Salt City Sinner

Posted on 3/18/2014 by the Salt City Sinner Salutations, brothers and sisters! As you may have heard , Mia Love has officially filed her papers to run for Utah's Fourth Congressional District in a bid to replace Jim Matheson, who will not be seeking re-election to an eighth ( ! ) term. Love is the former mayor of Saratoga Springs, and rose to national attention when she tossed some red meat to the good folks at the 2012 Republican National Convention. That same year, she ran against Matheson for his seat in the 4th and narrowly lost. In the past, Salt City Sinner has outlined her thoughtful and very sane budget plan, and even endorsed her for Salt Mine Grand Vizier, so it was not entirely a surprise when one of Love's staffers – writing under the nomme de faux MakerNotTaker1776 – leaked an advance copy of four action items Love intends to immediately pursue upon election (in appreciation for this HOT HOT HOT tip, Salt City Sinner has buried a payment of US $1,000 – in ...

posted 9/4/2012 by the Salt City Sinner Mia Love has become quite the interesting Republican as of late. Recently elected Mayor of Sarasota Springs, Utah, she gave an enthusiastically received speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL. Go ahead and watch the whole thing: What makes Love worthy of attention in this, Your Journal of Note, is that she is both the first black female mayor in Utah's history, a noted wingnut, and a figure we're likely to see quite a bit of in Utah's future. Let's break that down. First black female Mayor in Utah's history - that's solid. A noted wingnut? In a mailer that my parents got from Jason Chaffetz AND Mia Love (bonus!) looking for funds, Chaffetz headlined his letter "Dear Fellow Conservatives,..." while Mia courageously titled her follow-up "Dear Patriots,..." Ms. Love went on to assail President Obama as the "Food Stamp President," which is (forgive the phrase) p...

Posted 8/27/12 by Law Nerd. (tl;dr summary for our philistine readers: see title--constitution/SCOTUS says) My apologies to any readers who for some bizarre reason were looking forward to another of my legal rants after my last . I graduated, then studied and sat for the Vermont bar exam, and I offer no further excuse above that. I have sprouted knobbly little legal wings, and hope to be a fledgling attorney in a few months. Results are out in September.  Job as "not-yet-licensed junior associate to whom all your difficult cases are belong" begins in one week. Unless you've been living under a bridge and growing troll-like protuberances, you've heard of Rep. Todd Akin's (R-MO) recent shenanigans in the world of reproductive rights.  Specifically, I refer to Rep. Akins' " misogynist claptrap ," in which the Senate-hopeful attempted to distinguish legitimate rape (from what I know not, though we did   later learn  that he actually meant "...

"Hey, Charles! It's super cool that you've been at Pioneer Park and elsewhere taking pictures of a growing, self-sustaining movement of serious activists and also the two or three dudes rocking Guy Fawkes masks, but what is going on with that whole 'redistricting' thing? Have we figured out the creative and amusing way in which the Utah GOP has decided to slip a shiv into the vitals of local Democrats?" I'm glad you asked! I admit that of late I've neglected this story a bit, and my apologies. The "good" news is that the redistricting process has made little-to-no progress, and is slowly unfolding like a repulsive strip tease performed by a fat, drunken clown. Lee Davidson of the Salt Lake Tribune provides some illumination : Lawmakers began a Redistricting Committee hearing on Friday in a stalemate over how to redraw congressional districts. They ended it that way, too.   But in between, Democrats and reform groups zinged Repu...

A quick update: since my last posts on the Utah Legislature's redistricting plan for 2011 (first crafted by a fair and impartial committee of 14 Republicans and 5 Democrats): at the request of Governor Gary Herbert, the State Senate has redrawn their initially proposed plan for how to divide and/or conquer Salt Lake City. The shabby treatment that Salt Lake City is receiving at the sausage-fingered hand of rural legislators is now being referred to as the "pizza slice" plan or plans - as in, "we will carve up Salt Lake's population of liberals, homosexuals and anarchists into manageable slices, and then devour them." The mix is ostensibly intended to "create districts with a mixture of urban and rural population(s)." I don't think it would be telling any secrets to note that I'm opposed to any plan that breaks up the urban population to consolidate even more power in the hands of the Utah GOP. This action by the Leg means tha...

This morning's episode of Good Morning Utah featured an amusing update from failed gubernatorial candidate Morgan Philpot on one of the more idiotic conspiracy theories I've heard lately. Given a 15 - 4 majority on the Redistricting Committee, a 55 - 20 majority in the House, a 21 - 8 majority in the Senate, the Governorship, and a 4-1 lead in the United States Congress, what would the logical appraisal of this situation be for the Utah Republican Party? If you guessed "whine and bitch like a bunch of cranky toddlers," you are a winner! As GMU has been telling us (with a little help from Carl Wimmer ), Herbert is apparently afraid of a confrontation with Jim Matheson, the lone "Democrat" representing Utah in the House of Representatives. Matheson, you see, has threatened to run for...er....Governor, or Senator, or something... if the current redistricting scheme puts him out of a job. It has been reliably hilarious to watch political cannibals like O...

I noted in a previous entry that Utah's hit comedy reality show, "Government," had missed a major opportunity for partisan laughter recently. It seems that, given the chance to shaft our state's Democratic minority by eliminating one state congressional seat on Salt Lake City's West Side (for you non-Utahns, the West Side is Salt Lake City's most ethnically and economically diverse community) to create an extra one in Utah County, Utah Republicans blinked. Consider that mistake corrected. From Lisa Roche, writing for KSL : Utah State Democratic Party Chairman Jim Dabakis said Wednesday the party will take the state to court unless Republicans back away from a controversial new congressional  map ... Democrats have data showing that while roughly 40 percent of Utahns vote Democratic, the party holds on average less than 30 percent of elected offices. The lawyers' memo suggests that the court look for "partisan symmetry" between votes cast an...

There is nothing to add to this, except a very brief introduction. The exchange at the September 12th "Tea Party" Republican primary debate in question, in case there is any question of “exaggeration” or “misrepresentation,” is here: Susan from 29 's post ***is here*** , and I recommend you read it in its entirety there. What follows is an almost full excerpt intended to encourage anyone who finds it moving, thought-provoking, or worthwhile to read the whole thing. Feel free to leave comments for Susan as well, to let you know your thoughts are with her. I cannot remember the last time that a post made me feel as intensely emotional as Susan from 29's. That Was My Brother's Death You Were Cheering, You Assholes   To all of those tea-jadist assholes at last night’s GOP debate: I don’t generally like to use profanity, but I fear that English is above your comprehension level, so in terms you might better understand, may God damn your worthl...

What is it about these GOP types and their tube meats? Rick Perry goes to town ...

The Wall Street Journal has come to Rick Perry's defense regarding his statements on Ben Bernanke (statements that some, including Andrew Sullivan, have interpreted as threats). From the Journal : Let's stipulate that Mr. Perry, in his first week on the Presidential stump, was wrong to use the words "almost treacherous, treasonous" in referring to Mr. Bernanke. Both of those words ought to be reserved for specific acts of betrayal against America, and the Fed chief is certainly a patriot. In particular, "treason" is the only crime specifically defined in the Constitution, which is something a tea party politician ought to learn. On the other hand, everybody knows Mr. Perry meant no literal harm and was indulging the irrational exuberance that is one of his trademarks. The faux-outrage from liberals who routinely refer to the tea party as "terrorists" shouldn't be taken seriously. The WSJ can get bent for referring to "liberals wh...

Michele Bachmann is an outspoken critic of federal spending, an advocate of old-school, conservative self-reliance, and someone who never misses an opportunity to take a potshot at that perennial right-wing boogeyman, the Federal government. Let's take her at her words : "I want my candidacy for the presidency of the United States to stand for a moment when we the people, stand once again for the independence from a government that has gotten too big and spends too much and has taken away too much of our liberties." "During my first term in Congress, I signed a pledge that I will take no more earmarks and I've been faithful to that pledge." "During the last 100 days we have seen an orgy. It would make any local smorgasbord embarrassed if you looked at this spending orgy we’ve seen in Washington." Solid, conservative statements from a candidate who can be counted on to turn back the tide of federal encroachment, no? Unfortunately, as is...

" Perry: We'd Lynch Bernanke In Texas " reads Andrew Sullivan's ominous headline. Think Progress states : Governor Rick Perry, who entered the presidential campaign on Saturday, appeared to suggest a violent response would be warranted should Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke “print more money” between now and the election. Speaking just now in Iowa, Perry said, “If this guy prints more money between now and the election, I dunno what y’all would do to him in Iowa but we would treat him pretty ugly down in Texas. Printing more money to play politics at this particular time in American history is almost treasonous in my opinion.” Treason is a capital offense. This is just ridiculous. There are plenty of reasons to oppose Rick Perry (he believes that Social Security is unconstitutional and has flirted with secessionism) without putting words in his mouth and blowing a statement he made completely out of proportion. It reminds me of the "Al Gore invented ...

So we've apparently got a "deal" for the debt ceiling in the hopper. From CNN : After weeks of bipartisan negotiations, President Barack Obama said congressional leaders agreed to a plan that would lift the nation's $14.3 trillion debt ceiling and avoid an unprecedented default on the nation's debt -- if, that is, members of Congress vote to approve the agreement. *golf clap* This isn't even a done deal, as this monstrosity still has to navigate both chambers of Congress (with the Senate expected to start work today) before we get a finished product. So far, this debacle seems to have followed the same depressing pattern: 1.) Obama suggests a piece of legislation 2.) Republicans and Blue Dogs lock arms to shriek NO NO NO NO NO no matter what the content of the bill is. 3.) Obama gives in. 4.) See step 2. 5.) Obama gives in some more. 6.) See step 2. 7.) Obama scraps anything that progressives and/or liberals liked about the legislation in the first place, and ...

Orrin Hatch appears to be in a bit of a pickle. From the Salt Lake Tribune : In an appearance on cable television Friday, Sen. Orrin Hatch said he believed Congress would avoid the nation’s first default by agreeing to a short-term extension of the government’s debt limit, a move he supported. But just hours later, the senator from Utah gave a speech on the Senate floor reiterating his previous pledge to oppose any increase that is not tied to the passage of a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. The seemingly contradictory statements came on the same day that the Senate killed Hatch’s preferred option — what the Republicans have dubbed their "cut, cap and balance" bill, supported by all five of Utah’s members of Congress, including Democrat Jim Matheson. I feel for Hatch. Like many fiscal issues right now, the debt ceiling debate left reality a little while ago, and now the Tea Party/far right is forcing Hatch to take a position (telegraphed by his speech in the Se...

The national coverage of the GOP primary so far has focused on Michele Bachmann (largely already seen as the front-runner*) and Sarah Palin (because she's a snowbilly grifter and the queen of smug, sullen media-baiting). Local coverage: exclusively John Huntsman and Mitt Romney, with church-owned media (the D-news, Trib, KSL, etc.) leaning slightly in favor of Romney. Editor's Note: NONE OF THIS WILL MATTER IN SIX MONTHS. Who on Earth thought Obama stood a chance at first? *: if you have followed the horse race so far and noted that Michele Bachmann is being taken Very Seriously by some Very Serious People, then you are probably in my position: bloodshot eyes, voice hoarse from screaming, a thousand-yard-stare and trembling hands. If this has not been your reaction, please read Matt Taibbi's excellent write-up of Bachmann, available here (because Jann Wenner has been replaced by a cyborg replicant that understands the internet). Money quote: Close your eyes, take a deep br...

Mitt Romney is scheduled to make an appearance at legendary local burger pit Hire's Big H. Romney should be there around 3 PM. The predictable traffic apocalypse is going to be especially bad since Hire's sits on 4th South at 7th East, both of which are major rush hour pipelines. Try to avoid the area if you can - if you can't, hell, go grab a burger and see if you can get away with tousling Mitt's impressively immobile hairdo.

Mr. Sunshine sounds off on the first GOP Primary debate: The clear winner was Michele Bachmann, who kept her insanity bottled up very effectively, only lied once or twice, and made the rest of the group look like vacillating stooges. More on her in Rolling Stone next week. I can't wait! (Seriously, Bachmann and Glenn Beck are two minor obsessions of mine. Imagine how excited I get when she appears on old Glenndolf's show) I didn't watch the debate in its entirety, but I watched enough to know it was boring and horrible and chock-full of pandering. On the other hand, Ron Paul is doing his level best to make some headway with independents: [It was] hilarious watching Ron Paul sound off at length about the ins and outs of monetary policy while at least four or five of the other candidates stared nervously off in other directions, having absolutely no idea what the hell he was talking about. You can disagree with Paul about monetary policy - hell, I think he's nutty as a s...

The Tribune reports this morning that "sources" claim Rep. Jason Chaffetz is gearing up to take down Senator Orrin Hatch in the GOP Primary next year. Leaving aside Hatch's amusing histrionics* ("Waaaah! He promised not to run against me!"), I suppose it's not too early to start thinking about what it will mean for Utah if both of our Senators are Tea Party neophytes, more defined by their hardcore adherence to a strict ideological purity test than by political experience or work within the UT GOP machine. Well, that last actually sounds appealing, doesn't it? Couldn't the case be made that a little fresh blood, uncorrupted by the mutual back-scratching and deal-making that defines Utah politics? After all, one of Lee's early votes was to say "no" to the PATRIOT Act extension that both Democrats and Republicans fell into lockstep support of. I like that. I like that so damn much, it almost makes me forget that Lee's civil libertari...

I caught this via Paul Rolly this morning : Mike Ridgway has been an outspoken and obsessed pain in the neck for the Utah Republican Party for many years. He has taken over Republican meetings to call out what he believed were violations of party bylaws, unfair officer selection practices and cliques taking over the party. The result has been resolutions barring the former central committee member, legislative district chairman and U.S. Senate candidate from holding office in the party and even attending Republican meetings. Party leaders have justified the banishment by saying Ridgway has been too disruptive, and by pointing out the party is a private organization and can institute its own rules. Rolly's conclusion is right on the money: But what do you call it when it becomes increasingly apparent that the dominant political party can use the police and courts to harass someone its leaders don’t like?...Ridgway was summoned to the justice court in Lehi (Lehikistan?) Wednesday to ...

Well, this ought to be interesting. FreedomWorks (AKA " Team Astrotuf ") has endorsed one of Bob Bennett's challengers in the Republican primary, one Mike Lee . Via Marc Armbinder : The effort to oust Republican Sen. Bob Bennett (UT) in 2010 is gelling, a bit: the Dick Armey-led activist group FreedomWorks endorsed conservative candidate Mike Lee today at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, DC. This comes after the Club for Growth announced Jan.8 that it would oppose Bennett, while declining to endorse any of his potential challengers specifically... The semblance of unity here between FreedomWorks and the Club for Growth is significant: the Club for Growth injects millions into campaigns every cycle to back pro-business conservative candidates, while FreedomWorks tries to rouse grassroots activist support. They're ideologically similar: fiscal conservative, pro-business, small-government, and Ayn Randish. FreedomWorks has cultivated a close re...