Standard-Examiner: Our View: Safe Trick-or-Treating, Please

Make it a safe and sane Halloween night, folks

Happy Halloween everyone.  Hopefully you won't get skeered half to death like this poor schmuck during tonight's Trick and/or Treating:

And please heed this morning's advice from the Standard-Examiner, folks:

• Our View: Safe trick-or-treating, please

Make it a safe and sane Halloween night, people.

(Special thanks to my FB Friend "Bill," who provided the hilarious graphic.)

Big Court Hearing This Morning in Ogden's 2d District Court: Matthew Stewart Prelim Kicks off @ 8:30 a.m. - Updated

We're looking forward to commenting about any significant developments or nuances in this matter

Nearly 10 months since the original 1/4/12 Ogden City shootout, the long awaited Matthew Stewart preliminary hearing kicks off this morning in Ogden's 2nd District Court. Following a 7:45 a.m. Keep the Peace support rally, the three-day hearing is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m., in the "largest courtroom in Weber County."

The Standard-Examiner has been all over this story during the past couple of days:

• Stewart supporters to rally before preliminary hearing
• 17 witnesses planned for Matthew Stewart hearing
• Stewart preliminary hearing moves to bigger room

We'll be closely following this story throughout these proceedings, of course, and will look forward to commenting about any significant developments or nuances in this matter.

Update 10/31/12 7:52 p.m:  Here's today's first post-day 1 preliminary hearing feedback, via the Help Matthew Stewart support site:

• Day one preliminary summary!

Nothing yet from either the Standard or the Trib.

Update 11/1/12 7:30 a.m.: The Standard follows up yesterday's stories with four new post-Day One Tim Gurrister writeups:

• Prosecution paints picture of Stewart blazing away as officers retreated
• Francom was shot 6 times after running out of bullets
• Roy officer next to testify in Stewart prelim
• Only 8 protesters show up for Stewart rally

This morning's Salt Lake Tribune carries the story too:

• Ogden police officers describe deadly January shootout

Added bonus:  the S-E and Trib "message boards" are predictably goin' nuts.

Curious new facts emerge from the testimony to the effect that officers believed that Stewart's "house was a “grow house” with no one living there, just visitors tending the marijuana plants growing in the basement," which seems to fly in the face of the earlier-reported and obvious fact that officers knew that Stewart resided at the residence.

The hearing resumes this morning at 8:30 a.m.

VoteVets.Com: Donna McAleer, Candidate for Congress, Utah 1

Something to think about as the draft-dodging Rob Bishop continues to supplicate to the GOP war-mongers in Congress

Whoa! For those of us who proudly wore the uniform during the last few decades, and are concerned about having the draft-dodging Rob Bishop representing us in U.S. House District 1 for another two years, check out this VoteVets.com item, wherein this prominent US veteran's group just roundly endorsed West Point grad/Class President and overseas military-duty veteran Donna McAleer for Utah Congressional District 1:

• Donna McAleer, Candidate for Congress, Utah 1

By comparison, can you see this fat-cat Bishop guy slugging it through boot-camp, let alone sweating out an overseas military tour as did Donna McAleer? That, of course, is something Bishop never did, even though he "came of age" during the Vietnam War Era, and continues to vote for America's seemingly endless wars for "nation bulding" and "oil":

Congressman "Rob" - Ready to Go Out to Pasture

Somehow we don't think so.

Something to think about, ainnit people, as Two-Tons-of Fun Bishop continues to supplicate to the GOP war-mongers in Congress, no?

One thing's for sure, and speakin' as an America Vet... Donna McCleer's got our vote.

Standard-Examiner: Two Contenders for Utah Attorney General Offer Varied Experience

Don't be a tool of the Democratic and Republican establishments, who've essential rigged the system... Please join your blogmeister in voting for Andrew MCullough on November 6

In the interest of kicking off a little Sunday morning discussion on an otherwise slow political news day, well highlight this morning's Standard-Examiner story, putting the focus on the differences between Democratic Party candidate Dee Smith and GOP candidate John Swallow in the 2012 General Election Utah Attorney General race:

• Two contenders for Utah Attorney General offer varied experience

Informative though this morning's SE story is intended to be however, it unfortunately misses the mark and doesn't cover the full field of candidates running this year for Utah's A.G slot, which in truth includes three candidates... not two:

Attorney General State of Utah - 4 year term

Candidate	Website/Contact Info	Campaign Finance Disclosures	Party
Dee Smith	Dee Smith Campaign Website	Dee Smith 2012	Democratic
Andrew McCullough	Andrew McCullough Campaign Website	Andrew McCullough 2012	Libertarian
John Swallow	John Swallow Campaign Website	John Swallow 2012	Republican

That's right, folks, there's a superbly well-qualified Libertarian candidate running for Utah Attorney General, namely Andrew McCullough, A Utah Attorney who has more trial experience than candidates Smith and Swallow rolled together.

For more info on the Utah A.G. candidate whom the Standard-Examiner mysteriously left out of the discussion, check out Mr. McCullough's campaign website:

• Andrew McCullough For Attorney General of Utah

As an added bonus, we'll also link to an October 18, 2012 post from Mr. McCullogh's blog, which frames the general problem existing in our American "two-party system" (so-called), wherein legitimate third party candidates are all but completely squeezed out of the political discussion by default:

• The Important Fight for Freedom

Andrew McCullough's been capably practicing law in a variety of arenas since candidates Smith and Swallow were still in knee-pants.

And if you're seriously concerned about civil liberties, a vote for McCullough ought to be a slam dunk choice, it seems to us.

Don't be a tool of the Democratic and Republican party establishments, who've essentially rigged the system. Please join your blogmeister in voting for Andrew McCullough on November 6.

Standard-Examiner: Our View: Donna McAleer for U.S. Congress

The Standard gets back on the right track, with this morning's Utah 1st District Congressional endorsement

After yesterday's blunder, the Standard gets back on the right track, with this morning's Utah 1st District Congressional endorsement:

• Our View: Donna McAleer for U.S. Congress

It's time to oust those misguided souls (like Bishop) who mindlessly kowtow to the "batsh*t crazy" Tea Party, wethinks.

Let Northern Utahns elect a "team player" for once, and, in that process, also get our U.S. Congress back on track.

Needless to say, we at WCF join in whole-heartedly with this morning's S-E endorsement.

Salt Lake Tribune: Howell Attacks Hatch’s Leadership in Final Debate

In the interest of keeping our WCF readers abreast of new developments in Utah's 2012 US Senate Race, we'll highlight this morning's Salt Lake Tribune story, reporting on yesterday's Orrin Hatch/Scott Howell debate:

• Howell attacks Hatch’s leadership in final debate

Here's Mr. Howell's money quote:

Rocky Anderson has a better chance of being president than Orrin being chairman of the Finance Committee," Howell said. Anderson, the former Salt Lake City mayor, is running for president on the Justice Party ticket.

Mr. Hatch responds of course, that even if Obama is re-elected in November, and Hatch doesn't land the Senate Finance Committee Chairman job, "they have to run everything by me, and I have a lot of say and a lot of clout."

Sorry folks, we've feverishly searched the net for a recorded version of Friday's debate, but it's nowhere to be found, at present.

If it does pop up in the near future however, our gentle readers will be the first to find out.

Standard-Examiner Endorsement: Our View: Gary Herbert for Utah Governor

A simple case of journalistic schizophrenia, or a reminder that our local news media will never consistently play the part of a local watchdog, slaving to root out corruption in our Utah political system?

What a difference a day makes.  With only one day elapsed since we congratulated the Standard-Examiner for the wisdom of their endorsement of Scott Howell for US Senate, we now find this nonsense in Ogden City's morning paper:

• Our View: Gary Herbert for Utah governor

Just to put it all in perspective, folks, check out this Salt Lake Tribune letter to the editor, which pretty clearly sets forth what we pretty much we'd thought to be everybody's view on Herbert, perhaps the most ethically-challenged Utah governor within memory:

• Reasons to oust Herbert

And yes, folks, we devoted some WCF page space to this on 10/9/12.

Reminds us of the olden days when the Standard used to consistently endorse the most corrupt mayor in Ogden's history.

So what's up with the Standard-Examiner, folks?  A simple case of journalistic schizophrenia, or a reminder that our local news media will never consistently play the part of a local watchdog, slaving to root out corruption in our Utah political system?

Standard-Examiner 2012 Election Special

The staff of the Standard has been working their tails off putting this all together folks; and the effort shows

As we edge to within 10 days of the November 6, 2012 election, we'll direct our readers' attention to a robust collection of articles from this morning's Standard-Examiner Election 2012 Special Edition. The staff of the Standard has obviously been working their tails off putting this all together folks, and the effort shows. Read up, folks:

• Senate 19: Medical professionals battle for senate 
• Senate 20: State Senate District 20
• House 7: State House District 7
• House 8: State House District 8
• House 9: State House District 9
• House 10: State House District 10
• House 11: State House District 11
• House 12: State House District 12
• House 29: State House District 29
• WC Commission: Economy top issue in (Weber) commission
• OSB1: Ogden School Board 1 
• OSB5: Ogden School Board 5  
• SSB1: State School Board 1 
• SSB4: State School Board 4  
• WSB4: Weber School Board 4

Amidst all the above information pieces, The Standard also makes its first 2012 endorsement on this morning's editorial page, concerning the 2012 U.S. Senate race:

• Standard-Examiner editorial: Our View: Scott Howell for U.S. Senate

Many of us have been saying for years that it's time to put Senator-for-Life Orrin Hatch out to pasture, and it's encouraging, we think,  to see the Standard leaping aboard that bandwagon.

For further information about these candidates, and some others that the Standard left out, check out our Weber County Forum 2012 General Election Roster, which is also available in our right sidebar.

Third Party Presidential Debate Tonight - Updated

Game's on at 7:00 (MT) via C-SPAN and the Free and Equal Elections Foundation's online live video feeds

For those WCF political wonks who'd mistakenly thought the 2012 Presidential Debate dog and pony show was over, here's some interesting information from our old favorite, the C-SPAN website:

Click to enlarge image

Chicago - Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Four Third Party Presidential candidates are participating in a debate in Chicago, organized by the Free and Equal Elections Foundation.

The participants will include Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Constitution Party candidate Virgil Goode, and Justice Party candidate Rocky Anderson. The hour and half event is being moderated by former CNN anchor Larry King and Christina Tobin, founder and chair of the Free and Equal Elections Foundation.

Game's on via C-SPAN at 7:00 (MT). Here's the link:

• C-SPAN live video stream

Alternatively, we provide the Free and Equal Elections Foundation's own live video feed:

• Free and Equal live-stream

We hope all WCF political wonks will avail themselves of the opportunity to hear the views of these non-mainstream, third party candidates.

Update 10/24/12 9:00 a.m.: For those who missed last night's third party debate, here's a taped version via C-SPAN:

Third Presidential Debate - Serious Political/Sports Conflicts - Updated

Just for fun as y'all contemplate this, we invite you to cast your vote in our new online poll

Tough choices this evening for Weber County Forum political wonks who are also rabid San Francisco Giants fans (like us).  Due to the cruel serendipity of MLB playoff scheduling, tonight's one and only Major Sports playoff event which isn't inhibited by a nagging "game clock," (unlike Presidential debates) happens to run headlong into tonight's "Third (count 'em)  Presidential candidate debate."

We have two MAJOR WORLD EVENTS happening at the very same time tonight, dangit.

As soon as it's available, tonight's 2012 Presidential debate III will be coming up live on C-SPAN (Debate starts at 9 pm ET sharp): 

• C-SPAN Live streaming Video  (Recorded 10/23/12)

Sorry, folks; you'll have to watch the NLCS on your mundane, old-fashioned TeeVee.

So what about it folks?  1) Will you be watching the S.F Giants try to clinch the MLB National League 2012 title championship game tonight; or 2) will you glued into a relatively-important political debate where you'll finally be deciding which presidential candidate is the "lesser evil"?

Just for fun as y'all contemplate this, here's our new online poll:

Free Web poll for your Web site - freepolls.com

The floor's open for whatever's on your minds, O Gentle Ones.

10/23/12 9:00 a.m.:  We've rounded up a few notable post-debate stories and other items. Not everyone believes Obama was last night's victor:

• CNN Poll: Nearly half of debate watchers say Obama won showdown - CNN
• Obama Reelection Odds Increase In Prediction Markets Following Foreign Policy Debate - HuffPo
• "Horses and bayonets" becomes latest debate catchphrase - Chicago Trib
• Angry Obama Loses to Unflappable Romney - Daily Beast
• Entire Nation Now Undecided After 4 Debates - The Onion

Added Bonus: Last night's WCF polling results:

Comments, anyone?

Salt Lake Tribune: Court Withholds Envision Ogden Documents

Ogden activist Dan Schroeder hits dead end after long fight

Bad news for Utah government transparency, folks, as the Salt Lake Tribune reports on the latest round in Dan Schroeder's protracted court quest to lift the veil of secrecy concerning the Envision Ogden scandal, pursuant to provisions of the Utah Government Records Access Management Act (GRAMA).

• Court withholds Envision Ogden documents 

Although Trib reporter Cathy McKitrick provides an informative writeup concerning yesterday's disappointing court decision, we'll flesh out this story further, with this explanatory paragraph which we've lifted this morning from Dan's Facebook page:

The judge ruled that most of the disputed records are exempt from GRAMA not due to any specific provision of GRAMA, but rather due to the constitutional protection against unreasonable search and seizure. Although the AG obtained Envision Ogden's bank records via a valid subpoena, which effectively said the seizure was reasonable for purposes of the investigation, the judge stated that making the records public, outside of the course of a criminal prosecution, would effectively make the seizure unreasonable. Furthermore, he ruled that this constitutional protection outweighs the admittedly valid public interest in learning more about what Envision Ogden did, and in learning more about the AG's investigation. Finally, the judge also ruled that some of the records are protected attorney work product, finding that those records contain evidence of attorneys' mental impressions, even though the State Records Committee found no such evidence and the AG basically described the records' content as factual. The judge did order the release of one two-page document, but from the sound of it, that document is merely the bank's cover sheet certifying that it was complying with the subpoena.

As to the possibility of the taking this adverse decision up to Utah Court of Appeals, Dan adds this clarification: "I have no plans one way or the other regarding a possible appeal."

We'll take that to mean he's keeping his options open.

Needless to say, we'll be keeping a close eye on this story if and/or when it further develops.

WSU Game Day Thread: Weber State v. Southern Utah University - Updated

The Wildcats haven't given up... and neither should we

Our beloved but downtrodden Weber State Wildcats are once again back on the road this afternoon folks, where they'll step onto the gridiron at 1:00 p.m. to battle it out with the Big Sky Conference newcomer Southern Utah Thunderbirds' in Southern Utah University's Eccles Coliseum (Official motto: "Maybe not  the largest facility of its type, but... one of the nicest, among the FCS ranks").

With four games remaining on the Wildcats 2012 schedule, our 0-4 in conference Wildcats still have hopes of finishing up this year with a breakeven .500 conference season; so there's still a good chance that our home town team will not close the 2012 season floundering in the Big Sky Conference cellar.

Here's the pre-game skinny from each team's home town newspaper, the Standard-Examiner and the Cedar City Spectrum, respectively:

• Wildcats hope winning turnover battle results in first victory
• T-Birds face new in-state rivalry

 Looks like the "fickle" Wildcats' "flagship" radio station (KZNS-AM "The Zone") has now bailed-out on weekly game broadcasts, but avid Wildcats fans can still catch the game the old fashioned way via KZNS-FM 106.9.

And here's something special for true diehards who'd like to catch some live online streaming game video:

• America One Sports

We tried this last week; and despite the slight hassle of signing up for a free "pass," and downloading a couple of "helper" software apps (takes only a couple of minutes,) the audio and video quality is actually pretty danged good, so we'll highly reco this software setup for those folks who simply can't stand going another week without viewing Wildcats football.

The 'Cats will  be playing out the rest of the season mainly for pride, people, but lets all show our continuing support.  The Wildcats haven't given up... and neither should we.

Go Wildcats!

Update 10/20/12 4:02 p.m.: Whoa! WSU  barely snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, almost blows a 21-16 fourth quarter lead, and yet still gets its first season win, after covering a SUU onside kick. Weber State 24, Southern Utah 22,  It wasn't a pretty win; but will take the Double-U. Whew!

Update 10/21/12 8:30 a.m.: The Standard provides this post-game writeup:

• Weber State picks up first football win of season

2012 Utah Senatorial Debate - Hatch v. Howell Reprise

Listen up folks, as it's apparent Mr. Howell presents an attractive alternative in Utah's U.S. Senate Race

Earlier in the week, we attempted to post the online video of voteutah.org's 2012 Utah Senatorial Debate, featuring incumbent GOP Senator Orrin Hatch squaring off against Democratic Party challenger Scott Howell, for what we expected (and proved to be) a quite lively confrontation. For reasons which still remain unclear however, that video was pulled from voteutah.org's server.  We're now delighted to discover this morning that this informative video is once again back up for on-demand viewing; so we accordingly embed the full video here once again:

Watch 2012 Utah Senatorial Debate on PBS. See more from Utah Issues.

Listen up folks, as it's apparent Mr. Howell presents an attractive alternative in this race, especially for those of us of all political stripes who've been swearing for years: "We need to get rid of Senator-for-Life Orrin Hatch."

For for your future pre-election reference we've also placed this video in our right sidebar 2012 General Election module.

Salt Lake Tribune Endorsement: Too Many Mitts

Surprise of surprises: The Salt Lake Tribune just endorsed Barack Obama for president

Click to enlarge image

Ouch!  From the point of view of the Mitt Romney campaign, this has gotta hurt!  In the event you've been off hiding in cave somewhere, here's the afternoon editorial which has set traditional news media and social networks all over the world all a-twitter.  The Salt Lake Tribune just endorsed Barack Obama for president. Read up, folks:

• Tribune Endorsement: Too Many Mitts

And yep, this story has gone completely viral, according to this afternoon's Trib followup George Pyle column, (along with the non-Trib graphic we've embedded at the right of this WCF article):

• Tribune endorsement (Barack Obama) goes viral ...

There'll be much weeping and gnashing of teeth in the Romney camp, we suspect.

Of course Romney ain't doing so hot in his own home state of Massachusetts either, so perhaps this is actually no big deal, right?

So what do our gentle readers have to say about all this?

Election 2012: Expanding the Debate with Third-Party Candidates

We're not laboring under any illusion that any of these third-party "hopefuls" have a "snowball's chance in hell" of winding up in the White House, but the word's around town that one or more of them could conceivably play a "spoiler role"

In the aftermath of Tuesday's Presidential debate #2, we had a short conversation with one of our readers who offered a suggestion which we thought to be a great idea.  Inasmuch as most ballot-qualified U.S. Presidential candidates have been excluded from the national debate discussion by our so-called "2-party system," "why not shine the spotlight on the several non-major party candidates?" our alert and concerned reader asked.

That's right folks. We'll lay odds that there are some of these folks (all of whom are qualified to appear on Utah ballots) are candidates you may have never even heard of:

U.S. President Federal - 4 year term

Candidate	Website/Contact Info	Campaign Finance Disclosures	Party
Virgil Goode & Jim Clymer	Virgil Goode Campaign Website	Virgil Goode 2012	Constitution
Barrack Obama & Joe Biden	Barrack Obama Campaign Website	Barrack Obama 2012	Democratic
Jill Stein, & Cheri Honkala	Jill Stein Campaign Website	Jill Stein 2012	Green
Rocky Anderson & Luis Rodriguez	Rocky Anderson Campaign Website	Rocky Anderson 2012	Justice
Gary Johnson & James Gray	Gary Johnson Campaign Website	Gary Johnson 2012	Libertarian
Mitt Romney & Paul Ryan	Mitt Romney Campaign Website	Mitt Romney 2012	Republican

In that connection therefore, and taking advantage of the brief interlude before next Tuesday's Third Presidential debate, we'll provide a couple of links which our WCF reader provided us, just to make sure we've left no stones unturned as we ramp up to the November 6, 2012 General Election.

For starters, here's a handy link, wherein the Democracy Now website "re-air[s] parts of [Tuesday] night’s presidential debate, pausing the videotape to give third-party candidates [Jill Stein of the Green Party, Constitution Party nominee Virgil Goode, and Justice Party candidate Rocky Anderson] a chance to respond to the same questions put to the major-party candidates":

• Exclusive: Expanding the Debate with Third-Party Candidates Jill Stein, Virgil Goode, Rocky Anderson

And there's another similar online event happening this afternoon, featuring Green Party candidate Green and Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson. Perhaps a few of our foamy-mouthed WCF political wonks will want to check it out:

• Join us for the Google+ presidential debates this week!

And no, folks.  We're not laboring under any illusion that any of these third-party "hopefuls" have a "snowball's chance in hell" of winding up in the White House; but the word's around town that one or more of them could conceivably play a "spoiler role".

 Have at it, O Gentle Ones.

And whatever you do, don't neglect to throw in your own 2¢.

Standard-Examiner: Ogden Opts to Bulldoze Blight

7-Eleven will replace buildings on Washington

By Smaatguy

I am beyond PO'ed... A 7-11 is now the gateway to Ogden's Riverbend development and downtown area?!!! AND we the fine taxpayers of O-town are giving the developer (AKA "hot tubbers Inc.") a hundred grand to do it!

• Ogden Opts to Bulldoze Blight

What the &%$#??? The only one on the council that got it right was Amy Wicks:

I have a real hard time giving somebody $100,000 to develop a 7-Eleven when we have somebody else just down the road, who on their own dime, demolished a building and built a convenience store,” she said. “I can’t support putting the funds toward a development that ultimately ends up with just a convenience store on the corner.

Man if this isn't cronyism I don't know what is! So, we dish out $100k and get back $96k (supposedly) in the proposed budget and Brandon says it's essentially free to the city...since when is $4k free?

It will be interesting to see where on the property the 7-11 actually goes...on the corner....in the middle on Washington?....there is more to this than meets the eye because that 7-11 isn't going to take up that whole site.

Can't wait to see the 50 temporary construction jobs created by the demolition of the existing buildings and construction of a 7-11....the place should just be crawling with activity....

Excuse me while I go regurgitate....

2012 Utah Senatorial Debate - Hatch v. Howell

Open the video player to watch Utah's U.S. Senate candidates Hatch and Howell rip each other to shreds

Just as we find seemingly ourselves up to our eyeballs in 2012 election debate videos, we'll throw a little more fuel on the fire with another one we've all been breathlessly awaitng, i.e., tonight's 2012 Utah Senatorial Debate, in which GOP Senator-for-Life Orrin Hatch squares off against Democratic Party challenger Scott Howell, for what's bound to be a very lively confrontation.

This debate, "[t]he only televised debate for U.S. Senate in Utah will be broadcast statewide on multiple public broadcasting stations...  as part of the unique VoteUtah 2012 collaboration between Utah public broadcasting entities," (according to the voteutah.org website)  is set for broadcast tonight (Wednesday, October 17) at 9:00 p.m..

We know all WCF political wonks are sitting on the edges of their seats... but why wait? To our great delight we've discovered that the recorded footage is already uploaded and available for on-demand viewing online. Click the "play" button on the video player linked below to watch these two U.S. Senate candidates rip each other to shreds, folks:

• 2012 Utah Senatorial Debate Video

Your always-politically wonkish comments are invited as per usual.

Update 10/17/12 11:45 a.m.: Too funny.  The above linked video has been suddenly pulled from the voteutah.org website.  We guess our reader online previews were cutting into KUED's potential 9:00 p.m. viewership.

Our apologies to the crass commercial and political interests in the public broadcasting industry for "jumping the gun" on this, LOL.

Obama/Romney Encore: 2012 US Presidential Debate No. 2 - Updated

Click our special C-SPAN link, for those who'd prefer to "tune in" and view via the miracle of electrons bouncing back and forth through a "series of internet tubes"

Click to enlarge image

Joy of joys... President Obama and Mitt Romney once again get back on the stage tonight at Hofstra University for their second general election debate.  The stakes are high for both candidates tonight, folks, as Obama seeks to recover the political ground he lost thirteen days ago, (when he basically snoozed through the last unfortunate encounter.)  Romney now has his own new polling turf to to protect, of course; so he can't afford to sit on his... laurels.

Tonight's debate will be broadcast on all the major TV networks, of course.  But for those who'd prefer to "tune in" and view via the miracle of electrons bouncing back and forth through a "series of internet tubes," here's a link to our hands down choice for Presidential debate viewing... the 99.9% talking head/political pundit-free C-SPAN Network:

• C-SPAN debate video (Recorded 10/16/12)

The debate starts at 7 p.m. Mountain Time, by the way, so you have plenty of time to get over to your local grocery stores to stock up on Orville Redenbachers.

And just so's you won't be stuck twiddling you thumbs between now and the time debate moderator Candy Crowley brings the gavel down, here are a few carefully selected pre-debate stories to chew on in the meantime:

• What to watch for in the second presidential debate WaPo
• 2012 Presidential Debate: What To Watch For At Hofstra - HuffPo
• 5 things to watch at the debate - Politico
• Leaked Debate Agreement Shows Both Obama and Romney are Sniveling Cowards - Gawker 

Your ever-savvy comments are invited, of course, before, during and after tonight's debate.

Update 10/17/12 8:00 a.m.: A few post debate items for our readers' consideration:

• Obama Delivers - HuffPo
• With stakes high, Obama hits back at Romney in a fiery second debate - WaPo
• For the President, Punch, Punch, Another Punch - NYTimes
• Video - POLITICO Playback: 10/17/12 - Politico
• October 17, 2012 - Nate Silver - Daily Show

Comments, anyone?

Standard-Examiner: Lively Debate Between Bishop, Challenger McAleer Hits Jobs, Public Lands, Wars - Updated

Coming up: Debate video

Robust Charlie Trentleman writeup in the Standard this morning, providing a detailed account of last night's 1st Congressional District Rob Bishop/Donna McAleer debate:

• Lively debate between Bishop, challenger McAleer hits jobs, public lands, wars

Read up, folks.

We'll update this article with the upcoming video of course, as soon as it's available.

Update 10/16/12 11:31 a.m.:  Check out this debate attendee  letter, which popped up on the SE site around 11 a.m.:

• Rob Bishop, demeans, silences questioning student

And now the Trib is all over the story too:

• Bishop, McAleer spar in lively 1st District debate

10/11/12 Utah Gubernatorial Debate

Incumbent GOP Governor Gary Herbert vs. Democratic Party challenger Peter Cooke

Thanks to a tip from one of our sharp-eyed and alert Weber County Forum readers, we bring you the recorded video of last week's Utah gubernatorial debate, featuring incumbent GOP Governor Gary Herbert and Democratic Party challenger Peter Cooke, which was originally aired on KUED TV on October 11, 2012:

For our readers' convenient future reference, we've also placed this video footage in our right sidebar election module.

Listen up, folks... and don't let the cat get your tongues.