The arenas in the National Basketball Association are named after all kinds of things:
Named after airlines:
Air Canada Center
American Airlines Arena
Continental Airlines Arena
United Center
American Airlines Center
US Airways Center
Named after financial institutions:
Conseco Fieldhouse
Quicken Loans Arena
TD Banknorth Garden
TD Waterhouse Centre
Wachovia Center
KeyArena
Named after oil companies:
Philipps Arena
ARCO Arena
Named after telecoms companies:
Verizon Center
AT&T Center
Names after service companies and retailers:
FedEx Forum
Oracle Arena
Pepsi Center
Staples Center
Target Center
Named after auto manufacturers:
Ford Center
Toyota Center
Named after the team or location:
Charlotte Bobcats Arena
Madison Square Garden
Palace of Auburn Hills
New Orleans Arena
Rose Quarter
Named after a nuclear waste dump:
EnergySolutions Arena
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
EnergySolutions Arena
Larry Miller sells his soul and renames the Delta Center, EnergySolutions Arena. I think I'm going to puke. I'm not going inside that building while it has that name. This is pathetic. I can see the building outside my window. I may need to move.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Utah's 4th Congressional District Revisited
I've been looking at the vote totals for the three Utah congressional races yesterday and I understand better why the Democrats may opposed the Governonr's current redistricting plan to add a fourth congressional district in Utah.
By dividing Salt Lake County into northern and southern districts, you congregate the Democrats in the north district and Republicans in the south, virtually guaranteeing a seat to each party.
If, on the other hand, you divided Salt Lake County into east and west districts, you would have two competitive races, either or both of which could be won by the right Democratic candidate. (Finding one in addition to Matheson would be a challange, but it's theoretically possible).
Right now, SL county is divided into all three congressional districts. 39% of the vote in the three congressional races was in Salt Lake County and 58% of that vote went to democratic candidates, 37% to republicans, and 5% to Constitution, Libertarian, and Green candidates.
By dividing SL County into east/west districts, you would have a good base of people who are willilng to at least consider voting for a Democratic candidate in each district.
For this reason, the east west divide is surely DOA in the State Capital, but it would make for a lot more entertaining election season.
By dividing Salt Lake County into northern and southern districts, you congregate the Democrats in the north district and Republicans in the south, virtually guaranteeing a seat to each party.
If, on the other hand, you divided Salt Lake County into east and west districts, you would have two competitive races, either or both of which could be won by the right Democratic candidate. (Finding one in addition to Matheson would be a challange, but it's theoretically possible).
Right now, SL county is divided into all three congressional districts. 39% of the vote in the three congressional races was in Salt Lake County and 58% of that vote went to democratic candidates, 37% to republicans, and 5% to Constitution, Libertarian, and Green candidates.
By dividing SL County into east/west districts, you would have a good base of people who are willilng to at least consider voting for a Democratic candidate in each district.
For this reason, the east west divide is surely DOA in the State Capital, but it would make for a lot more entertaining election season.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Wrocław Fountain for City Creek Center
I think this fountain, found in Wrocław, Poland's Market Square, would be perfect for the new City Creek Center in downtown SLC. I don't know if it was designed to have a mountain motif, but that's what it looks like to me, I think it would be perfect.
American Airlines
They are my favorite air carrier because I have almost all my miles on them. But I was pissed off Sunday morning. I was checking in at the automated kiosk and the option came up for me to be able to upgrade to first class for $139. I was traveling on a free ticket bought with miles. As such, I could not use some of my dozens of upgrades, but I could evidently pay to upgrade a free ticket. That didn't seem right. I can understand if the ticket is blanket not-upgradable, but to be able to pay to upgrade but not be able to use free upgrades earned through years of faithful flying seemed deeply wrong. I was travelling on the cheap (i.e. I was paying, not my company) so I did not choose to pay the $139 and stayed in coach.
I've been flying in first and business too much lately. I had forgotten how narrow the seats in coach are. This is especially trying when you are sitting next to someone who physically in not able to contain their mass in their assigned space.
I've been flying in first and business too much lately. I had forgotten how narrow the seats in coach are. This is especially trying when you are sitting next to someone who physically in not able to contain their mass in their assigned space.
Nervous as a Virgin Bride
I do not have the sophisticated and extensive resources of national parties and news organizations, all I know is what I read and experience first hand. So, from what I can tell, something between the Republicans holding onto a one vote edge in the house, to a pickup of 30 seats is expected tomorrow. And the Senate will stay Republican or the Dems will have a one vote edge. In other words, no one really knows what is going on, or it is impossible for me to figure out who does (or is lucky in their prognostications). So I will be glued to the television set tomorrow night and hooked up to the internet to follow the returns moment by moment. This is so exciting - and nerve wracking.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
I'm an Early Voter
Went down to the SL county complex on an early lunch. Was in the voting line by 11:15 and back at my car at 11:45. Half an hour, not too bad. The line just kept gettin longer behind me so I'll bet some people were going to be waiting more than an hour. I filled out a KSL exit poll on the way out.
In the end I voted for all the Democrats on the ballot including whoever was running against Rep. Bishop. I voted for the ZAP tax and the open lands and against the sales tax increase for transportation despite the warning that gridlock will start tomorrow if I did. Hopefully Prop. 3 will will lose (not likely) and then we can go back to the county property tax for TRAX, increasing the gas tax for more highways, and a state solution for commuter rail.
I also voted against all the Judges. They win by such wide margins I feel someone needs to vote against them to keep them interested in the process.
In the end I voted for all the Democrats on the ballot including whoever was running against Rep. Bishop. I voted for the ZAP tax and the open lands and against the sales tax increase for transportation despite the warning that gridlock will start tomorrow if I did. Hopefully Prop. 3 will will lose (not likely) and then we can go back to the county property tax for TRAX, increasing the gas tax for more highways, and a state solution for commuter rail.
I also voted against all the Judges. They win by such wide margins I feel someone needs to vote against them to keep them interested in the process.
Back from Poland
I'm back from Poland. Got in last night. The Warsaw - London - Chicago - Salt Lake trip is quite tiring but I'm a One World man so I'm willing to have an extra leg to get the miles. I love the English breakfast they have on British Airways, and the Salmon and Asian Chicken salad I had on the London - Chicago leg were quite delicious, as was the pasta I had from Chicago to SLC. On that flight I sat next to a woman who had somewhere between 6 and 8 drinks (I know it was at least six but I fell asleep for on hour so assume she had some while I was napping). I hope she had a ride from the airport.
I see the election has still not happened. Good thing because I haven't voted yet, although I expect to wrap up that enjoyable duty at the county complex this afternoon. I was thinking about voting for Janice Auger for the County Council at large seat, I was impressed by her comments at the Capitol Hill community council, but I just don't think I can bring myself to vote for a Republican this year.
I didn't hear about the Kerry controversy until I was reading the web this morning. I think even if he said what he was supposed to he would have had to apologize. Attack the President, not the troops. My brother is in Iraq and he didn't join the army because he couldn't get a job, he joined because he's one of the most patriotic people I know. If Kerry is planning a run in 2008 he should reconsider. He had his shot and blew it.
I see the election has still not happened. Good thing because I haven't voted yet, although I expect to wrap up that enjoyable duty at the county complex this afternoon. I was thinking about voting for Janice Auger for the County Council at large seat, I was impressed by her comments at the Capitol Hill community council, but I just don't think I can bring myself to vote for a Republican this year.
I didn't hear about the Kerry controversy until I was reading the web this morning. I think even if he said what he was supposed to he would have had to apologize. Attack the President, not the troops. My brother is in Iraq and he didn't join the army because he couldn't get a job, he joined because he's one of the most patriotic people I know. If Kerry is planning a run in 2008 he should reconsider. He had his shot and blew it.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Mormon Mafia rides again
Mitt Romney is consorting with known Mormons in his bid to win the Republican presidential nomination according to reports today in the Trib and News. The Church says the story, originally reported in the Boston Globe is not entirely accurate. This is a story? Doesn't everyone who runs for office work whatever network they have? Don't plenty of Protestant and Catholic and other religious leaders guide their flocks to make the "correct" choice. No one from the LDS Church is going to endorse Romney from the pulpit but even General Authorities have the right to privately support whoever they want to.
Soren cares about your rights?
Soren Simonsen (sorry no special o with a line through it character) is concerned about smokers rights according to news reports of Tuesday's City Council deliberations. I found this fascinating, because the previous week when talking about his grand plans to socialize Sugar House he didn't seem concerned about property rights at all.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
I'm for Scott
I was disappointed that the Salt Lake Tribune endorsed Dr. Joe Jarvis over Sen. Scott McCoy, my state senator. The reasons given were bogus, basically, we need a doctor in the Legislature and we already have a gay in there somewhere. Jarvis actually came and spoke at the Capitol Hill Community Council meeting last month and I was a little confused because I knew he was running for Scott's seat and he sounded like a democrat. When I found out he was a Republican I was truly surprised. Frankly, I don't think he'll have any more success as a liberal Republican than Scott does as a Democrat in getting attention, and we have enough Republicans in the Legislature already. So choose youthful, Democrat, human rights campaigner, environment supporter, health care for all advocate, Scott McCoy over Dr. Jarvis. I certainly will.
Proposition 3 - The Rest of the Story
Why I don't like Proposition 3
1. It requires 25% of the money be used for purchasing land for the Mountain View highway corridor. This is a road that probably must be built but it should be built with gas tax money. If there isn't enough, then the gas tax should be raised, not the sales tax. The gas tax is one of the best user fees we have.
2. There is not enough money in Proposition 3 to pay for all the TRAX lines that would have been covered by the SLC property tax increase.
3. The state legislature (and SLC business leaders) didn't agree with how the County Council was raising money so they took over the process. The legislature should be spanked (unless they're into that kind of thing).
4. Commuter Rail is included. I think commuter rail is a great idea. But why are my taxes being raised so that Utah, Davis, and Weber counties have an easier commute into SLC? I chose to pay the extra cost of living in the city to avoid the commute. Why should I then have to subsidize people who want to live in Provo and work in SLC? If anything, this should be financed at the state level, not the county level.
1. It requires 25% of the money be used for purchasing land for the Mountain View highway corridor. This is a road that probably must be built but it should be built with gas tax money. If there isn't enough, then the gas tax should be raised, not the sales tax. The gas tax is one of the best user fees we have.
2. There is not enough money in Proposition 3 to pay for all the TRAX lines that would have been covered by the SLC property tax increase.
3. The state legislature (and SLC business leaders) didn't agree with how the County Council was raising money so they took over the process. The legislature should be spanked (unless they're into that kind of thing).
4. Commuter Rail is included. I think commuter rail is a great idea. But why are my taxes being raised so that Utah, Davis, and Weber counties have an easier commute into SLC? I chose to pay the extra cost of living in the city to avoid the commute. Why should I then have to subsidize people who want to live in Provo and work in SLC? If anything, this should be financed at the state level, not the county level.
Proposition 3 - Vote for it or the World Will End
The other side - From the October 13, 2006 Deseret Morning News.
Proposition 3 would aid transit
By Jim Bennett
The "Vote for Proposition 3" campaign is now under way. Polling suggests that Proposition 3 in Salt Lake County has broad-based support, yet the biggest challenge we face is confusion about what the measure actually does. So here are the facts. Both measures, Proposition 3, as well as the Opinion Question in Utah County, propose increasing the sales tax by a quarter of a cent. That part is very easy to understand. The question the average taxpayer then asks is simple: What do I get for my money? The answer is simple: economic growth. More transit opportunities. Less congestion and gridlock. Let's start in Utah County. By voting for the Opinion Question, Utah County voters will generate enough tax revenue to create a commuter rail line from Utah to Salt Lake County. Commuter rail from Ogden to Salt Lake City is well under way and may be in operation as early as late next year. It's hard to overstate the benefits of a commuter rail line extending from Provo to Ogden as part of a regional transit system that will benefit commuters on the road as well as on the train. In Salt Lake County, the list and timetable of transit and highway projects is still being finalized, which can be frustrating to those clamoring for specifics. But we know the benefits will be enormous, and we ought to rally behind Proposition 3 and approve it at the ballot box Nov. 7. One-quarter of the new tax revenue will be used to preserve Mountain View Corridor right of way, accelerating construction of a major west-side highway across the Salt Lake Valley and into Utah County. We will save multimillions of dollars by securing the necessary land now. The choice is whether we want to pay for it now or pay like crazy later. A large share of the money generated by the new tax in Salt Lake County will help accelerate significant new TRAX and FrontRunner commuter rail projects. The Utah Transit Authority is planning construction of five rail transit projects in the county: four new TRAX lines to Draper, West Jordan, West Valley, and to the Salt Lake International Airport, as well as new commuter rail from Salt Lake City south, meeting the proposed Utah County segment. Most of the confusion surrounding Proposition 3 focuses on which of these projects will be constructed and how quickly. Here's the answer. All of these projects will be built under an accelerated schedule if Proposition 3 passes. But without a positive vote, some of them won't be completed until 2030 — almost a quarter century from now. By approving Proposition 3, all of these projects will be completed much, much sooner — many as quickly as 2015. Utah's population is growing by roughly the size of Layton every year for the next three decades, and traffic congestion is increasing twice as fast. Every person who rides commuter rail or TRAX is another car taken off of our crowded roads. Anyone who has driven on I-15 across Point of the Mountain during rush hour knows exactly what I'm talking about. The choice is clear. A quarter of a cent sales tax increase is a small price to pay to preserve Utah's future. No one wants I-15 to become the equivalent of a Los Angeles freeway. That doesn't have to happen. In Utah County, please vote for the Opinion Question. In Salt Lake County, please vote for Proposition 3. We can create an efficient regional transportation system. If we wait, congestion will only get worse.
Jim Bennett is the campaign manager for "Vote for Proposition 3."
Proposition 3 would aid transit
By Jim Bennett
The "Vote for Proposition 3" campaign is now under way. Polling suggests that Proposition 3 in Salt Lake County has broad-based support, yet the biggest challenge we face is confusion about what the measure actually does. So here are the facts. Both measures, Proposition 3, as well as the Opinion Question in Utah County, propose increasing the sales tax by a quarter of a cent. That part is very easy to understand. The question the average taxpayer then asks is simple: What do I get for my money? The answer is simple: economic growth. More transit opportunities. Less congestion and gridlock. Let's start in Utah County. By voting for the Opinion Question, Utah County voters will generate enough tax revenue to create a commuter rail line from Utah to Salt Lake County. Commuter rail from Ogden to Salt Lake City is well under way and may be in operation as early as late next year. It's hard to overstate the benefits of a commuter rail line extending from Provo to Ogden as part of a regional transit system that will benefit commuters on the road as well as on the train. In Salt Lake County, the list and timetable of transit and highway projects is still being finalized, which can be frustrating to those clamoring for specifics. But we know the benefits will be enormous, and we ought to rally behind Proposition 3 and approve it at the ballot box Nov. 7. One-quarter of the new tax revenue will be used to preserve Mountain View Corridor right of way, accelerating construction of a major west-side highway across the Salt Lake Valley and into Utah County. We will save multimillions of dollars by securing the necessary land now. The choice is whether we want to pay for it now or pay like crazy later. A large share of the money generated by the new tax in Salt Lake County will help accelerate significant new TRAX and FrontRunner commuter rail projects. The Utah Transit Authority is planning construction of five rail transit projects in the county: four new TRAX lines to Draper, West Jordan, West Valley, and to the Salt Lake International Airport, as well as new commuter rail from Salt Lake City south, meeting the proposed Utah County segment. Most of the confusion surrounding Proposition 3 focuses on which of these projects will be constructed and how quickly. Here's the answer. All of these projects will be built under an accelerated schedule if Proposition 3 passes. But without a positive vote, some of them won't be completed until 2030 — almost a quarter century from now. By approving Proposition 3, all of these projects will be completed much, much sooner — many as quickly as 2015. Utah's population is growing by roughly the size of Layton every year for the next three decades, and traffic congestion is increasing twice as fast. Every person who rides commuter rail or TRAX is another car taken off of our crowded roads. Anyone who has driven on I-15 across Point of the Mountain during rush hour knows exactly what I'm talking about. The choice is clear. A quarter of a cent sales tax increase is a small price to pay to preserve Utah's future. No one wants I-15 to become the equivalent of a Los Angeles freeway. That doesn't have to happen. In Utah County, please vote for the Opinion Question. In Salt Lake County, please vote for Proposition 3. We can create an efficient regional transportation system. If we wait, congestion will only get worse.
Jim Bennett is the campaign manager for "Vote for Proposition 3."
Proposition 3
I wrote the following letter to the editor that appeared in the Deseret Morning News on Friday, October 13.
Vote no on unknown projects
I'm a strong supporter of TRAX and commuter rail expansion. I would have voted to raise my property taxes to pay for TRAX expansion and would have encouraged all my friends and relatives to do the same. But I will not be voting to increase the sales tax to fund unknown transportation projects. The state Legislature does not trust the voters, why should we trust them?
Michael Fife Salt Lake City
Imagine my surprise this morning when perusing yesterday's paper over cottage cheese and a bagel I read the following:
Can't trust legislators
Columnist Bob Bernick Jr. really lit into Rep. Chris Cannon (Oct. 13). Then he turned his attention to congressmen in general, pointing out their arrogance and their apparent unwillingness to pass any legislation that would benefit the poor. "While others struggle financially, congressmen accept yearly automatic pay raises ... they refuse to raise the minimum wage," etc. Michael Fife (Readers' Forum, Oct. 13) thinks along a similar line. The Utah Legislature wants us to approve unknown transportation projects. "The state Legislature does not trust the voters," he says. "Why should we trust them?" This is all too true. Like Fife, I might have voted my approval if the projects were specified, such as TRAX to the airport.
Norval Turner Murray
What! People actually read the letters to the editor. I don't believe I've ever been quoted before in print. It was a little weird. Someone in this valley agrees with me!
Vote no on unknown projects
I'm a strong supporter of TRAX and commuter rail expansion. I would have voted to raise my property taxes to pay for TRAX expansion and would have encouraged all my friends and relatives to do the same. But I will not be voting to increase the sales tax to fund unknown transportation projects. The state Legislature does not trust the voters, why should we trust them?
Michael Fife Salt Lake City
Imagine my surprise this morning when perusing yesterday's paper over cottage cheese and a bagel I read the following:
Can't trust legislators
Columnist Bob Bernick Jr. really lit into Rep. Chris Cannon (Oct. 13). Then he turned his attention to congressmen in general, pointing out their arrogance and their apparent unwillingness to pass any legislation that would benefit the poor. "While others struggle financially, congressmen accept yearly automatic pay raises ... they refuse to raise the minimum wage," etc. Michael Fife (Readers' Forum, Oct. 13) thinks along a similar line. The Utah Legislature wants us to approve unknown transportation projects. "The state Legislature does not trust the voters," he says. "Why should we trust them?" This is all too true. Like Fife, I might have voted my approval if the projects were specified, such as TRAX to the airport.
Norval Turner Murray
What! People actually read the letters to the editor. I don't believe I've ever been quoted before in print. It was a little weird. Someone in this valley agrees with me!
LaVar is Looking for Bad Guys
Second district congressional candidate LaVar Christianson was on KSL this morning being lobbed softballs by Grant and Amanda. LaVar has evidently figured out that running against Congressman Matheson is a no-win situation so he reserved his criticism for Nancy Pelosi and the state Senate democrats. LaVar is, of course, not running against any of these people, much to his dismay. After he talked about how the national democrats were not immoral, just bent on lowering the country's moral standards, Grant and/or Amanda should have asked, "So how are your moral positions different than those of Congressman Matheson?" The answer would have been, there is no difference, hence his need to criticise other democrats.
Friday, October 13, 2006
SLC Traffic
Traffic in downtown SLC was horrible yesterday around 5 and the really big construction projects haven't even started yet.
EnergySolutions Tries Again
EnergySolutions, stymied in its attempt to expand horizontally, has now decided to expand vertically. The Radiation Control Board is of course too happy to agree to their demands. I testified Wednesday against the EnergySolutions expansion as did many others during a public comment period. An op-ed piece published in the Ogden paper written by HEAL Utah staffer, Christopher Thomas, gives more information on the proposed expansion.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Cannon and Hatch and Mark Foley
The Utah delegation is fighting for the dubious honor of most idiotic comments regarding the Mark Foley Scandal. First we have Rep. Cannon blaming the kids - they're precocious. And now Sen. Hatch says the House leadership was concerned about appearing homophobic. Have they turned over a new leaf? I had no idea they gave a tinker's damn about appearing anti-gay. This would have come in handy during the debate on the "Defense of Marriage" act. Or maybe that wasn't anti-gay. It was just pro-not gay? Being against molesting children is not homophobia. It's human decency.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Banning Smoking in SLC
Salt Lake City Council to discuss a ban on outside smoking. Right on. I hate going to cultural events at Washington Square, etc. and having to dodge the smoke as I'm walking down the sidewalk.
Monday, October 09, 2006
New Congressional District for Utah
My primary concern in looking at congressional districts is, "Do the districts keep communities together". To get four congressional districts in Utah and to keep communities together, I believe the districts should be centered on:
1. Weber/Davis/Cache counties
2. Northern Salt Lake County
3. Southern Salt Lake County
4. Utah County
I think the proposed Huntsman plan does a good job with this. There will need to be some adjustments to get the variations between districts down to a legal level but it looks like a good starting point to me.
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