Vigils

Respect My Authoratayyy!!!

When we were in the fourth grade at Millcreek elementary Mrs. Anticheck stood us up and publicly vilified us for our sins. Sitting at the back of the class, I had ample opportunities to hone my public speaking skills.

One day, after watching David O. Mackay’s funeral on the TV in our class, I was asked to spell English, it was written on the chalkboard.

I still can’t spell very well, but I got a pare of glasses that year, and some one on one time with a very nice older Lady who turned me on to a book called the Mouse and the Motorcycle.

Thank you Ma’am, I really needed those glasses.

Oh, and thanks for the spell checker, it’s awesome.

http://political.moveon.org/event/events/index.html?action_id=34&search_distance=30&search_zip=84047&submit=Search

http://deesings.livejournal.com/185967.html

http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2006_02_19_firedoglake_archive.html#114055082068377914

Thanks for the pic.
http://www.toast442.org/C236517467/E20050826144602/

Asbestos

Its not like any of this stuff is new. We just wish somebody would put it together, in a way all our bros, and sisters too, could get it with their morning coffee, or whatever.

http://goldenstateblog.latimes.com/goldenstate/2006/02/golden_state_co_4.html

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002035220

http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/column/index.php?ntid=73283&ntpid=0

http://vuscaria.blogspot.com/2006/01/coming-constitutional-crisis.html

http://www.haloscan.com/comments/firedoglake/114045483031421132/#271088

http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2006_02_19_firedoglake_archive.html#114046404176196566

http://www.utdemocrats.org/

Thanks for the pic

DCR( Why Read the Comments?)

Thanks Pachacutec

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/2/19/01542/9703

http://www.haloscan.com/comments/firedoglake/114035502644453175/#269827

http://www.haloscan.com/comments/firedoglake/114035502644453175/#269900

http://www.haloscan.com/comments/firedoglake/114035502644453175/#269923

And I meet new friends. http://www.democratsofsouthernutah.org/

http://www.anamericanscam.com/

http://forum.truthout.org/blog/story/2006/2/17/125130/795

BCR (Before Car Race)

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/17/opinion/17Wright.html?ei=5070&en=e0a0d4f81b0626e2&ex=1140843600&emc=eta1&pagewanted=all

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635185011,00.html

Thanks Ed

http://zelph.blogspot.com/2005/08/where-are-they-now.html

It’s catching

http://oneutah.org/2006/02/16/torture-pros-visit-slc-this-sunday/

http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2006_02_19_firedoglake_archive.html#114035928446061183

Green Jenni has it right.

The First Step is to Admit….

Fighting desperately, but I just can’t get away. Since the shootouts Thursday night I’ve been pulled back into my opiate of choice, watching both the USAC and the Truck races yesterday. Today its Bushe league, tomorrow the Big One. If I haven’t OD’ed by Monday, I’ll be back to pointing out the obscene miscarriages perpetrated by our paid off Reps and myopic media. Till then, we’re on our own, with a Repub foot on our necks, just the way they like it.

Oh yea, by the way, News of the Weird gives a real news story a different spin. Life sentence huh? No more yachting for you ey, Duke?

Luckily, I read Kirby first thing this morning, so I have a voice of some reason keeping my head from just exploding. Wow, that was close.

My bad, its next to News of the Weird in Nation in Brief.

Thanks Mell for this little heads up.

http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2006_02_12_firedoglake_archive.html#114027663149812479

Your Invited to the Party

Friday 17Feb06, Radisson Hotel, Downtown SLC. 1:30-3:00pm, OOh, just hit the first Link. Its All there.

http://blueutah.wordpress.com/2006/02/14/minimum-wage-increase/

http://www.grist.org

http://oneutah.org/2006/02/14/fema-is-just-another-word-for-nothing-left-to-lose/

What we’d like to know is, what’s happening while we’re spending so much time wrestling the shot gun away from ultra super secret tricky Dick?

http://blog.oneamericacommittee.com/section/arguments_analysis

http://www.davidcorn.com/archives/2006/02/no_retreat_no_s.php

http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh021406.shtml

http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2006_02_12_firedoglake_archive.html#1140061473

85417076

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=24876&mode=nested&order=0

http://claudialong.com/blog/2006/02/02/guilty_guilty_guilty_mother_lode_of_enron_emails_found.html

http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2006_02_12_firedoglake_archive.html#114009773678156107

Thanks for the pic.

Flying Desks

We used to know an Air Force Major who’d been an ace in Nam. Back in the early 80s He said,” Never work for an Air Force Officer who flies a desk.”

Do you see any wisdom in that?

http://lefarkins.blogspot.com/2006/02/jesus-the-f-22.html

http://www.balloon-juice.com/?cat=15

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/

http://www.thepoorman.net/

http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/32237/

http://www.oliverwillis.com/2006/02/14/why-i-continue-to-call-out-instapundit/

http://glenngreenwald.blogspot.com/2006/02/why-ann-coulter-matters.html

Then we found a ray of hope.

Thanks for the pic.

Act Now

I’m going to have to go back to work soon, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still get together sometimes to discuss our world and the changes being made.

Here’s a list of things we can do, think about, and play with.

See ya on the next one, Clint.

http://www.actionforum.com/forum/index.html?forum_id=266

https://secure.ga3.org/03/contribute_20060214_eitc

http://www.utahjwj.org/index.htm

http://daviscountywatch.blogspot.com/

http://scottmaxwell.wordpress.com/

http://theospeak.wordpress.com/2006/02/14/limbo-goes-to-heaven/

Minimum Wage Increase

http://dickcheneyquailhunt.cf.huffingtonpost.com/

http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/2006/02/14/polls-with-rounded-corners/

http://daoureport.salon.com/synopsis.aspx?synopsisId=f88ec861-e61b-4fc1-8bd1-2059e9878f29

And finally,Happy Valentine’s Day. And good luck Mayor Coroon.

Minimum Wage Increase

Thanks Cory, always happy to help.
utjwj@xmission.com

www.utahjwj.org

MEDIA ADVISORY: FEBRUARY 14, 2006

Contacts: George Neckel, Utah Jobs with Justice. (801) 606-2074

Corey Hilton, Organizer, IBEW Local 354. (801) 319-3144

Dan Belnap, Utahns Against Hunger. (801) 328-2561

UTAH’S WORKING POOR NEED INCREASED MINIMUM WAGE

Low income workers to testify on economic hardship

Salt Lake City, UT. Tuesday, February 14, 2006. Low-wage Utah workers will present testimony before a Workers Rights Board on February 17 on the need for an increase in the State’s minimum wage. The workers will describe their efforts to support their families on less than $7.00 an hour. Utah’s current minimum wage is $5.15 an hour, the same as the federal minimum, which has not been increased in more than eight years. This provides an annual income of only $10,700 for a full-time worker.

Among those testifying will be a receptionist for the United States Forest Service, a fast-food worker struggling to provide for her three children and an oil company worker supporting a developmentally disabled son with substantial medical bills. In addition, the Board will hear expert testimony from economist Dr. Sarah Wilhelm, of Voices for Utah Children.

The testimony will be heard by a panel drawn from the Workers Rights Board of Utah Jobs with Justice. The panel includes Cathy Hoskins, Executive Director of Salt Lake Community Action Program; Salt Lake County Council member Joe Hatch; Glen Bailey, Executive Director of Crossroads Urban Center; and Dee Rowland, Director of the Peace and Justice Commission of the Catholic Diocese. Robert “Archie” Archuleta, Chair of Utah Coalition of La Raza and former Administrator of Minority Affairs under Mayor Rocky Anderson, will moderate the panel.

The hearing is part of the Citizens’ Day at the Legislature, organized by Utah Issues. Legislation introduced by Sen. Ed Mayne would increase Utah’s minimum wage to $7.00 an hour. A full-time worker would need to earn $7.74 an hour to meet the federal poverty line for a family of three.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 19,000 Utahns are working at or below minimum wage. The real value of the minimum wage is near its lowest point in 50 years. If the minimum wage in 2005 was worth what it was in 1968, it would be $8.88 an hour. And if it had gone up at the same rate as average CEO pay in the 1990s, the minimum wage would today be almost $45 an hour.

(MORE)

Nationwide, fourteen states have raised their state minimum wage above the federal minimum, ranging up to $7.65 an hour in Washington. The city of Santa Fe, New Mexico has set minimum wage at $9.80 an hour.

Utah Jobs with Justice is a coalition of 18 labor, community and faith organizations working for economic justice. The Workers Rights Board is a project of Utah Jobs with Justice that unites community, religious and business leaders to enhance and ensure the democratic rights of all workers.

The hearing, which is open to the public, will be held Friday, February 17^th from 1:30 – 3:00 pm at the Radisson Hotel Downtown, 215 South Temple, Parleys Rooms 1 and 2.

- 30 -

PO Box 3151

Salt Lake City, UT 84110

801.606.2074 fax 801.328.2564

Great Job

Kirby Nails it.

And another little something thats been bothering us lately.

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_3499337

A special thank you James MacMurtry and the Heartless Bastards. It was a great show, but I didn’t see the Elephant.
thanks Ryan for the pic.

And last, but in no way least, Reddhead gives the farm report.

Saturday Night

Going to see Childish Things in Park City tonight. Thanks all for the support and feelings of unity I’ve gotten here over the last few weeks. You’re my Angels.

Interview with James.

http://www.standard.net/xx/74114/

Not feeling like braving the Canyons?

How about a good read with a hat tip to a friend?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/10/72311/3592

Why We Support Mayor Anderson

With all the bigoted commentary and ballyhoo over the Mayor’s stand on Healthcare issues lately, we feel its high time working families figured out what all the ruckus is about.

A while back our dreams of fair treatment toward labor issues were realized by the City’s adoption of a living wage stipulation on new construction and service sector jobs.

Many people worked very hard to make sure this was implemented with an eye on the betterment of all our interests, and not just for the high and mighty Man.

As you read or re-read this article try to see how even our friends sometimes don’t understand or agree with everything we do. But dammit, can you say fiscal responsibility?

http://www.slweekly.com/editorial/2005/city_2_2005-06-23.cfm

And while I’m on this little peeve, when he passed the torch in Turin, we weren’t remembered as the laughing stock of the world.

There, now I can enjoy these Olympic games.

Or see a movie.

Get Well Soon

Get well soon. We never meant it as a personal insult. I don’t know if those guys from Colorado knew you or what, but it was just so painfully obvious. Your a great team player and we’ll miss poken fun at ya.

These are some other great things we found today. Check’em out.

http://partridge.net/blog/

http://americansdeservethetruth.blogspot.com/2006/02/national-news-review.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/158322713X/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-9815199-4039858#reader-link

http://www.utahpolitics.org/

Dan and Sam gave us this heads up in the trib today. Hope to see you all there.

“ Texas ‘tude: Talk about growing up in the shadow of greatness – rootsy singer/songwriter James McMurtry is the son of Lonesome Dove author and “Brokeback Mountain” screenplay co-writer Larry McMurtry. James McMurtry is no slouch, though, and his songs are full of intense narrative and stellar guitar work. His latest studio album, “Childish Things,” is a follow-up to the acclaimed “Live in Aught-Three” set that McMurtry recorded at Salt Lake’s own Zephyr Club (R.I.P.). James McMurtry plays Saturday at 9 p.m. at Park City’s Suede, 1612 Ute Blvd. at Kimball Junction. Tickets are $13, available at the door and Smith’s Tix outlets.”

And of course, its always happening at Firedoglake. 

Be Careful Out There

You could be Misconstrued.

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0209-34.htm

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3494491

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3494542

http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/2006_02_05_patriotboy_archive.html#113955511299471176

Great Ideas

Why can’t our Commander come up with better ideas? Too busy working damage control?

We do it every day. We’re all smarter than any one of us.

Best Medicine.

When things start coming apart, a little humor goes a long way, whether we can put them back together or not.

Taking myself too seriously isn’t my only problem, but it ranks right up there.

Most times a little change of scenery does the trick so here we go into a whole new world of information and possibility.

But don’t just walk out after a chuckle, feeling better, yet not satisfied. Dig in, and maybe send William some denaro.

See, that feels better already.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020506G.shtml

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020806B.shtml

Or maybe you want to just get away from it all. That’s ok, but remember the new Code of the West.

Sticking around after all? Then Check out Part of the Plan. I almost forgot.

Rotten Apples

So many great people in this world have made contributions and dedicated themselves and their fortunes to the betterment of mankind though charities or little league baseball, team roping and Congressional lobbying. As with most things, the few rotten apples are spoiling the whole barrel. Just a few rotten apples, not much to worry about, until it starts stinking up our system, and spewing vileness onto every thing we hold dear.

It’s our job to comb through the barrel now and then, or we lose it all.

Can you tell a sqwishy, wormy, rotten apple from a crisp, fresh one? I thought you could. Lets start combing though the barrel.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/

Do it for Elmo 

Little Eyes

Isn’t it funny the things people do when they think no one is watching? Here in Utah I’ve learned, someone’s always watching, whether it be the little eyes of our children, or that all Seeing Eye in the sky.

Then we go the other way, on the National scene, and find Scooter. Why don’t you just go to jail now Louis, then it won’t seem so long, with time already served.

Agreeing with the Des. News

I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut about the papers of choice throughout the state.

All work equally as well on that oil stain in the drive, or to line the birdcage, and familiar harmony demands it.

On the other hand, subscribing to them all could get expensive, and I’d be filling the recycling bin at the elementary school about once a week.

Luckily, other people get up way earlier than I each weekday morning, and put together a nice collection of greatest hits.

Thank you all for the dedication and I commend you for thinking ahead of the curve.

That said, I humbly submit my own abbreviated list.

Today’s offering on the doorstep was a particularly enjoyable read, especially the letters.

I didn’t even have to kick the cat.(It’s a Joke!)

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635180408,00.html

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/163050/4/

http://www.standard.net/xx.php/73408/?printable=story

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3459788

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3459811

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3459783

http://deesings.livejournal.com/159425.html

http://www.utahpolicy.com/

Childish Things

We know GWB listens to James on his I-pod, but have you heard the new CD? No? Maybe its because radio isn’t playing relevant. Remember the Dixie Chicks?

We don’t want an agenda, just Skinny Johnny Mitchell under the pillow on the transistor.

http://www.krcl.org/

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/

http://partridge.net/blog/

http://www.wyso.org/excursions.htm

http://jamesmcmurtry.com/

We’re Not Gonna Take It

The Senate is debating Alito on C-SPAN in the real world manner he deserves. Our Governor stood up to Cap. Chaos last week, to the relief of us all. Got a head ache Sen. Bennett? Go lie down for a moment. Take a nap. The day will come when you may wish you had.

Sen. Bob Bennett 202-224-5444

Politics is about solving problems. Give your representatives a call.

What you can do.
Why all this matters to you.

A Balanced Diet

Also being residents of SLC, UT, USA, Planet Earth, and still feeling a little lost in the universe, we were able to come up with a meal to power you though a Saturday’s action.

Jenni sorts it all out, Dee sees the forest from the trees, Ed keeps our spirits up, while Heal Utah gives directions. One Utah lets us listen where we weren’t able to be, and for dessert something imported, but sweet.

Don’t drink the kool-aid, somthing’s in the punch.

New West

As I was dragging through the junk mail a few minutes ago I got a nugget

A Nightmare, and a Job well done.

Grampa and the new Baby.

So many of the websites I visit are written by people with young children, and of course this holds true here in our state. She’s a real pro.

I finished a job recently, so with a little time on my hands, it was decided I could be trusted for some supervised babysitting. This boy’s first words better be Grampa loves me, but if not, I probably still will.

What prompted that last bit of sugar is how much this site feels like a child. Good burp dude, Ohhh where are those wipies?

Then I get a heads up like this and, now where did I put that kid?

Can it get any more corrupt?

When I was young, people used to say, “Dems work for everyone, Repubs only care about themselves“. Can it get any clearer?

And then I find hope.

And People with answers.

25Jan06

Good Morning All. Updating as we go. Haven’t even read the news yet.

I sent out some E-mail last night, but no word yet from the original site manager.

Jane is hot on the WaPo. Cliff is sending me homework, and the monkey business continues up the street.

Update; Rob says “Run with it”.

Update; Our name is allready being used. Lets put our heads together and come up with something else.

All Hands On Deck

Thank you to everyone who was able to come to the hearing at the Capitol on such short notice. The vote was close, but Senate Bill 70 passed out of the committee by a vote of 3-2 and will now move on to the Senate for a full vote.

As you know, SB 70 rewrites state law to make it easier for nuclear and hazardous waste dumps to expand or develop in Utah by taking away the need for gubernatorial approval. The bill effectively removes power from the Governor and gives it to Envirocare.

In an effort to remove the public from the process, this bill has been on a fast-track and will most likely be voted on THIS WEEK. We need a lot of help to defeat this legislation in the Senate. If you have any time at all this week, your involvement could stop an effort to make it easier for nuclear and toxic waste to be dumped in Utah. This is truly urgent. Can you help with any of the following?

1) Hand out flyers in legislative districts (2 hour commitment)

2) Write a letter to the editor (15-30 min.)

3) Call, write, or email key legislators (15-30 min.)

4) Help call our volunteers and members to ask them to contact their legislators (1-2 hours)

5) Join us at the Capitol to talk to legislators directly (1 hr)

Please let me know if you can help with any of the above. You can join volunteers going out to flyer Tuesday afternoon and Thursday evening, and we’d also like to fill in the rest of the week.

Here is a list of legislative leadership we need help contacting. You can reach all of them by calling the senate at 538-1035. You can also call them directly on their home numbers (call after 6:00pm and no later than 9:00pm). You can find a sample email and a link to more talking points at the bottom of this email.

1) Senate President John Valentine, jvalentine@utahsenate.org

2) Senate Majority Leader Peter Knudson, (435) 723-2035, pknudson@utahsenate.org

3) Senate Majority Whip Dan Eastman, (801) 295-5133, deastman@utahsenate.org

4) Senate Assistant Majority Whip Bev Evans, (435) 454-3719, bevevans@ubtanet.com

Thank you to everyone who has already contacted a legislator. Please continue to contact the above legislators this week. They need to hear from you.

We’re always thankfully amazed by the time people take out of their lives to get involved. That’s how the three of us can accomplish what we do. If there was ever a time when we needed your help, it’s now. So please, take the time this week to get involved and make sure our government is accountable to the people it represents, not the bottom-line of one company. Thank you,

-John, Jason, and Vanessa

HEAL Utah

68 S Main St, Suite 400
SLC, UT 84101
(801) 355-5055

Here’s a sample email you can copy and send. For a full list of talking points, visit http://www.healutah.org/what/envirocare/takeAction.html.

Dear Sen. _____,

I strongly urge you to oppose Senate Bill 70. This bill would make it easier for nuclear and hazardous waste dumps to expand or operate in Utah and rewrites a law specifically put in place to protect our health and environment. By taking away the need for the Governor to approve the expansion or development of nuclear waste sites, this bill takes power away from the one person in the state who represents all Utahns. This law benefits Envirocare and makes it easier for more nuclear and toxic waste to be dumped in our state. If Envirocare says they’re not asking for this bill, and the public is clearly against it, the legislature should vote against it as well. We live with the dangers of nuclear waste for generations. Please vote down SB 70 and protect the interests of the public, not the bottom-line of one company. Sincerely,

-Your name and contact info

Sam Alito, What’s not to like?

As some of us must know by now,the Judge would find himself very well at home here in Utah.

Absolut authority? No Problem.

Got anything more pressing to do? Probably not.

Want to see whats happening in the free world?

And here at Home.