Blog Archives - Jay Evensen

What if the government shuts down and nobody notices?

9/30/2013

Back in the ‘60s, when being pseudo informed was more de rigueur than today, the young were prone to ask, “What if they gave a war and nobody came?”

Never mind they were actually quoting from a 1930s poem often attributed to the German poet Bertolt Brecht, who was attacking

When drones are outlawed, only outlaws will have drones

9/26/2013

The Founding Fathers didn’t include the right to bear drones in the Second Amendment, but Americans who believe the right to bear arms will protect them against government abuses may some day wish they had.

Here are two reasons why sports really can matter

9/25/2013

Every now and then, one of my sons gets into a philosophical mood and wonders aloud why humans care so much about spectator sports. After all, what is it about watching people chase, swat or shoot a ball that not only captivates people but makes them develop loyalties that can, at

Mike Lee's tax credit would add to those who pay no taxes

9/24/2013

One year ago, we were hearing a lot about the 47 percent, the percentage of Americans Mitt Romney said were not paying any federal income taxes.

Now, Utah Sen. Mike Lee is pushing a plan to add a federal child income tax credit of $2,500 per child on top of the current $1,000. Lee says this is in order to reward parents who are bearing the load of raising the next generation of adults, who, once they are grown, educated and contributing to society, will more than amply repay any credits their parents received from Washington.

Case against source of leak to AP no reason to celebrate

9/23/2013

The Justice Department announced Monday that it has struck a plea deal with an FBI agent it says leaked information about the CIA’s ability to foil a bomb plot in Yemen.

This is not a reason to celebrate.

In fact, the Justice Deparment’s crowing about how its

Money alone won't help schools get better

9/18/2013

Years ago, I collected old letters to the editor for an historical weekly feature. It didn’t take me long before I felt perfectly at home in the past.

One example: A Mrs. Alfred I. Biorge wrote a sarcastic letter about public school teachers and their “current demands for money … money … and more money.” She had little love for “expensive, ornate buildings

If you're happy and you know it, don't over-think why

9/11/2013

The United Nations came out with another of its happiness reports this week, which must be easier than, say, trying to stop Syria from attacking its own people with chemical weapons.

Bashar Assad’s ruling tactics no doubt helped Syria to its 148th place showing

A nationwide gay marriage income tax mess

9/9/2013

Any time Washington issues a decree, you can bet complications, conflicts and costs will follow. The latest example involves the IRS announcement last week that legally married gay couples may file joint income tax returns, even if they currently live in states where gay marriage is illegal.

Income tax preparers and attorneys, rejoice.

If America didn’t have 50 separate states with separate constitutions and laws, such an announcement might be straightforward.

Utah’s school grades are opportunity for real reform

9/4/2013

Some schools received F’s, a lot were deemed mediocre, and many children in low-income areas performed poorly.

Lots of educators, meanwhile, hopped around and complained like they had been forced to walk barefoot on hot coals.
Reactions to Utah’s first-ever exercise in the grading of

Nuts? Diana Nyad's exploration was for each of us

9/3/2013

A lot of people would consider her nuts. Why put your life in danger five separate times by trying to swim from Cuba to Florida, battling harmful jellyfish and running the risk of being eaten by sharks? And, especially, why do this at age 64, when a lot of people are counting down the days to retirement or hoping to save enough to take a cruise designed to keep them in elegant comfort high above the water?

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