Archive By Section - Columnists
John Boston: The SCV’s December War
For me, gratitude comes in waves, and I was bowled over earlier by a simple gift. At the crossroads of my country flirting with socialism, with a helmet-headed Illinois governor flaunting his power like Caligula, with O.J. going to jail until his 90s, I noticed something.
SCV Scene: Homes for the holidays
I love the rainy, gloomy weather this weekend. It almost "feels" like the holidays, doesn't it? Holiday Light Tour 15
Myers' Musings
In his epic historical novel "War and Peace," Leo Tolstoy likened Napoleon and other "leaders" of great historical movements to a jungle monkey that accidentally falls out of his tree perch onto the back of a rampaging elephant, and then through the ultimate act of hubris convinces himself that he controls the movement of the elephant crushing everything in its path even though he hangs on for dear life.
Birthin’ babies in the Golden Years
Out of the millions of women celebrating childbirth this week, one really takes the cake: 70-year-old Rajo Devi of India.
Just one question for Barack Obama
Be it his chicken-in-every-pot oration at the DNC or his refusal at the Ole Miss debate to be fiscally responsible by amending his 21st century "Great Society" to-do list - despite the $700 billion drain on the treasury that he may inherit - I have only one question for Barack Obama: How in the free world will he be able to fund the infinite throng of assurances that he has asked America to bank on?
Youth make a difference
Youth make a difference You're never too young to take an active role in your community. The city of Santa Clarita provides numerous opportunities for our teenagers, allowing them to become involved in a meaningful way and impact the community through various leadership positions. High school students are making a difference in Santa Clarita by participating in the city's Visions in Progress Youth Advisory Committee, or VIP. VIP members provide input on major city projects ...
SCV’s ‘silent majority’ screams
During the upheaval of the 1960s, Republican Richard Nixon, the conservative of his day, liked to refer to the "silent majority."
Partisan bashing a lose-lose for all
Several weeks ago I attended a particularly sad funeral. Yes, I know, all funerals are heartrending. But this one was for a very special young woman, someone who should have had at least 50 more years on earth - and probably would have if breast cancer hadn't intervened. During her memorial service, I looked around at the 200-plus mourners. Whether blotting tears, sighing or shaking their heads, all were visibly shaken over Brandi Newquist's passing. ...
Curse of the Ghoul Mine
It's the season for pumpkins and ghosts and goblins, galore! It's also time to head out to Lombardi's up Bouquet Canyon in Saugus. Devastated by the Buckweed Fire last year, Lombardi's is back - and just as good as ever. Why not head out there this weekend and celebrate a Santa Clarita Valley institution?
Wish doctor at your service
My wife, 5-year-old son and I passed a water fountain, and sure enough my boy wanted a coin so he could make a wish. This wasn't your typical fountain for wishing. It was a drinking fountain.
Sailing into the new year
Children are amazing in their capacity to awaken the spirit of goodness and generosity in one's soul.
John Boston: How to repair your pets & credit
"Modern man drives a mortgaged car over a bond-financed highway on credit-card gas."
Helping create a sustainable Santa Clarita
Often at the city of Santa Clarita, we are asked for easier ways to reduce our carbon footprint.
Bailout is a temporary fix
What's up with this Wall Street versus Main Street political buzzword gobbledygook? We seem to have traveled back in time to the "It's A Wonderful Life" world of George Bailey and Mr. Potter. I thought this 2008 presidential election was about "change." A government bailout by any other term is neither a rescue nor even a policy change. Call it a temporary fix. It's just a monetary infusion of taxpayers' dollars into the credit and ...
My son’s school project
When I was a kid, I entered countless grocery store coloring contests and colored my pictures with great skill and patience, my eye always on the first-place prize.
Articles by Section - Columnists
Kevin Korenthal: IRS scandal is a witch-hunt against liberty
Scandal seems to be dogging the Obama administration as of late. Though a few of these purported scandals either appear to be much ado about nothing, at least two are fairly serious.
Cher Gilmore: California doesn’t need fracking
On May 16, the Obama administration approved a model bill for disclosing the chemical fluids used in fracking on public lands.
Donna Brazile: Be prepared
When my father was alive, he left New Orleans only two times in his life.
Village Idiot: Good taste should never take a vacation
Why do so many people think the arrival of summer means it's time to pack away all the clothes that actually fit them?
Gary Horton: The first step is admitting the problem
Alcoholics Anonymous remains one of the world's most popular and effective alcohol-abuse treatment programs. A.A. teaches the first step toward recovery is admitting you have a problem.
Tom Purcell: The games behind the Olympic Games
Washington, D.C., is in the grip of scandals, the economy is stumbling and a host of other challenges are weighing me down - which is why I prefer to dwell on more obscure subjects, such as a battle raging behind the scenes over the 2020 Olympics.
David Hegg: United we do matter
On the official seal of The United States of America there stands a Latin phrase that also appears on the official seals of the president, vice president, both houses of Congress and the Supreme Court.
Byron York: What is the real number of illegal crossings
Security along the U.S. border with Mexico is perhaps the key factor in the debate over comprehensive immigration reform.
Frank Ferry: Live from City Hall
The leading cause of death in children under age 4 is drowning. The remarkable thing about this statistic is that we can reduce the number of occurrences, even eliminate drowning, through more awareness and education.
Timothy Myers: Made up numbers and other events of note
Local officials and other notables like to spout out things that sound "right" to support their points or assertions, and reporters like to write them down and quote them in press accounts. After a period of time the quotes attain the status of received wisdom and nearly theological truth.
Diana West: From the Brooklyn Bridge to London
Nearly 20 years after a Hasidic Jewish boy riding across the Brooklyn Bridge was killed by a Muslim fighting jihad, a British soldier was hacked to death and reportedly beheaded on the streets of London by Muslims fighting jihad.
Peter Funt: BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag
MONTEREY, Calif. - They don't ask "Paper or plastic?" around here anymore. Single-use plastic bags are banned, and stores offering paper are required to charge the stiff price of 25 cents per bag.
Kevin Bayona: The world is safer because of U.S. troops
This Memorial Day was a day of reflection over the sacrifices made by millions of America's greatest warriors who are still fighting for America and each other after nearly 237 years. So now let's talk about how America's warriors will continue to play a significant role in global geopolitical affairs.
