The real issue is that Mitt Romney has no facial expression that corresponds to what he is saying, no business acumen not derived from being the son of a state Governor and his business successes, a tin ear for the moment, and absolutely no sense of humor. All of Nixon's bad traits and none of his good ones, like brains, political courage, and vision.

He did save the Mormon Olympics and pushed for Romneycare in Massachusetts. He distorts the former and denies the latter. He also lies a lot.

The third rate white men who now rank even lower in life will continue to entertain each other - loudly at the bar at the Cork or various Country Clubs - with contrived mysteries about Obama, a man of mixed race more reflective of America today than they are. As the very white and German Mencken said ninety years back, the Anglo Saxons of the US are moral cowards on the way down, distinguished by their incompetence and reliance on others to do their fighting and create the things for which they take credit in the world. Right then, right now.

So long as you're willing to not increase the population that creates all those issues, pay for the damage you cause (material and psychological), as well as the the peace and/or sleep of which you deprive others, create no health hazards for anyone else, arrange your protections so your irresponsible behavior only kills and maims yourself and you alone pay entirely for coma, death, health issues that result from your actions, and you accept the increase costs in money and availability of energy due your preference for ancient technology and toys with no complaint.

The problem is that the dog lobby has implied if not stated that its guardianship units obey near instantly and few citizens have any cause to complain. But, really, there's no middle ground: either the dog obeys upon command or it does not. Most do not, and most people know this, because it cannot be achieved without training in conditions similar to those that would require the call on crowded trails. They may obey in the quiet of the backyard when given a treat, which passes for dog training. And if you insist the innocent pick up and endure the poop packages, why not the depositor's responsible Guardian, who are already used to it?

Second, the implied and amusing threat of the mass income and lobbying skills of dog owners somehow striking at the city to allow near unlimited access without leash conjurs up differing images: the young couple with kids with their well trained and cool Labradors; the strutting pitt bull/mastiff variants keeping the shoulder muscles of their drug dealing owners taut and exercised as they seethe forward on trail or even on Mall; and the majority of yippy dippy owners with their entirely loveable but nearly entirely untrained dogs hurtling around and playing with who or whatever.

Third, taking the bike lobby as an icon to be emulated is a great idea. Especially, read all postings and get the like and dislike buttons pushed according to goal. Mark Gelband's backers exercised that when he came in last for City Council last election, and so did the mountain bike community when they lost, again, in their most recent fiasco at Anemone. The like tally for Gelband's posts was about the number of votes he got, and the bikers noted no correlation either.

Is it possible that these boards have no integral importance whatever? Is it possible that being exposed to the bikers, dog slobs, or qualities of the candidates does not inspire support because they do a really bad job, miss the actual issue of interest to the public, or are just more unpopular with each public contact? But all those numbers! They must mean something........don't they?

No.

With no disrespect meant, because it applies to my family ancestors as well, much oral history is bunk and this applies to Native Americans.

There were several Indians, some Arapahoe, named Left Hand/Niwot. It's sometimes presented as if there was only one. Also? Indians handed down their names or changed them at whim. Most famously, Crazy Horse was an inherited name from Dad, who became Worm when he bequeathed it. It does not speak to any personality trait. Also? Crazy Woman Creek's name in Sioux suggests that 'crazy' meant...well, promiscuous rather than bat guano insane with a frying pan. The original crazy horse may have been quite the fellow to the ladies, not battle crazy.

This makes our military fondness for things like Operation Crazy Horse or whatever more enjoyable to consider if the men knew, because obviously the officers did not.

It's good to remember that white men, were they just another tribe, might slaughter, enslave or ignore the conquered at whim, as Indians treated each other. It is only by the standards of white men - law, laughable Christian compassion - that Indians pursue satisfaction today. And not unoften, get it.

When Indians say 'forever' they can only mean as far back as anyone remembers or, most likely, remembers being told about by someone who may or may not have been there or may or may not be telling the truth. Before there were horses around here, which started in bulk in the 18th century, Indians lived different lives, and not a few had more or less permanent villages.

Tribes changed constantly, being combinations of two decimated groups too small to survive or just for the hell of it. The Northern Cheyenne and Ogalla Sioux were on this path, and the northern and southern Cheyenne had separated in language so much in two decades they had difficulty understanding each other. As with all unwritten, unanchored language, that happened a lot, though.

What Indians 'know' about their past comes in alarming quantity from what the white man provides by science and excavation. Their devotion to spiritual values encased in skeletons found might be true or might be hypocritical, trying to retain the guilt powers of the First People and not entertaining the notion there were those here before their particular DNA swam the Pacific or made the 15 minute window on the land bridge.

Science isn't sure and hedges its bets, but the Indians have no clue whatever except the creation myths that appear everywhere.

To a degree, that's true. "Don't lynch me without a public trial' did affect millions.

On the other hand, if dogs were as well behaved as claimed, dog owners would revel in the chance to prove OSMP folks wrong and prove their own point. They would not allow the test to be given in realistic surroundings, the only one that makes relevant sense, but insist upon private tests where the dog is not distracted by others and activity about.

As it is, like recent issues involving mountain bikers, parents of Gifted Gods, Ethnic Studies and Journalism students, and of course Gelband's shills, they write careful posts pretending to be spontaneously offended but in agreement and try to get negative votes on those who contest. Just too compelling.

These correspond alarmingly close to Gelband's vote totals for City Council.

I have no social status and have decades of recorded rants providing evidence why that is so. I'm on a first name basis with Brain Dead Eddy, who plays Horse With No Name on the Mall often and only, four rats beneath the bridge on 9th St. on Boulder Creek (for Bridge, Tuesdays when NCIS is in rerun), and am featured in 2008 Who's Who of Boulder's Benthics, with a paragraph devoted to me that has more words than Buddy Boulder's entry or that year's class of CU Journalismish School Grads. So there.

But since we've come this far, Mark, can we be friends on Facebook? Huh? Huh?

Since you and Santorum are the only two males in America who go without sleeves on their sweaters (Santorum because it's a Tribute To His Father or Something , and you because you can't afford such elite, snobby baubles), it's only logical that you would meld into memory as one person. You even look alike, whine alike, and lose a lot, although he gets more votes per capita.

I see more deer and fox and other animals in my driveway west of 28th than in the Open Space and Parks areas with dogs on voice control. I HAVE seen unbelievably well behaved and cool dogs, but reality demands the caveat they are a small minority. I realize others have different experiences, but I thought there was an element of the wild nearby that was to be the benefit of these places.

There are a lot of dogs in Boulder. Dogs that sorta obey are the sort to chase deer in tandem (I've seen that) and go after other things. Dogs are pack animals, of course, and together do things they would not do ordinarily.

Not trying to get warring anecdotes going, but the JOB of the authorities is to preserve that vibe of the wild, and ill behaved canines - however goofy and wanting to play with large antlered elite snobs clearly too good for them - aren't really the go to way to improve things per the stated and voted upon goal.

I love dogs, don't mind them coming over to be petted, which I encourage, don't mind them sitting on my foot while I do so, don't mind them following me for a bit. They don't bother me and I rather enjoy meeting them more than people. I miss having a dog or two.

I know they listen to their masters, but few obey them at once, but sort of get around to it eventually. Some do, of course. Not what is required when there are people scared of dogs and toddlers and other possible conflicts.

I hardly use a walking stick, which in any case would not be carbon, but a silicate encrusted with diamonds for traction. I, of course, have bearers and a plush cab. Sunroof. Ottomans. Martinis served on a pillow.

You have no citation for your convenient assumption that dog owners are mostly responsible and terrific, although you feel free with 85%. Mountain bikers feel about the same percentage applies for themselves, off road vehicle enthusiasts as well, and probably horse enthusiasts. Even pedestrian hikers are wonderful in bulk if you ask them. Few bad apples, but not many.

Liars, liars, all of them. All of you, rather.

Dogs, bikes, horses, Komodo Dragons are not the issue: their dumb ass, selfish, often belligerent owners/companions are. The proof is the condition of the trails and wildlife.

It's the responsibility of the government to protect that land and the local environment. If the people disagree, they're free to change the job of the government entity at issue and make it a park. When it becomes a muddy slog too dangerous for the morbidly obese to waddle and the ancient crones to navigate, there will be complaints and demands the paths be paved or structured and eventually, against original purpose, it becomes a park.

You know damned well that most dogs don't obey their calls. They might in the back yard with no other distractions, but a heaven of smells, people, animals, other dogs and no leash unhinges that. It takes a lot of work to train dogs in various situations. People lie about it or are ignorant of their animals.

You're afraid your dog and most would not pass the test, and chances are you're correct.

Mr. Gelband continues his panders to find an issue that might get political traction, but his social status concerns (and specifically social climbing issues) continue to reveal the petty and envious nature within. Here, he focuses on how better dressed, and more successful, others are than he on the trails. But, his shoes could be made out of $5k skins of endangered animals, personally chewed to softness by skilled Italian cobblers, and still he's in his Santorum Sleeveless Sweater.

Nothing goes with a Santorum Sleeveless Sweater. Nothing.

May well be true, I do not know. But absent the autopsy, there is no way to confirm that the 'clinical' diagnosis was correct. Unless the autopsy rate has gone up, it's still an educated guess, which could go either way.

Just not happy with breezy assurances that diagnoses are correct with zero proof and no ability or willingness to obtain it within the family. Those who can afford the autopsy and the emotional issues by ordering it, may have different life factors than those who cannot, and may misinform.