Introducing...
A New Magazine: The New West
Driving past most any Western city these days is a little like watching those time-lapse films back in grade school. Empty fields become bulldozed lots become framed houses become finished homes with trucks in the driveway and new grass in the yard.
It’s a time of dramatic change in the Mountain West. And I’m excited to say that we at NewWest.Net are now launching a quarterly print magazine to help us tell the big story of growth and change in the region.
The best way to check out our magazine is to subscribe. We want to know who’s interested in The New West, so we have made the magazine available free to qualified subscribers who answer a short questionnaire.
We’d love to hear your input and feedback on our new venture. Comments? Criticism? Story ideas? I’d love to hear them. You can email me at . And click “more” below for the full announcement.
[more]Rocky Mountain Political Grok
Ritter Gives Bargaining to State Employees, Romney Wyoming Fave
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter made headlines last week with his executive order establishing a bargaining partnership with state employees. The move drew sharp criticism from the Colorado GOP, who vow to introduce a bill to repeal the order, and the Denver Post, which said in an editorial that this may be the “beginning of the end” for the Democrat.
On Monday, Ritter also announced an aggressive plan to fight global warming that included clean car standards, updated farming techniques and encouraging citizens to reduce their carbon footprint.
In other news, presidential candidate, Ron Paul, set a Republican single-day fundraising record on Nov. 5. He raised $4.2 million from 37,000 online donors.
Also, Mitt Romney wins Teton County, Wyo. Republican straw poll, gaining 61 percent of the vote, well ahead of second place Rudy Giuliani’s 12 percent, and Mike Huckabee’s 10 percent.
In Utah, former President Bill Clinton stumps for his wife’s campaign.
[more]
Oops, he did it again
Rep. Chris Cannon: Another Gaffe Bites the Dust
Utah Representative Chris Cannon’s latest gaffe landed him on MSNBC anchorman Keith Olbermann’s Worst Person in the World list. Of course, Cannon only brought home the silver, but still – way to make Utah proud, Canny.
His offense?Well, over the weekend, during an appearance of the “Fox News Sunday” program, Cannon argued that U.S. Attorney David Iglesias was forced to resign not because of political reasons, but “because he’s an idiot.”
Wow. What a persuasive argument, Chris. Of course Cannon is used to making infantile, off the cuff remarks like this one – and what’s more Utahns are used to hearing about them – Has anyone forgotten how he flippantly blamed the teenage interns for the harassment perpetrated upon them by former U.S. Representative Mark Foley? No, this isn’t the first time and knowing Cannon, it won’t be the last.
[more]
Advertisement
Ready to Run
John Edwards Makes a Whistle Stop in SLC!When Democratic presidential candidates start making campaign stops in the Beehive state, you have to ask yourself – are pigs flying? Has hell frozen over? Well they aren’t building igloos in hell just yet, so what in the heck is John Edwards doing in Salt Lake City?
According to The Salt Lake Tribune Edwards scored around $100,000 in a little over three hours at a private fundraising event at The Depot last Saturday. Not too shabby for the reddest little state in the Union.
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Representin' with Ralph - A Podcast
An Interview With SLC Mayoral Candidate Ralph Becker
Salt Lake City Mayoral candidate Ralph Becker is a fixture in Utah politics, representing District 24 in the Utah State House of Representatives for over 10 years and currently serving as House Minority Leader. An outspoken Democrat, Becker has earned the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle while standing his ground on issues such as the Energy Policy Act and his current bid to ban gifts to legislators from lobbyists.
I recently sat down with Mr. Becker at his campaign headquarters in downtown Salt Lake City. We discussed his decision to run for mayor and his thoughts on education, the Utah Transit Authority, and of course, Rocky Anderson.
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Rocky Punch
Rocky and Hannity Debate at Kingsbury HallDing! Ding! The fight is on between Salt Lake City Mayor, liberal cause-celeb Rocky Anderson and right-wing-broken record Sean Hannity. Friday night, the two will verbally duke it out at the University of Utah’s Kingsbury Hall in front of a sold out audience…for charity (awwww).
Just so we’re clear – Kingsbury Hall seats around 2000 people and it sold out - in a matter of minutes. I have to say, that’s a lot of butts filling a lot of seats just to see a local hero/villain debate a mildly celebrated Fox News “haircut.”
[more]
The War at Home
V.P. Dick Cheney Arrives in Utah for BYU Commencement
According to the Deseret Morning News 20,000 guests are expected to attend Vice President Dick Cheney’s Brigham Young University commencement speech later this afternoon. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leaders are expected to meet with the Vice President shortly after he arrives.
At least three demonstrations opposing Cheney's visit are expected; including an alternative commencement hosted by BYU students featuring Ralph Nader.
[more]
Why Utah Is Cool
BYU’s Alternative Commencement
Whatever quaint notions folks like to harbor about Utah and Utahns – we’ve got chutzpa. Whatever side of the issue a Utahn is on – they’re on it – with bells on. Bells, whistles, megaphones, microphones… you name the noisemaker and I’ll point you to a Utahn with a point of view.
After 12 years in Utah, I’ve finally made peace with the division and derision that takes place in this beautiful state – because that which separates us is the essence of what makes us so distinctive, so unique and so cool. Yeah, you read correctly– I said cool.
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SENATOR SERIOUS ABOUT REPEALING RAT
Baucus Berates Recreation Fee Policy
U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) is no fan of recreation fees. Or the Federal Lands Recreation Act (FLREA), often called the Recreation Access Tax or RAT by fee opponents.
FLREA or RAT, depending on whether you collect or pay the fees, was tacked on a must-pass spending bill in December 2004, creating the authority agencies now use to aggressively increase the number of fee-based recreation sites and to substantially increase in existing fees.
But unlike many other politicians who oppose the recreation fees as a method for funding federal agencies, Baucus is seriously considering doing something about it. Something like, repealing it.
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