About James Chandler

Since childhood in Minnesota, I've always been a keen observer of life. I like to capture natural beauty of granite mountains or a coastal shoreline with a camera. For the beauty of interpersonal exchanges, I use crafted words to capture the sweetness, nuance, irony, and humor of our existence. Yet I have procrastinated in creating stories behind the observations I see. First it was the need of a typewriter, or a computer, or a means of publishing, or just the race of providing for family through a corporate job. Now it is time to take what I capture, give it form and purpose, and publish it here for many to share and hopefully enjoy.

Backstage with Donald Trump

On the campaign trail in the final days of the 2016 election, I worked my way toward the candidate for a few informal words. Passing through three levels of Secret Service security, I waived my DT badge to get through the Trump media vetting. Finally, I got to speak to … … more …

Amen-erica !

JCwire – Atlanta, GA In a press conference today, Pastor Jeremiah Pastorius revealed a surprising resurgence of faith in the United States. “This is a shift we’ve never seen in my lifetime! With so many people coming back to religion, we’re renaming the country: ‘Amen-erica!’ ” Asked to explain this … … more …

Trump Solves Sexual Harassment

JCwire Washington, D.C. Donald Trump proffered a solution to the issue of sexual harassment today in a speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in Washington. He responded directly to criticism of his comments from 2013 when he suggested a combination of men and women in the Armed Services carried … … more …

Transitioning into Morning

Whether at 5 am or 10 am, getting myself rousted out of bed each day is a chore at best, a headache often. It’s just not my time of day. Or at least, not my favored doorway into consciousness. The morning itself often proceeds satisfactorily, once underway. My challenge is … … more …

House Passes Open Restroom Bill

JCwire Washington, D.C. Today the House of Representatives passed legislation opening all restrooms to “persons of either or any sex, sexual orientation, sexual preference, or asexual preference.” After prior attempts to control the actions of transgender individuals, many Washington insiders and observers were perplexed by today’s outcome. “Where the heck … … more …

Trump’s New Plan to ID Foreign Militants

JCwire: Salt Lake City, UT Today Donald Trump revealed a plan to add the identities of foreign terrorists to his previously announced Muslim database. In a well attended rally in Youngstown, OH, Trump explained, “I’m instructing all foreign militants – especially ISIS recruits – to sign up in my database … … more …

Our Newest National Park: Yosemighty!

Jcwire: Mariposa, CA Today the National Park Service renamed an historic national park, introducing “Yosemighty” to its four million visitors from within and beyond the fifty states. Disputes with the former concessionaire, Delaware North Corporation, forced the hand of the NPS. Jon Jarvis, Director of the Service, admitted some reticence … … more …

Obama’s Classroom

“Students, take your seats!” The roughhousing students ignored his request. “Students!” he shouted, hoping the volume would grab their attention. “Screw you!” said a voice from the back. “Sit down, now!” He watched for responses so he could send the perpetrators to the principal’s office. If he could just thin … … more …

Wikileaks Reveals Santa-NSA Connection

[wikileaks headquarters] JCwire Washington, D.C. Information provider Wikileaks today released documents implicating Santa Claus, aka St. Nicholas, of collaborating with the NSA regarding millions of American behavioral records. The data was said to be far more specific than the “Naughty or Nice” lists believed to be tracked by Santa and … … more …

French Regional States Block Americans

JCwire Paris Over the last several days, 16 of France’s 27 Regions have adopted a de-facto prohibition against American tourists and business persons from entering their borders. The proclamation, which is under consideration by still more Regions, requires all travelers to prove they have never owned a gun and don’t … … more …