Audiocast 009: Ethics Reform Initiative, Minks, Morgan, Free speech [31:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe topics we’re discussing today are:
- A ballot initiative is in the works in Utah dealing with Legislative Ethics Reform
- Free speech vs. Mink ranchers in Morgan vs. an Animal Rights Group
- The Wasatch Rambler has single-handedly solved Utah’s budget crisis
Today’s show is presented by UtahFindIt. The Top of Utah is at your fingertips with UtahFindIt.com.
Joining Casey Shultz today:
- Mark Shenefelt- Online General Manager for S-Examiner
- Catherine Burt- Vegan Blogger and Online Developer
- Doug Gibson- Opinion Editor for the S-Examiner
- Charles Trentelman- Reporter,Columnist, Blogger for S-E
A quick thank to Mark for throwing the video up of the weekend’s NASCAR crash.
Minks in Morgan
There’s a controversy brewing in Morgan over recently announced protests against mink ranchers. The Salt Lake Animal Advocacy Movement set November 28th as the date for protests in or around Morgan City. The Standard-Examiner’s Deanne Winterton explains, “the draft was changed to prohibit picketing closer than 1,000 feet from the property line of the proposed target, instead of 100 feet”
- Catherine Burt: The Stink Over Mink in Morgan
- Mark Shenefelt: Morgan fumbles mink protest
Ethics Reform?
A group called Utahns for Ethical Government is working to get an initiative on the State ballot that would try to reform ethics in the legislature. Doug Gibson attended a recent meeting on the issue at Mound Fort Middle School in Ogden.
- Doug Gibson: At the Utahns for Ethical Government hearing in Ogden
- Utahns for Ethical Government website: http://www.utahethics.org
Charlie fixes budget
Charles Trentelman’s part of the show today was supposed to be about bicycles and how and where to ride safely and that sort of thing but he got a bit sidetracked and the topic changed because he has a solution to Utah’s Budget Crisis.
- Charles Trentelman: Utah budget crisis solved!!!
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Have a great week.
Michael Trujillo
on Oct 1st, 2009
@ 6:51 pm:
Regarding “Who wears mink?”
I know several women who own fur coats, both here in San Francisco and in Denver. They don’t wear them very often, but they have them. I think that people only wear them now on very rare occasions but they keep them for the status of having them.
I was also just in Anchorage, Alaska and walked into one of the two fur stores that were in the downtown area. Plenty of mink, wolf, rabbit and other types of fur on display. It didn’t look, to me, like they were selling them to foreign markets. It looked more like a business that caters to a lot of Alaskans.
Just wanted to give you some input to your question.
Catherine Burt
on Oct 4th, 2009
@ 10:58 am:
Don’t people know that they look like ogres or trolls wearing the fur of animals? LOL And really to answer Charles’ comment that people do like the fur industry here, I really should have said, it is only popular here among those who profit from it. Who among us would think it was ok to have cat fur ranches that do exactly the same thing?
Alaska is understandable, look at the politics there
‘Nuff said? 
Fur Farmers
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 5:13 pm:
For information on mink farming and the fur clothing business, visit furcommission.com where you can also visit a mink farm online.
Michael Trujillo
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 6:41 pm:
I worked at a wedding in Menlo Park (Silicon Valley) this weekend. (My second job is catering.) The weather turned a little cool on Saturday and the wedding dinner was outside. One woman left (presumable to her car?) and returned wearing a fur stole.
Obviously, this paricular crowd had no problem with it. In fact, no one batted an eye, including the wait staff. And, you’ll be sorry to hear, she looked quite elegant.
I related your blog to a co-worker (job #1, a Federal Gov’t office), and he said that he was in D.C. for the inauguration and saw several people in fur coats. (Remember, it was a very cold day in Washington.)
I will say that, during my recent stay in Utah (1999 to 2005), I never saw one person wearing fur. However, I did see someone wearing fur when I skied at Jackson Hole.
I’m neither defending or condemning the wearing of fur, Ms. Burt. Merely sharing my recent experiences with you because you asked, “Who wears fur now, anyway.” or words to that effect. I applaud your passion and commitment, but I think you have a bigger battle than you realize.
Catherine Burt
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 10:15 pm:
I appreciate your input Michael
I understand that many people wear fur… but the point is, we can look elegant wearing other things besides fur. The animals who rightfully own that fur cannot. Someone once sent me a quote (it was either from Ghandi or Mother Teresa), to the effect that everything we do will be insignificant… but that it’s important for us to do them. Every person who is committed to spreading compassion empowers other people to do the same 