Thursday, March 30, 2017

Another Ogden Legendary Skier Suddenly Exits the "Mortal Coil"

These guys were all my lifetime ski buddies, and we in the Utah skier community will never forget them, we earnestly hope

Let's face it skier folks, it's been a tough year for Ogden-Based "Ski" heroes.
Sadly, here's another danged heart-breaking obit, concerning yet another heroic Utah ski-racer ski industry "heavyweight hero," who's now suddenly (just last week) "stepped off" the "mortal coil":
These guys were all my lifetime ski buddies, and we in the Utah skier community will never forget them, we earnestly hope!

Monday, March 27, 2017

Hatch, Lee Vote to Allow Greedy Internet Service Providers to Track and Sell Customers' Browsing History

Our take? If our sleazy internet providers want to make money by legally revealing our data, we should at least be mightily paid for their privilege, and we should all be be fairly compensated for the value of our "online data."

Here's a KSL story that'll be bound to "tick you off" Weber County Forum Readers, wethinks.

Here's the lede:

SALT LAKE CITY — The Republican-controlled Senate voted Thursday to roll back regulations that formerly prohibited internet service providers from tracking and selling customers’ browsing history.

Abolishing these regulations would allow ISPs like Verizon, Comcast and AT&T to track what their customers search online and in apps and sell that information to advertisers. ISPs previously had to ask permission to collect private data.

Here's the full story, WCF Readers, via the ever-awesome awesome Associated Press:
Our take? If our sleazy internet providers want to make money by legally revealing our data, we should at least be mightily paid for their privilege, and we should all be be fairly compensated for the value of our "online data."

So what say you about all of this, WCF Readers?

Friday, March 24, 2017

House Intelligence Committee Investigation is Dead on Arrival

Jackass House speaker Ryan won't appoint anyone else of course

This is what happens you appoint a lame-brain Tulare County, California farmer (with Zero legal training) to "lead" the "House Intelligence Committee," so-called:

Jackass House speaker Ryan won't appoint anyone else of course, since the US GOP has a shortage of "good, ethical lawyers" who have even a hint of "normal ethics."

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Weber County Forum Sunday Sermon: "And Jesus Said Unto Paul of Ryan ..."

Check your "Christian Values," US Republicans

Fine Nicholas Kristof Op-ed from the New New York Times. It's a true work of genius, we think, so we won't clip it; but will instead incorporate every dang word of it in full:

And Jesus Said Unto Paul of Ryan ... 
by: Nicholas Kristof

A woman who had been bleeding for 12 years came up behind Jesus and touched his clothes in hope of a cure. Jesus turned to her and said: “Fear not. Because of your faith, you are now healed.”

Then spoke Pious Paul of Ryan: “But teacher, is that wise? When you cure her, she learns dependency. Then the poor won’t take care of themselves, knowing that you’ll always bail them out! You must teach them personal responsibility!”

They were interrupted by 10 lepers who stood at a distance and shouted, “Jesus, have pity on us.”

“NO!” shouted Pious Paul. “Jesus! You don’t have time. We have a cocktail party fund-raiser in the temple. And don’t worry about them — they’ve already got health care access.”

Jesus turned to Pious Paul, puzzled.

“Why, they can pray for a cure,” Pious Paul explained. “I call that universal health care access.”

Jesus turned to the 10 lepers. “Rise and go,” he told them. “Your faith has made you well.” Then he turned back to Pious Paul, saying, “Let me tell you the story of the good Samaritan.

“A man was attacked by robbers who stripped him of clothes, beat him and left him half dead. A minister passed down this same road, and when he saw the injured man, he crossed to the other side and hurried on. So did a rich man who claimed to serve God. But then a despised Samaritan came by and took pity on the injured man. He bandaged his wounds and put the man on his own donkey and paid an innkeeper to nurse him to health. So which of these three should we follow?”

“Those who had mercy on him,” Pious Paul said promptly.

Jesus nodded. “So go ——”

“I mean the first two,” Pious Paul interjected. “For the Samaritan’s work is unsustainable and sends the wrong message. It teaches travelers to take dangerous roads, knowing that others will rescue them from self-destructive behaviors. This Samaritan also seems to think it right to redistribute money from those who are successful and give it to losers. That’s socialism! Meanwhile, if the rich man keeps his money, he can invest it and create jobs. So it’s an act of mercy for the rich man to hurry on and ignore the robbery victim.”

“How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven,” Jesus mused to himself. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter heaven.”

“Let me teach you about love, Jesus — tough love!” Pious Paul explained. “You need a sustainable pro-business model. And you need to give people freedom, Jesus, the freedom to suffer misery and poverty.”

“The Lord God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor,” Jesus replied, emphasizing the last two words. Then he turned to a paralyzed beggar at his feet. “Stand up!” Jesus told the man. “Pick up your mat and go home.” As the man danced about joyfully, Pious Paul rolled his eyes dismissively.

“Look, Jesus, you have rare talent, and it should be rewarded,” Pious Paul said. “I have a partner, The Donald, who would like to work with you: He’d set up a lovely hospital, and the rich would come and pay for you to heal them. You’d get a percentage, and it’d be a real money-spinner. Overhead would be minimal because every morning you could multiply some loaves and fishes. You could strike it rich!”

“Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of God,” Jesus said. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received comfort.”

“Oh, come on, Jesus,” Pious Paul protested. “Don’t go socialist on me again. Please don’t encourage class warfare. The best way to help the needy is to give public money to the rich. That then inspires the poor to work harder, galvanizes the sick to become healthy, forces the lepers to solve their own problems rather than kick back and depend on others. That’s why any realistic health plan has to focus on providing less coverage for the poor, and big tax benefits for the rich. When millions of people lose health care, that’s when a country is great again!”

“From everyone who has been given much,” Jesus told him, “much will be required.”

“Well, sure, this hospital would have a foundation to do some charity work. Maybe commissioning portraits of The Donald to hang in the entrance. But let’s drop this bleeding heart nonsense about health care as a human right, and see it as a financial opportunity to reward investors. In this partnership, 62 percent of the benefits would go to the top 0.6 percent — perfect for a health care plan.”

Jesus turned to Pious Paul on his left and said: “Be gone! For I was hungry and you gave me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; and I was sick, and you did not help me.”

“But, Lord,” protested Pious Paul of Ryan, “when did I see you hungry or thirsty or sick and refuse to help you? I drop your name everywhere. And I’m pro-life!”

“Truly, I say to you,” Jesus responded, “as you did not help the homeless, the sick — as you did not help the least of these, you did not help me.”

Check your "Christian Values,"  US Republicans.

Dominus Vobiscum, Peeps!

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Via William Harrel: The Look You Give When You're in the Presence of Pure Madness!

Hail Angela Merkel, The New Leader of the Free-world

Another great "catch" from FB Friend WM. Harrell, who offers this wry  commentary:

"The look you give when you're in the presence of pure madness. The United States of America is being sold out by a used car salesman turned traitor." 


Hail Angela Merkel, The new leader of the Free-world

Friday, March 17, 2017

St. Paddy's Day Special - Updated!

Erin go Bragh!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Celtic Thunder:



Fasten the buckles on yer ceilidh shoes Irishmen and Irishwomen (but don't have a heart attack):



Added bonus, a few words from the President of Ireland (coincidentally the winner of the Bernie Sanders lookalike contest);




Happy St. Paddy's everyone!

Update 3/18/17: Added Bonus!



And YES! Your blogmaister is still celebrating St. Patrick's day!

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Standard-Examiner: Let's Hear Your Defense of Leaving 52M Without Health Coverage, Rep. Bishop

Granted, the Standard-Examiner hasn't been even half so good as it used to be, before Doug Gibson was was demoted from the SE editorial page.

Nevetherless, here's a passingly-good editorial from the Standard-Examiner, which your blogmeister is pleased to highlight this afternoon.

Here's the lede:
As it turns out, the U.S. House of Representatives plans a long weekend March 24 through 26.
That would be an ideal time for Rep. Rob Bishop to return to Utah’s 1st Congressional District and share his views on the American Health Care Act.
Read up, folks:
And here's the Standard's "sodden question":

"If he believes it’s morally acceptable to adopt a plan leaving 52 million Americans without health insurance, the people he represents deserve to hear why - In person." 


Gotta say it's great to see the Standard actually "getting into the groove, for once," eh Gentle WCF Readers?

Monday, March 13, 2017

Impeachara®: Treatment for TIAD (Trump Induced Anxiety Disorder)

Talk to your doctor, to see if Impeachara® might be right for you

Via FB Friend Ordell Mindrum:

Do you find yourself feeling depressed, hopeless, having trouble sleeping,, struggling with frequent panic attacks, irritability, constant arguments with family, friends, or even with friends of friends on Facebook, yelling at your phone or computer screen and the constant urge to pull out your hair? If any of these sound familiar you may be suffering from TIAD, Trump Induced Anxiety Disorder, Impeachara® may help:



Talk to your doctor, to see if Impachara ® might be right for you. Also, do it fairly soon, before you lose your health insurance.

Awesome Trump Meme: A Picture Suitable for Framing?

Your children will look up to you and respect you for the time being. Don't be ashamed, Trumpanzees!

For all of you Trump supporters. Please enlarge, print up, frame it and hang it on a wall for all your kiddies to see on a daily basis. Feel proud and honored about your choice. Your children will look up to you and respect you for the time being. Don't be ashamed.


Comments please Trumpanzees, LOL?

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Breaking: Obama Admits to Wiretapping Trump!

Shocking, Ainnit?

Via FB Pal, Edward Flint. This below video reveals a ton of effort and patience. "Hats off" to whatever computer geek(s) spent endless hours compiling this video masterpiece!



Shocking, Ainnit?

Don't let the cat get yer tongues, ever-gentle WCF readers...

Friday, March 10, 2017

Boffo 2017 Utah Legislative Writeup, Thanx to GOP Party Outsider, the Ever Savvy Peter Corroon!

Write this down so you don't forget it, Peeps!

A legislative wrap-up from Democratic Chair Peter Corroon, via my mostest favorite FB Friend Angala Urrea.!

Hear ye, Hear ye! The 45-Day Reign of Terror is over. You are now able to come out of your houses.
This year during the 2017 Legislative Session, the legislature passed 535 pieces of legislation, a new record, and increased the state budget by over 7%. So much for small government! As usual, just small enough to control our lives.

Once again, we saw our Democrats fighting for education, government transparency and protection for the public against violent criminals. Our Democratic Legislators pushed to end the opioid epidemic, protect the health and safety of Utah children, and ensure that every person has clean air to breathe.

Our Democratic legislators continued to fight for a fair wage, worker’s rights, and an end to discrimination.

On the other hand, the Republicans, holding the majority, were able to halt measures that would have increased the ability of the people of Utah to access and control their own government. They stopped legislation that would have ensured our children receive education based in fact, science, and not ideology. Bills protecting homeless youth, registering to vote on election day, and an independent redistricting commission were all stopped in their tracks.
The following are some of the bills we followed:

THE GOOD

The state legislators put more money into helping the homeless. Great work!

A new bill will require that all rape kits be tested for DNA  at the State’s Crim Lab. This was very much needed.

All vehicles along the Wasatch Front and other areas must now pass emission tests. Great effort to allow us to breathe again in the winter and have our kids play outside!

The state will bond for $1 billion in transportation construction program. This is great but the timing is bad. Why cause construction costs to go up even further when you’re also building a $650 million prison and new airport. They forgot the old adage: Save in the good times, spend in the bad times. That is how you maintain a strong economy even in bad times.

Legislators also approved funding a presidential primary every four years to avoid the long lines during Utah's 2016 presidential nominating caucuses. Thank you again!!

The The Zion Curtain (and Ceiling) will fall. Makes Utah look a little more normal, but of course there is always a trade-off. (See “The Bad” below).

Legislators killed the prohibition on discussing homosexuality in a positive manner during sex education/a>. A little common sense this year.

THE MEDIOCRE

Legislators added $270 million in new monies for public schools, fully funding new student growth and increasing the per-pupil funding by 4 percent. Sounds like a lot but in reality, our GOP legislators once-again failed to make any meaningful effort to lift us out of the cellar in education funding. We are still at the bottom!

Teachers receive $5 million to pay for classroom supplies, and don’t have to pay for license renewal fees. A little bit of respect for our great teachers. Also, teachers who volunteer to work in the state’s poorly-funded and more challenged schools can earn $5,000 more a year. They deserve it.

THE BAD

A 10-foot open area from the bar or a 6-foot area with a short wall will be required instead of the Zion curtain. This bill hurts small businesses with smaller restaurants.

Utah will be the first state in the nation to lower its DUI alcohol level to 0.5 percent, down from a national standard of 0.8 percent. This is another effort by our legislature to drive away tourism and conventions. There are better ways to prevent drunk driving. Criminalizing drinking isn’t it.

THE UGLY

The legislature is phasing out credits for rooftop solar projects. Forget about breathing clean air and letting our kids play outside!

The GOP passed a resolution to reduce the size of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and rescind the Bears Ears National Monument, causing Utah to lose the twice-yearly Outdoor Retailers Association convention, taking about $45 million out of our economy, thousands of jobs and the opportunity to host the Inter-bike Show and other outdoor industry shows. So much for being a state that supports economic development!

Utahns will no longer have to have safety inspections on their cars and trucks, with registration fees going up by $1 a year. This bill will make you pay more attention to who is driving next to you. There will be more people “praying while driving”!

THE BIZZARE

New funding will go into efforts to deal with wolves in Utah even though there are no known wolves in Utah.

Legislators changed Utah’s anti-polygamy laws by modifying the definition of the practice and enhancing penalties.

That's a wrap! Thank you to our WONDERFUL Democrats on Utah's Capitol Hill!

Peter Corroon
Chair
Utah Democratic Party

Write this down so you don't forget it, Peeps!

Wednesday, March 08, 2017

Breaking: Utah's Jon Huntsman to Be Trump’s Ambassador to Russia

Поздравляю, товарищ Охотник, Russian U.S. Ambassador, John Huntsman!

Too Funny! Despite this earlier Donald Trump twitter B.S.,  it appears that erstwile President Trump has had a change of heart, and picked our beloved former Utah Governor John Huntsman to be his U.S. Ambassador to Russia!

Here's the full story, folks!
As Utahns with reasonably long memories will recall, former Utah Governor Huntsman also served as US. Ambassador to China, during which time he reportedly became "fluent in (Mandarin and Taiwanese Hokkien) Chinese", although at least one particularly nasty anti-Mormon website seems to dispute this.

Given Governor/Ambassador Huntsman's already-demonstrated  facility with language, we'll just say this to the USA's new Russian Ambassador, whom we'll assume will be "fluent in Russian" in no time.
Please post a return comment, Mr. Russian Ambassador Huntsman, once you've finished the State Department's CIA-sponsored "Crash Course Russian Language/Spy School"

Thanks in Advance, Ambassador Huntsman!

Monday, March 06, 2017

Breaking: Food-tax Hike is Dead in Utah’s Legislature - Updated

Other tax, fee proposals still alive with three days remaining in legislative session, however

Via Utah State Senator James Dabakis: "Yay! Sales tax on food DEAD! You guys did it!"



Here's the Salt Lake Tribune story, Peeps:
Hold onto your wallets, however. Other big tax increases, such as hiked gasoline taxes, alcohol taxes, telephone taxes and a hike in drivers license fees remain on the Utah legislative docket, before our big-taxing GOP legislature brings down the closing gavel at the close of the 2017 Utah legislative session on Thursday night.

Read up!

And keep on voting Republican, Sheeple.

Update 3/7/15 12:00 pm: Let's highlight today's Standard-Examiner's strong editorial on the subject of a prposed Utah food tax:
"Utah’s poor caught a break. But as close as Republican leaders came to succeeding this time, they’ll return with a similar proposal in 2018".
We can’t allow the next Legislature to use Utah’s poor as a revenue stream," so sez the SE editorial board.

Sunday, March 05, 2017

Sunday Funnies: In Red-State Utah, a Surge Toward Obamacare

Utah Buyer's Remorse? Read up, WCF readers

Eye opening article from the New York Times.  Here's the lead, Folks:
SALT LAKE CITY — From the moment the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, most elected officials in this sturdily Republican state have been eager to squash it.
But something surprising is happening here. Despite deep uncertainty about the law’s future, Utah recorded one of the biggest increases of any state in residents who signed up for coverage under the act this year. Now, the state is seeing a surprising burst of activism against repealing the law — including from Republicans.
“I’m naturally a really quiet person, but if I sit and do nothing and they take it away, how can I live with that?” asked Kim Nelson, 54, a Republican second-grade teacher who buys coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace and was recently treated for breast cancer. She has been calling and writing her congresswoman.
Many Utah residents still detest the law, but the activity here, and in other politically conservative states, highlights the challenges Republicans and the White House face as they struggle to come up with a palatable replacement.
Check out the full story, Peeps:
Here's one of the several "money quotes" contained within this interesting NYT story:
Mary Wood, a divorced mother of two who works three part-time jobs, none of which offers health insurance, said she had voted for Mr. McMullin as part of “this movement in Utah of people who had a hard time completely putting themselves behind either Trump or Hillary.” But now, she said, with Mr. Trump pushing for a repeal of the health law and for other policies she opposes, her vote is “one of the biggest regrets of my life.”
Read up, WCF readers.

Friday, March 03, 2017

Breaking: Utah’s Biggest Political Scandal Ends with Zero Convictions as Jury Clears Swallow

Sad news from the Salt Lake Tribune this morning, concerning beleaguered former Utah State Attorney General John Swallow. Here's the story in a nutshell:

"The burden of four years living under a cloud of suspicion and an intense four-week trial began to lift for former Utah Attorney General John Swallow with the sound of two words: 'Not guilty.'"

Read up the article collection from the SLTrib, Peeps:
The moral of the story, we guess?  If you're up to your eyeballs in public corruption allegations, hire Scott C. Williams to handle your seemingly hopeless criminal defense.

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