News Highlights

In speech at the American Legion national convention in SLC, Pres. Bush says the United States will stay in Iraq "until freedom prevails," and adds: "If America were to pull out before Iraq can defend itself, the consequences would be absolutely predictable -- and absolutely disastrous. We would be handing Iraq over to our worst enemies" (Deseret Morning News, Salt Lake Tribune, and Tooele Transcript Bulletin).

Pres. Bush meets for the 4th time with LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley (Tribune).

Tribune editorial says Bush’s speech shows administration is launching a “campaign of fear,” while Morning News editorial says Bush speech accomplished its mission.

Utah businesses are optimistic about the future (Morning News and Tribune).

Quote of the Day

“Truth is, it does make sense to jump on this horse. If the flat tax proves problematic, legislators can later tweak it … And a sales tax hike for TRAX makes more sense than a property tax hike — let's get visitors to the county to help pay for these new lines. … it looks from here that the special session should act now, and fix unintended consequences later.”

-- Political columnist Bob Bernick supporting a special session for tax reform and transit funding (Morning News).

Happy Labor Day Weekend

The president is gone. The rallies are over. (I can get to my downtown office now). Welcome to September. Utah Policy Daily will be taking the Monday holiday off. Have a great weekend and we’ll be back on Tuesday.

Bush Enjoys Utah Lovefest

I’ve heard from a number of people very close to President Bush that he was truly buoyed and heartened by his trip to Utah. Despite a lot of media fixation on the protests, the Utah visit provided a big boost for the president. He appreciated the crowds, the support, and felt some genuine affection here.

One of Bush’s great strengths – a trait that drives his opponents nuts – is his certainty, his cocksure attitude, his ability to be resolute and unwavering in the face of dire problems that would eat up and destroy most people.

With young people dying in Iraq, with his support among voters dropping to historic lows, with the looming danger of losing control of Congress, Bush remains upbeat, with seemingly no doubts or second-guessing. He has a steadfast, cheerful, in-your-face attitude that makes his detractors crazy. It really is quite remarkable. He may sometimes be wrong, but never in doubt.

The Vietnam War destroyed Lyndon Johnson, both politically and personally. His brooding and soul-searching became painfully obvious. Bush, by contrast, seems to have no fears, no regrets. He’s certain he’s right and he’s marching forward.

I think it is Bush’s attitude, almost as much as his policies, that drives his opponents wild. They just can’t believe, can’t fathom, how a guy facing as many problems as he does, can remain so feisty and upbeat. They want him to show remorse, admit mistakes; they want him to suffer a little. But he won’t give them that satisfaction.

Being strong, steadfast and unyielding are important traits for politicians in pressure-packed situations – up to a point. The danger is that they can become insulated, hearing only what they want to hear, and won’t make needed course corrections. I like Bush’s determination and tenacity. I like his optimism and feistiness. But he has to guard against crossing the line to stubbornness and inflexibility.

Morrison Praises Envision Utah

Elder Alexander Morrison, LDS general authority emeritus, has emerged as a leader in the moderate environmental community. Read his speech delivered at the Utah Botanical Center honoring Envision Utah, which received the first Environmental Stewardship Award from Utah State University.

Podcast Watch

InsideUtah.com podcast this week by Jennifer Napier-Pearce features futurist and Internet mogul Joe Firmage (:34) on his latest high-tech adventure mapping the universe; Discovery Gateway director D.D. Hilke (10:21) on a new kind of children’s museum; and bookseller Catherine Weller (19:53) on some good reads.

Blog Watch

Rep. John Dougall discusses "how to deal with a media whore"... Utah Taxpayer responds to Wilf Sommerkorn's skepticism about congestion pricing... Rep. Craig Frank posts a podcast interview he conducted with Gov. Huntsman's chief economist, Robert Spendlove, about Huntsman's dual-tax proposal (see also here and here)... Paul Rolly reports: "While two of the top cabinet officials in George W. Bush's administration were in Salt Lake City to speak to the American Legion Tuesday, Sen. Orrin Hatch turned his attention, at least during the lunch hour, to the possible future of the Republican Party instead of the present. Hatch dined with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was in Salt Lake City not for the American Legion Convention at the Salt Palace, but as a speaker for the heavily-attended motivational seminar that took place just down the street at the Delta Center. Hatch and Giuliani reportedly talked about congressional races this year and the prospects of the Republican Party to hold onto the majorities in both houses. They also talked about the national election in 2008. Giuliani is one of the Republicans widely talked about as a possible presidential candidate in 2008 and, while he is known to be more on the liberal end of the Republican Party than Hatch, the two share common ground on many issues, a Hatch aide said, particularly on how to combat terrorism"... At The Huffington Post, Bob Geiger, after quoting from SLC Mayor Rocky Anderson's anti-Bush speech at Wednesday's protest rally, says: "Wow. And this guy is the Mayor of the biggest city in... Utah? This is the state that gave George W. Bush 67 percent of its vote in 2000 and a whopping 72 percent in 2004, after Bush's many lies and acts of incompetence were public knowledge. Utah is also the state that continues to give Bush decent approval numbers -- the highest of all 50 states -- and, the Utah stats on Bush for this month have the worst president in American history at a 59 percent approval rating. And this beacon of reality, Anderson, is the liberal Mayor of the Capital of a state that I nicknamed Utahistan, when it began banning Brokeback Mountain from movie theaters in early 2006. Outstanding. ... While it's too late to go after Republican Orrin Hatch this year, maybe Anderson, who is not running for another term as Salt Lake City's mayor, would consider going after Robert Bennett's Senate seat in a few years when it's up for grabs again. Now that would be something to see" (see also here, here, here, and here).

Weekend Events & Outdoors Report

Outdoors Report

-- Check out the DWR’s new fishing hotspot locator

-- Tribune’s spin on disc golf

-- Endurance race at Motorsports Park in the Morning News

-- Morning News sinks to Utah’s lowest elevation

-- Climb4Life to raise funds, awareness for cancer in the Tribune

-- 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

-- Use the Morning News’ interactive map of Utah to plan your outdoor pursuits across the state.

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

New Films

-- Crossover:  Rotten Tomatoes

-- Best Movie Bet for Families:  Cars.  Read the Tribune review

Concerts

-- Del Parkinson, pianist, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free

-- Bret Zumsteg, organist, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free

-- Moab Music Festival through September 16

-- Lunch Bunch Concert Series, weekdays at noon through September 22, Gallivan Center

-- Eccles Organ Festival, Sundays at 8 p.m. through October 22, Cathedral of the Madeleine

Theater

-- “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through September 1, Pickleville Playhouse, Morning News review

-- "Peter Pan" through September 1, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins

-- “Love Is …” through September 2, Bountiful Performing Arts Center

-- "South Pacific" through September 2, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins, Tribune review

-- “Tied to the Tracks” through September 2, Pickleville Playhouse

-- “Peter Pan” through September 9, Academy Theatre Company
-- Utah Shakespearean Festival through September 2, Cedar City
-- “Arsenic and Old Lace” through September 16, Terrace Plaza Playhouse

-- “Seussical the Musical” through September 16, Rodgers Memorial Theatre

-- “Crimes of the Heart” through September 23, StageRight TheaterCompany

-- “Disney's Beauty and the Beast” through September 30, Hale Centre Theatre

-- “Footloose” through October 16, Hale Center Theater Orem

-- “Mission: Incredibles,” Desert Star Theatre

Museum Exhibits

-- A Century of Art Exhibition through September 17, Museum of Utah Art and History

-- In Focus:  National Geographic Great Portraits Exhibition through September 23, Utah Museum of Natural History

-- Material Culture:  The Art of Fine Textile Exhibition through September 30, Looking Back:  75 Years at the Salt Lake Art Center Exhibition through October 14, Salt Lake Art Center

-- Rooted In Tradition: Art Quilts from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum through October 15, Utah Museum of Fine Art

-- Sideshow through January 28, Utah Museum of Fine Art

Et Cetera

-- Bosnian Herzegovinian Festival, Saturday, 7 p.m., Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center

-- Utah Shakespearean Festival through September 2, Cedar City
-- Public Market at The Gateway, Wednesdays through Sept. 6, 5-9 p.m., The Gateway, free
-- Snowbird Oktoberfest, August 26 through October 8, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort
-- Downtown Farmers’ Market/ Downtown Art & Craft Market, Saturdays through October 21, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Pioneer Park

Elected Officials Birthday List

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Utah in the National News

In his speech to the American Legion national convention in Salt Lake City Thursday, Pres. Bush says America's struggle against Islamic fundamentalism "is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century" (Washington Post, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Aljazeera.Net, Associated Press, CBS, American Forces Press Service, Financial Times, CNN, Reuters, and Slate).

Article: "With President Bush visiting Salt Lake City to address the American Legion ... the Utah city on Wednesday hosted one of the antiwar protests that presidential visits often attract. But this protest occurred in the capital of one of the reddest states in the nation, and one of the speakers was the mayor of its largest city. In Salt Lake City, the ruckus surrounding Mayor Rocky Anderson, an iconoclastic Democrat, is seen by many as just 'Rocky being Rocky,' said Randy Simmons, a political science professor at Utah State University who is married to one of Anderson's cousins. Still, the protest against Bush and his Iraq policy is a reminder that, even in friendly territory, the intensifying debate over the war is dominating his presidency" (Los Angeles Times) (see also the front page story at The Nation).

Article looks at the round-the-clock efforts at Utah's Deseret Chemical Depot to destroy World War II-era mustard gas  (Reuters).

Local Headlines

Deseret Morning News

- 'Until freedom prevails': Bush says U.S. retreat would be disastrous

- Hectic week: Legion, rallies, president kept Utah in spotlight

- Bush's visit, Jeffs' capture turn eyes of nation to Utah

- Bush backers fatten coffers of Hatch, GOP

- Bush's visit snarls downtown traffic

- Rocky's anti-war speech gains him attention from U.S. media

- 7 cities considering school-district split

- School district split: some answers to questions

- E-mailers mostly revile new toll lanes

- Did Rocky use 'racist tactic'?

- Lee Benson: The chief's words ring true to choir

- Freeway east of Lake?

- A week to remember

- Waste-hauler switch raises eyebrows

- Native American Summit explores issues

- Gas rates 2nd lowest in U.S.

- Utah businesses are bullish

- Bob Bernick Jr.: Legislature should act now, tweak later

- Editorial: Bush speech does the job

- Editorial: Rocky: Still stuck in the '60s

Standard-Examiner

- Editorial: A house divided

Daily Herald

- Bush pokes fun at Sen. Hatch, teases Leavitt

- Huntsman's tax proposal criticized by Utah CPA group

- Editorial: West Nile Virus: Time for DDT?

St. George Spectrum

- Rocky Anderson stages protest for Bush visit

- County HCP told plan needs overhaul

- Op-ed: Clearing air on trust lands

Tooele Transcript Bulletin

- Bush: Democracy will prevail in Middle East

- Anti-war protesters: We support troops!

- Leaders entice companies to establish roots in Tooele

- Third death in Utah blamed on West Nile

Logan Herald Journal

- Protesting the president

KUER

- Rallies praise, condemn Bush in SLC

KCPW

- President Bush speech at fundraiser for Senator Orrin Hatch

- President George Bush speaks at the American Legion convention

- Legionnaires react to Bush speech

- NAACP gives failing grades to most of Utah's congressional delegation

- Worst-ever West Nile season in Utah

- Air Force One brings Bush to Utah

Davis County Clipper

- McConkie ‘stoked' at Bush visit

- New NSL mayor a former city council member

- Rumsfeld visits Bountiful family's charity

Salt Lake Tribune

- Old message, new style

- Bush and Hinckley meet for a fourth time

- Bush calls for consequences on Iran

- Bush helps Hatch raise big bucks

- Remarks by the President at 88th Annual American Legion National Convention

- Bush's speeches: A comparison

- Utah officials and tribal leaders happy with time spent at summit

- Huntsman tax reform proposal gains foes

- Rolly: Memories of Bush's Utah visit linger

- Dumped garbage haulers cry foul

- Mayor hires 7th personal assistant in a year

- Ogden councilman gives up seat, takes City Hall job

- Beyond Politics Seen in SLC

- State delays cutting cash aid to disabled, jobless

- Evans says he was called 'slave' in Rocky's speech

- Rotarian: Shun convention because of Rocky

- Building owner says sign is good business

- Zion survey uses business optimism as its economic measure

- Editorial: The bloody shirt: Administration launches a campaign of fear

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Sept 1: Closing the Achievement Gap for Hispanic Youth presentation by Barbara Lovejoy, Director of the nonprofit Generación Floreciente, 7 to 8:30 a.m., Lamb's Café, 169 S. Main, Salt Lake City.  For more information or to register contact Barbara at 801-466-1117 or bclovejoy@msn.com.  Cost $25.
- Sept 1: Lt. Gov. Herbert to tour important archeological sites in Range Creek Canyon, hosted by the Utah Museum of Natural History and the Utah Department of Natural Resources, 8 a.m., Price.
- Sept 1: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on KCPW 88.3 FM delves into the latest spinal cord injury research with University of Utah researcher Nick Brown, Stuart Willick from the Univeristy of Utah Orthopaedic center, and Gold medal paralympian Chris Waddell; At 10:30 on Science Utah, Midday Metro gets a preview of current technical, environmental, legal, and financial issues surrounding the development of oil sands in the Western U.S. with members of the Utah Heavy Oil Center. To participate, call 801-355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org.
- Sept 1: Town hall meeting with Congressman Eni Faleomavaega to address the community regarding the Akaka Bill and its impact on all Native people, 6 to 9 p.m., Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 West 3100 South. A free screening of “Hawaiians: Reflecting Spirit” will follow. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Charlene Lui, 801-230-5109.
- Sept 2: Green Party Honk 'n' Wave for Peace "U.S. Out of Iraq, Now," featuring Bob Brister, Green Candidate for Utah's 2nd Congressional District, 9 to 10 a.m., NW corner, intersection of 700 E and 2100 S, Salt Lake City. For more information see www.bristerforcongress.org.
- Sept 2: Pete Ashdown for US Senate Midway Swiss days Parade.For more information visit: www.PeteAshdown.org.
- Sept 4: Labor Day Meet the Republican Candidates BBQ, 12 to 6 p.m., Cottonwood Park, 4300 South 1300 East. Hosted by Duane Millard, candidate, Legislative District 40.  All are invited, bring your families. Meet your federal, state and county-wide candidates. For information contact Jeremy Roberts at jbroberts5@aol.com.
- Sept 5: Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee, 8 a.m., room W135.
- Sept 5: Special Meeting of the House and Senate, 10 a.m., room W135.
- Sept 6: Special Districts Subcommittee of the Political Subdivisions Interim Committee, 9 a.m., room W125.
- Sept 6: Lt. Gov. Herbert to attend ground breaking ceremony of the new UVSC library, 9:30 a.m., Orem.
- Sept 7: Utah Foundation forum on education funding and reform, 8 to 10 a.m., Hilton Salt Lake City Center. Cost is $25 for Utah Foundation members and $35 for non-members. Tables for eight cost $200. To register, call Brooke Wilson at 801-355-1400. Click here for more information.
- Sept 7 : Lt. Gov. Herbert to address attendees of the Utah Trails Conference, 8:30 a.m., Ogden Eccles Conference Center, Ogden.
- Sept 7: Hinckley Institute of Politics Forum: U.S.-Oman Relations, 9 a.m., University of Utah, Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255. Guest is Her Excellency Hunaina Al-Mughairy, Ambassador to the U.S.for the Sultanate of Oman.
- Sept 7: Hinckley Institute of Politics Forum: Iraq & the Mythology of Martyrdom, 10 a.m., University of Utah, Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255. Guest is Professor Mohammed Hafez, University of Missouri Co-sponsor - 2006 Middle East & Central Asia Politics, Economics, and Society Conference.
- Sept 7: PRW (Professional Republican Women) meeting, 12 p.m., Capitol Complex, West Building, Rm 4112. Dave Hart will be featured speaker. The program will consist of an update on the recent $212 million restoration effort on Utah's State Capitol. To RSVP, contact Melanie Rogers at melm-rogers@yahoo.com. Luncheon reservations required.
- Sept 7: Salute to Hometown Military Heroes of Davis & Weber Counties, 5:30 p.m. VIP reception and silent auction, 7 p.m. dinner and program, Davis Conference Center Ballroom, Layton. For more information see www.hometownmilitaryheroes.com.
- Sept 7: Davis County Democrats Planning Committee Meeting, 7 p.m., Davis County Courthouse, Commission Chambers, 28 East State Street, Farmington. The agenda includes discussion of funding for our candidates and ideas for organizing your precincts.  Legislative District Chairpersons and all candidates are urged to attend this session.
- Sept 8: Rep. Rob Bishop fundraising golf tournament, scramble format, 18 holes, 7:30 a.m., Lakeside Golf Course, 1201 North 1100 West, West Bountiful. Contributions range from $5,000 PAC funds tournament sponsor, $2,000 hole sponsor, $1,500 foursome, or $400 per person. At 12:30 a lunch banquet will be held at Lane Beattie’s home in West Bountiful. For more info contact Tara Tanner, 801-575-6355, tara@tannerconsult.com.
- Sept 8: Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee, 7:30 a.m., AGPAC Legislative Site Visit.
- Sept 9: Constitution Coalition of Utah sponsored Constitution Celebration, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Washington Square, 400 S 200 E Salt Lake City. This will be a family picnic, bring patriotic signs and flags, etc. Show your support for the Constitution. There will be speakers, music, and free booths/tables. Other freedom-loving organizations are invited to participate, call Jerry Owens 801-680-7512 for details.

- See the entire calendar