Is Rick Koerber really the “Utahn of the Year?”
December 6, 2009 by Rick Koerber
Filed under Controversy, Humor, Rick's Most Recent Posts
Yeah, I was chuckling when I saw the newspaper’s article, but then I got to thinking…
I’d like to ask for your vote. It will only take 60 seconds and could accomplish something very interesting. Really. I’m not kidding.
Let me explain. As most of you know, 2009 has not been exactly the kind of year I would have scripted for me and my family. But, as it turns out, the Salt Lake Tribune want’s to know if I should be the “Utahn of the Year.” I’m not kidding.
As no one who has followed me for any length of time could have missed, I have not only been an outspoken critic of over-sized government, but a few years ago I got real specific about criticizing a few very malicious bureaucrats who have essentially dedicated their lives to destroying my businesses and my reputation. Of course, I’m not one to shy away from the battle, and I will continue to fight—to not only restore my businesses and our creditors, but also, to see that the facts are given their fair attention in a legitimate forum (the courtroom) so that my public reputation will be restored to good standing with reasonable folks.
So, back to the Tribune’s recent article. Yesterday, the paper published a list of 13 “newsmakers” and asked their readers to vote on who should be considered the “Utahn of the Year.” Evidently the paper is going to pick their own winner, and frankly my vote (if I had to pick from the list they give) would be Elizabeth Smart. But, they are asking online readers to vote from the list so they can see how their “choice compares.” It’s all a little hokey for me.
But, since my name was mentioned I browsed through the list. I couldn’t really make heads or tails of it. Evidently, these are people whose names appeared most frequently in the Tribune’s headlines this year. But, it seems to me to be oddly missing other names that more easily come to mind. Anyway, for some dumb reason I’m number 8 on the Tribune’s list of candidates. Of course I haven’t done a darn thing this year to be legitimately considered something like the Utahn of the Year. But, then I got to thinking…
Not only have I done absolutely nothing to be considered “Utahn of the Year,” I’ve also done nothing that could rationally explain why I’m now facing charges with a potential penalty of over 200 years in federal prison.
As most of you know, the Salt Lake Tribune, along with the rest of the government media who seem content reporting government press releases as actual news, has done little-to-no real journalism to tell the real story about me, my companies, and these charges. So, I don’t know if it was my sense of humor, my orneriness or my sense of wanting to create a conundrum for those dumb bureaucrats—but…
Here’s what I’m thinking.
Also on the Tribune’s list are Jon Huntsman Jr. (what he’s done to be the Utahn of the Year I also haven’t a clue) and my favorite, US Attorney Brett Tolman who so naively has towed Francine Giani’s line in my case. Wouldn’t it be funny if I beat these guys? Even more so, wouldn’t it be funny if the Free Capitalist (insert Francine Giani scowl here – she didn’t even make the list 
) were to be voted Utahn of the Year?
On a more serious note, might it not encourage some real journalism on me and my case, if someone for whom every article in the Tribune has been negative, somehow wins the most support online for Utahn of the Year? Well, that’s my idea. It’s not rocket science or anything, but we are playing with some rather dull folks in the media and in the government.
So, if you care to take a minute and help me out with this little idea of mine, you can vote here – it doesn’t take an email address or anything. I takes less than 30 seconds.
As of right now, I’m already ahead of Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz, current Utah Governor Gary Herbert, and victory of victories, Brett Tolman (why is it no one can get his name right?)
Of course, I don’t want or expect to win an award or anything, but maybe Francine might come up with a way to suggest that this idea too is part of some ponzi-scheme the government hasn’t yet fully uncovered. It would serve her right.
Take care, keep your brain engaged, keep your friends and family alert, and most importantly–if you’re already doing these things—keep up the fight!
Happy Holidays,
—Rick
Koerbers Divorce
November 3, 2009 by Rick Koerber
Filed under Family
Just received a call from Tom Harvey at the Salt Lake Tribune. Obviously the unquenchable desire to spread gossip about me is still growing at the Tribune. So that my friends, family, and associates can hear it from me first — rather than the most certain false perspectives and foundationless speculation likely to accompany the coming Tribune reports — I will confirm that it is a fact that Michelle asked me for a divorce a few weeks ago.
Without any contention we have worked together to resolve our mutual concerns at every step and complete the divorce processes, paperwork, and legal filings required of us in this situation. I continue to love and support Michelle for herself and as the mother of our children. I think our relationship will remain long term and very close.
It is unfortunate but not all that surprising that reporters would consider my family life part of their fodder for promoting gossip. Given the weak journalistic standards of some in the press, I am not confident that this matter will be accurate so I caution the honest reader that any speculation or public report regarding any of our future plans is premature and uncivil.
I’ve always been very open with those close to me and with the public. I will continue to be so when appropriate announcements are forthcoming. In the mean time I hope that my friends, family and associates can all remember, principles govern and time is on the side of truth.
P.S. A friend just recently commented on how disgusted he was to see the way my “story” is playing out in the media given that he is in a first hand position to see the truths so frequently distorted and contradicted by shoddy reporting. I responded by telling him, quite candidly, “I knew what I was signing up for when I stepped into the ring. When you are in the middle of a boxing match you don’t complain that you just got hit in the nose.”
To those with loving and friendly concerns like my friend’s, remember people often judge too hastily and the media seldom gets to the bottom of the truth in the short term. But, have faith. Over time, the truth will be laid bare and those who are interested in the truth will be able to see, very clearly, all the answers to their legitimate questions. We have a long fight ahead of us and are extremely grateful for loyal and faithful friends.
–Rick
Carl Wimmer & Friends: Superheroes?
April 10, 2008 by Rick Koerber
Filed under Friends, Politics, Rick's Most Recent Posts
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UTAH COUNTY, UT | 4 April 2008 | The Salt Lake Tribune’s least credible columnist, Paul Rolly, has recently demonstrated how scared and inept the democratic party loyalists are when conservatives get organized in Utah. Absent any credible criticism of Carl Wimmer (R – Herriman), Ken Sumsion (R-American Fork), Chris Herrod (R-Provo), Keith Grover (R-Provo) and Steve Sandstrom (R-Orem) Rolly decided to make a political argument by sarcastic metaphor, but like most liberals – he doesn’t quite come to grips with the power of action over rhetoric.
For example, Rolly whimsically claims that the GOP is out to “rescue its superheroes” because of a flier recently distributed for an event designed to support the “Fab Five” state legislators. Funny thing is that Rolly has no argument to back up why a normal, organized fund-raising event is a rescue attempt. Could Rolly imagine that the event might be instead, a victory rally?
Of course, Rolly doesn’t see it any other way, because like many in his camp he’s still too busy gloating over the Utah vouchers issue to see much of anything. In fact, Rolly’s only substantive remark in his entire essay is that “All five dutifully followed leadership’s admonition to vote for vouchers…”
The facts are however, as they say, stubborn things. They are especially difficult for Attila like bullies who call it a job to poke rhetorical fun at good men who serve their community.
Fact #1 – Vouchers.
Rolly argues that the GOP leadership is supporting these five legislators because they “dutifully” followed orders this past session. Funny thing is that three of the five campaigned in support of vouchers long before receiving any orders from anyone. Sometimes Democrats forget that to hold office you don’t actually have to wait for a leader to call you up and tell you your position.
Fact #2 – Stand-Out Legislation
Rolly glosses over all of the legislative details with a blanket accusation that none of these five elected representatives had any “stand-out legislation.” The first error in Mr. Rolly’s argument is t o think that Utahans, especially Republicans, send freshman legislatures into office solely for the purpose of writing new laws.
I think it is a serious surprise to most liberals to actually try and imagine a government whose effectiveness isn’t measured in the number of new laws passed. Additionally, Rolly ignores records like Wimmer’s where fully half of his “introduced bills” were proposed amendments to existing laws, on such important subjects such as child abuse, environmental crimes, toughening prosecution on those who hurt children, etc.
Other legislation sponsored by this freshman group included immigration reform, the rights of adopted children, and the reform of certain outdated criminal codes. Of course, this isn’t “stand-out” to Rolly because it left out global warming.
It is quite obvious that Rolly doesn’t count on educated Utahans to simply hop on the Internet and take 15 minutes to view the actual records of these freshman legislator’s – which records speak for themselves (with or without the support of leadership).
Fact #3 – Republican Challengers
It is true that four of the five candidates mentioned are being challenged by members of their own party, however it is far too early to tell how serious the challenges are. The state and county conventions will play their role, and the newly elected delegates will get to decide if any of the challenges are serious enough to merit a primary election. The irony is that Rolly lumps Wimmer into the same analysis (Wimmer is the Mr. T of the group Paul, just to answer your question) – when he is not even opposed by a Republican. Wimmer, as Rollly notes, is opposed by a “former” Republican who is now running as a democrat. Small details, I’m sure, for Mr. Rolly.
Think about this for a minute, Dave Hogue was in the state legislature for ten years as a Republican and has now come out of the closet as a democrat (which most of us already knew by the way.) Stubborn facts.
Rolly’s “ad hominem” humor is no substitute for “brain-on” activity. Thank goodness he writes for the Tribune, or else some voters who are actually affected by the decisions of these legislators might have been confused.
It does take a superhero these days to stand up against the politics of liberalism, socialism, and do-gooders who think that the reason a man or women is elected to office is to continue the plunder of previous legislatures. Rolly also ignores important events that are actually working to root out government abuse, waste, and corruption here in Utah, events that would not be happening without the support of men like these. For example, it will be interesting to see what tongue in cheek quarterbacking Rolly offers when the legislative audit of the Utah Department of Commerce comes out if it tarnishes the reputations of his fellow travelers such as Francine Giani, Wayne Klein, and Thad LeVar. But, we’ll leave that for a future day.
The truth of the matter is Rolly is simply trying to stoke the flames of some internal conflict with the Republican party, but as appropriate, the Republicans are best left to solving their own problems. In the end we can all be thankful that the “Superheroes” and the “A-Team” showed up this past legislative session because the alternative would likely have been some version of Mr. Rolly staring as Pinky’s “Brain” devising some new diabolical plot to take over the world. That is certainly frightening.
As for me, I’ll side with Representative Wimmer and his superhero colleagues, thank you.
