Movie Questions
Warning! Utah economist Jeff Thredgold’s Tea Leaf economic update this week features his “semi-annual economic, financial, and political update…using today’s current movie titles. My sincere apology in advance to anyone I might offend.”
Says Thredgold: “One of the painful realities of life as an economist and professional speaker is that the subject matter of economics is typically viewed (with good reason!) by the general public as confusing, intimidating, and boring. As a result, trying to present weekly economic and financial information with an unusual twist can occasionally be a most welcome change.”
JFK’s View of Mormons
A YouTube video contains excerpts (photos and audio) from John F. Kennedy’s Sept. 26, 1963 speech at the Tabernacle on Temple Square.
Today in Political History
Dec. 28, 1832: John C. Calhoun becomes the first U.S. vice president to resign, stepping down over differences with President Andrew Jackson (National Journal 2007 political calendar)
Dec. 28, 1846: Iowa is admitted to the Union.
Dec. 28, 1945: U.S. Congress officially recognizes the "Pledge of Allegiance" and urges its frequent recitation, with a flag salute, in all of America's schools. In 1945, the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic religious organization, successfully persuades Congress to add the words, "under God," to the official Pledge. (Perspicuity)
Dec. 28, 1981: Elizabeth Jordan Carr, the first American test-tube baby, was born in Norfolk, Va. (New York Times)
Wise Words
“Energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government. It is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attacks; it is not less essential to the steady administration of the laws; to the protection of property against those irregular and high-handed combinations which sometimes interrupt the ordinary course of justice; to the security of liberty against the enterprises and assaults of ambition, of faction, and of anarchy.”
-- Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 69 (Patriot Post)
Communications Tip
Watch Your Language
You may use metaphors to offer something your audience can relate to -- a common thought or feeling. But many leaders rely on battle metaphors or violent, divisive language such as, "Let's conduct guerrilla warfare," or "obliterate the competition." These metaphors reinforce win-lose, self-interested behavior rather than collaboration. Even many sports metaphors have become empty clichés. Opt for clear, positive language and straightforward sincerity to foster shared understanding and earn the support of your group. (Source: Inc.com)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Politico: "[Thursday] morning's assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto brought an instant seriousness to the 2008 presidential race, at a stage in the cycle that can be dominated by trivial charges and cheap stunts."
-- Des Moines Register: Columnist David Ypsen: "One week. That's all the time left in the 2008 Iowa caucus campaign. While many are ready for it to be over ... the race remains delightfully undecided."
-- Wall Street Journal: "In Iowa, the Republican presidential race has come down to two former governors [Romney and Huckabee] who offer caucus goers a stark choice. It's the pulpit vs. the boardroom, poverty vs. privilege, passion vs. preparedness. ... They embody two wings of the Republican Party -- social conservatives and economic conservatives -- that sometimes sit uneasily."
-- Los Angeles Times: Columnist Jonah Goldberg: "There's been a lot of hand-wringing over the spectacle of presidential candidates campaigning during Christmas thanks to the front-loaded primary schedule. But I like it. It provides a nice reminder of how unimportant politics really are."
Sierra Club Newsletter
The Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club has posted its winter newsletter, which features a legislative update and an article on SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon's "environmental good works."
Blog Watch
-- Paul Rolly reports: "With the 2008 session of the Utah Legislature scheduled to convene in about three weeks, serious diseases are striking the ranks of the lawmakers to the point it could have an impact, at least in the early part of the session. Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Rep. Carl Duckworth, D-Magna, is seriously ill with a rare form of blood cancer. And Rep. Bud Bowman, R-Cedar City, is scheduled to have quintuple bypass surgery on Thursday. Here's wishing a speedy recovery for all of them."
-- Utah Taxpayer says: "Since the Legislative Auditor General released his report on the funds the Legislature appropriated to reduce the average class size in Utah, the pundits have been wringing their hands. Apparently to everyone's surprise and dismay, Utah class sizes are still the largest in the nation. For anyone even vaguely familiar with Utah, this audit only confirmed what we and many in the business community have said for years about Utah education: class size reduction is an unrealistic goal in Utah."
Lighter Side
A Real Libertarian?
Here’s how to tell if someone is a real Libertarian. Ask him or her: “Do you think children should be allowed to buy heroin from vending machines?” A real libertarian will answer: “Only if the vending machines are privately owned.” (From James Taranto’s Best of the Web at OpinionJournal.com)
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
Most of our trout reservoirs will offer good ice fishing during the next few weeks. Fish Lake should be solid about now and it is usually one of our better winter fisheries, offering splake, rainbows, perch and some lake trout.
Perch fishing is coming on strong now that Yuba, Rockport and Echo have safe ice. Pineview is good for perch and crappie, with safe ice near the dam and in bays.
Whitefish are schooling up in our streams and provide good targets for winter fly fishing. Walk the banks, softly, and look for fish in the deeper pools. Dead drift small nymphs, aiming right for their noses. Trout can also be caught this time of year. Here's info on fly fishing in winter.
Bear Lake cisco usually spawn in mid-January. Some years the lake freezes, other years it is open water. Here's how-to info from last year.
Apply online for big game hunting permits beginning Jan. 2 at wildlife.utah.gov.
Outdoors Report
-- Visit Utah’s desert “wave” in the Tribune
-- Resorts decide to board or not to board in the Morning News
-- Tribune follows the emergence of women’s skiing and snowboarding
-- Christmas miracle saves avalanche victim in the Morning News
-- Enjoy the beauty of Capitol Reef National Park in the Tribune’s Hike of the Week
-- 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
-- Juno: Tribune review
-- The Great Debaters: Tribune review
Concerts
-- “The Nutcracker,” Ballet West through December 29, Capitol Theatre
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall
Theater
-- “Christmas Carol 2” through December 29, The Off Broadway Theatre
-- “It’s a Wonderful Life” through December 29, Empress Theatre
-- “Gutenberg! The Musical!” through December 30, Plan-B Theatre Company
-- “Gingrinch: A Parody” through January 5, Desert Star Theatre
-- “Don’t Drink the Water” through February 9, Hale Center Theater Orem
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
-- Park City Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m.
-- Kwanzaa Celebration, Saturday, 1 – 4 p.m., Utah Museum of Fine Arts
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