Doctors Seem Ready for Reform

I’m in Springdale, Washington County, today to give a speech to the Utah Medical Association Leadership Conference.  In chatting with doctors at a dinner Thursday evening, I found most accepting of the fact that substantive health system reform needs to occur in Utah, although some skepticism exists about Utah leaders being able to actually make it happen.

Doctors clearly want to be full participants in the process, and they seem willing to do their share of compromise and change. They are frustrated with the bureaucracy and complexity of practicing medicine today, not so much as it relates to direct patient care, but in dealing with government and insurance company intricacies. They don’t seem afraid of more consumerism in medicine and putting people more in charge of their own medical care. It is a time of change and uncertainty in health care policy, but Utah doctors seem willing to help lead change, rather than fight it.   

Washington Watch

Hatch Introduces 'Orphan Works' Bill
Sen. Orrin Hatch introduces legislation that would "preserve so-called 'orphan works' -- copyrighted works for which the owners cannot be found. Potential users of orphan works often fail to display or use such works out of concern that they may be found liable for statutory damages, amounting to as much as $150,000" (see press release).  

Today in Political History

April 25, 1507: America gets its name from German cartographer Martin Waldseemueller, who first used the term on a world map to refer to the huge mass of land in the Western Hemisphere, in honor of Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci. (New York Times)

April 25, 1898:   The U.S. Congress declares war on Spain, starting the Spanish-American War. (Source:  Perspicuity) 

Wise Words

“If you rob Peter to pay Paul, you've already got half the vote.”

-- Aegyptophilus  (Source:  Perspicuity) 

Utah History

Freemasonry in Utah

Freemasonry made its first organized appearance in Utah during the winter of 1858 when 23officers and men of Johnston's Army, sent to quell the reported "rebellion of Mormons," sought fraternal fellowship at their inhospitable outpost of Camp Floyd near Fairfield, called "Frogtown." The army felt unwelcome: the Mormons, understandably, resented the "invasion" and withheld friendship, while the climate and conditions were harsh.

To house nearly 4,000 personnel, adobe soil was converted into bricks for eight-foot walls, and trees were milled into planks for roofs, which were covered with clay. The floors of all buildings were packed dirt. Such was the construction of the first Masonic meeting hall in Utah; it was 60 by 30 feet, with high windows, which served more for ventilation than light.

When it was announced a Masonic Lodge was to be formed, applications were numerous and 162 candidates became Masons. Following Masonic custom, the lodge spent considerable money helping destitute migrants who were passing through Utah to western destinations. The effort was significant considering the army pay at that time.

All Masonic activity and enthusiasm ceased with the uncertainty of the times, including the impending Civil War and Indian problems. Camp Floyd was disbanded and everything sold to Utahns at a fraction of cost. Realizing the imminence of decampment, the lodge surrendered its charter in July 1861, three months after the Civil War started. Thus ended Utah's first Masonic Lodge, Rocky Mountain No. 205, Missouri registry. (Source:  Utah.edu)

National Politics

Best Stories From . . .

-- The Hill: "Donors, activists and members of Congress who backed former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) are flocking to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). This and the fact that Obama is likely to win the North Carolina primary could prompt Edwards to endorse Obama -- a move that could burnish the front-runner's credentials with blue-collar, white voters...."

-- Christian Science Monitor: Hillary Clinton's Pennsylvania victory "makes [the plight of the 300 Democratic superdelegates] more difficult. The primary's numerical results only supersize the agony for the unelected Deciders whose levers aren't in voting booths. Their coming choice risks offending entire groups of the party's big, but increasingly torn, tent."

-- Politico: Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and Howard Dean "are contemplating a high-level intervention if the primary season concludes in June without a nominee and many superdelegates still undecided."

-- Boston Phoenix: Columnist Steven Stark: "[I]f the Democrats want to have their best chance to win an election in November that six months ago it looked like they couldn't lose, they may have only one option at this point: they can turn to Al Gore."

Lighter Side

“Barack Obama mispronounced ‘Massachusetts’ twice and then mispronounced ‘filibuster.’ Which explains why this morning, Obama was endorsed by President Bush.”

-- Conan O’Brien

Casual Friday

Utah Fishing Report

By Dave Webb

Lake Powell striper fishing continues to be very good. Smallmouth and largemouth bass were put off a bit by recent stormy weather. They are expected to provide red-hot action as soon as we get a couple warm, calm days in a row. That could be this weekend -- next week for sure. I'm planning to head down next weekend so I can provide a first-hand report. Tough job but somebody has to do it.

Jordanelle, Rockport, Echo and similar reservoirs should offer open water this weekend -- remaining ice is going fast. These waters should fish well from boat and shore.

Flaming Gorge (Utah portion) is totally open and offers very good rainbow fishing (when the wind isn't blowing too hard). Strawberry ice will hang on for a 2-3 more weeks, unless the weather becomes amazingly warm. Ice fishing is pretty much over because ice will be dangerous.

Most streams are now running high, and will be even higher as the weather warms. Focus on protected areas below dams -- Sections A and B on the Green, the Provo below Jordanelle and below Deer Creek, the Weber between Rockport and Echo, the Ogden below Pineview. Blue Wing Olive hatches are very good on warm, cloudy days. On sunny days you may find some Skwala Stoneflies on the Weber and Middle Provo. Conditions can change quickly so stop by your favorite fly shop for current info. Read my complete report.

Outdoors Report

-- State parks offer myriad activities in the Deseret News
-- Legacy left by U. Professor in the Tribune
-- Deseret News flies high with falconer
-- Tribune makes plans for Arbor Day
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes

-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook  and Recreation Roundup for sports and recreation activities this week

-- For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website

New Films

-- Baby Mama: Tribune review

Concerts

-- Young Artist Concert, Pleasant Grove Orchestra, Friday, 7 p.m., Pleasant Grove High
-- Joseph Smith the Prophet, Spire Chorus and Orchestra, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Salt Lake Tabernacle, free but tickets required
-- SUU music department, chamber music, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Thorley Recital Hall, SUU, Cedar City, $6
-- U. A Cappella Choir, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall, U., $7
-- Carmina Burana, Utah Symphony Chorus, Friday and Saturday, Abravanel Hall
-- Utah Valley Handbell Choir, Saturday, 4 p.m., Thorley Recital Hall, SUU, Cedar City, free
-- Flautissimo, flute choir, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 796 S. Mountain Road, Fruit Heights, free but donations accepted
-- Northern Utah Chapter of National Association of Teachers of Singing honors recital, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- University of Utah Singers, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall, U., $7
-- Mojacar Flamenco, Latin music and dance, Saturday, 8 p.m., Salt Lake City Recital Hall, 320 E. 200 South, $25
-- Nine Sinatra Songs, Ballet West, through Saturday, Capitol Theatre
-- Rewind, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, through Saturday, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center

-- Celtic Woman, Celtic music, through April 29, Kingsbury Hall, U., $40.50-$60.50
-- Madeleine Festival, Sundays through May 11, Cathedral of the Madeleine
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall

Theater

-- “One Act Festival” through April 26, Empress Theatre
-- “The Seagull” through April 26, Pinnacle Acting Company
-- “Smokey Joe’s Café” through April 26, SCERA Center

-- “The Clean House” through April 27, Salt Lake Acting Company

-- “Broadway Kidz” through May 3, Draper Historic Theatre

-- “Pirates of Penzance” through May 3, Center Street Musical Theatre

-- “Sordid Lives” through May 10, Pygmalion Theatre Company
-- “The Glass Menagerie” through May 17, Heritage Theatre
-- “The Miracle Worker” through May 24, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “Annie Get Your Gun” through May 31, Hale Centre Theatre

-- “Indianapolis Jones” through May 31, Off Broadway Theatre
-- “The Sound of Music” through June 6, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “The Wizard of Odd” through June 7, Desert Star Playhouse

Museum Exhibits

-- Teapots: Object to Subject Exhibition through May 25, Kimball Art Center, Park City

-- Minerva Teichert:  Pageants in Paint Exhibition, through May 26; Masterworks of Victorian Art From the Collection of John H. Schaeffer Exhibition through August 18 Brigham Young University Museum of Art

-- 84th Annual Spring Salon Exhibition through July 6; Wayne Thiebaud: 70 Years of Painting Exhibition through July 27, Springville Museum of Art

Et Cetera

-- Japanese Festival, Saturday, on 100 S. between 200 and 300 W., Salt Lake City
-- Party for the Planet, Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hogle Zoo
-- Tulip Festival, through April 26, Thanksgiving Point