Michael D. Shaw, formerly based in Los Angeles, but now ensconced in northern Virginia (safely outside the Beltway), is a free lance writer, talk show guest, public speaker, and small business owner, who has an opinion on everything. You can see more of Michael's interesting articles on his own website, bestwriters.com. Comments to Mr. Shaw should be sent to:

Hating Bush and the Loss of Cultural Hegemony [07/18/07 ] A few days ago, a friend of mine was remarking on the incredible all-consuming hatred the Left has for George W. Bush. In this case, he was referring to HR 1591, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act, passed by the House in March, 2007. This bill was supported by 94% of Democrat and 1% of Republican members.

How to Win an American Presidential Election - Guaranteed [01/03/07 ] Since the run-up to the 2008 presidential campaign has—sadly—already begun, let's start 2007 with some myth-shattering thoughts about getting elected. The talking heads were in universal agreement that the very close and relatively close presidential elections of 2000 and 2004 demonstrated how "polarized" the voters are. In a technical sense, this is true, but not at all in the way they meant.

Where Are The Americans [12/19/06 ] Amil Imani, an ex-pat Iranian now living in the US, recently posted an interesting article to the American Thinker website. His premise is that the current theocratic and despotic rulers of Iran are not true Iranians in the sense that they do not portray the ancient traditions started by King Cyrus the Great. This Cyrus II, besides founding Persia by uniting the Medes and the Persians, conquering Babylon and liberating the Jews, also wrote the very first Charter of Human Rights.

Whatever Happened to Checks and Balances [11/01/06 ] This seems like a good topic, in light of the recent New Jersey Supreme Court decision "ordering" the state legislature to come up with some form of civil union for homosexuals.

Better Not Get Sick [09/25/06 ] I used to think that being a dyed-in-the-wool Communist was by far the best illustration of a "true believer." After all, many of those whom Stalin purged were praising him as they were executed, and Ethel Rosenberg, who could have saved her life, and not turned her sons into orphans, preferred to die for the cause, rather than to admit her obvious guilt.

Katy Bar the Door--Updated [09/12/06 ] You might be familiar with this rural expression. "Katy, bar the door" was said as an exclamation of some sort of impending danger. Legend has it that the phrase derived from a historical incident way back in 1437. On February 20th of that year, King James I of Scotland was assassinated by a band of killers led by Robert Graeme, while he was staying in a Dominican house in Perth. Graeme had help in the affair, since the king's chamberlain had made sure that all locks and bolts were removed from the king's room. However, one of the queen's ladies-in-waiting was to make a permanent name for herself in an act of heroism, even if it did not prevent the murder.

Gibson Meltdown: [08/12/06 ] Break out the handkerchiefs. If just about anyone else had been arrested for drunk driving, and uttered some nasty ethnic remarks, not a soul would have cared. But then, anyone else would have probably been in cuffs. There are so many angles on this story, so let's have at it. But first, understand that nothing I say here should be interpreted as defending him whatsoever. Mel Gibson, plain and simple, is a Hollywood brat, and there are many more like him.