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Friday's Buzz:
Finally a Democratic headliner in Utah

Sure it's a little late for his own campaign, but hats off to former presidential hopeful Howard Dean for being the first major Democratic figure to hit Utah this election year.

Utah is often ignored in Democratic national politics. All candidate John Kerry was willing to send for the Utah State Democratic Convention was a video tape of commercials currently running in battle ground states. No personal salutation—nothing. This lack of attention is much to the annoyance of many Utah Dems and cheers from others who feel like they are their own breed and don't want national the agenda spilling into Utah.

Whichever position you take on national Democrats, Governor Dean will be in town on Sunday, May 30, for a fund-raiser for his cousin Peter Corroon, who hopes to be the next Mayor of Salt Lake County. Dean is sure to be a good show. If you are interested contact the Carroon campaign at 801-328-2208 or www.votecorroon.com.

—Maura Carabello

Cody, Cody, Cody

The Utah State Democratic Party agreed to give Cody Judy his day of judgment. Judy, a candidate for U.S. Senator Bob Bennett's seat, says he was treated unfairly by the state party, which caused his 98 percent to 2 percent defeat at the Democratic State Convention May 8.

Among his complaints were: that the party chair told the press that Van Dam was more viable than Judy (Salt Lake City Weekly), that Judy didn't like the placement of his convention booth (for which he hasn't yet paid), that Van Dam went over his allotted speaking time at the convention, that Van Dam was given more time than Judy at some county conventions, and that Judy wasn't given the help with lists that Van Dam received (Van Dam asked for these lists and Judy did not). For these and other complaints Judy is asking the party to pay $30,000 in campaign expenses and to hold a primary to re-vote on this race.

Thursday the party's Judicial Committee, with Bill Orton representing the State Party, decided there was no basis for the relief requested. The committee also determined that nothing the party did or didn't do would change the election results since 98 percent of the delegates voted for Judy's opponent. Orton also noted that even if they wanted, the state party could not pay Judy $30,000 because that would violate campaign finance laws.

You have to give the Democratic Party kudos here for going the extra mile in letting complaints be heard.

—Maura Carabello

Casual Friday:
Be Careful With Those Nicknames

Editor's note: On Fridays we will sometimes publish a change-of-pace article to help you loosen up for the weekend.

Name-calling is a no-no. Or so I was taught in Sunday School and when I first learned about political etiquette. It is inappropriate to comment on anyone in a disparaging way. We should always be respectful of others, even Democrats.

But thankfully, we still have dogs. And I'm defending the position that it's perfectly PC to call dogs names, as long as you do it lovingly (most of the time).

For example, our yellow lab/golden retriever cross, Hayduke, is perfectly happy to be called names. Call him fatso, dumbo, dingbat or dogbreath and he just gives you that doggy smile and wants to lick your face. My son calls him Facehead, and Hayduke's tail wags even harder, knocking down every small child within reach.   

If you really want to get Hayduke excited, don't call him a name, just say the word “walk.” He'll jump up and try to crash through the patio door.

When it comes to names and nicknames, dealing with spouses is somewhat trickier than dealing with dogs (as some of us dim-witted souls have learned the hard way).

For one thing, you have to carefully distinguish between “public” nicknames and “private” nicknames.    

Spouses (especially those of the female persuasion) are generally fine being called “dear,” or “honey,” or “sweetie,” even in public.

It gets a little sketchier when you use variations on the theme (as I tend to do), like “Dearchy,” or “Pie” or “Sweetums.” Those are pretty good, but aren't always for public consumption.

The most serious offense is to publicly use one of those intimate, perhaps nonsensical expressions, that are meaningful only to the two of you. For example, when in private, I sometimes call my wife “Boobalah.” (that's Boo-ba-law, not Boob-alah). But I would never think of using it in public. She'd kill me.

—LaVarr Webb

The Earlybird is a service of Utah Policy.com

Publisher: LaVarr Webb
Editor: Bart Barker
News: Golden Webb
Calendar and Subscriptions: Paul Hollingshead

Friday, May 21, 2004

Today's Headlines

Gannett News Service
- Deportation appeals may get harder

Associated Press
- Proposed nuke railroad divides Nev. town
- Utah alleges child abuse, neglect by prominent polygamist
- Utah ordered to release information on its claims to dirt roads

Houston Chronicle
- GOP picking apart immigration reform

Miami Herald
- Cal Thomas: Where are our standards?

Davis County Clipper
- Al Norman preaches ‘no-Wal-Mart' gospel
- Davis Beat: Layton primed for ongoing growth
- Bountiful sets budget hearings, may raise rates
- Realignment is top worry
- City slates budget public hearing on June 1

Tooele Transcript Bulletin
- Task force says no to hotter waste bids
- Ad claims Wal-Mart ruined Tooele businesses

Standard-Examiner
- Threats muddy GOP primary waters
- House: Put BRAC on hold
- Law complicates medical decision
- RAP tax needs more promotion

Deseret Morning News
- Recorded threat draws anger in governor race
- County auditor under scrutiny
- Council aides bashed as waste of money
- Immigration issue livens GOP primary
- Salt Lake gays toast same-sex marriages
- Groups are likely to keep status
- Leaders hammer out Salt Palace expansion deal
- Bob Bernick Jr.: As candidates trade barbs, voters yawn

Salt Lake Tribune
- Mullen: Sandy becomes the latest big-box battleground
- Mud flies in GOP primary contest
- N-storage provision in bill worries Utahns
- Cannon drafts bill to permit film scrubbing
- Abuse probe lands Kingston in court
- Rolly and Wells: Candidate can't go to work
- Officials not taking mayor's lead
- Abortion law leaves some families in limbo
- Activists win right to view records in rural road claims
- Salt Palace expansion deal advances
- Sandy foes protest big-box retail plan
- Tax break for citizen-soldiers?
- State 'No Child' rules to change
- Dual raises for city staffers questioned
- Granite teachers union officials forced to quit, but the board isn't saying why
- UTOPIA plans secret project
- Walker salutes six Utah firms for their creations
- Editorial: Talking trash

Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to Earlybird@UtahPolicy.com.

May 22: Annual Teen Age Republican's scholarship fundraiser—4:30-6:30 pm at Layton's Chapel Park, 125 S. Chapel. Guest speaker Mark Shurtleff. RSVP to Candice Dallin at 774-9982.
May 25: 3rd Congressional District GOP Candidates Debate, Chris Cannon vs Matt Throckmorton, sponsored by Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce, Daily Herald and Provo City— 7pm Provo City Council Chambers, 351 West Center Street, Provo. Contact Michael Mower, (801) 852-6103.
May 25: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting—12:00 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
May 26: WIR Annual Conference—Eccles Conference Center, Ogden.
May 26: Governor's Candidate Forum, Utah Taxpayers Association—12:00 pm, Little America Ballroom, Salt Lake City.
May 30: Howard Dean fundraiser for Peter Corroon, Democratic candidate for Salt Lake County Mayor—donuts 10:00 - 11:00 am, Millcreek Coffee Roasters, 657 South Main, SLC, $35; brunch buffet 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Anderson Commons, 734 East 200 South, SLC, $200. 801-328-2208 or www.VoteCorroon.com.
May 30: Iron County Tax Freedom Day Governors Forum—6:00 pm, Sharwan Smith Center Ballroom, SUU, Cedar City.
June 1: Utah Log Cabin Republicans Monthly Meeting—7:30 pm, Room N4010, Salt Lake County Building, 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake.
June 3: Washington County Republican Women meeting and luncheon—11:30 am to 1:00 pm RSVP 435-688-0777
June 3: Progressive Democratic Caucus Meeting—6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, 455 South 300 East, Suite 102, Salt Lake City. Contact: Craig Axford (801) 918-6017.
June 4: Debate between John Huntsman Jr. and Nolan Karras, Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce and Daily Herald, First Friday Forum lunch—noon at the Provo Marriott Hotel . Lunch reservations, 379-2555; debate questions, Michael Mower 852-6103.
June 6: Gubernatorial Debate: On the Record with Chris Vanocur—KTVX Channel 4, 9:30 am, Contact Chris Vanocur, (801) 975-4444.
June 10, 11: Government Affairs Advisory Committee of the Salt Lake Chamber—11am, Eccles Board Room, Salt Lake Chamber.
June 12: Davis County Democrats No-Host Breakfast—8:30 am to 10:00 am, Joanie's Restaurant, 286 North 400 West, Kaysville. Contact: Richard Watson (801) 292-6772.
June 13: Gubernatorial Debate: Take Two with Rod Decker—Live on KUTV Channel 2 at 5:30 pm, Contact Rod Decker, (801) 973-3000.
June 14: Lt. Governor Debate: KCSG and Bonneville Radio in St. George—Live at 7:00 pm, Contact: Dan Matheson, (435) 467-7452
June 15: Gubernatorial Debate: KCSG and Bonneville Radio in St. George—Live at 7:00 pm, Contact: Dan Matheson, (435) 467-7452.
June 21: Gubernatorial Debate: KUED Channel 7—Live at 9:00 pm.
June 22: Utah Primary Election—7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
June 22: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting—12:00 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
June 24: Legislative Golf Tournament—Thanksgiving Point. 533-9777.
June 26: Republican Central Committee Meeting.
June 27: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting—12:00 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
July 19-23: National Conference of State Legislatures— Salt Lake City

See the entire calendar.