Damned If We Do...

(Courtesy of/http://pretmetmohammed.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/pmm-shia-sunni.jpg)

Reformations are not pretty (that's to say the least.)

Look at the example now throughout the Middle East.

Muslims, having splintered into multitudes of sects,

Each of them interpreting the same religious texts

Do not trust each other well enough to compromise;

Ancient grievances behind the chaos on the rise.

Every time we've intervened we've just made matters worse.

Every time that someone dies it's us the mullahs curse.

Time we let Islamic leaders deal with their own crap;

We should stick to wiping ISIL forces off the map.

There's no winning strategy to fight religious wars.

All that we'll accomplish is to die on foreign shores.

Not Hospitable

(Courtesy of/Mike Licht)

Indiana's famed for Hoosier hospitality;

Seems that's only true if you're not LGB or T.

Their new law protects discrimination in the state

If you plan to choose a same sex partner for your mate.

Businesses which don't approve of who you pick to wed

Because their religion dictates what's allowed in bed

Can refuse you service if you're lesbian or gay;

Prompting major companies to question if they'll stay:

Apple and Alcoa, Eli Lilly, Angie's List,

NCAA and a growing movement who insist

They're not feeling welcome now that bigotry has won;

Hospitality includes accepting everyone.

Fear of Flying

Used to be a fan of flying...  Now, though?  Not so much.

I prefer my feet and solid ground to stay in touch.

Once I'd hop a flight to destinations near and far.

Nowadays I only go if I can go by car.

Wouldn't have a qualm if I were flying on my own

But a flight with my 2 sons - though both are fully grown -

Makes my stomach hurt to picture what it would feel like

Sitting with them, knowing that our plane's about to strike

Into buildings, oceans, mountains... Wanting to provide

Comfort, strength - while watching, helpless, as my children died.

I can't bear to think about them falling from the sky

Thus, this former aviator's now afraid to fly.

Failing in Yemen

(Courtesy of/news.yahoo.com)

No one wants to say that Yemen's failing as a state

But the situation on the ground ain't looking great.

President has fled the country; Houthis hold the streets...

I'd say the criteria for failing's one it meets.

Saudis and Iranians engaged in proxy war;

Former leaders want to loot the country even more.

Sunni fighting Shia with al Qaeda in the mix

Yemen's problems may yet prove impossible to fix.

On the brink of civil war - the final coffin nail -

What else would you call this if it's not an epic fail?

U.S. forces left already; writing's on the wall

As another sign of Arab Spring becomes its Fall.

Readying for Reno

The adjustor's coming here in order to assess

If our home insurance plan will cover for the mess

Winter left behind it with its snow and wind and ice;

Taking out our stairs and dripping through the ceiling... Twice.

So, I have to clean the house - again - a task I hate.

We've sure had a lot of strangers visiting of late;

Coming by in preparation for the reno start...

There's a lot of work before they tear your house apart.

This place hasn't looked so neat since we had both the boys

And we filled it up with our accumulated toys.

But, I can't have people here discussing future jobs

Learning that they're working for a bunch of lazy slobs.

The Tsarnaev Defense

Prosecution's wrapping up Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's trial

And, although we know he's guilty, it took them awhile.

His defense will make their case in just a day or 2.

They've already said the allegations made are true.

All that's left to argue now is if the boy should die

Or if he's a victim, too...  Manipulated by

Tamerlan, his older brother, and the crimes he did

Do not merit death because Dzhokhar was just a kid.

Mother was deported and divorcing his sick dad;

All alone - his parents gone - his brother all he had.

Thus, despite the horrors at the Boston Marathon,

Defense plans to argue that Dzhokhar was just a pawn.

As the mom of teenage boys, I'd buy that argument...

If my older son jumped off a bridge, as down he went,

Right behind - I'm pretty sure - his "little" brother would

Follow without pausing to consider if he should.

The Cruz Conspiracy

(I suspect Late-Night comics of funding the Cruz campaign.)

Like a late-night comic's gift from heaven comes Ted Cruz,

Saying he's put on his Presidential running shoes.

Cruz, who is Canadian, claims Texas as his home;

Land where the conservatives and long-horned cattle roam.

He's the guy who's so far right, the right thinks he's a nut;

Same guy who insisted that the government be shut.

He's the guy who filibustered; reading Dr. Seuss...

He's the guy who looks like he's got 2 or 3 screws loose.

Due to rules for secret Super PACs we'll never know

If Ted Cruz contributors include The Daily Show.

But, since there's no Sarah Palin (though there's always Trump)

Cruz provides the perfect target on which they can jump.

Unsolicited Advice for Nigerian Voters

(Mr. Jones' artwork/Courtesy of www.cagle.com)

There is an election in Nigeria next week;

Yet another term that Goodluck Jonathan will seek.

Vote has been postponed for weeks 'cause fighting grew intense

When the army finally came to the North-east's defense.

Boko Haram's terrorized Nigeria for years.

Thousands died but only as this new election nears

Has the fight grown serious, 'cause controversy swirls

As the whole world questions why they can't Bring Back Our Girls.

General Buhari (the opposing candidate)

Stands a chance to make Goodluck a former Head of State.

Suddenly his war on terror has new urgency.

Jonathan's now interested in security.

It sure took him long enough...  And still more girls are gone.

6 years he's ignored the fighting that's been going on.

'though I'm glad he's ordered Boko Haram be attacked,

If I were Nigerian I'd vote to have him sacked.

The Problem With Hillary 2016

This is how the GOP sees Hillary. (Courtesy of/www.veooz.com)

Lately I've become convinced that I don't have a choice;

I can argue politics until I've lost my voice...

Won't convince Conservatives to change their point of view.

So I've started thinking that it's time for someone new.

Since there is no compromise, our government is broke.

All the plans Obama has are going up in smoke.

Nominees are languishing and sex slaves have to wait

Because they don't like Barack...  But, Hillary they hate.

If you think that things are bad right now then wait and see

Just how bad it gets if we elected Hillary.

Knowing Clinton represents the sum of their worst fears,

I don't know if I can stand 4 more contentious years.

I could vote Republican to spare myself the pain;

If someone like Snowe, their former Senator from Maine,

Were to be the GOP's selected nominee

They might still convince me not to vote for Hillary.

Unsolicited Advice for Israel

Bibi Netanyahu's won a clear majority

Because most Israelis trust him with security.

Wants a coalition formed with parties to his right

Making any chance for peace with Palestine seem slight.

Bibi's withdrawn his support for the 2 state solution

Even though his new position could spark revolution...

Even though the world believes there's gotta be 2 states

Bibi wants to keep on building walls and closing gates.

'though I'm not from Israel and don't walk in their shoes,

I can't see how that improves security for Jews.

Killing hopes of Palestinians still talking peace

Seems to guarantee that fighting there will never cease.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Don't forget to wear your green, 'cause it's Saint Patrick's Day.

"You're as welcome as the flowers..." even if you're gay.

May the Irish luck be yours today - tomorrow, too.

Wishing you an Irish blessing for the whole year through.

May the winds be at your back and may the sun shine bright;

May you have a sober friend to drive you home tonight.

Whether you're a McNamara, Harrigan, or Corr

Hope the year ahead has naught but happiness in store.

Heee's Baack!

10 days since the President of Russia last was seen.

Rumors have been flying; what does Putin's absence mean?

He has cancelled trips and meetings.  Could it be he's sick?

Is he flat in bed because his back has got a crick?

Is he in a power struggle?  Could this be a coup?

Is he in some private spot exchanging an "I do"?

Kremlin watchers speculate why he's been gone so long,

But they're only guessing and their guesses could be wrong.

He still makes his presence felt, however, in the press;

Blustering to cover up his economic mess.

Russians love his show of strength - besides, no-one would dare

Take a poke at Putin even when he isn't there.

Later:

You may disregard that rhyme 'cause Vladimir is back;

Put his Northern Fleet on full alert for an attack.

Not to worry...  "Just a drill," said Putin with a smile.

Bet his neighbors wish that he'd stayed missing for a while.

Willful Ignorance?

I think NPR should be required listening;

Before you're allowed to give opinions on something

You would have to prove you didn't get your news from FOX

(Where the "idiot" is hyphenated to the "box.")

Cannot quote the rumors of conspiracies they spread;

You can't cite as "truth" something that Bill O'Reilly's said.

How, when recent studies proved that viewers of FOX News

Get facts wrong, is it the channel anyone would choose?

Still, it's got the highest ratings - revenues are great.

There's a lot of profit to be made in spreading hate.

But, if you prefer real news, tune in to NPR.

It should be the only channel we hear in the car.

Cancer of the Extremists

Boko Haram's pledged allegiance to the ISIL group,

Cutting out their old, Al-Qaeda allies from the loop.

Both gangs are barbaric so they make a perfect match

But it makes these terrorists more difficult to catch.

Moving into Africa like cancer that has spread:

Lots of open territory that the natives fled,

Schoolgirls they can sell as slaves or kidnap for a bride,

Room to build a Caliphate, a place for them to hide.

Drive them out of Syria or kill them in Iraq;

Doesn't matter... Tumors like these guys keep growing back.

But, as cancer patients know, that's no excuse to quit.

There is nothing we can do but keep on fighting it.

An Open Letter to the Leaders of the GOP

47 Senators have written to Iran

In an effort bent on sabotaging any plan

We are still negotiating - don't yet have a deal -

Threatening that Congress won't give its approval seal.

Siding with the Ayatollahs (who want talks to fail)

Feels as if Republicans who signed this piece of mail

Undermined our own position with their little note

Just because they're angry that they do not get a vote.

Congress votes on treaties but the deal we'd like to make

Wouldn't be a treaty and, therefore, it wouldn't take

Anything from Congress which is, clearly, just as well...

If they ever backed Obama things would freeze in Hell.

A Bad Week For Hillary

Hillary has not announced if she intends to run.

Even so, the week she's had could not have been much fun.

Hillary got pilloried by pundits in the press;

Just a taste of what's ahead if her decision's yes.

She used private e-mail servers when she headed State,

Breaking rules that she'd condemned in earlier debate.

Looking like a hypocrite - like rules do not apply.

When you are a Clinton, GOP expects a lie.

This just feeds their narrative...  Republicans believe

Mrs. Clinton's motivation's only to deceive.

Cover up Benghazi and mistakes she might have made;

This gives them the ammunition for which they have prayed.

I don't know why Hillary would run for President.

What is it she's won after her millions have been spent?

Criticism, controversy...  Thus, I have to ask

Why would Mrs. Clinton even want that thankless task?

Dr. Seussilitis Does The SCOTUS Blog (Again)

Yesterday the Justices heard arguments about

Language putting subsidies for health care in some doubt

For states that don't have a health care system of their own,

Because local politicians say they won't condone

Health care that's affordable. (They think it's Socialist.)

Thus they've launched another last ditch effort to resist

Implementing ACA by gutting subsidies;

Which leaves millions who can't pay their high insurance fees.

We won't know 'til June which way the Court is gonna rule...

If they'll strip away Obamacare's most vital tool.

I sure wish Republicans spent even half the time

Fixing health care as they've spent on making it a crime.

Kitchen Renovation - Baby Steps

 

"First step in the reno process," Dave the builder said

"Meet with a designer" who will take what's in my head

Put it down on paper, help me order what we'll need...

Turn my kitchen from a thought I've had in to a deed.

Wish me luck; my kitchen renovation's underway.

Looking forward to what Green Design Group has to say.

My mom's coming with me because I don't trust my taste.

She will be here shortly so I've no more time to waste.

Bibi's Bid To Congress

Bibi Netanyahu was invited to address

Congress by Republicans...  A diplomatic mess.

Many Democrats say they aren't planning to attend;

Partisan divides that may be difficult to mend.

President Obama isn't meeting with the man - 

Well aware of Netanyahu's feelings on Iran.

It's not some State secret that I'm telling out of school;

Saying the relationship between the 2 is cool.

Neither leader likes the other yet they have to work

With a guy that they're convinced is acting like a jerk.

This speech may help Bibi with elections in 2 weeks

But Israelis' cause gets damaged with each word he speaks.

Bad, Bad Vlad

Leroy Brown was bad so no one messed around with him.

Meaner than a junk-yard dog...  'though, meaner still was Jim.

Jim looks like a pussycat, however, when compared

To the Russian President.  Heck, even Big Jim's scared.

Putin's not a man the opposition wants to cross,

As their leader, Boris Nemtsov, learned - to his great loss.

Murdered by the Kremlin's wall; they shot him in the back.

Cameras weren't working at the site of the attack.

No one knows who pulled the trigger but the point is clear;

Russian opposition leaders have good cause to fear.

Do not spit into the wind or tug on Putin's cape...

Not unless they've also started planning their escape.