U of U 48, BYU 24 [ YEAH!! UTAH! ]

http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_11051454?source=rss

"Utah ended Brigham Young's reign atop the Mountain West Conference and booked a trip to a BCS bowl for the second time in four years with a 48-24 victory over BYU Saturday night at jam-packed Rice-Eccles Stadium. "


:)

LDS Patriotism or blindly following the POTUS

During an Interfaith Conference on War and Peace in Salt Lake City the idea was presented that Mormons (members of the LDS Church), who are deeply patriotic, won't protest the war in Iraq because it would be unpatriotic to speak out against the Bush administration about the war.

It is true that members of the LDS faith tend to be patriotic. One of the Articles of Faith, written by Joseph Smith, states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." Members of the faith also believe that this land was set aside as a land of promise.

But, for the most part, they do not blindly follow the POTUS simply because he is the leader of this country.

Case in point 1: Harry Reid. Reid, a Democratic Senator from Nevada, is a member of the LDS faith and a PROMINANT opponent of said war.

Case in point 2: Since most of the LDS membership tend to be conservative they were not likely to be very supportive of a POTUS like Bill Clinton.

Case in point 3: In Utah, where the majority of residents are LDS, Bush's "No Child Left Behind" law has been highly disliked.

The Conference does point out:

"The LDS Church has taken no official position on the war in Iraq, Birch said, leaving its members to make up their own minds regarding the justification of the war. The invasion and occupation of Iraq has been renounced by nearly all major Christian denominations, he said, with the exception of the LDS Church and the Southern Baptist Convention.

That leaves people to speculate as to the reasons for the LDS Church's silence. The practice of church leadership has been to not make a statement on a particular topic unless there is unanimity among the church's First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Birch said."

The LDS Church usually takes a neutral stand in regards to politics unless it involves an issue that will directly affect the Church and its values.

Brian Birch, an associate professor of philosophy and director of the religious studies program at Utah Valley State College, added.

"In a democracy, we can renounce war and proclaim peace," President Hinckley said. "There is opportunity for dissent. Many have been speaking out and doing so emphatically. That is their privilege. That is their right, so long as they do so legally.

"However, we all must also be mindful of another overriding responsibility, which I may add, governs my personal feelings and dictates my personal loyalties in the present situation."

President Hinckley later added, "It is clear ... that there are times and circumstances when nations are justified, in fact have an obligation, to fight for family, for liberty and against tyranny, threat and oppression."

But that doesn't mean people who oppose the war aren't faithful members of the LDS Church, Birch said.

As a member of the LDS Church it is my decision to either support or protest the war. I base that decision on my own personal view of the issue.

I'm a UTAH man...(woman) OH YA!

Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City the underdog University of Utah Running Utes out play the Bruins of UCLA for a final score 44 to 6.



Utah upsets No. 11 UCLA 44-6

Who am I, sir, a Utah man am I:
A Utah man, sir, and will be till I die: Ki! Ki!
We're up to snuff: we never bluff.
We're game for any fuss.
No other gang of college men dare meet us in the muss.
So fill your lungs and sing it out shout it to the sky.
We'll fight for dear old crimson for.....

A UTAH ...

What's wrong with this picture?

Getting into this country, for some people, seems to be a matter of crossing the border. When they do they aren't even punished for it. So, now, someone wants to get into the country legally for a mere 2 weeks and can't even get the visa because "it's an easy way to infiltrate and get into the country."

Well, for the annunal Springville World Folkfest, this has become a reality. They have had to cancel the event this year because of visa problems and other red tape issues. Read More...

This event has been going strong since it began in 1984. My husband and I hosted some of the dancers who came to perform at the multicultural event. The first year we had two young men from India stay with us. We drove them to their practices and performances. We also fed them and housed them. We had the choice opportunity to experience another culture right in our own home.

The second year we had a couple and their son from Italy (Sardegna) stay with us. They spoke no English and we spoke no Italian. Yet we had a most enjoyable 2 weeks with them. We learned how to tell them it was time to eat and when it was time to go.

I still keep in contact with one of the young men from India...though he isn't such a young man any more. He is married with two adorable children. He runs a business in Bombay. Thanks to the internet we can now chat (he speaks very good English) via one of the popular IMs.

I was saddened to read that the event had been cancelled this year. I do hope that the future brings a solution to this problem and that our leaders can see the real issue here. If they really want to keep the wrong people out of this country they need that policy to be across the board.

Keeping those who want to come for legitimate purposes from coming when our borders are so porous makes little sense to me.

An ordinary person did an extra ordinary thing--Ken Hammond

Ogden Police Officer, Ken Hammond, didn't wake up February 12th thinking, "I am going to be a hero today." None of us do, but Ken stepped into that roll before the day was over and probably saved countless lives.

Phelonius commented in a previous entry,

"May I go off topic? You have a guy there in Utah that is a hero now, and I am talking about Ken Hammond. Off-Duty cop who had the wherewithal to have his service revolver and a wheelbarrow worth of huevos handy when that Bosnian loser let loose with a shoulder cannon in a mall. Now...on to "Politicians Say the Silliest Things":

Quote:

“Thank goodness he was there,” said Greiner, who is also a state senator. “You don’t want to ever say it’s good we were there and killed somebody, but it’s probably good someone was there.”Probably good? Probably? The guy is a hero and the Police Chief and Senator says "well, perhaps it is good somebody just happened to be there..."

Wow, is the best response I can come up with.....just.....wow."

This is the story he is refering to: Mall massacre

In a subsequent follow up article:

"The Ogden off-duty officer involved...... has been identified as Ken Hammond, a six-year veteran of the department. He was scheduled to appear at a press conference Tuesday night.

His chief, Jon Greiner, said the officer is "a very level-headed traffic officer. He's just a good, all-around officer. Does his job."

Hammond was involved in a shootout in the crowded mall that eventually left Talovic, a Bosnian refugee from Salt Lake City, dead.

Greiner said a "significant number" of Ogden police officers carry weapons off-duty. In fact, Greiner said, the wife of the officer involved in the shooting has a concealed weapon permit.

Police identified the mall's shooting victims — five who died and four others recovering from injuries in area hospitals.
Killed were:
• Teresa Ellis, 29.
• Brad Frantz, 25.
• Kirsten Hinckley, 15.
• Vanessa Quinn, 29.
• Jeffery Walker, 53.
Wounded and hospitalized are:
• Carolyn Tuft, 43, (the mother of Kirsten Hinckley).
• Shawn Munns, 34.
• Stacy Hanson, 53.
• Alan "A.J." Walker, 16, (the son of Jeffery Walker)."

Deseret Morning News February 13, 2007
My hat goes off to Ken Hammond. Many people are grateful for his courage.

Ogden police officer hailed as a hero, says he was doing his duty
http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660195341,00.html

"A Christmas Carol" forever changed

I have seen Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" many times. On Saturday December 23, 2006 I went to see it at the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City, Utah. My mother-in-law had purchased tickets for our whole family to see one of the performances that day.

The Hale Centre Theatre has the stage set up in the center of all the seats. Everyone had an excellent, almost personal, view of the actors.

The man acting the part of Mr. Scrooge was fantastic as he brought to life a man on the cusp of a major life changing transformation. But this was not what changed this story for me.

Bob Cratchet, the employee of Mr. Scrooge and father of Tiny Tim, was played by a very convincing Gary Ceran. But it was not his performance that stood out as pivotal as this story plays out.

It was what happened after the performance, when the lights were dimmed, the stage swept, and the actors and stage crew left for home, that changes this story for me.

According to the Deseret News:

Shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday, [they] were driving home from a Christmas party when they were struck by an allegedly drunken driver who police say ran a red light at the intersection of 5400 South and 700 West. The impact killed Cheryl [Gary's wife] and Ian [their 15-year old son] instantly. Julinna [their 7-year old daughter] was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center but also died from her injuries a short time later.

Carlos R. Prieto, 24, who was not seriously injured, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of three counts of vehicular homicide, all third-degree felonies.

Police could smell a strong odor of alcohol on Prieto, according to a report from the Salt Lake County Jail, and noticed "bloodshot and glassy eyes."

"Prior to the arrest of defendant, Prieto admitted to drinking five beers," the report stated.

Officers also administered a nystagmus test, a field sobriety test used by checking a driver's eyes, which he failed. Prieto was driving on an expired license. This was his third DUI arrest, according to jail records.

I wonder what "Spirit" (not alcoholic) promptings Carlos Prieto might have had in an attempt to redirect his life. And what might have happened had he heeded their warnings.

As for me, I will never be able to see, read or listen to A Christmas Carol without remembering Gary Ceran's performance or the tragedy that hit his family that night.

What's in a Name

Your name is your identity. It says, to the world, a little bit about you.

name (nm)n.
1. A word or words by which an entity is designated and distinguished from others.
2. A word or group of words used to describe or evaluate, often disparagingly.
4. a. A reputation: has a bad name.
b.A distinguished reputation: made a name for himself as a drummer.

I live in Utah. Utah has a basketball team called the Utah Jazz. Now there has been some discussion about the misnomer with that name since Utah has very little to do with Jazz. But we have accepted this name because it sounds cool.

15 years ago the Jazz moved into a big new arena called the Delta Center. It got the name from the airline with a local hub, Delta Airlines, who became a major sponsor for the Jazz. The Delta Center has been an easy name for both the eyes and the tongue. It sounded like a name to be proud of.

Now, with Delta Airlines facing banqruptcy and the changing of the times, the owners of the Utah Jazz felt it in their best interest to seek out another major sponsor. Yesterday during the game they announced that the new name of the arena will be the EnergySolutions Arena.

.....


.....


UGH!!!!

Reaction on the street was, according to the Deseret News, less than enthusaistic.

Here were some responses according to the News:

Olivia Egbert, a Salt Lake resident, said the name change was unfortunate.

"From now on when people think about the Utah Jazz they will be thinking about nuclear waste," Egbert said. "EnergySolutions isn't something I really want to correlate with Jazz basketball."

Brittney Erickson of North Salt Lake was bewildered at seeing the new name Monday on the outside of the building as she purchased Jazz tickets.

"I think the Delta Center sounds better than 'EnergySolutions Arena,"' said Erickson, who added that she would continue to refer to the building as the Delta Center. "I think that most people still will."

"From a sports angle it's no score for Utah, it's a foul," Pierce said. "Branding our state's sports complex with the name of a massive nuclear waste dump isn't the PR that we want for Utah.

The Utah Jazz are not alone by having their arenas dubbed in such a fashion. According to ESPN:

Stadium naming rights

Average annual name branding rights paid by companies:
• FedEx Forum (Memphis Grizzlies) — $4.5 million, Federal Express
• Pepsi Center (Denver Nuggets) — $3.4 million, PepsiCo.
• Conseco Fieldhouse (Indiana Pacers) — $2 million, Conseco
• TD Waterhouse Centre (Orlando Magic) — $1.6 million, TD Waterhouse Group
• Wachovia Center (Philadelphia 76ers) — $1.4 million, Wachovia Bank
• KeyArena (Seattle Supersonics) — $1 million, Key Corp.
• Arco Arena (Sacramento Kings) — $750,000, Atlantic Richfield

Source: ESPN

What's your opinion??