And now, for the first time in the space, a best-of-worst-of-2007 column.

It's just the ticket for ringing out the old year and shuffling in the new — selected by a panel of experts who, like most us, hold strong opinions on virtually everything regardless of the facts, and in no particular order — except the first one, because it's useful. Let's begin:

Best Web site: autos.msn.com. Here you'll find a link that identifies the lowest gas prices in your neighborhood. Tap in your ZIP code, and a map pops up flagged with station locations. The station marked in green represents the best price; red, the highest. A list below the map details prices and addresses.

Best N.M. governor since 2006: Diane Denish.

Worst ongoing boondoggle: With costs at $400 million and rising, the brainchild of Governor-in-absentia Bill Richardson — the Rail Runner Express.

Best Xmas gift for my wife: A year's membership to Calibers Indoor Shooting Range. This comes in handy with her best Mother's Day gift.

Worst distortion of the free market:Big taxpayer dollars going to developers via something called TIDDs. TIDD stands for tax increment development district, but really it's more like Wimpy financing, based on Popeye's jolly burger-eating amigo, Wimpy, who would "gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today."

Clearest indication liberal elites are losing it: Al Gore wins Nobel Peace Prize.

Best movie: "3:10 to Yuma" for sentimental reasons — though the twisted, dark comedy "Shoot 'Em Up" received votes. A remake of the 1957 Western of the same name, Russell Crowe and Christian Bale are fine together and all, but cinematographer Phedon Papamichael cast New Mexico in a spectacular light. No aliens were harmed or even seen during the production of this movie.

Best politically incorrect song: Brad Paisley's "I'm Still a Guy" on his "5th Gear" CD. This ode to masculinity includes the greatest politically incorrect chunk of a lyric ever, "With all of these men lining up to get neutered/It's hip now to be feminized. (But) I don't highlight my hair/I've still got a pair. Yeah, honey, I'm still a guy."

Best way to attack anyone: The Internet. Hosts of brave souls detail precisely what they think of anyone they disagree with — and here's the beauty of it — anonymously. Liberals and conservatives routinely smear anyone they want without attribution and high-five each other in the process.

Most inspirational slam offered anonymously, of course: Upon learning that The Tribune was for sale, a local Web site offered a string of anonymous lamentations about what newspaper alternatives were left to self-described liberals. A friend, I think, sent me this comment: "That leaves us with (Brand X). That's like reading nothing but Jeffry Gardner. Jeffry Gardner's bad for my health."

Of course I am. Obviously, pal, if you're still breathing, I'm not doing my job. I promise to work harder in the New Year.