Dangerous Freedom

 
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
August 8, 2025  

“I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.” The man who wrote those words knew a thing or two about the subject. After all, he had authored a Declaration of Independence making the bold, dangerous proclamation that the thirteen original colonies “[were], and of right ought to be, free and independent states.”

When Thomas Jefferson wrote about “dangerous freedom,” he was writing to fellow Founding Father James Madison, the architect behind America’s Constitution. These two men realized that freedom is not always clean and tidy – not always safe and predictable. Freedom can be messy, even chaotic. And the order that emerges from that chaos is far more wonderful than anything “peaceful slavery” could ever achieve.

I can think of no better example of “dangerous freedom” than the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Hundreds of thousands of bikers descend on South Dakota’s Black Hills to celebrate their freedom, and they don’t do so half-heartedly. They rev their engines, blast their music, and enjoy their comradery. The air has a wild tinge to it. It’s chaotic, even dangerous – but it’s free.

That being said, there is a thin blue line keeping that freedom from becoming too dangerous. The men and women of law enforcement attend the Rally in numbers, as well. They do heroes’ work to tamp down on the overindulgence of the Rally’s vices. I attended several events at the Rally, including the annual Law Enforcement Picnic (an event I try to never miss), and I thanked those brave men and women in uniform for everything they do to keep the event safe.

Amidst all that freedom, flags wave everywhere you turn. Old Glory is on proud display, whether it be in the hundreds of flags in the field at the Buffalo Chip or towering from a crane above downtown Sturgis. And the rallygoers take the time to honor the men and women who served in our nation’s armed forces. I also attended the annual Military Appreciation Day festivities. It was a privilege to honor those who signed their name on the dotted line to make sure that our freedoms remain intact.

I’ve often said that South Dakota is the freest state in a nation founded on the principle of Freedom. And during the Rally, Sturgis becomes the freest city in the freest state. Men and women from across the country – and around the globe – come here to celebrate Freedom. I was born in Sturgis, a fact that I’m very proud of. And I ranch just about 40 miles to the east. My family has been on that land for generations. There is no better place in the world to be free!

But Freedom is not promised to us. We have to do what it takes to defend it. When we take the opportunity to celebrate what it means to be free, then we gain a deeper appreciation for that freedom.

I hope the men and women who attended the Rally appreciated the opportunity to celebrate their dangerous freedom. I sure enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate with them. As the Rally ends and everyone heads for home – no matter what city, state, or country that home may be – I hope they take that spirit of freedom home with them, and in so doing, make their homes just a bit more like Sturgis: free, with just a touch of danger.

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