Vlad the Great?

(Portrait/Courtesy of thefederalist-gary.blogspot.com)

Putin and his cronies are attempting to suppress

Journalists in Russia who must toe the line unless

They would like a visit from some functionary who

Makes sure that the day they crossed the line is one they'll rue.

Visa violations; someone mugged the BBC...

Not so subtle clues that Russian media's not free.

If a visitor's harassed, imagine what it's like

Living in the shadow of a looming Putin Reich.

So much for the freedoms that the Russian people gained.

Not since in the days when Tzars (or Joseph Stalin) reigned

Has there been a press less free and fearful of the State,

Forced to sing the praises of their leader - Vlad the Great.

What's a Little Mugging Between Friends?

(Photo/Courtesy of funnyfeeder.com)

 

BBC reporters, recently, got beaten up...

Do they think this "random" mugging looks suspicious? Yup.

For, if you have asked yourself; "What did the muggers get?

"Did they steal their watches, car, or wallets from them?" Nyet.

While in Russia, looking into soldiers who have died

(Where they found some evidence that Putin may have lied;

That he does have troops within the borders of Ukraine

Fighting with the rebels because Russia seeks to gain

Access to Crimea - which they've already annexed)

BBC reporting left somebody rather vexed.

 "Muggers" smashed their cameras.  Then, questioned by police,

It was hours later before victims gained release.

They went back to find someone had rifled through their car

But the only damage they're discovering - so far -

Is to their computer drives with files for their report...

I have doubts their case will ever make it into court.

I suspect the mastermind behind this petty crime 

Never has to worry that he'll end up doing time.

How do you arrest a head of state who's doing worse?

When you're stealing territory, what's a little purse?

Happy New Year 2013

The traditional kiss in Times Square.  (Photo credit/Newsday.com)

Happy New Year everyone.  I wish you all the best.

Hope you had a peaceful season; caught up on some rest.

Husband's back to work again; the boys are back in school.

Told them that I'd miss them (Momma didn't raise a fool.)

But, there is a part of me that's felt so out of touch;

Didn't follow world affairs or watch the news so much.

Listened to the BBC and so I caught the gist.

Details and the nuance were the things I kinda missed.

Dr. Seussilitis re-emerges with free time.

I'm just getting up to speed about which news to rhyme;

So, I beg your patience, please, as I shift in to gear.

Promise to get better as we enter this New Year.

Across the Pond - Syria. Stop the Presses!

Syrian President Bashar Assad

Stop the presses! Assad says that Syria's at war.

After 16 months of heavy shelling I'd have swore

Anyone who's paid attention has to recognize

That Assad's announcement isn't much of a surprise.

He insists that terrorists who want him overthrown

Are behind the killings, yet protests have only grown.

Just shot down a Turkish jet...  That sounds like war to me.

Assad's on a pace to top his father's killing spree.

Now the Russians want to meet - including with Iran -

Turkey, the United States; discuss the Annan plan.

Problem is that they insist Assad should get to stay;

Something opposition fighters won't accept.  No way.

There's been too much killing.  There's too many babies dead.

No-one can forgive the way Bashar Assad has led...

Greeted Arab Spring by using bullets and some tanks.

If Assad's a precondition, have to say - "No, thanks."

Across the Pond - Egypt: Pay Attention!

Cartoon by Robert Ariail.com

 

Situation recently in Egypt isn't good.

If you haven't paid attention lately, then you should;

As go the Egyptians also goes the Arab Spring.

I'm afraid that you won't like the news this rhyme will bring.

Military has dissolved the Parliament and now

Won't announce the President...  They'd rather kiss a sow.

Probably because the Muslim Brotherhood has won;

Who, until a year ago, were not allowed to run.

Now, although there's uproar, it's more quiet than you'd think

Mostly because younger folks believe both options stink.

What was there to choose from? Either old way or far right?

Not the kind of candidates for whom they fought the fight.

We will have to wait and see by whom that country's led

(And how many more times that Mubarak will be dead.)

Don't know how much longer that the Generals can stall.

Hope the Arab season hasn't turned from Spring to Fall.