What makes them "good," are all of them "old" and are all of them "boys?"

Or, is it simply sour grapes among the "outs?"

I can never really figure it out. I know that during my 10 years in Cedar City, all I heard about was how the "good ol' boys" ran everything, how so-and-so really runs: a.) the university; b.) the city; c.) the economic structure; or d.) all of the above.

I heard about illegal meetings held in places other than city hall, but nobody knew exactly where. Either that, or they were too afraid to talk publicly.

I heard about connections that go back more than a century between kith and kin that seemed odd. Again, you could never get beyond the surface.

Until the Dennis Stowell controversy erupted in Iron County, I had heard how deals were made among local politicians that seemed a bit far-fetched. That one, however, has taken on some credence.

But, I was also told once that because I am a "move-in," nobody would ever let me in on what really takes place behind the scenes. It made me feel like I was trying to unlock the secrets of Area 51, which, we all know doesn't exist (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

So, if you want to talk about the "good ol' boys," please indulge those of us who aren't insiders with a little more than rumor.