Reader comments
Nothing 'amiss' in Italian trip, senator says

So apparently when you get elected you are required by law to lose all of your friends.

This is an example of the power of the media. Friends of up to 30 years go on a trip and suddenly we get to read about it. And Bob Bernick takes the time to write a story of how nothing happened. The mere appearance of this story, no matter what they say insists that something evil happened.

This story is more than ridiculous.

Cost of the trip for the Brambles: $1,025. Cost of food for the Brambles: $1000. Cost of two weeks of unfettered access by lobbyists: Priceless.

I don't think the public expects legislators to loose all their friends, but when they seek and accept this responsibility of public trust, they do have to be mindfull of propriety and distance themselvs from lobbyists that will sooner or latter be lobying them for their support, it's just an obvious conflict of interest.

Whether the lobbyists paid for the trip isn't the issue to me. If he is such close friends with these lobbyists, his friendship will obviously someday add some pressure to not dissapoint his friends down the road.

Judges can't try cases for their friends, spend private time with members of the jury or layers trying cases in their court (even if they are friends) because it is a conflict of interest and may affect his judgement. How can the senator say his obviously close relationship with these lobbyists isn't an issue just because no money exchanged hands?

Chuck L, if you went on the trip you would have the same access. And according to that logic, considering by State law anyone can be a lobbyist, the Brambles, Lockharts, etc should not speak with anyone? So if you are average Joe blow citizen and want increased funding for education and constantly talk about it for two weeks, how is that any different?

And as for this "article" not being an example of media abuse, why not bash on Rep Lockhart? Why is it only the Senate Majority Leader that had a problem? Rep Lockhart is the Vice Chair of House Appropriations. Did she not talk to anyone on the trip? So it was only Bramble that talked to Paul Rogers? And why not bash on the fact that Steve White, a Utah County Commissioner was also on the trip. Is it not conceivable that one of Paul Rogers clients had business in Utah County. But it was only Bramble that was in the wrong.

So long as Bob Bernick is going to write such obviously biased editorials, it deserves something far worse than print, actually bathroom material.

This was a Bramble hit piece, pure and simple.

Mr. Bernick you should be ashamed of yourself for attempting to create news where there is none. I can see why you take this approach however, it gives you the opportunity to take pot shots at politicians and to capitalize upon an unlimited pool of issues that are NOT news but are fodder for you and the eager readers who want so badly to find something wrong with Utah politics.

This is such a non-story. I know ALL these couples and think it's silly that we beat them up for being friends with one another.

Actually, KH is right. Senator Bramble didn't have to take the trip. He could have decided to pass, and avoided the media issue altogether. James, and Sam Adams, I'm guessing work in Senator Bramble's office, or are family members. Any other tax paying citizen of this state will have issues with this.

Lets see, Utah County Commission Chairman, Micron lobbyist turned Utah GOP chairman and Utah Senate Leader all together for two weeks of fun. Why should this be an issue? Every one in this state who voted for these jokers should be used to them being in bed together. How often do we hear about closed door meetings of the GOP to discuss how to add more entitlements to the Utah government Club? School Vouchers, non disclosure of campaign contributions by lobbyists and on and on. The sad part is that the appearance of impropriety has become so wide spread in our local governments that we will continue to allow this type of thing to continue by electing these jokers and thief�s. I wonder how many closed door meetings happened in Italy. Oh I forgot the wife�s were along.

We learn in church to avoid the appearance of evil. Do they not teach that in Utah County? The Utah County republicans will destroy the party for the whole state. How did so many Utah County Republicans get power at the same time? The good old boy system has got to stop in this state.

CaptainK, I am another tax paying citizen, and am actually not a fan of Bramble at all. That being said, I have no problem with this trip.

KH, your comparison of Judges to politicians is pointless. Judges are required to remain impartial and politicans are of their very nature partial. Lobbying exists and is totally legal. Courts are a whole different animal should not be compared.

At the end of the day, lobbyists and politicans might become friends. I know that the Lockharts and the Brambles are very good friends, and it appears as though the Rogers are as well.

By some of your logic, you make it seem like Stan Lockhart (who is also the head of the Utah GOP by the way) should divorce his wife because she is a legislator and a memeber of House leadership.

I can't decide which is worse, the story or some of the comments.

Man I HATE having to agree with all the conservatives in this thread (James and now Ryan.)

Yes, CaptainK, I'm a tax paying citizen of Utah and I'm a liberal, progressive Democrat. ;)

James,
Just so you know, I submitted a comment around 1pm agreeing with you, but the moderator has apparently deemed it necessary to censor it.

James and Ryan,
Would you have the same opinion of this story if Bramble were a progressive, liberal Democrat such as myself? What if it was SLC Mayor Rocky Anderson?

Not at all. In fact, I think it is funny that I was labeled as a conservative when I voted for Matheson and Rocky (I have since decided that I dislike Rocky and it occurred when he began worrying more about national politics than SLC government).

Why would this be different if it were Rocky? Or did you mean "not at all" as in "no difference at all"?

Sorry about "labeling" you. If you're the same Ryan who comments in the forum frequently then it just seemed to fit.

Aren't these the same two legislators who apparently coerced a school official to use taxpayer money and students to construct a float for the Republican Party last summer? It looks like the party has two loose cannons who do just about anything they want. The party should have an investigation of their actions, but you know that will never happen in Utah.

I agree Alvin. But if there's nothing found, then the media shouldn't be publishing "when did you stop beating your wife" type stories.

This is exactly the same kind of treatment the D-news has given Rocky in the past. Frankly, I don't blame him for not talking to D-news reporters at one time.

If I were Bramble, I would have given Bernick a short respone such as, "My wife and I paid for our share of the trip expenses entirely out of our own pockets." By trying to show that he had forethought of the possible conflict of interest, it appears that he is trying to explain away a misdeed and makes the story juicier for Bernick. Bramble should have clammed up and told Bernick to buzz off.

Jackhp, to answer your question: especially if they were Democrats, even left wing liberals. By so doing it would show a consistent focus on the principle, not politics.

Bramble can be abbrasive so it earns him enemies. Bob Bernick is obviously bored and this article struck me that we have 6 people, all long time friends; 3 elected officials, 2 registered lobbyists but only one person did something wrong.

Could Bob be any more obvious?!

And Jackhp, I have had so many posts censored I was starting to take it personal. I am glad the moderator is only censuring the smart, thinking types. ;)

Jackhp, I meant no difference at all, thanks for the clarification.