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Reader Response
Plug for Candidate Ron Paul
In response to my Thursday Musing essay (scroll down a bit) on federalism, UPD reader Nate Daniels wrote to say I was wrong because there is one presidential candidate, Ron Paul, who is a strong proponent of balanced federalism. Read Daniels’ comments on his Politics and Poker blog.
Splitting School Districts Fairly
Listen to a Dan Bammes KUER interview with former Gov. Norm Bangerter on the hot issue of splitting school districts and fairness in school building capital outlay.
Spotlight on Manufacturing
This week's issue of the Economic Review, an e-newsletter published by the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, says manufacturing is the backbone of the state’s economy, generating 11 percent ($9.8 billion) of the gross domestic product and paying the second highest average annual wage, behind only mining. Utah has nearly 4,000 manufacturing firms, which employ over 125,000 people. Annual payroll is over $1.3 billion.
Washington Watch
Comittee Approves Hatch's CHIP Plan
The Senate Finance Committee approves Sen. Orrin Hatch's plan to renew and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) this year (see press release); Hatch points to the results of a study released by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Electric Power Research Institute "which finds that the widespread use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the United States would likely reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality" (press release).
Bennett Extends Fire Relief
Sen. Bob Bennett joins his Senate Appropriations Committee colleagues "to extend through the end of this year a disaster relief program that assists livestock producers who have suffered losses from natural disasters, including the horrific fires that burned through Utah this summer" (see press release); the Senate Appropriations Committee approves a bill that will provide over $24 million for Utah agriculture projects requested by Bennett, as a part of the fiscal year 2008 spending bill for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration" (press release).
Today in Political History
July 20, 1881: Sioux Indian leader Sitting Bull, of 1876 Battle of the Little Big Horn fame, surrenders to federal troops.
July 20, 1979: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is created. (Source: Perspicuity)
Wise Words
“Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find criticism subversive.”
-- Henry Steele (Source: Quotes Exchange)
Utah History/Trivia
Arches National Park covers more than 73,000 acres, or about 114 square miles. There are more than 500 arches found inside the park's boundaries, and the possibility exists that even more may be discovered. The concentration of arches within the park is the result of the angular topography, much exposed bare rock, and erosion on a major scale. In such an arid area -- annual precipitation is about 8.5 inches per year -- it is not surprising that the agent of most erosion is wind and frost. (Source: UHE)
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- The Economist: "John Edwards trails in third place. But his policy ideas are shaping the Democratic presidential race."
-- New Republic (subscription required): "At first glance, the Democratic nominee for president in 1960, John Fitzgerald Kennedy ... seems notably different from the most interesting candidate for next year's nomination, Senator Barack Obama. But when does a difference make a difference? Different times, issues, and electors make any meaningful comparison unlikely. But the parallels in their candidacies are striking."
-- Washington Post: Columnist George Will looks at "the ironic collapse of John McCain."
-- New York Post: Columnist Ralph Peters: "Democrats on Capitol Hill have complained for years that the White House 'cherry-picks' intelligence. [Wednesday], that's exactly what the Dems did themselves with the just-declassified summary of a National Intelligence Estimate on terrorism."
Blog Watch
-- At UtahSenateDemocrats, Sen. Mike Dmitrich posts a synopsis of his experience visiting with officials in China as part of Utah's legislative delegation.
-- Rep. Steve Urquhart solicits reader feedback on his proposal that the federal government reimburse Utah for the cost of educating children who are here illegally.
-- Utah Taxpayer notes: "How does your school district spend your tax dollars compared to other Utah school districts? The Utah Taxpayers Association has just released its annual school district spending report. Click here to view the report FY2006."
-- Scott Hinrichs is unimpressed with Sen. Orrin Hatch's proposed SCHIP extension legislation.
-- Tim Beagley is unimpressed with Attorney General Mark Shurtleff's "judgment of late regarding education law and constitutionality."
-- Neil Abercrombie notes: "Is there a limit to what services government should provide? Who draws the line? I think the debate between providing public services and competing with private sector is a great discussion. ... Monday on Midday Metro, Roger Tew (ULCT lobbyist/attorney) and Senator Howard Stephenson (R-Draper, President of the Utah Taxpayers Assoc.) debated the issue for 20+ minutes."
-- RomneyExperience responds to Matthew Yglesias' and Ross Douthat's Blogghingheads.tv discussion of Mitt Romney's Mormonism. (See also related Article VI Blog post).
Lighter Side
“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.”
-- Sharron Horsey (Tea Leaf)
Casual Friday
Outdoors Report
New wildfires are having a major impact on travel and recreation in Utah. The new Salt Creek Fire on Mt. Nebo has prompted closure of all roads and campgrounds along the Nebo Loop. Thousand Oaks and Indianola have been evacuated.
Much of Zion National Park's backcountry area is closed because of wildfires. Trails that stay in Zion Canyon are open but those that cross into backcountry areas are closed. You can hike into the Narrows from the bottom and proceed upstream to Orderville Gulch, but you cannot go beyond that point. Top-to-bottom hikes through the Narrows are not allowed at this time. All technical canyon hikes are closed. The Lava Point Campground is closed. The North Fork Road, located just east of the park, has been closed and a mandatory evacuation order is in effect for resorts and summer homes in that area.
Kaibab National Forest was briefly closed to all recreational activities because of high fire danger. That closure has been lifted.
At Lake Powell, striped bass boils are becoming common and fishing is excellent. Most of the surface action is on the upper lake right now but it will soon spread lake-wide. Some of the most exciting fishing of the year will take place at Powell during the next few weeks.
The coming weeks will also bring great kokanee fishing at Flaming Gorge, and good action on most lakes and streams. See Dave Webb's complete fishing report.
Outdoors Report
-- Morning News breaks ground on winter sports center in Park City
-- All about owls in the Tribune
-- Rowing on the Great Salt Lake in the Morning News
-- Tribune’s Hike of the Week loops five lakes in Big Cottonwood Canyon
-- Biking events around the state in the Morning News’ Cycling Notes
-- 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
-- Hairspray: Tribune review
-- I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry: Rotten Tomatoes
Concerts
-- Utah Festival Youth Symphony & Orchestras, Friday, 7 p.m., Heritage Center, Highway 89-91, Wellsville, free
-- Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Friday, 7:30 p.m., LDS Conference Center, free, but tickets required
-- Polynesian Festival, Saturday, 5 p.m., Sandy Amphitheatre
-- Twilight Concert Series, Thursdays through August 23, Gallivan Plaza
-- Pioneer Park Concert Series, Fridays through August 31, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Pioneer Park
-- Lunch Bunch Concert Series, weekdays, noon, Gallivan Plaza
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall
Theater
--“Fiddler on the Roof” through July 21, Woodland Park, Farmington
-- “Kiss Me, Kate” through July 21, SCERA Shell
-- “The Little Shop of Horrors” through July 28, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “The Rainmaker” through July 28, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “The Spitfire Grill” through August 1, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Cash on Delivery” through August 2, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Picnic” through August 3, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” through August 4, Hale Center Theater, Orem
-- “The Member of the Wedding” through August 4, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “I Fall to Pieces: The Life and Music of Patsy Cline” through August 6, Bumbleberry Theatre, Springdale
-- “Plaza Suite” through August 10, Neil Simon Festival, Cedar City
-- “Bye Bye Birdie” through August 11, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “The Odd Couple” through August 11, Neil Simon Festival, Cedar City
-- “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” through August 11, Neil Simon Festival, Cedar City
-- “Saturday's Voyeur: The Rocky Show” through August 12, Salt Lake Acting Company
-- “CTR Superstar” through August 18, The Off Broadway Theatre
-- “Little Shop of Horrors” through August 18, Egyptian Theatre, Park City
-- “Less Miserables: A Revolution of Comedy” through August 25, Desert Star Cabaret Theatre
-- “Candida” through August 31, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “Coriolanus” through August 31, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “King Lear” through September 1, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “Lend Me a Tenor” through September 1, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “The Matchmaker” through September 1, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “A Pirate's Life: Groovin' on the Seven Seas” through September 1, Pickleville Playhouse, Garden City (Bear Lake)
-- “Twelfth Night” through September 1, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “Cinderella” through October 17, Tuacahn Amphitheater
-- “My Fair Lady” through October 19, Tuacahn Amphitheater
-- “42nd Street” through October 20, 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
-- Head Trip: Around The World in Forty Hats Exhibition, through August 12, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah
-- Life After Death: New Leipzig Paintings from the Rubell Family Collection Exhibition, through September 29, Salt Lake Art Center
Et Cetera
-- Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m., downtown
-- Sundance Outdoor Film Festival, Mondays through August 20, Gallivan Center
-- Downtown Farmers’ Market, Saturdays through October 20, 8 a.m., Pioneer Park
-- Utah Shakespearean Festival, through October 27, Cedar City
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