'scorpio0679' Diary:
"For those who have written-off the TEA party as having lost influence or worse yet, dead, will have their first real test coming up in a few weeks. Not long ago, Orrin Hatch, the long-time senator from Utah, was narrowly prevented from walking away with the GOP nomination when the TEA party prevented him from achieving 60 percent of the vote at the state’s nominating convention. He will now face challenger Dan Liljenquist in a primary election this June. Orrin Hatch is a long-time Washington insider with moderate tendencies who once stated that he wished to punch conservative activists in the mouth and that the TEA party was filled with radical libertarians.
Similarly, Dick Lugar, the 36-year incumbent senator from Indiana, has been in the TEA party’s cross-hairs for a long time. After a conference of 70 TEA party groups declared their unanimous opposition to his re-nomination, conservative Richard Mourdock declared his candidacy to take him on. The most recent indicators suggest that Lugar is at serious risk of losing in the May 8 primary. The Washington Post reports that some Lugar supporters may be bailing on him in the homestretch. Remember that Lugar is the guy that takes money from George Soros, refused to sign a letter supporting the lawsuit against Obamacare, voted to confirm both Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, and has a horrible record on gun rights.
Taking on and defeating entrenched incumbents is nothing new to the TEA party. If, as some claim, the TEA party’s day has come and gone, well-funded establishment moderates like Sens. Lugar and Hatch should easily dispatch their insurgent opponents. On the other hand, if the coming electoral season will be another TEA party bloodbath (ala Fall 2010), these two primaries may well be the warning bells....."
(Read more? Click title)
Showing posts with label sandbox blogger utah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sandbox blogger utah. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
SandBoxUtah: Deseret News "Utah vies for China's outsourcing"
Blaze Bullock:
"When Gov. Gary Herbert went to China in 2011, there were five other governors there, Salt Lake Chamber spokesman Marty Carpenter told KSL.
So clearly, Utah isn't the only state vying for money from China, but it does have some things other states don't. For example, the former governor of Utah was the U.S. Ambassador to China, and Salt Lake City and Beijing have both been home to the Olympics. These give Utah a leg up on the competition, Carpenter told KSL..." (Read more? Click title)
"When Gov. Gary Herbert went to China in 2011, there were five other governors there, Salt Lake Chamber spokesman Marty Carpenter told KSL.
So clearly, Utah isn't the only state vying for money from China, but it does have some things other states don't. For example, the former governor of Utah was the U.S. Ambassador to China, and Salt Lake City and Beijing have both been home to the Olympics. These give Utah a leg up on the competition, Carpenter told KSL..." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxUtah: Salt Lake Tribune "Utah governor scolds UDOT boss, but backs him "
Robert Gehrke:
"Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday he supports John Njord, although he criticized the state transportation boss over the way the high-profile reinstatement of a fired employee has been handled.
"Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday he supports John Njord, although he criticized the state transportation boss over the way the high-profile reinstatement of a fired employee has been handled.
"He already knows my displeasure," Herbert said during his monthly KUED TV news conference, referring to a meeting he had Wednesday with the Utah Department of Transportation director.
Njord fired employee Denice Graham more than a year ago, accusing her of leaking information about a $1.1 billion contract to rebuild Interstate 15 through Utah County. A judge ordered her reinstated earlier this year, but Graham’s attorneys and UDOT have been at odds over her back wages...."
(Read more? Click title)
Monday, April 30, 2012
SandBoxUtah: Newsmax "Rather: Romney Has ‘Good Chance of Beating’ Obama"
Newsmax:
"Former “CBS Evening News” anchor Dan Rather says presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney has a 50 percent chance of beating President Barack Obama in November.
“I have no idea what kind of president [former Massachusetts] Gov. Romney will make, but I do think . . . he has a good chance of becoming president,” Rather told Politico. “President Obama is even money at best at this particular time . . . His odds right now are 50/50 in my book.”
Obama performs much better campaigning than as president, said Rather, who is promoting a new book, “Rather Outspoken: My Life In the News.” Obama must recapture his skills of engagement and persuasiveness that served him so well in 2008, if he wants to succeed again, Rather said.
On the subject of 2016, Rather said current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will likely repeat her 2008 attempt for the presidency. “I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t,” he said. “Overnight is a long time in politics. A week is forever, and we’re talking about something four years down the road. But . . . I’d be surprised if she doesn’t make a run in 2016.....” (Read more? Click title)
"Former “CBS Evening News” anchor Dan Rather says presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney has a 50 percent chance of beating President Barack Obama in November.
“I have no idea what kind of president [former Massachusetts] Gov. Romney will make, but I do think . . . he has a good chance of becoming president,” Rather told Politico. “President Obama is even money at best at this particular time . . . His odds right now are 50/50 in my book.”
Obama performs much better campaigning than as president, said Rather, who is promoting a new book, “Rather Outspoken: My Life In the News.” Obama must recapture his skills of engagement and persuasiveness that served him so well in 2008, if he wants to succeed again, Rather said.
On the subject of 2016, Rather said current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will likely repeat her 2008 attempt for the presidency. “I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t,” he said. “Overnight is a long time in politics. A week is forever, and we’re talking about something four years down the road. But . . . I’d be surprised if she doesn’t make a run in 2016.....” (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxUtah: Salt Lake Tribune "Huntsman stirs crowd at Envision Utah celebration "
Cathy Mckitrick:
"Jon Huntsman Jr. may not have excited the Republican base this year as he sought to become his party’s presidential nominee, but among Envision Utah colleagues Monday the popular two-term governor and former U.S. Ambassador to China enjoyed star status.
"Jon Huntsman Jr. may not have excited the Republican base this year as he sought to become his party’s presidential nominee, but among Envision Utah colleagues Monday the popular two-term governor and former U.S. Ambassador to China enjoyed star status.
Huntsman spoke to about 280 people at the 2012 Corporate Friends Breakfast, the kick-off event to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of Envision Utah, a volunteer organization that launched in 1997 to help chart Utah’s future course. In 1999, Huntsman replaced Robert Grow to serve as the organization’s second chairman...." (Read more? Click title)
Saturday, April 28, 2012
SandBoxUtah: Power Line "Love is sweeping the country"
Scott Johnson:
"Utah Republicans nominated the impressive Mia Love to run against incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson in the newly created Fourth Congressional District. John Fund covered the story for NRO. Ms. Love Love, the 37-year-old daughter of Haitian immigrants and the mayor of Saratoga Springs, a community of 18,000 outside Salt Lake City, was the Tea Party candidate in the Republican field for the nomination. Fund writes:
"Utah Republicans nominated the impressive Mia Love to run against incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson in the newly created Fourth Congressional District. John Fund covered the story for NRO. Ms. Love Love, the 37-year-old daughter of Haitian immigrants and the mayor of Saratoga Springs, a community of 18,000 outside Salt Lake City, was the Tea Party candidate in the Republican field for the nomination. Fund writes:
Love’s presence in Congress would certainly shake up the House. I met her at CPAC, the annual conservative conference, where she gave a stirring speech: “According to liberals, I’m not supposed to exist. I know that I am going to be a target for the Left. I have something to say to them: Game On.”Love is perfectly representative of the Tea Party movement. She is smart, engaged and knowledgeable, harking back to first principles to guide us in our way forward. Hear her out in Glenn Reynolds’s InstaVision interview of her for PJTV last month, posted here and on YouTube (below). (I dissent only from her enthusiasm for Ron Paul.)....." (Read more? Click title)
Thursday, April 26, 2012
SandBoxUtah: Salon "Beware the Romney boys"
(Photo Credit: iStockphoto/gmnicholas/Salon/Benjamin Wheelock)
Sarah Laskow:
"If Barack Obama beats Mitt Romney in November, the political prospects of the Romney boys will take a hit, as well. But if their dad wins, whatever ambitions Tagg and Josh have will get a boost. And there will still be time enough for Matt, Craig or Ben to decide to give politics a try. Given how American dynasties work, “the odds are very great that at least one of them is going to go into the family business at some time,” says Hess...." (Read more? Click title)
"If Barack Obama beats Mitt Romney in November, the political prospects of the Romney boys will take a hit, as well. But if their dad wins, whatever ambitions Tagg and Josh have will get a boost. And there will still be time enough for Matt, Craig or Ben to decide to give politics a try. Given how American dynasties work, “the odds are very great that at least one of them is going to go into the family business at some time,” says Hess...." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxUtah: CBS News "Utah leaders back ski lift connection"
"SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce is organizing a coalition to push for a ski lift that would connect two Utah resorts if Congress goes along with a sale of national forest land.
The chamber is enlisting notable Utah figures who say it's the start of something big — the first lift connection among the cluster of Wasatch resorts. Together they could make for North America's largest skiing complex.
Jake Garn — former U.S. senator, Navy pilot and astronaut — says a gondola connecting the Canyons and Solitude resorts would allow people to ski both sides of the Wasatch mountains without driving around.
The LIFT UTAH coalition was announced Tuesday as 40 backcountry skiers and environmentalists stood outside the Salt Lake chamber to protest the development of high alpine terrain where the snow piles deep....." (Read more? Click title)
The chamber is enlisting notable Utah figures who say it's the start of something big — the first lift connection among the cluster of Wasatch resorts. Together they could make for North America's largest skiing complex.
Jake Garn — former U.S. senator, Navy pilot and astronaut — says a gondola connecting the Canyons and Solitude resorts would allow people to ski both sides of the Wasatch mountains without driving around.
The LIFT UTAH coalition was announced Tuesday as 40 backcountry skiers and environmentalists stood outside the Salt Lake chamber to protest the development of high alpine terrain where the snow piles deep....." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxUtah: Salt Lake Tribune "Utah extends public comment period for refinery expansion"
Judy Fahys:
"State regulators have again extended the public comment period for Tesoro’s proposed refinery expansion.
"State regulators have again extended the public comment period for Tesoro’s proposed refinery expansion.
On Monday, the Utah Division of Air Quality said it was extending the deadline to June 7 — partly to accommodate critics who have a beef with the Salt Lake City plant’s expansion and who will be required to pursue their concerns in a new appeals system that begins May 8. The comment period was originally set to end in March...." (Read more? Click title)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
SandBoxUtah: Salt Lake Tribune "News roundup: Huntsman compares the GOP to China"
"Huntsman compares GOP to China. Hatch's political turn-around. Utah's new political rock star.
Happy Tuesday. It wasn't that long ago that Jon Huntsman ran for the Republican presidential nomination, now the former Utah governor is becoming one of the party's greatest antagonists, recently comparing it to communist China. [WaPost] [ChiTrib] [DNews]..." (Read more Political Cornflakes? Click title)
Happy Tuesday. It wasn't that long ago that Jon Huntsman ran for the Republican presidential nomination, now the former Utah governor is becoming one of the party's greatest antagonists, recently comparing it to communist China. [WaPost] [ChiTrib] [DNews]..." (Read more Political Cornflakes? Click title)
SandBoxUtah: Bleeding Heartland "No Romney endorsers on new Iowa GOP State Central Committee "
''desmoinesdem':
"The Iowa GOP's new State Central Committee consists of 16 people, four chosen from each of Iowa's four new Congressional districts. The only Republicans able to vote for the central committee members were delegates to yesterday's district conventions. Those delegates were previously elected at Iowa GOP county conventions in March.
The Iowa Republican blog asked all publicly announced candidates for the State Central Committee three questions, including "Who [sic] did you caucus for in 2012?" Kevin Hall posted a handy "voter guide" about the GOP committee candidates here.
It's remarkable how few people running for the State Central Committee wanted to associate themselves with the certain Republican nominee.
Hall mentioned seven candidates in IA-01, eight in IA-02, nine in IA-03, and eleven in IA-04. I don't know how many people ran for the central committee at the district conventions without publicly announcing their bids ahead of time. One of the people elected in IA-04, Kris Thiessen, was not mentioned in Hall's post...."
(Read more? Click title)
"The Iowa GOP's new State Central Committee consists of 16 people, four chosen from each of Iowa's four new Congressional districts. The only Republicans able to vote for the central committee members were delegates to yesterday's district conventions. Those delegates were previously elected at Iowa GOP county conventions in March.
The Iowa Republican blog asked all publicly announced candidates for the State Central Committee three questions, including "Who [sic] did you caucus for in 2012?" Kevin Hall posted a handy "voter guide" about the GOP committee candidates here.
It's remarkable how few people running for the State Central Committee wanted to associate themselves with the certain Republican nominee.
Hall mentioned seven candidates in IA-01, eight in IA-02, nine in IA-03, and eleven in IA-04. I don't know how many people ran for the central committee at the district conventions without publicly announcing their bids ahead of time. One of the people elected in IA-04, Kris Thiessen, was not mentioned in Hall's post...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxUtah: The BLT ~ Legal Times "Senator: If Court Doesn't Strike Arizona Immigration Law, Congress Will"
"If the U.S. Supreme Court upholds an Arizona immigration law after hearings this week, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other legislators say they will file legislation to undo it.
“Congress does not intend for states to enforce their own immigration schemes,” Schumer said at a hearing Tuesday on Capitol Hill. “It is simply too damaging to our economy and too dangerous to our democracy, to have 50 different states be permitted to take their own direction when it comes to immigration policy.”
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday on Arizona’s immigration enforcement law, SB 1070, which gives police broad authority to detain individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. Schumer said the Arizona law also makes it a federal crime for any individual to fail at any time to possess documents verifying their immigration status.
At a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing, Schumer said his legislation would expressly preempt states and localities from enforcing immigration law unless doing so with the consent of the federal government, and prevent states from enacting their own civil or criminal penalties for immigration violations.
Schumer said he hopes the legislation will not be necessary, “because I do believe the Supreme Court will decide SB 1070 is not constitutional.” The Supreme Court has consistently interpreted the naturalization language in Article I to mean that the establishment of the immigration laws and the manner of their execution are committed solely to the federal government, Schumer said...." (Read more? Click title)
“Congress does not intend for states to enforce their own immigration schemes,” Schumer said at a hearing Tuesday on Capitol Hill. “It is simply too damaging to our economy and too dangerous to our democracy, to have 50 different states be permitted to take their own direction when it comes to immigration policy.”
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday on Arizona’s immigration enforcement law, SB 1070, which gives police broad authority to detain individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. Schumer said the Arizona law also makes it a federal crime for any individual to fail at any time to possess documents verifying their immigration status.
At a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing, Schumer said his legislation would expressly preempt states and localities from enforcing immigration law unless doing so with the consent of the federal government, and prevent states from enacting their own civil or criminal penalties for immigration violations.
Schumer said he hopes the legislation will not be necessary, “because I do believe the Supreme Court will decide SB 1070 is not constitutional.” The Supreme Court has consistently interpreted the naturalization language in Article I to mean that the establishment of the immigration laws and the manner of their execution are committed solely to the federal government, Schumer said...." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxUtah: Deseret News "Utah awaits Supreme Court immigration decision on Arizona"
Marjorie Cortez:
"SALT LAKE CITY — When the Supreme Court takes up the constitutional challenges to Arizona's immigration enforcement law Wednesday, the seismic impact could well shake the future of Utah's own immigration law.
"There's a lot at stake. All eyes are on what the Supreme Court does," said Karen Tumlin, attorney for the National Immigration Law Center, who argued on behalf of plaintiffs who have challenged the constitutionality of Utah's immigration enforcement law, HB497. The law was passed by the Utah Legislature in 2010.
If the Supreme Court leaves in place the injunction against the Arizona law, Tumlin said the national center's next move would be to ask U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups for a "direct, full opinion on the Utah law."...." (Read more? Click title)
"SALT LAKE CITY — When the Supreme Court takes up the constitutional challenges to Arizona's immigration enforcement law Wednesday, the seismic impact could well shake the future of Utah's own immigration law.
"There's a lot at stake. All eyes are on what the Supreme Court does," said Karen Tumlin, attorney for the National Immigration Law Center, who argued on behalf of plaintiffs who have challenged the constitutionality of Utah's immigration enforcement law, HB497. The law was passed by the Utah Legislature in 2010.
If the Supreme Court leaves in place the injunction against the Arizona law, Tumlin said the national center's next move would be to ask U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups for a "direct, full opinion on the Utah law."...." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxUtah: The BLT ~ Legal Times "In Gulf Spill Probe, DOJ Charges Former BP Engineer with Obstruction"
Mike Scarcella:
"As the U.S. Justice Department continues to investigate the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, federal prosecutors today filed the first criminal charges flowing from the deadly explosion and leak that became the worst environmental disaster in the country's history.
The government charged Kurt Mix, a former engineer for BP plc, with obstruction of justice for allegedly intentionally destroying evidence that the authorities wanted to review. Mix, 50, a Texas resident, was charged in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. said in a statement that Mix alleged deleted records concerning the amount of oil flowing from the Macondo well after the explosion in April 2010. Eleven people were killed in the incident.
"The Deepwater Horizon Task Force is continuing its investigation into the explosion and will hold accountable those who violated the law in connection with the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history," Holder said in the statement...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"As the U.S. Justice Department continues to investigate the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, federal prosecutors today filed the first criminal charges flowing from the deadly explosion and leak that became the worst environmental disaster in the country's history.
The government charged Kurt Mix, a former engineer for BP plc, with obstruction of justice for allegedly intentionally destroying evidence that the authorities wanted to review. Mix, 50, a Texas resident, was charged in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. said in a statement that Mix alleged deleted records concerning the amount of oil flowing from the Macondo well after the explosion in April 2010. Eleven people were killed in the incident.
"The Deepwater Horizon Task Force is continuing its investigation into the explosion and will hold accountable those who violated the law in connection with the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history," Holder said in the statement...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Saturday, April 21, 2012
SandBoxUtah: LA Times "From a Mexican kingpin to an FBI informant"
This is a must read.
A fascinating look at the inside operations of one of the most powerful and deadly Mexican Drug Cartels there is.
I'm not sure how anyone, can read something like this piece and still have any thoughts whatsoever that legalizing drugs has validity or as an officer of law look the other way to illegal drug use.
Thank you to all of our Customs and Border Protection officers including K-9. All of our DEA, ICE, FBI, every drug task force, every agent, officer and deputy that keeps to the best of their ability and power, these cartels on the outsides of our borders.
Richard A. Serrano:
"WASHINGTON — Police and federal agents pulled the car over in a suburb north of Denver. An FBI agent showed his badge. The driver appeared not startled at all. "My friend," he said, "I have been waiting for you."
And with that, Jesus Audel Miramontes-Varela stepped out of his white 2002 BMW X5 and into the arms of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Over the next several days at his ranch in Colorado and an FBI safe house in Albuquerque, the Mexican cartel chieftain — who had reputedly fed one of his victims to lions in Mexico — was transformed into one of the FBI's top informants on the Southwest border.
Around a dining room table in August 2010, an FBI camera whirring above, the 34-year-old Miramontes-Varela confessed his leadership in the Juarez cartel, according to 75 pages of confidential FBI interview reports obtained by The Times/Tribune Washington Bureau.
He told about marijuana and cocaine routes to California, New York and the Great Lakes. He described the shooting deaths of 30 people at a horse track in Mexico, and a hidden mass grave with 20 bodies, including two U.S. residents....." (Read more? You should. Click title)
(Photo credit: Maggie Ybarra, El Paso Times / November 30, 2010)
A fascinating look at the inside operations of one of the most powerful and deadly Mexican Drug Cartels there is.
I'm not sure how anyone, can read something like this piece and still have any thoughts whatsoever that legalizing drugs has validity or as an officer of law look the other way to illegal drug use.
Thank you to all of our Customs and Border Protection officers including K-9. All of our DEA, ICE, FBI, every drug task force, every agent, officer and deputy that keeps to the best of their ability and power, these cartels on the outsides of our borders.
Richard A. Serrano:
"WASHINGTON — Police and federal agents pulled the car over in a suburb north of Denver. An FBI agent showed his badge. The driver appeared not startled at all. "My friend," he said, "I have been waiting for you."
And with that, Jesus Audel Miramontes-Varela stepped out of his white 2002 BMW X5 and into the arms of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Over the next several days at his ranch in Colorado and an FBI safe house in Albuquerque, the Mexican cartel chieftain — who had reputedly fed one of his victims to lions in Mexico — was transformed into one of the FBI's top informants on the Southwest border.
Around a dining room table in August 2010, an FBI camera whirring above, the 34-year-old Miramontes-Varela confessed his leadership in the Juarez cartel, according to 75 pages of confidential FBI interview reports obtained by The Times/Tribune Washington Bureau.
He told about marijuana and cocaine routes to California, New York and the Great Lakes. He described the shooting deaths of 30 people at a horse track in Mexico, and a hidden mass grave with 20 bodies, including two U.S. residents....." (Read more? You should. Click title)
(Photo credit: Maggie Ybarra, El Paso Times / November 30, 2010)
SandBoxUtah: Red State "What is the Cost of EPA Interference? "
Ben Howe:
"I’ve written several posts here about the cost of EPA interference in our lives. Estimates of job losses at the hands of the supposedly well-intentioned Environmental Protection Agency are in the millions. As Lisa Jackson’s EPA continues its unrelenting war against coal, an obvious thing is going to happen: the cost of powering your home and your daily life is going to go up. In fact, it’s going to skyrocket. Don’t take it from me, take it from the man himself...." (Read more? Click title)
"I’ve written several posts here about the cost of EPA interference in our lives. Estimates of job losses at the hands of the supposedly well-intentioned Environmental Protection Agency are in the millions. As Lisa Jackson’s EPA continues its unrelenting war against coal, an obvious thing is going to happen: the cost of powering your home and your daily life is going to go up. In fact, it’s going to skyrocket. Don’t take it from me, take it from the man himself...." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxUtah: Fox 13 "Republican delegate lavished with praise from candidates"
Aaron Vaughn:
"WEST JORDAN — There are 4,000 Utahns getting a lot of attention right now because they are delegates to state party conventions. And with the most contentious set of races in a long time, Republican delegates might be getting more attention than they want.
“My mailbox every day looks like I’ve forgotten to pick up my mail for a week,” says Ann Ford, who is lavished with attention as a Republican delegate...." (Read more? Click title)
"WEST JORDAN — There are 4,000 Utahns getting a lot of attention right now because they are delegates to state party conventions. And with the most contentious set of races in a long time, Republican delegates might be getting more attention than they want.
“My mailbox every day looks like I’ve forgotten to pick up my mail for a week,” says Ann Ford, who is lavished with attention as a Republican delegate...." (Read more? Click title)
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