Archive By Section - Columnists
What is it to be a man?
'You'll be sorry," was the accurate prediction sounding off from the guys sitting on the barracks' steps as our ragged lot passed by. We were brand new recruits at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Station in Manhattan Beach, in Brooklyn, N.Y. It was early June 1945.
Pros and cons of June propositions
There are two ballot propositions in the upcoming June 3 election that involve state constitutional amendments:
What I learned during the city council campaign
Being Mayor Bob Kellar's campaign consultant, I enjoyed an inside view of the longest council campaign (15 months) in Santa Clarita's history.
Let's help keep our city clean
Taking pride in the place where you live stems from each individual's sense of personal responsibility and desire for constant improvement.
Welcome to SCV May: Yuccas are in bloom!
My favorite time of the year is when the yuccas are in bloom - and blooming they are, right now. Those big, fluffy white flowers look like popcorn on a stick. I find them beautiful and fascinating. McWilliams image seminar
Who ought to be '08 candidates for veep?
The vice presidency "isn't worth a bucket of warm p---." So said "Cactus Jack," aka John Nance Garner, our 32nd vice president under Franklin D. Roosevelt (from 1933-1941). Almost 70 years later, more than two dozen people - all reputable, big-named politicians - are potentially in the running for the No. 2 slot in the nation. With the presidential conventions only a few months away, many of these names have been tossed around by pundits. ...
Take time to read beyond books' covers
Never judge a book by its cover. You've certainly heard that statement countless times. Years ago, I met Mustafa Bell, Mike Baham and James Johnson at my work site, Kenyon J. Scudder Juvenile Probation Camp School in Bouquet Canyon. To be straight up honest with you, I really had my doubts about these fellows. Mustafa, James and Mike certainly appeared different. Nonetheless, their reputations as health educators preceded them; they came highly recommended from the ...
Gardener? For what?
Last summer, my wife asked if I thought we needed a gardener to maintain our front and back yards. My answer was a big "No."
It doesn’t get any better than this
The year was 1988 and the Los Angeles Dodgers were playing the mighty Oakland A's in the World Series.
Will CalPers manage Newhall Ranch?
Early in 2007, the California Public Employees Retirement fund invested some $1 billion in the proposed 21,000-unit Newhall Ranch project. The real estate market was beginning to unravel and this project would require massive infusions of cash to cover its many infrastructure needs.
'I hate you, Hillary Clinton'
There's a new pop movie playing over at the Town Center called "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Basically, it's about a nice guy who's been dumped by his hot TV star girlfriend for a flashy boy toy. While it looks nominally entertaining, what's most compelling isn't the movie itself, but rather its grassroots, "viral"
Judging the judges
As a private investigator, I witness firsthand a competent but timid judiciary at work on a daily basis. Although I am quite proud of our judicial process, many of even the most deserving civil plaintiffs, the most noble and caring parents, and the most innocent victims of criminal misconduct experience frustrations with our court system.
Annual Sacramento road trip offers many opportunities
What a great way to start the week. Shortly after 7 a.m. Monday, April 14, some 50 residents of the Santa
Six years of change since David March's murder
"I will always be painfully honest, work as hard as I can, learn as much as I can, and hopefully make a difference in people's lives."
Last chance to attend Cowboy Fest
Today's your last chance to saddle up and mosey on over to Melody Ranch for the annual Cowboy Festival - the best part of living in the great SCV! Have some Cowboy Cobbler from the Cowboy Cultural Committee (cooked on coals in a Dutch oven) and listen to some of the finest entertainment west of the Rio Grande!
Articles by Section - Columnists
Cher Gilmore: Just say no to Keystone XL tar sands pipeline
More than 50,000 people traveled to Washington, D.C., from as far away as California on Feb. 17 to demand that President Obama block the Keystone XL pipeline and move forward on climate action.
Phil Kerpen: Government spending hurts people
We should not accept the statist premise that most government spending helps people.
Tom Purcell: Are humans getting dumber?
The report said people are getting dumber - at least I think that's what it said, but the big words kept throwing me off."
Diana West: Setting the record straight on Joe McCarthy
Freshman Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is just the latest in a long series of public figures to be reviled for "McCarthyism" following his recent questioning of Chuck Hagel, President Obama's nominee for secretary of defense.
Joe Guzzardi: Obama pushes amnesty
After President Obama left for a three-day Florida golf vacation that included a round with Tiger Woods, the White House announced his latest immigration plan.
SCV Voices: From SignalSCV.com
Editor's note: On last Tuesday's Kevin Buck column "Straw men live in glass houses," one poster on SignalSCV.com asked the question, "In your opinion, what are the five biggest problems America faces right now?" Here are some responses from his fellow posters.
David Hegg: What makes right, right?
I recently met a man who was the epitome of post-modern thought in that he did not believe in absolute truth.
Tim Myers: No money, no county
I love history. I plan to purchase the Blu-Ray of the recent film "Lincoln" and rewatch certain key scenes 100 times in a row, unapologetically.
Bob Kellar: Live from City Hall
In Santa Clarita, the arts influence our community's quality of life. Without even realizing it, the arts act as an economic driver - creating and supporting jobs, generating revenue and serving as a cornerstone of the tourism industry.
Steven and Cokie Roberts: Voting reform
"Obama's proposed voting commission under partisan fire from both sides."
Alice Khosravy: California is at bottom for business
Just a few short days ago the lanterns fell, bringing an end to Chinese New Year season for 2013.
