Thread by @shanegerlach

Thread
In 2015 I was invited to give a motivational speech at #SouthDakota #BoysState. I had to make a decision as I considered my speech that day. I could play it safe and tell a nice story how 30 year earlier I had sat where they are sitting and look at me now...OR
1/10

I could tell them how 30 years ago I was sitting where they are and had dreams that fell apart due to my own poor choices, about my addiction, my struggles and my recovery. I chose the latter.
2/10

If I had done the first I probably would have been invited back. I gave the second speech and was met by the #AmericanLegion commanding officer who shook my hand, scolded me for saying "fuck" to 16 & 17 year old boys and asked where to send the check.
3/10

I don't think it was the "F-bomb" that bothered him. I think it was the reaction of a recovered amphetamine addict and ex-con being swarmed by those boys, hugged, asked to come to their schools, told about family members struggling, met with tears and sincere thanks.
4/10

I think that is what bothered him. I think that those men respected how humble, honest and vulnerable I was with them in a way that his rigid "toe the line" archaic bullshit would never get in a million speeches.
6/10

Today our state embarrassment @KristiNoem spoke at Boys State. These are word for word exact quotes from her speech:
""This country is addicted to being offended. Get over yourselves."
7/10

She added this gem for good measure:

"Campaign on who you are, not who you think people want," she said. "This country is not hungry for perfect politicians. They're hungry for someone who is genuine."
8/10

Governor @KristiNoem wouldn't know genuine if it rode up on a Star Spangled Horse and handed her the families newest 6-figure Farm Subsidy Check.
Everything about her is a fabrication, from her estate tax sob story to her Fireworks fallicies.
9/10

She is the Lifetime Movie Version of Michelle Bachman, the Corn Palace Palin, the Stepford Wife of the Q-faction. I hope that the young men that listened to her today are smart enough to see through her cracked facade to the empty shell inside.
10/10