June 2005

Debra Saunders
San Francisco Chronicle

Every month, members of The Conservative Forum of Silicon Valley Meet to Listen to Interesting Guest Speakers

Debra Saunders, a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, led a very lively discussion on being conservative in a liberal world. She pointed out many double standards that are reported in mainstream media newspapers.

She contrasted Abu Ghraib with basic military training. She brought up the American treatment of the Koran at Guantanamo, and juxtaposed it with "Piss Christ" where a Crufix was placed in urine. She brought up the handling of the Elian Gonzales case compared with the Terry Schiavo case.

She also admonished us to be careful when we write letters to the paper if we want to get them published. First, she suggested we make them short (no more than three paragraphs) and pithy. Secondly, she recommended we send them by email. Finally, she said it was very important to be accurate. In other words, do not claim something is inaccurate unless you can point out the specific inaccuracies. If the story is undeserving of being on page 1, say that rather than say it is inaccurate.

We had a very spirited question and answer period. Unfortunately, most of our members read the San Jose Mercury, and not the Chronicle or we read neither. Since she works for the Chronicle, she was not here to defend the San Jose Mercury. It made it difficult for us to give specific examples of bias in the San Francisco Chronicle. All in all, we had a very enlightening meeting.

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