Like so many college kids in America, they weren't going to sit through a SOTU speech without turning it into a drinking game. So it was that every time the president said a certain word ("terror," "enemy," "evil") or mangled the language ("nucular," "Zimbawe"), they bolted down a beverage. Of course, as Mormons, they had to stick to soda. They ingested heroic, indeed sickening, quantities of root beer, ginger ale and 7-Up, even the rather edgy Mountain Dew.

Osmond told television execs in Vegas that she's willing to share her own heartbreak — losing her house in a fire, succumbing to postpartum depression, divorcing and being a single, working mom to eight kids — to get a TV gig.

"Senator Barack Obama, perhaps, a biracial yuppie who is a member of a self-described "unashamedly black" and "unashamedly Christian" church? Even if the house magazine of that church voted last year to give an award to a man it said "truly epitomised greatness": Louis Farrakhan,... a veteran anti-Semite who describes white people as "blue-eyed devils" and Jews as "bloodsuckers." (Obama has disassociated himself from the award.)

"Mitt Romney - a devout believer in a religion which supposedly holds that the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve first got together was actually in, er, Missouri?"

"Maybe Jesus would prefer the former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, also an ordained Southern Baptist minister, who jokes that the 16 people he had executed while governor 'would hardly say I'm soft on crime' ?"

"Or Senator John McCain, a self-confessed adulterer shot down over Saigon while bombing a city in which he knew that men, women and children were living?"

"My feeling is that things are not going to change much, that the church is going to keep its very conservative positions on women's roles," said Margaret Toscano, a self-described feminist activist who was excommunicated in 2000 and teaches at the University of Utah.

Oda said he would discuss his bill after meeting with certain state officials.

He didn't mention any confabs at the LDS Church office building where Bogey's motto: "Doing everything in our power to separate you and your inhibitions..." won't play well.

"A vast audience knows, for example, that Hinckley was deeply involved in the Mark Hofmann (right) debacle that resulted in the murder of two innocent people. That he erected a monument to honor those killed by Mormons during the Mountain Meadows Massacre but made it clear that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accepted no responsibility."

A fan drove Tarantino into Park City in time to receive a "Visionary" award.

So why do we see idiotic time wasters like this:

HJR3, Rep. Kerry Gibson, that "reaffirms" the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

HCR2, Rep. Mike Morley, that would designate a Ronald Reagan Day.

Romney, the millionaire investor, says he's the most qualified to keep the nation's shuddering economy from stalling out. He attacks McCain's ideas as simplistic and economically dangerous.

McCain, a Navy squadron commander, zings back: "I did not manage, I led.... And I didn't manage for profit, I led for patriotism."

One thing seems sure, a poor third or worse finish in Florida is likely to snuff Rudy Giuliani's presidential aspirations.

The New York Times took yet another in-depth look at how Mormons feel about Mitt — this time it was a couple of NYC's 42,000 LDS members.

It wasn't surprising that Jeff Magee, like most Mormons, takes great pride in Mitt's candidacy.

“My gut sense about Mitt Romney is he’ll say anything to any group to curry favor, and that’s disappointing to me — that’s not what we teach as a church. Mitt Romney representing our faith in the public arena does make me uncomfortable, and I’m sad to say that.”

Whoa. I'll bet the home teachers will be converging on Brother Doria's house tonight.

"But what the hell," Dana says, "we all love it anyway, and every time someone pulls the trigger something wonderful might happen. That's the great mystery, and I think the great aspiration. I just hope the hangover won't be too severe this time."

For a list of Sundance awards and reviews go here.

"They want to see some type of equity, and if you don't have a rich uncle, the only equity you can put up is whatever you own--your house and any other assets you may have. They may not amount to much, but at least it's everything you've got. Then they can believe you."

SUWA sees its mission as the management of public lands in their natural state, i.e. not dotted with oil derricks and coal mines or criss-crossed with tire tracks.

It's a great job. You'll get to meet state Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab, and the Utah Association of Counties, who delight in leftie litigators who "focus on energy development, off-road vehicles, and BLM land use planning." You'll be based in Salt Lake City — about as far as possible from the wilderness you'll protect and, more to the point, Mike Noel.

All you have to do is pass the Utah bar, demonstrate your love of wilderness and commit for two years of being dispised by every off-road vehicle driver and enduring the evil thoughts of Kane County Commissioner Mark Habbeshaw.

SUWA offers competitive salary and a health plan (you may need it).

We must not, and should not, opt for more coal-fired generation. ... it is clear that nuclear power is much more benign to our health and the planet's health.
We are running out of time. And by not choosing to aggressively build nuclear power plants, we are deciding either to embrace a high-cost, economy-debilitating and less-reliable energy future or we will default to what we know best, coal-fired power plants.

"No one expects anything good in America right now. That's why people like Hunter matter so much. They tell us to piss on adversity, not to be stoical, but to enjoy ourselves."

Without your steadfast support of President Bush’s domestic, foreign and economic policies, there is no doubt America would not be in the position it is in today.

Russert: Governor Romney, you are a big fan of Ronald Reagan.

Mitt pauses.

Russert: Will you do for Social Security what Ronald Reagan did in 1983?

He raised taxes-s-s...

Romney: I’m not going to raise taxes. What I’m going to do…

Russert: Ronald Reagan raised payroll tax and he also raised the retirement age and he saved Social Security…

"My faith isn't terribly well known around this country. But I don't think for a minute the American people are going to say, 'You know what, we're not going to vote for this guy for a secular position because of his church."'

Britain's Manchester Guardian, at least, thinks it's about the money Romney is bleeding. Mitt told moderator Tim Russert he would release his latest campaign finance report when it is due at the end of the month, "and probably not a minute earlier."

How about a Cyborg Test?

"Seriously, if it were suddenly revealed that Romney is actually a ''terminator'' from the future sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor so her son would not be born, I wouldn't bat an eyelash.
Romney didn't use the exact words from the movie while campaigning before the Michigan primary, but in effect what he told voters there was, ''Come with me if you want to live.''

Thus begins a cartoonist-eye view of Sundance, Mormons and politics from David Horsey writing for the San Francisco Chronicle. It's always fascinating to get a thoughtful outsider's view of Utah. The bonus is that Horsey, a Pulitzer-prize winning cartoonist can draw even better than he writes:

Coming to Utah, I considered hanging out at Temple Square down in Salt Lake City to ask Mormons what they thought of their fellow-Latter Day Saint, Mitt Romney, and whether they appreciated the scrutiny his candidacy has drawn to their faith, but those questions have been answered pretty well: They love Mitt and they hate being characterized as a bunch of sanitized Branch Davidians.

Instead, Horsey goes to Park City (Hollywood East), hits the bars and asks strangers who they are supporting for president.

While the political world is busy tracking every furlong in the presidential horserace, most folks are not paying attention. They are watching movies or running snowmobiles or tending bar or doing whatever they do in daily life. When they finally pick a candidate, it's mostly a gut reaction.

It's like asking people why they like a movie and they can't tell you why. They just like it. Don't ask for more.

Matthew Fleuret, right, was arrested during a barroom brawl in March 2006.

Fleuret has filed a $47 million lawsuit against Orange County. He got the video during trial preparation.

With so much attention recently on the sniping between Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama on the Democratic side, the almost visceral scorn directed at Mr. Romney by his rivals has been overshadowed…. Mike Huckabee’s pugilistic campaign chairman, Ed Rollins, appeared to stop just short of threatening Mr. Romney with physical violence at one point.

“What I have to do is make sure that my anger with a guy like Romney, whose teeth I want to knock out, doesn’t get in the way of my thought process,” Mr. Rollins said.

For practically an entire year now, the various campaigns have gone up and down, but in every instance, there was Romney, in their face and presenting himself to voters like an ingratiating, toadying Eddie Haskell.

And no one ever liked Eddie Haskell.

A column by Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Dispatch says the most meaningful message of solace Majerus received came from Hatch. They've been friends since Majerus coached at the U.

Politically, they agree on very little. Hatch is a conservative Republican. Majerus is a liberal Democrat. They’ve had spirited debates over gun control, abortion rights, the death penalty, and stem-cell research. The two friends have engaged in spirited but civil discourse. But each man respects the other for sticking to his beliefs that are based on principle. ...


So Majerus was touched when Hatch sent a message Wednesday, telling Majerus that he admired The Coach for being a stand-up guy in stating his beliefs on abortion rights and stem cell research.

"I look back on dozens of people we taught and baptized, and I personally can't think of one who did have legal status," van Uitert says. "There were even some undocumented bishops and stake presidents. Basically, everyone was undocumented."

"As far as I know, this is the first time the city has been held to account for its development practices," says the farmer's lawyer Dale Gardiner. "Farmers don't usually win against cities."

"I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort," Thompson said.

"This might be time to kiss some Salt Lake (butt*). It is well known that Salt Lake City is a sophisticated place for music." This comment was greeted with some laughing from the audience, but the Irishman seemed sincere and continued, "There are some great radio stations here, and we will be back."

Labels: bono, buttocks

"The frenzied pursuit of swag was peaking on Saturday afternoon inside T-Mobile's 1,500-square-foot Boost Mobile Lounge, the glitziest of the gifting suites at the Sundance Film Festival. The place heaved with celebrities of all stripes -- from Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden to rapper Chamillionaire -- there to gather up free jewelry, high-end handbags and $25,000 diamond-encrusted iPod cases attached to gold necklaces, all with the understanding that their acceptance was an implicit product endorsement."

With no campaigns last year, lawmakers converted about a third of that cash to what appear to be personal or other uses that have little to do with campaigning...

"If I learned anything in my high school journalism class, I thought the media was supposed to be unbiased. However, I have subsequently learned that if the paper prints the writer's picture in their column, they can turn into a partisan media columnist. A fine distinction, undoubtedly used to soothe the conscience of professionalism, but overall, I guess a good distinction to know."

"You responded with humor, earnestness and anger. Some of you couldn't resist poking fun at the city and the state," wrote Jarvik. "And that, as usual, caused some of the rest of you to suggest a change of address."

"I'm astonished. It's not the sort of thing university presidents usually do. They don't get involved in politics except for lobbying for their university or charitable causes."

Conway says Machen risks losing support if an another candidate is elected.

Police reportedly found his truck — reportedly a GMC with Utah plates. Bomb sniffing dogs indicated possible explosives in it.

A reader on the Trib's story commented, "Go Rocky!"

"Because he has plenty of executive experience, Romney could get away with picking a senator," Martinez says. "And why not break all the rules and choose one who also has experience as an ineffectual vice presidential candidate? That's right, I'm referring to Joe Lieberman. Imagine that, the country's first Mormon-Jewish ticket."

"I’m sure there will be a party to celebrate that opening," Day says, "so you never know: Bono and the boys might do some songs somewhere in Park City Saturday night."

Romney: “I don’t have lobbyists running my campaign. I don’t have lobbyists that are tied to my … ”

Johnson: “That’s not true, governor! That is not true. Ron Kaufman is a lobbyist.”

Says one student: "I've had to leave, honestly! There have been four times I've run out of the cardio cinema because of racy and inappropriate things being shown, things I personally view as pornography."

"The minutes show that Robert Murray, co-owner of the mine, knew of the severe mine "bounce" on March 10... . Murray, who led the rescue effort in August, said at that time he had no knowledge of the bounce."

"One clue that Romney is our strongest candidate is the fact that Democrats keep viciously attacking him while expressing their deep respect for Mike Huckabee and John McCain."

"Here's a challenge. Think of a famous Mormon - apart from the one who may well be the most powerful man in the world, come next November. No shame in being stumped. There's a good reason that Mormons are the invisible Americans. Mormons are scarred by persecution, and it has made them very shy...

Persecution is the scar that all Mormons carry. The enemy is always there, and wise believers keep out of his way. "

Utah seeks highly qualified, dedicated teachers, particularly in math and science. We offer rotten pay, overcrowded classrooms and zero respect. Great scenery!

• Faculty average salary increased 12 percent.
• Administrator average salary increased 33 percent.
• Tuition increased 30 percent.
  

A Mormon mom, for example, has lots of kids; which brings lots of joy, but also lots of pressure. But she sometimes has to pretend to be happy even when she's not. And the lack of an outlet to express unhappiness becomes a dangerous source of melancholy.

The Mitt Romney I got to know was warm and likable. He had an electric intelligence. He was unfailingly decent. He was totally committed to his family. He treated everyone with respect and kindness.

"The former Massachusetts governor is predicting a win in Michigan's primary. But will he place second like he did in New Hampshire? Hear from Mitt Romney in Michigan on the eve of their primary!"

Corporate sponsorships have become a way of business in America.
Government should be run on business principles.
Ergo: corporate-sponsored elections.

Of course, you'd have your Negative Nellies, like Sen. Scott McCoy who wants it outlawed. "Voters come in and see their poll workers who are running the election, and they're plastered with some kind of corporate logo. Why would we want the people who are supposed to be administering an election in a neutral way ... to be wearing that?"

Actually, protests are coming. ... State Reps. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, and Mike Noel, R-Kanab, said in a letter to voters that the Red Rock Wilderness Act would cost Utah hundreds of millions of dollars and lead America to become more dependent on energy from hostile foreign nations.

Actually, Noel and Tilton did not send the letter. Americans for American Energy, which wants to open the Arctic to drilling, drafted the letter and attached the puppet-like House members' names to it -- without telling them.

"Where are Utah's other political voices in protest of a major land grab?" thundered the Herald. "They need to be raised, and soon."

I'm sure AAE will be happy to forge additional Utah lawmakers' names on the letter -- stat.

I hate to sound harsh, but we live in a time of war. If the Democrats want to nominate a 9/10-era candidate whose eyes leak like a faucet whenever push comes to shove, fine. But Republicans do not need an Oprah in a three-piece suit.

“In the ads, Dr. Jarvik appears to be giving medical advice, but apparently, he has never obtained a license to practice or prescribe medicine,” John Dingell (D-Mich.), chairman of the committee, said in a press release.


The committee said today that "it is investigating the use of celebrity endorsements in marketing prescription drugs directly to consumers. And Jarvik is Celebrity No. 1 on the list," according to the Wall Street Journal's Health Blog.

[Salie's voice]: Now that is just ridiculous. Everyone knows evangelicals don’t believe in transubstantiation.

Before you could say, "Transubstantiation!" the New York-based Catholic League was calling on its members to bombard KCPW with emails and calls.

"It's not humor when you trash Jesus," says CL President Bill Donohue, "This is the kind of thing you would expect from Howard Stern. But this was a publicly funded radio station."

Schott took the skit as more of a swipe at Southern eating habits than the Catholic Church. "Frankly, I laughed my butt off when I heard it."

Salie's initial response to the offended parties was: "I am proudly a Christian and specifically a Catholic. I'm a big fan of transubstantiation--it's a miracle. My name is Faith and I am proud to carry it."

She explained that she respects and cherishes religious differences and has found "a great unifier and tool both to bridge and embrace such differences is humor." Adding that part of the show's purpose "is to harness the power of humor to shed light on the human experience."

Schott, however, said PRI is expected to issue a formal statement.