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About Me
Deanna (Dee) Taylor deesings
This is my personal activist blog. I write about my activist activities, including the peace ☮ movment, Green Party, politics and other progressive endeavors.
Pledge to Life
I pledge allegiance to all life
in its interdependent diversity;
and to the Planet upon which it exists, one World, under the sky, undividable
with harmony and balance for all.
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The sunflower is my favorite plant. Aside from its many uses (food, oil, etc.), it is a symbol of hope, peace, and nonviolence. I have a dedicated personal page on sunflowers. The link is in my list of links below.

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This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I makie such material available in my efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: www.law.cornell.edu/
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16th-Feb-2007 05:23 am(no subject)
femalesignpink
The Salt Lake Tribune has posted a brief mention of yesterday's rally that I attended.


PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND ABORTION-RIGHTS SUPPORTERS...
(Al Hartmann/The Salt Lake Tribune )
15th-Feb-2007 10:08 pm - Rally on H.B. 235: Abortion
femalesignpink
Today a rally was held at the Utah State Capitol by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU to lobby for a "no" vote to H.B. 235, the bill that originally would have banned abortions in Utah, but has now been reverted back to being a "trigger" bill.

The prevailing message was that women must retain the right to do what they want with their own bodies and the way to avoid abortions is by providing sex education (and not just abstinence) as well as legal and safe abortions if needed.

Pom Poms Not Bomb Bombs, Utah's Radical Cheerleaders, of which I am a member, participated. Here is the appropro cheer we did:

2-4-6-8!
Women's care is second rate!
That's not decent in our state!
We want access not debate!
Uh-uh, uh, uh( Read more... )
Here are some photos:



( Read more... )
11th-Feb-2007 08:34 am - This week's Utah Legislative HIT and MISS
dee
While I could list many items in each category (see my previous posts during the 2007 Utah legislative session), I have chosen one in each for this past legislative week:

HIT
Utah House committee unanimously opposes Nevada test
Readers of my blog know my position on the Divine Strake Test. This is a very positive move by our legislators to oppose this test. Even military supporters are opposing the test.

MISS
Stadium plan is Real as it gets: State sets aside $35M for Sandy soccer facility
While Utah citizens continue to not be able to afford healthcare, work for poverty level wages, and our educational system needs continued funding to improve its system, our state legislators devote millions of dollars to recreation that only the rich can afford.
7th-Feb-2007 05:36 am - Energy Pollutions Bill Passes
dee
Sadly, the Utah Senate has passed SB155, which will take away legislative oversight of nuclear waste coming into our state. This gives Energy Pollutions Solutions one more step towards total autonomy over this issue.

Speaking for EnergySolutions and its operations plans, Sen. Darin Peterson, R-Nephi, said, "Every time they have tried to change, they have been opposed by one group or another, and they have never lost one of those challenges. Never."
      There should be a point where the company can go forward without as much hassle, according to Peterson. EnergySolutions is performing a service, said Peterson, sponsor of SB155. "They have proven themselves to be good partners."

Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake, said he was not speaking to impugn the corporate reputation of Energy Solutions. "What I'm trying to do here is to think about the public policy behind what is a significantly important material to many of the people of the state of Utah," McCoy said. Many do not want to leave decisions about the material "in the hands of a group of bureaucrats."  "I think the Legislature should keep some skin in this game," said McCoy. He said officials charged with oversight "absolutely have a role in the process," and they are the experts. "What I have a problem with is absenting ourselves and the governor and the county from a role in that process."

There is a lot of confusion, according to the article, over the language of the law and of this bill.  But one thing is clear to me:  There are a number of Utah legislators who do not care to listen to their constituents and care only about money and not people.  This bill is a prime example of that.
5th-Feb-2007 07:47 pm - Do As I Say - Not As I Do
dee
Some representatives in the Utah Legislature are up to their old tricks by imposing inequitable laws.

In today's Salt Lake Tribune:
Cell phones, tanning booths, video games - they all pose potential threats to children, according to Utah lawmakers.
But ATVs and hunting rifles are apparently OK for even the youngest children to use, if parents say so.
Once again, the 2007 Utah Legislature is zigzagging its way around parental rights, the best interests of children and government policy. With some bills, they have decided parents really do know best.
Isn't that typical of governments all over? Dictate what's in the best interests of people and their children without conulting them.

Yup. It's in our best interests to listen.

NOT!
30th-Jan-2007 04:53 am - Today's Utah Legislature News
dee

Deseret News
Corroon says no deal: Checketts is considering selling the soccer team
Lawmakers look to (mostly) expand Utahns' gun rights
Marjorie Cortez: Superintendent ballot plan deserves an F (opinion)

Salt Lake Tribune
Bill on teens tanning nearing final approval
29th-Jan-2007 05:37 am - Utah Legislative Bills
dee

29th-Jan-2007 05:08 am - Utah LegislativeNews
dee
Deseret News
Education dilemma for illegals:  Some pinning hopes on passage of DREAM Act
Students fear repeal of the in-state tuition perk
Busy interns immersed in business of Capitol
Several legislative bills address illegal immigration
UVSC bill moves to panel in SenateSalt Lake Tribune
Kindergarten debate:  Does all-day make all-stars? Guv wants more funding for the programs
Guv, GOP at odds on lobbyists:  He may bypass lawmakers to get some ethics reformsJazz tickets too risky a perk
19th-Jan-2007 05:22 am - Today's Utah Legislature News
dee
Deseret News
Measure would let EnergySolutions move waste on site: Environmentalists are not pleased with Peterson's bill( Read more... )
Salt Lake Tribune
SB86:Fixing deadwood laws passed by committee( Read more... )
18th-Jan-2007 05:02 am - Today's Utah Legislature News
dee
Deseret News
Tuesday start proposed for session( Read more... )
Salt Lake Tribune
HB11-New holiday created for freeing of slaves( Read more... )
17th-Jan-2007 05:10 am - Today's Utah Legislature News
dee
Deseret News
Text of Gov. Huntsman's 2007 State of the State Address( Read more... )
Salt Lake Tribune
'07 Utah Legislature, Day One -Session's opening: Quiet before storm: The time of hefty surpluses may bring more bitter battles than leaner days( Read more... )
16th-Jan-2007 05:46 am - Judge's Salaries
dollars
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.
16th-Jan-2007 05:35 am - Today's Utah Legislature News
dee
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
16th-Jan-2007 05:02 am(no subject)
dee
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>.
15th-Jan-2007 07:42 am - Today's Utah Legislature News
dee
The 2007 Utah Legislature convenes today. Here are headlines in the news:

Deseret News
King Day session miffs some Utahns
Plan targets access to porn at schools
Education — It's No. 1 issue, but lawmakers also to focus on tax cuts
The boom-time session begins (opinion)
Immigrant tuition perk is targeted
Vouchers to be a key legislative issue (opinion)
'07 wrestling match starts up Monday
State agencies' 'base budgets' reviewed
Proposed bill seeks to ensure hiring of legal workers

Salt Lake Tribune
Legislature draws flak for convening on MLK Day
Poll shows Utahns, Legislature priorities don't match up
Bad blood over soccer stadium has legislators seeking budget cuts for Salt Lake County
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