Have a safe and sane holiday; and we'll see you back tomorrow...
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanksgiving Day 2012
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Have a safe and sane holiday; and we'll see you back tomorrow...
Have a safe and sane holiday; and we'll see you back tomorrow...
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Standard-Examiner: 149 Malnourished Dogs Rescued from One Ogden Home - Update
An animal rescue back-breaker... exacerbated by the impending long holiday weekend
As we stand on the cusp of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, we'll provide a quick heads up on an animal hoarding crisis which developed yesterday in Ogden. The Standard has two stories on the topic, reporting that "animal rescue volunteers and the Weber Animal Shelter worked frantically Tuesday to take care of 149 dogs, most of a chihuahua mix, that were rescued from a private home beginning Monday night":
This situation would be an animal rescue back-breaker under any circumstance; however the difficulties are exacerbated by the impending long holiday weekend.
Contact Pack ‘N Pounce Animal Rescue or the Weber County Animal Shelter if you'd like to make a donation, or otherwise lend a helping hand.
Update 11/22/12 8:00 a.m.: Ogden's own American Nutrition comes to the rescue:
Bravo!
As we stand on the cusp of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, we'll provide a quick heads up on an animal hoarding crisis which developed yesterday in Ogden. The Standard has two stories on the topic, reporting that "animal rescue volunteers and the Weber Animal Shelter worked frantically Tuesday to take care of 149 dogs, most of a chihuahua mix, that were rescued from a private home beginning Monday night":
This situation would be an animal rescue back-breaker under any circumstance; however the difficulties are exacerbated by the impending long holiday weekend.
Contact Pack ‘N Pounce Animal Rescue or the Weber County Animal Shelter if you'd like to make a donation, or otherwise lend a helping hand.
Update 11/22/12 8:00 a.m.: Ogden's own American Nutrition comes to the rescue:
Bravo!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Duelling Editorials: The Legalization of Pot in Colorado and Washington Creates a Sticky States Rights Policy Dilemma
Shouldn't proponents of state-based immigration and land rights policy experimentation and reform be cheering on the Obama administration to lay off interfering with "statewide regulation of the emerging [marijuana] industry" in states like Colorado and Washington?
There's an interesting juxtaposition of philosophies emerging in the national political discussion over the past couple of days, in the wake of the November 6 general elections, wherein two states, Colorado and Washington, became the first states to legalize marijuana. It comes as no surprise, of course, that the generally conservative-leaning Standard-Examiner, in yesterday's strong editorial, enunciates what appears to be the knee-jerk conservative philosophical position. "The feds can easily quash these new laws; hopefully that will be a priority next year," says the Standard-Examiner:
In contrast, here's an interesting set of counterarguments, which we stumbled upon on on the liberal-leaning salon.com, whilst feverishly googling this morning. To our great fascination, this thoughtful op-ed piece adopts a well-reasoned position which favors a "policy of [federal] restraint regarding the new laws in Colorado and Washington":
Oddly enough, Mr. Nalderman's liberal argument, which proposes federal deference to the "clearest expressions of the will of the people," looks suspiciously to be a "states rights" argument, doesn't it? And the Standard's position, which urges the full exertion of the federal government's prohibitory powers, doesn't even remotely resemble the pro-10th amendment argument which we would expect from a conservative Utah newspaper which would view "immigration" and "land rights" reform to be among the rights at least implicitly reserved to the states under the U.S. Constitution.
Proponents of state-based immigration and land rights policy experimentation/reform ought to be cheering on the Obama administration to lay off interfering with "statewide regulation of the emerging [marijuana] industry" in states like Colorado and Washington, or so it seems to us. Federal deference to the states on the issue of local marijuana regulation will only create the kind of precedent that state "immigration" and "land rights" regulators in states like Utah have long been looking for, no?
Maybe the Standard editorial board and needs to "rethink" its Sunday editorial.
So what do YOU say folks? Has the Standard-Examiner jumped aboard the wrong bandwagon?
If Colorado and Washington are allowed to defy federal law, the federal government will lose moral standing in its efforts to enforce its primacy in areas such as immigration and land rights. Why should Utahns who wish state control of federal lands give pause to federal intervention if marijuana legalization is deemed a state’s right? Also, why would federal courts defer to the U.S. government on issues of immigration or land rights if the federal government abdicates its responsibility on enforcing drug laws?
“It is one of the happy incidents of the federal system,” Justice Louis D. Brandeis wrote (in dissent) in 1932, “that a single courageous state may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country.” Not one but two courageous states have chosen to serve in this way. President Obama should do everything in his power to allow them to do it right.
There's an interesting juxtaposition of philosophies emerging in the national political discussion over the past couple of days, in the wake of the November 6 general elections, wherein two states, Colorado and Washington, became the first states to legalize marijuana. It comes as no surprise, of course, that the generally conservative-leaning Standard-Examiner, in yesterday's strong editorial, enunciates what appears to be the knee-jerk conservative philosophical position. "The feds can easily quash these new laws; hopefully that will be a priority next year," says the Standard-Examiner:
In contrast, here's an interesting set of counterarguments, which we stumbled upon on on the liberal-leaning salon.com, whilst feverishly googling this morning. To our great fascination, this thoughtful op-ed piece adopts a well-reasoned position which favors a "policy of [federal] restraint regarding the new laws in Colorado and Washington":
Oddly enough, Mr. Nalderman's liberal argument, which proposes federal deference to the "clearest expressions of the will of the people," looks suspiciously to be a "states rights" argument, doesn't it? And the Standard's position, which urges the full exertion of the federal government's prohibitory powers, doesn't even remotely resemble the pro-10th amendment argument which we would expect from a conservative Utah newspaper which would view "immigration" and "land rights" reform to be among the rights at least implicitly reserved to the states under the U.S. Constitution.
Proponents of state-based immigration and land rights policy experimentation/reform ought to be cheering on the Obama administration to lay off interfering with "statewide regulation of the emerging [marijuana] industry" in states like Colorado and Washington, or so it seems to us. Federal deference to the states on the issue of local marijuana regulation will only create the kind of precedent that state "immigration" and "land rights" regulators in states like Utah have long been looking for, no?
Maybe the Standard editorial board and needs to "rethink" its Sunday editorial.
So what do YOU say folks? Has the Standard-Examiner jumped aboard the wrong bandwagon?
Saturday, November 17, 2012
WSU Game Day Thread: Weber State v. Idaho State - Updated
Not much left for either of these cellar-dwellers to play for except pride; but as every red-blooded American football fan is well aware, pride can still be a powerful motivator
Our struggling Weber State Wildcats (1-9, 1-6) are back on the road this afternoon, for their final game of the Big Sky Conference season, where they'll face off against an equally downtrodden Idaho State Bengals (1-9, 0-7) football squad at 4:00 p.m. in Pocatello. There's not much left for either of these cellar-dwelling teams to play for except pride; but as every red-blooded American football fan is well aware, pride can still be a powerful motivator.
Here's the pre-game setup from the Salt Lake Tribune and Idaho State Journal. (For reasons unknown, our usually trusty Standard-Examiner doesn't have a stirring pre-game story up on it's website this morning, so we'll take whatever we can get):
We'll keep the lights on for anyone who'd like to comment on the game.
Go Wildcats!
Yes! Weber County Forum will continue to support our WCU Wildcats, come hell or high water!
Update 11/17/12 6:46 p.m.: Final-final... WSU over ISU 40-14!
Update 11/18/12 9:00 a.m.: The WSU Athletics site and Standard-Examiner provide the post-game stories:
Congrats to the Wildcats for closing out the season in style!
Our struggling Weber State Wildcats (1-9, 1-6) are back on the road this afternoon, for their final game of the Big Sky Conference season, where they'll face off against an equally downtrodden Idaho State Bengals (1-9, 0-7) football squad at 4:00 p.m. in Pocatello. There's not much left for either of these cellar-dwelling teams to play for except pride; but as every red-blooded American football fan is well aware, pride can still be a powerful motivator.
Here's the pre-game setup from the Salt Lake Tribune and Idaho State Journal. (For reasons unknown, our usually trusty Standard-Examiner doesn't have a stirring pre-game story up on it's website this morning, so we'll take whatever we can get):
- Weber State football: Wildcats have last shot at conference victory
- Woeful Weber and ISU share misery
We'll keep the lights on for anyone who'd like to comment on the game.
Go Wildcats!
Yes! Weber County Forum will continue to support our WCU Wildcats, come hell or high water!
Update 11/17/12 6:46 p.m.: Final-final... WSU over ISU 40-14!
Update 11/18/12 9:00 a.m.: The WSU Athletics site and Standard-Examiner provide the post-game stories:
Congrats to the Wildcats for closing out the season in style!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Standard-Examiner: Hostess Announces Liquidation, Will Layoff All Employees - Updated
Good bye, relatively well paid Ogden union jobs
Bad news for the Utah economy this morning, as the Standard announces that "Hostess Brands Inc. says it's going out of business after striking workers across the country crippled its ability to make its Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Wonder Bread and other snacks":
Hostess employs about 570 people in Salt Lake City and Ogden, which are "home to two of its 36 regional bakeries," according to this morning's Salt Lake Tribune story:
Good bye, relatively well paid Ogden union jobs.
It's a sign of the times, we guess, in a crippled US economy and market where a union labor-produced product like Wonder Bread demands a buck per loaf premium over a nearly identical white bread product produced in a non-union shop.
And for those fanciers of Hostess's more delectable and exotic products, (Twinkies and Ding Dongs, for instance), don't make the mistake of thinking you can rush down to your local grocery and fill your pantry with a product which will last on your food storage shelves forever. The myth that a Hostess Twinkie (or a pack of Ding-Dongs, for that matter) will remain edible for "anywhere between fifty and one hundred years" has been thoroughly debunked:
But look at the bright side, Twinkie fanciers. We've scoured the net and have come up with a home kitchen recipe for those who don't wish to go totally "cold turkey" on Twinkies. Drumroll... here it is:
Does Weber County Forum cover the Ogden Lumpencitizens' backs on every important issue? Nevermind answering; we already know the answer to that.
Update 11/16/12 5:15 p.m.: This was inevitable, we suppose, with the increasing popularity of the White House citizen petition site:
Update 11/16/12 6:13 p.m.: Fox 13 News is now running a video story on this, which includes an interview with rarely-seen Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell, who's possibly barely recognizable to most Ogdenites sans his usual bicycling apparel:
Who knows? Maybe with a little luck, and some help from Ogden City's vaunted Economic Development Department, Mayor Mike might be able to hook up a few displaced Ogden Hostess employees with nice minimum wage jobs at Ogden's very newest bakery outfit.
So what say our gentle readers about all this?
Update 11/17/12 9:00 a.m.: And so begins the inevitable post-mortem exam:
Bad news for the Utah economy this morning, as the Standard announces that "Hostess Brands Inc. says it's going out of business after striking workers across the country crippled its ability to make its Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Wonder Bread and other snacks":
Hostess employs about 570 people in Salt Lake City and Ogden, which are "home to two of its 36 regional bakeries," according to this morning's Salt Lake Tribune story:
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| Click to Enlarge Image |
It's a sign of the times, we guess, in a crippled US economy and market where a union labor-produced product like Wonder Bread demands a buck per loaf premium over a nearly identical white bread product produced in a non-union shop.
And for those fanciers of Hostess's more delectable and exotic products, (Twinkies and Ding Dongs, for instance), don't make the mistake of thinking you can rush down to your local grocery and fill your pantry with a product which will last on your food storage shelves forever. The myth that a Hostess Twinkie (or a pack of Ding-Dongs, for that matter) will remain edible for "anywhere between fifty and one hundred years" has been thoroughly debunked:
But look at the bright side, Twinkie fanciers. We've scoured the net and have come up with a home kitchen recipe for those who don't wish to go totally "cold turkey" on Twinkies. Drumroll... here it is:
Does Weber County Forum cover the Ogden Lumpencitizens' backs on every important issue? Nevermind answering; we already know the answer to that.
Update 11/16/12 5:15 p.m.: This was inevitable, we suppose, with the increasing popularity of the White House citizen petition site:
Update 11/16/12 6:13 p.m.: Fox 13 News is now running a video story on this, which includes an interview with rarely-seen Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell, who's possibly barely recognizable to most Ogdenites sans his usual bicycling apparel:
Who knows? Maybe with a little luck, and some help from Ogden City's vaunted Economic Development Department, Mayor Mike might be able to hook up a few displaced Ogden Hostess employees with nice minimum wage jobs at Ogden's very newest bakery outfit.
So what say our gentle readers about all this?
Update 11/17/12 9:00 a.m.: And so begins the inevitable post-mortem exam:
Of course the right-wing media is quick to blame the unions, but in the end the union members would have lost more if they had capitulated to the vulture capitalists demands. By this move, they can hope to salvage the retirement plan, while if they’d given in they would have lost it all. $2 billion is a lot of money to just “give away” in negotiations. Of course the unions were expected to surrender despite the fact that the management company was asking the bankruptcy court to give their outgoing CEO up to $5.5 million. All of this was in addition to the 80% raises the executives were being treated to.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Congressman Ron Paul's Farewell Speech to Congress - Updated
America definitely missed the boat on this great American, wethinks
Listen up folks, to one of the greatest speeches of American history, delivered by none other than Dr. Ron Paul, as he caps his 44-year political career with his farewell address this morning on the U.S. House of Representatives chamber floor:
America definitely missed the boat on this great American, wethinks.
Update 11/15/12 10:25 a.m.: Writes Daniel Woolley: "It appears that creating petitions on the White House site is all the rage these days. Here's one that will really get them mad - a petition to have the administration answer all of the questions Ron Paul posed in his farewell address. Now that would be entertaining!"
Listen up folks, to one of the greatest speeches of American history, delivered by none other than Dr. Ron Paul, as he caps his 44-year political career with his farewell address this morning on the U.S. House of Representatives chamber floor:
America definitely missed the boat on this great American, wethinks.
Update 11/15/12 10:25 a.m.: Writes Daniel Woolley: "It appears that creating petitions on the White House site is all the rage these days. Here's one that will really get them mad - a petition to have the administration answer all of the questions Ron Paul posed in his farewell address. Now that would be entertaining!"
Monday, November 12, 2012
Veterans Day Federal Holiday 2012 Special
Thanks for your service to your country, U.S. military veterans and active duty and national guard/reserves personnel
In honor of today's Veterans Day federal holiday, Weber County Forum offers a heartfelt salute to all Americans who've served our country in the U.S. military, past and present.
And speaking as a vet, here's how your blogmeister would earnestly hope to see this holiday celebrated, if not now, in years soon to come:
Our deepest thanks for your service to our country, U.S. military veterans, active duty and national guard/reserves personnel.
In honor of today's Veterans Day federal holiday, Weber County Forum offers a heartfelt salute to all Americans who've served our country in the U.S. military, past and present.
And speaking as a vet, here's how your blogmeister would earnestly hope to see this holiday celebrated, if not now, in years soon to come:
Our deepest thanks for your service to our country, U.S. military veterans, active duty and national guard/reserves personnel.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Standard-Examiner: All Over the "Matthew Stewart Shootemup Case" This Sunday Morning
If the Standard desires to provide the grounds for a change of trial venue, due to a tainted jury pool, they couldn't be doing a better job... or so it seems to us
In a circumstance of exceedingly odd timing, the Standard-Examiner is all over the Matthew Stewart shootemup case this Sunday morning, with a series of stories, insets and diagrams splashed all over the front page of the hard-copy edition. Here's a link to the main story, which is accompanied by the diagram linked directly beneath it:
And here are links to a couple of companion pieces, the first of which delves into possible search warrant defects, and the latter of which consists of a very brief thumbnail sketch of the Weber-Morgan Narcotics Strike Force, the multi-jurisdictional law enforcement agency whose January 4, 2012 raid unleashed this tragic event, which has forever drastically and tragically altered the live of scores of friends, family and colleagues, both in the law enforcement community, and on the defense side of Judge Hyde's 2d District Courtroom aisle.
While we'll concede that these items are newsworthy, inasmuch as they're designed to satisfy the curiosity of the Standard's Northern Utah readership, we do wonder about the Standard's news judgment in publishing this material, inasmuch as there exists substantial overlap between the folks who read the Standard-Examiner and those who'll ultimately comprise the jury pool, once this case comes to trial, probably sometime in the year 2013.
If the Standard desires to provide the grounds for a change of trial venue, due to a tainted jury pool, they couldn't be doing a better job... or so it seems to us.
And what say you about this, O Gentle Ones?
In a circumstance of exceedingly odd timing, the Standard-Examiner is all over the Matthew Stewart shootemup case this Sunday morning, with a series of stories, insets and diagrams splashed all over the front page of the hard-copy edition. Here's a link to the main story, which is accompanied by the diagram linked directly beneath it:
And here are links to a couple of companion pieces, the first of which delves into possible search warrant defects, and the latter of which consists of a very brief thumbnail sketch of the Weber-Morgan Narcotics Strike Force, the multi-jurisdictional law enforcement agency whose January 4, 2012 raid unleashed this tragic event, which has forever drastically and tragically altered the live of scores of friends, family and colleagues, both in the law enforcement community, and on the defense side of Judge Hyde's 2d District Courtroom aisle.
While we'll concede that these items are newsworthy, inasmuch as they're designed to satisfy the curiosity of the Standard's Northern Utah readership, we do wonder about the Standard's news judgment in publishing this material, inasmuch as there exists substantial overlap between the folks who read the Standard-Examiner and those who'll ultimately comprise the jury pool, once this case comes to trial, probably sometime in the year 2013.
If the Standard desires to provide the grounds for a change of trial venue, due to a tainted jury pool, they couldn't be doing a better job... or so it seems to us.
And what say you about this, O Gentle Ones?
Saturday, November 10, 2012
WSU Game Day Thread: Weber State v. Northern Colorado - Updated
Don't let the 'Cat your tongues; and remember to don your woolie-woolies
There's college game day excitement in Ogden this afternoon again, as Coach Sears' Weber State Wildcats football squad squares off against University of Colorado Bears at 1:30 p.m. in Stewart Stadium.
The Standard-Examiner and UNC campus newspaper, The Mirror, provide the pre-game story. (Sorry folks, the Greeley Tribune is under pay firewall lockdown):
It's a glorious football weather for true football fans, following last night's snow; and while we simply can't imagine any genuine WSU football fans resisting the chance to plant their butts in Stewart Stadium's plush and comfy seating for a few hours of old fashioned winteresque football, we do nevertheless provide the online game audio broadcast link, for the "weather averse," or anyone else who inexplicably can't make it to the stadium:
The game video will also be live-streamed online; so here's something special for Wildcats fans who'd like to catch a high quality game broadcast from the comfort of your living room or work cubicle, as the case may be. Simply click the link, follow the instructions to register or login. You'll also have to install a couple of support apps, which takes all of a minute or so:
And sorry, folks, America Sports has their system jiggered so we can't simply embed a video player, as we've done in the past.
We'll keep the lower comments section for anyone who'd like to chime in before, during or after the game. So don't let the "Cat your tongues; and don't forget to don your woolie-woolies.
And yeah... Go Wildcats!
Update 11/1012 2:33 p.m.: Here's the video link for this afternoon's WSU video... assuming you're logged in to America One Sports
Update 11/10/12 4:56 p.m.: Via the WCU athletics FB site: "It's a final. No. Colorado wins 42-34 for their first win ever over Weber State. Wildcats close season next week at Idaho State."
Whattabumer, no, Wildcats fans?
Update 11/11/12 9:00 a.m.: The Standard provides the post-game story:
The Standard-Examiner and UNC campus newspaper, The Mirror, provide the pre-game story. (Sorry folks, the Greeley Tribune is under pay firewall lockdown):
- Usually positive Jody Sears still tough on his team
- Northern Colorado football team travels to Utah for final road game
The game video will also be live-streamed online; so here's something special for Wildcats fans who'd like to catch a high quality game broadcast from the comfort of your living room or work cubicle, as the case may be. Simply click the link, follow the instructions to register or login. You'll also have to install a couple of support apps, which takes all of a minute or so:
And sorry, folks, America Sports has their system jiggered so we can't simply embed a video player, as we've done in the past.
We'll keep the lower comments section for anyone who'd like to chime in before, during or after the game. So don't let the "Cat your tongues; and don't forget to don your woolie-woolies.
And yeah... Go Wildcats!
Update 11/1012 2:33 p.m.: Here's the video link for this afternoon's WSU video... assuming you're logged in to America One Sports
Update 11/10/12 4:56 p.m.: Via the WCU athletics FB site: "It's a final. No. Colorado wins 42-34 for their first win ever over Weber State. Wildcats close season next week at Idaho State."
Whattabumer, no, Wildcats fans?
Update 11/11/12 9:00 a.m.: The Standard provides the post-game story:
Friday, November 09, 2012
Deseret News: Will Huntsman Re-join Obama Administration As Secretary of State?
Gets interestinger and interestinger, dunnit?
Fascinating morning speculation from the Deseret News:
Huntsman definitely has the requisite diplomatic and administrative experience... and for a 2016 Huntsman presidential run, this would seemingly be the ideal stepping stone.
We swear that these are the kind of political stories we couldn't make up!
Gets interestinger and interestinger, dunnit?
Fascinating morning speculation from the Deseret News:
Huntsman definitely has the requisite diplomatic and administrative experience... and for a 2016 Huntsman presidential run, this would seemingly be the ideal stepping stone.
We swear that these are the kind of political stories we couldn't make up!
Gets interestinger and interestinger, dunnit?
Salt Lake Tribune: Utah Senate Republicans Elect New Leader; House Retains Speaker
Looks like corporate America continues to enjoy the most effective Utah legislative representation that money can buy
The Salt Lake Tribune this morning reports that a short two days after Tuesday's election, the Utah state legislative majority, after meeting in closed caucus session, has already elected new legislative "leadership":
In a nutshell, here's the new state legislature's 2013 leadership lineup:
Senate:
Senate President: Wayne Niederhauser
Majority Leader: Ralph Okerlund
Majority Whip: Stuart Adams
Assistant Majority Whip: Pete Knudson
House:
House Speaker: Becky Lockhart
Majority Leader: Brad Dee
Whip: Greg Hughes
Assistant Whip: Don Ipson
Significantly, Trib columnist Rober Gehrke notes, Niederhauser "is also is Utah co-chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a corporate-backed group of conservative lawmakers from around the country that has been criticized for its influence in formulating policy around the country."
Looks like corporate America continues to enjoy the most effective Utah legislative representation that money can buy, and that back-room politics will remain the Utah legislature's modus operandi, while Utah lumpencitizens continue to play second fiddle.
I actually feel that [closing caucuses] creates some transparency that we wouldn’t have otherwise.
Wayne Niederhauser - Senate President
Utah Senate Republicans elect new leader; House retains speaker
November 8, 2012
Utah Senate Republicans elect new leader; House retains speaker
November 8, 2012
Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.
The Salt Lake Tribune this morning reports that a short two days after Tuesday's election, the Utah state legislative majority, after meeting in closed caucus session, has already elected new legislative "leadership":
In a nutshell, here's the new state legislature's 2013 leadership lineup:
Senate:
Senate President: Wayne Niederhauser
Majority Leader: Ralph Okerlund
Majority Whip: Stuart Adams
Assistant Majority Whip: Pete Knudson
House:
House Speaker: Becky Lockhart
Majority Leader: Brad Dee
Whip: Greg Hughes
Assistant Whip: Don Ipson
Significantly, Trib columnist Rober Gehrke notes, Niederhauser "is also is Utah co-chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a corporate-backed group of conservative lawmakers from around the country that has been criticized for its influence in formulating policy around the country."
Looks like corporate America continues to enjoy the most effective Utah legislative representation that money can buy, and that back-room politics will remain the Utah legislature's modus operandi, while Utah lumpencitizens continue to play second fiddle.
Standard-Examiner: Matthew Stewart Pleads Innocent to All Charges
Happily for the Stewart defense team, Judge Hyde rejects prosecution efforts to unreasonably jam an early trial date
For archival purposes, we'll put the spotlight on the latest development in the Matthew Stewart case, with yesterday's Standard-Exaaminer story, reporting that Defendant Stewart has entered not guilty pleas to all criminal charges:
In yet another aggravating exhibit of prosecution discourtesy, the Standard reports that the prosecution pushed for an early trial date, even though "ballistic tests are still to be completed for bullets and casings from police firearms in the Jan. 4 exchange of gunfire."
Happily for the Stewart defense team however, Judge Hyde rejected prosecution efforts to unreasonably jam an early trial date, with so many loose ends still hanging loose, and opted instead tor a February 13, 2013 preliminary hearing date, where he'll entertain further pretrial motions.
Comments anyone?
For archival purposes, we'll put the spotlight on the latest development in the Matthew Stewart case, with yesterday's Standard-Exaaminer story, reporting that Defendant Stewart has entered not guilty pleas to all criminal charges:
In yet another aggravating exhibit of prosecution discourtesy, the Standard reports that the prosecution pushed for an early trial date, even though "ballistic tests are still to be completed for bullets and casings from police firearms in the Jan. 4 exchange of gunfire."
Happily for the Stewart defense team however, Judge Hyde rejected prosecution efforts to unreasonably jam an early trial date, with so many loose ends still hanging loose, and opted instead tor a February 13, 2013 preliminary hearing date, where he'll entertain further pretrial motions.
Comments anyone?
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
2012 Election Day Plus One - The Aftermath
Predictably, a big day for Utah GOP incumbents
The final 2012 General Election results are tallied, WCF readers. Click the link below for Weber County Clerk Ricky Hatch's post-election tally sheet for those races which appeared on Weber County ballots:
As an added bonus, here's a cranky graphic sent by one of our Libertarian friends:
That's it, folks. So who'd like to throw in their own 2¢, now that the 2012 Dog&Pony Show is over?
The final 2012 General Election results are tallied, WCF readers. Click the link below for Weber County Clerk Ricky Hatch's post-election tally sheet for those races which appeared on Weber County ballots:
- GOP sweeps top ticket races in Utah
- Hatch wins race for seventh and final term in Senate
- Bishop easily wins sixth term in Congress
- Swallow defeats Weber's Dee to replace Shurtleff
- Bell captures vacant Weber County Commission seat
- Incumbents prevail in Ogden School Board election
As an added bonus, here's a cranky graphic sent by one of our Libertarian friends:
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| Ron Paul sez what's already obvious |
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Utah 2012 General Election: WCF Election Day Special
You know what to do... do it at your neighborhood polling places
It's Utah General Election Day 2012, folks. You know what to do... do it at your neighborhood polling places. Utah polls are open from 7am to 8pm, by the way. Unsure of your polling place location? Click this handy link, provide by the ever-helpful folks at vote.utah.gov:
Regular Utah voters might want avail themselves of the above link to double check. This year, many regular polling locations have been changed, to accommodate today's anticipated heavy voter traffic.
And here's today's mission, as we see it, people:
No lame excuses, please, from those who fail to exercise their voting rights. As the Standard-Examiner sez, "Get out to the polls and cast your ballot as a U.S. citizen. It’s not only a right, it’s an obligation, a show of respect for your nation."
Still undecided about candidates in the various races? Check out our right sidebar "election module," for a plethora of information about candidates in today's election.
And as is our tradition here at Weber County Forum, we once again provide the link from the Utah Lt. Governor's website, where you can check out the real-time tallies, as the votes roll in after 8:00 p.m.:
And here's C-SPAN's live-streaming video link, for those folks who'd like to more closely follow tonight's ever-excellent 2012 Election Night Coverage:
The floor's open, folks, for anyone who'd like to comment before, during or after today's balloting.
Update 11/6/12 7:50 a.m.: Four more Standard-Examiner items, to whet your political appetites on Election Day 2012:
Update 11/6/12 8:00 p.m.: It's now 8:00 p.m. and Utah polls are now technically closed. Keep your eyes on the Utah Election Results link above; but please be patient, as over the years we've learned that the tote board sometimes doesn' even light up for over an hour after the Utah polling place closings.
It's Utah General Election Day 2012, folks. You know what to do... do it at your neighborhood polling places. Utah polls are open from 7am to 8pm, by the way. Unsure of your polling place location? Click this handy link, provide by the ever-helpful folks at vote.utah.gov:
Regular Utah voters might want avail themselves of the above link to double check. This year, many regular polling locations have been changed, to accommodate today's anticipated heavy voter traffic.
And here's today's mission, as we see it, people:
No lame excuses, please, from those who fail to exercise their voting rights. As the Standard-Examiner sez, "Get out to the polls and cast your ballot as a U.S. citizen. It’s not only a right, it’s an obligation, a show of respect for your nation."
Still undecided about candidates in the various races? Check out our right sidebar "election module," for a plethora of information about candidates in today's election.
And as is our tradition here at Weber County Forum, we once again provide the link from the Utah Lt. Governor's website, where you can check out the real-time tallies, as the votes roll in after 8:00 p.m.:
And here's C-SPAN's live-streaming video link, for those folks who'd like to more closely follow tonight's ever-excellent 2012 Election Night Coverage:
The floor's open, folks, for anyone who'd like to comment before, during or after today's balloting.
Update 11/6/12 7:50 a.m.: Four more Standard-Examiner items, to whet your political appetites on Election Day 2012:
Update 11/6/12 8:00 p.m.: It's now 8:00 p.m. and Utah polls are now technically closed. Keep your eyes on the Utah Election Results link above; but please be patient, as over the years we've learned that the tote board sometimes doesn' even light up for over an hour after the Utah polling place closings.
Monday, November 05, 2012
Free & Equal Final Third Party Presidential Debate
Possibly more interesting than viewing the 3-5 Philadephia Eagles and 2-5 New Orleans Saints
Hey everyone! Here's something for those hardcore political wonks who'd like to watch the very last US Presidential debate of the 2012 election cycle - Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson v. Green Party Jill Stein. (The live stream has now been replaced by and on-demand video recording):
The debate "airs" online At 9:00 PM Eastern.
Possibly more interesting than viewing the 3-5 Philadephia Eagles and 2-5 New Orleans Saints on Monday night football; but we suppose that's all up to you.
Hey everyone! Here's something for those hardcore political wonks who'd like to watch the very last US Presidential debate of the 2012 election cycle - Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson v. Green Party Jill Stein. (The live stream has now been replaced by and on-demand video recording):
The debate "airs" online At 9:00 PM Eastern.
Possibly more interesting than viewing the 3-5 Philadephia Eagles and 2-5 New Orleans Saints on Monday night football; but we suppose that's all up to you.
2012 General Election Teazer: A Notable Pre-Election Item From the Webosphere
How many ways can we say it? Americans are getting totally punk'd by the so-called "Two party system."
Pretty flammable political stuff via Facebook, from Lew Rockwell, possibly the most prominent libertarian in the whole danged webosphere:
Pretty flammable political stuff via Facebook, from Lew Rockwell, possibly the most prominent libertarian in the whole danged webosphere:
"The most important election of our lifetimes!" Or so say the propagandists. Will it be the warmongering-welfarist, or the welfarist-warmonger?How many ways can we say it? Americans are getting totally punk'd (once again) by the so-called "Two party system."
I can hardly wait. Meanwhile, here's one sure result of this orchestrated festival of democracy: the corporate state will win, and the boobeoisie will adjust the blinders so they are more comfortable. Oh, and the aware will be happy they rejected the sacrament of the state religion, the ballot. They won't be sullied, and they won't have wasted their time. They also know, as George Carlin said, that only non-voters have a right to complain. As for a regular prediction, see Larry Sabato's. He looks for more of the same, rather than the same of more.
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Salt Lake Tribune: Our Endorsements - 2012 General Election
Reader query: In which races was the Trib spot-on; and with which endorsements did the Trib entirely miss the boat?
With under two days until Tuesday's 2012 Utah election, the Salt Lake Tribune summarizes this year's endorsements, for those who may be undecided about Utah's major races. "Over the past several weeks, The Salt Lake Tribune Editorial Board has published editorials giving our recommendations on who should be elected to various local, state and national offices, and outlining the reasons why." In the realm of political ideologies, it seems that the Trib is "all over the political map." Many of these picks may come as a shock for those who like to characterise the Trib as a "left-wing rag." Check it, out folks:
So what do you think, WCF readers? In which races was the Trib spot-on; and with which endorsements did the Trib entirely miss the boat?
With under two days until Tuesday's 2012 Utah election, the Salt Lake Tribune summarizes this year's endorsements, for those who may be undecided about Utah's major races. "Over the past several weeks, The Salt Lake Tribune Editorial Board has published editorials giving our recommendations on who should be elected to various local, state and national offices, and outlining the reasons why." In the realm of political ideologies, it seems that the Trib is "all over the political map." Many of these picks may come as a shock for those who like to characterise the Trib as a "left-wing rag." Check it, out folks:
So what do you think, WCF readers? In which races was the Trib spot-on; and with which endorsements did the Trib entirely miss the boat?
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Weber State University Game Day Thread: University of Montana at Weber State - Updated
Griz, Wildcats playing for pride
The Weber State Wildcats are back home this afternoon, facing their Big Sky Conference rival, the University of Montana Grizzlies, in Stewart Stadium at 1:30 p.m. sharp. Although it isn't homecoming week, today's game nevertheless has a "homecoming game feel" to it, inasmuch as the WSU squad hasn't set foot on the Stewart Stadium gridiron for a football contest since way back on October 6th.
Here's the pregame setup, via each team's home town newspaper, the Standard-Examiner and Missoula Missoulian:
That latter headline pretty much sums up the stakes for both teams, wethinks.
If you can't make it to the stadium on a beautiful football day like this, catch the game on KZNS-AM 1280 "The Zone" or tune in for the TV cable broadact on Root TV.
We'll keep the lights on for anyone who'd care to chime in before during or after the game of course, so don't let the 'Cats get your tongues.
And oh yeah... Go Wildcats!
Update 11/3/12 4:42 p.m.: Whattabummer! WSU gets defeated by a 24-21 margin by the Griz. Root sports commentators are speculating about Coach Sears' coaching future after this year's disastrous losing season.
Whaddaya think folks, is it time for the WSU athletic deparment to start think about hiring a new Coach?
Update 11/4/12 8:00 a.m.: The Standard carries the post game story:
The Weber State Wildcats are back home this afternoon, facing their Big Sky Conference rival, the University of Montana Grizzlies, in Stewart Stadium at 1:30 p.m. sharp. Although it isn't homecoming week, today's game nevertheless has a "homecoming game feel" to it, inasmuch as the WSU squad hasn't set foot on the Stewart Stadium gridiron for a football contest since way back on October 6th.
That latter headline pretty much sums up the stakes for both teams, wethinks.
If you can't make it to the stadium on a beautiful football day like this, catch the game on KZNS-AM 1280 "The Zone" or tune in for the TV cable broadact on Root TV.
We'll keep the lights on for anyone who'd care to chime in before during or after the game of course, so don't let the 'Cats get your tongues.
And oh yeah... Go Wildcats!
Update 11/3/12 4:42 p.m.: Whattabummer! WSU gets defeated by a 24-21 margin by the Griz. Root sports commentators are speculating about Coach Sears' coaching future after this year's disastrous losing season.
Whaddaya think folks, is it time for the WSU athletic deparment to start think about hiring a new Coach?
Update 11/4/12 8:00 a.m.: The Standard carries the post game story:
Friday, November 02, 2012
Matthew Stewart Prelimary Hearing Day Three: Stewart "Bound Over" For Trial by Judge Hyde - Updated
Needless to say, we'll continue to watch developments in this case carefully... and with our usual "jaded eye"
Hot off the press! According to the Matthew Stewart FB support site, Judge Hyde this afternoon bound defendant Matthew Stewart over for trial in the 1/4/12 Ogden Shootemup court case, Here's the succinct gist from correspondent Phoenix Smith:
And here's you blogmeister's comment beneath the above linked article, which we stand by:
Needless to say, we'll continue to watch developments in this case carefully... and with our usual "jaded eye."
Update 11/2/12 6:30 p.m: At last (after twiddling our thumbs waiting) the Standard and Tribune finally start to dole out their post-Day Three stories:
The world wide blogosphere eagerly awaits your ever-savvy comments, of course.
Update 11/2/12 7:27 p.m.: Interesting take from the Standard-Examiner's Charlie Trentelman:
Update 11/3/12 9:00 a.m.: Three new stories from the Standard Examiner, and one from the Help Matthew Stewart website:
Hot off the press! According to the Matthew Stewart FB support site, Judge Hyde this afternoon bound defendant Matthew Stewart over for trial in the 1/4/12 Ogden Shootemup court case, Here's the succinct gist from correspondent Phoenix Smith:
Matthew was just ordered to stand trial on all nine counts.Here's the link:
And here's you blogmeister's comment beneath the above linked article, which we stand by:
No real surprises, here. A preliminary hearing isn't governed by a "beyond all reasonable doubt" presumption as in a full-blown criminal court/jury trial. Most, if not all prelims are prosecution slam-dunks. Don't abandon hope people. It shouldn't be surprising to anyone that Matthew's been bound over for trial after this week's "mini trial" proceedings. Keep the faith people. Matthew will get his day in court with a more favorable proof of guilt presumption later on, when his criminal case actually comes to trial.Next step? Maybe a few more defense motions, an arraignment and a trial court date set for a future date not yet reported so far.
Needless to say, we'll continue to watch developments in this case carefully... and with our usual "jaded eye."
Update 11/2/12 6:30 p.m: At last (after twiddling our thumbs waiting) the Standard and Tribune finally start to dole out their post-Day Three stories:
- Matthew David Stewart bound over for trial - Standard-Examiner
- Matthew Stewart will stand trial in slaying of Ogden police officer - SL Tribune
The world wide blogosphere eagerly awaits your ever-savvy comments, of course.
Update 11/2/12 7:27 p.m.: Interesting take from the Standard-Examiner's Charlie Trentelman:
Update 11/3/12 9:00 a.m.: Three new stories from the Standard Examiner, and one from the Help Matthew Stewart website:
- Ex-girlfriend: Stewart said he would ‘go out shooting’ - Standard-Examiner
- Shoes a big topic in Day 3 of hearing; Stewart going before jury - Standard-Examiner
- Stewart to face trial - Standard-Examiner
- Matthew’s Case Continues to Jury Trial - MS Website
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Matthew Stewart Prelim: Day Two - Updated
Hopefully our local "Wyatt Earps" will learn something useful from this ridiculous and unnecessary tragedy
The stories from Day Two of the Matthew Stewart preliminary hearing are already starting to trickle in from both the Standard-Examiner and Salt Lake Tribune.
We'll update this article, of course, as additional stories and reports emerge.
One thing already seems clear however in our view, after distilling the facts from all of these stories linked yesterday and today: NOBODY... especially the Weber/Morgan Narcotics Strike force (WMNSF) was even minimally prepared for the extreme level of danger and violence which would be unleashed once the heavily-armed WMNSF "cowboys" made the unfortunate decision to kick down Matthew Stewart's door.
While the evidentiary "facts" in the Matthew Stewart matter continue to unfold, we're keeping our fingers crossed that the heads of the several local police agencies who contribute "cannon fodder" to the WMNSF effort will soon come to realize that no amount of illegal contraband (sixteen pot plants in this case, to be exact) is worth even a single human life... after the tradeoffs, and the totality of the facts now "come home to roost." The stories described within the past two days are actually well beyond tragic. Hopefully our local "Wyatt Earps" will learn something useful from this ridiculous and unnecessarily tragic event.
The final day of the Stewart Prelim commences again tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. Stay tuned.
Update 11/2/12 9:40 a.m.: Three more post-Day Two stories this morning from the Standard and Tribune:
The stories from Day Two of the Matthew Stewart preliminary hearing are already starting to trickle in from both the Standard-Examiner and Salt Lake Tribune.
- Rounkles describes being shot in mouth, arm - Standard-Examiner
- Officers in fatal drug raid thought Ogden home might be empty -Salt Lake Tribune
We'll update this article, of course, as additional stories and reports emerge.
One thing already seems clear however in our view, after distilling the facts from all of these stories linked yesterday and today: NOBODY... especially the Weber/Morgan Narcotics Strike force (WMNSF) was even minimally prepared for the extreme level of danger and violence which would be unleashed once the heavily-armed WMNSF "cowboys" made the unfortunate decision to kick down Matthew Stewart's door.
While the evidentiary "facts" in the Matthew Stewart matter continue to unfold, we're keeping our fingers crossed that the heads of the several local police agencies who contribute "cannon fodder" to the WMNSF effort will soon come to realize that no amount of illegal contraband (sixteen pot plants in this case, to be exact) is worth even a single human life... after the tradeoffs, and the totality of the facts now "come home to roost." The stories described within the past two days are actually well beyond tragic. Hopefully our local "Wyatt Earps" will learn something useful from this ridiculous and unnecessarily tragic event.
The final day of the Stewart Prelim commences again tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. Stay tuned.
Update 11/2/12 9:40 a.m.: Three more post-Day Two stories this morning from the Standard and Tribune:
- Agents describe onslaught at Stewart's preliminary hearing - Standard-Examiner
- Investigator: Stewart inconsistent in accounts about fatal shootout - SL Tribune
- Stewart’s ex-girlfriend expected to testify in Ogden shootout case - SL Tribune
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