Sunday Funnies: Utah GOP Settles ‘Civil War’ over SB54

There's blockbuster political news this morning concerning the ongoing SB 54 squabble, as Northern Utah media report that "the bickering factions of the state Republican Party put aside their differences and took steps to ensure that the party will be able to have its candidates on the ballot in 2016."

Here's the lede, via Fox 13 News:

TAYLORSVILLE — It appears Republicans will be on the ballot in 2016 in one of the reddest of red states.
The Utah Republican Party’s Central Committee voted to comply with a new election law during a special meeting here on Saturday. The vote by an overwhelming number of committee members may end an internal party fight over the direction of the state’s most powerful political party.

Read the delightful full morning stories, folks:

• Utah GOP settles ‘Civil War’ over SB54 - Fox 13 News
• To get on ballot, Utah GOP takes steps to comply with Count My Vote deal - Salt Lake Tribune

"For all the complaints of, 'we don't have enough time,' they sure got that done quick. Now drop the lawsuit UTGOP and deal with [reality as it exists,"] sez one savvy Trib reader.

Standard-Examiner: Cities Gear Up For Candidate Filing Period Next Week

Needless to say, Weber County Forum is champing at the bit to get rolling with our 2015 Ogden Municipal Election coverage, with the same highly detailed reporting which we've provided over the past ten years

Lo and behold folks,  We're delighted to shine the spotlight on this morning's Cathy McKitrick story, heralding the beginning of the 2015 municipal election season.  Ms. McKitrick provides a robust writeup in this morning's Standard-Examiner, providing a preview of a few of the races lining up for November's Ogden City Elections, among other things. Here's the lede, peeps:

OGDEN — In odd-numbered years, residents get the chance to either run for municipal office or cast votes to determine who will occupy some of their city council seats.
And in two Utah cities — Salt Lake City and Ogden — mayors come up for re-election this year as well. In January, Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell announced that he would seek a second term... With municipal primaries scheduled for Aug. 11, Top of Utah municipal candidates have from Monday, June 1 to the following Monday, June 8 to file for office with their respective cities.

Check out the full story, Weber County Forum readers:

• Cities gear up for candidate filing period next week

Sadly, veteran At Large Seat C's Councilwoman Amy Wicks will be stepping down:

“I think 12 years is as long as somebody should serve in that position,” Wicks told the Standard-Examiner. “I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot, and that maybe it’s time for some new blood. We don’t have term limits but I’m going to impose those on myself.”
During those dozen years, Wicks said that several pieces came together to improve economic opportunities in Ogden, make it safer and expand amenities that draw people in and enhance quality of life in the city.
“I’ve enjoyed serving Ogden, and getting to know a lot of great people who are doing great things for the community,” Wicks said.
One task Wicks views as a loose thread is the inability to search minutes on the city’s website.
“I’ve been bringing that up for a couple of years now, and have been told it’s part of the website revamp,” Wicks said.
But in her book, that’s not acceptable.
“I hope that whoever fills my shoes will work in the spirit of transparency and inclusion of all members in the community,” Wicks said.

 Ward 4's Councilwoman Caitlin Gochnour will not be running again either:

Caitlin Gochnour, who is finishing her second term representing Ogden’s Ward 4, told the Standard-Examiner Thursday that she would not run for re-election.
“It was a really hard decision, and it will be difficult to step away from so many projects that I care so much about,” Gochnour said. “But I personally believe in term limits, self-imposed in my case.”
Gochnour said she now has a heightened appreciation for the democratic process: “It’s an opportunity for regular citizens like me to participate.”

Ward 2's Councilman Richard Hyer will be looking for a second term:

Ogden City Council Chairman Richard Hyer said Thursday that he intends to file next week for a second term. Before getting elected to the Ward 2 council seat in 2011, Hyer served 16 years on Ogden’s Planning Commission.
“I do enjoy serving the citizens of Ward 2,” Hyer said, “and I think I’m helping to make sure the city services get equally balanced throughout the whole community, and that the north end is getting some recognition.”

Ms. Mckitrick also puts the focus on newcomer Council hopeful, Luis Lopez:

Luis Lopez, director of the Community Education Center at Weber State University, will likely be among the first to file for Ogden’s at-large council seat being vacated by Amy Wicks, who is finishing her third term this year. Lopez is hosting his first campaign event on Saturday (May 30) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sonora Grill, 2310 Kiesel Ave., Ogden. There, he intends to unveil his website, luislopezforcitycouncil.org, and candidate Facebook page, Luis Lopez for City Council.

Ogden City residents who might be interested in throwing in their own hats for available elected Ogden City seats can find the information they need for candidate filings via the Ogden City website:

• Ogden City 2015 Municipal Election Information

Added bonus via Utah Politico Hub:

• Small Town Politics: Should I Run For Office?

Needless to say, Weber County Forum is champing at the bit to get rolling with our 2015 Ogden Municipal Election coverage, with the same highly detailed level of reporting which we've provided over the past ten years.

Memorial Day 2015 Special

High Country News: The Taxpayer Money That Fuels Federal Land Transfer Demands

Something to seriously consider, as Weber County Commissioner Matthew Bell stands for re-election in November 2016, wethink

As a followup to our recent reporting concerning Utah House Rep. Ken Ivory's Utah-based American Land Council (ALC) and its feverish behind the scenes efforts to to seize and sell off America’s national forests and other public lands, we stumbled upon this gem of an artice from High Country News, detailing the manner in which this shadowy group finances its lobbying in various state legislatures

Here's the lede, Peeps:

Since 2012, the American Lands Council has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to advocate and lobby for the transfer of federal lands to states. Such a move could dramatically change how these lands are managed, affecting anybody who makes a living in, lives near, recreates in, or simply loves the notion of public lands in the West. But who finances the demands?
The Utah-based American Lands Council, or ALC, is mostly funded by memberships, the majority of which are county commissions—that is, taxpayer-funded dues. In 2013, the last year for which records are available, the non-profit raised around $200,000 in contributions. About $157,000 of that came from memberships; $134,000 of that came from the coffers of counties. (Much of the rest comes from contributions from individuals and corporations, including Americans for Prosperity, the right-wing think tank supported by the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch.) Membership ranges from a “bronze” level, which costs $1,000 a year, to “platinum,” which costs $25,000 a year [Emphasis added].

Read the full story, folks:

• The taxpayer money that fuels federal land transfer demands

Here's the kicker, Weber County residents:

Below here is a list of counties where taxpayers have helped support the American Lands Council’s agenda — whether they know it or not:
...Utah: Beaver, Box Elder, Cache, Dagget, Duchesne, Garfield, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Morgan, Piute, Rich, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Tooele, Uintah, Utah, Washington, and Weber

That's right, folks. Our "generous" Weber County Commission is kicking in $5,000 per year in Weber County taxpayer funds to help finance Representive Ivory's land-grab (whether you knew it or not). Here's the proof, straight from ALC's own website:

• ALC - Utah Member Counties

Something to seriously consider, as Weber County Commissioner Matt Bell stands for re-election in November 2016, wethink.

And what say you, O Gentle Ones?

Standard-Examiner: Wolf Creek Files Eminent Domain Action Against Summit

Looks like "peace-makin"" ain't in the cards

In the interest of kickstarting a possible WCF discussion, we'll take note of an interesting development in what we've labelled the ongoing Ogden Valley "Water War." Specifically, Standard-Examiner reporter Cathy McKitrick reported over the weekend that "[t]he Wolf Creek Water & Sewer Improvement District has launched eminent domain proceedings against Summit [Powder Mountain Group], in an effort to gain control of the land [five or six acres] on which the district’s sewer treatment plant, lagoons and irrigation pond sit, " [Links added].

Check out Ms. McKitrick's full story, folks:

• Wolf Creek files eminent domain action against Summit

Cutting to the chase, here's a nice thumbnail synopsis of the legal requirements of Utah eminent domain law, for the benefit of those Weber County Forum readers (Ogden Valley residents in particular) who may have a keen interest in carefully following and interpreting this fast developing story:

• BRIEF REVIEW OF UTAH EMINENT DOMAIN LAW BASICS (PDF)

Upon our initial review of these above rules, it appears that Wolf Creek Water & Sewer Improvement District has already satisfied the the pre-condemnation requirements for the initiation of an eminent domain proceeding,and that this matter is now "ripe" for adjudication in Ogden's 2d Utah District Court.

A possible "fly in the ointment?" Summit has a concurrent unlawful detainer (eviction) action still pending against Wolf Creek Water & Sewer Improvement District, concerning the same "subject" property. The ultimate irony, of course, would be a scenario wherein Summit might manage to oust  Wolf Creek Water & Sewer Improvement District in this eviction action, prior the the Wolf Creek District's perfection of its separate condemnation action.

Several weeks ago the Standard-Examiner urged these two warring Ogden Valley entities to "bury the hatchet":

• Our View: Make peace in Ogden Valley water war 

Sadly folks, that's just the opposite of what's happening at this juncture.

Happy Birthday to Us!

Thanks, Weber County Forum readers!

Why it seems like only yesterday that we were introducing Weber County Forum to the lumpencitizens of northern Utah; but whaddaya know, we celebrate WCF's 10th anniversary today.

Happy Birthday To Us!

We'll thus take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt thanks to the political wonks who've given us their enthusiastic support over these past ten years.  We believe that all-in-all, our little home-town blog has proven to be an important and unique community resource.

We couldn't have reached this important milestone, and accomplished the many significant things which we've achieved without the robust contributions of all of you who've stuck with us since our initial founding on May 15, 2005.

Thanks, Weber County Forum readers!

Surprise of Surprises: Utah GOP Suddenly Plans to "Move Toward" Complying with New Election Law - Updated

What a difference a day makes, eh gentle readers?

In the aftermath of Monday's WCF story, wherein we revealed that Chairman James Evans of the Utah GOP was conducting a survey to tap the lumpencitzens' opinions in re the his party's ongoing interest in thwarting the percived ill effects of the new SB54 "dual track"political nominations law, we find these two illuminating stories in the Utah online media today, seemingly indicating that stubborn Utah GOP "leadership" seems suddenly poised to engage in a major, 180-degree flip-flop.

"It doesn't mean we have to accept [the new law] or we have to approve it was done, but we have a responsibility as a governing body and the delegates have a responsibility to make sure we can be prepared for 2016 and it's my responsibility to make sure we can get to that point," GOP state party Chairman James Evans reluctantly admitted Tuesday.

Read up, folks.

• First Results of GOP Survey Show Republicans Want to Comply with SB54 - Utah Policy
• Utah GOP plans to move toward complying with new election law -Salt Lake Tribune

What a difference a day makes, eh gentle readers, now that early polling results are rolling in, especially with GOP Chairman James Evans now realizing that he has a sane August GOP convention challenger breathing down is throat?

• Liljenquist Mulling a Challenge to Evans for GOP Chair

And BTW, here's another link to the ongoing GOP SB54 survey, for those possibly "neglectful" WCF readers who might have forgotten to throw in their own 2¢:

• SB 54: The Way Forward Survey

Update 5/14/15 8:00 a.m.: Republican leaders say they have a lot of lobbying to do in order get delegates on board with the changes required by the "Count My Vote" compromise that passed the legislature last year:

• 'Lot of persuading' yet to be done to sell GOP delegates on SB54 changes

Don't let the cat get your tongues, O Gentle Ones.

A Terrible Negotiating Strategy: The Utah Republican Party Goes All or Nothing on SB 54

To his friend James Evans, Lockhart would say that his legacy hangs in the balance.

On the heels of Utah GOP heavyweight Dan Liljenquist's scathing 05/0215 Deseret News guest editorial, former Utah GOP Chairman Stan Lockhart unleashed another blictering critique of current GOP "leadership's" handling of the SB54 candidate nomination compromise "problem" on the pages of Utah Politico Hub yesterday afternoon.

"Utah has gone over the last several decades from one of the highest voter participation States to one of the lowest. Endless debate abounds as to the reasons why," Mr. Lockhart asks. "[Because The Utah] Republican Party has demonstrated over and over again the last three years that they have no interest in more voter participation," he quite properly concludes.

Read up folks. We do believe Mr. Lockhart squarely "nails it":

• A Terrible Negotiating Strategy: the Utah Republican Party goes all or nothing on SB 54

Mr. Lockhart neatly ties it all up in his summary paragraphs, wethink:

The Utah Republican Party’s most recent proposals of a $10,000 fee for candidates to run as Republicans and a purity test for all Republican candidates are just more evidence of being out of touch with reality. This exclusionary thinking goes against the fundamental purpose of a political Party and makes the Party irrelevant in the entire discussion of getting more people involved in Utah’s political process. The more the Party makes outlandish proposals, the more they prove the CMV hypothesis that those with power within the Utah Republican Party are so power-hungry they won’t give up that power even if by doing so more Utah voters will get involved. It is a sad state of affairs. 

Many say that all of this Republican Party dysfunction is a failure of Party leadership to lead. As a former Republican Party Chair, I know just how difficult it is to lead a Party. The most difficult responsibility of a Party Chair is to propose Party direction that challenges Central Committee preference. Almost all Chairs face that dilemma and their legacy becomes how they handled those difficult issues. To my friend James Evans, I would say that his legacy hangs in the balance.

Our take? James. Evans' very survival as State GOP Chairman hangs in the balance, as Utah GOP warhorses such as Mr. Lockhart keep "piling on," (if you take our meaning):

• Liljenquist Mulling a Challenge to Evans for GOP Chair

Comments anyone? Ferris?

Online Survey: Utah Lumpencitizens Urged to Weigh in on GOP Candidate Requirements

We urge all Weber County Forum political wonks to throw in your own 2¢, inasmuch as befuddled Utah GOP "leadership" was gracious enough to ask

Well lookie here, folks. In its tireless effort to avoid the perceived ill effects of the of the SB54 candidate nomination compromise, the Utah GOP is conducting a survey.  Here's the lede from Lisa Riley Roche's full Deseret News story:

MURRAY — Salt Lake County GOP delegates were urged Saturday to participate in a state party survey about what requirements candidates must meet to run as Republicans under a new law being challenged in court.
"We do have to move forward and prepare for 2016," Utah GOP Chairman James Evans told the more than 1,000 county delegates gathered at Cottonwood High School for their annual convention.
He said the party can't afford to lose its focus on the upcoming election "because we don't want a Democrat to gain even an inch in Salt Lake County or anywhere else in this state."

Read the full story, O Gentle Readers:

• Delegates urged to weigh in on GOP candidate requirements

Here's the "nitty-gritty":

The state party survey, which went out last week, lets Republicans weigh in on some of the controversial proposals that have surfaced to deal with changes made to the candidate nominating process in SB54.
The proposals include requiring would-be Republican candidates to meet with party officials, attest to their support of the party platform and, for the first time, pay a yet-to-be determined fee before being allowed to run.
The survey also asks whether Republican candidates should lose their party membership for choosing to bypass the caucus and convention system in favor of the newly available option of gathering signatures for a spot on the primary ballot.
Results of the survey, being conducted by mail and online, are scheduled to be discussed Tuesday at a meeting of the state GOP's executive committee. The final decision on the proposals will be made at the party's state convention in August.

A Weber County Forum Tip O' The Hat to D-news reporter Lisa Riley Roche, for providing the link to the online survey, wherein Utah GOP "leaders" seem to be reaching out (surprise of surprises) to find out what Utah voters think:

• SB 54: The Way Forward Survey

We thus urge all Weber County Forum political wonks to click this link, fill out the survey and throw in your own 2¢, inasmuch as befuddled Utah GOP leadership (so-called) was gracious enough to ask for your input.

Utah Political Capitol: Colorado Group Files Complaint Alleging Utah Lawmaker’s Organization is Illegally Lobbying

Under Colorado law, a violatrion of the applicable statutes carry both civil and criminal penalties

Ivory: "Ethics? Schmethics!"

As a followup to our earlier reporting on the nefarious activities of Utah House District 47's Representative Ken Ivory, we'll highlight this blockbuster May 6, 2015 Utah Political Capital story, wherein reporter Eric Etherington reports that Mr. Ivory, and his American Lands Council (ALC) have landed in a bit of hot water, concerning alleged illegal lobbying activity in our neighboring Centenial State.  Here's the lede, folks:

Denver – A complaint has been filed against Utah Representative Ken Ivory’s (Republican – South Jordan) American Lands Council in Colorado, alleging that the organization has been illegally lobbying without registering in the state or reporting its income.
Under Colorado law, organizations are required to register to lobby with the state before they begin trying to influence the outcome of any legislation or an election.
“It’s different than the federal law,” says Peg Perl, senior counsel for Colorado Ethics Watch – the nonprofit that filed the complaint with the Colorado Secretary of State. “Under [the federal law], there’s a threshold and you can do a little bit [of lobbying] before you register. But in Colorado, you must do it first and right away.
The complaint stems from an email Representative Ivory’s American Lands Council (ALC) sent to Colorado residents on April 22nd, asking them to contact specific state lawmakers to persuade them to vote in favor of a bill that could advance ALC’s goal of taking control of all public lands away from the United States and giving it to individual states to manage.

Read Mr. Etherington's full story here:

• Colorado Group Files Complaint Alleging Utah Lawmaker’s Organization is Illegally Lobbying

"This isn’t the first time American Lands Council has run afoul of potential ethical violations outside of Utah. In February, a Montana state senator’s aide was asked to leave the Capitol after it was discovered that he was simultaneously being paid as a lobbyist by ALC," Mr. Etherington helpfully adds.

Added bonus:  Under Colorado law, a violation of the applicable statutes carries both civil and criminal penalties, folks:

• Article 6 Colorado Sunshine Law Part 3 Regulation of Lobbyists

Needless to say, Weber County Forum will be keeping a close watch, as Representative Ivory and his ALC organization attempt to blithely tiptoe around this latest legal blunder 

We'll keep you informed as this story develops, of course.

Utah Policy/KSL Insider Survey: The GOP Proposal to Interview Potential Candidates

One of the stupidest ideas to ever come forth in Utah politics?

In the interest of kickstarting a morning WCF discussion, we'll shine the spotlight on a new Utah Policy/KSL News survey, presented by Utah Policy's Bryan Schott. Here's the lead, O Gentle Ones:

Utah Republican leaders are toying with a proposal to form a committe to interview candidates who decide to use the new signature method to get on the ballot. The idea is to make sure they agree with the Republican platform. Our "Political Insiders" and readers think the plan is one of the dumbest things they've ever heard in Utah politics.
77% of the Republicans on our panel along with 74% of Democrats and 57% of our readers say the committee is is "one of the stupidest ideas to ever come forth in Utah politics."
Additionally, 85% of the Republicans in our survey disagree with the plan to interview candidates as do 91% of Democrats and 84% of our readers.

Check out the full article, for a full complement of charts and graphs, along with a sampling of select Utah Policy surveyee quotes:

• Utah Policy/KSL Insider Survey: The GOP Proposal to Interview Potential Candidates

So what about it folks? Is Utah GOP Chairman Evans's plan to "form a committe to interview candidates who decide to use the new signature method to get on the ballot" the dumbest idea ever?

Dan Liljenquist: No Vetting, No 'Initiation Fee' — In Short, No Litmus Test for Utah Republican Candidates

Warhorse Davis County Republican Dan Liljenquist "gets into GOP Chairman James Evans' "grill" in a very big way

Despite the unprecedented success of Republican governance in our state, it is sad for me to see the Republican Party itself divided in an acrimonious struggle over how Republican candidates are to be selected.

Dan Liljenquist Op-ed
Dan Liljenquist: No vetting, no 'initiation fee' — in short, no litmus test for Utah Republican candidates
April 30, 2015

Alexander Hamilton once said, “In politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword.” Heavy-handed tactics will neither protect nor save the Utah Republican Party. If the party is to survive and thrive in the years to come, we must preach the principles of the party using persuasion, logic, compassion and kindness to continually grow, re-energize and renew our ranks.
In short, we must apply the principles of the Republican Party to the Republican Party.

Dan Liljenquist Op-ed
Dan Liljenquist: No vetting, no 'initiation fee' — in short, no litmus test for Utah Republican candidates
April 30, 2015

Choice "words of wisdom" from from warhorse Davis County Republican Dan Liljenquist, in this morning's Deseret News online edition:

• Dan Liljenquist: No vetting, no 'initiation fee' — in short, no litmus test for Utah Republican candidates

Note to Utah GOP Chairman James Evans:  Your days in Utah GOP leadership are clearly numbered, son, when hard-core GOP folks like Mr. Liljenquest are "getting in your grill" on the editorial pages of the Church-owned D-News.  Just sayin'...

Comments, anyone?

Standard-Examiner: New Waterfall Trail Access Warning Irks Hikers

Uh-oh. Looks like our quirky neighbor directly  east (Chris Peterson) is on the warpath again. Be sure to carry your photo IDs people, if you're planning a stroll up (and down) Ogden's Waterfall Canyon. Then again...maybe not.

Here's veteran SE report Cathy McKtrick's lede to this morning's SE story:

OGDEN — Around noon Friday, a sign appeared at the 29th Street trailhead informing people to bring ID and acquire wristbands if they intend to hike the Waterfall trail. But within a few hours, it had been removed at the request of Ogden City.
When the check station at Waterfall Creek is staffed, Photo ID and a wristband will be required to ENTER or LEAVE Waterfall Canyon,”the sign said, listing www.OgdenFoothillPrivateLand.com as its reference. That URL diverts people automatically to a Facebook page bearing the same name.

Read up, peeps!

• New Waterfall trail access warning irks hikers

Here's the kicker once again, Ogden City residents, just in case you missed it.: "But within a few hours, it had been removed at the demand request of Ogden City."

The encouraging interpretion of this?  Peterson is painfully aware of his subject property's susceptibility to public prescriptive easement rights, which were established way back in the early 1900's, or earlier.

Our take? Mr. Peterson hasn't demonstrated such a public control-freak hissy-fit since 2012, by our reckoning:

• Standard-Examiner: Ogden Trails Open -- For Now -- Despite Fencing

1) Here's to wishing Chris Peterson (Earl Holding heiress's hubby) sound mental health, sometime in the near future.

2) Let's encourage Mayor Mike to sic our Ogden City Attorney (Gary Williams?) onto this case, to establish, once and for all, the legal nature of the rights of the public, regarding the trails east of Ogden.

Comments, please? O Gentle Ones?

Standard-Examiner Editorial: Our View: Make Peace in Ogden Valley Water War

In the interest of kicking off a bit of possible WCF discussion this morning, we'll highlight this morning's Standard-Examiner editorial, calling for a "truce" in a percipient "water war" which has been  brewing in Ogden Valley over the course of the past year:

• Our View: Make peace in Ogden Valley water war

For the benefit of those who haven't been following this story, we'll provide these background stories and letters to the editor, just to add some historical perspective into what's fast developing into what we'll label the "Ogden Valley Water War":

• Water experts take jabs at each other over Summit's Hidden Lake Well
• Summit threatens Wolf Creek sewer district with eviction
• Summit showing its true colors
• Summit water exchange should be denied

This morning's editorial advocates the following proposed solution: 

We think for the sake of the entire valley, a compromise should be reached that involves a direct transfer of water from Pineview to Powder Mountain. Yes, we are talking about a pipeline. But that doesn’t mean Summit should bear all the responsibility of paying for such a pipeline.
If Jones decides to grant the well application, it should be done on a temporary basis so that all the stakeholders could be brought together to discuss a central water distribution system that serves everyone. Forming a compact, similar to the states using Colorado River water may be the best solution, with one system in Ogden Valley to distribute the water all entities are entitled to.
The springs and streams would then be free to flow into the reservoir, or the watershed in Cache County.
We understand water distribution systems can be expensive, but we feel it is time for such a solution. Let the peace talks begin.

We'll leave it up our gentle readers (especially those who reside in Ogden Valley) to explain whether this is a good idea (or not).

Don't let the cat get your tongues, O Gentle Ones.

And yes, we'll be keeping an "Eagle Eye" on this story as it develops.

Salt Lake Tribune: GOP Considering New Screening For Candidates - Updated

Wake up before its too late, my Utah GOP friends!

Oboyoboyoboy. Looks like Utah GOP Chairman James Evens has finally slipped completely "off his rocker." Here's the lede from this afternoon's hot-off-the-press Salt Lake Tribune story:

A plan to have potential Republican candidates vetted and judged based on their commitment to the party's principles before being eligible for its nomination is drawing fire from some in the GOP who say it empowers a small elite group of insiders to decide who gets to be a candidate.
Utah Republican Party Chairman James Evans said the idea of creating committees to help screen potential candidates springs from concern that, under the state's new nominating process, people who aren't even Republicans could gather signatures and get onto the primary ballot and the party would be helpless to stop them.
To combat that, Evans said candidates would have to come meet with the interview committees to become certified members of the GOP. If they refuse, they would be ineligible to be a candidate for the Republican nomination, he said, because the law says the candidates have to be a party member.

Read up, Peeps! And no! We are NOT making this up!

• GOP considering new screening for candidates

That's right! "$10,000 and a panel interview, just like Thomas Jefferson (and our other founding fathers) always wanted."

On the heels of last week's strong Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune editorials, together with Sunday's Frank Pignanelli/LaVarr Webb D-News Op-ed piece, we'd hoped Chairman Evens would gather his wits, and start playing amiably by "the new rules."

Sadly, these "gentle nudgings" seem to have had just just the opposite effect.

First order of "new business" for the upcoming  8/15/15 Utah GOP State convention?

Oust this idiot, before he irretrievably turns the Utah GOP into a dead-ender laughing stock!

Wake up before its too late, my Utah GOP friends!

Update 4/22/15 7:51 a.m.: Utah Policy chimes in this morning with a story of its own.  Don't miss the embedded audio of Monday's KVNU radio program, wherein "state Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Bountiful, was a guest, talking about possible changes to party vetting of candidates, when Chairman Evans called in – and the two had an interesting debate":

• Utah GOP Considering Test for Candidates to Circumvent 'Count My Vote' Deal

Update 4/22/15 2:15 p.m.:  The Trib's Pat Bagley "NAILS IT, once again (as per usual):

Update 4/23/15 10:30 a.m.: The Tribune keeps the pressure on with this morning's scathing house editorial:

• Editorial: GOP Politburo needs to trust its voters

And the Deseret News reports this morning on yesterday's Utah GOP Executive Committee "train-wreck":

• Utah GOP leaders going forward with new requirements for candidates

Update 4/23/15 7:51 a.m.: More from ABC4 Utah, focusing on the tactical split which is now occurring within in the "fractured"  Utah GOP:

• GOP members speaking out about controversial selection committee proposal (Video)

Update 4/25/15 8:00 a.m.: More blowback from the Tribune's Paul Rolley:

• Rolly: Republican vetting idea is latest act of desperation

It gets "interestinger and interestinger,"dunnit?

UtahPolicy.Com Poll: How Much Influence Does the LDS Church Have on the Legislature? Depends on Who You Ask - Updated

Sodden Query: "Does the LDS Church have too much, just about right or too little influence on the state legislature?"

As a followup to our previous pontifications on this topic, we'll incorporate the following Facebook query, via ABC4 Utah reporter Glen Mills:

Does the LDS Church have too much, just about right or too little influence on the state legislature? Hey friends, Glen Mills here. A new Utahpolicy.com poll suggests 51% of Utahns say about right, 34% say too much, 10% say too little and 5% don't know. Broken down by religion is a different story. The vast majority of Catholics, Protestants and other religions say the LDS Church has too much influence. I'd like to know what you think? I may use your comment for my story tonight.

Read up, folks:

• How Much Influence Does the LDS Church Have on the Legislature? Depends on Who You Ask

So what do you think, O Gentle Onces?

Feel free to chime in within our own WCF comments section, and/or post you comments to Mr. Mills' facebook page, which we've linked above

Whatever you do...don't let the cat get your tongues....

Update 4/21/15 9:00 a.m.: ABC4 Utah carries the followup story, and KUTV2 follows suit (story and video):

• New poll finds perception of LDS Church influence on legislature is mostly split down party and religious lines
• Voters question LDS church's influence on Utah's Capitol Hill

Science Saturday: Stephen Hawking -- Monty Python "Galaxy Song"

Stephen Hawking nails it, wethinks...Howbout you?

Via iflscience.com:

Hey! You can now listen to Stephen Hawking’s electronic pipes belt out a rendition of Monty Python’s ‘Galaxy Song.’

The tune was written by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, and appeared in the movie “The Meaning of Life.” The comedy troupe performed live shows featuring the song last year in London, according to Rolling Stone. They would then cut to Professor Brian Cox railing against the inaccuracies of the ‘Galaxy Song,’ whereby Stephen Hawking would knock him down, saying: “I think you're being pedantic.”

He then serenades us his with computerized vocals:
"Just remember that you're standing on a planet that's evolving
And revolving at 900 miles an hour
That's orbiting at 19 miles a second, so it's reckoned
A sun that is the source of all our power”

Here's Professor Hawking's new YouTube video folks, without any further ado:


And here's the (obviously inferior) original Monty Python Version from the 1983 movie, in the event you've been living off-planet these past 35 years or so, and haven't yet viewed it (just for the sake of comparison):

• Galaxy Song - Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Stephen Hawking nails it, raises the level of performance, (and hams it up a wee bit) wethinks.

So what say you?

Wonkette: Christian Texas Lady Thinks Religious Freedom Protects Her Right To Feed The Homeless, AS IF

Top-notch cranky morning writeup from one of our all-time online favorites, The Wonkette.  Here's the gist, folks:

Pffft. Everybody knows that the proper way to exercise your religion is in a church — or by denying health care to lady employees or refusing to provide floral arrangements and pizzas to gay couples gettin’ gay-married to each other. Ms. Cheever, however, does not understand how the rules work and foolishly told the ticketing officer, “This is how I pray, when I cook this food and deliver it to the people who are less fortunate.”
Sorry, Ms. Cheever, but according to the city of San Antonio, if you want to do your do-gooding, you’ll have to take it to the city’s designated homeless shelter downtown. And pay a $2000 fine for illegally feeding the homeless from your unlicensed food truck in a No Feeding The Homeless Zone, as you’ve been doing for the last decade but all of a sudden, it is A Issue.

Read up, peeps:

• Christian Texas Lady Thinks Religious Freedom Protects Her Right To Feed The Homeless, AS IF

Sodden editorial-style overview, posed by one of our most cherished WCF readers, semi-privately:

"I guess to be a Christian you have to talk like one but don't go acting like one, that will get you in trouble in bible thumping country."

Comments, please anyone? Ferris?

Deseret News Editorial: State GOP Leaders Need to Follow the Spirit of Compromise and Let SB54 Do Its Work - Updated

 Isn't it high time for the Utah GOP to quit kicking, screaming and dragging its feet? 

In the wake of Federal Judge Nuffer's Friday decision, denying the appellant Utah GOP's application for a preliminary injuction in the SB54 "Bait and Switch" matter, we'll direct our readers attention to this morning's strong Deseret News editorial, capably making the sound argument that Utah's exceedingly petulant Utah GOP leadership ought to just "throw in the towel," and "play ball".

"With time, the changes in SB54 will lead to more representative and inclusive government, which will increase participation. It’s time for GOP leaders to respect the good-faith compromise that resulted in the law and stop trying to fight it," urges the Deseret News:

• In our opinion: With no injunction for SB54, state GOP leaders need to follow the spirit of compromise and let the bill do its work

No. "The law isn’t perfect. It could lead to primary ballots with multiple names, or to candidates advancing with the support of less than a majority. But these are issues future Legislatures can tweak with amendments. The important thing for now is to shake loose the nominating process," the D-News editorial board adds.

Our take?  The Utah's GOP's continuing stubborn opposition to the SB54 compromise, which "was passed by a Republican-dominated Legislature and signed by a Republican governor," after all,  represents an accurate and precise reflection of the politically out of touch attitude of  the Utah GOP "leadership" apparatus, which prompted the Coint My Vote petition drive in the very first place.

What say you, O Gentle Ones?  Isn't it high time for the Utah GOP leaders (so called) to quit kicking, screaming and dragging their feet, and start behaving like grownups?

Just a thought.

Update 4/15/15 9:25 a.m.: The Salt Lake Tribune also chimes in on this topic, with a like-minded editorial of it's own:

• Editorial: Adapt and move on, Utah GOP

Salt Lake Tribune: Is Count My Vote Deal Unconstitutional? Judge Says He (Still) Wants to Know Why - Updated

We'll applaud Federal District Court Judge Nuffer's generousity in providing the appellants "one last chance"

As a followup to our previous coverage of the Count My Vote lawsuit, in which the Utah Republican Party seeks to overturn last year's SB54 compromise, which establshed a dual-track political nominations systen in the State of Utah, we're delighted to report that this pending litigation seems to have reached a crucial tipping point, during Thusday's status conference, according to this morning's Salt Lake Tribune story as the Utah GOP requests a preliminary injunction this morning:

A federal judge said Thursday he wants the Utah Republican Party to offer a concrete case for why a deal cut last year to change how candidates for political office are chosen violates the U.S. Constitution and should be stopped from being implemented.
U.S. District Judge David Nuffer said he wants attorneys for the party to be able to point directly to the Constitution or legal precedent to show why specific lines and provisions of the deal legislators cut with Count My Vote — a group formed to push a ballot measure to change the nominating process — violate the law.

Read the full story, folks:

• Is Count My Vote deal unconstitutional? Judge says he wants to know why - SLTrib

"I have not read anything yet that supports the generalized impingement of association argument you're making," Nuffer told the GOP appellants. The judge said he wants to see cases cited that would support the claim that, by dictating how candidates can be nominated, the state overstepped its bounds and denied the party its First Amendment rights.

Sounds as if the appellant Utah GOP's pleadings so far have been so far insufficient to make its case, dunnit?

Fox News 13 also provides a couple of timely and informative stories on this topic too, shedding further light upon the status of the pending litigation at this crucial juncture:

• Witnesses claim ‘Count My Vote compromise’ bill will destroy Utah GOP - Fox 13
• Judge says he’ll rule tomorrow on Utah GOP’s ‘Count My Vote’ injunction request -Fox 13

We'll applaud Federal District Court Judge Nuffer's generousity in providing the appellants "one last chance," before he "rules from the bench,"  which is what he indicates he'll do as early as today.

Stay tuned, folks, as we'll continue to follow and update this now fast breaking story.

Update 4/10/15 5:59 p.m.: Hot off the press from the Salt Lake Tribune:

A federal judge on Friday refused to block a new Utah law that will change the way candidates are nominated in next year's election.
U.S. District Judge David Nuffer ruled from the bench at the conclusion of a more than five-hour hearing on the Utah Republican Party's quest for a preliminary injunction against SB54.
Nuffer said the GOP had failed to show that the law placed unconstitutional burdens on the party.

Here's the full post-hearing story, peeps:

• Federal judge deals Utah Republican Party a blow in its challenge of new election law

The prevailing appellees' next anticipated step, we suppose? A Motion to Dismiss, we guess, inasmuch as the Utah GOP appears incapable of either pleading or proving that SB54 "places unconstitutional burdens on the Utah GOP."