Sandy Shanks

                 
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I am the author of two novels, "The Bode Testament" and "Impeachment." I am also a columnist who keeps a wary eye on other columnists and the failures of the MSM (mainstream media).

I was born in Minnesota, and, to this day, I love the Vikings and the Twins. I am currently retired and reside with my wife of 45 years in Southern California. I am a former educator and a Marine officer [ret.].

I am a self-described amateur historian, the love of the topic going back to my sophomore days in high school. I am probably the only high schooler in the U.S. to read the 1600-page "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich." I also consider myself somewhat of a specialist on the Middle East. The vast bulk of my articles concern the topic.

Not unlike many I was devastated by the attacks on 9/11. So devastated, in fact, that I was determined to fight back, following in the fine tradition of the Marine Corps. But how? What could a 58-year old retired Marine officer do in terms of fighting back. The answer was quite simple. Using the writing skills I learned while writing two books, I chose as my weapon what can euphemistically be called the pen, actually a word processor.

I was determined to become a columnist to offer my sage advice while recalling recent history that I know for a fact that Americans had long since forgotten. I am here to remind them.

Fortunately, achieving the goal of becoming a columnist did not take too long. I became a columnist for a Midwest newspaper in Nov. 2001. As an added bonus, all of my articles were placed on the Internet. I have been a columnist ever since, meaning for nine years.

OpEdNews Member for 212 week(s) and 0 day(s)

72 Articles, 0 Quick Links, 89 Comments, 0 Diaries, 0 Polls

89 Comments


Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 7:12:57 PM

Article : "Americans Are Totally Confused"

Conclusion Drawn


Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 7:32:59 PM

Article : "The Growing Powers of the Executive Branch"

Obama


Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 7:30:08 PM

Article : "The Growing Powers of the Executive Branch"

Patrick Henry


Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 8:53:10 PM

Article : "It Is Time to Leave"

My article


Monday, April 25, 2011 at 5:57:36 PM

Article : "Writer Misrepresented the War Powers Resolution on OEN"

So the WPR is actually stronger


Sunday, December 26, 2010 at 6:49:10 PM

Article : "Decision Points: The Review"

I hope you understand


Sunday, December 26, 2010 at 6:44:44 PM

Article : "Decision Points: The Review"

I hope you understand


Sunday, December 26, 2010 at 2:32:38 PM

Article : "Decision Points: The Review"

Thank you


Saturday, December 25, 2010 at 5:58:18 PM

Article : "Decision Points: The Review"

People who do the work of God


Friday, November 12, 2010 at 7:46:36 PM

Article : "Why?"

Conspiracy theories


Friday, November 12, 2010 at 7:39:22 PM

Article : "Why?"

What?


Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 8:04:12 PM

Article : "The Coming War: President Obama Versus The Pentagon and Gene"

Bravo


Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 6:40:05 PM

Article : "The Effectiveness of the Democratic Party ... Or Lack Thereo"

Please ...


Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 6:13:31 PM

Article : "The Effectiveness of the Democratic Party ... Or Lack Thereo"

Qualifications


Monday, October 4, 2010 at 7:32:24 PM

Article : "The Effectiveness of the Democratic Party ... Or Lack Thereo"

I deal in specifics


Monday, October 4, 2010 at 6:52:31 PM

Article : "The Effectiveness of the Democratic Party ... Or Lack Thereo"

The article is sexist


Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 5:56:15 PM

Article : "The Trilogy of Despair as Bin Laden Dances in His Cave"

9/11


Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 5:33:40 PM

Article : "The Trilogy of Despair as Bin Laden Dances in His Cave"

Confession video


Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 5:19:24 PM

Article : "The Trilogy of Despair as Bin Laden Dances in His Cave"

Bin Laden


Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 5:11:29 PM

Article : "The Trilogy of Despair as Bin Laden Dances in His Cave"

Misdirection


Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 5:15:32 PM

Article : "Expanded Presidential "War" Power: a Time-Bomb Threatening O"

To Michael


Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 7:56:18 PM

Article : "Expanded Presidential "War" Power: a Time-Bomb Threatening O"

Thanking the author


Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 9:53:20 PM

Article : "The Afghan War, Ninth Year: It Is Not Good"

The Afghan War, Ninth Year


Monday, October 5, 2009 at 4:28:19 PM

Article : "Iran, Missiles Launched, and War ... or Not"

Iran


Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 6:37:13 PM

Article : "Iran, Missiles Launched, and War ... or Not"

Forced???


Monday, September 7, 2009 at 5:09:50 PM

Article : "Did I Just Have a Bad Dream"

New Paradigm


Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 7:25:06 PM

Article : "Endgame"

The al-Sahwa


Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 5:22:28 PM

Article : "Bush Tortured Children, and America Yawns"

The prosecution of Bush and Cheney


Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 9:04:21 PM

Article : "Thomas Friedman as War Propagandist"

Friedman


Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 7:07:34 PM

Article : "Travesty in Iraq"

Simple


Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 6:46:27 PM

Article : "Travesty in Iraq"

9/11


Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 6:15:34 PM

Article : "Travesty in Iraq"

Thank you


Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 6:09:58 PM

Article : "Travesty in Iraq"

BS


Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 4:54:16 PM

Article : "Travesty in Iraq"

Am I missing something here?


Monday, May 11, 2009 at 6:17:29 PM

Article : "We will be in Afghanistan for years to come."

War in Afghanistan


Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 8:27:15 PM

Article : "It Is Not Looking Good"

I know, Mark


Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 4:14:47 PM

Article : "It Is Not Looking Good"

The war in Iraq is a travesty


Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 8:28:35 PM

Article : "America Divided"

Rock star


Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 4:01:17 PM

Article : "Barack Obama, Meet Team B"

Iran and missiles


Friday, March 6, 2009 at 4:26:50 PM

Article : "Is Afghanistan Obama's Weakness?"

Afghanistan


Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 10:15:46 PM

Article : "Absurd Rhetoric: Violations of Common Sense"

Opium


Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 6:02:59 PM

Article : "Our Military's Enduring Future in Afghanistan"

Afghanistan, a losing proposition


Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:30:20 PM

Article : "Mr. President, It Is Time to Make Bold Moves"

Consequences


Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 8:51:03 PM

Article : "Afghanistan: Stand and Deliver ... or not"

Opium Farmers


Monday, December 29, 2008 at 9:14:57 PM

Article : "Afghanistan: Stand and Deliver ... or not"

Afghanistan


Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 10:15:35 PM

Article : "It's not about them...it's about us: Why we must prosecute B"

Big joke or reality smack in the face


Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 3:52:44 PM

Article : "It's not about them...it's about us: Why we must prosecute B"

Dreaming


Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 2:30:41 PM

Article : "The SOFA-- Bush's Deal With Iraq-- Has Some Dubious Aspects"

"Knocked me off sofa"


Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 5:15:47 PM

Article : "Obama Conspiracy"

Obama Conspiracy


Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 6:11:27 PM

Article : "Bones"

Your suppositions are unrealistic


Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 6:08:18 PM

Article : "Bones"

Your suppositions are unrealistic


Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 7:41:57 PM

Article : "This didn't have to happen"

Face reality


Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 8:49:02 PM

Article : "Bush Agrees to War on Iran"

Only one reason


Friday, September 19, 2008 at 5:03:07 PM

Article : "Bush Agrees to War on Iran"

Dear Lord


Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 4:01:05 PM

Article : "9/11 - A macabre anniversary"

Thanks


Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 3:34:56 PM

Article : "Russia Sends Message to U.S. in Georgia"

Correction


Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 4:15:25 PM

Article : "Fox News on Georgian Invasion; Not Exactly What They Wanted:"

Video is gone


Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 8:01:42 PM

Article : "Military Attempts To Prevent Iran War - Civilians Promote It"

War with Iran, maybe


Monday, July 14, 2008 at 8:58:14 PM

Article : "Understanding Iran"

There will be no war


Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 5:48:22 PM

Article : "The Perfect Storm from Hell"

Thanks, Sandy


Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 8:48:18 PM

Article : "The Perfect Storm from Hell"

Over the top


Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 7:23:55 PM

Article : "The Perfect Storm from Hell"

Over the top


Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 5:21:49 PM

Poll : "Poll: Our Nation's Independence Day"

Enjoy


Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 5:30:23 PM

Article : "THE ULTIMATE BUSH BLUFF / ELECT McCAIN OR WE BOMB IRAN"

You have spelled it out


Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 3:22:21 PM

Poll : "Poll: Should House Pass HR 362, Calling for prohibiting of r"

Bad idea


Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 7:32:01 PM

Article : "Iran War Resolution set to pass Congress this week."

I am scared to death


Friday, June 20, 2008 at 7:19:04 PM

Article : "Is Al Qa'ida influencing US elections?"

My tormentor


Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 4:37:20 PM

Article : "Will President Obama be impeachable for allowing Bush's impe"

Impeach Obama


Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 4:21:09 PM

Article : "DEAD MAN WALKING / GEORGE W BUSH"

Bush


Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 1:32:14 PM

Article : "The myth of the War Powers Resolution, Oct. 11, 2002"

Are you joking?


Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 4:55:13 PM

Article : "The myth of the War Powers Resolution, Oct. 11, 2002"

Agreement


Friday, May 16, 2008 at 3:53:51 PM

Article : "US confession: Weapons"

CBS News


Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 7:36:06 PM

Article : "War with Iran ... that is up to Iraq"

Angry, brother


Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 5:57:27 PM

Article : "More scary stories on Iran from the NY Times"

War with Iran ... that is up to Iraq


Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 1:47:07 PM

Article : "US War with Iran: Bagdad Offensive and Accusations Against I"

War with Iran


Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 5:43:10 PM

Article : "Funny Math, Part II: Impeachment"

Impeachment, Part II


Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 3:25:45 PM

Article : "What a way to fight a war"

You are welcome, Bia


Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 3:19:37 PM

Article : "What a way to fight a war"

Repeat, where to begin


Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 3:11:00 PM

Article : "What a way to fight a war"

Thank you


Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 2:59:39 PM

Article : "What a way to fight a war"

Neocons already successful?


Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 2:35:51 PM

Article : "What a way to fight a war"

Embassy and permanent bases


Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 2:28:20 PM

Article : "What a way to fight a war"

Agree or disagree?


Friday, April 25, 2008 at 8:16:33 PM

Article : "What a way to fight a war"

Wow


Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 5:11:15 PM

Article : "To Impeach before Nov 4, Do Something Different, Quickly!"

This is a dream


Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 7:55:36 PM

Article : "The Coming War with Iran"

Double opps


Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 7:50:32 PM

Article : "The Coming War with Iran"

Opps


Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 7:48:38 PM

Article : "The Coming War with Iran"

Attack on Iran may postpone the elections


Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 9:41:06 PM

Article : "The Coming War with Iran"

Another possibility


Friday, April 11, 2008 at 7:16:34 PM

Article : "So, now where do we stand?"

My article