Good Thing The Bonfire Was Not Lit...

From the Ogden Standard Examiner:

TREMONTON COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER ‘ADULT FICTION’ ORDINANCE

Book rule ‘a complete shock’

By NANCY B. FULLER, Standard-Examiner correspondent

TREMONTON — A new ordinance that restricts access to books at the city library is likely to be rescinded during Tuesday’s city council meeting.

On April 21, the city council unanimously approved an ordinance requiring anyone under the age of 18 to have parental consent before checking out “adult fiction” from the city library.

Head Librarian Kim Griffiths said the passage of the ordinance caught her by surprise.

“The ordinance came as a complete shock. I feel it is book-banning,” Griffiths said.

“I don’t think it (the ordinance) is a good thing. There are a lot of good books in that section, and a lot of them are classics. A lot of those books have to be read for school. I feel most kids are responsible.”

The ordinance states adult fiction, whether short stories or novels, has distinct attributes to distinguish it from other age categories of fiction, young-adult fiction, middle-grade fiction or children’s fiction.

The vast majority of adult stories portray an adult as the protagonist, rather than an adolescent or a child. The subject matter and story lines are typically consistent with the age and experience of the main character.

Stories are not always suitable for those under the age of 18 or for sensitive individuals, or may have sexual content or strong adult themes, such as drug-taking or violence.

Councilman Lyle Holmgren, who also sits on the library board, said he was unsure how the ordinance made it onto the agenda but voted for it because he thought the library board must have placed it there.

He thinks an innocent form of the ordinance was on a list of things to discuss from former City Manager Rich Woodworth, who accepted another job earlier this year.

Somehow, Holmgren said, the intent was lost in translation. “It was a mistake on my part to let it get this far,” he said. “I guess there was some kind of misconception with the term ‘adult fiction.’ … It’s going to be rescinded.”

Holmgren visited the library after he was asked about the ordinance, and Griffiths showed him the adult fiction section.

Titles such as “The Grapes of Wrath,” “Jurassic Park” and “Treasure Island” are examples of adult books in the library, Holmgren said. He is not aware of any problems involving teens checking out questionable books.

“I think adult fiction is a misnomer. It just means an adult reading level,” he said.

Holmgren called the state library and found that the ordinance might even be against the law.

“After looking into it, we will put this back onto the agenda for next council meeting,” he said. “We don’t want to discourage kids from checking books out of the library. This has caused quite a bit of stress. We live and learn.”

So NOW how far back do I need to set my clock when I come to Utah? Only 20 years?

Bill to eliminate private clubs in exchange for stricter DUI laws

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah leaders say they have reached a compromise on liquor laws. A bill would eliminate private club requirements and the so-called "Zion Curtain." In exchange, the state's DUI laws will become more strict.

Sweeping changes to Utah's liquor laws in a generation

Gov. Jon Huntsman has been pushing to eliminate the 40-year-old system in an effort to boost tourism and make Utah seem a little less odd to outsiders.

Huntsman said, "This is something that doesn't happen often. It's a rare occurrence, and we today have something to show for it. We're moving toward much greater normalization today of alcohol policy."

No more private club memberships or 'Zion Curtain'

The proposed new bill eliminates the private club system, which required people to fill out an application and pay a free to be able to enter a bar. But bars will be required to use computerized scanners to verify identification and age of anyone who looks younger than 35.

The bill also gets rid of the Plexiglas or solid walls between bars in restaurants. While the so-called "Zion Curtain" will be coming down, owners of yet-to-be built restaurants serving children will not be allowed to have a bar (Are you F-ing kidding??).

Even though most of the lawmakers say they don't drink, they still recognize the value of updating the laws in the name of progress. "We did land on good public policy, and we do expect to pass a bill that will be better in many areas than what we have," said Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper.

Tougher DUI laws

At the same time, the proposal calls for sweeping crackdowns on DUIs.

Licenses could be suspected for 90 days for adults. For minors, licenses could be pulled until the person is 21, and their vehicle could be impounded. ""if you drink and you get caught in Utah, you're going to lose your license and it's going to be painful," said Senate Majority Whip Sen. Scott Jenkins.

These sweeping changes are the result of a series of meetings by a number of stakeholders, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the hospitality industry, bars, restaurants and clubs, and the lawmakers who have various bills about alcohol laws.

Lawmakers have until Thursday to approve the changes.

Story compiled with contributions from Richard Piatt and Mary Richards.

(Copyright 2008 Bonneville International Corporation. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed. AP contributed to this report.) AP Rights & Restrictions

I guess the concealed carry class needs Miss Manners as a guest speaker

OK, once was kinda funny, but now we have a trend. Accidental gun discharge number two in a restaurant because of a dumb person with a concealed carry permit. Here's the video (after a short commercial...):

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Taking a Political Stand? Ur doin it wrong...

Kids in Utah... Can't even take a political stand without messing it up.

Charlie's Shitter-E???

Gun goes off in Utah restroom, shatters toilet
January 14th, 2009 @ 6:34pm

CENTERVILLE, Utah (AP) - The man escaped with a few cuts to his arm, but the toilet made out much worse. Police say a man's gun fell out of its holster while he pulled up his pants after using the bathroom at a Carl's Jr. restaurant Tuesday. The gun fired when it hit the floor and shattered the commode.

A few shards of porcelain cut the man's arm, and a woman in an adjacent restroom who was frightened by the noise reported she was having chest pain. Both people were checked at the scene and released.

Police say they confiscated the 26-year-old man's firearm while they review the incident. The man had a concealed weapons permit. No charges are being filed.

**UPDATE**

John the toilet laid to rest at Utah restaurant

January 31st, 2009 @ 5:26pm

CENTERVILLE, Utah (AP) - John, a porcelain commode gunned down in an accidental shooting at a fast food restaurant's bathroom, has died. His age was not immediately known.

The toilet was shattered by a bullet Jan. 12 when a man's gun fell from its holster as he was pulling up his pants, police said. Police do not plan to file criminal charges in connection with the incident.

Christian Martinez, manager of the Carl's Jr. where John was gunned down, held a memorial service Friday at the restaurant. He gave away bottles of John's favorite toilet cleaner, Kaboom Bowl Blaster, to the eatery's first 50 patrons.

A Bountiful flower shop provided a large floral arrangement.

"In all my years, I can say without a doubt that I have never delivered for a toilet," said deliveryman Doug Graham, "but I thought it was the funniest thing I've ever heard. I got a kick out of it."

Remnants of John hit and cut the gun owner's arm, but he was not seriously injured.

Police blamed John's death on the gun and style of holster the man was using.

"He was survived by the men's urinal and wash sink," said Martinez. "He left us way too soon."