I have a vivid memory of my first visit to the D-Day beaches on the coast of France. The white tombstones at the American cemetery, the bombed-out and pitted grassy hills of the Pointe du Hoc, and the quiet waves rushing ashore at Omaha Beach created a powerful sense of patriotism and national identity for me. I have never been so proud to be an American.
Originally published in the Deseret News.
“Not everybody gets the chance to skate the performance of their life.” That was U.S. figure skater Sarah Hughes’ assessment of how she had catapulted from fourth place to Olympic gold on the last night of the figure skating competition in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Her performance mirrored Utah’s achievement in hosting the Olympics. We excelled in nearly every way. With the Rio Olympics in full swing, it’s a great time to reflect on Utah’s Olympic moment and the lessons learned.
Continue reading Lessons learned from Utah’s Olympic moment
Originally published in in the Deseret News.
“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” — Buddha
Shortly after giving birth to my son, an elderly neighbor came to my home to wish me well. She brought a loaf of homemade bread. While looking down at my son she said, “They say miracles never happen, but they happen every day.” I’ve never forgotten her profound observation.
Originally published in the Deseret News.
Columnist note: I count myself in the Never Trump category of Republican voters. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus has said Mr. Trump needs to pivot at the convention this week. This speech would be a good start.
Mr. Chairman, delegates, and my fellow citizens
I accept your nomination. Thank you for this profound honor. Together, we will make America great again!
Continue reading The convention speech Mr. Trump should give
Originally published in the Deseret News.
Utah’s primary election is a week away, but it’s already time to celebrate. Thanks to the Count My Vote compromise (also referred to as SB54), more candidates appear on the primary election ballot this year. When asked about it, former Gov. Mike Leavitt said, “Better choices mean better government.” I agree. Regardless of the vote tally next week, the increased choices provided by Count My Vote election reforms are a victory for Utah.
Originally published in the Deseret News.
Summer is off to an unsettling start. A series of events have caused us to feel ill-at-ease. The presidential election hasn’t helped. Many find the choices unfathomable. But it’s more. The long security lines at airports remind us people still want to harm us. Our smartphones ping almost weekly with yet another college campus, military base or workplace shooting. And closer to home, we have witnessed unthinkable crimes to a transit worker, a mother in Magna and a beloved community leader and restaurateur.
In times of need I find comfort in great thinkers and writers. I frequently turn to Harry Emerson Fosdick for inspiration. He was a highly acclaimed theologian, pastor and writer who delivered sermons in the mid-20th century. He died in 1969 but left behind brilliant insights for people of all belief systems. In a sermon titled “Making the Best of a Bad Mess” he made observations applicable to today.
Originally published in the Deseret News.
I pay a lot of attention to the Utah governor’s race because of the importance of the chief executive to the success of our state. I want to make a plea for a more policy-oriented governor’s race.
My plea is born of experience. Governors matter. They set the direction for the state and lead in times of crisis. In the 2016 election we have three accomplished and talented candidates vying for office. We need to learn more about their policies and vision for the state.
Continue reading A plea for a more policy-oriented governor’s race
Originally published in the Deseret News.
This week, a Carnival cruise ship left Miami, crossed the Florida Straits and docked in Havana, Cuba. Over 700 passengers stepped off the ship into a socialist country that has endured a half century of Cold War hostility. If these visitors are anything like me, they left with a love for the Cuban people and a renewed commitment to strengthen ties with this extraordinary place.
Continue reading Engagement is the right path for US-Cuba relations
Originally published in the Deseret News.
About 1,400 small-business owners, entrepreneurs, business executives and community leaders will gather at the Grand America Hotel on Friday for the 10th annual Governor’s Economic Summit. It will be a celebration of sorts, as the Utah economy continues to impress. The Beehive State created nearly 45,000 jobs over the past year and is in its sixth year of solid economic growth. The Crossroads of the West stands strong.
A hallmark of the governor’s economic summit is a mindset toward the future. As a speaker at the summit I will present several trends for attendees to contemplate as we plan for a prosperous future. Three of these trends are worthy of a broader discussion.
Originally published in the Deseret News.
“Pull up a seat, you’re welcome at the table, there’s room and abundance for all.” — Peggy Noonan
Sometimes I feel like we live in a darkening world. Light is all around us, but each day the flame dims as disheartening events turn us away from the light — bombings in Paris and Brussels, the sorry state of American presidential politics and the need for fetal pain abortion laws. There are a lot of hard things to process every day. We live in challenging times.
This week the light in the world got a little brighter because of renewed efforts to serve the world’s refugee population. The source of that light came from Utah. The world is a brighter place today.
The “I was a stranger” effort, launched by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, builds upon a long history of sisterly love in Utah. It’s a history served as well by Catholic Community Services and other faith-based, governmental and nonprofit entities. In Utah, we welcome the world. As one female leader with the LDS Church put it, “This is not a program; it is who we are.”
Continue reading Welcoming refugees: Come break bread with us