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
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.
Joe Gandelman: Terrorists: Not just failing to connect the dots
Gary Horton: Time to trim some public and private fat
Through their anti-Obama, obstructionist regime, Republicans have at least done one thing right - they have attuned Americans to waste in government spending.
Jason Stanford: Cheating on standardized tests commonplace
Atlanta wasn't an isolated incident. Neither was El Paso, or Washington, D.C., or Columbus. A new General Accounting Office report demonstrates that cheating by school officials on standardized tests has become commonplace, despite the use of security measures the report recommends.
Tina Dupuy: Apple could pay for Moore — and more
Investigators say due to some creative Ireland-based tax gimmicks, Apple has managed to keep $75 billion away from the IRS's reach just in the years 2009-2012.
