The South Dakota Standard

Greetings.

Welcome to the launch of The South Dakota Standard! Tom Lawrence and I will bring you thoughts and ideas concerning issues pertinent to the health and well-being of our political culture. Feel free to let us know what you are thinking.

Creating his own reality, President Trump’s speech last night was a blend of bombast, bluster — and baloney.

Dec 18

Dec 18 Creating his own reality, President Trump’s speech last night was a blend of bombast, bluster — and baloney.

Kahler: Don’t let financing add to the stress of building a home. Your construction loan is probably not a rip-off

Dec 17

Dec 17 Kahler: Don’t let financing add to the stress of building a home. Your construction loan is probably not a rip-off

Indiana Republicans resisted Trump’s demand to redraw congressional districts. SD politicians could learn a lesson

Dec 17

Dec 17 Indiana Republicans resisted Trump’s demand to redraw congressional districts. SD politicians could learn a lesson

Testosterone has had its day. It’s time for the next step in social evolution. Our world will be better off with women in charge

Dec 16

Dec 16 Testosterone has had its day. It’s time for the next step in social evolution. Our world will be better off with women in charge

Rapid City research psychologist Christy Heacock: Self-forgiveness opens the door to forgiving others

Dec 15

Dec 15 Rapid City research psychologist Christy Heacock: Self-forgiveness opens the door to forgiving others

Christy Heacock

When will Republicans who put their fear of Trump and his behavior ahead of our country stand up to him?

Dec 15

Dec 15 When will Republicans who put their fear of Trump and his behavior ahead of our country stand up to him?

S.D. Democratic Party Director: We deserve straight talk, not contradictions, about state budget from Gov. Rhoden

Dec 13

Dec 13 S.D. Democratic Party Director: We deserve straight talk, not contradictions, about state budget from Gov. Rhoden

Trump's rhetoric continues to splash gasoline as the fire of political violence spreads across country

Dec 12

Dec 12 Trump's rhetoric continues to splash gasoline as the fire of political violence spreads across country

Trump helps out farmers battered by his trade policies. Is this what he meant when he promised “so much winning”

Dec 11

Dec 11 Trump helps out farmers battered by his trade policies. Is this what he meant when he promised “so much winning”

Brian Bengs, who is charting an independent course in quest for U.S. Senate, sees reasons for optimism in poll

Dec 9

Dec 9 Brian Bengs, who is charting an independent course in quest for U.S. Senate, sees reasons for optimism in poll

Despise or adore him, Trump's statue is a piece of public art. It belongs with the other presidential statues in Rapid City

Dec 8

Dec 8 Despise or adore him, Trump's statue is a piece of public art. It belongs with the other presidential statues in Rapid City

As former Sioux Falls mayor Rick Knobe marks his 79th birthday, he continues to consider a run for governor

Dec 6

Dec 6 As former Sioux Falls mayor Rick Knobe marks his 79th birthday, he continues to consider a run for governor

Trump’s treatment of others is shameful. He has no sense of compassion. Can’t we treat each other with kindness?

Dec 5

Dec 5 Trump’s treatment of others is shameful. He has no sense of compassion. Can’t we treat each other with kindness?

Delivering his state budget, Gov. Rhoden makes boastful, but questionable, claim about S.D.'s economy

Dec 4

Dec 4 Delivering his state budget, Gov. Rhoden makes boastful, but questionable, claim about S.D.'s economy

Fertilizer costs are hurting farmers. Some think profiteering off Ukraine war just might have something to do with it

Dec 2

Dec 2 Fertilizer costs are hurting farmers. Some think profiteering off Ukraine war just might have something to do with it

Top 10 reasons to be outraged by the racist, violent and unAmerican actions by ICE, Trump and Noem

Dec 1

Dec 1 Top 10 reasons to be outraged by the racist, violent and unAmerican actions by ICE, Trump and Noem

New Music That Doesn’t Suck: Rock endures. Some dismiss it. Some show little interest, but good music will always survive

Nov 29

Nov 29 New Music That Doesn’t Suck: Rock endures. Some dismiss it. Some show little interest, but good music will always survive

While Trump once again insults a woman, Thune, Rounds and Johnson cower rather than confront him

Nov 28

Nov 28 While Trump once again insults a woman, Thune, Rounds and Johnson cower rather than confront him

Among many reasons to be thankful? Numerous peaceful demonstrations across South Dakota and the country

Nov 27

Nov 27 Among many reasons to be thankful? Numerous peaceful demonstrations across South Dakota and the country

Trump meets Saudi crown prince, keeps up his caustic, callous and dismissive attitude toward political violence

Nov 25

Nov 25 Trump meets Saudi crown prince, keeps up his caustic, callous and dismissive attitude toward political violence