Archive By Section - Columnists
My stimulus check right about now
This never happens to me. I got $1,800 from the U.S. Treasury as part of the "Economic Stimulus" program that was recently enacted. But it is still sitting in our checking account. I've been thinking about it, and I'm not sure why it is still there.
Endangered Species Act declared extinct
Monday was the celebration day of St. Claire, namesake of our Santa Clara River. St. Claire was a follower of St. Francis of Assisi, the Catholic saint known for his caring and kindness for the animals, as well as his human charges. St. Francis is the monk we often see in garden statues with a bird on his shoulder and small animals at his feet. His day in October is lovingly celebrated in many nations ...
The rocks in a lake of oil
An allegory: Pretend you're a lucky duck and live at - say, Lake Tahoe. You have a wonderful cabin, perched right on the shore of that crystal-clear lake. Your enchanting backyard features a cool green lawn sloping down to your own sandy beach. The lake's renowned cool water laps with small wavelets on your shore, as your own motorboat bobs playfully on the water, secured to your very own mooring just off shore. Your lakeside ...
Celebrities mocking celebrities
I opened my last two columns with my thoughts on this being the best presidential election ever.
California Democrats: job assassins
As my loyal fans (all two of them - thanks mom and dad!) are aware, when I'm not writing for The Mighty Signal I work as a labor and employment attorney, almost exclusively on the part of management.
Zonta tribute dinner taps Harte
One of our favorite folks in the SCV, Duane Harte has been named the 2008 Zonta Club of SCV Tribute honoree. The event will be held Nov. 7 at the Odyssey Restaurant in Mission Hills (a refreshing change from the Hyatt). Duane is an Un-Zon (the husband of a Zonta member) and the 2003 SCV Man of the Year. I'm sure the evening's tributes will feature Harte's 23 years of service with the U.S. Naval ...
This Labor Day, enjoy ‘staycation’ in Santa Clarita
Remember the good ol' days of summer when spending time with family and friends was the ultimate escape? Children filled the streets until after dark playing hide-and-seek, neighbors came together for potluck block parties, and Friday and Saturday nights included the faint whispers and laughter of kids camping in their backyards.
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.
Articles by Section - Columnists
Gene Lyons: Pryor owes Bloomberg
On the unlikely event that Mark Pryor wins re-election as Arkansas' senior U.S. senator in 2014, he should send New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg a thank-you gift. Something like a sugary 44-ounce Big Gulp or a case of Dr. Pepper.
Gary Horton: Guantanamo tarnishes U.S. reputation
On June 6, Fox News reported Buck McKeon's Armed Services Committed had passed another $650 billion "defense" budget.
Jim Mullen: Pssst! Wanna know a secret?
"I can't believe the government is invading my privacy! We might as well be living in Russia!" said the guy in aisle 3 into his cellphone.
Will Durst: Your ever-vigilant friends at the NSA
Dear U.S. Citizen,
Charlie Vignola: Giving up freedom and privacy for security
Two weeks have gone by since Edward Snowden, a 29-year-old computer tech working as an NSA contractor, leaked information about classified government information to the press, effectively exposing top secret programs designed to combat terrorism and save American lives.
Kathryn Lopez: Semantic gymnastics rationalize abortion
t a recent Thursday-morning press conference, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi was asked to explain the moral difference between the 20-week-old babies whom Dr. Kermit Gosnell killed in his Philadelphia clinic and the unborn children that legislation sponsored by Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks would help protect.
Rick Jensen: Democrats are OK with Obama spying
Liberals are slurping at a new yet familiar theme trough: Republicans are hypocrites because they're against NSA surveillance now but were all for it during the Bush administration.
Steve and Cokie Roberts: Out of their minds
Have these men lost their minds?"
David Hegg: The legacy of leadership from our fathers
Famous leadership expert Dr. John Maxwell is on record as declaring that "everything rises and falls on leadership." The ability to see into the future, understand the risks and rewards, and organize a group of people to accomplish the mission is essential for success.
Tina Dupuy: The freedom of too much information
We are all celebrities now. Ever since we won Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2006, the same year we first found out about the National Security Administration spying on us, we've all become essentially public figures.
Bob Kellar: Live from City Hall
"Responsible," "on time," "balanced," "lean" and "sustainable" are words used to describe the city of Santa Clarita's budget and budget practices, and that's something your City Council is extremely proud of.
Timothy Myers: What to do with Stephen Winkler?
By the time this column runs, with a bit of luck, Stephen Winkler, the extremely controversial member of the Saugus Union School District governing board, will have submitted his resignation from the board.
Tom Purcell: Countering government intimidation
Admit it. You're a dirty rotten conservative!"
Christine Korenthal: Meet your new HOA, the city of Santa Clarita
I will never forget when my husband, Kevin, and I began looking for our first house. It was an exciting time for us as we began our search to find the new place that we would call home.
Danny Tyree: Toy gun buyback? Just shoot me
According to Townhall.com and other sources, Stobridge Elementary School in Hayward, California, may be shooting itself in the foot, publicity-wise.
