Archive By Section - Columnists
Republicans set themselves up for Obama’s rise to power
In certain far corners of the right, it is a near matter of patriotism to be a come-hell-or-high-water hyper-critic of the Clintons. Tales of the former president gallivanting about like an unzipped frat boy, and the seamless Clinton truth-bending, have empowered Republicans to do their part raising partisanship and spin to dizzying heights.
Pledges: Leadership or ideology?
Candidates for public office must demonstrate they deserve the public's trust, and if elected, they must maintain that trust if they expect to stay in office. Or at least, that's the theory.
Proactive versus reactive
Reactive 1: of, relating to, or marked by reaction or reactance 2a: readily responsive to a stimulus b: occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset (reactive depression) Proactive 2 (pro- + reactive): acting in anticipation of future problems, needs, or changes - Merriam Webster Online Dictionary Two stories stand out in my memory regarding development during our family's 12-plus years in the Santa Clarita Valley. The first came from a former city editor ...
The night the lights went out
Last Friday, Aug. 1, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats ended debate on energy issues by abruptly adjourning.
County’s green building rules will benefit us
As a lifelong outdoor lover, as well as a person who works in the environmental compliance arena, I've watched "Being Green" go through cycles of popularity. Sometimes caring for the planet is all the rage, and a few years later it's an afterthought.
Everyone wants our babies
When you're single, everyone asks when you're going to get a steady dating partner. When you're in a serious relationship, they ask when you're going to get married.
The one who’s too light
I had lunch with a very frustrated Republican the other day. The gentleman is a construction bond agent.
Republican platform: A sinking ship
For some of you who have just returned from an alternate universe, we are holding our national elections this coming November.
Days of whines and roses
Whine: To complain peevishly; to utter something in a high-pitched sound. A nation of whiners.
Letters to the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy office
We here at the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy get numerous letters in the course of a political season. Some are kind and some are profane, but all of them are worthy of review and reflection.
There is no water conservation conundrum
Why conserve? Here at Castaic Lake Water Agency, we believe the answer to that question is simple: We should conserve because it's good stewardship. It's the responsible way to manage a vital resource, and it's in the best interests of our community, our state and the environment. Yet, proving the adage that no good deed goes unpunished, "rumblings of discontent" have been voiced about water conservation efforts, based on the argument that some people - ...
Leaders of Character in our valley
Welcome to August! One month closer to summer being over and temperature sanity returning! I'm really done with the "heat waves."
Let's make the proper comparison
Last month the California Department of Public Instruction released revised numbers revealing the dropout rate of public and charter schools within the state.
Drilling best way out of oil crisis
There is a huge debate over drilling for additional oil right now that is confusing at best. The opposition to this idea seems to say that the additional oil won't meet our entire need quickly enough. Maybe we should think about it like this: Say you have 100 homeless in your town, but you only have shelter for 25. Would you not let any use the shelter because you could not satisfy the total demand? ...
Take a night out of crime Tuesday in Santa Clarita
Imagine a night when the entire nation could come together to stand up against crime. If only for one night out of the year, this united front would cause crime rates to drop, morale and people's sense of security would increase, and the nation as a whole would seem like a safer place.
Articles by Section - Columnists
Terri Crain: Don’t misuse environmental protection law
In 2008, Santa Clarita was named the most business- friendly city in Los Angeles County by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation.
Joe Gandelman: Watch the credibility games
Forget the political "blame game." The biggest game in town now is the credibility game - a high-stakes exercise that will end with America's political middle deciding who is trustworthy and who isn't. Some key players:
The scandal of scandal in Washington, D.C.
If you listen loud enough you can almost hear the siren song of the Republican Party spread its dulcet tones across Washington. It's scandal season boys and girls, and for the GOP it's Mardi Gras, Christmas and The Spanish Inquisition all in one!
Steve and Cokie Roberts: Astonishing attack on our core values
Finally, an issue Republicans and Democrats can agree on:
The Village Idiot: Please, invade my privacy
A world-famous entertainer announced that she and her boyfriend were splitting up in one of the saddest tweets I've ever read: "We have decided to go our separate ways. Please respect our privacy."
Charlie Vignola: A scandal is only a scandal when it happens to Democrats
Imagine for a moment a President of the United States who ignored warnings about an imminent terrorist threat that resulted in an attack that killed American citizens, then argued that we didn't need an investigation to figure out what went wrong.
Tom Purcell: Advice from the master
ill Clinton, wearing a white toga and a crown of gold, sat in a garden while attractive women fed him grapes. President Obama, having just suffered the most devastating week of his presidency, sat nearby, seeking advice in the art of telling whoppers. Using the Socratic method of teaching, Clinton began to tutor his new student.
Frank Ferry: Live from City Hall
May is Building Safety Month and the ideal time to tackle all of those home-improvement projects on your "to do" list before summer is in full swing.
David Hegg: Of progress and purpose
There is no debate that time marches on. The sun rises, shines, and sets, and then does it all over again, day after day. And each day we encounter the unknown components of a whole new 24-hour set of life experience.
Tim Myers: Where respect for private property ends
As a Midwesterner and a Lutheran, I must admit to a great love of irony, and there is nothing more entertaining and ironic than the practical behavior of an elected official, particularly a locally elected official, when their ideology runs straight into the practicalities of the moment.
Phil Kerpen: Government can't be trusted with our health
"We have a large government," political consultant David Axelrod offered as a plea of ignorance to all of the scandals swirling around his boss. "Part of being president is there's so much beneath you that you can't know because the government is so vast."
The Village Idiot: Why I hate my Facebook friends
When I first signed up for Facebook, I was thrilled to get back in touch with old friends, distant relatives, high school classmates and old co-workers. I'd check in to find out that they had new children, new spouses, new lives, new hobbies, new kitchens, new news.
Gary Horton" Why can't California be more like Texas?
I just returned from a three-day business trip to Austin, Texas. This was my third visit to Austin in 18 months. Each time, my visit has focused on business opportunities stemming from Austin's robust population growth.
Jonathan Kraut: Domestic violence advocates needed
My firm was contacted last year to support a domestic case involving a young woman and her year-old baby. She needed help keeping legal custody of her child. The baby's father, a volunteer counselor with a drug rehab program, had claimed the mother of his child was unfit and a drug user.
Tom Purcell: Speech to the best graduating class ever
Students, faculty, family members and friends, it is my great honor to deliver your commencement speech today.
