A Maine physician has had a post published on Common Dreams:What it Meant When Abortion Was Illegal.
He describes the anger and frustration on the part of his father, a physician who was also a Republican, family man, and well respected community member, when he couldn’t save a 16 year old from an abortion-gone-wrong by an unskilled abortionist in the early 1900’s.
The article speaks for itself.
Liberal AND Conservative:
Bush gives State of the Union
Bay Area delegates give Bush’s State of Union an ‘F’Democrats deplore president’s address
Bush Continues to Unite the World… Against Him
Bush Health Proposal in State of the Union Message Won’t Make Insurance Affordable
Community conversation: President Bush’s State of the Union address
President Bush, State of Union: New Orleans, Not Burma
Bush State of the Union addresses on energy: yada, yada, yada
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged bush regime, government corruption, healthcare, human needs, iraq war, news, politics
Here are some photos and a
sound file of my speech at the vigil tonight, where participants demonstrated in solidarity with the Granny Peace Brigade in D.C. today meeting with senators.
Eileen McCabe reads a poem
————————————————————
Text of my speech:
We are here today to support everyone who is speaking out against the Iraq War –
especially the grandmothers who have stepped forward to take a stand. The Granny Peace Brigade, made up of grandmothers who were arrested last spring at a New York military recruiting station for refusing to leave until they were enlisted, is in Washington D.C. today meeting with Senators to urge them to stop the surge of more troops and to bring the troops currently in Iraq HOME! These grandmothers are an inspiration to Americans who need to be empowered to speak out against this illegal war and occupation – yes, even here in Utah!
THE TIME HAS COME FOR US TO SPEAK OUT – WE WILL NOT BE SILENT!
Continue reading
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson made his State of the City Address last night.Anderson reviewed past accomplishments and outlined future goals.
Anderson challenged leaders to take a stand on issues:
Progress is about building—and leaving for the future—a better world and better
communities. Whatever affects the people of Salt Lake City—whether it is garbage collection,federal housing policy, or the prospect of catastrophic global climate change—it is the responsibility of all leaders, whether in the business, religious, or civic communities—including municipal officials – to take a stand, and to take action. Those who do not, those who say “It’s not my job” or “It’s none of my business” are not only derelict in carrying out their responsibilities as leaders; they are derelict in fulfilling their moral duties as human beings with choices and the ability to help make a positive difference.
And on progress:
In thinking about progress, the relevant question is not simply what is possible in thegiven conditions of the present world, but, more significantly, what is desirable in a future worlddriven by our hopes and dreams. Throughout the past seven years of my administration, we haveendeavored to make these dreams—these aspirations for an inclusive, safe, healthy, interesting, rewarding community—part of the fabric of our great city. Progress in City government requires a hard-working, dedicated team. We have set a standard of excellence for our team, trying people out for the team, making some cuts, and building an exceptional team that has served the people of Salt Lake City well.
It is up to each of us to advance the common good, preserving the key spaces, resources,and institutions that make our quality of life possible, while extending the benefits they provide to every member of our community, including those who come along in the future. In the end,the measure of our lives, and of our service to others, is whether we have had some part in progress—whether we have helped move our community and our world toward real
improvement.
Utah Supreme Court Justices are requesting more money. Apparently there is a vacancy in the 7th district that has attracted on five applicants, short four from the state’s mandate of nine applications being received before proceeding in the hiring process.
In today’s Deseret News:
In her annual State of the Judiciary address to the Utah Legislature, Chief Justice Christine M. Durham said more and more of Utah’s attorneys seem disinterested in becoming judges, mainly because the pay is so much less than what they can make in the private sector and even less than legal positions within Utah’s government. “I know that no one becomes a judge to get rich,” Durham said, “… but I am concerned about trends and morale.” Some 11 percent of district judgeships have turned over in the past two years and 35 percent of all Utah judges are eligible to retire in the next four years. Currently, district court judges make $114,004 while Court of Appeals judges are paid $120,100 and the five Supreme Court justices make $125,800 annually.
Historically, lawmakers have been reluctant to grant the raises asked by the courts. Last year, the Utah courts asked for a 7 percent increase and got 3 percent. The year before that, judges received a 1 percent boost.
This year, Durham said the courts are asking for an 11 percent raise.
This might not be an issue if the entire system were overhauled so that judges wouldn’t be working so much, inclusive of changing laws for non-violent crimes. Additionally – 11 percent???? Compared to the average workers pay in Utah, the current judge’s salary is wonderful! I can’t beleive that Utah would raise the salaries of government employees so much while, at the same time, arguing over what minimum wages should be for the average employee that keeps our economy going.
Priorities, people, priorities.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 2007 legislature, economy, living wage, minimum wage, politics, Utah
Deseret News
57th Legislature: Ethics targeted again: Speeches, prayers launch session
Lawmakers to seek big boost in teachers’ pay
Wages for judges decried: Chief justice says the judiciary is facing a quality crisis over pay
Utah has eyes on rules for transfers
Public schooling creates common ground (opinion)
Judicial committee OKs judge nominee
Legislators receive primer on software available to schools: Educators asking for $30 million to improve technology
Salt Lake Tribune
Session’s opening: Quiet before storm:
The time of hefty surpluses may bring more bitter battles than leaner days
Utah lawmakers begin 45-day session
Measure aims to make repeat DUI offenders use the gadgets
Nominee would bring diverse past to bench
Prison boss’ job a challenge
Chief justice says pay raise needed to recruit new judges
Voice of Utah is doing its legislative watch during the 2007 session with a feature called
<a href=”http://voiceofutah.livejournal.com/18618.html”>Nutter Buttars Watch</a>.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 