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The absolutely gorgeous new bakery on Main St. Eva's Boulangerie

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Response from Orrin Hatch regarding SOPA/PIPA

I few weeks ago I wrote to Senator Hatch expressing my disapproval of the provisions of SOPA/PIPA. This was his response, which includes references to the sweeping grandeur of the Wasatch mountains.

January 4, 2012

      Mr. Ryan Kendrick

Draper, UT 84020

  Dear Ryan:

  Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to S. 968, the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property (PROTECT IP) Act. 

  On May 12, 2011, Senator Patrick Leahy and I introduced the PROTECT IP Act. If enacted, S. 968 would provide law enforcement with important tools to stop foreign websites “dedicated to infringing activities.” In other words, the bill targets the most egregious offenders of online theft who profit from counterfeit products and pirated content.  These goods can range from new movie and music releases to pharmaceuticals and consumer products. With this legislation, we send a strong message to those selling or distributing pirated content or counterfeit goods online that the United States will strongly protect intellectual property rights.

  The bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file a civil action against the registrant or owner of a domain name that accesses a foreign infringing Internet site, or the foreign-registered domain name itself.  However, DOJ officials must first seek approval from a federal court before taking any action. In determining whether an Internet site is “dedicated to infringing activities,” a federal judge must weigh all of the facts carefully in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure – just like what happens today in shutting down an illegal bricks and mortar storefront.

  Unfortunately, there seems to be a common assumption with some online users that illegal downloads and purchases online are free and harmless. This is far from true.  Fake pharmaceuticals threaten people’s lives. Stolen movies, music, and other products threaten the jobs and livelihoods of many people, and drive up costs for other consumers.  Every year, these online thieves are making hundreds of millions of dollars by stealing American intellectual property, and this undermines legitimate commerce.

  This also has a direct impact on Utah.  As you may know, Utah is considered a very popular state for film and television production activity.  Nothing compares to the red rock of Southern Utah or the sweeping grandeur of the Wasatch Mountains.  Utah’s workforce is also a draw to filmmakers who come for one of the most highly educated and hardworking workforces in our country.  It is estimated that the motion picture and television industries are responsible for thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in wages in Utah. There is no doubt that intellectual property theft has a direct, negative impact on Utah’s economy and its workforce. This same impact can be seen nationwide.

  On July 22, 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee favorably reported S. 968 by unanimous consent. While it is unclear when the bill will be considered by the full Senate, the legislation enjoys strong support with 39 bipartisan cosponsors to date. Please know that my Senate colleagues and I are committed to crafting consensus legislation and welcome suggestions on ways to improve the bill.  Unfortunately there has been some misinformation circulated about what the PROTECT IP Act aims to accomplish. In an effort to be of assistance, I have enclosed “Fact vs. Fiction” information about the legislation. I hope this information will be helpful to you.

  Again, thank you for writing. I welcome your continued input on issues of concern.

  Your Senator,

      Orrin G. Hatch

United States Senator

  OGH:ckk

Enclosure

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December Running Update

24.24 miles

10.81 minutes per mile

4,254 calories burned

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Dunes. Fall 2011.

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Queensboro Bridge, New York

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Photos from our recent trip to the Little Sahara sand dunes.

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Customer for life

I'm sure all of you remember my post on my broken skis a few months ago (sarcasm). But in the off chance you forgot, here's the post.

Short version: I broke one of my skis on a fall late in the season at Solitude this year. This is what it looked like:

I'm sure this happens semi-frequently, but this was a first for me. I was hoping that Rossignol/Dynastar had some sort of replacement program that would allow me to buy one ski on a discount, so I emailed them to see what could be done. This was the response I received:

Mmmmmkay....not much detail in that email. So I emailed for some clarification (do I need to remove the bindings? do you need both skis or just the broken one?). Since I was passing through Ogden on Friday, I dropped them off in person at their distribution center. After a very unofficial solo tour through the warehouse and employee break room (who let me in here?), I found Keith, the Rossignol group service manager. He had me write my name and address down, and sent me on my way. I had no idea what was going to happen after that. Were they going to repair it? Send me a new ski with a bill?

Today (five days after dropping them off) I found this on my front porch:

Opened it up and found these inside: 

A brand-new set of this year's Legend Sultan 85's. I was shocked.

It's so refreshing to see companies who are willing to back up their products 110% and who are willing to go out of their way to take care of their customers. I owe a huge thanks to Rossignol/Dynastar. You guys have a customer for life now.

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Draper Rodeo (Taken with instagram)

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The Three Amigos at the summit (Taken with instagram)

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Lehi Criterium (Taken with instagram)

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His favorite part of UP (Taken with instagram)

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I'm just going to blame him for not letting me get any work done today (Taken with instagram)

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Wyoming (Taken with instagram)

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And now: Freestyle Canoeing. Enjoy.

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Caught (Taken with instagram)