The LBJ Presidential Library

Most of you out there know I am a total political junkie.  I love all things about politics and the history of our country's leaders absolutely fascinates me.  Once I knew I was heading to Austin there was no doubt I would visit the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library.  How often do you have the chance to visit one of presidential libraries?  Not living in Utah.

The museum really brought Johnson to life.  He was a little before my time and I really didn't appreciate all the parts of our national history he shared in.  I knew about the Civil Rights Bill of 1965 and how he ascended to the Oval Office, but his life was a mystery to me beyond that.

I loved my time in the library.  It showed me how great our country is and how impressive each and every president is.  Regardless of their flaws, presidents should be revered for the work they do to better the lives of the american people.  I am so glad I had the chance to spend a few minutes browsing the history of this innovative man.

Obama Exposed

Maybe now, the Birthers can finally claim victory. Don't you just love Trump's reactions in this video. Classic!

So Long 2010

Here are a couple different ways to look back at 2010.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I Voted

Every year I go through a ritual on the first Tuesday of November.  I read all the different positions, find out about each of the candidates, and listen to all of the various arguments.  Then I proceed to the ballot box and pick all of the losers.  I can't say I'm shocked by the results when I watch the news later that evening.  I usually pick the Democrats and, in this state, that means I pick the losers.

Oh sure.  An occasional Jim Matheson gets elected.  Or maybe even Pat Jones in the State Senate.  But generally, my vote is really just an exercise in my civic duty and not a meaningful chance to make a difference in the way things are.

I'm sure Peter Corroon will lose for Governor.  I'm positive that Sam Granato won't be going to the Senate (Is it just me or is it saying something that Utah Republicans got rid of Bob Bennett and want to put Mike Lee in office.   That guy is way too over the top for me).  But I can say that I was out there casting my vote for the opposition.  At least it makes me smile that I can cancel out one of my Fox News watching neighbors.....

Supporting a Former Colt

Today was Primary voting day in Utah. There were two choices on the ballot - the Republican Senate primary between a pair of ultra conservative Tea Party wantabees, and the Democratic 2nd Congressional primary between Jim Matheson and Claudia Wright. I could have cared less about the GOP race (are they really that different from one another?), but I had a long shot candidate in the second contest.

Why should I vote for Claudia Wright?

Does she really have a chance?

Could a liberal Democrat win in November?

I don't really have anything against Jim Matheson. He has been a good representative for the state of Utah. Does he represent me? Not really. But he does represent the majority of people who live within his district - a decidedly Republican district. My vote wasn't against Jim Matheson - my vote was for Claudia Wright.

Claudia Wright was a Social Studies teacher at Cottonwood High School for years and I was fortunate enough to have her as a teacher. She challenged the ways in which I viewed the world - always asking students to look beyond the surface at the deeper issues involved. Claudia is one of the smartest people I have ever known. If we could have more people like her in Washington I know the country would be in good hands.

In the end Matheson won the Primary 68% - 32%, but in my eyes Claudia was victorious. She led a grassroots campaign that took a 5-term congressman to a Primary. She showed all of her former students that she wasn't all talk. A teacher who would rather look at the past than try and impact the future. To me - Ms. Wright was, and always has been, a winner!

Some thoughts on Health Care

I've paid a lot of attention to the Health Care debate over the past several months. It's amazing to me that something that seems to be such a common sense notion - Every American Deserves the Right to Health Care - should be so polarizing. We have millions of uninsured people in our country. People who have jobs. People who have families. People who are trying to make it. Health Care is too expensive in our country if you don't have access to employer based insurance. The fight has been fierce over the proposed Health Care plan recently passed in the House of Representatives. I can understand how both sides feel about this issue.

Fiscal responsibility hasn't always been a trademark of the Democratic party. I know and understand that this bill will cost money. Government programs aren't cheap. The question I ask myself is: Is it worth it? Will this bill bring down Health Care costs? Will it improve the health of Americans, both wealthy and poor? Will we be better off as a country because of this bill? In my heart I believe the answer is yes.

I've always been lucky. I have had great insurance coverage working for the state of Utah for my entire career. My insurance is relatively inexpensive and my coverage is fairly extensive. Several of you aren't that lucky. Members of my family have pre-existing conditions and are self-employed. This is a "double whammy" in the insurance game. The costs are so high that any hiccup in health could mean a financial catastrophe. My family and millions of others need access to affordable health care, without denial for pre-existing conditions. My family needs this bill.

In the end, I believe we're witnessing an historic moment in our country. Health Care coverage isn't a political issue, it's a moral issue and I think we've made the right choice as a Nation.

2009 - JibJab Style

Take a look back at the big stories from 2009.

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Harry and Louise: Then and Now

With all the discussion around health care these days, here's a blast from the past. Maybe you'll remember Harry and Louise, the classic middle American couple and their chats about the Clinton health care plan? Take a look at them then, and now.


Harry and Louise - 1993


Harry and Louise - 2009

Historic Anniversary

Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. November 9, 1989 seems like it was just yesterday, but it's been 20 years. I was in 9th grade at Bonneville Jr. High and I remember one of my teachers turning on a TV so we could see some of the images. I was a teenager and didn't really recognize the significance of that day, but it changed the world.

Think about it. Growing up all we heard about was the Soviet Union and the Cold War. I was somewhat into politics even as a young teen and I remember the Reagan speech, "Mr. Gorbachev - Tear Down This Wall." It's incredible to imagine that only a couple years after those words, it happened. The Soviet empire fell, Germany was reunited, new nations developed, democracy spread. It all happened within a few weeks and I saw it on television.

Watching the images of people dancing on the wall and seeing the joy they shared in breaking off a piece of history has been amazing. It may have been 20 years ago, but I truly remember that event as clearly as if I'd been there. The world is different now, and I watched it happen.

Local Elections

So, yesterday was the 1st Tuesday of November. Election Day, but this year it didn't quite have the same feeling. Last year I was so excited to vote - I actually cast my ballot two weeks early. This year, no campaigning, no yard signs, no long posts espousing the merits of a particular candidate. Truthfully, we only had two choices on the ballot this year - City Council and Mayor. I guess voting for Dennis Webb isn't the same as voting for Barack Obama.

I don't know what it is about Holladay. I just don't feel involved in any part of this town and this has been my home for most of my life. I guess it's because we were only recently incorporated into Holladay and I still haven't seen any changes that matter to us. The only things my living in Holldady has meant is new street signs and higher taxes.

Still, I know I should have gone to vote yesterday. I just couldn't do it. The only thing I knew about the candidates was how they felt about the Cottonwood Mall project. In the end the mayor was reelected and life seems pretty much the same today.

Opting Out

Next week President Obama is scheduled to address the students of the nation. This is not uncommon in the history of the country. Reagan and Bush Sr. both gave similar speeches in 88' and 91'. From what I understand this scheduled spech is supposed to be a rallying cry for education, a chance to inspire students to aim high and dream big. So why are so many parents in Utah acting so small. Districts across the state are being bomarded with parental requests to allow students to "opt out" from hearing the President's message. Why? What are people so worried about? Is the President going to brainwash the next generation to spend liberally, raise taxes, and advocate health care reform? Come on people!

Just because a Democrat is in office shouldn't mean that Utahns have to opt out of participating civically for the next 4 (or 8) years. I haven't agreed with much that came from the White House over the past decade, but I still respected the office of the Preident. The President should have the right to talk to the students of the nation. President Obama doesn't want to brainwash your kids, mostly he wants to challenge and inspire them. I guess people around here aren't interested in that kind of message. Perhaps I'm the one who should "opt out" - of the narrow-minded Utah political landcape.

Super Obama

It's been a while since our last Obama video. Check out Super Obama from Jib Jab.

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Provocative Headline

One of my favorite websites is CNN.com. The site is organized to help users find quick headlines and interesting stories. Imagine my surprise when I saw the following headline earlier today:



How could I pass up on an article about my brother and me. Not so fast, turns out this article was about two freshmen congressmen, one of which is Jason Chaffetz from Happy Valley. It was interesting to read their stories, but the headline was the best part of the story.

BTW - looking at their pictures is nothing like looking in the mirror....

Blaming Teachers

Here's a great letter to the editor from yesterday's Trib:

Blaming Teachers

So 59 percent of Utahns support basing a teacher's salary on performance ("Utahn support teacher merit pay," Tribune , Jan. 25). To this ridiculous proposal, I have two suggestions:

First, if wages are going to be affected by student test results, then not just teachers, but every district employee should have their pay affected, from the district superintendent on down. They all impact the learning ability of students.

Second, if teachers are going to lose money for perceived lack of effort inside the classroom, then parents should have to pay increased fees for their lack of effort outside the classroom. Poor diet, poor health, inadequate parental supervision and interaction, allowing students to miss school to go to Disneyland and allowing over-involvement in social and religious activities are just some examples of how parents fail to prepare their child to learn and undermine the best efforts of educators. Where is the "financial motivation" for parents? Why is so much focus put on teacher responsibility while none is directed at parental responsibility?

Blaming teachers for the condition of the American education system is like blaming a factory line worker for the failure of General Motors.

Mitch Lambdin

West Jordan

Watching History

For the past couple of months we've known that this day would come. Ever since the election it seems that everyone has been counting down to January 20th as the day change would come to our Nation. I wanted to make sure that today was a special day. Rather than watch the inauguration on my computer at work I took the morning off. KUER was hosting an inaugural event at Kingsbury Hall and so I joined with a few hundred people to watch history unfold.

It was fantastic. The crowd was electric. As different leaders emerged to the podium everyone cheered (there was even moderate applause for the outgoing administration). When Barack Obama was finally introduced the room erupted. It was a moment I'll never forget. As President Obama completed the oath of office total strangers were congratulating one another and everyone shared in the collective sense of hope. We were Americans and we were celebrating our President.

President Obama's inaugural address was amazing. He offered direction in a time of turmoil. Hope in the face of despair. He promised the return of the United States of America as the preeminent power for good in the world. His speech served as a call for service and beacon to return to our nation's core values. It was not full of lofty rhetoric, but served as a calculated challenge for each citizen to fulfill his/her part of the American dream.

Today was a day for the history books. Even if I wasn't in Washington, I joined with the 1.9 million on the Mall to welcome our new President. Good luck President Obama.

Following Counsel

For the past two weeks I've heard a lot of talk about Proposition 8 in California and it's effect on the future of families. It's been in people's blogs, the newspaper, in emails I've received, and from the pulpit. Here's a sampling from a recent email:

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions.

President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.' "This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ."

Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.

"Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the
institution of the family will be viewed as un-trendy and unenlightened....

Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself.

Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints "A More Determined Discipleship", Ensign, Feb. 1979

Now, I read this and there can be no discussion about the Church's position. You're either with us or you're against us. We need to follow the Brethren. Ok, I get it.

I went to a meeting last week where a member of our stake's leadership talked about this issue as well. He commented about the doctrine surround the Church's position on this issue and declared that if we don't agree with the Church's stance on certain social issues we should keep it to ourselves. Disagreement isn't necessarily wrong he said, as long as we aren't openly advocating positions that are in direct opposition to those of the Church.

The truth of the matter is that I don't really know how I feel about Proposition 8. Do I agree with homosexual marriage? No. Do I feel we need a constitutional amendment declaring that marriage is between a man and a woman? No. Do I disagree with the Church's stand opposing homosexual marriage? No.

I'm just glad the issue hasn't come to a vote in conservative old Utah. I certainly wouldn't want to be on the front lines telling people who can and who can't do anything. I mentioned in a post last week that civil rights is a big issue for me and I really mean that. My conscience wouldn't allow me to make calls and stand in protest marches which openly hurt others. Still, in the privacy of the voting booth, I can't really say how I would cast my ballot. Does this make me a heretic in open opposition to the Church? I don't think so.

Too Close to Home

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Is it sad that this video hit a little too close to home? Thanks to Bryan for sharing this Obama obsessed video with me.

Still Moved

It's been a little less than 24 hours and I still feel incredibly moved by the events of last evening. Few issues in this world attract my spirit like equal rights and fairness for all. As I watched the walls of the racial divide crack last night, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Seeing men and women from around world express their joy and being overcome with emotion is something I'll never forget. Hearing people whisper, "I never thought I would see the day when an African American could be elected President." Then watching the tears stream down their cheeks.

I'll admit - I couldn't keep the tears back either. This is more than an election, more than a vote - this is a movement, a chance for our country to validate that collectively, we can overcome the past and embrace our future. My friend Lisa had a great quote on her blog:

Rosa Sat

So Martin could Walk

So Obama could Run

So our children can Fly

Please watch the amazing interview with Colin Powell about his reaction to the Obama election.

Watching History

As I sat watching the results coming in tonight on CNN I was cautiously optimistic. Regardless of the polls, you never know how people are going to vote when given an anonymous ballot. Still, I have believed that the American people were ready to make a change from the past and look to the future. From the first time I heard Barack Obama speak, I knew there was something different about him. His voice rang with optimism in a time of cynicism. He represents what I love about our country.

When the news came across at 9 pm: Barack Obama is the next President of the United States, I was speechless. For months I've followed this election and
tonight showed the best of America. We are a people who believe in the hope of tomorrow. A country where anything is possible and everyone has a chance to succeed. I truly believe that an Obama presidency will give a voice to the voiceless, an example to the next generation, and the dawning of a new day in America.

I think I still need some time to adequately express myself about what tonight means to me and our country. Suffice it to say - Yes We Can!

Election Prediction

Rather than writing a drawn out post about how each state will vote tomorrow, here's a look at my prediction.


Popular vote: Obama 51% McCain 46%

After days of watching CNN and hours spent following the election on the web, I think the swing states that may vote for McCain are relatively few. In spite of the "Bradley Effect" I think this election won't be very close. Still, I've been wrong before - eight years ago I went to bed thinking Al Gore was president.

Here's a little video for fun.