Most of the 201 attendees crowding the Penrose House Garden Pavilion on Sept. 12 were already familiar with the evening's featured speaker, Mike Rosen. Host of a popular opinion talk show on Denver radio station KOA, Rosen is well-known for his sharp tongue and conservative viewpoint. Both were on display during his lively talk about bias in the media, presented by El Pomar Foundation's Forum for Civic Advancement.

"I may be in the media, but I'm not of the media," Rosen told the crowd. "While the liberal media establishment holds itself out to be the watchdog of every other institution and individual in our society, it tends to be unreasonably sensitive to criticism of itself. Who watches the watchdog? I do, for one, and most of them don't like it one bit."

Rosen, one of four 2007 Forum co-chairs, spoke at length about the distinctions between liberals and conservatives and the social and educational influences which guide an individual into either category. The event drew one of the largest crowds ever for a Forum gathering, with people traveling to Colorado Springs from cities all across Colorado.

Rosen's appearance concluded with an animated question and answer session. The verbal alacrity for which he is famous was highlighted in one debate with an attendee that elicited cheers from the crowd. Comments after the event were varied, from people asking for more of the same, to one audience member labeling Rosen a "misogynist."

By most accounts Rosen's presentation was thought-provoking, a goal the Forum continually tries to reach with its roster of diverse speakers representing viewpoints from across the political spectrum.

The Forum's next event, "The American Founding and the Road to 2008" will be held Wednesday, October 17, with presenters John Andrews, Former President, Colorado Senate and Thomas Krannawitter, Political Scientist, Hillsdale College. The presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception immediately following the event. This event is open to the public and those interested in attending should RSVP by Monday, October 12, to (719) 577-7088 or jowens@elpomar.org.