Washington Watch
Hatch on Romney Speech
Sen. Orrin Hatch says of Mitt Romney's "Faith in America" speech: "The Founding Fathers built this great nation on the very simple principle that church and state should be separate. ... Mitt Romney's religious beliefs would not interfere with his ability to lead the country."
Cannon on Romney Speech
Rep. Chris Cannon says of Romney's speech: "Governor Romney clearly articulated basic American truths. He reminded us all of our common history, moral heritage, and the fact that our rights come from God. He clearly and passionately defended freedom of religion in its original intent. This speech should be welcomed by all people of faith in America and I believe it will be" (see press release).
Bennett Discusses Trip
Sen. Bob Bennett's Senate website has posted audio and video clips of Bennett's press conference remarks Wednesday about his recent trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
Matheson Launches Caucus
Rep. Jim Matheson participates in the Capitol Hill kickoff of the Green Schools Caucus, which seeks to draw attention to the environmental, educational and health advantages of "green" schools (see press release).
Today in Political History
Dec. 7, 1787: Delaware enters the Union.
Dec. 7, 1917: The U.S. declares war on Austria-Hungary. (Perspicuity)
Dec. 7, 1941: The U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii is attacked by Japanese warplanes, drawing the United States into World War II. (NBC5)
Wise Words
“I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”
-- Isoroku Yamamoto, Japanese admiral, after Pearl Harbor (Memorable Quotes)
Utah History Spotlight
Panguitch -- Big Fish
Panguitch is the county seat and largest community of Garfield County, located on the north slope of the nearby mountains. The elevation most quoted by citizens is 6,666 feet. The settlement was first called Fairview, but the name was changed to Panguitch, an Indian word meaning "Big Fish," for nearby Panguitch Lake, a wonderful fishing lake for both Indians and pioneers. The climate is severe, with sub-freezing weather seven months of the year.
To accommodate tourism, Panguitch has 14 motels, four restaurants, three fast food stores, five gas stations, three gas and convenience stores, a fabric store, two grocery stores, two hardware stores, a hospital and clinic, real estate offices, two Indian crafts stores, and a Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum. (Source: Utah.Edu)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Politico: "Vice President Cheney warned in an interview Wednesday that a premature withdrawal from Iraq would invite 'further attacks' against the United States and said he has been surprised by the weakness of the Democratic Congress."
-- Washington Post: In op-ed, John Bolton says of the controversial NIE on Iran: "Rarely has a document from the supposedly hidden world of intelligence had such an impact as the National Intelligence Estimate released this week. Rarely has an administration been so unprepared for such an event. And rarely have vehement critics of the 'intelligence community' on issues such as Iraq's weapons of mass destruction reversed themselves so quickly."
-- USA Today: Columnist Michael Medved: "While most people go about their business -- working hard, enjoying their families, struggling to pay the bills and planning to celebrate the holidays -- activists try to raise money or snare votes by announcing The-End-Of-American-Civilization-As-We-Know-It. ... No wonder voters feel increasingly embarrassed to identify as either Democrats or Republicans, preferring the designation 'independent' or, most likely, uninvolved -- feeling understandably alienated from the desperation that sets the tone in the political process."
Lighter Side
“The holiday season is here, so it’s time to engage in the time-honored Christmas tradition of objecting to every time-honored Christmas tradition.”
-- Mark Steyn (Patriot Post)
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
Ice fishing is very good at Scofield, Huntington and a few other high-elevation reservoirs, but use extreme caution because ice could deteriorate with this mild weather.
A big storm is now dumping on Utah, but it is not going to bring the cold temperatures needed to cap more of Utah's popular waters. Next week, after the storm is gone, northern Utah temperatures are expected to climb back up into the 40s. St George may hit 50. Crazy. Maybe it’s time to stow the ice fishing gear and go hiking.
As a general rule, storms slow down the freeze. And rain can cause ice to melt in a hurry. High elevation waters that now have ice will probably stay safe, but double check before risking your life. Strawberry and other popular waters may not freeze solid for a couple more weeks.
Watch this website for the latest reports.
Outdoors Report
-- Morning News visits a snowy Yellowstone
-- Otters make a splash in the Tribune
-- Spike bull hunting extended in the Morning News
-- Warm up with the Tribune’s Hike of the Week to Capitol Reef National Park
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook and Recreation Roundup for sports and recreation activities this week
-- For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website
New Films
-- The Golden Compass: Tribune review
Concerts
-- “A Little Jazz,” Dan Waldis, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Rose Wagner Center, $15
-- Jon Schmidt, piano, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m., Kingsbury Hall, U., $18.50
-- Salt Lake Men's Chorus, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., First Baptist Church Sanctuary, 777 S. 1300 East, free with a donation of nonperishable food item
-- U. Choruses Holiday Concert, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Gardner Hall, University of Utah
-- Westminster Chamber Singers, Griffin Chorus, Griffin Men's Chorus and Westminster Ringers, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Vieve Gore Concert Hall, free
-- “Holly Berries,” Riverton Metropolitan Orchestra, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sandra N. Lloyd Performing Arts Center, Riverton, $7.50
-- “Ring Around the Rose,” Repertory Dance Theatre, Saturday, 11 a.m., Rose Wagner Center, $5
-- “Winter Solstice,” Stonecircle, Celtic music, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Rose Wagner Center, $15
-- “Messiah, a Community Celebration,” through December 10, 7:30 p.m., Grand Theatre
-- “Savior of the World,” through December 19, Conference Center
-- “Christmas on Temple Square,” through December 23
-- “Christmas at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building,” through December 23
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall
Theater
-- “Blithe Spirit” through December 8, Pinnacle Acting Company
-- “1940’s Radio Hour” through December 22, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “A Christmas Carol” through December 22, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “A Christmas Carol on the Air” through December 22, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “A Wonderful Life, the Musical” through December 22, Art City Playhouse
-- “Babes in Toyland” through December 22, Heritage Theatre
-- “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” through December 22, Valley Center Playhouse
-- “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” through December 22, Academy of Performing Arts
-- “Santa’s Elves, A North Pole Musical” through December 22, Pickleville Playhouse
-- “Scrooge, A Christmas Carol” through December 22, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “Christmas Carol 2” through December 29, The Off Broadway Theatre
-- “Gutenberg! The Musical!” through December 30, Plan-B Theatre Company
Museum Exhibits
-- The Bear River Exhibition through December 30, Utah Museum of Natural History
-- Picturing the West: 19th Century Landscape Photography Exhibition through December 30, Andy Warhol’s Dream America Exhibition through January 6, Cinderella: Masks, Magic, and Mirrors Exhibition through March 31, Utah Museum of Fine Arts
-- SF Recycled and Masters of West Coast Assemblage and Collage Exhibitions through January 26, David Kimball Anderson: To Morris Graves Exhibition through February 2, Salt Lake Art Center
-- Minerva Teichert: Pageants in Paint Exhibition, through May 26, Brigham Young University Museum of Art
Et Cetera
-- Holidays on Broadway, Friday, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., Shops on Broadway (300 East) between State and 400 East
-- Holiday Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m., downtown
|
