Owl for House of Rep.!

this is scary! and it sucks!

MONKEY BATTLE!!!

CHALLENGE!!

Skoggle is a Kebab-Eating Peace Monkey ...with a Battle Rating of 1.4 To see if your Food-Eating Battle Monkey can defeat Skoggle, enter your name:

The Mission

On March 21, 2005, a wonderful thing happened. There was a place (or plave if you will) created on the internet. It was a wonderful place, full of pictures and music (granted it was all over a phone so it sounded a little rough) and best of all, it was filled with great people.

If you haven't figured it out already, I'm talking about this very blog that you are reading. That's right, the best spave on the internet is going to be one year old soon, and Spin and myself have a mission.

We want there to be 1000 posts (not comments, I'm sure we're very far beyond that mark) to be up here before the 1 year mark. I know that we can do it! Spin says that there is somewhere around 750 posts now. I'm not sure how but she has figured out a way to get a count.

My only request is this: If you do post for the greater good of the cause, do it with content. Don't post just to get one closer to that big Grand of posts. Even though I do appriciate the effort, it would kind of cheapen it don't you think?

All right folks! Make thine Blog-God and Godesses proud!!

And the Oscar goes to...

First things first...read the post that Spin wrote last night about Eekerz' Eulogy. (Sidenote: I always hate posting after very nice posts, because I don't want them to be unintentionally ignored) (Sidenote II: That has never prevented me from posting)

Second...things...second...The Oscar nominations were announced this morning. Go Brokeback!

I was going to post all the nominees on here, but that would be a very long post. So here's the link to the nominees.

Which brings me to my next two points:
1. We should have a contest to pick winners.
2. We should have an Oscar viewing party.

I'm just saying.

Yes, I love award shows too much.

An Epiphany about Eulogy

This evening I went to the CHS production of Eulogy. It was a beautiful thing to see. I can’t say in words how grateful I am to know a guy like Justin Speck.

All I can say is that I know what it feels like to be an artist. I know the struggle that I always have with a finished piece; where I look at it and say, "I know that’s still not quite right."

What Justin did tonight was pure art. He nailed it! Not only was it beautiful to see, it was beautiful to watch, it was beautiful to feel, and it was beautiful to experience. It was like watching a painting. He, and those students, pulled it off, and it’s not easy. Watching those kids do what they did for Speck is nothing short of inspiring. The fact that the students saw his vision so clearly, and did such a tremendous job only exclaims my point clearer. Justin is the type of teacher those kids what to work hard for, and what to make a dream that vivid and touching come true.

I have to commend you Justin for having the vision in the first place, and then seeing it all the way through to the end with such majesty and emotion. I am lucky to know and love you. You are so gifted and wonderful.

Bravo Mr. Speck! Bravo!

Feelin' a little owley?

Hi kids. Looks like a nice plave to roost awhile.
Thanks for leavin' the light on for me. Mexico was
new and different. Wish you all were there and me too.
Sigh. BOF

The Great Philosopher

Count how many lessons we can learn from this story...


A Great Philosopher

Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you either hear or are about to repeat a rumor.

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.

One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to Him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Three?"

"That's right," Socrates continued "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not.

Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued. "You may still pass though, because there is a Third test - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and left, ashamed. This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

(It also explains why he never found out that Plato was banging his wife.)

Brokeback Mountain

So the Jester and I went to the 1pm matinee of "Brokeback Mountain" this afternoon.

The theater was packed. Average age was probably in the mid-50s. Anyway...

If you can go see this movie...do it. I was deeply and profoundly moved. I love going to movies, but rarely am I pulled in. It was an intense cathartic experience.

The movie was simple, yet beautiful...which is how I think of Western Wyoming, as well as the Black Hills. I can see why Ang Lee is getting every directing award. He managed to describe so many emotions: love, pain, hate, despair, lonliness, understanding, denial, kindness...the list goes on.

Anyway...I'm rambling. I love "Brokeback Mountain".

Sidenote: Who was your favorite character in the movie? Mine was Mrs. Twist...Jack's mother.

Sidenote II: That was very cheesy of me to end in such a manner.

Friday Afternoon Caption Contest

CAPTION ME!!

Yeah Rapid City!

Yes, they took too long, and yes they probably are only showing the movie because of the money-making...but

Carmike is showing Brokeback Mountain!!

The show times are 7:00pm and 9:50pm.

Word.

I think the Jester and I are going to see it sometime this weekend. If ya'll want to join us, just give a holla.

So.....

...This happened

And away we go...!

Just a little reminder...
This Monday and Tuesday @ 7:30 PM, $5 general admission only, Central High School.
Amazing students do amazing work.
One clever, witty and mysterious comedy
AND
One original, Far Eastern, musical-dance-puppetry piece

You'll laugh
You'll cry
You'll agree it's better than CATS

Hope to see you there!

A few more koans to ponder...

(Sidenote: see my post below for a description of koans)

* * *

Nan-in received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"

"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

* * *

The master Bankei's talks were attended not only by Zen students but by persons of all ranks and sects. He never quoted sutras not indulged in scholastic dissertations. Instead, his words were spoken directly from his heart to the hearts of his listeners.

His large audience angered a priest of the Nichiren sect because the adherents had left to hear about Zen. The self-centered Nichiren priest came to the temple, determined to have a debate with Bankei.

"Hey, Zen teacher!" he called out. "Wait a minute. Whoever respects you will obey what you say, but a man like myself does not respect you. Can you make me obey you?"

"Come up beside me and I will show you," said Bankei.

Proudly the priest pushed his way through the crowd to the teacher.

Bankei smiled. "Come over to my left side."

The priest obeyed.

"No," said Bankei, "we may talk better if you are on the right side. Step over here."

The priest proudly stepped over to the right.

"You see," observed Bankei, "you are obeying me and I think you are a very gentle person. Now sit down and listen."

* * *

Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling.

Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection.

"Come on, girl" said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.
Ekido did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple. Then he no longer could restrain himself. "We monks don't go near females," he told Tanzan, "especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?"

"I left the girl there," said Tanzan. "Are you still carrying her?"

* * *


A university student while visiting Gasan asked him: "Have you ever read the Christian Bible?"

"No, read it to me," said Gasan.

The student opened the Bible and read from St. Matthew: "And why take ye thought for rainment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They toil not, neither do they spin, and yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these... Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself."

Gasan said: "Whoever uttered those words I consider an enlightened man."

The student continued reading: "Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened."

Gasan remarked: "That is excellent. Whoever said that is not far from Buddhahood."

* * *

A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting to eat him. Only the vine sustained him.

Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!

* * *

Soyen Shaku, the first Zen teacher to come to America, said: "My heart burns like fire but my eyes are as cold as dead ashes." He made the following rules which he practiced every day of his life:

1. In the morning before dressing, light incense and meditate.
   
2. Retire at a regular hour. Partake of food at regular intervals. Eat with moderation and never to the point of satisfaction.
   
3. Receive a guest with the same attitude you have when alone. When alone, maintain the same attitude you have in receiving guests.
   
4. Watch what you say, and whatever you say, practice it.
   
5. When an opportunity comes do not let it pass by, yet always think twice before acting.
   
6. Do not regret the past. Look to the future.
   
7. Have the fearless attitude of a hero and the loving heart of a child.
   
8. Upon retiring, sleep as if you had entered your last sleep. Upon awakening, leave your bed behind you instantly as if you had cast away a pair of old shoes.

A religion of reflection...

Okay, so I'm not a Buddhist. I'm a Lutheran. Shout out to my pasty brothers and sisters.

Moving on, as that's not the point of this post. Anyway, I've always been fascinated by other religions, whether I agree with the teachings or not. I am very intrigued by Buddhism in large part because instead of instructing on "the way" or "the faith" or "the light" or however it's phrased, the religion gives members/interested parties parables/stories/riddles (koans) that make the people think hard.

And I like that.

So here are a few:

* * *

THE STUDENT Tokusan used to come to the master Ryutan in the evenings to talk and to listen. One night it was very late beforehe was finished asking questions.

"Why don't you go to bed?" asked Ryutan.

Tokusan bowed, and lifted the screen to go out. "The hall is very dark," he said.

"Here, take this candle," said Ryutan, lighting one for the student.

Tokusan reached out his hand, and took the candle.

Ryutan leaned forward, and blew it out.

* * *

SHUZAN held up his staff and waved it before his monks.

"If you call this a staff," he said, "you deny its eternal life. If you do not call this a staff, you deny its present fact. Tell me just what do you propose to call it?"

* * *

Goso said: "Suppose you meet a Zen master on the road. You can'ttalk to him. You can't stand there silent. What can you do?"

* * *

LITTLE Toyo was only twelve years old. But since he was a pupil at the Kennin temple, he wanted to be given a koan to ponder, just like the more advanced students. So one evening, at the propertime, he went to the room of Mokurai, the master, struck the gong softly to announce his presence, bowed, and sat before the master in respectful silence.

Finally the master said: "Toyo, show me the sound of two hands clapping."

Toyo clapped his hands.

"Good," said the master. "Now show me the sound of one hand clapping."

Toyo was silent. Finally he bowed and left to consider thisproblem.

The next night he returned, and struck the gong with one palm."That is not right," said the master. The next night Toyo returned and played geisha music with one hand. "That is not right," said the master. The next night Toyo returned, and imitated the dripping of water.
"That is not right," said the master. The next night Toyo returned, and imitated the cricket scraping his leg. "That is still not right," said the master.

For ten nights Toyo tried new sounds. At last he stopped coming to the master. For a year he thought of every sound, and discarded them all, until finally he reached enlightenment.
He returned respectfully to the master. Without striking the gong, he sat down and bowed. "I have heard sound without sound," he said.

* * *

BUTSUGEN said to his disciples; "Each of you has a pair of ears, but what have you ever heard with them? Each of you has a mouth, but what have you ever said with it? Each of you has eyes, but what have you ever seen with them? No, no! You have never heard, never spoken, never seen, never smelled.

"But in such a case where do all these colors, shapes, sounds, smells, come from?"

* * *

Anyway...I thought these were cool, and yes, one or two have still left me with a WTF response.

Fine then.... AHEM!

I too have something to share...

I am blogging from my house!!!
I am blogging from my house!!!

I have something to share...

For the Love of Kong...

BEST WATERSLIDE EVER!

Caption Contest...

CAPTION ME

A few more...

...Yahoo Pictures For sharing!

Scroll way down to the bottom. Keep in mind that some of them were made by Chop and I, and are a little, um.... Gross!

A creative writing assignment

1. Hvor er Spinflys bukser?

2. What does Mini-Spin say right after this photograph is taken?

3. Why did Spinfly take this photograph?

4. What has grabbed Mini-Spin's attention?

5. Where are Spin and Mini-Spin?

6. What happened before the photograph was taken?

I went to high school this morning!

Mexican standoff

I'm going to Mexico Saturday and will be gone for a week.

Please carry on without me, knowing this:

Skogg and I have reached an accord of sorts due to the fact
that I have discovered her Achilles Heel. This can best be expressed
mathmatically thus:

Superman : Kryptonite :: Skogg : AP Fuller (His Honor)

Now, that doesn't make me the Blog's only remaining superpower,
but it at least gives me something to work with when her moods
flare up.

Hasta luego mi amigos y amigas.

Si se puede.

Puddle IV

How about this one I took a while back?

Puddle III

Puddle II

I DON'T CARE...

So there are people o'er in Asia saying that the Chinese beat Columbus (aka the Italians...sailing on behalf of the Spaniards) to America. Here is the article.

I'd just like to point out that my homeboy, Leif Erickson was fo' shizzle in North America way before those other people, whether they be from Southern Europe or East Asia.

So we've got the Norwegians (well, technically you could say Leif was from Greenland, as his father, Erik the Red, was banished there for being all barbaric-like) coming over to this continent around 400 years prior to Columbus, and if the Chinese story is true, about 350 years prior to the Chinese.

THEN there are even tales that another good Norsk, Bjarni Herjólfsson, was there prior to Erickson. (Sidenote: Bjarni Herjólfsson is a wicked good Scandinavian name).

Maybe some of you are saying, "Okay fine...but that's Canada." Well, we were in America earlier than those Southerners as well. Boo Yah!

Sorry...just had to get that off my chest.

Not that a major award is a good excuse but...

Congrats to Ang Lee and the motion picture itself for winning the two top awards at last night's Golden Globes - not to mention Best Screenplay, too! Also, to Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line and to Reese Witherspoon for her portrayal as June Carter. What an amazing year for Hollywood films. And a disappointing year to the execs who are choosing to shield the eyes of Rapid Citians. Politics wins again over the arts. I wonder if they realize that they have Broken their own Backs by trying to shove their Globes up their own proverbial Mountains of Gold?

I have a dream...Martin Luther King

It is such a good, no great speech.

Poll Time...

What is he thinking?

I'm Hurt

I seriously hurt my wrist. It might be broken. Its hard to type. It's a sad day in blog town.

FYI...

No me gusta el título del blog.

Hvor er min bukser?

Shades of "Being John Malekovitch"

The second of Steven King's "Tower" stories has shown up in my car.

It is indeed much more compelling than the first installment.

Addictive, actually. (As per the content, it is wont to be).

Thanks to whomever the personages were that caused the new book to thus appear.

I am now deep into the saga, and hopelessly hooked.

This is not to say that I may not occasionally whine for a cosmic gift
of subsequent books from time to time. But rather, only to say
that if they are not forthcoming, I will most likely buy them anyway.

And so – as already noted by the Spavegods – only time will tell, right?

Regardless, thanks much.

Owl

Bye Bye.

I see the last Kong picture is about to drop off the bottom of this page.

So here's my question. Can I have my Owl back now, please?

Boiled Kong has had his day in the sun, but he's not really my nature.

Thanks ever so much, Blogdeities.

Beseechingly,


BOF

Drumroll please...

Today is National "Blame Somebody Else" Day.

So, to celebrate, I am blaming the Gentle Giant.

Now I just need to figure out "how come for" (Sidenote: That's my favorite horrible Minnesota child expression).

Lets Talk About These Apples

Thoughts?

Consciousness?

I'm having a discussion about what consciousness is on another blog.


I thought the Spave might have some ideas.


Is everything conscious (ie the universe) or is it reserved for specific species of living beings.


If the latter, which species?


I can't wait to see what you sentients sapients have to say about this.

This ones for Skog

I'm sure thats why they made it, just for you Skoggy-Baby!

The most important link ever

"Celebrating the Essence of the Individual"

Introducing the 2005-06 One Acts presented by Central High Theatre!
Monday and Tuesday, January 30 & 31 @ 7:30PM.
All tickets are $5 and are general admission. Tickets go on sale 1 hour prior to curtain, day of show only!

Two exciting and thought-provoking one acts are being presented back-to-back.
"Alienated" student-directed by senior theatre student and Drama Club President Ana Menefee, is a large cast comedy about students who suspect one of their own to be a real alien. As the students suspect each other it is revealed that they ALL are aliens in their own awkward, teen-age way. Acceptance and friendship are highlighted.

"Eulogy" is the original one-act written and directed by Justin Speck which explores the beauty of life through the acknowledgment of death. Told in traditional Chinese and Japanese storytelling, complete with puppetry, dance, music and lyrics, this experimental performance art piece will be Central's entry into the State One Act Festival at USD in Vermillion this February!

Hope you all can make it!

Which Hasselhoff Are You?

Cult Icon Hasselhoff You are Hasselhoff, the Cult Icon. You revel in your enigmatic and confusing popularity – moreso in the positive aspects of it than the confusing or unclear parts. You are the shining star of the world: more specifically, of Germany. Someday, you will be featured in a ticker-tape parade. Someday! Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Check this out

Here is a good link.

Tangent was Great!
Kong Rocks!
I love this spave!

Kong Revisited

I don't mean to go back to Kong all the time... Well maybe I do. (It was that good!!!)

but...

Last night between games of hearts (the first of which I won, second of which I didn't do so well) We watched the 1950's version of King Kong. It was awesome too!!! I remember thinking to myself. This movie must have blown movie goers away, as much as the one I just watched on the big screen, back in its day.

Another thing that struck me was, although, there were differences between the two scripts, the new movie sticks very closely to the original. There were some scenes that were almost identical, the very last line of the movie for example is uttered word for word. (Props to Peter Jackson for that)

The New Kong movie was my first real dive into the saga of Kong. Now I am totally hooked. We also rented the one with Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange which we are scheduled to watch this evening. I will let you know my thoughts, and of course anyone is invited to watch it with us.
Happy Kong!
Spin

An Appalling Big Win for Hedlund!

What do you get when you cross blazing hot intellect with a static, cold-conservative community?...pure, beautiful, cleansing steam, baby - raw, jazzy, sexy, steam. Good steam heat. The type of steam than opens pores, opens minds. Steam that softens years of tense muscles. Steam that causes sweat to drip droplets of narrow-minded fluid, pumped from blind-folded ducts of furrowed brows and vein-throbbing red necks, viewed from an all too often God fearing arm pit.

Don't get me wrong. This steam is not foreign, nor does it come from a foreigner. This steam comes from us. This product is us, has grown from us, was nurtured by us. And, not to be hampered by it's own surroundings, has graciously left the boiling pot to continue to grow, thrive, learn and live - elsewhere. This elsewhere is Santa Barbara, the impetus - film studies school, the catalyst - Rapid City's very own Eric Hedlund.

Not so much Avant Garde, as plain intelligence - his autobiographical account of growing up and growing out is a seldom seen theatrical event in our (red)-neck-of-the-woods. Sometimes appalling, shocking, and stirring, this emotional rollercoaster of narrative word is bravely and cleverly written. Hedlund's artistic use of literary prose, poetry, dramatic literature and acting talents is a whirlwind of thought-provoking expression. An expression of wit, humor, sadness, joy and yes, my friends, hope. A hope that Eric the artist, who is already doing amazingly good things for the post-cold war, post-big eighties materialistic wasteland-ish generation from which he steams, will only continue to make "obscenely" beautiful statements of truth to audiences who are searching for a healthy cleansing.

Saturday afternoon's "event" was a truly an event. After a brief, almost embarrassing, curtain speech about censorship...? (Wait, - that is what she was talking about, right? I mean, I think she was trying to say, this is a public space, for public rental, and as an art facility we uphold the liberties of free speech? Right? I digress...but that was the sloppy-est, poorest version of standing up for first amendment rights ever displayed...You couldn't tell if she was for or against Eric, the art-form, her job, her boss...It was sad. It was if you had a ticket for "West Side Story" and the opening act was a speech about why Latinos in New York are good for the economy because so many of them live under one roof. WTF!) Sorry...Eric, but you rose to the occasion and thank you for taking us on this journey. Well...Some of us. Some of us chose to get off at the very first exit. You know the exit. I'm not sure of the number, but it is off to the right. Way right. And you are right, Eric. I mean, correct. Obscenity is not about jargon, slogan, words, sounds and natural order - but, appalling acts of negative humanism. But, again, I digress...

I can speak of this event, because I have been cleansed. Unfortunately, those of us choosing to become cleansed are those who really don't need - we like it. Similarly, as a teacher, at parent/teacher conferences it is only the good students whose parents choose to come and hear about who well things are going. Most of us don't want to hear the bad, the unfortunate, the appalling things. The truth hurts. Most people don't want to be hurt - even if it is precisely what they need. But sadly, they don't want it. They don't want change. They don't want to expand, they don't want to learn, they don't want to grow...and don't be fooled - this is exactly why Rapid City will never see "Brokeback Mountain".

A very wise man once said, "A mind which expands beyond its current state, will never return to its original size". Expansion hurts - but it is healthy. As healthy as a good steam bath. Maybe an enema would be better for some?

Thank you, Eric, for taking me on this journey...I just wasn't quite ready to get off.

ATTENTION FELLOW BLOGGERS...

Based upon commentary left after the Blonde Joke post...Skleeve's new name is "Ass Jack."

Have a great weekend, all!

Love,
Skoggle

Tangent

Chop and I have a good friend, some of you know him, Eric Hedlund. He doing his one man performance at the Dahl Tomorrow (Saturday) at 2:00. Its free. Its deffinatly out of the box. You all should go! (Unless you're in a different state, then you don't have to, but you could still if you want to... but I understand.)

Identity Crisis?

Ok, Here's where I'm at.

I'm reading Stephen King's "The Gunslinger" about how a man in black can raise people from the dead and implant secret messages in them that will trigger a knowledge release if someone else says or does something specific (like say "nineteen" for example).

Meanwhile, I've adopted an avatar persona of a little screech owl with hicckups and have been trying (not very hard) to be true to his character.

Now it seems the little owl has been swallowed by a giant gorilla who still retains the hiccuping owl inside, and I have of late found myself grunting and speaking broken english like a grade B movie neanderthal.

Layer upon layer of masks over an inner self I still have yet to discover, all granted to me at my own request by those who love me.

What can I say?

Life is good.

This is also pretty good....

... but it's about a 10-15 minute flick. It's still good though.

Click here

Best blonde joke ever...

Sure it's a blonde joke, but it's probably the best blonde joke.

Click Here

Brilliant!

Okay,
Go here.
Whats this jumbled and chaotic mess you ask?

The story goes:
A collage kid, drowning in his overwhelming debt from his tuition, decides to make milliondollarhomepage.com. He decided to sell ad space on his page per pixel. I believe its $1 per pixel. As you can see he was very successful. He made over a million dollars in 4 months. We here became aware of what this kid was doing right before Christmas. I was blown away.
Now check this out... this is the only space left on his site and he is selling it on eBay. Check out what its going for right now… I believe its at something like $33,100… AND THERE IS STILL 6 DAYS LEFT! He could make another million before whole things through.
Anyway I think its brilliant and I wanted to share. It’s also a spectacular thing to study as far as what catches your eye in a sea of chaos.

King Kongage?

Who has seen?
What's the verdict?
I don't want to be an Owl anymore.
I am Kong.
Ahhhhhhrrrrgggggggg.
Thumpathumpathumpathumpathumpa.

Ahem...hem...hem...

So if you have been down to the Pennington County Courthouse in the last year, you've noticed a few people standing outside asking for signatures so that an initiative/amendment/whatever can be put on the ballot.

That initiative is called "J.A.I.L.," and it blows. Here's a brief article that appeared on the Editorial page of the RCJ this morning:

-----------------------

Guest editorials, 1-3: Read JAIL's fine print
By The Madison Daily Leader
MADISON - An initiated constitutional amendment is going to be on the 2006 ballot if enough signatures are valid.

Proponents have named it the Judicial Accountability Initiative Law, so they could use the catchy acronym JAIL. The measure would, proponents say, "punish wayward judges with civil suits and even criminal charges."

And who are the "wayward judges"? Well: any judge that makes a decision that one or more of the affected parties aren't happy with, could be "punished" under JAIL!

The measure would set up a Special Grand Jury, with 13 jurors, drawn from the state's voter registration lists, each serving one year and paid more than $100,000 a year each.

JAIL would have a budget of more than $2.5 million. The Legislature would be required to establish a Special Grand Jury facility (centrally located) but not within a mile of any judicial body (talk about paranoia!).

And: it will be funded through fines, fees and forfeitures, but if that doesn't produce enough money, the Legislature will impose "appropriate surcharges upon the civil court filing fees of corporate litigants."

OK, so you have an individual who wants to file a civil complaint against a judge and they have to pay a filing fee, right?

Well, not necessarily, because the amendment provides for a $50 filing fee, but you can file a statement that you are impoverished or because you "object to such fee."

We vote on our judges ... citizens have an absolute right to reject a particular Circuit Court judge if they believe they will be treated unfairly ... and all parties have an absolute right to appeal a judge's decision to the Supreme Court.

This is going to be one of those issues where you need to move from the headlines to the fine print and carefully read the amendment. From doing that, our conclusion is: it looks like Swiss cheese, but it smells like Limburger!

-----------------------

Skoggle is not a fan. (I have no idea why I just went all 3rd person) I'm all for judicial accountability, but these aren't tenured President-appointed judges who are on the bench for life. We have good people sitting on the bench in Rapid City and I for one don't think they need an added stress of having every decision they make brought before a jury of over-paid private citizens. In addition, as there is nothing in the JAIL initiative that limits who can be a juror, a felon who was a defendant in front of a judge could then be on a jury deciding whether that judge made a just decision.

The writer of the above article is right...stinky Limburger.

(jumps off soap box, packs it up and runs down the street)

Is there more than one Mr. Prejudice?

Dude bros...go here.

That's all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!