Archive By Section - Columnists
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
Do you want the good news first, or the bad?
If you wanted to, you could wear out the "bad-news-good-news" cliché while discussing water in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Next president could re-align the Supreme Court
Awhile ago, I wrote an article entitled "Supreme Court direction." I think that I was at least somewhat prophetic in regard to three recent Supreme Court decisions, two of which leaned to the left.
July news from the Picarella household
Election heats up As my son's first day of kindergarten nears, nobody can clearly say who will win dibs on that first goodbye kiss. My wife's campaign to the kiss is going strong with support from as far as her uncle in South Carolina. My support doesn't leave the state, but it might be enough to garner that first smooch on Wednesday, Aug. 13. "I just want to kiss Mommy and Daddy," said my son ...
Low-income housing must be integrated throughout SCV
To include or not to include was not the question at Tuesday night's city meeting on inclusionary housing.
The lesser-regarded invisible hands of capitalism
Economists of all stripes have long taught the lessons of Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations." Smith's "Invisible Hand" of free markets has particular fame, and one hears reference to it frequently - sometimes correctly, but often twisted beyond its intent.
500 channels and everything to watch
I am sure we can all agree that one of the wonders of the 20th century was the invention of television, and that its only real rival in history as a conveyor of information was the invention of the printing press.
Risking it all for cheap gas
A friend of mine called and asked if I had received a recent Buck McKeon mailer stating that the price of gasoline could drop as low as $2.09 a gallon if only Congress would approve a variety of bills presently co-sponsored by him.
Rally around Tony Strickland
My fellow Republicans, 2008 is the year to rally 'round our party's candidates. Spread the good word that Santa Clarita's Republican Party is alive and well.
Summer in the SCV is heating up!
It is truly summer in the SCV, hot, hotter and hottest! As my good friend Richard Green tells everyone, "The blast furnace that is the SCV summer is not a good time for planting trees, or much of anything else!" Can you believe that school starts for most SCV kids in less than a month?
Articles by Section - Columnists
Richard Hood: Confession: It was I who cut down the tree
I cannot tell a lie. It was I who chopped down the tree.
Susan Stamper Brown: Camps, clinics and selective ignorance
In a cold and snowy day in January a few years ago, I took a guided tour through the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany.
Phil Kerpen: Repeal the mandate tax
With more than 2,000 pages of legislative text and more than 20,000 pages of regulations so far, most Americans can't possibly know all the details of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.
David Hegg: The Value of Valuing Something
About 10 years ago I officiated a wedding for two young people entering into marriage for the first time. It was a big deal, with a proper venue, pictures, and lots of family and friends in attendance. But for me it was very different from any I had done before.
Rick Jensen: Politicians in both parties need some class
Republican Mike Gmoser, the country prosecutor in Butler County, Ohio, wasted taxpayers' time and money by charging Pennsylvania's winter-predicting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, with "misrepresentation of early spring."
Peter Funt: Taken in by April Fools
he calendar says Monday is April 1, but lately it seems that foolishness occurs year-round.
Tim Myers: Should the Santa Clarita City Council be elected by district?
On Nov. 3, 1987, a now-remarkable 25 percent to 30 percent of eligible voters in the area midwifed the city of Santa Clarita into existence, voting nearly 67 percent to 33 percent in favor of the formation of the city.
Marsha McLean: Live from City Hall
A strong retail environment is one of the foundations of a healthy economy and a strong community.
Scott Wilk: Teacher firing reform needed
As a father of two, I believe no one - particularly a child - should live in fear in his or her school or neighborhood. So one of my top priorities as your assemblyman is public safety.
Joe Gandelman: Sample some popular political whines
The phone rings in a big warehouse in Oriskiny Falls, N.Y.
Jason Stanford: Turning Texas into a battleground state
Those of us who worked for the late Ann Richards used to run our plans by her. The former Texas governor did not suffer fools, gladly or otherwise, and if your plan had flaws, she'd let you know in great detail.
Michael Stafford: The Cult of Self
According to the Bible, the ancient Israelites strayed from worship of God into idolatry. Today, America has done the same - except rather than placing a golden calf upon an altar, we have erected a mirror.
Will Durst: The GOP autopsy
Normally you don't expect to see the words "Republicans" and "introspection" right next to each other. Like "supermodel" and "barbecue." "Physicist" and "polka." "Gazelle" and "ophthalmology." You catch my drift.
Jim Mullen: The Museum of Modern Body Art
I was at a doctor's office in a small town recently and overheard one patient in the waiting room talking to another.
Gary Horton: Jesus isn't a Republican or Democrat
Recently, this esteemed journal has spilled much ink debating the withers and thithers as to whether Jesus, should he ever choose to reincarnate himself as an American, would malign himself with the mantle of "conservative Republican" or "liberal Democrat."
