Friday Morning Potpourri

Several other chewy items in today's Standard-Examiner
All links updated at 12:15 p.m. MT

By Curmudgeon

First, there is a very interesting op-ed piece by VIJAY K. MATHUR arguing that the first thing that ought to go in re: Utah's odd liquor laws is the state-run monopoly on liquor sales, which, he says, is wildly inefficient, prevents market competition from working, and is a painful example of the inefficiency of state socialism as compared to market capitalism at work. He deliciously points out the hypocrisy of Utah's right wing market-worshiping "conservatives" [politely so called] who insist that in this case a government monopoly over the sale of alcohol to consumers is much to be preferred. Don't miss it.

Second, there is a story announcing the opening, Tuesday, of the cleaned up 21st Street pond, and of coming water ski contests there sponsored by Goode Ski, and the coming organization of a water ski club to make the pond accessible to the general public. And it announces that a trail will be opened between the Intermodal Hub on 23rd Street and the pond sometime next year. Good on Goode, good on Godfrey for recruiting them for Ogden.

Finally, an interesting AP story about the conflict between scenic and historic preservation on the one hand, and energy development on the other, now playing out in Nine Mile Canyon. Worth a read, I think.

All told, a very chewy issue of the Std-Ex this morning. You'll get your half a buck's worth today.