Utah
updated
6:21 p.m.
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Back in September I wrote about how here in Utah we're such a happy and supportive bunch, we just stand and applaud for anything and everything. But this just goes too far. I'm so disgusted not only with the slimy Garn (Majority Leader, Kevin Garn) who paid off a girl to the tune of $150 grand (who has that kind of money to spend to keep someone silent?), but also with all the f...
RedStateBlues - 3:49 p.m. - 2 clicks 
Tourism Board: "Let our legislators show your daughter a good time." "Utah: More Fun For Fifteen Year Olds" (and a generous payoff later!) "Utah: Your Youthful Indiscretions Forgiven for only $150 grand" The new Utah T-Shirt: "I went hottubbing with Kevin Garn and all I got was a massage and $150,000" New Tourist Site: "Kevin Garn Hot ......
One Utah - 9:01 a.m. - 3 clicks
“The authoritarian character worships the past,” wrote Erich Fromm in Escape from Freedom. “What has been, will eternally be. To wish or to work for something that has not yet been before is crime or madness. The miracle of creation—and creation is always a miracle—is outside of his range of ......
One Utah - 8:43 a.m. - 5 clicks
Today was the first day tat candidates could file to run for office. One of the first people to file was Rep Greg Hughes. Now, I realize that he was up late last night with the end of the legislative session and everything, but I'm sure when he realized he screwed up, he could have asked for a new form..... www.theworldaccordingtome.us .adHeadline {font: bold 10pt Arial; text-decorat...
Bob Aagard - Fri 11:46 a.m. - 4 clicks
Update: "Cheryl Maher said Friday that Utah House Majority Leader Kevin Garn is lying about having no physical contact with her when they went hot tubbing in the nude when she was 15 years old." - Deseret News is reporting. SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's House majority leader said late Thursday ......
One Utah - Fri 6:46 a.m. - 5 clicks
I’m guessing that this handful of TeaBaggers thinks that the story about Scott Matheson, Jr. was true – because they’re idiots. From KSL - Video Courtesy of KSL.com SALT LAKE CITY — One of the Democrats who is against health care reform is Utah Representative Jim Matheson. Some of his constituents don’t want him to change [...]...
JM Bell - Thu 6:47 p.m. - 2 clicks
Liberals ready for the end of this March madness, Another crazy Utah legislative session is coming to an end this week, and we can’t think of a better reason to celebrate. Come join us in the back room of the Piper Down this Friday, March 12th from 6:30 – 9:30, because there’s plenty to talk about. See [...]...
Drinking Liberally of Salt Lake City - Thu 2:02 p.m. - 5 clicks
From Jesse Fruhwirth at City Weekly : As I reported first via my Twitter feed, the press conference calling for a ballot initiative to remove homosexuals from Utah was fake. At best, the organizers put together improv theater that punked the Utah press corps and maybe got people to think about gay rights for a moment. It's fashionable to make fools of news media folk such as myself, so, touche....
Bob Aagard - Thu 8:07 a.m. - 6 clicks
High noon, today, in fact. Capitol Cafeteria. Holly @ Holly on the Hill suggested it (I think), and I seconded it (I think)... either way, it got planned. Great opportunity for all the bloggers, tweeps, facebookers, and "misc." following the 2010 Legislative session to meet up, and match real faces to user ID's and "handles." Maybe, if we're lucky, we'll all catch a glimpse of the oft s...
The Sidetrack - Thu 7:21 a.m. - 3 clicks
I'm sure Jim Matheson figured he could oppose health care reform and immunize himself against Republican attacks and thereby save his seat. In that, he's made a fundamental miscalculation. As we've seen over the last year, the Republican party - individually and corporately - have no compunctions concerning lying about health ......
One Utah - Wed 1:22 p.m. - 6 clicks
This complete disregard of both science and the economic and environmental future of our state demands our protest. The Legislature has had its say, now it's our turn. Please come and invite your Facebook friends. Despite our phone calls, letters, emails, and testimonies HJR 12 passed resoundingly in both the House ......
One Utah - Wed 7:02 a.m. - 6 clicks
I have mixed feelings about posting this followup as I'm actually pretty embarrassed about yesterday, but I want to make sure that everyone who read my diary has the correct information that what I reported was indeed a HOAX. Background for those who missed it: late in the morning yesterday I posted a diary linking to an article about a reported press release from a group in Utah who were subm...
DailyKos (Utah) - Tue 10:49 a.m. - 6 clicks
The guvmint-hatin' Utah state legislature has just declared a preemptive strike against creating new jobs and revenue in the state. Today, the state senate passed a resolution opposing federal creation of new monuments. A few weeks ago, a Department of the Interior memo brainstorming 14 possible national monuments, including two in Utah, was leaked to a national park-hating membe...
DailyKos (Utah) - Mon 6:20 p.m. - 5 clicks
Wow, first the miscarriage=abortion bill, and now this: A local group called Patriots for a Moral Utah has petitioned Lt. Gov. Greg Bell to submit what it calls the "Fair Solution Initiative" to referendum vote this November. According to the bill’s text, published this morning on the group’s Facebook page, the initiative seeks to change state law to provide for "the involunta...
DailyKos (Utah) - Mon 3:09 p.m. - 5 clicks
From a press release, as posted on Facebook: It is with deep gratitude and humility that I announce my intention not to seek re-election for the Utah House of Representatives. I make this announcement now in order to provide the Democratic Party and my community ample opportunity to organize to secure a candidate for the 2010 election. It has been an honor to represent the diverse and progressi...
Bob Aagard - Mar 4 - 8 clicks
Someone once said that politics makes strange bedfellows. You know it's true when I agree with Utah Eagle Forum's Gayle Ruzicka on a bill. But, sometimes, a bill is so wrong (wrong isn't even the right word. Strange? Stupid? I don't know) that it requires people of all stripes to weigh in in opposition. To the Trib : Utah kids could begin getting hit up to play blackjack or try their luck on...
Bob Aagard - Mar 4 - 7 clicks
By Karen McCreary, Executive Director, ACLU of Utah Last month, the Utah legislature passed a new abortion amendment (H.B. 12) that threatens to criminalize women for their behavior during pregnancy. Gov. Gary Herbert can and should stop this dangerous legislation from becoming law. ...
DailyKos (Utah) - Mar 4 - 8 clicks
Anti-Fed "message lands bill" HB143 , rallying the tea part troops against those "evil Feds" (who are paying our bills right now)? Campaign fodder and proof of one's commitment to the Constitution. Shurtleff's "We don't need no stinkin' warrants!" HB150 , a blatant violation of the 4th amendment? Complete and total silence. What Constitution? All candidates ru...
The Sidetrack - Mar 3 - 6 clicks
I wish I could sit down with legislators from time to time and explain to them the concept of federalism – I honestly don’t think that Representatives such as Stephen Sandstrom (R – Orem – District 58) understand the concept of local, state, and federal laws. You see, Sandstrom is proposing HB 432 – Hate Crime [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Mar 3 - 4 clicks
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Bob Aagard - Mar 3 - 6 clicks
SALT LAKE CITY – March 1, 2010. A resolution that would encourage Congress to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty passed the Utah House Government Operations committee on a unanimous vote this evening. HR4, sponsored by Representative Jen Seelig, D—Salt Lake City, asks the United States of America to be a leader in the world by ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treat...
Utah Amicus - Mar 2 - 4 clicks
Tea is for sissies – http://bit.ly/cUweIC <– Join a real party #coffeeparty # West Jordan High School student protest budget cts and teacher firings – http://tweetphoto.com/12466428 # You want to play "Cream Wolf," the game where you're a werewolf who serves ice cream to kids: http://is.gd/8YkRM # Just 5 Saturdays Until Doctor Who Comes Back! [...]...
JM Bell - Feb 28 - 5 clicks
Rolly : Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, said he is sponsoring a bill that would allow Sandy to annex Snowbird Ski resort away from the jurisdiction of Salt Lake County because of the mean and nasty taxes and fees imposed by that mean and nasty Democrat, Mayor Peter Corroon. If Bramble lived in a community so poorly treated, he would look to the heroic Utah Legislature for help, too, the senator to...
Bob Aagard - Feb 26 - 5 clicks
Liberal legislative lurkers and lobbyists, The Utah legislature is in session, which for us liberals means we’ve got plenty to laugh at, plenty to cringe at, and plenty to be afraid of. Things like the resolution stating that global warming is a conspiracy; or renaming Martin Luther King Jr day to also honor gunmaker John Browning; [...]...
Drinking Liberally of Salt Lake City - Feb 25 - 2 clicks
From The Sausage Grinder by Joe Pyrah: The debate about banning smoking in cars when children are present is a couple of years old now. But yesterday's House floor discussion may well be the most surreal yet. Specifically, the back and forth between Provo's Chris Herrod and bill sponsor Jay Seegmiller. I'm posting the transcript because nothing I can write will do this thing justice: Herr...
Utah Amicus - Feb 25 - 5 clicks
At some point in our lives, almost every American has wanted to effect political change in the system. Whether it was to enact a new law, or to amend the Constitution, courageous individuals have come forward to lead the effort to bring about change in order to right a wrong or to extent civil rights and liberties to all citizens of our great nation. These individuals have endured h...
Utah Amicus - Feb 25 - 6 clicks
Like most Americans, I enjoy a good holiday. Especially those of the three-day weekend variety. Last week, Sen. Mark Madsen briefly vetted a proposal to have the state commemorate gun-maker John Browning on Martin Luther King Day. Madsen’s proposal didn’t exactly get off the ground. (It was a lead balloon.) Even a legislature that has never quite embraced the civil rights holiday ...
Utah Amicus - Feb 25 - 4 clicks
Republicans and their insane message bills are really out of control up on the Utah Hill this year. Tea Baggers and their non-nonsensical succession messaging have augmented the normal homophobic and racial memes of years past and have really cranked up the anti-American rhetoric. Utah Republicans hate America, despise the bulk of the US Constitution, [...]...
JM Bell - Feb 24 - 3 clicks
Tribune : A businessman says he's only months away from starting construction on a toll bridge across Utah Lake. Leon Harward said the bridge will cost $300 million, but didn't say where he will get the money. Harward, a partner for a private outfit called Utah Crossing Inc., is rejecting calls from skeptics to take out an insurance bond for the bridge's removal in case the project sours. Ha...
Bob Aagard - Feb 23 - 3 clicks
It is rare for me to disagree with a Democrat on the hill, especially one so liberal as Representative Jackie Biskupski (D – Salt Lake, District 30). But, frankly, I find the language in HB 340 – Sexual Assault Victim Protocols, a little concerning. Currently, if a victim of sexual assault walks into an Instacare center, [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Feb 22 - 6 clicks
I'm posting these partly so I have them archived here, and partly because I think they deserve additional attention. Sen. Hillyard at The Senate Site and on air with us last Thursday , talking final budget numbers. Enjoy? (Thoughts on the budget from last year, here ) ____________________________________________________ ...
The Sidetrack - Feb 20 - 5 clicks
This time last year I discussed how Senator Luz Robles (D – Salt Lake, District 1) was sponsoring a bill to designate the portion of Redwood Road in Salt Lake City the “Pete Suazo Memorial Highway.” Sadly, the bill had the enacting clause struck and made it nowhere. For those of you who don’t know, the [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Feb 19
Fellow liberal global warming alarmists, This Friday (Feb 19th) there won’t be a regular SLC Drinking Liberally meetup, but some of us will be joining Jon and Sara of the Ogden chapter to Drink Liberally up there. FrontRunner has worked well in the past, those interested in driving can contact us for help arranging carpools. If [...]...
Drinking Liberally of Salt Lake City - Feb 18 - 5 clicks
Much has been made by the Climate change unbelievers about the snow storms in Washington DC last week. Yet, they fail to mention that it rained in Salt Lake City (and at the site of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver) at the same time it snowed in Dallas, Atlanta, and in Florida. In fact, for the first time ever, there was snow on the ground Saturday in 49 states. That's every state except Hawaii. ...
Bob Aagard - Feb 18 - 3 clicks
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is the legislature making even more power grabs in an attempt to offset the balance of the three branches of government. Well, enter Senator Curt Bramble (R – Provo, District 16). He is proposing SB 93 - Gubernatorial Appointment Powers Amendments, a bill that would give unprecedented [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Feb 18 - 2 clicks
FOX 13 News 2:54 PM MST, February 16, 2010 SALT LAKE CITY - A bill that proposes the elimination of affirmative action from the Utah constitution has been put on hold Tuesday after going through the House. The resolution will prevent local government agencies, state agencies and public colleges from discriminating or providing any kind of preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, e...
Utah Amicus - Feb 17 - 3 clicks
On the one year anniversary of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland calls out Republicans for their... how to say it... bullshit stimulus rhetoric . Just two of the top recipients in Utah are the Granite and Jordan School Districts that received more than $100 million to keep our schools afloat. The University of Utah has received $44 million, $13.8...
The Sidetrack - Feb 17 - 3 clicks
Granato Hails Recovery Act Success, Calls Out Bennett's Hypocrisy 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false / Style Definitions / table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; ms...
Utah Amicus - Feb 16 - 2 clicks
From: Curtis Haring < curtis@fairboundaries.org > Subject: Press release for Cedar City Trip FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Utah Fair Boundaries – On the Road Again Tour of the State Carries on February 16, 2010, Salt Lake City, Utah – Director of Operations, Curtis Haring, announced Tuesday that he is continue his around the state "tour" to promote his gro...
The Sidetrack - Feb 16 - 3 clicks
Utah blogger Holly on the Hill has a rare opportunity, just announced yesterday : Woot! Erick Erickson and RedState , a nationally known conservative website, are sponsoring the bloggers lounge at this weekend’s CPAC gathering. It’s probably the largest conservative conference of the year, held in DC every February. A couple of weeks ago, they called for applications from bloggers. They spec...
The Sidetrack - Feb 16
I must commend my Senator, Luz Robles (D – Salt Lake, District 1) for proposing SB 59 – At-Risk Student Provisions. Having grown up on the West-side of Salt Lake my entire life, I know first hand the effect gang activity can have on a school. Furthermore, as a volunteer with the Salt Lake Peer Court [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Feb 16 - 5 clicks
I’ve been enjoying a lot of different kinds of music lately, and one that has really resonated for me is SLOW ME DOWN by Emmy Rossum. Growing up Mormon, we learned there was not a whole lot of “slow me down” that went on. Rather it was, get up and GO. Go to church. Go [...]...
Trapped by the Mormons - Feb 15 - 3 clicks
Note: A few days after this video was made Mr. Freeman won his 13th consecutive Hula Championship. Mr. Freeman is now working diligently to have the Olympics include Hula in 2020. Another note: It is rumored that several candidates including U.S. Senate Candidate Sam Granato are seeking Mr. Freeman's endorsement to hopefully bring the Hula Community into the 2010 election cycle. ...
Utah Amicus - Feb 15 - 4 clicks
The on-line process designed for use by Fair Boundaries and Utahns for Ethical Government is in full compliance with Utah law and today’s Attorney General’s opinion . While the government could be provided with electronic records and electronic signatures, if they are not willing to accept it in an electronic form then the petitions will be provided in the paper format as required by today...
Utah Democrats - Feb 10 - 3 clicks
It's that weird season of the year again. No, I'm not talking about the Utah Legislative Session. I'm talking about the season in between when football ends and baseball starts. For those of you confused about the differences between the two, here's a little primer: I think that's the longest Carlin ever went without cussing..... www.theworldaccordingtome.us .adHeadline {fon...
Bob Aagard - Feb 9 - 2 clicks
This just in... Utah Senate Republicans call Utah's Public employees "ridiculous." Click here to read the whole story. ...
Utah Amicus - Feb 8 - 3 clicks
Deseret News: "Over time, I've had so many constituents say they hate switching," said [Rep. Kenneth] Sumsion, [(R-American Fork)], who Wednesday introduced HB288. So his bill, with an accompanying amendment, will open a dialogue that simply says: Pick Daylight Savings Time or pick Mountain Standard Time and stay on that all 12 months. No more spring forward and fall back. No more resetting...
Bob Aagard - Feb 5
KSL : Gov. Gary Herbert has been challenged by his presumptive Democratic opponent to return a $10,000 campaign donation to a coal company that got a fast-track decision from state regulators on a strip mine. "The right thing for the governor to do here is to return the money," Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon said Thursday. "The public needs to have confidence that their elected officials...
Bob Aagard - Feb 5
Deseret News : The 104 part-time Utah legislators should not get a pay raise next year. So says House Minority Leader David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, who introduced a bill Wednesday that would keep lawmakers' daily pay at $117, like it is this 45-day session. If legislators don't act, they would automatically get a pay raise July 1 to $130 a day — their old pay level. That is the recommendation o...
Bob Aagard - Feb 5
There's a big difference between Utah's Democratic candidate for United States Senate Sam Granato and incumbent Bob Bennett concerning the importation of foreign radioactive waste for permanent storage in Utah and the United States. Watch the video and see the difference. VoteForGranato.com ...
Utah Amicus - Feb 5 - 4 clicks
I was so pleased to read the news in the city newsletter this week that the recyling program will start the first of March. And although the newsletter failed to mention the cost, I found it posted on the city's website . I'll be pleased to pay $3.75 a month to be able to have such convenient recycling. I already do all I can to recycle, and it has meant driving out of my way to...
RedStateBlues - Feb 5 - 2 clicks
Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon to Gov. Gary Herbert: Return money SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert has been challenged by his presumptive Democratic opponent to return a $10,000 campaign donation to a coal company that got a fast-track decision from state regulators on a strip mine. continue... ...
Utah Amicus - Feb 5
The Tribune ran a feature yesterday talking about the similarities and few differences between the two candidates running for Governor. It is well worth the time and effort to read the piece. I agree with BYU political scientist Quinn Monson when he says that while Corroon and Herbert agree on many social issues, Corroon ... needs to make the governor's race about fiscal responsibility and g...
Bob Aagard - Feb 3
