In the wake of a troubling news story appearing on the Associated Press wire service this weekend, and on the basis of something received via email, we hereby launch what may well become a new Weber County Forum Feature: The WCForum Crime & Ethics Violation Blotter.
On the ethics violation side of the blotter, we think US House Representative Chris Cannon and his brother Joe starkly illustrate the dismally low level of ethics routinely practiced by some elected officials here in 21st century Utah. According to US District 3 Representative Cannon, it's quite alright to push legislation favoring his brother Joe's lobbying clients, so long as he and Joe don't literally share the same bedroom. They're not actually husband and wife, ferkripesakes -- just brothers -- Representative Cannon carefully reminds us. And who cares that Joe is into Chris for a lousy $.25-mil? That's mere chump-change for these high-powered beltway guys, after all.
Read all about Rep. Cannon's uber- tight ethical rationalization/justification here.
The Salt Lake Tribune editorial board had a few gentle words to say about this story in Sunday's edition; and at least one dastardly Utah DemocRAT blogger is right on the money, we think, as he offers his two cents here.
And for today's crime story, we're posting the text of an email we received Friday from one of our gentle readers:
Good morning,Now before we jump to any conclusions here re criminal intent or perpetrator identity, we believe we must consider the possibility that this was all just a big mistake on somebody's part. After all, this banner bears some resemblance to other signs that are now being scooped-up around town, upon the demise of one notable recent lawn sign campaign. Perhaps the banner was removed in error. Perhaps it's now hanging in the dorm-room of somebody with absolutely zero political connections. Who knows? it could have been swiped by anyone. We see no reason to point fingers.
I paid $150 for this banner and put in on my truck on 8/16. It was parked at 12:30 p.m. on 8/17 at 1482 24th Street (pointed west on the north side of the street). Someone stole it before 5 p.m. He or she cut the lines holding the banner. I reported it to the Ogden PD, and the case number is 06-64012. The officer said it is a legitimate theft, and they are keeping an eye out, as it will most likely turn up in someone's garbage can (try *******'s). Just thought you should know how "childish" ******* and his supporters really are. Nice work, *******. This wasn't a $4 lawn sign.
Best,
A Gentle Reader
Anyway... if anyone knows the whereabouts of this sign, please contact us through our email link. A public-spirited gentle reader paid serious money for this most excellent political message banner, and he'd definitely like to get it back, no questions asked (we're sure,) just like our old pal Bill Parker got his Johnny Cash pic back just last week, down at his Emerald City private club flagship, the venerable City Club.
Purloined political poster - click image to enlarge
Update 8/22/06 6:22 a.m. MT: Following the example of northern Utah opinion leaders Weber County Forum and the Salt Lake Tribune, the Standard-Examiner jumps on the bandwagon with this morning's editorial, scolding Utah's dynamic duo -- the Washington Beltway Brothers -- joined Siamese-style -- at the hip (pocket.)
Now that our hometown newspaper has developed a sudden interest in chiding public officials who demonstrate low-grade ethics, we invite them to send Ace Reporter Schwebke over to city hall to sniff out Boss Godfrey's Dustin Chapman planning commission nomination, which reeks to high heaven (the ninth floor, to be exact,) and will surely provide Don Porter and his crew ample new additional material for continued editorial griping.
25 comments:
whadd'ya mean: " a mistake on someone's part".....how can cutting the ropes holding a huge sign be a "mistake?"
Rudi, you sound like a bleeding heart, pinko, commie democrat!
And before Curm weighs in with invective on Republicans in general...let me say that IMHO..and it is humble, that the Cannon brothers have stepped into it big time.
Maybe they could find Godfrey's integrity that has been lost somewhere between Europe, Las Vegas, and Ogden City streets whilst shadowing Mrs. Jones.
Well, wouldn't the banner cutting thieves have had to use a ladder to cut the lines?
Of course, he/they/she may have thot they were climbing up on the rooftop to make a practice run down the chimney...hohoho.
I knew it!! Little Matty has been telling lies!
The Leavitt's are not to be out
done in this competition for ethically challenged politicians.
I am proud that Utah is standing tall in the world's Mother of all sports, Stupid Politician Tricks.
Let's see, we have:
Cannon brothers not married to each other.
Leavett brothers biz as usual.
Matt and the Geiger Clan with their magic decoder rings.
Enid and Fat Joe
Flip Flop Pete Carroon
Forgetfull John Greiner
Patterson slithering in from West Valley City
Harmer fresh from the Habidashers
Stu the SLC loser now Ogden saviour
Various empty suits surrounding the midget.
A disgusted electorate.
Dearest Sharon:
I am hurt. Cut to the quick. Invective? From me? Why, such would never occur to me.
I will admit I was intending to, ever so gently, remind readers that Mr. Cannon is a Republican. As is Sec. Leavitt. Surely you wouldn't consider such a gentle reminder invective, would you?
Maybe you would. Can't help thinking of "Give 'Em Hell Harry Truman" at this point, who said "I don't give 'em hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell."
Have a nice day!
On the sign theft:
Well, signs get taken for lots of reasons. That's the sort of sign that might prove irresistable to someone wishing to decorate an empty wall in a college dorm room for example, or an apartment. Or someone might have taken offence at "Lift Balls," thinking it unacceptably crass for public display because the chirrin' might see it. [Note: no, that would not justify its theft. Merely pointing out that the motive behind the theft might have been other than political.]
We don't know who took it or why. Probably best to withold judgment unless and until we do.
Ogden politics aside for a moment...I found this terrific editorial by Ben Stein (you may know him as the boring teacher repeating "Bueller" over and over in Ferris Bueller)
Ben lays out, rather convincingly, our current state in America.
"The other side considers it a privilege to fight and die for its beliefs. Those on the other side cannot wait to line up to blow themselves up for their vision of heaven. On our side, it’s: “Let the other poor sap do it. I’ve got to make money.” How can we fight this fight with the brightest and best educated rushing off and working night and day to do private equity deals and derivatives trading? How can we fight this fight with the ruling class absent by its own sweet leave?
I keep thinking, again, that if Israel, with its back to the sea, cannot muster the will to fight in a big way, then the fat, faraway U.S.A. will never be able to do it. I keep saying this and it terrifies me.
We’re in a war with people who want to kill us all and wreck our civilization. They’re taking it very seriously. We, on the other hand, are worrying about leveraged buyouts and special dividends and how much junk debt the newly formed private entity can support before we sell it to the ultimate sucker, the public shareholder.
We’re worrying whether Hollywood will forgive Mel Gibson and what the next move is for big homes in East Hampton. We’re rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The terrorists are the iceberg.
WHAT stands between us and the iceberg are the miraculously brave men and women of the armed forces. They’re heroes and saints as far as I’m concerned. But can they do it without the rest of us? Can they do it while we’re all working on our tans and trying to have our taxes lowered again? How can we leave them out there all alone to die for us when we treat the war to save civilization as something we can just wish away?"
"What the next move is for big homes in East".....Ogden??
I like Ben Stein...he's witty, patriotic, and unasahmed to be so, and he tells it like it is.
Ozboy...you didn't mention some of that other council.
Curm...I think YOU are precious. Now, we both seem to be on the same link with the Cannons'....but you ususally leave me with some of your other pronouncements.
'y'allhaveaniceday, and y'all come set now, ya heah?' And who cares for WHAT reason the banner was taken...it's still theft.
The owner of the sign should put another sign and envelope on the van that say, 'please remit $--.-- for the sign you stole. Thank you soo much.'
Sharon
How about the Dark visaged Donna Burdett who was completely loyal to the Little Lord because he "appointed" her to the council.
Or the little yes man Jorgansen who didn't get religeon till after the voters tossed him.
Or the ever somnambulent Samoan.
Or was that the torpid Tongan.
None of course rival our very own dear little Wizard behind the curtain, The one, the only, in the mold of Pee Wee Herman and Barney Fife, Matt the seer and revalator GodFrey.
For some reason I just luvs to have fun with politicians with big ol wads of hubris. Well, the sleeping giant Filliaga didn't have too much of the hubris thing, but the rest of them sure did and do.
Yes, Ozboy...Burdett's the very one you missed in the first list! That dark visage and snarl lost her the election.
"I knew it!! Little Matty has been telling lies!"
So right, anonymous. The nose is a dead giveawy! I wish I'd recognized it sooner myself (sigh).
I heard Dustin Chapman was in charge of the whole Lift Ogden lawn sign campaign.
I also heard that Bob Geiger and Dustin decided to pull all the signs before Dustin got appointed planning commissioner, so that nobody would be able to easily talk to people with lawn signs, to identify Dustin, and pin the operation on him.
I also heard that Mayor Godfrey was aware of this whole scheme, and that he told Dustin to just lay low.
That's what I heard, alright.
yeah, fly...you want us to get all excited like you have the inside scoop..and then you'll cry 'gotcha!'
Ain't gonna happen, fly boy, because what you pretend to have 'heard' is the truth. About the only truth from those sneaks to come out of this whole scam.
The truth will come out.
You can thank me later.
FREE MATT JONES
you know where flies like to hang out..... yech!
That's why your story smells.
The truth is out....your idol is just trying to cover it in that dung heap where flies dine.
O ye of little faith, who believe that somehow the holy truth is dependent upon acknowledgment in the latest version of the the Standard-Examiner!
The Truth will be revealed, although NOT THERE.
Consider me reformed. I now see the true light. Better late than never, right?
Consider me to be one who is working off some recent bad karma.
Virulent Fly,
The SE???? For truth, justice and the American Way?
Stay out of the dung heap....you've ingested some waaay bad stuff.
Poor old "swatter." Poor guy seems to be stuck in an endless "loop."
Press your reset button and check back with us in the morning, swatter.
We'll see if you're capable of absorbing any new data then.
More will come. The truth will be revealed. All that I've predicted will be proven true.
Stop Culture of Corruption
It’s time to give the Democrats a chance. The corruption that his been taking place is now out in the open thanks to the freedom of the press.
1) Ex- Governor Leavitt, skirting tax laws by creating so-called Charities to loan himself money. 2) Mayor Godfrey and Chief Greiner, take out an officer for exercising his freedom of speech.
3) Weber County Recorder changing land deeds to help himself to his neighbor’s property.
4) Weber County Commissioners shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars for Lobbyists so they can funnel our tax dollars into their campaigns.
5) The U S Congressman and his brother Joe Cannon Utah Republican Chair using very unethical behavior, claiming it’s legal so it must be alright.
Wrong; their law makers and it should be illegal. But they want less government. They don’t trust you. But they want us to trust them. We need to THROW THE BUMBS OUT!!!
The oft-maligned [and more than occasionally deserving of it] Standard Examiner has an editorial this morning on Mr. Canon's providing services in his capacity as Congressman for his brother, the lobbyist [and, it turns out, Chairman of the Utah Republican Party... imagine that.] The editorial can, I think, be fairly described as "hard-hitting."
I've been critical of the SE here often, particularly of its reporting on certain stories and its reporters' puzzling lack of curiosity and unwillingness to ask follow-up questions of public officials and to do much digging on their own, beyond summarizing press releases, press conferences and public appearances. But (a)it is Ogden's home town paper. No matter what you might think of it, it's what we've got. (b) to stay current on Ogden affairs, seems to me folks who want to stay current need to read it. Keep some Maalox handy, maybe, but it is the source for everyday affairs in Ogden. Day by day. (c) It does provide column space for letters, the occasional op-ed piece, etc. to those who oppose its editorial stands, and who want to vent against the mayor, the council, the police, UTA, or the dog pound. [Yes, I know, it often relegates some of what I consider the best writing and public-submitted pieces to the web-only "darts and flowers" site, which very nearly nobody reads.] But I don't know of any other local outlet providing space via letter columns or op ed pieces to the extent the SE does. In Ogden, that is. And finally, (d), there is good writing in the SE, it's just that it is not found in the news columns as often as it should be.
And now and then, they get it right. As they do in this morning's editorial.
So, by all means, thump em' when they drop the ball, but doing that means being willing to give them a nod when they get things right, and at least recognizing that they are the public face, day after day, of public discussion in Ogden on a whole variety of issues. Do I wish they did more investigative reporting than they do? Yes. Do I wish their newsroom fostered a culture of inquiry, of digging, of going beyond the press release and public statement? Absolutely. Do I wish its editorial and reporting staff more often cast a baleful and skeptical eye on the actions and statements of Ogden's elected [and appointed] officials. You bet I do.
But to carry any weight, to have a hope of having an impact, seems to me criticism of any institution, body, individual [the SE, the Council, Mayor Godfrey]has to be leavened with a willingness to give credit where credit is due, and to congratulate when that is called for.
So, to the SE: damn fine hard-hitting editorial this morning, guys. Ben Hecht would be proud of ya.
Message from the Chairman Joseph A. Cannon
Welcome to the Utah Republican Party website. I believe that helping ones brother in getting the money to his campaign is of the up most importance and the success of our Party. It is a direct result of grassroot efforts, candidate assistance and financial support from our fellow lobbist and tax dollars to Utah Republicans.
We had a very successful 2004 election Where as we can get more money in the next two years. We were able to maintain the overwhelming success we enjoyed in 2002.
We are currently gearing up for the critical 2006 election year. Who cares about the culture of curruption anyway! We will be successful if we are energized, focused, and prepared to use you as much of the citizens tax dollars. The Party is committed to the “old-fashioned side of business: registering voters, organizing volunteers, making face-to-face contact with lobbist,during the last days of the campaign, and getting people to the polls on Election Day.” This strategy has been successful for us in the past and we believe it will continue to be in the future.
The party exists only to bring out the culture of curruption in a good way. to help coordinate election activities and ensure victory on Election Day at any and all cost. In order to be successful we need your support and your tax dollars. Please contact us if you are willing to be a corrupt volunteer, and do sneeky things. donate money or are interested in working on a campaign.
You have the power to make things happen. Politics needs energized people that are willing to work for the principles that the Republican Party advocates such as stealing property and lie about the police unions, and taking your medical benifits away form you.
Sincerely,
Joe Q. Canonn
Chairman
If you work for the Ogden Police.
Bend over and grab your knees!
For those elected to lead,
Are blinded by greed.
Write more tickets or turn in your keys!
Ogden has a mayor corrupt
Peacefulness he does disrupt
Police Officer Matt Jones
Was stripped to the bare bones
And Godfrey with sharks has supped.
I hate when my fingers misfire
Always brings out my ire
But Rudi the typos cleaned
So this poet?? can beam
To type well is my desire.
Thnks Friend..The End
Dang it! Not again!
I'm full of chagrin
t
Thnks does not thAnks spell
Seems I can't do nothin' well
somedays I just can't win.
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