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CONTACT US OPINION OTHER VIEWS PHONE: (605) 665-7811 (800) 743-2968 Neb. On ‘The Right NEWS FAX: (605) 665-1721 ADVERTISING FAX: (605) 665-0288 Side Of History’ WEBSITE: www.yankton.net LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR (May 28): Nebraska’s lawmakers ––––– made history Wednesday, repealing the death penalty in a vote that SUBSCRIPTIONS/ will reverberate across the country. CIRCULATION The 30-19 vote on the motion by Sen. Ernie Chambers to over- Extension 104 ride a veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts made clear the issue is no longer CLASSIFIED ADS one with a clear partisan divide. Throughout three rounds of voting and on the override there Extension 108 Capitol Notebook [email protected] was a solid group of conservative Republicans who supported replacing the death penalty with a sentence of life in prison without NEWS DEPT. parole. Extension 114 In the end more Republican state senators voted for repeal than [email protected] the 13 Democrats in the nonpartisan Legislature. Summers Are Busy Time SPORTS DEPT. In the days leading up to the climactic vote, Chambers declared Extension 106 that “when something is of truly historic significance, it is not be- [email protected] cause of one individual or one act.” ADVERTISING DEPT. Chambers is right about that. But it’s also true that in Nebraska Extension 122 there is no single individual who has done more than Chambers to For High School Athletes [email protected] force Nebraskans in and out of the legislative chamber to examine BUSINESS OFFICE their conscience and rationale on the death penalty. BY BOB MERCER at their group’s meeting earlier this year. Extension 119 The veto override came on his 38th attempt to replace the death State Capitol Bureau The proposal contains one other important [email protected] penalty with a sentence of life in prison without parole, according to piece: Coaches couldn’t have any contact with NEW MEDIA: the legislative research office. PIERRE — The parents of high school athletes players during the week of July 1 through July 7 Extension 136 Chambers was quick to credit the group of conservative state in South Dakota know summers aren’t time off. each summer. [email protected] senators. They were vocal, articulate and unflinching. One of the Regular classes are out, and interscholastic ath- These changes would take effect for the 2016 COMPOSING DEPT. most active was Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln, a one-time supporter letic events aren’t scheduled. Instead, summer. the months of June and July are time The changes would simplify life for Extension 129 of the death penalty. Among Coash’s efforts was a statement signed coaches. Some critics fear overload [email protected] for athletes to train for next season. by 13 Republican state senators supporting Sen. Mike Gloor after he In fact, the South Dakota High if players face a full summer of being was attacked politically for supporting repeal. School Activities Association has a set openly coached every day (other than * * * The growing conservative support for repealing the death pen- of specific out of season regulations the July 4 holiday week). alty was not lost on Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Pen- governing what coaches can do and This brings up a related issue: Time MANAGERS alty, which has advocated for repeal for decades. In 2012 it launched can’t do, during the period from com- conflicts with summer sports that Gary L. Wood Nebraska Conservatives Concerned About The Death Penalty, a pletion of the state track and field meet aren’t under the SDHSAA umbrella. Publisher chapter in a national movement. until midnight on July 31. Swimming is one. VFW and American Michele Schievelbein On that group’s website is a quote from Coash that summarizes Coaches are limited to four team Legion baseball activities are another. Advertising Director the conservative argument against the death penalty: “Conservatives camps or tournaments, or two team The baseball situation has become know that government is imperfect and makes mistakes. My desire to camps or tournaments and one league. Bob complicated with the creation of spring Tonya Schild protect innocent life leads me to worry about a fallible system that A team camp or tournament can run high school baseball as an independent Business Manager has the power to take a life . If this (the death penalty) were any other five consecutive days. A league can MERCER activity. government program, we would have got rid of it a long time ago.” play once per week. We now have high school-affiliated Tera Schmidt teams playing a spring schedule for a Classified Manager There’s little doubt that there is momentum in favor of abolishing But coaches aren’t limited on the death penalty. Six states have now eliminated the death penalty individual contacts with a player, and they are state championship. We also have the traditional Kelly Hertz since 2007, and the number of executions and death penalty sentenc- allowed to provide private lessons to players American Legion teams playing a summer sched- Editor es is at a 20-year low. where specific techniques and fundamentals are ule for a state championship. In fact there has been majority support in the Legislature for taught. Some communities have baseball teams that James D. Cimburek The private lessons can be given in small play both. Sports Editor years, but opponents have been able to dead-end the effort with filibusters. The Legislature’s rules now will work against senators groups that are limited in size, depending on the But there are situations where American Beth Rye who want to reinstate the death penalty, especially with Chambers, sport. Coaches are allowed to play in the same Legion players are prohibited or discouraged by Digital Media Director dean of the Legislature and master of the rules, there to thwart such league as a player, but they aren’t allowed to their team’s rules or coaches from playing on the efforts. play on the same team with a player. local high school team. Kathy Larson Now the SDHSAA board of directors is con- And there are players who compete on the Composing Manager Supporters of the death penalty say they will collect signatures put the issue on the ballot. The task of reversing the Legislature’s sidering a major change in the out-of-season rule. high school baseball team in the spring but don’t Sarah Lynde vote may prove more difficult than they imagine. Support for the The directors will decide at their next play on the local American Legion team in the Circulation District Manager death penalty is not as deep and committed as zealots would like to meeting June 9 whether to eliminate all of the summer. That allows them to train in June and regulations regarding individual contacts and July for their other high school sports. believe, and the arguments for abolishment are strong. Setting summer high school seasons covering As Chambers put it, repeal of the death penalty “puts Nebraska private lessons. The change would basically erase everything but the restriction on numbers June and July for baseball and for boys and girls on the right side of history.” of team contacts. golf, whose state tournaments at times run into * * * Nearly all of the athletic directors at the high difficult weather whether spring or fall, might be DAILY STAFF schools in the state association favored the a practical next step. Reilly Biel IN HISTORY change when the athletic directors discussed it Cassandra Brockmoller Brandi Bue By The Associated Press the nomination for California governor while Rob Buckingham Today is Monday, June 8, the 159th day Carly Fiorina got the nod to oppose three- of 2015. There are 206 days left in the year. term Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer; in Caryn Chappelear Today’s Highlight in History: On June Nevada, Sharron Angle won the right to op- Randy Dockendorf 8, 1915, U.S. Secretary of State William Jen- pose Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. (All Jeannine Economy nings Bryan resigned over what he viewed three ended up losing their respective con- Limbaugh Finds Out He’s Not as President Woodrow Wilson’s overly belli- tests.) In South Carolina, political unknown Jeremy Hoeck cose attitude toward Germany following the Alvin Greene won the Democratic primary to Sarah Lynde sinking of the RMS Lusitania. challenge U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (Greene lost Nicole Myers On this date: In A.D. 632, the prophet in November). Robert Nielsen Muhammad died in Medina. One year ago: Gunmen stormed an Normal, And It Scares Him In 1845, Andrew Jackson, seventh presi- airport terminal in Karachi, Pakistan, in an BY LEONARD PITTS JR. and Republicans are the new weirdos, the new Diana Smallwood dent of the United States, died in Nashville, attack that left at least 29 people dead, in- David Stephenson Tennessee. cluding the assailants (the Pakistani Taliban Tribune Content Agency kooks, and that is part of the political objective Cathy Sudbeck In 1864, Abraham Lincoln was nominat- claimed responsibility). A married couple here, in normalizing all of this really marginal ed for another term as president during the shot and killed two Las Vegas police offic- behavior. I mean, if less than 1 percent of the JoAnn Wiebelhaus National Union (Republican) Party’s conven- ers and an armed bystander who attempted I am not normal. Brenda Willcuts tion in Baltimore. to intervene; the couple then took their own This, I learned from a news story 35 years population is engaging in it, it’s marginalized In 1912, the ballet “Daphnis et Chloe” lives. Pope Francis welcomed the Israeli and ago. The details have faded with the passage of behavior; it isn’t normal.” * * * was premiered by the Ballets Russes in Palestinian presidents to the Vatican for a re- time, but the gist of it remains clear. One might argue, citing Miles Davis, Paris. markable evening of peace prayers. Rafael Steve Jobs, Rosa Parks, Stan Lee, Sally Published Daily In 1948, the “Texaco Star Theater” made Nadal won the French Open title for the ninth Some expert had crunched a bunch its debut on NBC-TV with Milton Berle guest- time, and the fifth time in a row, by beating of numbers in search of the “average” Ride, Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, and Monday-Saturday hosting the first program. (Berle was later Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4. “A Gentle- a thousand other rule-breakers and named the show’s permanent host.) man’s Guide to Love and Murder” won the human being, the planetary norm, and Periodicals postage In 1953, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tony Award for best musical; “All the Way” found that she was an 8-year-old Japa- innovators, that “normal” is overrated. paid at Yankton, South unanimously that restaurants in the District was crowned best play. Miss Nevada Nia nese girl, living in Tokyo. I don’t fit that But put that aside, take Limbaugh at Dakota, under the act of of Columbia could not refuse to serve blacks. Sanchez was crowned Miss USA. his word, and the fear undergirding his Eight tornadoes struck Michigan’s Lower Today’s Birthdays: Former first lady profile; I’m willing to bet you don’t, March 3, 1979. Peninsula, killing 126 people. Barbara Bush is 90. Actor-comedian Jerry either. So as a matter of statistical fact, complaint becomes plain. He and those Weekly Dakotian In 1967, 34 U.S. servicemen were killed Stiller is 88. Actress Millicent Martin is 81. I’m not “normal” and neither are you. like him look at Caitlyn Jenner and established June 6, 1861. when Israel attacked the USS Liberty, a Navy Actor James Darren is 79. Actor Bernie Ca- I’ve always found that story a useful wonder: “If this is normal, what does intelligence-gathering ship in the Mediterra- sey is 76. Singer Nancy Sinatra is 75. Singer Yankton Daily Press and nean. (Israel later said the Liberty had been Chuck Negron is 73. Musician Boz Scaggs corrective whenever I am tempted to that make me?” Dakotian established April mistaken for an Egyptian vessel.) is 71. Author Sara Paretsky is 68. Actress declaim too haughtily on what is or It’s worth noting, in light of 26, 1875. In 1972, during the Vietnam War, an As- Sonia Braga is 65. Actress Kathy Baker isn’t normal. I offer it now to Rush Lim- Leonard Limbaugh’s fears, that the country’s Postmaster: Send sociated Press photographer captured the is 65. Country musician Tony Rice is 64. image of 9-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phuc as Rock singer Bonnie Tyler is 64. Actor Griffin baugh in the vain hope it will help him opinions on social issues like this are address changes to Yankton she ran naked and severely burned from the Dunne is 60. “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams rethink his assault last week on the PITTS shifting, and not in his direction. Gallup Daily Press & Dakotan, scene of a South Vietnamese napalm attack. is 58. Actor-director Keenen Ivory Wayans woman who used to be Bruce Jenner. recently reported that America is mov- 319 Walnut, Yankton, SD In 1978, a jury in Clark County, Nevada, is 57. Singer Mick Hucknall (Simply Red) is ing sharply left on the moral acceptabil- ruled the so-called “Mormon will,” purport- 55. Musician Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran) is Granted, the story was about planetary 57078. edly written by the late billionaire Howard 53. Rhythm-and-blues singer Doris Pearson norms and Limbaugh was ranting about Ameri- ity of everything from gay rights to stem Hughes, was a forgery. (Five Star) is 49. Actress Julianna Margulies can social norms, but the principle still applies. cell research. I’m aware of no polling on Jenner’s * * * In 1982, President Ronald Reagan be- is 48. Actor Dan Futterman is 48. Actor Da- transformation, but who would be surprised to came the first American chief executive to vid Sutcliffe is 46. Actor Kent Faulcon is 45. As you doubtless know, Jenner’s transfor- MEMBERSHIPS address a joint session of the British Parlia- Rhythm-and-blues singer Nicci Gilbert is 45. mation into a woman named Caitlyn has been find that there is widespread approval? The Yankton Daily ment. Actress Kelli Williams is 45. Former U.S. Rep. quite controversial. She has been praised for Not that freedom should be a popularity Press & Dakotan is a In 1987, Fawn Hall began testifying at Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., is 45. Actor Mark contest (most of us agree now that Jim Crow is the Iran-Contra hearings, describing how, as Feuerstein is 44. Contemporary Christian her “courage” by President Obama and called member of the Associ- secretary to National Security aide Oliver L. musician Mike Scheuchzer (MercyMe) is 40. “brave” by Ellen DeGeneres. At the other wrong, but it was also wrong back when much of ated Press, the Inland North, she helped to shred some documents Actor Eion Bailey is 39. Tennis player Lindsay extreme, one David French, blogging for the the country thought it was right), but it is better Daily Press Association and spirit away others. Davenport is 39. Rapper Kanye West is 38. to have the wind behind you than against you. and the South Dakota In 1995, U.S. Marines rescued Capt. TV personality/actress Maria Menounos is National Review, dismissed her as a “surgically Newspaper Association. Scott O’Grady, whose F-16C fighter jet had 37. Country singer/songwriter Sturgill Simp- damaged man,” while a Matt Walsh on Glenn Ask Limbaugh, who now finds himself pushing The Associated Press been shot down by Bosnian Serbs on June 2. son is 37. Blues-rock musician Derek Trucks Beck’s website, The Blaze, called her a “mentally against that wind and finding that the only “mar- is entitled exclusively Mickey Mantle received a liver transplant at a (The Derek Trucks Band) is 36. Rock singer ginal behavior” here is his. That must be chilling Dallas hospital; however, the baseball great Alex Band (The Calling) is 34. Folk-bluegrass disordered man.” to use of all the local died two months later. singer-musician Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek) And we have recently learned that, back in to a man so obsessed with defining and defend- news printed in this Ten years ago: The Senate confirmed is 34. Tennis player Kim Clijsters is 32. Ac- February, Mike Huckabee cracked about wishing ing “normalcy.” He should get used to it. newspaper. California judge Janice Rogers Brown for the tress Torrey DeVitto is 31. he could have identified as female when he was Because these days, what isn’t normal is the federal appeals court, ending a two-year bat- Thought for Today: “Don’t talk about small-minded need to stigmatize those who walk * * * tle. Former Boston Bruins star Cam Neely, what you have done or what you are going in school so he could have showered with the the late Valeri Kharlamov and Murray Cos- to do.” — President Thomas Jefferson (1743- girls. As inadvertently revealing as that “joke” a different path through life. What isn’t normal SUBSCRIPTION tello were named to the Hockey Hall of Fame. 1826). is the bigot’s siren call to our basest and most Five years ago: In several high-profile feels, it is Limbaugh’s response that really helps RATES* Republican primaries, Meg Whitman won us understand why those who are threatened by, baseless fears. What isn’t normal is hatred and (Payable in advance) and viscerally angry about, Jenner’s transforma- terror of the new. CARRIER DELIVERY tion, feel as they do. Poor Rush. It turns out that what isn’t “nor- 1-month...... $12.09 FROM THE BIBLE As Caitlyn made her debut on the cover mal,” is him. 3 months...... $36.27 of Vanity Fair, the talk show host fumed that 6 months...... $72.53 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a Republicans should reject her, even though she Leonard Pitts is a columnist for The Miami Her- 1-year...... $133.09 people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellen- identifies with the, ahem, big tent party. Liberals, ald, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, Fla., 33132. Readers MOTOR ROUTE cies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 he complained, are trying to “redefine normalcy.” may contact him via e-mail at lpitts@miamiherald. (where available) Peter 2:9. Portals of Prayer, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis. He went on to say that nowadays, “conservatives com. 1 month...... $14.51 3 months...... $43.53 6 months...... $87.05 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 1 year...... $139.14 MAIL IN RETAIL Promotional Fail been preregistering for a one-way trip to the red planet. leaders for the state? Trade Zone The commissioner has picked an interesting demo- The advertising budget would better be used to 1-month...... $16.93 David Ganje, Rapid City graphic. repatriate some of the state’s political leaders and gov- 3 months...... $50.79 South Dakota government is seeking to colonize the This is boosterism gone spatial. How does saying ernment officials; they could be colonized to Wyoming 6 months...... $101.57 state with Star-Trekkers” “Why die on Mars when you “We are better than Mars” promote state development? and experience an actual taste of the Mars landscape. 1-year...... $148.82 can live in South Dakota?” This is the new slogan for One news article suggested these successful Martian Yes, the state is closer than Mars for those looking to MAIL OUTSIDE South Dakota’s advertising campaign to attract people voyagers will be reality TV stars. The Commissioner is relocate, but I wonder how far from ground earth is the RETAIL TRADE ZONE and businesses to the state. focusing on this interesting selection pool to add to the residency of the alien ad writer. 1 month...... $19.35 The commissioner of Economic Development said, residency of the state. His pool of prospective residents The state’s promotion tells one that South Dakota 3 months...... $58.05 “Our goal is to build brand awareness of South Dakota.” consists of mars-traveling aspirants whom the commis- is abundant in oxygen. While I know that to be true, I 6 months...... $116.09 If this is a branding effort, then they are branding the sioner asks change their celestial minds, or what they do not know what the ad writer was breathing. Offering 1-year...... $186.33 wrong side of the horse. have of a mind, and reconsider their goals in favor of sanctuary to Star-Trekkers is a rather obtuse way of * Plus applicable sales tax By this new video promotion, the Commissioner living in South Dakota. Is the actual goal of the commis- promoting state development. for all rates wishes to re-direct space travelers who have otherwise sioner to acquire pool of responsible future political