Your letters: 40 more months of Biden, Trump sycophants and name-calling

40 more months of Biden?

Will our nation be able to survive 40 more months of Biden’s administration? I mean survive with some semblance of the republic we love still intact, not as a "woke"/Marxist totalitarian country. 

Astronomical government spending and rising inflation; the border crisis; using the China virus to crush our economy and small businesses; the Afghanistan debacle; rampant crime while simultaneously defunding the police; our children, businesses and military being indoctrinated in Critical Race Theory; reliance on dubious foreign countries for many of our basic daily needs; having our freedoms and civil liberties steadily stripped away.  

Thankfully, Article V of the U.S. Constitution offers a nonpartisan solution. It authorizes state Legislatures to call a "convention" for proposing needed amendments — without requiring the government’s consent. What’s being proposed is: (1) imposing fiscal restraints, (2) reducing government overreach and (3) setting term limits. The last information I saw showed 15 states already onboard with another 26 states currently in the process of either passing or considering this resolution, including South Dakota. 

But don’t take my word for it. Type in "convention of states/South Dakota" and read/watch the information and videos at the bottom of the homepage listed under the "About" column. Then, if you agree with this grassroots message and are convinced it’s what our country desperately needs, "Take Action" by signing the petition. You’ll be adding your voice to over 2 million other concerned Americans. Talk to your family and friends, get involved in this movement to bring government back into the hands of We the People.

Let our elected officials know that their constituents truly believe in South Dakota’s state motto: Under God the People Rule.

Katherine Larson, Florence

How low will 'Trump sycophants' go?

While in office, President Trump (the narcissist) seriously explored the possibility of having his image carved on Mount Rushmore next to the other four presidents. As expected, he was told that this was not possible.

On July 3, 2020, while at the monument with Gov. Kristi Noem, he again brought up the idea. In response, Noem moved forward with a small-scale design. She commissioned a piece of art placing Trump's head next to that of Lincoln. In gifting this to Trump, she effectively played up to his ego and won his continued favor. And she furthered her status as Trump's "Prairie Princess." Placing Trump's head on a rendition of Mount Rushmore denigrates America's Shrine of Democracy. There are few Americans less deserving to be associated with democracy than Trump. His anti-democracy efforts will live throughout history. He is a man who cannot accept the results of an election. And then as the defeated candidate, he contributed to an effort by his MAGA army to overthrow our government on Jan. 6.

Pictures of this silly looking sculpture recently came to light. This shameless novelty item is good for a cheap laugh, but not appropriate coming from the governor of our great state. It is an insult to the real-life granite mountain in the Black Hills. But this is to be expected from Noem, who has the reputation of sucking up to Trump like a tick on a dog's rear end. Perhaps we will eventually see cheap plastic "Made in China" knockoffs flooding the tourist market in the Black Hills. This will only further mock Mount Rushmore and make the monument a joke.

What's next? Perhaps they can place Trump's face on Crazy Horse monument. There's no telling how low Trump sycophants will go to please him.

Rick Benting, Redfield

Arguments, not name-calling

Tom Burgard, how unwoke of you to address my brother as "his" in your letter to the editor without first inquiring his preferred pronoun!  Absurd, isn't it? But that is what your party has devolved into.  You, Tom, and the woke, liberal progressive Democrats cannot defend your party's policies and Joe Biden's vision of a "new" America. Apparently, he touched a nerve, and your feelings were hurt by being offended/triggered by the truth so your only recourse is to bully and attack him.

Ever notice how Democrats resort to calling people who don't agree with them names while conservatives only attack/condemn their evil, immoral and idiotic policies?  Perfect example — if you listened to Gov. Gavin Newsom of California speak, the only strategy he had against his opponent Larry Elder was to personally attack him, whereas Larry spoke of policy issues on the campaign trail. Next time, Tom, instead of calling people names, give it a shot and try to defend what he wrote.

One other thing, Tom called out the American News as if to condemn it for printing something he doesn't agree with.  Against free speech, Tom? 

Rob Krege, Webster

Thanks to those who made Brown County Fair a success

On behalf of the Brown County Fair Board and fair office staff, we want to thank everyone for attending and making the 2021 Brown County Fair a huge success. The Brown County Fair would not be possible without the assistance of the many volunteers. Whether you cleaned a table, moved a picnic bench, cleared trash, helped set up or take down tents, put up parking fence, monitored buildings, judged a contest, watched gates, scanned tickets at the rodeo or concerts, assisted with the people movers, gave rides to the public, set up panels or assisted in so many other ways, you are the ones who make this fair successful. Your countless hours of service do not go unnoticed by the fair board, and we could not do it without your assistance.

This year's fair did encounter a few challenges — blistering heat, power outages in the campgrounds, a severe thunderstorm, wind, hail and utility pole issues. However, the fair board worked together diligently to solve and rectify the challenges. We would like to express our deep appreciation to NorthWestern Energy for their quick response to rectify the power outage on Friday afternoon of the fair.

We would also like to thank Scott Meints of Brown County Emergency Management, who kept us apprised of all weather issues, the Brown County Sheriff's Office that kept everyone in check and the first responders who assisted in many medical instances during the fair.

We are already planning for the 2022 Brown County Fair and hope to see all of you there! If you're interested in joining the fair board to help plan this great event, please call the office at 605-626-7116 for an application. Thank you for your continued support.

Tom Paepke, president of the 2021 Brown County Fair Board of Directors

Vaccines are a part of a healthy society

South Dakota Codified Law 13-28-7.1 requires that any student entering school or an early childhood program in the state shall, prior to admission, be required to present to school authorities certification from a licensed physician that the child has received, or is in the process of receiving, adequate immunization against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, rubella, mumps, tetanus, meningitis and chickenpox, according to the recommendations of the South Dakota Department of Health. 

Where is the outrage when it comes to these vaccines? Why don’t parents show up at school board meetings complaining about “freedom” and why their child has to get vaccinated for measles, mumps or chickenpox?  

Vaccines are a part of a healthy society, and you should probably add the COVID-19 vaccine to the required list. Your child is already required to receive numerous vaccines in their early years. 

It just goes to show that the loud, vocal minority have no idea what they are talking about when it comes to “freedom” and requiring a COVID vaccine when so many other vaccines are already required and we hear nothing about those. 

Certain anti-maskers ran in this summer’s Mitchell School Board election, and they could barely get 10% of the vote in a five-person race. People had their chance to put someone who would have voted against a mask mandate on the school board, but decided not to. They are very vocal, but not close to a majority in Mitchell. 

Travis Kriens, Mitchell

Antitrust bills a power grab by big government

Here we go again. Now big government is trying to take over the internet. A package of "antitrust" bills is being pushing in Congress that would target important services relied on by Americans and expand the power of big government over the internet and social media. The bills would reduce affordability, opportunity and connection for consumers and small businesses across the country.

Think about all the convenient features that these companies provide — integrated messaging apps, cross-posting content or easily transferring an account from one service to another. All of these things, and others, would become impossible if this legislation were to pass. This is nothing more than a power grab by big government. The proposals target a huge number of technological conveniences that most people love and use often.

Over-burdening small business by limiting their choices in online platforms, complicating supply chains and limiting their ability to merge with other companies will stifle or kill many mom-and-pop online retailers to the detriment of Main Street.

Kari Johnson, Whitewood