State of Beartank

[:1]Hello friends,
I'm a long-time bear druid (been playing this druid since november, 2004.) I was wondering, what are your opinions on the state of bear tanking vs other tanking, particularly paladin? I've got this druid and an 85 prot paladin, and am debating which to gear. With the recent feral nerfs and such, i stopped playing my druid that I have been so faithful to, and I'm looking for an excuse to come back.
I know most of you will say that druid>paladin but I'm looking for "why" and how we make up for lack of certain abilities, like a ranged silence and so many cooldowns (we have barkskin, survival instincts, and frenzied regen right? while my paladin has ardent defender, divine protection, guardian of the ancient kings, divine guardian (for group damage, makes paladin easier to heal by making group take less damage, healer can focus), lay on hands, and to a lesser extent hand of protection and word of glory, as well as easy access to cleanse.
Druids got a root break in the form of stampeding roar, which makes me feel a bit better, but what strategies or abilities am I ignoring with my druid... Please convince me to come back!
cuz we're awesome. we tank with our face. if that's not good enough, I'm not sure what is.

Also, Brez/tranq/soothe/and sick dps when we go cat form even in bear gear. The common rebuttal is, "but we can't use them while tanking!" Which, while irritating, is certainly not a reason to discount them. it just means we have to look for times to use them effectively (like any class utility).

also,

http://theincbear.com/feral-utility/

go there.read. If it doesn't convince you, maybe bear tanking isn't your style for cata. Nothing wrong with that!
If you want to play the most optimal class for Cataclysm go with your paladin. I think Bears are for heartfelt people that have played the class spec combination for so long or that are so deeply tied with it they don't question any nerfs.
It's not that we don't question nerfs. We question a lot of nerfs, and shortcomings with the class. But that begins to be an entirely subjective claim about what a "shortcoming" is.
Thanks for the replies.....i really really really want to play my bear tank....so i think i'm going to go ahead and gear him. I was just disheartened by the feral nerfs (having something taken away you've literally had for 6 years is ridiculous, this coming from a day 1 player)
Feral tanking has been strong for this entire expansion. Paladins are also a strong choice. Guess what, so are Warriors and DKs. It's natural that one class is stronger than the other 3 in some way, but they are mighty close right now.

In short, pick the play style and visual that you prefer and have fun.