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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UTAH ASIAN FESTIVAL DISCRIMINATES AGAINST FALUN DAFA DUE TO CHINESE INFLUENCE When Patrice Loung a practitioner of an ancient self-cultivation practice out of China, called Falun Dafa, submitted an application to this years Utah Asian Festival, she foresaw no difficulties. She and other Falun Gong practitioners had been there two years ago, to demonstrate the five, meditative exercises and to introduce the practice which is based upon the belief in the principles of "Truth, Compassion and Tolerance", and to teach people how to make oragami lotus flowers. She was surprised when not long after her application was accepted, she was sent a letter saying that Falun Gong was no longer welcome in the Festival due to some unspecified "incident". When Patrice contacted Imanuel Aswandi, in charge a booths, she was told that the Festival staff had been contacted by some "Chinese people" (she wasn't told who they were) and that they had expressed that they were offended by the presence of Falun Gong at the Festival and that the Falun Gong banners were political. In fact the only two banners shown said "Truth, Compassion, Tolerance" in Chinese characters and "Falun Dafa is Good" also in Chinese characters. Explaining this to the Festival Staff seemed to do no good. This incidence leads Falun Gong practitioners to believe that the Asian Festival, which is funded in part by the Salt Lake County ZAP program, is being influenced by either the Chinese Communist government, or by Chinese people who have been influenced by the CCP's propaganda assault on Falun Gong. ( Read more... ) | |
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| Tim DeChristopher, the U of U student who successfully shut down the auction of public land for oil drilling in Utah via a creative direct action maneuver, will be arraigned next week in Federal Court. Here are details about an event to support DeChristopher:
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tim DeChristopher Arraignment Rally! 10:45am - 12noon, Library Plaza, 200 East 400 South, SLC We’re looking for 1,000 pals to join us in Salt Lake City at the Federal Courthouse to show Brett Tolman, Jim Matheson, Ken Salazar and President Obama that we are serious about a Peaceful Uprising. We will not remain silent as they attempt to persecute Tim for standing up for the Truth. We stand in solidarity. Renowned Climatologist James Hansen to speak at rally in support of Tim DeChristopher SALT LAKE CITY — James Hansen, one of the world’s leading scientists studying climate change, will speak at a rally in support of Tim DeChristopher on Tuesday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Salt Lake City library plaza. The event is built around DeChristopher’s arraignment at 11:45 a.m. at the Frank E. Moss Courthouse in Salt Lake City. The University of Utah student is facing two felony charges for his nonviolent disruption of an illegitimate oil and gas lease auction of public land in Utah last December. Even though a federal court and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar rescinded the auction because of its illegitimacy, Brett Tolman, the United States attorney for Utah, has decided to charge DeChristopher with two felonies, which could mean up to 10 years in prison.Renowned Climatologist James Hansen to speak at rally in support of Tim DeChristopher The following is a schedule of the events with Hansen and DeChristopher: Monday, 6 p.m.: Hansen talks with Radioactive, KRCL’s public affairs program.
Monday, 7:30 p.m.: Hansen will speak at U of U’s Social and Behavioral Science auditorium
Tuesday, 11 a.m.: Rally begins with speakers and music at the SLC Library Plaza.
Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.: March to Frank E. Moss Courthouse for DeChristopher’s arraignment.
Tuesday, about noon: Hansen will speak at rally for DeChristopher at the SLC Library Plaza.
Tuesday, 6 p.m. Hansen will speak at Utah Valley University in the library auditorium. www.peacefuluprising.org | |
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| Several days ago I signed up for paperless account statements from the Utah Retirement Systems. Two days later I received SIX letters in the mail from URS - one for each action that I took on the site to sign up for paperless notifications (my username, my password, verification of signing up for paperless, etc.).
Now in the past I received one quarterly statement through throughout the year. Now that I have received SIX letters from URS, it will take 1 1/2 years to see any savings from signing up for paperless notifications. | |
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| Eric Ethington wrote an account of his experience on his blog about the Sutherland Institutes's "free" event to the public to kick-off its copy cat project (to the Common Ground Initiative) "The Sacred Ground Initiative" on Thursday night. The event was advertised as "This free and open to the public" according to a Sutherland Institute press release and post on its website , but it really wasn't. the organizers were selective in who they let in, despite advance registrations by attendees. Here is an excerpt from Eric's blog:
....the “gays” were the first ones to arrive at Thanksgiving Point, standing in line in the cold waiting to get in. Once the doors opened, we were shepherded into a long thin tent leading up to the main doors, inside of which was a table to sign in, and about 8 security guards. It was a notable difference from Equality Utah’s “Common Ground Initiative” kickoff event, which was an open-to-the-public, media and all-welcome event. To actually get in, you had to have previously registered with the Sutherland Institute, including providing your home address and email, although they didn’t tell you until afterwards that you were signing up to receive regular mail from them. Deciding that opposite opinions were not welcome, the Sutherland Institute sent out an email to many of the prominent gay activist leaders in the community (Jacob Whipple and Michael Mueller) in the hours prior to the event letting them know they and their groups were no longer welcome to attend. This went so far as the young man who checked me in apologized for the extra security, saying, “there are supposed to be a lot of bad people trying to get in tonight, so we’re being very careful.” To enforce this decree, they pulled the list of attending people from Facebook, and listed them as banned from the event. Many people, not aware of this change, were actually forcibly removed from the event. Rebecca Huggins, a local single mom who registered well in advance, attempted to sign in with the registration people. Watching closely, she saw them scan down to her name, note a check mark next to it, then was asked to speak to the security guard. “He said I needed to leave immediately,” Rebecca said, “then he grabbed me by the elbow and attempted to escort me out.” Rebecca, who was there not to protest, but to listen and see what the Sutherland Institute had to say, was shocked and in tears after her ill-treatment.
Eric goes on in further detail to describe the event. Much focus was placed on "America" and "God's Law". Paul Mero, of the Sutherland Institute, even makes a comment to Eric's post. Read it all here. My comment was this:
I think Dominique is spot on. This whole event and its organization (raving about "God's law") sounds and looks like this is the Christain version of the Taliban, to wit:
“We do not make laws, we merely distort and twist God’s laws,” so we must do all we can to correct that.
These people do not want civil law, they want "God's Law". (likened to the "Sharia").
Also, Mero is incorrect in the principles regarding the founding of this country. The preamble to the constitution states that
"we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator "(not "God" as Mero alludes - to an atheist, this might mean their parents) "with certain unalienable rights".
Finally, what about the LDS article #11 in the articles of faith regarding the right of pursuing their worship the way they want (religious freedom) and also acknowledges the right of others to pursue their own religious freedom?
I too respect the rights of EVERYONE to believe in what they want - and WITHOUT persecution. This whole event and the driving forces behind it smack of hypocrisy to the max.
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| (Cross posted from Utah Legislature Watch)
This legislative session, there is a series of 5 bills, as has been written about on this blog, called “Common Ground Initiative”, which advocate for the provisions of Expanding Health Care, Fair Housing & Employment, Wrongful Deaths, The Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act and Clarifying Amendment 3 (repealing the portion of Amendment 3 which states “no other domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as marriage or be given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect - would not change Utah’s definition of marriage). Equality Utah is the organizing group behind this initiative. Michael Mueller of Utahns for Marriage Equality : There is phone banking, citizen lobbyist activities, and many other crucial activities they need are help with - now and throughout the year. As I have mentioned before, even though our group’s goal is full marriage equality for all Utahns, there is a long history in this country of marriages that are neither real marriages nor are they equal. In this case, these basic LGBT rights must be obtained whether or not marriage equality is obtained.
To counter-act the Common Ground Initiative, the Eagle Forum and the Sutherland Instituteare launching their very own copy cat initiative, the Sacred Ground Initiative. In a press release issued by these groups it was stated: Following an unsuccessful campaign to dismantle traditional marriage in California, gay rights advocates are now turning their focus to Utah. Known for strong family values, Utahns are now being exposed to deceptive marketing campaigns based on a non-threatening appeal to “common ground.”
On Thursday, February 5th, these groups will present their Sacred Ground Initiative at an event titled “Stand Up To Protect Marriage” at Thanksgiving Point, State of the Union II: The Challenge to Family and Freedom. This free and open to the public event will be held at the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Speakers will include Paul T. Mero, LaVar Christensen, primary author of Utah’s Constitutional Amendment in support of traditional marriage, and Lauralyn B. Swim, Sutherland benefactor and former member of the Young Women General Board of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Sutherland continues to defend the sacred ground of traditional marriage, and family as the fundamental unit of society,” said Institute President, Paul T. Mero. ”This session will talk directly to Utahns about how the gay marriage controversy has come to our state and what responsible citizens can do to stand up for and be advocates to protect marriage and optimal family structures.”
Anyone can attend this event by obtaining seat reservations. It has been advertised that participants must rsvp online, call (801) 355-1272, e-mail si@sutherlandinstitute.org, or visit www.sutherlandinstitute.org to reserve seats for the event. I’m not sure what information they will take from you but I’m guessing they will be screening interested parties. I am urging everyone who can to pursue attending this event. Additionally, there will be a Protest and Infiltration of Sacred Ground Initiative Launch, the details which can be found here. | |
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| This in from HEAL Utah today: Take a minute to call Senator Bob Bennett (202) 224-5444. Late Tuesday night, Utah's own Sen. Bennett snuck in a provision to President Obama's economic stimulus package that would allow as much as $50 BILLION of your tax dollars to be used as loan guarantees for construction of new nuclear reactors. These loan guarantees could help fund projects like Aaron Tilton's proposed Green River nuclear power plant. That means your tax dollars would finance the production and storage of high-level waste in Utah, and the enormous abuse of our water, just so states like California can turn on their lights (read more about why a Utah nuclear power plant will not likely power Utah here). It's not too late to stop this taxpayer handout. Please call Senator Bennett today (202-224-5444) and tell him how disappointed you are by his efforts to prop up the nuclear industry at the expense of ordinary Utahns. In an ultimate show of hypocrisy, Sen. Bennett says he plans to vote against the final economic stimulus package anyway. Tell Sen. Bennett you hope these nuclear loan guarantees are stripped from the ultimate package and that he can save face by working to undo his cover of night actions. You can also email Sen. Bennett here: http://bennett.senate.gov/contact/emailmain.html, though a quick call is what's most needed. In these dire economic times, taxpayers should NOT be put on the hook for billions of dollars of risky nuclear reactor projects. Yet, that is exactly what Sen. Bennett's nuclear loan guarantee plan would, well, guarantee. The Congressional Budget Office estimates half of new reactor projects will default on their loans. The banks won't gamble their money on such a risky venture, but apparently Senator Bennett is willing to gamble ours. What we do need is an economic stimulus package that will jumpstart the economy and provide jobs over the next two years. That is President Obama's intention. Unlike the decade or so it takes for a nuclear reactor to get off the ground, investing in solar, geothermal, wind, and efficiency will produce jobs and clean energy in the next 1-2 years. Sen. Bennett has said he wants any stimulus package to protect taxpayers, yet his nuclear pork puts taxpayers at risk and helps no one but his industry buddies. Please call Sen. Bennett today (202) 224-5444. Here's a sample message you can leave: "Hi my name is ____ and I live in ____. I am calling to tell Sen. Bennett how disappointed I am that he has worked to put up $50 billion of taxpayer money for the nuclear industry in the economic stimulus package. The banks won't gamble their money on nuclear projects, so why is Sen. Bennett willing to gamble so much of ours? I hope that these nuclear loan guarantees are stripped from the stimulus plan and that Sen. Bennett works to help taxpayers, not just his nuclear buddies. Thank you." After you make your call, don't forget to sign up for our citizen lobby training next week: http://healutah.org/lobbyrsvp. To read more, visit: http://healutah.org/news/energypolicy/013009Thanks for all you do. ----------------- HEAL Utah 68 S. Main St., Suite 400 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 To opt out of ever receiving emails from us, click here Please visit us online at www.healutah.org | |
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| The whole world by now knows of Tim DeChristopher's brave act of civil disobedience who won bids totaling about $1.5 million on more than 10 lease parcels in December in an attempt to disrupt a U.S. Bureau of Land Management lease auction of 149,000 acres of public land in scenic southern and southeastern Utah. The entire story can be viewed at The Center for Water Advocacy, located in Moab, UT and also managed by Green Party of Utah's Co-Coordinator Harold Shepherd, The Center for Water Advocacy is collecting funds to pay for Tim's legal defense. Tim is facing Federal Criminal Charges - which could result in Federal Prison time. Please visit the above linked website and donate to Tim's legal defense fund. For the sake of Utah's Canyonlands. For the sake of future generations. For the sake of all life on our planet. | |
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| Pax Rasmussen created this photo for a project on which he is working.  | |
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| I knew it was just a matter of time, but I just couldn't believe this (Salt Lake Tribune post): Buttars takes aim at stores waging 'war on Christmas'Sen. Chris Buttars wants Utah's Legislature to declare its opposition to the "war on Christmas." The West Jordan Republican is sponsoring a resolution encouraging retailers to embrace Christmas in their promotions rather than the generic "holidays." "It would encourage the use of 'Merry Christmas,'" Buttars said of the non-binding statement that is still being drafted. "I'm sick of the Christmas wars -- we're a Christian nation and ought to use the word." Oh my god. Where is separation of church and state in such legislation? This is just as bad as the passed legislation (now Utah law) that mandates that public schools put "In God We Trust" in a "prominent" place in the school building or face a stiff fine for non compliance (I'm not kidding). Civil Rights Attorney Brian Barnard is quoted in the article: "Our country was not founded by a bunch of Christians," Barnard said. "They were people concerned about religious freedoms." "If [Buttars] wants people to say 'Merry Christmas' because it's the Christian thing to do," Barnard added, "then it becomes a violation of First Amendment rights." I really hope my tax dollars are not wasted on this type of activity on the Hill in the upcoming legislative session. | |
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| | | Join The Impact Demonstration/March for Equality! | I will be attending the rally at the City County Building in downtown Salt Lake Today. There is also a vigil tonight (see below) that looks like it will be quite inspiring.
Posted on the Utah PRIDE website:
 Join the Impact is planning rallies at City Halls across the nation (up to 80 cities currently in 49 states). Let your voice be heard! What: A demonstration and march When: Saturday November 15, 2008 @ 11:30A Where: Salt Lake City & Country Bldg (451 South State Street) Who: Everyone who stands up for equality FOR ALL Join us at the Utah Pride Center for a sign making party in Cafe Marmalade at 6P on Friday, November 14, 2008. Later Saturday evening, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the State Capitol Building, Salt Lake City will again be gathering, this time for a Candlelight Vigil - there will be peaceful, uniting music and amazing company, culminating with "EQUALITY" spelled out on the Utah State Capitol lawn with 10,000 candles.
More Info:
The Other
Join the Impact Salt Lake - Equality March
Join the Impact - Equality Vigil
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Logan: City Hall: 255 N Main Street Logan Ut, 84321 - 11:30am Salt Lake City: 451 S State St # 304, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 - 11:30am elaineballfr@gmail.com - (801) 654-7614  | |
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Primary Contacts:
For Immediate Release Mike Thompson, Executive Director Monday, November 10, 2008 Cell: 801.879.8880 Stephanie Pappas, Board Chair Cell: 801.450.0660 Other Contacts: Senator Scott McCoy - Cell: 801.809.3566 Representative Christine Johnson - Cell: 801.661.3489
Equality Utah announces Press Conference for Noon Monday Equality Utah will ask the LDS Church to demonstrate its conviction on rights for same-sex couples. Time: Noon Location: Equality Utah Office 175 West 200 South, Suite 3001 – third floor, Salt Lake City Throughout the recent election cycle, the LDS Church has demonstrated its willingness to participate in political issues by asking its members to do all they can do, including donating their means and their time, to support California’s Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution and eliminated same-sex couples right to marry by defining marriage as between a man and a woman. | |
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| Today's Salt Lake Tribune has posted a slide show of yesterday's protest against the LDS Church regarding it's involvement on influencing voters on California's Proposition 8.  | People gather before marching on the Mormon Temple in protest Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, in Salt Lake City. Leaders of the successful Proposition 8 campaign say an unusual coalition of evangelical Christians, Mormons and Roman Catholics built a majority at the polls Tuesday by harnessing the organizational muscle of churches to a mainstream message about what school children might be taught about gay relationships if the ban failed. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac) |
More than 3,000 people swarmed downtown Salt Lake City to march past the LDS temple and church headquarters, protesting Mormon involvement in the campaign for California's Proposition 8.
Former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and three openly gay state legislators, Sen. Scott McCoy and Reps. Jackie Biskupski and Christine Johnson, spoke out in support. At one point, the crowd took up the mantra made famous by the country's new president-elect: "Yes, we can!"
"The main focus is going to be going after the Utah brand," John Aravosis, an influential Washington, D.C.-based blogger, told the Associated Press. "We're going to destroy the Utah brand. It is a hate state."
The LDS church response, according to the above cited article:
Church officials are "disturbed" that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was "singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election," said LDS spokesman Scott Trotter earlier Friday.
"Millions of others from every faith, ethnicity and political affiliation who voted for Proposition 8 exercised the most sacrosanct and individual rights in the United States - that of free expression and voting," Trotter said. "While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process." From participants: "We've been quiet for a really long time," said Jen Bogart, 24, who marched beside her girlfriend, with the Salt Lake Temple lit up to her left. "If the gays and lesbians in Utah can march in the streets, the gays and lesbians everywhere can march."
Doyle Clayburn, 57, said he wanted Utahns to wake up to reality. "There's not just one or two who care," he said. "It's not a California issue. It's a human issue." | |
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