My Page: Lucy Burningham
Public Displays
The Debate Over a 10 Commandment MonolithDespite the fact that the Supreme Court has already ruled on displaying the Ten Commandments on public property, two Utah groups are reviving the debate in the small town of Pleasant Grove. [more]
The State of the City
Downtown DevelopmentsThe latest happenings downtown, including more free wireless Internet service, the debate over the beauty of 1960's-era architecture and a PETA approved restaurant. [more]
Tuned In
Is Reality TV Real News?Let me start out by saying that I have a love/hate relationship with television. When I have one, I watch the basest programming available and spend a majority of my viewing time frantically flipping through channels, trying to avoid commercials and ensure that I’m not missing something better than what I’ve been watching. TV is not good for me. It’s a bad habit. In fact, I’ve lived without a TV for the majority of my adult life merely as a means of self-preservation. [more]
How We Vote
California says “No,” but Utah’s a GoElectronic voting machines aren't good enough for California, but they're fine for Utah. Last week California rejected Diebold’s electronic voting machines after testing revealed screen freezes and printer jams at a failure rate of 10 percent. The Diebold machines happen to be the same ones purchased by the state of Utah for $27 million. Despite California’s decision to ditch the machines, Utah still plans to use the voting machines, which should be in place by June 2006 for primary elections, reports the Deseret News. [more]
Power Plays
Legacy Highway Battle ContinuesHas any proposed roadway ever been so controversial? The Legacy Highway continues to be the subject of dispute, only this time, the fight has centered around the terms of the battle. As part of a major transportation bill that should be voted through Congress today, Sen. Orrin Hatch tried to insert a provision at the last minute that would halt all court battles over the proposed highway. But he failed. [more]
Policing the City
Saddling Up to Enforce the LawWhile an official proposition has yet to hit the books, Salt Lake City Council Member Nancy Saxton told New West that she’s pushing for a new police unit of officers on horseback. Those who oppose her plan cite the high cost of maintaining a mounted unit, while supporters see a more efficient and effective method of enforcing the law. [more]
The Religion Factor
A Mormon for President?The Boston Globe examines Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the first possible Mormon candidate for president, asking “Are we ready for a Mormon president?� [more]
The Outdoors
Head to the Hills for Prime Wildflower Blooms
Instead of staying at lower elevations and complaining about the heat, head to the hills to enjoy the best wildflower blooms of the season. If you’re feeling bookish, take a flower guidebook along and ID the colorful blooms. Or hike through fields of amazing colors under snowcapped peaks. Today The Salt Lake Tribune lists the events of the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation Wildflower Festival, which includes live music, children’s art, wildflower walks, food and more. The festival runs from July 29-31. [more]
The Wilderness Debate
Legislators Publicly Attack SUWAIt’s no secret that the non-profit Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance has plenty of enemies, but when the opposition bluntly articulates their complaints about the group in public, the incident warrants some coverage. KUTV reports that during a meeting of the Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee, Rep. Michael Noel, R-Kanab, a former BLM employee, and other state legislators lashed out at one of SUWA’s attorneys, who attended the meeting on invitation. [more]
Gender Issues
Girls Gone Into the Wild
Are women safe without men in the wilderness? More specifically, are women safe from men while they’re in the wilderness? I had the unfortunate chance to contemplate these questions this past weekend at the annual ladies-only Bear Lake weekend, while sitting around a dying campfire at 1 a.m. waiting for the police.
For the past six years, my friends and I have been migrating north for what has become a legendary camping and beach weekend (possibly the best beach Utahns can get within a few hours drive of Salt Lake). It’s a chance to catch up on everyone’s lives, eat and drink too much and get painfully sunburned, which translates into a few days of total group relaxation.
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