I’ve been back from my holiday travels for a few days now, but haven’t taken the time to add anything to this web log. It is interesting to me that so many of the men (is it all men?) who operate these sort of sites in South Dakota continue to mentally doodle on their web logs, even when they don’t have a lot to say. Today, I’d like to write a review of web logs in South Dakota, the way that my friend Todd Epp frequently does.

I find myself spending countless hours each day reading the web logs. I most enjoy South Dakota Watch because of the breadth of its content and the civility exhibited by Mr. Epp. His daily digest of work that he has seen on the internet provides me with a useful road map of worthwhile reading. Mr. Epp has been very kind to me an for that I am grateful.

I also am a frequent visitor to the Dakota War College because I am fascinated with the mechanics of politics and Mr. Powers has provided me with tremendous insight into the workings of a modern day campaign. With that said, I must confess that I still don’t understand what motivates politicians these days. In my prime, most politicians seemed to have a fearless dedication to public service. I don’t believe that is always the case during these times.

I am often amused by the antics of the South Dakota Blog Watch Man. I have tried, like others, to take a guess as to his identity but would be embarassed to share by theories, since I am certain they are incorrect. I have noticed that the South Dakota Blog Watch Man has taken a more serious tone lately — except when he dressed down the youngsters at South Dakota Politics recently — and have come to value his insight.

Beyond that, I must admit that Mr. Bear’s postings at Don’t Worry About The Government have become my guilty pleasure. Although he doesn’t live in South Dakota, most of his posts seem to deal with issues affecting the state, particularly concerning the affairs of Sen. John Thune.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Mr. Hunhoff’s web log that is a companion to South Dakota Magazine. I just purchased the most recent issue of that publication and I would recommend it as a fine periodical, as grand as anything I could create. I was amused by the story about Chislic in the magazine since that was a popular snack among some of the Eastern European workers I employed on and off while carving Mount Rushmore.

The story involving Sen. Thune, a used car dealer from Sioux Falls, and the Meta Bank (what, by the way, is a Meta Bank? I was certain when I first saw the post that it was some sort of typographical error.) It appears that Sen. Thune finds himself standing in a pile of buffalo dung, and I am curious as to whether he will be able to escape the many questions unscathed.

Shortly before I arrived in South Dakota, Sen. Peter Norbeck found himself in a similar controversial position, but he had already left elected office and his problems involved an issue of free speech, so I have difficulty holding in in contempt. Sen. Norbeck spoke out against World War I and found himself charged with sedition, a court action that was later dismissed. Sen. Thune’s alleged malfeasance seems to be of a different color, since he was aiding a friend who may already have been facing financial troubles.

As many of you know, I have faced my own legal troubles in the past. When I parted ways with the Daughters of the Confederacy at Stone Mountain, Georgia, my last act was destroying the plaster models I had constructed to guide my work. These usually sweet-talking southern belles were not amused and I was forced to flee from Georgia to North Carolina with the state police in hot pursuit.

Well, it is time to go. I discovered while on vacation how much I enjoy my afternoon nap and so I will repair to the day bed. I am planning to write something about the new motion picture being filmed about my life, but it might happen on another day.

My hope is that all of you had an enjoyable Fourth of July. I look forward to visiting with you again.