Archive By Section - Columnists
The Golden State is killing the golden goose
When I was about 10 years old, my parents taught me some very important lessons about the basics of money. You earn it, you pay taxes on it, you save some, you give some away, and you spend the rest.
It’s too easy to use and abuse the language of urban development
Politics fills itself with code language. We see it and will continue to see it in the current presidential campaign.
Are we an urban center, a bedroom community, a suburb, or something else?
What is Santa Clarita? A bedroom community? A suburb of Los Angeles? An urban center? I would argue that Santa Clarita is all of these things in part, and none of these things entirely.
July is 'Access Awareness Month'
This July, California observes Access Awareness Month to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Since its passage, progress has been made toward more accessible communities. Yet significant gaps in access persist, despite the efforts by many to comply.
To drill or not to drill?
On June 18 President Bush asked federal legislators to end the ban on offshore oil drilling. Even though this does not help our short-term national anxiety over the cost of gas at the pump, it is a way to obtain billions of barrels of our own oil. To drill or not to drill remains the question.
4-year-old’s sincerity not so sincere
My 4-year-old son hurt my feelings the other day. He said he wanted my wife to drive him to school. When I told him that I was going to take him, he said, "No! I don't want you to take me. I want Mommy."
High ozone levels endanger our valley
According to the Environmental Protection Agency's "Air Now" interactive Web site, Santa Clarita once again has some of the worst air pollution in the nation this month.
High ozone levels endanger our valley
According to the Environmental Protection Agency's "Air Now" interactive Web site, Santa Clarita once again has some of the worst air pollution in the nation this month.
Unbridled capitalism can falter
Republicans and conservatives flash their laissez-faire card whenever confronted with defending the purist characteristics of the ideal free-market economy.
Who to choose in the 19th District
As a more-than-casual observer of local and regional politics, there are few candidates who have impressed me more than Hannah-Beth Jackson, the Democratic candidate for state Senate in the 19th District.
Top 10 reasons to live in the SCV
It has almost been a year since I joined The Signal as publisher and made the Santa Clarita Valley my home once again. During the past 12 months, my family and I have come to love this valley and all the outstanding reasons that the SCV is one of the best places to live in the entire state - we can say this, having lived in many areas from northern California to San Diego.
You can avoid a tsunami of taxes
Recently former Assemblywoman and current 19th Senate District candidate Hanna-Beth Jackson made her first campaign foray into Santa Clarita and announced at a political rally, "This is the tsunami seat."
Summertime ‘rocks’ at Central Park!
Every year the city of Santa Clarita's Arts and Events Office produces and hosts a Summer Concerts in the Park series. Each year has a new theme, and this year's series is set to impress, as it will feature live cover and tribute bands.
Light the night for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
I've always considered the Fourth of July to be the demarcation line for the year. Half the year is gone, just half the year remains. I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful summer of fun. Time to relax, enjoy and take a break!
On column writing and censorship
I had an interesting exchange with one of The Signal's fairly regular columnists last week: He accused me of censorship.
Articles by Section - Columnists
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.
Joe Gandelman: America’s poop deck politics
It's the ultimate stomach turner: how Carnival's 893-foot-long cruise ship Triumph, along with its 4,200 passengers, was stranded due to a fuel engine leak for five days with no food, little water and few working bathrooms.
Kevin Bayona: China's rise is challenge to U.S.
The start of the 21st century has brought with it an avalanche of international problems such as war, economic recession, nuclear proliferation, and rising global competitors. Although all these issues merit individual attention and consideration, I think the unrelenting rise of China presents the largest and most significant global challenge to the United States.
