Utah can lead the way toward national healing

Roiled by partisanship, Utahns seek a path toward cooling America’s political discourse.

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A week after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Utah is wrestling with a critical question: How do we stop political violence before it starts?

Communications professor Ben Lyons argues the answer lies in correcting our misperceptions about political opponents.

“Our misperceptions can become self-fulfilling. When partisans believe the other side is willing to undermine democracy, they become more willing to do so themselves,” he writes, pointing to Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s “Disagree Better” initiative as a proven model for reducing support for violence.

Meanwhile, Springville resident Julie Smith cuts to the heart of America’s division. “Everyone is so certain that they are ‘right’ that they won’t even listen to what the other side says. This is arrogance. This is pride. This is incivility,” she writes, calling on both sides to fix how we see each other.

Both pieces offer hope and agree that most Americans still abhor political violence — and that Utah may hold keys to national healing.

Read their full perspectives on bridging our divides.

And let me know: What would it take for your community to “disagree better”?

— Sam Morse, Newsletter Editor

Utah Voices

The legal foundation for Moab’s trails, campgrounds and recreation assets could disappear overnight

“Here in Moab, our [Resource Management Plan] identified the need for singletrack and made it possible to build 150 miles of trail,” writes concerned Moabite David Glover. “Those trails not only put Moab on the map as a mountain bike mecca, they also fuel our local economy. … But now Congress is threatening to undo this progress by misusing a little-known law called the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA lets a simple majority throw out entire land-use plans — and once disapproved, the Bureau of Land Management is barred from adopting anything ‘substantially the same.’ “ Read more.

Who is the real Spencer Cox?

“What is Cox’s truth?” Freelance journalist Holly Mullen asks in an open letter. “Who knows. But really, what we need in Utah is a governor who does right by all of us. Every day, a person who leads out in the bland sameness of it all, and especially on the days when all hell breaks loose. Who tries harder to represent all of us. And means it. That is all.” Read more.

Charlie Kirk didn’t deserve his fate. He’s also not a hero.

“I don’t ‘get’ why so many people idolize(d) Charlie Kirk,” writes Sandy resident Brad Fullmer. “I was raised Mormon and taught that kindness to everyone was paramount, more important than literally anything else. If you can’t be kind to others — or just respectful, you don’t have to like everybody — what’s the point of religion? … Kirk didn’t deserve the same fate as JFK, MLK, RFK, and the countless people who have been killed from nonwar, societal gun violence, including way too many innocent children in our schools the past 30 years.” Read more.

Utah isn’t ready for ‘The Big One’ — but we can be

“Our vulnerability lies not just because of the active fault, but in our outdated buildings,” warns Jamie Farrell, a research associate professor at the University of Utah. “Remember, earthquakes don’t kill people, collapsing buildings do. Many homes, schools and historic structures were built long before modern seismic codes were enacted in Utah. In particular, unreinforced masonry buildings (URMs) — older brick buildings constructed without steel reinforcement — are prone to collapse even in moderate shaking. More than 140,000 of these still stand along the Wasatch Front and throughout Utah.” Read more.

Share Your Perspective

In light of Judge Diana Gibson’s ruling that Utah must redraw its gerrymandered congressional maps, one thing seems likely: If the state’s elections become more competitive, a flood of outside money will pour in. And politicos on both sides seem to concur.

But with all of that extra cash vying for your vote, Utah’s airwaves and digital spaces could become saturated with political messaging.

That said, we’re curious: How would that new reality impact your everyday life? Are non-gerrymandered maps worth the cost of becoming centered in America’s current political moment?

From Bagley’s Desk

Drop Us a Note

We’re always looking for fresh perspectives, ideas and solutions that’ll move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop us a note at [email protected].