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Show AggieLife Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009 Page 7 ‘Chaffed’ about Chaffetz Congressman causing political stir in the House of Representatives W ho can name all three congress- law. men from Utah? Now, who can Chaffetz has promised to oppose the say all of their names correctly? bill. He also opposed a bill passed earHow about the representative from Utah’s lier this summer that made the District of third district, Jason Chaffetz? Columbia recognize same-sex unions that OK, the first name is a give away, but were done in other states. the last name could be butchered easier Chaffetz acknowledges that it is likely than a turkey in November. It’s simple, that the bill will pass due to a large (CHAY-fits) as in, Jason majority of Democrats is “chaffed” that the shirt in the House of “fits.” Representatives. And why would a Now that we have his So, if the democraticongressman from name down, let’s move cally elected District of on. Columbia council overUtah think that he This first-term conwhelmingly supports should be able to gressman from Utah is legal recognition of making quite the politistop the very liberal, same-sex unions, why is cal stir in the House of Chaffetz fighting to strike largely Democratic Representatives. He beat the measure down? And District of Columbia out 12-year veteran conwhy would a congressgressman Chris Cannon man from Utah think that from legalizing gay in 2008 on an agenda of he should be able to stop marriage? What representing traditionalthe very liberal, largely conservative values. He Democratic District of happened to letting promised to reject earColumbia from legalizthe states decide? mark spending and be ing gay marriage? What fiscally responsible. happened to letting Since landing his posithe states decide? Why tion in the House of Representatives, it should the federal government only interseems that Chaffetz hasn’t slowed down a vene on matters concerning gay rights? bit and became famous for sleeping on a Granted, Chaffetz is on a congressiocot in his office in D.C. to save money on nal committee that oversees Washington, rent. D.C. but after protesting a large federal The freshman congressman has been government, it is hypocritical for him to making waves in other areas of Congress want Congress to contradict the will of the as well. For example, Chaffetz was a people from the District of Columbia. strong opponent of the stimulus bill but Another interesting fact that may or may soon after the bill passed, according to not influence his opinion on gay rights is The Salt Lake Tribune, he made a dash that, according to the Daily Kos, Jason for the cash. He wrote a letter to the U.S. Chaffetz’s father came out as a gay man Department of the Interior department after divorcing his mother, Kitty Chaffetz. seeking $95 million for a Provo water proj- Kitty went on to marry Michael Dukakis, ect, which he didn’t receive. the Democratic presidential nominee in Chaffetz also reversed his ban on ear- 1988 and Jason went on to be the comarks and, according to The Salt Lake chairman for the group, Dukakis for Utah. Tribune, Chaffetz said he supports some John Chaffetz, Jason’s father, went on to earmarks as long as they fit his specifica- be an author and recently wrote a book tions. profiling two gay contestants on the realChaffetz is also one of the biggest ity television series, “The Amazing Race.” opponents to the full-body scanners that In the biography on Jason Chaffetz’s are now being used by airport security Web site, there is no mention of John throughout the country. He even said he Chaffetz, his father. was detained in the Salt Lake airport It’s good that we have gotten to know because of his outspoken stance against Chaffetz a little better. We might be seethe scanning machines. ing more of him in the future. According Chaffetz says that he supports a limited to The Deseret News, Chaffetz bought a federal government and even attended few domains for the Internet: www.chafUtah’s version of the Tea Party protests fetzforgovernor.com, www.chaffetzforsein Salt Lake City on Sept. 12. He, along nate.com and www.chaffetzforpresident. with Gayle Ruzicka, president of the Utah com. Eagle Forum, spoke at an event that was Don’t forget to go to www.aggietownsupposedly nonpartisan and lobbied for a square.com to let me know what you think smaller federal government. about congressman Chaffetz. This week, Chaffetz has been quoted in several national news outlets including The Washington Post and CNN because Seth Bracken is a senior of his opposition to a gay rights bill makmajoring in print journaling its way through Washington, D.C. ism. Questions or comOn Tuesday, the District of Columbia ments can be sent to council introduced a bill that will legalize him at seth.bracken@ gay marriage. The bill is supported by 10 aggiemail.usu.edu of the 13 Councilmembers. Nevertheless, because the District of Columbia is not a state, the House of Representatives has 30 days to review and vote on the bill. If no action is taken, the bill becomes a USU STUDENTS ALEXA and Natalee Falk (left to right), are the band Falk. Alexa is tied with Michael Jackson to be the youngest publisher signed to the company Warner Chapel Publishing at age 10, while Natalee is the youngest ever at 8. PATRICK ODEN photo Music: Album will launch on iTunes -continued from page 5 Now the girls are starting from scratch, just the two of them, back in Utah, doing their own thing, functioning as their own label and loving it. They said they are unsure of what genre they could categorize themselves as after being pop, country, pop rock and acoustic. Nevertheless, they just finished recording an album that should be on iTunes within the next few weeks. Alexa said working with her sister has been a blessing. Although they are best friends, the girls do need their space. “Let’s just say there is nothing we don’t know about each other,” Alexa said. Natalee said the girls sleep in the same bed and share each other’s secret diaries. “We share a car, when we’re not together we call each other. It’s a problem. We need our own lives,” Alexa said. Natalee said, “Just wait until we start getting boyfriends, we’ll share that too.” “Natalee and Alexa are one of a kind,” said their friend since childhood, Hillary Stark, junior at USU. “You can never find one girl without the other. They’re always together.” The pair said they are currently not signed to any record label but being on iTunes gives them various distribution deals. In the future they hope to make a living off a career in music, doing what they love. – danny.lynn.a@aggiemail.usu.edu Street Speak What is your favorite joke? “How do you catch a unique cat? You ‘nique’ up on it.” – Shane Johnson, senior, parks and recreation “Two muffins are in an oven and one says, ‘Man, it’s hot in here.’ The other screams, ‘Ah, a talking muffin.’” – Jeff Moss, freshman, business management “I was walking through the woods one day when I came across the skeleton of a man and I found myself wondering, ‘Who was this man, and why did he have antlers?’” – Emily Stoker, graduate student, biological engineering in diamond certificates “Why did the lepers stop the hockey game? Because there was a face off on the ice.” the Clock – Daniel Reynolds, junior, music education Call store for more details 752-7149 information and photos by Todd Jones 141 N. Main 752-7149 Middle of the Block, at the Sign of the Clock. |