Blog Archives - Jay Evensen

A poignant last message from Sen. McCain. Will we listen?

8/29/2018

In his last letter to the American people, written when he knew he was about to die, Arizona Sen. John McCain aptly described us all as “325 million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates.”

I’m guessing many of us can nod in agreement. Guilty as charged. Just look at our Facebook feeds, listen to us on cable TV or try to squirm away from us at parties. Some families can’t even enjoy Thanksgiving dinner without shouting their political differences.

Should police seize property if you're not convicted?

8/28/2018

On a chilly, overcast late-November day two years ago, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper stopped Kyle Savely, who had been driving I-80 in Summit County in a car with out-of-state license plates.

What happened next has raised questions about whether people in Utah truly are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Young people may not be the ruin of us all, after all

8/22/2018

What’s the matter with kids today?

Nothing, I think.

Or maybe a lot.

Actually, it’s hard to nail this down. That may be because the rest of us alleged grownups can’t seem to decide what is good or bad financial behavior.

For instance, debt is bad, right? It reduces financial freedom and makes people slaves to interest. It also makes it hard to adjust to difficult times or unexpected expenses. That ought to be a financial no-brainer.

All Inland Port Authority meetings should be open

8/21/2018

Nearly 30 years ago, I endured a blistering rebuke from a high-level Utah government official because I had reported that the state’s cold fusion advisory committee closed its meeting to reporters.

You remember cold fusion … or maybe you don’t. By now, an entire generation was supposed to have been warmed by its glow. Instead, anyone under 35 probably hasn’t heard of it.

Humans are the enemy when it comes to summer fires

8/15/2018

You don’t need to be a genius to figure out the main cause of large-scale fires that always seem to choke the air this time of year.

Global warming? Hot temperatures certainly are a contributor, but no.

Poor forest management? Yes, even a recent New York Times story on fires said controlled burns would help reduce the severity of wildfires. But that doesn’t explain the cause.

Don't set fire to electric scooters quite yet

8/14/2018

At least Utahns haven’t taken to setting electric scooters on fire, throwing them in trashcans or vandalizing them with dog poop, the way people have in some California cities.

Not yet, anyway.

They haven’t taken to throwing them in rivers by the thousands, the way folks are doing in parts of China — not that the Jordan River hasn’t had some interesting deposits over the years.

Don't let Washington crack down on false news

8/13/2018

Is it illegal to shout “Fire!” in a crowded theater?

I haven’t done a scientific analysis, but I’d be willing to wager most people think it is.

A week or so ago, Democrats and anti-gun activists were outraged when Utah Sen. Mike Lee opposed a bill that would have prohibited the publishing of blueprints for plastic guns. A common complaint was that allowing the publication would be like yelling “Fire!” in a theater.

And yet, yelling “Fire!” in a theater is perfectly legal, although perhaps not advisable.

But then, a lot of speech is legal but not advisable.

Salt Lake County strikes a blow for tranparency

8/8/2018

Quick, can you recite some of the tax breaks your local government gave to new businesses over the past several years, and do you know whether the promises those businesses made to get that money came true?

I thought so.

Large families are good, so why aren't we making them?

8/1/2018

Apparently, Americans approach children the way they approach weight loss — great idea, but just not right now, thank you.

A Gallup poll released last month uncovered an interesting trend. As a whole, 41 percent of Americans believe three or more children per family is ideal, up from 38 percent in 2013 and 34 percent in 2011.
Exactly half say up to two children is best. Only 1 percent told pollsters zero children was ideal.

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