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FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR: MICHAEL R. SHANNON, WRITER
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Recent Articles by Michael R. Shannon
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Democrats have inadvertently stumbled across a sure–fire method of depressing Republican turnout in November: put House Minority Leader John Boehner (R–OH) on TV discussing
Fetuses all across the Virginia are smiling on their sonograms this week in the wake of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s opinion that concludes the Commonwealth
8/27/2010Brass Ring Escapes Again
My local delegate to the Virginia state house, Bob Marshall (R—Prince William) is not particularly popular in Richmond because he’s conservative even when it’s inconvenient.
8/18/2010Sisters of Political Futbol
(Note to Democrat press secretaries: even the mainstream media will ask embarrassing questions regarding immigration after a drunk illegal runs over a nun.)
8/9/2010One More for the Road
The DC metro area suffered a little collateral damage this week as part of Democrats long march toward “Social Justice.” One nun was killed
8/2/2010I'm Still Not Jerry Kramer
My age and marital status have combined to place severe limits on what are acceptable topics for my formerly rich fantasy life. I’m pretty
7/28/2010Did the Earth Move for You?
Last Friday at 5 AM, after a quiet spell of some 13 years, Prince William County, VA had an earthquake. For commuters 5AM is
7/19/2010The Readers Are Always Write
This is a good week to catch up on reader correspondence concerning pressing national issues like government employee hydration. So stand by for the
The authorities securing the G–20 meeting in Toronto appear to have been caught off guard when peaceful social activists, community organizers and assorted leftists
Why do Virginia Republicans insist on snatching defeat from the jaws of victory? Here in the 11th Congressional District primary they had a chance
It’s World Cup Week in the middle school that my son attends. Where previously the last week or so of “instructional time” was devoted to
6/14/2010Frank Perdue Can Rest Easy
Normally I don’t revisit column topics until a decent interval has passed, but there have been so many feathers flying in poultry news that
6/8/2010Slick, Black Mallard Back
In spite of all of Hollywood’s assurances, I’m losing faith in our ability to intercept a rampaging asteroid, millions of miles away in outer
Tuesday was a time of feverish activity for the Economic Development Authority in Fairfax County, just North of where I live. As soon as
5/17/2010It's Tough Being Enlightened
We haven’t been swapping senior living tips lately, but something tells me Prince William County, VA Jefe de la Policía Charlie Deane won’t be
5/10/2010Up Close and Personal
In the old terminal ‘A’ at Washington’s National Airport the Underwear Police (TSA) installed the latest, greatest detecting machinery a few years ago. This
5/4/2010Walter Mitty Bang, Bang
Wouldn’t you know it? Turn a bunch of Republicans loose in the Virginia legislature and governor’s office and before you can say “Socialized Medicine”
4/20/2010Sins of Omission
Do you think Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell gave Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli a heads up last week before releasing his proclamation that revived Confederate
4/14/2010Welcome to the House of Tofu
As if we needed more evidence of how little reason there is to trust the Democrats, the Obama administration has cruelly betrayed the illegal
4/7/2010The Dandelion's Revenge
As I sneezed, snorted, hacked, blew and dripped my way through the sermon last Sunday, I pondered — as I fumbled for more tissue
3/30/2010A Black Sabbath for Liberty
In the wake of last Sunday’s vote by Democrats to begin the socialization of medicine in the United States, Republicans are reduced to throwing things
3/16/2010Limit One Per Customer
Formerly Virginia was for lovers, but now it’s the “limit one–per–month, per customer” Commonwealth for guns and teeth. The limitation on gun purchases
Last year Virginia’s liberal “progressives” — whose commitment to the free marketplace of ideas endures only so long as it exclusively supports their views —
2/12/2010When Borrowing Ideas...
One of my former jobs was group creative director at an ad agency. My largest client was Blue Cross & Blue Shield, the health insurance
2/5/2010Not So Famous Last Words
This weekend I’m going to be at Carter Hall in Millwood, VA presenting a lecture on message development for candidates and elected officials. It’s part
1/29/2010No Hall of Fame for Me, Either
I want to discuss Mark McGwire’s steroid confession, but first – in the interest of full disclosure – it’s only fair I mention my
Please excuse me if this column is a bit more disjointed than usual. I’ve just returned from the gym and I’m exhausted. Not that I
1/12/2010Shannon: The DMV's No Smile Zone
Last summer the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) determined to make a baleful experience even more grim by refusing to let customers (drivers? victims?
I was hoping my home publication would manage to avoid the madness, but unfortunately, it fell victim, too. I found the dreaded issue asking readers
12/30/2009The Blizzard of Ought Nine
Virginia is still digging out from a blizzard that brought the most snow in December since 1932. And what exquisite timing! Just as
12/21/2009December Mailbox
Time to open the mailbox, catch up on reader correspondence and make room for lavish gifts. Dear Sir: Last week the New York
12/15/2009Kermit's Lament
For those readers currently on the fence, let me assure you that when it comes to adopting a system for ordering your life the more
12/8/2009Smoke, Smoke, Smoke that Cigarette
Virginia Governor and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine celebrated the successful mulching of another dead horse last week. After presiding over the loss of
11/30/2009Blindsided
Last week marked the debut of two movies featuring overweight black teenagers as the central character. Movie reviewers (a chronic incubator of “progressive” thinking) found
I imagine the Postmaster General grinds his teeth when he thinks about how much easier his life would be, if he had a monopoly like
11/18/2009The Not So Hidden Costs of PC
The cost of our political classes’ obsession with multiculturalism and Political Correctness is not just sanctimonious news conferences and racial special interest groups sucking at
11/13/2009Move along, nothing to see here...
Pardon me while I gloat. I know that when Republicans win an election we are supposed to apologize to Democrats for interrupting the march toward
11/3/2009This Has Been a Test...
I often have my doubts regarding the school system’s effectiveness when it comes to the dissemination of knowledge, but I can assure you the classroom
10/27/2009A Nation of Whiners & Panderers
Inflation is an overall increase in the price level. It’s like economic Viagra that expands the economy but only provides very localized benefits to a
10/20/2009No Putter Left Behind
It’s disconcerting when you find yourself in agreement with Venezuela’s rosy–cheeked dictator Hugo Chavez twice during the same day. I’m going to let others cover
For those of us who have been wondering how deeply into our personal business “environmentalists” plan to involve themselves, the results are in and the
9/15/2009Charlie Brown for Governor
VA GOP Gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell looks pretty sharp for a man who helped torpedo his own campaign when he told the Washington Post where
9/4/2009When Zombies Go Wild
The decision to close 18 Virginia interstate rest areas will mean more sleepy truck and automobile drivers careening down our highways. Since the only thing
Surveys show pastors all across America are avoiding sermons on the topic of hell. There is something about burning forever in a lake of fire
8/21/2009No End Could Justify This Means
I know a guy at Gold’s Gym who has a minor sports hernia. He says the injury is like a poultry pop–up timer, the kind
8/14/2009Revolt of the Ink-Stained Wretches
Dan Rather and other journalists support the idea of a federal bailout for the newspaper industry. And journalists’ volunteering to become wards of the state
8/6/2009The Readers Are Always Write
Concerned Americans write: I’m president of my neighborhood watch. I keep an eye on the area and report suspicious activity. But now I’m afraid
My wife, Janet, has never had a bad vacation. Short ones, long ones, impromptu or planned, she likes them each and every one. Her favorites
7/7/2009The Paladin of the Pampas
Vice–Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson was famous, among other things, for his contention that “no man is married South of Gibraltar.” But before South Carolina Governor
6/30/2009Post-Racial to Most-Racial
I had some small comfort that the election of Barack Obama proved once and for all that the United States had moved past prejudice, overcome
6/23/2009Now Serving Number 10,153
Right now I take pride in being the ideal patient for Obamacare health care “reform:” I don’t go to the doctor when I’m sick and
6/17/2009Mail Call: We Get Letters
This week’s post is devoted to public service and answers some of the many letters than pour into webmaster’s email box each day. Dear
6/15/2009Perverse Incentives
What is it with Democrats and oil? Do they think “There Will Be Blood” is an accurate accounting of current oil company management practices?
6/10/2009Faith Without Works Is Dead
I think it’s high time someone had the courage to state the obvious: one of our political parties has been captured lock, stock and voting
President Obama is latest in a long line of woolly thinkers who believe there is a “historic opportunity,” in his words, to achieve Mideast peace.
5/20/2009Smile, You're on Speeder Camera
Maryland hot rodders don’t think it’s fair that police are using cameras and technology to fine them for disobeying speed limits. These complainers are the
5/11/2009Detroit's Slow - Motion Suicide
After strangling the goose that laid the golden eggs at Chrysler, the union has been awarded the right to pick the carcass by the Obama
I am not among those who believe that Obama’s mere presence will lower the ocean’s level and achieve climate equilibrium, but I have to admit
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Name: Michael R. Shannon Location: Northern Virginia Interests: History, cycling, weight lifting, mysteries, Green Bay Packers Causes: United States, Israel, life, term limits, law enforcement, conservatism in general Background: Michael R. Shannon is a public relations and advertising consultant with corporate, government and political experience around the globe. He is a dynamic, entertaining and funny keynote speaker for corporate, non–profit and governmental organizations. In addition to his speaking and consulting, Shannon is an editorial page columnist for Virginia’s News & Messenger. As consultant to The Israel Project, he has made a number of trips to Israel where he worked closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in their efforts to promote a positive image of Israel. Shannon has also conducted media and message training workshops for MFA and Israeli Defense Forces spokespersons along with representatives of various non–governmental organizations. During the UN Court trial in The Hague, Shannon worked closely with the MFA in its international media outreach. Shannon teaches message development, crisis communication and public relations for The University of Tennessee – Chattanooga Command College, conducts the political advertising and message section of The University of Virginia's Sorenson Institute and he lectures on message development, politics and lobbying for The Police/Fire Labor Institute. He is a regular speaker on political commercials, crisis communication and public relations for Campaigns & Elections magazine. He has also addressed the National League of Cities, conducted seminars for Information Management and The University of Arkansas – Little Rock and performed as the keynote speaker for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Shannon’s client list includes SAIC; United National Congress (Trinidad & Tobago); Royal Castle, Ltd.; New Generation Imaging; Dry–Clean Depot; Texas Medical Assn.; American Medical Assn.; American Medical Assn. PAC; Indiana State Police Alliance; Minneapolis Federation of Police; St. Paul Police Federation; Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance; The Peterson Companies; Gleaning for the World; various political candidates and elected officials. The work Shannon has done in the radio and television arena has been recognized for both creativity and effectiveness. He is a multiple first place winner in the American Association of Political Consultants Pollie awards. Shannon won back–to–back first place Silver Microphone awards for radio commercials. He is a three–time winner of the prestigious Gold statue at the Houston International Film Festival. Shannon won first place in the Vision Awards for television. He has also won consecutive Silver Microphone awards for best campaign.
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