Utah
updated
8:47 a.m.
Glenn Beck and his followers, the Tea Party folks, and all those who scream loudly opposing the New York City mosque have a warning for us: Religious zealots want to take over our country and impose their extreme religious beliefs on the rest of us. Maybe these folks should look in the mirror. I'm more worried about the extreme Christian movement taking over our government - - a...
RedStateBlues - Wed 12:29 p.m.
I love knocking on doors and meeting people. And it’s always amazing to me how quickly some people open up and bare their souls to you. This past Saturday was one such instance. I was knocking doors in Layton when I met a woman who is raising a disabled son. I quickly let her know that I was concerned about the rights of the disabled and how I’d represent those less fortunate than I on ...
Utah Amicus - Tue 5:02 p.m. - 7 clicks 
File this one under "no brainer." More: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/08/how_to_f ____________________________________________________ ...
The Sidetrack - Tue 9:41 a.m.
The prologue years... [...] unionism had shrunk, corporate America had blossomed -- at least in the size of individual entities and in the salaries and other benefits of those who sat at the top of them. In the decade following the war twelve hundred mergers swallowed up more than six thousand previously independent companies [...] some two hundred corporations controlled almost half of all...
The Sidetrack - Sat 11:02 a.m.
Salt Lake conference-hosting liberals, Join us tonight for a regular meetup of Drinking Liberally at the Piper Down at 6:30. Come out and help us brainstorm some ways to make the Living Liberally national conference amazing. Speaking of the Living Liberally national conference, we’re less than a month away. We’re happy to host them right here in [...]...
Drinking Liberally of Salt Lake City - Fri 12:09 p.m. - 8 clicks
AFL-CIO in the inbox: Alan Simpson, co-chairman of the federal budget deficit commission and proponent of Social Security cuts, sent a vitriolic, rant-filled e-mail to the leader of a prominent women's group fighting to strengthen Social Security. Simpson should resign or be fired, say seniors' and women's organizations. Call the White House ...
The Sidetrack - Thu 9:21 a.m.
Come to a Townhall Meeting with KAREN HYER Democratic Candidate for Utah’s 3RD District Thursday, August 26th, 7 p.m., Orem City Council Chambers, 56 N. State Ethics in Government: Breaking the Cycle of Professional Politicians, Interest Money and Corruption You can trace almost every problem in Washington to incompetence or “corruption.” Instead of looking at everything through partisan ...
Bob Aagard - Aug 24 - 2 clicks
House District 61. Her opponent is Keith Grover (R)(incumbent), Deon Turley is running as the Democ candidate for Her website is www.deonturley.org, Facebook page can be found by clicking here and her Twitter account is @ElectDeon. She can also be reached via email at electdeon@gmail.com. Here are Deon’s answers to my absurd questions: 1) How long have you [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Aug 23
Ed Kilgore: No one, of course, doubted Ronald Reagan's religiosity even though he never affiliated with a church in Washington. And the famously pious George W. Bush wasn't much seen in churches as president, either. As for playing golf on the Sabbath, I'm reminded again of the time when the wife of "Mr. Republican," Sen. Robert Taft, was asked where her husband worshipped on Sunday mornin...
The Sidetrack - Aug 23
Utah readers here can't vote for her, but they'll wish they could. This is how Democratic state candidates should be talking about immigration. From: Linda Chavez-Thompson Date: August 23, 2010 To: Jason Williams Subject: Terror babies, ¡por favor! ...
The Sidetrack - Aug 23 - 9 clicks
ICE announced last week they'd made 158 "gang-related" arrests in Utah, illegal immigrants with alleged ties to gang activity. Yeah Freedom! Except ... “We’ve gotten five or six of these gang cases in the past week, and I have three clients who have no criminal record,” said Aaron Tarin, an immigration attorney who is representing Salazar-Gomez. “They were not affiliated with...
The Sidetrack - Aug 23 - 6 clicks
Mitt Romney, 2007: “Religious tolerance would be a shallow principle indeed if it were reserved only for faiths with which we agree.” Mitt Romney, 2010: “Governor Romney opposes the construction of the mosque at Ground Zero. The wishes of the families of the deceased and the potential for extremists to use the mosque for global recruiting and propaganda compel rejection of this site." www.t...
Bob Aagard - Aug 23
Carl Wimmer is running as the Republican candidate for House District 52. His opponents are Shaun Kruger (L) and Chad Reyes (U). Carl is the incumbent. His website is www.carlwimmer.com, Facebook page can be found by clicking here and his Twitter account is @CarlWimmer. He can also be reached via email at wimmer52@gmail.com. Here are [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Aug 23
This morning's Tribune has a piece about how fear-driven religious prejudice of the short aimed at Muslims these days was also aimed at Mormons back in 1903. While the article is interesting, if it implies that LDS Temples haven't been subjected to protests since then, it's behind the times. Ask anyone associated with the building of new Temples for the Church - many, if not most, are protested...
Voice of Utah - Aug 22 - 2 clicks
Farley Anderson is running as the Unaffiliated candidate for Governor. His opponents are Peter Corroon (D), Gary Herbert (R)(incumbent), and W. Andrew McCullough (L). His website is www.independencemovement.org, at the time of publication, no Facebook or Twitter account were provided. He can be reached via email at andersontribe10@yahoo.com. Here are Farley’s answers to my absurd [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Aug 20
Helpful liberals, There’s no Drinking Liberally meetup tonight, but there will be our usual meetup next Friday, August 20th. We are just a few weeks away from the Living Liberally national conference, being held right here in Salt Lake City. We’d like to see this conference be the most fun, most successful conference that has been [...]...
Drinking Liberally of Salt Lake City - Aug 20 - 2 clicks
Ryan Wilcox is running as the Republican candidate for House District 7. His opponent is Peter Conover Clemens (D), Ryan is the incumbent. His website is www.votewilcox.com, Facebook page can be found by clicking here and his Twitter account is @RyanDWilcox. He can also be reached via email at ryanwilcox@utah.gov. Here are Ryan’s answers to [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Aug 20 - 3 clicks
The proposed “Ground Zero Mosque”—or more accurately, the proposed multi-purpose Muslim community center, Park51—has been at the center of a media firestorm lately. All the usual suspects among the right-wing pundits have been milking the outrage over the planned construction. Some prominent Democrats, such as Harry Reid and Howard Dean, have jumped on the bandwagon. [...] ...
A Liberal Mormon - Aug 19
Jay Seegmiller is the Democratic candidate for House District 49. His opponent is Derek Brown (R). Jay is the incumbent. His website is www.jayseegmiller.com. At the time of publication, no Facebook page or Twitter account were provided. He can be reached via email at jseegmiller@utah.gov. Here are Jay’s answers to my absurd questions: 1) How [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Aug 19
L.S. Brown is is running as the Constitution Party candidate in House District 70. L.S.’s opponent is Kay L. McIff (R)(incumbent). At the time of publication, no website, Facebook fan page, or Twitter account was provided. L.S. can be reached via email at freedom4fam@gmail.com. Here are L.S.’s answers to my absurd questions: 1) How long have you lived in your district and what [.....
Blue in Red Zion - Aug 19
When we choose to be offended, we certainly will be. I think I'll move past my personal bias and emotion and uphold the First Amendment to the United States Constitution . Liberty is fragile. Let's not be fooled again and fall into the trap of blanket condemnation. ...
Utah Amicus - Aug 18
Richard D.M. Barnes is running as the Republican candidate for House District 23. His opponents are Jen Seelig (D)(incumbent) and Mark T. Sweet (L). He did not provide a website, Facebook fan page, or Twitter account at the time of publication. He can be reached via email at rdmbarnes@aol.com. Here are Richard’s responses to my absurd questions: 1) How [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Aug 18
Followed the immigration discussion and respective demonstrations on the Utah Hill this morning via the Twitter (Our tweeting local journo's rock, btw). Not much to say about it other than I'd really like to see Sandstrom, Petty, and the mindless chattering tweeters provide some documentation to back up their wildly reactionary claims. I'll wait... While they're getting back to me, the r...
The Sidetrack - Aug 18
Jim Nielson is running as the Republican in House District 19. His opponents are Richard Watson (D) and Reldon C. White (C). This is an open seat with no incumbent but was previously held by Sheryl Allen (R). His website is www.jim4utah.com ,his Facebook fan page can be found by clicking here, and no Twitter account was provided. He can be reached [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Aug 18 - 2 clicks
Jonathan Dee Garrard is the Constitution party candidate for House District 21. His opponents are Jim Gowans (D)(incumbent) and Douglas Sagers (R). His website is www.utah-constitution-party.org and he did not provide a Facebook fan page or Twitter account at the time of publication. He can be reached via email at garrard4house21@wirelessbeehive.com. Here are Jonathan’s answers to my absurd ...
Blue in Red Zion - Aug 17 - 2 clicks
First, from Keith Olbermann: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy It is a Muslim house of worship. Masjid-Manhattan. It lost its lease in a larger building down the street, two years ago. The new facility is so small that only about 20 percent of worshipers can use it, at a time. But "Masjid-Manhattan" opened in early 1970. Four blocks awa...
Bob Aagard - Aug 17
So, I found it interesting that Harry Reid came out against the Islamic Cultural Center in lower Manhattan. Not surprising that he bowed down to his Republican challenger. He seems to run whenever an elephant says boo, but that's a different story, for a different time. What's at issue here is the First Amendment. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibit...
Bob Aagard - Aug 17
Lynn Hemingway is running as the Democrat in House District 40. His opponents are Val J. Bateman (R) and Sandra Johnson (L). Lynn is the incumbent. He did not provide a website, Facebook fan page, or Twitter account at the time of publication. He can be reached via email at lynnhemingway999@msn.com. Here are Lynn’s answers to my absurd [...]...
Blue in Red Zion - Aug 17
To activate my credit card recently, I had to press '1' for English. And you know what? It was really easy. Bink! Done! No big deal at all. Unlike those who complain about such things, I am pleased that businesses are willing to help my friends who don't speak English well to clearly understand business and financial transactions. It doesn't mean my friends aren't willing to learn and speak Engli...
RedStateBlues - Aug 15
Friggatriskaidekaphobia-free liberals, After two consecutive weeks of no Drinking Liberally meetup, we’re back tonight from 6:30-9:30 in the back room of the Piper Down. It seems like there’s been a lot in the news since our last meetup, including the overturning of Prop 8! So come on out, there’s plenty to talk about. Also, we’re less [...]...
Drinking Liberally of Salt Lake City - Aug 13
"BAWK!" "Nevermind Mr. Lee, I think I get it." From Political Cornflakes : Senate race: So far Mike Lee has rejected debates proposed by Intermountain Healthcare and KCPW, which isn't sitting well with Democrat Sam Granato. KCPW's Jeff Robinson explains that Lee's camp is only planning a few face-offs before November's big vote. - Candidates stake out issues on nuke r...
Utah Amicus - Aug 11
If you are under the age of 18, please do not read below. Yeah, I know. I just pretty much assured that anyone who IS under the age of 18 and happens upon this blog will now read below, because it’s one of those, “The light, the light, I can’t look away….” type thingies. An acquaintance [...]...
Trapped by the Mormons - Aug 10
So, apparently, the federal judge who overturned the hateful Proposition 8, is gay. Wow! Crazy! It’s a conspiracy! Heterosexual marriage as we know it is O.V.E.R. Because everybody knows that once gay couples can marry, all the heterosexuals are going to…uh, well all of them will most likely stop having sex with each other because…. [...]...
Trapped by the Mormons - Aug 8 - 3 clicks
Liberals in need of a quick reminder, The next Drinking Liberally meetup will be NEXT Friday, the 13th. Also, we’re less than 2 months away from the Living Liberally national conference, being held right here in Salt Lake City. We’d like to see this conference be the most fun, most successful conference that has been hosted, [...]...
Drinking Liberally of Salt Lake City - Aug 6 - 2 clicks
Rep. Paul Ryan (R- Wonderland) is being touted about on all of the front pages lately as the poster boy for a restored fiscal plan for the GOP. One you should all clap very loudly for of course. The only problem? Well, problems, really. None of it is even in the most remote stretches of the imagination "new," as much as it is a reworking of the same ol' Reagan-zombie dogma.&...
The Sidetrack - Aug 6
Utah's Organizing for America Director Nikki Norton Nelmark will address the Davis County Democrats Saturday, August 14th at Granny Annie's Restaurant located at 286 North 400 West in Kaysville, Utah at 8:30am. Nikki will speak on organizing and voter outreach for Davis County and how these efforts can help Davis Candidates but also our state and federal candidates. DCD C...
Utah Amicus - Aug 5 - 2 clicks
Birthright citizenship and border security "debate" has/is/always will be nothing more than distraction from progress on an issue that will not be a winner for the party in opposition to reform. Slate : I seriously doubt that the American public has either the interest in, or the stomach for, a long, drawn-out constitutional debate about birthright citizenship. Polls show the public f...
The Sidetrack - Aug 5
As I’m sure everyone knows, in a huge blow for the h8ters, California’s stupid Prop 8 was overturned. I’m sure that the apostles of the Mormon Church are gathered together today in a lush conference room somewhere in the Joseph Smith Building, and discussing their NEXT game plan. Despite the fact it should NOT be one, it [...]...
Trapped by the Mormons - Aug 5
A line from the comments in response to my assertion that Utah voters are letting themselves be duped into blind support for anything with any/all Republican candidates: Utah has a chance with [Peter] Corroon to cast a thinking vote, but will they? Good question. I haven't heard a single explanation from any of my Republican friends for Herbert deserving another few years in the Governor's...
The Sidetrack - Aug 4
One of the inherent perspectives a progressive in Utah has the luxury of believing unquestionably is how little "principle" there actually is to the predictable GOP outrage at Democratic successes on the national level. Take a look at the mindless support for Gary Herbert (really... what do you know about anything he stands for, other than the R? Yeah, exactly. ) or the thoughtless al...
The Sidetrack - Aug 4
The Utah State Democratic Party’s Chair of this year’s Eleanor Roosevelt Award Luncheon, Salt Lake County Community Services Department Director Erin Litvack, is pleased to announce the 2010 Eleanor Roosevelt Award recipient will be Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen. Ms. Litvack said, “Sherrie Swensen is a modern example of the courage and values we saw from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt...
Utah Amicus - Aug 3
I just read that the first Native American General Authority died today. George P. Lee was popular in the “white and delightsome” days of the Book of Mormon, before it was changed from “white” to “pure.” I am getting ready to publish a book that explores the LDS Church’s Indian Placement Program, and all the discrimination [...]...
Trapped by the Mormons - Jul 31 - 3 clicks
Pioneering liberals, Because there were 5 Fridays in July, our next Drinking Liberally meetup won’t be for two weeks- August 13th. BUT, we have been invited to screen the documentary Countdown to Zero on Friday, August 6th at 7pm. Countdown to Zero traces the history of the atomic bomb from its origins to the present state [...]...
Drinking Liberally of Salt Lake City - Jul 30
Why is it that when a Democrat goes off like this, he's just and "angry Democrat" that needs to be avoided, but when a Republican does it, he's a patriot? I give him bonus points for not cussing. I'm sure I would have.... www.theworldaccordingtome.us .adHeadline {font: bold 10pt Arial; text-decoration: underline; color: #0000FF;} .adText {font: normal 10pt Arial; text-decora...
Bob Aagard - Jul 30
Orrin Hatch thinks you're stupid, and if retweets are any indicator, many Utah conservatives are proving him right, buying his over-the-top double speak hook, line, and tea bag. Orrin on July 22nd : Introduced a Balanced Budget Amendment today, because our country cannot afford the spending binge Congress is on! #utpol Orrin today : Letting Bush Tax Cuts Die Would Kill Recov...
The Sidetrack - Jul 30 - 2 clicks
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Sam Granato said he opposes amending the United States Constitution to adopt California-style rules for the federal budget. “Delayed tax refunds, forced work-reduction furloughs, paying small business vendors with IOUs, court ordered tax increases, downgraded bond ratings, increased interest rates. All of these things have happened in California because of ru...
Utah Democrats - Jul 29
The Utah State Democratic Party’s Chair of this year’s Eleanor Roosevelt Award Luncheon, Salt Lake County Community Services Department Director Erin Litvack, is pleased to announce the 2010 Eleanor Roosevelt Award recipient will be Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen. Ms. Litvack said, “Sherrie Swensen is a modern example of the courage and values we saw from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. ...
Utah Democrats - Jul 29 - 2 clicks
Ick. Rawstory: The White House has asked Congress to make it possible for the FBI to demand that Internet service providers turn over customers' records in cases involving terrorism or other intelligence issues without first obtaining a court order. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act currently states that companies are required to provide basic subscriber data to the FBI, ...
The Sidetrack - Jul 29
document.body.scrollTop = 0.000000; Crooks and Liars: Behold, the Republican Tea Party Contract ON America , where Democrats are prepared to remind the country of what Republicans have been up to this year. Contract high points include: Repeal the Affordable Care Act (Health Insurance Reform) Put insurance companies back in charge, repeal tax credits for small businesses, allow insuranc...
The Sidetrack - Jul 29
I just ordered a pizza FROM THE INTERNET. FROM MY BED. Now don’t get the wrong idea. I do not weigh 1000 pounds and I won’t be eating the pizza myself. I can’t have wheat or bread, so the pizza is for Birdman and Dancing Daughter. And I am suffering from a Meniere’s day, so [...]...
Trapped by the Mormons - Jul 28
According to Reagan et al this should be good for everyone right? Meanwhile, we still have this going on . ____________________________________________________ ...
The Sidetrack - Jul 28
Defacto Governor Gary Herbert's blog : Best Choice for Governor: Reason #100 Exports gain momentum in Utah economy SALT LAKE CITY — As the once-reliable twins of the local economy — real estate and population growth — have faltered, a smaller but more solid sector — exports — has been picking up the slack and gaining momentum. Despite all the hand-wringing about the U.S. trade deficit that p...
The Sidetrack - Jul 28 - 3 clicks
Ya know, the lovely talk of civility, and the smell of Todd in the air, still doesn’t change the fact that I JUST wanted him to answer the question. And he has NOT answered the question. Why? Todd, why not? I’m not going to call you names, or insult you. But PLEASE answer the question. In case [...]...
Trapped by the Mormons - Jul 27
Most of my chosen experience at Netroots Nation '09 and '10 has been in the form of campaign type training, and doesn't make for an exciting post. I did step outside of that more this year to catch panels on Social Security (more on that later, but for now: there is no crisis), immigration, and other policy issues, but due to conflicting panels, I had skipped all but the Q & A of ...
Utah Amicus - Jul 27
Most of my chosen experience at Netroots Nation '09 and '10 is in the form of campaign type training, and doesn't make for an exciting post. I did step outside of that more this year to catch panels on Social Security (more on that later, but for now: there is no crisis), immigration, and other policy issues. Due to conflicting panels, I had skipped all but the Q & A of this one.&n...
The Sidetrack - Jul 27
Last week in Salt Lake City, conservative Fox News commentator and faithful Mormon Glenn Beck told a crowd of 6600 fans that he could go blind in less than a year. Telling the audience that he had been diagnosed with “macular dystrophy,” a progressive eye disorder that can lead to blindness, Beck laughed and cried with the audience, taking the opportunity to jab at health care reform. “I went ...
Utah Amicus - Jul 26 - 3 clicks
When the Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, they had been through the ringer. Utah history teaches of their suffering: a past tainted with persecution, intolerance, and murder; a harrowing winter across the plains from Illinois; more sickness and death. Many had left everything they owned and loved behind because they were looking for a place to live and practice their r...
Utah Amicus - Jul 25
I was stunned when I saw my power bill yesterday -- in a good way. It has to be the lowest bill this house has ever had in a July, just $56. The KWH used this year was 17 per day compared to 27 last year, even though the average daily temperature was two degrees higher THIS year at 77. After the new windows, roof, siding, furnace, and a/c over the past six years, my energy bills had alre...
RedStateBlues - Jul 25
… My life will change. For I am choosing to take a big step. I will marry Birdman tomorrow, because I feel we need the commitment, and so does he. For our children. For us. For life. I have had many nasty comments, and emails, from this blog. I have dealt with them. But tomorrow my [...]...
Trapped by the Mormons - Jul 22
…it can’t get easier. ANSWER THE QUESTION. If there is a first vision, WHY ARE THERE THREE OR MORE DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF IT? With different people. Written differently. Edited, perhaps. WHY? Why, if God came to Joseph Smith when he was 14 did he CHANGE THE STORY so many times? Answer that. For the very first time on this blog, [...]...
Trapped by the Mormons - Jul 22
Heat of the summer liberals, Just a reminder that the SLC Drinking Liberally meetup is tomorrow night (Friday, July 23rd) in the back room of the Piper Down from 6:30-9:30. It’ll be a regular fun night of socializing over drinks. I (Jeremiah) personally won’t be there because I’m at the Netroots Nation conference in Las Vegas. [...]...
Drinking Liberally of Salt Lake City - Jul 22
I’ve noticed that our friend Todd responds to me with anger, nastiness, and profanity. Particularly if I should dare to use PROFANITY (oh, sacred woman of Zion) myself. Welcome to patriarchy. PATRIARCHY. Where men think they OWN women, because a woman can only “hold” the Priesthood through her MAN. Kiss my ass. My body is just [...]...
Trapped by the Mormons - Jul 21
Somewhere in the Nevada desert... (Bat Country!) We'll be meeting up with other Utahn's in attendance later tonight after check in, and doing our best to cover the entire experience, at least the family friendly portions. The "official" Twitter hashtag for the conference, for those interested, is #nn10 . Details about panels for 2010 Netroots Nation . Follow us via Twitter , ...
The Sidetrack - Jul 21
By Rod Julander For years we have heard the Democrats argue for more “balance in government” in Utah. This is not a plea for a sympathy vote, but rather a warning against the dangers of a single party government and an argument for making the electoral system more fair. There is no question that there are more Republican voters than Democrats but this disparity is greatly exaggerated by th...
Utah Amicus - Jul 21
Um, I’m nor really sure I even need to explain this. It was a prayer, and it was NOT on the actual fourth, because, God forbid, we celebrate our country’s freedom, with a prayer in Spanish, on the FOURTH, instead of the fifth or third. Mind boggling. ...
Trapped by the Mormons - Jul 20 - 3 clicks
...of email privacy? The Court held that Mr. Rehberg's privacy interest in his emails held by his ISP was not "clearly established" and therefore his claim against the prosecutors could not proceed. The Court relied on a legal doctrine called qualified immunity, which holds that lawsuits against government officials for violations of constitutional rights cannot proceed unless those right...
The Sidetrack - Jul 20
7/19/2010 at 4:01 PM UPEA was recently apprised of an audit that was conducted regarding the Career Service System, or Merit System. The report will be presented in the Legislative Audit Subcommittee tomorrow afternoon. According to our sources the Legislative Auditor’s Office may make recommendations to change the merit status of state employees. The report includes several options regarding ...
Utah Amicus - Jul 20
We read yesterday's article in the Tribune titled Gender bias taints Utah legal profession , which gave us a chance to raise a few questions. Months ago, while the blog was on hiatus, one of us received an e-mail that included the questions from this survey, which seem a bit . . . problematic. We know someone who started to fill out the survey, but discovered to her dismay that the "anonymous" ...
Voice of Utah - Jul 20
For a little change of scenery, I thought I would post this cool link. A website based in southern Utah is giving away $400 for the best recipes submitted through their website. There is no catch, and you have until August 1, 2010 to submit your vegetable garden recipes. We're having a recipe contest! Click here to submit your garden vegetable recipes and to win cash! ...
Utah Amicus - Jul 19
The list of hundreds of Latino names were taken from the Department of Workforce Services database. Governor Herbert says they now have two firm suspects and there may be others involved. He acknowledges that list includes people with LEGAL status. He blames Federal laws for the state being unable to use information when it is learned that a person has an illegal status. Gov. refers to it ...
RedStateBlues - Jul 16
538's Tom Scaller on Reagan's "New Directions" speech (30 years ago!) and it's continued influence over the GOP: What's remarkable is how we still hear the same, core arguments about the role and functions of government--and how the policy-specific debates over matters like offshore drilling persist as well. And yet here we are, 30 years later, and the tax burden is at its lowes...
The Sidetrack - Jul 16
Salt Lake City- The following is a statement from Democratic Chairman Wayne Holland regarding Governor Herbert's response regarding the list of 1,300 alleged illegal immigrants: "When it comes to immigration, it seems as though Governor Herbert is being pushed around by a small minority of the extreme interests that exist in the Tea Party. Just three months ago on April 6th, he was chosen as...
Utah Amicus - Jul 15
BBQ-season liberals, Thanks to everyone who joined us for the Drinking Liberally SLC summer BBQ and especially those who brought food to share, it was a lot of fun. And thanks also to Gina at Sugared Magnolia, who decorated a beautiful and delicious rum cake on pretty short notice. And if you haven’t yet seen Saturday’s [...]...
Drinking Liberally of Salt Lake City - Jul 15
MondayMorningEconomist's Stephen Herrington (via HuffPo) : From the right wing punditry to the Republicans in government, all conservatives are expounding the intellectual flatulence that "unemployment compensation makes people lazy." One is doubtless tempted to offer the obvious rejoinder, "there are no jobs for the unemployed to take," or "there are six applicants for every job opening ...
The Sidetrack - Jul 15
Governor Gary Herbert Hoover's Magic Pixie Dust Plan for Utah's Budget [...] just a few days removed from the summer meeting of the National Governors Association, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said he disagrees with the majority of his colleagues. “I don’t think we can afford it,” Herbert said Monday in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune. “Some states are hurting and they are looking for s...
The Sidetrack - Jul 14
The Washington Independent (with graphs!) : Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s claims about illegal immigrants and violent crime have been pretty thoroughly debunked , but pro-reform non-profit America’s Voice takes it one step further, circulating a graph today indicating that Arizona’s SB 1070 could actually increase crime in the state. The graph shows rates of violent crime in Arizona jurisd...
The Sidetrack - Jul 14
"And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make." I want to write this while still basking in the afterglow. It was a thrill to be among the 40,000 fans at the Paul McCartney concert last night. We were there! By "we" I mean three of my sisters and one brother-in-law, my son and his wife, two of my friends and their husbands -- those are the ones I know of...
RedStateBlues - Jul 14
by Emily Bingham Hollingshead Cedar City, Utah July 13, 2010 Happy July. In Utah , July is not only a celebration of America ’s Independence , but it also is a month in which we honor the founders who came before us as we commemorate Utah ’s statehood. When I was growing up, I was reminded on a regular basis of the important heritage that came before me – Mormon P...
Utah Amicus - Jul 13
This is a fantastic project by some committed young adults. I will skip editorial comment, as the press release speaks for itself. The young people involved will be camping out at my house in Cedar City tonight, crashing on my lawn, sharing a meal, and enjoying a campfire. - Emily Bingham Hollingshead, July 12, 2010 CA-DC DREAM Freedom Ride Begins Monday July 12th -Monday July 26th 2...
Utah Amicus - Jul 12 - 2 clicks
Poor Mittens. What happened to the good ol' days when saying something uninformed was tantamount to a Presidential Campaign, huh? Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), in a statement via The Hill: [...] Governor Romney also cites Russia's stockpile of tactical nuclear weapons as a reason to oppose New START. Russia does have more tactical weapons than we do, but he distorts their va...
The Sidetrack - Jul 10
Quickpost today: It's been three years now since Utah tax dollars sent some 14 legislators and staff on a controversial vacation trade trip to China, including some legislators who had already announced their retirement (Mike Dmitri, Dan Eastman), and Sen. Howard "Utah Taxpayers-For-My-China-Trip Association" Stephenson. This trip was essential for our economy, House leader David Clark assured...
Voice of Utah - Jul 9
Yet another blog post from City Weekly confusing trespassing with something else . This time, it's not shaving at BYU. The story goes that an unshaven student was asked to leave the library, and he refused. He was then escorted out of the library by campus police. Much like the infamous Main Street Plaza kiss case last year, it was the actions of the people involved that caused them to be aske...
Bob Aagard - Jul 8
Watch the whole video: "Seeing pink elephants" is a euphemism for drunken hallucination, caused by alcoholic hallucinosis or delirium tremens. The first recorded use of the term is by Jack London in 1913, who describes one sort of alcoholic in the autobiographical John Barleycorn as "the man whom we all know, stupid, unimaginative, whose brain is bitten numbly by numb maggots; who wa...
Bob Aagard - Jul 8
Feminism is a four-letter word in today’s American culture. It’s exploited by right-wing zealots to scare conservatives into opposing all pro-female thinking lest their daughters become lesbians and have abortions right and left. In Utah in the 70’s, we proudly declined to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment that would have given women equal rights under the law. Many believe women already h...
RedStateBlues - Jul 8
Partying liberals, Two things to tell you about this week: First, this Friday is a regular meetup in the back room of the Piper Down. We’ll be there from 6:30 to 9:30, so come join us at any time. Then, on Sunday (July 11th) starting at 4:30, we’re having our annual Drinking Liberally SLC summer BBQ and [...]...
Drinking Liberally of Salt Lake City - Jul 8 - 2 clicks
Glenn Greenwald with a concise, accurate rundown of how this whole "rule of law" thing seems to be working out in modern times: If you torture people or eavesdrop on Americans without the warrants required by the criminal law , you receive Look-Forward Imperial Immunity . If you shoot and kill unarmed rescuers of the wounded while occupying their country and severely ...
The Sidetrack - Jul 8
Many moons ago, my mother called me while watching the Iran-Contra hearings on TV. "You should see this," she reported. "Hatch is sounding reasonable." At times last night, I could have returned the call. At others, not so much. Hatch continued to appeal -- try to, anyway -- to the Tea Party /Convention crowd, filling long answers with lots of commiseration about how "they" have ruined everyt...
Voice of Utah - Jul 8
Morgan Bowen to address the Davis County Democrats this Saturday From State Senate Candidate Charlie Parker: "I will be there to serve the people--the people of District 22." ...
Utah Amicus - Jul 7
Yesterday, as I drove past a car dealership, I saw a couple of prospective buyers navigate the barrier to check out a car. Of course, they couldn't buy the car, thanks to our all-wise legislature. We are often told by the conservative wing of our legislature that the government should not unduly interfere with private business, let the market decide, etc. I will never believe this is a sincere ...
Voice of Utah - Jul 5
KSL had a rather illuminating story yesterday on how our tax dollars are spent busting Utahns who bring illegal fireworks back from that fireworks-coddling Wyoming. Perhaps most enlightening was the way that the UHP cop blithely seemed to admit making pretext stops in order to check for fireworks. "Between the 4th and the 24th of July you could almost patrol the entire month and you're going to...
Voice of Utah - Jul 4
