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On-Line Town Meeting is Crowded
Dozens of people are posing questions to the Legislature in the on-line town meeting held in conjunction with legislative site visits Wednesday and today in Davis and Salt Lake counties.
Get in on the fun by visiting www.utahsitevisit.com and sending a question to a legislator. Read questions and comments posted there and check out photos from the Davis County visit.
Happy Talk for Economy
Utah economist Jeff Thredgold’s Tea Leaf economic update this week looks at good economic news:
“… I thought an update of ‘Happy Talk’ was timely. Keep some of these items in mind as the financial world continues to shake, rattle, and roll. The ‘dismal science’ of economics typically focuses on ‘bad’ news. In addition, the national media's spin on the economy is so negative that nearly 40% of all Americans think the U.S. economy is in recession. We do face major challenges. However, there are many favorable developments taking place within the U.S. economy. This Tea Leaf focuses ONLY on the ‘good’ news...”
Washington Watch
Cannon Substitutes for Lonsberry
Rep. Chris Cannon recently substituted for radio host Bob Lonsberry on 570 KNRS Family Values Talk Radio. To listen to an mp3 of the show, click here.
Today in Political History
August 16, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a proclamation declaring the Southern states to be in a "state of insurrection against the United States". (Source: Perspicuity)
Aug. 16, 1977: Singer Elvis Presley dies at Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tenn., at age 42. (Source: New York Times)
August 16, 1988: Vice President George H.W. Bush asks Sen. Dan Quayle to be his running mate on the Republican ticket. (Source: NBC5)
Wise Words
“Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.”
-- Charles Dickens (Source: Brainy Quote)
Utah Political People
Q: Who are two of the most powerful and influential and non-elected women in Utah politics?
A: Patricia Knight and Mary Jane Collipriest. They are the Chiefs of Staff for Senators Bennett and Hatch. Knight, not a local Utahn, has been Hatch’s top staffer since 1999. Collipriest, a local Utahn, became Bennett’s Chief of Staff last year after long years of service in Bennetts press office. (Source: Tribune)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- ABC News: Rudy Giuliani "unveiled the details of his plan to solve the United States' immigration problem" on Tuesday in an effort to push back on Mitt Romney's efforts to paint Giuliani as a hypocrite on the issue.
-- Bloomberg: "Senator [Hillary] Clinton's campaign is bracing for a possible swing of black voters toward her chief rival, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, by focusing more attention on Hispanic voters. [Clinton] ... has seeded her staff with Spanish-speaking operatives, starting with Patti Solis Doyle, her campaign manager."
-- New York Times: Fred Thompson has been able to set up a kind of stealth presidential campaign on the Internet "because federal election laws and enforcement have failed to catch up with the surge in campaigning in cyberspace. As a result, he has been able to promote his positions and raise money through his Web site, all while technically remaining a noncandidate."
-- Washington Times: Editorial: "Republican presidential candidates are wise to reconsider their rejection of YouTube as a debating format. Their decision to embrace the debate medium ... is a savvy step toward closing the technology gap with their rival Democrats, a gap that could be pivotal for victory in 2008."
Sutherland Climate Change Study
The Sutherland Institute has distributed to 10,000 Utahns a study highlighting disagreements in the scientific community about the causes and effects of climate change. Says Sutherland Pres. Paul Mero: "To the degree we can provide some clarity to the discussion of global warming, especially in light of Governor Huntsman's new initiatives, we want to be of help. Part of our role is to separate fact from fiction. The truth is scientists are far from agreement about global warming." For more info, click here.
Lighter Side
Best of Late Night Humor
Jay Leno: It was so hot today I was sweating like a Chinese toy salesman. ... It was so hot in North Carolina even John Edwards had a bad hair day. ... This week, the government announced a new operation to crack down on the hiring of illegals here in Los Angeles. It’s called Operation You’re Going To Have To Cut Your Own Lawn and Raise Your Own Kids. ... Another Democratic debate last [week]. I don’t want to say it did bad in the ratings, but it had so few viewers it was declared an NBC prime-time show. ... Did you see that horrible rainstorm in New York City? The flooding was so bad Hillary Clinton had to switch from a pantsuit to a wetsuit. ... Next week, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will work a shift as a nurse at a Las Vegas hospital. And you thought your doctor’s hands were cold. ... Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney say they will not participate in the Republican debate next month in Florida. John McCain said he will be there—if he can get a ride. ... Elizabeth Edwards is speaking out again. She says the problem with her husband’s fundraising campaign is she can’t make him black, and she can’t make him a woman. That’s the same problem with Michael Jackson’s people. (Source: Patriot Post) |
