Weber County Forum Sunday Sermon: No Job, No Relationship is Worth Sacrificing Your Reputation and Credibility

"A single honest man among a pack of scoundrels"

Great stuff coming out of the Washington Post, which will serve as the philosophical foundation for this morning's Reverend Rudizink Sunday Sermon. Here's the "money quote":

"[Mark Corallo] should be an example to others in government service, really in any line of work. No job, no relationship is worth sacrificing your reputation and credibility. Shade the truth here, lie there. Soon you’ll have lost your soul. C.S. Lewis wrote about the phenomenon, the urge to stay in the “Inner Ring” that drives even good people to do bad things"

Here's the full underlying WaPo Sunday morning Op-ed, peeps:

• Distinguished person of the week: One man wouldn’t join in Trump’s skulduggery

"Corallo resisted that urge, did the right thing and quit. For that he may be remembered as a single honest man among a pack of scoundrels. For that we can say, well done, Mr. Corallo."

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

Weber County Forum 2017 Christmas Eve Special

 Do you say “Yes!” or “Bah! Humbug!”

Scrooge- Christmas 2017

Pay attention, peeps. We have an important Christmas Eve message which we'll deliver by hook or crook.  Read up, Happy Christmas Holiday celebrants!

• What Ebenezer Scrooge Can Teach Us About Generosity

"One of Dickens’s real insights into Scrooge, and by extension us, is that any benefit we derive from pettiness is terribly short lived. By being so small toward others, we diminish ourselves in numerous ways. It crimps our personalities and our vision. Scrooge is proud and miserable and terribly shortsighted. He has his money and his pride and a razor tongue—and that’s about it. With the exception of his nephew, most of the living have given up on seeing him as anything other than something like a ravenous loan shark."

Yep! in closing we'll just reiterate this:

"Scrooge’s story may be extreme, but his experience is not alien to us. That’s one reason why Dickens’s story was such a hit. As this time of year, perhaps encouraged along by one of the many adaptations of A Christmas Carol, many of us take some to reflect on how we have behaved. We make a sort of moral inventory: What did we do right? What did we miss? What can we do better?"

"Let me suggest that pettiness ought to be on that list of vices that we consign to the Ghost of Christmas Past. Do you say “Yes!” or “Bah! Humbug!” to that?"

Weber County Commissioner Kerry Gibson Facing Ogden Police Investigation

Wow, just Wow, Weber County Forum readers! On Tuesday, Standard Examiner readers got this surprizing story from our home-town Standard-Examiner newspaper:

• Weber County Commissioner Kerry Gibson to step down to take DNR post

And now today, Thursday 12/14/17 we find this even more interesting eyefull on the SE's hard-copy front page, interestingly co-authored by Ace Reporter Cathy McKitrick:

• Weber County Commissioner Kerry Gibson facing Ogden police investigation

Sodden question, folks! How much trouble is alleged fifth-generation farmer, and ex-state legislator Kerry Gibson actually in?

With the wonderful Ms. McKitrick now on the story, we're certain we'll find out VERY SOON!

Update 12/15/2017: Here's the latest on this semi-fast-developing story. Weber County Peeps:

• Weber County Commissioner Gibson denies wrongdoing, says he'll stay in post

This blockbuster story gets interestinger and intrestinger, dunnit?

WSU Game-Day Thread: Wildcats Take on No. 1 James Madison in FCS Quarterfinals - Updated

Sadly WSU barely loses this one

Okay, Weber State football fans, we have a VERY big game coming up this Friday evening, probably the BIGGEST GAME in Weber State football history! Read up, peeps!

• Wildcats take on No. 1 James Madison in FCS Quarterfinals
• Weber State football geared up for big-time matchup at No. 1 James Madison
• Weber State football: Watch parties, how to watch playoff game vs. James Madison

Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2, streamed on WatchESPN.com and a radio call will air on 1430 AM KLO.Radio

Update 12/8/17 11:00 p.m.: Sad times on the Weber State campus, eh, 'Cats fans?  Here's the post-game story from The Trib:

• James Madison beats Weber State on final play field goal in FCS quarterfinals

Our compliments to the entire WSU football squad and especially Coach Hill. You guys made us proud for sure, regardless of this evening's unfortunate game outcome!

Update 12/9/17: No need for additional comments concerning this, wethinks:

As always, Coach Hill remains classy, even in the shadow of a maddeningly thin defeat.

Al Green Sunday Morning Sermon:"A Change Is Gonna Come."

Impeaching Donald Trump; part of a real Christian God's plan, no?

Here's your Sunday Morning Sermon peeps, via the inimitable American church crooner and love-soother Al Green:

• Al Green - A Change Is Gonna Come

We kinda figured that most of our Weber County Forum readers probably skipped their formal LDS church services this morning, so's we'll suggest you just happily sing along. Although we confess that we don't know much about Mr. Green's personal personal politics, we'll nevertheless leap to the conclusion that Mr. Green's "Change is Gonna Come" message might have something to do with impeaching Donald Trump, which would be part of a real Christian God's plan, no?

Weber State Game Day Thread: Cats Travel to SUU for Second Round of FCS Playoffs Updated

Big "WSU revenge game" coming up Saturday evening, "Cats" fans

Good News for Weber State football fans, who'd like to get a little sweet revenge for that unfortunate incident  when future NFL Quarterback prospect, Stefan Cantwell,  had to go to the bench under league concussion protocol rules, after a typical SUU cheap shot. Time for a little reverse payback no, Wildcats fans?

Here are few stirring pre-game stories, 'Cats fans, just to get your WSU football fandom properly "revved up":

• 'Cats travel to SUU for second round of FCS Playoffs
• Weber State-Southern Utah rivalry takes monumental step with playoff rematch 
• Catalytic Cantwell: Weber State QB the key to success in only season as starter

Here's where you can either watch or merely listen to Saturday's WSU "revenge game," "Wildcats Fans":

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Cedar City's ill-named Eccles Stadium. The game is also scheduled to stream live on ESPN3/WatchESPN; and the radio broadcast will air on 1430 AM KLO, with Ron Zundel and WSU football alum Bo Bolen on the call, as per usual.

Update 12/2017:  WSU wins again tonight, and seriouly kicks rival Southern Utah University's ass by a final 30-13 score.

• RIVALRY REVENGE: Weber State shuts down Southern Utah in historic FCS_ Playoffs win

Next WSU playoff vicitim: the defending FCS champion James Madison Dukes.

Creepy Political Group Wants to Annex and Tax ALL Ogden Valley Residents to Subsidise Tiny Parks in Their Tiny Towns

Seems a mite creepy no?

Hey! here's a little something a mite scary, Weber County residents. It seems a creepy Weber County group, who call themselves "Ogden Valley Parks Special Service Area" have been jockeying around "behind the scenes," and setting up up secret public hearings, to annex and tax your Weber County properties, from Cache Valley to Morgan County, even from the very mouth of Ogden Canyon.

Read up and weep, peeps!

• Ogden Valley Parks District

Seems a mite creepy no?

Weber County Forum Sunday Sermon: The Death of Christianity in the U.S.

Twisted Chistianity? Faustian Bargain?

"You might wonder if my condemnation is too harsh. It is not, for the Spirit of the Lord has convicted me to shout from the mountaintop how God’s precious children are being devoured by the hatred and bigotry of those who have positioned themselves as the voice of God in America."

Read up. Peeps.

• The death of Christianity in the U.S.

"As a young man, I walked down the sawdust aisle at a Southern Baptist church and gave my heart to Jesus. Besides offering my broken heart, I also gave my mind to understanding God, and my arm to procuring God’s call for justice. I have always considered myself to be an evangelical, but I can no longer allow my name to be tarnished by that political party masquerading as Christian. Like many women and men of good will who still struggle to believe, but not in the evangelical political agenda, I too no longer want or wish to be associated with an ideology responsible for tearing humanity apart. But if you, dear reader, still cling to a hate-mongering ideology, may I humbly suggest you get saved."

Great Sunday rant, No?

As everyone knows, your blogmeister loves great rants, especially on Sunday mornings.

Weber State University Game Day Thread: Wildcats Host "Leathernecks' in FCS Playoffs - Updated

"Get your butts into them Stewart Stadium seats, and lets crowd the the stadium, at least this once...."

WSU v. Western Illinois

It's again time to proudly don your purple and White WSU football fan garb once again, WSU fans, as our WSU Wildcats football squad hosts the Western Illinois Leathernecks for their first-round FCS payoff tilt right here at Ogden's Stewart Stadium home field this afternoon  Read the pre-game stories here, peeps:

• Weber State football gets first home playoff game, draws Western Illinois - Standard-Examiner
• Wildcats Host "Leathernecks" in FCS Playoffs - WSU Website
• W. Illinois to visit Weber St. in first-round matchup - ESPN

And for the sake of perspective, here's another eye-opening story, folks: A packed Stewart Stadium could make the all the difference, of course

• Jay Hill: Weber State-Western Illinois matchup ‘like we’re playing ourselves’ -Standard-Examiner

Let's hope you'll all dutifully show show up at the stadium with bells on, peeps, inasmuch as Athletic Director Jerry Bovee, University President Charles Wight and vice president Norm Tarbox practically sold their souls to guarantee this afternoon's home-field advantage:

• Behind the scenes: How Weber State was selected to host an FCS Playoff game

As we urged earlier this week, "get your butts into them Stewart Stadium seats, and lets crowd the the stadium, at least this once...."

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Stewart Stadium. The game is also scheduled to stream live on ESPN3/WatchESPN; and the radio broadcast will air on 1430 AM KLO, with Ron Zundel and WSU football alum Bo Bolen on the call, as per usual.

Go Wildcats!

Update 11/25/17 2:39 p.m.: OK folks, after considerable searchng, we finally found the  correct ESPN3 link. You can view today's WSU ball-game here:

• Western Illinois vs. Weber State (First Round) (NCAA Division I FCS Football Championship)

Happily, the Wildcats are up 7-3 early in the 2d quarter.

Update 11/25/17 5:50 pm: Let's just say that "Victory is Sweet":

Next Wildcats Victim?  Southern Utah University, next Saturday!

Update 11/25/17 7:57 pm: Better late than never, the Standard's Ace Sports reporter, Brandon Garside, graciously and professionally provides the post-game story:

• Weber State football fends off Western Illinois for FCS Playoff win

And what else can your Blogmeister say at this juncture? Howbout I say that I can't wait to draft both Stefan Cantwell and Andrew Vollert to my 2018 NFL fantasy team?

WSU Wildcats Pre-playoff Special

Get your asses to Stewart Stadium on Saturday, in other words. 

Get your tickets, 'Cats Fans. Here's an Ogden City sports event that no self-respecting Ogdenite should miss. Get your butts into them Stewart Stadium seats, and let's crowd the the stadium, at least this once.

No doubt about it... snoozers will be losers.

Weber State Athletics

Hey Wildcat fans! Only 3 days until our No. 8 Weber State Football team (9-2, 7-1 BSC) hosts its first-ever NCAA FCS Football Playoff game against the No. 10 Western Illinois Football team on Sat.,...

Get your asses to Stewart Stadium on Saturday, in other words.

Weber State University Game-Day Thread: WSU v. Idaho State

Yes. Get your purple and white colors on this afternoon

WSU v. ISU

There will be plenty of activity on the Weber State University campus. as our Weber State Wildcats host Big Sky Conference rival, the Idaho State Bengals this afternoon.

The Standard-Examiner's Brandon Garside provides the pre-game story. Here's the lede:

OGDEN — Three years ago, Weber State football notched only two wins for the second consecutive season.Despite the poor record, there was still optimism around the program’s future with then first-year head coach Jay Hill tasked with rebuilding the team back into a contender.That hope has grown into reality each year since, and the Wildcats (8-2, 6-1 Big Sky) are now one game away from sharing the 2017 Big Sky Conference championship as they host the Idaho State Bengals on Saturday afternoon.

Read Mr. Garside's full Standard-Examiner story here, 'Cats fans;

• Weber State football 1 game away from Big Sky title as it hosts Idaho State

That's right, folks. After a recent multi-year winning drought, our Wildcats will at least share the regular season Big Sky Conference title, with a win over the ISU Bengals this afternoon.

Yes. Don your woolie-woolies, get your purple and white colors on this afternoon, go to Stewart Stadium, and put your butts into WSU's comfortable stadium seats. Looks like it'll be danged near perfect football weather this afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MDT at Stewart Stadium.

Failing that, the game will be streamed live on PlutoTV channel 235 and on WatchBigSky.com; and the radio broadcast will air on 1430 AM KLO, with Ron Zundel and WSU football alum Bo Bolen on the call, of course.

Next stop (we hope) the playoffs. If all goes well, we'll keep you posted about that.

Go Wildcats, no?

Update 11/18/17 6:18 pm.: The ever-awesome SE sports reporter, Brandon Garside provides the post-game story, peeps:

• BIG SKY CHAMPS: Weber State claims conference title with win over Idaho State

Best of good luck to our Big Sky Conference Champion  WSU football team, as they launch into the FCS playoffs!

Update 11/19/17 12:07 a.m.: Game highlights, anyone?

Weber State Football

Highlights of Saturday's 35-7 win for the Wildcats. WSU finished the regular season 9-2 and 7-1 in Big Sky play. FCS Playoff selection announcement is Sunday at 9 a.m. MT on ESPNU. #WeAreWeber

WSU Football Gameday Thread: Weber State Football Faces Winless Portland State Amid Conference Title Chase

Watch out, 'Cats fans; while they are the only team in the league without a win, the Vikings (0-9, 0-6) have talent

WSU v. PSU

OGDEN — No. 12 Weber State is two wins away from a Big Sky football championship as they travel to Portland, to face off against the Portland State Vikings this afternoon. Check out these two tantalizing pre-game stories, Peeps:

• Weber State football faces winless Portland State amid conference title chase
• Wildcat Football back on the road at Portland

"While they are the only team in the league without a win, the Vikings (0-9, 0-6) have talent. The young, rebuilding team has been in close games until the final quarter, but has ended up on the wrong side each time..."  - So far, at least.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. MDT. The game will be streamed live on PlutoTV channel 235 and on WatchBigSky.com. If all else fails, a radio broadcast will air on 1430 AM KLO, with Steve Klauke and Bo Bolen on the call.

Go, Wildcats, YES?

Update 11/11, 2017 It's WSU over Portland State by a lopsided 63-17 tally  Dang! Who could have even imagined that the Portland State Vikings could be so horribly bad or, alternatively that our that our WSU Wildcatrs could be so danged good!

Here's The Standard-Examiner's post-game Brett Hein story, Wildcats fans:

• Weber State football smashes hapless Portland State 63-17

Next WSU Victim? Idaho State!

Update 11/12/17 1:22 pm: And with no further ado, Check out the game highlights, folks:

Weber State Football

It may take a while to get through all those highlights! 12th ranked Wildcats roll to a 63-17 win over Portland State. Regular season finale Saturday against Idaho State. #WeAreWeber

2017 Election Night Special

We guess we'll venture to guess that we'll be posting numerous updates tonight

For those readers who've been faithfully following our 2017 Ogden City Elections coverage, keep your eyes on this space. Polls close at 8:00 p.m.; and we'll thereafter be posting election results as soon as they roll in.

Here's Weber County Clerk Ricky Hatch's sappy zero information initial link, for starters:

• 2017 Election Results

We guess we'll venture to guess that we'll be posting numerous updates tonight, if you know what we mean... and we think you do.

Update 11/7/17 8:54 p.m.:

• Unofficial Election Night Results

Wow! looks like all incumbent Ogden City Council critters all got re-elected, and that the idiotic Ogden School Board Bond measure went down in flames.

Update 11/9/17 8:00 a.m.: The Standard-Examiner provides these post-election stories:

• Ogden City Council incumbents win re-election, Choberka wins open seat
• Ogden voters turn back school bond proposal, Weber bond measure passes

We'd like to express our congratulations to the winners, and our thanks to all candidates for participating in the process, of course!

President Trump Goes "Both Ways" in Regard to Mental Health "Problems"

Cognitive Dissonance, Trumpanzees, anyone? 

Click to enlarge image

Do you ever wonder whether we're possibly living in bizarre Alternate Universe, Peeps, with President Cheetolini sitting at the "presidential helm" of our "U.S. ship of State?"
First, check out this story:

• Trump says Texas shooting result of 'mental health problem' not US gun law

Just for a little logical juxtaposion, read this OTHER story, peeps:

• Trump Signs Bill Revoking Obama-Era Gun Checks for People With Mental Illnesses

Cognitive Dissonance, Trumpanzees? 

Weber State Gameday Thread: Bad Weather, High Stakes in Play as No. 14 Weber State faces No. 11 Eastern Washington - Updated

Not only is it the biggest game of the season, it will also be coldest conditions the Wildcats have faced.

WSU v. Eastern Washington

Time to get on your game-day groove Wildcats fans, as our Weber State football squad goes on the road this afternoon to square off against the Eastern Washington U. Eagles in Spokane. The Standard's Brandon Garside provides the pre-game story:

• Bad weather, high stakes in play as No. 14 Weber State faces No. 11 Eastern Wash

"Not only is it the biggest game of the season, it will also be coldest conditions the Wildcats have faced. The expected high temperature is 34 degrees, with a 20 percent chance of snow at kickoff time."

Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MDT. The game will be streamed live on PlutoTV channel 235 and on WatchBigSky.com. If all else fails, a radio broadcast will air on 1430 AM KLO, with Steve Klauke and Bo Bolen on the call.

Update 11/4/2017: WSU whoops Eastern Washington on their own home field 28-20:

Go, Wildcats, No?

Game highlights, anyone?

Weber State Football

Highlights of Weber State's 28-20 win at No. 11 Eastern Washington. #WeAreWeber

Standard-Examiner: When, Where to Vote, What to Bring, Ballot Drop-off, More

Okay Weber County Forum readers, here's one danged good pre-election story, as our Ogden City Election calendar creeps up onto next Tuesday's 11/06/17 Ogden Municipal Election Day:

• 2017 local elections: When, where to vote, what to bring, ballot drop-off, more

Here's our WCF Tip O' the Hat to the semi-defunct Standard-Examiner, for belatedly continuing to post 2017 Ogden Election Stories, even though most Ogden voters have already submitted their mail-in ballots!

2017 Halloween Night Special

Don't be a stingy Republican, WCF Readers!

Happy Halloween, Weber County Forum ghouls and spooks!

Here are a few helpful Halloween pointers, peeps!

Don't be a stingy Republican, WCF Readers!

WSU Football Gameday Thread: Wildcats Host Montana in Big Sky Showdown Saturday - Updated

Go Wildcats, Yes?

Get on your purple and white colors, Wildcats fans, as the 'Cats football squad faces off against their University of Montana Big Sky Conference rivals at home this afternoon.  Read the pre-game teasers, peeps!

• Weber State football welcomes Montana in crucial Big Sky showdown
• Wildcats host Montana in Big Sky showdown Saturday

Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Stewart Stadium. The game will be streamed live on PlutoTV channel 235 and on WatchBigSky.com. If all else fails, a radio broadcast will air on 1430 AM KLO, with Steve Klauke and Bo Bolen on the call.

Go Wildcats, Yes?

Update 10/29/17: Check out the post-game stories. peeps:

• Extra Point: Weber State football honors, then lives up to Flying W logo legacy
• No. 22 Weber State football outlasts No. 24 Montana in key showdown

WSU now goes to to 4-1 in Big Sky Conference standings, Wildcats fans!

Update 10/29/17: Howbout some game highlights, peeps?

Weber State Football

Lots of highlights in that win! On to another #BigSkyFB showdown at Eastern Washington next Saturday. #WeAreWeber

2017 Ogden City Election: Three Additional Ogden Election "Loose Ends" - Updated

Last Call for 2017 Ogden pre-election stories, wethinks

Here are a few pre-election "loose ends" which we'd like to wrap up during the week preceding our November 7, 2017 Ogden City Municipal Election:

1) Excellent Standard-Examiner story, taking the pulse of all 2017 Ogden City Council candidates, regarding, Ogden City's apparent main 2017 issue, i.e., "backyard chickens":

Ogden City Council hopefuls weigh-in on backyard chicken controversy

Here's a Weber County Forum Tip O' the Hat to the highly effective Ogden Chicken Alliance, whose effective grass-roots lobbying has even turned Ogden Council members who previously voted to ban "poultry pets" into indecisive "flip-floppers."

2) There are a couple of BIG debates happening this week, thanks to the Ogden Junior League (in cooperation with the Weber County League of Women Voters),  for thoughtful Ogden citizens who haven't yet made their minds up yet. Hold onto your mail-in ballots and check this information out, peeps. These same two groups will be sponsoring not one, but two debates this week. Here are the space/time coordinates, peeps:

Wednesday, October 25 6:00pm
Ogden Municipal Wards 1 & 3 Candidate Debate
Weber County Commission chambers 2380 Washington Blvd Ogden Utah 84401 

Thursday, October 26 6:00pm
Ogden At-Large Seats A&B Debate
Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave, Ogden, UT 84401

These events will be useful, wethinks, for Ogden City voters who still haven't submitted their mail-in ballots.

3) Read up and follow the lead of  the venerable Weber County Heritage Foundation, regarding the  ridiculous and slimy Ogden City School bond issue, Ogden peeps!

• Preserve Polk Elementary

No doubt about the proposed bond. You should vote against it. Moreover, we'll be working hard to "roll a few heads" on the Ogden City School Board, when those Board Clowns who pushed this "bait/switch bond initiative" come up for re-election next year.

Update 10/29/17:  Thanks to the efforts of the Standard's Tim Vandenack, we're delighted to provide these two "hot off the press" stories reporting on the two above-mentioned candidate debates;

• Ogden council hopefuls discuss term limits, housing, school bond, engagement
• Hopefuls spar over leadership style, airport operations

Hopefully these articles will prove to be useful for Ogden City voter/procrastinators.

Update 10/24/17 11:00 p.m.: And here's one other thing:

OGDEN Education

Tearing down Historic Polk Elementary will be like ripping out a piece of Ogden's History. Vote No. #savepolk

2017 Ogden City Elections Update: Council Challenger Lew Wheelwright Battles Incumbent Marcia White

For those of you who haven't yet submitted your mail-in ballots, we do hope this information will prove to be helpful

Last but not least, the Standard-Examiner's new Ace Reporter Tim Vandernack offers his fourth report, shedding light on the nuances of our 2017 Ogden City City Council Election, concerning the pending race in Ogden City's At-large A: Read up, Ogden voters, and fellow Ogden City political wonks:

• Ogden's White seeks new council term, faces Wheelwright, 'a disruptive force'

For extra information, check out each of these Ogden City Council At-large seat A  candidates' respective online credentials here, via our 2017 Ogden City General Election Candidate Roster, peeps:

• Lew A Wheelwright
• Marcia White (Incumbent)

For those of you who haven't yet submitted your mail-in ballots, we do hope this information will prove to be helpful.