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Show The Salt Lake Tribune OPINION Sunday, May 28, 2000 The Moderates Seem to Be Winningthe Hearts ofUtah Democrats With Utah Republicans in a high-profile ao for their political identity this year; heretofore irrelevant Democratic Patiis undergoing a soul-searching of its own. But here is a millennium-sized twist: Extremists had the upper hand at the convention level on the Republican side this year; the moderates are winning the Democratic battle. In fact, the Democratic candidates for governor and U.S.Senate have an abortion position more closely aligned with that of the LDS Church — which some consider synonymous with the Republican Party in Utah— than the Republican delegates who controlled the state convention at the E Center on May 6. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Orton and Senate candidate Scott Howell both subscribe to the predominant faith’s position against abortion except in cases ofrape, incest or if the life of the mother is at stake. Some delegates to the Republican convention were passing out letters that Sen. Orrin Hatch was too liberal on abortion. They wanted no exceptions. The ironyis that it was primarily the abortion issue that did in the Democrats during the past two decades. No matter how hard Democrats tried, they could never free themselves ofthe liberal shackles placed on them bythe platforms of the national party. And Utah Republicans were never shy about spotlighting the national Democratic principles of gay rights and abortion rights. Hatch found himself in an embarrassing quandary in the early 1980s when he described the Democratic Party during a speech in St. George as the “party of ho- mosexuals and abortionists.” Such a statement wentover well in St. George,but Hatch didn’t count on an Associated Press correspondent being in the audience. His statement quickly spread to newspapers THE ROLLY REPORT place behind Leavitt and Independent issues, has abandoned the Democratic ry. That is an interesting take since Graham’s refusal to use a Brigham Young University professor’s brief for a friend- of-the-court appearance in a same-sex marriage court case in Vermont was one of PAUL ROLLY ‘© 2000,The Salt Lake Tribune For Graham’spart, her interest in the Beagle Forum is centered more onthe leg- islative battlefront than the political battlefront. Graham has been frustrated by the Eagle Forum’‘Ss ability to intimidate the The Legislature this past season failed Members of the American Civil Liberties Union, for example, have complained bitterly in recent weeks about the formation by Attorney General Jan Graham of the “Beagle Forum,” an attempt to counter the right-wing Eagle Forum onthelegislative battleground. ACLUloyalists blast Graham because the political action committee she is forming, and on whichsheis planning to invest someof herpolitical Law Day monies, focuses on child protection and anti-tobacco issues. They are nice issues andwill play well in Utah, but the Beagle Forum platform is silent on what someliberals define as basic Democratic principles: prochoice, gay rights and anti-death penalty. on thatissue, then was relegated to third this year, say Graham, by choosing those eit this movetothepolitical center has not comewithouta price. Hanson Jr. Hanson won the primary solely bother to mount opposition to the more conservative candidatesin the convention across America. At first, Hatch said he was misquoted until he learned the reporter had taped the speech. Now Hatch is a victim of that same vitriol from members of his own party. Unlike the Republicans, whohaveprimaries in the governor, attorney general and the 2nd Congressional District races, the Democrats have no primaries other than one Salt Lake County Council race. Democratic candidates for governor, senator, attorney general and the 1st Congressional District are active Mormons whoflaunt their faith proudly, as have = of the Republican candidates in the Members of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, which didn’t even to pass bill that would have madeit easier to conduct surveys in schools to learn ant personal behavior patterns of chil- the reasons cited by the Republican- dominated Legislature for stripping her of Merrill Cook byan electorateintolerantof his hard-core stand on abortion. “Republicans are about to learn thelesson the Democrats have painfully learned in the past,” said Orton. “If you focus on the hot-button, emotional issues, you lose. Voters want to hear your positions on the issues that affect them every day of their lives.” Even Utah County Democrats, who have been nonexistent in recent years and mostof her powers in 1999. (Those powers unceremoniously were restored this year). did not even have a candidate in their 3rd Orton and Howell plan to focus on “the issues that matter most to Utahns”: protection ofSocial Security and Medicare, an equitable tax structure, available health optimistic about their chances. The party care, reasonable growth and education. A quick look at recent Utah history would show that Republican Gov. Mike Leavitt has hung his political beanie on those same issues. But now Leavitt, who has thefar-right running opponent Glen Davis, will be forced into a debate with other Republi- Congressional District two years ago, seem has a candidate in all 12 Utah County House seats and all three State Senate seats. It reportedly is the first time in 50 years Democrats have competed in every legislative race in that county. Even the Utah County Democratic Platform resonates an optimism that the conservative populationin that county might” take them seriously this time. “We wantto makeit clear that we are different than national Democrats,” the platform states. “We are proud Utah Such surveysare critical for states in cans before he can turn his attention to the qualifying for federal grants for programs Democrats, and the danger that manyin to fight teen smoking, teen pregnancy,etc. the GOPfear is that the debate may focus onissuesbetterleft alone. If Leavitt is forced to discuss matters mainstream moderate andfiscally conservative views. We believe President Clinton’s lies about his personal behavior such as abortion and gunrights, he risks alienating the conservatives who show up for Republican primaries, and the moderates whovote in the general election. hurt his family and the nation, bringing Butlegislators friendly to the Eagle Forum shot down thebill, with some claiming that children exposed to questions about unacceptable behavior would make them want to try those things. Graham also was upset about what she County Democrats with families and dishonorto all Americans.” And, if that’s not enough, the Democratic platform in Utah County has pro- called the Eagle Forum’sability to kill or Democrats know that dilemma all too life clause, condemning abortion — except, water down legislation that would make it well. In 1992 “pro-life” candidate Pat Shea of course, in cases of rape, incest and to easier to prosecute child and spouse abusers. was in a Democratic primary for governor against “pro-choice” candidate Stewart balance thelife of the mother and unborn infant. " A Disturbing Dance for Connie Wall — or Accepting Responsibility for Choice BY DENNIS KAY — Ifeel that aresponse isinorder to Connie Wall’s concerns about the programming ofarecent Ballet West performance. Her suggestion that a parental guidance advisory be consideredis aconstructive idea that might well be considered by various performance and exhibiting organizations. Her desire to expose her young daughter to diverse cultural experiences, and, at the same time, keep those exposures ageappropriate and consistent with family, personal and moral values is indeed laudable. Every child should be as fortunate to have parents .with that motivation, concern, nurturing and willingness to explore newterritory. As shestated, “the name alone implied a dance of light and levity,” perhaps reminiscent of Miss Julie from theold local television program “Romper Room.” The promotions for theproductionthat I am aware ofwere clear that the ballet was based onthe play “Miss Julie” (written by August Strindberg), which is, indeed, jarring. I understand that not everyone would recognize the reference. What is missing from Wall’s letter is the acknowledgement of personal responsibility for her choice. Unfortunately, we all need to assume some responsibility for the outcome of the choices we make. Thatis not a pleasant thing for we mere mortals to do. It is best, when oneis unsure, to ask ques- lectures and demonstrations in tions and be sure, rather than act upon assumptions and be disap- close andpersonal in a way that an auditorium audience cannot with the opportunity to interact with pointed, only later to expect some- oneelse to accept the responsibility for that decision. In the past, notall programs were appropriate for young children, notably “Carmina Burana” (often subtitled “Songs Sacred and Profane”). Hopefully, selected programs in the future will also feature similar productions. Ballet West does, indeed, strive “to bring ballet and thejoy ofdance into the lives of children throughout the city, county and state” by arduously traveling the state in buses to ide classroom countless schools. These children are privileged to see the dancers up them during question-and-answer periods. What an outstanding opportunity for our young that must be quite rare for the majority of schoolchildrenin the nation. How manyof us wouldbe willing to repeatedly travel the state on a bus to spend time with schoolchildren broadening their horizons and enriching their lives? In the early days of Utah Civic Ballet, ultimately Ballet West, the companywas unableto present the traditional Nutcracker or other works of significance without importing principal dancers from New York City. That enabled Salt LakeCity to experience thetalents of Jacques D’Amboise, Edward Villela, Melissa Hayden, Lupe Ser- ranoand, of course, Bruce Marks and Toni Lander among others. Mostof America hasnever had an opportunity to see those legends in person. Since those daysour ballet company has grown and blossomed, having developed an outstanding national and interna- tional reputation. With that growth have been some performances that were not necessarily to my personal taste, but I have been delighted to see the company evolve and mature. With a limited performance season, not all productions can please all patrons or be appropriate for all ages. Pushing the envelope, at times, is an in- dication of a strong and vibrant artistic organization, especially when on the whole it maintains balance, quality, variety and remainscentered. Hopefully, Ballet West will continue to give Salt Lake City and the entire Intermountain West opportunities that the vast majority of people in the country are unableto enjoy. I sug- gest that Jonas Kage deserves kudos, as do his predecessors Willem Chrisensen, Bruce Marks and John Hart. Dennis L. Kay is a retired Salt Lake City resident and a Ballet West supporter. =—WW/HOLESALE pe ning San in y! Friday, June 2, at 8 a.m. SOUTH TOWNEHALL 11100 S. Auto Mall Drive (120 West) ee Sandy, Utah 84070 Or visit one of our other Utah locations: a ss 2 (| 11000 § é Midvale + 7036 South 185 West Orem + 648 East 800 South Salt Lake City « 1818 South 300 West Join Today! 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