Hello.  My name is Inigo Montoya.  You killed my father prepare to die.  (It’s my favorite line from the Princess Bride.)

Inigo Montoya holds nothing over on this guy.  Rep. Chris Herrod (R-Provo) is a nationally ranked swordsman.

Click HERE for recent print news article.

Who knew blogging could be so much fun?!  Time flies…huh?!  One year ago (yesterday), Under the Dome, my on-line journal, turned 1.  (Link to first post, Click HERE.)

Many who have contributed to this on-line record of occurances, experiences, and observations have enjoyed the privilege of participation in my little corner of the continuing American Experiment.  Thank you.

James Madison expressed his thoughts on the necessity of free public discourse when he stated, “Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free one.”  (James Madison, Public Opinion, December 19, 1791)

Opinion and the ability to freely express one’s opinions is the bedrock of a truely free Society.  For a society to maintain its sovereignty, its singular autonomy, that community must be built on the god-granted priniciple of free speech.

And, so I go on…and on…and on…

In a recent “Take Action!” MEMORANDUM posted on the Sierra Club’s website, Tim Wagner musters the troops to declare war against opposition to Government Jon Huntsman, Jr’s recent unilateral buyin to California Governor Schwarzenegger’s Western Climate Intitiative.  Huntsman and Schwarzenegger, along with other western states (Democrat) Governors signed the initative mandating heavy restrictions on “greenhouse gas emissions,” etc.   (Click HERE for recent blog)

In the cross-hairs as one of the Sierra Club’s primary targets is Representative Mike Noel (R-Kanab), one of the state’s champions for responsible environmental policy.

The Club is asking its followers to utilize normal MSM (Mainstream Media) channels to “express(ing) your support” to push their liberal restrictive environmental agenda.

UDOT (Utah Department of Transportation) has produced a FREE map…at the cost of approximately $70,000.  (I’m sorry, that seems a little oxymoronic.)  And, even though that only figures out to be about 7 cents per taxpayer…it’s still a taxpayer/government funded program.  And, government is never…FREE!

Click HERE for D-News expose.

1. Rear Window
2. Tucker
3. Clear and Present Danger
4. Lawrence of Arabia
5. Ben Hur
6. Dune
7. The Patriot
8. Groundhog Day
9. Being There
10. The Princess Bride

Steve’s LIST and Others

You put your right hand in…you take your right hand out…you put your right hand in and shake it all about…

That’s the Snow (Ball)/Legislative Shuffle.

The latest member of the State Legislature to join in the Snow (Ball) dance is Rep. Scott Wyatt (R-Logan) appointed yesterday by the Regents as the newest President of Snow College.  An attorney by profession, Wyatt is a smart, pragmatic, and considerate legislator, respected by his colleagues.  He has served as a Snow College Trustee for a number of years.  His dislocation from Logan to Ephraim will necessitate his resignation from the Legislature.

Wyatt’s appointment follows a couple other ”shuffles” between the State House of Reps. and Snow College.  Just this week, Rep. Richard Wheeler (R-Ephraim), Interim President and VP of Snow College resigned from the Legislature to focus on his new assignment as an Area Authority Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Appointed (through mid-term vacancy process) to take Wheeler’s place is former Rep. Bradley Winn (R-Ephraim), the Provost and VP of Snow College. 

Did you follow all that?!

Men of incredible character, Wheeler, Winn, and Wyatt, are destined to do great things for our Great State.  (I wonder if it’s a “W” thing?!)

Congratulations to all three of these fine gentlemen!

Link to D-News Article on Scott Wyatt.

Dr. Brad Winn returns to the Utah State Legislature after resigning his position as the Representative for House District 57 (Pleasant Grove, Cedar Hills, and S/E American Fork) in May of 2003.  Brad moved from District 57 with his family to take an administrative position at Snow College as the Provost.  He will be replacing Rep. Richard Wheeler (R-District 68) who resigned last week to focus his energies on his new ecclesiastical assignment as an Area Authority Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Brad previously served in the House from January 2001 to May of 2003.  The House “Brad” Caucus is anxious to welcome another member (back).

Welcome back.

MSM article–Click HERE.

More Money = Better Deal.  Jon M. Huntsman, Sr.’s Huntsman Corp. will sell for a cool $6.5 Billion.  The lucky winner?  Apollo Management LP, who sweetened the deal by some $900 Million over Basell’s previous offer.  Congratulations to the Huntsman clan!  Click HERE for D-News Article.

Every year (or so) my kids request a display of “skills” acquired in my youth.  And, every year it gets harder and harder to share those unusual talents for their entertainment and delight.  So, on the 4th of July, my 16 year old son had his skateboard out on the driveway just prior to the family fireworks extraveganza, and, he gave me “the look.”  CHALLENGE?!

Ya know you can’t let those darned kids think our generation doesn’t have “it” still…RIGHT?!

Click HERE for YouTube.com video (13 seconds)

Kim and I had an eventful and educational trip a few months ago as we visited Washington DC.  One of the highlights of our trip was a visit with Mike Lee (former General Counsel to Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr.) while he was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.  Leaving from Cedar Hills (District 57) for the year-long stint in the High Court, it was uncertain whether Mike and his family would return to Utah to practice law.  When we dropped in on him, he was in the process of “looking around” for his next occupational adventure.  As I understand it, clerking for a Supreme Court Justice has its fiscal benefits…if you know what I mean!  Jobs like this have been a springboard for a number of high impact attorney/judges in the past.  Click HERE.  [Note the reference to working as an Assistant for a Utahn in the Solicitor General's office.]

Well…I was digging through the paper yesterday and it appears Mike’s returning to Utah.  He’ll join Howrey LLP as a pratner some time in the middle of August.

This guy’s one to watch.  In my opinion, Utah wins big with the return of Mike Lee…destined to leave a legacy just like his dad. 

Welcome back Mike!