May on Olson

Industrial agriculture is ecocide and for those of us who love the Earth shucks like Summit’s are subsidized corporate greenwashing but ironically many Republicans actually benefitting from caching greenhouse emissions decry them as caving to the Green New Deal. So Summit turned to using eminent domain to condemn land for private enterprise provoking resistance from many Republican landowners and their surrogates. 

Meanwhile, one of the most hated and polarizing figures in South Dakota politics is throwing up his hands in desperation as Earth haters in his political party are burning down the Big Tent with the whole SDGOP inside. At his scandal sheet, Dakota War College morbidly obese Brookings blogger Pat Powers and shill for Summit routinely smears principled conservatives who don't bend the knee to the old South Dakota Republican Party establishment.

Now, SD Representative Liz May (R-Kyle) is pissed. She responded to South Dakota's most politically incorrect former teevee anchor, Shad Olson at his Faceberg page.

Shad, you like to accuse everyone else of ad hominem while you throw out “dipshits,” “helmet-wearers,” and “romper room” like that somehow counts as serious debate. Let’s get to the facts you keep dodging.

First, on the pipeline: no one is pretending South Dakotans wanted CO₂ pipelines. What you leave out is who actually fought them with legislation and who just sat on the sidelines throwing insults. Karla Lems and Jon Hansen didn’t just wave signs—they carried bills, took arrows, and fought eminent domain abuse in committee on the floor and traveling countless miles informing the citizens. That’s not “bullshit,” that’s leadership. If you think everyone hated it equally, then prove who else actually ran bills to stop it. Spoiler: it wasn’t you.

Second, your sudden call for a moratorium on every “Agenda 2030” project rings hollow. Where were you when conservatives in Pierre were already raising alarms on wind, solar, and water redistribution? You attack them now but never mention you weren’t there lobbying or doing the work yourself. The difference between you and Jon Hansen is simple: he puts legislation on the table. You put Facebook posts on the internet.

Third, you deny being on Doeden’s payroll. Fine. Then explain why your rants always sound like they came straight from his campaign talking points. The grassroots don’t need another keyboard warrior tearing down conservatives—they need people who build, sponsor bills, and stand in the arena. And here’s the contradiction you never answer: you blast AFP as untrustworthy, yet you have no problem with YAL or Hazlet—both funded by the same Koch Brothers that your so called fellow conservatives follow. So which is it, Shad?

Shad—you’re a keyboard warrior who tears people down from the cheap seats. Phil Jensen is a legislator, and for years he’s been one of the most reliable conservatives in Pierre. I’ve served with him, and until this past year, I’d never seen him pulled off course. But when he brought that bill to defund Huron School, he blindsided every one of us. Instead of visiting with fellow conservatives or giving us a heads-up, we were left holding the bag. Why would Phil do that? Because he was following the wrong leader—the YAL/Hazlet organization. YAL/Hazlet thrives on shock-and-awe tactics designed to cause chaos, not to get legislation passed. Their game isn’t about results for South Dakotans—it’s about creating turmoil, hosting wine-and-dine events, and showing up at conventions. They use good people like Phil to carry out their agenda while burning bridges with those of us actually trying to govern. Phil’s move put so much at risk it nearly unwound everything conservatives had been building that session. He was lucky he was even allowed to remain on the Education Committee after that stunt. You don’t pull something like that against your friends and fellow conservatives and expect to keep our trust.

So spare us the condescension. South Dakotans know the difference between leaders who actually carry legislation—and voices who sit on the sidelines and sneer.