David Rodeback's Blog

The Utah Election and an American Fork Vote
It's Ellis, Chaffetz, and a big NO to rezoning the Carson property in American Fork.

Assorted Thoughts: Voter Turnout, A Vote on 900 West, and the Nextel Ad Jason Chaffetz Seems To Be Channeling
Come to think of it, the real firefighters I know are polite enough to remove their helmets indoors, unless they're working a fire.

I Can Vote on Only One Race Tomorrow
I actually considered not voting tomorrow, because my mind was so open, where the State Treasurer race between Richard Ellis and Mark Walker is concerned. Now that I have read the candidates' web sites, I find I have a preference, after all.

Jason Chaffetz and I Share a Common Geography
He's running in Utah's Third Congressional District, but he lives in the Second, as do I.

A Short List of Recent Readings
. . . Mostly on themes mentioned in my recent comments on the election.

Mr. Spock, My Childhood Hero
Yes, that Spock. My mother thought he looked like Satan.

A Conservative's Guide to the Current Campaign
Here are some brief thoughts on working toward November, what needs to happen in November, and what to do after that.

Favorites

Real Men Don't Smell Like Strawberries
A case study in the free market's shampoo aisles.

City and Surpha Sign Sale Agreement
Surpha now owns a municipal broadband system; American Fork City doesn't. (Does this mean it's not municipal any more?)

Playing Politics with Economics -- as in Food Prices
This happens, and food gets more expensive. That happens, and food gets more expensive. The other things happens, and everything gets more expensive. It's all quite predictable, if you understand the difference between politics and economics.

American Fork Sells AFCNet
The deed is almost done. The buyer is Surpha. The vote was unanimous. The price is $500,000.

What's in an Agendum? (The Carsons Are Back)
The new proposal reportedly is more reasonable, but I wonder: Have the strong-arm tactics and the abuses of ecclesiastical authority ceased?

AFCNet/Surpha Agreement on May 27 City Council Agenda
It's pretty big news for American Fork's municipal broadband system. UTOPIA is in the news, too.

American Fork Municipal Broadband Update
Negotiations continue, and an agreement may be coming soon.

Zoning, Licensing, Nuisances
A recent Deseret News story raises some important issues about certain laws and their enforcement in American Fork.

My Tax Questions
The IRS is notorious for answering tax questions incorrectly more often than correctly -- but, either way, if you get it wrong, it's your fault. So I'm not asking them. I'm asking you.

Last Week an Angry Liberal, This Week a Right-wing Nut Job
This didn't turn out exactly as I planned. My original strategy proved to be too much like carpet-bombing some of my neighbors and relatives, so I shelved it. Something more surgical is indicated.

Peggy Noonan Is Worth Reading
. . . As usual, in this Wall Street Journal piece. Also, there's a bonus.

In the Meantime, About Moderates . . .
The best part of this post is that I point you to an excellent Orson Scott Card article about political moderates.

This Morning I Tried to Be a Liberal
. . . Not just any liberal, you understand, and not a thinking liberal like some of my friends, but a liberal like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and, yes, Barack Obama.

It Wasn't Supposed to Be Like This
Bad news for the Hillary Clinton campaign. Very bad news. I expect Disney-like pyrotechnics.

I Came, I Saw, I Caucused
Will they have square donuts and left-leaning water at the Utah County Republican Convention again this year? I'll let you know.

Famous Since July, Oblivious Until Today
I would think myself truly ungrateful if I didn't stand, I mean sit, here today and blog about an experience I had just this afternoon. As I was trying to find something for a friend, I found something about myself . . .

Alpine School District's "What Counts?" Forum
A local gathering of fellow-travelers and critics to discuss what constitutes great schools. I'll tell you what that has to do with last night's meeting of an unrelated American Fork City committee.

My Bracket (and Lesser Things)
The Washington Post has my bracket; be a little patient with their web site. And I suggest three things to read about politics and/or education, in case you are one of those odd ducks who don't love college basketball.

The 2008 Campaign's Second Great Speech
Barack Obama's Philadelphia speech yesterday did not change my vote, but it was a great speech, worth reading and remembering. It was a lot like Mitt Romney's speech in December.

What's in a Word?
When things continue at approximately the same speed, we're told that things "basically ground to a halt" -- if those things are economic. And the words "qualified, certified, and competent" can be used to resist improvement and reform, when the subject is education.

Fredette, Fairness, Fairlie, (Non)Fiction, and Further Thoughts
A miscellany of accumulated reading-induced thoughts, some about politics, some about sports, some about other things.

A Formula for Educational Malpractice
One "educator" argues that reading, writing, and arithmetic are not the proper goals of a public school. There's too much risk of actual teaching and learning going on if they are.

Obama and the Flag: What's Not in a Symbol
If you want to convince me that Barack Obama isn't sufficiently loyal to his country, you'll have to do better than to tell me he doesn't wear an American flag on his lapel.

American Fork City's Next Two Years
There's a particular sort of progress we need to see in our City government.

A Riddle
. . . about math and Mike Huckabee, that is.

Ah, the Humanity!
I could use a vacation. Show them you're the most important person in the room. And mind those foreseeable opposite consequences. (A veritable verbal mosaic of awareness ribbons, congressional deserters, cell phones, state and local legislators, defenseless wild bunnies and birdies, zealous residents, and boring neckwear.)

Last-Minute Valentinish (and Other) Thoughts
A link to winning limericks. Some Valentine's Day thoughts. Things to read if you prefer politics. Something to watch if you prefer math. A note on delegate counts.

Romney Out, No Leader Left in the Race (and Other Post-Super Tuesday Musings)
Romney out. West Virginia Republicans. The presumptive McNominee. The anti-Hillary vote. State of the Union, stimulus, and compassion.

Primaries: Republicans after Maine, Before Super Tuesday
The outcome pales next to the delegate counts to come from tomorrow's "Super Tuesday" primaries, but Maine's Republicans preferred Mitt Romney.

Thoughts Toward Super Tuesday
A quick, opinionated look at the names on the ballot in Tuesday's Utah presidential primaries.

The Genesis of "Groundhog Day (Observed)"
This official LocalCommentary.com decree changes the date on which Groundhog Day 2008 is celebrated, from February 2 to February 8, for reasons stated herein.

Presidential Primaries: Updated Running Totals
TheGreenPapers.com has updated its committed delegate totals for Iowa (Republicans and Democrats), New Hampshire (Democrats), and Michigan (Republicans). This post reflects those changes.

Presidential Primary Update: After Florida
After Florida, for the first time, John McCain leads in the delegate count. The Florida Democratic primary apportioned no delegates, leaving Barack Obama with a slightly-enlarged lead over Hillary Clinton after South Carolina.

Primaries: After South Carolina and Nevada
After today, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama still lead by small margins in the delegate count.

Presidential Primaries and Caucuses: Iowa, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Michigan, and Running Totals
The BMA typically tell us which candidates get the most votes, without worrying much about who is accumulating the most delegates to the two parties' national conventions. Here we look at the numbers that matter: the delegate counts -- but even those are soft.

NIE, AF, Gitmo, AF the Movie, and More
. . . including a lawnmower analogy and the phrase, "if headlines were fishes" . . .

Christmas Music and Christmas Politics
The two don't really go together, but they coexist in my last blog post of the year, along with a bunch of Mormons, a former Southern Baptist minister, and some (other) really nice people.

My Favorite Democrat
That Ornery American makes a lot of sense on immigration and other topics.

About Town: Music, Negotiations, Ballots, and Irrigation
Catching up . . . and some thoughts on the American Fork Symphony's latest concert.

Bad Statistics: Denial and de Fanning of de Flames
Here I pick on the local and national media -- again -- for not getting their statistics right in the matters of violence in Iraq and local Boy Scouts of America executive salaries.

More Voucher Aftermath
A note on voucher-related political payback, the discussion of what to do with the state funds which cannot be spent on vouchers. I suggest we apply to funds to solving a specific, significant educational problem in Utah.

Voucher Aftermath
Some interesting and illuminating newspaper articles, some blog posts by Utah legislators, and a few thoughts of my own, including on how things will go in the next legislative session, where educational debate is concerned.

American Fork Wins. Utah Schoolchildren Lose.
Thoughts on today's election results.

Respect vs. Political Expediency
On respecting some places too much to take our politics there.

The Chance to Play Against Notre Dame
Not all the best sports writing is about baseball.

Mr. Porter Owes Seven American Fork Officials Another Apology
If he's going to post foolish accusations personally online at the Daily Herald web site, accusing officials of dishonesty and a coverup, he's fair game for bloggers, including this one.

David's Little November 2007 Election Guide
How I voted (early), and the outcomes I predict in American Fork, Salt Lake City, and statewide in the voucher matter.

Almost a Dozen Reasons Honest and Intelligent People May Have for Voting Against Vouchers
On the day before Election Day I, who already voted for vouchers, do my best to find some reasons why good, honorable, intelligent people might want to vote against them -- as opposed to the false or deceptive reasons filling the mailboxes and airwaves of Utah.

Illegal Anti-Voucher Flyer Drop at American Fork Wal-Mart
I was an eyewitness. I guess the law doesn't matter, if it's "for the children."

Provo's Municipal Broadband, and a Happy (Unrelated) Lawsuit Verdict
Two news stories of note.

Vouchers: A Report, an Ad, and an Op/Ed
That University of Utah report, a good recent ad about vouchers and future growth, and a good column in the Daily Herald.

Further Notes on the Statistics that Weren't and the Press Release that Wasn't
The latest non-avian flap in American Fork -- and then a few words about the avian one.

George Will on the Utah School Voucher Referendum
Yes, Utah has the nation's attention for a few days.

Accountability? You Decide.
A careful look at the voucher bills themselves, focusing on fiscal and academic accountability.

Dolphin-Free Oil Now Available in American Fork
World Class Auto Service on Main Street welcomes a new neighbor. Will Good Earth Natural Foods reciprocate? It might be amusing.

The Rich, the Poor, and Utah School Vouchers
Someone asked me the other day, Won't vouchers benefit only the rich? Another related question is, Aren't the vouchers too small to help ordinary families? I'm not sure which family among the many I know is ordinary, but I do take up the arguments here, looking carefully at the bill itself and the opponents' reasoning.

Electronic Voting, and a Candidate's Homework that Didn't Get Done
First, I voted early, just to see if I hated it, and because I had already chosen all my votes. Second, here is a detailed look at actual data, which contradict one city council candidate's wild claim about violent crime American Fork.

Three Big Buckets of Money, and Other Voucher Details
. . . And how Radio Grandpa is lying, and Radio Mom is helping him do it.

Meet Three-Fifths of the Candidates Night
Incumbent American Fork City Council candidates Rick Storrs, Sherry Kramer, and Shirl LeBaron field questions.

KSL's Voucher "Truth Test"
KSL puts claims in pro- and anti-voucher ads to the test.

Accumulated Thoughts about the Voucher Debate
A surprise endorsement of vouchers, some notes on the anti-voucher playbook, and some logical thought.

Meet the American Fork City Council Candidates, and Millie
The only thing these two topics have in common is that I mention them in the same blog post.

Idle Thoughts from PTSA Meeting (not About Vouchers)
A logo, an applause sign, randomness, parliamentary procedure.

Another Voucher Meeting
Voucher opponents didn't bring their "A game."

Vouchers and the Public Schools
Here is the best explanation I can give of what may seem a contradictory fact: It is my commitment to and my belief in public schools which moves me to advocate school vouchers.

Buying a Used Car: A School Voucher Parable
It's a bird. It's a plane. Good grief, it's positively Orwellian.

Miscellany: Wi-Fi, Econ., Signs, and Spam
That is, municipal wi-fi, economics vs. politics, campaign signs, and e-mail spam.

Politics and Punch III: Vouchers and Other School Issues
Most of this post is devoted to gaping holes in school district officials' anti-voucher arguments, but there are a few other topics, too.

Politics and Punch II: City Council Candidates and Issues
Streets. More streets. NIMBY, by gum. Water. Other stuff. First impressions of candidate Jason Porter. Three endorsements and a choice I'll have to ponder.

Politics and Punch I: Setting and Cast
Here I tell you who was there, where "there" was, what questions I submitted that didn't get asked, and so forth.

Yes, It Was a Push Poll on Vouchers
Ballot language on the voucher referendum, a push poll, things I didn't tell the pollster, some relevant cartoons, and another thought or two.

American Fork Broadband Notes
Tonight's meeting, a small dose of basic economics, AFCNet as an example of infrastructure, and a little debunking of municipal wireless broadband.

Political Facts of Life in American Fork
A quick look at some other folks' primaries, followed by a discussion of major ongoing issues in American Fork, as they relate to the election.

La Vigna da Campania
"The Vineyard of Campania," that is, if my Italian is correct. (Warning: I have never learned Italian.)

Anniversary Notes
Here are a few relatively quick thoughts on today's auspicious anniversary.

Local Miscellany
I brag a little, then I turn to broadband, Gandolfo's, 9600 North, college football, a very old skeleton, SOBs in American Fork, and a very intelligent discussion of Mormonism on the national stage.

American Fork City Council Candidate George Brown Withdraws
The candidate field for the three available full-term seats is down to four.

Utah Premier Brass
American Fork's summer concert series ends impressively.

American Fork Poll Results
Interesting poll results are now on the information side of this site, instead of at my blog, since they constitute a scientific sampling of everyone's -- well, 401 residents' -- views, instead of my own.

Guarantees?
Did Governor Huntsman mean it? Has he thought this through? Or did exhaustion and emotion just get ahead of his reason for a minute? Admittedly, the duress was considerable.

The Battle of 9600 West
Somehow I manage to incorporate chemical warfare, invasion, trade sanctions, and passive resistance into a discussion about widening a street in Highland. (I'm having fun. Are you?)

American Fork Notes: Music, Arts
A very good band, a positively amazing band, and a major advance behind the scenes for the local arts community.

Voldemort and Global Warming
On the uncanny resemblance of He-Who-Must-not-Be-Named and That-Which-Must-not-Be-Questioned.

ConventionNext: Salt Lake City Mayoral Candidates
As an outsider, I found the candidate forum interesting. But don't expect a broad spectrum of views from these candidates.

Random Dissenting Thoughts
. . . on the war in Iraq, the local loan sharks, and yelling at the radio.

Concerts in the Park, and Bringing the Dead to Life in the Cemetery
You don't always have to pay for quality entertainment in American Fork.

Candidates for American Fork City Council
I'm not scooping anyone with this belated post, but here's a fairly early look at American Fork's 2007 City Council candidates, with one no-brainer endorsement and a few predictions thrown in.

An Early Look at American Fork's City Council Election
The two-week filing period is half gone . . .

Orson Scott Card on How We Live and How We Ought to Live
Foreign oil, domestic poverty, and no highway is ever wide enough . . .

Moscow: July 4, 1987
Twenty years ago, rather by surprise, I celebrated American independence with a bunch of -- gasp! -- Soviet Communists.

Catching up About Town
Blogging energy, Sherry Kramer, SOBs, a tragic bear attack, a restaurant that isn't an In-and-Out clone (we promise -- wink, wink), and an update on the concrete monstrosity.

Recycling Change
In short: Tuesdays, not Fridays.

I Have a Few Questions (and Then Some)
. . . to ask of the applicants for that interim American Fork City Council appointment, that is.

Candidates for Interim American Fork City Council Appointment
Here is a list of the six candidates who submitted materials for consideration.

A Vilka FAQ
What is The Chronicle of Vilka? Why is it here at LocalCommentary.com? And other earth-shaking questions.

The Paul Burnside Band and Other Local Notes
A band, an empty seat, and a long-awaited improvement in American Fork.

American Fork's New Logo
On Tuesday the American Fork City Council adopted a new City logo. Here it is. How do you like it?

American Fork Municipal Broadband Update
The earlier engagement to PacketFront broke down; the new suitor is Surpha.

One Less Good Man in Our Politics
American Fork City Councilor Jimmie Cates passed away this morning.

The Tsar's Singers
Four Russian men, four black robes, four music folders, and a tuning fork added up to something heavenly tonight.

Random Smokin' Thoughts
First, I have to say positive things about the Utah Jazz, because 'tis the season. Then I present my two-part plan for a kinder, gentler, less littered society. Preview: It's a pair of truces.

A Little, Concrete Test of American Fork's Commitment to the Rule of Law
The concrete is actual concrete. The law is an ordinance passed by the American Fork City Council. And in a small city that has been committed only selectively to the rule of law over the years, the rule of law seems now to have a fighting chance.

Hannity vs. Anderson: The Virtual Experience
I didn't attend the big debate, but I watched it later on the Internet. Here are my thoughts.

The Arts, the Jazz, the Debates, the Veto
Had I done any blogging at all last week, here are some things I might have blogged about.

Utah County Republican Convention: During
Miscellaneous notes and the fate of the opposition to "Satan's Plan" -- which is their term for illegal immigration, not mine.

Utah County Republican Convention: Before
You might not think a county party organizing convention would be interesting. But I've never gone to a political meeting planning to vote against a resolution opposing "Satan's Plan." What should I wear? Does it mean something that I bought a black car yesterday, or that my official Chris for Congress water doesn't stand straight, but leans to the left?

Briefish Thoughts on Several Subjects
Relatively brief musings on a time machine, Vice President Cheney's speech, his detractors, Superintendent Henshaw and the "extremists," and what could cause me to leave the Republican Party after tomorrow.

We Can't Prevent Another Virginia Tech Massacre by Passing a Law
32 dead -- 33, if you count the shooter. 29 wounded. Labels and accusations and proposed legislation are swirling everywhere in response. There is nothing in that maelstrom that will bring back the dead. There is nothing in it that will prevent this from ever happening again, either.

A Mulligan
I respectfully ask the chair's permission to revise and extend my remarks . . .

Congressman Cannon and Multiple Bloggers as Lab Rats, or An Uneasy Hybrid of Political Junkie and Web Geek
. . . But don't get the idea that I didn't enjoy it. It was interesting on several levels.

I Actually Like Public Transit
Most of the time. It served me well today.

Grab-Bag: Music, Vouchers, Freedom, and a Conservative Daydream
You might say it's leftover night. I happen to enjoy leftovers.

From the (Electronic) Mailbag
Three blog-related items arrived by e-mail last week.

Is Laughter a Form of Worship?
First, a bit about Mitt -- something to read, actually. Then something funny to read about Mormons generally. Also, I muse on Mormons who can't laugh at themselves.

Dorothy, This Ain't Panguitch Any More (Revised)
J C Penney wants to come to the Meadows in American Fork, along with some mixed-used development. This happy news prompts some more general thoughts about attitudes on the Wasatch Front.

The Bracket: Seventh Grade 1, Blogger 0
One more look at the bracket. I was vanquished by my daughter's seventh-grade class.

Family Honk Evening
I knew the story of the Ugly Duckling, of course, but hadn't seen the musical. The bullfrog was standing ovation material.

American Fork City Attorney (Civil) Kevin Bennett Resigns
He's off to take a similar position in LaVerkin, Utah.

New on the Web: American Fork Recycling Calendar
You can't find it at the City web site. You can find it here.

Bracket Watch: It Ain't Pretty
This quick summary of my bracketological incompetence has a shocking, pathetic confession at the end.

Gasoline Prices: What Goes Down Must Come Up
Fair warning: In this word I use the word stupid twice and the word gullible once. But the post is short. Together, those two words comprise more than one percent of the entire post.

More Madness
If you must know, though I haven't checked the math, I think I'm picking the winners of NCAA tournament games only very slightly better than would a trained chimp flipping a coin. That's the least of about three reasons why I don't bet on these things -- which is not even remotely my point.

Monday Evening at the Historic American Fork City (Recital) Hall
A pleasant Monday evening concert for the family, in American Fork's newest recital venue.

The Week's Excellent Readings . . . NOT!
Last week's explanation still applies.

Basketball Heaven, Day Two
More of the same.

Basketball Heaven, Day One
This isn't about politics. It's more serious than that.

The Arrogance of Dominance, and Vice Versa
In this lengthy post, I rip on Capitol Hill Republicans briefly, then Republicans in the Utah Legislature very slightly and ever so briefly, then Capitol Hill Democrats a little less briefly. Then I unload on the public education lobby at length, on the subject of vouchers and institutional arrogance. Finally, after you have paid the price in cognitive dissonance for a moment, I give you permission to call me names and think me evil if you really want to, because of my politics . . . but I still end up claiming a small victory. (This is truth-in-advertising: a long teaser for a long post.)

The Latest on Municipal Broadband in American Fork
The letter of intent has expired, the original RFP will be reissued . . . I don't recall anyone promising a complete broadband solution in American Fork would be easy or immediate. It's not bad news. It's just news.

Where's the Reading List?
I thought I saw this coming when it was still distant. Sure enough, it came.

The Week's Excellent Readings
There were almost too many favorites to list this week. Almost.

Miscellaneous Political Thoughts
Recycling in American Fork. The UEA checks its manners at the Capitol door. Who really represents me? An Oscar and a Nobel. And, finally, I manage to work the phrase barking moonbat into a sentence.

I Ran Away to Chicago -- in February!
I'd do it again, too. Art, pizza, Russian bookstores, a Chicago hot dog . . . And a flight delay led to an excellent lunch in Houston. (Note: This is not about politics. Not everything is, you know.)

The Week's Excellent Readings
George Washington is the subject of some favorites. Steve Jobs tells it like it is -- the effect of unions on public education, that is. And that's just the beginning of the list.

Holly Mullen: Excellent Blogger, Almost in Town
My long-time favorite American Fork blogger, DaltonGirl, does not share many of my political views. Neither does a new favorite, Salt Lake City's Holly Mullen. What does this mean? (I don't actually answer this question in this post.)

The Sublime and the Quotidian
Vocal Works, the Crescent Super Band, a Maynard Ferguson tribute, and a church talent show.

This Week's Excellent Readings
I subdivided the "Favorites" this week. Valentine's Day makes an appearance, along with a lot of other good stuff, and one February 14 thing that's kinda creepy.

A Little Valentine's Day Rerun
364 days ago, I offered a bit of advance help for this Valentine's Day.

Infinite Shades of Grey
Some of our horror at the bad things which happen in "good" places, such as Salt Lake City, is rooted in our preference for black-and-white categories, instead of infinite shades of gray. That preference is actually dangerous.

The Week's Excellent Readings
This week's "Favorites" section, top to bottom, is as good as it has ever been, and more fun than usual.

A Utah Institute of Technology? Why Not?
The best idea I've heard lately is a little-discussed proposed direction for UVSC's future growth: a polytechnic university. (Think MIT, Cal Tech, Georgia Tech, etc.)

David's Plan for Utah's $1.6 Billion Surplus
There's something for everyone. One-fourth goes back to the taxpayer, and half goes to education, but not precisely how you might think.

The Week's Excellent Readings
Ronald Reagan, teacher pay, liberals going ballistic over a book, Mr. Justice Clarence Thomas as influential and independent, cheerleaders, writing unrightable wrongs . . .

More Groundhog Day Lore
Limerick contest winners, a local groundhog alternative, and more.

Groundhog Day Is Coming
Why Groundhog Day? What we're doing at my house. What you could do to celebrate the day. And a groundhog injustice in the making.

The Week's Excellent Readings
There's much discussion of President Bush's State of the Union speech and the issues it touched, but a lot of other good stuff, too.

The State of the Union, Part II: The War
Here is the bulk of the President's discussion of the war, with some passages highlighted and relatively few of my comments along the way.

The State of the Union, Part I: General Notes and Domestic Issues
The economy, health care, immigration, federal judges, energy independence, and more.

Traffic School
Will Traffic School Guy be coming soon to a comedy club near you? He almost could. Here is the latest chapter in the continuing saga of my life as an alleged scofflaw.

One Councilblogger's New Year's Resolution (and Other Notes on the Local Blogosphere)
Something in this post will lead you not to "purple mountains' majesty," but to "a pulsing pustule on the public posterior." I'll let you discover what. I can only say, hapless we would be, indeed, without alliteration!

This Week's Excellent Readings
From Iraq to chopsticks to the economist who enlists Martians to help him explain the trade deficit, it was a good week to be reading.

Some Sample Limericks
I couldn't resist -- I didn't really try -- and I am quite unapologetic.

Enter Our Limerick Contest! This Means You!
For entry instructions or further information, look here.

Two or Three Recent Encounters with Local Government
Water, water . . . well, not exactly everywhere. Hot chocolate is also mentioned. And then there's my recent life on the other side of the law in the People's Republic of Rockyland.

The Week's Excellent Readings
Amid all the serious talk of a possibly pivotal speech about the war, an underwhelming beginning for the new Congress, a developing presidential race, and more local items than usual, this week's list somehow also includes a funny column about sheep, discussion of a famous cartoon bear, and a report on male pantyhose.

More Local Notes
A quick report on the newly renovated City Hall, talk of two local jazz bands, and news of a skateboard park.

Notes from American Fork
False alarms, a zoning overlay, dark fiber for ASD, a much-improved inner-block development, and, most interesting of all, American Fork leans on UDOT.

An Italian Deli, a Classic Movie, and a Little Christmas Gift from the American Fork City Council
Tony's Italian Deli on Main Street in American Fork, that is; and The Princess Bride; and . . . well, read it for yourself.

This Week's Excellent Readings
An old year, a new year, a dead tyrant, a president's funeral, Peggy Noonan, and some really good stuff on other topics, large and small . . .

Now That's Growth
You might say it's a lot of hair dryers.

Not About Politics
Here are some relatively apolitical notes on the English language, jazz, and funeral music.

This Week's Excellent Readings
Gerald Ford, poverty, Christmas, dogs, one guy who says Iraq is a success, and much more.

Proposed New Logo for American Fork
American Fork City is contemplating a new logo. So far, they like this one best . . .

This Week's Excellent Readings
Some of this stuff is so good I want to read it again. Unfortunately, as Time's Person of the Year for 2006, I'll be busy with other things.

The Other Wise Man
Contemporary American chamber opera, professional wrestling, beauty, and power meet in my review of The Other Wise Man. (The production itself has all but one of these. Guess which.)

Wasatch Winds Wow
Okay, that's too much alliteration, but they wowed me tonight at their Christmas concert.

The Week's Excellent Readings
Two Favorites sections this week: Iraq and everything else. And a lot of other stuff, too, of course. Read what interests you. It's a relatively free country.

This Week's Excellent Readings
Lots of discussion of the Iraq Study Group's (ISG, or CESM here) report, but also excellent sections on culture and economics, among other things.

I Don't See . . .
I've tried. I just don't.

Iraq Study Group's Terms for US Surrender: It's Time for a New Official Acronym
CESM, that is, for Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys, with a bow to The Simpsons' Groundskeeper Willie.

The Alpine School Board Just Doesn't Get It (or Look What the Mailman Brought)
What I wanted to say really isn't printable in a well-mannered blog, but it did have something to do with wasting my money.

The American Fork Symphony's Christmas Concert
Here's my brief, selective review of tonight's concert, which I definitely enjoyed. Best of all were the vocal soloists. (Hats off, gentlemen. I said hats off!)

The Week's Excellent Readings
There's some serious writing about the war, here, along with a few short philosophical pieces, some analysis of the next Congress, accounts of mass media fraud about Iraq, interesting looks at the Pope's trip to Turkey, and a lot more. There's even a piece on parenting from a new grandparent, Orson Scott Card. Some of this week's readings are funny. Some are just sad.

Musings While Trying to Fly Home from Albany
Superb customer service, a unusual late-November lightning storm, and comments on upstate New York cuisine . . . Not very political at all, really.

This Week's Excellent Readings
Thanksgiving, the war, the election, and a lot more.

Re(nick)naming the Delta Center
I decided to be a slave to fashion and tell you what I think about what we used to know as the Delta Center. In the process, I identify the best nickname I've heard from someone else and offer my own suggestion for a nickname, too.

Three Big Wins for the Heber Thompson Administration
American Fork City is three-for-three in the big battles this year. This post looks at those three and suggests some things on which the City may focus next year.

This Week's Excellent Readings
This week's list is heavy on election post-mortems and discussions of the transition on Capitol Hill, but there are gems on other subjects, too, prominently including uber-economist Milton Friedman, who passed away this week, dating and marriage counsel, and even -- blush -- Oprah.

Grandpa and Veterans Day (Again)
What I have to say on the occasion of Veterans Day is not new.

The Week's Excellent Readings
This week's list is very heavy on election-related discussion, starting with a fine essay by Peggy Noonan and including some selections from before the election, a couple of gems about Election Day itself, and a lot of analysis of the results. After all that is a small selection of good stuff on other topics.

Every Game Is an Away Game
It was a defeat, not a disaster. I blame the Republicans on Capitol Hill more than the voters. They forgot that for them every game is an away game.

Here's How My Predictions Fared
I got all the easy ones and broke about even on the hard ones -- which is better than the Republican Party did nationally, by the way.

David's Little Election Guide
Here's a quick look at all the races and propositions on my ballot, plus a few more which might be on yours.

Check Out the Guest Blog, and Stay Tuned for a Quick Guide to the Election LATER TODAY

Coming later today: My quick guide to tomorrow's election. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, check out the questions and answers from LocalCommentary.com's virtual interviews with Alpine School District candidates Keith Swain and Tim Osborn, who are in the only contested school board race in the district. That post is in our guest blog.

This Week's Excellent Readings
Naturally, this week's list includes a lot of writing about next week's election, but there's good writing on other topics, too.

Benjamin Franklin Is Alive! In American Fark!
First some water-bond related housekeeping, then some fun. At least, you'll hope I'm having fun.

The Republican Rally and My Dark Inner Thoughts
How my political career ended yesterday before it even wanted to be begin, and my dark thoughts on the occasion of a Republican political rally.

A Primer on the American Fork Water Bond, Part III
Here I address political questions related to the water bond issue proposition: What question is really on the ballot? Why are some leaders acting as if the question is something else? What happens if the proposition fails? And I offer a list of good and bad reasons to vote against the bond issue, even though I intend to vote for it. A word of warning: I have trouble being perfectly serious even when addressing serious matters, so brace yourself for a cameo post-Halloween appearance by . . . ahem . . . Satan.

A Primer on the American Fork Water Bond, Part II
Here I explain how American Fork residents' water bills will be increasingly considerably, whether or not the voters approve the bond issue to build a pressurized irrigation system.

A Primer on the American Fork Water Bond, Part I
Here we look at the situation, the range of possible approaches, and the reasons why the City Council has preferred a citywide pressurized irrigation system.

Entirely Personal: LBB Fights Back
Purely personal notes on Life Beyond the Blog temporarily crowding out blogging.

This Week's Excellent Readings
It's true that a major election is fast approaching, but some of the week's best reading (for me, at least) was in economics. But there's also a lot of politics here and a good variety of other things.

I'll Have My Longhair Music in Bright Orange, Please
I'm not a great fan of Halloween, but last evening's concert by Vocal Works, entitled "Wicked Good," was easily one of the best concerts I have attended in American Fork, besides being a lot of fun.

The Week's Excellent Readings
This list is supersized, but, as always, you don't have to read everything. In addition to the usual topics, it includes sections on the US population exceeding 300 million and -- unrelated to that -- free speech being in jeopardy at home and abroad. There's a very low unemployment rate among college grads, and there's also more merriment here than usual.

What's New at LocalCommentary.com
Newest is a forum, The Water Cooler, for your discussion of issues and for poll questions. Also new is our own little book list and bookstore, The Well-Read Citizen.

Notes on Last Evening's Water Meeting
Here are some of my notes from last evening's American Fork town meeting on secondary irrigation.

Signs of the Times
Here are photos of some signs I saw in southern Utah this weekend. I'm still laughing. You should, too.

Random Thoughts
Okay, so the North Koreans have nukes, the Iranians soon will have, we're having an epidemic of school shootings, and the words "Speaker Pelosi" have a shot at being used together quite a bit next year. That shouldn't mean we stop laughing, should it? Here are some mostly apolitical morsels to assist you.

This Week's Excellent Readings
It was a good week -- or maybe it was bad, or just interesting. In any case, this week's list of excellent things to read is longer than usual and possibly even better.

Twinkies, Anyone?
I never buy Twinkies. I don't like them. But I did today -- as a political statement.

Last Night's City Council Meeting as Civic Education
A school teacher berated the Mayor and City Council of American Fork last night for teaching his students bad things. Here's my view of what his students might have learned at the City Council's meeting, including some lessons that very teacher should not have been teaching.

Of Nuts with Nukes, and Lesser, Local Things
I look for principles, patterns, and parallels in government and politics. Even if the scale and some essential attitudes are radically different, I think I see a similarity between US attempts to restrain North Korea's nuclear aspirations and the impotence of American Fork's boundary agreement with Pleasant Grove. I fear the explanation is somewhat lengthy.

Broadband Decision
American Fork will now enter negotiations with PacketFront for the sale of the municipal network and the lease of some of the City's fiber-optic lines.

This Week's Excellent Readings
Among other things, read the best line of the week, from Alan Reynolds: "Even in election years, up is not the same as down."

Questions on My Mind
Here I muse on several questions of recent occurrence and dubious note, from the cosmic to the American Forkic. Watch for cameos by Oprah, Satan, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The Times Are a-Changing in American Fork
Some want in. Some want out. Either way, landowners and developers are noticing a difference between American Fork and neighboring communities. I think it's a good difference.

The Week's Excellent Readings
From Chinese novels and Airbus woes to congressional elections and developments on American Fork's border, you can read about it here -- if I liked it or thought it important, that is.

Locally: Five Short Notes
Broadband, 900 West, HDTV, Paris, and a meaningless statistic. Did you know lumpenproletariat is one word?

People Will Say We're in Love . . .
Now that was a fun evening.

The Week's Excellent Readings
The Pope and angry Muslims play a large but not overwhelming role in this week's list of goodies for your brain.

It's That Time of the Century
In today's offering you see parts of my personality you might have hoped never to see together: the math geek and the literary scholar, in a bizarre dance with the more familiar political blogger. I prefer to call this erudition, but I'll understand if you consider it some sort of bothersome multiple personality disorder. In any case, read on, and good luck . . .

I Blinked for Two Days, and Look What I Missed
I missed Talk Like a Pirate Day, a coup in Thailand, tax tweaks, and angry Muslims. I didn't miss a good cartoon or an undeservedly obscure anniversary.

I Joined the Math Wars
Here's the text of a letter I sent last week to the principal and teachers at my children's elementary school.

The Week's Excellent Readings
This week is heavy on the war and September 11, as befits the fifth anniversary of the latter, but there's some other great stuff to read, too.

Do They Rehearse This Stuff?
A reliable source says this actually happened.

My Neighbors, Gas Prices, a Correction, and . . . Somebody Needs to Read the Law
My politically active neighbors get along. Oak Norton actually lives in Highland. Some American Fork landlords are trying to get sued. And CostCo is lowering local gasoline prices. But the longer version is . . . more fun. Or at least longer.

Thoughts on September 11
Miscellaneous thoughts on September 11, five years later.

The Week's Excellent Readings
If I had to choose someone to write the one essay I want to read for the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Peggy Noonan would be at the top of my list. So this week she's at the top of my list of readings, too. It's good, long list.

The Week's Excellent Readings
Football, baseball, and other religions; New Orleans, Pluto, infectious stupidity . . . Just a lot of good stuff this week.

Another Pleasant Musical Evening in American Fork
In describing the last of the season's concerts in the park -- actually, in the amphitheater in the park -- I manage to use the words expatiate, toddlerhood, and Klingon. Beat that. I dare you.

Another Broadband Update
I attended an interesting, technically public meeting on Thursday. Here I report some of what I saw and heard.

The Week's Excellent Readings
This week's wide-ranging list has more favorites than usual and a broader range of topics than last week's. Topics in the Favorites category range from Wal-Mart and the Simpsons to war and presidential elections. Enjoy.

Been Readin' My Dougall . . .
Catching up from vacation includes reading some blogs. Here's some good stuff from a familiar source.

Concerts in the Park: Excellent!
A fine new community band, a renowned local brass band, and a young, local country singer shared the stage Monday in American Fork. Together, they made a fine musical evening.

The Week's Excellent Readings
The Middle East and terrorist capers nearer the US are very prominent in this week's list, but Elmo -- yes, the whiny Sesame Street thing -- makes an appearance, too.

The Week's Excellent Readings
Bennett, Barone, Sowell, and other luminaries lead the list.

The Nice Guys Finished First
All that really happened is that a proposed zoning change was denied. But there was plenty of drama along the way.

Last Night's Budget and Tax Hearing in American Fork
The difference in public demeanor was night and day between last night's tax and budget hearing and the recent town meetings on the same subjects. It was an evening to be grateful for representative government, as opposed to direct democracy, and for being governed at least for a while by intelligent adults.

And the Winners Are . . .
Here are the winners in the two primary races of national interest and the two American Fork issues I mentioned in today's earlier post.

Votes to Watch Today
Lieberman, McKinney, American Fork's tax increase, and that 900 West thing all are voted on today.

Why the Carson Properties on 900 West Should Remain Residential
As to substance, I see merit on both sides of the question. As to tactics, I think the side which has played dirty should lose on that basis alone.

Little Rants
. . . about federal agencies and a piece of silliness local to American Fork.

This Week's Excellent Readings
A lot of good writing on Israel vs. Hezbollah/Iran joins by insights into such diverse themes as the philosophy of music, fantasy fishing, and electoral hanky-panky in Missouri.

Is It Fair that All Taxpayers Pay for Everything?
Sometimes a good test of a principle is to attempt to follow it where it leads.

Good News for American Fork Taxpayers
35 is better than 50, and 20 is better than 35 -- at least when we're talking about tax increase percentages.

American Fork Municipal Broadband: Update
Here I fill in a few details -- nothing earth-shaking -- and ask a question I haven't heard anyone ask yet. (That might mean it's a dumb question. You decide.)

Notes from the Town Meeting on the AF City Budget
I went to one of the City's two town meetings last week on the budget and the proposed property tax increase. Here are some of my notes, along with some promises to address larger issues in the near future.

Beauty and Brains
Maybe it's by design. Maybe it just happened. In any case, there was an impressive improvement in an important detail. Apparently it is not fanciful to hope for beauty and brains.

The Week's Excellent Readings
Paul Greenberg, Charles Krauthammer, William Bennett, Orson Scott Card, Tony Blankley, and Greg Crosby lead the list, which has a lot about the Israeli/Hezbollah conflict, but many other good things besides that.

Happy Blogiversary to Me
No one else asked to, so I interview myself in honor of the occasion.

The Week's Excellent Readings
This week's list has a lot of commentary on the Israeli/Hezbollah/Hamas conflict, but plenty of good stuff on other topics, too.

Urban Musings
I spent the afternoon and evening in Salt Lake City and had a few thoughts along the way.

Hoo-da Thunkit?
Just when you think you've seen everything . . . (I have never thought that myself. It's an expression.)

A Minor Broadband Update
Here's what little I can add to the American Fork municipal broadband picture this week. Just to prove it really is a slow news day, I also express my hope that a certain city councilman will show up at a future meeting in a kilt.

This Week's Excellent Readings
Israel, Superman, interstate highways, leaks by the New York Times, North Korean dud rockets, Mexico, Kooksville, marriage, rap, and more. It's been a busy week.

Israel and Its Enemies: The View from My Own 'Religion of Peace'
How many attacks must Israel absorb before fighting back? Here's my scriptural view.

Two Deadlines for American Fork: One Real, One Proposed
One quick thought each about American Fork's broadband and preserving historic buildings.

The Week's Excellent Readings
A lemonade stand, "the American recoil from collectivism," some solid economic news, a little guy, Gaza and Israel, Teddy Roosevelt, and more.

Independence Day Thoughts
A few thoughts on the day, not especially profound or tightly linked together. If you want profundity, follow three links near the end and read some truly important words.

Briefly, on Broadband: A Referral
This post is so short that it could be its own teaser.

This Week's Excellent Readings
My favorite among favorites is a superb Barack Obama speech. It's as close to must-read as we'll get, I think.

Notes from Ohio
Natural gas bills, water bills, and the voting machine blame game in Cleveland, Ohio.

Quickly, Those Election Results
In case you haven't heard or seen them elsewhere, here are a few election results from yesterday's primary.

About that Closed Republican Primary
Is it good or bad that you have to be a Republican to vote in a Republican primary in Utah?

I Voted -- Electronically, this Time
Here's my report on the new electronic voting machines.

Apropos Tomorrow's Primary
The only incumbent I'd vote for in tomorrow's Republican primary is in a Congressional district I don't live in.

This Week's Readings
Excellent writing from the usual suspects, plus a section of favorites from and about Great Britain.

American Fork Broadband: Unanswered Questions and Unexplored Possibilities
We can only guess how important AFCNet, properly managed and extended, could be to the long-term economic viability of American Fork and to its residents' quality of life. What if, years down the road, it turns out to have been crucial, and we find that a decision to divest was made too early, and that the picture would have looked much different if we had kept it for one more year?

Broadband: Hindsight and AFCNet's ISPs
Is the ISPs' tempest at last week's American Fork City Council meeting and a related hearing too little, too late? What could they have done sooner?

Miscellaneous Notes, Mostly Local
A local blogger, gravel roads, possibly offensive movies, and a letter that got a guy fired.

This Week's Excellent Readings
Prelutsky, Greenberg, Parker, Hagelin, and Purcell lead the list, and there's more humor here than usual, too.

Observations on the State of American Fork City Government
Three thumbs up, one thumb down. It's good progress, if anatomically incorrect. But the thumb down is fairly serious and arguably urgent.

Am I the Only One Who . . .
. . . is experiencing diminished customer satisfaction at certain American Fork establishments?

This Week's Excellent Readings
Jeff Jacoby, Mark Steyn, Charles Krauthammer, Clifford D. May, and Mark Davis lead an extra-long list, which includes a variety of articles on the Marriage Protection Amendment.

Grab Bag
Short notes on several topics, at home and abroad.

Marriage Protection Amendment Dies on the Senate Floor
The Marriage Protection Amendment died today in a cloture vote. It will be back.

The Marriage Protection Amendment, Part IV
I support the Marriage Protection Amendment for two reasons. One is structural and procedural, and the other has to do with religious freedom itself.

The Marriage Protection Amendment, Part III
Here I discuss a recent letter from the First Presidency of the LDS Church, which doesn't say exactly what a lot of folks think it says, and list a host of reasons thinking people might cite for opposing both gay marriage and the Marriage Protection Amendment.

The Marriage Protection Amendment, Part II
This article examines a host of arguments for and against the amendment by discussing these questions: Is amending the Constitution something to avoid altogether? Is gay marriage good or bad for society? Is it wrong to legislate morality? Is gay marriage or homosexuality in general morally wrong? Is it a slippery slope?

The Week's Excellent Readings
More on Memorial Day and a lot of other good stuff.

The Marriage Protection Amendment, Part I
The first of at least three articles on the proposed Marriage Protection Amendment looks at the text of the proposed amendment, its apparent intent, and what may happen on Capitol Hill after the Senate debate.

One Local Pol is Blogging Again
That would be Heidi Rodeback of the American Fork City Council, whose furniture I sometimes repair.

How Many David Rodebacks Are Too Many?
Meet David Rodeback the Older, David Rodeback the Deadbeat, and David Rodeback the Halfwit Moral Cripple. None of them is me, I think.

The Week's Excellent Readings
This week's list is super-sized. It starts with four essays about our soldiers and our society, in honor of Memorial Day.

Scattered Thoughts
American Fork broadband in the DTM, another local alpha geek, and elected officials who are too busy to blog.

Who Was That Masked . . . Bus?
Last evening, from about 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., a chartered tour bus led two officers in an AFPD patrol car on a low-speed, meandering tour of American Fork's central neighborhoods . . .

American Fork and Broadband: Political Realities
In a year which will already feature a substantial tax increase and the need to pass a bond issue to pay for a water solution, American Fork officials may have only one choice in resolving the broadband problem.

Immigration Revisited
Diana West takes my notion that we may not actually have immigration laws any more and ups the ante. She's not sure we even have a nation any more.

This Week's Excellent Readings
Jennings, Bennett, Prelutksy, Krauthammer, Barone, and Taheri lead the list.

How Illegal Are They, Anyway?
I see legal immigration as a national blessing, perhaps even a moral obligation. I'm not isolationist or xenophobic at all, as far as I can tell. And now that we've established that, let's talk about illegal immigration, because I'm not entirely sure there still is such a thing.

The Week's Readings
George Will, Stephen Moore, Victor Davis Hanson, Thomas Sowell, William Bennett, Peggy Noonan, and Orson Scott Card lead the list.

Miscellaneous Thoughts
Scattered thoughts which accumulated during a busy week -- on loan sharking, municipal broadband, science prowess, professionalism, and anti-Muslim graffiti.

The Week's Readings
Paul Greenberg, George Will, Suzanne Fields, Nathanael Blake, and Robert Novak lead this week's list, which also includes a cartoon and a piece of (deliberate) fiction.

"Aw, Don't Think Like That! . . . Think Like a Pirate!"
Or, rather, don't think like an accountant. Think like an economist! A few more thoughts about municipal broadband.

Municipal Broadband: Questions and Answers
How big a deal is telecommuting? Is wired broadband technology obsolete? Could American Fork have had its municipal broadband free, with a little more patience?

Broadband's Impact on American Fork's Economy and Quality of Life
Here is a list of activities which broadband Internet access enhances or enables. All have economic implications; most also affect the quality of life.

Happy International Workers Day (Are We Kidding?)
I think the choice of May 1 for the you'll-miss-your-illegal-alien walkout and demonstrations is almost as bad a PR move as all those Mexicans flags that we saw waved in the first round.

Notes from the Utah County Republican Convention
Results of the convention and miscellaneous notes. Even bagpipes are mentioned favorably.

The Week's Excellent Readings
David Gelernter, Charles R. Kesler, Charles Krauthammer, Mark Joseph, Jonah Goldberg, and Dick Meyer lead the list.

Broadband's Economic Impact: Public vs. Private
In comparisons between municipal broadband systems and private industry's broadband offerings, measuring their respective economic impacts, it turns out there is a clear winner and a sound economic reason why.

Broadband's Economic Impact: Haves vs. Have-Nots
Today's broadband Internet question is: What is the economic impact of broadband availability and use in a community, whether publicly or privately provided?

To Have or not to Have Municipal Broadband: That Is the Real Question
This first in a series of articles about American Fork's municipal broadband system, AFCNet, sets the stage for considering a variety of related questions in more detail.

It's Earth Day. Let's Celebrate!
Who says you have to be a shallow, wacko-left, faith-not-facts type to celebrate Earth Day? Here are my suggestions for commemorating the day.

This Week's Readings
Peggy Noonan, Charles Krauthammer, Gene Weingarten, and Orson Scott Card lead this week's rather short list. Weingarten tickles.

Scattered Thoughts
A bit of free association, almost, on income taxes, people who don't back up their data, a new local wetland, strong-arm tactics in South America and American Fork, and words that hurt worse than sticks and stones.

The Week's Readings
Many interesting things are happening just now in the world at large and in various subdivisions of it, but this week's favorite is history: A fine piece on George Washington by Michael and Jana Novak.

Exceeding the Bounds of Authority
The Sutherland Institute wants the Utah Legislature to assert authority that no government rightfully has. The Mayor of Kanab and a senior local church leader in American Fork seem oblivious to the bounds of their authority.

First Impressions of County Republican Candidates
Early notes on candidates for County Commission, County Attorney, County Treasurer, and County Clerk/Auditor. I'll even tell you which way I'm leaning on each -- but so far, I'm just leaning.

The Week's Readings
Thomas Sowell, George Will, and Paul Greenberg lead the list, but the biggest category is immigration again, including some very interesting data.

Notes from Utah's Dixie
Miscellaneous notes from Saint George, Utah, and the Utah League of Cities and Towns midyear event.

The Week's Excellent Readings
Mark Steyn, Jennifer Biddison, Paul Greenberg, Mark Joseph, Paul Johnson, and Dave Weinbaum lead the charge this week, but I also list no fewer than 16 articles on immigration. Forget the baloney that wanting to fix the problem is racist, and the opposite baloney that even legal immigrants should be unwelcome. Here is a relatively wide range of views about what to do and, perhaps more importantly, why.

Notes from Upstate New York
Random observations from New York.

A Week's Excellent Readings
This week's list is bigger than usual, lots of good stuff. Favorites are by . . . well, you can see for yourself.

My Precinct's Caucus and My Party's Platform
I wasn't particularly pleased with either. The caucus was poorly attended and the platform is poorly written, whatever one may think of its political content. Do I expect too much?

A Week's Readings
Mona Charen, Daniel Henninger, Thomas Sowell, and Gene Weingarten lead this week's list of readings.

Basketball, Basketball, and More (NCAA) Basketball
The best part of the experience so far this year is new: CBS's free on-demand streaming video of NCAA tournament games.

Prizewinning Science and Verse Bring Glory to AF High
Granted, the Intel Science Talent Search and KUER's limerick contest are on somewhat different scales, but American Fork High School can boast of winning both this week.

Do Little Things Matter? And Avionic Flu . . .
In professional settings, how much does spelling count? How about typeface? How about good writing generally? And you'll want to read up on "avionic" flu.

Socialized Medicine: Here We Go Again
This idea deserves a cinder block, a burlap bag, and a one-way ride to the bottom of the river. Again!

Some Great Readings I Left Off Saturday's List
Peggy Noonan and less familiar names John Silber (long a personal favorite), Leon de Winter, and Dennis Byrne lead the list.

Governor Huntsman, Sign HB77
Here's why I urge Governor Huntsman to sign HB77, which provides a mechanism for local governments and their voters to split school districts.

Recent Experiences with State and Local Governments
For once, American Fork City provided a happier experience than the State of Utah. I hope the good half of that is a trend.

A Week's Readings
Mark Steyn, Thomas Sowell, and Clifford May lead this week, but some of my readers will be most interested in Kathleen Parker's piece.

It Walks Like a Lame Duck (and Other Brief Thoughts on Seaports and Allies)
Ever wonder what a lame duck politician looks like? Are we going to have allies or not? Why don't our newly-donned scruples about foreign management of ports apply to China? And other questions and thoughts about the seaport debacle.

A Week's Readings
William J. Stuntz, Walter Williams, Star Parker, and The Onion lead the charge.

We Three Kings (Kong): The Really Big Lobbies
Here's a look at three oversized, hugely influential lobbies in Washington and state capitals.

The Week's Readings
Essays on George Washington and Winston Churchill -- and, of course, their modern relevance -- lead the field. Education, seaports, podcasting, nation-building, and other themes are also included.  

It's Crunch Time for American Fork's Broadband System, Part II
Part Two looks at indirect revenues and economic development -- and why AFCNet doesn't necessarily need to be revenue-neutral in the long run -- and why that doesn't help in the short run.

It's Crunch Time for American Fork's Broadband System, Part I
A business plan for AFCNet, American Fork's municipal broadband system, is under construction. The bond money which has mostly funded the system is running out. Here's a look at short- and long-term issues and possibilities.

Don't Believe Everything You Hear, Part CLXXIV
Numerous news reports today include a lead story about the US turning over major stateside seaports to the United Arab Emirates. That would like be as dumb as it sounds, but that's not what's proposed.

A Late, Exquisite Valentine
Notes on a late valentine, featuring a fine restaurant, a favorite bookstore chain, and two first-rate musical ensembles.

This Week's Readings
Suzanne Fields, Paul Greenberg, and George Will head the list. Jeff Jacoby has a great euphemism. Paul Greenberg (in another article) holds up an excellent example of civic activity with style and class. And yo