Archive By Section - Columnists
Letters to the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy office
We here at the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy get numerous letters in the course of a political season. Some are kind and some are profane, but all of them are worthy of review and reflection.
There is no water conservation conundrum
Why conserve? Here at Castaic Lake Water Agency, we believe the answer to that question is simple: We should conserve because it's good stewardship. It's the responsible way to manage a vital resource, and it's in the best interests of our community, our state and the environment. Yet, proving the adage that no good deed goes unpunished, "rumblings of discontent" have been voiced about water conservation efforts, based on the argument that some people - ...
Leaders of Character in our valley
Welcome to August! One month closer to summer being over and temperature sanity returning! I'm really done with the "heat waves."
Let's make the proper comparison
Last month the California Department of Public Instruction released revised numbers revealing the dropout rate of public and charter schools within the state.
Drilling best way out of oil crisis
There is a huge debate over drilling for additional oil right now that is confusing at best. The opposition to this idea seems to say that the additional oil won't meet our entire need quickly enough. Maybe we should think about it like this: Say you have 100 homeless in your town, but you only have shelter for 25. Would you not let any use the shelter because you could not satisfy the total demand? ...
Take a night out of crime Tuesday in Santa Clarita
Imagine a night when the entire nation could come together to stand up against crime. If only for one night out of the year, this united front would cause crime rates to drop, morale and people's sense of security would increase, and the nation as a whole would seem like a safer place.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
"You wanna go on something really fast and really scary?" I asked my 4-year-old son during a recent trip to Disney's California Adventure Park. He seemed to think that every ride we rode at the park was too slow and too boring. So I wanted to excite him.
NAFTA reform needed to protect environment
Recently SCOPE voted to support Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon's HR 5887 legislation to buy out the Cemex mine lease. Such an action is certainly no surprise.
Obama: Media idol or inspirational leader?
This past Sunday, budding Signal cartoonist, Ryan Metlen penned a pithy ditty intending to mock the much ballyhooed and bemoaned "press worship" of Democratic candidate Barack Obama.
Proposition 13 needs revision
When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced Gray Davis after the recall election five years ago, he promised that he would keep his solemn oath to the voters that he would end deficit spending.
On public trust and being involved
A rash of unethical and inappropriate behavior by our elected leaders that has been reported in the national press over the past few years has contributed to an erosion of confidence by the American public in the institution of government.
A matter of minutes is all it takes for a child to die
Residents of our Golden State know that when the summer months arrive, temperatures can easily exceed 100 degrees. The hot summer days can literally bake vehicles sitting in the sun.
Samuel Dixon board installation is good fun
It's been a grand two weeks back as features editor of The Signal and I've loved every minute of it. Thanks to all for your good wishes and kind comments about my new column "glamour" mug shot.
Life truly based in Judeo-Christian ethics works well
"Personal Responsibility": An Excuse to Not Take Personal Responsibility? - The Signal Editorial Section July 27, 2008 Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're asking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be ...
Ending selfishness really begins with good parenting
Responsibility: A detachable burden easily shifted to the shoulders of God, Fate, Fortune, Luck or one's neighbor
Articles by Section - Columnists
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.
Kevin Bayona: What happens after Boston?
The bombings in Boston are beyond what I ever thought I would see in an American city.
Jim Mullen: Algebra comes in handy
Pop quiz: How often do you use algebra, trigonometry and calculus as an adult? Most of us would say "never"! The folks who do use advanced math would say that without it, you wouldn't have cellphones and Wi-Fi and TV and weather satellites and GPS and Google and nuclear power and a gazillion other things that make modern life worth living. And for a change, both camps would be right.
Gary Horton: Timeless lessons to be remembered
Last week our Starbucks friend Herman invited Carrie and me to attend a special Holocaust memorial service at Santa Clarita Valley's Congregation Beth Shalom.
Maria Gutzeit: California needs to improve business attitude
My one-word summary of the community lobby day put on by Assemblyman Scott Wilk. R-Santa Clarita, and KHTS radio last month?
Peter Funt: Steal this video
Back in 1971 when the hippie revolution's Pied Piper, Abbie Hoffman, authored "Steal This Book," he got the very outrage he sought. Thirty publishing houses rejected it and, when the book finally came out, more than a dozen newspapers refused to print ads to promote it.
Kevin Buck: It's been a long and winding road
Over the course of a lifetime I have observed, joined, written about and learned much from political battles.
David Hegg: Ethically Speaking
The existence of evil in our world has been the grounds for some of the greatest questions we humans ever ask. Why did tragedy take the life of someone so young? Why did a stray bullet hit an innocent bystander? Why did my father die of Alzheimer's?
Kathryn Lopez: Abortion law ramifications frightening
In the face of the darkness that befell Newton, Conn., there has been an expectation of something more, but it doesn't have to do with legislation. Father Peter Cameron, a Dominican priest, preached to the families gathered at St. Rose of Lima Church there the Sunday after the school massacre about the hope that he saw in them.
Timothy Myers: What I like about the SCV
The die for the Myers clan is finally cast. This past week we made an offer on a home in Irvine, California.
Joe Gandelman: Why Mike Rice had to go
Retired professional basketball coach and former basketball player Phil Jackson once said: "Not only is there more to life than basketball, there's a lot more to basketball than basketball."
Marsha McLean: Live from City Hall
Santa Clarita's rich Western heritage takes center stage each year at the city's acclaimed Cowboy Festival. This year marks the 20th annual event, which attracts more than 10,000 visitors each year from all over the country and beyond.
Tom Purcell: Financial responsibility Obama-style
Get this: President Obama has proclaimed April as National Financial Capability Month.
Danny Tyree: R.I.P. Roxanne
Most likely, by the time you read this, one of my dearest family members has either died of natural causes or been euthanized.
Joe Messina: National Day of Prayer supports the SCV
An estimated 400 Santa Claritans will participate in the 2013 National Day of Prayer. This is the ninth year that an event has been hosted in our valley and I have served as its chairman.
