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Just what is an activist judge?
Recently, we've been hearing politicians and pundits apply a lot of labels to Sonia Sotomayor. President Obama has labeled her as empathetic. Newt Gingrich has called her (and later apologized for calling her) a "reverse racist." But of all the labels (and epithets) to be lobbed around, the most prominent will be the one that our own Sen. Orrin Hatch will use: that Sonia Sotomayor is an "activist judge."
Views: 111 | Wednesday, July 1, 2009Health care reform must address problems
The vigorous debate in the U.S. Congress and in the public arena seems to indicate that there are good chances of passage of a health care reform bill this year. I hope President Obama, before signing the bill, makes sure that the final bill represents reform not in name only, but as a fundamental change from the status-quo.
City administration made no public attacks on Garcia
In Jesse Garcia's guest commentary of June 14, "Council not told city wouldn't fund Marshall White Center," he claimed he has been victimized by the city administration, citing "public attacks."You cannot claim "victim" status when you are the one originating the debate! Jesse sent two letters to the newspaper (April 27 and May 14) suggesting he had no knowledge of the discussion between the Ogden Weber Community Action Partnership and the city when he was at the very center of the negotiations.
Ogden store tells soldiers, 'You can do it, we can help'
It was a gloomy morning in Camp Liberty, Iraq when we were informed of a battalion formation on the outdoor basketball court. It was unclear to us as to what the formation was about. As the Command Sergeants Major called us to the position of attention with a bit of a humbling voice, we snapped and prepared for what was to come next. The Battalion Commander took over the formation and quickly put us at-ease. He addressed us to the hard work and dedication we had put forth to preparing for our deployment to Iraq and the sure hand in which we started missions after the transfer of authority from our counterparts. With a sturdy voice, informed us that our nation had other plans for us and needed us to do once again what it has asked.
Scholarship offers choice for parents of kids with special needs
At a time of year when our country celebrates our freedom and independence and the promise first made on this continent that all, regardless of race or class or economic status, are entitled to a fair chance and to the tools for developing their individual powers of mind and spirit to the utmost, I am especially grateful for that promise when it comes to the education of my son, Ty.
The case for regulating Pit Bulls presented
Ogden city currently has an ordinance for dangerous dogs designed for any animal that has been involved in an attack or bites or threatens the safety of an individual or domestic animal, or is harbored for fighting. Animal control classifies animals as dangerous in a reactive fashion. The determination is based on the act, severity, circumstances, witnesses, history of the animal or owner, and the experience of the officer investigating after the attack or injury happens.
Health reform in Utah will take patience and input from public
For the past two years, the State of Utah has been engaged in health system reform. If we've learned nothing else about reforming health systems in the past two years, we at least know there are no magic wand and no miracle diet pills that can fix the system. The current state of our health system is like a patient in need of long-term rehabilitation. If we were to list the symptoms of a sick health system, it would read like this: too many Utahns are without health insurance, health costs are rising at unsustainable rates and too many patients fail to receive proper care.
Happy birthday, Jean
Half a millennia ago, Europe was in the throes of a vast upheaval of change. Virtually every landscape of life -- arts, politics, religion, education, sciences, economics, architecture -- were all undergoing radical innovation and transformation.
One, two, buckle up ... you
One day while we were building our home in Brigham City I told my kids that I was going down to the gas station on Main Street to fill up my car. Josh, who was almost three, wanted to go with me. I told him he could go but we were not going to get any treats.
A government-sponsored divine institution?
As President Obama seeks to give same-sex couples equal benefits when one partner is a government employee, the question of same-sex marriage again rears its ugly head.
The GOP is not dead
What will become of the GOP? Its condition is thought to be dire. Critics, both Democrat and Republican, have taken its "pulse" and called for life supports. Actually, the Democrats put in a call to Dr. Kervorkian. Some folks think the GOP is a dinosaur and no longer relevant in today's political scene.
WSU partnerships take science into the community
Weber State University has always been proud of its close relationship with the communities of Northern Utah. Of course WSU provides a terrific education for its more than 21,000 students, and hosts wonderful concerts, art exhibitions and sporting events. WSU also provides community lectures on a range of important topics, all of which you would expect of a major institution of higher education located within a large population area.
A note of gratitude
On the third Saturday in May, Ogden Valley was at its resplendent best. The prior week had seen some light showers that cleansed the air. The predawn sky was clear. Venus was bright in the low eastern sky. A quarter moon was directly overhead. As 4,000 ru
D-Day lessons must continue to be taught
I couldn't help but pay attention to the several televised specials and news reports this past month regarding the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landing at Normandy. Not having lived through that period, I can only feel peripherally the enormity of that event. But I do feel. I'm one of those that bawls like a babe at the ending of "Saving Private Ryan" -- edited version, of course -- and you should, too.
Council not told city wouldn't fund Marshall White Center
In the June 6 guest commentary, "Garcia playing both sides of Marshall White Center issue," Mayor Matthew Godfrey presented a series of inflammatory and mostly inaccurate statements, which I could address one by one. But, I don’t believe the people of Ogden are interested in a tit-for-tat response.
Closing Guantanamo Bay is a huge mistake
Since January, the Obama administration's decision to close the Guant�°namo Bay Detention Center was heralded with fanfare; however, there were few details on how they actually planned to do so by January 2010. Recently -- like the Titanic hitting an iceberg -- the unsinkable presidency hit its first obstacle.
Chrysler executives make a reckless, irrational decision
In the coming week Northern Utah sadly will see the loss of three Chrysler dealerships and the accompanying ancillary services. The impact this will have on new automobile sales, vehicle owners lives and inconvenience as well as the regional economy is incomprehensible.
An economic explanation for subsidizing FrontRunner
Professor Michael Ransom, in his opinion piece "The economics of FrontRunner" in the Standard-Examiner on May 9, came to the conclusion that "riders are subsidized to the tune of $1000 to $1500 per month, depending upon what we think ridership actually is." This estimate of the subsidy is based upon the difference between the monthly pass price of $162 and the average monthly roundtrip total cost per rider (consisting of capital cost and operational cost) of $1144 to $1850. Professor Ransom questions the benefits of FrontRunner to Utahns given the magnitude of the subsidy and hence does not consider it as sound economic investment. There are others who concur with Professor Ransom's point of view.
Perhaps we need political newcomers who don't aspire to higher ambitions
If I were running for state or national political office in Utah today, it may appear that my only chances of winning would be in legally changing my name. For example, I have thought of: Ryan Smith Young Hatch Bennett Romney Jenkins Jr.
On timing and judgment
Timing and judgment are two critical elements of political success. The Obama Administration is wrong on both counts in two of its goals.
Garcia playing both sides of the Marshall White Center issue
I would like to thank the Standard-Examiner for linking the audio of Tuesday's City Council Meeting on its Web site. It is also posted at http://ogdencity.com/government/audio.aspx. I would encourage you to listen to it. Inflammatory language was chosen by the Standard that made it sound like Jesse and I had a cat fight. As you listen to this audio yourself, you will see that both of us were gentlemanly while being frank about some important issues. I understand the perceived need by media to sensationalize things, but it's an unfortunate practice.
Remembering D-Day
Sixty-five years ago, allied forces landed at Normandy. D-Day. My grandson will visit Utah Beach to mark the occasion. He will see the rows of crosses, hear the story, perhaps talk with some who were there. But he will never understand.
Ogden needs tough campaign finance disclosure rules
Tonight the Ogden City Council will consider an ordinance to revise the city's campaign finance disclosure rules. It's about time.
Left unchecked, Dyer's Woad has dire consequences
For 23 years Jim Parks has patrolled weeds in Weber County. The county has 200 miles of roadway he's responsible to monitor. Thick patches of weeds near the railroad in the Ogden Business Park are a good example of his challenge, "This is just a hodgepodge of weeds," he said walking and pointing to the plants he is all too familiar with, including Dyer's Woad, Morning Glory; Canada and Scotch Thistle.
It's time to tax speculation
Taxing speculation could reduce deficits and it makes good sense. University of Massachusetts economist Robert Pollin recently wrote "A small tax on all financial market transactions, comparable to a sales tax, would raise the costs on short-term speculation trading while having a negligible effect on people who trade infrequently. It would thus discourage speculation and channel funds toward productive investment."
A post-tea party political test
Seven weeks ago I received a melancholy email from my daughter announcing that she and her husband had been "Mello-Roos-ed" out of purchasing a new home in California. They were processing the final paperwork at the closing when a Mello-Roos Community Fac
By sharing, we can lift and be lifted
One Friday afternoon I had hurried down from Logan to see how my dad was doing and to give him the book I had purchased for him. When I got there, he was in bed with his leg propped up on pillows. The first thing he said to me was, " I thought my prayer
Are ATVs dangerous or are they just in the spotlight?
All-terrain vehicles have been singled out in numerous press accounts this month as being extremely dangerous. Accidents, involving ATVs, have been the cause of several tragic deaths, including that of former Congressman Bill Orton, while others have been seriously injured.
The ultimate cause of the current economic crisis
This is a response to Patricio Ortega's assertion in his column, "Magical Thinking and Republican Economics," (May 16) that because Republicans controlled, "all branches of government from 2000 to 2006," therefore, "Republicans are responsible" for the current economic crisis.
MEAL Act deserves support
We agree that menu labeling is a hot-button issue in Utah right now. However, neither the state nor federal policies introduced by Utah policy makers are in the best interest of the public or their health.
Morphing Homeland Security
The debate over enhanced interrogation techniques rages on. So does debate over who knew what, and when. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made a spectacle of herself with inconsistent responses about her knowledge of CIA interrogation of enemy combatants.
Of influenzas and financial crises: three lessons
A few weeks ago, I found myself buying several bottles of hand sanitizer for my office. My motivation was the late-April news that the swine flu had killed more than a hundred people and infected 1,600 in Mexico. I wasn't the only one to react. Trips were
This year's flu has confusion as a symptom
So why can’t I get excited about this swine flu pandemic? Or is it epidemic?
Older workers struggling through economy
In the wake of today’s economic crisis, job fairs frequently draw as many older workers and retirees as high school and college grads. Job seekers of all ages and skill levels have flooded the employment pool with older workers showing up in increasingly larger numbers
It's the wrong time for 'tea parties'
It is ironic that the tea party movement is taking place now when our country is facing a severe financial crisis, housing market collapse and worst recession in memory. The main grievances of the political leaders of the movement, like former House majority leader Dick Army and other conservative tea-party leaders, are not clear.
President's proposed budget hurts Utah and national security
The proposed Obama defense budget will result in a loss of jobs and a reduction in our national security - now and in the future.
Magical thinking and Republican economics
I'll write real slow and capitalize the first letter so ya'll can understand: Republicans Controlled All Branches Of Government From 2000 to 2006.
Deferring Utah leases the right decision
As a sportsman who uses and enjoys America's public lands, I'm surprised by the continued criticism of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's decision to temporarily defer 117,000 acres from energy leasing in Utah.
GOP a mix of outrage, fundamentalism
We've heard a lot of opinions recently about what direction the Republican Party should take in order to get their groove back. I think I have pretty good credentials for weighing in on this subject. I was an enthusiastic Reagan Republican, I used to argue politics with my Democratic, pro-union grandparents (may God rest their souls), and donated to John McCain's campaign in 2000. Yet a few weeks ago, this Reagan Republican was elected chair of the Weber Democrats. In short, I'm one of the people the Republicans "lost".
Governor must pick those who represent ratepayers' interests
In the very near future, Governor Huntsman is expected to appoint new members to a majority of the seats on the Utah Committee of Consumer Services.
The economics of FrontRunner
On May 3 in the Standard, Mr. John Inglish, general manager of Utah Transit Authority, took issue with some aspects of my economic analysis of rail transit that was published recently in the Standard-Examiner. I'd like to clarify some issues raised in Mr. Inglish's guest commentary ("FrontRunner is a successful investment for the future") as well as in an accompanying editorial published by the Standard Examiner staff. ("FrontRunner worth the cost")
Grief is OK
Life is a journey. For each of us this journey through life is unique to our own individual triumphs, heartaches, accomplishments, difficulties, joys, pains, lessons taught and lessons learned.
Creative minds must salvage journalism
What happened to journalism? The quantity and quality of journalism has diminished. I'm talking about real journalism -- that indispensable, reliable, edited form of information that provides a record of events for community, nation, and world.
Of miracles and moms
As a young child, Lois Holmes Huston learned to love daffodils. Her mother Leila Holmes promised her that the "strange, looking, brown, dried-up things" they were planting in the fall would turn into a beautiful display in the yard of their Marriot, Utah, home -- and that's just what happened
The peril of presidential popularity
After 100 days of the Obama administration, here's where we stand. Actions taken, or not taken, have caused ultraconservatives to become livid with anger, conservatives to have great concern about the direction our country is taking, and moderate Republicans to wonder why they did not see it coming.
FrontRunner is a successful investment for the future
In the April 28 Standard-Examiner article, "FrontRunner financial flop?" BYU economics professor Michael Ransom criticized the Utah Transit Authority and the FrontRunner commuter rail line in Weber and Davis counties.
Cutting staff impacts the arts classes
My colleagues -- listed below -- and I have been following with interest and dismay the reduction of the arts programs in the Ogden School District. From the days when each high school had separate dance, band, choir, orchestra, and theatre teachers, we have come to the present situation.
How Americans mix religion, politics
Seventeen years ago I was taking a lunch break during a conference held in a hotel in Burbank, Calif. Also at lunch were about 400 Christian clergy from over 45 different denominations.
The arrival of spring brings so much to our lives
Ah, spring, time for sunshine, open windows, return of the robins, daffodils and tulips. Ah, spring, time for pollen, allergies, return of the box elder bugs and da-da-da-da-da-da (a.k.a. music from "Jaws") spring cleaning.
United Way not reducing services or commitment to Davis County
An article that appeared on March 3 in the Standard-Examiner dealt with United Way of Salt Lake's painful decision to lay off several of our employees due to the effects of the economic climate.
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