UPDATE: You can see now Noem is backtracking on her ‘donation claims’;
Johnson would not disclose the amount of the donation. He said he has not donated to pay for any other National Guard deployments.
“Governor Noem welcomes any such donations to help alleviate the cost of South Dakota taxpayers,†Fury told Dakota News Now. He also said South Dakota law allows the governor to accept donations that are in the “best interests†of the state.
In other words, it will go into state coffers and NOT towards the Guard, we will still be footing that bill. I wonder how Noem will explain to Guard family members if one of the deployed gets injured in this little war game of hers?
Many eyebrows are being raised if Noem can take donations to fund the SD National Guard. The Guard itself is clear about it;
In general, it’s legal for private citizens to donate money to governments, though it’s uncommon that the donations are earmarked for something as specific as a Guard deployment.
The Guard also has made this statement;
“While we appreciate the many offers and people who care about our soldiers and airmen, we are not logistically able to accept donations of any kind.”
Of course Noem claims this;
When officials deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C. after the attack on the Capitol, the price tag was nearly $500 million for two months. It included the cost of their travel, salaries, healthcare and other fees. Presumably, Johnson’s contribution is less than that and for far fewer guard troops. Fury said that the donation “was made directly to the state of South Dakota.” He went on to say that the governor welcomes any handouts to run their Guard.
If we really are getting the donation, how many actually believe this will trickle down to the Guard? Let’s face it, it is smoke a mirrors and in all reality, while Noem has the legal authority to send troops to Texas, I’m not sure I believe the private donation BS. Either way, our troops are not a private army that are guns for hire. I just wish her staffers would stop hitting her with the stupid crazy stick.
The private funding comes from Willis Johnson. A TN billionaire who gave 6 figures to Trump. Drug cartel leaders hired Mexican troops. How is this any different? Public defense dollars are for military action, not to protect a few ranchers along the southern border. Yes, activate troops but it should be done by the president and Congress. We don’t need Noem running around with her own army.
Noem’s a cowgirl. She likes the posse idea. Or, maybe she’s playing president and ordering the troops to the border. And I’ve heard fireworks are cheaper and more readily available in Tijuana. There’s a shortage. And, Mexican marijuana could also suffice the South Dakota market until we are up and running. When they make it all back safe and sound, however, Thune and Rounds can get all of them some Purple Hearts. Keep your eye on the state plan, too. If FlightAware says Austin, then Allegiant is in on it as well.
It’s the new frontier for Republican Governors with privatizing their state (formerly national)guard. Guard members have an opportunity for new adventures and making money. Republicans governors can use them as another tool to serve their donors.
The only difference between a communist reality and a corporate one is that the former is the only one with a standing army, but not so much anymore for a state known as South Dakota Inc.,. It’s the Wayfairization of national guard units.
maybe mike z can make a donation and have the guard reclaim seney island.
33-12-30. Special militia fund–Sources of funds.
All funds derived from the sale of property belonging to the military department, as provided in this title, and all other funds accruing to the national guard of the state from any source whatsoever other than the general fund appropriated by the Legislature shall be deposited with the state treasurer and by him credited to a fund designated “the special militia fund.”
**Notice: FUNDS can come from ‘any source derived from” but must be deposited into a SPECIAL MILITIA FUND”.
‘ANY SOURCE DERIVED FROM – can mean donations from the ‘Citizens” of the State, of whom wishes to participate within the Militia to protect the interests of the State.
And the GOVERNOR is the Commander In Chief, and can utilize the funds to perform the duties of her office.
I would love to one day make a private donation for this cause…
It’s only a million, hardly covering the expenses, than there is the question if someone gets hurt, who pays for that. Well we do. I guess the DOD and the Armed Services committee are now investigating.
Scott,
I emailed you the same, but let me put here as well, I refer you and any member to the following:
1) U.S Constitution 2nd Amendment
2) South Dakota Constitution Article 15 (Militia)
3) SDCL TITLE 33 – State Military Affairs
4) Someone pointed me to SDCL 34-48A-36 – Donations.
The State is sworn to protect all people of state, and the Governor is our commander in chief of the Militia. She can at anytime use the funds available to protect our collective interests. The State is then charged with providing wellness, medical coverage, and services to those Citizens who participate in the State Military.
Sure, Mercenary Noem has many legal arguments that she can do this, I don’t debate that. This is about whether or not this is ETHICAL, especially since she flat out lied about a private donor paying for this, he is not. He is just giving the state a million bones, we will be paying for this. There is also the ETHICAL question if we need to send them. I don’t think so.
Let’s call this what it is, a political stunt, and I think it is terrible she is using the NG as pawn in her stunt. What if a REAL emergency happens in SD while they are in TX? We are in the middle of a horrible drought and in the middle of Tornado season. I continue to see her do stupid things, and it gets worse by the day.
This is merely act two of the Republican playbook when it comes to the border. Their first act was when they sent 15 US Senators down to the border, a few months ago. One can only wonder what act three will be. Republicans enjoy theatre in the round, too, because they enjoy being all things to all people. If Shakespeare had written a play like this, would it have been a tragedy or a comedy? Or, a comedy of errors, which ends tragically?
( and Woodstock adds: “Say, do you know what a dying covid grandma once said to Noem?”…. “She said: ‘Et tu, Kristi?'”…. )