About the Sierra Sage
The Sierra Sage is a monthly magazine published in and circulated around Northern Nevada with subscribers throughout the U.S. The Sage is a community publication, with a variety of content and contributors, but its hallmark is its cover essay on politics and contemporary issues.
We are somewhat unique in our attempts to enlighten and provoke. Most “news” oriented publications tend to advocate by stealth. While they claim an unbiased reporting of fact, nothing could be further from the truth. We have no problem with their bias; we just wish they would acknowledge it as such and stop hiding behind a dishonest claim of objectivity. We are biased – and we tell you so right up front.
So what is our bias? Is the Sage a “Republican publication?” Well, yes – and no. Is the Sage Conservative? We would say “Constitutional Conservative,” but that depends on to whom one speaks.
Our understanding of “reason, justice and common sense,” embodies views generally ascribed to Conservatism. In contrast, modern Liberalism derives largely from emotion, without regard to justice and in utter defiance of common sense. Modern Liberals believe that simply “feeling” something is necessary or right is a sufficient basis for its adoption as a desired course – there is no requirement for it to be either reasoned or reasonable.
What about common sense? This is an area that a “regular Joe” can grasp but college professors, politicians, and leading intellects seem unable to. It too, is an essential part of Sage philosophy. It is a recognition of that which is either obvious or absurd on its face. Liberals will require a more extensive definition. Liberals love complication and obfuscation, but neither problems nor solutions are generally as complex as they are made to be. As Einstein observed, “simplicity is the highest form of technology.”
The Sage philosophy has other elements beyond its central tenet. A philosophy, to be meaningful, has to be consistent. We strive for consistency as an essential component of logic.
We distinguish between private choices and public policy as an essential aspect of liberty. This is consistent with our constitutional foundations – however eroded in modern law and politics – which support the notions of free choice and limited government. Government does best when it limits itself to public policy on matters delegated to it. It does its worst when it expands beyond that and into the realm of personal choice and private behavior.
We believe that the founders of this Republic were among the brightest men in history, and that they largely “got it right.” We take our guidance from the words and intentions of their philosophies expressed in the founding documents These grand works have been trampled by liberal theorists, jurists, politicians, and academics. Our nation will be lost if they are not restored to their rightful place in society.
The Sage philosophy reflects favorably on real solutions; it’s not just emotional salve. Feeling good is not doing good; feeding one a fish will never accomplish what teaching one to fish will. It is that simple. We reject the popular calls for bi-partisanship and compromise, as neither provide for real solutions; mostly just feel good solidarity about a middle ground that is neither wholly right nor wholly wrong. Appeasement of two opposing views is not likely to resolve itself to a correct decision, only an acceptable one. Expediency is seldom the road to truth.
The Sage does not publish “train wrecks, car crashes or divorces.” We understand the imperfection of man, and the tragedy that accompanies life. We refuse to glorify the tragedy or to dwell on the imperfection. Making a mistake is often punishment itself; we see no value in dragging down people for being human and erring in their lives. The content of “journalism” has become more tabloid-like than ever. We think that demeans both the medium, and the society in which we live. We elect not to join the circus.
The Sage is not defined by dogma or ideology, but by application of fundamental precepts based on our principles. We simply favor the truth – as we see it.
