Pinetree Elementary’s no-hugging rule absurd

I read Sharon Cotal's article in The Signal on Memorial Day ("Sorry, this school is in a no-hugging zone," May 26) and the more I read it, the more exasperated I became! I know the verdict is not in yet for Pinetree Elementary School, but it is totally absurd that an elementary school principal would even think young children should not be allowed to "hug, high-five, shake hands or just be close" to their classmates.

Kierkegaard quotation should be read in context

I just wanted to comment on the Kierkegaard quote run in "The Still Small Editorial" on May 16: "To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily; to not dare is to lose one's self entirely." I was hoping to put the quote within the context from which the author spoke. Though our current culture of thought probably interprets the above quote as taking a worldly risk (like pursuing a business venture or perhaps leaving one's ...

Thanks to business who volunteered time for tour

Many thanks to some special people and businesses. On May 21, Nora Ortiz and co-workers at the Hyatt Valencia hosted a group of special education students from Valencia High School on a tour and shared career information.

McKeon out of touch

Buck McKeon may have some admirable qualities, but he was off base in blaming Democrats for gas prices.

At last, justice for Mary Jo

Ted Kennedy has finally received his sentence for his part in the Chappaquiddick death of Mary Jo Kopechne.

Rent control harms people in the long run

One of the reasons Democrats are against Proposition 98 is because of the rent control elimination clause. They believe such laws prevent landlords from price gouging. What is the real impact of rent control? All it takes is simple applied economic principles from Econ 101.

Is this Phoenix or Santa Clarita?

This is my favorite time of the year. Every tree bursts forth with new foliage that ranges from blossoms to colorful new growth. All around our homes, paseos, city-landscaped roads, there are bushes, groundcovers, flowers, vines, all eagerly competing with each other in sheer beauty.

Thanks, Tom Purcell

I recently read the (syndicated) column written by Tom Purcell, "Don't take your mother for granted," and I loved it. I am blessed to have one of the most amazing moms on the planet. I was raised to be confident and believe in myself. I was taught that I can do anything, I just have to try. My mom made sure that my brother and I always came before her.

500,000 people in SCV

In reading that the population in Santa Clarita might go up to 500,000, I noticed a few important things were left out: such as the schools to be built, the extra police and paramedics, not to mention hospitals. We sure like to build here, but we sure don't plan for what will be needed after the building.

Same-sex ruling

In response to the article "Same-Sex Ruling Stirs SCV" (May 16, 2008), by Parimal M. Rohit and Katherine Geyer, I begin with one simple question to the readers of this newspaper: When so many Christian leaders assert that "marriage has been a union between a man and a woman since time immemorial," what Bible are they reading that has no mention of the many Hebrews who had multiple wives and concubines on the side?

Coyotes killed my beloved dachshund

In the quiet moments of the pre-dawn hour on a recent Saturday morning (April 26), coyotes entered my yard and took the life of my beloved dachshund.

TCU kept seniors close to their homes

I was not able to attend the meeting regarding the closing of the Transitional Care Unit at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. However, I did watch the "show" on television. I would love to have been there to voice my opinion.

Please don’t leave pets in hot cars

On May 14, it was 93 degrees outside at noon. I got out of my car in the Mervyn's shopping center and I could hear a dog barking. I thought to myself that no one could be stupid enough to leave a dog in a parked car in this heat. I was able to trace the barking to a silver Toyota Sienna minivan, license number 5DXL812. The van was parked partially ...

On the passing of Dick Martin

Goodnight, Dick.

Vote ‘no’ on Prop 98, ‘yes’ on Prop 99

To The Editor: RE: Proposition 98: Again the special interest people have put together a ballot issue under the guise of limiting the use of government eminent domain. That seems reasonable on the surface. However, when you read the proposition, it also does away with rent control. One must ask what these two issues have to do with each other? Nothing! When ballot propositions have little "oh, by the ways" added, the true purpose of ...

City is responsible in open space purchase and management

In his article of April 20 ("Setting a bad example"), Tim Myers posits a definition of a "geography" partisan and divides them into good, neutral and bad.

About time for signal synchronization

Fake filibusters impede democracy

I am very concerned that our democracy does not work in the Senate.

Our weakness shows

Jonathan Kraut's "Blame the bombers and nothing else" (April 23) is right about one thing: the acts perpetrated by the alleged Boston Marathon bombers the Tsarnaev brothers; Newtown's Adam Lanza; and cop terrorist Christopher Darner were all seeded in hate.

Wilk’s bill offers improvement in higher education

Congratulations to Scott Wilk on his success in gaining the approval of the Higher Education Committee of the Assembly for AB 806.

On logic, liberated thinking and gun control laws

I really have to wonder at what passes for thinking in liberals. In his column - or maybe "rant" would be more accurate - on Wednesday, Gary Horton goes on a wild spree of finger-pointing about the failure of new gun control legislation at the federal level.

No gun background checks

When I think about what the American people wanted in regards to gun control and what their representatives in Congress did for them, only one word comes to mind: betrayed.

California’s Tax Freedom Day delayed again

Although the average American can celebrate Tax Freedom Day on April 18, Californians must wait nearly a week longer - until April 24 - to join the celebration.

Bad bills from California’s Super-Majority Party

California's single-party supermajority in Sacramento continues to churn out bad bills, harming children and families in the Golden State.

And now a pause for a positive story

After reading lots of negative letters from a group I call "The Angry Five," I have a very positive story to tell.

Don’t overlook the good in this world

It seems that it is difficult for some people to react to good news and a positive theme, especially the one relating to alcoholism.

Buck needs a boulder of salt

As is usual in his columns, Kevin Buck took some big liberties with the truth in his column "It's been a long and winding road" (April 16), in which he lauded Democrats for everything good in this country while blaming Republicans for everything bad.

Peace is long shot, but still a shot

Kim Jong-Un is the current leader of North Korea, and I believe whenever he has enough nuclear power to reach mainland America he shall do so.

Iraq, Afghanistan not friends we can trust

A column by Kevin Bayona published earlier this month tells us we should not be ashamed of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

City Council, thanks for honoring the USA

I just wanted to belatedly thank the Santa Clarita City Council for continuing the great tradition of honoring our country and its soldiers by placing flags along Lyons Avenue.