More Grand Staircase stuff

Grand Staircase born amid controversy -- deseretnews.com

President Clinton ten years ago today, signing the proclamation that would change my life.

This article has all kinds of quotations and opinions from all kinds of people. I know about half of the people that were quoted. This is what you live with if you come here to work with the monument. I wouldn't say that the locals are completely bitter; they've mellowed actually, if you can believe it! Really, it has been an interesting six years here. I'm glad I did it. The socio-political climate will only get better as time goes on, because it has improved vastly since 2000.

As much as I like Mr. Ramsay personally, I completely disagree with his assessment of the monument. But that's okay...he can miss out on the economic boon to his county by burying his head in the sand and wishing for the old coal-mining days...god knows I sure would have wanted my kids to work in a coal mine. Not.

Marietta Eaton is a gem, and a genuinely kind and thoughtful person. The monument is lucky to have her in upper management. She's also incredibly smart. The science being studied here really does matter, and Marietta is passionate about that. She's very cool.

I predict that in ten more years, everyone will be glad the monument is here. It may even be a national park by then...who knows?