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
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.
Frank Ferry:Live from City Hall
The city of Santa Clarita's annual Teen Scene Unplugged is back, but with a new name and theme for local teens and parents.
Tim Myers: A decline in enrollment hits the SCV
When we moved to the SCV in 1996, the big educational news of that time revolved around over-strained elementary and secondary school facilities.
Danny Tyree: Taking a break from the pollsters
According to a Politico story titled "GOP Looks For Answers," the National Republican Congressional Committee is taking major steps to prevent a repeat of the misleading poll results that embarrassed the party in the 2012 election cycle.
Joe Guzzardi: The Gang of Eight backs off amnesty
The Senate's notorious Gang of Eight, a small cadre of amnesty advocates who hope to pressure Congress into passing disastrous immigration reform legislation, has developed a new game plan.
Alice Khosravy: Signs of life emerge in California GOP
Each year people across the country wait for Groundhog Day and hope that spring will come early.
Steve Lunetta: Dirty deeds done for dirt cheap
One of the strangest songs ever written by the Young brothers and Bonn Scott was a little ditty that talked about a gentleman who was willing to do anything for a small fee.
Gary Horton: Helmets may not be cool but staying alive is
Just put a lid on it!
Kevin Buck: A Whig and a prayer for understanding
From the early 1830s until 1852 - when they refused to re-nominate Millard Filmore, their own incumbent president - the Whig Party was a dominant political force in America.
Steve Lunetta: Obama's new folly
The irony is astounding. The sequestration plan that appears to be a machination by President Obama's White House is now coming back to haunt him big time.
