Monday, December 27, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Right-leaning scribe aspires to papers of old

Sierra Sage publisher does not shy away from writing opinion

Sierra Sage newspaper publisher Leonard Semas discusses his publication at his home in Carson City. Photo by CATHLEEN ALLISON/SPECIAL TO REVIEW-JOURNAL Leonard Semas works in his office in Carson City. His Sierra Sage newspaper, which has a conservative bent, has seen its circulation climb 167 percent since he bought it three years ago. Photo by CATHLEEN ALLISON/SPECIAL TO REVIEW-JOURNAL Leonard Semas' 1910 home in Carson City doubles as his office, where he publishes the Sierra Sage newspaper. Photo by CATHLEEN ALLISON/SPECIAL TO REVIEW-JOURNAL

CARSON CITY

When he purchased the Sierra Sage newspaper three years ago, Leonard Semas decided he would write in the tradition of Benjamin Franklin.

Franklin took pointed political stances against the British government when he wrote for the Pennsylvania Gazette nearly three centuries ago.

Semas writes 1,500 word essays that attack liberals and government in his free distribution monthly Carson City-based newspaper. There is no pretense of objectivity.

Under his tutelage, circulation has increased to 24,000, up from 9,000. He intends to go weekly next summer and envisions the time when the Sierra Sage becomes a statewide newspaper.

"I wanted a newspaper the way newspapers used to be," Semas said. "We had papers called the Republican, the Independent. They told you their perspective. We all have a bias in terms of our ideology. For a paper to say it is objective is silly. Newspapers that are full of opinion are much more interesting to read."

Like Franklin's newspaper, Semas' publication is not just political rants, but jokes, whimsy and words of wisdom.

State Archivist Guy Rocha contributes a monthly column on myths in Nevada history. Reno TV reporter John Tyson offers a column on the happenings on his Virginia City ranch. Semas wrote a story lamenting the decline of the paper route, discussing how tragic it is that today's children miss out on a chance to learn early the workings of business.

"I want it to be a newspaper of the old mode, the town crier paper," he said.

But it is his strident opinions on the news and in defense of conservatism that he says his readers want most.

For example:

• "The governor has to be the No. 1 villain in his violation of both the citizens of Nevada and their constitution," stated Semas in an essay about the record tax increase of 2003. "He demonstrated arrogance, power brokering, catering to the special interests at the expense of Nevadans as a whole; and not one ounce of leadership."

• "The concept of America as `One Nation Under God' has become not only foreign to Democrats -- it has become objectionable. They confuse separation of church and state with separation of God from state and they couldn't be more wrong. This is a nation founded on Godly principles in Christian philosophical tradition."

Semas, 57, says the local Nevada Appeal and the Reno Gazette-Journal are liberal newspapers that are turning off a Northern Nevada populace that is becoming increasingly conservative and favors traditional American values of God, family and country.

"They tell me I write what they are thinking," he said of his readers. "They spend an hour reading my paper cover to cover and spend 10 minutes on the Gazette-Journal."

If Semas is like anyone, it is radio commentator Rush Limbaugh. He is burly and a nonstop talker. Semas last month also launched a radio talk show on a Carson City station.

Semas admits he does not always practice what he preaches. He has been married three times.

"It is not something a person should be proud of, a divorce is a tragedy and a mistake," he said. "I support the traditional family, I am part of the problem."

Semas enjoys drinking, partying and "chasing girls." His newspaper office, which is a 94-year-old building that once was the home of Abe Cohn, the businessman who financed famed American Indian basket weaver Dat So La Lee, is cluttered with liquor bottles from a past party.

Semas was brought up Catholic and is a graduate of Santa Clara University, a Jesuit college. He credits his education with giving him critical thinking skills.

"I don't make up my mind by the emotionalism of news headlines," he said. "I look for logic and consistency in positions. To me conservatism is logical, it is reasonable. The liberals want women to have a right to choose abortion, but they oppose capital punishment. There is no consistency."

Bob Fulkerson, the executive director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, said the Sierra Sage is "a little sprout" in a conservative movement that has grown dramatically since Barry Goldwater ran for president in 1964.

"There is an incredible amount of scapegoating, fear-mongering in the Sierra Sage and other ultra-conservative publications," Fulkerson said. "It is simplistic and plays on people's emotions on why things in the country are the way there are. They can blame the liberals and feel good about themselves."

Semas enlisted in the Army during the height of the Vietnam War and ended up serving near his Bay Area home at the Presidio.

"I defended my country from attacks by Berkeley," he said. "As you can see, we never got attacked."

He maintains there was a time when liberalism was a reasonable option. But liberals have gotten too extreme, he maintains, particularly in their support of gay marriage.

"Liberals have stopped being liberals," he said. "They are intolerant of anyone with opposing views. There is no room for discussion. They want you to accept their agenda or they call you names. You are a racist. A capitalist. You favor the rich."

As an example of liberal intolerance, he points to Rocha. Some of Rocha's liberal friends have criticized him for placing his nonpolitical historical column in Semas' newspaper.

"I don't care they are in a left-wing publication or a right-wing publication," Rocha said. "If people are interested in Nevada history, it doesn't matter to me if they are liberal or conservative. Len is a decent man who has been good to me."

Semas added most conservatives are tolerant of gay people and support their right to live the way they want, but oppose giving gay unions the sanction of the state.

"Gays have the same fundamental rights of any citizen," he said. "They need to quit complaining."

Fulkerson maintains Semas' position on gay rights lacks basic fairness.

"They may say they are against gay marriages but support equal rights, yet they scapegoat gays and lesbians for the breakdown of the family," he said. "If you are for equal rights for people, why not support domestic partnerships for same-sex couples?"

While all citizens deserve equal rights, Semas said no groups merit special rights.

"This is the least racist country in the world," he said. "Why do we have a black chamber of commerce, a Hispanic chamber of commerce. They are eligible for the chamber of commerce. Why continue to push racial division? Why continue to say Condoleezza Rice is the first black woman appointed to serve as secretary of state. Why not say George Bush appointed a qualified woman to serve as secretary of state."

While Semas hammers Gov. Kenny Guinn in nearly every issue, he finds the governor a personable man with whom he often shares a drink.

"You cannot but like Kenny Guinn," Semas said. "He is a very magnetic guy."

"It is important to talk with everyone," Guinn responded. "Len is conservative. He has a message. But you can sit down with him and give him data and he will start to see the other side. It doesn't mean he will change his philosophy."