Dr. Michael Pramenko takes issue with those who call for the repeal of Obamacare in his Sept. 3 column. If it was about health care, as stated, instead of growing the size of the federal government, he might be right. If our legislators knew what was in the bill before they passed it, I might agree with him. If it would save money as we were told it would by supporters (Democrats only) then perhaps I?d side with him. However, the Congressional Budget Office has said it won?t, it?s going to cost more than advertised.

The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico that began April 20 when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded was the result of multiple problems and human errors, a report released this week by BP states. The explosion and massive oil leak that resulted are ?a shared responsibility,? the report from BP?s internal investigation concluded. Halliburton and Transocean, two companies involved with BP on the Deepwater rig, share responsibility, as do BP employees who were on the rig, according to the report.

The Democrats? hemp-hulled party boat is starting to take on a lot of water, so it?s time to lighten the load and it looks like some in the Colorado delegation may join the flotsam. The party has been weighed down by a steady stream of unpopular legislation, failed Eastern European economic models and saddled with a captain whose navigation charts are so old the edges show sea monsters with the head of Ronald Reagan bearing the fearsome legend: ?Well, there they go again.?

This month, a special committee at the University of Colorado begins examining what to do with the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. A ?program discontinuance? has been initiated, although that doesn?t mean the programs will definitely be eliminated. In an age when old-fashion newspapers have been closing frequently, and large numbers of people get their news from online blogs, broadcast pundits, Yahoo, Facebook and other electronic sources, some argue, an old-style journalism school may no longer make sense.

A 19-year-old stabbing victim who died early Sunday morning in Montrose has been identified as Zachary Culmer, according to the Montrose County Coroner?s Office. A 17-year-old boy, Isaac Garcia, is in custody at Grand Mesa Youth Detention Center in Grand Junction on suspicion of second-degree murder, according to the Montrose County Sheriff?s Department.

School District 51 parents will have a fresh way to judge their children?s schools this December when a new accountability report debuts to the public. Unlike previous measures of school performance, which rated Colorado schools based on how many students scored proficient or above on Colorado Student Assessment Program tests, the new School Performance Frameworks report will take into account how students improved year-over-year on CSAP tests, as well as how many students scored proficient or above on the tests. High schools will be rated on these factors as well as graduation rate, drop-out rate and average ACT scores of 11th-graders at the schools.

Through trials and tribulation, Israel has survived, and Jews have persevered. The endurance of a people and their faith will be the message of retired Rabbi Lewis Bogage to area congregants for the Jewish High Holy Days.

The fire that ripped though Fourmile Canyon near Boulder had yet to reach the forested lands hardest hit by the mountain pine beetle, a forest official said Tuesday. But, Boyd Lebeda, district forester for the Colorado State Forest Service, said the blaze could grow to the higher-elevation lodgepole forests ravaged by the mountain pine beetle, where no one knows quite what will happen.

The Fruita City Council unanimously approved a plan Tuesday night to build a 128-unit senior apartment complex, clearing the way for it to be one of the few larger-scale apartment buildings to come on line in Mesa County in the past 15 years. Council members signed off on the preliminary plan for what will be known as the Kokopelli Senior Lodge, a 5.3-acre development in the southeast corner of the Kokopelli Commercial Park south of Interstate 70.

It?s hunting season, do you know where your compass is? Given that many people no longer know how to use a map and compass, how about your GPS, cell phone and survival kit?

Kids flock to see birds and nature, and you can help. The Grand Valley Audubon Society is looking for a few children-friendly volunteers to lead fifth-grade students on nature tours during their visits to the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory banding station at the Audubon Nature Center.

FISH DEPARTMENT If you are heading to Wyoming for a bit of big-game hunting this fall, be bear aware.

Late summer brings veraison to Colorado?s vineyards. This is the time when grapes change from green to red or yellow and develop their characteristic mature colors.

A woman approached me at City Market the other day and asked if I was going to do another football column like last year, which was sort of weird considering I didn?t do a football column last year. But I didn?t say anything to her because I?m polite. Plus she was holding a zucchini. Experience has taught me to never argue with a woman holding a member of the squash family, especially if she?s drunk and angry. But that?s a story for another day. Right now, let?s talk about football because it?s important, especially to guys like me who reside in estrogen-rich environs. I have a child who is female. My wife also happens to be female. I?m pretty sure all our dust bunnies are female. There is nothing in my house to indicate a male presence whatsoever. Unfortunately, this includes the times when I?m standing in the living room. Even the stray cat hanging around our back yard is female. And although I?m not a cat guy, I think it?s OK that my wife keeps feeding her. She?ll hiss at you and scratch you a lot, but sometimes she?ll let you pet her. (The cat, I mean.)