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Educate Better
Wow, how embarrassing can it get for Utah? Miss Utah USA, Marissa Powell, has been awarded the blogosphere’s “worst pageant answer” in the category of rambling stupidity. Yes, we all know Utah is a patriarchal society, but it’s hard to tell if that was her point. The question: “A recent report shows that in 40 percent of American families with children, women are the primary earners, yet they continue to earn less than men. What does this say about society?” Answer: “I think we can relate this back to education, and how we are … continuing to try to strive to … figure out how to create jobs right now. That is the biggest problem. And I think, especially the men are … um … seen as the leaders of this, and so we need to try to figure out how to create education better so we can solve this problem.”
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Fight, Fight, Fight
Cockfighting—really? Nevada just toughened its penalties, likely sending cockfighters to Utah. The arguments in favor of it are, well, interesting. Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, has been hoping people will forget his earlier statement questioning why Utah would further penalize cockfighting and not abortion. But he sees no human correlation in his latest reason to oppose making it a felony: “Roosters fighting each other, that comes naturally.” Like maybe people fighting people comes naturally, so … ? Then there are those who say George Washington fought cocks, making it part of American culture. But Washington owned slaves, too—another part of our culture. Rep. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, wants stricter laws on cockfighting, and has his work cut out for him. Maybe he and Christensen should duke it out in the ring.
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God Trumps Government
People tend to elect candidates who reflect their values. Apparently, that’s the case in Orem, where Councilman Hans Andersen, also a candidate for mayor, made his governmental philosophy perfectly clear at a recent meeting. It was all about God’s economic platform. “I think God will help you and you get blessings if you follow his ways,” Andersen said. “God has economic principles we don’t follow.” Somehow, according to Anderson, these principles are clearly delineated in the Ten Commandments, which call for the private sector, not the feds, to handle programs. At least that was Andersen’s reason for voting against programs with federal funding. Thou shalt not what? Who knew God was so political?
About The Author
Katharine Biele
Bio:
A City Weekly contributor since 1992, Katharine Biele is the informed voice behind our Hits & Misses column. When not writing, you can catch her working to empower voters and defend democracy alongside the League of Women Voters.
A City Weekly contributor since 1992, Katharine Biele is the informed voice behind our Hits & Misses column. When not writing, you can catch her working to empower voters and defend democracy alongside the League of Women Voters.
More by Katharine Biele
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Mormon conference crowds and anti-Trump protests converge in downtown Salt Lake City.
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