July Fourth and other fun events

July 3, 2009

Tomorrow is Independence Day, and a great cause to celebrate. Our country has many problems; and there is much disagreement over solutions. We all have to admit, however, that it is a better place than most alternatives. And we all can and should work to make it better. Tomorrow, for instance there will be a "Tea Party" rally at the Utah Capitol from 1 to 4 PM. These anti-tax rallies started as protests on "Tax Day" in April, and have expanded to remind us that the government is too big, spends too much of our money, and makes too many rules. I have been asked to make a short speech between 2 and 3 PM, so if you are utterly bored with other Fourth activities, come up and join us. Our tax protesting Founding Fathers would feel right at home.

Today I first heard that Governor Palin of Alaska would not run for reelection in 2010. Then, in only an hour or so, it was announced that she will resign next month. Some say she will devote full time to running for President. I sure hope not. Her resignation announcement today was disjointed, rambling and almost incoherent. I was very grateful that she was not a heartbeat from the presidency. Wow, for those of us who like to watch Repbublcian follies from afar, it has been an interesting time. Perhaps we will soon hear that she has been having an affair; but at any rate, I can only believe that the citizens of Alaska will be better off.

Yesterday, it was announced that the National Security Agency will be building a large "spy center" in Salt Lake County, near the national guard camp. that will bring lots of new "Federal money" to Utah; and some see it as an economic boots. Personally, I am not thrilled to be surrounded with Federal spies. If I were given a choice between this and a nuclear waste depository, I would have to give it some thought before deciding.

Well, I always spend part of the July Fourth holiday time watching my favorite old movie -- "1776". It is a wonderful musical about the Declaration of Independence, and is a great history lesson. If you haven't seen it, buy it or rent it and find out more about how your country was started. So, I am off to watch my movie, as tomorrow evening I will be out watching fireworks with friends. Hope you have a great holiday too.

family values and strip searches

June 25, 2009

This week has been another interesting one for the "family values" crowd, in the Republican Party. Another of their leaders has fallen, a victim of his lack of such values. This time it is the Governor of South Carolina, who some had hoped might run for President, after he refused to accept Federal "bailout" money for his State. He was, after a tough legislative session and fight over the bailouts, taking a few days to wander off and just "hike", away from society. Instead, he was in South America visiting his mistress.

Last month it was Senator Ensign of Nevada, another great champion of "Family Values". What is it with these guys? They want the world to know that they are more virtuous than the rest of us; and yet they think nobody will find out that they are living a lie. I feel bad for wives who are shocked by the news of the infidelity; but I also feel bad for the voters who actually believed this baloney, and elected them to carry the banner of virtue into the "culture wars". Once again I note that Libertarians do not necessarily expect our leaders to be more virtuous than anyone else. Perhaps if everyone was a little more honest about who and what they are, there would more of us and fewer of them.

And, on another note, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that a school may not strip search a student in an attempt to find pills that she is claimed (by another student) to be carrying (in this case it was ibuprofen). A blow for freedom and a little less intrusion into a person's privacy. Justice Thomas, the lone dissenter, suggested that this will just result in those who carry illegal substances hiding them in their underwear to avoid detection. Yes, Justice Thomas, it just might mean that a few students who carry headache tablets to school will not be found out; and that just doesn't bother me much. The government just does not get to know everything we are doing; and that is alright with me. Even most of the conservatives on the Court got the idea that the right to check inside underwear for suspected medications is beyond the power we have given our government.

The day was also marked by the deaths of Farrah Faucett and Michael Jackson, two people who will be missed for the good they have done (even if at least Michael may have had his dark side). Farrah was one of my generation's great heartthrobs; and check out "USA for Africa" to be reminded of the good that Michael did to help the less fortunate. May they both rest in peace.

Some thoughts

June 11, 2009

Much has happened since I last wrote anything here. Life, as always, is hectic. My good old friend, Mark Shurtleff is running for Senate, and is grandstanding as usual to get attention. This week he created a "task force" to investigate crimes by and among immigrants. In Utah, that will give him good press, while adding nothing to law enforcement. All crimes should be investigated, depending on their seriousness, not the skin color of the alleged perpetrator. But those who hid behind fear, and try to whip it up in others, will be pleased; and more money will come into his campaign war chest.

There are now at least 4 candidates for the Senate race next year. So far, nobody is running for governor, but there is much talk about who might, including the Salt Lake County Mayor, Peter Corroon. Look for Libertarian candidates for major offices soon -- not including, I hope, "Super Dell"

On another front, "Miss California" in the Miss Universe Pageant, who has been controversial for some time, was fired this week. She was famously asked a question about gay marriage, which I thought was a very unfair question to be asked in such a contest. She and I do NOT agree on the subject, but she did not come across as a bigot, just someone who disagrees with me. And then, she was in trouble again over "semi-nude" photographs on the internet. Now they say the firing was because of breach of contract, as she did not make appearances, etc. I can't help think it was because she engaged in unpopular speech. As somnone who defends free speech for a living, I am bothered that a young girl is hounded by those who do not think she is "correct" in either her political or sexual expression. Requiring someone to be politically correct in a beauty contest is not appropriate; and if this is all an outgrowth of that, shame on those who have done this.

Last weekend the Libertarians had a booth at Salt Lake Pride, and we signed up many potential new members. We are working hard to give Utah a real alternative -- a chance to say "No" to censorship, the war on drugs, and government interference in our lives. Help us spread the word, and stay tuned here for more news of freedom.

Utah loses a governor again?

May 15, 2009

Tonight it is reported that Governor Huntsman will shortly be appointed U.S. Ambassador to China. Congratulations, Governor. Sounds like a great job. But it brings up an interesting question. Is there any chance you could take a few more Utah Republicans with you as staff? How about Senator Buttars and a few of his cohorts? Please give it some thought. This could turn out to be a great boon for our State.

The beginning of the end to the "war on drugs"?

May 13, 2009

Today the Wall Street Journal reports that the new U.S. "Drug Czar" wants to at least end the use of the "war on drugs" terminology in its policy statements. According to the article, people see it as a war on them and their freedom, rather than a war on a substance. Yay! Finally someone noticed. During my campaign for Utah Attorney General last year, the Ogden Standard Examiner newspaper labeled my view on this subject as "not in the mainstream". I retorted that it was my job to try and move the mainstream more towards reality. And it is beginning to look like I am not the lone voice on the subject. Those in power are beginning to realize that making a whole generation of young people into criminals is not good for the nation. Policy, we are told, will emphasize treatment, rather than law enforcement. And it is way past time! It is time to rise up and let your voice be heard! Let "them" know that you will no longer allow them to threaten your freedoms in a misguided attempt to save you from your own choices. You can see the article at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124225891527617397.html

And speaking of those who still want to fight the losing "war on drugs", our current Utah Attorney General has announced (by mistake, they say) that he is running for the U.S. Senate next year. I am working to field a strong Libertarian candidate who will continue to preach common sense in the face of all the misinformation given to us through the two "major" parties. Let's be heard in our opposition to the continued misguided policies. Treatment over jail? A good start. Maybe the next step will be to acknoledge that, just like those who drink alchohol, not all drug users need treatment; and that this should be an individual decision, not one forced upon them by the courts.

More political fun

April 28, 2009

Friday this week is Law Day, traditionally the day Americans of the legal profession celebrate the "rule of law". It is also the day that is set aside for the Utah Attorney General to have a major fund raiser for his political action committee. This year he has invited the Utah football coach to talk about the wonderful year his team had last year, and presumably to invite commiseration about having lost the national championship because of the bowl matchups. As many people no doubt remember, the current Attorney General has been threatening to "investigate" the BCS championship system for possible violations of anti-trust laws. This week the newspapers tell us that he is not yet "investigating", but is still looking into whether to investigate. That, it seems to me, is pretty confusing, but it apparently is enough to bring out a big crowd to his event, at $300 per plate. I sure hope the food is good.

The question that has kept me guessing is what this fund raising effort is for. The Attorney General has announced that he is not running for re-election; and there is some chance he may run for the Senate next year. But then, there is also Utah's strange campaign law which allows him to vaguely raise huge amounts of money for political purposes, and then later declare it as income and just keep it. What a deal! And there are still stories making the rounds about huge contributions from those who are seeking favors. All perfectly legal, and yet somehow just slightly slimy. Well, the Republicans seem to have mor money than they need -- perhaps it is from government bailout money, which they so vocally oppose.

Yesterday, I received a letter from a lady in Pennsylvania, addressing me as a fellow conservative, and calling on me and like-minded religious people to help throw Senator Arlen Spector right out of the Republican party, for being so liberal. Well, she got her wish, and so very quickly. Senator Spector apparently realized that the Republican Party in his state has moved far to the right, and no longer tolerates "moderates" or liberals. So, today he became a Democrat, just about totally sealing the power of the Democratic Party in Washington. Some in my own Libertarian Party have joined the wailing that the "socialists" have taken over completely, and that all is lost. Personally, I think that the Republican Party, with their drive to become the "pure" conservative party in the United States, has alienated far too many people. As a former Republican who long ago felt squeezed out by the religious right, I have a strong impulse to just gloat. There is little doubt that civil liberties under the Democrats will enjoy a resurgence. Sadly, however, the war on drugs will go on, and jails and prisons will remain full.

But, lest anyone think otherwise, I am not a Democrat. This week I read that the Federal government is likely to become the majority stockholder of General Motors. As a Ford stockholder, I am not happy that we will have to compete against the government. That is not the way the capitalist system is supposed to work. And yes, taxes are too high, and the government is too big. But those who think that a return to Republican control will help have short memories, or are just naive. It really is about time that our little Libertarian Party be given some attention, and that people wean themselves from the "two party system". What a mess we are in, and both "major" parties are to blame. See our website at www.lputah.org and see what you can do to help force real change. Now if we Libertarians can just keep from trying to kill each other!

Loss of a "friend"

April 13, 2009

On a wall in a back office in my law office is a photo of Marilyn Chambers, endorsed "To Andy with Lust". The photo was done for me when Marilyn ran for Vice President on the "Personal Choice" ticket in 2004. It is a treasured memento from someone I always wanted to meet, and now never will. Marilyn was found dead in her home last night, of unknown causes, at age 56.

Marilyn was a high fashion model in the 70's and was featured on the front of the box of Ivory Snow detergent, holding a baby. That photo was quickly removed when it was found that she had starred in one of America's first mass appeal porn movies, "Behind the Green Door". She starred in a number of other porn movies, and did some mainstream stage and movie acting as well. As an attorney who champions free speech, she was a hero -- someone who was a pioneer in the effort to topple outdated censorship laws, and to allow Americans to enjoy watching whatever entertainment they felt appropriate without government interference.

I feel as though I lost a friend, and I am sad. Thank you, Marilyn for what you did for our freedom. You will be missed.