Finally, I've had to station guards around my family's encampment. Agents from HBO and the National Enquirer are trying to get my family members to talk about our lives, inducing them with "exclusive bonuses." My lifestyle is being investigated by Mark Shurtleff. On top of all this, Mitt Romney is bad-mouthing polygamy to the national press.

I did get some good news today from our Washington, D.C., lobbyists. Our political contributions have paid dividends and the legislation recognizing statehood is buried in some appropriations act that is sure to pass.

---

Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. He now is a political consultant and lobbyist. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. Pignanelli, who ran against Rocky Anderson for Salt Lake mayor in 2003, served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. Pignanelli's spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is a Utah state tax commissioner. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.