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Opinion

‘Trumpenfreude’—the joy of a Trump voter’s misfortune.

Smart Bomb: The completely unnecessary news analysis
By Christopher Smart

A fairy tale for Americans and their sorry-assed Trump enablers.

Taking a Gander
By Michael S. Robinson Sr.

Kilby Block Party pulled off Salt Lake's biggest show, in the rain, and they made it look easy.

Opinion
By Benjamin Wood
‘Trumpenfreude’—the joy of a Trump voter’s misfortune.
‘Trumpenfreude’—the joy of a Trump voter’s misfortune.

‘Trumpenfreude’—the joy of a Trump voter’s misfortune.

Smart Bomb: The completely unnecessary news analysis
Hey Wilson, have you ever heard this word, “schadenfreude?” It means taking pleasure or joy from someone else's misfortune. For example: If your mean boss got a flat tire in the rain and showed up at work soaking wet, you would have to rush to the restroom to laugh your ass off. Or if Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem—aka ICE Barbie—was at a burger joint with her grandchildren, and if someone swiped her designer handbag with $3,000 in it, and the Democrats in the Senate cloakroom were overhead saying, “gee, that's terrible,” followed by a lot of snickering.

By Christopher Smart May 28, 2025

Utah Sen. John Curtis scolds Congress for “outsourcing” to the White House.
Utah Sen. John Curtis scolds Congress for “outsourcing” to the White House.

Utah Sen. John Curtis scolds Congress for “outsourcing” to the White House.

Smart Bomb: The completely unnecessary news analysis
Hold the phone. Stop the music. Don't look now, but Utah Sen. John Curtis—a one-time Democrat turned Republican—said in a floor speech that Congress should start taking responsibility rather than ceding its constitutional authority to the Trump administration.

By Christopher Smart May 21, 2025

POS—A new acronym for Donald Trump that finally makes sense.
POS—A new acronym for Donald Trump that finally makes sense.

POS—A new acronym for Donald Trump that finally makes sense.

Taking a Gander
When I’d finished my morning toilet duties, I surveyed the contents of the bowl. It was no surprise—nothing so really different than every other time, though I did notice that the color was off a bit. As I pressed the flush button, I heard a desperate call. “Help!” pleaded the voice, “It’s me, Donald, your president.”

By Michael S. Robinson Sr. May 21, 2025

The English language will continue to evolve in spite of Trump's Orwellian purge of woke words.
The English language will continue to evolve in spite of Trump's Orwellian purge of woke words.

The English language will continue to evolve in spite of Trump's Orwellian purge of woke words.

Opinion
"We have met the enemy and he is us." So said Pogo, the titular character in a comic strip syndicated locally in The Salt Lake Tribune during the 1960s and 1970s.

By John Rasmuson May 14, 2025

As Trump escalates, more and more Americans will face a test of patriotism.
As Trump escalates, more and more Americans will face a test of patriotism.

As Trump escalates, more and more Americans will face a test of patriotism.

Taking a Gander
If Donald Trump is allowed to use Supreme Ruler-style extortion and fear as the primary tools of “leadership,” America may well become one of those “shithole” nations that he’s always loved to insult.

By Michael S. Robinson Sr. May 14, 2025

Don’t worry America, ICE probably won’t detain you.
Don’t worry America, ICE probably won’t detain you.

Don’t worry America, ICE probably won’t detain you.

Smart Bomb: The completely unnecessary news analysis
So, agents with the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for trespassing in the parking lot of a detention center. It's true that trespassing usually is not an offense that'll get you arrested—you might get a citation—but this is different.

By Christopher Smart May 14, 2025

Democrats rebrand as the party of “We’re Not Them.”
Democrats rebrand as the party of “We’re Not Them.”

Democrats rebrand as the party of “We’re Not Them.”

Smart Bomb: The completely unnecessary news analysis
So Wilson, listen, the Democrats have a problem—branding. You know what pops to mind when you hear the word “Democrat,” and the pundits say these days it isn't so good.

By Christopher Smart May 7, 2025

King? Pope? Donald Trump is America’s own Walter Mitty.
King? Pope? Donald Trump is America’s own Walter Mitty.

King? Pope? Donald Trump is America’s own Walter Mitty.

Taking a Gander
Don’t be surprised if you start seeing AI-generated photos of Donald Trump on the cross at Calvary, or if, at press conferences, he starts inviting Fox News reporters to inspect his scars. That would be Trump’s most blatant attempt to make himself appear important and relevant.

By Michael S. Robinson Sr. May 7, 2025

The late Pope Francis stood apart as a Christian leader willing to condemn international atrocities.
The late Pope Francis stood apart as a Christian leader willing to condemn international atrocities.

The late Pope Francis stood apart as a Christian leader willing to condemn international atrocities.

Taking a Gander
Monday morning, April 28, 2025. Hopefully everybody’s heard the unsettling daily news and fully appreciated the great compassion of our world leaders. All have chimed-in, on a united front, over the tragic terrorist violence in Pahalgam, India, condemning the attack in which 26 people—mostly tourists—died.

By Michael S. Robinson Sr. April 30, 2025

“ICE Barbie” Kristi Noem’s big meal deal in DC.
“ICE Barbie” Kristi Noem’s big meal deal in DC.

“ICE Barbie” Kristi Noem’s big meal deal in DC.

Smart Bomb: The completely unnecessary news analysis
She may be the secretary of Homeland Security, but “ICE Barbie” Kristi Noem couldn't keep her $4,000 designer handbag secure while snarfing down a double cheese and fries at a D.C. burger joint.

By Christopher Smart April 30, 2025

The American press, including Utah journalism, is trapped in a race to the bottom.
The American press, including Utah journalism, is trapped in a race to the bottom.

The American press, including Utah journalism, is trapped in a race to the bottom.

Opinion
I love what I do for a living. Not everyone can say that—so I routinely remind myself how rare it is to find a job that nourishes rather than merely sustains.

By Wes Long April 23, 2025

LDS church could offer 401Ks with tithing—or not.
LDS church could offer 401Ks with tithing—or not.

LDS church could offer 401Ks with tithing—or not.

Smart Bomb: The completely unnecessary news analysis
Ruling in favor of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a lawsuit brought by disaffected members, a federal court recently ordered that the church can use tithing anyway it wants. Its investment portfolio is reportedly worth some $100 billion.

By Christopher Smart April 23, 2025

Americans are living the nightmare of a toddler president bedtime story.
Americans are living the nightmare of a toddler president bedtime story.

Americans are living the nightmare of a toddler president bedtime story.

Taking a Gander
My Uncle Sam’s household had devolved into a symphony of sighs and weary shuffles, the ceaseless demands of home and family threatening to drown Betsy and Sam. One chaotic evening, amidst the debris of a lukewarm, chicken nugget dinner, Sam threw up his hands in mock surrender.

By Michael S. Robinson Sr. April 23, 2025

Donald Trump’s birth defects threaten our democracy.
Donald Trump’s birth defects threaten our democracy.

Donald Trump’s birth defects threaten our democracy.

Taking a Gander
What President Donald Trump’s personal physician won’t tell you about his recent five-hour physical is that Trump has a serious congenital deformity. It seems that Mother Nature threw him a real curve, getting the connections to his trachea and digestive tract totally reversed.

By Michael S. Robinson Sr. April 16, 2025

You little taxpayers, you’re in for a big treat
You little taxpayers, you’re in for a big treat

You little taxpayers, you’re in for a big treat

Smart Bomb: The completely unnecessary news analysis
Great news for Salt Lake City taxpayers: You'll now be paying $300 million more for the magical wonderland coming to downtown around the Delta Center.

By Christopher Smart April 16, 2025

The idiot’s guide to bliss in the Donald Trump years.
The idiot’s guide to bliss in the Donald Trump years.

The idiot’s guide to bliss in the Donald Trump years.

Smart Bomb: The completely unnecessary news analysis
1. Turn off your morning alarm clock and take afternoon siestas in a Mayan hammock. 2. Drink any and all liquids you can get your hands on. 3. Absolutely never watch the news on TV, it harms the cerebral cortex.

By Christopher Smart April 9, 2025

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