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Congratulations, Utah Jazz
Who would have ever thought this team would make it to the conference finals as one of the best four teams in the NBA? It's fun to see the community come together and enjoy the playoffs.
Washington Watch
Hatch Endorses D.C. Voting Rights Bill
Sen. Orrin Hatch speaks before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to promote the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007, which would grant grant the District's non-voting Delegate full status as a member of the House and add a fourth congressional seat for Utah (see press release and related Washington Post story); Hatch says the recent spike in gas prices can be blamed in part on the nation's lack of domestic oil-refining capabilities (press release).
Evening With Lech Walesa
Lech Walesa, former president of Poland, will be in Salt Lake City on the evening of May 30 to be honored by the George Washington Center for Freedom and Understanding. Walesa is considered to be the father of freedom in Eastern Europe and won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1983.
The event will be held in the Grand America Hotel ballroom. Tickets are $250 per plate; $2,000 per table of 10; or $7,500 for photo reception and table of 10. Call 202.536.2938 or con@gwcfreedom.org.
Today in Political History
May 16, 1868: The U.S. Senate fails by one vote to convict President Andrew Johnson as it took its first ballot on one of 11 articles of impeachment against him. Johnson was acquitted of all charges. (Source: New York Times)
May 16, 1918: Congress passes the Sedition Act, making criticism of the government a jailable offense. The act was repealed in 1921 for being against the letter and spirit of the Constitution. (Source: NBC5)
May 16, 1944: G.I. Bill of Rights (Servicemen's Readjustment Act) is passed by Congress. (Source: perspicuity)
Wise Words
“And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need its assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this Truth, that God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a Sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?”
--Benjamin Franklin (Source: Patriot Post)
Campaign Tip
Using Technology in Campaigns
Political Resources.com features an article on use of technology and software in campaigns: “The computer is vital element to the success of any campaign. As soon as you have decided to run for office, or are developing a grassroots lobbying effort, or trying to get an initiative on the ballot, you must assess how the computer will fit into your campaign. ‘Computer’ is shorthand for technology. Almost everything aspect of a campaign can be simplified and enhanced by the computer. Computer use in your campaign is only limited by your imagination and skill.” Click here for the full article.
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- Weekly Standard: Columnist Fred Barnes: "Can President Bush recover? It matters enormously in the 2008 election -- particularly in the presidential race -- whether he does or not. Either way, recovery or no recovery, the president will have a powerful impact on the outcome. If he fails to lift himself out of the political doldrums, his successor in the White House is likely to be a Democrat. But should he pull off a strong finishing kick, as President Reagan did in 1988, the prospects of another Republican president will improve significantly."
-- National Journal: Columnist Charlie Cook: "Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel's (R) recent remark on CBS' 'Face the Nation' that he would consider running on an independent presidential ticket with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) is intriguing because they complement each other so well. Bloomberg offers up the executive experience that voters tend to prefer for president. Also, keep in mind that the last two sitting members of Congress elected president were John Kennedy and Warren Harding. Hagel has foreign policy and military experience, punctuated by an impressive record as a combat (and seriously wounded) infantryman in Vietnam" (see also related TIME Magazine story).
-- Washington Post: Columnist E.J. Dionne: "Watch what happens when Republicans can no longer evade the abortion issue. After trying to have it all ways and looking silly in the process, Rudy Giuliani finally came out and restated his support for a woman's right to choose. If he sticks with his decision, Giuliani will end the free ride his party has enjoyed on an issue that's supposed to be about morality, but has more often been used cynically to harvest votes" (see also related Jack Kelly column and New York Daily News editorial).
Blog Watch
-- Rep. Steve Urquhart says: "The Senate and House minority leaders sent a letter to Governor Huntsman asking him to call a special session to repeal HB 174 -- the 'clean up' bill for my education voucher legislation (HB 148). As we all know by now, HB 148 is subject to a referendum. HB 174 is not, nor could it be, since it passed by more than two-thirds in each body. HB 148 might or might not become law. HB 174 is law, even if the state school board chooses to ignore it. So far, we've had some good public dialogue on the voucher issue; however, one point seems to be entirely missing: why was HB 174 drafted? Answer: the state school board asked us to run the legislation. That legislation passed; now, they want it to go away" (for more on the voucher issue, see The Senate Site and Under The Dome).
-- Utah Taxpayer responds to this Trib editorial about the Taxpayers Association's call to increase the state gasoline tax to fund transportation.
-- At Out of Context, Thomas Burr reports: "During a Senate hearing on a bill to give Utah a fourth congressional seat, Sen. Orrin Hatch was making the case that the state has grown so much that it needs more representation in Congress. St. George, he pointed out, is the nation's fastest growing city. 'It's also been rated the top retirement community in America,' Hatch added. 'Some have suggested that I need to go there.' 'Not yet,' countered Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn."
Lighter Side
Yesterday’s Dilbert cartoon from the Washington Post. |
