Blogging about what I see from where ever I sit in the world. Started in Utah, 10+ years in Latin America, and now back in Utah. noreply@blogger.com (BenJoeM)Wed, 18 Dec 2024 20:27:22 -0700Blogger http://www.blogger.com369125http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/en-usnoSouth,Ogden,Utah,Politics,Weber,CountyPodcasts about South Ogden, Utah. Social and Political Opinions from where I sit in South Ogden.From Where I Sit - In South Ogden PodcastBenJoe Marklandbenjaminmarkland@mail.weber.eduBenJoe Marklandhttp://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2022/06/voting-back-in-usa-davis-school-board.htmlWed, 15 Jun 2022 08:32:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-1587605435303410243Returning to the USA, I am excited to start voting again!  I never stopped voting while overseas but the process was mechanical and challenging.  Finding out about your candidates could be challenging for your local races if you are not there in person.  So to now get to read candidate material, meet candidates, and see the process work is exciting!This week I received my official 0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2014/07/why-you-should-avoid-alamo-rent-car.htmlAlamoBad Customer ServiceCredit CardFailThu, 17 Jul 2014 07:33:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-4282198051424807080 This week my family split apart for 25 days so my wife could visit family in the USA.  Because of some fortunate events she was able to travel with friends the whole way making the trip much easier than anticipated. But Alamo Rent-A-Car destroyed any hopes for a happy ending. I reserved the car on the Expedia.com website, prepaid for 25 days and even paid for the insurance.  I also 2benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2014/03/el-salvador-final-presidential-vote.html2014 Elections El SalvadorARENAEl SalvadorFMLNMon, 10 Mar 2014 08:11:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-4654896474131773259Last night was the final vote for the President of El Salvador.   Last month's vote eliminated the bottom challengers and pushed the country to a second round of voting which culminated last night with the final election.  Campaign coverage on local television and internet was superb as had the previous night and I expected to see a clean easy election as I had in the previous one. &0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2014/02/insider-perspective-of-caucus-system.htmlCaucus MeetingElectionsUtahTue, 25 Feb 2014 08:37:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-7697911076801938841 There is a tremendous amount of debate in Utah about the "Count My Vote" initiative that seeks to eliminate the need for neighborhood caucus meetings and move towards direct primaries.  Supporters of the caucus system will argue this removes real choice and discussion from the voter because now "big name ID" and "big money" can buy the election from uninformed voters.  Count My Voter 2benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2014/02/more-waste-in-utah-senator-aaron.html2014 LegislatureAaron OsmondPledge of AllegianceWasteMon, 10 Feb 2014 10:22:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-2313475845395959438This year is starting out to be a great year for Utah waste, with wasted textbooks, trashed school lunches and now my favorite message bills. In 2010 I posted about the 27 lengthy steps on how a bill becomes a law.  Feel free to go back and review it if needed, since it shows the long process and cost involved with making a bill and passing a law in Utah. This year Senator Aaron Osmond, 0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2014/02/has-dixie-state-universitys-website.htmlDixie State UniversityFunnyHackingSat, 8 Feb 2014 06:32:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-8791712037826507603 As my Alma Mater pushes forward for a new university president, they are advertising on Facebook and other areas to encourage public participation in the new selection process.  Today I noticed that their link to Dixie.edu has an interesting description: Actual Screen Capture from Facebook -  I guess the President Requirements include Kamagra use? I think their website code has 0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2014/02/more-wasted-money-in-utah-schools.htmlCanyon School DistrictMoneyPaul RollyUintah ElementaryFri, 7 Feb 2014 07:55:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-8788219530007780173Columnist Paul Rolly today pointed in his column that Canyon School District just blew thousands of dollars in new text books for the 2014-2015 year.  How did they waste all this money?  Well apparently know one reviewed the new health textbooks when they were purchased and when they arrived they contained questionable material.  Weird since these were "Custom Canyon School 2benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2014/02/update-on-lunch-room-scandal-at-uintah.htmlSalt Lake TribuneSchool LunchUintahUintah ElementaryWed, 5 Feb 2014 07:31:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-2748368579561535149 Screw Nutritional Guidelines forStudents, you ain't eatin' As a follow up to the overreaching Godfather like powers the Nutrition Office has at the Salt Lake City School District (which we posted about last week), the School Board held their public meeting yesterday to discuss the bullying of 40 kids into coughing up lunch money.  The Salt Lake Tribune gave us a nice breakdown of 2benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2014/02/el-salvador-presidential-election.html2014 Elections El SalvadorEl SalvadorVotingMon, 3 Feb 2014 07:01:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-8889539186540009029In what was considered a peaceful election, the El Salvadoran people have come out in full force.  With an estimated 44% voter turnout the polls opened early on Sunday morning and went until 5 pm.  The final results show neither candidate earned the required 50% + 1% needed to take the presidency and so the top two candidates will move to second election in March. As you can 2benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2014/02/the-ley-seca-of-el-salvador-aka.html2014 Elections El SalvadorEl SalvadorLey SecaProhibitionSat, 1 Feb 2014 08:31:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-5230219681962631302As El Salvador heads into the craziness of election weekend, the citizens are preparing to vote for their favorite candidate. The previous election boosted the power of social media; however this time more citizens have been able to tune into their first televised presidential debate as well as countless YouTube videos and more, creating more informed citizens. Since I work mostly with college 4benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2014/01/the-godfather-at-uintah-elementary.htmlNutrition ManagerPublic EducationSchool LunchUintah ElementaryUtahThu, 30 Jan 2014 10:30:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-8040348981403856499The Tribune today had a shocking article on Uintah Elementary and their bizarre decision to give kids school lunch and then take it away and throw it in the trash. Is this the Uintah Elem Kitchen Manager  asking for a favor from the Nutrition Manager?  "I want them to suffer as I have suffered Godfather" Apparently Uintah Elementary (in SLC not South Ogden) has been having 2benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2014/01/why-we-must-solve-utah-pollution.htmlBrian MoenchGovernor HerbertinversionpollutionSalt Lake TribuneSun, 5 Jan 2014 13:51:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-777933711010720831I just returned from a three week trip to my beloved home state of Utah.  It was wonderful to see family and friends after a two year break and see all that Utah has to offer.  The roads, for once, were not under construction, the cold air and snow were the same as always and we were happy to be there.  As we drove up the freeway from the airport, the signs along I-15 alerted all 0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2013/12/bountiful-city-managers-apparently-have.htmlBountiful CityCity Managerecigelectronic cigaretteGary HillHB95Pamela MansonRussell MahnSalt Lake TribuneUrban VaporUtahUtah VaporsVapor DreamsVapor R UsFri, 27 Dec 2013 22:01:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-8863458680848246951I was stunned today to read today how Bountiful City Attorney Russell Mahan sent letters to four e-cigarette shops telling them on January 1st, they will no longer have a business license and must cease operations.  Why may you ask, because apparently HB95 changed the law regarding tobacco specialty shops and city managers and attorney's in Bountiful don't follow the news with regards to new0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2013/12/gay-marriage-legal-in-utah-modern-day.htmlConstitutionGay MarriageHomosexualityMayflowerPhil RobertsonUnited StatesUtah State ConstitutionSun, 22 Dec 2013 17:04:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-6450642646285915781Gay marriage is now legal in Utah.  The long battle has finally reached the inevitable solution that all Utahans have the right to marry whom they wish.  Friday a Federal Judge announced Amendment 3 to the Utah Constitution defining marriage between a man and a women and the state ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.  Immediately after the ruling hundreds of people 0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2013/12/book-review-college-fast-track.htmlBook ReviewCollegeCollege Fast TrackDerrick HibbardDerrick St. Jameshow to make moneyTue, 10 Dec 2013 10:00:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-1848907818251173618From time to time I get the opportunity to share a book review from authors who have sent me books or books I have found interesting.  One author named Derrick Hibbard, who wrote one of my favorite books of 2010 This Side of Eden, has also written a series of non-fiction books to help college student survive.  The first book is called, College Fast Track: Essential Habits for 0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2013/12/libya-is-not-el-salvadorpeople-remember.htmlBenghaziCivil WarEl SalvadorLibya NewsPro-BusquedaSun, 8 Dec 2013 16:20:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-5486582181674484378In Libya News, we have seen the country is still has major issues with terrorism and violence in the street.  Recent news shows that the city was hit today with a car bomb killing an army colonel.  (See the Daily Star here) How ever it was not too long ago El Salvador faced similar issues.  The 1980s and 90s were filled with similar stories from both sides of the bloody civil 2benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2013/12/when-government-gets-involved-with.htmlEl SalvadorGovernmentlawseverance.United StatesThu, 5 Dec 2013 19:52:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-7987663520343401473In the United States we are constantly discussing the limits of government in the free market system.  Without defining the differences between liberal and conservatives we can see there are two sides of the argument.  More involvement and regulation to maintain a certain level of "fairness" and less involvement and allow the market to regulate and police itself. In the next three 2benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2013/11/utah-attorney-general-john-swallow.htmlJohn SwallowUtahThu, 21 Nov 2013 14:43:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-1078673509192914661John Swallow resigned today and though I am obviously not in Utah these days; I pay close attention to what is happening in my home state and country. The John Swallow saga has been at the top of my news feed for weeks. If you are unsure what is happening Former State Senator Dan Liljenquist has a great op-ed in the Deseret News: (See Here). But in a nut shell is suspected of a whole slew of 1benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2013/11/substandard-candidates-should-get-less.htmlMon, 18 Nov 2013 10:35:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-7140292566109257594The AP had a big story today on GOP candidates getting less money from big donors because of substandard candidates losing in 2012.  (See Here) Heading into next year's congressional elections the GOP is 6 senate seats away form a majority but spending is way down from the previous election.  With things so close to edge why isn't the GOP in full swing?  Typically a year out we 0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2013/11/el-salvador-elections-2014.html2014 Elections El SalvadorARENAEl SalvadorFMLNGANAJuan Jose DaboubNorman QuijanoPanAmPostSanchez CerenTony SacaThu, 14 Nov 2013 11:40:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-4655516989304296906In the next few months the El Salvador elections will be heating up here in the country.  I was interested to see former El Salvador finance minister and World Bank managing director, Dr. Juan Jose Daboub, held a meeting in Washington D.C. to discuss what to expect. The discussion was posted on PanAmPost last week (See Here). Essentially we have three candidates: Salvador Sánchez Cerén, 0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2013/11/from-where-i-sit-returns.htmlEl SalvadorLatin AmericaNicaraguaMon, 11 Nov 2013 22:24:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-860387774604436794Nearly 2 years ago I put a serious pause on my blogging due to the fact my hard earned URL was stolen by a squatter while I was moving to Latin America.  Now thanks to some hard work and patience I was able to win back my URL and begin posting again.  I am excited to have my old website back; I had thought about moving to Wordpress, but I am too comfortable with Blogger these days...so 2benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2013/09/management-and-power.htmlleadershipWed, 4 Sep 2013 08:21:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-5979352889123093911A scripture and saying that is often quoted in my church is "39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. (D&C 121:39),"  This phrase often surprises me when I see it in action.  Being someone who is a management 0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2012/04/new-world.htmlWed, 4 Apr 2012 17:26:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-3574125231357202451Well it has been nearly 6 months since I have written anything on the blog.  A lot of crazy things have happened.  1st a squatter waited until my URL expired and scooped it up.  A number of you donated a few dollars to help me get it back, but so far nothing.  Thinking of buying a new one, but not sure.  2nd, I now live in El Salvador running a call center and I see 0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)http://www.fromwhereisitblog.com/2011/11/strate-to-point-few-thoughts-about.htmlSat, 12 Nov 2011 07:57:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366399872953991163.post-7804345143962938134Brent Strate, councilmember elect, has a great post on the Utility Rates that have increased in South Ogden city. My family has an average rate of $53.00 but we have seen it rise from the low $30s to $53 we are at now just over the past 5 years. My biggest concern is why has their been a push for the past two years from the city to raise taxes during a recession. When know real thought has 0benjaminmarkland@mail.weber.edu (BenJoe Markland)