For reasons I won't get into, it has become apparent to me that it is no longer in my best interests to post under this synonym or under any other addressing political issues. My tentacles are way to wound into the corporate and governmental fabric of our state for me to continue to host a personal blog of this sort. I have enjoyed speaking my mind under the guise of an anonymous cyber-jedi, but circumstances have made it so that I must retreat from this medium for the mean-time. I have deeply enjoyed the comments and feedback from others who have provided me with additional knowledge that has been invaluable.
At my discretion, I may respond to some of my favorite bloggers. But I don't feel I can currently post my own material for the next little while, which may be months or years. I will take down this blog after archiving the posts I find were some of my best on my personal storage apparatus.
But let me say, how much I appreciate those who have followed my political blog and have provided your insights. This has been a great experience for me, given I'm a newbie to things such as blogs. So to those whom I have the greatest respect and admiration such as bekkianne, David Miller, Richard Warnick, Frank Staheli, the Jason, Bob Aagard, Rob Miller and many others, I say adieu and thanks for putting up with this middle-aged exmormon atheist who used to have too much time on his hands.
Someday when the time is right, I hope to meet each of you IRL. Best regards.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Schwartzeneger Plan and It's Implications
In California, Gov. Schwartzeneger is contemplating forcing state employees to take a de facto pay cut, by requiring them to take a certain amount of pay without leave. Laying off employees is also being considered. I understand that there are shortfalls, but I wonder how state employees of California feel about them taking the hit because others made bad economic decisions.
I'm sure this will also come to Utah. The past several years, with budget surpluses and a booming economy, our legislature has cut taxes, primarily to the well to do, but not entirely, also reducing the sales tax on food. When revenues are down, does the legislature restore the old tax structure, or do they decide to put the burden of the economic downturn upon Utah's public employees?
Let me get this out of the way first, and it is a perception I get from talking to so many conservative legislators over the years, that they consider public employees as inherently lazy, with bureaucracies that are top-heavy and inefficient, with plenty of fat that can be cut if they can be prodded through accross the board budget cuts.
I have spent some time around those in state government, and I can say unequivocably, that this perception is grossly exaggerated. My wife worked for the state for some time, and found herself overwhelmed with a caseload she couldn't possibly handle, and when there was a failure to meet all the impossible legislatively mandated requirements, that were inadequately funded, the blame never fell upon the legislature, but upon "those evil bureaucrats."
My wife works for the state, and so my position is biased. I'll admit that. But putting the full burden of budget shortfalls upon state employees, who are only trying to do their jobs the best they can seems short-sighted. Also consider, that state employees who are laid off, will take their accrued leave with them, creating a short-term cash-flow problem, increase the cost of their unemployment insurance, as well as further exacerbate our economic problems by increasing the unemployment rate and causing fewer people to be able to spend money to buy cars, houses, appliances, etc.
Utah legislators would be wise, to find solutions to their budget woes short of layoffs or reductions in the effective pay to their employees, many of whom have made sacrifices to remain in their jobs when better opportunities were available to them. Many came to believe strongly in the efficacy of the services they were providing and felt a considerable degree of job satisfaction in serving the public and making a difference in their lives.
Anyway, something to consider.
I'm sure this will also come to Utah. The past several years, with budget surpluses and a booming economy, our legislature has cut taxes, primarily to the well to do, but not entirely, also reducing the sales tax on food. When revenues are down, does the legislature restore the old tax structure, or do they decide to put the burden of the economic downturn upon Utah's public employees?
Let me get this out of the way first, and it is a perception I get from talking to so many conservative legislators over the years, that they consider public employees as inherently lazy, with bureaucracies that are top-heavy and inefficient, with plenty of fat that can be cut if they can be prodded through accross the board budget cuts.
I have spent some time around those in state government, and I can say unequivocably, that this perception is grossly exaggerated. My wife worked for the state for some time, and found herself overwhelmed with a caseload she couldn't possibly handle, and when there was a failure to meet all the impossible legislatively mandated requirements, that were inadequately funded, the blame never fell upon the legislature, but upon "those evil bureaucrats."
My wife works for the state, and so my position is biased. I'll admit that. But putting the full burden of budget shortfalls upon state employees, who are only trying to do their jobs the best they can seems short-sighted. Also consider, that state employees who are laid off, will take their accrued leave with them, creating a short-term cash-flow problem, increase the cost of their unemployment insurance, as well as further exacerbate our economic problems by increasing the unemployment rate and causing fewer people to be able to spend money to buy cars, houses, appliances, etc.
Utah legislators would be wise, to find solutions to their budget woes short of layoffs or reductions in the effective pay to their employees, many of whom have made sacrifices to remain in their jobs when better opportunities were available to them. Many came to believe strongly in the efficacy of the services they were providing and felt a considerable degree of job satisfaction in serving the public and making a difference in their lives.
Anyway, something to consider.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Change I'm Having Trouble Believing In
The Rick Warren inaugural invitation is a real slap at those who supported Obama as a principled yet pragmatic leader. Certainly, his willingness to put people in his cabinet who may have divergent opinions has showed that pragmatic side. However, inaugurations carry powerful symbols that can't be ignored. Rick Warren's lack of respect for homosexuals and non-believers should disqualify him from giving him such a forum.
So what is the change we were supposed to believe in? Was it merely competent government? Or was it a fundamental change in direction and change in the ways things are to be done. More than anything, will Obama use the bully-pulpit to speak out against intolerance? Or will he continue to give a forum to those who wish to use the apparatus of the state to harm those they demonize?
We'll all survive a prayer from this wingnut. Since there is no God, I'm pretty sure whatever Rick Warren says in his prayer will not be given any divine traction. But enabling intolerance isn't respecting a diversity of opinion. Some opinions aren't worthy of respect. Do I respect the way muslims treat women? No. Do I respect the way Mormons treated people of African descent for the majority of their history? No I don't. And I don't respect many of the viewpoints of Rick Warren and am troubled that this man will have a prominent seat at an inaugural that was supposed to represent a change in direction for our country.
So what is the change we were supposed to believe in? Was it merely competent government? Or was it a fundamental change in direction and change in the ways things are to be done. More than anything, will Obama use the bully-pulpit to speak out against intolerance? Or will he continue to give a forum to those who wish to use the apparatus of the state to harm those they demonize?
We'll all survive a prayer from this wingnut. Since there is no God, I'm pretty sure whatever Rick Warren says in his prayer will not be given any divine traction. But enabling intolerance isn't respecting a diversity of opinion. Some opinions aren't worthy of respect. Do I respect the way muslims treat women? No. Do I respect the way Mormons treated people of African descent for the majority of their history? No I don't. And I don't respect many of the viewpoints of Rick Warren and am troubled that this man will have a prominent seat at an inaugural that was supposed to represent a change in direction for our country.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Happy Holidays from This Atheist
Especially, I send season's greetings to Utah's prominent wingnut Sen. Chris Buttars, Bill O'Reilly and others who are seeking an exclusive celebration of the season for their own mythologies, namely Christmas. Good ole Christmas, December 25 specifically originally was the birthdate of the Zoroastrian god-man Mithrais. Many of the ancient God-men were born on the winter solstice, representing re-birth, and common theme among the ancient "pagan" religions.
Even to an atheist such as myself, the idea of celebrating "rebirth" has a certain allure. The idea that the darkest of the long dark nights has ended, and the amount of daylight will progressively increase until the peak of the summer solstice. It is a time of reflection, regarding what was accomplished this year, and what was left undone. It is a time to reflect upon those things that provided meaning and joy during the past year. Belief in deity is not necessary to celebrate the season. Uniting in celebration with others for a season that represents giving, brotherhood, and rebirth should be something that unites not divides. When someone like Senator Buttars comes along and devalues the experience of others wanting an exclusive franchise upon the season, it highlights his own myopic exclusivism and a disregard for others who may think differently.
During this season, as in all seasons, I seek to find the best in people and to promote peaceful coexistence. Because of this, I am giving Sen. Buttars a free pass. He is a victim of childhood indoctrination and most likely intolerant and harsh parents. So I hope Sen. Buttars has a very enjoyable holiday season. When he convenes in January as a Senator and seeks to use the apparatus of the state to impose his beliefs on others, I will speak out against him in the most strongest terms I can. But in the meantime, to everyone, I wish you all an enjoyable holiday season, even Sen. Buttars. And if telling Sen. Buttars, Merry Christmas, will soften his grinchy heart and bring him into the fold of sane humanity, I say to Sen. Buttars, Merry Christmas.
Even to an atheist such as myself, the idea of celebrating "rebirth" has a certain allure. The idea that the darkest of the long dark nights has ended, and the amount of daylight will progressively increase until the peak of the summer solstice. It is a time of reflection, regarding what was accomplished this year, and what was left undone. It is a time to reflect upon those things that provided meaning and joy during the past year. Belief in deity is not necessary to celebrate the season. Uniting in celebration with others for a season that represents giving, brotherhood, and rebirth should be something that unites not divides. When someone like Senator Buttars comes along and devalues the experience of others wanting an exclusive franchise upon the season, it highlights his own myopic exclusivism and a disregard for others who may think differently.
During this season, as in all seasons, I seek to find the best in people and to promote peaceful coexistence. Because of this, I am giving Sen. Buttars a free pass. He is a victim of childhood indoctrination and most likely intolerant and harsh parents. So I hope Sen. Buttars has a very enjoyable holiday season. When he convenes in January as a Senator and seeks to use the apparatus of the state to impose his beliefs on others, I will speak out against him in the most strongest terms I can. But in the meantime, to everyone, I wish you all an enjoyable holiday season, even Sen. Buttars. And if telling Sen. Buttars, Merry Christmas, will soften his grinchy heart and bring him into the fold of sane humanity, I say to Sen. Buttars, Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Why Utes are Not Intimidated
Admittedly, playing an Alabama team that was #1 in the nation for several weeks on the surface is quite intimidating. Florida, a team that is peaking at the end of the year beat them, and relegated them to playing a team out west, I'm sure an insult to a team with such great hope.
But UTes aren't intimidated. Why? Let's look at Utah's history. Forget the bygone 1980's when BYU reigned supreme and Utah football tried desperately not to suck, usually unsuccessfully. But in 1989, Utah first turned the tables and sent Sean Covey to the infirmery and told a young Ty Detmer, "come get us" in a 52-28 victory.
Later, under new coach Ronnie Mack, Utah fared quite well. They beat a desert swarm team led by Teddy Bruschi and Dan White and finished in the top ten. Ronnie Mack teams regularly beat BYU teams and began regularly going to bowl games, ultimately beating a Carson Palmer/Troy Polamalu led USC team, only to stumble the next year and lose his job.
Well, Urban Meyer took the amazing talent and resolve of what Ronnie Mack accumulated and within a couple of years was busting into the unbustable BCS and in an amazing 2004 season demolished every foe they faced. Their offense was unstoppable while their defense was very formidable. Who knows how good that undefeated team was. We'll never know because of the corrupt and prejudiced bastards who run the BCS who ultimately put the Utes up against an over-matched Pittsburgh team. This team was so good, for all we know, they may have beaten Auburn, Texas or even, gasp, USC, a team they have beaten before and don't fear in the slightest.
Now fast forward to this year's team. The team started out slowly, with an offense that was inconsistent and sputtering, but with a defense good enough to keep Utah in games and win games by shear will and nerve. At times, I've wondered openly whether Andy Ludwig, Utah's Offensive Coordinator, has an IQ anywhere above the richter scale. But bless those Utes, they have prevailed and gone undefeated.
At this point, it begs the question, will Utah be intimidated by a very solid Alabama team? My answer is no. This program has faced as much talent as John Parker Wilson and this Coffee fellow. Utes have stared down Teddy Bruschi, Carson Palmer, Troy Polamalu, Drew Bledsoe, Marshall Faulk, and a few decent athletes from that team down south. We can hold our own with anyone. Utes have traditionally played up to, and down to their competition. It has been a rare occurence when good competition during the last decade has sent them to the woodshed with a serious thumping.
Utah can, and will compete with a very good Alabama team, so long as they play their A game. Getting to a BCS game isn't enough. In order to be in the picture in the future, they must make a statement that says, "yes we belong here." And I have every confidence that they do. This program has faced some amazing athletes and teams and has prevailed. This bowl game, to be fought in the historic and culturally significant city of New Orleans provides this current crop of Utes to say, yes we are good enough, to not only compete, but to win.
Go Utes. This cyber-jedi is using all his midichlorians to ensure your success.
But UTes aren't intimidated. Why? Let's look at Utah's history. Forget the bygone 1980's when BYU reigned supreme and Utah football tried desperately not to suck, usually unsuccessfully. But in 1989, Utah first turned the tables and sent Sean Covey to the infirmery and told a young Ty Detmer, "come get us" in a 52-28 victory.
Later, under new coach Ronnie Mack, Utah fared quite well. They beat a desert swarm team led by Teddy Bruschi and Dan White and finished in the top ten. Ronnie Mack teams regularly beat BYU teams and began regularly going to bowl games, ultimately beating a Carson Palmer/Troy Polamalu led USC team, only to stumble the next year and lose his job.
Well, Urban Meyer took the amazing talent and resolve of what Ronnie Mack accumulated and within a couple of years was busting into the unbustable BCS and in an amazing 2004 season demolished every foe they faced. Their offense was unstoppable while their defense was very formidable. Who knows how good that undefeated team was. We'll never know because of the corrupt and prejudiced bastards who run the BCS who ultimately put the Utes up against an over-matched Pittsburgh team. This team was so good, for all we know, they may have beaten Auburn, Texas or even, gasp, USC, a team they have beaten before and don't fear in the slightest.
Now fast forward to this year's team. The team started out slowly, with an offense that was inconsistent and sputtering, but with a defense good enough to keep Utah in games and win games by shear will and nerve. At times, I've wondered openly whether Andy Ludwig, Utah's Offensive Coordinator, has an IQ anywhere above the richter scale. But bless those Utes, they have prevailed and gone undefeated.
At this point, it begs the question, will Utah be intimidated by a very solid Alabama team? My answer is no. This program has faced as much talent as John Parker Wilson and this Coffee fellow. Utes have stared down Teddy Bruschi, Carson Palmer, Troy Polamalu, Drew Bledsoe, Marshall Faulk, and a few decent athletes from that team down south. We can hold our own with anyone. Utes have traditionally played up to, and down to their competition. It has been a rare occurence when good competition during the last decade has sent them to the woodshed with a serious thumping.
Utah can, and will compete with a very good Alabama team, so long as they play their A game. Getting to a BCS game isn't enough. In order to be in the picture in the future, they must make a statement that says, "yes we belong here." And I have every confidence that they do. This program has faced some amazing athletes and teams and has prevailed. This bowl game, to be fought in the historic and culturally significant city of New Orleans provides this current crop of Utes to say, yes we are good enough, to not only compete, but to win.
Go Utes. This cyber-jedi is using all his midichlorians to ensure your success.
Obi's 2009 Legislative Predictions
1- Budget shortfalls will not result in rolling back tax cuts that benefitted the wealthy, but will create additional fees that are regressive in nature.
2- Downturns in the economy will result in budget shortfalls that will cause the legislature to layoff state employees, therefore exacerbating Utah's jobless rate and create a further downfall in Utah's economy.
3- The downturn in the underlying assets behind Utah's retirement programs will result in the legislature pushing the idea of converting Utah's retirement system to a "defined contribution" system and away from a "defined benefit" program. The fact that the underlying stock values are low, the conversion will occur that minimizes costs to the state, but decimates Utah's state employees.
4- Sen. Nuttars will try to use the apparatus of the state to promote his narrow, myopic view of the world and will create just enough embarrassment among the Republican caucus that they will only pass half of Nuttar's agenda.
5- Sen. Howard Stephenson, Sen. Curtis Bramble and Rep. John Dougall will create a privatization initiative that lines the pockets of the company they co-found under government contracts.
6-Some do-gooder Democrat will sponsor some ethics legislation and will face eternal ostracism for suggesting that ethics are a problem for their esteemed colleagues.
7- New tax exemptions for businesses will be proposed while services for disabled orphans and veterans will be appropriately slashed in order to make prudent fiscal policy-making decisions and to balance the budget.
8- Gayle Swastika and her phone tree will warn all Republican legislators, that failure to support Sen. Nuttar's agenda will result in some right-wing whack job challenging them in their next convention/primary election. Repubs will pass 50% of Sen. Nuttar's agenda.
9- Republican legislators will pass resolutions demanding that all Americans become as pure and truly American as Utahns truly are. They will pat themselves on the back for their steadfastness against the forces of evil. Non-mormons, liberals, atheists and anyone with an IQ above 80 will develop severe nausea.
10- Democrats will go along with the most obnoxious Republican initiatives because they know that their failure to do so will result in their lack of electability and/or the revokation of their temple recommends.
I welcome the predictions of others.
2- Downturns in the economy will result in budget shortfalls that will cause the legislature to layoff state employees, therefore exacerbating Utah's jobless rate and create a further downfall in Utah's economy.
3- The downturn in the underlying assets behind Utah's retirement programs will result in the legislature pushing the idea of converting Utah's retirement system to a "defined contribution" system and away from a "defined benefit" program. The fact that the underlying stock values are low, the conversion will occur that minimizes costs to the state, but decimates Utah's state employees.
4- Sen. Nuttars will try to use the apparatus of the state to promote his narrow, myopic view of the world and will create just enough embarrassment among the Republican caucus that they will only pass half of Nuttar's agenda.
5- Sen. Howard Stephenson, Sen. Curtis Bramble and Rep. John Dougall will create a privatization initiative that lines the pockets of the company they co-found under government contracts.
6-Some do-gooder Democrat will sponsor some ethics legislation and will face eternal ostracism for suggesting that ethics are a problem for their esteemed colleagues.
7- New tax exemptions for businesses will be proposed while services for disabled orphans and veterans will be appropriately slashed in order to make prudent fiscal policy-making decisions and to balance the budget.
8- Gayle Swastika and her phone tree will warn all Republican legislators, that failure to support Sen. Nuttar's agenda will result in some right-wing whack job challenging them in their next convention/primary election. Repubs will pass 50% of Sen. Nuttar's agenda.
9- Republican legislators will pass resolutions demanding that all Americans become as pure and truly American as Utahns truly are. They will pat themselves on the back for their steadfastness against the forces of evil. Non-mormons, liberals, atheists and anyone with an IQ above 80 will develop severe nausea.
10- Democrats will go along with the most obnoxious Republican initiatives because they know that their failure to do so will result in their lack of electability and/or the revokation of their temple recommends.
I welcome the predictions of others.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Zions Bank: We Haven't Forgotten Who Keeps Us in Business
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_10969465?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com
Hurray for the red white and blue. And for those who don't know, Zions also has a majority holding in the Utah Legislature.
And on the Executive Branch level, the Utah Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is regulated more by Zions than Zions is by the DFI. It has been that way since the late 1990's. Regarding the Bank/Credit Union disputes, when Zion's President Harris Simmmons said jump, DFI head Ed Leary (or to those of us in the business refer to him "Mrs. Simmons") said "how Hi?" on his way up. And the incompetence of Ed Leary and Utah's bought and paid for legislators resulted in all of the major Utah Credit Unions deciding to be federally chartered rather than state chartered because Simmons had succeeded in getting a bill passed which would in essence tax the large credit unions out of business. The result, Utah lost tax revenue from credit unions that previously had paid certain state taxes.
Zions Bank officials have always argued for deregulation, of them. But when they can harm competitors through the apparatus of the state, using their bought and paid for legislature, they are perfectly content with it. They are also content to get federal money to buy up failing banks in order to secure their deposits and provide some liquidity to their corporation.
For those who think that the only moochers of government dollars are the truly big national banks, don't be so naive. Even regional banks such as Zions have their eyes on federal money to bail them out of some bad decisions or to take advantage of the bad decisions of other bankers. As an observer of Zions for many years, I suspected that Harris Simmons ultimate goal was to suppress the competition and consolidate Zion's position sufficiently that he could get top dollar for a major merger with one of the big players such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, or Washington Mutual. However, with the big boys realing, I think Zion's next strategy will be to buy up as many small struggling financial institutions as possible, with federal assistance. But I could be wrong. But don't think they will eschew federal money while also asking for as little oversight as possible from state and federal regulators.
Consolidation will give Zions Bank a good position to reap serious profits when the economy turns around. And if Zions starts showing serious losses, they are now big enough in the intermountain region to be assured that the feds will bail them out rather than let them flounder.
This is my rare post regarding financial markets in Utah. For reasons I keep close to my breast, I may remain silent for a while as events unfold in an ever-changing and volatile financial market place.
Hurray for the red white and blue. And for those who don't know, Zions also has a majority holding in the Utah Legislature.
And on the Executive Branch level, the Utah Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is regulated more by Zions than Zions is by the DFI. It has been that way since the late 1990's. Regarding the Bank/Credit Union disputes, when Zion's President Harris Simmmons said jump, DFI head Ed Leary (or to those of us in the business refer to him "Mrs. Simmons") said "how Hi?" on his way up. And the incompetence of Ed Leary and Utah's bought and paid for legislators resulted in all of the major Utah Credit Unions deciding to be federally chartered rather than state chartered because Simmons had succeeded in getting a bill passed which would in essence tax the large credit unions out of business. The result, Utah lost tax revenue from credit unions that previously had paid certain state taxes.
Zions Bank officials have always argued for deregulation, of them. But when they can harm competitors through the apparatus of the state, using their bought and paid for legislature, they are perfectly content with it. They are also content to get federal money to buy up failing banks in order to secure their deposits and provide some liquidity to their corporation.
For those who think that the only moochers of government dollars are the truly big national banks, don't be so naive. Even regional banks such as Zions have their eyes on federal money to bail them out of some bad decisions or to take advantage of the bad decisions of other bankers. As an observer of Zions for many years, I suspected that Harris Simmons ultimate goal was to suppress the competition and consolidate Zion's position sufficiently that he could get top dollar for a major merger with one of the big players such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, or Washington Mutual. However, with the big boys realing, I think Zion's next strategy will be to buy up as many small struggling financial institutions as possible, with federal assistance. But I could be wrong. But don't think they will eschew federal money while also asking for as little oversight as possible from state and federal regulators.
Consolidation will give Zions Bank a good position to reap serious profits when the economy turns around. And if Zions starts showing serious losses, they are now big enough in the intermountain region to be assured that the feds will bail them out rather than let them flounder.
This is my rare post regarding financial markets in Utah. For reasons I keep close to my breast, I may remain silent for a while as events unfold in an ever-changing and volatile financial market place.
Der Fuehrer goes off on the Utah/BYU Outcome
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Congrats to Secretary Rice
I come from a long line of renaissance men. My father was a politician and a musician. How impressive is it for our first black secretary of state, to perform classical music before a British Monarch? Pretty significant when you think about it. Condi Rice found herself in a very difficult situation, surrounded by a boatload of alpha males who were supremely sure of themselves such as Rumself, Cheney and Powell, and ultimately she outlived all of them in relevance.
I actually have a fair amount of respect for Condi Rice. Do I agree with all her decisions and whether she had the backbone to say "George, I don't think the evidence warrants our invasion." Yeah, Condi Rice has faults, as do most of us. But she also had the courage to "reset the assumptions" regarding American policies in Iraq and ultimately send Rumsfeld into historical malignancy.
Admittedly, Condi is a mixed bag, as are most of us mere mortals. But I was moved by how she was moved by Obama's election. Her performance before a foreign queen, displaying her skills not in diplompacy, but in the arts, speaks well for her. And I honor her in this post, by acknowledging that despite her checkered record, she can still uplift in the realm of the arts.
Nice job, Condi.
I actually have a fair amount of respect for Condi Rice. Do I agree with all her decisions and whether she had the backbone to say "George, I don't think the evidence warrants our invasion." Yeah, Condi Rice has faults, as do most of us. But she also had the courage to "reset the assumptions" regarding American policies in Iraq and ultimately send Rumsfeld into historical malignancy.
Admittedly, Condi is a mixed bag, as are most of us mere mortals. But I was moved by how she was moved by Obama's election. Her performance before a foreign queen, displaying her skills not in diplompacy, but in the arts, speaks well for her. And I honor her in this post, by acknowledging that despite her checkered record, she can still uplift in the realm of the arts.
Nice job, Condi.
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