Via Chris Larson…
The following is an op-ed that was penned & shared with me by Rep Liz May. Liz, like every good SD patriot, is sick & tired of Establishment-types like Pat Powers who get their jollies out of attacking anyone to their right, which is basically the entire grassroots movement. One way we can all help to reduce his influence, hopefully to zero, is simply make a few phone calls. It’s easy!
THUNE – (605) 348-7551
ROUNDS – (605) 224-1450
DUSTY – (605) 646-6454
Liz Writes…..
In a display of total disregard for personal boundaries, Dakota War College, a political blog run by Pat Powers, recently published a post detailing the divorce of a female state lawmaker. This wasn’t just a violation of her privacy; it was an exploitation of her personal life for the sake of sensationalism and clicks. Powers’ actions were called out in the comments of his post — most of which he deleted — but the damage was done. As Republicans, a party made up of a diverse set of views and principles, we must ask ourselves: how far are we willing to let this go, and at what cost to respect and decency?
This is not simply a matter of ethics; it’s about how we treat one another, particularly women in positions of power. When a woman’s personal life is laid bare for public consumption, it sends a chilling message: no matter how much she achieves, she remains vulnerable to being reduced to her private struggles. It’s a tactic designed to undermine and belittle, reminding her — and all women — that they are subject to scrutiny in ways their male counterparts often are not. Beyond the obvious cruelty and personal harm this inflicts, we must consider the real dangers it poses. What if there were allegations of physical abuse in the relationship? Or, given that the woman in question is a public figure – how might this incident enable potential wrongdoers – who now have a good idea that she is living alone, having access to her address online? By exposing such private matters so recklessly, Powers could be putting this woman in danger.
What makes this even more troubling is the tacit endorsement of this behavior by South Dakota’s top political figures. Senators Mike Rounds and John Thune, Congressman Dusty Johnson, and Governor Kristi Noem have chosen to continue working with and advertising on Dakota War College, effectively funding a platform that has shown itself willing to cross ethical lines for the sake of an agenda. Thune and Rounds especially – have relied on and benefitted from asking for the votes of conservatives for almost 30 years now. At the same time, they continue to subsidize attacks against the same conservative constituents that have truly supported them. Intentionally or not, they are condoning this type of behavior.
This is not a question of free speech or differing political opinions. It’s about basic decency and the responsibility our leaders must uphold and lead by example. When they support a platform that engages in this kind of behavior, they contribute to a toxic political environment where personal attacks and invasions of privacy are not only tolerated but rewarded financially.
South Dakota’s political leaders must take a stand. Our elected officials have a duty to protect the integrity of our public discourse and to ensure that politics in South Dakota remains a realm where ideas, not personal lives, are what matters most. At the end of the day, we as a Republican Party can disagree – we can fight on matters related to strategy, issues, pipelines, etc. These issues can come out in a variety of ways – mailers and social media ads are two ways. But none of this should ever cross into what Pat Powers has done – that ought not be lost on our statewide elected leaders and others.
Liz May
