Comments about ‘Letters: Utah a great state’

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South Jordan, UT

Unless your a democrat or non mormon. Not to mention the state is dead last in education funding, First is air pollution and not having clean air to breathe. First at taking other peoples radio active waste. A pretty great state???

LDS Liberal
Farmington, UT

Are we talking about the same Utahns who drive on the roads here?

Salt Lake City, UT

Ivan, you mentioned the good people at gun shows, and I agree. These people are an encouraging cross section of what's good about America. People at gun shows include grandparents, families, young couples with babies, and people of all ages. They tend to be very upbeat, polite, patriotic, and intelligent. Too bad they are sometimes unfairly painted in a negative light. Good letter.

Far East USA, SC

I don't know how much you get out, but crowds are generally well behaved and courteous in other states as well.

Ogden, UT

I don't see a big difference in public courtesy between Utahns and folks in the other places I've lived, but this isn't the first time I've heard this complement about our state, so I'm inclined to believe there is some truth in it.

I just wish it applied to how we behave on the roads. Something flips our aggressive switch around here and we become combative and petty, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Salt Lake City, UT

Ever try being a non-Mormon in Utah?



Not at a gun show?

Payson, UT

So, Homebrew....for what reason are you still in Utah? Sounds like California would love to have a guy like you.

By the way, the pollution is only here for a short period of time. In Los Angeles, California, and many other places, it's year round.

And, if education is so bad, why are so many companies coming here for Utah's educated workforce?

Do us all a favor and move out.

And, LDS Liberal....driven in California lately?

Salt Lake City, UT

In other places the pollution is year round?

Yeah. In the 1980's.

Today is 2013.

The EPA and other groups have named Utah's air the worst in the Nation.

Facts only please.

Also, FYI? Telling people to 'do us all a favor and move out'..?

You just proved the author...wrong.

Irony Guy
Bountiful, Utah

Utahns can be very courteous. So can San Franciscans, Bostonians, and people from Texas. I even found a big conference of New Yorkers I attended to be handled very courteously. I'm glad there are nice people everywhere.

Deep Space 9, Ut

To "homebrew" you are right, Utah is a great place unless you are a democrat or non-mormon. If these message boards are any indication of what democrats and non-mormons think of utah, it is obvious that they hate it. Why would people who hate Utah ever say that it is a great state.

Your assumption about pollution is wrong. Utah only has short-term pollution problms, that means that the inversion trapps particles, then is gone. If you want to talk actually problems with pollution, look at the year round pollution problems. The American Lung Association's top 25 list does not include Utah for year round pollution.

There is no correlation between education funding and outcomes. Look at DC.

Democrats hate it because Utah is successful and run by consevatives.

Non-mormons hate it because the LDS church is so strong here, and we have the audacity to be kind to them and their children.

However, lets look at what is said about Utah:

"Forbes Magazine ranks Utah 'the best state for business'" DN

"Utah ranks 4th for child well-being" DN

"Utah ranks number one in well-being index" DN

"Utah tops national economic report" DN

Ogden, UT


Utahns are humble, too it seems. How gracious of the LDS population to be kind to the Gentiles and their children, especially when you have shown you really believe in the "like it or leave it" mentality. I've lived here a long time and I can tell you that you are flat out wrong about why you think non-Mormons sometimes bristle at the culture here. In fact, lumping the entire world into a category called "non-Mormons" is a pretty good example.

But regarding year-round pollution, the state economy, and many other quality of life aspects, you're right. This is a good state. Which is why so many people are moving here and why Utah will continue to get increasingly diverse both politically and religiously.

Bountiful, UT


For short-term particle pollution, the American Lung Association disagrees with your statement that Utah's air is the worst in the nation. The usual areas of Bakersfield, Fresno, Hanford (CA), Los Angeles, and Modesto are the top five. The Utah areas are ranked #7 (Salt Lake City-Ogden), #9 (Logan), and #11 (Provo-Orem).

For year-round particle pollution, and for ozone, the Utah areas are not even in the top 25.

Should it be cleaner? The answer is yes.

Richard Larson
Galt, CA

No Ivan, it is not a great state.
Hence the phrase "Utah, Life Oppressed"!!

LDS Liberal
Farmington, UT

Deep Space 9, Ut


Speaking as a Utah native, Mormon, white, male, 'former'Republican...I still bristle living here, and here's why:

I've lived in many other places - including internationally - and found my quality of life better elsewhere -- but family obligations force my return.

My gay neighbors treat us better than "Wardies".

I'd rather a friend or neighbor drink a beer once in awhile, over having 35% of my Priesthood Quorum or Relief Society taking antidepressants.

I'd rather my kids risk seeing occasional public nudity, than in the closet of the #1 on-line porn capital of the nation.

My born-again Christian friends next door, were better Christians than anyone I've ever known in Utah. In fact - their example made me stop, think, and evaluate what being a Christian really is, and recommitt to being a better one myself.
[We chuckle now and partially agree that Mormons aren't Christians, by adding that it's the "Utah-Mormons" who aren't Christians...and after visiting here several times, they now understand the joke.]

Not to mention the drivers...


California is the top producer of agriculture in the U.S. There are several CA cities ranked high in air pollution because of their proximity to the San Joaquin Valley--the largest producer of agriculture in the U.S. Dust, pesticides and fertilizers are big contributors to the air pollution in these areas.

Casa Grande, AZ

Here in Az we beat each other silly at car shows.

I love how Utah news seems to post any little matter that the state is ranked highly in but never talks about the lower rankings like other states. Here in Az if we are dead last in something you know it's in the news paper. You'd have to be stuck in the 50's to be like those old folks that never talk about their familiy's problems. Hush, hush on that but brag about little Jonnie's largest pumkin of the 3rd grade, in a town of 40.

Utah is different. If it's #1 for most hand knitted sweaters: Well we're just beaming with HUMILITY based pride...

GK Willington
Salt Lake City, UT

to LDS Liberal

Do you realize the irony of your initial post?


I'm surprised at the negative comments here. There are benefits to not being LDS and living in Utah, such as no crowds at the malls on Sunday, lots of open camping spaces on Sundays. Some people just like to suck lemons, I guess. And the same people seem always to be accusing conservatives / Republicans / LDS / religious people of being haters. Go figure.

Salt Lake City, UT


Well isn't that so neat, the Saints take the time to be kind to us Gentiles. Ain't that just special. I'm so awfully thankful. I'm just so extra thankful that they even take the time to notice us. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much RedShirt, cause I'll tell ya, I was so worried rather or not you would be kind to me. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day.

Mike in Cedar City
Cedar City, Utah

As one who has lived in 12 different states over the last 45 years, I can tell you that Utah is generally no better than other states. In fact, there is parochial better than everyone else attitude here theat I din not find in other states. And I say this as a Utah native raised here. It is nice for the author to pat the state on the back, but from personal experience, I am not certain that it is entirely warranted.

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