This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Ted Cruz: Obama 'does not wish to defend this country.' AG's office closes Becker campaign probe. LDS Church protest draws 2,000 people.

Happy Monday. In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, Sen. Ted Cruz charged President Barack Obama is not interested in protecting the United States. "I recognize that Barack Obama does not wish to defend this country," the Texas Republican said on "Fox and Friends." "He may have been tired of war, but our enemies are not tired of killing us. And they're getting stronger." [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/14/cruz-obama-does-not-wish-to-defend-this-country/" target="_blank">WaPost]

Topping the news: The Utah Attorney General's Office concluded its investigation into Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker's re-election campaign and declined to take action. [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/13/utah-ags-office-says-becker-didnt-break-the-law-in-re-election-campaign/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> State House Speaker Greg Hughes said that because Gov. Gary Herbert turned down a request for a special legislative session, a plan from lawmakers to fix Utah's discredited state school board election law has to wait. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3173994-155/utah-house-speaker-criticizes-governors-denial" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Nearly 2,000 people gathered this weekend in protest of the LDS Church's recently-announced policy on same-sex families, many of whom were inactive and have resigned their membership. [http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/3178894-155/hundreds-rally-against-new-mormon-policy" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641568/Activists-mostly-inactive-Mormons-resign-from-LDS-Church-at-SLC-event.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/group-holds-mass-resignation-from-lds-church-in-slc-saturday" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/thousands-file-resignation-letters-from-the-lds-church" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://kuer.org/post/hundreds-resign-lds-church-over-same-sex-marriage-policies" target="_blank">KUER]

-> The Assembly of State Legislatures ended their three-day meeting in Salt Lake City on Friday without taking a final vote on a draft of rules for a Constitutional Convention. [http://kuer.org/post/assembly-state-legislatures-adjourns-without-finalizing-rules" target="_blank">KUER]

-> Several openings in the state Senate could allow some House members to move up. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7655-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

Tweets of the weekend: From http://twitter.com/DamienFahey" target="_blank">@DamienFahey: "Great news. Everyone's relative on Facebook who's never traveled outside of the US and is 60,000 dollars in debt has the solution for ISIS."

From http://twitter.com/Spen182" target="_blank">@Spen182: "When ISIS find out that everyone has changed the background of their Facebook photo to a French flag they'll definitely change their ways"

Tune in: Tribune reporters Jennifer Dobner and Tom Harvey join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about the legal wrangling over evidence in the criminal prosecution of former Utah Attorney General Shurtleff and how it could affect the charges facing former Utah Attorney General John Swallow and St. George businessman Jeremy Johnson. Watch Trib Talk at 12:15 p.m. MT on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.

Opinion section: Rachel Borup, a freelance writer based in Salt Lake City, feels that Utahns need more than luck to protect against gun violence and politicians should be up to for the challenge. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3162180-155/op-ed-we-need-more-than-luck" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Warren J. Hess, a former employee with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food who resigned after 11 years, says lawmkers are wrong about the Tribune's meat-inspection story. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3162161-155/op-ed-legislators-wrong-about-tribune-meat-inspection" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Paul Wickelson, a resident of Salt Lake City and co-founder of the Fossil Free Utah Natural History Museum Divestment Campaign, explains how climate change is violence played out over time. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3166334-155/op-ed-climate-change-is-violence-played" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Art Terrazas, the director of government affairs at the American Counseling Association, believes Rep. Rob Bishop stands by veterans and their families by offering them needed solutions. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3162222-155/op-ed-rep-bishop-stands-by-veterans" target="_blank">Trib]

-> James Lee Sorenson, an entrepreneur who provided the business school at the University of Utah with a $13-million gift in 2013 to create the James Lee Sorenson Global Impact Investing Center, says the state leads on impact investing to solve problems. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3162172-155/op-ed-utah-leads-on-impact-investing" target="_blank">Trib]

-> David Eskelsen, a spokesman for Rocky Mountain Power, expresses why the facts don't seem to matter to those attacking the company. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3165625-155/op-ed-in-attacks-on-rocky-mountain" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Jonathan Johnson, the chairman of Overstock.com and a 2016 candidate for Utah governor, explains his view on a fiscally responsible, flexible way forward in state healthcare. [http://m.deseretnews.com/article/865641383/A-fiscally-responsible-flexible-way-forward-in-Utahs-health-care.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Robert Kirby thinks that liberal thinking is what will save the country. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3173504-155/kirby-want-to-fix-the-country" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Paul Rolly discusses the partisan hypocrisy revealed by the "deafening silence" over Ted Cruz' birth. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3170168-155/rolly-the-deafening-silence-over-ted" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Pat Bagley shares his take on the new state of the state. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3176859-155/bagley-cartoon-new-state-of-the" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb give their take on the national spotlight focusing on discord between conservatives and "liberal media." [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641562/Discord-between-conservatives-liberal-media-on-national-spotlight.html" target="_blank">DNews]

Viva la France: After terrorist attacks left more than 120 dead, people are mourning worldwide. [http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-34825270" target="_blank">BBC]  The country is shaken and fearful from the weekend's trauma. [http://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000004039599/grief-interrupted-in-paris.html" target="_blank">NYTimes] The situation has also sparked airstrikes on ISIS from France. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/15/middleeast/france-announces-raqqa-airstrikes-on-isis/" target="_blank">CNN] President Barack Obama addressed the nation about the crisis [http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/11/13/paris-attacks-france-shooting-president-obama-tsr.cnn" target="_blank">CNN] but is hesitant to send more American troops into the fight. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/16/world/europe/obama-g20-turkey.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]

-> The attention the Paris attacks have received has prompted discussion as to how and why Western media outlets view different terrorist attacks. Suicide bombers in Beirut, Lebanon killed more than 40 people the day before the Paris attacks. [http://time.com/4113615/paris-beirut-terror-attacks/" target="_blank">TIME] Facebook received criticism for its "double standard," giving precedence to the tragedies in the Western World. [http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/facebook-flak-reaction-paris-attacks-151115071745802.html" target="_blank">AlJazeera]

-> The situation in France has also caused some U.S. states to shun Syrian refugees, afraid that terrorists may be mixed in. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/16/world/paris-attacks-syrian-refugees-backlash/index.html?sr=twcnni111615paris-attacks-syrian-refugees-backlash0710AMStoryGalLink&linkId=18777835" target="_blank">CNN]

-> The French speed skating team was in Utah to compete this weekend when their nation's capital was attacked. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3175566-155/french-nationals-in-utah-await-word" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/french-speed-skaters-thing-of-paris-attacks-as-they-compete-in-utah" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/13/french-speed-skaters-competing-in-utah-react-to-news-of-paris-attacks/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Utah Muslims fear that some may wrongly associate the terrorist attacks with their religion. [http://www.good4utah.com/news/top-stories/utah-muslims-respond-to-violence-in-paris" target="_blank">ABC4]

Weekend in review: While establishment Republicans may be attempting to push Mitt Romney into the 2016 presidential race, their efforts may lead to Romney offering an early endorsement. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641549/Will-push-for-another-Romney-run-lead-to-endorsement-of-Rubio.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Top Utah officials have recommended that the Legislature consider raising the caps on damages the state pays when it is sued for injuries stemming from government negligence. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3174713-155/top-utah-officials-recommend-review-of" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Gov. Herbert appointed Gay Cookson as the director of the Utah Division of Arts & Museums on Friday. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3174291-155/governor-herbert-names-gay-cookson-director" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The Governor's Office of Economic Development board promised a post-performance tax rebate to attract an Italian bicycle-parts manufacturer to the Ogden area. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3173910-155/italian-cycling-parts-firm-gets-state" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Former Japanese Ambassador Ken Shimanouchi promoted the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement President Barack Obama is trying to push through Congress during his visit to the Beehive State this weekend. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3174192-155/former-japanese-ambassador-pushes-trade-pact" target="_blank">Trib]

-> State Sen. Alvin Jackson will resign his post as he and his family move out of state at the end of the school year. [http://kutv.com/news/local/another-utah-state-senator-plans-to-resign" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> A Utah juvenile court judge amended his previous order to remove a 9-month-old girl from the Price home of her same-sex foster parents, instead scheduling a hearing after the story drew national attention. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3173632-155/we-all-make-mistakes-as-humans" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641433/Juvenile-judge-reverses-order-to-remove-child-from-lesbian-foster-parents.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/judge-rescinds-ruling-on-foster-baby-with-same-sex-couple" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/13/utah-judge-backs-off-order-to-remove-foster-child-from-same-sex-couples-home/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/price-judge-reverses-decision-to-remove-child-from-same-sex-couple" target="_blank">ABC4]

-> Both sides of those involved in the case of former AG Mark Shurtleff are curious about what federal officials might be hiding by withholding evidence from prosecutors. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3146788-155/odd-twist-in-shurtleff-prosecution-both" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Federal prosecutors denied Friday that they have done anything to warrant a judge tossing out the charges against St. George businessman Jeremy Johnson. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641490/Federal-prosecutors-deny-wrongdoing-in-case-against-Jeremy-Johnson.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The Utah Transit Authority board chairman said Friday that he suspected public backlash figured into the results of Proposition 1 in Salt Lake and Utah counties. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641463/UTA-chairman-says-backlash-hurt-sales-tax-increase-proposal-in-SL-Utah-counties.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> After national transportation officials announced last week an effort to put seat belts in every school bus in the country, some are questioning whether that's the best use of Utah taxpayer dollars. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641553/Feds-now-recommend-school-bus-seat-belts-but-will-Utah-pay-out.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Tooele school officials are making plans to switch its high schools to a 5-by-5 schedule next year. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641465/Tooele-County-school-officials-planning-to-move-high-schools-to-new-schedule.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Twitter polls have been used to cyber-bully students at Union High School in Roosevelt. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641522/Twitter-polls-blamed-for-cyber-bullying-at-Utah-school.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Utah State University has been awarded a $7.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Family Assistance to fund relationship and fatherhood education programs. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641453/USU-awarded-76-million-grant-for-fatherhood-education.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Smog has already crept into the Salt Lake Valley this season. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641508/Smog-creeps-into-the-Salt-Lake-Valley.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> To the relief of environmental activists, the Utah Forest Service reversed their decision on two proposed ATV corridors they had planned to construct. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3169748-155/forest-service-shifts-gears-cancels-2" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Climate change activists urged the Natural History Museum of Utah on Tuesday to cut itself free of fossil fuel money. [http://kuer.org/post/activists-press-museum-divest-fossil-fuel-companies" target="_blank">KUER]

-> Utahns took rare tours through Danger Cave, an area with artifacts dating back 11,000 years, this weekend. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3169857-155/photo-gallery-utahns-offered-rare-peek" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A drug bust in central Utah led to two arrests and the seizure of $90,000 worth of meth. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3174130-155/central-utah-drug-bust-nets-2" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The Utah State Prison is having trouble filling positions for nearly 125 correctional officers. [http://kutv.com/news/local/prison-struggles-to-fill-correctional-officer-positions" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> A survey released Friday showed the best companies to work for in the state, including  [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3173988-155/survey-highlights-wasatch-fronts-top-workplaces" target="_blank">Trib] Thumbtack, [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3103545-155/its-easy-to-pin-down-whats" target="_blank">Trib] CHG Healthcare providers [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3091028-155/why-utah-health-care-companies-seem-to" target="_blank">Trib] and others. Perks other than traditional benefits packages seem to make the difference. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3094970-155/at-top-utah-companies-good-pay" target="_blank">Trib] Wasatch Front companies racked up special awards for creating environments that excel in a variety of areas. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3078832-155/wasatch-front-companies-win-special-honors" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A survey says that volunteering helps with office effectiveness. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641605/Survey-says-Volunteering-improves-well-being-office-effectiveness.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> A century after the execution of union activist Joe Hill, his family finds peace. [http://local.sltrib.com/charts/joehill/morrisonsheal.html" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Some refugees may be heading elsewhere for asylum where they have access to better healthcare options. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641603/Are-some-refugees-fleeing-Utah-in-exodus-for-better-health-care-options.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Wingpointe Golf Course, just south of the Salt Lake airport, was open for its last day this weekend after two-and-a-half years of City Council discussion. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/3182519-155/golfers-mourn-wingpointe-on-last-day" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/wingpoint-golf-club-closes-in-salt-lake-city" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/15/golfers-say-goodbye-on-wingpointes-final-day/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Park City Mountain Ski Resort will open Saturday as the largest ski area in the country [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641604/Park-City-Mountain-Resort-will-soon-open-as-biggest-ski-hub-in-the-US.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Social workers are partnering with Salt Lake City police to reach out to the homeless population. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641554/Salt-Lake-police-social-workers-reaching-out-to-homeless-addicts.html" target="_blank">DNews]

Nationally: The Democratic National Committee has come under fire after Saturday's Democratic debate had extremely low ratings. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/democratic-debates-cbs-clinton-sanders-omalley-215909?? target="_blank">Politico] Though the rivals exchanged jabs during the debate, it was viewed by some as inconsequential. [http://www.npr.org/2015/11/15/456082324/clinton-and-rivals-cross-swords-in-second-debate-but-cause-no-wounds" target="_blank">NPR] Audience numbers dropped by nearly half. [http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/dem-primaries/260222-dem-debate-audience-drops-by-nearly-half" target="_blank">TheHill]

-> The Iowa caucuses are 11 weeks away, and if a Republican candidate is going to win the 2016 presidential election, the GOP needs to buckle down. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/holiday-malaise-for-establishment-republicans-as-carson-trump-surge/2015/11/15/de912cc6-8ba7-11e5-acff-673ae92ddd2b_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost]

Where are they?

  • Rep. Jason https://twitter.com/jasoninthehouse" target="_blank">Chaffetz heads to a morning planning meeting with the new Oversight staff director, visits with UVU's vice president, joins others for a House GOP chairs meeting and votes in the evening.
  • Gov. Gary https://twitter.com/GovHerbert" target="_blank">Herbert gives a Rural Radio interview and sits down for meetings with his leadership team and the American Red Cross.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox speaks with others at a meeting regarding Advanced Software Facility and pays a visit to the University of Phoenix campus in Murray.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama meets with embassy personnel, attends a G20 meeting on enhancing resilience through financial regulation, international tax, anti-corruption and IMF reform and eats during a G20 working lunch on trade, energy and the adoption of the Communique and Antalya Action Plan. He later holds a quint bilateral meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius of France. After that, he addresses media during a press conference and departs from Turkey en route to Manila, Philippines.
  • Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com" target="_blank">cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [http://www.sltrib.com/pages/email" target="_blank">Trib]

    — Thomas Burr and Mariah Noble

    https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/mnoblenews" target="_blank">Twitter.com/mnoblenews