News Highlights

Fascinating piece on restoring the State Capitol to original vision (Deseret Morning News). Cities compete for major league soccer stadium (Salt Lake Tribune). Bob Bernick comments on the Return of Rocky (Deseret Morning News).

Quote of the Day

"Utahns have paid a horrendous price for deception in the name of national security. And it could happen again. He's trying to appear to do the right thing. But a senator who really wants to protect Utah votes against even the study of testing. The people of Utah deserve a definite answer about where he stands."
- Paul Van Dam, commenting on nuclear testing legislation proposed by his U.S. Senate opponent, Sen. Bob Bennett (Salt Lake Tribune)

Shorts and Briefs

• Got a spam e-mail message yesterday from anyone@anywhere.com. That's what I call carefully targeting your audience.

• Check out some good Utah political commentary at Phil Windley's site, www.utahpolitics.org.

• TALK OF THE TOWN, a weekly Current Affairs Magazine show hosted by Ozwald Balfour, Chair of Utah Republican Black Assembly, is broadcast on Saturdays from 7-9 p.m. on KTTK-630 AM. The show features live guests, news and calls from listeners. To participate, call toll-free from Salt Lake County, 254-5855; Utah County, 470-5855; Davis and Weber Counties, 670-5855. Contact Oswald at ozmedia@msn.com to suggest a topic or guest.

Newspapers Could be 24X7 News Machines

Utah has some fine daily newspapers with good web sites, and I'm glad to see that at least some of the papers are updating their sites during the day as big stories break. Both the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret Morning News have been posting fresh stories during the day about the Lori Hacking case. The Standard-Examiner in Ogden does a regular “Midday Update.”

However, the papers are by no means taking full advantage of the 24-hour news delivery capability of their on-line editions. Usually, if a press conference, speech or other routine story happens at 10 a.m., we won't be able to read it on the paper's web site until the wee hours of the next morning. For the most part, newspapers are still stuck in the publish-once-a-day mode.

And that's too bad, because newspapers easily have the capability of delivering news round the clock and being the best source for news all day long. The newspapers have, by far, the largest staffs of experienced and professional reporters and editors, with many specialists. But when I want to get a news update during the day, I usually turn to radio or a midday TV news show to get the latest happenings, rather than to a newspaper web site. Newspaper reporters, editors and production staffs aren't in the mindset and aren't geared up logistically to write, edit and publish every news event as quickly as possible after it happens. Many stories languish for hours in computer storage before being posted for public consumption.

There are a number of valid reasons for this. By publishing on-line 24X7, papers would, in effect, be scooping themselves, or at least scooping their print editions. Newspaper executives worry that could cut into print subscriptions and revenue, where they make almost all their money.

I read a lot of news on-line, but I still love the print edition. I love to have a days' worth of news all neatly packaged in a printed newspaper that is easy to scan and peruse. I love all parts of the paper, all the features, sports, TV and movie listings, obituaries, comics, editorials, letters-to-the-editor, and even the classified ads, in addition to the hard news. I love the fact that smart editors have organized the paper logically and helped me instantly see the biggest stories of the day. But I may be a dying breed as I'm not so sure the younger generation appreciates the print edition as much as I do. I don't think the print editions will die out, but papers must embrace the full capability of the on-line editions to continue to be relevant and compete with the myriad news and information sources available on the web. Papers are going to have to figure out how to make money from their web editions, and that's a tough thing. But being the go-to place for news and information 24X7 will certainly position them to make money and not be left behind.

- LaVarr Webb

With construction on iProvo and UTOPIA soon to be underway, Agenda Utah is going to periodically publish a short feature on the benefits of Big Broadband. We invite readers to submit comments on how Big Broadband will improve their lives. (Big Broadband is ultra-high capacity broadband, as opposed to cable, DSL and other low-capacity technologies.)

Here's one way Big Broadband would benefit me:

I work both in a downtown office and at home in Centerville. I hate to lug a computer back and forth, so I use one laptop at work and another one at home. When I travel out-of-state I may take either one of them. So I'm always having problems keeping the two computers in sync and making sure I have the documents I need on the right computer.

If I'm working on something at the office and want to continue it at home, I will usually e-mail it to myself, because I can get my e-mail both places. Then when I'm finished working on it at home I have to e-mail it again to make sure I have access to the updated version at work.

With Big Broadband, the vision of Sun Microsystems' Scott McNealy would be enabled: The Network is the Computer. With Big Broadband, I would pay a monthly subscription for Web Services and all my storage, software, documents, graphics, photos, databases, etc., would be out on the web in a totally secure and fully backed-up server. I would have a broader array of computing capabilities than I have today, only none of it would be local. Rather than save documents, graphics, photos, etc., on my computer's hard drive, I would save everything to my space on the web. My subscription fee would also cover all the programs I could ever want, including word processing, e-mail, design and graphics, photo editing and archiving, PowerPoint, project management, and so forth. I would never have to load any of these programs on my computer hard drive. They would all run right off the web and would always be updated with the latest versions.

But they would operate just like they were on my hard drive, with instantaneous uploading and downloading. No World Wide Wait. So I could have access to everything of importance to me, anywhere, anytime, from any computer, as long as I had access to the Web. No more wondering if the right document is on the right computer. It would enormously simplify my computing experience and that of all businesses, particularly small businesses. Security and privacy would also be enhanced.

Many of the services and applications described above currently exist on the web. But they aren't very practical to use with dial-up, DSL or cable modem connections. To be really functional, these services need ultra-broadband web access so when you use a word processor everything happens as quickly as having Word on your own hard drive. The full capability of the web will not be realized until we have ultra-broadband connections as provided by entities like iProvo and UTOPIA.

- LaVarr Webb

Upcoming Birthdays

- Rep. Katherine M. Bryson, District 60, August 6
- Rep. Joseph G. Murray, District 8, August 8
- Rep. Scott Daniels, District 25, August 12

Elected Officials Birthday List

Agenda Utah is a service
of Utah Policy.com

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

Salt Lake City Weekly
- Running on empty: Mayor Workman's Track Record

St. George Spectrum
- Government leaves county holding the bag

Standard-Examiner
- Kaysville tweaking bond pamphlet
- Matheson talks health care for seniors

Deseret Morning News
- Capitol idea
- Utah's progress on child welfare reform touted
- Demo plan aims to help elderly
- $12 million Oly tab is paid by insurance
- Checketts says soccer will bring jobs, million$
- Bob Bernick Jr.: Divisive but refreshing, old Rocky is back
- Editorial: It didn't end with Salt Lake

Salt Lake Tribune
- Money game: Cities compete for soccer venue
- Bennett gets tough on nuke tests
- In Utah, deadline is left behind
- Walker sends picks to Utah Senate

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- Aug 2-11: Hinckley Institute of Politics holds annual Huntsman Seminar in Constitutional Government for Teachers. Info: jnelson@hinkley.utah.edu.
- Aug 6: Huntsman campaign at Carbon County Fair in Price, Tooele County Fair in Tooele, and Wasatch County Fair in Heber City.
- Aug 6-7: BOOT CAMP OF POLITICS! The Leadership Institute's Youth Leadership intense two-day political training course where conservatives are taught how to organize grass roots youth efforts on college campus. The Leadership Institute flies in top trainers from around the country. Held at the U of U. Cost: $60 for campaign staff and others Republican volunteers. $30 for members of College or Teenage Republicans groups. Details.
- Aug 7: Hometown Days Parade, Kearns , 9 am, Gubernatorial Candidates Scott Matheson, Jr and Jon Huntsman Jr appearing.
- Aug 7: Harvest Days Parade, Midvale City , 10 am, Lt. Governor Candidate Karen Hale appearing.
- Aug 7: Huntsman campaign at Emery County Fair, 10 am.
- Aug 7: Wasatch County Parade, Heber, 5 pm, Gubernatorial Candidate Scott Matheson Jr appearing.
- Aug 10: Greg Skordas for Attorney General Open House, 5:30 pm, Skordas Campaign HQ, 260 S Main St, SLC.
- Aug 12: Sutherland Institute monthly seminar "The Unavoidable Rule of Law," 8:30-11:30 am, 6th Floor 50 E Social Hall Avenue, SLC. Register: 801-355-1272.
- Aug 13-14: Atlas Economic Research Foundation, the Sutherland Institute, and International Freedom Educational Foundation host "Communicating the Ideal of Liberty," Little America Hotel, SLC. Register: 703-934-6969.
- Aug 14: 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.
- Aug 17: Jon Huntsman at Vernal Chamber of Commerce, noon, Vernal Golden Corral, $8.
- Aug 17-18: Constitution Party starts 12-week history of Constitution course taught by Jim Brown. Class A is Tuesday nights starting Aug 17. Class B is Wednesday nights starting Aug 18. 7-8:30 pm. 801-557-9225.
- Aug 18: Voice for Moderation Meet the Candidates night. Meet Democratic candidate for Governor Scott Matheson, and Salt Lake County Auditor candidates Sean Thomas and Peter Stevens at 6 pm at the Anderson/Foothill Library located at 1135 So. 2100 East in Salt Lake City.
- Aug 18-21: Davis County Democrats looking for volunteers for their Davis County Fair booth, call Pat Herrera 801-546-0283.
- Aug 20: Matheson for Congress Fundraiser, Open House sponsored by Iron County Democrats, 7-9 pm. Call 435-865-7482 for location.
- Aug 20: Box Elder County GOP Summer BBQ, 6 pm, Marble Park, 435-723-7410.
- Aug 24: Greg Skordas for Attorney General Fundraiser, 5:30 pm, Em's Restaurant, 271 N Center St, SLC, $100 suggested contribution.
- Aug 24: Attorney General debate on KRCL radio, 90.9 FM, Noon - 1 pm, at 1971 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT.
- Aug 24: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
- Aug 26: Jon Huntsman at Park City Sunrise Rotary Club, 7:45 am.
- Aug 26: Davis County Democrats Picnic, 6 pm, Barnes Park, West on 200 N in Kaysville.
- Aug 26: Jon Huntsman Jr. at Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly meeting, Utah Republican Party HQ, 117 E. South Temple
- Aug 26: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party monthly meeting, 7 pm, Bohemian Brewery & Grill, 94 E 7200 S Midvale.
- Aug: 27: Jon Huntsman Jr fundraiser at Delta Center, $100 for single ticket up to $5,000 for platinum table. Call 737-1811.
- Aug 30-Sept 2: Jon Huntsman attends Republican National Convention, New York City.
- Sept 2: Professional Republican Women monthly meeting, 11:45 am, Panini's restaurant, Wells Fargo Building, 299 S Main , SLC, $20 RSVP call 801-270-0802.
- Sept 2: 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.
- Sept 3: Huntsman campaign at Midway Swiss Days.
- Sept 3-4: Huntsman campaign at Iron County Fair, Cedar City.
- Sept 7: Utah Log Cabin Republicans Monthly Meeting, 7:30 pm, Room N4010, Salt Lake County Building, 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake.
- Sept 9: Sutherland Institute seminar "The Rules of the Game-Applications in Boundaries and Procedures," 8:30-11:30 am, 6th Floor 150 E Social Hall Ave, SLC. Register: 801-355-1272.
- Sept 11: 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.
- Sept. 15: Attorney General Mark Shurtleff's annual "Wasatch Challenge." Trap, skeet and target shooting, Western entertainment and down-home cooking. Call 801.746.3030 or email info@markshurtleff.com for more details.
- Sept 16: Jon Huntsman at the Salt Lake Women's Republican Club Meet and Mingle Night, 6:30 pm, Bicentennial Park, Sandy.
- Sept 17: Jon Huntsman at Salt Lake County Republican BBQ, 6 pm, Murray Park.
- Sept. 17: Salt Lake County Republican Party's Constitution Day Picnic, 6 pm, Murray Park. Come meet the candidates!
- Sept 23: USACCC Annual Conference, Homestead Resort, Midway.
- Sept 25: Republican Central Committee Meeting.
- Sept 28: 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.

- See the entire calendar