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Friday's Buzz

Political news

Today is a big political news day with the revelation that Rep. Cal Bird will drop out of his re-election race over a sex solicitation incident. Chris Cannon and Matt Throckmorton continue to spar over immigration issues. John Swallow doesn’t want to debate as much as Tim Bridgewater does. Guzzler-gate continues with a variety of new developments. And lawsuits and guilty pleas related to a Huntsman Chemical plant in Texas spill over into the gubernatorial race in Utah.

Candidate Web sites

Meanwhile, if the bad weather keeps you inside this Memorial Day Weekend, and you’re a real political junkie, you might want to spend some time learning about the primary election candidates in the gubernatorial race by checking out their Web sites.

Nolan Karras has a better Web site than does Jon Huntsman, Jr., but both sites could be a lot better. These are two dynamic candidates making a lot of appearances, giving a lot of speeches, and outlining their visions of Utah. But their Web sites don’t reflect that dynamism. Both sites have standard features allowing visitors to sign up to help the campaign, make a contribution and register to vote.

Jon Huntsman, Jr., www.votehuntsman.com: The site has a very limited calendar that isn’t kept up-to-date. If you want to find a Huntsman activity to attend you’ll have a hard time. There is limited contact information on the site. It’s not very newsy or up-to-date. It features a good biography of Huntsman, but it doesn’t get into the issues in much depth. Huntsman released an in-depth economic development plan, but it’s no where to be found on the site. The most recent press releases are not on the site and there’s virtually nothing about Gary Herbert, Huntsman’s running mate. The site isn’t being used to create a community of supporters. It has a nice feature listing donors and amounts contributed, but the information is a month old, last updated April 29.

Nolan Karras, www.karras2004.com: The site has a newsy front page with the latest campaign information and significant depth on campaign issues. You can download Karras brochures. It has a nice interactive feature allowing people to ask Karras questions, but the feature was still under construction. The Karras site does have a good calendar with information about most upcoming events. It has very little information about Enid Greene, Karras’ running mate.

—LaVarr Webb

Ship that won’t sink

Hot off the buzz line: You may recall that the Utah County Democratic Party float was stolen a few weeks ago. Well, the latest is an anonymous tip from a Republican mayor of a small Utah town. His town has apparently purchase the float, not knowing it was “hot.” Now the mayor wants to return the float but wants to keep things quiet. They are using the Fairview police chief as a broker for the return (the former Utah County party chair is the Fairview city manager). Good luck driving a large ship down the main streets of Utah and keeping that quiet. It’s still a mystery who sold, and stole, the float in the first place.

—Maura Carabello

Casual Friday:
One Foot in Front of the Other

When people tell me to “take a hike” (it really only happens a few times a day), I assume they’re looking out for my health, rather than insulting me. One of the most important things I do in life is walk. I walk on the mountain behind my house with my dog, Hayduke, three or four times a week. Hiking up the switchback trails not only keeps me in shape, but cleans out the cobwebs, gives me some time alone to think, and provides a fresh perspective on life. I do my best thinking while walking.

When I was young I also did a lot of walking, but it was always to get somewhere. I walked to visit my friends, to go to a store, to get to the best fishing hole or to scare up a pheasant. Walking itself wasn’t the point. Walking was always a means to an end. I liked to hike in the mountains, but even hiking seemed to be done with a destination or goal in mind—a lake or mountain pass, a spectacular view, or to rack up high miles to brag about.

Today, I walk just to walk. Just for the sheer joy of putting one foot in front of the other. I walk happily without a destination or goal. Distance isn’t important. The fun is walking, enjoying the scenery and solitude. Walking has become an end unto itself.

The great thing about living in Utah is that no one—repeat, no one—is more than 5 or 10 minutes from some great places to walk. We have trails, canyons, parks, streams, mountains, bird refuges, deserts and dirt roads galore. More and more great trails are being developed. Sure, you can walk the neighborhood streets. That’s OK. But look around a bit and you’ll find some really fun places to walk where you can enjoy nature.

Everyone needs a break periodically from the frenzy of government, politics and business. For all of you workaholics out there who seldom get outside the asphalt and glass: GO TAKE A HIKE!

—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 28, 2004

Today's Headlines

National Review Online
- Strategizing

New York Times
- In Utah, 12-Hour School Days (Four on the Bus)

City Weekly
- County Contests
- Convention Wisdom

Daily Herald
- Walker may call legislators to special session

Standard-Examiner
- Poor turnout at RAP tax meeting
- Editorial: Time for Ogden to combine departments

Deseret Morning News
- Walker backs gift ban
- Ex-auditor charged with 2nd-degree felony
- Bird drops bid over soliciting
- Provo-Orem rated most secure place to live in nation
- Flight plans get new life
- Cannon says he is no fan of amnesty
- Lee Benson: IOC's Kim sits in jail forgotten
- Abortion bill likely to be on agenda
- Activists may sue over desert plants
- Bob Bernick Jr.: Will Greene's past be an issue for voters?
- Editorial: 'Guzzlegate' erodes trust

Salt Lake Tribune
- Pollution case puts Huntsman in spotlight
- Ex-watchdog charged with theft
- Curtis took dual state, W. Jordan stipends
- Conservation groups plan lawsuit to protect plants
- Homeless Crusade launches funding push
- Commission backs road betterment plan
- Swallow appears to be dodging debate dates with Bridgewater
- On The Stump: Stephens endorsing Bridgewater in 2nd District
- Judge says Summum religion likely to win monument case
- Bush gives Utahn nod
- Sunset returning prayer to meetings
- Utah light on Wal-Mart lures
- Editorial: Bad carma
- Editorial: Rocky's raises

Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to Earlybird@UtahPolicy.com

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 2: Utah Stonewall Democrats monthly meeting, 5:30 pm GLBT Center 355 N. 300 W. (first Wednesday of every month).
June 2: Kitchen Table Talk with Nolan Karras, 8 pm at the Osmonds' Home 8908 Sunridge Drive in Sandy, Hosted by Dr. Joseph and Anne-Marie Osmond & Dr. Harold and Ranae Olafsson.
June 3: GOP Primary Debate (gubernatorial and congressional), 6:30 pm at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 S. in Salt Lake City. Questions for candidates may be submitted to PrimaryDebate@aol.com. Hosted by John D. Jacob, moderated by County Recorder Gary W. Ott.
June 3: Salt Lake County GOP Gubernatorial Debate, 5:30 pm at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center 138 W. 300 S. Salt Lake City.
June 3: Kitchen Table Talk with Enid Greene, 6 pm at Greg & Lynell King’s home, 145 W. 3960 N. in Provo.
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 4: Davis County Republican Women Gubernatorial Debate, 6 pm at West Point Junior High School.
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 16: Ogden Rotary Gubernatorial Debate, noon at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center.
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.