The federal economic stimulus was an incredibly controversial topic here on “For the People” for a number of weeks. And likewise, much of the nation reflected a similar divide during the initial days of its conception, with both sides convinced either way.

The truth about the stimulus is that we really won’t know whether it “worked” or not for at least a few more years; many of its provisions are designed to go into effect in the future, anyway.

Nevertheless, a substantial amount of federal money has already found its way to state and local governments across the nation, and Utah is no exception.

The question will inevitably arise, are these funds truly stimulating the economy? Or are they wasteful?

This article in the Salt Lake Tribune does well to probe that discussion:

Utah’s transit cops have a new mode of travel, thanks to the federal stimulus program.

Officers patrolling downtown Salt Lake City TRAX platforms and FrontRunner commuter-rail parking lots now are whizzing around on Segway electric scooters. The agency spent $7,900 apiece for six of the two-wheeled, upright gadgets, with all of the money coming through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Federal Transit Administration‘s rules for disbursing the money required that part of it go to security, UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter said, and the Utah agency spent its share on the Segways.

“It’s a very quick and easy way for officers to move around downtown and also patrol the parking lots and FrontRunner,” Carpenter said.

But it’s further evidence of frivolous government waste to critics of the $787 billion stimulus spending.

“Sounds like they got some fun toys,” said state Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland. “Wouldn’t bicycles be more effective? If they’re talking downtown Salt Lake, bikes would be healthier and more cost-effective.”

Not that Dougall would support federal dollars for bikes, which UTA cops already had before the stimulus grant.

“The whole concept, that somehow D.C. is going to ride in and stimulate things, is just ludicrous,” he said. “They overtax and pile up debt for our kids and grandkids.”

The Davis County Sheriff’s Office drew fire earlier for buying a $24,000 Harley-Davidson with

Officers not using Segways sometimes enter trains for random fare checks, but more often they drive between them responding to calls.

What do you think, stimulus or waste?

- Marc

Utah House Speaker Dave Clark has a request on his blog for people to submit ideas for better state government.

Wanted: 100 Ideas For Better State Government by July 24th

I challenge all Utahns to accept the responsibility for Utah’s future by submitting 100 innovative ideas for better state government. The ideas should keep in mind these 3 points:

1. The ideas should focus on the real challenges and anxieties of the day-to-day lives of Utahns.
2. The ideas should be forward looking, envisioning a Utah that will serve our children and grandchildren.
3.The ideas should not fixate on anti-government thinking or on expanding the role of government, but should instead consider anti-waste measures.

Will you accept his challenge? Don’t let the bold ideas in your heart fall silent. Give life to innovative notions and help us chart a better, brighter course for Utah’s future.

Ideas can be submitted directly to utahmatters@utah.gov or to any member of the Utah State House of Represenatives.

The most important issue facing Utah today is the future!

Good story in the SL Trib today about Utah Valley University and its “perfect storm” of budget cuts and enrollment growth that are impeding its meteoric (or mediocre?) progress from a trade school for high school students to a “university.”

An influx of students coming back for education coupled with budget cuts to create a situation where there are too many students, not enough faculty and not enough space at the school.

In short, UVU has gotten too big for its britches.

And while this will cause problems for UVU, other schools in the state also are suffering or will continue to suffer as a result of state lawmakers’ shortsightedness in allowing UVU to grow so rapidly. A school like USU, which offers a far superior level of education, suffers because the school to the south siphons off funding, using the excuse that they’re fulfilling a service for an underserved growing area.

What it turns out to be at the end of the day is a ton of money going to an extremely mediocre institution, allowing said mediocre institution to provide a half assed education to its students, while the other schools in the state suffer and thus have to provide a less quality education to students.

In short, UVU is a major thorn in the tookus of every other school in the state of Utah.

Source: UVU’s perfect storm? Budget cuts, enrollment growth stall progress – Salt Lake Tribune.

Often, the “TEA party-people” (yes, I purposefully avoided the term made famous by pundits) are accused of being “extreme” and “crazy” for believing that President Obama is promoting socialism in the US. While most may agree that this is going too far, it must be noted that this kind of slobber isn’t one-sided; it can be detected on both sides of the spectrum.

Earlier today, I read this comment from a reader of an article on UVU at the Salt Lake Tribune’s website:

EDIT: The picture I reference is on the front page of the site, not directly tied to the article – look for the “spotlight” shifting images field.

You know, none of this should surprise you when you see the Neofascistic LDS style of art in that painting it shows in the picture… it looks almost *exactly* like the kind of stuff I saw in Italy at the historical museum sites that documented the rise of Mussolini, and also like the socialistic worker’s paradise stylized garbage I saw in Moscow in 1989, and the material I’ve seen/read in studying the museum of obsolete history in Budapest. That’s exactly the kind of mindset they have down in Utah Valley…. I feel creeped out whenever I have to go there… if it weren’t for the Scottish Festivals in Lehi and Payson, I would NEVER set foot there.

Kosh was referring to both a graphic on the site and the article itself. Of course such “comments” are nothing new to the Salt Lake Tribune’s site, but this one kind of stood out to me.

Many Americans make themselves look absolutely ridiculous when they indulge in fabulous conspiracy theories… my personal favorite, that the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is conspiring to create a New World Order. Likewise, much of the anti-Obama rhetoric today reeks of the same kind of sensationalism which seemed to grip many liberals during Bush’s tenure. After all, how many times have we heard how Bush was like Hitler, and now how Obama is like Lenin or Che. Give me a break! I am not much of a fan of either man, but these dramatic comparisons are getting to be obnoxious.

Here in Utah, there are people who employ the same kind of absurd thinking… the LDS Church is seeking to establish some kind of fascist empire here in the West, beginning with Utah.

Yeah, most of us who have better things to do don’t pay much mind to this kind of talk. Yet then again, we should realize that there are people who actually believe this kind of stuff.

Are we so pathetic that we must dream up our own sensational reality? And no matter what sane people choose do with themselves, there will always be those who would much rather believe that Bush was Hitler, Obama is the Anti-Christ, and that the Mormon Church is experimenting with fascism.

- Marc

Everyone can contribute something to our community, nevertheless, there are those whose contributions are truly remarkable. Every day, a number of Cache Valley residents put their lives on the line in order to keep their fellow citizens safe and secure.

Sunday, Rhett Hellstern, a Logan fire captain received burns on his face after successfully extinguishing a car fire nearby the University.

From Cache Valley Daily:

A Logan fireman is healing today after suffering second- and third-degree burns while fighting a vehicle fire Sunday afternoon.

Fire Capt. Rhett Hellstern was on the scene at the vehicle fire near Mt. Logan Laundry at 500 East and 900 North. Logan Fire Chief Mark Meaker said crews had extinguished the fire when Hellstern was attempting to disconnect the battery on the vehicle, but fuel in the engine compartment reignited and a fire flashed up into Hellstern’s face.

Meaker said Monday that Hellstern was doing well, however, although he was still a little sore. Hellstern will be given some time off to recuperate form the injuries.

“We don’t want to have him exposed to another fire again until his skin has had a chance to heal,” Meaker said, noting that Hellstern would visit a plastic surgeon specialist to evaluate his injury.

Thankfully Capt. Hellstern wasn’t seriously injured, but we should all keep in mind that these individuals willingly risk their safety in order to help their neighbors. I think that Capt. Hellstern deserves our appreciation, as well as all the other firefighters from the various communities of this valley.

- Marc

Salt Lake Tribune:

“We are putting a bull’s-eye on the development of solar energy on our public lands,” Salazar said during an announcement with U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, of Nevada, in a courtyard shaded by a solar power array at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

He said the federal Bureau of Land Management plans to spend $22 million conducting studies of 24 tracts in the 670,000 acres of property he set aside in Nevada, Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. Posters displayed Monday showed sites north of Cedar City, in southern Nevada, Southern California east of San Diego, west of Phoenix, southwest of Pueblo, Colo., and around Las Cruces, N.M.

Monday’s announcement echoed Salazar’s order issued in March vowing a “moonshot for energy independence” that would propel solar, wind, geothermal and biomass projects ahead of oil and gas development.

At that time, Salazar said that even if the Southwest’s renewable zones excluded sensitive lands, enough area would remain to produce 88 percent of the West’s energy needs through solar alone.

“Propel solar, wind, geothermal and biomass projects ahead of oil and gas development.” I’ve been waiting a long time to hear that.

Is out.

Dick Cheney on Washington Times Radio (via National Review):

But I think from the standpoint of the party, we’ve got some great talent out there, young people coming along that are going to do a superb job. I always remind people that in adversity, there’s opportunity. You get people like Paul Ryan from Wisconsin, Rob Portman from Ohio, Jon Huntsman from Utah and so forth. We’ve got some very talented folks coming along. And I think that it’s just a matter of time before the party begins to sort of  firm up around a few key individuals, and we’ll hear big things from them in the future.

Harry Caines forwarded this “Most Dangerous Neighborhoods” article along. It’s a list of the 25 places you probably don’t want to go late at night in the U.S.

Not surprisingly, Logan doesn’t have a neighborhood on the list (heh.)

This does raise an interesting question, however: Are there any bad neighborhoods in Logan? Driving through town Sunday night, this question was posed, and I’m prepared to say that there definitely is not a bad neighborhood in Logan.

But perhaps you would argue differently.

What about other areas of town? How far do you have to go to get to a bad neighborhood? Ogden? Salt Lake? Boise? Las Vegas?

And what defines “bad neighborhood?” Is it, as said before, somewhere you don’t want to walk through alone at night? Do different communities have different standards for bad neighborhoods?

Discuss.

One of the greatest features of American democracy is that each of us is equal before the law. Not only are we equal in terms of the rights that are protected, but we are also equal in terms of punishment. Justice is blind, or at least it is supposed to be. Whether prince or pauper, we believe that persons who are accused of violating the law should be treated consistently.

Recently, Representative Carl Wimmer (R-Herriman) sought to have Francine Giani, the head of the Utah Department of Commerce, fired for investigating Rick Koerber. Mr. Koerber is accused of running a ponzi scheme. Until recently, Rep. Wimmer considered Koerber his “friend”.

Rep. Wimmer arranged for Mr. Koerber to meet with Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.  Shurtleff chose not to prosecute Mr. Koerber. Rep. Wimmer also unsuccessfully attempted to arrange a meeting with Governor Huntsman. Previously, Rep. Wimmer claimed he did nothing more than attempt to arrange the meetings.  It now appears Rep. Wimmer lied.  According to emails obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune, Rep. Wimmer attempted to have the Department of Commerce head Francine Giani fired over the investigation.

Mr. Koerber argues the intervention on his behalf was necessary because the Department used abusive tactics in the investigation.  Mr. Koerber claims to be a victim.  If Mr. Koerber is a victim, he can prove it in court. Evidence obtained against him illegally or coercively will be excluded. Other abuses can be addressed in civil court.   Incidentally, Mr. Koerber was indicted after U.S. Attorney for Utah Bret Tolman conducted his own separate investigation.

When a politician cheats on his wife, the public is outraged. The word scandal is used. Resignations often follow. In the context of public service, Rep. Wimmer’s offense is far greater than an unfaithful spouse.

An unfaithful spouse betrays the trust of their partner.  An elected official who undermines the justice system on behalf of his cronies betrays the entire citizenry.

Rep. Wimmer deserves an opportunity to publicly explain himself in full.  Based on what we know so far, it appears Rep. Wimmer sought retribution against those individuals responsible for investigating whether the law has been violated.  It also seems Rep. Wimmer attempted to replace blind justice with his own political might and personal discretion. The people of Herriman and of Utah should not tolerate intimidation of investigators or political manipulation of our justice system.

This is about more than Rep. Wimmer and Rick Koerber.  It’s about the integrity of our justice system. Each of us counts on blind justice to protect us. What kind of state do you want to live in? One where accusations of fraud are adjudicated on the merits in court?  Or do you want to live in a state where “justice” is a function of nepotism?  How secure are the citizens of Utah if an alleged criminal can avoid accountability because his friends in high places can make heads roll?

Via The Nation:

There are no seasons in the American supermarket. In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner explains what this means as he lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, the USDA and FDA.

From: L.G.

To: Tyler Riggs

Subject: For the People

I just turned the radio off because I can’t listen to you for another minute, I’m not a fan of the president and I think that everything he is doing is to destroy our country and for him to establish ihimself as our “king”, he’s not a “king” he’s a president, I hope that we only have 4 years of him. I can’t listen to one more word out our your mouth about Global warning, there are just as many on the other side of the debate that says it isn’t happening, but you never bring that up, the government is getting way too much power and I don’t understand why you can’t see that.  I do not wish to give them one more penny of the money I earn to help them stop global warning which I don’t believe in, maybe you’d like to pay my share.  And yes, the company will pass it on to me too, so I’ll get to pay twice, and when we don’t “Buy American” anymore because we can’t afford it, the companies will take their jobs to India or China.  I’ve had enough, I won’t be a listener any longer.

Have a GREAT day,

Discovery News:

June 25, 2009 — A robotic surgeon at Duke University has successfully found and guided a needle to a sliver of steel shrapnel, completely without human help. The technology could reduce the cost and time necessary to complete a biopsy and other surgical operations.

“Eventually you could have a ten-dollar biopsy done inside in a supermarket,” said Steve Smith, a doctor at Duke University and co-author of a paper describing the work in the journal IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control.

“Today that same biopsy would cost about $1,000,” said Smith.

watch?v=zSVCDgth4ik&feature=channel

Following the death of Brian Cardall in a roadside tasering, a St. George panel is asking law enforcers to discontinue taser use.  Salt Lake Tribune:

A citizen review panel in southern Utah’s Washington County is asking law enforcement agencies to stop using Tasers until an investigation into the death of 32-year-old Brian Cardall — who was shocked twice with a Taser on a highway earlier this month –is completed.

The St.George Citizens Review Panel includes a former Nevada corrections officer, a former Los Angeles police officer and a St.George attorney among its members. The group contacted the Hurricane Police Department last week to ask Police Chief Lynn Excell to put a “temporary moratorium on Taser use,” said Ronald Smith and Antonio Calderon, who are members of the panel.

Excell told Smith he won’t ban Taser use as the Washington County Critical Incident Task Force continues to investigate events leading up to Cardall’s death on June 9, Smith said Wednesday.

But that’s not stopping the citizen review panel, which is considering legal action against the Hurricane Police Department and may ask for a temporary injunction from the court to keep Tasers from officers until the county’s investigation is complete.

The Cardall incident is a tragedy.  But in numerous other situations, tasers have proven to save lives, offering officers an option other than drawing their guns to diffuse a situation safely, and without permanent harm to those involved.   In fact, the Center for Investigative Journalism has collected hundreds of studies on taser use, and reports:

As of Nov. 4, Taser International cited 206 studies on electronic control devices, commonly known as Tasers. Most are favorable to the company. Taser devices have been used on more than 1.3 million people, according to company estimates. And while Amnesty International counts more than 340 deaths since 2001 in North America following police use of Tasers, that amounts to less than 0.03 percent of all Taser exposures.

If that percentage is accurate, are tragedies like that of 32 year old Cardall outweighed by the millions of incidents where tasers provide a non-lethal option to law enforcement?  Or are the 1.3 million taser incidents reported a sign that law enforcement might be often using a tool who’s effects we don’t fully understand?

CIJ has made several taser studies available on the web page.

Just thought I’d share this because it was kind of funny. There are some pretty dumb laws on the books here in Utah.

Dumb Laws in Utah. Crazy Utah Laws. We have weird laws, strange laws, and just plain crazy laws!.

City Weekly has really led the reporting charge on the Rick Koerber ponzi scheme, and Rep. Carl Wimmer’s questionable ties.  It’s been quite a story to follow.

With his Free Capitalist army backing him up, Koerber is not going it alone in his legal battles. However, since word of the indictment first came down, a number of pals have tiptoed away from the Alpine businessman and his crusades against state regulators, including Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, and Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.

According to Koerber, Wimmer arranged a meeting in the spring of 2007 between Koerber and the state’s top lawyer. And, while Shurtleff has admitted to meeting with Koerber even while Koerber was the subject of a state securities investigation, Shurtleff says the meeting was harmless.

However, according to Koerber’s May 29 press release, Shurtleff openly criticized the very investigators looking into Koerber and the head of the Utah Department of Commerce.

In various recent media accounts, Rep. Wimmer characterizes his relationship with Koerber not as friends but as an elected official to a citizen. However, in speaking with City Weekly in July 2008, the words Wimmer used to describe his relationship with Koerber were: “A friend and an associate.”

Wimmer came to know Koerber when he enrolled as a student in Koerber’s American Founder’s University. Wimmer also has appeared on at least three occasions between 2007 and 2008 on Koerber’s “Free Capitalist” radio show, formerly aired on K-Talk 630 radio, from his studios in Provo. More recently, Wimmer was a speaker at the April 2009 Free Capitalist Conference, along with Paul Mero, director of the conservative think tank The Sutherland Institute.

Koerber pled not guilty to all charges stemming from a federal indictment issued in May.  Koerber is accused of crafting a $100 million scheme using new investor money to pay off older investors.  Rep. Carl Wimmer is accused (by me, not the courts, unfortunately) of being a moron for trying to use his influence as a legislator to stop the investigation of his “friend” and “associate.”  From Warchol’s Salt Lake Crawler:

The Tribune‘s Robert Gehrke has obtained emails from Wimmer through an open records request that show the Herriman Republican tried to go directly to Gov. Jon Huntsman to halt what he called “witch hunting” of “my friend” Koerber. He also asked Huntsman to fire Commerce Director Francine Giani, left, whose agency was investigating Koerber. In an email to Tani Downing, the governor’s general counsel, he said:

“The governor needs to know the depth of what is happening here … it’s enormous.”

Huntsman didn’t meet with Wimmer, but Wimmer gave Downing a packet of information prepared by Koerber.

Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News have more coverage of the goings on.  Not surprisingly, Deseret News makes no mention of the Shurtleff or Wimmer ties to Koerber.  (Liberal media bias!)