house

Not like Pierre

Fatah gunmen in the Palestinian Legislative Council building.

Play Money

A knucklehead Sioux Falls booster is quoted in this morning's Argus as telling state legislators to "stay out of the way" of Sioux Falls' growth. Nationwide he's getting his wish. Federal taxpayers from across the country are spending $40 million of their hard-earned dollars on the Phillips to the Falls project for Sioux Falls' growth.

Taxpayers didn't complain though. They dismiss the $40 million as "federal money".

The Rapid City Journal uncorks this sour whine on their editorial page this morning. They think their precious nature-lovers and synagogue-goers "deserve" an outdoor education center. They "need" an environmental classroom and a taxpayer funded park to protect a local synagogue.

The Journal wants state taxpayers to be dunned for the $10 - $12 million it will cost to meet this need. Taxpayers probably won't complain about this boondoggle either. They'll dismiss the burden as "state money".

Here's a tip - there is no such thing as "federal money". There is no such thing as "state money". There is only money. And, if the government's spending it, it's coming out of your pocket.

It's easy to lose sight of this fact when money gets rolled up into large state and federal accounts. It's analogous to how you boil a frog alive - you don't turn the heat up all at once, he'll hop right out of the pot. No, you raise the heat little by little. That way, he won't know he's being cooked.

People, we're being cooked.

Banksy

I want to be a non-comformist

Just like everyone else

 

CCK Steps In It

Here's a typical display of ignorance or deceit from CCK.

His post would make sense but for the presumtion of innocence and the fact that Deadrick is not now representing Klaudt and, from what news reports say, did not represent Klaudt in the two court appearances Deadrick attended.

Thus CCK's note that "the lawyer representing a page abuser, is sitting on a committee to investigate the page program and make recommendations for change." is completely false.

argumentum ad hominem - circumstantial

Here's a perfect example of the ad hominem fallacy from Sioux Falls' Village Idiot, Rendall Beck:

"Anyway, it's my guess those who are griping about the shortage of information on Johnson's health didn't vote for him in 2002 and won't vote for him next year if he does seek reelection. That's why their near-unanimous complaint - that his absence means South Dakotans are under-represented in the Senate - rings a little hollow."

Riiiiight.

If one followed Beck's "reasoning" one would conclude the Argus should cease its attempt to get Governor's Hunt names from the state because the Argus doesn't support the Governor and because the Argus just wants the names to create a sensational story, sell more papers, and collect more ad revenue.