - in 1976, as a graduate student.

“I think it was in June. It was snowing, actually,” Chan said. “I was impressed.”

It wasn’t just the weather that impressed. He was charmed by the landscape and the people.

“It’s a beautiful state,” he said.

Not a bad place for a world-class science lab.

Sen. John Thune absorbs science.

Board of Regents President Harvey Jewett, greets Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.
Rapid City Mayor Alan Hanks looks on.

Mitch Krebs, Gov. Mike Rounds’ press secretary, amuses Mayor Alan Hanks. (See the comment by Bill Fleming, who explain’s Mitch’s unusual sportcoat. He’s innocent!)

By Scott Aust

Rapid City’s new hockey franchise now has a name: The Rapid City Rush.
The Rush finished tops in a Name the Team contest. Other names in the top four included Bison, Choppers and Road Hogs.
The team is still working on colors, a logo and mascot.
I’m having trouble picturing a Rush mascot.
Too many images of Geddy Lee running through my head.

By Scott Aust

Rapid Valley annexation, at least of the commercial parts along Highway 44, is being kicked around again by the city council.
See my story here
This idea was rejected earlier this year and I’m not sure anything will change this time around, but it does stir up the whole debate about when and if Rapid Valley will become part of Rapid City.
Is Rapid City just being greedy or would both benefit from annexation?

By Bill Harlan

A New York Times story this morning, “Earmark Gone, Indian Project Is One-Winged,” singles out an $18 million project in Fort Pierre as a victim of Washington’s new-found disdain for “earmarks.” Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place would be a law center for Native American tribes around the region. Tom Daschle championed it when he led Senate Democrats.

An excerpt:

The South Dakota center finds itself contending with the risk inherent in every earmark, silly or worthwhile. Its champion, Mr. Daschle, is gone, and with him the money. That is the fate of many earmarked projects with powerful sponsors who move on. Those tied to large companies, which can ensure survival by seeking help from multiple lawmakers, struggle less; little projects in little places risk more.

John, Tim and Stephie — or their staffs — all weigh in in the story, which essentially says, Hey, times are tough, there’s a war on, all earmarks and line items are targets.

By Scott Aust

One of the things I left out of my story about Monday’s Cabela’s forum, see that here , was the rude behavior of some of the “vote no” people. Audience member Bonnie Redden jeered Bill Okrepkie as Okrepkie was speaking and Fred Weishaupl at one point said he wouldn’t be surprised if Alan Hanks alters information he presents to the public over the next week because the mayor, during his election bid this year, “has proven he will do anything to win.”

Writing on deadline last night and with limited space available I decided to leave those incidents out of my story so I could focus on the main issue, what each side thinks about the land transfer.

I think you win more people to your cause if you treat those you disagree with respectfully — even if on the inside you’d like to tear their hair out. But to borrow a phrase, that’s just me; I could be wrong.