Now this is a good idea:
I’ve said more than once that I wish the Navajo Nation would open an embassy here in Salt Lake City, in case I ever need to seek political asylum.
On sltrib.com in the last couple of days:
• Spokesmen for some under-valued institutions stand up to a member of a more powerful institution:
• Don’t believe John Curtis — he’s never consulted with Utah tribes on the future of Bears Ears — Davis Filfred and Shaun Chapoose | For The Tribune
We are dismayed by Rep. John Curtis’ continued defense of his bill (H.R. 4532) to legislatively confirm the president’s unlawful action rescinding and replacing the Bears Ears National Monument. His Jan. 20 Salt Lake Tribune commentary titled: “Contrary to false claims, my bill empowers Utah’s local tribes” is itself a false claim. We are the “local tribes” and Curtis never consulted with us. His bill all but eliminates our voice.We are the “local tribes” and Curtis never consulted with us. His bill all but eliminates our voice. ...
Clearly, the idea Rep. Curtis has for giving a cherry-picked sample of Native Americans in Utah a voice in the management of national monuments is comparable President Obama designating me to speak for the state of Utah, because I live in Utah and because I’d be more likely to advocate for the things he likes than would the state’s elected senators and representatives.
• Leaders of a large institution speak up for members of a victimized group:
• New Mormon leadership takes its first public stance, calls on Congress to make room for ‘Dreamers’ — Bob Mims and David Noyce | The Salt Lake Tribune
In the first major policy statement under newly installed President Russell M. Nelson, the LDS Church urged Congress on Friday to act quickly to protect from deportation hundreds of thousands of “Dreamers,” whose undocumented parents brought them to the United States as children.
• An advocate for a victimized group seeks acceptance withing a large institution:
• The Mormon church needs to find a place for LGBT children — Paul Fisher | For The Salt Lake Tribune
... When Harry came out as gay, I thought he was on his way toward choosing an alternative lifestyle. I was wrong. I now realize Harry was trying to both be gay and be a faithful Mormon. That contradiction must have been a contributor toward his death. Harry never left the church. Instead, he left his lonely apartment in Draper on a February night, drove to Israel Canyon west of Utah Lake, walked up a ridge in the snow and shot himself. ...
• Related:
— ‘Dreamers’ are just Americans waiting for solutions — By Shireen Ghorbani | For The Tribune
If our Congressional leaders can’t find a solution to keep families together and uphold the values our country was founded upon, then it’s time to find new leaders.
• And:
• When Trump pulls down Utah Republicans, someone will have to be there to step in — George Pyle | The Salt Lake Tribune
... But if the hammer does fall — if, at least, it all crashes down before November — [Rep. Chris] Stewart might be among the most likely to see his career become collateral damage in a post-Nixon style massacre. If the Democrats can scrounge up a credible candidate to oppose him. ...
... The national Democratic Party and its reliable money buckets will be hard-pressed to help the Utahns, as candidates across the nation will be in the same situation — behind, but facing a lifetime of regret if they don’t give the last full measure of their political devotion. ...
• Related:
• Local Democrats warn DNC: Cash crunch threatens November gains — Gabriel Debeneditti | Politico
State and local party officials worry they’re too broke to ride the anticipated 2018 wave.
• Gracious Shireen Ghorbani is exactly what Utah’s 2nd District needs — Bryan LaBore | The Public Forum
... My mother always told me you find out who people really are when they have nothing to gain. Shireen had nothing to gain, and she went above and beyond for us anyway. That’s just who she is....
• Which takes us back to :
• ‘Dreamers’ are just Americans waiting for solutions — By Shireen Ghorbani | For The Tribune
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Tribune staff. George Pyle.
George Pyle, The Tribune’s editorial page editor, is big on apophenia — the human tendency to detect patterns, whether they are really there or not.
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