All posts by The SideTrack

Utah Think Tank Challenges “Common Ground” with “Sacred Ground”

As a response to post Prop 8 comments from local LDS Church leaders and a supportive poll of Utah voters on an openness to equal rights for the LGBT community, several Utah legislators — working with Equality Utah — put together the Common Ground Initiative, in an attempt to create a dialog, and encourage Mormon leaders (who have undoubtedly large influence over legislative policy in the state) to make good on their statements.

In response, The Sutherland Institute, Utah’s leading (only) think tank and Heritage Foundation offspring — infamous here for holding an “Earth Day” event hosted by Roy Innis and other energy industry hacks — has pieced together their own campaign to counter the adult discussions with petty divisiveness titled Sacred Ground. (pdf)  They’ve scheduled several “State of the Union – Stand Up for Marriage” events here locally (targeting bloggers, legislators, and local media) hosted by Utah’s worst Wing-nut (and believe me that’s saying a lot) LaVar Christensen (Direct Quote: “Tolerance is the religion of people who no longer believe in anything.”) , and completing the campaign with a published book and YouTube campaign.

What is notable about this vindictive effort to oppose a rational dialog between Utah legislators and religious leaders before it even begins is not the content, or the fact that Sutherland is aggressively campaigning against equality. Their fear of change is to be expected.  What stands out is the creativity and thoroughness of their campaign, which involves complete media outreach — which I’ve been subjected to almost daily as a local radio host and blogger — and a full (and also first time, for the state) embrace of “new media.”  Their efforts to target bloggers glares especially, as it surpasses the outreach seen so far from either the minority Democratic Party, or the near super-majority state Republican Party.

Sutherland’s campaign not only poses a threat to any meaningful discussion and inclusive legislation here in Utah, but it also stands to circumvent the (admittedly tepid) efforts of the Utah Democratic Party and other activist groups to build online outreach and a coalition behind the “Common Ground” Senators and other progressive policies.

In essence, despite recent polling that shows Utahn’s are open to equality based legislation, Sutherland stands a real chance of winning this one within the state simply by getting their irresponsible message out further and faster.

Watch Sutherland’s “Sacred Ground” video here

UPDATE: We’ll host an on air discussion today with Michael Mueller of Utahns for Marriage Equality. Live stream/chat begins at 4pm (MST).  Click to join in. Podcast will also be available after the show.

Amazing: Utah Democratic Candidate Takes a Stand Against Telco Immunity

That’s something you may be used to hearing about a Democratic candidate in other states, but here in Utah, this is truly a first. We have but one Democrat in our federal delegation, and on FISA, Matheson has proven himself a true Bush Dog. Now it appears a new candidate is ready to step up and show true leadership on a key issue.

Morgan is the Democratic candidate for Utah’s first congressional district, a seat currently held by school voucher supporting, “drill here, drill now” parroting, warrantless wiretap backing Rob Bishop. In addition to the 2/1 odds Morgan faces unseating the corporate funded incumbent, he also faces a battle with in-state leadership as a result of Rep. Jim Matheson, our only sitting Democrat, and faithful Blue Dog.  

From a press release posted by Morgan Bowen at BowenforCongress.com:

As a candidate for the United States Congress, I oppose granting retro-active immunity to telecommunications companies – who willingly broke the law, when so many others refused to do so – and the illegal wiretapping of American’s on the notion that no entity or body of government is above the law, according to our Constitution.While we do face serious threats to our national security, I believe it is possible to combat these threats without the erosion of our most basic liberties, and the protection from an invasive government body that the founding fathers made great efforts to include when drafting the Bill of Rights.This administration’s and our current congressman’s thinly masked agenda to grant retro-active immunity and remove oversight from the surveillance process is not so much about protecting American’s from realistic threats, but rather protecting this administration, and the representatives who supported them from accountability and their sworn duty to uphold our constitutional rights as American citizens.

Matheson has made clear his support of retro-active immunity for telco’s, and leveraging his position, has held sway even over state party leadership in his cave-in to Republicans and the president on many issues, FISA being the most “at odds” with the sentiment of a large number of Utah voters.

For Morgan to take such a stand, he pits himself against “the way things are done” in Utah, Matheson, and of course the decades old Republican majority of Utah’s federal delegation in his defense of the constitution, something our current leadership has forgotten how to do, despite their oath of office.

Following in the steps of Gary Trauner and many other western Democrats, Morgan is leading the way to a western coalition by welcoming bloggers and grassroots activists into his campaign with a level of access many of us have fought for again and again, but never seen before. His press release today in opposition to retro-active immunity and warrantless surveillance is further example of his ability to recognize how a true leader represents the voters of his district.

This is a historic step by a candidate fighting an uphill (but not insurmountable) battle already, and Morgan needs our help.

Please consider an ActBlue contribution to Morgan’s campaign, to encourage him in the defense of our Constitution, and as a sign to Matheson and other state leaders that the simple act of standing up for our basic rights can be an asset to a campaign, not a liability. Help Morgan fight.