Archive By Section - Columnists
Could we all just swear off profanity?
Earlier this week I was in front of a Signal news rack, picking up an extra copy of the newspaper. There was a young man standing nearby with a toddler whom I believe was his son.
Yes, Ms. Simon, these are the good old days
(Editor's note: This memorable column originally ran in 1999.) Once upon a time, chanteuse Carly Simon told me, and millions of other impassioned young listeners, "These are the good old days" - that line being a catchy trailer on her hit song, "Anticipation." Throughout my earlier years I briefly contemplated the meaning of that simple message on numerous occasions. It wasn't until my 30s, however, that her words affected me in a most profound way. ...
To hit or not to hit
My wife and I are parents of a 4-year-old boy, and we're faced with the duty to discipline him.
1,000-pound gorilla is immigration
The Secure Fence Act was passed in October 2006, but Congress adjourned without appropriating funds to implement building it. The act included mandated deadlines, such as an interlocking surveillance camera system to be installed by May 2007 and a portion of the fence to be completed by the end of 2008.
Polluted water still counts
Recently, a Sacramento Assemblyman introduced a bill to stop counting polluted water in Urban Water Management Plans and Water Service Assessments.
Right is 'Right about never'
Friday's Signal Op/Ed page seemed an extension of the hilarious April Fools' edition. That Signal front page was over-the-top riotous, not just for its elaborately contrived tales, but also for the knowledge that despite obvious cues, so many readers would look past the warnings and actually believe the farcical fiction.
Entire family can help with an eco-journal project
Making an eco-journal can be a great family project and a wonderful learning tool for kids. Any notebook will do. You don't need anything fancy - just an appreciation of the outdoors and a willingness to learn.
History lessons apply today
Many folks today don't seem to care about history. It seems like our younger generation knows more about Britney's latest mental breakdown than Britain's great struggle against fascism. They would prefer to listen to their iPods rather than stories about the war for iNdependence. An evening of playing Guitar Hero is more desirable than watching "To Hell and Back," the true story of a True Hero - Audie Murphy. Much is lost by not observing ...
Your government
Here is a list of addresses and telephone numbers for elected officials representing the Santa Clarita Valley and the city of Santa Clarita.
Lawmakers: Pledge to back funds for public schools
No one can question that what draws so many families to Santa Clarita is our wonderful schools. I have an undying respect for the teachers, staff and administrators of our local school districts.
'Pledge' recited regularly in SCV schools
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
GOP: 'Top 10 List of Dems' Tax Increases'
In Sacramento, we are at a time of the year when we are forced to make tough, but necessary, decisions in terms of dealing with the state budget. Unfortunately, my Democratic colleagues are only interested in one thing: taxing hard-working Californians.
Dick Cheney's dismissive prejudice
"Basically, I am skeptical about the ability of government to solve problems, and I have a healthy respect for the ability of people to solve problems on their own."
City plans Arbor Day 2008 celebration
There are only a few select cities in the United States that can say they are passionately dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and air quality of their city. As the nation continues to grow and expand in all directions, business and housing expansions frequently come at the expense of local forest preservation. The city of Santa Clarita, however, is a city devoted to being environmentally and tree-friendly.
Take me out to the B&G Club auction
April is a funny month for me - on one hand, it is tax month (both property taxes and federal and state income taxes are due) on the other hand, the Cowboy Festival rides into town during the last weekend of the month. As anyone who has read this column for any length of time knows, the Cowboy Festival is my favorite event of the year! So mosey on over to Melody Ranch the weekend ...
Articles by Section - Columnists
Tammy Messina: Intolerance fuels hate and bigotry
Hate. It's a strong word. It's a strong emotion. And it's often used to describe Republicans.
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.
