The Effects Of Blogs On Politics

I had a talk with Brad Gillman of the Standard Examiner, this afternoon, giving my thoughts on what I think of the Blogging phenomenon, and its implications for the political sphere. It will be interesting to see how his article turns out!

Media Should "Go Intensely Local"

I just heard James Lileks, writer and newspaperman, tell Hugh Hewitt what I've been pushing since I started this blog. I've always focused intensely on local issues, because I don't think it's being done by the local media. I have my own reasons for doing this; to effectively fill a niche you must stay within the niche, and I can't claim any real expertise in any area not in my backyard. James went on with some other helpful advice, but the part pertinent to my point is here.

"HH: All right, James, number one, I want to hear your three big fixes for newspapers which are bleeding out.

JL: Number one is to go intensely local, and I’ve said this before and before again. When I want to know what’s going on in the world, for example, in the Middle East, I’m going to go read the Michaels…I’m going to read Michael Yon, I’m going to read Michael Ledeen, I’m going to read Michael Totten. And if you go to our editorial page in our paper, you know, we’ve got Garrison Keillor talking about how much he hates the current occupant. A little more heat than light, exactly.

HH: Yup.

JL: So I would just stop trying to be a lesser edited down version of the New York Times, and assume that canny news consumers know where to get it. And frankly, if you’re going to lose a certain portion of the demographic that does know how to get news on the web, you’re just going to have to cut them loose. And you’re going to get far more people to stick with the paper if you go intensely local. In the old days, and I hate to hold up the 30’s as a model for anything, but in the 1930’s, the Minneapolis Star was a tabloid, and it was hard hitting, and it had big, huge, screaming headlines, and it was a joy to read. What they did was they just simply blanketed the city. They sent a lot of people out, and guys came back with a couple of stories every day, and banged them out. They weren’t worried about journalism as art. They weren’t worried about the first draft of history. They were worried about telling the story of the town, of the people who lived there. And there’s no real other media organization that has that ability. A television can’t do it. Television is sensational, and they don’t have the time. Bloggers can do it, but they have too diffuse an audience. We’ve got newspapers, people who can write, people who know how to put stories together, and photographers and vehicles, and all the infrastructure to disseminate this story of the city. So why try to be the New York Times and tell us exactly what’s going on elsewhere? Put a little page of national and world briefs if you like, but flip the A and the B section, and make the front part of the paper the front part of the town. That’s the first thing."

Church Stand On Tuition Bill

In response to blogger reports to the contrary, I've waiting for this statement.

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not taken a position on HB224, church spokesman Scott Trotter said. His comment came in response to a statement issued Monday by the Alliance for Unity opposing the bill. The statement was signed by alliance member Elder M. Russell Ballard of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. "

Hat tip: Deseret News

ActivityReg: Best Site For South Davis Recreation Center

I need to correct myself. The best information on the South Davis Recreation Center, including partial online registration can be found at the address below. Just click on Utah, followed by clicking on South Davis Recreation Center.

ActivityReg

South Davis Rec Center Website

The Clipper informed us that the website to view information on the new Rec Center would be http://www.southdavisrecreationcenter.com/, however, it does not appear to be operating as such.

There is content on the site, and it looks to be an advertising mule. We are informed on the page that the domain may be for sale.

I'm looking for the real South Davis Rec Center Website.

Update: To date, the best websites offering information on the Rec Center, besides yours truly, are Centerville City's site., or ActivityReg

More sunshine for the Clipper

Another reason to cast some sunshine on the Clipper is this article on the 37% tax hike. The Clipper included no arguments against the tax.

Contrast the Clipper article with this in the Deseret News, and you'll see why the Clipper isn't getting any larger.

Centerville clears up Main Street confusion

Standard practice for the Clipper is to publish only a single perspective per article. They seldom query more than one individual or body when considering the facts.

Case in point, my appearance in the Clipper when their online poll was revealed to be accurate. I was never contact, but the Clipper copied wholesale from my blog in writing the story.

All this being said, makes me hesitant to even link to the Clipper at all, save that sunlight will only reveal the chinks, and defects in the paper.

The Clipper today considers the merits of creating a mass-transit corridor in Centerville's downtown and quote extensively from its proponents.

I wonder what Centerville Citizen blog thinks?

[Davis County Watch: Citizenship] Utah Policy: Not all things to all "political junkies"

Anyone that is considered a "political junkie", and that lives in Davis County, should realize that not all local issues figure into the calculus of those that publish Utah Policy.com. Just like any subjective media they get their pet issues and run with them.

For example, I almost never get a mention on Utah Policy--Blog Watch. I'm not hurt by it, but I have paid attention to the fact that Davis County has been all over the two largest papers in the State, with two School District controversies going on simultaneously, and yet we haven't heard a peep from Utah Policy.

I should give some background, as much as I know. The Exoro group actually runs Utah Policy.com. They are a group of political consultants whose main objective is to market themselves as "communicators". In fact, they tout their ability to "...help anyone become an effective communicator."

So, if you're a blogger, and want a mention on Utah Policy, then your objective will be to pickup one of those pet issues that Utah Policy is currently running, and blog it to death.

Blog the issue until it's dead in the ground and then blog about it some more. Utah Policy will love you!

I should mention that writing about dead issues is something for which bloggers always get high marks.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Citizenship at 12/07/2006 11:10:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Announcements] Fake news story riles Davis District

The newly formed Davis Parents Association have done their best to create a three-ring circus on their new website http://davisparents.org/

Hat tip to the Deseret News, although they did their best to obscure the actual location of DPA's website. (i.e. they followed the common news media practice of not publishing it.)

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Announcements at 12/05/2006 09:10:00 PM

[Davis County Watch:Taxes] Selling a tax increase: Behind the curtain

The Davis County Commission is concerned about the proposed tax increase. They're worried that we might not like it. They're probably worried that we don't trust them.

I have some good evidence to support this claim.

Could it be because two out of three commissioners are out-a-here come January?

Not really, although that is true.

Now, this next part is going to sound pedantic at first. Stay with me.

Davis County's website it touting one page among its most "popular" links. That is supposed to mean, I think, that a lot of people have clicked on this link. Frankly, the County wanted this particular link to be popular. It was strategically placed so to influence a decision that will be ours to make. It's sitting out, in full view, in the middle of the page. You know, so people will click on it.

Let's break down this page into its most basic elements.

Its title is: " Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (PDF)

That sounds innocuous enough. Impressive, actually.

Now the rub.

The URL, (that's the location of the file), for the page exposes the Commissions real intent. Here it is.

http://www.daviscountyutah.gov/tax_increase/financial_reporting_certificate.pdf

Did you see that? (I tried to make it obvious by making it bold) It's in a folder called "tax_increase". Someone must think that this particular document will influence the citizens of this county to vote for a tax increase.

The reality is that this certificate has nothing to do with whether this particular tax increase is
good or bad. It has everything to do with how good Steve Rawlings is at his job.

Where would our Commissioners be without Rawlings?

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Taxes at 12/03/2006 9:19:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions] Is Blogging a Perfect Fit?

I've come up with a list of circumstances which might make blogging a good outlet. You might consider becoming a blogger if you are:

A reformed, non-profit, spammer. Do you forward unsolicited email to your family, or friends, because you think it your duty to 'set them straight'? Blogging can save your friendships! All those people who thought you'd become too obnoxious, or annoying, will now love you. How could they feel otherwise, they hardly hear from you anymore. They don't read your blog, and they never read your emails.

Disenfranchised. Vote not counted? Crushed by your city manager? Don't have a voice? Is nobody listening? People who blog can, at least, pretend that they are being heard because, after all, you're on google aren't you? Are you a politician that recently lost an election? Instead of sending emails, and letters to all the people that ruined your life, start blogging. Soon that warm feeling you got when you thought everybody loved you will slowly return.

Unable to make enough time in the day. Blogging will, actually, free up more time in the day. This might be a surprise, until you realize that blogging will save you from having to send that letter to the editor. It will help you to organize your thoughts. In fact, blogging is such a noble enterprise, that you'll feel totally justified saying, "I know I should have patched that hole in my roof, but I was blogging."

Far too important to be blogging. You are, in fact, the perfect candidate to become a blogger, because you have already mastered the thing to which all bloggers aspire--The huge ego. Rant, rave, blast the, so called, establishment. Bring everybody down a notch. Arbitrarily delete comments. Belittle, berate, and people will recognize you for what you are. Best of all, you get to keep your superiority complex.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions at 11/13/2006 09:29:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Announcements] Blogging without a name (Not even a fake one)

A new, anonymous, blogger has started writing about South Davis County. Here is what I can surmise about them.

• They've, likely, tried blogging before.
• They probably live in Bountiful now.
• They grew up in Bountiful, attended Bountiful High School, and were taught by, one, Kim Burningham.

I always have a hard time swallowing the concept of someone who posts anonymously, but this guy(yes, I think they are male) doesn't even use a handle! How shall I refer to them? S.D. Dude? As far as I'm concerned, someone, who can't even be identified, won't get much attention. Even I've been lambasted by the Clipper's editorial page.

Little, old, me.

Mr. S.D. Guy's website

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Announcements at 11/07/2006 03:39:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Election] Blogging Politics: An act of will

To those who have noticed the chasm between posts on this blog I apologize! I've been a little sick of politics this election cycle. To go easy on myself I have been looking for non-partisan politics in which to delve. I have to say that the least partisan of issues, this time around the track, 'appears' to be education. For example, it appears that nobody really wants the tax-cut we got, just the one we didn't, which is what happens when our personal prosperity is pitted against the prosperity of the children. In particular, non-partisanship is found in the list of candidates for the Davis School Board. A view from outer space shows us a list of candidates that are, entirely, 'Non-Partisan'. However, a closer inspection of any one of these candidates should show some bias. So, it should be clear that because a person is non-partisan, it does not always follow that they are objective. In fact, looking beyond Party, we should notice a growing list of groups, known as the PAC, or Political Action Commitee. These are groups that lobby, not one party alone, but throw their money across all political divides. They promote one candidate over another, just as Parties do. A PAC can be Non-Partisan, yet can also be so destructive. Ah, so my illness, of late, has not been the result of too much partisanship. Perhaps it has been too much divisiveness?

Divisive can be defined as the attribute of one who cuts through the crap so as to add more to the pile. This time around the track, I have seen the crap-pile grow exponentially. I would like to create a list of divisive activities that I've encountered, yet I don't want to add fuel to the fire. If I were to, say, accuse another of such an act then, I too, may be found guilty of it.

So, cut the crap--or don't.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Election at 10/10/2006 03:37:00 PM

I'm Back!!!

Thank you Natalie and Alice for helping me out this like week with your prolific posts. I've changed the background to blue (it's supposed to be blue-I could be better at my color mixing.) in honor of my new boy. I understand a lot of people were confused by the pink motif. This also signifies that it's my show again.

It's funny how I have gotten used to things being a certain way. I've been tempted more than once to intervene, but that would not be polite. Let me offer one example. I made a conscious choice, when I started blogging, not to post pictures to the blog. It wasn't that I didn't know how, but I wanted people to come here because of what I'd written. The first picture I saw posted caused me some, completely illogical, anxiety. Don't worry, I'm over it now.

This week has also been an exercise in self-examination. Natalie pointed out, of late, that I have a Paypal link. It may appear to some that I'm really raking it in for my efforts as a blogger. Let me disabuse my readers of this concept. I had put that link up with the idea that I would never solicit payment, but that I wouldn't close the door to it. Ergo, the Paypal link. Rest assured that I've not, yet, gotten a penny for my efforts. If I ever found some money in my account I would be surprised!

And, on coming home from the hospital I discovered that I am now missing one lawn sign, and I want it back! I think the city I live in, North Salt Lake, might have an ordinance that states I can't have a lawn sign up except just before an election, but I'm not sure. This sign was for Bret Millburn, and his race is not decided until November. I was going to take it down after the Primary, and put it up again just before the election, but that can't happen without my sign.

Announcement: Introducing the Davis County Watch substitute bloggers

I'm going to try something new.

Frequent visitors of this blog may have noticed two new names listed as contributers to Davis County Watch. Allie and Natgo. Here is what I have in mind.

I will be taking a short (probably week-long) hiatus from blogging, while my wife has our second child, but during a critical political time for this county. I just can't let this blog sleep while I'm away. I've asked my blogger friends to pitch in and help me out for a week by throwing in their own views on politics in the county. I will be brief on introductions-only to say that they are my neighbors, have a stake in what happens in the county, and that their views are worth reading. They lead their own lifes, and have a unique perspective. Please give them every courtesy. Keep your language respectful, for there are ladies present!

I feel a little like I'm sending the Bat-signal when I do this, but I will signal my departure by changing the theme of the blog to a vivid pink. When I return, the color scheme will return to normal.

Bloggers, please, watch for the signal!

Separated at Birth: Presidente Fox and President Bush's Radio Address

I talk about the fact that I don't post pictures to my blogs here. But I've been jealous of Ethan at SLSPIN that I couldn't participate in any 'Separated at Birth' Memes until now. Notice the similarity between Presidente Vicente Fox (rendered as ASCII below), who is visiting Utah to not talk about immigration reform, and President Bush's latest Radio Address on Immigration reform. It's uncanny!

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Blogswarm: Everybody's doing it

Blogswarm (n): A million monkeys typing while Shakespeare sleeps.

The people at Exoro have come up with a novel idea. It is simply this. To start Utah's first blogswarm. The thing that I'm not sure about is whether I like being lumped in with everyone else. Am I opposed to getting nuclear waste in my backyard? Yes! I don't even care whose waste it is, I don't want it here. In fact I think the best argument against the storage of Nuclear waste in Utah is that it must be transported across the country to get here. That is as large a target for a terrorist attack that I have considered. But, I have nothing original to contribute to the argument. I recieved two emails from Utah Policy.com. The first email said this, "If we generate a groundswell, we could earn recognition from some of the nation’s power bloggers, consequently introducing your blog to a large new audience. " Okay, so I'm actually supposed to be blogging about this important issue because it will bring national attention to me? What about the cyclops fish? What about the fact that I blog on local issues, and don't need, or want a national audience?

The second email was even more enticing.

"If you are able to post tonight we will try to link to it in tomorrow’s UPD." Now, I'm really tempted. I mean I probably write one good post for every ten, and Golden Webb rarely links to me. I kind of enjoy the challenge, really. But, this is as close to a sure-thing as I've ever gotten from Utah Policy.com. Maybe I'm just being too difficult. I should just throw in with the rest and start typing. It's too late now.

I've got to say, though, that I read one exceptional post at Utah Planner's Corner on the topic. Maybe this blogswarm thing really does bring out the creative spirit in it's participants?

Mayor Kay Briggs Homepage

I've considered sparing my readers, (all five of them), the funny story about how this website came to my attention. But I can't resist-in part. Needless to say, I happen to be friends with someone close to Briggs' Campaign. I'm pretty tight lipped, offline, about my blogging and they were so obviously involved that I steered clear of the subject matter. Now that they've found me out, they've sent this link my way.

Mayor Kay Briggs Homepage

NSL Campaign: Brian Elkins Blogging

I recieved an email from City Council Candidate, Brian Elkins informing me of his new blog. I offered to link to him if he'd agree to answer some questions--Well, why wait! I really like blogging during an election cycle because political awareness is heightened. (Here's a little hint to anyone interested in running for office in the future-start blogging now. And, no, that isn't why I'm blogging--I don't fit the public-servant mold.) Here's hoping that this brave new world we call 'Blogosphere' will continue to do some good. Time is short and the election cometh.

Brian for NSL City Council

The Rumors of my death...

My voice has been notably silent during the recent primaries and I've been fighting the urge to feel guilt about it. If it weren't for the solitary voice of Centerville Citizen goading me onto greater activity I might not be explaining myself now. The fact is that my job is demanding more of my time than before and blogging takes more energy than I've had. That doesn't mean that I haven't remained a political junkie-I simply haven't broadcast my views for a while.

I received an interesting email from a Phill Wright, a candidate for Bountiful City Council, that informs this post. I'm no longer a resident of Bountiful, but am not immune from the politics of the city. I've felt comfortable enough with Mr. Wright to encourage my family members to vote for him. Although, they are neighbors with another prominent candidate and may vote another way. Although he supports the Rec Center he has expressed dismay that costs have escalated. I believe that he is the kind of person that could prevent further cost increases. He has proposed the novel concept of selling Bountiful Utilities, or at least, lowering the rates to remain competitive with Utah Power. In my estimation he could have taken a harder stance on the Rec Center but his is the most reasonable response I've seen to the whole debacle.