The Alienated Wannabe Establishment

• Civil Discourse Defended (Ethan & Micah are Wrong)

  Recently, Ethan Millard's SLCSPIN and Micah Bruner's DeathKnell have published blog articles critical of a recent call for "civil discourse" in a Salt Lake Tribune editorial. I respectfully disagree with both Ethan and Micah on this issue.
  
  In the case of Micah, I believe that he [...]

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  Posted: January 29, 2009, 8:27pm EST
  

• Goodbye, Mr. President.

  Yesterday, the same day that President George W. Bush delivered his farewell address, it was reported in the media that his popularity in this state had finally dropped below 50%. That's too bad. For the record, I would like to say that I have only come to appreciate him more.[...]
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  Posted: January 16, 2009, 4:10pm EST
  

• Resolution: Tie Shoes Correctly

  [...]
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  Posted: December 29, 2008, 7:09am EST
  

• President Elect Barack Obama

  I was moved this evening listening to the inspiring speeches given by both Senator John McCain and President Elect Barack Obama. I was struck by the quality of the men.
  
  They both hit the perfect chord, for me. And, in both cases, it was clearly heart felt. I [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2008, 10:27pm EST
  

• Today, the People Decide

  Well, election day has finally come. And, by this time tomorrow, we will have a better idea of where our country is going. Good luck to all of you who have worked so hard to do what you believe is right for our country. God bless you for your noble [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2008, 8:18am EST
  

• Move to Canada?

  [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2008, 1:06pm EST
  

• Stop Imperial Judges

  [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2008, 1:42pm EST
  

• The Effect of Gay Marriage upon Traditional Families

  [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2008, 1:35pm EST
  

• Proposition 8 in Plain English

  [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2008, 1:23pm EST
  

• Mormon Apostles on Proposition 8

  Elder David A. Bednar
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2008, 4:32pm EDT
  

• California Proposition 8

  My Dear Friends,
  
  As you know, California's Proposition 8 seeks to amend the state Constitution so that marriage would only be legal between one man and one woman. In supporting this measure, I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is engaged in an extremely selfless' [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2008, 2:02pm EDT
  

• "The Funniest 15 Minutes of Your Life" (McCain & Obama)

  After all the ugliness, I needed these belly laughs:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thanks to Senators McCain and Obama, and the Catholic Dioceses of New York. [...]
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  Posted: October 17, 2008, 8:43am EDT
  

• Who is God? (URSA Symposium)

  [www.ursajournal.com]
  
  The URSA Symposium Lecture Series
  Fall 2008 Edition:
  
  Who is God?
  Conceptions of Deity among Abrahamic Religions:
  An Interfaith Exploration
  
  Featuring:
  
  Professor Debra Baldwin, Ph.D.
  Father Peter Rogers
  Pastor Joel Nau
  Imam Muhammed Mehtar
  Professor Philip Barlow, Ph.D.
  
  
  Saturday, October 18, [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2008, 7:24pm EDT
  

• The John McCain I Love

  I read a news report today that illustrated, for me, the true character of Senator John McCain -- the character that long ago earned my respect, eventually won my support, and ultimately secured my love and loyalty.
  
  Yesterday, according to the article, Senator McCain was at a town-hall meeting [...]
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  Posted: October 11, 2008, 2:49pm EDT
  

• Newspaper Article: Trauma of family separations may linger for FLDS children

  [www.sltrib.com] [...]
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  Posted: June 05, 2008, 4:29pm EDT
  

• Newspaper Article: Texas Supreme Court: Return FLDS children to parents

  [www.sltrib.com] [...]
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  Posted: May 29, 2008, 5:41pm EDT
  

• Newspaper Article: FLDS custody case: Torn-up families antsy

  [www.sltrib.com] [...]
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  Posted: May 27, 2008, 2:51pm EDT
  

• Newspaper Article: Appeals court rules Texas acted improperly in removing FLDS children

  [deseretnews.com] [...]
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  Posted: May 22, 2008, 5:38pm EDT
  

• Newspaper Article: Four more FLDS 'disputed minors' declared adults

  [deseretnews.com] [...]
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  Posted: May 20, 2008, 5:33pm EDT
  

• Newspaper Article: Attorneys want FLDS children treated as individuals in court

  [origin.sltrib.com] [...]
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  Posted: May 19, 2008, 10:28am EDT
  

• John McCain, My Candidate

  I have long admired Senator John McCain for many reasons. And, I am convinced that he is the best candidate for President of the United States. I urge my fellow citizens to support his candidacy with their time, their money, and their vote.
  
  True, I first endorsed Mitt Romney. [...]
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  Posted: May 19, 2008, 9:33am EDT
  

• Newspaper Article: FLDS mother wins victory in court

  [deseretnews.com] [...]
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  Posted: May 17, 2008, 5:19pm EDT
  

• Newspaper Article: Chairman says Texas CPS workers mistreated FLDS

  [deseretnews.com] [...]
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  Posted: May 14, 2008, 10:24am EDT
  

• The YFZ Children are Being Abused . . . by Texas

  I posted the following comments today on the Wake Up America blog in response to their recent article:
  
  [wwwwakeupamericans-spree.blogspot.com]
  
  
  I think the following newspaper article should help some of us God Fearing (Loving) Christians to be a little bit more humble:
  
  -------
  
  Headline: [...]
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  Posted: April 16, 2008, 8:01pm EDT
  

• School Vouchers - Part 2

  With regard to my previous post endorsing vouchers, please understand that just because I resent educational practices which undermine "traditional values" that does not mean I therefore want public schools to do a 180 degree turn and begin teaching Christian doctrine. That is not my position at all. I just [...]
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  Posted: August 31, 2007, 2:13pm EDT
  

• School Vouchers

  I support the concept of school vouchers because I believe they may help to bring accountability to a monopolistic system that has long been out of touch with traditional values.
  
  In the turf battles of our current culture war, much of the media and educational establishment were captured early [...]
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  Posted: August 30, 2007, 6:50pm EDT
  

• Question for Salt Lake City Mayoral Candidates

  According to their respective websites, the Salt Lake Tribune and KUTV are hosting a debate for the Salt Lake City mayoral candidates to be broadcast on Sunday, August 26th at 5:00 pm on Channel 2. Citizens are encouraged to record their questions on video and submit them via YouTube at [...]
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  Posted: August 20, 2007, 7:59pm EDT
  

• A Mormon in the Whitehouse Song

  [...]
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  Posted: August 17, 2007, 12:16am EDT
  

• Mitt Romney, My Candidate

  The following video of Mitt Romney was secretly and unscrupulously taped by a Des Moines, Iowa radio host named Jan Mickelson (or, by someone associated with him) as he interviewed Governor Romney on the air. The whole thing smells like a set-up, and yet, as you can see, it clearly [...]
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  Posted: August 06, 2007, 5:04pm EDT
  

• The BYU/Utah Rivalry

  I am a long time fan of BYU, and to a lesser degree, the University of Utah. (I know that's not supposed to be possible . . . yaddy, yaddy, yadda . . . My critics can believe what they want.) And, a few years ago, I had an experience [...]
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  Posted: August 01, 2007, 10:36pm EDT
  

• A Community's True Energy

  Dear Glenden,
  
  Back in our grandparent’s day, Salt Lake City was known for its extensive public transportation system — both light and commuter rail — the very kind of system we are now trying to rebuild. But, the Democrat partisan community planning you reference actually called for American cities [...]
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  Posted: July 19, 2007, 2:32pm EDT
  

• Bus Stops and Babies

  AW: Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice that you are waiting here alone, at the bus stop, WITHOUT children.
  
  RW: I beg your pardon.
  
  AW: Oh, please, don't be ashamed honey. Lots of girls have your problem, but -- thanks be to heaven -- there is hope!
  [...]
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  Posted: July 05, 2007, 11:42am EDT
  

• Oppose the Fourth Seat Plan (Deseret Morning News Editorial)

  
  See article here. It was an editorial published on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 in the Deseret Morning News. [...]
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  Posted: April 24, 2007, 11:31pm EDT
  

• DC Seat is Unconstitutional & Unwise

  The current compromise plan to create new congressional seats for the District of Columbia and the state of Utah is a disastrous proposal. It is bad for America, and it is bad for Utah. Our representatives should do all in their power to oppose it.
  
  Why is it bad [...]
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  Posted: April 23, 2007, 12:08pm EDT
  

• Enlighted Compromises

  Recently, there has been a great deal of controversy generated over a proposal for the University of Utah to lease land from This Is The Place (TITP) Heritage Park so that it might construct an office building for its ARUP Laboratories. I agree that building a traditional concrete, glass and [...]
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  Posted: April 14, 2007, 10:52am EDT
  

• "The Seat Congress Can't Offer" by George Will

  Read the article here. It was from a column published on March 29, 2007 in the Washington Post. [...]
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  Posted: March 30, 2007, 4:55pm EDT
  

• "Drop the 4th Seat Plan" (Deseret Morning News Editorial)

  Read this article here. It was an editorial published on March 12, 2007 in the Deseret Morning News. [...]
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  Posted: March 12, 2007, 9:44am EDT
  

• 100% of Aborted Children are Denied a Choice

  Dear Jen: If the figure you quote from the Internet is correct, and “77% of anti choice leaders are men," that statistic would be somewhat sobering to me. And, I would not have a good explanation for it; except for, perhaps, that percentage may simply be consistent with the ratio [...]
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  Posted: February 04, 2007, 3:54am EST
  

• Overturn Roe v. Wade!

  Dear Jen, Of course, I support this legislation [HB235 S1]. I believe that Roe v. Wade needs to be overturned. This may be the chance the Supreme Court needs to do just that.
  
  I agree with you that other people should not be trying to control your body. [...]
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  Posted: February 02, 2007, 10:57am EST
  

• Nightmare Headlines 2007

  Inspired by the Salt Lake Tribune?s ?Dream Headlines? for the upcoming year, and the supplement in Plato's Cave, what follows are my predictions for the inevitable ?Nightmare Headlines? coming in 2007:
  
  ALCOHOL GOOD FOR HEALTH
  
  A new study published in a respected scientific journal reveals that [...]
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  Posted: January 03, 2007, 9:55am EST
  

• "Wait patiently for 4th House seat" By Retired Congressman Jim Hansen

  It seems that many of our elected officials in Utah have completely embraced the idea that whatever it takes, we go all out to get a fourth congressional seat before the next census.
  
  The job of reapportioning the state is the responsibility of the state Legislature. I know that [...]
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  Posted: December 28, 2006, 12:34pm EST
  

• Salt Lake County Republicans Reject Rushing New 4th Congressional Seat

  I am pleased to report that on Saturday, December 2, 2006, the Central Committee of the Salt Lake County Republican Party voted overwhelmingly to adopt a resolution, introduced by Jeremy and Amy Roberts, expressing OPPOSITION to the proposed federal legislation seeking to immediately create new congressional seats for Utah and [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2006, 7:45pm EST
  

• My Reply to Senator Curt Bramble Regarding the Constitution

  The following is my reply to Senator Curt Bramble on The Senate Site regarding my concerns regarding the constitutionality of the current proposed legislation designed to provide Utah and the District of Columbia new seats in the US House of Representatives.
  
  
  Dear Senator Bramble,
  
  Thank [...]
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  Posted: November 28, 2006, 4:25pm EST
  

• Senator Curt Bramble's Response to My Post

  The following is Senator Curt Bramble's response to my note on The Senate Site:
  
  
  Dear Alienated Wannabe,
  
  Like you, I appreciate the dialog, although some of the acerbic, partisan comments are somewhat limited in value.
  
  I agree that there are significant constitutional issues raised [...]
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  Posted: November 28, 2006, 3:38pm EST
  

• My Note Thanking Senator Curt Bramble

  The following is my note thanking Senator Curt Bramble for responding to comments on The Senate Site:
  
  
  Dear Senator Bramble,
  
  I appreciate you responding to concerns expressed here. I think that is wonderful.
  
  What do you think about the constitutional concerns that many of us [...]
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  Posted: November 28, 2006, 3:38pm EST
  

• My Reply to an Anonymous SLCSPIN Blogger

  The following is my indelicate response to an anonymous blogger's challenging question on SLCSPIN:
  
  
  Dear Anonymous,
  
  Let me see if I understand you correctly: In response to most of the beltway pundit's assertions, that I have heard, claiming that a lame duck President Bush will not [...]
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  Posted: November 28, 2006, 3:35pm EST
  

• Don't Touch that Trojan Horse!

  I oppose the current effort to gain a fourth congressional seat for Utah via a compromise with the Democrats that would also grant a seat to the District of Columbia. I think that it would be better for Utah to just wait fours years and gain the new seat on [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2006, 10:00am EST
  

• New Congressional Seats for Utah & the District of Columbia

  I am concerned about the Constitutional questions raised by the District of Columbia gaining a seat in Congress. I am not convinced that it is legal without amending the Constitution.
  
  Remember, during the Carter Administration, just such an amendment was proposed. But, it was rejected by the majority of [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2006, 3:10pm EST
  

• My Reply to Pete Ashdown Regarding Abortion

  Dear Pete,
  
  First of all, thank you very much for engaging me in this forum. I am both grateful and honored that you would take the time to do so. I think conversations such as this are vital to the wellbeing of our Republic. The fact that you would [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2006, 2:17am EST
  

• Pete Ashdown's Response to My Post

  We all agree abortion is not a desired outcome in any case, no matter the origination of the pregnancy.
  
  There are Republicans and Democrats alike who believe abortion and other personal decisions should not be made by the state. Only by working together instead of fighting for the polarizing [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2006, 2:12am EST
  

• My Statement that Orrin Hatch was the Best Choice

  Marshall, I agree that Senator Hatch was clearly the best choice. I am always confused when so-called social conservatives support a Senate candidate who is a Democrat. I doubt that such people really understand what happens to the federal bench when a Democrat controlled Senate has the power to “advise [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2006, 1:52am EST