Would you like to know how many people have visited this page? Or how reputable the author is? Simply
sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.
 fs.shanks@verizon.net SHARE 
|
|
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.
OpEd News Member for 847 week(s) and 5 day(s)
83 Articles, 0 Quick Links, 114 Comments, 0 Diaries, 0 Polls
Articles Listed By Popularity
List By Date
List By Date
Page 5 of 5 First Last Back Next View All
SHARE
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Americans Have Short Memories Collectively, Americans have short memories. Worse, far worse, so does the mainstream news (MSN). A few of us remember the al-Sahwa or the Sons of Iraq, otherwise known as the Awakening Movement. President Bush dubbed them "Concerned Local Citizens." Remember them? One should. They had a vital role to play in the good ole days in Iraq.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009Americans Have Short Memories Collectively, Americans have short memories. Worse, far worse, so does the mainstream news (MSN). A few of us remember the al-Sahwa or the Sons of Iraq, otherwise known as the Awakening Movement. President Bush dubbed them "Concerned Local Citizens." Remember them? One should. They had a vital role to play in the good ole days in Iraq.
(2 comments) SHARE
Monday, April 7, 2008
So, now where do we stand? On March 25th, a military debacle of major proportions began. It ended the following Sunday, but the ramifications of this engagement will continue for months, and if America's leaders are not listening, years.
Monday, April 7, 2008So, now where do we stand? On March 25th, a military debacle of major proportions began. It ended the following Sunday, but the ramifications of this engagement will continue for months, and if America's leaders are not listening, years.
(2 comments) SHARE
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Is Al Qa'ida influencing US elections? Now don't get me wrong. If The Surge results in lower casualties for both Americans and Iraqis and hastens our withdrawal from that forlorn land, then I want it to succeed despite my complete misgivings about the decision to invade Iraq in the first place.
Thursday, June 19, 2008Is Al Qa'ida influencing US elections? Now don't get me wrong. If The Surge results in lower casualties for both Americans and Iraqis and hastens our withdrawal from that forlorn land, then I want it to succeed despite my complete misgivings about the decision to invade Iraq in the first place.
