This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
President Obama says it would've been fun to run against Trump. 23 states close borders to Syrian refugees, Utah isn't one. Official election results expected today.
Happy Tuesday. President Barack Obama kind of wishes he could be in the White House race this year — but only because he could challenge Donald Trump. "I would've enjoyed campaigning against Trump. That would've been fun," Obama said in a wide-ranging interview with GQ that includes the president passing on whether he'd back Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden's leadership style. [http://www.gq.com/story/president-obama-bill-simmons-interview-gq-men-of-the-year" target="_blank">GQ]
Topping the news: Despite 23 states closing their borders to Syrian refugees after the weekend's terrorist attacks in Paris, Gov. Gary Herbert says Utah will not follow the trend but will focus on ensuring the right security checks are fulfilled. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3186821-155/utah-guv-says-state-will-still" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641699/Gov-evaluating-refugee-process-in-Utah.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/gov-herbert-orders-security-evaluation-in-wake-of-paris-attacks" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/16/gov-herberts-office-releases-statement-on-syrian-refugees-entering-utah/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/governor-herbert-orders-reevaluation-of-refugee-policy-in-wake-of-paris-attacks" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://kuer.org/post/utah-governor-will-change-refugee-policy-if-warranted" target="_blank">KUER]
-> Utah's congressional members say America must be more vigilant about screening Syrian refugees and take a larger role in fighting terrorism by sending troops to Syria. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641663/Utah-congressional-members-dont-rule-out-US-ground-troops-in-Syria.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/utahs-rep-stewart-blasts-obama-on-isis-strategy" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> It's canvas day, meaning today will reveal the official fate of Salt Lake City's mayoral race and Proposition 1. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641678/Tuesday-tallies-will-settle-mayoral-race-fate-of-Prop-1-in-Salt-Lake-County.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The Carbon County judge who last week ordered a foster child removed from a Price couple's home because they are lesbians has disqualified himself from the case. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3185688-155/utah-judge-who-ordered-foster-child" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641636/Alliance-for-a-Better-Utah-calls-for-impeachment-of-judge-in-lesbian-foster-case-controversy.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/the-latest-judge-removes-self-from-gay-foster-parent-case" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/16/judge-disqualifies-himself-from-lesbian-foster-parents-case/" target="_blank">Fox13] Despite his removal, two LGBT advocacy groups are asking for action to be taken against the judge. [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/16/judge-targeted-for-removal-from-the-bench-for-decision-on-same-sex-foster-parents/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://kuer.org/post/groups-call-price-judge-be-impeached-reprimanded" target="_blank">KUER]
Tweets of the day: From https://twitter.com/KurtSchlichter">@KurtSchlichter : "Obama seemed as excited talking about defeating ISIS as I did when I found out Blind Melon & Gin Blossoms were touring together this fall."
From http://twitter.com/barbiegutzz" target="_blank">@barbiegutzz: "Some of y'all are so quick to repost a https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayForSyria?src=hash">#PrayForSyria or https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayForSyria?src=hash">#PrayForSyria hashtag but won't welcome innocent refugees into your state"
From http://twitter.com/UberFacts" target="_blank">@UberFacts: "ISIS militants have been using plastic Darth Vader masks to protect their faces from shrapnel."
Happy Birthday: To political consultant Alan Crooks.
Tune in: University of Utah political scientist Claudio Holzner and Tribune investigative reporter Matt Canham join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about Utah Gov. Gary Herbert's call for compassion toward Syrian refugees and how the Paris terrorist attacks could affect the growing refugee crisis. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MT on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
In other news: Students from Utah abroad in France have been confirmed safe after the attacks. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3186581-155/utah-students-abroad-in-france-are" target="_blank">Trib] The LDS Church has also increased security measures for missionaries serving there. [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/13/all-lds-missionaries-based-in-paris-are-safe-staying-inside-until-further-notice/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Pat Bagley gives his take on France's response to recent events. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3187592-155/bagley-cartoon-dont-mess-with-paris" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's tough talk about the need for an American-led war against the ISIS, includes ground troops is strengthening his role as leader of his party. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/11/15/mitt-romney-obama-must-wage-war-on-the-islamic-state-not-merely-harass-it/" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641694/Romney-strengthening-role-as-GOP-leader-with-tough-talk-on-ISIS.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/16/romney-run-for-president-so-youre-saying-theres-a-chance/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> More than 100 Utahns were sworn in yesterday at the state Capitol as citizens of the United States. [http://www.good4utah.com/news/top-stories/hundreds-of-new-citizens-sworn-in-at-state-capitol" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> A Utah gay-rights group seeking to sponsor a Boy Scout troop says its approval seems to be delayed. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3174397-155/utah-gay-group-questions-delay-of" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Federal prosecutors denied allegations that they withheld evidence in the criminal case against St. George businessman Jeremy Johnson. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3187433-155/federal-prosecutors-deny-missing-evidence-johnsons" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Developers have withdrawn a request that Bountiful approve a controversial land-swap proposal targeting a slice of national forest land. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3186623-155/developers-no-longer-seek-bountifuls-ok" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641707/Proposed-Bountiful-land-swap-withdrawn.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/16/developers-withdraw-request-for-city-support-in-bountiful-land-swap/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Dozens of Sugar House residents told representatives from the Boulder Ventures development firm Monday evening that the proposed 492-unit apartment complex is too big. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3188260-155/sugar-house-residents-decry-monolith-apartment-complex" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The Martha Hughes Cannon Caucus, a group of current and former female legislatures, who seek to inspire women to serve in politics and business, has launched. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641564/My-view-Martha-Caucus-seeks-to-inspire-interested-women-to-serve-in-politics-business.html?pg=all" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A trip to Switzerland by lawmakers and UTA members has been called into question. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641706/Switzerland-trip-by-lawmakers-UTA-board-members-raises-questions.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The Utah State Office of Education released the race, gender and minority makeup of schools in the state. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765681719/Race-gender-minority-percentage-makeup-of-Utah7s-schools.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A Salt Lake after-school program will be praised today by First Lady Michelle Obama. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641689/Salt-Lake-after-school-program-praised-by-Michelle-Obama.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Utahns report that their quality of life has remained relatively stable over the past four years despite an improving economy. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3186038-155/index-utahns-view-of-quality-of" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/report-quality-of-life-down-despite-improving-utah-economy" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://kuer.org/post/utahns-think-quality-life-staying-steady-despite-improving-economy" target="_blank">KUER]
-> Utah is making record-breaking profits off liquor sales. [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/16/the-top-selling-liquor-in-utah-and-its-making-the-state-millions/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Paul Rolly shares his take on Utah racking up bad grades on policy fronts. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3160976-155/rolly-utah-racking-up-bad-grades" target="_blank">Trib]
Nationally: Yesterday, leaders from 27 states said they would no longer welcome Syrian refugees into their territories, [http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/16/world/paris-attacks-syrian-refugees-backlash/index.html?sr=twCNN111715paris-attacks-syrian-refugees-backlash0419AMVODtopPhoto&linkId=18805983" target="_blank">CNN] [http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34835353" target="_blank">BBC] although the legality of the move is in question. [https://www.yahoo.com/politics/can-governors-really-reject-syrian-refugees-000440043.html" target="_blank">Yahoo!] Although President Barack Obama is still on board with accepting refugees, House Speaker Paul Ryan is being pressured by members of the GOP to block the move. [http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-11-16/some-republicans-push-to-block-funding-for-syrian-refugees" target="_blank">Bloomberg] [http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/16/politics/paul-ryan-syrian-refugees-funding/index.html" target="_blank">CNN]
-> Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson said Congress should stop funding refugee efforts, [http://news.yahoo.com/carson-congress-stop-funding-refugee-resettlement-180936281—election.html" target="_blank">Yahoo!] and Donald Trump fears Syrian refugees may be a "Trojan horse" for members of ISIS. [http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/11/16/trump-questions-whether-syrian-refugees-are-trojan-horse/?smid=nytpolitics&smtyp=cur&_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes], but Democrat Bernie Sanders hopes Americans will accept those seeking asylum. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/16/sanders-says-u-s-should-be-accepting-of-syrian-refugees-and-tough-but-not-stupid-in-destroying-isis/" target="_blank">WaPost]
-> Many from the GOP also seek a more aggressive response to the weekend's terrorist attacks, including presidential candidate Jeb Bush, who said the United States should declare war, [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/jeb-bush-2016-commander-chief-215949" target="_blank">Politico] but Obama is defending his plan is to intensify efforts already in place. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/17/world/europe/obama-says-paris-attacks-have-stiffened-resolve-to-crush-isis.html" target="_blank">NYTimes] The fight has sparked yet another threat of a government shutdown. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/gop-lawmakers-syria-refugees-215936" target="_blank">Politico]
Where are they?
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— Thomas Burr and Mariah Noble
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