Holly Mullen no longer at City Weekly

I was really pissed off when Holly Mullen was let go at the Trib. There were many times when she was the only thing I'd open the paper for. Thank God they still had Kirby and Paul Rolly.

And I was excited when she started her own blog. And, I still find it amusing when someone comes here in search of her (thanks, Google).

And I was joyful when she joined my favorite paper, Salt Lake City Weekly.

So, now I'm sad to read this on Facebook:

Holly Mullen at 11:33am February 26
Holly and CW publisher Jim Rizzi reached a mutual parting of ways. Holly is moving on to other career goals. Thanks for your support, friends. And yes, I need/want work (who doesn't right now?)--and maybe not even in newspaper journalism, of which I've just about had a belly full. Send any good leads my way. Cheers.

Video of Utah Jazz Tribute to Larry H Miller

Mayor Ralph Becker on the Passing of Larry H Miller

I was saddened to hear the news of Larry Miller’s passing. On behalf of the residents of Salt Lake City , I extend my deepest sympathy to the Miller family during this difficult time. Salt Lake City has lost a dear friend and community leader. I have long admired Larry’s work ethic, charitable deeds and personal philosophy for doing good work in the community. His signature phrase, “Go about doing good until there is too much good in the world,” inspired us all. Larry was born and raised in Salt Lake City and truly helped shape the character of his home town.

Larry H Miller 1944-2009

I was about to run out the door when I heard the news. I had to post something. This is quick and dirty. I'll post a follow up tomorrow.

Wow. What can I say about Larry?

He was a man who had heart. He went about life full-bore.

I was among the many who made fun of him for crying in every press conference. However, he cried because he cared. Say what you will about him -- the man had heart.

I would think it safe to say that Larry did more to make Salt Lake City what it is today than just about anyone since Brigham Young. If he hadn't jumped in and bought the Utah Jazz in the early 1980's, they probably would have folded or moved to Las Vegas.

The floundering team started winning, and soon was too big for the Salt Palace. He mortgaged everything to build the team a new arena. He also worked as a consultant to Salt Lake City when the city was rebuilding their minor league ballpark. He later stepped in to buy that team when it was looking for a new owner.

Without an NBA team or the Delta Center, there probably wouldn't have been a Salt Lake Olympics. There definitely wouldn't have been an NBA all-star game or city-unifying NBA Finals runs in the 90's. Heck, the Gateway probably would exist.

Was there a lot not nice about Larry? Yes. However, they day of a man's death is not the time to talk about it.

-Bob

(disclaimer: I work part time for Larry H Miller Sports and Entertainment. This post reflects my own opinions and was not reviewed by my employer.)

PTA Banned from school? Really?

Rolly:

If Bramble's SB199 is passed into law this year, Utah will be the only state in the nation that prohibits the PTA from participating in school activities.

A spokesman for the national PTA office in Chicago said no other state has a provision that comes close to the Utah proposal, and to his knowledge, there has never been such a law targeting the PTA in that manner.

Bramble's bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday. It would ban schools from allowing organizations that collect dues to participate in activities at the school. The PTA, because of its national affiliation, requires $5 a year in dues from members.

The proposed legislation appears to be an act of vindictiveness on Bramble's part. His Democratic opponent for the Senate last year is the president of the Provo District PTA. And the organization helped get the voucher bill passed by the 2007 Legislature repealed in a referendum vote.

Plus, most of those who testified in favor of the bill at the committee hearing were members of the coalition that pushed vouchers through the Legislature in the first place. Representatives of Parents for Choice in Education, the Sutherland Institute, the Eagle Forum and the Charter Schools Association all spoke in favor of the bill.

On the surface, this is just stupid.

On the underbelly, I didn't realize that vindictiveness was a Utah Value.

-Bob

Jean Welch Hill on Senator Buttars

2008 Democratic Attorney General Candidate Jean Welch Hill on Senator Buttars and the Utah Senate Leadership:

After watching the latest shenanigans in the Utah Senate, and the sheer boredom with which the president of that body dealt with comments of extreme hatred by one of its members, I stand appalled.Utah once welcomed the world and now tells a group of people "we hate you and we will applaud anyone in a position of power who will encourage further harassment and hatred against you." I am amazed at the audacity of our state Senate leadership who stand "foursquare" behind a fellow senator who compares people seeking equal rights to terrorists. I am stunned at the hypocrisy of this same group insisting on protecting the First Amendment rights of that senator while regularly seeking to prohibit protesters on the Capitol grounds and running bills to punish others who tried to exercise those same rights. How can people who claim to be the arbiters of what is decent in this state engage in such gross acts of indecency? Yes, everyone has the right to speak there mind, but that doesn't mean the senate can't seek to raise the bar on public discourse by sending its members a clear message that the body will NOT stand behind hate speech.

Quote of the Week: "Senator Buttars does not speak for the Church.”

ABC4:

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement on Friday regarding recent comments made by Utah state senator Chris Buttars about homosexuality.

Church spokesperson Scott Trotter released the following statement:

“From the outset, the Church’s position has always been to engage in civil and respectful dialogue on this issue. Senator Buttars does not speak for the Church.”

Go through and read what comes from the Church regarding homosexuality. While still maintaining the homosexual acts are sinful, they still maintain a "love the sinner, not the sin" mentality.

Like the Savior did.

-Bob

Utah Young Democrats' Picture in DesNews

OK so the picture has nothing to do with the Young Democrats, but we were there enjoying free food from the Utah Restaurant Association.

Story that accompanies the picture is here.

-Bob

Chris Buttars Get Same Punishment As Last Year

Last year, Chris Buttars made a racist remark, then dug the hole deeper by making more racist comments to try to cover his tracks. That, combined with threatening a judge is said judge ruled against his friend, was enough to get Senator Buttars removed from his chairmanship of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee.

Then, in November, Senator Buttars received a "mandate" (heh, he said "man date") from voters by winning his election with a margin of 1500 votes.

As a reward, Senator Buttars became the chairman of two committees: Judiciary and Rules.

Utah Senate Republicans essentially made him the most powerful person on the hill.

So, after he made some wonderfully unloving comments about gay people and pig sex, we knew his punishment would be harsher, right?

After all, this was strike two.

Well, it's deja vu all over again on Capitol Hill.

To a packed room of reporters, Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, announced he was stripping Buttars of his chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee, because that's where gay-rights bills would be heard. He is also no longer a member of that committee, although he does remain on his other committees, including the powerful Senate Rules Committee.

-Bob

RupublICAN -- Chris Buttars

(stolen from Facebook.)

I hope it's parody....

...because reality would make it depressing.

Tribute to John Williams

Senator Buttars is a big fat liar

Liar Liar:

Reed assured me that he would treat both sides of the issue fairly and that I would be treated fairly. He told me the interview would be public in about a year and I would be allowed to see his work and approve my part before he released it.

Pants on fire (h/t: Eric Ethington):

Buttars: Gays "Biggest Threat to America"

ABC4:

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Utah state senator Chris Buttars is now comparing some in the gay community to radical Muslims.

Buttars makes this strong comment in an upcoming documentary about Prop 8.

[...]

And even though Buttars says in the documentary interview,..."the ACLU - bless their black hearts...," it’s his other comments which may get the strongest reaction.

Like this one which the documentary maker confirms is about gays.

"They're mean. They want to talk about being nice. They're the meanest buggers I have ever seen."

And just seconds later, Buttars draws a comparison between some gays and radical Muslims.

“It's just like the Muslims. Muslims are good people and their religion is anti-war. But it’s been taken over by the radical side.”

Buttars also claims he's "killed" every gay rights bill in the legislature for the last 8 years.

He also talks about gay marriage being the beginning of the end.

Buttars: "What is the morals of a gay person? You can't answer that because anything goes."

And finally, this is how senator Buttars refers to the "radical gay movement."

"They're probably the greatest threat to America going down I know of."

Now, in the interview, senator Buttars also talks about a certain type of reported gay sexual activity which he claims is taking place.

But ABC 4 does not consider that appropriate for its news content.

Listen to the audio here. You'll find it interesting.

Oh, and he says that Gays' goal is to recruit the youth.

-Bob

Utah: Discrimination Elevated

Special thanks to the members of the House Business and Labor Standing Committee for confirming that Utah is a state of discrimination.

HB 267 FAILS 5-8

The only vote I could hear was Dunnigan's No.

Liveblogging HB 267 hearing

I'm listening to the committee hearing on HB 267 on discrimination.

1500: the bill does not care about what you think your sexuality is. It's about discrimination based on what others perceive your sexuality to be. Rep Johnson cites the case of a LDS Temple Recommend holding father of 5 being fired because he was perceived to be gay because he spoke in an effeminate manner.

1519: sorry. connection went out. rep morley has concern with creating protected class, because it would then discriminate against people not in a class.

1520: public comment period begins.

1524: LaVarr Christensen taking the stand.

1526: LaVarr -- empathy and compassion, blah blah blah.... counters that he never said that amendment 3 would not exclude rights for gays.

1527: lavarr says common ground is goundbreaking. claims that this would be the basis for further rights declared by the courts.

1529: lavarr syas that we can't use civil rights, that that is a protected term.

1530: sue rice gets a turn. small business owner. supports the bill.

1532: bill duncan. attorney. bill has exemption for employers of under 15 employees. concerned about litigation costs, training (isn't this usually covered in sexual harassment). costs of restroom arrangements. religious liberty concerns.

1536: Rev shawn dennison. has seen the effects of discrimination in workplace and housing. "should my landlord learn that I am here and transgendered, I could be evicted in 30 days" (near exact quote). in every religious tradition, leaders are asked to care for the downtrodden, the despised. quotes mosiah 4 from book of mormon.

1541: paul mero's turn. i'll have to transcript it, it was so full of crap. (Paul- if you want to send the text for me, please do so.)

1544: brian horn, lds rm who is gay. jan 10, 2008 -- fired from large credit union. in privately asking if partner could get benefits, got fired because they did "not want his type around."

1547: Gayle Ruzika: my dang internet cut out on me, and I've missed most of her statement. I'll have to transcript it tomorrow, too.

1552: shanna (?): director of hr. discrimination is discrimination. a non-discrimination workplace allows employees to work without fear of being let go for reasons other than their job. this culture also allows them to recruit the best and brightest. if you vote against the bill, you are giving employers permission and endorsing discrimination.

1555: last one is sandra rodriguez, america forever. apologizes to those who think they are hateful. if america ceased to be righteous, america would cease to exist. if you pass bill, you will be endorsing homosexuality. 267 will lead to reading books lke heather has 2 mommies.

1559: rep hansen: people are different. as a government, we are either going to do thing to people, or for people. bill protects him as a heterosexual. two hetersexual men who lived together were targeted as gay in his neighborhood. relates discrimination to mitt romney's problem during election.

1604: rep Jackie Biskupski: if protected classes were a problem, there would be a movement for removal of all protected classes (race, religion, etc)

1606: rep johnson summation: burden of proof is on employee. you can still fire someone, as long as you don't say "you're fired because you're queer." when we create a tolerant work environment, we create a productive work environment. This is not an endorsment of alternative lifestyles. no vote is endorsment of discrimination.

fails 5-8

Carl Wimmer Does the Right Thing

Rep Wimmer hasn't gotten much love here in the past. However, when he does the right thing, I'll show him much love.

Like this account, stolen from Warchol:

If you remember — how could you forget? — an anti-gay-marriage demonstrator confronted openly lesbian Rep. Chris Johnson and told the Salt Lake lawmaker that she is "a waste of a vagina."

To his credit, ex-cop Rep. Carl Wimmer, a leader in the opposition to civil unions, not only met with Johnson, but made a public statement that he would have nothing to do with such crass behavior.

Chris and I don't agree on much — Chris and I don't agree on anything. But I won't stand by and see her mistreated.

The same group of demonstrators, America Forever, crashed a press conference called by Johnson and started aggressively questioning gay rights leaders. Wimmer, himself, stepped in.

I called the state troopers and had them ejected.

Huntsman Still More Popular Than Jesus

Even since Governor Huntsman's declaration last week that he supports the Common Ground bills in addition to Civil Unions, the right has been in a tizzy, saying that Huntsman doesn't side with 60% of Utahans on the issue.

I've been wondering about that one. It didn't seem completely right.

So, I've been anticipating this poll from Dan Jones for KSL/DesNews:

In a new Deseret News/KSL-TV poll, 67 percent of Utahns said the governor's recent announcement supporting civil unions either made no difference or gave them a more favorable opinion of him. Thirty-two percent said their opinions of the governor were negatively impacted by his announcement last week.

So, only 1/3 of his constituents think less of him because of this.

Probably the third that didn't know he was a moderate.

Overall, however, with 80 percent of Utahns still approving of the job Huntsman is doing, the governor's "political bombshell" seems to have created minimal fallout away from Capitol Hill.

Sure, that number was 90% last month, but 80% is pretty dang good. I'd bet that Jesus wouldn't even get 80% approval ratings in Utah.

Now, here comes the question of civil unions:

Forty-seven percent of those polled supported civil unions compared to 42 percent who did not, according to the survey.

OK, the difference is within the margin of error, but it looks like more people in this state favor civil unions than oppose them.

-Bob

DNews: She Broke a Nail!

Well, all of them, at least.

But, when that's what you're famous for, it's a big deal:

A Salt Lake woman who was the current Guinness Book of World Records holder for having the longest fingernails, was injured in an accident Tuesday.

The injuries to Lee Redmond were serious but not life threatening, according to police. Her fingernails, however, were broken off in the crash, according to Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Redmond gained notoriety for her fingernails, which were approximately 33 inches long and had not been cut since 1979. She has been featured on TV in episodes of "Guinness Book of World Records" and "Ripley's Believe It or Not."

On Tuesday, the SUV Redmond was a passenger in, hit the side of another vehicle in the intersection of 2300 East and 6200 South about 1:30 p.m., said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Don Hutson. The impact of that collision caused the second vehicle to hit a third vehicle, and propel the SUV onto the sidewalk, through a chain-link fence and back onto the road where it hit a fourth vehicle, Hutson said.

Redmond, who was in the passenger seat, was ejected from the SUV. The man driving the vehicle was pinned and suffered a broken ankle. Both were transported to area hospitals, she in serious condition and the driver in critical condition, Hutson said.

"Hey, Who Let That Guy In Here!"

(Thanks to Senator Urquhart and Ric Cantrell)

Gov Huntsman Needs to Come Out of the Closet

No, not that closet, even though I had someone tell me last night they thought he was, you know, not straight.

And I don't mean Jason Chaffetz's closet, either.

What I mean is that Jon Huntsman needs to come out and admit what he really is.

A Democrat.

Hold a press conference, and let the Republicans know that since they don't want him any more, he's leaving.

And joining the other team.

Pulling a Jim Jeffords, if you will.

Heck, he'd be more of a leader than our party has seen in a really long time.

So, go ahead, Republicans. Tell Jon Huntsman he isn't a good Republican.

'Cause we'd take him in a heartbeat.

For more on Huntsman's Democratic credentials, check out this from Paul Rolly:

The latest clue to Huntsman's true political identity came Monday in a Salt Lake Tribune story when a spokesperson said he
favored having a domestic partnership program in Utah in which same-sex couple could claim many of the same rights afforded to married couples without the declaration of marriage.
If that isn't enough to make the Utah Republican hierarchy lose its vouchers, he also believes in cap and trade agreements and other initiatives to reduce pollution, a softer, more humane approach to illegal immigration and a relaxation of some of Utah's stringent alcohol control laws.
Holy Buttars.
He even believes in bonding and dipping into the rainy day fund to save education and health care programs.
A close look at Huntsman's policy positions should convince anyone that he fits the political profile of the moder, conservative western-style Democrat.

In-N-Out Cult Coming to Draper

Another fast food chain with sub-par food is coming to Utah:

KUTV -- Burger fans in Northern Utah have reason to celebrate.

Draper City announced today that the owners of In-N-Out Burger have submitted plans to build a restaurant at the Draper Peaks Shopping Center, located at 12195 S. Factor Outlet Dr.

Draper Mayor Darrell H. Smith said, "We are very pleased to be the first location in northern Utah. Our residents expressed in a survey that this was one of the restaurants they would like to see in Draper."

I'm convinced they are a cult.

Can we please stop calling it Amendment 3?

There is no such thing in the Utah Constitution as Amendment 3.

It's not there.

Look it up.

Back in 2004, it was called Amendment 3 to differentiate it from the other two amendments being proposed that year. In 2008, the amendments were lettered, not numbered.

However, the numbering was just for the purposes of election day.

Now, it's Article I, Section 29 of the Utah State Constitution.

Let's start calling it that, OK?

-Bob

Joe the Plummer Quote of the Week

“I don’t believe there’s two sides to every story. It’s black and white,” [Samuel "Joe the Plummer"] Wurzelbacher explained. “There’s right and wrong.”

Actually, Joe, "Black and White" is two sides. So is right and wrong.

God, can we just name Sarah Palin and Sam Wurzelbacher to be the GOP nominees already?

-Bob

Utah Press Association responds to SB 208

I wrote about SB 208 as it was being discussed at the blogger briefing yesterday at the Capitol. I received the following comment, which I'm reprinting here to call attention to the other side:

The truth is that newspapers get it. If Sen. Urquhart had made a simple phone call or asked questions of legislators who are familiar with the idea would have shown that the Utah Press Association agrees on the the need to expand the reach and accessibility of use of public notice.

However, we believe that public notice should be both in newspapers and on the Web. For the past two years, with the agreement of former Senate President John Valentine and Sen. Dennis Stowell, R-Parowan, Utah's newspapers have developed a new centralized Web site that is now in beta testing.

Also, for several years we have maintained and continue to maintain, utahlegalnotices.com. Both of these Web sites have been searchable by key words. The new Web site will be RSS feed capable and a fully searchable database of statewide public notices. One will also be able to subscribe to e-mail feeds on a particular key word.

We believe that we have developed one of the most sophisticated legal notice Web sites in the United States. The Utah Press Association has also pledged to create an advertising campaign that would help citizens better understand and access public notices.

As has been the case for centuries, public notice is best served by a third-party, independent source. There should be a be check and balance on government power. In other words, should the fox be watching the henhouse when it comes to legal notices? Also, should the government be in the business of creating its own communications bureaucracy?

Also, there are real costs associated with creating and maintaining a public notice Web site. Currently, along with the initial startup costs, the Utah Public Meeting Notice Web site has at least one full-time staff and ongoing costs through the Utah Department of Archives.
Joel Campbell
Utah Press Association
Legislative Monitor
foiguy@gmail.com

Sutherland: LDS Church is Wrong

OK, so they didn't come right out and say that, but let's connect the dots for two seconds.

On November 5, 2008, Elder L Whitney Clayton, who headed the Church's involvement in California's Proposition 8, told the Deseret News that the church "does not oppose civil unions or domestic partnerships," that involve benefits like health insurance and property rights. That stand was outlined in a statement the church posted on its Web site earlier in the campaign. Three months later, the Church has not refuted these claims.

In fact, on January 21, 2009, LDS Church leaders met with Republican Legislative Leaders. When pressed for a position on the "Common Ground" bills, the legislators were referred to prior statements issued by the Church. This version of events has not been refuted by either the Church nor by Legislative leaders.

On February 9, 2009, Governor Jon Huntsman came out in support of the Common Ground Initiative, including civil unions.

So, you would think that groups that consist primarily of members of the LDS Church that use religious arguments to defend their positions would applaud the Governor for siding with the Church, right?

As if.

Reference this message I received via Facebook tonight from Jeff Reynolds of the Sutherland Institute:

On Monday, February 9, 2009, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that Governor Huntsman, through his spokesperson, had expressed his support for the "Common Ground Initiative" and said he was in favor of civil unions for same-sex couples.

In response, Sutherland Institute issued the following statement: "We're not surprised. Public relations, not policy, is his strong suit. He had to be dragged to the altar of Amendment 3, and everyone has known, since then, that Governor Huntsman would rather be nice than right."

Responsible citizens wishing to express their disappointment to the Governor's position on this issue may contact his office at 801-538-1000 or you can simply leave a comment for him at http://governor.utah.gov/goca/form_comment.html.

The Governor needs to know it's important to be right on this issue, not nice.

Click here, and send the Governor a message thanking him for showing courage and standing up for what's right.

Jon Stewart Roasts Bob Bennett

Jan 29, 2008:

Liveblog: Blogger Presser @ the Capitol

I'm live at the blogger deal at the Capitol. To view online, click here.

1608: After everyone introduced ourselves, Senator Urqhart introduced SB 208 that will allow legal notices on state web site.

1616: There would be a nominal fee to publish the legal notice. The actual cost of the fee is unknown at this time.

1617: The requirement of an online notice would be anywhere a legal notice is required in the current law.

1618: Currently, hundreds of thousands of dollars (possibly low 7 figures) is spent on legal notices.

1619: No feedback yet from newspaper publishers.

1620: archives.utah.gov is likely where the legal notices will be published.

1621: database of notices will be searchable (location, type, etc)

1628: ethan at slcspin asked if this was an anti-media bill. the answer (from the senator) is that it's a pro-consumer bill. not governments job to prop up a industry.

1632: implementation will be in 2010 so that any tweaks that come from the technology can be rectified in annother session.

1634: JMBell texted in to ask Ethan why, since he's no longer a real blogger, he's hogging all the questions. (Ethan asked 3, everyone else asked one. While I liked JM's point, Ethan didn't exactly hog out time.)

1637: Sen Neiderhauser speaking on transparency moves by the state government.

More Chaffetz Colbert Goodness

Stephen gives the Congressman a facial then plays Rock Band, where the Congressman gets a 24% on Easy.

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

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Christian Bale Parody
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The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

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Colbert Report Full Episodes
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The Optimism of Waddoups

Some people wish for the patience of Job.

I want the optimism of Senator Waddoups. From his opening speech as Senate President two weeks ago:

"I prefer to look on the bright side. Things aren't as gloomy as some would have us believe," Waddoups said. "Revenues are down a little, but we can still eat, we can have homes, we have health care, we have color TV … and most still have jobs."

We can still eat, except for those who can't afford to. Not to mention the fact that we have no idea how safe our food supply is.

We have homes, except those who have been foreclosed on. Anyone want to make a visit with me to The Road Home and congratulate them on having a home with me?

Well, you have health care. Have you ever tried to fight strep without meds? It ain't color TV?

Ad, speaking of color TV's, since when was that a necessity? And can you even buy a black and white?

And fewer people have jobs than when he said this. Go figure.

-Bob

"It's on the web site"

I haven't been blogging much as of late because I have been looking for two things: 1) Motivation and 2) a job.

#2 is the most important, of course.

However, I wanted to post this, mostly because I am preparing remarks on the subject and wanted it in a handy place for future reference. (Tribune, Jan 22 2009)
\

Also discussed by GOP legislators and LDS Church officials Wednesday were the following:

City Creek » The church said it has no plans to postpone work on its City Creek development, the largest construction project in the state.

Same-sex couples » Officials did not specifically address a series of proposed "Common Ground" bills that would extend some rights to same-sex couples, except to refer lawmakers to their previous statements on the topic.

Immigration » The LDS leaders reiterated their concern that the state enact a "compassionate" immigration policy.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir MLK Tribute this Sunday

So, it's a few weeks late, but given The Church's past problems with racial equality, it stands to say that this is a significant event:

Announcing a special Music and spoken Word broadcast dedicated to Martin Luther King featuring The Morormon Tabernacle Choir and soloist Alex Boye'

This event will be broadcast across the country and around the world. Come be a part of this dedication to a man who helped to change the history books

PLEASE BE SEATED BY 9:00 AM

You can also watch the broadcast Sunday am on local KSL Channel 5 @9.30am

LIVE ON THE INTERNET Sunday 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM (Mountain Time)
http://www.musicandthespokenword.com/video_noton.php

or if you miss it you can check byutv for rebroadcasts
http://www.byub.org/programaz/program.asp?id=651&showall=False

For more on Alex Boye', click here.