"We are giving an irresponsible media more fodder to demonize the Legislature. We are giving them too much fodder to destroy us." — senator Howard Stephenson, President of the Utah Taxpayers Association, who lost his faculties in a tirade of verbal diarrhea against SB 102 and HB 101, bills that would have required legislators to publicly report more of the perks (i.e. bribes) they receive.  Stephenson could not connect the dots that his efforts to kill these bills did not serve to decrease the amount of fodder available to the media.  We can only assume that Stephenson is forgetting to take his meds.  His behavior has been increasingly erratic since he participated in an otherworldly ceremony to crown Reverend Sun Myung Moon as the World's Messiah (folks, we are not making this up!).
Source: "Legislative debate turns into condemnation of 'killer bee' media," Glen Warchol, Salt Lake Tribune, 2/17/06.

"House Republican Caucus seeks fun-loving individuals to share warm winter evening." — representative Jeff "Gigolo" Alexander, in a letter to legislators and lobbyists, wherein he urged them all to participate in a bizarre "Speed Dating" ritual.  Lobbyists would fork over cash to political action committees in exchange for some private time with their favorite legislator.  Again, folks, we are not making this up!  Welcome to Utah!
Source: "House GOP to 'date' lobbyists - for a price: 'Disgusting': Other Utah lawmakers say they want no part of speed-dating," Matt Canham, Salt Lake Tribune, 11/30/05.

"It is more destructive.  That wasn't an attack on him, as a victim. It was an attack on a group to which he was perceived to belong." — General Mark "Marx" Shurtleff, referring to a recent attack in Sandy wherein the assailant apparently believed the victims were LDS missionaries.  Shurtleff stated this in defense of his new thought crimes bill, HB 90.  Try telling the victim in this case that his pains are imaginary; that he really isn't the victim — his group is!  Or try telling that to victims who are not lucky enough to be part of a "group".  Shurtleff becomes more inane with each passing year.
Source: "Hate-crimes measure advances: But revamped bill faces uphill battle in the House," Deborah Bulkeley, Deseret News, Feb. 4, 2006.

"[As a group, Utah legislators are] honest, they serve with great integrity and great sacrifice, both from their families and professionally. With a part-time Legislature there are inherent conflicts, but my colleagues are good people. And when there is a problem, the media is vigilant and shines a spotlight on it." — Greg "Gas Guzzlin" Curtis, speaker of the house. Yes, every blue moon they do shine the light... like when they exposed the fact that Curtis, as former senior legal counsel for SL County Mayor Nancy Workman, used his county gas card for personal vacations and double-charged the state and county for his gas expenses.  Curtis quickly resigned.  We're comforted to know that Curtis looks so confidently upon his colleagues.
Sources: "Utahns want reform in Legislature: Lawmakers, public differ on need for ethics changes," Bob Bernick Jr. &  Peter Nagy, Deseret News, Jan. 22, 2006; "County Legal Counsel Apologizes for 'Guzzler Gate'," John Daley, KSL-TV, May 26, 2004; and "They ride in style, thanks to taxpayers," Thomas Burr, Salt Lake Tribune, May 15, 2004. See Curtis' special "Get Out of Jail Free" card below.

"I don't think we can do a tax cut. But we can do a tax reform, which I think will be done in a revenue-neutral fashion — it must be done in a revenue-neutral fashion." — governor Jon Huntsman Jr. (aka "Prince Jon"), despite multi-million dollar budget surpluses and an overall annual state budget exceeding 8 BILLION DOLLARS.  We can't have a "republican" governor and legislature passing tax cuts in Utah. That would be uncivilized.
Source: "Utah tax cut no slam dunk," Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News, 5/21/2005.

"It's time for the Attorney General to get back to basics: protecting the Constitution, defending families and fighting crime... If elected, I will not pursue pet projects which eclipse or dilute my statutory responsibilities to provide effective legal counsel to the state and its agencies. Overall, I will be dedicated to administrative fiscal responsibility, professionalism and accountability." — General Mark Shurtleff on his 2000 campaign trail for Attorney General.  In reality, Shurtleff has led the charge against innocent families and babies in the womb, ignored criminal behavior by government agents, and pursued pet projects such as property confiscation schemes against innocent owners and thought crimes legislation.
Source: Utah State Bar Association Journal, October 2000.

"We believe it [the U.S. Constitution] is sacred, yet Sen. Hatch has introduced 70 resolutions (over the years) trying to amend it." — representative Steve Urquhart (who is now running against senator Orrin Hatch). In 2004, Urquhart cosponsored SB 175 S2, which repealed forfeiture reform Initiative B, passed by 69% of Utah’s voters in 2000. Thanks to SB 175, police again may profit from property confiscated from innocent owners, destroying due process of law. SB 175 encourages confiscations to be performed at the federal level, where property owners are presumed to be guilty (see Title 18, Section 983, U.S. Code). With friends like Urquhart, who needs Hatch?
Source: "Urquhart to challenge Hatch for Senate seat," Bob Bernick Jr., Deseret News, July 22, 2005.  Also see his voting record in our 2005 Legislative Performance Report.

"There are only three or four states left who don't have one [i.e. thought crimes statute], and for me, that's an embarrassment." — General Mark Shurtleff, speaking at a recent homosexual fundraiser in Salt Lake City. Wow, we didn't know he was capable of embarrassment!
Source: "Gay-rights fund-raiser is big draw," Jesse Hyde, Deseret News, June 5, 2005.

"Any public office holder who lets a pair of Jazz tickets or a meal affect their decision-making ought not to be in public office in the first place. Just by having all these [ethics] policies doesn't necessarily make it a cleaner and better government. It's the people who serve; it's their moral fabric." — Salt Lake County councilman Randy Horiuchi.  To learn more about Horiuchi's moral standards, see his Flounders Quote below.
Source: "S.L. County to review ethics reform proposals," Erin Stewart, Deseret News, May 24, 2005.

"Unless we have incentives, we're not going to bring business into the state of Utah. We can have all the educated people we want in the state, but if we can't build the infrastructure, we won't have economic development." — Sandy City "redevelopment" director Randy Sant, pontificating on the dire need for Utah taxpayers to properly "incentivize" certain businesses. To hear Mr. Sant tell it, it's a wonder businesses in America have survived without subsidies since America parted from England!
Source: "Recruiting of retailers debated at Utah Taxpayers conference," Erin Stewart, Deseret News, Apr. 27, 2005.

"I'm just a poor coal miner who gets tired of eating at McDonald's." — senator Mike "Hobo" Dmitrich, in defense of the fact that he took the most lobbyist favors last year.  One man's bribe is another man's dinner.
Source: "Lobbies spent $144,000 in '04: Lawmakers insist they have no influence, yet kill attempts at limits, better tracking," Steve Gehrke, Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 14, 2005.

"I've always been of the opinion that the [traffic] fines are too cheap. In this state, people can afford to speed." — representative Paul "CHIPs" Ray.  In Utah, the first offense for speeding 1-9 mph is an arrestable offense resulting in bail or fine to the amount of $50.  And if you contest it and lose, you pay a 35% surcharge — for a grand total of $82.
Sources: "PhotoCop can't clear House panel," Lori Buttars, Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 15, 2005; "Uniform Fine/Bail-Forfeiture Schedule," State of Utah, page 9, May 2004; .

"I see nothing wrong with [accepting lobbyist gifts] and would encourage others to participate." — representative Brent Goodfellow (aka: "The Godfather").  As the second-highest recipient of corrupt lobbyist plunder in 2004, "The Godfather" is making you an offer he can't refuse!
Source: "Lobbies spent $144,000 in '04," Steve Gehrke, Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 14, 2005.

"Bell said he supports hate crimes [legislation] because when someone is 'a victim because he or she is a Jew or a Mormon or black or whatever... the perpetrator is assaulting the class. The true hate crime is not done against the person, it's done against the class.'" — senator Greg "Groupthink" Bell.  Yes, it is all about the "class", isn't it?  Only George Orwell could have put it any clearer: "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others" (Animal Farm).  To see where Marxists like Comrade Bell are taking you, read up on Thought Crimes bills being pursued in the legislature right now.
Source: "Hate-crimes bill gets a lobbyist," Deborah Bulkeley, Deseret News, Jan. 29, 2005.

"I will not penalize our citizens by arbitrarily limiting my own term of service. I have often stated that I will continue to serve for as long as I am increasing my influence on behalf of those I represent." — congressman Chris Cannon.  Oh, high magistrate, perhaps one day we can survive without you!
Source:  "Chris Cannon answers Deseret Morning News questionnaire," Deseret News, Oct. 10, 2004

"My job is to enforce the laws, I don't make the laws." — General Mark Shurtleff.  If his job is to enforce, not make, laws, why does he lobby for legislation like thought crimes, property confiscation, increased powers for DCFS, etc? He shadows legislators so closely, even lobbyists seem jealous.
Source: "Attorney general hopefuls spar in Dixie," Nancy Perkins, Deseret News, Oct. 8, 2004.

"There is no common law marriage in Utah... It [Amendment 3] won't affect or diminish anybody's individual rights that were in place before the amendment took effect." — senator Chris Buttars, sponsor of the newly enacted Amendment 3, which places common law marriages and other contractual arrangements in jeopardy. Buttars recently stated that General Mark Shurtleff has no understanding of the law. Boy, we are really in trouble.
Sources: "Radio West" with host Doug Fabrizio, KUER, 11/11/04. For more information on Amendment 3, see our news update for 12/22/04 and our analysis of it. See also "Rolly & Wells: Lawmaker unfamiliar with law," Paul Rolly and JoAnn Jacobsen-Wells, Salt Lake Tribune, 11/17/2004.
Note: Common law marriages were recognized in state statute in 1987.  See Utah State Statute  30-1-4.5. "Validity of marriage not solemnized".

''In an election this tight, in a nation this divided, you can't just run [i.e. campaign] from the ideological part of the party. It's a bigger tent and these guys are part of our party. They all have 'R's after their names.'' — State Republican Party Chair Joe Cannon, discussing why the national Republican convention prominently featured so many big government advocates. In other words, if Bill Clinton were to join the Republican Party, he would be worthy of Joe Cannon's support.
Source: "Some Utahns puzzle: Are we in right place?" Christopher Smith, Salt Lake Tribune, Aup. 31, 2004.

"I don't want to get in the way of the military." — Congressman Chris Cannon, responding to the question as to when independent sources (like the Red Cross) would be allowed to verify conditions of prisoners held by the U.S. military at Guantanamo Bay. Many prisoners have been held for years without being charged with a crime — and no end is in sight. Reports of torture and abuse are mounting (some prisoners who signed "confessions" prior to being released were not even in the countries mentioned at the time of those supposed activities). Congressmen are supposed to represent citizens, who are the trustees and watchdogs over the military. Unfortunately, Cannon prefers the role of water boy.
Source: Conversation between citizens and Congressman Chris Cannon at a neighborhood meeting in Bluffdale on August 18, 2004. For more information, see  citizen Daniel Newby's report (in .pdf format).

"I will unequivocably defend the rights of the unborn." — General Mark Shurtleff.  Oh really?  Under Shurtleff's direction, his employee, Assistant Attorney General Doug Springmeyer, helped to draft two administrative "rulings" for the Utah Department of Health that would force taxpayers to fund abortions on demand. See our alert for more information.
Source: General Shurtleff's campaign website at http://www.markshurtleff.com/issues.htm#abortion

"The more parents participate in out-of-pocket expenses, the more they're going to be involved in their schools. Even fees up to $150 [per student] is absolutely appropriate. It has a positive effect. A modest fee is an appropriate tool to help pay the cost of public education." — State senator and president of the Utah Taxpayers Association Howard Stephenson. Now, isn't it just a little odd for a supposed taxpayer advocate to use his media interactions to defend taxes? He could have taken issue with the fact that government schools exist because of forced taxation, or that fees are ok as long as taxes go down, or even kept silent on the matter. But with friends like these, who needs enemies?
Source: "Fuming over those *!#@ fees!" Mike Cronin, Salt Lake Tribune, Aug. 16, 2004. See an outside review of the Utah Taxpayers Association, or more information on Stephenson.

"It takes a system of caring to make sure children get the services they need and parents have available resources." — Richard Anderson, executive director of the Utah Division of Child & Family Services. Too bad Anderson has no inclination to bring such a system about.  Visit our Parental & Family Rights section for a few examples of his corrupt and indecent administration — to include the grossest of violations against innocent Utah families.
Source:  "Utah child welfare touted State a model for most of country, DCFS chief says," Amy Joi Bryson, Deseret News, Aug. 6, 2004.

"I have never made any donations to Democrats nor have I made any donations to a Democratic PAC or the Democratic Party." — Gubernatorial candidate Jon Huntsman Jr., responding to an anonymous letter circulated to Republican delegates that accused him of contributing to Democrat candidates. Er, well, um… the State Elections Office curiously shows a $500 campaign contribution in 2000 from one Jon Huntsman Jr. to Representative Ralph Becker, the former House Democrat Minority Leader. Does Becker, who has a lifetime score of -56% on our 2004 Performance Report, not count? Or is Jr. not even cognizant of pocket change contributions of $500 or less?
Source: "John Huntsman's reply to an anonymous letter, Your Rights Matter, Apr. 29, 2004.

"I told him 'I'm not going to shoot it with 20 people around in my position [as an elected official]'... We continued on down the ridge and I did shoot a cow elk." — Sen. Tom Hatch (former Lt. Governor candidate under House Speaker Marty Stephens). Hatch and his brother, Ronald, had come upon a seriously wounded bull elk. Ronald suggested that "we ought to finish it off." The elk was left to suffer and eventually died. And the Hatch brothers went right on hunting.
Source: “Lawmaker cleared in elk shooting: Illegal trophy bull: But the brother of Panguitch's Sen. Hatch faces poaching charges in state court,” Brett Prettyman, Salt Lake Tribune, Jul. 28, 2004.

"You, on the other hand, are the keepers of the individual freedoms. You make sure that justice is done." — Governor Olene Walker to the Conference of Chief Justices and State Court Administrators. Actually, it is the empowered jury of one's peers that has historically preserved individual freedom and justice.  Appointed judges and court bureaucrats, along with officials like Walker, attempt to nullify and eliminate juries — thereby thwarting freedom and justice.
Source: "Walker kicks off justice meeting," Jason Olson, Deseret News, Jul. 28, 2004.  Wednesday, July 28, 2004. For more information on jury trials, see our Issue in Focus: "Why Are Jury Trials Crucial to Your Freedom?"

"If you knew that the sheriff had someone on your tail all the time, maybe you wouldn't [jaywalk]. But if you assume the sheriff is doing his duty and chasing criminals, you might jaywalk and not think anything of it — not think you're going to get caught. Mr. Yocom apparently has taken advantage of the situation. There was no evil or malicious intent, where at the most you can say there were mistakes in the hiring process." — Utah GOP Vice Chair Enid Greene, apparently explaining why SL Mayor Nancy Workman should not be investigated or prosecuted for abusing taxpayers. Is Greene insinuating that abuse is ok as long as citizens aren't looking? Or that jaywalking should be legalized?  Is this the prelude to another tear-filled blame-it-on-Joe (or in this case, Yocom) press conference?
Source: "GOP lines up to defend Workman," Thomas Burr, Salt Lake Tribune, Jul. 3, 2004.

"For a normal citizen it would have been a slap on the wrist, a ticket. But it was the position he held. He was the second in command in the largest police agency in the state." — SL County Sheriff Aaron Kennard, explaining why he fired his second in command for illegally shooting an elk and then covering it up.  But wait!  Kennard recently used tax dollars to pay for 11 county employees to witness his coronation as the new president of the National Sheriffs Association in Seattle.  Pick up your own free plane ticket in .pdf format or Word97 format!
Sources: "Taxpayers pay tab for big posse," Rolly & Wells, Salt Lake Tribune, Jul. 2, 2004; and "Policing the Police," Dan Harrie, Salt Lake Tribune, Jul. 20, 2003.

"[The Gun Violence Prevention Center] is perceived as a gun control organization, but the purpose of it is basically to protect kids from access to these guns. There is room in this state for concern about handguns and who has handguns." — SLC Police Chief Rick Dinse.  Dinse is a board member of GVPC, which has the stated mission to implement "universal background checks, bans on the sale of military-style assault rifles, and limitations on the places where concealed weapons can be carried."  King George couldn't have put it any better.
Source: "S.L. police chief weighs his future," Matt Canham, Salt Lake Tribune, Jun. 28, 2004.

"If you are undocumented you must find, we welcome this money, but you have to find someone who is legal in order to donate money." — Marcos Diaz, aide to Congressman Chris Cannon. Cannon and Diaz were both participating in a Spanish radio interview. Later, host Jose Elibardo Rivera asked Cannon if "citizens who are minors can donate money?" Cannon responded: "Again... The minor children of citizens, yes they can donate." Diaz then added: "Very good! I hadn't thought of that! But if your child is a citizen, you can donate in the name of your child. The only thing that you need is, is to be a citizen. Many of you, perhaps, have children who are citizens."
Source: "Cannon accused of illegal donation soliciting," Nicole Warburton, Salt Lake Tribune, Jun. 15, 2004.

"We didn't take any family trips in it or anything like that, but I can't remember if there was anything purely for the campaign." — General Mark Shurtleff, to the question of whether he used his taxpayer-funded vehicle and gas card for personal trips while county commissioner. The chief law enforcement official for the State of Utah — who could be called upon to investigate other thieves in the SL County Guzzlegate scandal — is not sure whether he, too, ever had a problem stealing money from taxpayers.
Source: "Public, private car use murky," Alan Edwards,  Deseret News, Jun. 10, 2004.

"I think so."  — Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman, responding to the question of whether her then-employee, Greg Curtis, would reimburse the county for a personal vacation he took using a county-owned Ford Explorer and for charging gas to the county.  Wow, what a tough manager!  Pick up your own free gas card in .pdf format or Word97 format!
Source: "Anger and unpaid reimbursement still hang over Curtis," Alan Edwards, Deseret News, Jun. 3, 2004.

"Double dipping would indicate that you got the money and intended on keeping it. And that was never the case… I’m taking responsibility. This was an oversight on my part, nobody else. The situation was brought to my attention. I dealt with it quickly, I dealt with it responsibly. I tried to deal with it privately. But I dealt with and the taxpayers are not out. I've not received double compensation for any of my mileage." — Greg Curtis, House Majority Leader and senior legal counsel for the Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office. Curtis has admittedly used his card for personal vacations and double-charged the state and county government for his gas expenses.

Curtis brings hope to other citizens who find themselves crosswise with Utah law. In his honor, we have created a special "Get Out of Jail Free " card in .pdf format or Word97 format. Print your copy today and keep it handy for those occasional discretions in your life!
Sources: "County Legal Counsel Apologizes for 'Guzzler Gate'," John Daley, KSL-TV, May 26, 2004; and "They ride in style, thanks to taxpayers," Thomas Burr, Salt Lake Tribune, May 15, 2004.

"Every citizen who buys a flat of strawberries for $16, or who enjoys a cheap hotel room or an inexpensive restaurant meal is essentially demanding that people come across the border illegally to fulfill their economic request." — State senator and president of the Utah Taxpayers Association Howard Stephenson. Now, Mr. Stephenson, $16 is far too high a price for a flat of strawberries this time of year. But perhaps the next time we go out to eat, we should say: "I’d like some fries and an illegal alien to go, please!"
Source: "States take the lead on policies for immigrants," Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Los Angeles Times, Jun. 9, 2003.

"Does Utah want or need a recall [law for officials]? I'm very skeptical about its usefulness." — Constitution Revision Commission member and Utah Chief Justice Christine Durham on the potential of implementing a recall statute for elected officials.  After all, if elected officials obliterate their oath of office or behave in a truly disgraceful manner, those who elected them should be forced to wait until their term expires.  Perhaps this will encourage voters to rely upon the psychic community to determine the future behavior of candidates.
"Utah is unlikely to get a recall provision," Lucinda Dillon Kinkead, Deseret News, May 7, 2004 

"His door will be open to you... Jon Huntsman, Jr. wants to listen to you — the voter — and learn from you." — Early campaign literature from gubernatorial candidate Jon Huntsman, Jr.  Huntsman also sent a megaphone with this piece of literature, telling citizens that they can leave it at home because he would "hear" them.  Interestingly, no telephone number, fax, or e-mail contact was listed on either the literature or megaphone.  Was it an oversight or an omen? 
Source: "Jon Huntsman, Jr. is Listening and Learning all across Utah," 2003 candidate literature.  Note: Some citizens have reported that the megaphone makes an excellent funnel for canning.

"There are some taxes that periodically have to be increased. I voted for a 5-cent [per gallon] increase in the gas tax in 1997 and I believe we're nearing the time when we're going to have to have a gas tax increase." — House Speaker Marty Stephens. Stephens added that he would offset the increase by a tax decrease elsewhere. Umm… so if we desperately need more money for roads, and we already have the money to shift over, why not just cut government and shift it over to the roads?
Source:"Race for Governor: Stephens tackles touchy issue of gas tax increase," Dan Harrie, Salt Lake Tribune,  Apr 23, 2004.

"I don't want any of the tools locked in a box so I can't get to them and use them when I need them." — U.S. Attorney for Utah Paul Warner, referring to his desire to retain the sweeping powers of the federal USA "Patriot" Act. King George III could not have said it any plainer.
Source: "Patriot Act foes still patriots," Holly Mullen, Salt Lake Tribune, Mar. 15, 2004. For more information on the USA "Patriot" Act (referred by some as the Tyrannical Act), see House Joint Resolution 19 from last year's legislative session.

"I know Mike [Leavitt] will make a great governor. I have known him for many years. I can vouch for his abilities and strengths. He's just what Utah needs." — Republican gubernatorial hopeful Nolan Karras' endorsement of then-candidate Michael Leavitt.  Please note that, according to his Website, Karras considers himself, "a financial expert." Since Leavitt took office in 1992, the state budget increased by roughly 60 percent per capita and Utah is now the ninth-highest taxed state in the nation.
Source: "The Mike Leavitt Gubernatorial Express," 1992 literature to Republican delegates, page 2.

"I am very concerned that the relationship between Utah and Mexico will be damaged if HB 109 succeeds. This bill promotes hatred against the Mexican people." — Mexican consul Patricia Deluera.  HB 109 required that some form of valid identification be presented in order to grant a drivers license.  Currently, illegal aliens—criminals—use matricula consular cards to circumvent American immigration laws and fraudulently obtain drivers licenses.
Source: "Church misquoted on illegals," Josh Loftin & Adam Benson, Deseret News, Feb. 27, 2004. For more information on HB 109, see a summary in our "Good Bills, Bad Bills Update."

"I about cried when they cut us off from it [in January] because it's such a great program." — Sgt. Jeff Peterson, Utah Department of Public Safety, reacting to Utah's withdrawal from the state/federal MATRIX program, established to collect detailed intelligence dossiers on American citizens. Isn't it great to know that employees like Peterson exist to watch out for you?
Source: "MATRIX is a good thing, officials say," Dan Harrie, Salt Lake Tribune, Mar. 17, 2004.

"I haven't seen any waste." — Republican Senate Majority Leader Michael Waddoups, when asked if there was any fat in the state budget. After all, how could there be any waste when we are spending 8.3 billion dollars every year for roughly 2.2 million citizens?
Correction Notice: We originally and mistakenly reported that Waddoups stated: "I don't see any waste."
Source: Interview on the Grant and Amanda Show, KSL AM 1160, Mar. 1, 2004.

"I absolutely, violently oppose this." — General Mark Shurtleff, as he huffed and puffed up the house stairs to attempt to stop the legislature from "merit pay") for all of his employees.  The "merit pay" system is a perpetual employment insurance policy that protects lousy employees (which, in this case, are certainly in abundance) from being fired. As far as we know, this tough guy did not throw any punches...
Source: "House GOP leaders spring new bill on lawmakers," Bob Bernick Jr., Deseret News, Mar. 2, 2004.

"'...The [Workers Compensation Fund substitute bill proposed in the house is the] largest state-confiscation of private assets in Utah history. The business community and taxpayers have been blindsided by this substitute.'" — Utah's new anti-confiscation guardian, Sen. Curt Bramble. But then... enter stage left... Bramble voted last week in favor of another confiscation bill, SB 175 S2, which encourages Utah police agencies to cooperate in transferring state-confiscation cases of innocent property owners to the federal level... where one is presumed guilty and must prove one's innocence as per Title 18, Section 983, U.S. Code. What a performer!
Source: "Workers Comp plan under attack," Kirsten Stewart, Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 26, 2004

"Those crimes that are most damaging to society are the crimes based on the fact that you might be a woman, or a black, or a homosexual. My agenda is to protect the public." — General Mark Shurtleff, regarding this year's attempt to pass thought crimes legislation (HB 68).  And what of the members of the public who are not black, a woman, or a homosexual?  Should they take their places in the back of the bus?
Source: "House panel guts hate crimes bill before killing it," Rebecca Walsh, Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 20, 2004.

"Are we spending too much money on these [audits] and not getting the value out of them?" — Sen. Carlene Walker referring to an audit report by the State Auditor's Office that exposed over 4 million dollars of blatant waste and mismanagement in the Utah State Tax Commission.  Carlene, you could probably cut out audits entirely and get the results you are looking for by paying Dan Jones to take a morale poll of the tax commissioners.
Source: "Lawmakers brush off auditor's criticisms," Dan Harrie, Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 9, 2004.

"Kiss my butt." — House Majority Leader Greg Curtis, to citizen Brent Odenwalder.  Mr. Odenwalder and several others approached Curtis and had barely begun to tell him how upset they were with his opposition to HJR 3 (which calls upon Congress to withdraw from the United Nations), when Curtis let fly his true desires. A picture may tell a thousand words, but these three words speak volumes as to his regard for citizens.
Source: Conversation took place on February 4, 2004.  Citizens Daniel Newby and Terry Trease are two of the witnesses to the exchange.

"If there was a vote, you'd have a massive disinformation campaign by Qwest and other companies interested in seeing the system defeated.  The normal everyday Joe isn't going to take the time to understand thoroughly what we are trying to do, so the decision should be left to those people [at the city councils of the cities involved] who take the time to understand all the benefits this system can provide." — Murray Mayor Dan Snarr, on why citizens are unqualified to vote on the latest and greatest corporate welfare scheme, dubbed "Utopia." Oh, Mayor Snarr is also chairman of Utopia.
Source: "Utopia may pose a tax risk," Steven Oberbeck, Salt Lake Tribune, Jan 18, 2004. For more information on Utopia, see UtopiaNot.

"We would have only had 6 or 7 votes [in the Senate]." — Sen. Parley Hellewell, on how few senators were supportive of two anti-abortion bills last session.  Amazingly, identical bills have just passed the Senate in the opening week of this session... with at least 22 of 29 senators enthusiastically voting for each bill.  What an amazing change of heart! That would leave only 6 or 7 senators who are NOT supportive of these anti-abortion bills in only one year's time! Sen. Hellewell and the rest of the senate failed to incorporate a significant mathematical variable in their equations: fear squared.

With such a landslide vote this year, one wonders about a former Flounders Quote by Sen. Greg Bell: "I want to live to fight another day."  If the citizens were not threatening Sen. Bell's precious career, then who was?  No matter.  The citizens have demonstrated that they are an exponentially greater threat than Sen. Bell's worst nightmare.
Source: Conversation between Parley Hellewell and citizens Daniel Newby and Terry Trease at the Weber County Republican Party Convention on May 9, 2003. See our Infanticide Report for additional background.

Additional Note: Last year, not one senator offered so much as an audible no when several bills were moved ahead of the anti-infanticide bills.  Hear their cowardly silence from senate audio tape clips: HJR28, HB306S2, HB309, and HCR14. (These are .wav files.  If you have a really slow connection, right click on the desired link above and select "Save Target As" to save the file to your hard drive before you play it.)

"Actually, it was very disingenuous for those (GOP groups) to even introduce those resolutions [condemning GOP senators at the 2003 GOP convention].  Two days after the session ended, I met with those groups and told them that these bills would be re-introduced and taken care of." — Sen. Curt Bramble.  What Bramble failed to note was that, on the last night of the session, he promised activists in the Capitol Rotunda that the anti-abortion bills would be heard that night, then sat on his tail-fins as they were filibustered and killed.  Do the words, "Don't trust him!" come to mind?
Source: "Abortion bills resurface," Bob Bernick Jr., Deseret News, Dec. 29, 2003. For more information, see our Infanticide Report.

"I have been helping. I don’t know why you are picking on me." — Sen. Patrice Arent, in response to the citizens who handed her a flier.  Of all the officials fliered on Christmas Day, Arent has, by far, the worst record against families and due process.  View her record.
For more information, see our article, "Citizens Join Victims' Christmas Mourning".

"I've always tried to balance rights of parents and rights of children." — Sen. Patrice Arent to the Salt Lake Tribune. Oh, but it gets better.  As evidence, Arent cited her monumental bill to allow asthmatic children to carry inhalers with parental and physician consent.  Hmmm.  Which would a child prefer more on Christmas Day: his/her innocent family or his/her inhaler?
Source: "Activists knock on the doors of lawmakers," Brent Israelson, Salt Lake Tribune, Dec. 26, 2003. For more information, see our article, "Citizens Join Victims' Christmas Mourning".

"Today’s a special day for everybody, and I think it’s unfortunate that they would use Christmas morning to make a political statement that doesn’t make any sense to me." — Rep. Pat Jones to KSL Channel 5.  Of course she does not understand.  Her family has not been wrongfully terminated by the state.  There is a difference between her Christmas morning and the Christmas mourning of the victims standing 3-feet away from her.
For more information, see our article, "Citizens Join Victims' Christmas Mourning".

"If I hadn't seen TV cameras, I'd have thought it was a neighbor coming to give me a Christmas gift." — Rep. Roz McGee to the Salt Lake Tribune. Oh, but it was.
Source: "Activists knock on the doors of lawmakers," Brent Israelson, Salt Lake Tribune, Dec. 26,2003. For more information, see our article, "Citizens Join Victims' Christmas Mourning".

"This is an asinine move. We ask enough of our public officials. They should get a day, like Christmas Day, off... I'm sure our legislators will be glad to make an appointment to meet with Accountability Utah on Dec. 26 or some other appropriate day. Maybe DCFS makes some mistakes. But there are certainly times where it is appropriate for the state to step in — and the Legislature has to draw up those guidelines." — State Republican party executive director Chris Bleak, responding to our Christmas Day event.  Hundreds of requests for appointments and action have been ignored by Gov. Walker, AG Shurtleff, and legislators, and officials have had ample time to pass utter nonsense during "emergency" special sessions but no time for innocent families.  Prior to this event, it was unlikely that any of them would have been extremely anxious to meet with those victims, or give them anything other than empty promises.
Note: Of all of the mumbo jumbo, Bleak did make one accurate point: The legislature has to draw up those guidelines.  And that is precisely why they will get no mercy until they restore justice.

"Only dope dealers and those who support the legalization of drugs, like the drafters of Initiative B, would argue that taking the profit out of dope dealing is not a worthwhile law enforcement undertaking." — Salt Lake County District Attorney David Yocom.  Wow!  And here we thought 69 percent of Utah voters supported Initiative B to restore due process protections for innocent property owners, and to end the perverse financial incentives Yocom and others received by confiscating property.  Does this mean that, instead, up to 69 percent of Utah voters are actually profiting from the drug trade and are simply protecting their right to do so?  Interesting. Source: "Citizens lose, dope dealers win in Utah," David Yocom, Salt Lake Tribune, Dec. 12, 2003.

"We don't want to clutter up the ballot with such biased, political rhetoric. It would be the same as putting on the ballot next to your name whether you had once pledged never to raise taxes." — Sen. Curt Bramble, criticizing an effort to put a spot on Utah's ballots that would allow politicians the option to promise to limit their terms in office, and would let the voters know if they break their word.  All in favor of officials having to check a box that they won't ever use rhetoric while campaigning, please say, "Aye!"
Source: "Term limits with a twist," Bob Bernick, Deseret News, Dec. 9, 2003.

"We feel like David against Goliath. We just don't know if we've got the right stones in the sling." — Kal Farr, Executive Director of the Utah Chiefs of Police Association, seeking moral support for his effort to gut Initiative B.  Kal, the so-called "Goliaths" standing against your efforts to corrupt law enforcement would like to share an observation: The "right stones" cannot be found in cow pastures.
Source: "Effort on by some to tinker with property seizure initiative," Tim Gurrister, Ogden Standard Examiner, Dec. 5, 2003. For more information, see the Property Rights section of our Issues & Alerts page.

"I am mortified that this improper, unethical and simply unacceptable breach of confidential files may have occurred on my watch." — a "shocked" Sen. Orrin Hatch, upon finding out that one of his employees allegedly hacked into Democrat computers to steal private information. Wow, Orrin! Does this mean we can't trust the federal government with the awesome powers you gave them in the USA "Patriot" Act and other federal legislation?
Source: "Hatch says he's 'shocked' at hacking of files," Christopher Smith, Salt Lake Tribune, Nov. 26, 2003.

"A restructuring of DCFS might be appropriate, but we need a lot of discussion on it. The issue that we strongly disagree with is that our agency is out of control. We strongly disagree we are not responsive to the needs of families." — Adam Trupp, DCFS administrator for policy and planning, on the growing movement to completely gut DCFS. Sounds like something the spider said to the fly.
Source: "Brakes on DCFS sought," Amy Joi Bryson, Deseret News, Dec. 3, 2003.

"I have two brothers who are doctors, one of whom invests heavily in Johnson & Johnson. He readily admits that he prescribes only Johnson & Johnson products for that reason. When a pharmacist asks if a generic brand is available, he says no because he wants [to sell] Johnson & Johnson." — Rep. Stephen Clark, at a committee hearing touching on medical ethics.  Clark could not seem to understand why this type of behavior is wrong.  Look forward to other astounding examples of integrity from this ethical giant.
Source: "Legislator's Stand May Be a Bit Myopic," Paul Rolly & JoAnn Jacobsen-Wells, Salt Lake Tribune, Jan. 24. 2003.

"No way." — DCFS employee Wendy Cole, when asked what she thought about lifting governmental immunity for DCFS employees who commit fraud or are dishonest in their investigations of families.  Hey, what's a little perjury among friends — particularly when the lives of children are on the line?
Source: "Child-Protection Caseworker Finds Rewards in Taxing Job," Ashley Estes Broughton, Salt Lake Tribune, Dec. 17, 2001.

"Trust me, education is in my DNA." — Gov. Olene Walker, discussing "improvements" for government schools, which could move Utah beyond its current status as the ninth highest taxed state in America.  Here's a message for fossils like Gov. Walker and the elitist thieves and bandits of the educational monopoly: Pouring more money down the tired, bloated dinosaur will do nothing! It's time to adapt and evolve.
Sources: "Change of Guard," Dan Harrie, Salt Lake Tribune, Nov. 6, 2003.

"I've had the chance to meet with this appointee, look him in the eye and ask him what his feelings were about the implied authority of the judiciary, and the answers I received back were very, very comforting." — Senate Majority Whip John "The Interrogator" Valentine on the confirmation of Judge Ronald Nehring to the Utah State Supreme Court.  Nevermind that Nehring was instrumental in the judiciary’s recent defiance of state law by refusing to install gun-storage lockers outside courtrooms.
Source: "Senate OKs Two Supreme Court Justices," by Elizabeth Neff, Salt Lake Tribune, February 27, 2003.  Examine the Senate vote on Nehring.

"The [Jensen] case, which is being viewed by parents-rights groups as a landmark decision, won't set a precedent, May said. It is completely fact-specific and should not be taken as a sign that families who are in a similar situation will win and the state will just walk away, he added." — Mark May, AG Shurtleff's Kinder Protektion Minister, in an interview with the Deseret News.  There are only two specific, noteworthy facts in the Jensen case: the state screwed up and families fought back.
Source: "Charges Against Jensens Dropped," James Thalman, Deseret News, October 25, 2003.

"I am very frustrated because I feel it's my duty to protect the life of Parker, even though his parents won't... If he dies, it's on my conscience." — Attorney General Mark Shurtleff to an audience of Utah State University College Republicans. Before you string your violin, note that Shurtleff's Office ordered three licensed and registered doctors of Western medicine at the reputable Burzynski cancer clinic to deny Parker "any form of treatment."  Read the letter and background information and decide for yourself whether Jiminy Shurtleff is growing a conscience, or a longer nose.
Source: "Judge Questions Jensen Boy on Cancer Treatment," Associated Press, KSL Channel 5 TV, October 18, 2003.

"We love immigrants in Utah. And we don't oftentimes make the distinction between legal and illegal. In fact I think Utah was the first state in the country to legislate the ability to get a drivers license based on the matricula consular and of that I am proud." — Congressman Chris Cannon in a speech at the MALDEF award ceremony on June 6, 2002.  Obviously, some voters blurred the distinction between competent and grossly incompetent.
Source: American Patrol Feature, American Patrol, June 8, 2002.

"At this point the kidnapping charges [against the Jensen parents] stand. We're going to do what we think is in the best interests of the state." — Salt Lake County Deputy Attorney Kent Morgan.
Source: KSL Channel 5, 10 PM broadcast, September 29, 2003.

This is sharply reminiscent of another official from the not-too-distant past:

"The State no longer exists for the purpose of serving men but men exist for the purpose of adoring the authority of the State, which is vested in its functionaries, even down to the smallest official." — Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Volume II, Chapter II.

"[Cable and satellite dish services are] not for basic communication purposes, but purely for entertainment. If there is one thing in the state that is fair [for] taxation, it should be entertainment.  It is not a necessity of life." — Senator Leonard Blackham, arguing for higher taxes.  If "entertainment" taxes are fair game, a tax on most legislators will dramatically increase state revenues!
Source: "Pay-TV tax affects only cable, sat exempt," Dan Harrie, Salt Lake Tribune, September 18, 2003.

On a personal note, I have no appetite for a career in government.  My desire is to serve and work extremely hard for not more than two terms — and then return to the private sector. — then-candidate Michael Leavitt, in his 1992 literature to Republican delegates, titled, "The Mike Leavitt Gubernatorial Express," under the topic of "Term Limits."  Some conjecture that Mike contracted debilitating elephantiasis in the truth-generating portion of his frontal lobe.

"It's no surprise. The Legislature always seems to desire more power. It's something the governor has just learned to live with." — Governor Michael Leavitt's spokeswoman Natalie Gochnour, fishing for sympathy.  Oh, Mike, we feel your pain.  To aid you in your painful recovery, we made a special Pink Slip — just for you.
Source: "Lawmakers Seek Session Power," Dan Harrie, Salt Lake Tribune, October 31, 2001.

"But at least I did read it." — Congressman Chris Cannon in response to Republican state delegates who attacked him for supporting the "USA Patriot Act".  Holy Mackerel!  He admitted it!  Either Cannon supports the onerous provisions of the Patriot Act, or he needs remedial tutelage in reading comprehension.  Perhaps he can squeeze into a tax-funded English as a Second Language (ESL) class offered to illegal aliens.
Source: "Rivalries flare at Utah conventions," Bob Bernick, Deseret News, August 24, 2003.  View Cannon's voting record on illegal aliens.

"You're still peddling your wares?" — Senate President Alma Mansell to AU volunteer Daniel Newby at the August 23, 2003 state organizing convention of the Republican party.  AU volunteers passed out materials to convention delegates exposing the senate's shameful actions on two anti-infanticide bills.  Actually, Mr. Mansell, we were peddling your wares.

"[Leavitt is] the best Democrat governor we've had since [Scott] Matheson." — Democrat Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich.  We are still unsure whether to attribute this Flounder Quote to Senator Dmitrich or to the people who still think Governor Leavitt stands for limited government.
Source: "A Quiet Confidence," Kirsten Stewart, Salt Lake Tribune, August 17, 2003.

"They're at the top." — Sen. Parley Hellewell, responding to the question as to how high abortion bills are on his priority list.

"We already knew that bill [HB 241 — banning partial birth abortions] wasn't going to pass, and so there was no point in... stopping other bills when you knew that bill wasn't going to pass...  I suppose you could go back and do things differently, but when you knew the bill wasn't going to pass and there were other bills, then why..." — Sen. Parley Hellewell, defending his vote on the last night of the session to move an illegal immigration resolution (HJR 28) and other bills ahead of HB 241.

Not one senator offered so much as an audible no when several bills were moved ahead of the anti-infanticide bills.  Hear their cowardly silence from senate audio tape clips: HJR28, HB306S2, HB309, and HCR14.
(These are .wav files.  If you have a really slow connection, right click on the desired link above and select "Save Target As" to save the file to your hard drive before you play it.)
Source: Conversation between Parley Hellewell and citizens Daniel Newby and Terry Trease at the Weber County Republican Party Convention on May 9, 2003. See our Infanticide Report for additional background.

"They die because House leaders don't prioritize them so we don't deal with them. They die because the sponsors don't get them moved through the process fast enough. And they die, quite frankly, because they aren't important enough." — Utah Senate Majority Leader Michael Waddoups, explaining why two anti-infanticide bills died in the senate.

Waddoups repeatedly made motions to delay and postpone the anti-infanticide bills from being heard — see our Infanticide Report for details.  Also see Waddoups congratulating his filibustering partner and fellow abortion proponent, Democrat Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich.
"Conservative groups ranks GOP Senate worst-ever," Bob Bernick Jr., Deseret News, May 13, 2003; and "LEGISLATURE: 2003 Session Wrap Up," Salt Lake Tribune, March 8, 2003.

"Ok, I'm gonna interrupt this debate while you're having a good time." — Utah Senate President Alma Mansell, interrupting the boisterous laughter of the Utah State Senate as anti-infanticide bills were filibustered and killed on the last night of the session.  Hear the shameful exchange for yourself.
Background: With less than 5 minutes remaining in the session, one anti-infanticide bill, HB 241, was briefly "debated" in the Senate. Democrat Ron Allen proposed to gut HB 241 with his own substitute bill.  Republican Chris Buttars, senate sponsor of HB 241, could not seem to find his copy of Allen’s substitute.
See our Infanticide Report for additional background. (This is a .wav file.  If you have a slow connection, right click on the laugh link above and select "Save Target As" to save the file to your hard drive before you play it.) You can also try this smaller file.