These are classic discussions published back in May 2007
Shakespeare Festival
Fred Adams, founder of the Tony-award winning Utah Shakespearean Festival, was honored for his contribution to the arts and humanities in the State. Fred is amazing.
Failure to Camp in a Designated Area
The kids and I love to camp. Sara loves when we camp – so she can stay home and enjoy our absence. We convinced her to join us on a quick trip to the Grand Canyon (Toroweap).
Steve’s shortcut to nowhere: 2 extra hours.Bad camping: $75 citation.Driving washboarded roads on a skinny spare: 2 more hours.Two new tires: $233.The views: priceless.
Sara says we failed the audition, and she wishes us well in future endeavors.
Better Democracy Requires Better People
I messed up today and am reminded that I need to be a better person. People need to engage each other with more patience and compassion, in life and in politics. It would make for better lives and better communities. I frequently suggest that people not immediately assume the worst of elected officials. It is too easy to dehumanize people with titles and positions and assume that “they” are all bad and intent on doing mean things. Such an approach is poisonous. Instead of focusing us on issues and attempts to reach collaborative solutions, the negativity devolves toward meaningless yapping.
Great theory, yes? Unfortunately, I failed the lab practicum.
I have worked diligently to open doors to government. It is something that burns brightly within me. Thus, when I read an article saying that I was working to shut out the public, I assumed the worst of “them,” the mainstream media. Because I had dehumanized “them” in my mind, forgetting that I... (read more)
Release Your Notes, Bob
The D News wrote an article on the legal challenge to the ballot language for vouchers. It states, “Urquhart, an attorney, admitted that the new lawsuit’s main aim is to get the Utah Supreme Court to call off the Nov. 6 vote.” This is false.
Bob Bernick interviewed me yesterday for the article. I have always regarded Bob to be good with quotes and conveying the gist of conversations. He got this one 180 degrees wrong. And, frankly, I don’t know how he could have.
I was in a car on a cellphone with the person next to me talking on his cellphone. I couldn’t hear every word Bob was saying, so I very deliberately over-explained each response, pointing out that we are in a mess and that the Court needs to clean it up, so that people know what they are voting on. Repeatedly, I stated that people need to know what they’re voting on, just like I said in my... (read more)
Vouchers – Ballot Title
I’m supposed to submit the argument in favor of the Education Vouchers bill to the Lieutenant Governor by June 1st. However, that is very difficult to do, given the way the ballot question was prepared.
Though it is the attorney general’s opinion that the provisions of the second voucher bill (HB 174) supersede provisions in the first bill (HB 148), the ballot question does not reflect that effect. Instead, the question is drafted as if HB 174 amended HB 148, rather than superseded it. To say the least, there is robust dialogue whether HB 174 amends or supersedes.
Regardless on which side of the argument one falls, the amends/supersedes issue is hugely important. It controls what the vote means. Without clarification of the issue, the referendum is seriously muddled. The vote will have no meaning – until the Utah Supreme Court tells us what we voted on and what the results mean. People can be as passionate as they want that their... (read more)
Stuart Adams to Head Transportation Commission
Stuart Adams is going to take over the reins of the Transportation Commission. This is fantastic. Stuart is extremely smart, patient and fair. He entered the Legislature one term after me. Though it was immediately obvious that he was gifted, I first took close notice of him when, during floor debate on a bill I was running during his first term, he rolled me up in a ball and started bouncing me across the chamber. It was a Butch Cassidy moment; I was thinking, “Who is that guy? He’s good.”
From the article, it sounds like the news might have been dropped abruptly on current chair Glen Brown. If so, that’s unfortunate. Glen has served the State well in many capacities, including his excellent and lengthy tenure as chair of the commission.
Old Media v. New Media
Paul Rolly, a Salt Lake Tribune gossip columnist, is sniping at the Senate Site. Comparing Rolly and the Senate Site would be a terrific case study in old media v. new media.
It would be interesting to examine whether Rolly or the Senate Site is more substantive; which one is more informative; which one is more accurate with facts; which one is better written; which one has better community participation; which one is more transparent in its political leanings, etc.
Opinions?
November Voucher Vote and Democratic Process