Reason, Justice and Common Sense

A collection of essays from the Sierra Sage magazine; a monthly publication featuring topics relating to politics, current events and contemporary issues. Essays are arranged by topics, including: America; Crisis, Fear and Anger; Crumbling Institutions; Failed Systems; Values and Culture; Immigration; War; Freedom; On the Lighter Side; Personal Reflections; and Epilogue. The articles range from serious to critical to satirical to humorous. Foreword is by Barry Goldwater, Jr.

Leonard A. (Len) Semas was born in 1947 - a baby boomer. He grew up in a large family of modest means and humble beginnings. He was taught the virtues of hard work at an early age and worked since the age of 10. He was also taught basic principles of justice and common sense reason came later! His parents were married for over 50 years.

Len's education included public schools through high school where he played sports, was active in student affairs, and was a college prep student of not especially notable accomplishment. He graduated from a small, private Jesuit school Santa Clara University. He majored in biology and minored in chemistry and philosophy, the latter a requirement of Jesuit education. Len enjoyed the full richness of college life, including the intellectual rigor, development of social skills, and professional level partying.

Semas volunteered for service in the military, guided by the example of his Dad and others in his family who served in WW II (and motivated by the presence of the draft ). He entered as a Private and attended Officer Candidate School. Len served 3 years during the Viet Nam war, but was never sent into combat and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant.

Following the military, Len returned to Santa Clara and earned a Master of Business Administration degree, foregoing earlier plans to attend medical school. He spent the next 35+ years in various areas of employment including a stint with a large health care corporation, self employment in the real estate field, and 7 years in a technology company started by his brother. For the past 7 years, he has been the owner and publisher of the Sierra Sage magazine in Carson City, Nevada.