Archive By Section - Columnists
Palin: the chink in the Dems’ armor
We are renovating our house. Any of you who have lived through this experience know what a horrible thing this is. What was once a nice, comfortable retreat from daily struggles is now a nightmare of dust, debris, and detritus.
Is a water monopoly a good thing?
Recently, Castaic Lake Water Agency has begun promoting itself to become a water monopoly in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Inclusionary housing the way to go
Affordable housing is quite the buzzword these days. From the city's rush to approve a new housing element that meets state law in this area, to a developer in the county who used that law to push through a senior project in a high-fire-hazard zone, and Valencia Industrial Association's luncheon meeting on the subject, it seems that this problem has somehow just come to everyone's attention. As of 2008 there are 80,000 dwelling units in ...
Schools remember, honor 9/11
The thousand of lost lives and heartbreak from the 9/11 tragedy are something students and teachers in the Santa Clarita Valley will always remember.
We should not 'stay the course'
Bush's recent speech to the G20 was mostly a plea to stay the course and avoid the temptation of too much government intervention in the economy.
Pick the smartest guy at the BBQ
Oh, boy. Monday's stock market crash signaled a resounding kiss goodbye to the Great Lipstick Debate. The worst day in finance since 9-11. A 500-point crash on top of a real estate and mortgage meltdown of epic and unprecedented proportions.
Reflection on the election
This presidential election is one for the history books. Around-the-clock political analyzing and second-guessing had as its downsize the tendency for pundits to misconstrue or blow out of proportion every word, gesture, deed, acquaintance and faux pas of politicians. Whether the commentators appear malicious or simply attention-grabbing, the influence of the news organizations played a pivotal role in America's democratic journey.
Don’t let them fool you with their lies
With less than two months until the election, I believe we are on the verge of some significant and very-much-needed change.
Spending cuts and tax increases
Well, here we go again with another version of the Sacramento budget crisis. Californians were given a heads-up that the state is in deep trouble when, on Oct. 2, the governor sent a letter to the House of Representatives on the eve of the vote regarding the bailout of financial institutions. Schwarzenegger wrote: "Absent a clear resolution to this financial crisis that restores confidence and liquidity to the credit markets, California and other states may ...
Welcome Ian Lamont
We're edging up on the middle of September - already! Wasn't it just yesterday that SCV children were heading back to school? Yet, here it is, its been nearly a month! Welcome Ian Lamont
A solution for top notch high schools
We are seven weeks and one day away from what is the most important election in American history. Of particular importance to Santa Clarita Valley residents is an item at the end of a very lengthy ballot. It is Measure SA, the William S. Hart Union High School District bond.
Mr. SCV: Obama wants my cowboy shirts
My Dearest Sister-like substance Lisa, Delighted to get your e-mail earlier in the week about the family Christmas drawing and happy that you are recovering after what you called "your November 4th accidental Prestone antifreeze overdose and wrist-slashing suicide attempt whilst hysterically sobbing." Honey. Share your feelings. Are you sad? I'm guessing you're sad because of You-Know-Who getting elected, not because of the passage of Proposition 8. Not to insinuate you're gay, like our brother ...
Obamicans, come out, come out wherever you are
I will present a numerical fact. Barack Obama crushed John McCain in a most nasty way, beating the Republican by in excess of 7.5 million actual votes.
SCV veterans will always be remembered
I've long viewed Veterans Day through misty eyes. As the offspring of a proud, disabled World War II Navy vet, I couldn't have turned out any differently.
Project Lifesaver: bringing them home safely
High on every parent's "worst fear" list is the worry that his or her child will get lost, especially if the youngster has a disorder that would prevent him from communicating with others.
Articles by Section - Columnists
Jason Stanford: Will Obama beat the 6-year itch?
If the 2010 elections weren't bad enough for Democrats, here comes the "six-year itch."
Tom Purcell: No-fault Internet addiction
nline chat host: Good morning, cyber pals. As you know, the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the psychiatric "bible," is to be released this month.
Will Durst: To drone or not to drone
Put on your tinfoil hats, everybody. Or didn't you get the memo? It's paranoia time in America again.
Gary Horton: Victimhood: the new secret to success
Picture a modern-day Adonis with flowing, jet-black hair and rugged features for which women swoon. Picture an entrepreneur – a master of his own high-tech business.
Jim Mullen: It’s time for spotty training
My wife and I forgot to have children. We are so busy going to movies, plays and concerts, buying nice things for the house, taking long vacations without looking at a school calendar, reading all the latest best-sellers and going to restaurants with nice white tablecloths that it simply slipped our minds.
Rick Jensen: A slippery slope
Your 9 year-old daughter runs out of a public swimming pool shower, crying because a 45 year-old naked man is lounging in the sauna, "full monty." You call the police. The police arrest you for violating the man's rights and send both you and your daughter to "behavior modification counseling."
David Hegg: Ethics and a quality life
The basic question in the study of ethics has always been that of determining right and wrong, moral and immoral. Some find right to be that which aligns with authoritative truth or standard, while others base morality on the consequences of individual actions. The former - deontologists - and the latter - consequentialists - have argued back and forth for centuries, and the battle rages on today in academia.
Timothy Myers: Let the good times roll again!
One of my coworkers during my time working for Ernst & Young found himself working for KB Homes during the middle of the residential real estate boom, putting together the analyses or so-called "land packages" for the acquisition of property for the building of tract homes.
Peter Funt: Rambunctious raccoons are laughing at me
Our backyard is filled with the pleasing sounds of spring created by birds, frogs, crickets and teens down the street testing their new cars. But lately there are also the haunting sounds of raccoons laughing at me.
Live from City Hall
For the past few months, the city of Santa Clarita has hosted a series of local town hall meetings in Saugus, Canyon Country and Newhall to share important community information and hear from community members regarding issues of importance to them.
Kevin D. Korenthal: Make all marriages civil unions
Rights, as established by the Constitution of the United States of America, are greatly misunderstood.
Leyla Ramos: Veterans deserve more employment
When our veterans come home from war, they are greeted by "welcome home" signs, banners, applause, hugs and cheers. The popular line "Thank you for your service" is heard time and time again.
Tom Purcell: Reverse psychology vs. the Nanny State
Get this: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to ban the sale of cigarettes - now legal to people at age 18 - to people younger than 21.
George Runner: Obama steals California Gov. Jerry Brown’s playbook
Given California's chronic problems, it's hard to imagine anyone sees our state as a model - but it's clear the Obama administration does.
Kevin Bayona: Bush legacy hinges on his war on terror
The 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush, was recently honored with the dedication of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
