Archive By Section - Columnists
Tim Myers: Why Obama Chose Rick Warren
"The sad truth is that this decision further elevates someone who has in recent weeks actively promoted legalized discrimination and denigrated the lives and relationships of millions of Americans."
Bob Kellar: City hosts block party in Saugus
The Santa Clarita City Council hosted its third in a series of Extreme Neighborhood Makeover block parties, this time in Saugus.
John Boston: Cowboy fest: On the road to perdition?
"If you get thrown from a horse, you have to get up and get back on, unless you landed on a cactus; then you have to roll around and scream in pain."
Michael Picarella: Showered with anguish
"We insist that you stay at our house," said a relative over the phone. "Don't pay for a hotel."
Brian Koegle: Grassroots and chicken tortilla soup
Last week, I went to lunch with fellow "Right Here, Right Now" columnist Steve Lunetta at the Corner Bakery in Valencia, which incidentally has some of the best chicken tortilla soup in the Valley. During our lunch, the conversation - not-so-surprisingly - turned toward politics and how Steve and I might have an impact on the restoration of the Republican Party to its Reagan-era glory.
John Boston: In search of magic lemonade
"There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again."
Lynne Plambeck: Keeping the law in the public interest
It is too bad the Castaic Lake Water Agency continues to rely on distortions and exaggerations to discuss the extensive environmental issues involving water supply in our valley.
Michelle Lovato: Sometimes it takes a car-becue
Ever had one of those nights when you lay in bed with a nagging little feeling something's wrong?
Gary Horton: The time is now for socialized health care
Our family's worst experience with Big Medicine occurred nearly 15 years ago. Like most, we'd had skirmishes here and there with our insurance company, but this one was nearly a killer.
Jonathan Kraut: Wishing you fairness and service to others
With this New Year just begun, I would like to wish to all of you and to all whom you know, good health, prosperity, fairness and service to others.
G.W. Bush’s life after the election
A funny thing happened on the way to Tuesday's election. Both Democrats and (many) Republicans came to agree that George W. Bush's reign at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was the Katrina of U.S. presidencies. Poor, outbound George. Throughout his life, his name-saving father, former President George Herbert Walker Bush, has always been there to bail him out and cover his losses, including drunk driving, avoiding military service in Vietnam and running businesses into the ground. But ...
Steve Lunetta: Depression revisited
In 1933, my grandparents were living in Sioux City, Iowa. The Depression that had started with the stock market crash in 1929 deepened in the intervening years, and made it impossible for Russ and Thelma to stay in the corn belt.
Why is there so much hate in the SCV?
The other evening, I was leaving Vincenzo's Pizza with my son after the traditional Tuesday Hart Football Feedbag. As we were getting ready to turn right on Lyons out of the parking lot, I saw it.
Willy E. Gutman: Is Afghanistan destined to become America's Waterloo?
The axiom that the world's destiny is in the hands of bankers and industrialists is never more aptly demonstrated than in wartime.
Roger Gitlin: Community involvement starts with your help
I read with great interest John Boston's column, "On dirt clods and an Acton bullet." That man has some serious literary talent, and like a fine tool, John Boston knows how to use that skill to "move" you.
Articles by Section - Columnists
Jonas Peterson: Environmental reform needed
At a time when California is striving to encourage both sustainable growth and job creation, reforming the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is imperative.
Donna Brazile: Leaned on for leaning in
Cheryl Sandberg's book "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead," has sparked a debate about the role of women in America - and everywhere else.
Doug Patton: Red states should be careful what they wish for
Recently, Republican Governors Rick Perry of Texas and Terry Branstad of Iowa appealed to those wanting to flee liberal California.
Kevin Bayona: North Korea is a dangerous nuclear power
Many Americans may find it difficult to believe, but North Korea and its imperious leader, Kim Jong-un, have yet again hurled a threat to wipe South Korea and the United States off the face of the Earth with a nuclear strike.
Tom Purcell: Income Tax 101
Ah, the income tax preparation season is upon us.
David M. Shribman: On the lost art of letter-writing
He was getting older, he worried about losing his balance fishing on the end rocks, and his hearing was failing him. So was his short-term memory.
Gary Horton: More residents should find the Master Chorale
Think "inspiration." Think "spiritually beautiful." Think "melodically breathtaking."
Jim Mullen: Village Idiot
I know there are couples who enjoy cooking together and make it look like a well-rehearsed ballet. They savor the aroma of their secret recipe for wild salmon over lemon couscous, stir each other's soups and sample each other's sauces.
Kevin Buck: Jesus would be a liberal Democrat
Recently my wife unearthed some old Signal newspapers, one of which contained a letter to the editor I had written. The Signal printed that letter on May 17, 1996.
Tom Campbell: Drink it like it’s water? Only if it IS water
Maybe you remember when you were a kid and you poured a giant glass of orange juice, and your mother said something like this: "Take it easy! Orange juice is expensive, and you're drinking it like it's water!"
Kathryn Lopez: Much hope in Pope
Rome - "May God forgive you." That's Cardinal Timothy Dolan's translation of a joke that Pope Francis told the College of Cardinals a day after being elected the 267th pontiff.
Steve Lunetta: Dogs have owners, cats have staff?
I've never liked cats. I find them to be obnoxious, arrogant, and down-right evil. If you've had a bad day at work, a cat's first response is "good, you are here. Feed me. Now."
Steven and Cokie Roberts: Dolley Madison was a model of savvy
When Dolley Payne Madison became first lady in 1809, she instituted Wednesday evening gatherings at the White House where political rivals could meet and talk.
David Hegg: Ethically Speaking
Let's say, for the sake of discussion, that ethics are those moral principles by which individuals order their lives. Further, let's agree that, broadly defined, the study of ethics is the attempt to identify these ethical sets, and determine which offers the best life.
Tom Purcell: How not to celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Ah, St. Patrick's Day is upon us.
