Archive By Section - Columnists
Here's hoping for some change
Today we have a new president-elect and a new direction. In our own uniquely American way, we have had quite an amazing bloodless revolution for change in our government. The opposing parties, instead of shooting it out at each other to kill every last rival, praised each other in genuinely heartfelt and eloquent concession and victory speeches meant to heal rifts and bring our country back together. What an incredible process we have.
Power pole giants need to be stopped
As giant power lines come marching through the north end of our valley, and even those who lobby consistently for more and more growth cry foul at the loss of their views and damage to their neighborhoods, maybe it is time to look at the bigger picture.
Voting - a cathartic experience
On Monday morning, syndicated columnist Reg Henry predicted, in his humorously folksy fashion, a tidy victory for Barack Obama.
A bad call, calling us to reconsider
For a moment, let's all suppose we're all young soccer moms. And let's suppose that we've got four kids, three at home - one is a newborn with profound disabilities.
‘Swiftboating’ comes to Senate District 19 race
When it comes to political campaigns, informed voters pay attention to the media - but herein lies the problem. How do voters know if certain patterns of persuasion/fallacies are being used by pundits in the media and politics to sway their opinions?
Belcaro vs. Edison: People over profits
I'm usually not one for conspiracies, but the evidence shows that Southern California Edison and the California Public Utilities Commission are in cahoots to destroy the visual landscape of Santa Clarita Valley.
Heart of the West: Thanks to those who made it happen
Happy last day of August to the Santa Clarita Valley. I hope everyone is enjoying the official "last" weekend of summer, although school has been in session in the SCV for a few weeks. A special Happy Birthday wish to my husband, Keith, who celebrates his "double nickle" birthday today!
Welcome to county regulation
Question: How can one get approval for a 110-student private school in a converted six-bedroom house in Castaic in four to five months without notifying the neighbors or the quisling town council?
Let’s all go to the river
The Santa Clara River is a part of of Santa Clarita in more ways than one. While providing a home to many species of plants and animals, the river also annually brings together thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time to ridding it of trash and debris. This year marks the 14th annual Santa Clarita River Rally Cleanup and Environmental Expo. This event will be held on Sept. 20, from 8 to 11 a.m. It ...
Whistle while you work (or at least hum a nice tune)
As a kid I often wondered, "If it's called 'Labor Day,' how come everyone gets to be off work?"
Aiding our students
As much as I appreciate and respect my third graders' responses when I ask them about their future careers and they provide me with ... firefighter, police officer, teacher, professional basketball player, veterinarian, movie star and president, I know that their minds will likely change several times throughout their school years.
Steps to saving our national ship from distress
America's in crisis. With an out-of-control national budget deficit, plummeting support from many countries, a U.S. dollar with Third World-country clout, a war on terrorism that is costly and seemingly endless, a government that has at its core pork-barrel spending - is it any wonder we are in the mess we're in?
Say thanks on Labor Day
Labor Day is more than 110 years old, yet it's especially relevant today. The U.S. Department of Labor's Web page says it best: "The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. "It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to ...
A tax plan for a better America?
"It's a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high today, and tax revenues are too low, and the soundest way to raise revenues in the long run is to cut tax rates now."
A cold wife and a food court rendezvous
Son announces big loss in third quarter My 5-year-old son posted a big loss in the fiscal third quarter, despite an effort to clean up more than two dozen gold coins from his pirate ship play set during a routine vacuum cleanup in the living room earlier this month. The boy claims Mommy rolled right over the coins with the vacuum. Mommy denies the accusation. "I opened up the vacuum bag and didn't find one ...
Articles by Section - Columnists
Gary Horton: Lobbyists are at the root of our violent culture
After the Brothers Tsarnaev blew their lids and went on their Boston pressure-cooker bombing spree, it wasn't surprising that sooner or later unregistered, illegally obtained guns and rifles would show up in the bloody mix.
The Village Idiot: Plan the marriage first, then the wedding
"I got an email today," Mel told me. "Chardonnay and Jackson are splitting up. They only got married four months ago. It's so sad. I played guitar at their wedding."
SCV Voices: Special interests only ones to benefit from toll roads
I was reading the article last week about making the HOV lanes on the I-5 through Santa Clarita toll lanes ("Metro committee approves I-5 toll lanes in SCV," April 17).
Blame the bombers, and nothing else
We are fortunate that the Boston Marathon bombing manhunt rendered both radicalized 26-year-old Tamarlan Tsarnaev and his 19-year-old brother Dzhokar no longer any threat.
No television, no worries
Besides aliens with eyes in the back of their heads, a possible interracial baby mix-up at the maternity ward and "Bet he'll laugh if I say 'shoehorn,'" one of my most indelible memories of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" has proven strangely prophetic.
Texas blast exposes disaster relief hypocrites
As of this writing, we know the fertilizer explosion in West, Texas, killed at least 14 residents and injured 200 others with many still missing.
Steve Lunetta: For the true scientist faith is inevitable
A co-worker the other day made an interesting comment. She said "I think its amazing that you are a scientist but still be a Christian. That must be very difficult to do."
Peter Funt: The only way to win is to not give in to fear
A Boston firefighter, one of many who rushed in to aid bomb victims last Monday, told a TV interviewer, "We will win. I promise you, we will win."
Cher Gilmore: Celebrating good news on Earth Day
On this 43rd anniversary of the first Earth Day, several recent good news events for the environment are worth celebrating:
David Hegg: Find grace in tolerance and disagreement
During the recent edition of college basketball's championship tournament I took great pleasure in cheering for my team. And, we did pretty well, but lost in the Elite Eight round.
Phil Kerpen: Sick people versus lobbyists
What if you had to choose between making insurance more affordable for Americans with pre-existing conditions or funding lobbyists and political hacks? That's the decision the House will face when it considers H.R. 1549, the Helping Sick Americans Now Act, sponsored by Rep. Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania. It should be an easy choice.
Tim Myers: Setting a bad example
I often utilize the term "geography" partisan. The definition of a geography partisan? An elected official or someone who aspires to elective office who adopts a party label pretty much solely because that party stands dominant in the particular area where the individual lives.
Dick Cesaroni: Congress, listen to the voters, not the NRA
I am a wavering Republican. By that I mean I am at the crossroads of going to the right, left or just canceling my participation all together.
Frank Ferry: Live from City Hall
In Santa Clarita you know you can shop for the latest styles or eat at a terrific restaurant, but did you also know that you can enjoy some of the best hiking in the region on oak-shaded trails with creeks and waterfalls?
What other abuse can be heaped on Castaic?
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority has plans to place a carpool lane on Interstate 5 northbound from Highway 14 to Parker Road in Castaic. In fact, a Metro committee approved the plan - as a toll road - this week.
