Take The Deal

The former Persian Empire. (Map/Courtesy of parsaworld.com)

Picture us a thousand years from now - if we're still here -

Former super power which the world regards with fear,

Being forced to let some other countries tell us how

We should act... That's how Iranians are feeling now. 

Judging by the shouting overheard when parties meet

What John Kerry got them to concede was quite a feat.

Now their Ayatollah and our Congress must agree,

Meaning that the deal is far from done, if you ask me.

I hope they don't blow it; it's the best we're gonna get.

If positions were reversed, I think it's safe to bet

In a thousand years from now, should we decline and fall,

Countries would be lucky if we made a deal at all.

Goosing Turkey

  

 As Kobani's Kurds - with help from the United States -

Hold off ISIL fighters, Turkish forces shut the gates;

Haven't let the Kurds from Turkey reinforce the town,

And it isn't just their borders Ankara's shut down.

They've been less than useless - even bombing local Kurds.

Were their promises to help with ISIL only words?

Erdogan's demanding more than we're prepared to do;

(He wants us to promise that Assad's a target, too)

Taking on another foe before we've crushed the first.

Assad is a tyrant, true...  But ISIL's still the worst.

Time that Turkey offers us a neighborly assist...

Let's take care of ISIL before adding to our list.

"No-one's Ever Lost Money Betting Against Peace in the Middle East"

(Courtesy of Truthdig.com)

Israelis and Palestinians are on the outs...

Secretary Kerry wants to soothe them.  I've my doubts.

Israel's reneged on deals to set some prisoners free.

Talks are breaking down because the 2 sides can't agree.

Netanyahu doesn't trust Abbas (who feels the same.)

Currently, they both insist the other guy's to blame.

Palestinians are angry, and they have a right

Watching new Israeli settlements grow overnight.

Now Abbas is saying he'll appeal to the U.N.

That derails the framework talks and nothing happens then.

Kerry's gone to see if there's another thing to try;

Rumor says we might release an old Israeli spy.

If we plan to free their spy we should get something back;

Major issues needing breakthroughs aren't a thing we lack.

Make them stop the settlements and honor deals they've made;

If there aren't concessions then it isn't worth the trade.

Baby Steps In Geneva

Welcome to Homs. (Photo/Courtesy of @homsae)

Delegates from Syria (at least the ones who came)

Wasted lots of energy in allocating blame.

Lavrov and Kerry forced participants to stay...

Tried to save the accusations for another day.

Want humanitarian deliveries of aid

Into parts of Syria where they have been delayed.

Residents of Homs are starving; dying in the streets,

There amongst the ruins and the corpses wrapped in sheets.

Do you think those people care who gets to be in charge?

Problems that they're facing for survival are too large:

Will their children make it through the night, or will they die?

Can they keep their families safe when bullets start to fly?

Has the world forgotten them and does nobody care?

Is there any way to get the hell away from there?

Now, at least, the women and the children get to leave.

Let's hope that the talks can pull more tricks out of its sleeve.

Across the Pond - China and the Middle East

It doesn't take a crystal ball to know that China wants to play a role in the Middle East.

China's leaders want involvement in the Middle East.

They are welcome to a role; I don't mind in the least.

I wish them all kinds of luck in brokering a peace.

See if they enjoy the job of being world police.

We could, surely, use a break 'cause it's a thankless job.

Think we've got a deal worked out and then one side will lob

One more precondition or extension of a wall

And the treaty falls apart with no progress at all.

Syria has made the Middle East a powder keg.

Secretary Kerry has done everything but beg,

Looking for assistance.  If the Chinese want a turn

I'd say that's an offer we cannot afford to spurn.

(Cartoon courtesy of FunnyJokesandLaughs.wordpress.com)

Across the Pond - Syria and Russia (Still)

A Syrian rebel leader committing cannibalism. (Photo/ForeignPolicy.org)

Want to help the Syrians, but - wait...  Before we start.

Who is it we're helping?  Rebel ate a soldier's heart,

Then cut out his liver and, it seems, he ate that too.

That is not the kind of guy I want to help.  Do you?

If the U.S. gets involved we'll only make things worse;

That's unless John Kerry gets the Russians to reverse

Their position on Assad and that's not looking good...

Russia says they've caught a spy in Moscow's neighborhood.

He was found with wigs and cash and offers to employ

Someone to spy on the Russian homeland for us.  Boy...

Bet that put a crimp in Secretary Kerry's style.

Getting Putin's help in Syria might take a while.

Across the Pond - Kerry's Russian Visit

"Did you guys forget to make the appointment?" (Photo/ABC News)

Kerry met with Putin hoping they could strike some deals.

Putin kept him waiting; Kerry sat and cooled his heels.

Three whole hours Putin made the Secretary wait.

It's been 6 or 7 for some local Heads of State.

But, what else could Kerry do?  It's not like he could leave.

We need Russia to insure Assad will not receive

Weapons that he's using on his people. Kerry must

Just endure these slings and arrows; re-earn Putin's trust.

Clearly, Putin feels the need to prove that he's in charge.

Even his supporters say his ego's pretty large.

Let him win these childish games if that is what it takes.

Secretary Kerry knows he plays for higher stakes.

Dear Secretary Kerry... Unsolicited Advice for North Korea

Kim Jong-un keeps ramping up the tensions overseas:

Making plans for bringing Austin, Texas to its knees,

Opening reactors, shutting down a factory,

Threatening to launch a missile if we don't agree.

Seems he wants the sanctions lifted, so he's talking tough.

If the man were rational I'd swear it's all a bluff,

But he doesn't strike me as a very stable guy.

Doesn't seem to care that we could blow Pyongyang sky high.

How are we supposed to deal with someone who's a loon?

Maybe we should send in Dennis Rodman pretty soon.

He can speak the language; he's established a rapport.

Our Marines could land him on the North Korean's shore.

Dennis could explain to Kim Jong-un the basic facts;

Talking tough is one thing, but if North Korea acts,

It will be the Russians and the Chinese who are mad

And they might arrange a swift reunion with his dad.

Massachusetts Senate Debates

R.D. Sahl moderated the 2 debates last night. He did a great job.  (Photo/Steve Senne/AP)

Massachusetts has itself an open Senate seat

Now that Kerry's left the Hill and moved up to C Street.

Last night all the candidates showed up for a debate.

Each side got an half an hour; finished up by 8.

R.D. Sahl was very good, although he sounded hoarse.

Started with the GOP - all moderates, of course.

(Socially conservative Republicans are rare

Here in Massachusetts.) They said DOMA was unfair.

Winslow, Gomez, Sullivan: don't like the A.C.A.

Said that Massachusetts doesn't need it anyway.

Gomez lacks experience and Sullivan's polite...

Thought Dan Winslow won in the debate I heard last night.

Next up were our Democrats from Congress; Lynch and Markey.

Ed was very statesman-like and Steve a little snarky.

I like Stephen Lynch a lot - he does a decent job -

And I know that Markey may appear to be a snob

But, with more than 30 years experience, it's he

Out of all the candidates on stage (it seemed to me)

Who was senatorial; the other men were not.

Up against Ed Markey, Winslow wouldn't stand a shot.

Dear Secretary Kerry... Sincere Sympathies on Your Dream Job

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry...  Poor bastard.

Secretary Kerry has his work cut out for him;

Situation in the Middle East is pretty grim.

Civil war in Syria; the circumstances dire.

Innocent civilians getting caught in the crossfire.

Plus 2 million refugees have packed their things and fled.

Assad's neighbors have to try and keep those people fed.

War's been dragging on for 2 years now; no end in sight.

The United States stayed on the sidelines of the fight.

Now - so rumor has it - CIA is helping out;

Shipping arms to rebels so the battle's not a rout.

Trying hard to pick and choose who's gonna get the guns

In a region that's known warfare since Attila's Huns.

Egypt's on the brink of a collapse...  They're out of cash.

Thus, their fragile government may hit a wall and smash.

Even with intentions that are pure as driven snow,

Morsi's in a bind if the economy won't grow.

And, of course, there's Israel and Palestine, as well.

You call that the Holy Land?  It's more akin to Hell.

It's no wonder Hillary decided that she'd quit;

Let poor Secretary Kerry try to deal with it.

Massachusetts Republicans - Screwed?

Thanks, but no thanks?

Massachusetts cannot get Republicans to run;

Scott Brown, Bill Weld - even Tagg (Mitt Romney's eldest son)

All declined to make a try for Kerry's Senate seat...

Do not want to work their toches off for a defeat.

It's an uphill battle for their Party in my state.

Any chances that will change aren't looking really great.

With these major players out, their Party's in a pinch.

Seems Ed Markey only needs to get by Stephen Lynch.

Can't say that I blame Scott Brown - who lost a bruising race -

His decision proves he isn't just a pretty face.

Bet he runs for Governor and I predict he wins.

(We forgive Republicans a multitude of sins

When they're our Republicans - the Massachusetts kind -

Not the ones in Washington, who've clearly lost their mind.

We don't like to give those guys a solitary vote.)

I bet Scott Brown hasn't, yet, retired his barn coat.

Dear America... You're Welcome.

Senator William "Mo" Cowan, MA

You don't have  to thank my state ('though, probably, you should.)

Secretary Kerry running State? He's really good.

He's been training for this job for his entire life.

Wishing best of luck to him and to his lovely wife.

This meant that my Governor decided who would go;

Patrick picked his former Chief of Staff; a guy named Mo.

Cowan doesn't want to be our Senator for long.

Says he'll work with Kerry's staff; is bound to get things wrong...

But, it's hard to disagree with Deval Patrick's choice;

Senate-Designee provides an independent voice.

Speaks for Massachusetts; not for lobbyists or PACs.

I think that outweighs the Hill experience he lacks.

The 113th Congress - A Sisterhood of Senators?

Twenty women Senators...  I guess that it's a start.

Mustn't get excited; put the horse before the cart.

Just because they're women doesn't mean they'll all agree.

Still, I'm very glad that Warren's representing me.

She might soon be senior in a funny twist of fate.

Kerry, if confirmed, will leave to take the reins at State.

(Barney Frank would like his job, but doesn't want to run.

As of now, in recent polls, Scott Brown is number one.)

As the Senior Senator from Massachusetts, she

Steps into the shoes once filled by Teddy Kennedy.

Warren's smart; she'll learn the moves for Senate cloakroom deals,

And, like 19 others, she'll be making them in heels.

Race for the White House - Fire John Kerry.

Huh?

Maybe Mr. Romney thinks that lying's not a sin,

Or else he's concluded it's the only way he'll win.

Critics said Obama seemed lethargic and outgunned -

I thought it looked more like he was absolutely stunned.

How do you debate a man if he's prepared to lie?

Any time you make a point he'll simply just deny

That he ever said the things that you have heard him say.

Try to pin him down and watch him quickly slip away.

I don't think John Kerry is the best way to prepare.

Have to find a sales-man who will lie and doesn't care.

Hire Bernie Madoff to get ready for debates

If Obama wants to win these (dis)United States.