Oh, I have never been one to get sappy on our national holiday, mainly because I am bitchy anyway, and I really don’t know what to think of our country anymore. As I lurked into M.B. Haskett’s for an adult cider before the parade today, I asked Michael, “What the Hell are you doing open today?” He replied, “I’m practicing my true patriotism by capitalizing on the holiday.” Or something like that. To which I had an ironic response to a woman a couple of hours later when she asked me if they were charging on the DT parking meters, “Ah, no, it’s a national holiday.” She seemed to have forgotten as her American Flag kerchief waved in the wind. Gawd, some people are f’kg stupid.
So here’s the deal, I just planned on riding my bike to the parade, then going home, but I saw so many strange things, I just had to blog about it.
My first observation was that almost every 3rd vehicle in the parade was a SF Public Works vehicle or SF Fire vehicle. My first issue with this is that public service employees deserve to have a day with their families, especially on the 4th. They are the ones that turn the screws in our city every day, and if there is one day they deserve to have off, it is the 4th. Obvisously, PD and FD is another story. So I ask the question, were they volunteering their time, or were they getting paid OT on the taxpayers dime to drive in the parade? Who is paying for the fuel? I would guess if there would not have been public vehicles in the parade, it would have been half the size.
Speaking of the size of the parade, when I thought it was over I decided I would ride to Falls Park on my cranky old bike, peeps thot I was part of the bullshit. So I started waiving, and at one point I yelled out, “God Bless America!” as I gave them the devil horns. Who doesn’t love R & R?
Two funny entries in the parade that really made me chuckle. The Rounds/Daugaard/Noem shit mobile, ah, I mean campaign vehicle, with none of them in tow was a Prius. I have never laughed so hard. But what gets better is that the Daughters of the American Revolution were riding in two Volkswagens. Heil to the chief!
But now for the pictures. Larry forgot to take off his black socks;
Oh this is a gem, the Horsebarn Arts center being used as a storage shed for SF Parks and Rec while we discuss the city’s cultural plan. Nice.
Me enjoying an Abita Turbo Dog at the Overlook Cafe, I will have to admit, a nice addition to Falls Park, even if the only adult on staff was overwhelmed by the laziness of her fellow teenage co-workers that were more concerned about picking their zits then helping her. Thank You spiked hair lady, you are a true American.
Speaking of the Cafe, I saw a strange encounter (besides the fact that Rick Knobe was ignoring me) he decided to share some lemonade, or something with Larry Pressler.
Here’s some fine pictures of our mayor shaking hands in the endless line for free pork sandwiches. Hopefully the E-Coli blowing off the Big Poo won’t land on your bun. Great part was Mikey was wearing the same shirt from last year (it was featured in the ads for the parade). I wonder what safe he made Cindy put this in? What an anal perfectionist. Oh, but nothing beats councilors Rolfing and Kiley riding in a brand new orange Camaro. how does that song go? Bitching Camaro . . .
Highlights of the parade was my former co-worker and man about town driving his daughter, Miss South Dakota, Meridith Gould down Phillips. Jeff is an amazing man and it is no wonder he has an amazing daughter, I have no doubt in my mind she is a great contender. Good Luck!
I want to finish with something, very un-American. Our country is made up of riffraff, no doubt, but if there is one thing we at least expect out of public servants, is that they do their jobs. Not today I guess.
As I was sitting on the patio of the Overlook Cafe, I saw a couple of kids playing on the rocks, close to the water by the main falls. Other people noticed to, and some officers quickly walked down there, but they didn’t even get close, in fact they walked away. As the kids kept playing, I got concerned, and with all the people down there, I thought, “Maybe they are safe, someone would have said something by now.” So I went to check it out. Not the case. I approached them and could tell the older kid was mentally challenged. I politely told them, “Please come back here guys, it is not safe to be that close to the falls.” Neither one of them argued with me and came back.
As I was leaving, I saw a large group of Fire Department vehicles and officers standing up by the parking lot, I went over and told them what I had witnessed and that maybe they should check it out. One of the fire officers said, “That’s the parents responsibility.”
Wow!
To serve and protect?
maybe they were hoping someone would fall in so they’d have something to do.
The Overlook Cafe was the last city project (2000 AD) that was competitive bid process. The contractor was not paid because he got the bid instead of a Munson interest.
Pressler is not looking Rhodes Scholar lately.
City Councilor is not so honorable. Huether should have them piling in and out of a clown car.
What’s lacking for the mayor’s independence day parade is respect for those who served. The best he can do is police bullies and city vehicles. The city is not veteran friendly. It’s contemptible how Huether has turned a national holiday into a celebration of his tyranny.
I suppose I should post to the right thread:)
The 4th holds different meanings for everyone. When I was a kid, it was much like seeing what my grandson saw the last two nights here on the lake. Celebrations of freedom, speeches, parades, Shell bursts, displays. That all changed for me on May 1st, 1968. I raised my right hand to defend our country, same as a lot of other kids of my social class. Kids of wealth also raised their hand….like g w bush. Problem is, guys like him skirted true service to country. I will always despise the man for just that. I play this song each year in memorium to guys like bush.
http://youtu.be/40JmEj0_aVM
I also am reminded each 4th of true American heroes, like Ron Kovic.
http://youtu.be/HhZ3H18ynTA
http://youtu.be/UephHvStdWw
Poly, we’re vets. Fortunate Son (Credence) was my theme song for dust-offs. I was an FO. 2nd Lieuy West Pointer silver spoons melted so I (E-5) directed in artillery & F-4’s.
Then, nothing as nice as the smell of napalm in the morning. Now, amber waves of grain and morning doves.
Did no one pay attention to the guys on the motorcycles and the other VFW and American Legion people walking in the parade? Or did you doze off or look the other way? Geez. Every once and awhile I need to get some negativity in my life…and so I come to Southdacola and am never disappointed. Thank you for nitpicking…including realizing that YOU are someone that can help others…not just the ones in uniforms. Thank you for saying something to the kids by the water…but don’t rely on “others” to do what is everyone’s responsibility. Look out for others…don’t expect someone else to do it…because you are someone. Also, remember, for the parade…people have to take time to walk/ride in it….they need to get organized…if there are people not represented in the parade it’s because no one organized anything and so no one showed up. At least the parade didn’t have a mile long (or more) of tractors and farm implements in it!
What’s negative about mentioning our tax dollars being flushed down the toilet in a parade? It amazes me that we HAD to do super precincts in the last city election to save money but no expense spared when it comes to a parade (entertaining the masses). I would much rather see old cars and tractors then The Public Works sewer pumper truck or the SFFD caterpillar ATV.
Ah, yes I did notice the veterans, they should be commended, they certainly probably volunteered their time to be in the parade.
With all the talk about safety at the Falls, and if they/shouldn’t they put up a fence, it seems like the easy thing to do is pay some kids to do it.
Hire 2 people to hang out at Falls Park. Walk up and down the sides, help people, answer questions, pick up trash, and if someone is getting to close, ask them to move back. If they don’t move, call the cops and have them take over the situation.
I know the problem, spending money on it. Especially, on something people should be smart enough not to do.
“Entertaining the masses” with free food and parade. The city is too worried about our entertainment. I think a good portion of them were from out of town anyway.
Heidi, your input is valuable. There is more than one side. I appreciate this forum for that reason. I have my impression of but I’ve accepted your opinion and will incorporate it into my impression.
Heidi on 07.07.14 at 1:41 pm
At least the parade didn’t have a mile long (or more) of tractors and farm implements in it!
Obviously, Heidi doesn’t understand how heavily dependent Sioux Falls is on “AG Dollars”!!
Oh, and BTW Heidi, that free lunch you enjoyed at Falls Park was provided by Morrell’s and the South Dakota Pork Producers!!
Good job Heidi!
You just proved how out of touch you are with the real Sioux Falls. There are thousands of jobs in Sioux Falls relying on those stupid tractors and farm implements.
You know something else, I bet there were farmers and implement dealers who would have supplied tractors and graders to the parade free of charge if only they were asked.
You dumb a** with your perfect urban piety.
I appreciate all the feedback on my comments. Yes, I understand that farmers play a MAJOR roll in our living…I grew up in a small town. I’ve been to parades where there was primarily farm tractors, etc that made up the entire length of the parade.
to have a city the size of Sioux Falls even having a parade I think is tremendous, and then the free food afterwards (which I did not partake of). Whoever shows up to be in the parade is awesome. But it takes PEOPLE to make up the parade to plan and show up. so, I will reiterate, if there is a group that isn’t represented in the parade and you make comment about it keep in mind…YOU could have organized them and made sure they were represented.
I get it, we live in a world where we don’t feel comfortable reminding someone, even if it’s young children that they are putting themselves in danger. But if one is not going to step up and do what is right and then complain what wasn’t done that seems a bit odd to me.
I’m glad the Park & Rec drove the musicians around so they could play wonderful marching music. Great memories of hearing a parade with the music playing. Marching in a parade is not easy and especially when it’s a small group. THAT was worth the tax money spent in itself.
Sometimes one needs to see PAST the money…and see the value…of bringing together people in a celebration of being an American with all of it’s craziness, all of it’s negatives AND POSITIVES.
Lewis -just a curious question…if you didn’t say a negative word for a day…would you implode? or would things just be super silent? OR better yet…what if all you spoke for a day was positive words…seeing the positive when you normally see all negative?
Heidi, still missing my point. I run this blog to show the people of Sioux Falls that not everything with city government is a bowl of cherries. Yes, fire department, PD, municipal band etc had to be assisted by parks employees, I get that. But there was ZERO reason we had to have every public works truck we own in the parade. There was a reason, BECAUSE THE MAYOR WANTED IT THAT WAY, it is afterall, HIS PARADE. And yes, like Winter Wonderland, I thought it was a waste of tax dollars. As I say in my public input, it seems we have plenty of money for entertainment in this town (that’s really all any parade is anyway) but when it comes to elections or even paying back property owners who have their property destroyed by the Police, the city is broke. I taught the parade was wonderful, but my favorite parts were all the volunteer floats and marchers, we could have done without the public works dump trucks. And I find nothing NEGATIVE about that statement at all.