Faith & Politics in America
A documentary called “Article VI; Faith. Politics. America,” by a Utah filmmaker, has caught the attention of some in the national media. Last week, Politico.com wrote about the documentary. The film, to be released in 10 key primary states in January, depicts an intense discussion of the role of faith in politics and uses the heat of the current presidential campaign, as the catalyst. Article VI makes an unbiased presentation on a volatile topic and asks voters whether they would have denied America some of the greatest presidents in history because of their religious beliefs. The title of the film comes from Article VI of the constitution, which ignited the film’s exploration of the current political environment, religious bigotry, and intolerance in America. “Article VI” was created by directors Bryan Hall and Jack Donaldson of Living Biography Media. The film documents Hall’s experience as he travels around the country engaging people in a lively discussion about faith in politics. Hall encounters unique viewpoints from political pundits, religious leaders, historians, and everyday citizens. The film’s trailer is available for viewing. Regional Politics
Arizona Split on Immigrants
New York Times story says a new Arizona law against employing illegal immigrants “has shaken businesses, scared workers, delighted advocates of stricter immigration controls and added tensions in a state split over who belongs here and who doesn’t.” New CEP Web Site
The Citizens Education Project has a new web site. CEP is a progressive organization founded in 1997 to provide information and advocacy on issues of social and economic justice. Check out the web site for more information. December Newsletter
The Utah Democratic Party has posted its December newsletter covering a variety of topics. Today in Political History
Dec. 14, 1799: President George Washington dies at age 67. Dec. 14, 1819: Alabama is admitted to the Union. Dec. 14, 1918: For the first time, women in Britain vote in a general election and are allowed to be candidates. Dec. 14, 1939: The Soviet Union is expelled from the League of Nations after invading Finland. (Source: Perspicuity) Dec. 14, 1981: Israel annexes the Golan Heights, seized from Syria in 1967. (New York Times) Wise Words
“If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.”
-- Mark Twain (Source: Quote Garden) Utah Geography Spotlight
Fountain Green
In 1849, as groups of Mormon colonists began to settle in the fertile Sanpete Valley, many of them camped at a verdant location in the northwestern end of the valley known as Uintah Springs. A decade later, George W. Johnson of Santaquin was granted permission to establish a permanent settlement at the popular campgrounds. In July 1859 Albert Petty surveyed a townsite, laying out twenty blocks of about 4.5 acres each Fountain Green's name is still a fitting description of the lush, green hillside village abundantly watered by what is now called Big Springs and Silver Creek. Artesian wells and later pumped water provided an ample water supply, allowing the development of agriculture and stock raising, the staple industries of the town from 1860 to the present. Although Fountain Green was the first Sanpete community connected to the railroad in the 1880s, it was the only major town in the region to drop in population between 1880 and 1890. Fountain Green reached its zenith of about 1,150 people in 1920, about twice its size of 578 in 1980. It had a population of 602 according to the 1990 census. (Source: Utah.Edu)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- Blogger Edward Morrissey: Democratic congressional leaders have managed to make Pres. George Bush “Mr. Relevant.” … “Bush has discovered his inner Reagan and decided to fight for budgetary discipline -- and the Democrats realize that they can't beat him.” -- Bloomberg: Columnist Margaret Carlson says Mike Huckabee is having his moment. However, “The thing about moments is that you should throw yourself a big party when you’re having one, because in this campaign of speed-dating they go almost as fast as they come.” -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Editorial blasts do-nothing Congress. Republicans obstruct and Democrats dither and complain. -- The Hill: Dick Morris says Oprah’s endorsement of Barack Obama is having a profound impact on the presidential race. “She transforms a candidacy into a movement and will increase his momentum from a growth curve into a surging wave.” Blog Watch
LaVar Christensen at Citizens for Principled Government says Mike Huckabee’s criticism of Mitt Romney’s religious faith was “wrong and politically motivated.” Lighter Side
Best of Late Night Humor
David Letterman: From “Top Ten Contest” while Hollywood writers are still on strike—“Top Ten Signs the Political Candidates are Tired of the Debates”: Podiums replaced by La-Z-Boy recliners (Montreal, Canada); McCain is only answering questions via a hand puppet named Spanky (Andover, KS); All candidates have to chug a beer every time Rudy mentions 9/11 (Chicago, IL); Romney only able to sustain insincere smile for first 30 minutes of debate (Denver, CO); Switch from YouTube questions to Trivial Pursuit: 80’s Edition (Dayton, OH); Notes on Hillary’s podium are reallylatest Lane Bryant catalog (Beaverton, OR); Two words: Strip debating (Barrhaven, Canada); Romney has requested that all questions asked at next debate come from that week’s “Dear Abby” column (Las Vegas, NV); Rudy takes calls from all of his wives (Bend, OR); They’re letting Bill answer a few questions (Phoenix, AZ). Casual Friday
Fishing Report
This cold weather will firm up ice quickly and so there will soon be plenty of fishing options. Strawberry now has ice on some bays, and crazy people have been getting on it, but it is not safe. Give it one more week and then hit the bays, but be careful because there may still be open water or thin ice on the main lake. Currant Creek Reservoir and Navajo Lake should now have safe ice and offer good trout fishing. Within a week there should be good ice fishing at Panguitch Lake, Otter Creek Reservoir, Forsyth Reservoir, Mill Meadow Reservoir, Steinaker Reservoir, Red Fleet Reservoir and many other waters. Again, be cautious. Snow and cold make it difficult to fish the streams, but the fish are still there and still eating. On mild afternoons you can do well fishing streamers, glo bugs and small nymphs.See the complete fishing report on Red Rock Adventure. Outdoors Report
-- Tribune takes readers on Christmas tree harvesting adventures
-- Morning News tells how to stay away from avalanches
-- Black-footed ferrets released around Utah, reports the Tribune and the Morning News
-- Take a trip to Canyonlands National Park in the Tribune’s Hike of the Week
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notes 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 Weekend Events
New Films
-- I Am Legend: Tribune review
-- Atonement: Tribune review Concerts
-- “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
-- “The Nutcracker,” Ballet West through December 29, Capitol Theatre
-- Junction City Big Band Jazz Dance, Friday, 7:15 p.m., Shepherd Union Building, WSU, $8.
-- “The Very Best Time of Year,” Sally Bytheway Chorale, Friday, 7:30 p.m., St. James Episcoopal Church, 7486 S. Union Park Ave., $10.
-- ‘Forgotten Carols in Dance,” Tracy Johnson & eMotion Dance, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
-- “Gloria: The Life of Christ” Lex de Azevedo and George Dyer, Saturday and Dec. 22, 7 p.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 261 S. 900 East, $15-$25
-- “Magnificat” Salt Lake Choral Artists, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall, U., $12.75-$18.75
-- Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem, Utah Symphony, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- Lark & Spur, jazz, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Vieve Gore Concert Hall, Westminster College, 1840S. 1300 East, $10
-- Wasatch Singers, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Riverview Jr. High School, 751 W. Tripp Lane, $5.
-- West Valley Symphony Christmas, Saturday, 8 p.m., Grange High School Auditoriuim, 3690 S. 3600 West, $5 (969-4480).
-- WSU Wind Ensemble High School Honor Band, Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Val A. Browning Center, WSU, free. Theater
-- “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 Foreigner” through December 22, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “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,
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