Greg Curtis: Thank-you For Smoking

"And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man..." Doctrine and Covenants 89:8 ("The Word of Wisdom")

Why, oh why would someone who professes to be a member of the LDS Church agree to be a lobbyist for a tobacco company?

Was Budweiser not hiring?

Since his law firm doesn't pay him enough, Greg Curtis has hired on as a lobbyist for Altria (parent company of Phillip Morris [Marlboro]), Utah Transit Authority, Intermountain Healthcare, Utah Sports Commission, Gold Cross Ambulance and Anderson Development.

And to think, we were worried about him using his $300,000 campaign bankroll for personal use.

-Bob

From the Archives: The Most Wonderous Time of Year

I've been thinking about this song for about a week now, and I thought I'd share it with you again. It's a rewrite of a Christmas song that I wrote before the 2006 legislative session.

Enjoy!

It's the most wonderous time of the year
With the Democrats yelling
Which Utah Republicans can't seem to hear
It's the most wonderous time of the year

It's the cra-craziest time of the year
With those closed door meetings and no gays to be greeting
When Gayle R comes to call....
It's the cra-craziest time of the year

There'll be one party hosting
No liquor for toasting
The public is left in the snow
There'll be scary ed stories
And tales of the tax cuts that were promised long, long ago!

It's the most wonderous time I do say!
There'll be much lobby-y-ing and ears will be burning
Cause the teachers want pay!
It's the most wonderous time I do say!

I'm working on a Jim Matheson one that I hope to post soon

HB 215: A litlle too late

In case you hadn't heard, you'll have to start dialing 10 digits to call your next door neighbor starting this March.

Cricket Wireless subscribers have had to do it since last June. And, since the Legislature is still in session, someone wants to change it:

The Public Service Commission says, starting March 1, all phone calls in Utah must include dialing 10 digits. Also, all new phone numbers will have the 385 area code, regardless of city.

Rep. Jim Dunnigan is worried about that 10-digit dialing, especially for seniors and children.

"Now we are going to tell them, it's not enough to memorize seven numbers, you have to memorize 10, and is it 801 or is it 385," he said.

Dunnigan is sponsoring House Bill 215 to assign the new area code by geography, like 435.

The PSC made the decision to overlay the new area code in 2007.

I like this bill, in principle. However, given the late date, it seems a little late. It's coming a little too fast to change things now.

However, there does need to be information coming out about this. As much as I hate being reminded of the switch to digital television on Feb 17, At least you can't say you didn't know. And only a small portion of the population will be affected.

But how many of you know you'll have to dial ten digits when making a phone call in a month?

Anyone?

-Bob

Will Jason Chaffetz Come Out of the Closet?

Utah's Cot-sleeping Congressman, Jason Chaffetz, is once again making the news.

Well his cot in the closet is making the news. This time, it's KSL:

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Here's the line that got me:

"It's this idea that we're going to have to tighten our belts and do more with less."

You'd expect someone like this to live in a nice modest house, right? I mean, he's living in a closet for crying out loud!

Of course, you'd also expect a congressman to actually live in his district. but I digress.

How's 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 5800 Square Feet on 1.45 acres in Alpine sound?

For a family of 5?

Really?

I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me!

Seems like just about the time I think of a new idea to make some money, someone beats me to it:



And, just to prove it's real, they have a web site where you can buy more crap, er, stuff you can use to motivate you.

That'll get the economy moving!

And, you can even download everything as MP3's, so you don't have to wait!

You may not be able to buy love, but you can buy happiness!

And, I know of a certain someone's birthday coming up!

Contact Your Legislator Without Loking Like an Idiot

More importantly than not sounding like an idiot is making sure you actually get your stuff read by your legislator instead of thrown out by their intern.

So, with that in mind, please read the following from Curtis over at Blue in Red Zion, with commentary by me:

1) Always use formal titles - Always refer to the person you are writing to with their formal title, and do it throughout the message. Even if you know the person personally, I would still strongly recommend calling them Representative or Senator.

Last year, when I was on the Hill, I made the mistake of calling my favorite English Teacher I never had at Olympus by the wrong name. I called he Carol, which earned me a glare. The I called her "Ms. Moss, I mean Spackman-Moss," which got me another glare, until I came up with the appropriate name: "Representative Spackman-Moss."

2) Be sure to reference the specific bill you are interested in by bill number and name. The proper format is H.B. (for "house bill" as an example) 1 - the name of the bill here. If you are writing someone other than the bills sponsor, also be sure to include the name of the person proposing the bill.

I've heard from many people who have either been Legislators or interns that a Legislator will read several letters/emails about the same bill at once, so this makes it easier to get your letter read when it will do the most good. Also, with as mny bills as there are every year, it's hard to keep up with them and will allow them to look it up.

3) Always mention why your opinion matters - more specifically, state that you live in the legislators district, city, county, or are a citizen of Utah. If you involved with an organization relating to an issue, mention that as well - if this is the case be sure to point out that you are acting as an individual.

Also, try to only contact your representative and/or the bill's sponsor. This is the most effective use of time.

4) Keep messages short, generally less than three or four paragraphs.

Because do you really want to read a novel in your inbox. (I know that because of it's length, 50% of my readers won't read this far.)

5) Avoid using arguments that are based on ideology - quoting scripture, party rhetoric, and/or sources that are less than reputable will make legislators ignore you and your message quick. This is especially true if you disagree with bill. If you agree, this still harms your argument and may cause a legislator to reevaluate their positions. Similarly, do use logic whenever possible; oftentimes when legislators write bills, they do not know about potential consequences to groups if the bill were to pass.

6) If possible, be sure to include personal stories that explain how this bill would help or hurt you, your family, your friends, your organizations, etc.

#6 is my favorite. If a bill riles you up enough to contact your legislature, then there is a reason for it. Tell them!

7) Be sure you have read the bill, or at the very least, read a summation of the bill from a reliable source, before writing - if you make inferences and logical leaps that are just not there, the legislator may ignore future correspondence from you.

I'm amazed at people who complain about something (a bill, an article, a blog post) that suggests something that will make it better. Something that is already in there. (.e. "Your post would have been better if you had made additional comments.)

8) Always sign your name to any message, it adds legitimacy and show you believe in your cause.

It makes you 50% less crazy.

And, I'd like to add a #9:

Write, even if you think your legislator agrees with you. A few years ago, there was an issue that I cared about being discussed at the Legislature, which I though my Representative was in agreement with me on, so I decided not to waste her time. When she voted the other way, she sent a reply that said that she had heard from more constituents disagreeing with her after her vote than had weighed in on either side before the vote. She honestly didn't know which way to go, and went with what she though best, a position that changed once constituents weighed in on the issue.

-Bob

Two LDS Church leaders say Obama brings them hope

I took the headline straight from KSL.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Obama Retakes Oath

Now the wingnuts can't complain.

AP, via Yahoo News:

WASHINGTON – After the flub heard around the world, President Barack Obama has taken the oath of office. Again. Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the oath to Obama on Wednesday night at the White House — a rare do-over. The surprise moment came in response to Tuesday's much-noticed stumble, when Roberts got the words of the oath a little off, which prompted Obama to do so, too.

Don't worry, the White House says: Obama has still been president since noon on Inauguration Day.

Nevertheless, Obama and Roberts went through the drill again out of what White House counsel Greg Craig called "an abundance of caution."

This time, the scene was the White House Map Room in front of a small group of reporters, not the Capitol platform before the whole watching world.

"We decided that because it was so much fun ...," Obama joked to reporters who followed press secretary Robert Gibbs into the room. No TV camera crews or news photographers were allowed in. A few of Obama's closest aides were there, along with a White House photographer.

Roberts put on his black robe.

"Are you ready to take the oath?" he said.

"Yes, I am," Obama said. "And we're going to do it very slowly."

Roberts then led Obama through the oath without any missteps.

The president said he did not have his Bible with him, but that the oath was binding anyway.

The original, bungled version on Tuesday caught observers by surprise and then got replayed on cable news shows.

It happened when Obama interrupted Roberts midway through the opening line, in which the president repeats his name and solemnly swears.

Next in the oath is the phrase " ... that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States." But Roberts rearranged the order of the words, not saying "faithfully" until after "president of the United States."

That appeared to throw Obama off. He stopped abruptly at the word "execute."

Recognizing something was off, Roberts then repeated the phrase, putting "faithfully" in the right place but without repeating "execute."

But Obama then repeated Roberts' original, incorrect version: "... the office of president of the United States faithfully."

Craig, the White House lawyer, said in a statement Wednesday evening: "We believe the oath of office was administered effectively and that the president was sworn in appropriately yesterday. Yet the oath appears in the Constitution itself. And out of the abundance of caution, because there was one word out of sequence, Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath a second time."

The Constitution is clear about the exact wording of the oath and as a result, some constitutional experts have said that a do-over probably wasn't necessary but also couldn't hurt. Two other previous presidents have repeated the oath because of similar issues, Calvin Coolidge and Chester A. Arthur.

Inauguration Day in 100 Seconds

Doug Wright Will Be Friends With Anybody

Media Proved Today that Racism is Alive and Well in the US

Was it just me, or did it seem like reporters and camera people were trying to find black people to interview.

I get the history of today's events, but it seems to me that it was a little obsessive.

We don't have a Black President. We have a President of the United States.

-Bob

Where I'll be tonight

Utah Inauguration Night Ball

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 @ 7:00 pm

Location: The Depot
13 N 400 W, Salt Lake City
(The Depot is a private club for members-must be 21 or older to attend)



Dress: Blue Jeans to Ballgowns - we want everyone to join us!



Entertainment includes 2008 State Senate candidate

John Rendell's band - Mean Phoenix

The Saliva Sisters

&


Marc Buckley - former Salt Lake KZQQ DJ



Cash bar will be available
_____

Food will be available for purchase through The Depot


Cost: $50 per person

President Barack Hussein Obama

This land is my land, This land is your land

Orrin Hatch: Joe Biden has balls

Utah AG Shurtleff on Obama

Utah's Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is in Washington to witness the Inauguration of our 44th President.

And he wrote his feelings on the new President:

In a few days, the former junior Senator from Illinois, following a meteoric rise based on a declaration of hope and optimism and change, will stand beneath that same Lady Liberty and swear an oath on Lincoln’s Bible to become the first African American President of the United States of America. President Obama goes to Washington at a time when the graft and greed of Wall Street have plunged our nation into a downward economic spiral that threatens our very future.

I did not vote for Senator Barack Obama. I supported the man, Senator John McCain, who I believed had, by a lifetime of public service, and tested in the fires of war, isolation and torture, proven himself best suited to lead us through the tough times ahead. But I will support President Barack Obama. I support him with my prayers and my own public service. My Pollyanna optimism and my ideas .While I disagree with many of his social and economic policies and worry about the lasting impact of his judicial appointments, I will give him the chance that so many refused his predecessor.

I am going to the inauguration based on my own audacious hope that Barack Obama truly believes what he wrote a few years ago as he prepared to run for the presidency, and that he will govern this blessed nation accordingly. In writing of the “fundamental decency of the American people,” he sounded very Jefferson Smith-like in declaring:

“[A]t the core of the American experience are a set of ideals that continue to stir our collective conscience; a common set of values that bind us together despite our differences; a running thread of hope that makes our improbable experiment in democracy work. These values and ideals find expression not just in the marble slabs of monuments or in the recitation of history books. They remain alive in the hearts and minds of most Americans – and can inspire us to pride, duty and sacrifice.” - Barack Obama, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on reclaiming the American Dream.

Pessimists and pundits will claim that his is a lost cause, but juar as Jimmy/Jefferson taught his seniors that lost causes were “the only causes worth fighting for,” as long as they were based on “just one plain simple rule: 'Love thy neighbor…'” Mr. Obama taught in The Audacity of Hope, that what we are facing is a “breakdown in culture that will not be cured by money alone, and that our values and spiritual life matter at least as much as our GDP.”

Good Luck and God Speed Mr. President!

It's Like Christmas This Morning

I've been up since 4 this morning, in case you couldn't tel from my postings this morning.

I haven't been up this long on purpose. It's been the whole kid-on-Christmas-morning thing.

For the third time in 2.5 months. (Election Day and the real Christmas are the other two times.)

I even posted this on Facebook:

Bob is like a little kid on Christmas morning -- up at 4 and waiting to see my unicorn. 5 more hours..... 4:54am

And someone responded by giving me a link to this cartoon:

-3 hours: Chivalry is not dead

Chivalry is not dead my friends.

I watched President-Elect and Michelle Obama walk from Blair House to his limo, ride the block or two to church, and then walk in.

However, how they did it was what impressed me the most.

They both walked to the driver's side of the car. Michelle got in, and after she was in, Barack walked around the car to get in on his side.

Like a gentleman.

Then, at the church, they waited for the secret service to open the doors. Barack got out on the side facing the church. He could have just stood and waited for his wife. However, being a gentleman, he met her at the back of the car, then walked hand-in-hand to the steps of the church to meet the minister.

Then, after meeting with the minister, he let his wife walk through the door in front of him.

-4 Hours: Keeping my emotions in check

Chance of me crying at some point today: 100%

It's already happened. The moment was about 5 minutes before I took this picture. AT 4:30 this morning.

I cried hanging a damn American Flag from my balcony.

Yes, it's "the flag" that has a lot of meaning to me. But it wasn't the reason I was shedding tears.

I'm sitting here like a little kid on Christmas morning waiting to see what Santa brought me.

F*** You George W Bush

Warning: This video contains language of a very hard PG-13 to an R Rating. You've been warned.



You may be asking why I'm posting such a non-"hope and change" video.

However, I wanted something to send President Bush off with. "Happy Trails" and "Lord Bless You and Keep You" were considered, but they just didn't fit.

You see, I voted for Bush in 2000. I bought in to the whole "restoring honor and dignity to the White House" crap.

It wasn't just one of many reasons to vote for him. It was the only reason I voted for him.

I didn't realize it would take 8 years and electing someone else to even think of starting the process.

-Bob

TN Dems elect Republican Speaker

Apparently, the Democrats have had control of the legislature in Tennessee for 40 years, a streak that ended this year.

So, with a 50-49 majority, the Republicans thought it was up to them to name a new chair. Being Republicans, they nominated/crowned a conservative for the post.

However, the Democrats had their own plan and nominated a candidate of their own -- a moderate Republican.

Well, the Republicans didn't think the Dems would succeed in their plan. After all, Republicans wouldn't vote for someone the Democrats chose, would they?

Well, when your name's on the ballot, you HAVE to vote for yourself...



(hat tip: JM Bell)

UTA's $48,000 European Vacation

This is old news, but I have to get it off of my chest. After all, I am a UTA customer. I've endured several price hikes and reduced service in the 25 months since I started using them as my primary mode of transportation.

So, it comes as a great relief to know they are spending my hard-earned money wisely.

Like a vacation to Europe.

The Utah Transit Authority spent at least $48,000 last month taking nine managers and board members, a business booster and three mayors on a weeklong tour of six European streetcar systems.

The itinerary: Vienna, Munich, Zurich, Nice and Bordeaux, with incidental stops in Monaco and Paris. The goal: peruse state-of-the-art trains unlike any used in North America and consider them as possible connectors that can share traffic lanes with cars to link with Utah's expanding light-rail system. The travel tab: An estimated $3,700 a head -- all from UTA tax dollars.

Because we can't learn about stretcars without going to Europe to see them.

And, some of those cities have really modern streetcars systems. Munich's been using electric streetcars since 1895.

That's not a long time at all.

Video, Powerpoint, phones, the internet -- all ways you could learn about these systems for cheaper than a trip to Europe.

Not to mention, there are several places closer to home that have various systems that are worth looking at:

Electric streetcars, often called trams outside North America, once served transit needs in scores of North American cities. Most municipal systems were dismantled in the mid-20th century.

Today, only New Orleans and Toronto still operate streetcar networks that are essentially unchanged in their layout and mode of operation.

Boston, Mexico City, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco have rebuilt their streetcar systems as light rail systems. Buffalo, Calgary, Dallas, Edmonton, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Diego, and St. Louis have installed new light rail systems, parts of which run along historic streetcar corridors and in a few cases feature mixed-traffic operation like a streetcar. Portland, Oregon, has experimented with modern light rail and modern streetcar systems.

Edmonton, Seattle, Vancouver, Whitehorse, and other cities have restored a small number of streetcars to run as heritage lines for tourists.

But, back to Europe. You see, it wasn't a vacation:

The delegates shuttled to seven cities in seven days. [UTA General Manager John] Inglish doubts any of them got more than six hours of sleep a night.

"This wasn't a vacation," [Bountiful Mayor Joe] Johnson said.

Oh, poor babies.

I recently went to Denver for a week. While there, I fought crowds, learned about riot gear, learned about a transit system that used buses and rail, attended about 22 hours of a convention (including sitting on the floor of a hallway one day), wrote multiple blog posts for a blog other than my own, slept on a balcony, and got 6+ hours of sleep exactly once. Oh, and paid for over 90% of the expense myself.

Yet, I still considered it a vacation.

LDS Leaders to attend inauguration

SALT LAKE CITY 16 January 2009 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be represented at inaugural events for President-elect Barack Obama by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

The two leaders, who have been asked to represent the Church by Church President Thomas S. Monson, are scheduled to attend the swearing-in ceremony on January 20 and the National Prayer Service at Washington’s National Cathedral on January 21.

“It is always an honor for the Church to be represented at the inauguration of a new president,” said President Monson. “We send our best wishes to President-elect Obama and pray for the blessings of a loving Father in Heaven to be upon him and his administration.”

Mark Walker Charged

From KSL:

Prosecutors filed criminal charges today against a former Utah lawmaker in a case of alleged bribery on Capitol Hill. It stems from allegations of wrongdoing in the state treasurer's race last year.

Today, Salt Lake City prosecutor Sim Gill charged former Republican Rep. Mark Walker with one count of "inducements not to become a candidate," a class B misdemeanor.

Gill said, "There's sufficient evidence that Mr. Walker tried to induce Mr. Ellis from being a candidate while this election was going on and offered to make him his chief deputy at a substantial pay raise."

Last spring, Richard Ellis, at the time a deputy treasurer, and Walker, a lawmaker from Sandy, were facing off in the GOP primary for treasurer, a post Ellis ultimately won.

According to court documents, in March of last year, Carl Empey, an employee with Zions Bank and an associate of Walker's, e-mailed Ellis stating, "Looks like he wants to offer you $160,000 a year to be his deputy."

Ellis believed he was essentially being asked to drop out of the race for what amounted to a $54,000 pay increase. He contacted an attorney in his office who advised him "this type of an offer was illegal."

A week later, Ellis and Walker met for breakfast and Ellis said he told Walker he believed the offer was illegal. When asked about where the money would come from, Walker allegedly told Ellis, "I have talked to the person that can make that happen, and you and I both know who that is."

Walker's attorney, Jim Bradshaw, said the charge actually vindicated his client. He said after months of investigation, it was clear that what happened did not rise to the level of bribery. Instead, he said it's a technical violation of election law and he anticipated some sort of resolution in the case, possibly within a week.

Bush leaving with 44% approval in Utah

That's right. Bush's approval rating in Utah is below 50%.

Ouch.

Utah Republican Party Lobbyist, er Chairman, Stan Lockhart has this to say, according to KSL:

State GOP Chair Stan Lockhart says you need to consider the source of any poll, to begin with. But setting that aside, he says it's easy for people to armchair quarterback once the game is over and another thing entirely to have to make the same calls.

"To give all the blame to President Bush for what's been going on in this country the last six months or so, it's probably a little unfair," Lockhart said.

I sure hope this means Chair-lobbyist Lockhart still supports Bush and his (truly) socialistic ways.

-Bob

Paul Mero is NOT a conservative

You want proof, just look at The transcripts of the conversation about alcohol between him and Tyler over at KVNU. It's full of big-government regulation.

And, me being me, I have some real issues with some of the things said there.

[14:52] Tyler: Here’s what’s frustrating about this Paul, and I don’t mean to go to the lowest common denominator here. An 80 percent LDS government is legislating its morals on a 60 percent LDS state. That 20 percent representation gap there is what’s making this a problem for everyone. That’s the bottom line.
[14:52] Tyler: It’s flown since 1896 because the gap was far less defined
[14:53] Tyler: but it’s going to become more pronounced and more problematic, in things not just limited to booze, as this state’s LDS population becomes more and more diluted.
[14:54] PTM: sorry, I was on the phone
[14:54] PTM: what you’re talking about is only a problem if there is a problem with LDS values, culture, and behavior. Is there?
[14:56] Tyler: There is a problem anytime value set A is imposed on people with value set B, C, D…
[14:57] Tyler: By government, that is.
[14:58] PTM: That’s life man.

Doctrine and Covenants 134:4 -- "We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others;"

And THAT s the problem I have with the way the Utah legislature, especially those members who share my faith, handle alcohol.

We are punished for our own transgressions.

[23:33] PTM: and, btw, I don’t think serius drinkers (drunks) go out to get drunk…but people having fun, losing track of time, socializing, get drunk
[23:34] PTM: and, at Chilis and Applebees, kids see it happening right in front of them

Let's not forget Jazz games. Maybe we should hide the children at Jazz games, too. And concerts. Especially by country artists. Let's ban country music.

[23:35] PTM: well, good then, our laws work…so whatcha bitchin about?
[23:35] Tyler: I can’t speak for the data outside of Cache County, but since 1995, not one DUI has been found as a result of drinking at a restaurant
[23:35] Tyler: I’m not complaining about restaurant laws as they’re presently constituted.
[23:35] PTM: and how, may I ask, you could know if someone drank at a restaurant?
[23:36] Tyler: The private club membership law is horrific and ineffective and the assertion that restaurants should have to hide their liquor is small minded. If you as a parent don’t want your kid to see the liquor, you have a right not to go to the restaurant
[23:36] Tyler: The restaurant absolutely, positively, unequivocally has more of a right to operate business as they choose under the law than you do to be offended at their business practices.
[23:36] PTM: orrrrr…the restaurant could separate their bar from the food part…like Market Street does out where I live
[23:37] Tyler: When a DUI arrest is made the location where the person drinking is recorded.
[23:37] PTM: good law, bad law?
[23:37] Tyler: That’s a decision Market Street can make, but each business should be allowed to operate as they choose.

Go figure, Paul Mero isn't the "free market" guy we all thought he was.

-Bob

Not in the Music Industry? Get You Presidential Pardon Here

So, Uncle Orrin won't help you get a pardon, because you actually live in his state instead of being in the music industry?

Well, have no fear. Comedy Central's Indecision 2008 blog is here to help you get that pardon. Just click here and fill out the form and you, too, can get your own pardon.

I just received mine today:

I, George W. Bush, President of these United States of the Americas, pursuant to that pardon power thingy conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of that Constitution I keep hearing people go on about, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Robert Dayle Aagard — or as I like to call him, Captain Cake — for the crime of medium rare treason.

The aforementioned — not to mention the beforementioned — shall not be subject to any punishment for this crime, including imprisonment in a medium security prison, tar and feathering or waterboarding. Well, maybe a little bit of waterboarding, but just for fun, ya know? Heh heh.

Being The Decider in Chief, I have hereby used my Decidering powers to declare that Robert Dayle Aagard is a faithful devotee of Mormonism and is, as such, a good and God-fearing citizen of this great nation. To punish this person would almost certainly become a regular talking point on liberal blogs.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand today, on January 14, in the year of our Lord 2009 — which I totally cannot believe is actually here, and I still haven't gotten my hovercraft — and of the Independence of the United States of America.

God bless,
George W. Bush

The Pre-election Abortion Gimmick That was Really a Gimmick

Remember back in October, when three Republican lawmakers held a press conference at the Capitol (with imported Catholics behind them, no less) to announce an abortion bill they were proposing for 2009? You know, the one that would eventually revoke Roe v Wade?

The one the Representative Johnson called a "gimmick?"

Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, who was among those holding signs supporting abortion rights, called the announcement a "political stunt" by lawmakers trying to get re-elected, and warned that taxpayers were going to get stuck with the legal tab.
"This is going to waste a lot of time. It's going to waste taxpayer dollars and it doesn't need to be our state that tries to overturn Roe v. Wade," she said.
She says the money could be better spent on things like comprehensive sex education and birth control that would reduce the number of abortions performed.
"I have a duty to defend life," said Sandstrom. "I think it's reprehensible to suggest that defending life is a political gimmick."

Well, now that the election is over and the representatives have won, it's time to wait til next year:

Conservative legislators are backing away from costly plans to take on Roe v. Wade this year -- given Utah's tight budget -- but they want to start stockpiling donations for a future court fight against abortion.

"We are looking at wanting to ban abortion in Utah, period, end of story. However, we want to do it correctly," said Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman. "We're not going to back away from abortion. We're never going to let it die."

Wimmer is working with Rep. Ken Sumsion, R-American Fork, and Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, on a bill that would bar abortions except in the case of rape, incest or permanent physical harm to the woman.

But the legislators realize Utah doesn't have the estimated $2 million to $7 million it would take to defend such a ban in court. So they are putting off their anti-abortion bill and instead proposing legislation that would create a legal defense fund for a court showdown later.

Wimmer said a private organization was willing to defend an abortion ban and finance the fight. But, he said, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff "would have to give up the right to defend it because, the fact is, it would end up costing about $2 million, and we don't have the money."

However, the Utah Constitution mandates that the case would have to be overseen by Shurtleff, spokesman Paul Murphy said Tuesday.

So, even though this won't cost us anything, we can't do it because Utah doesn't have the money.

Somehow, this statement doesn't work.

-Bob

Letterman's Top 10 George W Bush Moments

Somehow, I love the fact that this was pulled from CSPAN. Go figure.



I wonder why he left out the one about not getting fooled again? Any others I may have missed?

Alcohol Policy -- My Take

State Senator John Valentine offers up the Republican side of the Senate's take on Utah's liquor laws, and it needs a response.

Bottom Line: Proposals that put more drunk drivers on the street will have a remarkably short run in the Senate. The same goes for proposals that would tend to entice our kids towards alcohol abuse. However, proposals that will make Utah less awkward but preserve the beneficial effect of current law will likely have my support and, I believe, the support of the Utah State Senate.

Here is the key:

1. We're concerned by violence done by impaired drivers on Utah streets.

2. We're concerned by the harmful impact of underage drinking.

3. At some level we're concerned by the harmful effects of overconsumption.

I agree so far, in principal. However, some of the laws on the books entice MORE drunk driving (i.e. bars must close at 2), not to mention stupid regulations at some establishments like my place of employment. I also disagree that any of the changes will "entice" minors into drinking.

Do we love "antiquated laws" that make Utah look quirky? No. And yet that unique package of law is an integral part of our low DUI rates and underage drinking. They have a substantial beneficial effect.

Utah has the lowest alcohol-related fatality rate in the nation. Compare the stats on page 6. Seventeen percent of highway deaths in Utah are alcohol-related compared to 31 percent in Arizona, Colorado and Nevada. The rate in Idaho is 28 percent. Texas is 38 percent.

Underage drinking in Utah is about half the national average.

Actually, I'd be willing to bet that I can find something that has more of an effect on this statistic than Private Clubs and the Zion Curtain combined.

"strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies." -Doctrine and Covenants 89:7.

Some statistics I would like to see:

-Number of drunk driving accidents/arrests where the person was traveling from a private club or a restaurant.

-Number of drunk driving accidents/arrests by someone who s a repeat offender whogot a minimal jail sentence.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

-Bob

Jason Chaffetz Leg Wrestles Stephen Colbert

This is easily the best episode of "better know a district" ever. And not one mention of the cot.



What did you think?

The myth that liberal states have higher teenage pregnancy rates

The Center for Disease Control issued the latest numbers for births in the United States this morning, using data from 2006.

In Utah, 3.4% of girls aged 15-19 gave birth. That number is probably a little higher than an "unwed teenage pregnancy number" because of the fact that we have a high number of 18-19 year old girls getting married. However, the number is below the national average.

However, what most interested me was what states had lower rates than us. The states with the lowest teen birth rates:

1. New Hampshire 1.87%
2. Vermont 2.08%
3. Massachusetts 2.13%
4. Connecticut 2.35%
5. New Jersey 2.49%
6. New York 2.57%
7. Maine 2.58%
8. North Dakota 2.65%
9. Rhode Island 2.78%
10. Minnesota 2.79%
11. Wisconsin 3.09%
12. Pennsylvania 3.10%
13. Iowa 3.29%
14. Nebraska 3.34% (tie)
14. Washington 3.34% (tie)
15. Maryland 3.36%
16. Michigan 3.38%
17. Utah 3.40%

So much for the theory that Conservative kids don't have babies.

(source)

-Bob

Jason Chaffetz and His Cot -- ABC News

Click here to see the story from ABC WOrld News Tonight about Congressman Jason Chaffetz and his Cot.

Oh, and one major mistake the reporter made.

The reporter mentioned that Chaffetz was living in his congressional office while his family stayed in his Utah district. Which is false. The Chaffetz Family lives in Jim Matheson's District.

That is, assuming anyone can find Congressman Jim.

-Bob

The Daily Show Looks Back At Election 2000

Actually, it's election 2000 plus the first few months of the Bush administration.

Ah, such a wonderful time....

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

The Bush Years: The 2000 Election

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Investigate Hatch?

Ethan brought up a very good point last week:

As a citizen of Utah, I ask an investigation be opened into Senator Orrin Hatch’s involvement in the pardon of John Forte.

John Forte is a well known successful musician and producer who recently publicly said of Senator Hatch:

“I am looking forward to putting our creative minds together in the studio, sooner rather than later”

This disturbing statement obviously raises questions of quid pro quo.

I believe the people of Utah deserve to know that the authority we grant to Senator Orrin Hatch is not being peddled for personal gain.

I call on Senator Orrin Hatch to disclose all communication he has had with John Forte, Forte advocates, and Forte attorneys.

This would include any contact with Carley Simon, an aggressive Forte advocate and someone from whom Senator Orrin Hatch has already obtained direct personal benefit in the form of a song recording.

While I don't think an all-out investigation would ever go forward, it is interesting to me that Hatch would push for this pardon when he seems so unwilling to help people who actually live in Utah.

-Bob

University of Utah Marching Band Trying to Get to Inauguration

DesNews:

Within days of returning from rousing the Ute crowd at the Sugar Bowl, the University of Utah Marching Utes have been invited to board another plane and march in the presidential inaugural parade in Washington, D.C.

The 128-member band, including all of their uniforms, instruments and flags and other equipment, will need to find $150,000 in the next two weeks in order to represent the state on Jan. 20. It is depending on donations and other sources to foot the bill.

"In the financial year that we've had with budget cuts and money being tight everywhere, there's no university money available to support the band. We'll have to rely on external sources," said Robert Walzel, director of the U. School of Music.

"It would be a great opportunity for our students to be able to represent the state in what looks to be a landmark event," he said.

Click here to donate.

And, assuming the money gets raised, I'm sure you can see them off at the parade for the football team on the 16th.

Congressman Chaffetz On ABC, Colbert Tonight

I remember a time when you could hardly turn on a TV on Sunday morning without seeing Orrin Hatch. After he revealed classified info on 9/11 to CNN and FoxNews, he stopped giving as good of interviews. And, if you become a bad interview, nobody wants to talk to you. Chris Cannon seemed to fill that role for a while, but only if the camera belonged to Fox. Then, when he bacame a lame duck, he vanshed from the airwaves.

And now it appears someone has taken their place.

My sources (Facebook) tell me that newly-sworn in Utah Congressman Jason Caffetz (who lives in my district yet does not represent me) will be on the last segment of ABC World News Tonight with Charles Gibson tonight talking about his cot.

And, even later tonight, you can catch Congressman Chaffetz on The Colbert Report.

I probably won't catch him with Charlie, but I promise video of Colbert tomorrow.

-Bob

Booze, the Utah Legislature, and all that Jazz

DNews:

Senate Republicans now are trying to stop alcoholic drinks from being poured in front of minors in restaurants, their latest attempt to thwart Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s plans to ease the state's liquor laws.

The governor said Monday he believes there will be progress toward his goal of making Utah more tourist-friendly, but acknowledged there likely will be trade-offs.

"The good news is that it's even being discussed in the first place, because it represents we're not maintaining the status quo," Huntsman said.

But that's exactly what Senate Republicans have said they want. The majority Senate GOP caucus has already opposed Huntsman's proposal to eliminate private club memberships.

On Wednesday, the Administrative Rules Committee will consider whether the existing barriers intended to separate restaurant customers from alcoholic drink preparations are enough — even though Huntsman has questioned their necessity.

"Restaurants are turning into bars," Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said. "It's making it look attractive. Kids see it and wonder what they're missing. I think we need to be a little more strict."

I wonder what the difference is between Johnny seeing a drink at a restaurant and a Jazz game. Will we soon have to erect walls around the beer stands at EnergySolutions Arena?

-Bob

Watch the 2009 Sugar Bowl Here

Go UTES!

Most-viewed posts of 2008

Here are the highest-viewed posts on The World, According to Me in 2008:

1. Barack Obama's Religion Speech December 6, 2007
2. Some of my favorite Gordon B Hinckley Quotes January 28, 2008
3. Is Sarah Palin Mormon? August 29, 2008
4. New LDS Apostle: D Todd Christofferson April 5, 2008
5. Loo loo loo, I've got some apples, loo loo loo, You've got some too January 11, 2007
6. Current Delegate Count (Democrats) After Nevada January 23, 2008
7. Obama's Speech in Iowa November 15, 2007
8. Mormons for Obama February 17, 2007
9. Current Delegate Count After Florida January 30, 2008
10. Steven Colbert: President Hinckley Murdered January 29, 2008