Buffalo Chip to a state senator for selling out principle for four tickets to a Billy Joel concert. They were worth a total of $388. Sen. Pat Jones, D-Holladay, has sponsored a law to prohibit lawmakers from taking gifts worth more than $5 from lobbyists. But it was recently revealed that she'd accepted the concert tickets from a lobbyist representing Regence BlueCross and BlueShield. Asked how she could have done that, Jones replied, "Good question."

It sure is. She added, "Typically, what I do is reimburse them -- and I will be doing that." Sure. And if Grandma had wheels, she'd be a wagon. Other lawmakers also took tickets to see the concert, which raises questions not only about their integrity but also their taste. Ninety-seven bucks a seat to hear a singer whose heyday was more than 20 years ago?

Beehive to two state lawmakers who want Utah to cut ties to two of the most dangerous and despicable regimes on the planet. Reps. Julie Fisher, R-Fruit Heights, and David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, are sponsoring bills that could compel the Utah Retirement System to divest from firms doing business with Iran and Sudan. Iran foments unrest across the Mideast, and is hard at work at its nuclear program. Sudan has surreptitiously backed the militia groups that have devastated Darfur, killing hundreds of thousands and displacing more than 2 million people. Utah alone can't solve the world's problems, but this is a start.

Buffalo Chip to a lawmaker for suggesting that the state House Rules Committee be closed to the public. Rep. Neal Hendrickson, D-West Valley City, reportedly longs for the old days of secret committee meetings. Things were much more efficient when politicos could gather behind closed doors and wheel and deal without the pesky attention of citizens or reporters. It's too bad Hendrickson still fails to understand that open government is essential to the maintenance of freedom and that in the end it is the most efficient way to serve the people.

Beehive to lawmakers for moving to close loopholes in state law. Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, is sponsoring a bill that would order the Utah State Board of Education to permanently revoke the licenses of teachers who molest students or other children. The Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission can revoke licenses for good, but in some cases, the commission merely recommends revoking the licenses for five or more years. Astonishingly, it's possible that eventually a predator might be able to regain a license. This has never happened, but it's good to straighten out the Utah Code.