The Muse and Whirled Retort July 4 2026
Hey everybody. This is a special July 4th Special edition of the
M.U.S.E. .A.N.D. .W.H.I.R.L.E.D. .R.E.T.O.R.T.
Happy Bi-SesquiCentennial
No, no no not for those reasons. It’s because I’m old enough to remember the bicentennial. It was an impressionable age. They talked about history every night on television. I think it’s why I became well… A history buff. Only these days I know that I’m not smart enough to really even consider myself a “buff” how about a history enthusiast. I have met people who know history. I am not one of them, but I confident that my enthusiasm harkins back to the bicentennial.
I am from rural Georgia, which is now suburban Atlanta. The governor of our humble state was running for president. He won. I wasn’t old enough to vote. They released bicentennial Coins, and even the two dollar bill. My mother took me and my brother to the bank, I had never been in a bank. She got a two dollar bill for each of us on the day it came out. She took us to the post office and got it stamped with the date on it. I still have it. It’s probably worth less than two dollars today, but I digress.
I remember the sailing ships entering New York City. Believe me in Stone Mountain Georgia something that happened in New York City was like it was happening in Oz.
Sailing ships with skyscraper sized masts, from all over the world. I could even tell you, the three guys that signed the declaration of independence from the state of Georgia. Granted one of the guys name is Button Gwinnett. How can you not remember that? I could not tell you really anybody ok John Hancock. We know his name because he signed it so large that King George could read it from a distance. True? Who cares it makes her a good story and good stories are usually better than the truth.
Did you know that at the bicentennial the John Hancock building in Boston was the tallest building in the continental United States? I remember being told that as a kid because New York City is an island and not in the continental United States. Is it true? If only there was a magic box I could ask such a question but the truth is. I’d rather not. I would rather fondly remember the bicentennial.
A few years back, someone asked me to write a poem that talked about how great the United States was. And I think on the Bi-SesquiCentennial It is the perfect time to share it with you.
Sorry for the long introduction, but 250 years is a long time.******
But first, if you would like to support me for this Newsletter, here’s a few few ways you can do it.
Ways to support:
GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-chandler-heal-from-traumatic-brain-injury
Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/thechrischandlershow
Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/baldchandler
To be a continuing supporter
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheChrisChandlershow
Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/baldchandler
********
Here is a copy of the July Newsletter read aloud.
My sessions with the centre for Neuro Skills ended day (Insurance UGH!) so I decided to do my second stab at my puppets theatre and read it. https://youtu.be/VFgqTaUCYn4
Thanks to Chris Hewett for her help.
Enough of the crass commercial announcements
It is time for your
M.U.S.E. .A.N.D. .W.H.I.R.L.E.D. .R.E.T.O.R.T.
July 4, 2026
Austin, TX
Independence Day
By Chris Chandler
is the the thing we are most afraid of:
our people.
From the beginning
America has been a hodgepodge
of sundry, and diverging groups.
It is what makes us great.
Two, three hundred years ago,
(and even last week)
it was the best and the brightest,
that came here.
It was the adventurers,
the free thinkers, the risk takers
that came here.
It was the debtors, the n’er-do-wells
looking to start over,
the extremists,
the fanatics, the radicals, the persecuted
and the prospectors
that longed for the salvation of a new beginning.
It was the draft dodgers,
the exiled intellectuals, the starving,
and the industrious.
The refugees.
In 1776,
there were two and a half million
non native people
in what is now the United States.
No nationality held a clear majority.
There were more nationalities and more religions
being practiced in one location
than anywhere else on earth.
Twenty percent were of African decent.
(More than from any single country in Europe)
At one point
it could be argued that the 18th century version of Swahili
was the most spoken tongue in the western hemisphere.
Granted, they did not come here willingly.
It is one of our greatest shames
that it has taken us so long to realize
the gifts they had to offer.
For even though Africans were subjugated
for most of their history in the western hemisphere,
their contributions to what makes America great
is immeasurable.
And, the same is true of the contributions
of those who have been the most mistreated, the Native Americans,
the Chinese and the Mexicans.
Most of our greatest achievements
have been at the behest of
... the newcomer
... the outcast
... the refugee.
It was the new-comer,
the immigrant,
the refugee...
that put his body on the line against an armed private militia
in the struggle to give us the eight hour day.
It was the newcomer,
the immigrant,
the refugee...
that swelled the ranks of the Union Army
and put an end to slavery with the barrel of a gun.
The only country in human history to do that!
It was the newcomer
the immigrant,
the refugee...
educated in our universities that sat in Houston, TX
and Cape Canaveral
as we put a human on the moon.
It takes a great deal of courage and gumption
to come to a new land and begin again.
And once ya get here,
even if it may seem you have arrived with nothing,
the one thing ya still got is courage and gumption.
Even today. It is what makes us great.
Even if it is what we fear the most.
Many fear the new comer.
But I say, what does the new comer have to offer?
We are all after all, newcomers.
We are still so young, and so big.
Europeans poke fun at us saying we think two hundred and fifty years is a long time,
yet they think two hundred and fifty miles is a long way.
Our American trailblazers
have conquered great distances
with a mule and an axle.
We, a largely impoverished rural, uneducated...
loose connection of villages...
were able to defeat the mightiest army on earth
with nothing but a wagon load of hunting rifles and declare ourselves free.
Only a great and inspired people could do that.
Yes, What we have done with that history
has not always been pretty.
No people’s history is pretty.
Perhaps if it were, it would surely be that.
History.
Pretty people don’t last.
But in America it is often the ugliest of the ugly that prevail.
And Prevail we do.
But today,
I choose to celebrate what is great about our country.
Our diversity.
********************
If you would like to support me for this Newsletter, here’s a few few ways you can do it.
Ways to support:
GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-chandler-heal-from-traumatic-brain-injury
Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/thechrischandlershow
Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/baldchandler
To be a continuing supporter
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheChrisChandlershow
Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/baldchandler
ANOUNCEMENTS
Paul and I are actually going to be doing a mini tour this summer.
It is going to be a challenge for sure, but here is what we are looking at.
H.E.R.E.’.S. .D.A. .D.A.T.E.S.
Friday, July 10th, 2026 1:40 pm
Oregon Country Faire - Venita , OR
Blue Moon Stage
Saturday, July 11th, 2026 4:20 pm
Oregon Country Faire
Blue Moon Stage
Sunday, July 12th, 2026 9:00 pm
Oregon Country Faire
Library Show
Thursday, July 16th, 2026 3:30 pm
(Doors at 3 o'clock show at 3:30)
The UU Church
25th Annual appearance.
87738 US-101 - Florence , OR 97439
Friday, July 17th, 2026 8:00 pm
The Axe and Fiddle
657 E Main St. Cottage Grove , OR 97424
Saturday, July 18th, 2026 8:00 pm
Hybrid Cafe
941 W 3rd Ave Eugene , OR
Sunday, July 19th, 2026 8:00 pm
Woody Fest - Salem , OR
DM Me for the address
Also on the bill are Reggie Garrett and Christine Gunn and also Joanne Rand.
Please RSVP for the potluck or to reserve a spot for tent or vehicle camping. For more info: woodyj@mac.com or 503-979-1837
Tuesday, July 21st, 2026 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
AND
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Breitenbush Hot Springs
Breitenbush Road SE. Breitenbush , OR
Thursday, July 23rd, 2026 6:30 pm
House - Yard Concert
Calliope Farms - Portland Area , OR
DM Me for Deets
Friday, July 24th, 2026 7:30 pm
Floyds Coffee and Wine Bar
1996 S. East Ladd Ave Portland , OR 97214
Saturday, July 25th, 2026 6:30 pm
House Concert in Portland, OR
Home of Dean and Abby Boudouris
DM me for the address. Or email dean@technw.net
Thursday, July 30th, 2026 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Egan’s Ballard Jam House
With Special Guests Reggie Garret and Christine Gunn
1707 NW Market Street - Seattle , WA 98107
Friday, July 31st, 2026 7:30 pm
Traditions
300 5th Avenue SW - Olympia , WA 98501
Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 7:30 pm
House Concert in Bellingham
Presented by Caryn Simmons - Bellingham , WA
DM me for the address.
Mid Afternoon TIME TBD - TBA