Pam Merchant Blogs!

Castlewood conservative Kristi Noem (R-6) had better get back on her legislative blogging horse: she now has a blogging buddy in Brookings! State Senator Pam Merchant (D-7) has started a blog of her own. Senator Merchant's inaugural (and so far only) post bids a fond farewell to the Norwegian exchange student who stayed with the mercahnt family during the past year. But for you McCarthyites out there, Merchant offers some tantalizing Red code words:

When I think of the societal challenges we face, such as growing a new economy, establishing healthcare coverage for all, and keeping our highways in better condition; we have a lot of work to do, and we must support one another in our endeavors. We must realize and pursue challenges, pushing ourselves beyond our individual limitations, into much needed collaborative solutions [Pam Merchant, "A Norwegian Sendoff," District 7 SD, 2009.08.09]

Support one another... push beyond individual limitations... collaborative solutions... sounds like socialism to me!

Sibby, PP, your ball....

Seriously, I am pleased to see another legislator pick up the blogging baton and offer constituents another avenue for communication. Keep on typing, Pam!

Pam Merchant, Call Your Office...

I hear on SDPB that the Senate Health and Human Services committee deadlocked 3–3 yesterday on several votes on SB 92, the latest chit in the abortion-ban pot promulgated by Reps. Howie, Hunt, and that contrary neighbor of mine, Gerry Lange. The bill was deferred for further committee debate to Wednesday.

Now wait a minute: 3–3? Who was missing?

Why, Democratic Senator Pam Merchant, from up Brookings way.

Pam! Where were you? You could have killed that bad bill yesterday!

The roll call for Monday's committee vote lists your absence as "excused." But we'll have a hard time excusing that absence if it gives the abortion ban fanatics time to roust up one more vote. Get to work, vote SB 92 down (and for Pete's sake, let's get to the budget!).