Boo!
Happy Halloween. Here’s a nice haunted house story from the New York Times.
Washington Watch
Hatch Defends Nord
Sen. Orrin Hatch defends Nancy Nord, Acting Chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in response to calls for her resignation (see press release).
Cannon Measures Approved
The House approves legislation introduced by Rep. Chris Cannon that "would require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish an initiative to promote the research, development, and demonstration of miner tracking and communications systems and to promote the establishment of standards regarding underground communications to protect miners in the United States" (see press release); Cannon's Internet tax moratorium bill wins final approval and heads to the president (press release).
Matheson: Innovation Needed
Rep. Jim Matheson introduces legislation calling on the EPA to seek innovation in water conservation. Says Matheson: "Utah is the second-driest state in the country. Utah industries from skiing to farming live -- and die -- by water supplies. Nationally, 36 states are anticipating local, regional or statewide water shortages by 2013. Americans now use an average of 100 gallons of water per person every day. If we don't soon come up with innovative technology to use water more efficiently, the well -- so to speak -- is going to run dry" (see press release).
Chester A. Arthur and the Mormons
Arthur signed the Edmunds Bill, a key piece of anti-polygamy legislation. While no friend to the Mormons, the tall and dignified Arthur, with his handle-bar mustache, was described by Apostle John Henry Smith after one visit as “a fine looking man.” (From Mike Winder’s Presidents and Prophets: The Story of America’s Presidents and the LDS Church)
S.L. Chamber Endorses Vouchers
In a position statement on vouchers, a majority of the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors endorses Referendum 1 and encourages voters to support it.
Protect Utah Artifacts
The Wilderness Society. House members "have sent an urgent letter to Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne requesting that he protect Utah's irreplaceable archaeological artifacts and magnificent roadless areas from the damage caused by off-road vehicles" (see press release).
Sutherland: Ability, Not 'Certification'
The Sutherland Institute argues that "[w]hile the voucher program does not require 'certification' for their teachers, studies show certification has no statistically-significant relationship to actual teaching ability, job performance, and student achievement. The best current methodological research shows that true ability is the key to a teacher's effectiveness, not an 'official stamp of approval'" (see press release).
Rocky's Anti-War Speech
The Salt Lake City Mayor's Office has posted the speech Rocky Anderson delivered at last week's anti-war rally in SLC.
SL Co. Budget Message
Yesterday, SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon presented the 2008 Budget to the County Council. To read his speech, click here.
Eagle Mountain is Profiled
This week's issue of the Economic Review, the newsletter of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, features new member Eagle Mountain, Utah's second fastest growing city. EagleMountain has a population of 20,000, but is projected to grow to 100,000 within the next decade. Its rapid growth has suddenly drawn the interest of developers and retailers.
U.S. Export Assistance
The latest issue of Global Utah, World Trade Center Utah's weekly newsletter, features Utah Globalists Jeff Hamilton and Andrew Edlefsen, the two-man team that runs the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Sandy. Hamilton and Edlefsen hold the keys to doing business in more than 82 countries. "The only problem," says the newsletter, "is many Utah businesses have never even heard of the local branch of the U.S. Export Assistance Center." According to the newsletter, Utah will be hosting the First Lady of Guatemala on Nov. 1, and the ambassadors of Malaysia (Nov. 2), Pakistan (Nov. 8), and Belgium (Nov. 9)..
India Trade Mission Report
While Gov. Huntsman is leading a trade mission to India, Utah's World Trade Association is planning an "India Trade Mission Report," which will be held Nov. 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Little America Hotel, 500 South Main. Guest speakers will be Paul Savage, of Law firm Kirton & McConkie, and Lew Cramer, president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah. To RSVP: Call Jennifer at the Global Management Center (801) 422-6495.
Today in Political History
October 31, 1517: Martin Luther nails on the door of the castle church at Wittenberg his 95 theses (in Latin) against the misuse of absolution or indulgences. (from The Encyclopedia of World History)
October 31, 1864: The state of Nevada is admitted to the Union.
October 31, 1913: The Federal Income Tax is signed into law (at 1%).
October 31, 1998: President Bill Clinton signs the "Iraq Liberation Act" which states that "... the policy of the United States is to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime.". (Source: Perspicuity)
Wise Words
“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.”
-- Martin Luther (Source: Think Exist)
Campaign Tip
Political Lawn Signs
By Sheila Maas
The blossoming of political lawn signs prior to an election is as predictable as the spring crocuses after the frost is out of the ground. There must be a reason for these "American as apple pie" phenomena. The reason is simply that lawn signs have proven themselves as an effective way for candidates or causes to promote their image or position -- and win!
Not all signs are effective, and some could just as well have spared the candidate his/her money and time. Make sure the sign includes your name and the office you seeking. If you are being re-elected, inclusion of RE-ELECT can be a plus as it distinguishes you as the incumbent. A slogan is great for signs placed at stop lights, but most viewers of lawn signs are zipping by at 30 plus miles per hour.
Symbols are important. In this age of icons, who can not recognize the appropriateness and symbolism of a school house (SCHOOL BOARD) or a five-pointed star (SHERIFF), a balance scale (JUDGE), a donkey (DEMOCRAT), an elephant (REPUBLICAN), a statue of liberty (LIBERTARIAN) or flags or stars and stripes. Last, but most important, don't forget your "Authorized and Paid for…" (Source: Political Signs)
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- Weekly Standard: Columnist Frederick Kagan: "America has won an important battle in the war on terror. We turned an imminent victory for Al Qaeda In Iraq into a humiliating defeat for them and thereby created an opportunity for further progress not only in Iraq, but also in the global struggle."
-- Des Moines Register: Columnist David Ypsen says Mike Huckabee's "Reagan-like spirit" is spurring his rise in the Iowa presidential polls.
-- New York Times: Columnist David Brooks: "Some elections are defined by the gap between the rich and the poor. Others are defined by the gap between the left and the right. But this election will be shaped by the gap within individual voters themselves -- the gap between their private optimism and their public gloom."
-- Roll Call: Columnist Stuart Rothenberg: "Some story lines never go away. This year, once again, there is buzz that 2008 might be an anti-incumbent election that will sweep out sitting House Members of both parties.... But a rabidly anti-incumbent election is not as likely as some hope."
Blog Watch
-- Paul Rolly says the alliance between the Conservative and Rural Caucuses in the legislature is fracturing over the voucher issue. (For more on vouchers, see Dynamic Range, KVNU's For The People, The Utah Amicus, and Woods Cross Citizen.)
Lighter Side
The Onion reports that political scientists have “inadvertently synthesized a previous theoretical form of government known as megalocracy.” |
