Not Just A Hat Rack

Utah: Governor-Statesman Departs

We're feeling blue today in this reddest of states.

Our governor-statesman, Jon Huntsman, Jr., departs today, headed to China as President Obama's nominee as Ambassador

Although you'd think unity would be hard to come by, departing Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr., took courageous stands, brought a worldly perspective to this desert state and took great pains to truly represent every citizen.

I met him on several occasions during my tenure at RSL.  The first time, on the field before he delivered the ceremonial first kick to launch RSL's franchise in April 2005, we discussed his impressions of soccer during his ambassadorship (and mine, as the son of an ambassador).  Later, he opened the doors of the Governor's mansion for a team party (spurred on by goalkeeper DJ Countess' flirtations with one of Huntsman's talented daughters) - and for a reception with Real Madrid on the eve of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in 2006.

But all that aside, Huntsman left behind a thoughtful letter behind for Gary Herbert, who will babysit the office until a highly charged, petty, partisan race sweeps the state in 2012.  Can't wait for that.

In Huntsman's typical, elegant way, his letter encourages Herbert to rise above the calls from "self-appointed arbiters of morality and virtue, who are the loudest, providing a lot of the cacophony that tends to consume our political dialogue." 

Herbert, who from all accounts, is culturally much more conservative and whose actions in the past appear to greatly favor Utah's rural, conservative and yes, LDS, majority - would be wise to heed Huntsman's advice.  He delivers his inaugural address today - this Utah voter will be watching.

Kass on Bla-gone-evich

Writing the satirical, biting political column that Mike Royko made famous, John Kass checks in today on Rod Blagoyevich, whose governorship hit its nadir, appropriately, in the just completed Year of the Rat.

Click here to read. 

The Guv Who Won't Confess ... and the Mother Who Does

So it came to be.  The Illinois House voted to impeach Gov. Rod Blagoyevich by a margin of 114-1.  At least it wasn't a shut out.  You can see an evening news segment on this WGN Video, and Mr. Smoothie himself, with the bad hair, promising to carry on.  I guess I'm still mostly struck dumb by the whole affair.  And I want to hear more from Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.

In completely unrelated news, I've added a blog to my menu... Juliana has been a regular reader of the 'Hat Rack for most of its life, and she recommended the Book Thief to me, plus the Blue-something Mongolian-related book, I think - but if you couldn't guess, I haven't started that one.

So, despite one of my other commenters suggesting I'm going to end up in "concrete magic underwear", I dutifully introduce y'all to True Confessions of a Mormon Mother.  No, not that kind of true confessions.  Just glimpses into a place very different from where I live (even if she's only a few dozen miles away) where your place of worship tells you where to go to church, and exactly what time.  (The LDS Church is on my mind tonight as ABC's Nightline did a story tonight on the new Temple opening in Draper - church leaders anticipate 1,000,000 visitors during the public open house for the next eight weeks. I'm glad I don't live in that neighborhood!).  

Anyways, buried inside her blog is her explanation of why (and what?) she confesses (and professes), so maybe start here, instead. 

Thanks, Juliana - for reading the 'Hat Rack - and here's to a 2009 filled with tolerance, interfaith dialogue and peace (from Utah to Gaza to Pakistan).

Chicago Tribune: Kass Asks "Where's Rahm?"

I've been telling anyone who cares that Rahm Emanuel will be lucky to survive one term of the Obama administration before he's indicted.  Now, his name is in the thick of the "Senate Seat for Sale" story.  That didn't take long.  

Read John Kass' column today.  And every day this week.  He's not Royko, but he's always a great read - and corrupt state politicians is his sweet spot.

Team Obama

When was the last time you could name all the cabinet members of your president?  It's a sad statement about our interest in our government.  But I'm no better - I doubt that I could name half of Bush's cabinet these past four years. I've started reading Team of Rivals to get a jump on Obama's cabinet.

The New York Times' David Brooks writes this week that President Obama's Cabinet is taking shape as a collection of smart guys (and gals) from Harvard and Yale Law School.  I like what I've heard so far.  But in case you're not tuned in, here's your Cabinet Scorecard (not all are confirmed) and a brieft note about who they are:

Chief of Staff - Rahm Emmanuel (Rep. from Illinois State - Hillary Clinton (NY Senator, but still HIS wife)
Defense - Robert Gates (Incumbent from Bush era)
Treasury - Tim Geithner (NY Fed Bank President)
Commerce - Bill Richardson (ex NM governor)
Homeland Security - Janet Napolitano (AZ governor)
Health & Human Services - Tom Daschle (ex-SD senator)
Attorney General - Eric Holder (ex-Deputy AG)
Commerce - TBD
Agriculture - TBD
Education - TBD
Energy - TBD
HUD - TBD
Interior - TBD
Labor - TBD
Transportation - TBD
Veteran's Affairs - TBD
EPA - TBD
UN Ambassador - TBD

There are a slew of celebrity names under consideration... Schwarzenegger, two Kennedy's, Howard Dean, Colin Powell, Dick Gephardt and others.  There are also several members of the Chicago machine that helped propel Obama to power... including Jesse Jackson Jr., Bill Daley, Carol Moseley-Braun and Chicago Schools CEO Arne Duncan.  This should be fascinating...

PS - When did the cabinet get so large?

How China Chose the Beijing Olympics Logo

I know some people who take Tibet/China relationship pretty seriously. One of them passed this along.

Free Nepal! Free Nepal!

Enjoy this press release :)


For More Information:
Steve Pastorino
Vice President / Marketing


Snow Lion Expeditions Invites U.S. National Security Advisor on Fall Journey to Nepal and Tibet


(Salt Lake City, Utah – April 15, 2008). Utah-based adventure travel company Snow Lion Expeditions today issued an all-expenses-paid invitation to U.S. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley on one of its fall departures to Tibet and Nepal.

On a Sunday appearance on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Hadley referred to Nepal at least six times during a discussion of President George W. Bush’s visit to the 2008 Summer Olympics. Hadley said the ongoing situation in Nepal had “nothing to do” with heads of state decisions to attend the Games’ Opening Ceremonies.

He was right! China’s policy towards the region of Tibet, however, is causing several global leaders much consternation.

In a letter sent to the National Security Advisor today, Snow Lion president Ron Barness suggested, “It was probably a slip of tongue, but why don’t you let Snow Lion give you a quick tour of the Himalayas to make sure you don’t confuse the two again? By the way, since Mr. Stephanopoulos didn’t correct you, we’ve invited him as well.”

Since 1992, Snow Lion Expeditions has (www.snowlion.com ) offered multiple trips per year to Nepal and Tibet, in addition to dozens of other Asian destinations. Mr. Hadley and his wife, Ann, were offered two of the last remaining spots on the Journey to the Roof of the World expedition, which departs September 30 from Kathmandu, Nepal.

Tibet and Nepal are historic, distinct, neighboring Himalayan kingdoms. Tibet was largely independent from the 17th century to its occupation by China in 1951, which led to the exile of its spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in 1959. Nepal, on the other hand, has maintained its independent status for more than 200 years, despite its tenuous position in Asia between China and India.

“Being keenly tuned in to the Tibet situation is of paramount importance to us every day at Snow Lion,” Barness said. “We hope the National Security Advisor will come away from our trip with us with the same awareness.”

Since 1992, Snow Lion Expeditions has been a pioneer in Asian travel, creating enchanting itineraries to 15 Asian nations. Snow Lion now offers more than 40 different itineraries include World Heritage Sites like the Kathmandu Valley, Mt. Everest and Angkor, plus less-traveled spots like Burma and North Korea.

Snow Lion Corporation
Tel: 801-355-6555
www.snowlion.com

What I Miss About Chicago

This is good stuff. Considering Mayor Landek gave me one of the warmest receptions of anyone I saw when I returned to Bridgeview in 2006, the 'Hat Rack is on the record as saying "Leave 'im alone! He did nothing wrong!"

Click Here to read about allegations dropped against Bridgeview Mayor Steven Landek.

Egregious Error!

Many thoughts from the earth-quaking state of Utah, home to the most despicable politician in America:

1) The idiot that runs the telestrator (the expensive thingamajig to write on his TV monitor) for CNN totally misused the "Mendoza Line" in Tuesday night's election re: Wisconsin. I forget the reference, but I was so angry. I know Mario Mendoza. He hit .215 lifetime for the Pirates, Mariners and maybe one other club. Translating the reference to politics is just wrong.

2) But, I'm very excited to recall that Garret Anderson hit just one home run while hitting .323 in 81 games for the Palm Springs Angels in 1992. This is the year he stopped doing community appearances because I didn't have a free hat for him in his size after he did his first appearance of the year. Which is all a long-winded way of saying that www.baseball-reference.com, the greatest baseball statistics website ever invented now has sortable minor league baseball stats going back to 1992 - my first year in baseball with... the Palm Springs Angels.

3) Utah's symbol of hatred and intolerance is state senator Chris Buttars. This guy is seriously embarassing. Click on the pic if you want to see a bigger image of his ugliness. I'm not even going to digress into his racist remarks at Utah's 9-freakin-week-long legislative session. 45 days for the state legislature to debate and pass policy? Whatever.

4) Casper Ghosts have a small lead in the best logo in baseball contest. Go to minor league baseball home page and vote! Go Ghosts!

5) Finally, the media gossip website www.gawker.com calls out Northwestern and its journalism school for a silly scandal involving the dean and unnamed sources. Enjoy.

Barack Rocks Boise

The 'Hat Rack choice for president received a resounding welcome in the most Republican state in America not named Utah this weekend... According to this Barack blog, 15,000 people crammed an arena in Boise to see him. Make sure you click on the photo.

We may be off to see Michelle Obama in SLC tomorrow - if we can get the car out of the driveway.
(I almost skiied at Deer Valley today, but turned back after twice not being able to see the offramp from the white-out conditions freeway.)