Archive By Section - Columnists
SCV veterans will always be remembered
I've long viewed Veterans Day through misty eyes. As the offspring of a proud, disabled World War II Navy vet, I couldn't have turned out any differently.
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 ...
Articles by Section - Columnists
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.
Right Here Right Now: Ending bad finance deals in education
In a rare display of solidarity, the California Assembly approved AB 182 by a vote of 73-0.
