David Rodeback's Blog

Local Politics and Culture, National Politics,
Life Among the Mormons, and Other Stuff


Complete Archive
October 30, 2014

More on the Election

October 21, 2014

Tonight's School Boards Debate at Lone Peak High School
This post is at FreedomHabit.com. Link within.

October 20, 2014

David's Handy Little Election Guide . . .
Has been posted at FreedomHabit.com. Link within.

October 3, 2014

My Two New Web Sites Just Launched
I've been scheming this for years and working off and on since February . . .

September 21, 2014

Why One Mormon Doesn't Go to Anti-Gay Marriage Rallies
They're asking why a lot of us don't go, but I can only answer for myself.

August 2, 2014

Then a Cruel Joke, Now a Serious Policy Proposal
An idea I first encountered as a juvenile husband's cruel joke on his young wife is now seriously proposed as policy, to solve a problem which might be much smaller than we've all been thinking: the high divorce rate.

July 15, 2014

Losing Our Souls at the Border
When we see real problems primarily as political problems, or as opportunites to seize political advantage or do mischief to our political enemies, do we still have a political soul?

July 11, 2014

Things I Have Written and Things I Haven't
A couple of welcome and unusual experiences for this writer, some thoughts on how far we've come (or gone), and what happens when ideology and reality collide.

June 26, 2014

Old News Is Hilarious News
I read today that Brother Wayne Dodge was sentenced to 30 days in jail. I rewrote a song about him once . . .

May 29, 2014

With a Little Help from Stephen Colbert . . .
From the Green Hornet of Justice to Fat Jack's Old Lady, there's nothing quite like an election year. And it's just possible that Idaho is weirder than New York. (For my part, I spent about a decade in each place. What does that say about me?)

May 27, 2014

Sacrifice Honored in Stone
In a couple of weeks, a new monument will appear in American Fork's Robinson Park.

May 16, 2014

What I've Been Writing Lately
It's a movie about the American Fork High School Marching Band, and it premieres next week.

April 1, 2014

New Hymns from the Sutherland Institute
How gentle God's commands!
How kind his precepts are!
Now we will do what God forgot:
We'll make them all state law!

March 20, 2014

Why I'm Wavering on the Caucus/Convention System
The Utah Republican Party might be able to extend precinct caucuses somehow to include those who want to attend but cannot, but it doesn't have a history of taking that issue seriously. I'm not sure reforming the system would solve the other problem: the Utah Legislature.

March 19, 2014

A Look Back at Eight Years as a Republican Delegate
For the first time in about a decade, I don't plan to run for delegate at my precinct's caucus tonight. But here on some thoughts on my work in that role in the past eight years and related themes.

February 11, 2014

People Get Arrested, the Opposition Reasons Poorly, and There's Something Governor Herbert Could Do to Help
I assert my religious freedom as constituting the right to worship as I please, while respecting others' legitimate rights; the right to preach whatever gospel I embrace; and immunity from being forced to worship in the manner of the state's or majority's choosing. Despite my personal religious views on sexual morality, this freedom is completely compatible with the presence of gays in my workplace and my apartment building.

February 5, 2014

I Am Unfit for the Utah Legislature
Not that this is news. I just wouldn't fit in. Lately, this becomes clearer every day.

January 31, 2014

Rights and Rites and Right and the Right: Part Five
Whatever happens in the tempetuous saga of marriage and the law, we must fortify a defensible position which allows us to protect religious freedom. We must counter the work of bullies and opportunists. And we must forsake a popular definition of religious freedom which doesn't even make sense.

January 28, 2014

Rights and Rites and Right and the Right: Part Four
Some folks apparently think that the only questions pertaining to society's laws about marriage are, What is the will of God?, and its corollary, How can we best use our political power at this moment to enforce the will of God by law? I don't object to the first question, but its corollary is the stuff of tyrants. Other questions must be asked.

January 24, 2014

Rights and Rights and Right and the Right: Part Three
If the shoe doesn't fit, don't wear it. If it does, let's take a little walk out back, after I tell you about my possible man-crush.

January 23, 2014

Rights and Rites and Right and the Right: Part Two
If my willingness to embrace gay people as friends, colleagues, neighbors, relatives, and fellow believers incurs the wrath of the God you worship, I am unmoved. The God I worship understands that the worth of every human soul -- yours, mine, everyone's -- is far greater than the sum of its actual or human-perceived sins.

January 22, 2014

Rights and Rites and Right and the Right: Part One
I am attempting to reason my way through, first, some basic American principles and, second, their possible applications to some thorny modern questions. Eventually -- not today -- I'll get to the question of same-sex marriage itself.

December 31, 2013

Brain Food, Networked Underwear, Antarctic Adventures . . .
. . . SAMs, drones, conspiracy theories, signs of the times . . .

December 29, 2013

Next Time American Fork City Wants to Bond
How to pass a prudent bond issue sometime in the future, if we start now.

December 26, 2013

Random Thoughts on the Passing Scene
From random acts of kindness to ducks and Swallow, from global cooling to gay marriage.

December 13, 2013

Principles, Principles, and Amnesty
. . . In which I offer amnesty to two good men who are in a challenging position -- and it has nothing to do with immigration.

December 12, 2013

Adults versus Zealots
The first step is admitting we have a problem. A big problem.

December 10, 2013

Thanks Plus
Here's my two-minute statement from the public comment period at tonight's American Fork City Council meeting. Thanks to all who came to help me deliver this little thank-you note, and to everyone else who joined in for the very satisfying ending. Thanks also to those (scattered from Disneyland to the American Fork Junior High auditorium) who wanted to attend but couldn't.

December 3, 2013

What American Fork Voters Taught Us, Part I
It's time to start compiling the lessons we can learn from November's election in American Fork and considering how to promote good government in its aftermath. We'll start with lessons for future candidates.

November 22, 2013

Here's to Poll Workers
I've heard they're an endangered species, but I'd like to think they're not. I'd like to think we're better than that.

November 22, 2013

Big, Thumping Heart Redux
By request . . .

November 15, 2013

The Big, Thumping Heart of American Fork
. . . is in Indianapolis just now. It's a band. (We'll return to politics soon enough.)

November 7, 2013

Results from My Unscientific Election Day Poll
And a few thoughts, mostly related.

November 5, 2013

I Was Wrong, Wrong, Wrong . . .
In my predictions about election results, that is.

November 5, 2013

Vote First, Then Take My Quick American Fork Election Poll
American Fork voters, please take this short poll and tell me (anonymously!) how you voted and why, and what sources of information were most influential this election.

November 4, 2013

David's Handy Little Election Guide (American Fork Version)
. . . Which is the only version there will be this election, because the only matters on my ballot pertain to American Fork City.

November 2, 2013

AF Road Bond: Why Good Streets Matter
If they didn't matter much, they wouldn't be worth borrowing $20 million -- or writing eleven blog posts in twelve days.

November 1, 2013

AF Road Bond: Attention, Homework, Dots
The unpaid, the undone, and the unconnected, that is, with three illustrations from bond opponent claims.

October 31, 2013

AF Road Bond: Halloween and Elections Belong Together
Quite apart from masks and costumes and guessing who's behind them, Halloween and elections are both times for conjuring ghosts and bogeymen, and for dark, mysterious forces to run wild.

October 30, 2013

AF Road Bond: The Right Plans Are in Place
Plans for life-cycle maintenance, minimizing cuts into good streets, and acting intelligently beyond the bond funds, that is.

October 29, 2013

AF Road Bond: Praise for a Multitude, Including You
I'll also suggest a few things you can do to help, if you find yourself energized by American Fork's local election.

October 28, 2013

AF Road Bond: Two Logical Fallacies to Avoid
There's nothing new about false choices and flawed comparisons; in political rhetoric they're as abundant as mosquitoes. If you know they're coming, you can usually keep them from biting you.

October 26, 2013

AF Road Bond: Can Bonding Be "Fiscally Conservative"?
If being fiscally conservative means choosing the cheapest path (in total dollars) to where we're going, or getting the most value for our tax dollars, the answer may surprise you.

October 25, 2013

AF Road Bond: Crack Seal, the Magic Miracle Cure!
Crack seal isn't snake oil; it has a much different consistency and a legitimate application. But in some minds it seems to have similar properties.

October 24, 2013

AF Road Bond: Pressurized Irrigation -- a Cautionary Tale?
What high water bills have to do with crumbling streets, and how we've met the enemy, and they are . . . well, you know.

October 23, 2013

Meet the American Fork Candidates, Round Two: Analysis and Commentary
All the previous commentary and analysis still applies. I recap some of it and add some miscellaneous notes.

October 23, 2013

Meet the American Fork Candidates, Round Two: Summary
Here I report mostly what wasn't already said at last week's event. There were some new questions. Photos and links to audio recordings of all answers and statements are included.

October 23, 2013

AF Road Bond: Genesis
The financial story behind our crumbling streets goes back farther than the road bond's opposition is looking, to a time when we yielded to one of the most universal temptations in government.

October 22, 2013

AF Road Bond: The Basics
I'll be chiming in almost daily between now and Election Day, relatively briefly, on the proposed bond issue for road repair -- starting today.

October 19, 2013

Meet the American Fork Candidates, Round One: Analysis and Commentary, continued
The last post dealt mostly in generalities. This one focuses on details. It's Part 2 of 2, of my commentary.

October 19, 2013

Meet the American Fork Candidates, Round One: Analysis and Commentary
Having reported last time, as evenly as I can, on Thursday's meet-the-candidates event, I now turn to my own thoughts. (Part 1 of 2.)

October 18, 2013

Meet the American Fork Candidates, Round One: Summary
Here's a lengthy summary of what the candidates said last evening at Shelley Elementary. I've exiled my own analysis and commentary to the next post.

October 17, 2013

Coming Soon: The Long and Short of It
Road repairs and the current batch of candidates, that is.

October 17, 2013

The Latest Debt and Budget Battle Is Over, and the War Goes On
It was just a battle. It wasn't the war. And here are some thoughts in the aftermath. There's a fun little surprise at the end of the post.

October 10, 2013

The Facts Permit Divergent Opinions
But I don't have to respect your opinion if you don't base it on the facts.

October 3, 2013

Shutdown: What If the End Game Looks Like This?
I was going to leave the Obama-as-tyrant theme alone for a while,  since he fairly reliably keeps it alive himself. But then I started thinking about the present government shutdown and wondering what the end game looks like. Ahem.

September 28, 2013

Trickle-Down, Trickle-Up, Pavlik Morozov, and Other Loose Ends
We're still talking about tyranny, not race or party. I'll explain why I think a president who deserves to be impeached shouldn't be, tell you more about the legend of Pavlik Morozov, and place some blame elsewhere than the cornerless office where the buck used to stop.

September 27, 2013

Favorite Tactics of Tyrants
Some will wish to dismiss this accusation as naked partisanship or worse, but, folks, I've studied tyrants, and our president is a tyrant. I'm not saying he compares to the worst tyrants of history, but he does tyrannical things in tyrannical ways. A lot of Americans don't seem to mind, but that's not much of an excuse.

September 12, 2013

A Little Help on Syria
Embracing a fundamental American principle in his foreign policy could make President Obama's life a lot easier.

August 25, 2013

I (Re)write the Songs
Do you believe in "better late than never"? Today I'll assume you do. Though a few weeks have passed, one recent caper among the Utah Mormons still retains its full power to make me laugh. (Yes, I know: It's also rather sad.)

August 22, 2013

Come As You Are: Reflections on Reunion
The personal context of my quoting Erma Bombeck last weekend at my high school reunion. Bubble bath is mentioned. Unmentioned but mysteriously relevant are: North Dakota's questionable existence, the theme song to Gilligan's Island, Burt Reynolds, the Sheboygan Conservatory of Music, wall telephones in bathrooms, and asking for autographs in embarrassing places.

August 13, 2013

Polls Are Open in American Fork
No opinions here, at least none about how you should vote. Just links to check your registration, learn your precinct, find your voting location, prepare the proper ID, etc.

August 10, 2013

David's Handy Election Guide
There's one race in American Fork's primary. You get two votes. Four of five candidates survive to compete in the November general election.

August 8, 2013

On Legislating Morality (Yours, Mine, and Ours), Part Two
Our American civic morality, its content and sources, and a difficult contemporary test case. The second post in a two-part series.

August 3, 2013

On Legislating Morality (Yours, Mine, and Ours), Part One
What is morality? Whose, if anyone's, ought we legislate? Does speaking of multiple moralities make me a moral relativist? A little-known morsel of relevant history from the Mayflower period. (The first post in a two-part series.)

May 21, 2013

Notes on the Convention
If you wonder what a state party convention is like in non-election years, or if you want to know what Utah Republicans did and didn't do on Saturday, or if you're in American Fork Precinct 9 and you want a report on my duties as a delegate, this post's for you.

May 17, 2013

"We Can't Be Late! We're Dele-Gates!"
(Ten points for any reader who correctly identifies the quotation in the title.) I'm off to the state Republican convention tomorrow. Here are some notes about issues that will arise there.

February 9, 2013

Two Wrongs Make a Left
Is it wrong for someone to have more than another? Is it wrong to take from one who has more, to give to another who has less? Is there an alternative?

February 6, 2013

Guns in Schools
I did what they wanted that morning. I stopped to reflect on the violent deaths of twenty schoolchildren, their teachers, and others in an elementary school in Connecticut. I tried to imagine myself as a parent, a student, a teacher, and others in that scenario, and each of these efforts led to the same conclusion. Several weeks later, they still lead there.

November 19, 2012

The Election Outcome Surprised Me. The Aftermath Doesn't.
Bad economic news, leftist hanky-panky, and rockets falling on Israel were all waiting for after the election, no matter who won.

November 11, 2012

Veterans Day: A Visit to the Vietnam Memorial
I visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall again this summer and wrote down my thoughts.

November 7, 2012

Election 2012: My Thoughts in the Light of Day
In the aftermath of an ominous election, I find my thoughts inclined toward, of all things, faith, hope, and charity.

November 7, 2012

Early Thoughts on Electoral Disaster
It's the wee hours of the night after a very disappointing election. Here are the thoughts I don't feel the need to sleep on, before I share them.

November 6, 2012

Voter Fraud Happens
I recently read a new book which chronicles the stories of voter fraud and intimidation I've been watching for years and suggests common-sense remedies. So, if you don't mind, let's talk about voter fraud even as we earnestly hope it doesn't matter much today.

November 5, 2012

I Still Predict a Minor Romney Landslide
I could be wrong. Someone will be. Predictions are all over the map. Some on both sides are claiming it's not even close. They just can't agree on who's winning.

November 3, 2012

Scattered Thoughts
Here are scattered thoughts which have accumulated for so long that I had to purge half the list to keep its length only slightly unreasonable. They're not all about the election or even politics. They include some impassioned excerpts from one of my favorite Democrats, Orson Scott Card.

October 3, 2012

Romney Plays Better to Ordinary Americans than the Political Class Realizes
Mitt Romney's so-called gaffes sound like leadership and simple truth to many Americans who hunger for both. With the debate season upon us, and dire, mostly self-serving media prophecies notwithstanding, Romney is poised to win in November.

August 28, 2012

If I Were in Charge of the Republican Convention
I'm not in charge of this week's convention in Tampa, but here's how it would go, if I were.

August 26, 2012

Remember the ObamaCare Ruling?
Here's a blog post I wrote weeks ago but never posted. It still seems relevant, so let's look for a few moments at the Supreme Court's ObamaCare ruling in late June.

August 24, 2012

Scattered Thoughts
Ten paragraphs, ten different topics. Clue-finding trips, Paul Ryan, your dubious constitutional right to shoot out my windows, things that set my head to Akin', and more.

June 25, 2012

My Votes in the Republican Primary
Here's my take on the six races on my Republican primary ballot tomorrow. I'll even hazard a few predictions, not all of which make me happy.

June 21, 2012

Dan Liljenquist's Wishful Thinking
If Orrin Hatch weren't a great, conservative US Senator, I'd happily vote for Dan Liljenquist next week. Utah's controversial caucus and convention system worked well in this case; if there must be a primary, these two should be in it. Liljenquist is by far the best of Hatch's Republican challengers this year, but his campaign still prefers wishful thinking to reality on too many points.

June 9, 2012

The Essential Difference Between Left and Right
Twenty-eight words in the Bill of Rights illustrate the essential difference between Left and Right in contemporary American politics. Here is a case study: the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization.

June 5, 2012

Why Local Governments Lose Touch with the People, Part III
There's a structural and philosophical reason why the public often feels that its public schools are detached and unresponsive. It involves two different views of the proper role of the people's elected representatives. I'll explain here by looking at my own Alpine School District.

June 2, 2012

Why Local Governments Lose Touch with the People, Part II
If a local government near you seems out of touch with the people, the root problem may be structural. Here are some symptoms to watch for.

May 31, 2012

Why Local Governments Lose Touch with the People, Part I
Introduction. The legislative branches of our governments are supposed to represent the people in making law and overseeing the activities of the other branches of government, especially the executive. In too many cases the executive branch usurps legislative functions and interferes with representation.

May 29, 2012

The Hatch-Liljenquist Debate Debate
One is enough. More than two or three would be excessive. Eight is absurd, and the Liljenquist campaign is too smart not to know it. My thoughts on what's going on here . . .

May 1, 2012

Accumulated Thoughts
. . . On the political, economic, and constitutional fronts.

April 21, 2012

My Post-Convention Report
Miscellaneous notes on today's state Republican convention, including the exciting, the intriguing, the wacky, and the weird.

April 20, 2012

One State Republican Delegate's Preconvention Report
My last post was long enough to reach the ground -- an old writing teacher's standard of length. But the ground was a long, long way down, even if the post was still a bit shorter than FreedomWorks' 44-page anti-Hatch document. This post is relatively brief, a summary of my thoughts and intentions on the eve of tomorrow's state Republican convention.

April 19, 2012

Why I Support Senator Orrin Hatch (Part Four)
In this fourth and -- at least for now -- final installment, I list and discuss criticisms of Senator Hatch's record which are true, in contrast to the lies and deceptions I discussed last time.

April 18, 2012

Why I Support Senator Orrin Hatch (Part Three)
An out-of-state group called FreedomWorks has led the effort to defeat Senator Orrin Hatch. Much of what they say about Hatch's voting record is false or deceptive. I assume FreedomWorks understands this, though I doubt the same could generally be said of the Utahans they've rallied to their cause.

March 13, 2012

Why I Support Senator Orrin Hatch (Part Two)
Four more reasons why I support Senator Orrin Hatch's reelection in 2012.

March 10, 2012

Why I Support Senator Orrin Hatch (Part One)
The right-wing zealots' long knives have been out for Senator Orrin Hatch since the 2010 convention where Senator Robert Bennett was defeated. I was a Republican delegate then; I helped defeat him. I wasn't anywhere near the anyone-but-Bennett bandwagon; there was simply a better alternative, Mike Lee. 2012 is much different.

March 8, 2012

A Decision, and Things Which Didn't Affect It Much
Last time I described things which affect my choice of a Republican presidential candidate in 2012. This time I discuss things which don't affect my decision much. Then, having told you the why's and not-why's, I tell you whom -- that is, whom I've finally decided to support.

March 6, 2012

What I Want in My Next President
I haven't written about them lately, but I've been watching the Republican candidates for president for quite a while, pondering what I want in a candidate and a president this year, and considering how they measure up.

December 13, 2011

Tonight in American Fork
After a long hearing in which more than 20 people spoke, the American Fork City Council tabled its proposed Housing and Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinances. Here's the mostly-untold story of how and why, plus my statement from the hearing.

December 1, 2011

A Practical Test of American Fork's Commitment to Freedom
In December the American Fork Council has an interesting and important opportunity to weigh competing principles and vote on the depth of our city's commitment to essential American freedoms.

November 3, 2011

Guys' Day (Equal Time)
Last week I declared Peggy Janet Noonan Daley Day, in honor of two excellent female columnists I regularly enjoy. I promised the guys equal time.

October 25, 2011

Peggy Janet Noonan Daley Day
. . . In which I catch up with two of my favorite female columnists.

October 20, 2011

Democracy of Sheep, Democracy of Thugs
Two crucial democratic pillars of our republic are under assault, from within government and without.

September 11, 2011

September 11 Reflections
Our barbarian enemies think our being different means we deserve to die. We civilized folk have much more subtle and much less violent ways of abusing people for being different.

September 2, 2011

Not Much of a Report
If you weren't at Shelley Elementary Thursday evening to meet this election's crop of American Fork City Council candidates, there are still some things you can do before the primary, which is ten days away.

July 27, 2011

Nine Ways to Lose My Vote
Last time I described what I generally look for in candidates for local office, focusing on qualities more than issues. I also promised my readers a list of things candidates can do or say to encourage me to vote for someone else. That's today's topic.

July 25, 2011

What I Want in My Candidates
I recently held forth on the weeks or months potential candidates spend considering whether to run or not. This early phase of our electoral process is below the radar for most offices, but it's as important as anything in our politics. We must get the right kind of people on the ballot, so we can vote for them. Today's topic is how to recognize them once they're on the ballot.

July 12, 2011

The Real American Dream and the Counterfeit
A billboard I passed on the freeway the other day urged me to live the American Dream, but the dream it offered was not the real one.

July 7, 2011

A Crucial Phase
Election days are important in our democratic republic, and so are the campaigns which precede them. But one of the most crucial phases in our self-government comes much earlier. It ends with the filing period, but it begins long before.

July 1, 2011

Reentry, Second Attempt
Some not altogether idle chatter, a confession, and a few good links.

February 25, 2011

Hi! Remember Me?
Presidents Day was earlier this week. It's almost March, and I haven't blogged since Veterans Day, November 11, 2010. Am I still a blogger? I hope so. I feel like a blogger, but I'll understand if you're inclined to wonder what I've done for you lately, and if your answer is, nothing whatsoever.

November 11, 2010

Veterans Day: Sergeant John Scott Pinney
Many military veterans deserve more praise and gratitude than they have ever received. The late Sergeant John Scott Pinney is among them. Veterans Day seems like an appropriate time to tell you his story.

November 3, 2010

Stream of Semi-Consciousness: Scattered Post-Election Thoughts
Winners, losers, turnout, 2010, and other thoughts, as they occur.

November 2, 2010

Breaking News: Not One, but Two Local Candidates Lead Double Lives
It's Election Day, or in other words, the eye of the storm. We're in the relative calm between the insanity of the election campaign and the insanity of the pundits' endless post mortems. This is the day when we real American bloggers exercise our God-given and constitutionally-guaranteed right to make fun of the candidates by pretending we write for The Onion -- but, conspicuously, with fewer expletives. (That's a disclaimer. Think about it.)

October 30, 2010

David's Handy, Idiosyncratic Election Guide, November 2010 Version
Here's a quick look at everything I expect to be on my ballot when I get to my polling place on Tuesday morning.

October 28, 2010

The Importance of Not Being Unified
It's hard to believe something which makes us so uncomfortable is a good thing, but it really is.

October 22, 2010

I Met the Candidates in American Fork
Here are some words I don't say every decade: I'm voting for a Democrat.

October 18, 2010

The Green Hornet of Justice, Among Others
This blog post is rated PG, because talking about New York politics involves adult themes. You've been warned.

October 15, 2010

What the Words Mean, Part IV: Socialism
Today's word is socialism. We'll talk about it and its role in the present debate over the Alpine School District's official mission, goals, and values.

October 14, 2010

What the Words Mean, Part III: Democracy
Today's word is democracy. It has at least as long as history as republic and at least as many legitimate meanings.

October 12, 2010

The Zebra Effect
If you're a lion, the zebra effect makes it hard to distinguish specific animals in a running herd. In politics, well, stay tuned. I'm about to invent a meaning.

October 9, 2010

Remembering an Anniversary
I'm not sure whether it was a dark cloud with a silver lining or a silver cloud with a dark lining, but it was something.

October 8, 2010

What the Words Mean, Part II: Republic
Today's word is republic. It's word with a long history, and that history matters.

October 6, 2010

What the Words Mean, Part I: Setting the Stage
A lot of what's being said these days in school board races and in the Alpine School District generally turns on the definitions of words with many definitions.

October 5, 2010

What Would Be Fair?
I was struck the other day by an editorial cartoon by Tom Toles in the Washington Post. He won a Pulitzer Prize twenty years ago, but this cartoon didn't make me want to give him any prizes.

September 24, 2010

I Almost Missed National Punctuation Day, and I Need to Unload My Desk
As I write, it's still National Punctuation Day, but only just barely. And I've been campaigning again . . .

September 16, 2010

What Is It About Americans?
Have you noticed that the Republican establishment wants nothing to do with so-called Tea Party candidates? They were wigging out before Tuesday's final batch of primaries, and they still are. It's not that they have anything against tea. They just don't like conservatives -- not that this is news. They didn't want anything to do with Ronald Reagan, either, back in the day -- until the people left them no choice. The American people, that is.

September 14, 2010

Block Walk Talk
Last time we considered my block of 200 West in American Fork, we noted some improvements at each end, on the corners. Today we'll take a quick stroll and consider what lies between the ends. Then I'll suggest some conclusions.

September 13, 2010

Immigration Reform, Part IV: Loose Ends
Today I'll take a few minutes to tie up some loose ends in our calm, rational discussion of immigration policy, and I'll answer an important question some of you are asking.

September 7, 2010

Civilized People Do Not Burn Other People's Holy Books
A pastor in Florida plans to mark September 11 by burning copies of the Koran. You may have noticed that Americans have the right to do some un-American things, even if they're wrong.

September 6, 2010

One Home at a Time, Over Time
Main Street in American Fork runs east and west; for several blocks it is also US 89. One block to the north, in Utah's inimitable way of reckoning streets, is 100 North. At least, that's true for a while. Then, before it reaches 200 West (or "Second West," as we sometimes say), 100 North veers wantonly away from its historic Mormon rectilinearity and becomes Pacific Drive. So our little block of 200 West is actually between Main Street and Pacific Drive. Today and tomorrow, we'll talk about the block and how it has changed in the dozen years I've been watching it from the inside.

August 31, 2010

Immigration Reform, Part III: The Millions of Illegals Who Are Already Here
Estimates of the number of illegal immigrants now in the United States range from 10 million to at least 25 million. What are we to do with them? Wave our magic wand and make them citizens? Herd them into cattle cars and ship them across the border? I'm glad you asked.

August 27, 2010

The Ground Zero Mosque, the Uproar, and the Uproar over the Uproar
Surely, if a clear majority of Americans oppose the building of a new, prominent mosque at or near Ground Zero in Manhattan, one level or another of our government "of the people, by the people, and for the people" could stop it, right? Well, not exactly . . .

August 24, 2010

Immigration Reform, Part II: A Border Is a Border, and the Benefits of Legal Immigration
My discussion of immigration policy continues with talk of the border and of the benefits of legal immigration. Within reason, where legal immigrants are concerned, I say: the more, the better.

August 14, 2010

Some Housekeeping: Proposition 8, Etc.
Two of the most interesting columns I've read in the aftermath of the US District Court overturning California's Proposition 8, plus a quick note on immigration reform and two more interesting things to read.

August 3, 2010

Immigration Reform: My Wild Fantasy and Five Postulates
Just wait 'til you see how I try to get you in the mood to share my fantasy. I figure you might need some help with that, since you (unlike I) did not just return from Disneyland.

June 23, 2010

Disenfranchised? Not . . .
Ethan Millard claims that most of Utah's 1.5 million registered voters were disenfranchised yesterday. I think none of them were. What do you think?

June 23, 2010

Primary Aftermath
A quick look at selected election results from yesterday, and some analysis -- including my theory about how Tim Bridgewater narrowly lost a race he probably could have won.

June 21, 2010

I'd Like to Keep Being Spoiled
Not all of my elected representatives spoil me. Tim Osborn of the Alpine School Board does. I'd like to keep him there.

June 19, 2010

RAQ: Other Stuff (Mostly Not the Election)
Recently Asked Questions about a general, presidential succession, the federal budget, yachting and golfing, the institutional of marriage, carbonated beverages, etc.

June 18, 2010

Still Too Little, Much Too Late
After nearly two months, the Obama administration is finally beginning to act as if it wants to solve the oil spill problem, not just exploit it. Three possible reasons for the delay. A short list of interesting things to read.

June 17, 2010

He Said, She Said, They Said, We Said
A brief exploration of the minor campaign flap du jour: Republican Senate candidate Mike Lee backing out of a debate. I guarantee we do not know the whole story, but there is ample reason to suspect that the real story differs somewhat from that of the debate's now-angry sponsors.

June 16, 2010

Anchor Babies and the Fourteenth Amendment
Does Mike Lee's and Tim Bridgewater's advocacy of denying automatic US citizenship to "anchor babies" (children born in the US to parents who are in the country illegally) mean they're ignoring the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, as some suggest? A little investigation removes all certainty; it's just not that simple.

June 15, 2010

RAQ: Utah's Senate Race and the System Generally
Recently Asked Questions and answers about the Mike Lee-Tim Bridgewater Senate race, the caucus/convention system, and . . . how do we really know what we're doing?

June 9, 2010

Thomas, Patrick, Tea, and Me
My thoughts on the Tea Party movement and two of the icons that illuminate it, Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry.

June 2, 2010

Lee and Bridgewater Debate in American Fork
Both candidates are conservative. Both spoke well and stayed on message. It was a good hour.

June 1, 2010

Primary Candidates Gather in American Fork (Part 1, Everything but Senate)
Primary candidates were (mostly) present or represented from three races in the first hour: Republicans for Utah County Commission; Democrats for US House of Representatives (Utah 2nd); and three candidates in a non-partisan race for Alpine School Board.

May 31, 2010

More of a Prayer than a Post
It is Memorial Day, and my thoughts seem to reach beyond politics -- if there is such a place.

May 28, 2010

Labels as Alternatives to Thought and Effort
It is when labels become substitutes for serious thought and effort that they do us harm.

May 18, 2010

Join a Major Political Party. I Don't Care Which One.
To paraphrase our first president, it is the interest and duty of a wise people to restrain its political parties. At present, this is the only way to restrain and redirect our government. The only way to do that effectively in the short run or the long run is from the inside.

May 17, 2010

Lee over Bridgewater: The Abridged Version
Some people thanked me for the length and detail of my previous post. Some people asked for a shorter version, and here it is.

May 14, 2010

Mike Lee over Tim Bridgewater: My Explanation
I have wanted to evaluate the candidates thoroughly enough to be comfortable supporting one over the other. Meanwhile, you might say I've been staying not so much on the fence as within an arm's length of the fence. Now I'm finally ready to abandon the fence altogether and say, Mike Lee for Senate. Here's why.

May 11, 2010

Bravo, Daily Herald!
The editorial on Senator Bennett's defeat is excellent, insightful.

May 11, 2010

More Convention Notes and Aftermath
A real one-vote margin. An impressive twelve year old. A cautionary and revealing tale of closed and open primaries, in the context of Chase Everton's proposed caper.

May 10, 2010

Coup? Outrage? Right Wing Run Amok?
None of the three, actually. Senator Bennett was defeated Saturday in a proper, fair electoral process -- and he lasted longer in the voting than any of the right-wing radicals on the ballot.

May 8, 2010

Post-Convention Musings
I tweeted and tweeted and tweeted, and Facebooked. Why I'm not ecstatic about Senator Bennett's loss, even though I voted for someone else -- and it's not buyer's remorse. Some analysis of the Senate campaign. Some topics for the near future. A tribute.

May 8, 2010

Hi-ho, Hi-ho, It's Off to [Convention] We Go . . .
We can't be late!
We're delegates!
Hi-ho! Hi-ho! (with thanks and/or apologies to Bloom County and the Meadow Party)

May 7, 2010

Sgt. John Scott Pinney (1942-1969)
He would have been 68 years old today.

May 6, 2010

State Delegate Due Diligence, Part Two
Enough candid notes on the Republican candidates -- mostly the US Senate candidates in Utah -- to displease nearly everyone who wishes to be displeased.

May 5, 2010

State Delegate Due Diligence, Part One
Tonight, my notes on the delegate experience so far. Tomorrow, lots of little thoughts about the various candidates.

May 4, 2010

Forever Is, but Not Here
I hope I do not offend here by juxtaposing the solemn with the relatively trivial. The space-time continuum seems to have juxtaposed them for me, as it often does, and I, at least, am unoffended. In any case, you really should read the sonnet (not mine).

May 3, 2010

An Evening with Neil Walter
Finally, my notes on a substantive evening with congressional candidate Neil Walter, touching on fiscal and economic matters, immigration, and other topics.

April 24, 2010

Notes and Numbers from the Utah County Republican Convention
There were a couple of surprises today -- at least to me -- in one of the county commission races. Parking was a challenge. Lots of good conversations were had among the delegates. And generally speaking, civility ruled the day at the Utah County Republican Party Nominating Convention at Mountain View High School in Orem.

April 23, 2010

Campaigns for County Commission
I'm studying candidates and issues a little more before tomorrow's convention, but here are some notes on the campaigns themselves, not so much the candidates and their issues.

March 27, 2010

The Possible Larger Meaning of Massa
Some people think that private misbehavior should not disqualify a person for public office.

March 26, 2010

Musings on ObamaCare
Where do we go from here, and what if we win this one?

March 22, 2010

About Tweeting, not the Health Care Takeover
I'm relatively new to Multiple Twitter Personality Disorder (MTPD), so I'm just getting things sorted out, in terms of where to tweet about what.

March 21, 2010

Health Care Takeover Passes
Freedom, prosperity, and quality medical care lost a battle today. A big battle. But the war goes on. Meanwhile, two thumbs way down for supposedly conservative House Democrats.

March 20, 2010

Update on Republican House and Senate Candidates
The official list of Utah Republican candidates for the US Senate and House of Representatives, now that the filing deadline has passed.

March 19, 2010

The American Fork Weekly Gazette
The what? Read on . . .

March 18, 2010

Teams, Deems, and an Honest-to-God Constitutional Crisis in the Making
The fundamental question is, will the President and the US House of Representatives try to make a controversial, far-reaching, game-changing bill into law without the House actually having voted on it. Unthinkable? Not in 2010.

March 16, 2010

Republican Candidates in Utah's Second Congressional District
Here's my initial take on Neil Walter and Morgan Philpot, who are vying for the Republican nomination to oppose incumbent Democrat Jim Matheson. At the end, there's a stellar quotation from Daniel Webster, which by itself is worth the price of admission (your reading time, I mean).

March 15, 2010

Dessert First, with Romance
This weekend there was Pi. And Pie. And Pie. And an opportunity to help an American soldier in Afghanistan win the heart of a Russian women with literary taste.

February 25, 2010

Where the Wild Thoughts Are
Join me for a few moments in imagining an alternate educational and political universe. Maybe it's crazy, but crazy can be therapeutic. And what if it's not crazy?

February 23, 2010

Media Coverage of Last Week's Town Hall Meeting
Also some mentions of the meeting in discussions of larger issues, and capers and potential capers on the parts of Congressman Jason Chaffetz and former Congressman Merrill Cook.

February 20, 2010

Reflections on Senator Hatch's Audience in American Fork
This long post is not intended to be a detailed report on US Senator Orrin Hatch's town meeting in American Fork on Wednesday, though it contains a lot of detail about things that were said there by the audience. It is more a collection of my reflections on that audience -- what they said, how they acted, how they fit into our participatory democracy. Fair warning is given: I do some name-calling. I identify some statements from the meeting as suggesting cluelessness, and some others as suggesting closed-minded right-wing zealotry. My months-old political optimism was threatened briefly by what I saw and heard; here I also explain what restored it. Finally, I tell you why I think all this matters.

February 16, 2010

Limerick Housekeeping
. . . Which is not the same as housekeeping limericks. (Would those be limericks which keep house, or limericks about housekeeping? Dunno.) Things get a little strange by the end, anyway, once the discussion moves beyond an important life lesson.

February 15, 2010

Compassion and Coerced Silver
Two versions of one parable, the interpretation thereof, and my recommendation of a good book.

February 13, 2010

Don't Blame the Bloggers
A feisty little essay about the importance of political bloggers and the unfortunate tendency to use them as scapegoats.

February 13, 2010

Readers, Rewards, Attachment
Reflections about the rewards of blogging, gratitude for readers, and a newly-discovered attachment.

February 12, 2010

An Exclusive Interview with Myself
Way more than 20 questions, mostly about recently-announced developments here at LocalCommentary.com.

February 11, 2010

What Planet Is This?
It's not the weird headlines in the current Drudge Report that will weird you out. It's the serious ones.

February 11, 2010

An Announcement
I'm not Ahmadinejad, and I didn't promise an earthshaking announcement today, only to deliver a wee little tale about what the world basically already knew. I actually didn't promise anything, which is not to say I haven't been planning something. I do have a bit of news for you, about one blogger (me) and his Web site (this) -- and a change that starts right now.

February 10, 2010

Accumulated Thoughts
. . . About accumulations and other themes, including both happy and ominous matters.

February 9, 2010

Limerick Contest Winners
Here are the winning entries from this year's Groundhog Day Limerick Contest. Apologies for the delay; LBB intervened.

February 1, 2010

Limericists of the World Unite! You Have Nothing to Lose but Your . . . uh . . . uh . . .
As I post this, the Deadline of Deadlines looms. Entries to the Third Annual LocalCommentary.com Groundhog Day Limerick Contest must arrive in my Inbox by 12:00 noon, Mountain Standard Time, tomorrow -- that is, February 2, Groundhog Day.

January 30, 2010

Reminder: Limerick Contest Deadline Looms
As I post this, you have just over 72 hours to polish your verse and get it to my Inbox.

January 29, 2010

One-on-One with Senate Candidate Tim Bridgewater
A brief look at field of challengers for US Senator Bob Bennett, and more lengthy notes on my 45-minute telephone interview with Tim Bridgewater last evening.

January 21, 2010

Reasons and Excuses for Electoral Defeat
In the wake of Tuesday's special US Senate election in Massachusetts, the reasons and excuses we offer after an electoral defeat seem relevant.

January 19, 2010

I Love Numbers, but What Do They Mean?
Numbers mean things, and I adore them. But they don't always mean what they appear to mean at first glance.

January 14, 2010

Mike Lee for Senate
Last week, Mike Lee declared his candidacy for US Senate, opposing fellow Republican Bob Bennett. I'll scrutinize the other candidates, too, but there's now at least one intelligent conservative in the race.

January 13, 2010

Accumulated Thoughts
On the Importance of Being Trivial. Things We'll Never Read. Doubly Cool. Watch Massachusetts on Tuesday. Thinking Democrats. What Do the Numbers Mean?

January 12, 2010

Groundhog Day Limerick Contest
You don't have to be Shakespeare to pen a limerick or two or three. And if you were Shakespeare, you couldn't enter this contest, because you'd be deceased.

January 4, 2010

The Peaceful Transfer of Power, American (Fork) Style
The time it took me to write this brief post -- not very much -- is approximately equal to the length of the meeting it recounts. Sometimes important things happen quickly, even in government.

January 4, 2010

Two New Year's Resolutions (Local Government Version)
I suggest the immediate abandonment of two prejudices which are bad for good government (one prejudice per resolution).

January 2, 2010

A Look Back at Mayor Thompson's Four Years
Before we look ahead to a new administration in American Fork, we owe the outgoing mayor both our appreciation for his willing service and a decent acknowledgment of his accomplishments in office.

January 1, 2010

Football!
. . . and happy new year!

December 31, 2009

American Fork in 2009: A Look Back
From restaurants that came and one that went, to city politics and . . . that marching band and the community that loves it.

December 30, 2009

A Possible Reason Why
That is, why House and Senate Democrats are willing to jeopardize their reelection to pass the health care takeover.

December 17, 2009

Brief Addenda
More -- only a little more -- on legislation without representation, science, Mother Nature's sense of humor, etc.

December 16, 2009

On the Nature of Science
. . . And the sort of suspicions which are justified when people push science as something it is not.

December 15, 2009

More Accumulated Thoughts (Less Turkey)
Doubts about Afghanistan. Fiscal hypocrisy. Climate change hypocrisy. Something silly in the state of Denmark. Very little mention of Tiger Woods. Football and the Commerce Clause.

December 14, 2009

Accumulated Turkey-Related Thoughts
Thanksgiving turkeys, economic turkeys, pardoned turkeys, and more.

November 21, 2009

Excellent Musical Theater at American Fork High School
The celebrated magic of The Wizard of Oz is mostly lost on me and always has been. But the magic of American Fork High School's excellent performance of that musical last evening was not lost on me at all. This is a very enjoyable production, with much to recommend it.

November 19, 2009

Legislation Without Representation Is Tyranny
We have a larger, more momentous ongoing task than defeating the health care takeover or blocking a devastating climate treaty: to recognize our tyrants and depose them through the electoral process, and to find and put in their place better American leaders, who are capable of recognizing tyranny in our institutions and in themselves, who are philosophically equipped to hate it when they see it, and who will oppose it persistently, intelligently, and effectively wherever they detect it, irrespective of party.

November 18, 2009

This Must Be a Parable of Something
But I leave it to you to tell me, of what? I can see several possibilities.

November 17, 2009

Epilogue: Marching Band, Victory, and Justifying the Costs
Some hard questions are reasonable to ask, even if they seem harsh, as long as they are asked for the purpose of finding an answer. And humanity doth not live by bread alone (to borrow a phrase).

November 11, 2009

A Veteran's Day Tribute to Demo Red: "So Many Good Men and Women"
The motto of the 30th Infantry Regiment, "San Francisco's Own," seems apt: "Our Country, not Ourselves." Here, with undue brevity, for Veterans Day, is an account of a soldier I know who embodies that motto.

November 10, 2009

Wow!
A community gives back.

November 9, 2009

AFHS Marching Band: Regional Champions Raising Money in a Hurry for Nationals
If I were a betting man, I think I'd bet that they can do it, too, even if the amount is about $250,000 and the deadline is approximately tomorrow.

November 4, 2009

If Exit Polls Were Fishes
American Fork's election results are clear. The motives, concerns, and issues behind them are not clear at all.

November 3, 2009

A Quick Look at Election Results
Results of American Fork races and a few other races of interest in Utah and elsewhere.

November 3, 2009

Where to Vote and What I'm Watching
In addition to races of local interest, at least four are of national interest, in New York, Virginia, New Jersey, and Maine.

November 2, 2009

What Happened to the Last Set of Questions for Mayoral Candidates?
Thanks for asking. I'll tell you.

November 2, 2009

My View of American Fork's Mayoral Candidates
Well, most of it. There's no endorsement here, just a prediction. It comes after I list issues which I find useful or not in distinguishing between the two candidates.

October 31, 2009

My Second Vote for City Council (an Endorsement)
I get two votes. The first is utterly predictable. Here I explain the second.

October 31, 2009

I Reposted 9 and 10
Most of a recent post disappeared somehow, perhaps just before I initially posted it, and I didn't notice until yesterday. I've filled the hole.

October 30, 2009

An Invitation, a Photo, and Campaign Hanky-Panky to the North and South
The photo's about the AF rap flap. The invitation and the hanky-panky are not.

October 30, 2009

I Met the Candidates Once More
Notes and commentary on last night's event, including scattered attempts to commit wit.

October 29, 2009

One More Opportunity to Meet the Candidates: Tonight
That's at 7:00 p.m. at the American Fork Senior Center.

October 28, 2009

Freedom Is Not a System. It's Freedom!
Small wonder that capitalism is taking a beating in the United States, when one of its chief exponents doesn't really understand it!

October 27, 2009

Things To Do If You're Just Now Catching the Bug
No, no, not the porcine pathogen. The I-feel-like-I-should-get-involved-in-local-politics bug.

October 26, 2009

American Fork's China Isle (A Brief Review)
Go there. Today. You might consider the Walnut Shrimp, but I get the impression you could throw a dart at the menu, order whatever it hits, and be just fine.

October 24, 2009

October 14 Questions and Answers with American Fork City Council Candidates
A mostly-complete account of the city council portion of the October 14 meet-the-candidates event in American Fork, emphasizing what was said and almost entirely omitting what I think.

October 23, 2009

If You Want My Vote (Part V)
Two final principles: Don't make it about good and evil, if it isn't already. And shun the October surprise.

October 22, 2009

Notes on Meet-the-Candidates in American Fork Last Week: Mayoral Candidates
A detailed but not verbatim account of statements, questions, and answers by American Fork mayoral candidates, from last week's event at Shelley Elementary.

October 20, 2009

If You Want My Vote (Part IV)
Principles seven and eight for candidates who want my vote.

October 19, 2009

Last Call for Questions
. . . for LocalCommentary.com to send to American Fork mayoral candidates, that is.

October 17, 2009

Thoughts on Passing Milepost 49
It was mere coincidence that I took a trip to Idaho this weekend to visit family.

October 15, 2009

A Non-Post Post, You Might Say
About last evening's meet-the-candidate event, sort of, but this week all rhetorical roads seem to lead to a certain marching band . . .

October 13, 2009

Pride and Grace and Courage and Some Tears
If it was the angels, one of them was named Heather.

October 12, 2009

Meet the Candidates Wednesday Evening
Details about tomorrow evening's event in American Fork.

October 11, 2009

A Bus, a Band, a Community
Late-night thoughts on this evening's events and tragedy, and larger things.

October 6, 2009

If You Want My Vote (Part III)
Principles five and six for local candidates who want me to take them seriously.

October 3, 2009

Copenhagen, Chicago, American Fork
Almost sounds like a bumper sticker, doesn't it? Two unrelated lists . . .

October 2, 2009

If You Want My Vote (Part II)
Two more essential principles for local candidates who want me to take them seriously.

September 29, 2009

Now It's Your Turn: Send Me Your Questions
American Fork voters are invited to send me questions for the city's two mayoral candidates, Heber Thompson and James Hadfield.

September 28, 2009

If You Want My Vote (Part I)
Two essential principles for local candidates who want me to take them seriously.

September 24, 2009

happy punctuation day
in honor of national punctuation day i have written this post without using a single punctuation mark im sorry if that seems sadistic but you dont have to read it if you dont want to so maybe its not so much that im a sadist as that youre a masochist enjoy

September 23, 2009

Notes on the American Fork Primary Election
The results are now official, as of last evening.

September 21, 2009

Random Thoughts, Mostly Brief
An AARP radio ad, Kung Fu Panda philosophy, the divine attribute of omnipresence, the intersection of MoTab and Cougar football, and, best of all, goat sacrifice.

September 18, 2009

What's in a Limerick?
A rare appearance by a cartoon, to be sure, but limericks are common enough here at the blog.

September 18, 2009

The Federal Government Can Have One-Sixth of Utah -- on One Condition
There's nothing a multi-term Congressman or Senator understands better than quid pro quo. So if they choose the quid, we get to choose the quo. See what you think.

September 15, 2009

A Few Notes on Tonight's Election Results
In American Fork, that is. There's a bit of a surprise in the mayoral race, but it's an open question how much it will mean in November, with a much higher voter turnout.

September 15, 2009

Polls Are Open
You'll need some identification in order to vote. Here's anecdotal information about turnout, closing time, etc., and a link to a little tribute to candidates generally.

September 15, 2009

A Reminder, Some Predictions, Where to Go for Early Returns, and Some Much-Needed Fun
Some serious information and . . . something else entirely.

September 14, 2009

The Season's Last Concert in the Park
It's the Utah Premier Brass, so we already know it will be good.

September 11, 2009

On Remembering and Forgetting
Reflections on September 11, 2001. Some things to forget. Some things to remember.

September 10, 2009

Links to Discussion of the Health Care Speech
A few thoughts of my own, but mostly links to others' discussion of President Obama's Wednesday evening offering.

September 10, 2009

Cheese, Sunroof, Freedom
On loving others' freedoms, not just my own, and loving freedom enough not to spend it on other things, and not assuming that everyone feels the same, and the case we have to make.

September 9, 2009

Politics in the Q and A
The President's speech to students yesterday was not much politicized. His answers to their questions afterward were quite political.

September 8, 2009

Good Speech
Actually, scratch that. It was an excellent speech.

September 8, 2009

Two Questions, Please, Senator
If enough others have the same questions, Senator Robert Bennett has a potential problem in 2010.

September 7, 2009

Memo to Fellow Conservatives: Grow Up Already!
On virtue and innocence, and why I prefer that my children watch President Obama's speech.

September 5, 2009

Notes on Meeting the Candidates in American Fork, Part 3: City Council Candidates
Principally, what the candidates themselves said.

September 4, 2009

Notes on Meeting the Candidates in American Fork, Part 2: Mayoral Candidates
Much of what the mayoral candidates said and plenty of commentary from me along the way.

September 3, 2009

Notes on Meeting the Candidates in American Fork, Part 1: General Observations
The first thing to be said about tonight's meet-the-candidates event at Barratt Elementary in American Fork is that the stars of the show were the audience.

September 2, 2009

New: American Fork Mayoral Candidates Answer Questions
Three questions asked and answered; more to follow.

September 2, 2009

Expanded American Fork City Council Candidate Information
There's something about every candidate now.

September 1, 2009

American Fork Notes
An opportunity to meet American Fork's current crop of candidates, early voting, more reporting on the American Fork Cemetery, and 191 feet of cool engineering (times two). And parking.

August 29, 2009

American Fork City Council Candidate Information Posted
. . . And on the planned publication date, no less. Unfortunately, only three of nine candidates have responded so far.

August 29, 2009

I Think I Found a Great Candidate
For a House or Senate seat, I mean. Will he run? For what office? Where do I sign up to help the campaign?

August 27, 2009

I Am a Tocqueville Conservative
Alexis de Tocqueville, the pioneer sociologist and brilliant student of American society, especially American political society, explained how free Americans supplied the wants and needs of society without relying on government to take care of them. He saw in his discovery the key to American freedom's survival. That was in the 1830s. He also foresaw the unique perils that lay in wait.

August 26, 2009

Thoughts on the Passing of an Icon
Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Massacusetts) passed away late last night, as you've probably heard by now.

August 25, 2009

The First Batch of Candidate Information Is Posted
(Finally.)

August 25, 2009

The Gulf Which Divides Us
With some unwitting help from Time's Joe Klein, whom I enjoy reading, I attempt to describe the more fundamental battle which underlies the health care debate -- a battle which American conservatives don't yet seem to be fighting, because we've never had to fight it before. Some things are supposed to be self-evident, and maybe they used to be, but they're not universally self-evident now.

August 24, 2009

Sometimes Bloggers Need to Offer Corrections and Apologies, Too
It's not fun, but one does it -- as now -- because truth is a higher purpose than pride.

August 22, 2009

Good People Reporting Badly
American Fork residents own themselves a few minutes to get correctly informed about current cemetery-related discussions. Two media outlets owe their readers a correction and a retraction, and they owe six elected officials an apology.

August 21, 2009

Forgive Me. It's a Limerick.
A true limerick is a single stanza, but occasionally some literary derelict tries multiple stanzas. I have done so here, with apologies to whatever literary gods there be.

August 20, 2009

American Fork City Council Candidate Withdraws
Now there are two incumbents and seven challengers in the race for two seats.

August 20, 2009

Another Quick American Fork Election Update
This update isn't exactly breaking news, but it answers a question you might have when you arrive at the polls on September 15 or November 3.

August 19, 2009

Ten Things You Probably Won't Overhear at the White House This Week
This is not a Top Ten List; that might be trademark infringement or some such thing. But it is a list, and it does contain ten items, numbered in descending order. And there are ten of them. No, wait, I already said that.

August 19, 2009

A Quick American Fork Election Update
One mayoral candidate has withdrawn.

August 18, 2009

A Fictional White House Internal Memo
Fictional! As in, Not Real! As in, Didn't Really Come from the White House! But maybe it could have, and that's the point.

August 17, 2009

Notes on Silicon Valley
As promised, here are some morsels of gossip from Silicon Valley, on themes ranging from unemployment and innovation to the essential point that San Francisco is not, repeat not, considered part of Silicon Valley. You'll also find a nutty cosmological tangent somewhere in the middle.

August 15, 2009

Quick Notes (Really!) on What's Coming Up
Improved American Fork election coverage and a small promotion for one local politician and blogger.

August 15, 2009

"We've Tried But They're Not Answering": Things That Might Be Worth Worrying About
There is a growing body of evidence that the party which controls the White House, the US Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Big Media Acronyms believes that opponents are un-American, have no right to oppose them, and should be intimidated, discredited, and even suppressed. Here are links to readings from the week on this and other themes, a few related thoughts, and a little reward for reading to the end.

August 14, 2009

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August 13, 2009

More Fleeting Wisps of Blogger Glory
People write kind things about the blog, which don't find their way into comments on particular posts. Here are three. (We're light and shortish today, as penance for Tuesday's 3022-word treatise on the health care debate.)

August 12, 2009

Yankee Doodle, Keep It Up! (a thank-you note)
You'd rather stay home and mind your own business, like you used to, and not be called the foulest names they know. Instead, you crowd into town meetings and make your point with as much civility as circumstances will permit. When they sling mud at you for your trouble, you happily make mud pies. I salute you.

August 11, 2009

Sauce for the Goose, Part II: The Health Care Debate
Notes and quotes on the health care debate itself (more than on the substance of the matter). It's fascinating. And a good word about Utah along the way. Also, rat me out. Please!

August 10, 2009

Sauce for the Goose, Part I
A plan to retire inefficient elected officials, modeled after the Cash for Clunkers program.

August 10, 2009

Three Utahans: The Nominee, the Religious Bigot, and the Racist
Thoughts on three Utahans who made the news last week in unrelated stories.

August 3, 2009

Bravo!
My primary mission in attending the American Fork History and Heritage Pageant tonight was to see how they did with my script. They did well.

August 3, 2009

Sorry! My Bad!
A new day for recycling pickup in American Fork, and some thoughts on the program generally.

August 1, 2009

American Fork History and Heritage Pageant
You might think a cemetery is a strange place for historical pageants; it seems just about right to me. In any case, the American Fork Cemetery is, for three evenings, the city's social and artistic hub.

July 31, 2009

At Large in the Bay Area
I'm back. Here are some highlights which have nothing directly to do with politics, life among the Mormons, or anything else I usually belabor here at the blog.

July 19, 2009

Ruminations on the Rush Limbaugh Quilt
Where do girly men, cigars, and air-conditioned politics meet? At the quilt show, of course. I was there. I was tricked into being there. (That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.)

July 18, 2009

On Parade (or at Least AT the Parade)
Results of this year's Steel Days Parade Political Straw Poll. My own Parade Awards, featuring everything from a world-class high school marching band (you know which one) to fake eyeballs.

July 17, 2009

Random (Mostly) Local Thoughts
Night life in downtown American Fork. Lawn chairs along tomorrow's parade route. Local candidates. Watering the lawn. Counting blog posts. Does God read blogs?

July 15, 2009

The Official List of American Fork Candidates
As I post this information, you cannot yet get it any local newspaper's Web site. I have fewer readers, but I can sometimes get to press faster -- even if I take time for some pontification, as I have done here.

July 13, 2009

The Latest List of American Fork Candidates
There's still only the incumbent running for mayor, but there are now four city council candidates. The filing period runs through Wednesday afternoon.

July 11, 2009

Are We Stimulated Yet?
They say the stimulus is working, that we'd be worse off without it. They say we might need another massive stimulus bill. And they say only 10 percent of the first stimulus has actually been spent.

July 11, 2009

Excellent Readings
Climate change, Obamacare, Sarah Palin, Robert McNamara, a jobless recovery, American Fork, and more.

July 7, 2009

A Few More Good Readings -- In Case You're Tired of Michael Jackson Coverage
(I know I am.)

July 6, 2009

Some Very Recent Readings
Cap and trade and the EPA cover-up; affirmative action and the Ricci case; and miscellany featuring such names as Franken, Huntsman, Whitman, and Palin, among others.

July 4, 2009

A Selection of My Independence Day Thoughts
An article; a movie; reflections on an implication of tilting at windmills; why I read the Declaration of Independence and what I concluded; who is to blame; my personal civic activities; and a distant memory of celebrating July 4 in an empire that no longer exists.

July 3, 2009

A Cap and Trade Primer (Part Two)
Assuming the problem is real and the solution legitimate -- neither of which assumptions I accept -- will the House's cap and trade bill make a difference? How much will it cost? It proposes to regulate all manner of things, not just carbon emissions. And then there's the suppressed EPA report which questions the science behind it all . . .

July 3, 2009

Miscellany
An assortment of curious tales from the national scene, a couple of local notes, and a weird Mormon moment.

July 2, 2009

So Far, Only the Incumbents Have Filed in American Fork
The filing period began yesterday and ends July 15.

July 2, 2009

A Cap and Trade Primer (Part One)
Why I felt well represented last week. The basics of cap and trade. A host of false assumptions. A video gem from the ACLU. (No, really!)

June 23, 2009

What I Read over Lunch
Insightful readings on Obamacare, the revolt in Iran, the illegal firing of an inspector general, and the Republican Party's identity crisis.

June 22, 2009

Random Thoughts
Obamacare, cemeteries, the census, Facebook, Philly cheese steak, and SLAPP.

June 20, 2009

Facing Facebook
I finally joined Facebook. I'm having fun and making plans. I still do not tweet, in case you're wondering.

June 19, 2009

A Primer for Aspiring Tyrants: Techniques Used by Experts
Tyranny is a growth industry now, you see. If you don't aspire to it, read this as opposition research.

June 11, 2009

Foolishness du Jour and a Perfect Rainbow
I really wish I had a photo -- of the rainbow and its setting, that is, not the foolishness.

June 9, 2009

Two Concerts in the Park (More to Come)
The family and I have now attended the first two concerts in this summer's Concerts in the Park series in American Fork. They were both excellent. But if you see a guy wearing his baseball cap indoors at church or at city council sometime soon, please do me a favor: knock it off. And more to the point, confiscate his cell phone, in case he's the guy who was sitting behind me last night in the Amphitheater.

June 8, 2009

Peggy Noonan Day (and Some Housekeeping)
Here are links to a few excellent, recent Peggy Noonan columns, and to some other things I've read lately, some as recently as today.

June 5, 2009

Fleeting Wisps of Blogger Glory
A wisp for me from a reader's e-mail; a wisp for MFCC from the Deseret News.

June 4, 2009

An Odd Little Tale from a City Council Work Session
How responsible should a City feel for drivers who don't heed clearly-posted parking regulations in private parking lots? And how a misguided proposed American Fork City ordinance failed, instead of succeeding -- and effectively seizing private property in the process. (This one has pictures.)

June 3, 2009

Election Season Looms in American Fork
The filing period runs from July 1 to July 15. Notes on the incumbents and the possibilities. The passive citizen goes to the polls and chooses between the lesser of two evils, complaining all the while. The adept citizen acts much earlier, in an effort to get the right names on the ballot.

May 29, 2009

A View of Governor Huntsman from the Left
Huntsman and conservative issues, Huntsman and China, Huntsman and Mitt Romney, Huntsman and 2016, etc.

May 28, 2009

Obama: "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet"
Evidence is mounting that Chrysler dealerships were selected for closure on the basis of political contributions, not profitability. And Nancy Pelosi wants an inventory of "every aspect of our lives." These are only two of today's new items, for which the popular adjective (which I don't particularly like) would be concerning.

May 21, 2009

Craig Frank's Folly
Zeal without wisdom is a dangerous thing, even when all it does is open its mouth.

May 16, 2009

Huntsman, Christensen, Cemetery, and Steyn
It almost sounds like a law firm, but it's really a state getting a new governor, a city getting a new fire chief, a minor update about cemetery expansion in American Fork, and a speech I suggest you read and re-read.

May 14, 2009

Federal Takeovers: The Road Leads Where It Leads
If we keep going down the road we're on, we will inevitably arrive at the place to which the road leads.

May 13, 2009

The Mormons Baptized Whom?
Barack Obama's mother, that's whom. Posthumously. Here's an explanation of why we do that sort of thing generally (though it should not have been done in this specific case).

May 9, 2009

Three Good Things I Saw in American Fork This Week
Excellent work by a contractor on the pressurized irrigation project, a faster City response to a nuisance problem than we used to expect, and an excellent stage production.

May 7, 2009

100 Days in Retrospect
Including a bizarre list of Obama Faith Moments.

May 3, 2009

The Utah Children's Choir's 25th Birthday Party
It was a fine concert in a very comfortable hall.

May 1, 2009

The AFPD Wins a Four-Year-Old Fan
The weather was fine. The street was filled with construction equipment and emergency vehicles. What more could a boy want?

April 28, 2009

Miscellaneous Thoughts on the National Scene
Mostly brief notes on Arlen Specter, one less headless federal department, the political uses of overstated pandemic, thuggish federal abuse of banks, and a poorly thought-out photo op.

April 26, 2009

More from the Convention: I Sided with Satan -- Again!
At least some of my fellow Utah County Republicans seem to think so. [Updated several times with more links, a made-up quotation about Satan Scanners (!), and a link to other blogs and some KSL audio. See the comments.]

April 25, 2009

The Utah County Republican Party Nominating Convention: Miscellaneous Notes
It was a full house. The Lincoln impersonators who sang the national anthem knew almost all the words. Some interesting things were said in speeches. And Senator Orrin Hatch is a class act.

April 23, 2009

Alternative Theories
Of sewage, sneakers, chewing gum, and the pathologically suspicious. (And one more thing in the comments.)

April 22, 2009

Miscellaneous Thoughts
Beautiful music, ramblings about Earth Day, the national basketball championship you didn't hear about, a morsel of good news about property taxes in American Fork, and . . . have we lost our institutional mind?

April 11, 2009

Bureaucracies Don't Laugh. People Do.
. . . A good laugh is a terrible thing to waste.

April 10, 2009

A Recent Long Weekend in Obamaland
Washington, DC, that is. There was food. There was art. There was a very large gaggle of enthusiastic conservatives.

March 12, 2009

Thomas Sowell Day
Alas, commonsensical is already a word.

February 25, 2009

Selected Education Bills at the Utah Legislature
Here is brief discussion of several bills proposed in the Utah Legislature on the subject of education, with links to bill texts, status reports, etc.

February 24, 2009

Of Freedom and Sacrifice
I read today that two friends' son has been killed in Iraq, where he served in the US Army. . . .

February 23, 2009

Some FrontRunner Follow-Up
Miscellaneous notes accumulated on the FrontRunner junket.

February 21, 2009

FrontRunner: My First Ride
I'm riding FrontRunner today as a surrogate VIP, blogging occasionally along the way. There are also a couple of notes here about American Fork Mayor Heber Thompson's State of the City address, and a link to it at afcity.org, so you don't have to search for it.

February 18, 2009

My Son, the Italian Communist Ten Year Old
It's not as if I planned to spend 15 minutes this morning teaching my ten year old how to be a communist revolutionary.

February 17, 2009

Good Food, and How to Make Good Policies Look Bad
The folks at Olive Garden cared, when I went there for dinner, about the quality of my experience and the impression they made. This is the principal difference between my Grilled Shrimp Caprese and the documents American Fork City provides to residents who wish to opt out of the newly-expanded recycling program.

February 12, 2009

Reduce! Replace! Recycle! (Notes about Town)
The local weekly newspaper's disappearance, cost-cutting measures at American Fork City, the beginning of work to replace the Main Street interchange, and the new "opt-out" recycling program.

February 5, 2009

Recreation vs. Resting in Peace
This was supposed to be about proposed ordinances in American Fork involving accessory apartments and the licensing of rental properties, but the City Council didn't get that far through its agenda today. Never mind that, though. The discussion of land for cemetery expansion took an interesting and likely decisive twist.

February 2, 2009

Happy Groundhog Day
Alas, no limerick contest this year.

January 20, 2009

Obama: Notes on the Transition and the Speech
Ideology or power: which is the end, and which the means for Obama? Notes on the transition, the oath, the speech, the prayer, and the new President.

December 30, 2008

Poison in the Water Debate
Discussion of the current skirmish over future water rates in American Fork begins with, among other things, a snake, a rowboat, and a gun; seven habits for civil, opinionated, self-governing people; a dinner table; some links to recent news articles; and a felicitous, partially self-inflicted phrase, "sanctimonious claptrap."

December 22, 2008

Recent Items about American Fork (Except the Whining)
After an blogging hiatus of biblical length, some housekeeping, mostly about American Fork.

November 12, 2008

That Diverging Diamond
This post about a clever piece of engineering coming to American Fork even has embedded YouTube video, which is a first here at the blog. (I love technology.)

November 10, 2008

A Look at the Election Results: National
Notes on presidential, US Senate, and House races, and marriage referenda in a few states.

November 8, 2008

A Look at the Election Results: Utah
Races for Governor, Utah House and Senate, and more.

November 7, 2008

A Look at the Election Results: American Fork
Five out of five bond issues went down convincingly. What it means. How it might have been different.

November 5, 2008

A Quick Thought
Despair and discouragement are inappropriate. So is disinterest.

November 4, 2008

Where to Follow Election Returns on the Web
(I can't tell you where to go on television, since I don't have cable.)

November 4, 2008

Notes on Election Day
(Updated 5:45 p.m.) Here I accumulate notes on Election Day -- the lawsuits, the unforeseen technical problems, the plea for a clothing-optional polling place, etc. -- as they develop and as LBB permits.

November 1, 2008

David's Handy 2008 Election Guide
My election guide this time mentions not only the races and referenda, but also suggests some things to do before you go to the polls, what to take with you, an important thing to check while you're still at the voting machine, some helpful things you could do afterwards, and a good way to track the presidential election returns, if you're into that.

November 1, 2008

Excellent Readings
Excellent readings, with excerpts in most cases. The categories and their (sizes) are: Not About the Election or Its Issues (small). The Howler of the Week (small). What We'll Get If We Get Barack Obama (large). Economics Generally (medium).

October 30, 2008

A Tale of Two Liberals, or Is It Bad to Be a Socialist?
One of those two liberals is now called a conservative.

October 29, 2008

Obama: Communist? Marxist? Socialist?
In his political and social views, Barack Obama appears to be not a communist, a Marxist, or a democratic socialist, as political theorists usually categorize such things, but a social democrat . Make no mistake: A social democrat is a kind of socialist.

October 28, 2008

Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Speech
"If we do not believe in freedom of speech for those we despise we do not believe in it at all."

October 25, 2008

Nine Excellent Readings
Nine readings: the election and its possible aftermath, the economic crisis, global cooling, and a few news items involving American Fork.

October 25, 2008

It Hasn't Been Tried
It wasn't free-market capitalism that failed, but it's certainly the popular scapegoat.

October 24, 2008

Shouldn't I Be a Democrat?
My biography says so. My education says so. My long residency in the Northeast says so. My dissatisfaction with state and national Republicans says so. But I'm not. Here's what the Utah Democrats would have to do to entice me.

October 23, 2008

Notes on the Bond Information Meeting
Points of interest about each bond issue, the meeting itself, and the mostly intelligent, mostly well-informed residents who attended.

October 21, 2008

MFCC on the Proposed Bond Issues
My favorite city councilor offers a lot of information and some opinion about American Fork's five proposed bond issues, not to mention the City's timing and motives.

October 20, 2008

More on 1120 North and the Bonds
A few more thoughts from me, a blog from other opponents of the first bond issue, a fun blog from a resident opposed to all five proposed bond issues, and an official City informational meeting this week on the proposals.

October 20, 2008

Apropos Joe the Plumber (Etc.)
Links to columns on why the Left hates Joe the Plumber, how he might turn the election, Russian adventurism, and interpreting the US Constitution.

October 18, 2008

Don't Slander Robin Hood (and Selected Readings)
The hero of Sherwood Forest stole from the government, not rich individuals. A few readings on the election, the economic meltdown, and other themes.

October 17, 2008

One Group's Arguments against AF Bond Issue 1
Some are solid. Some are false and counterproductive. Some are in between.

October 15, 2008

Notes on The Third Presidential Debate
This one goes to John McCain over Barack Obama, but it was not the overwhelming performance McCain needed.

October 15, 2008

John McCain's Last Chance
We need some new heroism from John McCain tonight, and it will have to be an approach to the debate that is contrary to his senatorial instincts.

October 14, 2008

Listening to Smart People
Three little morsels I've heard lately while listening to smart people I know.

October 11, 2008

Excellent Readings
A selection of recent commentary on the election (and elections generally), the current economic mess, recent debates (and debates generally), and other topics.

October 9, 2008

Accumulated Thoughts on the National Scene
Rays of hope for the McCain campaign. The bailout of which you may not have heard. Why it's fair that we all pay the piper. And more.

October 8, 2008

Notes on the Second Presidential Debate
No knockout punches. No remorse for spending nearly a trillion tax dollars on a pork-greased bailout. One guy watching got a bit cranky, I'm afraid. ('Twas I.)

October 7, 2008

Notes on the Vice Presidential Debate
Biden spouted more details about policy. Palin landed more punches. Moderator Gwyn Ifill was not the story, after all.

October 2, 2008

My Debate Prep
For my debate prep, prior to tonight's vice presidential debate, that is, I watched several Sarah Palin interviews. I didn't watch Joe Biden at all. I've been watching him for years; he's a known quantity.

October 1, 2008

Notes on the First Presidential Debate
. . . which I watched this week instead of last week, thanks to the Internet.

September 30, 2008

More on the Financial Crisis
Links to two good, short explanations of what's going on with mortgages, banks, etc. A third about an Obama connection, and a fourth about the folly of worrying about executive compensation right now.

September 29, 2008

The Partisan Speech that Cost (Saved?) $700 Billion
Notes on the bailout package's defeat in the House today, including the Nancy Pelosi speech that might have killed it.

September 29, 2008

Amateur Hour at City Hall, Part II
Bad timing. Bad PR. And how some of these bond issues are win-win situations for some City officials whether they pass or fail.

September 27, 2008

Sad News for American Fork, A Weird Photo, and Stuff to Read on the Bailout
The sad news is brief. The photo is comic relief. The readings are excellent.

September 26, 2008

Amateur Hour at City Hall
Or maybe it's amateur year. Here are notes on the upcoming American Fork bond issues.

September 24, 2008

Anti-Palin Hysteria: A Sample
Folks are calling it Palin Derangement Syndrome. Here's what it looks like in its advanced stages.

September 23, 2008

Is the Doddering Dud the Real Dodd?
. . . Or is the helpless handwringing by the chair of the Senate Banking Committee a diversion?

September 22, 2008

It's Not as If We Weren't Warned
In 2006 Senator John McCain told his colleagues, "If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole." Two years later, well . . .

September 11, 2008

9/11 Thoughts
A few thoughts on September 11 and larger themes, including a sign that history is begin to liberate itself from partisan blinders, where the Iraq war is concerned.

September 5, 2008

John McCain's Speech
Here are some notes, some excerpts from the speech, plenty of my own thoughts, and, before we're done, a piece of the speech which surprised me . . . by moving me.

September 4, 2008

Sarah Barracuda
Thoughts on Governor Sarah Palin's convention speech. My favorite lines. Selected good readings.

September 3, 2008

Early Thoughts on Sarah Palin, Running Mate
Yes, it's still early, but the end of the beginning is tonight at the Republican convention, when she gives a big speech.

September 2, 2008

Barack Obama's Convention Speech
Convention in another sense is what we got, but the packaging was excellent.

September 1, 2008

Blackmail Photos
From the American Fork Heritage and History Pageant, that is.

August 28, 2008

American Fork Miscellany
900 West resolution, tax increase aftermath, FrontRunner, and connected libraries.

August 27, 2008

One Down, One to Go
My sigh of relief. Links to notes on the Democratic National Convention. Two names you're not hearing for Senator McCain's running mate.

August 25, 2008

Tyranny on Parade
Russia wants its empire back, and China, in its insecurity, is trying too hard to look perfect for the world.

August 12, 2008

American Fork City Council Approves 17.14 Percent Property Tax Rate Increase
. . . But they'll call it 9.62 percent.

August 11, 2008

City Council Vote on Tax Increase Tomorrow
It's not too late to speak your mind.

August 8, 2008

Good News: The Increase Is Decreasing
The American Fork City Council whittled 5.9 percent off its proposed property tax increase at yesterday's work session.

August 7, 2008

The Perils of Historical Ignorance
"Don't Know Much About History" could be an Obama campaign slogan.

August 6, 2008

I'll Be Wearing a Badge. He'll Be Wearing a Dress.
American Fork's annual History and Heritage Pageant starts Friday evening, continues Saturday evening, and ends Monday evening. It's at the American Fork Cemetery, and I'm not sure I know how to make it sound as enjoyable as it really is.

August 5, 2008

This Evening's Tax Increase Hearing
It was a typical cross-section of self-governing humanity. I especially enjoyed the self-refuting arguments. Oh, by the way, it's technically a 22 percent increase, not 14 percent.

August 4, 2008

Tomorrow's Tax Hearing in American Fork: The Essentials
Here is my brief (at least brief for me) summary of the things you'll want to know before attending tomorrow evening's hearing on the proposed property tax increase in American Fork.

August 2, 2008

The Article, The Notice, and The Explanation
Three items in Thursday's American Fork Citizen, about the proposed American Fork property tax increase. Where did that 46 come from?

July 28, 2008

What the Postal Worker Brought
About that proposed American Fork property tax increase, I mean.

July 24, 2008

Quick American Fork Tax Increase Update
Revised times for hearings and votes, with brief discussion of where I think the votes are right now.

July 22, 2008

(Another) American Fork Property Tax Increase Update
The key word was "approximate." Don't be alarmed by the number in the published notice. The dates of the votes.

July 19, 2008

Random Parade Thoughts
"Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll" (Zechariah 5:1). If you want to know what a line from the Old Testament has to do with a parade, read on.

July 18, 2008

American Fork Tax Increase Update
14 percent is better than 50 percent, and 34 percent is better than 100 percent. And we may all have to live without two meals at Del Taco.

July 16, 2008

Property Tax Increase Follow-up
Quick notes on how things are going, and a little bonus commentary on the Alpine School District budget.

July 15, 2008

My Letter Opposing a Large Property Tax Increase
It's not about waste. It's about economic pressure on ordinary households, and about a serious, long-term political hazard.

July 15, 2008

A Brief Explanation, Contact Information, and My Letter, and One More Reason
The subject is the possible doubling of American Fork property taxes. Now write and send your letter. Then recruit some friends and neighbors to do the same.

July 14, 2008

If You Want Those American Fork Property Taxes to Double, Don't Write.
The Mayor and City Council are discussing a possible 50 percent property tax increase and four bond issues that will increase taxes that much again if they all pass. It's time for us help them see reason. First, we deluge them with helpful constituent letters.

July 12, 2008

American Fork's Mythical Opt-Out Recycling Program
It's mythical because it doesn't exist, at least not yet. (Please note that no actual horses were harmed in the creation of this blog post. All equine carnage herein is metaphorical.)

July 8, 2008

Infamous Scribblers and More
Notes from the Great Northwest, you might say.

July 5, 2008

July 4, Give or Take a Day
Obviously, Independence Day has a lot to do with freedom. But what does it have to do with bungee jumping?

June 25, 2008

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

June 24, 2008

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.

June 23, 2008

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.

June 19, 2008

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.

June 13, 2008

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

June 10, 2008

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

June 9, 2008

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.

June 7, 2008

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

June 7, 2008

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?)

May 30, 2008

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.

May 28, 2008

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

May 27, 2008

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?

May 22, 2008

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.

May 21, 2008

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

May 20, 2008

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

April 15, 2008

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.

April 11, 2008

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.

April 11, 2008

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

April 10, 2008

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.

April 4, 2008

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.

April 2, 2008

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

March 25, 2008

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.

March 24, 2008

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 . . .

March 21, 2008

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.

March 20, 2008

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.

March 19, 2008

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.

March 19, 2008

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.

March 15, 2008

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.

February 29, 2008

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.

February 26, 2008

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.

February 25, 2008

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

February 16, 2008

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

February 16, 2008

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.)

February 13, 2008

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.

February 7, 2008

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.

February 4, 2008

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.

February 2, 2008

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

February 1, 2008

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.

January 31, 2008

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.

January 30, 2008

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.

January 19, 2008

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

January 15, 2008

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.

January 14, 2008

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

December 31, 2007

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.

December 11, 2007

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

December 3, 2007

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

November 15, 2007

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.

November 14, 2007

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.

November 13, 2007

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.

November 6, 2007

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

November 6, 2007

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

November 6, 2007

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

November 5, 2007

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.

November 5, 2007

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.

November 5, 2007

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.

November 3, 2007

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."

November 3, 2007

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

November 2, 2007

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.

November 1, 2007

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.

October 31, 2007

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

October 31, 2007

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

October 30, 2007

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.

October 29, 2007

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.

October 27, 2007

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.

October 19, 2007

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

October 19, 2007

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

October 18, 2007

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

October 17, 2007

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

October 16, 2007

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.

October 8, 2007

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

October 6, 2007

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

October 4, 2007

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.

October 3, 2007

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

October 2, 2007

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

September 27, 2007

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.

September 27, 2007

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.

September 27, 2007

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.

September 26, 2007

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.

September 25, 2007

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.

September 21, 2007

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.

September 18, 2007

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

September 17, 2007

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

September 1, 2007

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.

August 31, 2007

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

August 30, 2007

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

August 29, 2007

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.

August 17, 2007

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.

August 15, 2007

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?)

August 14, 2007

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.

August 9, 2007

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

August 8, 2007

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.

August 7, 2007

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

August 6, 2007

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.

August 1, 2007

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.

July 9, 2007

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

July 6, 2007

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

July 4, 2007

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

July 2, 2007

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.

June 12, 2007

Recycling Change
In short: Tuesdays, not Fridays.

June 9, 2007

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

June 8, 2007

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

June 7, 2007

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

June 5, 2007

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

May 24, 2007

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?

May 23, 2007

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

May 18, 2007

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

May 15, 2007

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

May 12, 2007

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.

May 10, 2007

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.

May 8, 2007

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.

May 7, 2007

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.

April 28, 2007

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.

April 28, 2007

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?

April 27, 2007

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.

April 24, 2007

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.

April 13, 2007

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

April 11, 2007

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.

April 11, 2007

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

April 10, 2007

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

April 9, 2007

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

April 7, 2007

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.

April 4, 2007

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.

April 3, 2007

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

April 3, 2007

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.

March 27, 2007

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

March 27, 2007

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

March 26, 2007

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

March 21, 2007

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.

March 19, 2007

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.

March 19, 2007

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.

March 17, 2007

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

March 16, 2007

Basketball Heaven, Day Two
More of the same.

March 15, 2007

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

March 14, 2007

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.)

March 13, 2007

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.

March 10, 2007

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

March 3, 2007

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

February 28, 2007

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.

February 27, 2007

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.)

February 24, 2007

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.

February 21, 2007

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.)

February 20, 2007

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

February 17, 2007

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.

February 14, 2007

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

February 13, 2007

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.

February 10, 2007

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.

February 9, 2007

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.)

February 6, 2007

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.

February 3, 2007

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 . . .

February 2, 2007

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

January 31, 2007

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.

January 27, 2007

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.

January 26, 2007

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.

January 26, 2007

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

January 24, 2007

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.

January 22, 2007

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!

January 20, 2007

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.

January 19, 2007

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

January 19, 2007

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

January 17, 2007

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.

January 13, 2007

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.

January 12, 2007

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

January 11, 2007

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.

January 9, 2007

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.

January 6, 2007

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 . . .

January 3, 2007

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

January 2, 2007

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

December 30, 2006

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

December 28, 2006

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

December 23, 2006

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.

December 21, 2006

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.)

December 18, 2006

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

December 16, 2006

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.

December 9, 2006

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.

December 8, 2006

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

December 6, 2006

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.

December 5, 2006

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.

December 4, 2006

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!)

December 2, 2006

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.

December 1, 2006

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.

November 25, 2006

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

November 22, 2006

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.

November 20, 2006

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.

November 18, 2006

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.

November 11, 2006

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

November 11, 2006

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.

November 8, 2006

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.

November 7, 2006

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.

November 6, 2006

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.

November 6, 2006

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.

November 4, 2006

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.

November 3, 2006

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.

November 3, 2006

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.

November 2, 2006

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.

November 1, 2006

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.

November 1, 2006

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.

November 1, 2006

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

October 28, 2006

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.

October 24, 2006

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.

October 21, 2006

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.

October 19, 2006

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.

October 18, 2006

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

October 16, 2006

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

October 14, 2006

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.

October 14, 2006

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.

October 13, 2006

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

October 11, 2006

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.

October 11, 2006

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.

October 10, 2006

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.

October 7, 2006

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."

October 5, 2006

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.

October 4, 2006

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.

September 30, 2006

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.

September 27, 2006

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

September 26, 2006

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

September 23, 2006

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.

September 21, 2006

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 . . .

September 20, 2006

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.

September 18, 2006

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.

September 16, 2006

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.

September 15, 2006

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

September 14, 2006

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.

September 11, 2006

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

September 9, 2006

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.

September 2, 2006

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

August 29, 2006

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.

August 28, 2006

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

August 26, 2006

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.

August 23, 2006

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

August 22, 2006

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.

August 19, 2006

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.

August 12, 2006

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

August 10, 2006

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.

August 9, 2006

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.

August 8, 2006

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.

August 8, 2006

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

August 7, 2006

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.

August 5, 2006

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

August 5, 2006

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.

August 4, 2006

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.

August 3, 2006

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.

August 3, 2006

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.)

August 2, 2006

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.

July 30, 2006

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.

July 29, 2006

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.

July 27, 2006

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

July 22, 2006

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.

July 21, 2006

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

July 20, 2006

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

July 19, 2006

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.

July 15, 2006

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.

July 14, 2006

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.

July 13, 2006

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

July 8, 2006

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.

July 4, 2006

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.

July 3, 2006

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

July 1, 2006

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.

June 30, 2006

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

June 28, 2006

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

June 27, 2006

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?

June 27, 2006

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

June 26, 2006

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.

June 24, 2006

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

June 22, 2006

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?

June 21, 2006

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?

June 19, 2006

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

June 17, 2006

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

June 14, 2006

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.

June 13, 2006

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

June 10, 2006

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.

June 8, 2006

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

June 7, 2006

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

June 7, 2006

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.

June 6, 2006

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.

June 5, 2006

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?

June 3, 2006

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

June 2, 2006

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.

June 1, 2006

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

May 30, 2006

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.

May 27, 2006

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.

May 26, 2006

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

May 25, 2006

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 . . .

May 23, 2006

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.

May 22, 2006

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.

May 20, 2006

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

May 17, 2006

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.

May 13, 2006

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

May 12, 2006

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

May 6, 2006

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.

May 5, 2006

"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.

May 3, 2006

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?

May 2, 2006

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.

May 1, 2006

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.

April 29, 2006

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

April 29, 2006

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

April 28, 2006

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.

April 26, 2006

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?

April 25, 2006

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.

April 22, 2006

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.

April 22, 2006

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

April 18, 2006

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.

April 15, 2006

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.

April 14, 2006

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.

April 8, 2006

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.

April 8, 2006

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.

April 6, 2006

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

April 1, 2006

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.

March 28, 2006

Notes from Upstate New York
Random observations from New York.

March 25, 2006

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.

March 22, 2006

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?

March 18, 2006

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

March 16, 2006

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.

March 16, 2006

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.

March 15, 2006

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.

March 14, 2006

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!

March 13, 2006

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.

March 11, 2006

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.

March 11, 2006

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.

March 11, 2006

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.

March 9, 2006

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.

March 4, 2006

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

March 2, 2006

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

February 25, 2006

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.  

February 23, 2006

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.

February 23, 2006

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.

February 20, 2006

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.

February 20, 2006

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

February 18, 2006

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 you get to read the phrase "ahistorical thumbsucking." (Beat that!)

February 17, 2006

Help Me Evaluate Prof. Gingrich's Threats
In a recent speech, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich listed five major threat's to the United States' future. See if you agree. In fact, tell me whether you agree.

February 15, 2006

Early Help for Next Valentine's Day
I sent my wife several e-mails yesterday with good and/or fun quotes about love. Here are most of them, in case you need them next year. My favorite, at least for yesterday's purposes? This one: Nunc scio quit sit amor. (If your Latin's rusty, google it.)

February 13, 2006

Quick Thoughts on Religious Freedom
Three quick thoughts on religious freedom.

February 12, 2006

Last Week's Excellent Readings
Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell, Tony Snow, and some research on math pedagogy lead this, er, last week's list.

February 10, 2006

IHC's Leak and the Larger Security Question
IHC's recent leak of confidential (and presumably secure) medical records is only the tip of the informational security iceberg.

February 9, 2006

Last Week's Readings (Late)
It was an eventful week. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito was confirmed, not filibustered. The President gave his annual State of the Union address. We were mere days beyond the democratic election of an openly terroristic regime among Palestinians. A new House Majority Leader was elected. Even the Federal Reserve board is in transition. And have I mentioned Groundhog Day?

February 6, 2006

The State of the Union Address: Education
My two previous posts discussed what President Bush had to say about foreign policy and several domestic issues. This one focuses on education.

February 6, 2006

The State of the Union Speech: Domestic Policy, except Education
The President mentioned immigration, energy independence, health care, and entitlements. So will I. There was even a good, positive Bill Clinton joke.

February 6, 2006

The State of the Union: Foreign Policy First
I finally did it. I had put off discussing -- or reading, or even reading about -- President Bush's State of the Union speech from last week. I finally read it this morning, six days after the President gave it. Here are my notes on the first half of the speech, which addressed foreign policy.

February 3, 2006

Notes on the Science Fair
Miscellaneous notes on the science fair and the scientific method, and some apt words from Thomas Edison.

February 2, 2006

Notes on Utah Senate Bill 170
What's State Senator Al Mansell's agenda, anyway? And was he really kidding?

February 1, 2006

What Are You Doing to Celebrate Groundhog Day?
Tomorrow is Groundhog Day. I'm going to party. It's just a small affair, immediate family only, and not even they are required to come. If they do come, they can watch the movie Groundhog Day with me . . . and I will feed them "mystery meat." If they don't come, I'll watch and eat alone, which isn't as sad as it sounds. This may inspire some questions in your mind . . .

January 31, 2006

Miscellaneous Short Thoughts
Quick comments on American Fork City government, the law of gravity, Mr. Justice Alito, a couple of bills before the Utah Legislature, etc.

January 31, 2006

It's Science Fair Season
It's that time of the year again. You may wonder: Have the PC police, those self-appointed gurus of unfounded self-esteem, had any success denaturing the local science fair?

January 28, 2006

Readings
My favorite readings for the week, as usual. Titles range from "Biology's Revenge" to "Republican Skirts on Fire." Tributes to Mozart and to older brothers are included.

January 27, 2006

When Democracy Goes Bad
Thoughts on Palestinian democracy and its regrettable fruits.

January 25, 2006

Notes on Professionalism in American Fork City Government
Two quick observations about the spread of professionalism in American Fork City goverment.

January 24, 2006

How Can Part of the Constitution Be Unconstitutional?
Some propose the repeal of the 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which provides for the direct election of US Senators by the people of their states. At least a few of them call the amendment "unconstitutional." This doesn't seem to make sense . . . but we'll follow it where it leads.

January 21, 2006

This Week's Readings
Here's a hefty set of readings on everything from Judge Alito to Washington pork, from intelligent design to the Utah State Legislature.

January 20, 2006

The Funniest Thing I've Read on the Web in a Long Time
TMGAIHAA is the acronym. The site is "Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About." If you're at work or on a deadline, or if your doctor has advised you that uncontrollable laughter might be fatal, think twice before going there.

January 19, 2006

"Utah Rocks," or How to Spend a Billion Dollars
A quick look at major points in Governor Huntsman's refreshingly brief State of the State speech, delivered Tuesday evening.

January 17, 2006

Systems So Rigid We Don't Have to Use Our Brains
Long ago and in a hemisphere far, far away, I lived for a few months under a government that was even more rule-bound than our own. Almost every good thing I saw happen there happened in defiance of some rule, regulation, or law. A few years after that, the system collapsed under its own weight. The same thing may happen here, eventually.

January 16, 2006

Musings and Readings on the Quality of Teachers
More would be quite wonderful, but most children can probably get by with just several effective, motivating teachers scattered through their school years -- just enough that they learn to learn, and learn to love learning. This brief discussion includes links to some further discussion of teacher quality, which seems to suggest that in the present system a child is lucky to have those several fine teachers at all.

January 14, 2006

Good Readings (Not Super-Sized, This Time)
Good writing on such topics as the Alito hearing, the Abramoff scandal (which could be a real problem for some folks), Prime Minister Sharon, an attempt to restrict political speech by bloggers and on talk radio, economics, Katrina, and, of all things, the JFK assassination. Authors include familiar faces George Will, Jeff Jacoby, Charles Krauthammer, and Thomas Sowell, among others.

January 13, 2006

Real Progress Is Often Slow, and Other Thoughts
Random thoughts on nuisance abatement, the Daily Herald's new Web site, pipe organs made locally, etc.

January 12, 2006

An Unsolicited Referral
I was going to blog today on a topic of my own, but then I read this post by DaltonGirl. I suggest you read hers today, not mine, especially if your child attends Barratt Elementary in American Fork.

January 11, 2006

Selected Readings (Catching Up, Part II)
More catching up, including items of local interest, comic relief, and much more.

January 10, 2006

The Rule of Law, or 'Living' Is Libspeak for 'Dead'
Our question today is, "Is the US Constitution a living document or not?"

January 9, 2006

Selected Readings (Catching Up, Part I)
It has been a while since I did this. Some of these pieces are a few weeks old -- but still good enough to merit attention . . .

January 5, 2006

Things to Watch for in American Fork
I suppose that quite a number of American Fork residents who are interested in their city government, as I am, are watching the new Mayor and partly-new City Council . . .

January 4, 2006

The Daily Herald's Web Site: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
Generally speaking, for the past few years the Provo Daily Herald's Web site has been excrucriatingly slow and difficult to use. Now there's a new look and better performance.

January 2, 2006

The Peaceful Transfer of Power
In our democratic republic, we take for granted the peaceful transfer of power to duly elected leaders, as if it were the norm in world history. It's not. . . . Today I watched it in American Fork.

January 2, 2006

Happy New (Blog) Year!
The 2005 blogging year ended for me much sooner than I intended. . . . Here are some thoughts on stuff that happened during my unexpectedly long absence from the blogosphere.

December 9, 2005

Smart Stuff to Read
Steven Spielberg, Republican moral cowardice, Peggy Noonan on Iraq, and a good piece on immigration reform.

December 7, 2005

Recommended Readings
Recommended readings on Iraq, the President, Wal-Mart, abortion, Stanley "Tookie" Williams, the 2008 presidential election, good books, oil company profits, "stupidization," and more.

December 6, 2005

A Musical Memory, Circa Christmas 1981

December 5, 2005

A Minor League Team, er, Symphony, Is a Good Thing

December 5, 2005

My First American Fork Symphony Concert

December 2, 2005

If These Aren't Weapons of Mass Destruction . . .

November 25, 2005

A Splendid Evening of Music in American Fork

November 23, 2005

Look Out for This Grinch

November 19, 2005

The Music School and a (Crescent) Super Band

November 18, 2005

How Would You Vote?

November 16, 2005

Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Another Noteworthy Bit of Progress

November 15, 2005

The President's Veterans Day Speech

November 12, 2005

Local Gasoline Prices, a Pleasant Political Escape, and Good Readings on Many Topics

November 11, 2005

Grandpa and Veterans Day

November 9, 2005

Notes on the Election

November 8, 2005

Election Day Miscellany and Two Related Thoughts

November 7, 2005

Endorsements

November 5, 2005

One Part Shallow Fairness, One Part Ineptitude, One Part Malice

November 5, 2005

Campaign Ads and Slogans That Didn't Make the Cut

November 4, 2005

Good Readings: Plamegate, Picking Judges, More Judges, and the Problem with Second Terms

November 3, 2005

Now It's Dirty

November 3, 2005

Blogus Interruptus, and Some Housekeeping

November 2, 2005

Miscellaneous Notes on American Fork's Campaign Season

October 31, 2005

Good, Recent Readings

October 28, 2005

One Last Round with American Fork Mayoral Candidates

October 27, 2005

More Good Readings

October 26, 2005

Iraq, Iraq, and Stuff to Read

October 22, 2005

Three Bad Ideas Which Sound Good

October 22, 2005

Three Philosophical Matters about Representative Local Government

October 21, 2005

I Met the City Council Candidates (Again)

October 20, 2005

Eating Pizza in the Public Library with Candidates

October 19, 2005

Some Overdue Housekeeping: Commander in Chief, Open Meeting Statutes, a Flyer, and Selecting a New Police Chief (Not Necessarily in That Order)

October 18, 2005

Meet the Remaining Candidates, PTA Style, Part II

October 17, 2005

Meet the Remaining Candidates, PTA Style, Part I

October 15, 2005

A Spectrum of Political Courage

October 15, 2005

Good Readings, Various Topics

October 14, 2005

Questions I'd Like to Hear Tonight

October 13, 2005

In Praise of Local Candidates Who Blog

October 12, 2005

Big Personnel Decisions at American Fork City

October 11, 2005

What Mitt Romney Has Learned and Bill Bennett Hasn't

October 10, 2005

Newsweek on Joseph Smith and the Mormons

October 7, 2005

President Bush's Great Speech on the War: Better Late than Never

October 6, 2005

Rocky Anderson Has His Own Brand of Intolerance
Let's hear it for Mayor Rocky, whose campaign to become a major national political (cartoon) figure is going just fine, thank you, if his goal is to become the next Al Sharpton. . . .

October 4, 2005

Small and Large Surprises in American Fork Primary Election Results

October 4, 2005

I Voted. So Should You.

October 3, 2005

Party Affiliations of Local Candidates

September 30, 2005

A Puzzling LeBaron Campaign Strategy

September 29, 2005

I Met Even More Candidates, Part II (Or Is It V?)

September 29, 2005

I Met Even More Candidates, Part I (Or Is It IV?)

September 28, 2005

More Good Reads (and Procrastinating the President)

September 27, 2005

Silly Symbols (and Good Stuff to Read)

September 26, 2005

American Fork's Broadband Internet Revisited

September 23, 2005

I Met the Candidates, Part III: Contenders

September 23, 2005

I Met the Candidates, Part II: Harold Smith, a Special Case

September 23, 2005

I Met the Candidates, Part I: General Impressions and the Also-Rans

September 21, 2005

American Fork's Campaign Finance Rules More Rational than USA's

September 20, 2005

Math, Meyer, Manager, and I Can't Find a Word for UN that Starts with "M"

September 19, 2005

Miscellaneous Thoughts, Local and Larger

September 17, 2005

Counting Voters Brought a Pleasant Surprise

September 16, 2005

A Local Note, and Readings on John Roberts, Crisis Management and Katrina, Poverty, the Constitution, and China

September 14, 2005

Things They're Saying

September 12, 2005

The John Roberts Inquisition, Plus Good Stuff to Read

September 10, 2005

Scrambled Eggs and Boiled Spinach (or Why Primary Elections Matter)

September 9, 2005

Post-Katrina Notes, Some Local

September 7, 2005

Responsibility Starts at the Bottom, not the Top

September 6, 2005

Katrina and Contrasts

September 2, 2005

Evil People Doing Evil Things

September 1, 2005

Price Controls Are a Stupid Idea. Don't Fall for Them.

August 31, 2005

LaVaughn, LaVerl, Hurricane Katrina, and the International Community

August 30, 2005

On China, Mostly

August 29, 2005

Noteworthy Writing on Iraq

August 27, 2005

The West Wing

August 24, 2005

Internet Access at Home and Abroad (Mostly at Home)

August 22, 2005

Flooded Basements in Mountain Meadows Are a Bigger Problem for the City than for Homeowners

August 18, 2005

Yes, I Would Vote for a Druid

August 17, 2005

Good News for American Fork: A Strong Field of Mayoral Candidates

August 16, 2005

About Bullies: Look Out for That Passive Voice

August 15, 2005

American Fork Candidates

August 9, 2005

How's That Again?

July 29, 2005

4-H Talent Show at the Utah County Fair, A Year Later

July 22, 2005

An Assortment: From Art and Language to Constitutional Law and Foreign Policy

July 21, 2005

No, We're Not Trading Park Land (This Time)

July 19, 2005

54th with an Asterisk

July 9, 2005

Revising Doctrinal Classics, or Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

July 6, 2005

How Much Dependency Is Too Much?

July 1, 2005

A Busy Day at the Blog, Part III: The Unnatural Spring in Downtown American Fork

July 1, 2005

A Busy Day at the Blog, Part II: Justice O'Connor's Resignation

July 1, 2005

A Busy Day at the Blog, Part I: Krauthammer on Foreign Policy

June 30, 2005

Maybe They're not Completely Tone-Deaf, and Two Brief Notes on the War in Iraq

June 30, 2005

American Fork Police Chief Terry Fox Resigns

June 29, 2005

What Goes Around Comes Around: Justice Souder's Pretty Piece of New Hampshire

June 24, 2005

Recycling Really Is Coming to American Fork

June 23, 2005

On Manners

June 22, 2005

"We Won the War in Iraq"

June 20, 2005

Barack Obama's Great Speech

June 18, 2005

The Great American Fork Chili Cook-off, and Dick Durbin and John McCain Cook Off, Too

June 17, 2005

Good Articles for Father's Day

June 16, 2005

Goodbye, Joan, You Were My Favorite

June 8, 2005

John Kerry's Grades

June 3, 2005

Language Matters in Politics, and Fact-Checking Matters in Journalism

May 27, 2005

Miscellany

May 24, 2005

As I Was Saying . . .

May 20, 2005

The Un-Democratic Party and Its Imaginary Right Not to Lose

May 19, 2005

That Billboard on Main Street, American Fork

May 16, 2005

The Newsweek Dilemma

May 13, 2005

Immigration, the War on Terror, and a National ID

May 11, 2005

Common Sense: How not to Be Poor

May 9, 2005

Good Reading on Social Security

May 2, 2005

My Ideal Candidate for Mayor of American Fork - Part IV

April 30, 2005

My Ideal Candidate for Mayor of American Fork - Part III

April 28, 2005

My Ideal Candidate for Mayor of American Fork - Part II

April 26, 2005

My Ideal Candidate for Mayor of American Fork, Part I

April 22, 2005

Earth Day and Recycling in American Fork

April 19, 2005

Parenting, Social Security, and Pope John Paul II

April 16, 2005

Thoughts for the Day After Yesterday

April 11, 2005

Redefining "Quarterly" - Again

April 8, 2005

Glam Rock Meets Home Teaching

April 5, 2005

Gambling vs. Investment

April 2, 2005

A Christian Hero, a Modern Giant Has Left Us

March 31, 2005

Thoughts on the Late Terri Schiavo

March 29, 2005

An Uncertain, Potentially Ominous Signal

March 22, 2005

The Weird Arts in American Fork, Revisited

March 8, 2005

Moosebutter: A Local Cultural Icon

March 3, 2005

Bill Gates on Education

February 28, 2005

Garage Jumping

February 25, 2005

Zeal Without Knowledge

February 23, 2005

Tom Hunter Goes, Jimmie Cates Comes

February 22, 2005

New to Me: Joel on Software

February 17, 2005

Another Lawsuit (Now It's Solicitors)

February 16, 2005

Petty Tyranny Loses by a Narrow Margin

February 15, 2005

Developer Sues American Fork City

February 8, 2005

They're Not Helping the Children

February 2, 2005

Groundhog Day and the State of the Union

January 31, 2005

It's Time to Save the Harrington School

January 19, 2005

The Greatest Inaugural Speech, IMO

November 18, 2004

Supporting Our Troops

November 17, 2004

Mormons, Abortion Policy, Harry Reid

November 4, 2004

Political Miscellany

November 3, 2004

Dignity and Grace

November 3, 2004

It Could Have Been a Lot Worse

November 2, 2004

How I Voted, and Some Predictions

November 1, 2004

Christmas Already?

October 29, 2004

Bin Laden Weighs In

October 15, 2004

Our Madrid

October 14, 2004

On Shortages of Leadership and Flu Vaccines

October 8, 2004

Some Loose Ends

October 6, 2004

Kerry/Edwards Should Worry About This Undecided Voter

October 5, 2004

Must Reading

October 5, 2004

What I Wish President Bush Had Said, Part II

October 4, 2004

What I Wish President Bush Had Said

October 2, 2004

Watching the Presidential Debate: First Impressions

October 1, 2004

I Haven't Watched the Debate Yet

September 30, 2004

The Electoral College

September 27, 2004

Paul Hamm, the Court, and Election 2000 Revisited

September 24, 2004

A Polite Young Pedestrian

September 21, 2004

A New Psychic in American Fork

September 16, 2004

A Half-Baked Story about a Half-Baked Poll

September 15, 2004

More Moore

September 15, 2004

Michael Moore at UVSC

September 14, 2004

Thinly-Veiled Mayoral Contempt for the People

September 13, 2004

Quarterly Is Every Three Months, Except at the IRS

September 11, 2004

Looking Back: 9/11, Part Two

September 10, 2004

Looking Back: 9/11, Part One

September 8, 2004

We Passed 1000 Casualties a Long Time Ago

September 6, 2004

If Modern Islam is a Peaceful Religion, Where's the Outrage?

September 3, 2004

A Prediction: Bush by Enough

September 2, 2004

Campaign Finance: Last Day for What?

September 1, 2004

Stylianos Kyriakides

August 31, 2004

Lies, D*** Lies, and Statistics: Charter Schools, AFT, and NAEP

August 27, 2004

An Israeli Spy? A CBS Spy? Both?

August 24, 2004

It's Bush/Gore 2000 All Over Again

August 23, 2004

Whatever Happened to the Greenwood Neighbors Initiative?

August 20, 2004

Nuisance Abatement in American Fork

August 19, 2004

It's Too Good to Be True If . . .

August 18, 2004

Kerry's Promise

August 13, 2004

"Hello, Freedom Man"

August 12, 2004

An Old Warning which Sounds Very New

August 9, 2004

Oil Prices in Real Dollars Aren't So High

August 5, 2004

Summer Reading: Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina"

August 4, 2004

On Splitting the Alpine School District

August 3, 2004

Mormon Satire: The Sugar Beet, RIP

August 2, 2004

The Dark Side of Universal Suffrage

July 31, 2004

Contrast: A Public School Ponzi Scheme and the Emperor's New Math

July 30, 2004

The Arts in Utah Valley: A Microcosm

July 29, 2004

Democratic National Convention

July 28, 2004

Democratic National Convention

July 27, 2004

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