Welcome To South Dakota: October 2010

What is love? Baby Don't Hurt me NO MORE!! Tuesday, October 26, 2010

2 roommates decide that drinking and music go hand in hand here is our video done right before we headed for a night out in the town.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBgf8yWJ15I&hl=en

For Baby Boomers - A Car is a Luxury That They Can Do Without! Monday, October 25, 2010

Yes, that is true depending on just where you live, and where you work, and how you and your family uses the family car...

Many have talked about the price of gas in Western Europe and how much more it is in comparison with that of the US, but they do not tell you about other options they have for transportation. If you look at the size of a Western Europe and at the size of our New England states you will find that they are both about the same. Also, you will find that both have good transportation sources. Now look at most of the states west of the Mississippi and you will find a different transportation requirement. If you live in place like Montana, Idaho, North and South Dakota you will definitely have a different need for your car or truck.

Baby Boomers have definitely come to a crossroads in this country when it comes to our vAhicles, car specifically. With the price of gas, and the impact that it is having on us all, boomers need to think about our transportation requirements. We can buy a new car with better gas mileage and greater reliability. Or we can buy a used car with fewer miles on it and possibly greater reliability than the car that we are driving.

Boomers, would it surprise you to know that most of the car on the road today has better than 80,000 miles on the odometer and are better than 9 years old? It seem that American's are keeping they car longer then ever before. Now there are still are a number of Baby Boomers driving gas guzzlers. There are a number of factors that play into the reason for keeping the vehicle so long, but two definite reasons are price or expense of a new car, and the price of gas.

Buying a new car is out of the question, the main reason is the expense of having to make car payments for the next three years plus. Add to that the new car depreciation going out the door of the dealership. You could buy a used car. You have read the ads reading "used cars for sale", and you have seen the vehicle setting in someones front lawn indicating "used car for sale by owner". According to the National Automobile Dealers Association "it's important to buy a used car with a reputation for solid dependability, it's even smarter to buy a used car that is less popular with consumers, meaning it has depreciated more rapidly".

Consider domestic brands Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge. The reliability of U.S. autos have improved within the last 10 years. Think about these brands that are getting high scores for reliability; and can save you quite a few dollars when it come to parts and repair in the future. Remember when looking for used models, the domestics can cost much less for a very similar product, making them when worth a check-out. You might want to know that Consumer Reports routinely grades the domestic premium brands as among the most reliable cars in the world. It should be noted that you should have the used vehicle checked out by a third party mechanic. Uses your local Crag's or Angie's list to provide this service. Even better Google "Used Car Certified Mechanic" for your local area or state.

As of today June 24, 2008 at the Moto Mart in Freeburg, IL (A quite suburb, Baby Boomers community, 30 miles east of St Louis) a gallon of reg gas is $4.13 a gallon. Now what idiot in his or her right mind would pay these high gas prices? That would be anyone trying to get to work or run a family an even a retiree. No one knows what gas prices will be a year from now. No one knows just how much of the family budget dollar will be eaten up by the price of fuel. An if you are on a fixed income the high gas prices are even worst.

One way that you could possible decrease the price of gas is to increase your gas mileage. Use a Hydrogen Generator to run your car on a mixture of both Gas and Water. Water electrolysis is the basis of this technology, and has been around since 1803. The Idea using water fuel has been in existence since that 1990's. Thousands or people have converted their cars to run on water and are achieving amazing results.

Before you put this out with the trash think of this. None of the above information on buying a car is necessary. Your car is not the problem, it is the cost of fuel and not knowing how much it will cost in the future. That is your main problem. Google for the information on Hydrogen Generator (HHO Car Kits) or for using water for fuel. Just read the information and check out the bulletin Boards. An excellent way to try the system is to get together with a friend, buy one those cheap used cars and install the system. Then run the car to see if it works...I know you can't teach old dogs new tricks!

Put this information in the back of you mind until the tough times hit...

The purpose of a car is not to get you from point A to point B. The purpose of a car is to get you from point A to point A and any points in between. Oh no! Where does your car set most of the time?

Again, Thank you for your time.

Help me improve my skills by visiting my Blog http://Baby-Boomers-Force.blogspot.com and Website http://www.learnanew.com/Take_Me_to_The_Tool_Shed.html

South Dakota Marriage License Requirements Sunday, October 24, 2010

You have always called South Dakota your home. You would like to marry in your home town church as well. Although, you are not sure of how to apply or obtain your marriage license. Well do not worry I have outlined the latest laws and regulations for applying and obtaining a marriage license in the state of South Dakota.

You will need to bring government issued picture identification as well as your social security card and birth certificate.

You do not have to reside in the state of South Dakota to apply and obtain a marriage license.

The couple must appear in person and together at a Register of Deeds Office in your local county.

If you are divorced or widowed you will either need to bring a copy of your divorce decree or death certificate.

The marriage license fees are $40.00 and most counties only accept cash or travelers checks.

Their are no waiting periods in the state of South Dakota.

Blood tests are not required.

Ministers or priests may perform your marriage.

Common Law Marriages are not valid in the state of South Dakota.

Cousin marriages are not allowed in the state of South Dakota.

The marriage license is valid for twenty days and is to be used in the state of South Dakota only.

These are the latest laws and regulations for applying and obtaining a marriage license in the state of South Dakota. I suggest that you call your local county clerk to confirm the information above.

Yolanda is the owner of Yolandas Wedding Favors. Her store sells many different groomsmen gifts and bridesmaid gifts such as tote bags, flasks, slippers, pocket watches and many many more. So whether if you are looking for favors, wedding guest books [http://www.yolandasweddingfavors.com/weddingguestbooks.html], gifts, accessories and more we got you covered.

Bo Burnham- Abortion Clinic Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Bo Burnham sings a song called Abortion Clinic at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco August 15, 2009 He was insanely funny, anyone who is considering going to one of his Fake ID tours stops, its DEFINITELY WORTH IT! Tour Dates: 08/14/2009 Wise Guys Comedy Club - West Valley, UT 08/15/2009 Regency Center - San Francisco, CA 08/22/2009 Georgia State University - Atlanta, GA 08/26/2009 UNC Charlotte - Charlotte, NC 08/27/2009 Zanie's - Nashville, TN 08/28/2009 Central Michigan University - Mt. Pleasent, MI 09/04/2009 University of Maryland - Baltimore, Maryland 09/05/2009 College of William and Mary - Williamsburg, VA 09/06/2009 Johnson & Wales University - Providence, RI 09/10/2009 La Zona Rosa - Austin, TX 09/11/2009 Granada Theatre - Dallas, TX 09/12/2009 University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Amherst, Massachusetts 09/18/2009 West Chester University - West Chester, PA 09/19/2009 Alfred University - Alfred, NY 09/21/2009 Cornell University - Ithaca, NY 09/23/2009 Arizona State University - Washington, DC 09/25/2009 Highline Ballroom - New York City, NY 09/26/2009 The Egg Theater - Albany, New York 09/27/2009 Clemson University - Clemson, SC 09/29/2009 University of South Carolina - Columbia, SC 10/03/2009 State Theatre - Falls Church, Virginia 10/06/2009 East Stroudsburg University - East Stroudsburg, PA 10/08/2009 Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, MN 10/09/2009 Crofoot Ballroom - Detroit, MI 10/10/2009 Majestic Theatre - Madison, WI 10/16/2009 Aladdin Theatre ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX_CA6UqF1Q&hl=en

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BULLSEYE ! ! !

THE MINNESOTA TWINS OPEN THEIR BRAND NEW STADIUM, "TARGET FIELD" WITH A WIN ! ! ! TWINS TERRITORY NATIVE JASON KUBEL FROM SOUTH DAKOTA HITS THE FIRST HOME RUN EVER IN TARGET FIELD ! ! ! THE TWINS DEFEAT THE RED SOX 5 - 2 IN THE FIRST GAME EVER AT THEIR NEW HOME ! ! ! 6- 2 BABY ! ! !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoovT84Mk24&hl=en

Leaving Minnesota Monday, October 18, 2010

Motorcycle Roadtrip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOgNf2_KMN8&hl=en

Yellowstone National Park's Waterfalls & Grand Canyon Saturday, October 16, 2010

Yellowstone River's Waterfalls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a segment from "Dances With National Parks", a free video featuring Mt. Rushmore, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, Zion, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, and other national parks/monuments in South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, and Arizona. With buffalo, moose, beaver, and many moreanimals. To enjoy all of this film, plus over 30 more free, non-commercial, streaming travel videos from every continent, and still pictures, please ask a search engine for: Intrepid Berkeley Explorer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGPouHCxWCk&hl=en

Discount Auto Insurance Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Whether you are looking for car insurance in Canada, the USA, or somewhere else, finding discount auto insurance can save you plenty of money. The first thing you need to do is get auto insurance online quotes.

Finding discount auto insurance is actually quite simple if you use the online tools that are available to you. There are many insurance companies that will offer you online insurance quotes and then allow you to purchase your insurance right from your computer chair.

What you want to be sure to do is get plenty of quotes. You also need to makes sure you are comparing like coverage. Read all the hidden clauses and get all the details to make sure you are comparing the same coverage. We recommend getting at least 10 quotes.

Buying online insurance can save you both time and money. No more wasted time sitting on hold on the telephone, or driving around town from one insurance company to another, then waiting to see an agent. Now you can accomplish all of this with a few clicks of the mouse.

You can also save up to 40% by shopping online. The insurance industry is very competitive and with the advent of online insurance purchasing it has become even more competitive.

On sites you may still have to wait up to 24 hours to get the quote back but that's not too bad at all. Remember to be truthful on the quote applications.

Insurance companies will validate the information you supply so if you tell little white lies and get a better rate, they'll take it away from your later or worse yet cancel your insurance.

There are many different ways to get a discount. A clean driving record, no tickets, no accident, your age, drivers over 50 often get an extra discount.

The type of coverage you choose can also earn you a bigger discount. For example the higher your deductible the bigger the discount. Different types of vehicles will also earn bigger discounts. The more safety features your vehicle has the more of a discount it will earn. Also the less driving you do the more discount you will earn.

There are many things to consider when buying insurance, all affect your rates. You should decide what coverage you need and how much of it you require before requesting quotes. That way you'll be asking each insurance company for the same coverage.

Some states and provinces require minimum coverages, such as with liability insurance. Be sure you know and understand what coverage is required by law and make sure you include these coverages in your request for quotes.

You should also make sure you choose reputable insurance companies to deal with. Great savings are only a good deal if in the event of an accident your insurance company very quickly handles the claim. Companies that drag claims out and prolong paying are no deal!

So whether your insurance is due or coming due shortly, now is a good time to start checking rates and seeing what type of discounts you can get. So the question is are you ready to save some money?

Sher from has been serving customers for over 20 years as a freelance writer and has been offering information and advice to the consumer. To find out how to save on your auto insurance Please visit us at The Auto Center

Wit and Wisdom on Money, Wall Street and Success - Part #3

I have received incredible feedback on the financial quotes series so I am providing another ten GEMS for you to ponder and evaluate. Sometimes a great book has had a profound impact in my life and made me change my ways. Occasionally a great quote has also had the same effect. Enjoy!

1) "I learned more about economics from one South Dakota dust storm than I did in all my years at college."

-Hubert Humphrey

2) "A bull must be fed every day with good news. But a bear need only be fed once in a while."

-Anonymous

3) "Each of us has a choice - we must make money work for us or we must work for money."

-Conrad Leslie

4) "Don't ever make the mistake of telling the market it is wrong."

-James Dines

5) "It was never my thinking that made me money. It was my sitting."

-Jesse Livermore

6) "Stocks are simple. All you do is buy shares in a great business for less than the business is intrinsically worth, with managers of highest integrity and ability. Then you own those shares forever."

- Warren Buffett

7) "The trading rules I live by are: (a) Cut losses, (b) Ride Winners, (c) Keep bets small, (d) Follow the rules without question, and (e) Know when to break the rules."

-Ed Seykota

8) "Taxpayer: Someone who works for the government but doesn't have to take a civil service examination."

-Ronald Reagan

9) "October. This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August and February."

-Mark Twain

10) "It's not how much you make when you are right. It is how little you lose when you are wrong! Manage your risk on every trade and the winners will take care of themselves!"

-Harald Anderson -Analyst at eOptionTrader.com

Harald Anderson is the founder and Chief Analyst of eOptionsTrader.com a leading online resource of Options Trading Information. He writes regularly for financial publications on Risk Management and Trading Strategies. His goal in life is to become the kind of person that his dog already thinks he is. http://www.eOptionsTrader.com.

Barack Obama counters false e-mails with humor Sunday, October 10, 2010

Mahmoud Ahmedi-Barack Hussein Obama-nejad is a terrorist! Barack Hussein Obama's agenda as a secret Muslim Al Qaeda double agent is to take over America's political establishment for the eventual enslavement of the Christian white race while posing as a democrat politician..Obama has denied being muslim (as far we know), yet his America-hating pastor claims to follow a proper religion. Dr. Stephen Colbert has once and for all cleared up the misunderstanding regarding Mr. Hussein Obama's muslimness on the March 13, 2008 episode of his award-winning newsprogram, The Colbert Report by revealing that Mr. Hussein Obama is actually a secret muslim. When the liberal media got tired after a day or two of talking about the 2006 midterm elections, they turned their attention to the 2008 Presidential race and decided that Barack Hussein Obama would be a good candidate. Fox News tried to keep talking about Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton, but was forced to do a few chats about Obama even though they hope, indeed know, that he will be running against and be destroyed by our greatest President ever, George W. Bush, as he moves on to his glorious third term as president. Barack Hussein Obama holds the all-time record for "Worst Possible Name for an American Politician." Not only does his first name sound like Iraq, and his surname sounds a hell of a lot like "Osama," his freakin' middle name is HUSSEIN! Thus Republican claims of his status as the Antichrist are proved. According to ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtpgLLpINc4&hl=en

South Dakota Pheasant Hunting - 2010 Saturday, October 9, 2010

In early August, I had written concerning the pre-2010 brood count, I highlighted the 2009 report and tried to give my best guess concerning the 2010 South Dakota pheasant hunting season. How did I do? Based on the 2010 report I think I hit it spot on with some areas even showing improvement. The gist of the 2010 brood count is that the overall count shows an increase over the 2009 brood count. In spite of the harsh winter we had and the wet spring that followed. How wet was it? There was an area, that is normally counted, that could not be accessed this year because of the roads having standing water on them.

Pheasants in South Dakota face a lot of adversity, predators, hunting, weather, lack of food. And yet they seem to continue to give us numbers that allow the SD game fish and parks to maintain the daily and possession limit numbers from year to year, 3 daily - 15 in possession.

Before we move into the 2010 report, keep the following in mind. The last time SD pheasant hunters' harvested less than 1 million pheasants, was in 1992, yet the harvest was nearly 970,000 birds. Using that year as the base line and jumping ahead 10 years we find that the average yearly harvest, since 2002, has been 1,778,985. Last year, in 2009, the harvest was 1,648,191. That was the 2nd lowest since 2002 with 2007 reporting just over 2 million birds harvested.

"The 2009 brood route survey indicated that the South Dakota pheasant population had declined 26 percent from the 2008 observation. However, 2007 and 2008 produced two of the highest pheasant counts in more than 40 years. The 2009 survey was 13 percent higher than the 10-year average and was the fourth highest count per mile in the past 45 years."(1)

Looking at the 2010 report, we find, "Results from the 2010 pheasant brood survey indicate the statewide Pheasants Per Mile (PPM) index increased slightly by 3% (6.26 to 6.45) compared to the 2009 index. In comparison to the 10-year average, this year's index is 13% higher (2010 = 6.45, 10-year ave. = 5.71) and the fourth highest statewide PPM since 1963 during the Soil Bank era."(2) This may be because, as I mentioned before, of many areas having high quality cover, due to the snow and rain we had, for the birds to hide in. Affording protection from predators and weather.

The report continues, "the total number of roosters counted during the 2010 survey was down 2% from the 2009 survey (2,045 vs. 2,078). In addition, the number of hens counted was down 4% from last year (3,037 vs. 3,170). Total broods counted increased by 1% (2,581 vs. 2,565), while the statewide average brood size increased by 4% (6.25 vs. 6.03)."(2)

The SDGF&P states, and I agree, "2010 is looking to be as good as or better than the 2009 pheasant hunting harvest was." There is over 700,000 acres of public hunting land in the heart of the South Dakota pheasant hunting area. But maybe you're planning on hunting on private property. I want to remind you to ask for permission first and than honor it. Good hunting ethics goes a long way in keeping the available private lands, just that, available. At any time a farmer can shut down the access to his property due to fences, crops or both being damaged by hunters who don't seem to care or think they have the right to be on private property.

Also, keep in mind that that same great cover that has been protecting the pheasants, through harsh weather and predation, is still going to be there and will make for some hard but rewarding hunting. So strap on your hunting boots and start walking. Not just you, but your dog as well. If you have some wrist weights strap them on too. They will help get those arms back into condition for caring that shotgun. The time to get back into shape is before you hit the fields. Your body and your dog will thank you. Both of you will have a better hunting experience because of it.

Happy Hunting,
Rodger W.
Southeast South Dakota Tourism
http://www.southeastsouthdakota.com/south-dakota-pheasant-hunting.php
http://www.southeastsouthdakota.com

(1) August 3, 2010 report "South Dakota Annual Pheasant Survey Underway."
(2) September 1, 2010 report "Pheasant Brood Survey Report - 2010."

Learn Easy English Lesson #16 (American Accent) In the Garden Friday, October 8, 2010

Easy English Lesson 16 about In The Garden. YES TEACHER PHIL ENGLISH IS HERE TO TEACH AMERICAN ACCENT REDUCTION ENGLISH TO YOU. You can learn English ESL second language from a real school native English teacher. IELTS is hard, TEOIC is difficult, so study free ESL English right here. Reduce your accent and practice for exams to get good marks! Read, write, speak and talk fluent accent reduced English! MA in TESOL, TEFL certificate, teach online classes, university college tuition learn Accent Reduction is hard but if you can listen carefully and practice speaking fluent accent-reduced English ESL you will learn English more effectively. School is expensive but free ESL language lesson videos are cheap! School teachers should be available for ESL training all time. Instruction is good at home, or online. Get those TOEIC exams finished! get a good mark! Study hard! Excel in English every day! Beat the school system! Free Teacher online! Free ENGLISH as a second language teacher accent reduction at home! Skype English Teacher too! Best English accent reducing teacher from a native speaking country Canada! Best teacher! Great free schooling to learn you native English tongue! ESL is the best! English as a Foreign language spoken fluently by native language ESL English teacher! English is the best language! Super teacher Phil is here to instruct English to the world! Phil Teacher is here! Easy marks on the test! super lesson! Watch the videos to learn fluent American English ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uCIZ-Iay3M&hl=en

Obama Debt Forgiveness - New Laws Could Save Consumers 50% to 60% on Current Debt Balances Monday, October 4, 2010

Debt collectors usually experience great business when people are having a difficult time paying their bills, since they rely on making making through the never ending ring of the telephone. However, in the recession we are now in, one that could be the worst in decades, the unimaginable is going on: people that usually go after the money are now losing some themselves.

After credit card companies have aided in making the tremendous consumer debt what it is today, they are now coming to understand that many Americans are having an extremely difficult time paying their bills when due, while the economy gets worse.

This has made lenders and the collectors they employ frantic to get every cent they can, before the situation becomes even worse, and they will do this even if it means they have to lose money themselves. More and more, they are allowing payments to be stretched to unimaginable lengths, and they are taking dimes, or even pennies on the dollar, and considering it paid off.

These predatory lenders are not just being helpful. All they are really doing, is attempting to cover their own behinds. Credit card companies and banks are getting prepared for a huge amount of defaults on credit cards, and they are fighting with each other to get their money first. They also consider the fact that the faster people can get their debts paid off, the sooner they will be able to begin borrowing money again.

Although many banks are cutting credit lines, hiking up card fees, and just wary on lending in general, others are actually allowing their customers a little room to move. For example, Bank of America has said that they have waived late fees, dramatically lowered interest rate charges, and for some, they have even reduced loan balances for greater than 700,000 people that held their credit cards in 2008.

Since a greater number of people are getting more in debt, cards like Chase and American Express are doing the same thing for many of their customers. All of the major credit card lenders are telling their collection agents to allow for greater leeway in helping customers that are in dire straits.

People who usually make their money based on the total amount of money they recover, have said people that have had problems and have had to obtain payment extensions, have at least doubled over the past few months. There have also been situations where people who borrowed money, and were about to go over the edge, were given deals that allowed them to pay only 30 to 80% of the money they owed.

This situation is the opposite from a few years ago, when most of the time, consumers fought and lost against credit card companies. In the current situation, as debts continue to soar into the stratosphere, the lenders are the ones that are crying uncle.

$395 billion in bad loans, are what credit card lenders expect to have to write off in the proceeding five years, as reported by the Nilson Report, which is an industry newsletter. This is comparable to the approximate $275 billion that has accrued over the past five years in credit card debt. It is getting more difficult to collect debts such as these. Many times if this happened in the past, lots of consumers would use their home's equity to have a way to pay off credit card loans, or they may have used retirement money, used a debt consolidation loan, or simply asked a friend or family member for help. With the state of the economy being what it is today, consumer have no recourse.

Since they are terrified that people that pay their bills on time may stop, the lenders do not want to say that they are accepting less than the total payment due. Whereas the gigantic loan modification programs that are going on, take thousands of mortgages at the same time, the way credit card customers are being helped is still on a case by case scenario.

Now, lots of debt collectors are letting many borrowers that are behind, take a year to pay off their debts, instead of the standard six months. There are also many lenders that are getting in touch with borrowers as soon as possible, so they do not have to write off the account. Even others are talking to customers they fear might soon get behind in their payments. Much like when credit card companies were trying to be the very first card people used, they are now in the situation where they are attempting to get paid before any others.

The banking industry is now beginning to lobby regulators, so that it is more beneficial to lenders to extend payment terms or forgive indebtedness, since it is projected that millions of additional consumers will be defaulting on their credit cards in the next few months. There was a credit card loan modification recently that was not accepted.

Through this rejected plan, lenders would have been able to forgive around 40% of the total owed them by borrowers over the next five years. The accounting rules that are in place now, say that lenders have to report the loss right after default, but the new plan would have let lenders wait until the part of the debt had been repaid to report it. By doing this, they would be able to write off less later down the road. Borrower would have also been able to defer any tax payments that were owed on the debt that had been forgiven.

In 2005, major changes passed to bankruptcy legislation, and the industry ferociously lobbied, and this seemed to have harmed card debt collections. The mean debt that was discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy has grown three times the amount since 2004, according to credit card industry data. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, secured lenders such as auto finance companies often shove out lenders that are not secured, like credit card companies, and this has went on and assisted in the card lender's willingness to settle.

Although settling on a deal will avoid credit card cancellation or possible bankruptcy, it will also make the borrower's credit score dip very low for as many as seven years, and this will make it extremely hard and costly to get any new loans. This will make the person's average credit score drop 70 to 130 points, where the strongest borrower have one of 700 or greater.

Through the use of credit card debt settlement companies, debts can be combined into one single payment, and make credit card companies decrease the interest payments and other fees, and also many times the actual principal will be reduced as well. By doing this, the credit card holder can then take off as much 60% off the amount that they owe in debt.

So far I have found one company after hours of research that knows the workings of debt forgiveness programs in and out. They are considered one of the top companies and the help is free. So CLICK HERE to Erase up to 60% of Your Credit Card Debt Now! They have helped millions eliminate debt legally. So take advantage of their FREE help now.

Limestone Mining Within Communities of South Dakota's Black Hills Friday, October 1, 2010

Most of us are familiar with the saying "It takes a village to raise a child". What warm and fuzzy village pundits fail to mention is that it takes a 135 year old law for our Government to do nothing while a gravel pit is mined in the middle of that child's village.

Don't feel naive. I was unfamiliar with this less touted proverb until a family member forwarded me a copy of a letter which he had submitted to our local media outlets in Western South Dakota.

"I treasure the Black Hills. I cringe when I see the unsightly devastation to the Hills that is occurring due to limestone surface mining. As you approach the Hills from the east you no longer see forest merging gently onto prairie, but instead a long brown scar of destruction crawling north from Rapid City toward Black Hawk.

Pete Lien and Sons plan to extend their gravel pit from west of St. Martins, north to Peaceful Pines Rd., and then further north to Anderson Road (a mile north of Black Hawk). This area encompasses beautiful hills, cliffs, and valleys, and is adjoined by many private homes. Most of the area is, in fact, Forest Service land. The Liens have obtained mining claims based on the outdated Mining Act of 1872.

There is no shortage of limestone in the world. Surface mining in the middle of a community is unacceptable. The Liens have worked to be good members of the community, and to try to mitigate the damage from their business operations. I call on them to relocate their mining operations to more remote sites. If not, I call on the government and citizens to put a halt to this outrage.

Mark Anderson"

Mark was asked to remove the mining company's name form his letter before it was published as a Letter to the Editor in our regional paper. While there has been some local reporting on the surface mining scourge in our community, it is not done with enough aggression because of that whole big name/small town thing. Very smart. I understand the need to cover ones backside. Wait a second. Oh crap! Did I leave the name Pete Lien and Sons in the letter above?

Oh well. I guess I'll just maintain my unholy self-preservation by not pointing out to readers that it is no coincident South Dakota politician Chris Lien has the same name. It's just a thought, but I'm personally not sure this family should be handed more power, given their ardent history of meshing gravel quarries with communities.

Okay, so I am obviously not well versed in the art of subtlety and unbiased reporting. Of course, I am not a reporter. But when a satire writer finds out her sleepy family home is about to border a lime-dust-enveloped, noise-filled, tree-less, health-hazard, she gets a touch disgruntled. Deal with it! On the plus side, unlike Letters to the Editor, I am never limited to 250 words! Better still I can, and will, say a companies name when I discuss their publicly noted activities on 'public' lands.

Lien! Lien! Lien! Lien! Lien!

Of course why should newspapers have all the fun? After all, there is a lighter side to letting a surface mine scar up the neighborhood. In fact, it's so light it's airborne. Some call it dust. Lime dust's affects on the health of the village children (and elders) can be read in such light-hearted and whimsically titled articles as, Disabling Pneumoconiosis from Limestone Dust. (LOL?)

This disturbing, yet, light and dusty article was written by those good people who brought us health. Mines operators, kickback purveyors and political lobbyists made no notable contributions. It took all of five minutes to me to find more environmental problems associated with limestone dust. Take for example damaging photosynthesis and respiration in evergreen trees.

You know evergreens right? They are those pesky trees that cover the Black Hills and form the backbone of the web of all life in our region. Weak, lime dust saturated trees are more susceptible to insect damage. Can you say Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic? You can if you live in the South Dakota. The beetles have been decimating the Black Hills for years now. Sprinkling on lime dust make me think of rolling out a red carpet for further infestations.

By the way, evergreens exposed to mineral dust from limestone mining are also dryer and less fire resistant. Fire! Sounds like a bonus for those with homes in the hills. First pneumoconiosis, then lower property values and now an inferno! Yippee! This will make for beautiful sunsets as the last of the tourists flee the unsightly hills taking their tourism dollars with them forever.

Just to be safe residents around the proposed Pete Lien and Sons mine site should consider memorizing OSHA's (osha.gov) list on the "exposure Limits" for Lime Dust. To understand them you'll need high speed internet, a medical dictionary, three slide rules and a secret decoder ring. Fortunately their list of outright health risks is clearer.

"Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, mucous membranes; cough, sneezing, rhinorrhea (discharge of thin mucous); lacrimation (discharge of tears).

Health Effects: Nuisance Particulates (HE19)

Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system"

And what fun loving, forest dwelling family wouldn't want to share years of repertory problems and "rhinorrhea"? Who needs Yatzee®?

It is true other companies are also taking our backyard paradise and putting up less than a parking lot. The time has come for these visual blights and the entire intrusive presence of surface mining to be vanquished from the Black Hills region, no matter which company is conducting these operations.

Our elected officials are here to serve all voters, not just Lien towards big names in small ponds. They must stand vigilant against antiquated legislation - lest we oust antiquated politicians. This is the year 2008. Why are our forest lands, home values and the villages of our children not being protected from a Mining Act that was written 16 year before South Dakota even became a state?

I repeat this act was written 'before' South Dakota existed. Is government on a longer than usual lunch or what? Our population has actually increased since statehood. Neighborhoods should trump Mining Claims enacted in a time when dentures were carved from trees - even if they were those pesky evergreens! The destructive capabilities mankind's machines are now capable of were unfathomable a mere 13 decades ago.

Mark Anderson is correct. We need a rallying cry. South Dakotan's need to stand strong together, demanding a real change. The Black Hills are sacred to all. There is another saying you may be familiar with. "All that is necessary for the forces of evil to take root in the world is for enough good men to do nothing - about a gravel quarry."

What's next? If government doesn't draw the line here, will we soon use school playgrounds as a handy place to burn our old tires? Doesn't Mount Rushmore supposedly belong to the public? I hope no one holds an old claim or Squatter's Rights on an ear lobe or Teddy Roosevelt's left eye. Can I claim Lincoln's chin for my driveway landscaping?

Sorry. Where was I? Oh yea, if this eco-vulgar mining practice does go forth destroying the forest in our community, will our elected politicians at least sew up this loophole, so future neighborhoods will not endure such an offense to our, so called, National Forests?

Meantime, until the forest re-grows to its natural state (e.t.a. 150 thousand years), I ask our elected representatives to lower our real estate values/assessments and collect fewer property taxes from constituents around the mine. You can take the difference out of your own salaries. Meanwhile I am sure Pete Lien and Sons, will be happy to pay all medical costs involved for the residents of the village, their children, their pets and their evergreens.

Disclaimer: The proceeding was an opinion piece. My opinion. Contrary to popular belief, you are permitted to have your own opinion as long as no one holds a 135 year old mining claim on it.