My front bumper is bent just to the drivers side of center. the chrome is in pretty decent shape. Is there a way to straighten this thing without just thrashing the appearance of it?

Maybe an English wheel.. Some wooden or plastic mallets and some careful work.

Don't forget a few well chosen words of pursuasion on the bun per's part.

You little $#^^% piece of %&$^, won't you just &%^ &^$%&^ &*^ &^%!!!

If it is a shallow mild sort of dent...you might have success using a rubber/plastic mallet...like Rick said. If it has a sharp defined crease or similar...you may wind up making a mess of it. Good luck.

Chrome shops can probably get it out for you better than you can, in less time. And they may be able to do it without having to rechrome the bumper. Call around or take the bumper into the chrome shop and see what they say.