Shadow Politics
Shadow Politics is a grass roots talk show giving a voice to the voiceless. For more than 200 years the people of the Nation's Capital have ironically been excluded from the national political conversation. With no voting member of either house of Congress, Washingtonians have lacked the representation they need to be equal and to have their voices heard. Shadow Politics will provide a platform for them, as well as the millions of others nationwide who feel politically disenfranchised and disconnected, to be included in a national dialog.
We need to start a new conversation in America, one that is more inclusive and diverse and one that will lead our great nation forward to meet the challenges of the 21st century. At Shadow Politics, we hope to get this conversation started by bringing Americans together to talk about issues important to them. We look forward to having you be part of the discussion so call in and join the conversation. America is calling and we're listening… Shadow Politics is about America hearing what you have to say. It's your chance to talk to an elected official who has spent more than 30 years in Washington politics. We believe that if we start a dialog and others add their voices we will create a chorus. Even if those other politicians in Washington don't hear you — Senator Brown will. He's on a mission to listen to what America has to say and use it to start a productive dialog to make our democracy stronger and more inclusive. If we are all part of the solution we can solve any problem.
Guest, James J. Sydnor
James J. Sydnor is a native Washingtonian and a product of the DC public school system, graduating from Calvin
Coolidge High School in 1980. Sydnor then achieved a Master’s in Homeland Security degree from the University
of the District of Columbia in 2018.
Serving his community, James was a prior Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner representing
Single Member District 4B04 and the Ward 4 Committeeman as a member of the District of
Columbia Democratic State Committee. He is now serving as At-Large Committeeman.
Sydnor’s service to the community extends to veterans and military families. James is the
former Chair of the Veterans and Military Families Caucus on the DC Democratic State
Committee; current Chief of Staff of the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post 341; member of Kenneth Nash American Legion Post 8; and a public member of the
Mayor’s Advisory Board on DC Veterans Affairs.
Lance Corporal Sydnor began his career in the United States Marine Corps as a mortarman with
the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines – 1st Marine Division.
Corporal Sydnor became one of the last active Cadre Instructors on Submarine Base Kitsap.
There, he and a team of Marines maintained the base’s Auxiliary Security Force, instructing
sailors on base defense tactics and deployment of tactical weapons.
Sergeant Sydnor transitioned from active duty to the reserves as a Landing Support Specialist
where Staff Sergeant Sydnor deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II as an Embarkation
Chief.
Continuing his career, Gunnery Sergeant Sydnor became an Individual Marine Augmentee in
support of exercise Key Resolve held by U.S. Forces Korea with the Republic of Korea Armed
Forces.
Having obtained the rank of 1st Sergeant, James retired after 22 years of military service.
