News Highlights

Utahns participate in opening day activities at the Democratic National Convention in Denver; see links to multiple stories in the right column.

Natural gas vehicles are becoming popular in Utah because the cost is just 87 cents to equal the energy in a gallon of gasoline, now priced at $4. But safety, especially in backyard conversion jobs, is a big concern (Salt Lake Tribune).

Quote of the Day

"In the old days of the lake, before there was the tremendous growth we are experiencing, these different interests could go off in their corner and sing their own tune without worrying too much about harmonizing. But now we have the tremendous growth, the population of Utah is expected to double in our lifetime adding greater pressures to the lake and to other resources, and so it's time to come together."

-- David Livermore of The Nature Conservancy, a newly-appointed member of the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council (KCPW). See related Tribune story.

Ink by the Barrel -- Who Cares?

Before the rise of New Media, politicians seldom took on journalists. The old adage was, “Don’t pick a fight with the people who buy ink by the barrel and paper by the roll.” The power of the press has long belonged to those who own the press. Complaints to editors seldom achieved anything and letters to the editor had little impact. Reporters always got the last laugh.

Today, however, with the rise of New Media, all has changed. Everyone can be a publisher. Reporters, as much as politicians, are fair game for bloggers and “citizen journalists.” The watchdogs are being watched. Bloggers and those who post comments on stories quickly point out what they perceive to be errors and bias. A case in point is the current spat between Rep. Steve Urquhart and the Deseret News. Urquhart has been bulldog-like in the scathing criticism leveled in his blog posts (see more in Blog Watch below). It’s not something reporters are used to, but they can expect more of it in the future. Some conservative Republicans are discussing creation of a radio talk show where the focus will be on critiquing reporters and “correcting” the news media on a weekly basis. The show will be taped and made available as a podcast on blogs.

So is this all good for society? Does it make sense to subject reporters and news outlets to the same scrutiny they have been dishing out to politicians and newsmakers? Certainly it does, as long as the commentary is intelligent, insightful, accurate and fair. Blog posts by smart, informed people are good. However, some bloggers and those who post comments are crude, illogical, unfair and idiotic. They should just be ignored.

Regional Politics

Democrats Fret About Romney, Mormon Voters
San Francisco Chronicle: "With several polls showing Democratic Sen. Barack Obama trailing Republican Sen. John McCain in Colorado on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, some of the state's Democrats worried Sunday that McCain might pick former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as a running mate to solidify his support among a key voting bloc -- Mormons. 'It's going to make a big difference if Mitt Romney is the V.P.' for McCain, said Nick Isenberg, a Democratic activist from Glenwood Springs. 'We have a lot of Mormons in Colorado.' ... For the general election, the West, especially the Southwest, rises in strategic significance for both candidates, and Mormons are gaining more attention given their wide dispersion across the region. ... 'Obviously, if [McCain] picks Romney, it makes a strong play for the Mormon vote, but I don't know that that decides the West,' said Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, an immensely popular Democrat in McCain's home state. In an interview, Napolitano said Romney's reputation for changing his position on issues will not play well with Western voters, who she said tend to like independent pragmatists."

National Journal Convention Daily: Utah delegates Peter Corroon (mayor of Salt Lake County), and Kurt Bestor, are quoted in story about the Democratic Party’s focus on Rocky Mountain states. Says Corroon: "It's sometimes a little lonely being a Democrat in Utah, but we're starting to see, like some of our surrounding states, where people are looking for a change and seeing that Democrats can win even in the red states."

Washington Watch

Hatch Hosts Officials at HAFB
On August 22, Sen. Orrin Hatch met at Hill Air Force Base with Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Nortan A. Schwartz, who traveled to HAFB at Hatch's invitation. Hatch "had two purposes in extending this invitation. One was to show off Hill's impressive capabilities as part of my ongoing and continuing efforts to get greater workload at Hill; [the second was] to demonstrate to the new senior Air Force leadership my absolute confidence in Major General Kathleen Close, her predecessor General Kevin Sullivan, Hill's entire command, and most importantly the hard work and expertise of Hill's experienced workforce" (see press release).

Today in Political History

Aug. 26, 1957:  The Soviet Union announces it has successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Aug. 26, 1964:  President Lyndon B. Johnson is nominated for a term of office in his own right at the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, N.J.  (Source:  NY Times) 

Wise Words

“We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls.”

-- Robert J. McCracken  (Source:  Quote Garden) 

Communications Tip

Tapping the Power of Questions

Asking questions demonstrates that you're listening (and actually helps you to listen), which always helps to strengthen relationships. Think of a conversation when someone didn't ask you a single question. How did you feel? What perception did you have of that person? Would you want to interact with him or her in the future? By setting a goal to ask several questions in all of your interactions, you'll gain powerful information to improve your own performance, strengthen relationships, and reduce misunderstandings.  (Source:  Inc.com) 

National Politics

Best Stories From . . .

-- Gallup: Race tied as Democratic Convention starts
-- New York Times: Kennedy tugs at hearts, as Obama's wife praises values
-- Washington Post: Kennedy's life -- and 48 years of the Party's -- convention by  convention
-- National Review: Editorial: The Denver Democrats
-- Slate: David Greenberg: Why Biden's plagiarism shouldn't be forgetten
-- Politico: Tensions boil between Obama-Clinton camps
-- ABC News: Pelosi tells disappointed Clinton supporters to avoid 'victim politics'
-- FOX News: McCain may announce his VP choice before Friday

Blog Watch

-- Looks like The Utah Amicus's Rob Miller and his team of Utah bloggers are having a good time in Denver: Checking out the nightlife, mingling with celebrities, and posting multiple dispatches, complete with pictures and video, from the Democratic National Convention. Of particular interest: Bob Aagard's run-in with the riot police. 

-- Rep. Steve Urquhart presents the specifics on why he believes the Deseret News has declared war on the Legislature. (See also related Glen Warchol post.)

Lighter Side

Favorite Headlines

(From James Taranto’s Best of the Web at OpinionJournal.com)

-- Everything Seemingly Is Spinning Out of Control: "Pregnancy Test Leaves At-Risk Frogs Holding the Baby"--headline, Age (Melbourne, Australia), Aug. 24; "Maple Leaf Confirmed Source of Deadly Canadian Meat"--headline, Reuters, Aug. 23
-- News You Can Use: "Water Is for Growing Things"--headline, Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), Aug. 24
-- Bottom Story of the Day: "Chet Edwards Not Chosen as Vice President"--headline, KCEN-TV Web site (Temple, Texas), Aug. 24

Elected Officials Birthday List

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