Then, Herbert, who is somewhat skeptical of liberal ideas like global warming, promptly blew off the program and didn't change a thing about the way he travels.

Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, who met the challenge by carpooling, now has a smoking gun (green-house gas-emitting, at least) in his charge that Herbert doesn't give a damn about the environment. It is important to set the example as elected officials and also to send a message that even people who have traditionally busy lives can be involved in helping clean the air.


Gazing into the LDS crystal ball. A group of religious thinkers are discussing the future of the LDS Church. Fun questions, such as: How will the Mormon Church continue to grow while maintaining its central authority and its emphasis on strong communities? The writers in the project range from church Elder Quentin L. Cook to Mormon feminist blogger Tresa Edmunds.

Skatebording Saints. Slate writer Alex Pareene questions the LDS Church's "weird" public relations campaign on television in nine middle-American cities. Mormons, obviously, want to prove that they are regular people, just like us, and some of them are even cool, young, attractive people who ride skateboards. But... are Mormons just trying to convince Americans that Mormons are "normal," so that in 2012 they'll consider voting for Mormon King Mitt Romney? (These ads are running in four or five potential swing states, after all.)

Ralph's begging for it. Mayor Ralph Becker is continuing his push to regulate beggars. Once again, he's in a delicate position on a controversial issue. Downtown businesses complain that panhandlers are driving away customers, but the ACLU and social-service organizations say the proposed ordinance is heartless and possibly unconstitutional. It's yet another situation in which Mayor Ralph, who has already been beaten back from more draconian panhandling regulations, seems destined to add to his reputation as SLC's hapless and vacillating leader.