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Blogs Having Bigger Political Impact
The Jan. 21 edition of National Journal (paid subscription required) has a lengthy and fascinating story (10 full pages in the print edition) on how blogging is having an ever larger impact on the Washington, D.C., political scene.
Nearly every interest group is represented by one or more bloggers, and in some cases dozens of bloggers. Think tanks, trade associations, special interests, and at least 17 members of Congress, have blogs. Many other members of Congress and other influential people contribute periodically to group blogs. Some blogs are dedicated to defeating a specific member of Congress.
In Utah, the number of political blogs is also proliferating. Utah Policy Daily’s Blog Watch continues get longer as more interesting posts are made daily. We’re getting to the point where we have enough good political blogs that high-profile issues get a good airing as bloggers link to each other and to the mainstream media. It becomes sort of an echo chamber with comments and posts linked back and forth.
Probably the local political blog having the biggest impact right now is The Senate Site. That’s because the Legislature is in session and the blog is a communications channel for Utah state senators to get their messages out unfiltered and undiluted by the news media. It is updated daily or more often with insightful posts, either by senators themselves or staff (mostly Ric Cantrell) who accurately represent the views of the Senate majority. It provides a nice outlet to respond to the news media and get the positions of the Senate majority out there. And it’s being widely read by Utah political insiders and opinion leaders. People want to know what the senators are thinking.
Utah has other good political bloggers as well, including House members Steve Urquhart, John Dougall and Steve Mascaro. However, their posts are less frequent, so they have less impact. To be really good, a blogger has to produce frequent, timely, insightful and interesting posts. That’s a lot tougher than it seems, especially for really busy people.
Blog Watch
Rep. Steve Mascaro has a post on why the House Republican Mainstream Caucus reorganized to become the "Reagan Caucus"... The Senate Site blog has a post on Legacy Highway's latest setback... Planet Legislature notes the distinction between public meetings and public hearings... Evolution in Utah says the only effect SB96 will have is "religious divisiveness"... Green Jello has a post on hybrid vehicles... The Wasatch Front has a couple posts on Utah's budget surplus... Utah Conservative challenges Kim Burningham on HB143... At New West, Bill Schneider applies his refined sense of environmental purity to the process that created the Cedar Mountain Wilderness, and finds it wanting... Paul Rolly says Doug Wright has been disinvited to a GOP fundraising dinner at the behest of LaVar Christensen supporters... HazZzmat has another post on the WaPo article flap, quoting a comment Reach Upward left here... Livin It One Day At A Time endorses Pete Ashdown (see also here).
Podcast Watch
Jennifer Napier-Pearce’s InsideUtah.com podcast this week features Utah Valley State College President William Sederburg (:50), who says legislators chasing economic growth should focus on sending -- and keeping -- kids in college; and Deseret Morning News columnist John Florez (8:51), who advises lawmakers to just say no to spending more money on studying minorities.
Washington Watch
Reid: Faith Shapes His Politics
Nevada Sen. Harry Reid criticizes President Bush and talks about how his Mormon faith helps shape his political values (Beliefnet).
Cannon Calls For Immigration Reform
Rep. Chris Cannon praises the realistic tone of Pres. Bush's SOTU speech, and calls on Congress to "enact meaningful, comprehensive immigration reform" (see press release).
Casual Friday
Plan Activities With Utah.Com
By David Webb
If you are looking for outdoor adventure or cultural activities, www.utah.com is a good place to start. That’s Utah’s official travel/tourism Web site and it offers an encyclopedia of information about attractions and activities throughout the state. In addition, it features an events database highlighting all kinds of activities, from cowboy poetry to marathons to jeep safaris.
Utah.com is a terrific resource for anyone who wants to get and do things, both for tourists and those visiting the state, and for long-time residents who want some new ideas for fun and activities.
Utah.com offers a database that lists motels, campgrounds and guides/outfitters, making it easy to plan trips, book accommodations and arrange for guide services.
The website is a good example of a successful public/private partnership. It is operated by a private company and receives no funding from the state. The website gives Utah an impressive presence on the Internet and serves up millions of pages of information to people from all over the world, at no cost to the taxpayer. In return, the private company benefits from being known as Utah’s official travel website. In addition, the Utah Office of Tourism includes the Utah.com Web address on some of its promotional materials and that helps drive traffic to the site.
We did a quick search of the website’s events database and the following activities caught our attention. As you can see, a wide variety of events will take place during the next few weeks – something for every interest imaginable. So, get out and have fun!
Utah Bald Eagle Days, Feb. 4 & 11. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists and volunteers will help people view bald eagles. Spotting scopes and other equipment will be available if visitors don’t have their own. On Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., events will be held at Fountain Green State Fish Hatchery (just outside Fountain Green, several miles east of Nephi), at Split Mountain/Green River (north of Jensen and at Cedar Valley (northwest of Cedar City). On Feb. 11, events will be held at Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area (at Compton's Knoll), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area (west of Centerville), from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Moab's Western Stars, Feb 17-Feb 20. Moab's "Western Stars" will be a President's Day weekend event with lots of cowboy poets, music, barrel racing, chili, art contests, square dancing, Western art show, vendors, workshops and lectures.
Bryce Canyon Winter Festival, Feb. 18-20. There’s something for everyone here: free clinics, demos and tours, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, archery and photography. Ski archery competition Sunday and XC ski races Monday. Ski Archery competition, kayaking demos, waxing clinics, photography clinics and more. Information: www.rubysinn.com/winter.html; 435-834-5341
Moab Skinny Tire Festival, March 3-6. Moab is Mecca of mountain bikers. But did you know Moab has some of the best road biking in the world. Festival participants will peddle along hundreds of miles of paved roads in and out the parks, amid the world-class scenery. Information: www.skinnytirefestival.com; 435-259-2698.
Annual Cedar City Cowboy Gathering, April 16-19. This event celebrates the tradition and culture of the American West and the important contributions made to our heritage by the American Cowboy. Held on the campus of Southern Utah University, participants will mingle with cowboy poets, Western musicians, cowboy artisans and vendors. Information: www.cedarcitycowboy.com; 1-800-354-4849.
Pond Skimming Contest & Reggae Fest, April 1 at the Canyons Resort. This is one of those traditions that has been wild from the start. Contestants must dress in costume (the crazier the better) as they attempt to ski or ride across a 100 foot pond of open water. Information: www.thecanyons.com; 1-888-CANYONS. |
