Mr. Romney admits he does not know much about public land management issues, but then he goes ahead and jumps feet first into making statements, which may be popular with folks in Nevada, but which might be very unpopular with members of both parties in other parts of the country. Such statements could well cost him some votes compared with what he might gain in Nevada by making them. We will see if others pick up on what he said.

Perhaps Mr. Romney needs a remedial course on public lands issues. BLM, Park Service, and Forest Service administered lands (among others) do not belong to the people of any one state but to all Americans. Although local needs and interests are on the table as management plans are considered, ultimately decisions are made that consider a wider and longer view than what would usually be done with only local input. This is as it should be. Our public lands in the West are a wonderful asset that we should be glad the whole country is willing to foot the bill to manage even though westerners get the greater benefits.

Oh Oh! Anon sent a strong signal for a left turn. I have seen it before. This is not typical rehtoric of a Utah citizen...it comes from east of the Mississippi, where there are virtually no public lands, and from the left coast. Transplants, and those of the far left in Utah, have little interest in the agenda of the majority of those living near and utilizing our vast public lands in their livlyhoods and who have done so from the very beginnings. I have noted on numerous occasions that "eastern transplants" who have been employed by these federal agancies to "give remedial courses" to local Utah citizens on how to comply with liberal aganda on the use and control of their own back yards run into trouble with their local neighbors. I look with interest at the Nevada ranchers who expell these types from their terrain with whatever means required. States rights and interests should always prevail.

Do you understand simple English? Public Land is land that belongs to the American public. Is this difficult to understand? Utah has it's hand out for federal dollars to fight fires on the public's lands. States rights belong on state owned land. You take care of you property and quit thinking public land is a federal entitlement to welfare ranchers.

Mitt had an uptick in support after his win in the Iowa Straw Poll. He's been looking more and more presidential. How much would you expect a guy from Massachusetts to know about ranching and mining interests, though? I think his point that Public Land has gotten out of control is well made, though (there's way too much Federal lands in Western states is the point). Or don't you understand English, Nephi? ;)