Archive By Section - Columnists
Be grateful for Cameron Smyth
In the budget-bickering, bananas world of Sacramento politics, be grateful for Cameron Smyth. He has aptly applied his successes as Santa Clarita's mayor/city councilman to his new position as a California Assemblyman and smoothly moved up the ranks of the Legislature. Freshman Assemblyman Smyth has established himself as one of the most effective California legislators in spite of the fact that, as a Republican, he is a member of the minority party. It is extremely ...
Snowbound: Escaping the SCV
When my teenage daughter, Brandie, called Wednesday and told me our car had a "snow 'fro" from snow piling up on its rooftop, I didn't believe her. Like most Southern Californians, my husband Vince and I commute to work. We knew when we left our high desert home in Pinon Hills Wednesday morning we'd likely get trapped in sunny Santa Clarita. But our much-appreciated jobs at The Signal awaited and we enjoyed an exciting serendipity ...
Michele Buttelman: Holidays are for everyone
The holiday countdown is now at single digits. Hanukkah begins tonight at sundown, Christmas is a mere four days away and Kwanzaa begins Friday. I rather think the British and the Canadians have it nicely thought out with Boxing Day celebrated on the day after Christmas. The day after Christmas should be a holiday! Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Joyous Kwanzaa! Menorah lighting at Town Center Mall
Tim Myers: On missing menorahs and upside-down flags
Chris Dickerson changed my outlook. The unapologetic liberal and Baltimore transplant who served in the capacity of Signal city editor during the late 1990s, at one of our several lunches at the Way Station, opened my eyes to an epiphany.
Willy Gutman: An open letter to the people of Palestine
This letter should have been written years ago, when the incident that prompts its belated publication took place.
John Boston: The SCV's December War, Part II
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt To say that current times are not foreboding would be disingenuous. For most of us, these first few years into the 21st century are unchartered waters. Many of us ask: "Will we have a house?" "Will I still have a job?" "How will we pay for medicine?" Sixty-seven years ago, this valley was in a war nothing short of Good vs. ...
Who should be our nation’s next president?
A local Democratic activist confided to me several months ago that his own dear mother told him, "America is not ready for a black president."
Sip wine and stroll
It's now less than two weeks until Halloween ... though with the recent ups and downs on Wall Street it seems we've had plenty of scary stuff to keep us awake at night! The Wine Affair
Keep yourself informed during major emergencies
In the digital world, people's need to access real-time information transcends simply 24-hour national and world news sources and must include local happenings.
We pay taxes — we deserve marriage
We fled the San Fernando Valley - unfortunately theft, drugs and prostitution moved into our neighborhood, and we just didn't feel as though we were safe anymore.
Let’s not reward incompetence
Just as there were a lot of hushed conversations about the election, people now mutter about the financial bailouts. We stand off to the side and speak quietly. We watch the news of families struggling, losing their jobs and homes.
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.
Articles by Section - Columnists
Rick Jensen: Obama sequester two-step
Watching from the cheap seats, Obama's "Sequester Two-Step" is quite entertaining. While not nearly as graceful as Charles Durning's classic political footplay in "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," only fellow Democrat Bob Menendez puts in a better performance of the beleaguered innocent these days.
Kevin Korenthal: The politics of pain
I am often stunned when I hear people, some of them friends, confess that they do not follow politics.
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."
