Archive for the 'SLC Politics' Category

Getting CORC’ed

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

Last night was the annual meeting of the Coalition of Religious Communities (CORC).  The Coalition represents 20+ denominations thoughout Utah.  Members of CORC work on a broad array of social justice issues, primarily issues of economic justice - although we were also one of the leading groups supporting effective hate crimes legislation.  CORC’s leadership is drawn […]

Environmental Injustice in China

Saturday, April 19th, 2008

I hope that folks will come out for the Human Rights Torch Relay Rally
Sunday, April 20, 10am – Peace Walk followed by Rally
City County Building at Washington Square400 South State Street, Salt Lake City
The Human Rights Torch Relay is an international campaign that seeks to bring an end to all human rights abuses against […]

It’s turning out to be one of those weeks . . .

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

It’s been a fun week already at the Trib’s discussion boards thanks to Zach Maxfield of Logan who wrote that Mormons aren’t homophobes, they just love gay people so much they want them to become straight people. Okay, I’m paraphrasing. Zach’s exact words were:
[God] counsels us to never condone or accept evil behavior. Homosexual acts […]

Sexism in Utah’s Politics

Saturday, February 23rd, 2008

I’ve been thinking for a long about the issue of sexism in Utah politics. Jenny Wilson rightly pointed out that she was asked questions that none of her male counterparts were asked during the Mayor’s race. At the same time, Gayle Ruzicka is incredibly influential in Utah politics - sure, she’s nasty and […]

Dude that was quick - we now have a domestic partnership registry

Tuesday, February 5th, 2008

At least, we do until the state legislature gets involved . . . .
Mayor Ralph Becker and his staff totally rock. This should have happened years ago.
It passed unanimously. We had three members of the City Council who struggled to reach their decision (Jergensen and Christensen and Martin). In the end, they […]

Rocky Anderson: The Right Man at the Right Time

Friday, January 11th, 2008

The flood of letters in both the Trib and D-News (written by people who don’t live in Salt Lake City) celebrating the end of Rocky’s term as mayor struck me as unsurprising and ill-informed.  It seems many of the folks who live in surrounding cities still haven’t figured out that Salt Lakers like Rocky Anderson, what […]

Your gut can’t think

Monday, December 17th, 2007

The late Carl Sagan recounted an incident in which he was asked by a cabby, “Do you believe in UFOs?”  Sagan responded with a simple explanation that amounted to, “The evidence is extremely bad.”  The cabby, “Yeah, but what does your gut tell you?”  Sagan’s response was, “I don’t think with my gut.”
Sagan used this […]

They Write Letters! It’s a shame they can’t think.

Friday, November 30th, 2007

So, opposition to the Blue Boutique’s new location is rapidly becoming the gift the just keeps giving - unfortunately they’re giving to comics, cynics and satirists.
Today’s Trib has a modern classic letter to the editor by Lynn F. Price of Salt Lake City:
. . . the concern is not just that teenagers will access the “adult” […]

The Why of Unions

Monday, November 12th, 2007

I am pro-Union.  As a professional with a master’s degree, chances are good I am unlikely to work in a unionized job, but that does not change my basic support for Unions.
Unions serve all workers, not just their members.  Corporations hold an unfair advantage over individual workers for a simple reason - there are more […]

Thank You Ralph Becker

Saturday, November 10th, 2007

One more reason to really like Ralph Becker:
From the beginning, I have been energized by volunteers who
- walked to doors, listened and talked with City residents,
- planted (and replanted) lawn signs,
- gave financially,
- hosted and attended cottage meetings,
- stuffed and folded mailings, prepared and delivered literature,
- advised me on everything from my wardrobe to my […]

Talking across the divide (part two)

Friday, November 9th, 2007

If you want to solve a problem you have to know what it is.  If you solve the wrong problem (for instance invading Iraq to capture Al Qaeda) you make the situation significantly worse.  As, for example, solving Iraq has done.  Creating the problem to be solved is a bad sign - as when the […]

Was 2007 A Bad Year for Women In Salt Lake City Politics?

Wednesday, November 7th, 2007

Short answer:  No.
Longer answer:  No, but . . .

2007 Election Analysis

Wednesday, November 7th, 2007

It wouldn’t be an election without day after analysis, now would it?
There weren’t too many surprises yesterday but there were a couple.
First, the surprise inside the not so surprising voucher vote.  I expected vouchers would win somewhere in the state.  Vouchers didn’t win in a single county in the state.  Not one.  Think about that […]

Becker!

Sunday, November 4th, 2007

With one day left until election day, and the polls looking good and the overwhelming majority of voters already decided, should I worry?
The only poll the really counts is Tuesday’s. I’ve been walking for Ralph Becker for months. I can’t count how many times I’ve gone out, knocked on doors, talked to people. […]

Why are you out here walking for Ralph Becker?

Thursday, October 25th, 2007

From Ralph’s Site:
7. We will continue to embrace the diverse communities of Salt Lake City, and our government policies will serve as a model for justice and equality for all residents.
Both Scott McCoy and Paula Julander were walking for Ralph last night. 
The experience last night was a good one - walking a neighborhood east of […]

Let’s Make This a Becker Burg

Wednesday, October 24th, 2007

Apparently alliteration amuses me.
So, via ralphecker.com, I see that Becker supporters raised over $50,000 in seven hours!  That’s amazing to me.  The money quote:
Former State Senator Karen Hale, who participated in the event, said, “I think this shows how passionate Ralph’s supporters are. You can’t manufacture that kind of enthusiasm for a candidate. Because Ralph […]

Vote Ralph Becker for Mayor November 6

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007

It has been interesting to watch both candidates for Mayor of Salt Lake City working so hard to get the LGBT vote. One of the candidates, Ralph Becker, has a voting record that matches his campaign rhetoric. Over the past 11 years, Ralph has supported our community. The same can not be […]

Cold, wet, tired and my dogs were barking - campaigning notes

Sunday, October 7th, 2007

With a month to go before the election, there’s a huge amount of work to be done. There are still doors to be knocked on, yard signs to be delivered, events to attend, debates and forums to attend. It makes me glad I’m just a volunteer - I can show up, do my thing, then […]

*Sigh* Only in Utah . . . .

Thursday, October 4th, 2007

The conversation taking place over at the D-news is so illustrative of everything that’s wrong with Utah’s public and political culture I can’t let it go.  There’s a sense of entitlement among the Mormons that their morals are clearly correct and should unquestionably be reinforced by the laws and everyone who differs is a miscreant.  […]

Does It Really Matter? Why do you get involved?

Sunday, September 30th, 2007

On a regular basis, I can count on someone saying to me, “Why do you get involved in that politic stuff? Does it really make any difference? Does it matter? You know, all politicians are crooks and the whole the political world is dirty. I can’t imagine why you’d get involved […]

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