Utah Politico Hub: Recent Episodes
Utah Politico Hub
Podcasts for UtahPoliticoHub.com (http://utahpoliticohub.com/) , the Hub for Utah politics, opinion, debate, and more.
Here is the game of civil asset forfeiture: Law enforcement seizes property, usually cash, sometimes cars, rarely computers or other small hardware, from individuals who may or may not be guilty of a crime, usually a drug-related crime. Many times, in return for no charges, law enforcement agrees to take certain property from the alleged perpetrator.
Ted Cruz’s moment last night at the Republican national convention was an excellent, if not dramatic, reminder that being a conservative is different than being a Republican. Typically, in debating political differences here in Utah, we are focused on who is the real conservative and forget, that for most citizens anyway, the real choice is principle or party.
For me, the question about assisted suicide is this: Does it create an atmosphere of dignity and love? If it does, perhaps there are circumstances that we should allow. If it doesn’t, it should stay prohibited.
Here is the crux of the problem with Clinton and Trump. They breed the cynicism they project. Their candidacies are unhealthy for America not just because of the many inane things for which they stand but because they represent the worst in our political natures. What we saw today on display in that congressional hearing was different. In James Comey, we saw presidential behavior that breeds respect for the law and a temperament projecting our better selves.
Perhaps like me, you were a bit puzzled to hear news of a group of conservative religious leaders meeting with Donald Trump a week or so ago. They were concerned about his stance on issues such as abortion and transgender rights. The group of religious leaders was comprised largely, if not entirely, of evangelicals – people such as Mike Huckabee, Franklin Graham, James Robison, Ralph Reed and Tony Perkins. #UTpol
Discussing today’s topic is a no-win situation – like when your wife asks you if her new dress makes her look fat. The term “white privilege” is fraught with rhetorical disaster. I’m foolish for even raising the issue, and more foolish still for a variety of substantive reasons in raising the issue. #UTpol
If there is one redeeming aspect of his character – if any at all – people seem to like that Donald Trump says what’s on his mind. People who like Trump often say that they like how he speaks. People like candor. I, too, often “think out loud,” just say what’s on my mind in the moment. But, unlike Trump, my candor can get me in trouble. Trump, it seems, is made of Teflon for many voters.
But this commentary is not about Donald Trump. It’s about thought and speech and its context in a free society.
UTpol #Election2016
Why are we letting impatient zealots on both sides determine this issue? I get that there is a lot at stake for Utah in the transfer of public lands, but that is precisely why we should be careful to measure twice and cut once. Wing nuts who advocate for an immediate and violent takeover of federal lands only hurt the cause.
In the matter of the transfer of public lands, advocates of these transfers should – for once in their lives – be patient and put their trust in the people we’ve elected in Utah to work in our behalf.
PublicLandsInitiative #PLI #UTpol
The mad dash to get behind candidate Trump and save the Republican Party from extinction is perhaps the most obvious sign of widespread cynicism and political decline in American history. How badly do we hate our nation if Donald Trump is considered its standard bearer? As House Speaker Paul Ryan recently uttered, “You have to have standards to be a standard bearer.” #UTpol
Everyone has been exposed to that guy so strident about the Constitution that you just cringe every time he gets up to speak. Utah Republicans quote the founding fathers as if politics is gospel, forgetting that it’s quite possible that even George Washington was wrong about something. #UTpol
Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.” Observing campaign finance policy today, he could just as easily say, “Current campaign finance law is the worst form of electioneering, except for all the others.”
The Salt Lake Tribune recently ran stories about a fundraiser that Governor Gary Herbert hosted for his reelection campaign. As reported by an unnamed lobbyist, present at the fundraiser, Governor Herbert and his election team were eager, implicitly unethical, to raise money. Doubling down on the story, the Tribune oh-so-surprisingly got a hold of audio from the meeting seemingly confirming concerns. #Politics #UTpol
While I have long supported Utah’s caucus and convention system, I’ve made no secret about my concerns. As with freedom itself, our caucus and convention system requires enlightened people. When the people aren’t enlightened, the system breaks down. #CountMyVote #UTpol
It’s no wonder Hollywood actors get so passionate about social and political causes. They live these causes through the roles they play. They become these causes. But most of these actors are liberal for a deeper reason than mere character projection. Their sense of cause and justice is incomplete. They live in a moment of self-awareness and swear they see eternity’s truth. #UTpol #Hollywood #liberal
In 1988, Jodie Foster won the Academy Award for Best Actress, for the movie The Accused, portraying a young woman of loose morals who was raped by several men she had befriended in a bar. While the story centered on how three bystanders just watched the rape happen, a sub-theme of the story dealt with her culpability in the rape. There she was, immodestly dressed, late at night, in a bar, drunk, flirting with the men who ultimately raped her. The movie posed an interesting question: Did she somehow encourage her rape through her own misbehavior? #UTpol #BYU
Here is the toughest part about freedom. Freedom is only important for one reason – to work out your life to become your better self. That requires mistakes. That requires setbacks. But if advances in technology remove the opportunity to make bad choices and remove the natural consequences of mistakes and setbacks, what influence exists to push us to become our better selves? The only influence left is the commands of other people telling us how to live our lives. And that’s not freedom. #UTpol #Politics
I signed the “Never Trump” petition. Despite his entertainment value, Donald Trump is an unprincipled opportunist, in my opinion. He certainly is not qualified for president in any sense of that term. He’s not the kind of person I want my grandchildren to admire or mimic. Trump is simply not a rational candidate if you’re a conservative and, frankly, I don’t know how rational people claim to support him.
For those reasons, and more, I guess I am now a part of the Establishment. #NeverTrump #UTgop #UTpol
The political success of Donald Trump is not surprising. His formula for success is rather simple: Tell everyone how bad things are and assure everyone he is the answer. Use his celebrity. Use his billions. Use his “you’re fired” tough talk. And Trump has his finger on the pulse of modern America. He’s right that America is fractured, culturally and economically, after two terms of Obama. He’s right that federal debt is nearly insurmountable at this point and America has lost its stature overseas. But those observations are not unique to Mr. Trump. A blind man could see the problems. #Election2016 #UTpol #Politics
The latest Polite Politics Podcast explains the controversy over the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
Tyler explains: The history behind election-year judicial nominations Why the court isn’t just 5 conservatives and 4 liberals How the media gets the court wrong What is going to happen next Be sure to listen to the latest Polite Politics Podcast.
PS… Scotusblog updates the Supreme Court’s “voting relationships” at the bottom of this page. What is clear is that the 4 more liberal justices tend to vote together but no two justices agree on all cases. Rather, the justices have differing views, so putting them into confined boxes is silly.
SCOTUS #UTPOL #POLITICS
The latest Polite Politics Podcast breaks down what happened in New Hampshire and how the primary campaign will look moving forward. Along the way, best-selling author and persuasion expert Kurt Mortensen drops by to explain the Donald Trump phenomenon.
Be sure to listen to the latest Polite Politics Podcast.
Politics #Election2016 #UTgop
As candidates for Utah public office begin to position themselves for this election year, nearly all of them face the dilemma of the fallout from a new state campaign law, most commonly referred to as SB 54 or the “Count My Vote” compromise. #SB54 #UTpol @CountMyVote
The latest Polite Politics Podcast talks about Donald Trump and uses a helpful theme from The Dark Knight.
As America goes to vote, the podcast discusses the hero we deserve and the heroes that we need.
Be sure to listen to the latest Polite Politics Podcast. #UTpol #Election2016 #TheDarkKnight
Is it peculiar that our constitution omits the word “use” among our protected property rights? #UTpol #PropertyRights
As it turns out, Utah’s pot lobby might have found their poster boy or, in this case,
their poster girl. She is a 27-year old, wheelchair-bound, Mormon mom suffering
from a very rare and debilitating illness. Her name is Enedina Stanger. #UTpol #Politics #420 #MedicalMarijuana
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and in those words we have no reason to doubt its broadest possible meaning. When He champions peacemakers He champions every attempt we make to be our better selves in the face of an increasingly uncivil and often vile world. #politics
Understanding Madsen’s pot bill is this simple: The good senator seeks to rationalize and justify his own personal behavior. It’s nothing more than that. It’s the definition of a special interest bill.
To be a Natural you need to believe in a personal God, a God from which you seek a personal relationship – you worship Him, you communicate with Him, and you seek His blessings and comfort. You also need to believe that He has a plan for you, a work for you to do, choices for you to make to conform your will to His. And you need to believe that we’re all His children – that we are literally brothers and sisters from the same divine parentage. This last point is important because of something Naturals call “commensuration” or the ability of every person to rationally see the same things and draw the same conclusions about the world around them. #Politics
On the heels of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ new policy regarding the children of same-sex married couples, a state judge ruled that a gay married couple were not fit parents because of their same-sex status. Ruling on the three-month old child’s foster care status, Seventh District Juvenile Court Judge Scott Johansen cited research indicating that children are worse off in the care of same-sex couples than in the care of heterosexual couples.
In the latest Polite Politics Podcast, Tyler explains the history of ISIS and what is happening in Syria. Along the way, he discusses: The refugee crisis Overheated rhetoric on all sides Which president is responsible for growth of ISIS And much more... Be sure to listen to the latest Polite Politics Podcast.
The following links provide some extra information if you want to read more. History of ISIS Map of ISIS controlled areas Timeline of Syria Unrest Timeline of US Involvement in Syria
The election of Paul Ryan as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives should be a case study for the Utah Republican Party. Ryan is a principled and effective conservative leader who gained the wrath of the crazies in his own party. And that reminds me of Utah Republican politics!
Most recently, The Salt Lake Tribune editorialized that the World Congress is useless – that modern society has somehow outgrown the benefits accrued from traditional marriage and a focus on children. The editorial’s author says the World Congress of Families has nothing to help his family.
Rep. Mia Love joins the latest Polite Politics Podcast to talk about adjusting to life in Congress. She talks about: How she makes decisions Her ultimate goal in politics Whether the GOP is divided And much more… Be sure to listen to the latest Polite Politics Podcast.
Tyler G. Page Founder Polite Politics Podcast
Quite humorously, Hillary Clinton recently confessed that she’s really a robot, constructed in the garage of a Silicon Valley techie. A reporter had commented to her about why she didn’t seem to sweat in the heat of Iowa on the campaign trail and then asked, “What deodorant do you use?” – such is the high level of journalism these days.
Medicaid has been thoroughly debated in Utah for nearly three years now and its conclusion seems a bit anti-climatic. As I share these thoughts, the House Republican Caucus will have voted whether to accept the latest compromise to extend eligibility to more Utahns. I would be shocked if the House Republican Caucus voted anything other than no.
Tyler breaks down the state of the Republican Party in the latest Polite Politics Podcast. HIs article goes through the divisions within the party and Paul Ryan as the Speaker of the House.
Along the way, Tyler explains: The state of the Republican presidential primary The 6 candidates who still have a chance How the race will unfold between contenders To end it all, Tyler predicts the winner of the nomination. Be sure to listen to the latest Polite Politics Podcast.
So what is the deal with Hillary Clinton's email server? Why is the press obsessed with it?
Tyler explains everything you need to know about Hillary Clinton's emails in the latest edition of the Polite Politics Podcast.
Sources:
Hillary Clinton condemned Bush admin secret emails Judge appointed by President Clinton said Hillary was not following government policy. Washington Post Timeline: Things Found on Hillary’s email At least 2 Top Secret emails (including satellite photos of North Korea) Private discussions with foreign leaders (notably Tony Blair) which are automatically classified Over 400 emails which the intelligence community now says are classified as of Sept 30 Others Charged FBI wanted David Petraeus charged with felony, but then Attorney General Eric Holder overruled and allowed him to plead to misdemeanor CIA operative serving 3.5 years for leaking information to reporter Former sailor arrested for taking pictures, sending to girlfriend, deleting when government tried to investigate Clinton Foundation Collecting donations from outside country and questionable groups Russian group purchased a uranium mine with State permission while donating Arms deals went up to nations that donated to Clintons Put on watch list by Charity Navigator Called a slush fund for Clintons by Sunlight foundation State won’t confirm 90-95% number
UTpol #Election2016 #Politics
The latest edition of the Polite Politics Podcast discusses how to rank presidents all time, where President Obama might fall in that ranking, and the factors that should be considered.
Tyler also discusses: The Democratic party primary and debate VP Joe Biden looming over the race The uptick in Israel / Palestine violence His top 3/bottom 3 presidents Be sure to listen to the latest Polite Politics Podcast.
UTpol #Politics
In so much as Envision Utah and the Gardner Institute seek to improve the Utah economy, I applaud them. But a business-centric, centralized attempt to improve our economy can often conflict with principled limited government, faith, family and a true entrepreneurial spirit. #politics #Utah #UTpol
Utah Governor Gary Herbert joins the latest edition of the Polite Politics Podcast to talk about his state's remarkable economic success.
In the news, Tyler talks about: The shooting in Oregon The Secret Service v. Jason Chaffetz The race for Speaker of the House Be sure to listen to the latest Polite Politics Podcast.
On government shutdowns, distrust for leadership in legislative battles, 1994 and present. #UTpol #Politics
By now you’ve probably heard of Kim Davis, the county clerk from Kentucky who was sent to jail for not issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. And, by now, you, like most Americans, are a little confused about the case. #UTpol
Now that libertarian businessman Jonathan Johnson has formally announced his intention to run for governor in 2016, it’s fair to take a look at the candidate, compare him to his competition, match him against mainstream Utah values and address his competency as a political leader.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has a problem with Uber. His problem is that Uber is putting the taxicab industry out of business and the cab unions, city contracts and partisan political arrangements are being tested. #Uber #NewYorkCity #FreeMarket
Every political party has its moments when a couple of crazies stir the pot and cause dissension in the ranks. But only recently have the crazies had any influence. #UTpol #Libertarians #RepublicanParty
In the short aftermath of the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision there has emerged three schools of thought about where we go from here. My dear pro-marriage colleagues are reluctant to change anything. They see the Court’s decision as they did the decades-earlier abortion decision. They see the marriage debate as a protracted legal conflict with much left for which to fight. #SSM #UTpol
As long as I can remember in my profession I have tried to explain the problems with progressivism and how they get freedom all wrong. Perhaps the best explanation I’ve read in a long time comes from a new book titled, Democracy’s Discontent: America in Search of a Public Philosophy. Surprisingly, the author, Michael Sandel, is a Harvard political science professor – see, there’s hope yet. #UTpol #politics
When Catholic Pope Francis issued his latest encyclical titled, Praise Be, the Associated Press wrote, “Francis framed climate change as an urgent moral crisis…blaming global warming on an unfair, fossil-fuel based industrial model that harms the poor the most. The document…was a stinging indictment of big business and climate doubters.”
Anyone in the distance of my conservative voice for the past 15 years knows I want the federal government out of Utah’s education system. They also would know that I believe the Utah Constitution has a fundamental flaw regarding education. #UTpol #Education
To Kill a Mockingbird is the finest piece of American fiction written in my lifetime. It’s also my favorite movie ever. The book’s author, Harper Lee, now nearly 90 years old, never published another one (though rumor has it we’ll see a second book this summer). Published in 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and Harper Lee has been awarded nearly every literary award you can imagine.
HarperLee #PulitzerPrize #politics
Molly Dorozenski, United States Media Director for Greenpeace joined the latest Polite Politics Podcast to talk about the environmental movement and how Greenpeace would like to change the world. The podcast also includes: • The Demise of the Asia Trade Deal • An In-Depth Look at the Constitution • Poor Reporting from the New York Times Be sure to listen to the latest Polite Politics Podcast. Here are sources on the podcast and some explanations referenced within it.
• Democrats Kill Obama Trade Bill in House o Dems “insulted” by Obama’s closed door pitch in which he impugned their integrity o Dems pushing farther to left o Activists Exposed – Laura Ingraham wants to Primary Paul Ryan for support of trade bill • NY Times Embarrasses Itself o Traffic Tickets o Debt o Jon Stewart response
In-Depth: The Constitution • What is the Constitution? • Enumerated powers
What comes to mind when you hear the word “repressed”? I naturally think of someone unable to express himself – perhaps someone being forced to live a lie. Hollywood liberals make a fortune uncovering what they view as repression. I remember attending a grueling three-day seminar hosted by the award-winning screenwriter Robert McKee. His mantra the whole seminar was “Tell the truth.”
Hollywood follows this mantra, even if it doesn’t always tell the truth. It sees human weakness as a constant, as a story to be told, as a noble admission of our vulnerabilities and, in that admission, as breaking free from social institutions of repression, like faith and family, or the inner institution of conscience. But Hollywood errs in thinking that human weakness is not only insurmountable but to be worshipped. Its truth is actually a lie. It worships a false god and all of its angels are fallen.
So it is no surprise to see Hollywood rally around Bruce Jenner and condemn the Duggar family.
Everyone knows Bruce Jenner’s story by now – Gold medalist, near god-like Olympian, motivational speaker, adopted father of the garish Kardashian clan and all around man’s man…turned woman. He says that all of his life he has known that he was Caitlyn, not Bruce – a woman, not a man.
I felt sympathy for him watching his interview with Diane Sawyer. Honestly, I can’t imagine what it must feel like to go through life in such emotional pain. But what if he’s still not telling the truth? Could it be that Bruce Jenner is simply emotionally unstable?
Is it possible that Bruce Jenner is as sexually repressed today as he was the day before he told anyone about any of it? Is it possible that if he was living a lie as Bruce, he’s living an even bigger lie as Caitlyn? Heroism comes from truth and the truth is human beings are born male or female. If there’s a physiological question at birth about maleness or femaleness, is it possible you’re dealing with a birth defect, not an orientation? Is it possible that Bruce Jenner is no hero at all. He’s just a human being, one of God’s children, who’s really messed up.
But Hollywood sees it very differently. Take the case of the Duggar family. Megyn Kelly of Fox News gave Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, the parents of 19 children and the stars of a hit reality show, a national forum to explain the past problems of their son, Josh. As a young teenager Josh fondled or inappropriately touched four of his sisters and a babysitter. Each of the girls didn’t even know what had happened until Josh admitted his intent to his parents and then to the girls. The parents did what all good parents would do – they confronted the seriousness of the child’s bad behavior, had Josh admit his guilt to the girls and even to police authorities. He was sent away for counseling, both spiritual and secular. And, as a juvenile at the time of the incidents, all was sealed and forgotten – that is, until certain people, encouraged by Hollywood, projected a lie onto the Duggars. The so-called lie is that a person, let alone a family, can’t claim the label “Christian” if they’re not perfect. This lie is so perverse it’s ridiculous. It’s like people who believe that church is only for the saved. In reality, church is for sinners, not the sinless, and life is full of weakness, not perfection. A hypocrite isn’t a weak person struggling to live a better way. A hypocrite is just a liar.
Josh Duggar isn’t an example of hypocritical behavior. It’s just the opposite. He told the truth. The hypocrisy comes from deep within the dark hearts of Hollywood moralists who despise everything the Duggars represent but who lack the courage to tell their truth.
Here’s a pretty good rule of thumb to understand repression and hypocrisy, sexually or otherwise: If you demand the whole world validate and embrace the “real” you, chances are you’re repressed – if you demand it by force of law, you’re a hypocrite.
Zeke Stokes, Vice President of Programs at GLAAD joined the latest Polite Politics Podcast to talk about the success of the gay rights movement and GLAAD’s vision for the future. The podcast also includes: • An In-Depth Look at the PATRIOT Act and the FREEDOM Act • Activists Exposed x3 • The latest in the Clinton Foundation scandal Be sure to listen to the latest Polite Politics Podcast. Here are sources on the podcast and some explanations referenced within it. Hillary Clinton: • Poll – Majority think she isn’t trustworthy… • Salon: No answer for arms sales issue.
Activists Exposed Quick Hits • Law Enforcement Appreciation Day gets Nike boycotts • Idiots petition IOC to revoke Caitlyn Jenner’s gold medal • LA Labor Union hypocrisy on minimum wage
In-Depth: The PATRIOT Act • Freedom Act passes • Difference between PATRIOT Act and Freedom Act …
"Defending Free Speech"The Mero Moment for May 28, 2015, featuring Paul Mero and presented by Utah Politico Hub. #UTpol @KVNUFTP @PaulMero
In the spirit of confident leadership, Paul Mero offers a new platform for Utah's Republican Party. The Mero Moment for May 21, 2015, featuring Paul Mero and presented by Utah Politico Hub. #UTpol
Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes joined the latest Polite Politics Podcast to talk about the unique part-time role of state legislators in Utah, the state’s economic success, and the anti-discrimination / religious freedom bill that won national acclaim.
The podcast also includes:
• The Trade War between President Obama and Elizabeth Warren • Activists Exposed on a College Campus • An In-Depth Look at how Republicans and Democrats view Economics
Be sure to listen to the latest Polite Politics Podcast.
Here are sources on the podcast and some explanations referenced within it.
On Trade:
• Washington Post Editorial Board called Dems “spurious” and position “unjustifiable.” • USA Today editorial board explained poison pill amendments designed to kill the bill. • Sherrod Brown calls Obama sexist • Republicans laughing Dems now getting treatment they’ve received
Activists Exposed:
• Students try to get a climate change “denier’s” diploma revoked.
Republican Economics vs. Democrat Economics
• Blue Model Explained by Walter Russell Mead in first third of this article.
Paul Mero talks about the challenges (and importance) of forgiveness in politics. #UTpol @kvnuftp
Paul Mero talks about Baltimore, civil unrest, and conservative and progressive policy responses. #UTpol @kvnuftp
Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) joined the Polite Politics Podcast to talk about how much time members of Congress spend at their jobs, how many bills the house considers and much more.
The podcast also includes in depth discussions of: • The riots in Baltimore and their underlying causes • Updates on the Clinton Foundation’s Finances • The 4 Questions that Pick our President
All that plus the first edition of “You are the Problem.”
Paul Mero looks at how history repeats itself as donors become targets in political warfare
In the inaugural podcast, Tyler looks at this week in politics and has a conversation with Utah Senator Mike Lee, digs into campaign finance reform and the Citizens United case, and looks at an upcoming book about the Clinton cash sources.