Archive By Section - Columnists
David Hegg: The value of self-control, not self-expression
Perhaps the first philosopher to assert self-control as a virtue in any meaningful way was Aristotle. He put it this way: I count him braver who conquers his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self.
Maria Gutzeit: Problems with water deal
There are three big problems with Castaic Lake Water Agency's (CLWA) power grab of Valencia Water. It's not legal. It's going to cost us big time. And it's the picture of bad government.
Tim Myers: Top 10 stories for this year
In my humble opinion no exercise promotes general boredom and yawning more than the annual top 10 lists. At the end of the year the media punishes ordinary souls with mind numbing listings of the top 10 films, songs, news events, what have you for the year just ended, nearly always biasing their choices to the safe and still memorable events of the last half and in some cases even the last quarter of the year.
Bob Kellar: Live from City Hall
Earlier this month, the United States Congress restored a commuter tax benefit that will help millions of public transportation users save money.
Right Here, Right Now: We already have gun control
Vice President Joe Biden said, "I guarantee you, we'll get [gun control] done by the end of January."
Kevin Bayona: End of the Chavez era
With all the trouble and intrigue brewing in Europe and Asia, little attention is being paid to the looming crisis unfolding in Latin America. Venezuela's fiery leader, Hugo Chavez, is reportedly on the brink of death after recovering from surgery related to an undisclosed form of pelvic cancer.Chavez has been fighting a severe lung infection in a hospital in Cuba, while the future of Venezuela hangs in the balance.
A bad day for good taste in Santa Clarita
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012 is a date that shall go down in Santa Clarita epicurean infamy. That day, after a glorious gourmet run spanning over a decade, Chef Jason Park and Maru Sushi served their last meals to an appreciative and saddened Santa Clarita clientele. Jason's Maru Sushi story isn't just about food. More, it's a story of perseverance, commitment to principle, and the personal pursuit of perfection. Unfortunately, this story also exposes the sadder ...
Washington is a reflection of the national soul
Washington, D.C. - There was a young man - 23 at most - quietly saying his morning prayers on Capitol Hill on the third day of 2013, and it seemed for a moment like a warm ray of light in the midst of a blistering cold spell.
In the new year Congress should ring out the old
n early December, a CBS News poll found the 112th Congress' approval rating was 9 percent. That's the lowest rating since CBS began measuring Congress' approval in 1977. That 9 percent is so close to the margin of error that it might not be possible to sink lower without a shovel. On New Year's Day, Congress jumped over the fiscal cliff, trying to pull the nation with it. Like ...
Tom Purcell: Real issues lie ahead of U.S. in 2013
Washington's self-created "fiscal cliff" crisis has been somewhat resolved, which means we can continue ignoring the real fiscal crises that are dead ahead.
Protect and serve
ar is hell. But when it's justified, I suppose it must occur. Our country, however, has been in perpetual war since World War II; perhaps out of some silly notion that constant war keeps us away from economic depression. It certainly does keep some military industrialists very rich. Have you heard? We're renewing our troop efforts in Africa in 2013. Is every other nation out there "evil" in some way? Are we just "fixing" everyone ...
Steve Lunetta: Letters ask the questions of the year
Here at the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, we get numerous letters that scream to be published. Some are profane, some are funny and some are thoughtful. However, they never fail to entertain.
Tom Campbell: Castaic Lake Water Agency looks back at 2012
Well, you could say we saved the biggest news for last, and in any case 2012 will go down as a landmark year in the history of the Castaic Lake Water Agency, with the purchase of the Valencia Water Co. - a move that consolidates 84 percent of the Santa Clarita Valley's retail water connections under the agency's umbrella.
David Hegg: Essential values to live an ethical life today
Someone has said "if you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything." In the wake of a long list of human-initiated tragedies in the past year, it is time for us all to think about what we believe in and are willing to stand for. That evil exists in this world is a given. The idea that evil can be prevented underlies every code by which societies have attempted to order themselves. We have ...
Tim Myers: Resolve to swear off false equivalence
"False equivalence is a logical fallacy which describes a situation where there is a logical and apparent equivalence, but when in fact there is none." - Wikipedia
Articles by Section - Columnists
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."
Charlie Vignola: Medicare works, no thanks to the GOP
This week I am headed to Florida to deal with a solemn duty that no one looks forward to, but which almost everyone will have to face sooner or later: I am going to deal with the imminent death of my father.
Peter Funt: Injustice in the juvenile justice system
Many of the nation's prosecutors and judges continue to put kids on trial as adults. This, despite declining crime rates among juveniles and growing scientific evidence about the inappropriateness of taking young offenders out of the court system designed specifically to protect them.
Danny Tyree:Why can't every day be like Easter?
Although it usually gets overshadowed by "Blue Christmas" in yuletide radio rotation, I still enjoy the Elvis Presley version of "Why Can't Every Day Be Like Christmas?"
Steve Lunetta: Jesus would be a conservative Christian
"Look at what this feller wrote about Jesus! Its a disgrace!"
Bob Kellar: Live from City Hall
The belief that "what is good for business is good for Santa Clarita" is a mantra that the city of Santa Clarita takes seriously. That's why City Council and staff are dedicated to providing local businesses with the tools and resources necessary to strengthen operations and improve sustainability, especially during difficult economic times.
