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The race for Utah Democratic Chair

marshall — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:30:53 GMT

The race for the chairmanship of the Utah Democratic party by Jeff Bell has always been an uphill battle. Unfortunately Jeff's presentation didn't work out as planned while all of Utah's blogosphere stood behind him on stage at the Utah Democratic Convention this weekend. This is really sad and I hope the delegates get an opportunity to look at Jeff's presentation. It is pretty powerful.

This is the video that the Utah Democratic delegates should have seen but did not due to several issues.

I have a few questions for the Utah Democratic leadership.

Why were we forced to go on stage and race to setup the equipment as Misty gave her powerful nomination? Is a couple minutes of setup time too much to ask? Also there are multiple inputs for that projector, why couldn't we use one and then switch over for Jeff's presentation?

Sadly I feel that this was not a case of technological failure, this is a leadership failure that up until now has done everything in its power not to recognize the change occurring all around it. Wayne might think this is about Jeff when in reality it is about embracing this change, if things don't change we will just find Jeff 2.0 and run this candidate that recognizes that as Utah Democrats we demand more.

Congratulations to Chairman Holland but I really hope this is a wake up call to him because if not the Republicans will continue to knock Democrats around in Utah until we embrace the same technology and tactics that Obama has already proved can be successful.

Utah's rural air quality -- kudos to Interior Secretary Salazar

Kathy Van Dame — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:26:54 GMT

As a citizen concerned about Utah's air quality, and current representative of environmental interests on the Utah Air Quality Board, I'm delighted with the air quality recommendations in the report http://www.doi.gov/utahreport/ released June 11 in response to Senator Bennett's request to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. This "Hayes Report" which Salazar commissioned addresses the controversial oil & gas leases offered at auction last December, which have frequently been in the news since.

As related to air quality, the report reflects and substantially documents the understanding of Utah's rural air quality that I have reached while participating in various arenas of air quality planning. My understanding is that Utah's rural air quality is close to and sometimes fails to meet the human health standards set by EPA. And as the EPA says in a letter http://www.doi.gov/utahreport/... to the BLM "...ambient ozone concentrations are anticipated to increase due to oil and gas development."

The air quality portion of the report on pg. 10 & 11 reads

The National Park Service's and the Environmental Protection Agency's concerns about the lack of robust quantitative air quality data and analysis regarding baseline conditions, and the potential contributions that additional oil and gas development may have on air quality in the region, appear to be well-founded. While some analyses of air quality issues have been undertaken in the areas covered by the Utah RMPs and others are underway, attention to the issue remains both limited and fragmented.

We recommend that BLM move forward with a comprehensive air quality strategy for the region, in consultation with the National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and state officials. The comprehensive strategy should include:

? An analysis of whether and, if so what, additional monitoring is needed in the Utah RMP [Resource Management Plan] areas to adequately characterize air quality in the region for key parameters.
? A plan to install and maintain any additional monitoring stations, in cooperation with other agencies and interested stakeholders.
? The initiation of a programmatic air quality environmental impact statement that will analyze current air quality in the Utah RMP areas, and will model the impacts that alternative development scenarios may have on air quality in the areas. Questions regarding the geographic area or areas that should be the subject of such programmatic analyses should be determined through the EIS scoping process.

Along with the report, Sec. Salazar announced that the Interior Department will conduct a comprehensive air quality review before potentially leasing 77 parcels of land in Eastern Utah, many of which are located near Utah's most cherished lands.

His decision includes the instruction for BLM to work more closely with NPS to avoid a repeat of last year events. The Interior Department is directed to provide the BLM with guidance on leasing parcels near National Parks or other sensitive landmarks. Salazar directs several organizations to collaborate on a comprehensive air quality strategy for the area.

There will always be disagreement on what areas are appropriate for drilling. There is an ongoing debate about how best to balance our country's appetite for energy with our need to preserve the natural and historic heritage of our state - not to mention the tourism dollars that come along with it.

The oil and gas resources in Utah will be there until we extract them. These resources will not be reduced if we take the time to adequately consider the air quality effects of expanded drilling on our Parks, wilderness, archeological sites and rural areas.

All Utahns with lungs should applaud Sec. Salazar's appropriate decision concerning Utah's air quality.

Social Networking with the 2009 Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates

Senate Guru — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:33:09 GMT

{First, a cheap plug for my blog Senate Guru.}

While 2010 will be chock-full of exciting races at all levels of government. In 2009, though, there will be two marquee races across the country: the gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey. Republicans are favored in both races, but both races should come down to the wire, and Democrats can hold both seats - with your help.

In Virginia, Democratic State Senator Creigh Deeds won an impressive, come-from-behind victory for the nomination this past Tuesday, demonstrating a strong ground game. The Republican nominee will be far-right-winger Bob McDonnell. The best description for McDonnell's brand of Republicanism is that he is a Pat Robertson disciple. You can learn more about McDonnell at TheRealBobMcDonnell.com. Deeds and McDonnell have tangled before, in the 2005 Virginia Attorney General race, where McDonnell barely edged Deeds by 323 votes (yes, just 323 votes - that's not a typo with zeroes missing) out of over 1.94 million votes counted. This race will be exceptionally close, so every single dollar contributed and every single hour spent volunteering will make a real difference. A bit of good news is that the first poll taken after Tuesday's primary, by Rasmussen Reports, shows Deeds with a 47-41 lead over McDonnell, but this could just be due to a primary bump. Rasmussen's last poll showed McDonnell leading Deeds 45-30. Your support will help Deeds sustain his new lead.

In New Jersey, Democratic incumbent Governor Jon Corzine will square off against Republican former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie. Christie is very much at home in the Republican Culture of Corruption. Republican Christie has faced scandals involving no-bid contracts, abuse of the state pension system, pay-to-play, and even allegedly cutting a deal to get his younger brother's sentence reduced after being implicated for fraudulent trading practices on Wall Street. Despite Christie's mountain of scandal, New Jersey's lagging economy has hurt Governor Corzine's poll numbers. Recent polling gives Christie a 7 to 13 point lead over Corzine. Research 2000, May 25-27: Christie 46, Corzine 39; Rasmussen Reports, June 4: Christie 51, Corzine 38; and, Quinnipiac, June 10: Christie 50, Corzine 40. In other words, Christie has an edge, but the fundamentals of the race moving forward favor Governor Corzine. As the economy gradually picks up over the coming months and voters learn more about Christie's corrupt background, New Jersey's blue state status will shine through and Governor Corzine should tighten the race back up. Your support will help Governor Corzine tighten the race up even faster.

Below are the links to how you can connect with the gubernatorial campaigns (and - please - contribute anything you can to these campaigns, and spread the word!). Republicans are expecting (and expected) to win both of these races. However, after being upset in the NY-20 special U.S. House election and losing a U.S. Senator to a Party switch, the GOP is reeling. Losing either (or both!) VA-Gov or/and NJ-Gov would be a major body blow and simply crush Republicans heading into the 2010 calendar year. If Democrats across the country are able to support these Democratic campaigns, we can flush the conventional wisdom down the toilet and deliver two more embarrassments to the Rush-Newt-Cheney Republican Party and two more losses to the Michael Steele RNC.

Creigh Deeds for Governor of Virginia	Deeds Website	Deeds Facebook	Deeds Twitter	Deeds YouTube	Deeds Blog	Deeds CONTRIBUTE
Jon Corzine for Governor of New Jersey	Corzine Website	Corzine Facebook	Corzine Twitter	Corzine YouTube	Corzine Blog	Corzine CONTRIBUTE

Senator Bennett is still wasting everyone's time.

marshall — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:20:55 GMT

Something that drives me up the wall is hypocritical Republicans that are more interested in political theater than actually providing solutions.

Remember when Senator Bennett didn't think twice about bailing out the financial industry. Well now Senator Bennett is all up in arms when an industry that actually produces something is getting a much, MUCH smaller bailout.

Disgusted by the government's heavy financial investment in General Motors, Utah Sen. Bob Bennett and a GOP colleague have devised a plan to divide the Treasury-held stock equally among every U.S. taxpayer.

This plan is completely unfeasible and is only being used for political theater.

"Giving it to the American people who paid for it," Bennett said, "strikes me as a good idea."

Hey I paid for the Senator's health insurance also, could I have some of that also?

The GOP is a joke, have Republicans not learned their lesson after eight years of this BS? The American people are sick of the party of no, the party of no solution, the party of wasting everyone's time. There is a reason the Democratic Party is on the cusp of a 60 seat majority and it is exactly stuff like this.

Our Coast Guard Still At The Breaking Point... Two Years Later

Aramis — Mon, 25 May 2009 22:37:49 GMT

(Cross-posted at Dailykos)

As we observe another day of remembrance for those who've fallen in service to this country, we should also think of those still working hard in our military. Having served in the Coast Guard for nearly ten years, I continue to be deeply concerned for the well being of those still serving. Two years ago I wrote about the deplorable conditions of the fifth and smallest armed service. Now after two years, I'm sorry to say, things have not changed much.

New vessels are in production and planning, so there's light at the end of the tunnel. But that tunnel seems pretty damn long to the crews of some of these worn-out units still trying to get the job done while battling major maintenance set backs and safety concerns.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen testified before congress in April regarding budget requirements, and his testimony painted a grim picture of some of the massive challenges facing our Coast Guard due to its degraded and antiquated fleet. (Full statement in PDF can be found here.)

"The reason we're able to operate these ships today, as they are, is because of the quality of the crews," Allen told Navy Times. "You could make the case that the crews don't deserve the quality of the ships."
The Alameda, Calif.-based cutter Boutwell, which deployed in January along with a Navy amphibious group, was sidelined for three weeks in Bahrain in early April after an engine-room fire destroyed one of its gas turbines. The Coast Guard had to fly out a new engine and a team of engineers to make the repairs, Allen said.
Engine-room fires have become a grim routine for the three- and four-decade-old 378s, which have churned their power plants and endured battering seas much longer than their designers intended. There were 18 engine-room fires aboard 378s last year, according to Allen's testimony, and there already have been seven this year.
Corrosion and fatigue also have plagued several cutters. Two - Dallas and Gallatin - had such severe structural problems that they were taken out of service for repairs in Charleston, S.C. And Allen showed lawmakers a photograph taken aboard the cutter Jarvis in which daylight shone clearly through rust holes in the ship's hull.

Even small engine room fires can be catastrophic, and they were quite rare when I was in the service. Having eighteen in one year aboard just one class of ship is inexcusable. It illustrates how badly these run-down vessels need to be removed from service before some one gets injured or killed. As for rust holes... my Commanding Officer repeatedly punched his finger through the hull along the water-line of the 110 foot patrol boat I was serving aboard back in 2001 after a two month dry-dock overhaul. These problems have been going on for years, and it's going to take years to replace these ships and aircraft.

Please take time to remember those lost in service to our country today, but also those who still serve under very difficult conditions not just in the Coast Guard. Let us all hope that one day they can serve knowing that the technology and equipment they are given is equal to their, and their family's daily sacrafices.

Semper Paratus.

PA-Sen: Netroots Overwhelmingly Support a Draft Sestak Effort

Senate Guru — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:33:08 GMT

{First, a cheap plug for my blog Senate Guru.}

As many of you know, over the last five days, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, in partnership with a number of progressive organizations and blogs including Senate Guru, asked those in the netroots, "Should a Draft Sestak movement be created to take on Sen. Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary?"

The results are in and they are overwhelming. 85% of Pennsylvanian respondents and 86% of respondents nationally want Democratic Congressman Joe Sestak to challenge Arlen Specter in the 2010 Democratic Senate primary. The poll has even gotten the attention of Congressman Sestak, as the PCCC points out:

"I am honored that so many of you took the time to vote in the recent grassroots Straw Poll. Let me tell you, I and many others were paying attention. If I decide to run it will be in large measure because of the grassroots energy of so many people like you. Until I and my family make that decision, please accept my thanks and my best wishes as you continue be active participants in our people-powered democracy. Thank you so very much!"

Due to such an overwhelming response, a Draft Sestak Fund has been created on ActBlue. To contribute and further encourage Congressman Sestak to enter the race, click on the image below:

If you need any additional motivation to contribute to this effort to draft a real Democrat to oppose Specter in the primary, consider Specter's actions since announcing his Party switch:

1) Specter opposed the Obama budget.
2) Specter opposed the "cramdown" mortgage/bankruptcy reform, siding with banks over families.
3) Specter reiterated his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act.
4) Specter reiterated his opposition to President Obama's nomination of Dawn Johnsen to the Office of Legal Counsel.
5) Specter announced his support for Republican Norm Coleman over Democratic Senator-elect Al Franken in Minnesota's Senate race.
6) Specter promoted a website that appeared to raise money for cancer research but, in actuality, simply raised money for his campaign.
7) Specter denied reports that he told President Obama that he would be a "loyal Democrat" despite multiple reporters sticking to their story.

The netroots have displayed overwhelming support for Congressman Sestak to take on recently-Republican Arlen Specter. Help the effort by contributing to the Draft Sestak Fund.

Will the real conservatives please stand up?

marshall — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:56:37 GMT

Why can't Republicans just do their job and stop worrying about other people's personal lives? Chaffetz isn't a conservative, he'll be whatever you want him to be just to get elected. Republicans are pulled in so many different directions they barely have time for conservatism except when they can slap it on a bumper sticker and/or tea bag.

No better example than Congressman Chaffetz using his congressional seat to oppose recognition of gay marriage by D.C. Guess between his cot and trying to shout down other members of congress that Chaffetz can't find a real issue to latch onto. So I guess it is more red meat for the base. It looks like Republicans are determined to latch onto social issues no matter how big of a hypocrite it makes them look.

I don't understand Republicans these days, you never know what they will do next, check out Curtis attempt to explain these small-government Republicans.

One of the most important issues for the 2010

marshall — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:32:07 GMT

The way that Utah's legislative districts are constructed are joke to Democracy. Bob has a nice list with the worst gerrymandered districts in Utah and a list of his favorite gerrymandered districts in Utah.

To see the problem check out the map of district 8.

See how Ogden is sliced and diced up among all those districts. This was done to dilute the more Democratic population of Ogden with the more Republican population of Weber county. But here is the more fundamental point for the people of district 8, the concerns of Ogden are quite different than the concerns of people 30 plus miles out in Weber county. A good portion of the people of Ogden essentially have no voice because of this gerrymandering. It is wrong and it must stop.

Luckily there are now a group of citizens that have come together to fight this disgusting process of legislators picking their constituents.

A grass-roots group of volunteers -- the Fair Boundaries Coalition -- aims to loosen the Legislature's grip on the redistricting process that occurs every 10 years after new census numbers come out.
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Lisa Watts Baskin, a Davis County attorney and also a Republican, drafted the carefully worded initiative that steers clear of violating the state Constitution. Lawmakers would retain the right to accept or reject the commission's recommendations.
"Up til now, Utah legislators have been able to arbitrarily and favorably draw boundary lines of their districts," Watts Baskin said Wednesday, "effectively picking their own voters to ensure their election.

Right now Fair Boundaries is beginning to collect signatures to get this initiative on the ballot for 2010, please sign up here to learn more about their efforts.

But be warned that our entrenched legislature will fight this tooth and nail. Our legislature has got so used to cruising to victory every year without have to listen to any of their constituents that the idea of a fair district is horrifying to them.

This is one of the most important issues for 2010

PA-Sen: A Draft Sestak Effort?

Senate Guru — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:13:35 GMT

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee, working with a number of progressive organizations and blogs including Senate Guru, has put out a poll to gauge netroots interest - in Utah and all across the country - in supporting an effort to draft Congressman Joe Sestak to challenge recently-Republican Arlen Specter in the PA-Sen Democratic primary next year. The poll will be open for the next four days, and provided are both pro and con arguments regarding a draft effort. To read the arguments and vote in the poll, click the below link:

UT-Sen: Democrats Have a Candidate

Senate Guru — Fri, 01 May 2009 22:14:11 GMT

{First, a cheap plug for my blog Senate Guru.}

Well, this is interesting. It looks like Democrats will have an at-least-somewhat-prominent candidate for Senate in 2010:

Popular deli chain owner Sam Granato will run for Sen. Bob Bennett's seat in 2010.
Granato, who owns several Granato's delis throughout the Salt Lake Valley, also is chairman of the Utah Liquor Control Commission. He confirmed to me Thursday that he is in the race for sure as a Democrat, and he has secured early support from several Democratic insiders and officials. He will make the formal announcement June 1. ...
Meanwhile, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff told me Thursday he has made the decision personally to challenge Bennett for the Republican nomination, but he has given his wife one more week to talk him out of it.

If Shurtleff v. Bennett does turn nasty and expensive, a prominent figure like Granato could take advantage. We'll see if lightning strikes.

Arlen Specter's Impact on Al Franken

Senate Guru — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:02:53 GMT

{First, a cheap plug for my blog Senate Guru.}

Before Arlen Specter's Party switch announcement yesterday, the Senate's Democratic caucus stood at 58 members. Senator-elect Al Franken represented Democrats' 59th vote toward cloture, still short of reliably ending Republican filibusters. But now, with Specter joining the Democratic caucus, Senator-elect Franken represents the big 6-0, which is why Republicans will redouble their efforts to delay Senator-elect Franken's seating - and why we in the netroots must redouble our efforts to send obstructionist Republicans a message and also provide them with adequate disincentive from delaying Senator-elect Franken's seating any further.

Since the "One Dollar a Day to Make Norm Coleman Go Away" effort started just a couple weeks ago, about $40,000 has been raised to remind the Republicans funding Norm Coleman's endless appeals that, for every single day that they delay the implementation of the will of Minnesota voters, progressive voters will raise money to use against these Republicans on Election Day 2010.

Your support will strengthen that message!

Norm Coleman and his fellow Republicans recently scored a success in further delaying Senator-elect Franken's seating, as the trial schedule adopted by the state Supreme Court for Coleman's appeal is such that oral arguments before the Court won't begin until June 1st, over a month from now. Further, although Minnesota election policy dictates that Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty must prepare and sign Senator-elect Franken's election certificate once the state Supreme Court hands down its decision, Pawlenty has hemmed and hawed as to whether he would follow state election policy accordingly.

With a D next to Arlen Specter's name, Republicans will go full force to block Senator-elect Franken's seating. Please join us in eliminating Republicans' incentive to delay Senator-elect Franken's seating any further by taking part in the "One Dollar a Day to Make Norm Coleman Go Away" effort. Above at right is video of the segment on MSNBC's Hardball highlighting the effort.

Does Congressman Matheson support energy independence?

marshall — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:49:38 GMT

Great ad running to let Congressman Matheson know that energy independence is central to supporting our national security and strengthens our economy here at home. Don't let big oil control our national security. Please give the Congressman a call and let him that our troops are looking for him to show leadership on energy independence now.

MN-Sen: Make Norm Coleman Go Away for Just One Dollar a Day

Senate Guru — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:18:05 GMT

{First, a cheap plug for my blog Senate Guru.}

Even in Utah, I'm sure you've heard plenty about what's going on with the still-unsettled Senate race in Minnesota.

While Republican Norm Coleman prolongs his endless and pointless appeals, cementing his admission into the Sore Losers Hall of Fame, progressive organizations Democracy for America and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee have introduced a new effort: NormDollar.com, "A Dollar a Day to Make Norm Go Away." Very simply put, commit to contributing just one dollar per day for every day that sore loser Norm Coleman refuses to concede.

This is exactly the correct approach to take in order to provide Republican leadership in Washington with adequate disincentive from continuing to fund Coleman's endless appeals. The GOP bigwigs funding Coleman's appeals see value in putting their money toward keeping progressive Senator-elect Al Franken from being seated. This grassroots-powered effort will make them think twice by generating many thousands of dollars for progressive candidates for every single day that they fund the Coleman circus.

If you feel so inclined, you can certainly chip in a bit of change directly to the Franken Recount Fund, as well.

Dear Utah Democrats: mediocrity is not acceptable

marshall — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:08:09 GMT

Recently a Utah Democratic Party activists and blogger has come forward to pursue the Chair of the Utah Democratic Party. Below are parts of Jeff Bell's letter to Utah Democrats here.

After a great deal of prompting and peer pressure, and in spite of my deep respect for current Chair Holland, I am now a candidate for Chair of the Utah Democratic Party in 2009.
The constant call of "Democrats don't win in Utah," has been transformed from a GOP punch line into a Democratic Party mantra; it's embarrassing and it needs to stop. The Democratic Party in Utah is hurting. We have consistently conceded the debate in the battle of ideas. It is time to evaluate our situation and make some momentous changes.

While he is challenging Holland for chair I think more importantly he is challenging all Utah Democrats that being mediocre is not acceptable. Yet we are told time and again by the leadership of the Utah Democratic party that we should be happy with a stagnate party that sets the bar so low that any results could be labeled success.

This all started with a quote from Wayne Holland that Democratic leadership is telling candidates they can't win.

Holland cautions that new candidates should view their maiden run for office as an apprenticeship.
Van Wagoner agrees.
"It's the eyes you're opening, even if you don't win," she says, "to tell people they have a choice."

Who would want to be a Democratic candidate with pep talks like that? But I see this as a larger pattern of lowering the bar and continuing to tell party activists that mediocrity is acceptable.

Well mediocrity is not acceptable.

I think that is why Jeff is running. We should expect more, we should set the bar high and we should tell all our candidates that if they put the time and effort into winning that they can expect to win...because we will do everything in our power to help them. Jeff lays all this out in his letter to Utah Democrats here.

So what is Wayne's rebuttal to Jeff's challenge?

Name Calling! I kid you not. Check out what Wayne Holland wants to call leadership.

"I expect Jeff to do bizarre things," Holland said. "I was warned about that. I didn't have a problem with him running. Him not being truthful, that's a whole other matter."

Further down Wayne also attacks Jeff's previous roll in the party which Bob completely exposes as another pathetic attempt by Wayne Holland to save face.

This was Wayne's golden opportunity to tell us all the great things he has done, this could of been the perfect opportunity for him to have some dialogue about the direction of the party...that would have been leadership but instead what we got was another dose of Bush style politics.

Sure being a Democrat in Utah is tough but it is more difficult with leadership like this. Wayne must go, we need new leadership that is willing to listen and have a dialogue with Utah Democrats about being the best party in Utah. We need a leader that sets the bar high and does not accept mediocrity. Jeff Bell will do this.

Step Aside NOM, The Colbert Coalition Is Here

Aramis — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:27:32 GMT

Colbert Coalition sends a strong message with its own commercial about gay marriage. (Best part at 5:40)

Hilarious...

Please attend your county convention

marshall — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:21:43 GMT

While the Republican tea baggers are busy this week performing their circle jerk we have an opportunity to get involved in the only sane party left. Please attend your local convention and help formulate the direction of your party.

Listing of the dates on the flip and to view updates, or to view other events click here!

I will be at the Davis county convention.
Sanpete County - Tuesday, April 14 @ 7:00 pm. Mayor Corroon keynote speaker
Location:Sanpete County Courthouse 160 North Main, Manti, UT 84642

Cache County Jefferson/Jackson Dinner - Friday, April 17 @ 6:00 pm. Senator Pat Jones keynote speaker
Location:Hamilton's Loft 155 Church Ave., Logan, UT 84321

Salt Lake County Politisauce Dinner - Friday, April 17 @ 6:00 pm
Location:Teamsters Union Hall 2641 S 3270 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84119

Salt Lake County Convention - Saturday, April 18 @ 9:00 am
Location:Cottonwood High School 5715 S 1300 E, Murray, UT 84121

Washington County Convention - Saturday, April 18 @ 10:00 am
Location: Hilton Garden Inn 1731 Convention Center Dr., St. George, UT 84790

Davis County Convention - Saturday, April 18 @ 11:00 am
Location:Centerville Jr. High 625 S Main, Centerville, UT 84014

Carbon County Convention - Tuesday, April 21 @ 6:00 pm - Chairman Holland keynote speaker
Location:TBA TBA, TBA, UT 84501

Grand County Convention - Wednesday, April 22 @ 6:00 pm
Location: Grand Center in the Convention Room, 182 N. 500 W. Moab, UT 84532

Emery County Convention - Thursday, April 23, 2009 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location:Huntington Senior Center 176 W 100 N, Huntington, UT 84528

Wasatch County Convention - Friday, April 24 @ 7:00 pm
Location:Huntington Senior Center 176 W 100 N, Huntington, UT 84528

Emery County Convention - Thursday, April 23, 2009 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location:Huntington Senior Center 176 W 100 N, Huntington, UT 84528

Weber County Sawbucks Dinner - Friday, April 24 @ 7:00 pm - Senator Pat Jones keynote speaker
Location: The Timbermine Restaurant

Cache County Convention - Saturday, April 25 @ 9:00 am
Location: Logan High School - Little Theater

Weber County Convention - Saturday, April 25 @ 9:00am (tentative) - Chairman Wayne Holland keynote speaker
Location: Union Station 2501 Wall Ave, Ogden, UT 84401

Wayne County Convention - Saturday, April 25 @ 1:00 pm - Representative David Litvack keynote - Craig Axford guest speaker
Location: Wayne Performing Arts Center 79 North 100 West, Bicknell, UT 84715

Utah County Convention - Saturday, May 2 @ 9:00 am
Tooele County Convention - Saturday, May 2 @ 5:00 pm
Location:Tooele County Bldg. auditorium 47 S. Main Street, Tooele, UT 84074

Morgan County Convention - May 5, 2009 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location:Morgan Middle School 115 E Young Street, Morgan, UT 84050

Summit County Convention - Saturday, May 16 @ 4:00 pm
Location: Legacy Lodge, Park City, Utah

Glenn Needs To Be In Counseling, Not On a Reality Show

Aramis — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:37:07 GMT

It's unusual to see someone succumb to mental illness on national television. I really can't think of another situation where a cable channel broadcast a person's complete nervous break down. I suppose, though, that if any channel would choose to broadcast that, it would be Fox. They have allowed this sad display to carry on in the quest for higher ratings, and the longer it goes the worse this poor man seems to get.

I guess it's no surprise that millions of people want to watch this insanity, just look at the incredible fascination we have with celebrity tragedy, and "reality" shows built on cramming unstable people together in close quarters until they freak out. It's like a national pathological obsession, fulfilling some need to make ourselves feel a bit more "normal". It's truly sad.

The Glenn Beck situation is much more disturbing, however, in that he is speaking to an entire group of paranoid, unhinged people just like himself who see his hysterics as a call to arms. It is incredibly irresponsible for a "mainstream" cable broadcaster to give air time, and thus lend credibility to these delusional ideas and rhetoric. If they had a shred of decency or compassion, they would end this slow motion train wreck before anyone else gets hurt.

Update: This Is what I'm talking about...

The GOP and Chaffetz have no intention of participating in good faith

marshall — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:42:16 GMT

Keith exposes how the GOP and Jason Chaffetz have time to play games up on capital hill while the rest of the country is trying to concentrating on fixing our economy and digging out of the mess Republicans created.

Republicans don't have any solutions but they sure have time to play games while the rest of our country suffers under an economy that Republicans created. Here is the full clip of Chaffetz using his time in Washington to play games. What a joke!

The Democratic Party is trying to right the ship but it will take even more time dealing with jokers like these. How do we deal with a party that isn't willing to participate in good faith? Remember how Republicans were complaining about the lack of bipartisanship? Guess this is what Republicans mean.

This is what America's Freedom Foundation is promoting

marshall — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:56:55 GMT

I am scheduled to be on KVNU on Friday to discuss why the stadium of fire and Glenn Beck must go away.

Below are the other articles about America's Freedom Foundation.

Is Utah going to support armed insurrection?

More proof that the America's Freedom Festival is worthless

Republicans have forgotten about our troops

Update - The interview went alright, it centered entirely too much on Glenn Beck. I am upset with myself that I didn't get the opportunity to mention the following organizations that are providing real support for our troops. Please skip the stadium of fire and show your real patriotism by donating to the following. Thanks

Fisher House
USA Cares
Homes For Our Troops
Operation Second Chance
Salute America's Heros

Support Obama's budget!

marshall — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:19:32 GMT

Move On has it exactly correct.

In the next 48 hours, both the House and Senate are set to take a crucial vote on President Obama's budget. It's a boldly progressive plan that closes tax loopholes for oil companies and banks while cutting taxes for 95% of working Americans.

In Utah, that means 890,000 families will get tax cuts if the budget passes.1 (I know it's April Fools' Day, but that number's no joke-890,000 families!)

And closing those loopholes will save Utah taxpayers $200 million that would otherwise go into the oil companies' pockets-money that can be used on investments in health care and energy.

With the vote looming, Republicans like Rep. Bishop need to hear from their constituents that simply opposing Obama's efforts isn't an acceptable plan-voters want to see this plan pass. And one Republican is already publicly considering voting for the budget, so now is a great time to push.

Can you call Rep. Bishop right now and ask him to vote for Obama's budget?

Here's where to call:

Representative Rob Bishop Phone: 202-225-0453

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHUT_01&cp_id=874&id=15857-9141872-iKWdAEx&t=4

The families that Obama's budget would help is not abstract. Obama's budget included increased funding for NASA and just yesterday ATK that builds in Northern Utah the solid rocket boosters for the space shuttle laid off 225. ATK is major employer in Bishop's district.

And the proposed GOP budget didn't feel the need to have a line item for NASA but the Republicans sure didn't forget the tax cuts for their rich friends.