Utah Politics

By Ray Briscoe Ph.D.

There is only one group of politicians in Utah with a lot of power. They are the ideologues of the Republican Party. This includes the leadership of the Party which has their hands on the controls and determine funding and the direction of nearly all legislation.

In reality, there are three political parties in Utah: the "normal" or sane Republicans, the Party ideologues, and the Democrats. Ideologues in the Republican Party base their decisions on the belief that government is bad, and big government is worse. In their Party caucuses during legislative time, they brow-beat the sane Republicans with threats and intimidation.

The ideologues look to the balcony to get a thumbs up from the self-anointed queen bee of all righteousness to know how to vote, but the normals do not. Occasionally, the "normals" and the Democrats get to have some say about issues that the ideologues have not yet glued their shoes to the floor about and are willing to let a minor issue slide by.

I believe that it is understood by nearly all the members of both political parties in Utah that human freedom is desirable. I also believe that human freedom is best preserved and cherished in an atmosphere of parliamentary democracy. Most all people would agree that even freedom has some limitation and needs some degree of control.

Conflicts in our society are solved by the diversity and multiplicity of interests. Fortunately, no single interest has the power or available force to get everything they want. In a healthy political society, compromise is an essential ingredient of democracy.

In our diversity, no individual has the brains or insight to know what is good for every other person. We need have no concern for the man or woman whose faith is built upon a rock. However, at the same time, we should have significant concern when the faithful person requires the rest of us to all gather on his rock. Essentially, the most dangerous of all political identities are those who know without a doubt they are right. These are the souls who threaten liberty. Every individual is on a quest to find what is true to them, but no one has been endowed to define what is true for everyone.

To live happily, humankind must have dissent. One can kill, force, and wage war to force a point of view. Human history surely tells us that force and compulsion are only temporary possibilities for those who must have command. Unanimity in politics will never occur. Our only solution is to perpetuate a political system which allows ideas to be freely explored. This was exactly the process which gave the American people, and yes the world, our marvelous Constitution. The founders had strong and diverse opinions as to what was correct and what should not be considered. They made this nation a great nation, because they were willing and able to listen to each other and find some compromise.

In Utah, the problem is greater than a two party system. We live in a state where the majority religion is the Mormon Church; however, that does not mean they all agree on anything. Mormons are a diverse group.

I am an active Mormon. I try diligently to follow the precepts of my prophets and local leaders. I also consider myself a liberal. I don’t believe in abortion. Neither do I think a state has the right to tell a woman what she is required to do with her body. I do believe that we need to protect our nation’s borders, but we also need to be compassionate to the families we have allowed into our country. The children who are American citizens should have the right to attend college without having to pay out of state tuition. I believe that children should have the right to medical treatment without having to go to an emergency hospital.

Why are these even issues? I believe I know the reason.

The leadership of the Republican Party in Utah have captured the perception that the GOP and the Mormon Church are pretty much the same organization. It was in the 1970's that this philosophical gobblygoop was thrust upon Utah citizens. The Republican Party is a more cohesive party than Democrats. The Democrat Party is made up of many different elements; middle-class workers, ethnic minorities, intellectuals, and labor unions are some of the amalgamation which make the party what it is. It is more difficult to hold together than a cohesive party. As such, the Democrats only gain power after the opposition party has fostered a major screw-up.

The United States and Utah are now in the throes of a major screw-up! President Bush and Vice-President Cheney have opened all the windows in the house, all the doors, and even left the garage door hanging open so the Democrats can walk in. The inability of the Republican Party to pull off Vouchers against the will of the people of Utah has given the state an opportunity to stir the pot and get a better meal out of our political life than that which the Republicans have tried to stuff down our throats. The only thing left is for them to put up a sign and invite us in. Let’s not wait for the invitation, but go forward with confidence and resolution and hack away the power base of the Republican Party.

The Democrat Party is not without its faults. The leadership of the Democrat Party has by in large made religion an issue within their Party. It’s only natural for them to do that, because the Republicans have convinced many citizens of the state that they are married to the Mormon Church. The Democrats did not do their political job to prevent this. Look up liberalism in the dictionary: "...a political philosophy advocating personal freedom for the individual, democratic forms of government, gradual reform in political and social institutions, etc..." The Democrats have allowed the Republican Party to define who we are. It is not unlike going to the Chevy dealer to find out what a Ford has to offer.

The leadership of the Republican Party in Utah does not represent the majority of Republicans. Their constituency want to pay higher taxes for better schools. The leadership uses a few illogical statements which do not make sense. "Parents pay a higher percentage of their income for education than any state in the union." That is true, but do they also purchase fewer movie tickets, and fewer pairs of shoes, and fewer snowmobiles, and ski tickets than those in other states. I think you know the answer.

The National government will rebate $600,000,000 @ $600 per child in Utah to rescue a failing economy. The Republican leadership in our state say they have to cut educational spending by $49,000,000. They say it is so because our state taxes are based on the amount of taxes we pay to the National government. No one raised a ruckus. All the legislature has to do is pass a law which makes an adjustment and appropriately fund education. The bottom line is the leadership of the Republican Party has demonstrated over time that they do not really want to support public education. They believe that private education should be able to do what it wants to do, and they use the excuse that parents know best. Education is serious business and needs parental support, but not parental control.

When kids are split up and go to different private schools we put a pick in the heart of democracy. It makes for a two class society. Citizens with more wealth will fund education for their own children with ideologue legislative help. It is important that kids of different religions understand each other. They have so much in common and they will not learn that if they are all going to private schools. Please point out the political discrepancies between members and leaders of the mixed-up Republican Party.

Another word about religion. The leadership of the Democrat Party has tended to ignore the reality of the Mormon faith. Our difference in our faith beliefs does not change substantially who we are. In reality, we do not have that many differences. The Methodists love their children every bit as much as do the Mormons. Protestants want good schools just like those of other faiths. Let’s get out of the fear of leadership coming from the Mormons, or those from any other faith. Let us be proud to be Democrats. Isn’t it wonderful that we belong to a party which has a black man and a woman as our potential candidate for the Presidency of the United States? We are the party of the future! Let’s make it so.

Raymond G. Briscoe, Ph.D.
February 29, 2008

Encouragement, pass it on

From Nihilismus Bestorimus

Mayor Ralph Becker Appoints Nationally Renowned Expert on Theater Development to Lead Salt Lake City’s New Downtown Theater Development Project

Mayor’s Downtown Theater Action Group is Established

SALT LAKE CITY – Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker announced today that he has appointed a nationally recognized, Tony Award-winning expert in the field of theater development, production and management to oversee Salt Lake City’s plan to build a Broadway-class theater.

William Becker will work on a volunteer basis to chair the newly announced Mayor’s Downtown Theater Action Group, a team of community and business leaders who will investigate options currently being considered for the location, size and financing of the capital city’s new theater and recommend a final decision on the matter.

In making the announcement, Becker said, “I know Bill will work with this group to quickly and effectively determine where and how Salt Lake City should build our theater, to fit the needs of the capital city and indeed the whole state of Utah.”

“There are a handful of excellent locations in the capital city to establish this theater. I have worked closely with the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance to determine this next step. We all agree that appointing this group and chairman to advise us on our best options will produce efficient and effective results.”

The entire membership of the group will be announced in the next few weeks. The Mayor is encouraging the group to begin its work quickly so the Salt Lake City can, once a specific site is selected, get the theater development project underway.

Becker concluded, “I am pleased to announce today that, in partnership with the arts and business community, a new Broadway-class theater is going to be built in Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital city and the heart of our state.”

Biography of Bill Becker

Bill Becker is a Tony® Award winning producer who organized TheatreDreams with Larry Wilker in 2001 and currently serves as Chairman. TheatreDreams has become an internationally regarded theater producer, owner and operator. Since 2001, the company has co-produced four Broadway and several road productions; acquired, restored, and operated The Chicago Theatre; and managed the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. By 2007, when The Chicago Theatre was sold to Madison Square Garden (Cablevision), the venue had become one of the world's outstanding presenters of popular entertainment programming.

Becker left his law practice and his position as the Kennedy Center General Counsel to organize and operate TheatreDreams with Wilker. Becker had provided legal counsel to the Kennedy Center since 1969, before initial construction was completed. During his tenure, he oversaw performance contracting and, beginning in 1994, the transfer of building operations and a $225 million construction program from the National Park Service to the Kennedy Center. He guided the project to expand the Kennedy Center parking garage with a $32 million Industrial Revenue Bond issuance, and was instrumental in the planning for a $400 million expansion of the Kennedy Center to include a 17-acre public plaza to the east of the Kennedy Center site, utilizing air rights over the existing highway system.

Becker has negotiated thousands of theater production, television, licensing, recording, and other performing arts contracts since 1969, including presentation, stage, television, record, movie, and other production and presentation arrangements for Leonard Bernstein's Mass, Captain Brassbounds Conversion, First Monday in October, Seinfeld, American Idol, ESPY Awards, Pippin, Annie, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in Private Lives, Bolshoi Opera, CNN Debates, Bolshoi Ballet, Les Miserables, and the Kennedy Center Honors.

Becker has vast experience in corporate finance, copyright and intellectual property matters, computer and Internet issues, real estate development and labor relations. His legal work also included commercial litigation, insurance, labor relations and other employment matters, tort litigation, federal ethics statutes and regulations, legislative matters, construction contracting, crude oil pipeline and trucking regulation, and federal agency status issues.

He also represented Kennedy Center Productions, Inc., a funding entity for the Kennedy Center, and represented Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts in its early years. For many years, he was General Counsel and on the Board of Directors of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Washington DC and The Voice Foundation. Becker has written and participated in symposia on performing arts related subjects. Becker is a graduate of the Harvard Law School (LLB) and the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration (MBA). Until leaving his law practice, he was admitted to the bars of the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Supreme Court.

Becker lives outside of Park City, UT, with his wife, Joan Alper, where his extracurricular activities include hiking, flyfishing, and downhill and backcountry skiing.

Seegmiller to announce bid for District 49 seat currently held by Speaker Curtis

SALT LAKE CITY — Jay Seegmiller will announce on Tuesday, March 4, that he will challenge House Speaker Greg Curtis for District 49.

“It’s time to clean the House,” said Seegmiller.

“More than anyone else, Speaker Curtis is responsible for the way our Legislature functions,” the candidate said. “It’s time to hold him accountable for his leadership style, rules he imposes on a whim that uniformly benefit his cronies, and the privileged access he grants special interests but denies constituents.”

Seegmiller says that he has fought for working people his entire adult life, adding that when elected he will demand fiscal responsibility and stringent oversight of business developers seeking state taxpayer subsidies.

“The Utah I grew up in was a safe and healthy place to live,” he said. “We can and must make sure we pass on that legacy to our kids. That’s my contract with voters of District 49.”

Seegmiller said, “I will fight for campaign finance and ethics reform that Utahns overwhelmingly favor but the Curtis Legislature has consistently stymied.”

Seegmiller, a firm believer in the importance of strengthening families, public schools, and communities, has come out strong against school vouchers and other attempts to marginalize our children’s education. His campaign will contrast that philosophy with that of Speaker Curtis, who played a key role in ramrodding an unpopular voucher bill through the Legislature last year by just one vote.

“Speaker Curtis does not share the values of my neighbors or yours,” Seegmiller said.

Background

Seegmiller has lived in District 49 for 19 years. He and his wife of 29 years, Michelle, raised their four children there. He grew up in the Glendale area of Salt Lake City and graduated from South High School. Seegmiller has worked in the railroad industry for 31 years and is currently a conductor for Amtrak. He twice has been awarded Amtrak’s prestigious “President’s Service and Safety Award.”

Protecting the interests of his fellow workers always has been a priority for Seegmiller. He has been active in the United Transportation Union (UTU) during his entire career at Amtrak and has represented fellow Amtrak employees. Seegmiller serves as the Utah State Legislative Director for the UTU.

Seegmiller’s professional experience would help Utahns, especially those living along the Wasatch Front and in District 49, find solutions to their transportation growing pains.

Seegmiller is active in his community, serving on the Sandy City Transportation Committee. He has also arranged for parents and teachers to meet with Congressman Jim Matheson at Hillcrest High School to discuss ways to fix some of the problems with “No Child Left Behind,” in particular how it harms children with learning disabilities and their schools and teachers.

Announcement details

Who: Jay Seegmiller and Democratic and community supporters
Where: Utah Capitol Rotunda, Salt Lake City
When: 12 noon, Tuesday, March 4

I Can't Believe It's Not Buttar(s)

Once again, Utah Senate targets domestic partnership registry
By Derek P. Jensen
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 02/28/2008 06:15:37 AM MST

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker may have dodged Chris Buttars, but now more Capitol Hill cohorts are ganging up on their former colleague.

A bill unveiled Wednesday - sponsored by all 21 Senate Republicans - would doom Becker's newly adopted domestic-partnership registry in the name of preserving Utah's ban on gay marriage.

It also would, the city attorney insists, gut the capital's 2006 adult-designee ordinance, which provides health-care benefits for city employees' domestic partners.

And Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, the chief sponsor, says he was not influenced by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who said this week that the state has no place "overreaching or micromanaging" local government.

"I obviously disagree," Bell said.

Despite negotiations to narrow its scope, Bell's SB299 is no weaker than the now-banished registry bill written by Buttars, the beleaguered West Jordan conservative. Such is the contention of City Attorney Ed Rutan and Becker, who says both Salt Lake City measures are an attempt "to eliminate discrimination in the city."

"If that is the concern, that the domestic-partnership registry violates Amendment 3, then maybe they should just have a statute that says a domestic partnership is not equivalent to marriage," said Becker, a former Utah House minority leader. "But don't prohibit us in Salt Lake City from providing benefits to our employees and our residents."

Bell argues the primary purpose of SB299 is to block "marriage look-alikes" from usurping the voter-approved Amendment 3.

"It did symbolically," he said about the registry. "Whether it did constitutionally is an open question."

Bell also contends the bill safeguards the capital's adult-designee ordinance. "That was their big deal, so we're hoping that we're preserving that," he said.

But language in the measure recognizes "financially dependent" adults while the city rule stipulates financially "interdependent" - a major distinction, Rutan warns. SB299 also protects the ordinance only if health benefits "are not otherwise available to the designee," which of course, they are - albeit at extravagant costs.

"That basically negates the whole point of the program," said Rutan, adding that he is "very frustrated" by the persistence of the Legislature to tie the registry to Amendment 3.

"We haven't seen any written opinion from any judge that says that," Rutan said. "If it goes to court, I believe that we would win."

The anti-registry bill may not be as warmly received in the Utah House, a point not lost on the Senate.

Asked why he would need 20 Republican co-sponsors, Bell said "we wanted to present a united front."

Becker, who maintains SB299 would strip benefits from a number of city employees, may be looking to Huntsman for a potential veto.

"He was firm about the state stepping into the shoes of Salt Lake City," Becker reminded. "And I agree with his statement."

When asked previously if he would veto an anti-registry bill, the governor doubted such a measure would reach his desk.

"It might," Huntsman said, "but I just don't think it will."

djensen@sltrib.com
---
* THOMAS BURR contributed to this story.
* SB299, sponsored by Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, is scheduled for a 7 a.m. hearing in Capitol Room 250.
* The Senate Retirement and Independent Entities Committee, which includes Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, is co-chaired by Majority Leader Curtis Bramble, R-Provo.

Joe Dulin announces candidacy for Utah Senate District 25

The Democratic Party of Utah is supporting Joe Dulin’s candidacy to challenge incumbent Lyle Hillyard for the state Senate.

Logan, UT, February 27, 2008: A former Op-ed columnist for the Logan Herald Journal, Joe Dulin has announced his intention to run for the Utah Senate out of Logan as a Democrat. Dulin stated that “It is a privilege to be a part of the democratic process in Utah and I plan to give the voters of northern Utah a choice for change.”

When asked to describe his reason for running, Dulin stated “I do not want to continue to send generation after generation of Utah Children off to the lowest funded schools in the country. It is time to move from worst to first.

Furthermore, I have lost patience with the Utah senate. With a wink and a nod, they spend our tax dollars to hold hearings that demean and humiliate entire classes of people based on the prejudice and personal insecurities of their proxy, Sen. Chris Buttars. Government is supposed to be of the people, by the people and for the people – and that means all of the people. The selective persecution of groups of people and the use of derogatory racial analogies have no place in my value system or my government. It is time to end this nonsense and get down to business working on the environmental, energy, health care, education and transportation challenges facing this state.”

Dulin plans to run an aggressive campaign in an effort to unite the voters of Northern Utah in support of change. When asked why he thinks he has a chance to win in what has been traditionally a Republican stronghold, Dulin replied “After the way shabby way Mitt Romney was treated by the majority of Republicans calling themselves evangelicals in the recent national primaries, I would surprised if Utah Republicans aren’t looking for an alternative to the Republican Party. To them I say, come join the Democrats, we welcome people of all faiths with open arms. Your faith is your faith. What I am interested in is to hear your ideas about how we can make Utah even a better place to raise our families together. Join with me. We can make a difference.”

Dulin graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Accountancy from Arizona State University in 1985 and he subsequently earned an MBA from Utah State University. His professional accreditations include a CPA certificate and an Associate in Risk Management designation from the Insurance Institute of America. He has lived in the Cache Valley since 2002 and presently is a Business Officer at Utah State University.

KELLY ANN BOOTH ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 28

Kelly Ann Booth announces that she will be a candidate for the Utah House of Representatives, in House District 28, for the Democratic party.

Ms. Booth is endorsed by a who’s who of county officials including Sheriff Jim Winder, Council Members Jim Bradley, Joe Hatch, Randy Horiuchi, Jenny Wilson, and County Auditor Jeff Hatch.

State Representatives Jackie Biskupski, Christine Johnson, David Litvak (Minority Whip), Phil Riesen, Carol Spackman Moss (Assistant Minority Whip), as well as State Senators Pat Jones (Assistant Minority Whip), Karen Mayne, Scott McCoy, Ross Romero, and former State Senator Paula Julander have also endorsed Booth.

Former Utah State Senator and longtime district resident Karen Hale says “I’ve known Kelly Ann for nearly ten years and I can tell you she is a proven and formidable candidate. She’ll be good for our community and for our state. I’m proud to endorse her.”

Booth is optimistic and said “Representative (Roz) McGee has served this district well and I hope to be able to live up to the high standard she has set. I’m looking forward to meeting with people and discussing how government can be a positive force in the community.”

Ms. Booth has been involved with community organizations such as the Catalyst Humanitarian International, is on the Rape Recovery Center Hospital Response Team, and sits on the Board of Directors of Inclusion Center for Community and Justice.

Kelly Ann Booth is an attorney and works for the Salt Lake County Auditor.

From Utah Policy Daily: What’s With Utah County Dems?

Utah County Democrats are offering the strongest field of legislative candidates that I’ve seen in many years of observing Utah politics. The remarkable class of candidates reflects the strong leadership county Democratic Chair Richard Davis and Vice-Chair Larry Brown. Davis, a BYU political science professor, is showing that someone who hangs out in the ivory tower can also fight and scrap and do the nuts and bolts grassroots work so important in building a county party.

Many of the candidate recruits are prominent in their communities and have strong ties to BYU and the LDS Church. Most of them will run smart, well-organized campaigns. While winning in overwhelmingly Republican Utah County will always be difficult for Democrats, it’s clear that GOP candidates are going to have to get out and work, for a change. Here’s a list of the current Democratic candidates, with more expected to announce over the next few weeks. The Republican incumbent in each district is also noted.

Senate 13: Ken Peay is a retired commander of the Utah Highway Patrol in Utah County and worked in law enforcement for 31 years. He heads the criminal justice program at Provo College. In 2006, he ran against Becky Lockhart in House District 64. (Sen. Mark Madsen)

House 27: Gwyn Franson is a former member of the Highland City Council. She was the only person to be elected to two terms on the council. She is currently an elementary school teacher at Highland Elementary School. Her husband, Jay, is currently the mayor of Highland. (Rep. John Dougall)

House 58: Steven Baugh is a former superintendent of the Alpine School District. A native of Orem, he is currently on the faculty of the College of Education at BYU. (Rep. Stephen Sandstrom)

House 59: Paul Thompson is a former president of Weber State University and former dean of the Marriott School of Management at BYU. He recently returned as president of the Massachusetts Boston LDS Mission. (Rep. Lorie Fowlke)

House 60: Boyd McAffee is a retired educator in the Alpine School District and currently director of the Clear Creek Camp in Scofield, Utah. He is a long time Boy Scouter. His father served as a Democrat in the state legislature representing Provo. (Rep. Brad Daw)

House 61: Deon Turley is the president of the Provo Council PTA. She previously served as secretary of the Provo council PTA; secretary to the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters; and Deputy County Clerk in Weber County. (Rep. Keith Grover)

House 62: Claralyn Hill is a local estate planning attorney in Provo. She is a co-author (along with Dallin H. Oaks and Reese Hansen) of a well-known textbook on trusts. She has served on the boards of several community organizations and is a popular lecturer with her husband, Ned, on budgeting and estate planning. Her husband is dean of the Marriott School of Management at BYU. (Rep. Chris Herrod)

House 63: Don Jarvis is a retired professor of Russian at BYU. He was director of the faculty center at BYU and is currently a consultant on faculty development at UVSC. He also served as president of the Russia Moscow LDS Mission. (Rep. Stephen Clark)

Representative Roz McGee-D, Salt Lake City to retire from the Utah Legislature

SALT LAKE CITY, February 27, 2008 - Rep. Roz McGee-D, Salt Lake City met with House Democratic Leadership today to advise them she will not file for re-election. Elected in 2002 McGee has served three two-year terms in the Utah House representing District 28 in Salt Lake City. She succeeded Republican Afton Bradshaw.

“Representing House District 28 here on Salt Lake City’s east bench has been a rare privilege because it is a neighborhood of folks heavily engaged in community and education leadership. The district’s common denominator is relationships with the University of Utah and the medical center.” said McGee.

“Roz has served in the House of Representatives extremely well for the past 6 years, but more importantly she has served her constituents in a singular way,” said Minority Leader Brad King. “We will miss her smile, her quick wit and especially her insight into the plight of the people whose voices are often not heard.”

During her legislative tenure she has served on the House Judiciary Standing Committee and the Revenue and Tax Standing Committee. Her committee assignments reflect her commitment to sustaining Utah’s respected judicial system and also to the critical need for a balanced and adequate tax policy.

Representative McGee has also been an advocate of for public education. “Utah’s greatest challenge is educating its children,” said McGee. “Unless the state gets serious about reduced class sizes and offering programs to reach the needs of each child, we will never achieve the competitive economic position Utah strives for.”

As a member of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee she has been an advocate for services to people with disabilities and other under served populations.

Roz McGee was raised in Chapel Hill, N.C., and has retained lifelong her distinctive southern accent. She and her husband have made Utah their home since 1982 when her husband accepted a position as Chief of the Infectious Diseases Division at the University Medical Center.

Prior to election to the Legislature McGee was Executive Director of Voices for Utah Children, a statewide child advocacy organization, from 1988 to 2001. In 2006 McGee carried House District 28 by a margin of 17%.

Resolution Honoring the Life and Contributions of President Gordon B. Hinckley

The Utah House of Representatives passed a Concurrent Resolution today, which honors the life and contributions of LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckely, who passed away earlier this year.

The Concurrent Resolution of the Legislature and the Governor, HCR006S01, honors President Hinckley, for his life of service and dedication.

Members of the Utah House took a few moments to share their personal stories and memories of the prophet. One special moment for me was when Speaker Curtis introduced Gordon B. Hinckley's son, Clark and his wife Kathy. Speaker Curtis then introduced Clark's son, Joseph Hinckley, who is currently an intern to minority leader, Brad King. I work with Joseph on a daily basis and I am glad he could be a part of this important day. It was a wonderful moment for all of us.

The resolution passed unanimously.

More Unintended Consequences From The 2008 Leg Session

Who says our legislature never does anything helpful? Of course this one is by accident.

HB407 Substitute 2 provides that all Internet service providers who agree to quickly give away their customers' private data to government officials who ask for it (even without a court order) can take upon themselves the government sanctioned label: "Community Conscious Internet Provider".

The way I look at it the legislature has inadvertently provided a way for me as a consumer to know which ISPs I should avoid like the plague when I'm shopping around for a new service. Anyone willing to label themselves a "Community Conscious Internet Provider" is also willing to give away my privacy at the drop of a hat.

Thank you legislators for allowing ISPs to willingly take upon themselves this dark mark so consumers will know who not to give their money to!

H/T Pete Ashdown's Journal (Pete's post on this topic is aptly titled "The Big Brother Seal of Approval")

It's easy...

"Raise your hopeful voice you have choice"

Nancy Haslam Devenport "NancyD" Nancy passed away suddenly at home on February 19, 2008. Ironically, her mother, Mary Ruth was laid to rest just two weeks ago. The world has lost two very spirited women. Working as a Development Director for Utah State Parks and the Museum of Natural History, she coordinated numerous fund raising projects including the Tate Barn at Soldier Hollow and This is the Place Heritage Museum. She was also a very active member on the board of the Utah Heritage Foundation, and headed several special event projects.

Nancy had a passion for politics and people. She loved to spark a political debate at any gathering, especially if it involved a discussion of our Utah Legislature or 'righteouslature" as she termed it. She was counting the days until our next presidential election. These political talents were put to good use on the 'Becker For Mayor' campaign and the Pete Ashdown senate campaign. She loved being around candidates, staff and volunteers eager to make a difference.

At home, Nancy spent hours in the garden and prepared fabulous soups in the kitchen surrounded by just about every cookbook possible. Nancy devoted many hours to her four wonderful grandchildren; Courtney, Madison, Carter-Man, Ben-Bear and to her Lab - Jax the dog sitting patiently on the kitchen floor.

She is survived by her husband; best friend, John Baumer; two daughters, Anne Phillips and Jennie Zander (Steve); and her sister, Debbie Konopka (Ed). There will be no funeral; however we invite friends and family to celebrate Nancy's life at Memorial House in Memory Grove Park. Date and time to be determined. Please come. Make donations to Utah Heritage Foundation PO Box 28 Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. "And if our hands should meet in another dream we shall build another tower in the sky" "Raise your hopeful voice you have choice"
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 2/24/2008.

Megan's note: I met Nancy in 2004 on the Dina Blaes for County Council campaign. She became my 2nd mom like she was to a lot of people on the campaigns she worked on. She loved working on campaigns and was always there when a Democrat needed help. She will be deeply missed.

What should Democrats make of Ralph Nader?

Now that Ralph Nader has announced yet another independent bid for President, Democrats are left with mixed feelings about the guy. Liberal pundits are again bringing up the 2000 election where, it is alleged, Nader's presence on the Florida ballot resulted in the election of George W. Bush. And we get to hear again the counter-arguments from Nader supporters that it was the quarter-million Florida Democrats who voted for Bush in 2000 that cost Gore the election, or that if Gore had just won his own state of Tennessee or the Clinton's home state of Arkansas, he would have been President.

I was grateful that Senator Obama did at least recognize the Nader's contributions to our nation in his remarks yesterday. There is no question he's had a huge impact on our nation for good. His supporters have pointed out how his place in history would be different if his name was attached to everything he's been responsible for. Think if car airbags were called Nader bags, or if nutrition information on cereal boxes were called Nader notices, or if the Consumer Protection Agency was called the Nader Agency.

Personally, I think on balance, the man may be a gadfly, but he's a positive gadfly. In a system where Democrats at the state and national level must take campaign contributions from special interests or stand no chance of winning elections, having that prophet in the wilderness out there, constantly reminding us that government must be of, by and for the people, not the rich and powerful, is a good thing. Nader's presence in the race will help keep the Democratic nominee a little less likely to cave to the special interests.

He probably won't have much of an impact, but I'm glad he's still out there standing up for the little guy.

In Memory of Robert H. Swan

Robert H. Swan 1935 ~ 2008 Credit Union Official passes Feb. 19, 2008 a victim of a severe stroke days earlier. He was born July 19, 1935 in Tooele, Utah the son of Clifford LeRoy and Cynthia Speirs Swan. His early life was connected to their grocery business and high school sports. He owned and operated Swan's AG Market in Tooele during the 1970's. He enjoyed basketball, playing for the University of Utah and in Rec Leagues and M. Men competitions. A great passion in his life was golf. His Swan Invitational, began on his 50th birthday, was held at Oquirrh Hills Golf Course annually for 10 years. He was known by golfers throughout the United States. A member of the National Credit Union Association from 1990 to 1996, Bob served Credit Union interests in Washington, D.C. and around the nation. He was appointed to that board as a Democratic member by President George H.W. Bush following a recommendation by Sen. Jake Garn. Earlier he managed the Tooele Federal Credit Union from 1983-1990. He was an accounting graduate from the U. of U. and served in the U.S. Army Audit Agency. Long active in politics and community affairs, Bob served on the Tooele City Council and as Mayor of Tooele City, elected in 1969. He was also a member of the Utah Governor's Advisory Council on Community Affairs and sat as a director with the Utah League of Cities and Towns. On Friday the 13th in August of 1982, he married Jan Thomas. Their marriage was performed by Gov. Scott Matheson, a good friend. Later he was appointed Associated Director of Finance in the Matheson Administration. At the time of his death he was the President of Swan Resources and Consulting Services, 1996 to the present time. He was also employed as a lobbyist for Tooele County and the Utah Credit Unions. Bob is survived by his loving wife Jan, his daughter Stephanie Thomas-Stokes, son Steve Ryan Thomas, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers Allen (Verla) Swan, Karl (Kay) Swan, nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Tooele Stake Center 253 So 200 East. Friends may call at Tate Mortuary 110 So Main St. on Friday 6:00-8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment in the Tooele City Cemetery.

Is it the UN or critical thinking some Utah lawmakers oppose?

This week brought new insights into how conservative lawmakers make decisions and demonstrated that even the most benign pieces of legislation can be derailed unexpectedly, even after receiving unanimous support in one of the chambers.

HB266 would have provided $300,000 to help several Utah high schools pay for their International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. However, with Senator Margaret Dayton, R - Utah County leading the charge, once legislators learned the IB program is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland (not that far from France –gasp) the legislation was in trouble. Senator Darin Peterson, R- Nephi, conducted a quick Google search, apparently during the hearing on the bill, and found acronyms and words like “UNESCO” and “Socialization” came up together with “International Baccalaureate”. Senator Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, told the Salt Lake Tribune he was “not yet comfortable with this based on some of the input I’ve received”, presumably from Senators Dayton and Peterson.

While Senator Peterson has obviously learned how to use the internet, he has yet to learn how to use the dictionary. His fixation on the word “socialization” is interesting. Clearly, based on comments in today’s Tribune story regarding the 3-3 senate committee vote that killed HB266, the Nephi Republican has confused any word with the root “social” as a reference to “socialism”. According to Senator Peterson “Socialization has been a failure everywhere it’s been tried. It’s not the system we work in, and it’s not the system that pays our education bills.”

Peterson was probably referring to information gleaned from the Eagle Forum’s webpage on the IB program which cites a UNESCO report entitled Worldwide Action in Education. No where on the Eagle Forum page is the IB program directly linked to a reference to “socialization”, though “socialization”- as opposed to socialism – is a common goal of education. It is also a common goal for parents by the way, if by socialization we mean the development of strong social skills, and we do.

The Eagle Forum, quoting from the UNESCO report, frowns upon statements like “Socialization: Education . . . for all the world's citizens . . . is essential because education is the principal means for preparing people to participate effectively in the development of their communities . . ." After reading this I thought of emailing or calling Senator Peterson and asking him what better than education he thinks prepares “people to participate effectively in the development of their communities.” Instead, I encourage you to do so. He can be reached at 435-623-2271 or dpeterson@utahsenate.org. He apparently doesn’t mind you calling him at home given his number is posted on the Senate roster.

But this isn’t a case of Senator Peterson or his colleagues simply being lazy and using Google to quickly identify flimsy excuses to vote against a bill. An IB student asked about the latest Utah Senate silliness described the program this way: “Pretty much every IB class is a discussion class, and students often direct that conversation. It teaches you to think critically.” (Emphasis added). I think that last bit is of real concern to right wing ideologues that look upon any educational method that explores different perspectives and fosters debate in the classroom as potential trouble.

The right has become fond of criticizing opponents as “unpatriotic” and pointing to science instruction in our public schools as “anti-religion”. We are all familiar with Ann Coulter’s bit about all liberals being “traitors”. Critical thinking skills are not something you want in a population you are trying to sell such a black and white view of the world to.

If allowing students to explore competing ideas in the classroom is an example of “anti-Americanism” then the far right is taking this country down a dangerous road. There is nothing more patriotic than a class full of teenagers debating differing points of view and learning to think critically. I am not sure there is much that qualifies as less patriotic than letting Google do the hard work of legislating for you because you didn’t take the time to educate yourself on what was being voted on in advance.

Civility, Diversity, and Respect

As Democratic members of the Utah Legislature, we understand that decisions and actions taken by this body have a tremendous impact on every resident of our state. We also understand that elected officials have the responsibility to set the example for respectful political dialogue. In the past few weeks, certain events have caused us to reflect on the need for a greater commitment to the principles of respect and diversity.

Utah’s residents are as diverse as our landscape; we come with a variety of experiences, opinions and backgrounds. We embrace this diversity as a source of strength in our community and not as a reason for division. We also recognize that thoughtful and caring people have differing views on how to address our state’s complex problems. Unfortunately, when these views conflict, misunderstandings, disrespect, and intolerance can result, creating a divide within our communities. We know this divide exists. We see it through debate on the hill, letters to the editor, and comments from constituents. This angry discourse cripples our progress by entrenching us deeper in our differences, diverting our attention from real solutions. Now is the time to step back from our contentious rhetoric and take a look at the values we have in common. It is incumbent on each of us to begin building bridges of respect and understanding through honest and calm discussion.

As Utah Democrats, we advocate for the use of civility in our dialogue-as legislators, as advocates, as residents. Civility instructs us to recognize where we agree and compels us to be more thoughtful when we disagree. Civility requires that we wisely articulate our views to avoid hurting one another. It requires that we take responsibility and hold ourselves and each other accountable when we do hurt others, intentionally or not. It also asks that we forgive others who may have been hurtful toward us.

We respect the diversity, not only of our elected legislators in the Utah House of Representatives, but also the diversity of the people whom we represent. We uphold the Utah Constitution which states that power is vested in the people and the elected members of the legislature. We call upon each of us-elected officials and the public--to foster greater understanding through respectful discussion. Please join us as we bring our diverse voices together in building a better Utah.

Minority Leader Brad King
Minority Whip David Litvack
Assistant Minority Whip Carol Spackman Moss
Caucus Manager Phil Riesen
House Minority Caucus Members

Senator Chris Buttars lies to FOX 13 about Brown v. Board comment

Senator Chris Buttars is now lying about comments he made on KVNU’s For the People August 21, 2006 regarding Brown v. Board of Education. We were interviewing Senator Buttars about an effort to “reconfirm” judges. The disucssion turned toward the role of the judiciary in protecting minority rights. Senator Buttars incredulously made the assertion that he didn’t know of a circumstance where the judiciary protected the rights of the minority. I offered Brown v. Board of Education as an example, to which Senator Buttars replied that it was. “wrong to begin with”.

I pressed Senator Buttars for an explanation, but he refused.

The account that he has given FOX 13 is patently untrue, as you can hear in the clips. At no point in the original conversation did Senator Buttars ever praise Brown v. Board, nor did he offer an explanation.

The next day, the comments were in the Salt Lake Tribune, and the backlash was substantial. We called Senator Buttars to offer him an opportunity to explain his opposition to Brown v. Board, even though the night of the 21st he refused to do so. Only after intense political backlash, did Senator Buttars offer the explanation that portions of the judgment were wrong.

Now, he and Gayle Ruzicka of the Eagle Forum are running around the State telling a version of the August 21, 2008 interview that just isn’t true. When Gayle was on KVNU’s For the People Tuesday night, she tried to tell us the same story that Buttars told FOX 13. She may not have known that it was on this show that the comment was made, and when we corrected her that Senator Buttars refused to offer an explanation, she backed down from that talking point immediately.

Listen to the audio at KVNU's For the People and decide for yourself.

Here’s the full interview with FOX 13

-Tom Grover

Sign the "We Don't Support Chris Buttars" Petition!

(Cross-posted at The World, According to Me)

So, I read this this morning:

Meantime, an online petition supporting Buttars, posted by the Utah Eagle Forum, has received more than 100 signatures.

And so I thought I'd take a look at the petition. I found that 123 people had signed the pro-Buttars petition. That seemed weak for the all-mighty Eagle Forum.

So, I thought I'd create my own "We don't support Chris Buttars" petition.

Please go and sign it.

-Bob

Run, Frank, Run!

WE WANT YOU!

A soldier's peace - the movie!

One of the great memories of my run for congress was the few days I spent walking through Northern Utah with Marshall Thompson and his wonderful wife Kristen. Marshall was one of the most impressive young men I have ever met, and his courageous decision to walk the length of the state to give Utah's citizens another viewpoint of the Iraq War was inspiring.

After over a year's worth of work, they have finished the documentary film about Marshall's experience! The Utah premiere of the movie will be at the Wildcat Theatre in Ogden, Utah on March 8th at 4:30 pm. Please spread the word, and come support this young man who has sacrificed so much for his country. Click on the link above for more information.

Corroon to kick off re-election campaign

Dear Supporter:

I am writing to personally ask for your support and to invite you to join me on February 28th when I will officially announce my re-election campaign for Salt Lake County Mayor.

The last three years have been marked by great achievements for the people of Salt Lake County. I am proud of the work our administration has accomplished. We have been fiscally responsible, developed programs for a clean environment, increased municipal services, and most importantly — restored the community's faith in Salt Lake County government.

As your mayor, I am committed to administering responsible, transparent, and open government. I will continue to work to enhance our quality of life, protect the environment, improve children's educational opportunities, promote our local economy and advance public safety.

I am expecting a tough re-election campaign. However, with your help I can win re-election and continue to work hard for another four years for the 1 million citizens of Salt Lake County.

Join me for the campaign kickoff on Thursday, February 28, 2008, at 2 p.m. at the Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City. The event address is 1355 West 3100 South (enter 3100 South at Redwood Road and go west). I look forward to personally speaking with you after the presentation where light refreshments will be served.

We will also be hosting an open house on the evening of the 28th at my new campaign headquarters (1063 East 3300 South) from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Please stop by and join us for the celebration.

Please R.S.V.P. by calling (801) 467-1221 or email us at mrscorroon@hotmail.com.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Peter Corroon
Salt Lake County Mayor

Utah House Democrats Applaud Passage of Veterans Hospital Funding Bill

SALT LAKE CITY - January 24, 2008 - Veterans in northern Utah and from around the Rocky Mountain west will now have access to a second Veterans’ Nursing Home.

Legislators in the Utah House of Representatives have passed HB 129 today, which appropriates $19.7 million dollars for design and construction of a Veterans’ Nursing Home in Ogden. The legislation, which will prepay the costs associated with the construction of the facility, states that no other nursing homes will be considered in Utah until the federal government repays the state of Utah.

Democrats, Representative Neil Hansen, Ogden and LaWanna Shurtliff, Ogden, have both been ardent supporters of the Veterans Nursing Home project, and it was Representative Hansen who suggested that the state appropriate the necessary funds to build the nursing home. A $5,000,000 bond has previously been appropriated by the legislature, and land for the building has been donated to the Veterans Administration for the nursing home, but the project had been stuck on a growing list of projects awaiting federal funds.

“Everyday that passes by is another day that we're not giving our veterans back something for their service," says Hansen. "I suggested to my colleagues in the legislature that we find a way to fund the project with state dollars and have the federal government come in and reimburse us."

Representative Shurtliff agrees. “The Veterans Administration has wanted this for so long, and Utah veterans have needed this for so long. I feel strongly that we need this to happen, and I was even willing to sponsor the bill so that we could get things moving,” said Shurtliff.

It was Representative Hansen who suggested that the appropriation be included in the Governor’s budget.

“I approached the Governor’s office and asked them to consider adding this to the governor’s budget. I am pleased that we are moving forward.”

The federal government will also pay nearly all operating costs of the nursing home.

"The Voice of Reason"

HE'S BAAAACK! I know we had a false start a while back but the kinks have been worked out and I am happy to announce "The Tom Barberi Show" will be back on the air starting March 3rd from 5 to 7 am on KALL 700. Be a part of history and join me on the air as I resume my quest to legalize adulthood in Utah.

Let Buttars run!

There has been a lot of talk about State Senator Chris Buttars retiring because of his inflammatory comments recently. Even though I am completely outraged with his out-of-touch and sickening legislation and comments, I respectfully disagree that the senator should retire. I want him to stay in. I want him to run again. Our Democratic candidate will beat him in November.

My good friends Weston and Chris wrote great posts about why Buttars shouldn't retire now.

I've started a fundraising campaign for whoever the Democratic candidate is in Senate District 10. Whoever the candidate ends up being (and I'm certain we will have plenty of people to choose from), the money raised here will go directly to them. I urge you to contribute to this vital race at http://actblue.com/page/buttarsretirementfund. Financial disclosure reports show that Buttars has almost $68,000 to spend on this year's race. Let's hit him where it really hurts--in the pocketbook. We're fighting for this seat and we are not going to back down.

Please contribute $10 now for the Democratic candidate of Senate District 10. (Or more if you'd like). I have already contributed my $10.

Donate now.

Utah's Conservatives Are Religious Liberals On Immigration

Up until 1976 there was a law on the books in Missouri that said all Mormons should be driven out of that state of or killed. It was the LAW. Do you think Missouri's police should have enforced it?

My point is that stupid laws need to be changed and if they are offensive enough there isn't anything wrong with ignoring them or not enforcing them (like the extermination order).

Utah's Republican leaders have been arguing that we need to punish illegal immigrants because "respect for the law" compels us. What nonsense. It would make more sense for them to lobby Congress for a change in federal immigration policy rather than punishing those who are just here to make better lives for themselves and their families.

The LDS church seems to have the right idea in its recent calls for more compassion from lawmakers towards immigrants in Utah. Our mostly LDS legislature should be as attentive to calls from church leaders for compassion towards immigrants as they are to the church's moral arguments against alcohol or alternate lifestyles. This issue affects a lot more people in our state than those lesser issues and in a much more personal way. Why is it so easy for most Mormons to support the brethren when we agree with them...not so much when we don't?

It is interesting to see the LDS legislators who pride themselves on their political conservatism embrace extreme religious liberalism when it comes to the immigration issue. The popularity that comes from punishing our state's minority immigrant populations must give them a better buzz than doing what their church leaders say is right.

Gayle Ruzicka on KVNU's For the People

First, let me thank Rob for the honor of contributing on one of Utah's greatest blogs, the Utah Amicus. While Rob has been loyal to his Democratic Party, he has been a true champion of pluralism and a friend to Utahns of all political persuasions and walks of life.

Utah could use a few more Rob Miller's.

I thought I'd tip you off to an interview on tonight's KVNU's For the People. Gayle Ruzicka, President of the Utah Eagle Forum, joined us by phone to discuss the recent flap over Chris Buttars 'black baby' statement and today's subsequent 'hate lynch mob' comment in the Tribune.

I have been bombarded with phone calls from everyone I know with an opinion about the interview. Some thought we were too rough. Some thought we let Gayle walk all over us. Others thought she was out of line of calling our integrity into question. Needless to say, the interview was more heated than I had hoped for and unlike what listeners normally expect to hear on KVNU's For the People. For me personally, that was regrettable.

Have a listen and decide for yourself:

http://kvnuforthepeople.com/?p=1519

-Tom Grover

Retired BYU administrator seeking state House seat

By Ethan Thomas
Deseret Morning News
Published: February 19, 2008

PROVO — Retired Brigham Young University professor and administrator Don Jarvis announced his candidacy for Utah's Legislature.

Jarvis, who seeks to represent House District 63 in east Provo, announced his candidacy during a press conference at Wasatch Elementary School on Monday afternoon.

More than 50 friends and supporters showed up to wish Jarvis well as he seeks a seat currently occupied by GOP Rep. Steven Clark, R-Provo, who has served in the Legislature for the past eight years.

Jarvis, a socially conservative Democrat, hopes to start a trend similar to what his cousin Mitt Romney did in Massachusetts — by working to promote a two-party choice.

"Anytime one party has a stranglehold on state politics, it's a recipe for disaster," Jarvis said. "That's what they had in Massachusetts before Mitt, and that's what we have in Utah now. We need to get back to the healthy checks and balances that two viable political parties provide."

As a retired educator Jarvis, who still does consulting for Utah Valley State College, stressed the importance of education in a state with a pioneer legacy.

"Our spending per $1,000 of personal income for public education has fallen to 36th in the nation," he said. "We rank a shameful 45th in the nation in beginning teacher salaries. However, we rank highest in the nation in one category: average number of students per teacher."

If elected, Jarvis vowed to make his first matters of business increasing teacher salaries and increasing funding to the future Utah Valley University.

Others speaking in support of Jarvis were activist Carol Lambert, former Wasatch Elementary principal Kathryn Spencer, and environmental advocate George Handley.

"(Jarvis) really cares about our community," Spencer said. "I respect him, but most of all I trust him."

E-mail: ethomas@desnews.com

Taking Over

When Rob and I spoke by phone yesterday, I was shocked and honored by his wanting to turn over controls of his blog to me for the next 4 weeks or so.

In the 30 or so hours, I have pondered exactly what I wanted to do here.

I'm still not sure exactly what I'm going to do here. Most of the posts I publish here will also be found on my blog, but I may write some exclusive content for the Amicus.

Until then,

-Bob

==========

Bob Aagard's regular writings can be found at www.TheWorldAccordingToMe.us.

Government of, by, and for the people??

Well, this is my first post to the Utah Amicus. I see Rob won't be playing as "active" a role as normal while he focuses on candidate recruitment for the Utah Dems. This morning I got an invitation to occasionally post my thoughts here while not preparing caucus packets for the Utah Dems. Obviously Rob felt of the two of us I had a bit more spare time. I don't suppose it is necessary to point out anything I choose to write here is entirely my opinion and not necessarily that of the Democratic Party or the DNC for whom I officially work, but it is.

I know Senator Chris Buttars has received more than the usual amount of criticism this week. In the interest of fairness, I have chosen to launch my debut on Utah Amicus with a criticism of the committee considering SB267, the bill introduced by Senator Buttars intended to eliminate the domestic partner registry created under the new leadership of Mayor Becker with unanimous approval of the Salt Lake City Council.

According to today's Salt Lake Tribune, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee refused to hear all points of view on this particular bill, instead opting to limit testimony to Gayle Ruzika, LaVar Christensen, Merrill Cook and others supporting Buttars' proposed elimination of SLC's domestic partner registry. After hearing all concerns deemed relevant by Senator Peter Knudson, the acting chair of the committee, a vote was taken and - surprise, surprise - the vote was 4-0 in support of Senator Buttars' bill.

I am not opposed to allowing Gayle Ruzika and others to be heard on this or any other legislation. It seems to me if the constitutional right to petition our government for redress of grievances means anything it means allowing people with whom I differ the opportunity to petition senators and representatives on matters they care about. Unfortunately, it appears some Utah State Senators feel that right only extends to people with whom I and other like minded liberals differ.

Constituents impacted by Chris Buttars' bill traveled to Capitol Hill to be heard. They sat patiently through a committee hearing hoping to have the opportunity to speak to the effects this legislation would have on their family and friends. Senator Knudson apparently could not set aside his position on the legislation long enough to even allow one among them to state their concerns with SB267 before taking a vote. Clearly there was time given it is doubtful LaVar Christensen or Gayle Ruzika had anything significantly different to say on the matter.

A simple gesture such as alternating testimony between those in favor and opposition to the bill, even if time did not allow everyone wishing to speak to be heard, would have sufficed. Perhaps if Senator Buttars is fortunate enough to survive the November election we can ask him to introduce a bill requiring Senate and House committees to do just that when people on both sides of an issue are present. Clearly the dictates of common courtesy aren't motivation enough, and micromanaging Senate and House committees is right up his alley.

Post 1299: DMB - Steady as we go

From Nihilismus Bestorimus: 3000 Musicians and One Lucky Composer!

Rolly: Buttars and his cohorts have blazed a path of destruction across Utah

Paul Rolly
Article Last Updated: 02/16/2008 12:24:33 PM MST

Sen. Chris Buttars and similar homophobes lurking through the Capitol's halls and meeting rooms could, if ultimately successful, cause considerable damage to numerous classes of people in Utah, all in the name of protecting us from their own imagined boogeyman.

Buttars is sponsoring or pushing legislation or amendments in this legislative session that could potentially force people out of their homes while trying to pay for expensive medication for their elderly and infirm parents, and that would reduce the availability of health care for thousands of young women who could face sterility and other serious maladies through untreated sexually transmitted diseases.

And efforts in past years by Buttars and other like-minded legislators arguably could increase school dropout rates and behavioral problems among the most vulnerable high school students.
All in the name of decency.

Buttars, R-West Jordan, fashioned Senate Bill 267 to invalidate any domestic partnership ordinance passed by a city. It was filed in response to Salt Lake City's new ordinance creating a volunteer registry for unmarried couples who could then have a chance to gain health-care coverage and other benefits from businesses for their loved ones.

Buttars has said he fears a "homosexual agenda" and will stamp out any effort that he believes would be a step toward equal rights for that class of people.

Never mind that an estimated 78 percent of those who would benefit from the registry are in heterosexual relationships. Buttars' bill could also affect Salt Lake City's adult-designee ordinance, which allows people to designate housemates other than a husband or wife for health benefits. That includes people who are caring for infirm parents whose medical and pharmaceutical costs would otherwise devastate the family income.

Buttars' amendment to House Bill 15, which would appropriate money to the Utah Department of Health to disseminate information about facilities that test and treat diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia, would ban inclusion of private care providers, allowing only public health centers to be listed. That is because Buttars doesn't want Planned Parenthood - which he considers evil - to be listed.

But in at least five counties in southwestern Utah, there are no public health centers that test and treat sexually transmitted diseases. Only private facilities do it. And cutting out Planned Parenthood eliminates listing the organization that currently does most of that preventive work.
Again, never mind that reported cases of chlamydia, which causes sterility in women if untreated, have skyrocketed from 1,563 in 1997 to 5,627 in 2007.

Buttars' past efforts to stop gay-straight alliance clubs in high schools would have eliminated a resource in a protected environment for a class of students who are five times as likely to skip school and who average half a grade lower than their non-gay and less-frequently harassed counterparts. Gay and lesbian teens also are more likely to commit suicide.

In a similar act of paranoia, the Salt Lake City School Board eliminated gay-straight clubs in the 1990s by banning all non-academic clubs in order to get around a federal law sponsored by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, which, intending to protect religious-based clubs, forbade public schools from discriminating against identifiable groups wanting to start a club.

The school board's scorched-earth policy, later repealed, prevented thousands of students from the enriching experience of joining a social club, including students with Down syndrome and other disabilities whose school experience, according to Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, should include joining a club to enhance social interaction.

A tempory departure from The Utah Amicus

Dear Friends,

As of today I will temporarily be suspending my involvement on The Utah Amicus as a active contributor. If you are not already aware, I am currently chairing the Utah Democratic Party's candidate recruitment committee, and quite frankly, that task needs 200% of my focus at this time.

The filing deadline for candidates who will be running for office this cycle is March 17, 2008. That means we have one month to get our Democratic team on the field. I hope you will help me with this process by submitting the names of those Utahns who you believe would not only be viable candidates, but who would better represent our communities on Capitol Hill.

Maybe that person is you. Please think about it.

Until then I want you to know that I am leaving The Utah Amicus in good hands. Bob Aagard (The World, According To Me) has agreed to help out during my leave of absence. Jeremy Manning (Jeremy's Jeremiad) is another person who has access to this blog and I hope he will consider helping out. I am also opening up this blog to any Democratic county officer, or candidate that is interested, as well as my BFF from the Right, Paul Mero.

And, there will be others.

If you have something you would like to contribute on this blog you are free to send your submission to democratamicus@aol.com, or to bobiscookiemonster@yahoo.com.

I won't be completely absent as I will continue to pass along information on Democratic candidates when appropriate, news releases, and important submissions from you, but until then I won't be posting any original or personal thoughts, which probably isn't a bad thing.

Thanks again for your continued support.

With every best wish,

Rob Miller
Vice Chair
Utah Democrats
801-706-6203

PS, your good wishes and prayers are always welcome here.

A Square Dance Social on Utah's Capitol Hill

Don't send a lame eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Directed By Charlie Johnson

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Roman road: Terror, torture and the death of the Republic
By David Irvine

Breaking news by courier: Ostia, Italy, Sept. 11, 68 B.C.

To the Senate and People of Rome: Pirates have attacked this strategic port city barely 20 miles from Rome itself. The consular war fleet has been destroyed. Senators Clintonia and McCainius have been kidnapped. The city is afire. These pirates are not in the pay of the sly Egyptians or Carthaginian dead-enders. The leader calls himself Binladenius.

The pirate raid on Ostia was the Roman equivalent of 9/11. Romans were utterly panicked. Pompey the Great saw this as an opportunity, and a flunky proposed a law under which he would be given absolute and unlimited power to save Rome from the terrorists. His cronies on talk forum stoked public fear. It was the Patriot Act of 68 B.C. and all of our president's signing statements (and then some) rolled into the Lex Gabinia.

Pompey emptied the Roman treasury for his war on terror and handily defeated the pirates. But his dictatorship was never rescinded. A few years later, Julius Caesar overthrew Pompey, retained his extraordinary powers, had himself declared emperor, and the rest is history. The republic of Rome disappeared. The eventual fall of Rome's empire began with that expensive trade of liberty for security.

In our own republic, last week was historic. Our imperial president finally confirmed to the world that yes, we do practice torture when it suits his purposes. We just pretend that it's "enhanced interrogation."

While the focus has been on waterboarding, that remnant from the Spanish Inquisition which every civilized nation (including ours until 2002) correctly considers to be torture, other "enhanced interrogation techniques" also include nudity and sexual humiliation; chaining naked prisoners in isolation cells where temperatures can be manipulated from 100 degrees down to 10 degrees, with periodic dousings of ice water; withholding food and water; withholding medical treatment; prolonged sleep deprivation; prolonged sensory deprivation; prolonged and excruciatingly painful stress positions; or combinations of any or all of these.
All of these "enhanced techniques" - torture to any reasonable person or jurist - have been practiced by agents of the U.S. government, whether in Afghanistan, Guantanamo, Iraq, or at CIA secret sites around the world. Like Pompey's Romans, we have been scared into assuming that these grotesqueries are necessary for our president to keep us safe. In truth, they only endanger us more. If these practices are not deemed by us to be torture, what claim do we have under international law or common morality to object when an enemy practices the very same torture upon our men and women who become prisoners? Why would al-Qaida agents ever defect if they expect to be tortured?

President Bush gave a remarkable interview recently to Fox News, in which he claimed that waterboarding was legal when it was used by the CIA in 2002 and 2003 against three al-Qaida operatives. That claim defies the state of the law. The United States charged and executed Japanese soldiers as war criminals after World War II for waterboarding prisoners. Waterboarding and other "enhanced interrogation" methods violate federal laws prohibiting torture, which were in place prior to George W. Bush taking office. To claim otherwise is false.

Then the president dug the hole deeper. "The American people have got to know that what we did in the past gained information that prevented an attack. And for those who criticize what we did, I ask them which attack they would have [permitted]?"

There is only one instance where torture has been linked by the administration to breaking up a terrorist plot: the foiled plan to hijack airliners over the Pacific Ocean. However, this plot was not foiled by anything Hakim Murad confessed under torture; all of the critical information came from his computer hard drive. The question remains: What attacks, exactly, have been stopped through torture?
The Bush administration simply refuses to answer that question, and a supine Congress does not demand an answer. Instead, people hide behind the canard that such information is classified and to reveal it would compromise sources and methods for gathering intelligence.

There's a fatal flaw in that claim. We already know what method, waterboarding, was used on three sources who supposedly confessed to other plots in progress. All of this happened more than six years ago. There is no possible harm which could now follow from fully explaining why the CIA's resort to barbarism was either necessary or useful. Produce the tapes or transcripts of those confessions.

President Bush wants to ensure that the CIA can continue to torture under his direction. Supposedly this is our only defense against the ticking bomb. That mantra makes some otherwise smart people turn off their powers of reason. What makes anyone infallibly sure that Mr. X knows all? Or, what if Mr. X, like one CIA-tortured, high-value prisoner, dies before revealing anything? Worse, what if Mr. X, or a hundred others like him, are innocent but still tortured out of their minds?

The real question, however, is this: What did the three (or more) waterboarded prisoners say that was worth the price we have paid to become a rogue nation in the eyes of the rest of the world? Torture by the CIA is still torture by Americans. Before making Pompey a dictator, the Roman Senate should have very carefully considered where the road from Ostia might really lead. So should our own.
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* DAVID IRVINE is a Salt Lake attorney residing in Bountiful. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army Reserve as a strategic intelligence officer in 1967 and retired as a brigadier general. He taught prisoner of war interrogation and military law for 18 years for the Sixth United States Army Intelligence School.

Title quote attributed to George Santayana

Diverse Business Day at the Utah State Legislature

Utah Minority Business Leaders Invited to Meet With State Legislators

Salt Lake City – Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker’s Office of Diversity & Human Rights has invited diverse business owners to attend an informative morning at the State Legislature which will be held in the East Building State Room at the Utah State Capitol Complex on Tuesday February 19, 2008 at 9:00 AM . Business owners will be formally introduced on the chamber floors to the members of the House of Representative and the Senate.

The event will feature guest speakers Senator Ross Romero, Representative Mark Wheatly and Josie Valdez, former administrator of Minority Affairs for Salt Lake City. The speakers will discuss the legislative process, and how a community can influence the laws that are being made.

Business owners who would like more information on this event should contact Yolanda Francisco-Nez, Coordinator of the Mayor’s Office of Diversity & Human Rights by phone 535-7734 or e-mail yolanda.francisco-nez@slcgov.com.

Freeze!

Their silence speaks volumes

Sen. Chris Buttars believes the issue is done, but his constituents have not weighed in

By Wayne Holland
Utah State Democratic Chair
From Utah State Democratic Party Blog

State Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, told the Deseret Morning News today [02/14/08] that he apologizes for using a racist description of a bill being debated in the Senate.

He said, "I stand by my apology. That's it. This issue is done as far as I'm concerned."

And apparently that is the sentiment of the elected Republican leadership of Utah – enough is enough, let it go.

Their silence speaks volumes.

Gov. Huntsman and Senate President Valentine, the issue is far from done.

Sen. Buttars’ District 10 constituents in November will have an opportunity to make a decision on their representation in the Senate - whether Buttars’ bullying, abuse of power, moral crusading, and flippant bigotry best represents their values to Utah and to the rest of the country.

We think they deserve much more than a constant embarrassment. The Democratic Party of Utah will offer them a candidate they can respect and admire, one who will work to find sensible solutions to common problems.