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The Signal from Santa Clarita, California • 8

Publication:
The Signali
Location:
Santa Clarita, California
Issue Date:
Page:
8
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

A8 THE SIGNAL, Wednesday, November 1 6, 2005 Opinion Editor Leon IVordon QjM MdMU rr3 pi i Steve Greekderg bits rasrai immm nwtxn axtnv w' man, weep ax) ICh'f I 10 LLfcAN IHfc NIUtN I Jf HEEP ibO TO GET Attn PlV HP TUP IflDSf WORK WITH THE Ray ilaynes Commentary Your Views: Letters to the Editor Protecting individual liberty is the most important thing a legislator can do. Exercising power is easy; restraining the exercise of power is hard. Legislators have a tendency to exercise power in strange and intrusive ways. The "Noseys" were designed to call attention to the stupid exercise of power in the California Legislature. The 2005 Nosey Award Winner is: 1.

AB 1677 (Koretz) Correctional Condoms Act: This bill provides for the legalization and distribution of contraband in our state's correctional facilities, by allowing any nonprofit or health agency to freely distribute condoms and dental dams to inmates. (Just what is a denfcil dam?) With the understanding that sex between inmates is a crime, this bill's stated purpose is to prevent disease. What this strange bill does not do is provide for the disposal of the potentially hundreds of thousands of used condoms. Who gets stuck with that job? Would our correctional peace officers be relegated to the duties of a peep show custodian? To be fair, the bill does state that it isn't intended to encourage illegal sex acts between inmates. This begs the question: For what purpose are these prison prophylactics to be used? Inmates often indulge in a practice known as "gassing," which is the act of using their own bodily fluids as a weapon.

An officer may be exposed to inmates' blood, urine, feces and semen as an inherent job hazard. Now, with a condom, the inmates have a "water balloon" delivery system. This bill is the hands-down winner for the bill that tries to do the work of the lesser good, while simultaneously avoiding the root cause of the problem. Runners Up 2. SB 607 (Bowen): Taxing Yard Sales.

When the socialists in Sacramento aren't doing dangerous things like coddling pedophiles or trying to give drivers licenses to illegal aliens, they try to do really dumb things like taxing yard sales. Would you expect anything less from your legislators who have tried to pass a "soda tax" and force our building codes to include the principles of feng shui? 3. AB 17 (Koretz): Tobacco, the low-hanging fruit of the politician. This bill seeks to create a crime for smoking in what is arguably the most outdoors one can get: the beach. Now we have no smoking indoors and no smoking outdoors.

When smoking is outlawed, only outlaws will smoke. Now, if we could only outlaw all of those darned 4. AB 163 (Bermudez) "Splitting Hairs." This bill sought to clarify issues regarding the practice of hair threading, one form of trimming eyebrows. The Legislature, after an abnormally long committee debate, tried to tell people just exactly what constitutes incidental eyebrow hair cutting. Not willing to let well enough alone, the bill also sought to add another redundant step in the cosmetology licensing process.

Strike another blow for the hair police. Vetoed by the governor. 5. AB 418 (Koretz): "A little hair of the dog." They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Why not let dogs engage in cosmetic surgery? Why pass AB 418, which would have outlawed dog ear cropping? Not only a job killer, "nosing" into the long established practices of the American Kennel Club, this bill reminds us that while politicians aren't willing to tackle the real problems that affect the working people of California, they are perfectly willing to invent them.

6. AB 178 (Koretz): Up in Smoke "fire safe cigarettes." By adding more harmful chemicals to the ingredients in cigarettes, which are already rumored to be unhealthy, Koretz hopes to prevent smokers from setting themselves on fire. This bill will create yet another price hike and additional regulations impacting both the manufacturer and consumer. This bill will now be law. No word on how it affects "fire-safe medicinal marijuana." 7.

AB 616 (Vargas): "Cigar Envy." This bill sought to prohibit smoking in an outdoor area that is enclosed on four sides by a public building. Vargas' willingness to have the taxpayers print a bill whose only function is to interrupt the relaxed atmosphere in the governor's signature cigar-smoking tent is a perfect model of the playground antics of an insulated Capitol establishment. 8. AB 756 (Goldberg): Lilliputian Learning. Miniaturization is cool.

Lap-' tops are cooler than desktops. Tiny flip phones are cooler than the older, larger cell phones. Even personal miniaturization in the form of anorexia appears to be cool at least, if the covers of People and US magazine are a good barometer. But much like anorexia, the quest for miniaturization can sometimes be harmful and shortsighted. This bill would prohibit textbooks longer than 200 pages.

But then again, maybe they are on to something. 1 might support an amendment to limit all legislation to two pages. 9. AB 1 103 (Karnette): Tour de Tax. The Legislature has long tried to figure out how to tax kids, and this year they did it.

Tax cars; now, tax bikes. Kids welcome to a free society. Rather than using the will of government to find solutions to things such as health care, elder care and such, we have now fully surrendered to our legislative demons and have agreed to just give up. As a well-known actor once proclaimed, "Soy lent Green is people!" And you thought eugenics was passe. The Legislature is out of session, so you're safe again for now.

But I'm sure you can't wait until next year to see just how nosey the Legislature can get. Ray Hay nes, R-Temecula, represents western Riverside County and northern San Diego County in the state Assembly. His column reflects his own views, and not necessarily The Signal's. ied football programs, giving their communities something to cheer about and bringing them out to show their support. Life will go on for the young men of both teams, but they will never forget this game.

Christopher Murray Canyon Country Via the Internet (www.the-signal.com) Didn't Know About All the Good Stuff on 20 Editor: I never knew I had Channel 20 until Joe Caso put the Hart-Valencia game on the air. Thank you to everyone responsible for broadcasting the game. I sure do hope we can watch more games and other local shows in the future. Kevin Frandson Valencia Via the Internet (www.the-signal.com) Editor's note: Check The Signal's Escape section on Fridays for all the local programming on Channel 20, including The Signal's own "Newsmaker of the Week" show. Dial-A-Ride Isn't Giving Seniors Ample Service Editor: I am writing on behalf of the senior community and in particular my senior-citizen father.

The issue is the Dial-A-Ride service, which is anything but a service for the seniors in the Santa Clar-ita Valley. Because of a lack of competition, they have the seniors practically held hostage with their erratic service and rules that change almost daily depending on which rude person you get on the other end of the line. My elderly father is on dialysis and has been at the mercy of Dial-A-Ride to get him to and fro three times a week for the past five years. In the beginning there weren't too many (problems), and for the most part the service was adequate. However, over the past year, the service has declined to a level where he is not picked up or dropped off on pre-scheduled pick-ups.

For the longest tiine, the drivers could not figure out how to dial a simple three-digit code to allow access into the property, and would thus turn around and leave without picking him up. My mother left on vacation for six weeks in mid-October and we both went to the Dial-A-Ride office to pre-schedule my fathers pick-ups and drop-offs for the entire time she was going to be gone. They scheduled all the times and gave us the thumbs up; however, a week later my father told me he was being put on stand-by because he was not scheduled. I called them to inquire about a possible mix-up and was rudely told they never pre-schedule any rides more than three days in advance. I told her my mother had pre-scheduled all his rides for six weeks, and no one said a word about this rule.

She (said) my mother probably misunderstood. Mind you, I was with my mother at the time, and there was no Out of frustration I contacted the SCV Senior Center to find out if a alternative service is available to take my father to dialysis in a timely manner, to which the sweet old lady on the other end of the line replied, As an additional note, I tried calling and scheduling three days in advance, only to be told that no pick-ups were available because they were booked in advance, considering that I was told they absolutely do not book anything in advance prior to three days. Our seniors deserve better. Sadie Ryatt Valencia-Westridge Via the Internet (www.the-signal.com) For 2-12 Hours, Problems of the World Didn't Matter Editor: As I watched Canyon and Hart battle on the field Thursday night, I wondered if history would repeat itself. This was the 20th anniversary of the 6-3 victory of Canyon over Hart.

In the stands, both sides were filled, and it was standing-room only. Both teams were on the same side of the field, as they were back then, Hart having a star quarterback as they did in Jimmy Bonds back then. There were fumbles, field goals, interceptions, touchdowns. But in the end, it came down to Hart trying to get to the end zone, while Canyon defenders stopped the (ball carrier) as time expired. The ensuing mob of players and fans from the Canyon side running onto the field in celebration seemed like deja vu as I remember myself running onto the field with my teammates 20 years ago.

For 2-12 hours, none of the problems in the world mattered. All that mattered was the game. Two schools with stor Letters Policy The Signal welcomes letters to the editor, provided they are original and include the writer's first and last name, address and daytime phone number. (Only the writer's name and community will be printed.) Letters and all other commentary represent the opinions of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Signal, its staff or management. Letters longer than 500 words will be edited for space, and The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for content.

FAX to: (661)255-9689 E-Mail to: To Reach Us: 259-1234, ext. 234 RicEi fosa Pm Can't Bet Wo SitisSieiiii With Bush Gary rS( Don't kt anyone tell you it's drugs HOrtOn keeping Mick Jagger thin. Its these I' 5, 000-calorie concert workouts that have Full speed to Port! I Mick in perfect cardi0vascular shape Last week I read that the Rolling Stones were again touring in California. Years ago I thought I'd forever lost my chance when I missed their concert at the Rose Bowl. Back then, it cynically seemed the Stones could never possibly live long enough to tour again.

But Mick Jagger and Keith Richards possess an age-defying vitality that apparently provides them all sorts of youthful powers. Sensing the redemption of a second chance, I headed to the Web, ready for a gouging on last-minute seats. Rest assured, the free market system is alive and prosperously well for scalped Rolling Stones tickets. Not everyone is a Stones fan. Grandparents retain bitter memories of those nasty English hoods who corrupted their sons and sexualized their daughters.

Fundamentalist music types forever cast the Stones as evil and beatify the Beatles. But no matter where you stand, this much is certain: While most rock legends have long beenlairied, the Rolling Stones continue to amaze their fans and kick butt on their younger rivals. So last Wednesday night, Carrie and I drove off under threateningly cloudy skies to see the death-defying Stones at the Hollywood Bowl. We cranked up their newest album, "A Bigger Bang," and gyrated in agreement with "Sweet Neo Con" Mick Jagger's raspy condemnation of George Bush's death-provoking administration: You call yourself a Christian I think that you 're a hypocrite You say you are a patriot a crowd for 2-12 hours without notes or TelePrompTers. Mick properly enunciates every last one of his words.

Mick doesn't look stupid and confused. Mick is loved, not hated, the whole world over. Mick picks highly qualified people to work on his band. Mick never started a war. He never needed one to keep his job.

Mick never needed his daddy's influence to get on in life. Mick really does work hard. Rock roll is "hard work." Mick reads newspapers. Mick is a world traveler. He understands different cultures.

Mick's band never leaked CIA secrets to the press. Mick never ripped us off with secret energy deals. Mick doesn't run huge deficits; he's big-time cash positive. Mick doesn't choke while eating pretzels. Mick isn't Texan.

These days, most Americans feel they "Can't Get No Satisfaction" with George Bush. I'll admit it's a stretch casting Mick Jagger as a better president. But nowadays, with everything George Bush touches being "Painted Black," Mick Jagger could easily put George Bush "Under His Thumb." Gary Horton is a Valencia resident. His column reflects his own views, and not necessarily those of The Signal. I think that you 're a cwck of (expletive deleted) It's liberty for all 'Cause democracy 's our style Unless you are against us Then it's prison without trial But one thing that is certain Life is good at Haliburton If you 're really so astute You should invest at Brown Root We must have lots more bases To protect us from our foes Who needs these foolish friendships We 're going it alone How come you 're so wrong My sweet neocon The freeways were packed as we crawled toward the Bowl.

Passing Studio City, people were everywhere on the streets, in their cars, in the high rise apartments and offices. Amid all this teaming humanity, up popped a thought: How can it be, in this nation of 350 million people, that two of our last three presidents hail from the same shady family? How can it be that this imperial father and dangerously simplcminded son are the best choices we've got to chose from? We're a democracy but the sleazy-connected elder Bush once ran the CIA and remains baptized and smothered with Arab oil. We're a democracy but the younger Bush holds no merit of his own, save his family's wealth and influence. In this country filled withextremely intelligent and capable souls, is the best we can do for president really this uncurious son, born of a silver spoon? We've been scammed, and we're in deep do-do for it. Mick concludes "Sweet Neo It's getting very scary Yes, I'm frightened out of my wits There 's bombers in my bedroom Yeah and it's giving me the (expletive deleted) Carrie and I eventually make it out to the Bowl and the place was packed.

A whole lot of people seem to agree with Mick Jagger. Not an open seat from the edge of the stage to the top of the hills. And then it starts. The lights go down, the Rolling Stones appear. They launch the show with fireworks, and never let up for the next 2-12 hours.

A "Bigger Bang," for sure! These senior citizens of rock roll tore up and down the stage and had the crowd standing for 150 straight minutes, never taking a break. Mick Jagger ran, danced and sang like a teenager. Don't let anyone tell you it's drugs keeping Mick Jagger thin. It's these 5, 000-calorie concert workouts that have Mick in perfect cardiovascular shape. This guy is one lean entertaining machine.

And he's courteous. Mick playfully engaged the crowd and graciously bowed after each song. He thoughtfully took time to credit to everyone on the stage. And at concert's end, all came back out, holding hands for a deep British curtain bow. I got to thinking: Mick Jagger seems an awful lot more decent than George Bush.

He's probably even more qualified to be president. You may think this absurd, but just look at the cold, hard facts. Unlike George Bush: Mick Jagger can perform in front of.

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Pages Available:
524,887
Years Available:
1919-2015