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Putting Murray on the map

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What I wonder.. | 5:41 a.m. May 17, 2008
about is whether or not people will really remember that the Governor and the Mayor of Murray declared May 9, 2008 as David Archuleta Day after it's all over, whether he wins or not? Will it be celebrated or was it just for show?? And another question did all of those cheerleaders and all the other girls from his high school who wanted to touch him and hug him even know he existed before American Idol?? I'm still cheering for David Archuleta and win or lose I'm sure he had a great time this year.
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Murray Resident | 7:55 a.m. May 17, 2008
Well, Mayor Snarr, you did a great job telling Archuletta what his song would be, and I think you are a great Mayor. But that handlebar mustache sent Utah's image to the rest of the world back 100 years.
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Petey | 8:06 a.m. May 17, 2008
OK Mayor you are a great business man and you are not a hick. Keep on repeating that. Let's see how many people jump on this bandwagon
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Salvador Dali | 8:07 a.m. May 17, 2008
I'm not sure this Mayor is exactly a great image. And not just his stache, but his shirt. Kudos to young David, however. Success!
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Alan | 8:12 a.m. May 17, 2008
This is the downside to American Idol- The thirst for the spotlight and popularity. For starters, there are still a LOT of people that know little or nothing about Salt Lake a few years after we were the center of international attention for two weeks during the Olympics. Do we really think people around the nation are talking about Murray, Utah? And what are they saying about it?

The other sad thing is David Archuletta has ALWAYS been talented. This isn't even his first reality TV show appearance. Still, David wasn't popular in Utah until he was popular across the nation. Think about it ... isn't that rather sad? Archuleta had pipes all along, but it wasn't his voice so much as his popularity Utah has fallen in love with. Now, like shallow high schoolers (and not all high schoolers are shallow), Utah wants a bit of David's popularity.

America is obsessed with celebrity and fame. "American Idol" markets it, and Utah has bought into it. It's a shame we can't just enjoy David's talent, without trying to grab some of the limelight. Supporting David, without fawning all over his fame, might REALLY set Utah apart.
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What about Jeopardy | 9:21 a.m. May 17, 2008
Wasn't Jeopardy winner, Ken Jennings from Murray? I think he did a lot to put Murray and Utah on the proverbial map!
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Laura | 9:38 a.m. May 17, 2008
I live in Canada and had never heard of Murray. I heard David say that the best thing about Murray is the people that live there. After watching all the homecoming videos, I can see he's right! Congratulations Murray....the world loves you...and btw...thanks for giving us David Archuleta.
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Holy Mustache! | 10:26 a.m. May 17, 2008
It's a good thing that the Mayor was not prepping himself for his big, national TV debut; otherwise he might wear a ridiculous looking shirt and purchase extra wax for that awful blight on his lip.

In the final selection I'm sure things like stage presence and "fitting the mold" of an idol will be tiebreaker considerations if both perform well.

Let's hope Archuleta's performance and presence are good enough to avoid a drilling down to memories of his Mayor.

Woof. Snarr has some pretty bad personal taste - quite a respectable looking person if you erase those two big blunders.
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"I'm not a hick" | 10:34 a.m. May 17, 2008
If you have to say it, you're already fighting an uphill battle against what you've advertised to the rest of the country.

Doesn't really matter in the end, just added a bit of the stupid to David A's video.

I was hoping Simon would say something bluntly accurate, but alas...
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Merlin | 11:12 a.m. May 17, 2008
Why did American Idol show too much video of David A. crying during his visit at the Gateway Mall? David rightly expressed his embarrassment. I was embarassed for David too. When David A. started to tear up, he actually turned around so the cameras wouldn't show his face but what ended up being shown on the show was his crying moments which took almost half the length of the video. And handlebar mustache of the mayor... I think they look gross. How does his wife put up with those? I don't think the world would think all Utahns are as weird as the mayor but it does make people wonder.

For everyone who supports David A., please vote next week multiple x. I never liked American Idol, never cared to watch reality shows, until I turned the TV on one day and saw this young man sing and he just took my breath away. I promised myself that after this season, no more American Idol for me. I would rather read a book than see Simon Cowell shoot down contestants. I think he is insufferable. The whole show is insufferable without David A. in it.
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SoCal | 12:13 p.m. May 17, 2008
Dan Snarr was the absolute highlight of the show. Loved how real he is!! I get sick of Utah trying to be like everywhere else! He the stache is COOL!!!!
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sb | 12:57 p.m. May 17, 2008
Let the mayor be. The mustache is all right. David A. will do all right, too.
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Derek | 2:31 p.m. May 17, 2008
You mean Murray was not on the map already? I was wondering what that big hole was next to SLC. @@
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Hoyt Beaumont | 5:20 p.m. May 17, 2008
I haven't seen folks in Murray this excited since back to the 1984, when we painted that Goldren Retriever blue. I didn' think anything was gonna ever top that. Go Danny!
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Paul Gibbs | 5:26 p.m. May 17, 2008
Between Archuletta and Romney, 2008 will go down in history as the year Utahn's almost won things.
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Murray High School student | 5:36 p.m. May 17, 2008
ha those of you wondering about the cheerleaders before david was an "idol" half those girls never talked to him and never would have if it wasnt for this. it really bugged me how some who were really actual friends with him didnt get to talk to him but the cheerleaders could go hug him and say "oh ya i know him he's my best friend bla bla bla" just an oppinion
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Murrayite | 5:53 p.m. May 17, 2008
Snarr's appearance represents about .0001% of Murray's population. That would be himself. Afterall, that seems to be what it's all about.
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Bill Snyder | 6:02 p.m. May 17, 2008
Let Murray have it's day in the sun. When the time comes that Murray and Taylorsville go to war, we all know who will win.
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Olaf Brigham Gibson | 6:30 p.m. May 17, 2008
I'm just glad I don't have to live vicariously through Dell Schanze anymore.
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Alice | 6:47 p.m. May 17, 2008
David Archuletta has brought some class to "American Idol". When you watch David perform, you get what you see...a shy, sincere, clean-cut young man with a GREAT voice. David Cook has a great voice too, but he lacks David Archuletta's personal attributes. A win by Archuletta would give "Idol" a fresh, young talent who, I feel, is a real cut above other idols. Compare him to Fantasia. What in the world happened to her. I can't believe I ever voted for her. David Cook and his looks are dabbling with that "look." To a large degree, I think David Archuletta would continue being the same sweet, shy, clean-cut guy even after winning the "Idol" title.
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No. Utah sees a major earthquake every 350 years. Last one? 350 years ago.