Archive By Section - Columnists
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
"You wanna go on something really fast and really scary?" I asked my 4-year-old son during a recent trip to Disney's California Adventure Park. He seemed to think that every ride we rode at the park was too slow and too boring. So I wanted to excite him.
NAFTA reform needed to protect environment
Recently SCOPE voted to support Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon's HR 5887 legislation to buy out the Cemex mine lease. Such an action is certainly no surprise.
Obama: Media idol or inspirational leader?
This past Sunday, budding Signal cartoonist, Ryan Metlen penned a pithy ditty intending to mock the much ballyhooed and bemoaned "press worship" of Democratic candidate Barack Obama.
Proposition 13 needs revision
When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced Gray Davis after the recall election five years ago, he promised that he would keep his solemn oath to the voters that he would end deficit spending.
On public trust and being involved
A rash of unethical and inappropriate behavior by our elected leaders that has been reported in the national press over the past few years has contributed to an erosion of confidence by the American public in the institution of government.
A matter of minutes is all it takes for a child to die
Residents of our Golden State know that when the summer months arrive, temperatures can easily exceed 100 degrees. The hot summer days can literally bake vehicles sitting in the sun.
Samuel Dixon board installation is good fun
It's been a grand two weeks back as features editor of The Signal and I've loved every minute of it. Thanks to all for your good wishes and kind comments about my new column "glamour" mug shot.
Life truly based in Judeo-Christian ethics works well
"Personal Responsibility": An Excuse to Not Take Personal Responsibility? - The Signal Editorial Section July 27, 2008 Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're asking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be ...
Ending selfishness really begins with good parenting
Responsibility: A detachable burden easily shifted to the shoulders of God, Fate, Fortune, Luck or one's neighbor
Do you want the good news first, or the bad?
If you wanted to, you could wear out the "bad-news-good-news" cliché while discussing water in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Next president could re-align the Supreme Court
Awhile ago, I wrote an article entitled "Supreme Court direction." I think that I was at least somewhat prophetic in regard to three recent Supreme Court decisions, two of which leaned to the left.
July news from the Picarella household
Election heats up As my son's first day of kindergarten nears, nobody can clearly say who will win dibs on that first goodbye kiss. My wife's campaign to the kiss is going strong with support from as far as her uncle in South Carolina. My support doesn't leave the state, but it might be enough to garner that first smooch on Wednesday, Aug. 13. "I just want to kiss Mommy and Daddy," said my son ...
Low-income housing must be integrated throughout SCV
To include or not to include was not the question at Tuesday night's city meeting on inclusionary housing.
The lesser-regarded invisible hands of capitalism
Economists of all stripes have long taught the lessons of Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations." Smith's "Invisible Hand" of free markets has particular fame, and one hears reference to it frequently - sometimes correctly, but often twisted beyond its intent.
500 channels and everything to watch
I am sure we can all agree that one of the wonders of the 20th century was the invention of television, and that its only real rival in history as a conveyor of information was the invention of the printing press.
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.
