Archive By Section - Columnists
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
Frank Ferry: Canyon Country community center to open
The city of Santa Clarita works hard to increase and improve the quality and quantity of recreation, community services and sports programs for residents. This effort has taken many forms, including building new parks, trails and facilities, creating partnerships among public and private entities, offering high quality, accessible programming, classes, events and sports teams for youth, special needs, and adults.
Scott Wilk: Don’t be fooled, California is still broke
On Jan. 10, Gov, Jerry Brown will release his 2013-14 budget proposal. Brown has made pronouncements that he will be pursuing a "robust" agenda that reflects his interest in creating a legacy for his administration on issues such as high-speed rail and addressing the state's capacity to store and deliver water. While advocating for about $100 billion in new spending for these stated projects, Gov. Brown has called for fiscal restraint from his own party ...
Ed and Joan Dunn: Water plan is repeating bad precedent
Regarding "Valencia Water Co. buy approved" (Dec. 13), $73.8 million paid to Newhall Land Development/Lennar in a special meeting with only 24-hour notice just before the holidays! What ever happened to transparent and honest government?
Salvage the future with ‘we’ not ‘me’
One of the happier perks of my community columnist gig is reviewing comments posted by readers on the Signal website. One reader recently lamented that since congressmen are spineless economic illiterates, it falls on American media and even such humble people as Signal columnists to sort out our problems and identify needed solutions.
Charlie Vignola: New year, new start for the GOP?
Well, it's New Year's Day - and if I were still a member of the Republican party, as I was back in the '80s, it couldn't come fast enough, as I'd be hoping that 2013 would be better for my party than 2012.
Steve Lunetta: Some 2013 resolutions to consider
As usual on New Year's Eve, the offices of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy stand empty as the staff has left for their homes to prepare for the evening festivities.
David Hegg: 5 suggestions for your 2013
As we venture into a new year, we all have hopes that 2013 will bring a certain level of satisfaction to our lives and our world. Here are five suggestions for doing your part to make it so:
Tim Myers: University woos students out of state
The complete college experience is $20,000 per year, approximately the current cost of a California State University education, split about $8,000 in tuition and fees and about $12,000 for campus room and board.
Frank Ferry: The Drug Free Youth In Town program
When high school and junior high school kids across the Santa Clarita Valley returned to their campuses this year after summer break, they were introduced to a brand-new anti-drug campaign: DFYIT, which stands for Drug Free Youth In Town.
Tammy Messina: Lack of jobs not state’s only problem
Just a couple of weeks ago, our California state senators and assemblymen were sworn into office for the upcoming year. I doubt many people tuned in to see that event. It happens during the week in the middle of the workday. Our elected representatives take the oath of office, and there a few votes taken to set up the leadership structure. And, of course, there are a few speeches.
Kevin Bayona: Recommit America to Afghan war
Does anyone remember the war in Afghanistan? In October 2001 I was living in Connecticut and I can still remember when President Bush ordered the invasion. I supported the campaign in Afghanistan then, and I still do today. Afghanistan was never just about destroying terrorist camps and killing Osama Bin Laden, but rather the political and economic transformation of a diseased part of world. Sadly, I think many Americans have lost faith in our efforts. ...
Articles by Section - Columnists
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.
Tim Myers: City Council candidates declare early
The race for Santa Clarita City Council in 2014 started to clarify over last weekend with two more fully announced candidates, Dante Acosta and Alan Ferdman, joining the four already-announced candidates - Gloria Mercado-Fortine, Maria Gutzeit, and the incumbents Laurene Weste and Marsha McLean - to bring the total fully announced candidates to six with more than one year left until the election.
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.
