Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, just can't seem to help himself.

The former Senate majority leader, who was dumped from that job by his Senate Republican colleagues last year because, seems to find confrontation wherever he goes.

During Wednesday night's public hearing at the Provo Library on the proposed ethics reform initiative, the rules of protocol were made quite clear.

The three organizers of the meeting made opening remarks, then cards were passed out among the attendees to write down their names if they had a question or comment. Then the cards were passed up front and when a person's name was called, he or she would come to the microphone and ask the question.

One alteration of the protocol was when chairman Ned Hill asked Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, to speak on the Legislature's perspective.

But when the orderly question-and-answer process began, Bramble began shouting his questions from the back of the room, apparently believing he was above the rules.

Several people shouted back at the senator, telling him he was no better than anyone else, which must have come as quite a shock to the senator.

At least he didn't shout: "YOU LIE!"

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Resourcefulness in the field » Being a news reporter can be hazardous at times, but KSL-TV's news team used some quick thinking to save the integrity of its report Saturday night.

Trying to report live the breaking story of the off-duty sheriff's deputy who shot a man at the Green Street Social Club, KSL reporter Jennifer Stagg was confronted by an employee of the bar, who apparently didn't like the establishment shown in a bad light. He stood directly behind her carrying a large sign advertising drink specials. When she politely asked him to back away, he said: "Why don't you just get out of here?"

Quick thinking videographer Taylor Wilson then sent a text message to his reporter, standing a few feet away, suggesting they "do a fake live shot." Taylor turned on his lights, activated the light on his camera and gave Jennifer a formal cue. She read her script, with the bouncer bobbing his sign up and down in the background.

He then walked happily away and the TV crew went on with their real, well-rehearsed live shot.

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The letter of the law » Joanne Pogue was driving eastbound on 5400 South at about 3600 West Thursday about 7:45 a.m. when she noticed that the driver of a Salt Lake County Crime Scene Unit truck in the lane next to her seemed distracted.

Upon closer inspection, Pogue was glad to see the woman was not speaking on her cell phone, because County Mayor Peter Corroon has given specific orders to county employees banning that practice.

She was playing solitaire on her dashboard laptop.

Paul Rolly is a political columnist. Reach him at prolly@sltrib.com