Chris James

A not so funny commentary on the state of American politics: ​As we quickly approach the end of the pre-election cycle of nominating delegates to the Republican convention this summer the sounds of despair grow louder. Donald Trump is the last Republican candidate still standing and that seems to be cause for great anguish among the rank and file of the GOP. The best is yet to come. ​Trump will soon have to pick a vice-presidential candidate, oh what fun the pundits will have with that. Real estate moguls do not like to share power so they surround themselves with minor flunkies who do the master's bidding. Trump is just such a mogul with zero political experience and so his VP choice should scare the hell out of the voters. To have a flunky of no major consequence just a heartbeat away from the most powerful political position in the country is frightening. ​The Donald has said a lot of negative things about the current state of government, but I have yet to hear any practical solution to anything because he changes his mind every day about issues that govern us all. The current dust up with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan does not bode well for a Trump administration. The GOP Congress has been obstructing a Democratic President for far too long to treat Trump any different. ​I am convinced that the country will elect Hillary Clinton and perhaps Bernie Sanders as her VP. Even those voters who dislike her should know that Trump will be far worse. But if the electorate is so pissed off at the way government has been treating them then the Republicans have no one to blame but themselves. So as the rest of the world cringes at the apparent lunacy of this American election cycle several things may happen: North Korea may offer political asylum to Americans, but only if they bring their own groceries. China may stop shipping us all that junk plastic ware you see at Walmart and we may have to go back to using wax paper. The French may take pity on us if they can finally stop laughing, as if their government is any better than Trump. What an interesting year we have here...have the aliens landed yet?

This is a good story to read for character development and I am glad to see it return as a Pick from the Past. Those of us in the Americas are always fascinated by foreign landscapes in other countries, but most often discover they are the same as what we have around us. I originally read the story and wondered where the gay connection might be, but I was not disappointed to realize it wasn't there. As in some of my own work, the love found in friendship can be a mighty source for emotional stories, and Alien Son has just proved that once again. This story was just as much fun to read the second time around....well done.

​It's coming to a Selective Service office near you. Congress is studying the feasibility of having women 18-26 sign up for the draft. The moves in recent years to give women an increasing role in military service comes at a time when we have an all volunteer military. The draft has not been used since the 1970's. But many young people see the military as a career, although I imagine the situation in the Middle East has lessened that appeal. ​Not every enlistment leads to a combat position, there are so many support roles available. We have women in positions as fighter pilots, many of them fly the drones used in combat. I guess we need further study on the issue, but I see no reason that they cannot be registered in the draft. The only people who seem to object to this are current military commanders and their opinions must count for something. What do you think?

This time around I think​ a lot of people would rather vote for a Muppet. Thanks, James.

​Hmm, I drop by the Forums every day. I don't respond to the subjects unless I find it interesting enough to make a statement. Responding to story posts in the Reader's Rule forum is tricky. None of us want to spoil the story for readers which often leaves little enough to say except "Good Story." I won't hesitate to reveal what I think about older stories under discussion, but generally only after the author has responded to the posts. I haven't put up anything new in a while, too many personal issues keep me from completing my work. All I can say is hopefully I will have a new story completed soon.

​This past week the remains of 14 unclaimed veterans were laid to rest at the Fort Worth National Cemetery here in South Florida with full military honors. The ever aging population of these men and women who served this country in uniform will continue to dwindle. A touching reminder that they should never be forgotten.

​Glen Campbell is a real gentleman, having spent a week with him during the summer stock days of my youth. Interesting to note that even back in the early seventies he presented the William Tell Overture in his live performance and the audiences loved it. Just recently I watched the DVD movie about his life called I'll Be Me which featured some of his earliest performances and the last one he did while suffering with Alzheimer's. I suffered through those moments presented with his family and friends. A sad decline from such a wonderful and talented man.

ChrisR, my thanks to you for pulling this story back into the present discussion. I did a lot of research reading before beginning to write and the notes I took were extensive. In some ways it makes me wonder why the story was only twelve chapters long, it could have been triple that. But condensing my thoughts allowed the pace of the story to move right along and I considered that more important. The research built the fictional characters while revealing the activities of the real life people added the credibility I wanted. The politicians and artists of that time period were huge characters and their lives filled with moments worth repeating. Any biographical material I read could have been embellished to give them an importance undeserved but I chose to use it when it came up in the research. So who knows if what I presented is the absolute truth, but I did try to use more than one source. I gave the links to several of my research sources at the end of the final chapter, and if you have the time those sites will open up a whole world of personal diaries and accounts of westward travel in the 1800's. My last trip from east to west coast took most of a week, but then I was in no hurry. Just imagine the weeks and months of travel time by wagon and how hard the work. You have to respect the pioneer families, and just reading their diaries made me realize a lot of them had no idea how hard it was going to be. But I loved the characters in this story, all of them, and I think they stand out to give you their best. In truth, I have been searching for another vehicle like this story to write something grand once again. It won't be the Civil War, but there are so many American moments to wrap around a good group of characters. One day....

​This story appears at a timely moment since the contents speak to major issues we now face in our society. Perhaps Cole has been culling his ideas from the news, but then so do most socially conscious authors. ​Discrimination in its many forms occupies the centerpiece of Cole's story, just in case anyone thinks our country has solved these issues. Not only do we have a racial minority storyline, there is also the gay persecution angle which makes this story very appropriate for AD. Bullying in any form is wrong, and made even worse when it comes from those in charge. ​Most of us understand the part about all men are created equal, we learned it in civics class, and it makes me wonder if that is even taught anymore. If bullying and bigotry are bad they become even worse when the source is religion. Cole manages to bring it all together in a well placed story with likeable characters, even the ignorant ones, who learn a lesson in this plot. Well done, Cole.

​Despite the serious and yet humorous university study that qualifies the Trump having the intelligence of a fifth grader there is very little said about his past. A man is known by his friends and yet the media has ignored Trump's New York mob connections. Perhaps they think the viewers are too ignorant to understand, or the new mob of billionaires won't allow the truth to be told. ​The name Roy Cohn may not mean much to you unless you recall the McCarthy years of anti-communist purges, and the homosexual purge that followed. Cohn was there in the middle of it as a lawyer for the prosecution, best known as the Jew who as responsible for having the Rosenbergs put to death. Later on he was tied to major mob figures who used his legal services. ​But Cohn was also a young Donald Trump's mentor and much of what we see of the presidential candidate today dates back to what he learned from his hateful tutor. Roy Cohn espoused hate for homos, and yet he died of AIDS in 1986. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that the man was deeply closeted...and a total hypocrite. Says a lot about the company Trump has kept in his life...and we want to give this man a chance at the White House?

Oh Hell No..... http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/carson%e2%80%99s-camp-plots-vp-bid/ar-BBqCG6q?ocid=spartandhp So when Trump gets impeached (as per my forecast) we would get stuck with Ben Carson? I suppose I can still post to AD from a nice home in Canada.

How long before Trump supporters start wearing their brown shirts and armbands? We​ are going to see more incidents like this, and it will get worse if Trump gets the Republican nomination. http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/%e2%80%98trump-trump-trump%e2%80%99-atttacker-allegedly-yelled-as-he-beat-hispanic-man-muslim-student/ar-AAgKMll?li=BBnbcA1 ​

Colin seems to be ruling the short story list these days, his latest, One Adversary, being the new offering.​ The saga of Jeremy and Mike goes on in an unusual fashion. Short stories are usually complete but here Colin gives us what appears to be unrelated chapters in the relationship of these boys....I like it. ​Like a kaleidoscope of separate images the stories work well together, the latest being an intense mystery complete with violence, cops and lawyers. Does anyone have such an intense life, it seems Jeremy does. Looking forward to what comes next.

The voice of Generation Z is definitely Troye Sivan. He is on tour this year and if he comes to your town I urge you to go see him. With all the junk music absorbed by the youth of today this young man stands out like a beacon. It seems a gay icon can entertain just about everyone, and perhaps it is because he has such a talented voice. This rendition of what has to be his most popular song is just stunning in it's simplicity and shows off his voice. I hope you enjoy: https://youtu.be/8eeewL0yBuU ​

I​ think James has picked the one story in his repertoire that I remember best. The Americanization of Alex S. was a wonderful piece of work and deserves a new round of young readers.

Thank you, Nigel...but... For an author with over two dozen stories posted on this site I was hoping you might choose one as your favorite and tell us why. ​I am sure the readers would like to know what inspired your favorite.

Over the years I am sure that the authors here have received a good deal of mail about their work. Isn't that a source of great satisfaction? But several times I have been asked which story I have posted do I consider my favorite. I generally hesitate to answer the question in a straightforward manner because I like them all, if only because I see them all as a labor I love. Just this past week I got another of those queries and decided to pick one of the stories to recommend. The reader who asked is young enough to be influenced by what he sees here, and we all have fine examples to show him. I would love to hear what the other authors here see as their favorite. Pick a story you would like a first time reader to view as an example of your efforts. Here is mine: http://www.awesomedude.com/chris_james/a-warriors-promise/index.htm I enjoyed the writing​ phase because this one took some long hard research into unfamiliar subjects, and of course, it includes a great deal of history, my favorite subject. The characters worked so well together in my mind, the dialogue came easy, and the plot just seemed to fall into place. Fantasy was new to me when this was written but it became an integral part of the story. We all hope there is a young audience out there who seek confirmation of their lives, and Awesomedude provides that outlet. Time to share. ​

Is this funny...not really...it's pathetic...or perhaps prophetic. The real fun comes in the commentary following the article. Some women should never be mothers​ and this is a fine example. I might ask what was she thinking, but obviously she wasn't. http://www.joemygod.com/2016/03/09/gun-nut-mom-shot-in-back-by-toddler-son-video/ ​

Let's face it, we all know the man lies about his business dealings...he thinks that is all a part of his responsibility to make money. But politics is something Trump hasn't learned very well. Most of us voters don't like to elect lying scumbags: https://www.yahoo.com/politics/trump-outsourcing-includes-home-goods-daughters-190543492.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma The man is sociopathic in his inability to tell the truth.​ ​

The complexity of Trump's popularity really has the GOP standing on it's head. How did this happen, how did Trump get this far? I am convinced after listening to Trump that his speech writers work for the WWF. That phony blustering bunch of steroid induced muscle men have set the example for the Trump mouth. They are all bad actors and yet appeal to the violent adolescent minded adults who may go out and vote for him. ​ Since the Republican party can't seem to blame itself for the obstructionist horse they have been riding for years, the way they have been shortchanging normal citizens just because they hate the idea of a black president...well, here is a good look at the way they are reaping what they have sown. The lunatics seem to be running the party. ​ http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/republican-blames-trumps-rise-obamas-level-headedness Rachel has never been afraid to tell it like it is and this article is a winner.​ ​

If anyone had doubts that Sutton would return to the story...well, Chapter 8 certainly blows that away (snicker).​

I laughed when I read about this contest. Just what every parent wants for their son...a porn star. Something like this would not fly in the U.S., and I guess it seems odd that there are not screams coming from the Orthodox Christian community there in Russia. If the boy thinks this will make him a man he is sadly mistaken, it may put a cramp in any dating he might think about with his peer group.

I am sure that most school children in this country have read To Kill a Mockingbird since it is part of the great American literary scene​. The story line is compelling in that it addresses the complexities of childhood in the Southland and the ever present racism of the time...but there is more. Since it's publication in the early 1960's, Harper Lee remained reclusive despite her popularity...and that has caused a good deal of curiosity about her personal life. Since her death this past week we are once again focused on her personal life and the concepts behind her writing. ​The following article is speculative at best: http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2016/2/25/truth-about-harper-lee Will we ever know the truth, does it matter? I have read some wonderful gay fiction written by straight authors so it seems the nature of a writer's sexuality is not always relevant. I do agree with this article that Harper Lee's characters in Mockingbird were unusual, perhaps leaning towards a different sexuality, but then they were quite young and ambiguous in nature. I also agree that each reader comes away with their own ideas regarding characterization in the story. There is much to absorb​ and this is why the book should be required reading in schools for the next hundred years. ​ ​

...and other precious parts. I was stunned after reading this article. Baby powder​ has been used on dozens of generations and only now we are told it is dangerous? Something is wrong at J & J if they have known of this for years and covered it up. http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/jandj-must-pay-dollar72-million-for-cancer-death-linked-to-talcum-powder/ar-BBpSa8v?ocid=spartandhp So before you powder yo​ur body after a shower look at the bottle and think twice. I guess this means you don't have to have ovaries to be worried. I recall the days when people used corn starch instead of talc. ​

I am always amazed at the skill set it takes to be an author. Offering the characters in an activity with such familiarity as Cole does in his latest chapter...so either he has the experience or spent a lot of time researching the subject. Either way it brings the boy's characters forward yet again​ and I am enjoying their struggles. Good story, Cole.