These are classic discussions published back in June 2005
New Harmony Fire
As we drove toward Cedar City, Sara and I called our friends in New Harmony at 6 p.m. They said they were fine. The fire was to the south, and the wind was blowing to the east. A town meeting had been called for 7 p.m., to brief the residents on the status of the fire. Everything looked fine, so Sara and I went on to Cedar for dinner. We were sitting outside at 7:30 talking with some friends and a huge smoke cloud passed overhead and thick ash started falling from the sky. The wind had turned north, meaning the fire would move toward New Harmony.
We hightailed it back to New Harmony. Flames 30 to 50 feet high, with bursts of about 80 feet, were cresting over the mountain and heading down into the New Harmony valley. A mandatory evacuation had been issued for the southern part of the town and a voluntary evacuation for the rest. Our friends,... (read more)
Fire
I took the kids camping and fishing and returned to see the County going up in flames.
Last night I went to the emergency response command center and was impressed by the way the various state and local entities (Washington County, UDOT, and the highway patrol) were coordinating emergency efforts. From there, I went to the firefighting operations center (Snow Canyon Middle School) and, likewise, was impressed by the coordinated efforts of the federal, state, and local entities, as well as the volunteer organizations. It was late and most of the crews had returned and were eating dinner and bedding down. I spoke with several of the firefighters, thanking them for helping out. They were covered with soot and tired from a long day’s work. I was struck by how young they are. I pray that they are kept safe — in this fire and the many more they will fight this summer.
Today, the weather cooperated and much progress was made.
UPDATE... (read more)
Having Your Say
It is absolutely exciting to think about the future of representative democracy. For my entire lifetime, something important has been missing — the people. Politics mostly has been a one-way conversation. Politicians have presented themselves to the people in a format where the politician speaks and the people listen. And what we listen to is mostly shallow, evasive and downright insulting.
Cutting out the people is a big problem. First, it leads to stupid decisions; the collective intelligence of the people is much greater than that of any one leader, and it should be actively solicited. Second, cutting out the people undermines and weakens (makes vulnerable) the process itself.
The concept of politics isn’t bad. It is a centuries-old process for solving disputes and charting the course for a society. The actual practice of politics, however, has turned beyond bad. The people who have been shut out, not surprisingly, act shut out. They turn off and no longer demand accountability or, even,... (read more)
Education and Opportunity
Higher education is a significant door to opportunity. For that reason, and because it is a potent fuel for the State’s economic engine, the taxpayers of the state subsidize about 65% of the cost of tuition for in-state students. This is an extremely chunky investment for the taxpayers of the State, and it is very important that we make sure it is administered wisely.
Utah and the nation as a whole do a good job of making higher education accessible, through low tuition rates (somewhere, even if not at the school down the street from you), through financial assistance by way of loans and grants, and through a range of institution-types (from prestigious research institutions to community colleges and applied technology centers). However, I believe we could make the system more accessible (which it should be, since all taxpayers contribute).
At 15, I told my dad I wanted to be a carpenter (like my grandfather) or a musician (like Eric Clapton, but... (read more)
Birthday x 2
Yesterday I turned 40. I’ve been asking people today if I seemed any wiser. No one seems to notice a difference.
More importantly, my oldest daughter turned 11. About a month before my wife’s birthday, she starts asking, “What are you getting me for my birthday? Remember, I gave you a daughter for yours.”
My daughter seems to enjoy sharing a birthday, and for me it is absolutely the best. We had a good little party and received some nice cards and phone calls. For those of you who neglected to come over or send your regards, no hard feelings; you’re just off the list.
Congratulations?
I always love to see friends do well. I’m not sure getting Tasered and pepper-sprayed count as doing particularly well, but I guess some guys will do anything for a little attention.
Ty and I entered the legislature at the same time. He is wonderfully upbeat and game for stirring things up. As we celebrated Ty getting this job, I asked him if he thought Rocky would hold any grudges for a few caustic remarks Ty lobbed the Mayor’s way. Now we know the answer to that one!
You Agree With Me. Don’t You!
When I run polls, I find that people agree with my positions. My polls usually consist of one question: “Would you rather support my policy or get poked in the eye with a stick?” Research shows, support levels for my policies are amazingly high.
Okay, that’s a little extreme, but it is a constant source of amusement how people who know better run polls just about that biased.
A poll was recently published, showing that Utahns don’t favor a tax cut. But, as I noticed, and as Gazelem dissects, the question wasn’t exactly neutral. It asks whether Utahns favor a tax cut or funding state “needs.” Right there, you’ve imposed a value on the question. If it’s a “need,” we better fund it. Maybe the people being sampled would have responded differently, if they had been asked a more neutral question of choosing between tax cuts or funding other state programs.
But, maybe that’s just my opinion. I’m curious where you stand on... (read more)
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