Archive By Section - Columnists
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.
What is a Ponzi scheme anyway?
So news broke hot and heavy at last week's end on all local media concerning an alleged financial fraud involving Celia Gallardo and her various Gold Feather companies. I swear, only coincidence led me to write a column on Sept. 7 regarding Vital Express.
Plugging in to the teen psyche
Raising teenagers is one of the most challenging experiences that a parent will ever go through.
Hands off our proposition
Proposition 8 sought to undo a recent court order that overturned the will of the people on the issue of gay marriage.
We must find more young Republicans
Face it, Republicans, we lost. This is, however, no time to bury our collective heads in the sand. Our wake-up call should be the fact that the only voter demographic we won overwhelmingly was the religious, white male, over-50 category. Hmmm! Sen. Barack Obama is the next president of the United States. As Republicans, we need to congratulate our new president and respectfully allow him to present his plan of action. He has been duly ...
McCain is the change we need
All things considered, the 2008 Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minn. was about John McCain. It was carefully structured to show the American public that his experience, heroism, and independent spirit uniquely qualifies him to lead our country. It was truly the "John McCain Show", but the piece de resistance of the entire conference was the speech delivered by his vice presidential running mate.
Stop poisoning and live in harmony with nature
This spring the American Beauty Homeowners Association 1 topped the eucalyptus trees that lined the river bank.
We need informed voters
As Sen. McCain led delegates to the Republican convention in a chant of "Drill, baby, drill" and our own City Council heard complaints Tuesday night about the bias of certain council members in relation to the huge proposed hospital expansion, the issue of special-interest money influencing politics once again raises questions.
Free at Last! At least for the majority
Free at last! Free at last! Thank God, we're free at last! Well, for most of us, anyway. Last Tuesday was a monumental moment for America. One of our greatest social injustices had, by way of collateral consequence, finally been put to rest. By wide margin, America elected the most capable and promising candidate, assigning him the trust and formidable task of hauling us back from catastrophic chaos to an orderly, successful, capitalist democracy. That ...
We can't afford more of the same
Legend has it that when Rome was aflame during the Great Fire of A.D. 64, Emperor Nero dressed himself up in stage costume, plucked upon his lyre, and sat out the catastrophe singing the "Sack of Illium."
Post-partisan people and SCV progress
Today I'd like to share my thoughts about the future of political discourse for people in the Santa Clarita Valley. I want to address the GOOD Republicans and the GOOD Democrats of the valley, which I'll address later in this column.
California governing gone bad
Governing California is serious stuff. California is home to more than 35 million people. Our state budget is over $110 billion.
California business was a loser in '08
Dateline: Nov. 5, 10:05 p.m., my living room couch. It has taken a little more than 24 hours, but I'm finally coming to terms with the events of Nov. 4, - a momentous day in this country's great history. First, let me say congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama, his family and supporters. It was a hard-fought battle, marred with a cornucopia of negative ads and contentious words. However, despite my personal politics and my disagreement ...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
The countdown is on. T-minus 14 days until my favorite season of the year begins. Fall is a magical time in my house; we thankfully say goodbye to triple-digit temperatures, bring out the blue jeans, and spend our Saturday afternoons watching college football. September means back to school, October sees our annual visit to Lombardi's Ranch, while November is the beginning of the holiday season. Adding to my excitement for fall this year is the ...
Two parties, two platforms, two philosophies
These past two weeks the Democrats and the Republicans were given the opportunity to present their political platforms, candidates and philosophy to the American people.
Articles by Section - Columnists
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.
Jason Stanford: The revised legacy of George W. Bush
New polls show that George W. Bush is not as unpopular now as when he left office. That bodes well for a public examination of his legacy, but it's difficult to look back on his presidency as something other than a preventable catastrophe.
The Village Idiot: Tv or no TV?
Remember when TV used to sign off for the night? No infomercials, no reruns, no experimental public-access foolishness - nothing at all but snow. Or, if you were lucky, a test pattern.
