Comments so far on this story:

1. Christopher Hall wrote on March 6, 2008 9:04 PM:
"Dang it if this isn't the best editorial I've read in a long time. Dale Peterson you rock! // What a great explanation of city business in point 3, if not a bit too restrained in its description: often there is blatant disregard for public interest/ input in the darkened back room that would make a mushroom pale -- yes, we need more sunshine on all government proceedings, from bathroom breaks to a translation of the hand signals between Peters and MadDaffer on the council dais. // The more they hide, the more they have to hide -- we need to rip the sheets of government business and expose the hank-panky that screws the public. Way too much is done using the public good than is for the public good in San Diego. Hopefully, one day the public will take charge of its government."

2. Hands across the aisle wrote on March 7, 2008 6:38 AM:
"I:Mr Peterson, San Diego needs the Chargers much like the Roman Emperors depended upon their games to distract,entertain and mollify their volatile plebians. In our mature and decadent society "The game of the week" whether Football or baseball plays the same role. II:As to QCOM I don't know how many times I've heard Nat'l TV broadcasters tout its virtues so I think its clear that Mr Fabiani's "churning" for the Spanos and developers. Who is fooled by that anymore? QCOM needs a mixed use plan. III:Is anyone breaking the letter of the laws with their "obscena" work(?) or are they playing out the'hard ball"options earned by their elections and due to their "people"? Power is never surrendered voluntarily and the side opposite needs to demonstrate the same discipline shown by those elected that are now offending your sensibilities. IV & V: Lordy please hear Mr Hall's righteous prayer"

3. Anonymous wrote on March 7, 2008 7:18 AM:
"This from the former president of a golf club. Is golf even a sport? Find another scapegoat for the city's issues. The Chargers are not the problem."

4. Norman wrote on March 7, 2008 8:43 AM:
"You Sir, should be running for mayor!"

5. Landon wrote on March 7, 2008 9:59 AM:
"If you anyone thinks that parking a few RV's is going to save SD then you have more problems than the chargers. The Q will still put on shows whether the chargers are there or not. As the chargers are emerging as one of the better teams in football we get a lot of revenues from tourists. Peterson your retarded. The chargers are the least of the city's problems."

6. Bye Bye Bolts. wrote on March 7, 2008 10:05 AM:
"Dale, all of your suggestions were just GREAT. But I especially loved #1. "Trade the Chargers." What a wonderful idea. Just think, with all that extra money we would save from their conning the city and over charging the fans we could fix all the roads in San Diego County. GO CHARGERS, GO TO LAS VEGAS."

7. Billy Bob Henry wrote on March 7, 2008 10:09 AM:
"Dale Peterson for Mayor....and I LOVED the move to TRADE the Chargers to Las Veags, you sir are a genious! I wish I could have laid claim to that brilliant idea! Can we make Oscar Goodman also take the delusional Charger fans that say San Diego cannot be a "world class city without the Chargers" too! Dale, I worship your work here."

8. Larry wrote on March 7, 2008 10:12 AM:
"Do you have a newsletter I can subscribe to? Seriously, your line of thinking is tremendously refreshing given what we've heard from the likes of Cabrera or Waring. As for the Chargers, let 'em leave if they don't want to pay for their own stadium. I wouldn't mind seeing Qualcomm leveled and replaced with a nascar home track. RIP Cajon Speedway."

9. Dave wrote on March 7, 2008 10:35 AM:
"Dale Peterson for president."

10. Vladimir Lenin wrote on March 7, 2008 12:31 PM:
"Though I've been dead for eighty years, looking at how you running dog lackeys of capitalist imperialism run your town has made me itch for a comeback. Keep going the way you're going, you very petty bourgeois apparatchiki and one day you'll find yourselves facing a red revolution that will know how to deal with your effete, useless kind. When we get in power, we'll sell the Chargers on ebay, make Qualcomm a Hero Library of the People's Revolution and give jerry Sanders a one way ticket to Siberia. I can't wait."

11. Fed Up wrote on March 7, 2008 2:00 PM:
"Thanks for a great column, Dale Peterson. Desperate times do call for desperate measures. I like the idea of turning Qualcomm parking lot into a haven for RVs taken off the curbs of our city streets. (And good that the parking lot will accommodate unsightly ships!) Calling it a river park also is brilliant. If we had to give up our Chargers to gain these advantages, I'd say it was worth it. Finally, if we want to see change in government, we have to make change. Keep honest Mike Aguirre and elect Francis for Mayor, George, Emerald, Lightner and Whitburn for City Council."

12. Realty vs Reality wrote on March 7, 2008 3:52 PM:
"Thanks, Dale. Idea III, "By the time that the public is allowed to address the council, ..., the decisions have already been made" is right on point. Anyone who has carefully read some of the docketed items containing director-level staff-initiated Form 1472s (Request for Council Action) knows that whatever is being requested by staff is a done insider deal.From the subsequent obscure noticing to the interplay between Council President Peters and the pro-staff-position lobbyists and hirelings, the rest is a dog and pony show. Particularly Land Use department directors from City Planning & Community Development, Economic Development, and Development Services work in concert with certain councilmembers to push things through with minimum public knowledge or approval."

13. DADSGETNDOWN wrote on March 8, 2008 4:18 AM:
"You guys are confused and blinded. Chargers do the same things all other NFL teams do. The problem IS the city. Do some real research. Not San Diego Oriented at all. Good thing all 5 we're humorous."

14. Dale Peterson wrote on March 8, 2008 8:45 PM:
"We all know that the city of San Diego doesn't own the Chargers. So, rest assured, there is a higher probability of the Coronado Bridge being sold to Gaylord Entertainment for mass conventioneer bungee jumping, than there is for the Chargers being traded to Vegas. What is real however, is the viewpoint that most council members and the mayor see the citizen as an impediment to rewarding their primary constituents (as previously listed). I don't believe that it is systemic. It is dismissive representation by those currently holding office. Remember, some of these people seriously considered the concept of 6,000 residential units, plus cars, and a new stadium (all at no taxpayer expense) where Qualcomm sits now. Is that believable? Again,this election, vote for candidates who are more than politically groomed order takers for unions or developers. Shuffle up the pecking order."

15. Fred Williams wrote on March 8, 2008 11:29 PM:
"Dale, you've inspired us all. Just look at the comments so far: Sports-Fan Landon: "Peterson your retarded." (A True Sports-Fan!) UBER-Kapitalist-Leni "Sell the Chargers on ebay." ("Da! Is more demokratik, komrades." ) V.Reality: Council meetings are "a dog and pony show." (We all WISH it were even half as interesting as watching dogs and ponies.) Aisle-Hands: "Roman Emperors depended upon their games to distract,entertain and mollify their volatile plebians." (Dude, how can you appeal to a plebian when you call him a plebian...just call him a "Sports-Fan" instead, see above...)"

16. hands across the aisle wrote on March 15, 2008 5:48 AM:
"The Qualcomm Stadium Advisory Board heard testimony last week from an independent group made up of former members of the SD Council of Design Professionals who wish to retain the Q has having "great cultural potential" and "great growth potential" in a mixed use plan." A major civic asset and needs to be protected", testified Jack Carpenter,former Chair of the CDP. As in Rose Bowl and LA Coliseum.It'll come as no surprise that members of the Stadium Advisory Board, appointed by you know who,characterized the CDP as well-intentioned but impractical saying that it was likely without the Chargers the Q would be torn down.! Demolished! The property to be sold off to help support the City's financial burden.That raucous cheering you're hearing on the horizon is the developers. Are we plebians,sports-fans or mushrooms? This contradictory testimony is the exception that proves the rule of the latter, imho."