There’s a new blog in town and apparently “they” felt it was necessary to post an open letter to Sonoran Alliance. Because I am the founder and “senior editor” of Sonoran Alliance, I feel it is only necessary to respond via an open letter to Growing Our Party. So here goes.

Since its beginning, Sonoran Alliance has been a blog where conservatives have had a home and place to express their thoughts, opinions and yes, even feelings, on an array of issues. I have invited many individuals to write who I thought could articulate some conservative viewpoint. In total, we have had about 15 writers. Some writers have remained very active with SA while others have become inactive or ventured out on their own to start their own blog. In every invitation I have made, I have asked each writer to abide by several conditions:

1. No profanity or vulgarity
2. Back up any assertions with proof
3. No patently false, libelous or slanderous posts and,
4. Be civil

I have also kept my word with each writer NOT to disclose their identity if they choose to write under a pseudonym. Many of our writers work in government or other sensitive areas and could face reprecussions if their identity were discovered. (I personally found this out the hard way.) As far as I know, all of SA’s writers have maintained that “code” or “come out of the closet.”

Many of our writers were brought on before the current election cycle and so they were not commited to any one candidate. Now that the election is full swing and some writers have taken a fancy to particular candidates, no one should be surprised when any writer posts something favorable to one candidate over another. I believe allowing these writers to express their case for or against a candidate has been somewhat healthy but also helpful for readers to read another perspective they would never get from the mainstream media. Case in point: There was a recent post in which one writer took David Schweikert to task on the issue of taxes. What ensued was a lively discussion on whether he did or did not take the conservative position on taxes. Translation: we were all on the same page that taxes were bad.

I have also encouraged and allowed candidates and their campaigns to send SA press releases which we post whenever we can. I believe that if they are willing to put something out in the public arena, they are willing to defend it against any scrutiny or criticism from SA readers. Once the press release gets posted, you’re on your own.

Perhaps the most interesting and lively part of SA’s function is the ability for readers to comment on what’s been posted. Because I can’t sit in front of the computer all day monitoring comments but more importantly, because we try not to censor comments, I think it is unfair to say that SA has been taken over by “the forces of illegal immigration.” I’m actually a little irritated and upset by this assertion especially given the recent posts in which SA vehemently rejected the despicable tactics used by groups like Mesa Deserves Better and Protecting Arizona’s Future. By posting the articles related to the “war” taking place in Legislative District 18, I would argue that we have actually exposed a very ugly and deceptive side of those opponents to employer sanctions.

Those of you who know me personally know that I have been very patient and forgiving of people like Nathan Sproul. In the past, I even extended an invitation to Nathan to write for Sonoran Alliance (gasp!) so he would have the opportunity to defend his positions. (Obviously, he turned the offer down which is a good thing considering what has transpired in recent weeks and the fact that I have lost my patience and probably forgiveness.) Besides, Nathan can start his own blog and push his own ideas if he wants.

Getting back to the assertion that Sonoran Alliance has been taken over by non-conservatives, nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, we have allowed comments to be posted that reveal an ugly side of some readers but we do not censor the vast majority of these comments. (Incidentally, if you think some of the comments are tough on SA, try reading those posted on AZCentral and the East Valley Tribune.) In reality, there have only been a few times where comments have been pulled because of profanity, threats of violence or libel. But we refuse to censor comments posted by those who oppose our views out of respect for free speech and the right of them to make a fool of themself.

I hope my response assuages the concerns of those conservatives who perceive that Sonoran Alliance has “sold out” to those in the GOP seeking to “moderate” the conservative viewpoint on a number of important issues. Sonoran Alliance remains dedicated to reporting and promoting conservative news, ideas, opinion and principles throughout Arizona and the Sonoran Southwest. Thanks for your prayers and may GOD bless your efforts as well.

- DSW