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Thank You, America’s Armed Forces
Tomorrow, May 19, is Armed Forces Day, first set aside in 1949 by President Harry Truman to recognize the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense and to acknowledge the extraordinary dedication of America's soldiers standing ready in harm's way at home and around the world.
In the words of President Dwight Eisenhower, "It is fitting and proper that we devote one day each year to paying special tribute to those whose constancy and courage constitute one of the bulwarks guarding the freedom of this nation and the peace of the free world." (Source: Patriot Post)
Washington Watch
Hatch Introduces Homecare Bill
Sen. Orrin Hatch introduces legislation "to ensure that small businesses are not squeezed out of the market for homecare devices. Hatch's bill would protect rural Medicare beneficiaries who rely on these small businesses to provide their walkers, wheelchairs, diabetic supplies, and other durable medical equipment" (see press release).
Bennett on Immigration Deal
Sen. Bob Bennett says of the agreement reached yesterday between White House and Senate negotiators on immigration reform: "It is clear that comprehensive immigration reform is needed to address the national security and economic realities currently facing our country. For the past several months, both Republicans and Democrats have worked to find common ground on critical immigration issues, and I am pleased that an agreement was reached [Thursday]. I continue to review the details of the legislation and look forward to the debate next week" (see press release).
Cannon Wants Lobbying Reform
Rep. Chris Cannon introduces an amendment to a lobbying reform bill that would prohibit law firms or lawyers who are currently being paid for services by Congress, including committees of Congress, from lobbying members, committees, or employees of Congress. Says Cannon: "To pay a lawyer or law firm with public money while at the same time that lawyer or law firm lobbies for clients before Congress, is an affront to open government. The left hand must know what the right hand is doing."
Today in Political History
May 18, 1896: The Supreme Court endorses the concept of "separate but equal" racial segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson, a decision eventually overturned by Brown vs. Board of Education. (Source: NBC5 )
May 18, 1931: In Stromberg v. California, 283 U.S. 359 the Supreme Court extends concept of freedom of speech to symbolic actions such as displaying a flag.
May 18, 1997: Microsoft Corp. goes on trial in two antitrust lawsuits filed by 20 states and the U.S. Justice Department, accusing Microsoft of abusing its quasi-monopoly in computer operating systems. (Source: perspicuity)
Wise Words
“At the end of the day, it is law-abiding, bill-paying citizens who pay for the bankruptcy of others, regardless of whether the debts involved were taken on by con men or those whose situations simply got out of hand.”
-- Sen Orrin Hatch (Source: Brainy Quote)
Utah Trivia/History
The product of 20 million years of geologic faulting, volcanic activity, and glaciation, the Wasatch Mountains stretch across Utah from the Bear River in the north to Mount Nebo in central Utah. Most Wasatch peaks range between 9,000 and 10,000 feet; Mount Nebo is the highest at 11,877 feet. Some other significant peaks are Willard Peak, Mount Ogden, Bountiful Peak, Mount Olympus, Lone Peak, Mount Timpanogos, Provo Peak, Spanish Fork Peak, and Loafer Mountain. (Source: History To Go)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Wall Street Journal: Columnist Peggy Noonan says, “Having watched the second Republican debate the other night, it's clear to me the subject today is Fred Thompson, the man who wasn't there. While the other candidates bang away earnestly in a frozen format, Thompson continues to sneak up from the creek and steal their underwear--boxers, briefs and temple garments.”
-- The Nation: Surrounded by millionaire contributors and corporate lobbyist advisers, Hillary Clinton makes for a less-than-ideal populist candidate.
-- New York Post: Columnist John Podhoretz: "After two months of blowing it, Rudy Giuliani has chosen to win this game. The postgame analysis of his performance in Tuesday night's GOP debate is close to unanimous, especially after a good night's sleep for anyone inclined to argue otherwise: Rudy was the hands-down winner" (see also related Steve Kornacki and James Pinkerton columns).
-- New York Times: The leading presidential candidates are "[s]tealing a page from the Soviet playbook" by "eliminating whole chapters of their histories. ... It is no revelation that campaigns conspicuously omit things. There are always unpleasant facts, episodes or viewpoints that run counter to the public self a candidate is marketing. But one of the striking features of the 2008 campaigns is the pungency of the various elephants in the various rooms. Candidates are strenuously de-emphasizing or ignoring altogether experiences that are defining and, in many cases, extremely well known" (see also related Donald Lambro column).
Blog Watch
-- Utah Senate Democrats notes: "We reported last month that Senator Ed Mayne has lung cancer. Well, he's up for the battle! He's handling his chemotherapy splendidly, and he's rebounding quickly. His goal is to be in remission by August. At the Taste of Kearns event earlier this month, Senator Mayne, donned in boxing gloves, lathered and shaved his head on the football field while spectators cheered. Then he hugged his wife, his kids, his grandkids, his dad, Democrats :o), and everybody. ... Senator Mayne is a celebrity and hero in his Senate District. He thanks everyone for their messages, letters, comments, and most of all, for their prayers on his behalf."
-- Frank Staheli says: "Regardless of how one feels about the current Education Voucher law in Utah, it is nonetheless a law. It is not vacated simply because there will be a referendum on the issue in November, or that it might be the subject of a lawsuit. It is bizarre that the Utah State Board of Education thinks that it has the authority not to implement the law, regardless of its reasoning" (for more on the voucher issue, see Jeremy's Jeremiad and Utah Taxpayer).
-- UAC Blog posts a May Legislative Interim recap (for more Legislature-related posts, see Anderson Development).
Lighter Side
“If only we’d stop trying so hard to be happy we could have a pretty good time.”
—Edith Wharton (Source: Tea Leaf economic update)
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
Big bugs are the ticket on the Green River. Cicada numbers are on the rise and fish are responding to imitations. It is great fun to fish cicadas. You don’t have to be graceful or accurate. Just spat one on the surface and hang on for a fierce strike.
Tickets still available for the Wasatch Fly Tying & Fly Fishing Expo, Saturday, May 19, at the Karen Gail Miller Convention Center, Salt Lake Community College, 9750 South 300 West, Sandy. Sponsored by the Stonefly Society and Cache Valley Anglers. Details.
Lake Powell, Sand Hollow, Strawberry, Jordanelle, Willard Bay... lots of waters are hot right now. See Dave Webb’s full fishing report.
Outdoors Report
-- Morning News on Strawberry Reservoir’s national accolades
-- Le Mans Series returns to Utah in the Morning News
-- Feed hummingbirds in the Tribune
-- Morning News takes readers to the air in Monument Valley
--Visit the Ghost Falls Trails in the Tribune’s Hike of the Week
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook and The Outsider for outdoor activities this week
-- For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website
New Films
-- Shrek the Third: Tribune review
-- Away From Her: Tribune review
Concerts
-- Dance Company, Friday, 4;30 and 7:30 p.m., Alice Sheets Marriott Center for Dance, U., $5
-- Ballroom Dance Company, Friday, 7:30 p.m., de Jong Concert Hall, Brigham Young University, Provo, $10
-- Bells on Temple Square, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Salt Lake Tabernacle, free, but tickets required
-- Deseret Chamber Music Festival, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Madsen Recital Hall, BYU, Provo, $14
-- Verdi Requiem, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Good Shepherd Church, 8600 S. 700 E., Sandy
-- Ruby Wang, piano, Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Madsen Recital Hall, BYU, Provo, free
-- Marc Reynolds, voice, Saturday, 5:30 p.m., Madsen Recital Hall, BYU, Provo, free
-- “Fantastic Barbershop,” Salt Lake Chapter Barbershop Harmony Society, Saturday, 7 p.m., Highland High School, $15
-- Murray Concert Band, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Murray High School, free
-- “Red Rock Rondo,” Blue Haiku, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Vieve Gore Concert Hall, Westminster College, $12
-- Wasatch Singers, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Riverview Jr. High, $5
-- Madeleine Festival, Sundays through May 20, Cathedral of the Madeleine
Theater
-- “Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse” through May 19, Children's Theatre of Salt Lake
-- “My Fair Lady” through May 19, Grand Theatre
-- “The Grapes of Wrath” through May 20, Capitol Theatre
-- “No Time for Sergeants” through June 2, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “The Secret Garden” through June 2, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- “Seussical the Musical” through June 2, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “Utahoma!” through June 2, Off Broadway Theatre
-- “Phantom of the Grand Ol' Opry” through June 9, Desert Star Cabaret Theatre
-- “Thoroughly Modern Millie” through June 9, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “Les Miserables” through June 23, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “The Secret Garden” through June 23, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- “Nunsense A-Men,” Desert Star Theatre
Museum Exhibits
-- Resonance and Return: Social Documentary Photography, 1935-Present Exhibition through May 19, Salt Lake Art Center
-- From Above: Images of a Storied Land Exhibition through May 20, Utah Museum of Natural History, University of Utah
-- The Quiet Landscapes of William B. Post Exhibition through May 28, Museum of Art, Brigham Young University
-- Brian Kershisnik: Painting from Life Exhibition through July 1, Head Trip: Around The World in Forty Hats Exhibition through August 12, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah
Et Cetera
-- Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m., downtown
-- Springfest 2007, Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Red Butte Garden
-- Living Traditions Festival, through May 20, Washington Square
-- Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire, through May 20, Slaterville
-- The Organ Loft Spring Silent Movie Series, through May 25 |
