These are classic discussions published back in November 2007
Global Warming (soon to be, Global Storming)
This decade has been hotter than previous decades (as were the 1930s). And, unless you’ve been seeking shade under a rock, you know that Global Warming is THE issue (so huge that many policymakers – who typically are in the business of promoting infrastructure stability – already are willing to throw huge energy dislocations at future generations). Here’s my prediction. Temperatures will go back down – continuing to cycle up and down like they have for millennia.
My evidence? None. It’s my hypothesis that this is a blip. If you disagree: your evidence? None. It’s your hypothesis that this is not a blip (no matter how many movie stars, pop scientists, concerts or conventions beat the drum).
The way to test each hypothesis is to collect data over time and see. Of course, a non-human-caused warming trend could go on for a long time, but I’ll give my side just one decade. After that – and, before that, if reliable data comes... (read more)
Sen. Ed Mayne
Sen. Ed Mayne died this weekend, after battling cancer. Ed was a terrific person and a very skilled legislator.
Anyone who maintains that Democrats can’t be successful in the Legislature (because of the Republican’s supermajority), only needed to follow Ed for a day, to see that Democrats can be very successful. Ed was at the center of many good deals. In many ways, he was larger than life — smart, loud, confident, and always a pleasure to be with. One of the joys of serving in the Legislature for me was to pay a visit to the Senate and have Senator Mayne hold forth. “Before you folks go too crazy down stairs, let me give you some advice,” he’d say. And his advice was always good (though his upside to the deals was never modest). He will be sorely missed, and the Capitol will be a smaller place without him.
I Heart St. George (Part 3)
The basement stint was pretty short – though it felt much longer to all involved. Sara and I bought a 1,400 square foot house on the 8th green of Dixie Red Hills golf course, and that’s where we lived for 13 years, 3 more kids, a fire (now that’s a good story), 2 floods — one sprinkler-caused, one toilet-caused (thanks, again, Dr. Ben Blair) — and lots of political campaigns.
We had full run of the course. My kids could show you all sorts of cool archaeological stuff up in the hills and also just a few feet away from where golfers walk and rarely look. (If you walk 150 feet past the 4th green, you’ll be in the middle of the quarry where rock was excavated for the walls of the St. George Temple and the Tabernacle. If you slice your drive into the brush along the 8th fairway, take a minute to look for shards of Indian pottery; the... (read more)
Good Old Boy, Gloria Shakespeare
It is always interesting how elections get framed. In the recent St. George City Council election, the three losing candidates worked hard to make it an election to throw out the good old boys. Mind you, none of the six candidates in the November election was an incumbent – but since when does truth matter in campaigns?
This guy’s blog post illustrates the nonsense that was circulated. I love that Gloria Shakespeare is a “good old boy.” First, as her name suggests, she’s a very girlish good old boy. Second, she is a democrat (not exactly the power group in Washington County politics). And, third, as for her good old boy activities as “the volunteer head of the neighborhood enhancement committee,” that is just about the most precious thing I’ve ever heard.
The point of Gloria’s “neighborhood enhancement committee” was specifically to take on the city council, home builders, businesses, and anyone and everyone else who – in Gloria’s opinion – proposed... (read more)
UTOPIA (Cont’d)
Jesse Harris has returned from D.C., and provides responses to my 2 questions on UTOPIA.
My questions (posts here and here) were (1) whether UTOPIA is financially viable and (2) why UTOPIA is cherry picking in non-pledging cities.
You can read Jesse’s thoughtful response at FreeUtopia.
On point 1, Jesse argues that the big costs have been sunk and that additional costs will be much smaller as additional homes are passed — meaning a lower overall cost/subscriber than the very high current figure. That might be. I’d like to see some numbers (e.g., additional cost per marketable home passed).
On point 2, I think we simply disagree whether it is appropriate for UTOPIA to be in the business of establishing the policy and practice of deploying systems only in new subdivisions where homeowners will be forced to use the product (since the homeowners will be forced to pay for it with their HOA fees). To me, this seems like a very significant departure from... (read more)
I Heart St. George (Part 2)
Shortly after my fight with Ken Broadhead, I was at a party in Provo. The most beautiful girl I had ever seen bounced up to me and, with a really pretty smile, said a bunch of stuff in a hurry. Though I had no idea what she was talking about, I did notice that after a few exchanges she was calling me “Sid.”
I said, “My name is Steve.”
She said, “I like Sid better.” And she kept calling me Sid. Now, I’m not sure if it was love at first sight or post-concussion syndrome, but I thought, if I had to, I could get used to Sid. It’s as good a name as any.
After she left, my friend asked, “What was that?!”
I said, “I have no idea, but I think I might be in love.”
Skipping most of the details, Sara and I dated that year. An added bonus was that she was from St. George. I was always eager to travel... (read more)
Medical Malpractice Arbitration
Currently, medical malpractice litigation takes too long, costs too much, is unavailable for some legitimate claims, casts too broad a net, and doesn’t efficiently dispense of bogus claims. To address those concerns, I propose that Utah should consider reform along the following lines.
Establish an arbitration system for smaller claims (under $500,000);
Appoint a medical malpractice administrator – who, then, appoints a qualified (MD-type) arbitrator;
The arbitrator reviews the medical record and determines (w/in 90 days) whether liability exists and damages were caused;
The amount of damages also could be arbitrated later (but, once liability and causation are found, the lawyers likely could determine damages);
De Novo appeals are available – but, if the appealing party doesn’t significantly change the outcome of the arbitration, he would owe the other side’s costs and fees.
Arthur Anderson Audits Giuliani Affair