Blog Archives

Deron Williams, forgiveness and a world that shames

9/19/2018

Consider a few recent news stories. Then ask yourself how each one made you feel.

The first is a Utahjazz.com report about former Jazz guard Deron Williams, who met with former coach Jerry Sloan at Sloan’s house during the summer and apologized for the way he acted when he was with the team.

Sloan retired from coaching suddenly back in 2011 after a simmering feud between the two men climaxed during halftime of a game. He left the next day, and the team traded Williams a few days later.

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Release of kidnapper raises questions about mental illness

9/18/2018

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Sometime today the prison doors will open, and Wanda Barzee, the woman who supported her husband, Brian David Mitchell, as he kidnapped and repeatedly, cruelly abused a then-teenaged Elizabeth Smart, will walk free.

This was supposed to happen about six years from now, which would have seemed too soon, but Barzee has completed her federal prison sentence, and the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole said it mistakenly didn’t give her credit for time served in federal prison or the fact her federal and state sentences (she pleaded guilty and mentally ill to kidnapping in state court) were supposed to run concurrently. All of that shortened her date of release from state prison to Sept. 19 of this year.

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You probably thought the days of big tobacco were over

9/13/2018

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If you thought outrageous cigarette ads were left inside your grandparents’ Zenith when it hit the scrap heap, you haven’t been paying attention to the e-cigarette industry.

Take, for example, one video on Youtube. A young man appears at wit’s end while typing on a computer. He slaps his palms on the desk, obviously distracted and devoid of ideas, or maybe unable to find just the right word for that important report.

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It's hot and dry outside; here's how to urge conservation

9/11/2018

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This week in 1982, President Ronald Reagan visited Utah. He toured Welfare Square, run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Then he spoke in Hooper, where thousands of people turned out despite cold temperatures and lots of rain.

The Weber County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse gave him a badge, which, he joked, would help him, “stop some of the highway robbery that’s going on in Washington.” He ended the speech on a serious note, calling for a spiritual renewal nationwide.

Did you catch that? It was cold and raining — this exact time of year.

Look outside. See anything like that now? I thought so.

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Will Utah lawmakers alter marijuana initiative if it passes?

9/6/2018

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If voters pass Proposition 2, legalizing medical marijuana in Utah, would the Legislature dare to alter the law after the fact?

That’s an interesting, difficult-to-answer question, considering both the House and Senate will be electing new leadership before the next session.

But there are indications some lawmakers would give it a try.

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Why is the U.S. still unprepared for a pandemic?

9/4/2018

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A century ago, Labor Day in Northern Utah was about as quiet as this past Monday, except that people were obsessed with the grim news of the world war.

The Salt Lake Telegram featured an Associated Press report that the government had spent $57 million per day in August, mostly because of the war effort. Obviously this was considered outrageous at the time (although, for comparison’s sake, Washington spends $11.4 billion per day today, or $690 million in 1918 dollars).

Near that was a story about how Salt Lake candy makers were gearing up to bid for a government contract to supply soldiers with lemon drops and other “compact candies” to help morale while fighting in Europe.

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Deron Williams, forgiveness and a world that shames

Release of kidnapper raises questions about mental illness

You probably thought the days of big tobacco were over

It's hot and dry outside; here's how to urge conservation

Will Utah lawmakers alter marijuana initiative if it passes?

Why is the U.S. still unprepared for a pandemic?

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