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Reasonable Immigration Solution Needed
The anti-immigration activists are noisy and angry, both nationwide and in Utah. But they are also unrealistic and unreasonable. Their proposals are mostly unworkable or they would require massive tax increases.
Immigration is a difficult, complex issue that invites demagoguery and defies simplistic solutions. President Bush’s current proposal before the U.S. Senate isn’t perfect and will need modification. But it’s by far the best chance to get something positive done about the festering immigration issue. If the immigration activists kill it, we’ll have another decade of the status quo – with millions more illegal immigrants entering the country.
In Utah, the anti-immigrant activists are vocal organized, but they represent a relatively small minority and they don’t actually have a lot of political clout. They have been unable to defeat candidates who are moderate on the immigration, the poster child being Congressman Chris Cannon. Candidates who succumb to the temptation to be hard-line on immigration are almost always defeated. Most Utahns are reasonable on this issue. They want a solution that is practical, that makes sense and that can be implemented at reasonable cost.
Washington Watch
Hatch Promotes Plug-In Hybrids
Sens. Orrin Hatch, Maria Cantwell, and Barack Obama introduce a bill "to help develop commercially viable plug-in hybrids and other electric-drive vehicles, which would shift the nation from its dependence on liquid fuels and toward much cleaner -- and cheaper -- electricity for transportation" (see press release).
Bennett: Fuel Tax Credit
Sens. Bob Bennett and Ron Wyden introduce legislation "that would reward drivers for buying more fuel efficient cars, trucks and SUVs. The Oil Independence, Limiting Subsidies and Accelerating Vehicle Efficiency (OILSAVE) Act would offer consumers a tax credit for purchasing qualified energy-saving vehicles" (see press release).
Matheson: Restore Budget Sanity
Rep. Jim Matheson joins his fellow Blue Dog Democrats in urging Congress to do more to rein in government spending and balance the federal budget. Says Matheson: "Restoring sanity to the federal budget must start with this Congress. Unless we control reckless spending and stem the tide of red ink, our nation's future prosperity and security is at risk" (see press release).
Today in Political History
June 15, 1215: King John is forced to sign the Magna Carta at Runnymede, limiting the power of the English monarchy. John immediately appeals to Pope Innocent III, who issues a bill annulling the charter. John imports foreign mercenaries to fight the barons, but the Magna Carta will remain the basis of English feudal justice.
June 15, 2006: The U.S. Supreme Court, in HUDSON v. MICHIGAN, decides that a knock on the door is an unnecessary burden for the cops when they need entry into your "castle". (Source: perspicuity)
Wise Words
“It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
-- John Adams, in a letter to Abigail Adams, speaking of celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
Utah Trivia
In 1996, which two Utahns were listed as billionaires in Forbes magazine?
a) Jon M. Huntsman and James L. Sorensen b) James L. Sorensen and Robert Redford
c) Larry H. Miller and Robert Redford d) Larry H. Miller and Jon M. Huntsman
Answer: A. Jon M Huntsman and James L Sorensen (Source: Salt Lake City)
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- Los Angeles Times: After flirting with the possibility of backing Sen. Barack Obama, Steven Spielberg announced Wednesday his decision to endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton's '08 bid -- a move that "underscores what Hollywood politicos have been saying for several weeks: Members of the largely Democratic entertainment industry are getting over their crush on Obama and are now looking at Clinton as a more likely presidential prospect."
-- MSNBC: "Hard-core loyalists in both the Democratic and Republican parties are at odds with their leaders. The base on each side is being forced to accept something they detest: For GOP loyalists, it is an immigration overhaul that would legalize millions of illegal workers; for Democrats, it is $100 billion more to pay for a war they thought they voted to end last November. But will unhappiness in each party have any practical electoral effect on the 2008 elections?"
-- Chicago Tribune: Columnist John Kass says that "[t]he Republican hunger for [Fred] Thompson reminds me of how popular Coors beer was in Chicago long ago, when it wasn't sold here, and so it became somewhat precious. Beer drinkers lusted after Coors and lugged cases of it back from Colorado in the trunks of their cars, handing out the cans as if they were special treats, driving up the desire, until Coors appeared in stores and beer drinkers figured out it was just another beer."
-- RealClearPolitics: Columnist Victor Davis Hanson notes that critics of the compromise immigration bill have been "dubbed cynical nativists -- or racists -- who have demagogued the issue and scapegoated hardworking illegal aliens. Even President Bush got into the fray when he alleged that conservative obstructionists were somehow not working in America's best interests. But who's really being cynical when it comes to illegal immigration? The government? Of course."
Casual Friday
Utah Fishing Report
By Dave Webb
If you have ever wanted to learn to catch smallmouth bass, now is the time because action is great all around the state. Bass waters that are hot right now include Lake Powell and Sand Hollow in southern Utah, Flaming Gorge and Starvation out east, and Jordanelle, East Canyon and Pineview along the Wasatch Front.
At Lake Powell, striped bass are biting well. They are slurping shad larva on the surface and taking anchovies deep. Fly fishers are doing great on the Middle Provo using stoneflies, drakes and PMDs. Many other waters are fishing well. Read my full report.
For the latest wildlife news and information and the DWR fishing report visit the DWR website .
Outdoors Report
-- Tribune hits the slopes for mountain biking
-- Morning News gears up for challenging cycling race
--Rise of mountainboarding in the Tribune
-- Ski resorts have another record season in the Morning News
-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook and Recreation Roundup for sports and recreation activities this week
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
-- For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website
New Films
-- Nancy Drew: Tribune review
-- Fantastic Four: Tribune review
-- Lonely Hearts: Tribune review
Concerts
-- Ames Children's Concert Choir, Friday, noon, Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- Tom Scott, jazz saxophone, Friday, 7 p.m., Ogden Amphitheatre
-- University Chorale, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Provo Tabernacle, free
-- Kindred Voices, British folk songs, Friday, 8 p.m., Brigham Young Historic Park, free
-- “Made in America,” Utah Dance Artists, Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m., Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah
-- “Evening of Sensational Entertainment,” Saturday, 7 p.m., LDS Conference Center, $20
-- Willey Family, strings, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- “Yoga the Musical,” SB Dance, through June 17, Rose Wagner Center
-- Lunch Bunch Concert Series, weekdays, noon, Gallivan Plaza
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall
Theater
-- “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown” through June 16, dates and times vary, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU
-- “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” through June 17, Wasatch Theatre Company
-- “Honk Jr.” through June 23, Babcock Theatre
-- “Ragtime, the Musical” through June 23, SCERA Shell
-- “The Secret Garden” through June 23, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- “Backstage” through June 25, Valley Center Playhouse, Lindon
-- “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” through June 25, Sugar Factory Playhouse
-- “1776” through June 30, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “The Importance of Being Earnest” through June 30, Draper Historic Theatre
-- “Seussical, the Musical” through June 30, Old Barn Community Theatre, Collinston
-- “Fiddler on the Roof” through July 2, Empress Theatre
-- “Les Miserables” through July 7, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “The Little Shop of Horrors” through July 28, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “The Rainmaker” through July 28, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “Cash on Delivery” through August 2, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” through August 4, Hale Center Theater, Orem
-- “I Fall to Pieces: The Life and Music of Patsy Cline” through August 6, Bumbleberry Theatre, Springdale
-- “Saturday's Voyeur: The Rocky Show” through August 12, Salt Lake Acting Company
-- “Less Miserables: A Revolution of Comedy” through August 25, Desert Star Cabaret Theatre
-- “A Pirate's Life: Groovin' on the Seven Seas” through September 1, Pickleville Playhouse, Garden City (Bear Lake)
-- “Cinderella” through October 17, Tuacahn Amphitheater
-- “My Fair Lady” through October 19, Tuacahn Amphitheater
-- “It's Showtime!” through October 27, Bumbleberry Theatre, Springdale
-- “Twist the Night Away” through October 28, Bumbleberry Theatre, Springdale
-- “Nunsense A-Men,” Desert Star Theatre
-- “The Taffetas,” Desert Star Theatre
Museum Exhibits
-- Albert Tissandier: Drawings of Nature and Industry in the United States Exhibition, Museum of Utah Art & History through June 30
-- 83rd Annual Spring Salon, Springville Museum of Art, through July 8
-- 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
-- Chalk Art Festival, Friday and Saturday,The Gateway
-- Downtown Farmers’ Market, Saturdays through October 20, 8 a.m., Pioneer Park
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