Archive By Section - Columnists
Why Obama need not speak
I was struck by CNN correspondent Campbell Brown's recent column in which she recommends that Barack Obama be more forthright with the American people about his connection to thoroughly disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Common cents for the holidays
I'm greedy when it comes to Christmas presents. And this year, I wanna give more presents than anyone else gives.
Plundering of the American taxpayer
I was recently talking with a friend about Washington's (the Democrat-controlled House and Senate) latest approach to solving all our problems with the massive automaker bailout legislation.
Free rides on Santa Clarita’s holiday trolley
All around the Santa Clarita Valley, shopping centers are decked out in their seasonal best with colorful decorations and a lot of holiday cheer. If you are looking to jump right into the holiday spirit this year, we encourage you to catch a ride aboard the city's festively decorated trolley to make the rounds at a few Santa Clarita shopping centers, free of charge.
John Boston: American booty, stay away from me
When Rodents Attack. Sounds like a Discovery Channel end-o'-the-world special. Actually, it's the latest chapter in the ongoing Santa Clarita saga of Yuppies vs. Rodents.
Cutting through the smoke screen
Our baby, Caleb, is now 14 years old. He plays football over at Hart High and has grown about three feet in two months.
Curse of the moon men
I used to think Moon Men haunted one of the shopping malls where I grew up. Moon Men, I thought, crashed into the Earth many years ago and created communities underground. I'd seen the creatures driving their moon vehicles out of tunnel openings in the mall parking lot, searching for victims to prey upon.
Living within our water limits
A few days ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued its final "biological opinion" on the Sacramento Delta Smelt.
Wildfires affect our environment
Another October, another Santa Ana wind storm and another three or four destructive wildfires. This time, tragically, we didn't just lose peoples' homes, but also a human life when flames overtook a homeless man and his dog. Horses trapped in a barn in the Rocky Peak area also were lost. Every year my heart cries for the sadness of those that have lost their homes, their refuges from a busy world. They undoubtedly lost family ...
Trust is the first change we’ll believe in
Christ Lutheran Church in Valencia has long been blessed by a remarkable head pastor. "Joe the Pastor" is one of those scholar pastors whose sermons are nothing short of poetry - and appeal equally to the mind as well as the heart.
Grinning, dancing with Ellen
There I was, shaking my hips, waving my arms and grinning maniacally when it suddenly hit me: Ellen DeGeneres is dancing next to me and the cameras are on us!
Meet Carole Lutness
Candidate Carole Lutness sat punctually at the table, waiting for Carrie and I to arrive for a lunch meeting. Carole had asked to get together to explain her candidacy for Assembly District 38.
We must remain vigilant
With Obama's presidential victory, Democrats have taken the first step toward turning the economy around and launching us on a path to recovery. Although we are still facing some very trying times, we should soon be able to make the changes we so desperately need.
A glimmer of hope
As I survey the wreckage of the last election, I am reminded of other great disasters: Hurricane Katrina, local wildfires, the Northridge earthquake, or Gary Horton's most recent column reporting on last Thursday's meeting of the Friends of Fidel Coffee Klatch at Starbucks.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion
It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone reading this "Right Here, Right Now" column to find out I am a faithful and proud Republican.
Articles by Section - Columnists
David Hegg: This is why discipline matters
Our English language has many words whose forms remain the same even though the context changes their meaning.
Tim Myers: An older person's journey
Nate Silver, the sage oracle hero of all number-crunchers like myself, recently posted several fascinating blog entries about polled attitudes on same-sex marriage and the changes in those attitudes since 1996, when Congress enacted and President Bill Clinton signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act.
Kevin Bayona: US should not be ashamed of its recent wars
Forgive me for not writing sooner about the 10-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, which was March 19. I found myself engaged in deep reflection over what the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan really mean and where they fall within the spectrum of American history.
George Runner: State can't tax itself into prosperity
Last year California voters approved two tax increases aimed at bringing billions more dollars into state coffers.
Joe Guzzardi: Here we go again, immigrants to march on D.C.
Here we go again. On April 10, thousands of illegal immigrants and their lobbyists will gather on the National Mall to support an immigration reform bill that the Senate is expected to introduce this month.
Danny Tyree: Cyborg-bugs and robo-rats
Salon.com recently ran excerpts of Emily Anthes's book "Frankenstein's Cat: Cuddling Up To Biotech's Brave New Beasts," and I may never look at national security the same way again.
Jonathan Kraut: Signs of spring
As warmer weather approaches, there are some tips that I might offer to help you save your hard-earned money, precious resources, and make your home and family safer.
Richard Hood: Confession: It was I who cut down the tree
I cannot tell a lie. It was I who chopped down the tree.
Susan Stamper Brown: Camps, clinics and selective ignorance
In a cold and snowy day in January a few years ago, I took a guided tour through the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany.
Phil Kerpen: Repeal the mandate tax
With more than 2,000 pages of legislative text and more than 20,000 pages of regulations so far, most Americans can't possibly know all the details of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.
David Hegg: The Value of Valuing Something
About 10 years ago I officiated a wedding for two young people entering into marriage for the first time. It was a big deal, with a proper venue, pictures, and lots of family and friends in attendance. But for me it was very different from any I had done before.
Rick Jensen: Politicians in both parties need some class
Republican Mike Gmoser, the country prosecutor in Butler County, Ohio, wasted taxpayers' time and money by charging Pennsylvania's winter-predicting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, with "misrepresentation of early spring."
Peter Funt: Taken in by April Fools
he calendar says Monday is April 1, but lately it seems that foolishness occurs year-round.
Tim Myers: Should the Santa Clarita City Council be elected by district?
On Nov. 3, 1987, a now-remarkable 25 percent to 30 percent of eligible voters in the area midwifed the city of Santa Clarita into existence, voting nearly 67 percent to 33 percent in favor of the formation of the city.
Marsha McLean: Live from City Hall
A strong retail environment is one of the foundations of a healthy economy and a strong community.
