Letter: I love Utah, but I'm tired of embarrassment

I love living in Utah, but some of the recent events certainly don't help our reputation. They are downright embarrassing and have been covered through the top media sources globally:

• The LDS Church excommunicating a woman who wants to be included in the priesthood (or at least be able to the same attend meetings her adolescent son is allowed to attend).

• World news that Utah will have Oktoberfest without beer, resolved after much bad press and mocking across the globe.

• A high school that covers up pictures of girls', but not boys', arms and shoulders in school pictures.

• The Zion Curtain. Need I say more?

• Not supporting the BLM and allowing ATV riders who ignore federal law and ride through Native American archaeology sites because they are emulating Cliven Bundy's anti-government tirade.

• Mike Lee's own financial short sale bailout welfare. Then he refuses to help the poor in any substantial way. Oh, yes, and his successful crusade to shut down the government at the expense of the citizenry. That was popular.

Until our state straightens up and has real governmental oversight that is responsive to our increasingly diverse population, we will continue to be a joke to the rest of the world. I travel often for business and I get tired of telling people where I'm from just to have them ask me about liquor laws and polygamy.

Kathleen Bridwell

Holladay