3rd District Congressman Chris Cannon

...is on the phone and answering your questions. Call KSL-TALK (575-8255).

The 11 O'Clock Hour Rundown

Congressman Chris Cannon, running as the incumbent against Jason Chaffetz in the Republican June 24^th primary, joined Doug on today’s show. Much of Cannon’s visit centered around energy policies. ANWR and offshore drilling will take years to develop, and Cannon said to get the speculators to immediately lower prices, there needs to be an immediate promise of large amounts of oil. Oil shale in Utah is exactly that.

To help develop oil shale, Congressman Cannon said he’s introducing a bill to allow the president to set shorter permit and regulatory periods. Cannon said that will give oil companies more incentive to start investing in Utah’s resources.

One caller asked about Cannon’s views on importing foreign nuclear waste. Cannon said that while Rep. Jim Matheson sponsored a bill to stop it, Cannon had no intention of supporting that bill. He said it was a state matter, and the federal government shouldn’t get involved.

When asked what he was doing to help fight pornography, Cannon said he’s sponsoring a bill that takes deciding what’s “freedom of speech” from the jurisdiction of the federal government and give it back to the states. That way our values in Utah could decide what is and isn’t pornography.

Payson Councilman Arrested

...for assault after defending his truck from graffiti "artists". Should we be able to physically defend our property from vandals?

Here's the Story:

Randall Jeppesen reporting

A Payson man says he was just trying to stop some graffiti artists, but now he's charged with assault.

If you saw someone putting graffiti on your truck, what would you do?

Payson City Councilman Scott Phillips tells The Daily Herald he spotted two teenagers tagging his truck and a building on May 10 near 800 East and 100 North in Payson. He grabbed them by the back of the neck and told them to "get out of here."

A councilman for more than two years, Phillips says he did grab the men, but he didn't strike or hit them.

Now Phillips has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and is scheduled to appear in court on July 3.

Phillips tells the newspaper it's pretty sad when you can't defend your own property.

E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com

(The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The 10 O'Clock Rundown

Doug doesn’t condone theft, but he understands it. They want something they don’t have. What he doesn’t understand is graffiti. He can’t understand somebody walking up with a spray can and feeling their artistic license gives then the right to express themselves on his property. What gives these idiots the idea that they have that right? It gets worse:

A Payson city councilman, Scott Phillips, has been accused of two counts of misdemeanor assault after stopping a couple of kids from tagging his car and a nearby building. He didn’t strike the kids. He just grabbed them by the scuff of the neck and told them to stop. Doug concedes that as ridiculous as this is, if somebody’s stupid enough to tag cars and walls, they’re probably stupid enough to believe nobody has a right to physically stop them.

Doug and one caller agreed: what those kids needed was a good walloping. What was Phillips supposed to do when paint is spewing from the can onto his car?

One caller said she had two boys who vandalized a neighbor’s car a few years ago. She sent them to their rooms and called the police. They paid for the damages. Doug told her she handled it exactly right. What if someone had stopped her kids and she had taken that person to court?

Rosanne, a friend of Phillips, said anyone would have done what he would have done, and probably more. Rosanne said Phillips is a great man and father, and was extremely gentle in how he handled the situation. How many others would show the same restraint?

The President Calls for Oil Shale Drilling in Utah

Would you be willing to have Oil Shale mining happen in Utah?

The 9 O'Clock Hour Rundown

Former Congressman Jim Hansen walked Doug through Oil 101. Years ago, oil experts said oil would have to be $38 per barrel before developing oil shale would become profitable. The technology is there, and now the market is ready, but extreme environmentalists set the agenda in Congress.

Contrary to what some callers tell Doug, developing oil shale takes only a miniscule amount of electricity and very little water. Hansen said right now we could develop oil shale for $50-60 a barrel, and bring ourselves closer to energy independence, something we desperately need. The money we spend on foreign oil doesn’t go to the middle class. It does go hostile militaries and terrorism.

Doug read an e-mail from a listener who said she felt like no matter what she did, the oil companies would keep the rates up and nothing would change. Doug sympathized with her, but said we can’t give up on throttling back. We can hold feet to the fire and push for smart energy policies.

Doug always hears blowhards claim oil shale development and ANWR drilling will have no immediate effect on oil prices. Really Sherlock? That’s more of a reason to start now, not throw in the towel.

One caller mentioned the 68 million acres the oil companies own off the cost that they aren’t developing. Doug agreed the oil companies share some of the blame for taking the path of least resistance and refusing to fight the environmentalists. However, the government has the responsibility to get out of the way and let business work.

Doug said The environment in Washington is too toxic to make any progress. Democrats could ask their “esteemed Republican colleagues” to admit the sun rises in the East. Republicans could ask Democrats to admit the sun goes down in the West, and there would be a debate and filibusters, simply because nobody wanted to give an inch—and it works both ways.

Jason Chaffetz

The 3rd District Congressional candidate stops by to talk with Doug and take your questions.

Fritz Wenzel

The Zogby pollster joins Doug to discuss possible "swiftboating" in this election year.

The Sock Obama

Umm...Racist? Doug isn't so sure. We'll talk to Dave Lawson, the creator of the Sock Obama puppet, today at the top of the show. Before condemning him as a racist, let's hear his side of the story. President Bush is frequently portrayed as a primate, does this mean there is a double standard?

The 9'Clock Hour Rundown

Dave Lawson claimed there was no racism involved in his creation of the Sock Obama. He sounded genuine and naive. He truly seemed bewildered at the response to his puppet. Perhaps, those offended by the doll overreacted a bit. Perhaps they are just looking to be upset.

No Mail on Saturdays?

Every time gas prices go up a penny, it costs the USPS $8 million. For budget reasons, would you support ceasing mail delivery on Saturdays?

The 10 O'Clock Hour Rundown

With gas prices skyrocketing, should Saturday mail deliveries from the U.S. Postal Service be a thing of the past? Every time gas goes up 1 cent, it costs the Postal Service an extra 8 million dollars a year to deliver the mail. Doug remembered the days when mail was the preferred method of communicating. Now it’s 99 percent junk.

Can’t we live without that for 1 day a week? Doug thinks so. This is exactly what Doug means when he talks about throttling back. Caller after caller agreed. It’s time for Saturday mail delivery to go.

Steve, a post office employee called in to say cutting Saturday mail wouldn’t upset the people, it would just be like having a holiday every week for the USPS workers. The mail would back up and they would have to work overtime on Monday. Doug wondered if we couldn’t spread out the mail better, and aren’t the savings on gas worth a little overtime? Steve agreed.

Doug remembered the quote from Abraham Lincoln: “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.” Times are different, but the consequences to our country of we fail to act haven’t changed.

Doug said we haven’t been as innovative as we should have been. We’ve taken the past of least resistance. Times are changing, and Americans need to rise to the occasion. Doug wants his kids to inherit the same American dream he did. We can all cut back. None of the callers or e-mailers today said their lives would be unacceptably inconvenienced without Saturday mail. It’s time to adapt Lincoln’s vision to our time, and do away with Saturday mail.

Rhode Island School District to put Microchips in Students' Backpacks

Is this appropriate? Is this even going to work? Is this another example of handing parental responsibilities to techonology?

The 9 O'Clock Hour Rundown

Doug was discussing Al Gore’s meaningless endorsement of Obama at the Channel 5 studio when somebody asked Doug for his address and pulled up a recent picture of his house online. It’s incredible how monitored we are, and it’s only getting worse. Is there a limit to the amount of surveillance we should tolerate?

Rhode Island School district is pushing the envelope with a pilot program to plant computer chips in children’s backpacks to keep tabs on them. Doug wondered if that would really help. How often do kids leave their backpacks in a room, or lose them? Would it make them safer, or just lull us into a false sense of security?

Doug’s not only concerned about that, but he wants to know where the surveillance stops. At what point does the monitoring and surveillance start to take too much freedom? The ACLU says that point has already been reached in Rhode Island.

Is it even right to monitor our kids that closely? Doug said he would have hated that as a kid, and a caller argued that part of growing up is becoming independent. How will that happen if the kids are being watched everywhere they go?

On the other hand, Doug said parents have always taken extreme measures to keep their kids safe. They aren’t adults and they don’t have all the freedoms adults do. One callers said she would like the chips in her kids to keep them from getting lost. Most of the time kids who are lost turn up, but what about the rare times when something horrible happens?

Gay Marriages to Begin Today in California

They will be valid until at least November. No proof of residence is needed to get married in California. How will this impact those from other states tying the knot? What will happen when the vote on gay marriage takes place in the fall?

Friday Night is Date Night with My Wife

...says Glenn Donnelson on why he is not able to attend a debate this Friday. Is this an acceptable reason for a political candidate to miss a debate? Doug doesn't think so. Weber County Republican Party Chairman Matthew Bell joins Doug to explain what is going on in North Ogden.

The 11 O'Clock Hour Rundown

Glenn Donnelson called in to defend his unwillingness to debate. He said campaign meetings most of the week kept him busy, and on Friday, when the debate was planned, nobody shows up because they’re doing other things.

Doug argued debates have a sacred place in American politics. He also said he was concerned about the statement Donnelson made that he has nothing to gain. It’s not about you, Doug told him, it’s about the people.

Donnelson said people never come, and he can do more knocking doors than at a debate. Doug was shocked. He couldn’t believe Rep. Donnelson would deny people the opportunity to hear him. What about those who won’t get a knock on the door but would come out to a debate. Thank heaven other great debaters didn’t have the same attitude.

Donnelson said they should never have inter-party debates without an open seat. Doug wanted to know why the incumbent wouldn’t debate inter-party challengers. What about making the party stronger? What about the democratic process? Doug said he learned more about Rep. Donnelson during their short conversation than he did from Donnelson’s years in the legislature. Doug gave Donnelson the final word (really two words):

NO DEBATE.

Cell phone porn hasn’t gone unnoticed by the state. Officials say they’ll crack down on children swapping nude pictures of each other just like they crack down on other forms of child porn. Doug said something needs to be done, but it’s not an easy issue.

Gary Herbert came on to talk about the State Treasurer race controversy. He said the late hour of the legal action by Richard Ellis makes any action before election day difficult. People have already started early voting. He doesn’t want the perception of favoritism helping or hurting either candidate, and he has no intention to resolve the matter before Election Day.

What’s wrong with this picture? The race for State Treasurer should never be exciting.

The 10 O'Clock Hour Rundown

Glenn Donnelson, an incumbent state representative from North Ogden, declined to debate his challenger Ryan Wilcox. Donnelson cited scheduling conflicts with his weekly date night, and a lack of audience participation as his reasons.

Doug said it’s usually the person with the most to loose who whines the most about debates. The debate goes forward tomorrow at 7:00, whether Rep. Donnelson shows up or not. Doug said that’s how it should be.

An Ogden resident called in and said it sounds like Rep. Donnelson is invoking the fifth amendment, like he’s hiding something. Doug points out that the incumbent always has the most to lose in a debate. He thinks the reasons for not debating really boil down to that.

Ryan Wilcox, Donnelson’s challenger, called in to say the people in the district should have the right to meet both of the candidates. Doug said Donnelson’s date night or what he does or doesn’t have to lose isn’t the problem of the citizens. Doug offered to pay for movie tickets and ice cream for Donnelson and his wife if he shows.

Doug had Attorney General Mark Shurtleff on to explain the controversy over the State Treasurer’s race. Richard Ellis alleged his opponent for State Treasurer, Mark Walker, offered him a job and a pay raise if he would drop out of the race. After Lt. Governor Gary Herbert declined to investigate, Richard Ellis brought the case to the Utah Supreme Court. Shurtleff told Doug that for now, we’re just waiting to see how it turns out.

Update: Doug just had it out with Donnelson and made him look foolish.

Four Day Work Week

How much would this benefit you? Would it make you a better employee? How about a better parent?

The 9 O'Clock Hour Rundown

Shouldn’t it be our patriotic duty to switch to a 4 day work week where possible? Wouldn’t a 3 day weekend make everybody a better employee? In theory, Doug said it should save 20% on fuel costs. He also thinks it would make people better parents. Staggering the days both parents have off would give them more time to spend with their kids. Where’s the downside in all this?

47 hours – the average work week, and that’s not including the extra time we put in off the clock with our blackberries, e-mail and other devices. Doesn't that prove we don't always have to be in the office to be productive? With new technology, Doug offered that most jobs have some component that could be done in pajamas from home.

Doug took a flood of calls and e-mails from people whose work week already consists of 4 10-hour days. They say it saves money and makes for happy employees. Others pointed out how hard it is to get through 8 hour work days. Mondays would be unbearable.

A caller asked why we don’t stagger work start times to reduce congestion on freeways. Doug remembered during the Olympics, when Mitt Romney, Rocky and others asked Utahns to do just that. Utahns did it too well. They had to ask people to come back out because the state looked empty. We’re up to the challenge.

Will the 4 day week work with schools as well? One caller thought so. He said his local school does it. He loves having his kids home an extra day.

Doug knows the solution’s not going to come from our government. They’re too busy getting re-elected to actually solve anything. It’s innovation at the local level that’s going to get us through. We need to think differently. The old way of doing business needs a massive overhaul.

Private Clubs to be Abolished?

Are private club membership fees soon to be a thing of the past?

The 10 O'Clock Hour Rundown

We have weird liquor laws. Some of our laws meant to discourage liquor drinking have been counter-productive.

Doug said sometimes places that serve alcohol have good entertainment or food. Doug had to buy a membership to get into a club when he had no intention of drinking. He never saw a drop of alcohol. It was morning and breakfast was being served.

An e-mail asked why we can’t adopt Idaho’s liquor laws. Is Idaho an alcohol-soaked wasteland of sin and debauchery?

One caller said she hates seeing Utah becoming so tolerant of alcohol. Doug asked if it’s tolerant, or just realistic? Latter-Day Saints can’t expect everyone to live the LDS lifestyle. There’s plenty of reason to revisit some of our strange liquor laws.

Another caller who works in the hospitality industry said mandatory membership for alcohol-serving clubs is really just another fee. Having to buy a membership won’t stop people from drinking. Doug couldn’t think of a single person in hospitality who thought it was a good idea.

A bar owner weighed in on mandatory club membership. He said we turn the bouncer, who is supposed to be watching out for minors and keeping intoxicated people from driving, into a bureaucrat. He can’t do his job because he’s dealing with club memberships, which guest is with which member, and all the other paperwork that goes along with the mandatory membership laws.

Gas Tips and Myths

Doug has a great list of what can really save you gas and what can't. Click the link to learn about some of the myths about gasoline.

Here is a success email on the benefits of hypermiling:

Doug,

I have been hypermiling for the last 25 years. My father taught me about it when I was learning how to drive!

I can remember when you could come of the freeway on the 9th South exit of I-15 on to West Temple and If you were driving the posted speed limit you could drive all the way to 2nd north with out hitting your breaks. Yes you would have to adjust your speed but you could do it every time!

Out in West Valley City at 4100 South and 6400 West the traffic signal timing has been changed to where East/West traffic (main flow) only has a green light for 10 seconds, only alowing 4 cars thru. The North/South light is green for over 20 seconds. It is very frustrating to sit thru at least two light cylces to get thru East/West with a line of ten cars but there is no traffic gong North/South.

I used to put on over 24,000 miles a year on my personal vehicle. Using the Hypermile thinking the whole time. With the cost of fuel I started cutting back about a year ago. Even with Hypermiling now I am down to where I just go to work (ten mile round trip - less than 12,000 miles per year) and run my errands one day a week. I used to drive over 400 miles most every weekend to visit family and friends.

The 9 O'Clock Hour Rundown

Just months ago, predictions of $4 per gallon met with healthy skepticism. Now, some are predicting $5 per gallon by the end of summer. Congress needs to dazzle us, not propose irrelevant and trivial gas tax holidays. How we can afford to take money out of our broken roads for political smoke and mirrors?

Doug conceded one point to radical environmentalists. It took high gas prices to get people to wake up and start living smarter and more energy-efficient.

Politicians can afford not to act. We can’t. Doug reviewed how the average citizen can actually save on gas. Cutting aggressive driving can stretch a tank of gas 30% longer. Lower speeds and using cruise control help as well. As for myths of gas savings, keeping tire pressure up only makes a slight difference, and windows and air conditioning won’t make or break the tank.

Doug pleaded with his listeners to stop e-mailing him about CBS television programming. First, KSL is an ABC affiliate. Second, it’s a radio station. That’s what 1160 AM means. If you’re offended by “Swing Town,” at least send complaints to the right network. Trust him when Doug says it’s hard to watch "Swing Town" on your car radio.

A caller told Doug he’s part of the problem by opposing nuclear waste being stored in Utah. Doug set him straight. He’s not against nuclear energy or nuclear waste, just improper disposal of it. Expended nuclear fuel rods were going to sit above ground on a slab of concrete at the mercy of malfunctioning missiles and aircraft. Doug said he’s pro-nuclear energy, and against irresponsibly disposing of the waste. He admitted he isn’t used to being called an environmental wacko.

The 10 O'Clock Rundown

More gas myths: Premium fuel saves on gas mileage, filling your tank in the morning gets more gas molecules per dollar, and gas additives dramatically increase mileage. Those things make a negligible difference if any.

Isn’t it telling that the last thing congress got done had nothing to do with gas prices? They passed the economic stimulus package. Doug said it was immediate and it was bipartisan because lawmakers thought it might save their seat in congress. The only thing Congress can do right is buy votes. Meanwhile, we're still waiting on an energy plan.

A caller gave his experience “throttling back” to 55-60 miles per hour on the road and getting 20% more gas mileage. Another caller commented that he actually gets higher gas mileage the faster he goes. The “throttle back” philosophy, Doug said, works for the vast majority of vehicles. Airlines save millions on fuel by flying slightly slower.

Another caller said the windfall profits tax proposed by Democrats in Congress is really killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Doug agreed. When congress taxes business, they really tax the consumers who use that business’ services. Businesses don’t cut their own profits. The executives won’t take a smaller bonus. They simply pass taxes through to customers.

Hypermiling

It's a new way to save gas and increase your miles per gallon. Curious? Click on this link for more information and tune in to the Doug Wright Show today.

An Embarassment in Hartford

A 78 year old man was struck in a hit and run in Hartford. His injured body was lying in the middle of the street. Those walking and driving by chose to do the worst thing imaginable - IGNORE HIM. What is wrong with us as a society? Is our instinct to help gone?

Watch the video here: http://tinyurl.com/59lpsc

Charged by the Pound

Airlines are seriously considering charging overweight passengers more for flying. Like they were freight. Is there any possible way to do this humanely?

The 11 O'Clock Hour Rundown

Today’s headlines read “Airlines may start treating passengers like freight.” Doug said the airlines always treated him like freight, but now they might start asking for a customer’s weight before buying a ticket. Some already make overly large people buy two, but Doug wondered how far they’re willing to take it.

Will they check passengers on a scale like luggage? When you book online will you have tell them your weight and verify it when you check in? Picture a pregnant wife whose husband tries to boost her self-esteem by telling her how great she looks. Stepping on the scale and hearing the overweight sirens go off might sabotage his efforts.

Doug commented how amazing it is that everything seems to be tied to fuel costs, even monitoring passenger weight.

He remembered seeing large people who realized they were making others uncomfortable and tried to make themselves smaller by folding their arms and crossing their legs.

A caller said she had to sit on a long flight between two large passengers, and she had a fraction of a seat left. She suggested having a test seat in the airport, and if passengers could sit without “blubbering” over, they only had to buy 1 ticket.

A caller said Nature Air in Costa Rica already does it. You stand on a scale with your luggage, and if it comes to over 200 pounds, they add a surcharge. He said analysts all over the world are studying that airline because they’ve stayed profitable and their passengers accept being weighed as normal.

If that happened, how many would file lawsuits claiming the airlines made them anorexic?

Junk Food in Utah Schools

More than any other state, junk food is accessible in Utah schools. Without a nutritious alternative often available, do you believe vending machines offering unhealthy snacks should be removed from schools?

The 10 O'Clock Hour Rundown

Utah has always been among the lowest in per-pupil education spending, but now it’s the worst in the nation in student nutrition according to the CDC. Apparently Utah gives its kids more access to junk food than anywhere else

Doug remembered Evergreen Junior High School, where the school’s sole vending machine sold milk. Remember the days of school lunches and mystery meat? Today school lunches look more like the mall’s food court.

Companies pay dearly to put their machines in schools, and many schools depend on those funds. Doug asked callers what we do to keep our kids healthy and keep the schools funded.

One said she thinks the peer pressure drives kids to drink soda and eat junk food. Doug suggested bribing the big jock, the head cheerleader, and the “popular” crowd to eat healthy food so peer pressure works in the kids’ favor.

Another said if kids can’t buy soda and candy in schools, they’ll leave campus and risk injury crossing roads, and a mother called in and commented on a lack of nutritional education in schools. Doug agreed. We probably won’t ever get rid of machines, nor should we, but schools need healthy options and better education. Even in the KSL studio Doug can’t find healthy choices in the vending machines.

Gas Prices Went Down!

For the first time in recent memory, at least at one station lowered it's gas prices. Doug saw it on the way to work. A four cent decrease! Granted, the station across the street had increased their price. But we'll take what we can get.

Plus, do you carpool? Does anyone you know still carpool? Is this a thing of the past?

The 9 O'Clock Hour Rundown

The good news: Doug finally saw a gas station drop its price from $3.93 a gallon to $3.89. The bad news: a station down the street from that raised their prices from $3.89 to $3.93. Why is it that a gunshot in Lebanon can skyrocket gas prices overnight, but it takes months to fall again?

Doug talked about the staggering potential fuel savings if we were to drive the speed limit. Slowing down saved airlines millions, and only added a few minutes to each flight. How often people drive 80 on the freeway and have people passing them?

Doug used the "gasoline, soda and candy bar test," to compare how much buying power the minimum wage earner has. When Doug made $1.25 an hour at a farmer’s market he could buy 5 gallons of gas with an hour’s pay. Now, somebody would need a wage of $20 per hour to match that.

Morgan Bowen, a candidate for U.S. Congress talked about having the political will to pursue energy independence. He said he would take subsidies from oil companies and invest them in alternate energy development. The only national candidate to propose a Manhattan-like project, interestingly enough, is Barack Obama.

Identity Theft

Doug explains how his daughter's identity was put in jeopardy last night after a suspicious phone call. In 2006, over 1,500 Utahns had their identity taken. Have you had problems protecting your personal information?

Zogby Pollster Fritz Wenzel

He joins Doug today to discuss the upcoming Obama/McCain matchup. The Zogby Organization plans extensive, state by state, polling up until Election Day.

Free Parking Cuts in SLC?

The City Council has proposed that free parking no longer apply to Saturdays. In addition, the plan would charge parking meter fees until 10 PM on workdays. How much will this damage downtown business?

The 10 O'Clock Hour Rundown

The city council wants to start charging for parking in the evening. Doug feels that it will detract from tourism and ultimately hurt the businesses of Salt Lake City. A caller mentions she has not been to Salt Lake for a long time but really appreciated the free parking and, if the city council starts charging for parking, she would not be shopping downtown.

The city council wants to charge for parking to help raise money for a firehouse on 9th east and 9th south. The two options for fund raising are raising the fee when you receive a ticket or charging for metered parking until 10 PM on weekdays and on Saturdays. Doug understands that the city needs to balance its budget, but the idea will crush many of the small businesses that are barely surviving.

Doug says that there are many places that people can go and spend their money. Salt Lake City needs to remember that.

Barack Obama Clinches the Nomination

In what should have felt like a monumental and historic moment in United States, Barack Obama clinched the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States. However, didn't it seem anticlimactic? But now the general election starts, and we want your predictions today on The Doug Wright Show!

The 9 O'Clock Hour Rundown

The "Party's Over" for Hillary, and Doug lets Willie Nelson sing her back to the Senate. While, a historic moment took place last night, it hardly seems exciting. Doug thinks Hillary has sucked the air out of Barack's campaign and nomination announcement.
The sound clip of an enraged Hillary supporter exemplifies why Barack may need to pick her as vice president. A caller believes Clinton's refusal to exit the race was good for democracy, and Doug points out she is to blame for many of the controversies surrounding Obama.
Salt Lake County Councilman Joe Hatch, a Clinton supporter, talks to Doug about last night's results.
Joe believes a Hillary/Obama ticket would be best for the Democrats. It would help with the healing of those Clinton voters who are now angry at Barack.
A caller at the end of the hour points out that the reason he doesn't think that a black candidate securing the nomination is a big deal is because he has expected this to happen for so long. It was inevitable, just like Hillary Clinton's nomination used to be.

HIllary to Concede Tonight?

This morning on "The Today Show", Clinton Campaign head Terry McAuliffe said that if Obama gets the necessary delegate count today, Hillary Clinton will "call him the nominee." The Clinton campaign, almost instantly, denied Terry's statements. So, it appears, it ain't over yet. Or, Hillary just wants it to be a surprise when she drops out. Suddenly, with a whoosh, she'll just be gone.

The 11 O'Clock Hour Rundown

Doug paid tribute to the Clinton campaign with Clash’s “Should I stay or should I go?” The Associated Press reported she’ll concede the race tonight, but the campaign is vigorously denying it. Doug said if she doesn’t end it soon, it will really start looking pathetic.

He played a montage of Clinton’s “count every vote” rhetoric. Doug can’t believe anybody thinks Hillary is staying in to allow Americans to “have their voices heard.”

A caller points out that the Clintons aren’t used to losing, and they don’t know how to handle it now that Hillary has. As inappropriate as the comments Reverend Michael Pfleger’s made in United Trinity Church were, Doug thinks he’s right in that there’s a sense of entitlement with the Clintons.

Utahns Selling Plasma..

...to make ends meet. It can bring in about $280 a month. Donations are way up in Utah. Would you consider selling blood to bring the extra money? Gasoline prices keep rising, and Doug said some people can’t just whine and bear it anymore. Doug filled up this morning—27 gallons worth—and got a look of sincere sympathy from the gas station attendant.

The 10 0'Clock Hour Rundown

Doug said there’s a psychological barrier to putting gas over $4.00 a gallon. That’s why there are so many stations charging $3.99 for regular unleaded around the state. He read headlines of “Utahns selling plasma for gas.” That’s right. People are selling their blood to fill their tanks. Theoretically, donating twice a week, one could earn around $200 a month toward gas.

A caller said she donated plasma after getting married to pay the bills. She said it takes hours to get through the testing, the needle is huge, and she has scars years later from donating. SUV drivers might want a permanent IV in their arm—less pricks that way.

Lance of the ARUP linked gas prices and blood donations by saying more people need to donate blood because greater numbers of people are driving and getting hurt on motorcycles trying to save gas.

Doug wondered why they can’t sync the traffic lights to keep people from wasting gas while they idle. He remembers a time on 700 East when the stars were in alignment and he traveled for miles without stopping. It doesn’t happen often enough.

The Real Victims of the FLDS Raid...

...were the children. Are you happy with them being returned to their parents? Their other option was foster care. Which do you think is a more dangerous situation. The FLDS have vowed to end underage marriage. Do you believe them?

The 9 O' Clock Hour Rundown

Doug criticized FLDS elder, Willie Jessop, who issued a statement that all marriages within his church are consensual. Tell that to Elisa Wall, who was dragged kicking and screaming to her husband. Still, Doug said the best place the children can be now is with their parents, not child protective services. Doug laid out the lesson learned by the Texas authorities: even when suspicion is widespread, justice is one person at a time. The FLDS raid shouldn’t have been treated as a class action.

A caller wanted to know when we will wake up and crack down on polygamy. Doug told him that the sign of a true conservative is the ability to realistically assess a situation, and not be idealistic to the extent that nothing gets done. Doug quotes Utah Attorney Mark Shurtleff who said that for now, the right course is to only act to prevent confirmed abuse.

Another caller argued that we’re all breaking the law in some way, and she saw the whole raid as outrageous. Doug responds that there are tough questions that need to be answered. If there are 100,000 polygamists in the U.S., how are we going to prevent abuse while being realistic?