The World, According To Me

Carol of the Bells on Kazoo

2009-11-27T12:50:00.003-07:00

Of all the talented people I have been blessed to come across in my life, one of the most talented is easily Marshall McDonald, whom I first met in High School. He is seen at the right in this video:

This was at last year's annual Christmas Oranges concert. This year's concert will be on December 7 at 7PM at Olympus High School. Admission is free, but donations to the Utah Food Bank are strongly encouraged.

-Bob

The Cult of In-and-Out

2009-11-26T12:54:00.002-07:00

As you may know, the first two locations of In-a-Cult Burger on the Wasatch Front opened last week to long lines.

Much like what happened when Krappy Kreme Donuts opened in Orem.

Well, I've wondered what is so good about In-a-Cult. Is it their never-frozen beef? Well, Wendy's has that. Is it the fresh produce? Well, most places have that.

Everyone says that the Milkshakes are the reason to go. Three flavors of Milkshake? Please. McDonald's sometimes has 4.

So, why do Utahns (and everyone else for that matter) go gaga for In-a-Cult?

Brand's Anatomy has the best answer I have come across:

There are also several factors which affect the psychological connection with the legendary chain. Beginning in southern California, they had access to a large number of vacationers. People on vacation are pumped full of endorphins (technical way of saying they feel good) and that results in general enjoyment of most things, even waiting in lines at Disneyland to an extent. Vacationers come back with memories, which often included a visit to In-N-Out, which was an exciting and new burger to these people. Their excitement and bragging makes great word of mouth, thus a legend is born.

It's a fast food joint. Get used to it.

-Bob

War and Peace vs Health Care Bill myth

2009-11-26T12:15:00.003-07:00

Listen to most Republicans talk about the current health care bills, and you'd think the only thing they have against it is that it's too long. In fact, some (Like Senator Hatch) claim that it's longer than War and Peace.

Well, the double-spaced, printed large enough for Senators to see version has more pages than your typical copy of War and Peace. However, as anyone who has had to write a "5-page paper" before teachers learned about word count knows, you can increase your page count by double-spacing and using slightly larger typeface.

In fact, according to the Associated Press, the House Health Care Bill weighed in at 319,145 words. The Senate version is 318,512 words.

Most English translations of War and Peace are between 560,000 and 670,000 words long.

-Bob

Challenger #1 for Matheson

2009-11-26T10:12:00.003-07:00

Tribune:

Dave Glissmeyer, a reform-minded independent with homes in Salt Lake City and St. George, has filed to run against Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson for Utah's 2nd Congressional seat.

"People do a lot of complaining about government doing too much or not enough," Glissmeyer told The Salt Lake Tribune Wednesday. "But the problem seems to be that there's a great unserved mass in the middle that doesn't want to follow a particular label."

"Party politics can take you down a road that may not make the best sense," said the 57-year-old retired businessman.

In 1984 Glissmeyer launched ProTel NetWorks, a Utah business still in operation. He vows to fuel his campaign from individual donations only and has committed $25,000 of his own cash to seed the effort.

Glissmeyer supports ethics reform, citing history as proof that "elected officials cannot be trusted to regulate or police themselves."

He also pledges to scrutinize the so-called war on drugs for better ways to "quell the violence and crime" that stem from illegal narcotics.

He also believes in a balanced budget and that America's two wars should end in a quick and orderly fashion.

In addition, he recommends fining employers who hire undocumented immigrants, and shutting down low-priority military bases to redirect tax dollars to secure the country's Southern border.

Glissmeyer is the first to enter the race against Matheson, a centrist Democrat who enjoys high approval ratings in a sprawling, largely Republican district.

Muppets do Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody

2009-11-24T13:16:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite songs.....

If Search and Rescue worked like American health care

2009-11-18T14:25:00.002-07:00

Several days ago, two men who were hiking in the mountains got themselves into a sticky situation and were rescued. However, imagine how things would be different if Search and Rescue worked like our healthcare system:

D: 911, what is your emergency?

V: Yeah, my buddy and I were hiking in the mountains, and we got stuck on a ledge and need help.

D: OK,no problem. We can take care of that. What insurance company do you use?

V: Why do you need to know that?

D: So we know who we can charge. We accept most major insurance carriers.

V: Well, I don;t have Search and Rescue insurance.

D: Oh, well, we can't help you if you can't pay. We aren't a charity, you know....

V: I've got a job. We can pay out of our pockets.

D: Well, just to let you know, your bills will be double what we charge the insurance companies.

V: That's criminal!

D: Well, if you don't like it, get yourself down the mountain!

V: OK, OK, I take it back. I'm sorry. However, if you could just come get me, I'd appreciate it.

D: OK, then. We'll airlift some supplies up tonight, as it is unsafe to get you tonight.*

V: OK, sounds good.

The next morning, a representative of the Search and Rescue company stopped on the ridge with out two rescuees.

V: Oh my God, I'm so glad to see you!

R: Well, we're glad to help. However, before we can pluck you off the mountain, we just need you to fill some paperwork out. Name, birthday, complete medical history, and medical conditions your Grandparents had; you know, the basic stuff.

V: This seems like a complete waste of time. We're suffering from hypothermia here.

R: Well, we need to have this information. Sure, we could get it from the other times you have needed our help, but our systems aren't computerized.

V: Not computerized!? This is 2009!

R: Yeah. crazy, isn't it?

V: You bet it's crazy!

R: Well, are you going to fill out those forms or not? Our helicopter pilot has been on shift for 30 hours and is getting cranky.

V: 30 hours? And he's supposed to save my life?

R: He's in training.

V: Oh,OK. You got a pen?

they fill out the paperwork, and get lifted up into the helicopter. While in flight, a bill collector hands them an envelope.

V: What's this?

C: It's a bill for services rendered thus far. It includes everything that happened up until our representative met with you this morning.

V: Well, nothing happened before this morning. This morning is the act I'm paying for.

C: Just take a look at the bill. And while you areopening it, when will we be getting payment from you?

V: Can't I finish getting rescued before you start asking me for money?

C: We're not a charity, you know. But, we are willing to set up payments.

V: $75 for a blanket? $200 to call for help? $132 for radio rental?

C: Well, if our sleep-deprived pilot gets into a crash, you or your next of kin will sue us for negligence. We'll have to spend millions on our defense. That's why search and rescue costs so much.

V: So, it doesn't matter that S&R company heads are making record money?

C: We're not running a charity here. You're stuck with the bill now. We have very good collection agencies.

V: How could I have avoided this?

C: Well, don't get stuck on a ledge. And if you do get stuck n a ledge,pray that you die quickly.

*This part really did happen

Check out this week's City Weekly

2009-11-18T13:58:00.002-07:00

I haven't gotten a chance to grab one yet (it's hitting newsstands as I type), but I go quoted in this week's City Weekly:

Democratic Party delegate Bob Aagard, of Holladay, thinks a liberal primary challenger for Matheson would be good for the party because it would force Matheson to tiptoe to the left to win in the primary. But he also thinks it would be good for Matheson in a general election because he could deflect criticism that he shares the same liberal beliefs as a certain Democrat from San Francisco.

“It will help him because the Republicans always say that Jim Matheson equals [Speaker of the House] Nancy Pelosi,” Aagard says. “[A liberal challenger] gives Matheson the opportunity to say, 'Hey, look, this guy is a Nancy Pelosi Democrat. I'm not.'”

Thanks to reporter Jesse Fruhwirth for making me out to not sound too stupid or crazy.

Why Pete Ashdown isn't running for Matheson's Seat

2009-11-17T10:50:00.002-07:00

Last Spring, when Jon Huntsman was nominated to be the Ambassador to China, and Jim Matheson was non-committal with whether or not he would run for Governor in 2010, I made a list of people who could run for Jim's seat. It was basically a list of every Democrat I knew, and some pros and cons to their running.

It's a list that has come in handy as of late.

So, it's interesting to see one of the people on the list talk about why he isn't running against Matheson in 2010:

1. A Democrat who is more to the left than Jim Matheson could probably easily win a primary, maybe even settle this in convention, but in the end would lose the general election. I can think of no other county that exemplifies this more than Carbon County. This was traditionally a Democratic stronghold in Utah, but has gone Republican over the past decade. In 2006, Jim Matheson received 3,658 votes in Carbon County. In spite of canvassing Carbon County extensively and knocking on a few thousand doors, I received 2,255 votes. Conversely, Orrin Hatch rarely visits and received 2,408. I don’t see how deposing Jim Matheson would endear me to 1400+ people who otherwise voted for Senator Hatch.
2. I don’t live in the 2nd Congressional District. There is is nothing legally preventing me from running to represent a district I don’t live in. Thanks to the Utah Legislature, I can cross all three of Utah’s congressional districts on my morning run, because I live in Salt Lake City. Representative Jason Chaffetz was able to oust Chris Cannon on the Republican side without living in the 3rd district. However for a Democrat, this would be fuel on the fire for the GOP challenger living in the district.
3. In spite of Matheson’s votes, he is still warming a seat on the Democratic side of the aisle. 2010 is going to be Republicans trying to capitalize against President Obama’s agenda. Although I haven’t ruled out running in 2010, I don’t want to be contributing to the inevitable losses the Democratic party is going to face. If I was running instead of Matheson, the national GOP would pour resources into the race not because they care about Utah, but because they want their majority back.
4. In 2006, the Deseret News ran a poll on favorability ratings of Utah politicians. Matheson came out #1, higher than then Governor Jon Huntsman. Having him in office is a good thing for other Utah Democrats trying to get elected.
5. The Matheson family remains committed to Democratic causes and candidates here in Utah. I want to receive their help rather than their scorn when I run again.

South Park's Eric Cartman Channels Glenn Beck

2009-11-12T19:17:00.003-07:00

The President wants to Kill Smurfs!? Something must be done!

Every Vote is Important -- Just Ask PG

2009-11-12T11:23:00.004-07:00

Add this to the list of reasons why it's important to vote:

Close election results became dead even last night when absentee ballots were counted during the Pleasant Grove City Council work session. Incumbent Lee Jensen and challenger Milton Fugal have each received 1895 votes.

After provisional ballots were counted last week, Fugal was ahead by three votes. However, five absentee ballots were opened and tallied last night, adding three more votes for Jensen.

"We have an exact tie between two candidates, Milton Fugal and Lee Jensen," declared Mayor Michael Daniels. "We absolutely will have a recount."

If one person that didn't vote last week in Pleasant Grove had turned out, that person would have been a kingmaker.

Now, the city councilman will be decided by a roll of the dice, or a flip of a coin.

Literally.

FoxNews FactChecks Sarah Palin

2009-11-11T12:22:00.002-07:00

Veteran's Day

2009-11-11T12:15:00.002-07:00

This is a picture of my great-grandfather's grave. He served in both WWI and WWII. The Armistice with Germany that ended the First World War was signed on my Great-Grandmother's26th birthday. Three of their five sons also served in WWII. The other two were too young to serve in WWII, but both served in the military.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who fought and continue to fight for our freedoms.

-Bob

Quote of the Week -- from JM Bell

2009-11-10T22:14:00.005-07:00

Bell does it again. Takes something I wanted to say, and says it better:

See, when you run for, and serve in, an elected office – of any kind – I get to make fun of you, especially if I think you’re an asshat. You volunteered to commented upon by the public. And, what’s more, it’s my opinion and it’s protected by the Constitution.

Pretty cool, huh?

God bless America!

And, I'd like to add that it's a duty to question our elected leaders.

Jim Matheson -- Honoring Veterans

2009-11-10T21:53:00.002-07:00

From the e-mail box:

Dear Friends,

We can never say thank you enough to our men and women in uniform--both active duty and veterans. Veterans Day is a time to pause and to reflect on the sacrifices made by our troops.

General Douglas MacArthur said, "The soldier, above all others, is required to practice the greatest act of religious training--sacrifice." That sacrifice is embodied in the extraordinary Utahns who have served our country --yesterday and today.

On the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan, 34 Utahns have paid the ultimate price; another 271 have been wounded. Since September 2001, 7,433 Utah members of the National Guard and Reserve have been deployed there. For every absent soldier, sailor, and Marine, there are mothers and fathers, spouses and children, friends and colleagues who love them, miss them and long for their return.

We can never fully repay the debt we owe them. But it is with their sacrifice in mind that I have supported:

* A new GI Bill to restore the promise of a full, 4-year college education
* Giving businesses a $2,400 tax credit for hiring unemployed veterans
* Expanding relief, homeownership opportunities and refinancing options for returning vets through VA home loans
* Creating a new Veterans Corps
* Establishing two mobile vet centers in Utah to enhance access to services

In addition, this year's Veterans Administration budget was hailed as historic by the American Legion. It includes the largest funding increase ever requested by a President.

I will continue to provide the equipment and the funding necessary for our troops to accomplish their mission and to return home safely

We just marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. There is a Freedom Bell in Berlin, Germany. Like the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, it is a symbol which reminds us that freedom does not come about by itself. We must fight for freedom and then defend it anew continuously.

I invite you to join me in thanking a veteran this month for making this fight.

LDS Church to Issue Comment on Non-Discrimination

2009-11-10T12:19:00.002-07:00

And, from the sounds of it, Paul Mero and company aren't gonna like it....

from KTVX:

Numerous sources are now telling ABC 4 that the LDS Church is poised to extend an olive branch of sorts to the gay community.

These sources say the Church is expected to - both through spoken and written statements - to offer its support for proposed Salt Lake City ordinances extending protection to gays in the areas of employment and housing.

Reportedly, the Church has been in quiet discussion with members of Utah's gay community.

This announcement from the Church is expected sooner rather then later.

Utah's Most Wasteful Pork Project is in Downtown SLC

2009-11-10T11:04:00.004-07:00

Yep. It's the eventually-named Orrin G Hatch Expansion to the Frank E Moss Federal Courthouse.

The Damages?

And now, nearly a year later, Port O' Call has been torn down and the lot is standing idle waiting for federal money to build it.

Documents obtained by ABC 4 show that so far, the government has sunk more than 40 million dollars into the project.

And it's now seeking 211 million more.

But wait there's more.

Because Port O' Call is now out of business, that means the city, county and state no longer get its considerable tax money.

Port O' Call's owner tells ABC 4 that his business used to pay more than $300,000 in annual local taxes - money that is sorely needed in these tough times.

And that doesn't take into account the taxes the employees paid, nor the revenue from the monies they continued to cycle through the Utah economy.

-Bob

A Challenge for Matheson is a Good Thing -- for Matheson

2009-11-10T09:33:00.003-07:00

That's right, contrary to "popular" belief, a challenger to Jim Matheson will help him. I believe this for two reasons:

1) It will move him further to the left. He doesn't have to go to the extreme that Bob Bennett is going to, but just throw the liberals a bone once in a while.

In 2006, Chris Cannon was challenged from the right flank of his party, and came out successful. However, he didn't move right far enough, and many that had sided with him in 2006 went for Jason Chaffetz in 2008.

Even the threat of a primary challenger was enough for Jon Huntsman to throw the conservatives a bone on school vouchers during the 2007 elections.

And, he has some tremendous political capital to spend.

2) He can counteract the Republicans' biggest claim against him.

Remember this from last month?

At a town hall meeting, [RNC Chair] Steele went to the heart of the matter when it comes to Matheson. The campaign theme expected next year, he said, is: A vote to re-elect Matheson is like a vote for liberal Nancy Pelosi.

All Jim Matheson would have to say is "see, the Nancy Pelosi wing of the Party hates me."

-Bob

Honest Question to Utah Demcrats

2009-11-09T21:08:00.004-07:00

Really, it's a two-part question, wherein both questions are similar yet different.

1) Is there anything that I'm currently getting with Jim Matheson as my "representative" that I couldn't get with a Republican in his seat?
2) Is there anything Democrats living in the 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts get with Matheson in office that they otherwise wouldn't get.

I'm just wondering. And by Republican, I mean more a Steve Urquhart than a Jason Chaffetz.

-Bob

A Warning To Potential Matheson Challengers

2009-11-09T11:25:00.002-07:00

A few months ago, I got a phone call from a friend I have met through politics. He wanted to ask me a few questions about something.

Specifically, he wanted to know the process for filing as a Democrat to run against Jim Matheson.

I unloaded my knowledge of how the Convention system works, as well as my limited knowledge of the FEC. I gave him some words of warning that are pertinent to anyone looking to challenge RepINO Jim Matheson:

It's Democratic Party suicide, as long as Wayne Holland is Chair.

Because speaking ill of Jim Matheson (D-IHC) is simply not allowed.

And, as long as the Wayne Holland faction rules the party, you will be in the Party Shithouse.

Which is OK. There are some cool people here. Some of them will probably buy you a drink.

And, while I think Scott McCoy stands a better chance in the convention and primary (but that's not to say my mystery person couldn't make it past Matheson), my guy stands as good a chance in the General as anyone, including Matheson.

-Bob

GOP Congresscritter Grandstands by Butchering Pledge of Allegiance

2009-11-08T22:45:00.004-07:00

(h/t JM Bell)

Well, can you blame him? After all the pledge was written by a Socialist.

-Bob

BYU Profs to Legislature: Global Warming is real

2009-11-08T21:57:00.002-07:00

Why do BYU Professors hate America?

(via KSL)

PROVO, Utah (AP) -- A group of scientists from conservative Brigham Young University has criticized state lawmakers over their recent handling of the climate change issue.

The 18 scientists rebuked legislators in a letter sent Oct. 26, five days after the Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee heard from Roy Spencer, an Alabama climatologist who doubts human activities are largely responsible for climate change.

The scientists criticized lawmakers for giving the "fringe" position of Spencer equal weight to that of the broad, scientific consensus that climate change is occurring largely because of human activities.

"We have no specific political agenda to support but agree that whatever action is taken, it should be informed by the best available scientific evidence," the scientists wrote. "We encourage our legislators not to manipulate the scientific evidence to suit any political agenda."

The 18 Ph.D.s at the school specifically refuted Spencer's claim that his critics have ignored natural cycles. The scientists called that assertion "patently false," saying natural climate variability has been extensively studied.

They also took issue with Spencer's allegation that researchers were simply "jumping on the climate-change bandwagon for prestige and monetary gain."

"When members of the Legislature give this kind of testimony too much weight, it puts all of us at risk by promoting poorly informed decisions," the letter says.

Rep. Christopher Herrod, a Provo Republican and committee member, said the scientists misunderstood Spencer's science.

"The more they say there is consensus, the more they lose credibility," Herrod, a real estate developer and entrepreneur, told the Salt Lake Tribune.

"There is no consensus. Send us a study that addresses all the points that were made. (Without that) they are hurting their case," he added.

The scientists said they agreed with the scientific consensus, but noted that their political views vary, as do their ideas about "how society ought to respond to threats posed by a warming climate."

Summer Rupper, a BYU climate scientist, led the letter-writing effort.

McCoy for Congress?

2009-11-08T19:08:00.004-07:00

I realize that this is probably idle chatter, and that he has almost no chance of winning in the general, but I like it (click to enlarge):

The reasons I like it:

1) I have always liked and admired Senator McCoy.
2) It would make Chris Buttars' head explode (not to mention Gayle Ruzika)
3) Even if Matheson makes it out of convention, having a challenger would prove to RepINO Matheson that actions have consequences.

I'll have more on RepINO Matheson later.

-Bob

Remembering Nov 4, 2008

2009-11-04T17:39:00.003-07:00

In 1992, I remember watching the election returns with my map of the United States that had been printed in the newspaper,coloring the states red and blue depending on how Dan Rather told me the states had voted.

I was 13.

In 2000, I voted for the first time. I paid a little more attention to the local returns than the national, but was determined to stay awake until a President was named. I fell asleep shortly after it was declared, but before it was un-declared. Imagine y confusion when I woke up at 3AM to discover that we still didn't know who would be President.

In 2008, I sat huddled in the back of the "media room" the Utah Democratic Party had set up at the Radisson. I was there at a table with several members of the Salt Lake news media and Aaron Thompson, all plugging away at our computers. Shortly after 8:00, either Ohio or Pennsylvania (I can't remember which) was declared for Obama. I blurted out "We did it. We actually did it." Nobody heard me, which was fine with me. I didn't want to blurt it out too much. However,I knew that unless a blue state move red, Obama had won the Presidency.

Just a few days before the election, I had ridden the TRAX train out of Downtown SLC with a nice elderly lady, who told me, out of the blue, that she had been at the election night celebration when Eisenhower won in 1952. She shared the joy and elation of that night so many years before.

One year ago tonight, I knew I had a story totell random strangers on the train in 2064.

-Bob

Shurtleff Out --What does it mean for the other competitors?

2009-11-04T10:25:00.004-07:00

With Attorney General Mark Shurleff suspending his campaign for US Senate to deal with family matters surrounding his daughter's depression, what does it mean for the other people in the race?

Sen Bob Bennett (R)

In the eyes of many, this boiled down to a two-person race -- Shurtleff vs Bennett. With the AG out of the picture, Bennett's run get much easier. There's still a chance, but his road to reelection definitely got easier today.

Sam Granato (D)

Easily the person most hurt by this is Sam. Let's face it, the best-case scenario for Dems was a Shurtleff-Granato race to November. The worst-case scenario is Bennett-Granato.

Cherilyn Eagar (R)

This is definitely a win-lose for the Eagar camp. On one hand, it opens the door for more media coverage. On the other hand, she loses much of the "anything you can do I can do better" competition she was playing with Shurtleff. She'll gain some of the delegates that were looking to Shurtleff for change, but not enough to make a difference.

Tim Bridgewater (R)

The second-worst-kept secret in the 2010 cycle has been that Tim Bridgewater was running for Senate. And, because of that, the announcement of his campaign came with little fanfare. However, with Shurtleff gone, it allows him to step up to the plate. His experience in the Republican Convention/Primary system from his two runs for the US House gives him the leg up in recruiting delegates. He is the new favorite to force a primary with Bennett. his ability to win a primary is another question.

-Bob

BREAKING: Shurtleff Suspends Campaign

2009-11-04T09:54:00.002-07:00

Triibune:

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff on Wednesday dropped out of his campaign for U.S. Senate, saying he needed to focus on looking after his daughter's health concerns.

"This announcement comes with sorrow because I want to serve my country and I do believe both political parties have put this nation in grave danger by spending so foolishly," he said in a statement. "I have chosen to take pause because my daughter's health is very fragile. She is struggling with emotional issues and has recently been placed in a treatment center.

Although technically Shurtleff said he was "suspending" his campaign -- meaning he could resume it later -- he made it clear during an interview on KSL's Doug Wright show that he had no plans to return to the race.

Shurtleff said her recovery depends on support from the family over the next several months. He said that since he entered the race in May, her mental health had deteriorated and doctors have told her that it her recovery will require numerous counseling sessions.

"I am not willing to lose my daughter, so I am suspending my campaign to take care of her and my family," he said.

The attorney general had been the leading challenger to Sen. Bob Bennett, assailing the three-term incumbent from the right for his vote for the first round of bank bailouts and his sponsorship of a health reform bill that Shurtleff assailed as a big government solution.

I'll write more on what this means for the Senate campaign a little later today.

-Bob